Wow...it's been a long time hasn't it? I bet half of you guys don't even remember this story, but I guess I owe it too you to update. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and if any of you have suggestions as to where this story should go, or any pairing suggestions, you can email me or put it in your reviews. Thanks so much!

Chapter 4: The Truth

She knew she should have been at the ball, and she knew she'd be chastised for it later, though it didn't matter. Tonight was the night she was supposed to be presented to the court, but it wasn't worth it, not after seeing him. The man who had ignored her brother, the man who had driven her brother to the edge of sanity, the man who had pushed him over the edge. She blamed the prince, Jonathan of Conte for the death of her brother, the only one she had ever loved, the only one she could trust and confide in. He might still have been alive, too, if that idiot of a servant hadn't walked in on them planning, and gone to their father.

It was funny really, how one twist of fate can change a person. Who knows what might have happened if Alanna and Thom would have successfully changed places? What might have happened if Thom had survived? The question now was, though, what was in store for Alanna.

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Alanna ran down the corridor trying to find her way back to her rooms. Her run slowed to a walk, her breath coming in shallow gasps. As much as she hated to admit it, she couldn't do any kind of physical activity anymore, not even the simplest tasks. It had been hard, the hardest thing she'd ever had to do, to allow her body to become weak, to have to give up her training.

Seeing the prince hadn't helped either. She hated him more than she thought possible to hate anyone. He was the one to drive her brother over the edge, and no one offered him help when he needed it the most. What made her loath the palace even more was that sooner or later she'd be forced into a marriage where there was no love, possibly to someone who even helped to speed her brothers death closer.

Turning into a dimly lit corridor leading to her rooms, she pulled out her key, deep in thought. Why was she here? The daughters from the convent must have realized it was pointless for her to be here. She would make no effort to socialize and flirt with the men, to be some man's whore for the night. No she'd rather be dead, and there were ways to make her desires come true.

Walking over to a small chest, she opened it, taking out a white shawl. Carefully unfolding the silky material, she pulled out a small jeweled dagger.

"I hope you aren't planning on using that."

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It was obvious to her that Jonathan's attention was not fully focused on her, and she couldn't let that happen. She'd danced with several other men that evening, but it was if she weren't even there. His eyes did not cloud over with jealousy as she'd walked out the ballroom doors with Gary to get a breath of fresh air, and she'd suggested to Jon that he head back to her rooms, but he simply declined, saying he'd like to stay longer. She'd focused all of her attention and charms on him, but his eyes continually wandered around the room, searching for someone or something.

Jonathan's eyes roamed the dance floor. If that really was who he thought it was, then she would be here. All of the girls from the convent were being presented tonight, yet there was no sign of her. Delia was constantly clinging to him, but tonight he had other things on his mind other than trying to please her. Maybe he had imagined it, an illusion. It was impossible for her to be here, no one would welcome her here, not in Corus, yet he couldn't get the image of her lifeless purple eyes out of his mid. He would ask around...and find out the truth.

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Sorry about the short chapter but it was hard trying to bring it back after all these months. I promise the next chapter will be out by the end of the month. Remember to REVIEW!