Firstly, my apologies for this delayed update, despite the many reviews. :) I was - and still am - on vacation, and it is next to impossible finding a computer with internet connection. As this fic draws to a close, my huge thanks goes to all my reviewers and readers. I wouldn't have managed to update so soon without you. 3
SodaPop33: I tried to write something out of the ordinary - and I'm glad you think I achieved the humour and wit to some degree. :) Thank you for your compliments!
aznchicki: Haha. You're over the 15th, actually! See? The standard was all right, neh? Thanks so much for dropping by! Btw, I'm curious about your nick - are you, by any chance, a part of Winglin? :)
pinky: :P Those witty repartees are HARD to come up with! Lolz. It's too bad you're not an AJ fan, though, but I'm glad you enjoyed it nevertheless. Hope you enjoy this chapter, too.
Kore Yan: Oh, but you see, Jonathan took action by leaving BEFORE Alanna could throw her fit. Haha. In truth, I can indeed see her throwing a fit. :P But I thought it would be a bit tiring to have Alanna arguing with herself and with Jon so much in one chapter. :) Lolz. So, does this chapter satisfy your curiousity?
Clair-a-net: Thank you for the compliment. I know this is not soon, but it will have to do, non?
chicken-puffs: Why thank you. :) Enjoy this chapter too, hm?
TPfan333: Well, Alanna has always been target for embarrasment, non? Haha. And you've read the story so carefully - and reviewed every chapter! Hugs
nala: I'm sure people would be much interested and amused if they looked into your thoughts, nala. :) Lolz. I'm glad you thought I improved this chapter - let's see if I can keep it up, hm? Lolz. Exams are over - I studied, I sat through two hours of exams, and now they are over!!!! I just hope I didn't fail everything. Haha. Of course, ideas exposed can change the world, neh?
SailorChibi: Lolz. Thank you - so many flattering words! Blush. Lolz. I tried to manipulate Alanna's mind to keep her personality in the books, but with different ideas from the convent. How successful I was, I don't know. Haha. No - Alanna would never have made a good Queen, but I like to manipulate other, more bittersweet reasons, or other ideas that could have happened, to comfort myself. :P (But none, or little, are of Alanna becoming Queen.) I still think AJ have so much chemistry between them, and was I ever disappointed when I found out they did not become a pair! :) Thank you again, and hope you like this chapter!
S: Aww. Thank you. I kind of want to make this story longer too, but I'm afraid it will get kind of stale. In fact, I can assure you that it WILL get stale after another few chapters - so we'll just keep it short and sweet, neh? Lolz. Of course, Alanna is feminine, whether she admits it or not. Plus, she wants to impress the Prince, even though she doesn't want to admit that either, right? Haha. J/k. Thanks for pointing out what you liked - I smile everytime I read your comment. Thanks!
Timra: Haha. I hope you didn't review just to add a number! Because your review means more than that to me - thank you soo much for the comment. As for her plan - knowing Alanna, how well do you think it will work? Wink
miamouse: Computers can get crazy sometimes, eh? I should know - my laptop hates me. :) Haha. I liked the lotion part as well - it has more interaction and action, don't you think? Hmm - the idea of changing views is a creative one, but I don't think it would work in this case. For one thing, my slow mind can't keep track of so many different personalities and thought in first person. Lolz. And changing views would ruin the flow of the simple plotline, in this case. :) But I'll think about it definitely, for future stories - perhaps I'll do a ' Prince Jonathan meets Alanna of the Convent', next, from Jon's point of view. :)
Gwen of Helmsgrove: Haha. Thank you! Although it was not her personality I tried to change, but rather, her thoughts. You will still notice her quick temper, and failure of success of plans. :P Like I told miamouse, the flow of the story will be ruined with so many POVs, and it will get confusing after awhile - both for me and the readers. But thanks for the suggestion all the same! :)
Rubber Duck: Lolz. Do I? But I see you guys have fulfilled the requirements nicely. Wink Haha. Thank you so much for your compliments of 'original' - it means so much to me. :) I hope you enjoy this chapter too, neh? As for DD - well, I'm part of quite a bit of internet activities, and as much as I indeed want to, I know I wouldn't be able to keep up with its pace. But who knows, perhaps I will, someday. :P
DarkAngelius: Haha. Uh-oh. I'm going to get a lecture for this delay, am I not? Haha. I'm glad you think this story is readable, and hope to you this chapter as well. :)
oceanspike: Ohh. I've never used 'Lolz' for 'Lots of love' before, but I can see how it works. :) Haha. You're so efficient! I should start applying some of them to my chat language. And thank you for being such a devoted supported all throughout my story. I hope this chapter meets the standards? :) Lol - as in 'lots of love'. 3
I edge slowly into the ballroom. Do NOT trip – do NOT trip. One foot in front of the other now. Slowly – easy does it.
