Sorry it took so long for me to update, had to go away for awhile. Anywayz, I hope to update alot this summer, and thanks to all my reviewers. I hope to get 25 reviews, and if I don't get the next chapter up this week, it'll definetly be up next week. To answer everyone's question, I'm not sure who she'll end up with, but hopefully it'll all work out in the end.

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Chapter 4: Conversations

Hastily slipping the cloak over her midnight blue breeches and shirt, Alanna exited the room, heading for the practice court. Her sword had been neglected, and it was time she exercised herself.

She would rather have practiced in the afternoon or at least later in the morning, but no such luck. Once her mother was up, there was no escaping the preparations for the ball, and she'd be trapped for hours. The ball in her honor would take place tonight and every hair on her head would be in the proper place.

Her thoughts went back to the events of last night, back to the conversation with her parents.

Curtsying to her parents, they beckoned her to take a chair. She sat nervously, she knew what this was about, and there was no way to stop it.

Her mother looked sad, her father triumphant. Yes, he would look triumphant. He'd obviously done something to make himself more powerful.

"Alanna, my daughter, I have excellent news to share with you. I have arranged for you to be betrothed to the prince, Jonathon! He will be the perfect husband for you, and you will have beautiful children together!"

She just stared. This was how he announced it!? Her father was a pig!

"Don't stare at me so, you should be overjoyed. Do you know how many other women would kill to be in your predicament? Though, you will have to start acting the part of a princess, we're not in Tusaine anymore. I want you to give me your sword, what would happen if it got around the palace that you, a gentle woman, carried one? The marriage would be off right away," his cheeks were turning red, just thinking about what would happen if the marriage was canceled. "You will do it for your country."

Would she? Was her country really worth a marriage that held no love? A love where the man took control of the woman, even though she thought for herself?

"Why would you arrange this marriage!? I feel nothing for this country, or for this man you want me to marry. How could you?" Her anger was rising. She hated being a princess.

"Don't question my judgement's girl! I make the decisions, you have no say in whom you are to marry, you're only good to produce an heir, and an icon for the prince!"

"Alan!" Alanna's mother cried out in shock, her child was more than that!

Alanna didn't wait for his reaction. She rushed out of the room. Tears of rage falling down her face. An icon! If only she could have become a knight, things would have been different, she would have never let anyone control her.

She entered the spacious room that was the practice court, and gasped at what she saw. Yes it was a practice court, but the room was lined with bookshelves, and furniture. A glass window lay in a corner of the room, and she walked over to it. Mouth wide open. She stared. Miles of forests and water lay outside. The view was amazing. Birds soared overhead in the blue sky, and rays of sunshine could be seen.

After minutes, she composed herself and started a complicated pattern dance with her sword, but she found it hard to concentrate Who's room was this? The man or woman was obviously cultured to build their study in this room. Or, it could have been sitting here for years, abandoned. What if, when I make sure no one comes here, make this my own room? I could shelter myself from people I don't want to see, my father, and my betrothed. Yes, this could work, she thought to herself, suddenly filled with joy.

Going back to her sword, she did the patterns Liam had taught her with more energy, energy she hadn't felt since she left Tusaine. For a while she forgot about her problems, and was so absorbed in the dance she was doing, didn't notice the man in the room watching her.

An hour later she put her sword down and sighed. It was time to face reality, time for her to leave this safe haven. She walked over to the window again, and stared out, looking at the beautiful scene.

A hand came on her shoulder and she screamed, whipping around. Sapphire blue eyes stared down at her.

Oh no, no, this can't be the prince's room. No, how could someone like him, share joy in this?

"Hello, princess," he said with some amusement. He'd seen her with a sword, she could really fight. He looked down at her again, and all amusement faded away. Her eye's were- how to describe it, dull? They no longer shone like they did while she was using her sword.

Alanna started to shiver, and her eyes closed. Jonathon grabbed her waist before she fell to the ground.