Chapter 3

Disclaimer: It gets boring doing this all the time. However, I do not want to get sued, so I will say this AGAIN. I AM NOT GAIL CARSON LEVINE. Anything by her belongs to her. Duh.

Thank you to my first reviewer, andreaatf!

"Are you okay?" He asked her kindly.

Daria felt like crying.

"I'm fine, your highness."

Prince Jerrold's eyes twinkled in amusement. Daria's hand flew instantly to her hair. Oh, for Kyrria's sake! Why didn't I bother to dress properly? She knew that she looked like a bedraggled rat.

Prince Jerrold's hand was held out, but she declined it, opting instead, to push herself off the floor. She closed her eyes briefly, then turned and faced the dining table.

"Mother. Father. Your Majesties." She curtseyed, wobbling slightly. Reluctantly, she met her parents' disapproving gaze. Daria withdrew her gaze demurely, fixing her eyes on the least accusing spot in the room: the floor. She made her way over to her seat, pulling out the chair and sitting down. Prince Jerrold sat down across the table from her. She noticed that he waited for the footman to pull his chair out first. Drat. Another etiquette blunder. She chanced a glance at King Lionel and Queen Olivia, Prince Jerrold's parents. They were trying not to show it, but they had a vaguely disapproving air about them. Daria stared at her empty plate. She wondered what they were waiting for…

"May I announce the Lady Rosalind and her daughter Eleanor." The footman proclaimed with a haughty air. The doors were opened and in the two ladies glided in. Daria stared miserably at El. No tripping over rugs for El. She walked in behind her mother as elegantly as a duchess.

She was wearing a long flowing silk gown, the colour of night, with the sprinklings of stars, in form of glitter. Her hair was upswept into a stylish knot with braids weaved in and out where appropriate. A red rose was tucked into her hair, and she wore elvish crystals in her earlobes. She was the very picture of perfection.

Daria felt a twinge of jealousy that was quickly washed away by her friend's expression. It was one of utmost misery. She chastised herself for being so self-centred. I'm sorry, El…. Daria could have sworn that El glanced quickly in her direction, but she couldn't be sure...

El sat down in, head held high, just as her mother had instructed her. She felt like an insignificant dot, in the company of the monarchs, and especially with her mother. Glancing around at Daria, she wondered vaguely why she was wearing her oldest gown. As the first course was brought in, Lady Rosalind started conversing politely with her hosts and the king and queen. Daria, Prince Jerrold and herself were left to their own conversation.

"So, are you enjoying your visits to the noble households of Kyrria?" El asked the Prince politely. He shrugged, glancing surreptitiously around at his parents.

"No, not really." He had a polished voice that was obviously noble, without being snobbish. "I find it rather wearying. El laughed quietly, looking nervously at her mother.

"Yes…I know exactly how you feel. But my mother doesn't take…force me out much, so that's alright." The Prince sat forward, a mischievous gleam in his eye.

"Is that so? Well, I would feel the same way as you, apart from the fact that I get the opportunity to meet charming young ladies like yourself…yourselves." He glanced at Daria. El laughed again.

"Indeed, your Highness! You do flatter us!" She feigned embarrassment.

"Oh, do call me Jerrold, Lady. I quite detest titles."

"Then you must call me El."

"Very well then, El."

"Very well, Jerrold."

Daria sat dumbly listening to El and Jerrold's exchange. El had abandoned her unhappy demeanour, and was talking animatedly to Jerrold. They were getting along handsomely.

"…and then he turned to me and said: "Where did you come from? I was waiting for you!"

The two burst into delicate peals of laughter. Daria sat up straighter. She had tuned out. El turned to Daria in an attempt to include her in the conversation.

"Dari, do you remember the time when I put jam in Casio's bed?" Daria looked at her coldly. Not only was she flirting with her dream guy, but she was also patronising her?

"No. Perhaps you'd better tell the prince yourself."

El looked stunned, and hurt flashed in her eyes. Then it was gone, a curtain was drawn back behind the mask. Jerrold looked amazed too, and mild anger was written all over his face. He made, as though to reprimand her, but El put her hand on his arm, and he looked at her for a brief moment, and settled back down more comfortably in his chair. How dare she touch him? Daria looked towards her parents. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. This was going to be a long, long night.