Disclaimer: A few characters, major and minor are mine. Same with most of the plot. Although Lady Catherine is a creation of Tamora Pierce, as is everything else.
Title: Ghost of the Past
Author: Winky-wink
Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama
Rating: T (Just to be safe)
Pairing: Alanna/Jonathan
Musical Affection: 'Chor Diya (the Ultimate Sacrifice)' by Raghav and some rapper and an Indian chick.
Author's Note: epobbp: Yep, it was Abigail. Bethrothed to Roger and not even knowing it! Horrible, hey?
Confusedknight: Yeah, can't you just? Will you believe it gets even more complicating? And don't worry updates won't take long at all with this story or, at least, I hope not. And thanks a bunch too.
Padme Amidala2121: Yeah, that's probably one of the longest chapters I've ever written for any of my stories. It comes pretty naturally with this story, though. And, yes, Roger and Alanna marrying is very creepy lol.
Yeah I know last chapter with the fainting was rather cliche but have you noticed that Alanna faints a lot? Have you? Anyways, brace yourselves. Everything gets more and more complicated as the story goes on. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy the chapter! And I'd really appreciate it if you reviewed, good or bad.
'It is only by closing the ears of the soul or by listening too intently to the clamors of sense, that we become oblivious to their utterances'-Alexander Crummell
Alanna wrinkled her nose as she felt someone fan her face, rapidly. She fluttered her eyes and opened them to see Lady Winfred standing over her, holding an emerald green fan. She looked relieved when Alanna came to conciousness, although her face was still pale and disturbed. The Lioness blinked once more and struggled to sit up in bed. Someone had practically drowned her in blankets.
She looked about her and realized she had been rushed to someone's bedroom after fainting. Aside from Winfred; Cythera, Jonathan, Delia, Lady Sheila, the Carthaki, Roger and Duke Baird were all present and tending to her. They were all still wearing their elegant outfits from the ball which meant she hadn't been unconcious for very long. The King's primary healer looked rather annoyed at being called away from his rather more important duties just to tend to a noble lady that had fainted of shock.
"Alanna, thank the Great Mother Goddess you've awakened," Cythera sighed, coming to her bedside.
Alanna could only nod. Her head was still buzzing from what she'd just heard naught but a few moments before. She couldn't possibly get married! The urge to talk to Winfred and Jonathan about this was now stronger than ever.
"What happened to you?" Jonathan ventured, moving closer too.
The Lioness opened her mouth to speak and found it was too dry. With a gulp, she tried again, "I-I think I fainted from the heat. Too many people in the room, I suppose."
Lady Sheila, Delia and Cythera all nodded at this even though the others looked skeptical. Alanna caught Roger's eye from one fleeting second and looked away, both afraid and embarrassed.
Duke Baird's cough broke the awkward silence, "If Her Grace excuses me? I think it's fine if I make my leave now. To you, my Lady Alanna, I suggest that you keep to your rooms tonight. You'll be fine by tomorrow, I'm sure."
He bowed to Lady Winfred and Lady Sheila before exiting. Alanna wished she could be as inclined to leave the room right now. Some of the people weren't exactly the company she was overjoyed to keep. She wasn't in the mood to act like a noble lady of all times now but she rose from bed, her gown clinging to her, and curtsied, weakly, to Lady Sheila and Jonathan before sitting back down on the bed, strength lost.
"You shouldn't be bowing," Jonathan urged, looking concerned, "You need to rest."
She looked him in the eye and hoped tried to send a frantic message, 'I need to talk to you!'
He looked away, not giving any inclination that he'd understood her plea for privacy. Delia caught the look and glanced sharply at Roger, wondering if he'd noticed it too. He had and kept watching both his cousins, trying to hide his displeasure and curiousity. Even Winfred noticed but she kept it to herself like Roger and Jonathan. Only Cythera and Lady Sheila were oblivious.
"Alanna, why don't we take to your chambers? We can't have you staying here all night or else where would my dear Roger sleep?" Winfred suggested, relieving Alanna of an excuse to escape the room.
"Roger sleeps here?" Alanna demanded, distressed, face going red. She leaped off the bed as if she'd been burned. She would never in a million years ever lie here beside her enemy. Even if it meant losing her Knighthood, would she? Her blush was deepening by the second and everyone in the room, other than Lady Sheila and Cythera were oblivious as to why. Roger could barely conceal a prickly smirk.
"Yes and you're welcome to stay here if you want," Roger started, stepping forward.
"No!" Alanna cried, then added more rationally, "I mean, no. No, I couldn't. I really need to be in the comfort of my own chambers. Sorry to all of you, I must go. Mother, could you escort me?"
"I'll help too," Jonathan offered, taking her arm. Winfred took the other.
