A/N: Hi! Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed! I'm really not happy with this chapter, but I swear if I had to re-start it one more time I'd have hysterics, so I've posted it anyway (against better judgement). And yay to me: chappie three makes this my longest running story!

Chapter Three

Ouch Alanna cursed silently under her breath, having just pricked her finger again with the embroidery needle. All males at the palace were about their daily lives of running the country, making excruciatingly life changing decisions and training for their dramatically interesting lives. The ladies, on the other hand, sat patiently waiting for a moment when they may enter into the male circle and for brief moments feel like their lives mattered, that there was meaning to the deliriously mind-numbing tasks they endlessly performed. For the first time in Alanna's life she stopped being frustrated at the ladies so-seemed stupidity, at their lack of realisation for the page and squires so little spare time, of which was not always wanted to be spent chatting. She came to realise how lucky she was to have escaped this trap and how unhappy she would have been if she had not.

'Mmm?' Alanna pulled at the two entangled threads, realising lady Delia's last comment had been directed at her. They sat, a group of eight pretty porcelain dolls, in a tight ring around a cards table in a lesser library.

' Your Squire Alan's sister, aren't you?' Delia threw the stupid little pin cushion she had been making onto the table.

'That's right.' Alanna looked sideways at Delia. The girl was now re-pinning her hair.

'Mmm...' Delia thought aloud. 'I've always wanted to figure that one out.'

'How do you mean?' Lady Cythera asked.

'He would be an excellent catch, the prince's squire and all.' Delia flicked her eyes maliciously at Alanna. 'Pity really. It seems, as rumour would have it, no woman will ever stand a chance.'

The ladies became uncomfortably silent. They all knew what Delia was hinting at. Alanna's face reddened as she fought to keep her cool. 'A word of advice Delia.' Alanna said through clenched teeth- how she wished at this moment she had her sword! 'I wouldn't be so rude to people. It's not becoming.'

Delia raised a single quizzical eyebrow. Why don't I remember her from the convent? She puzzled. With a tongue so much like her brothers, you would think she'd be very much in the spotlight there. I should tell Roger of this; there is something very strange about our dearest Lily.

...pppqqq...

Later on Alanna received a note from Raoul, inviting her to join him at a party that night. She promptly wrote a reply accepting, although she felt sick to the stomach at the mere thought of the event. The group of ladies retired early, eager to begin preparations for the evening.

Alanna dressed in a pretty pale green gown. She was going to call for a maid to do her hair, then thought better of it- what if her wig fell off while it was being brushed? So she settled for a simple style. She did however get help to do her make-up. Before Alanna knew it, Raoul was knocking on her door.

The look of pleasure on Raoul's face when he first glanced her told Alanna she needed to start work; first impressions count, and it was time to begin turning Raoul off her. It would do her no good if he found her pleasant, she pondered drearily.

Lily and Raoul entered the ballroom, quickly hiding away into a quieter corner. Many heads turned to stare at Alanna; both to see the lucky woman engaged to the very eligible Sir Raoul, and the mysteriously never before mentioned sister of Squire Alan. It wasn't long before she was being introduced to Alex, Geoffrey and Sacherall, who all made polite chit-chat while really giving her the once-over. Jonathan was busy dancing with Lady Delia.

'Would you like to dance?' Raoul asked as the orchestra began a new piece.

Alanna knew Raoul hated dancing. 'I'd love to,' she replied, inwardly grimacing.

Many sore toes later, the couple decided to take a walk in the gardens. Alanna had successfully made their interests completely opposite, questioned all Raoul's comments, and laughed inappropriately at all the right moments. As far as she knew, it was all going according to plan. Raoul should detest the very thought of her by the end of the evening.

'So you don't like horses?' Raoul seemed slightly bewildered.

'Oh yes, I hate everything to do with jousting.' Alanna couldn't meet his eyes. They left the path to sit on a bench next to the rose bushes. 'You don't like jousting, do you?' She blinked stupidly, doing her best impression of the brainless court flirts Raoul hated so much.

'Well...' Raoul's voice trailed off. They sat for a moment in awkward silence. Then Raoul swung around on the bench to face her.

...Raoul...

It didn't seem like they had many common interests. But that was Ok. One look into those bluey-purple eyes melted his heart away. And her dancing! He fought to hide a smile. He didn't mind about that either- in fact it suited him just fine. She was so funny, so quirky, so beautiful. It was the perfect match. He looked again at Lily fluttering her lashes- is it possible she feels the same way?

Raoul brought one hand up to cup her cheek, forcing her to look right into his face. Slowly, almost timidly, he moved his face down so that it was level with hers and gently kissed her mouth. Without thinking Alanna wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back passionately. Raoul moved his hands down to her waist, shifting closer.

A loud twig braking brought them quickly back to reality.

...pppqqq...

A/N: Hi! I really tried not to rush through so much here. I know the first two chapters were really fast, but that was just the introduction to what I really wanted to write about, so I skipped over a lot of details. I'm trying to slow down the pace here, but I'm a very impatient person and it's proving rather hard. Please review and let me know what you think, honest criticism is what I need here!

And a big thanks to:

dragon shadows, alianne of conte, chicken puffs, The ORIGINAL Meathead, Squire-Ron/ja, Mia, Nessa Elanesse and morwenna the magnificant, for reviewing the last chapter.

I take all your thoughts, comments and everything else to mind when I write. Thanks a lot guys, you rock! :)