Goddess, I will be utterly exhausted if I have to remind myself all night! Suddenly, this ball idea seems much less survivable as it did earlier today. In fact, I've never wished more devotedly that I were thousands of miles away. A long, long way from here.
Gah! All right. Don't drop the handkerchief now, Alanna. You'll need it to wipe of the sweat soon. Sweat from NERVOUSNESS!! Why is everyone staring at me? I just dropped my hankie, for Goddess Sake's!
Wait – doesn't dropping your handkerchief mean – Oh Lord.
This is going to be one hell of a long night.
-----
I look around; hoping someone – or something – will rescue me from this plight. Hello?! Damsel in distress here! I don't need a knight in shining armour, but an escape hatchet will do just fine!
Thom was nowhere to be found. Aww, no. This is NOT good. He was casted as my whisker from balls! (Not whisker as in sensory organs on a feline – whisker as in 'whisking-me-AWAY-from-here'.)
And there – ahhh. Surrounded by dozens of court females, the object of my scrutiny was laughing like the way he had never laughed around me, and even from HERE, I could tell he was flirting. What was he wearing? A... suit of some royal blue material, finely tailored and looking every inch like it grew on him.
How does ANYONE look that good in a suit?
As I watch, he bows low, and offers his hand to someone. A beautiful, green-eyed, voluptuous someone. I watch as they waltz around the room, having the oh-so-marvellous time of their lives (obviously this woman didn't worry about tripping over her own feet every two seconds). GAH!
That spoiled jerk. Immature twit. Always up for the pretty new faces.
Wait – why would I care about the affairs of what HE'S doing? In fact, he could dance with every single female of court, and I would absolutely NOT care. Not at ALL.
"My Lady, would you care to dance?" Someone's hand comes flourishing in front of my vision, blocking him from my sight.
"I...err..." Roused most untimely from my thoughts, I stare up at a middle-aged man standing right in front of me, and smiling beguilingly in my direction. What just happened?
Wait.
Dance? Did he just say dance? Um, unless he wants me to die a tragic and early death – from EMBARASSMENT! – I don't think that's a good idea.
To dance? Not I.
Imagine the Lady Alanna tripping over her own feet while dancing in front of Prince Jonathan and his elegantly gliding partner. Or worse – WITH Jonathan.
My eyes widen as I see him coming for me – or coming in MY direction – out of the corner of my eye.
This is NOT good. Of course, he may be just passing by, but I'd rather NOT take the risk. Talk about major social outcast from this day on.
"No! I mean, not now. He can't see me!"
"Who is this that you speak of? Are you all right, Lady?"
If my life – I'm not joking, if I was to trip in front of the entire court, I WILL die the most untimely death – was not at stake, I would be laughing at his concern.
As it is, what am I suppose to say to that? Yes, I'm all right? How can I say that, when I've never been more NOT all right in my life? (And he's coming closer...)
No? What is my excuse? "Sorry Sir, I'm afraid I can't dance with you. It's just that the most dangerous person on Earth coming in this direction, and I MUST get out of here ASAP.'
That's right. I DO need to get out of his line of vision ASAP.
The question is – how?
Unfortunately, our gazes meet at this moment, and he lifts his glass of wine in salute, giving me a tiny wink. I've sprouted roots – this Prince was definitely dangerous.
"Lord Cayne, my sister is looking for me."
I spin around, and oh, thank the Goddess, it's Thom!! How could I ever have held a grudge against him before? He flashes me an amused grin, before turning back to the Lord. (I could do without that smirk, honey).
"She meant that if you were to escort her onto the dance floor, I wouldn't be able to find her among all the dancers. And if you will so kindly excuse us, we have important matters to catch up on."
-----
Oh, the saving grace! I adore thee, brother dear! My feet seemed to have sprouted wings, and I flee as fast as I can in the opposite direction, towing Thom with me. Only until I had put as much distance as possible between him and I, did I stop.
"Bad night, sister?" He chuckles infuriatingly.
"Thom, you need to get me out of here! I can't take it anymore!" I pound against his chest, emphasising my point.
"Don't you think it's a bit rude, skipping out on His Highness's birthday? Especially as he is SO intent on having a dance with you?"