Before anyone could protest they were out the door and around the corner. Alanna's face was still pale from shock. None of them spoke, knowing whatever she had to say would be best said in the privacy of her chambers. Jonathan knocked on the great marble door as Carly opened it and let them in.
Seeing Alanna, she exclaimed, "My Lady! What's happened to you? You look as pale as a scroll!"
"Carly, Lydia, the rest of you all, get out," Winfred ordered, bluntly.
The servingmaids scurried together and piled out in a pack, looking utterly confused. Jonathan helped Alanna into a red velvet chair as Lady Winfred straightened her gownwhich had been rumpled by supporting Alanna's weight. The Lioness sat in her chair, holding a shaking hand in front of her, trying with all her might to steady it. However hard she tried, it wouldn't stop its quiver. Alanna was frightened and there was no way around it. She hated being scared like a lost pup.
"Alanna," Lady Winfred said, briskly, "What is the matter with you? Fainting in the middle of ball! Attracting all sorts of attention you shouldn't be attracting! You nearly gave the court a heartattack! Many thought that the niece of the King was dead! I thought the niece of the King was dead!"
"I'm sure Alanna has a perfectly good explanation," Jonathan cut through, "She isn't the type to faint over nothing."
Winfre pursed her lips, "There are better ways to handle surprise."
Alanna glared at her, "Not this sort of surprise! I heard two women whispering about me!"
"Women whisper about women all the time," Winfred retorted, haughtily.
"This was extremely bad whispering," Alanna croaked, "They...they said that they'd heard rumors that I was bethrothed to Roger."
Winfred gave a acute intake of breath and Jonathan paled then said, "Rubbish! Not a word of it's true. I would've-Father would've known. Aunt Winfred in the very least would've known."
Lady Winfred did not look quite so sure about that but replied, shakily, "Quite right, nephew. I certainly would've been in on this."
"The noble ladies were saying it was also rumored that neither you nor I knew about this," Alanna pointed out, "And if they were right about me, what's to say they weren't right about you? What if my supposed father has bethrothed me to Duke Roger?"
"Impossible," Winfred said with much more confidence than she felt.
Alanna arched an eyebrow and she went on to say, "But I will discuss this matter with my husband in case I am wrong but I highly doubt it."
She was still not reassured and neither were Winfred and Jonathan. All of them had known something suspicious was in the works. What with Roger's treatment of her and the whispering. Light at first but growing more and more insistent. Alanna was beginning to learn that anything the maids hinted at, usually had a grain of truth behind it. Her mind worked furiously for a way to get out of this. She had gotten out of everything else, hadn't she?
"Alanna, just...stop thinking and strategising for one second," Jonathan advised, "It's getting late...I should get back to the ball...father will be looking for me..."
"Go," Alanna said, "I don't want you to stick around here on my account."
A knot in her stomach constricted. In all truth she wanted with all her heart for him to stay with her, especially when she was so confused and afraid.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his eyes still lit with worry.
She forced a smile onto her face, "Go already, will you? And-she added as he turned to leave-have fun."
He nodded, slowly, and left the room. Winfred eyes grazed Alanna and she smiled, "Ah, youthful oblivion."
"Huh?" Alanna looked at her, brows furrowed, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means," Winfred smirked, "That you fancy my nephew and he fancies you but you're both oblivious to the other person's affections and too full of pride to admitt your own."
Alanna blushed ten sorts of red and immediately reprimanded herself for it. It would only give the royal Aunt more absurd ideas. "You don't know a thing! And I do not like him and he most certaintly does not like me! He even told me that he has a woman he's courting."
"Are you not a woman?" Winfred demanded, clearly amused. Alanna was not.
A knock came at the door. The fake mother and daughter looked at each other, wondering who it could be before Winfred went to open the door. Alanna curled her knees to her chest and sat on the bed like a little girl might. The door was opened to reveal Lady Catherine, standing there, looking furious and Helena was at her side, looking equally displeased.
"I demand to see my niece," Catherine told Winfred.
"I know no niece of yours," Winfred replied and for one frightening moment the two older women glared at each other.
Catherine looked past Winfred and noticed Alanna on the bed, "There! There she is! That witch of a woman...dressing up as a man! Then as royalty! What nerve! What treachery!"
"If you do not lower your voice I will have to call my guards," Winfred spoke, coldly.
Lady Catherine looked like she wanted to hit the other woman for a brief time but then she fell silent. Winfred widened the door and she entered, her daughter at her heel. Catherine observed the room with an upturned nose. She was trying not to show it but Alanna knew she was burning of jealously of how much more splendid these chambers were compared to her own. Winfred closed the door behind her and came to sit at her dark oak table, hands placed gently in her lap.
"Pray tell, Lady Catherine, why have you come?" Winfred questioned, coolly.
