I'm sorry to update so late. I was on holiday in London and after that I just didn't know how to continue the story, but now, well, you know...

The story goes on again...

Sorry, wait. I forgot something: Thanks for the reviews. You're too kind to me.


Chapter 10: Just nonsense

It was one of those boring ballnights and Alanna had been told to go and now she was standing in a corner, hoping no one would notice her. But that was the only thing she was thinking about. That ball seemed to be the most horrible she ever attended. The whole evening she was staring at Jonathan, who was flirting with Lady Delia. She tried to ignore him and look away, but she just wasn't able to. She felt like she could throw up and she would rather be anywhere but there. But the thing that annoyed her most was that it upset her that much. He can do what he wants. After all, I told him that I don't want him, Alanna told herself, but it didn't really help.

"Squire Alan?", somebody asked.

Alanna turned around to see Lady Rovena. "Yes, Lady Rovena?"

"I just wondered if you would want to talk a little.", she said.

Great!, Alanna thought sarcastically. "It would be a pleasure", she replied in a faked friendly voice.

They talked a little about the weather and something like that until Jonathan came over. He looked angry and Alanna wondered why.

"Lady Rovena would you excuse my squire for a moment? I need to talk to him.", he said.

"Of course, your highness."

Jon grabbed Alanna's arm and dragged her behind her. "What do you think you were doing?", he yelled at her.

"I was doing nothing!", Alanna said. She was really confused. What was he talking about?

"Don't play innocent! You mustn't lead the ladies on like that!"

Alanna frowned. "'Lead the ladies on'? I was just talking with her."

"Alanna you can't led the ladies on just that nobody finds out your secret!"

Now Alanna had enough. "Jon, stop that nonsense! I don't lead the ladies on and anyway it's not your business!"

Jon grabbed her shoulders and looked her deep in the eye. "It is my business, because I'm the one that keeps your secret."

Alanna was very angry and her face was almost as red as her hair. She pushed his hands away and tried to keep her voice calm. "Go back to your admirers, Jon, 'cause I'm going now. I've really had enough of you!" With that she turned around and left.

While she walked through the corridors, she thought of something to do. She wanted to get away from the palace. Something about it seemed to upset her. She decided to do something useful. One day everbody will know that I'm a girl and maybe I'll sometimes have to act like one, she thought, So it would be good to learn how to be a girl, wouldn't it? That was not the only reason she decided to learn how to dress as a girl. Lately she had also figured out that she liked the beautiful gowns the ladies at court wore. It was hard for her to admit that, but it was that way.

About half an hour later Alanna was knocking on the door of Mrs. Cooper's house. She waited, pulling her cloak tight to protect her against the wind. When Mrs. Cooper opened the door, Alanna asked shyly, "Hello. Can we talk?"

Mrs. Cooper smiled. "Of course, come in and I'll make us some tea"

Alanna entered the house and sat down on a chair. "Would you like some cake?", Mrs. Cooper asked.

"Yes, please."

(A/N: I leave the part with "how's you're arm?" and so on. Okay? I don't want to write all that.)

"How is his highness?", Mrs. Cooper asked.

Alanna blushed. "I'm not sure. He's been very odd lately. Since we returned from the war.", she tried to explain.

"How so?"

"He blows hot then cold. Sometimes I'm his best friend and sometimes he acts as if I'm poison. He-" Alanna became even redder. "he kissed me. Last summer and a few days before. It...it got us into trouble."

Mrs. Cooper raised her eyebrows. "Trouble?"

"Yes, trouble, but...well, I don't want to talk about it. Anyway we solved the problem. But now he's even more odd. I always have to go to social events and dance with all the ladies. But when I really talk to a lady he gets angry." Alanna's voice grew louder. "He says I mustn't lead the ladies on." Alanna gulped her tea, surprised how the words had tumbled out of her.

"You seem rather angered with the prince."

Alanna swallowed. "I don't know how I feel", she muttered. "I just can't figure out why he's treating me that way. Anyway that's not why I came...would you help me to learn how to dress as a girl?"

I leave it to that, because you all know what happens at Mrs. Cooper's house. What do you think? Please review!