I stare at him. Is he trying to get me killed? "Are you mad? What are you talking abo - "
"Am I interrupting?"
Ahh.
Jonathan bows gallantly, and winks at me, a twinkle in his eyes. Ohhh... This man is as dangerous as hell... dangerously good...
But I know that twinkle. Haven't I seen it TWICE before when he had made a fool out of me?
BAD. It's bad. This is bad. That twinkle is BAD.
-----
"JON?!" I turn to Thom. He had better have one good explanation if he wishes to live through the night. "THOM?!"
No Thom. NO THOM.
He laughs lightly. "Glad you can say all our names. It's a small world, eh?"
Yeah right. Small ballroom, more like.
Oh yes.
"And what are you doing here? I mean, it's not like you shouldn't be here of course, as it's your ball. Not to mention you live here. But why – ack, I meant, what are... me – here..."
I can feel my soul wilting already.
He grins (too hugely for my liking), as he watches me sputter incoherently yet again. "You've almost got it, Lady Alanna. I'm here to ask you for a dance."
That smile...
Excuse me? Ice! I need ice! Something to hold my melting insides together would be much appreciated!
"I..."
He offers me his hand, and bestows that appealing grin. I can feel myself softening at his gaze. Almost relenting... No – no. You'll never last through the dance. Say no...
Say it...
"No, yes?" He steps closer towards me, slipping his hand under my arm, and taking my hand firmly in his.
"Yes! I mean, no!" I'm getting entirely too confused with these no's and yes's. "NO!"
"Why not?"
"Urgh... I – um...don't dance." Politeness or no politeness, I'm outta here. Nothing can be as bad as standing here trying to argue with the unarguable. Get out of here, before I embarrass myself any further.
Turning to go, I totally forget that my hand is still being held prisoner by his. Before I can register what has happened, he has whirled me directly into his arms.
"You will now, Lady Alanna. And I am sure you will dance beautifully." He voice is soft - tantalizingly soft.
Wait. Was he THREATENING me?! Was that a threat?
I meet his eyes. Oh Gods. Doomsday has arrived. This is going to be bad.
"All I ask, is to have this dance."
Think ice, Alanna... Think ice. Ice.
----
As I step onto the dance floor, I forget all about my dance partner as I place my energy into focusing on not making a fool of myself. One foot in front of the other now...pretend you're doing hand to hand combat... follow his lead...glide... be careful of his foot... don't step there, you idiot!
Why does the floor have to be so damn slippery?!
I quickly readjust my steps as I cling tightly onto him for support. I can feel the heat rise into my face again, and my heart must have been thumping loud enough for the whole ballroom to hear. He changes his hold on my waist to eliminate any chance of slipping or falling on my part. "Not bad... not bad at all," he whispers.
Goddess. He's going to be the end of me... – be careful! "Don't talk to me. I need to concentrate." I warn sharply.
To my utter astonishment, he pulls me in closer to him, settling his arm more securing around my waist. "Don't worry, Alanna. I won't let anything happen to you, if that's what you're worried about."
Damn. He's worse than a drug. Not only is he dangerous, he's CHARMING! Where is that ICE?!
-----
I...can... dance. No really, two dances later, and I still haven't slipped, fallen, and I've only stepped on the Prince's foot once.
In fact, I think I'm beginning to enjoy this.
Boldly, I twirl away from him, only to find myself pirouetted back against his chest. He chuckles lightly. "See? It's not so bad, is it?"
I glare at him from my position against the crook of his neck as we waltz across the dance floor. "You do like to rub things in, don't you?"
Then, it happened. As a response to my RETORICAL question, he dips me. DIP! We might as well change the first letter to a 'R'! R.I.P., more like. As much as my dancing has proved successful, THIS was a bit much for one night.
"Jon, don't you dare - "
Too late.
I hang onto him for dear life as I lose my balance. This is NOT good. I can see his eyes widen as I fall backwards. Nope – that's not going to do me the least bit of good either.
I close my own eyes. Any second now, and my derriere was going to collide VERY painfully with the floor. Any second....
R.I.P. Alanna.
And... he catches me. Inches away from death, he spins me around, so instead of crashing into the floor, I hurtle full force straight into him, and we both stumble backwards...
A/N: How cruel of me. A nice little cliffhanger before the epilogue... I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! :)
And let us say... 15 reviews for the epilogue? Of course, the more comments I receive, the more inspired I will be to update the answer to our cliffhanger. :)