"This-," Catherine pointed at Alanna for exaggeration, "-girl, is an imposter! She's not Alanna of Conte! She's Alanna of Trebond!"
Winfred laughed, "My dear lady, do you not think I would haverealized that for myself? Do you think me so stupid as to mistake this 'imposter' as you so nicely put it as my daughter?"
Catherine blanched and Helena spat out her words first, "Then why do you keep her? To what means? She is nothing to you."
"I am simply helping out another human being," Winfred told her as if she pitied her lack of knowledge, "I know women like you, Lady Helena, and you could never understand such a thing as kindness for another living creature other than yourself."
Helena went red and even Alanna was shocked by the boldness of Winfred's words. Then again, if you were sister to the King, you could afford to offend some people. As angry as Helena looked by this insult to her virtues, Lady Catherine was seething.
"You dare speak so to me? To my daughter? We are of the bluest blood, my lady!" Catherine cried, then turned to Alanna, "You also will pay for this, niece. No longer expect to become a Knight!"
Alanna rose from the bed, trying not to show she was afraid of this threat, "I'll break your face!"
She leaped to get to her Aunt but Winfred held out an ankle, which she promptly tripped over in her irrational fury. She glared up at her 'mother', "Who's side are you on?"
"The side that isn't barbaric," Winfred responded, holding out a hand to help Alanna up, "You'll soon learn, Lady Squire, that fighting isn't always the answer."
"You host a she-male," Catherine snarled, "And I will have her punished for this!"
Alanna clenched her fists until her knuckles were white. She wouldn't dare...
'Yes she would,' a voice in her mind croaked, 'This is a woman who tried to marry her sister's widowed husband, after all.'
The Lioness could not accept the fact that she might never become a Knight. She couldn't go to the Convent! Would they force her to? If they did, perhaps she should start packing her bags now. If she was quick she could be in Tusaine in a week...
Her thoughts were instantly interrupted by Winfred, "Punish her, will you? I had hoped it wouldn't come to this."
"Come to what?" Helena inquired, against her better judgement.
"Come to where I would have to begin revealing secrets of my own," Winfred explained as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, as she always did, "You know, where I admitt I've been investigating you and your mother. And I came across some very fascinating skeletons. Like those of your past two husbands for instance."
Catherine paled, "You have no clue what you're delving into."
"Oh but I do," Winfred grinned, "Or so the servingman, Jakob, says."
Helena's eyes blazed and Catherine looked at a loss for words. Alanna looked between all of them, not sure what had just happened. Somehow the power had shifted from her Gallan family and had come to Lady Winfred, who was smiling triumphantly. Neither did she know Jakob but she had a feeling that he was a key figure to the inquiries about the deaths of Lord Erik of Sommerset and Duke Thyler of Galla.
"What do you want of me?" Catherine whispered, looking at Winfred's knees.
Winfred smiled, softly. She would've looked pretty had it not been for the dangerous gleam in her eyes, "Do not make trouble for my daughter."
Alanna caught Helena's eyes and she curled her bottom lip, spitefully. Alanna relished in her new found power. She knew Helena was just dying because Alanna was so well favored by various members of the royal family. Including the Prince, she thought and felt a tingling, giddy, feeling in her stomach.
Catherine looked like she struggled with her response to this and squeaked, "Fine."
Winfred's smile grew broader, "Wonderful. Say good night to your Aunt and your cousin, Alanna."
"Good night," Alanna murmured, feeling slightly queasy at the look Catherine gave her. It clearly said, 'This is not over yet.'
One more day, Alanna told herself over and over again, one more day of masquerading and then I can get back to being a squire. Starting tomorrow morning she would be able to return to her own chambers and dress up as a boy all over again and forget about this whole entire mess. However, she knew that was impossible. Even when she became Alan again, Alanna of Conte would haunt her as long as Lady Winfred remained at the palace. And the royal Aunt gave no inclinations of leaving anytime soon. She sighed and rose from bed when her servingmaids entered. She was grumpy and they noticed it so they kept quiet throughout most of the dressing proccess.
In twenty minutes or so Alanna found herself heading towards the Noble's Mess Hall, dressed in a lilac gown, embroidered in a darker purple. Her hair was tied up into a ponytail and held there by a purple ribbon set with an amethyst. The Lioness wasthankful for not finding her hair in her face for one simple day. She sat down at a table alone and stared at her white palms for a bit. After a boring minute or so she looked up and observed the room. It seemed today, as a opposed to yesterday, she was rather early. Few nobles had arrived and those that had looked to be in a rush to get going. Helena and Delia were both already here and chatting amiably which made Alanna uneasy. Suppose Helena let Alanna's secret slip to Delia? What ends would she use it to? Alanna wished she could read lips more than ever but found she couldn't. She wanted more than ever for George to be here since he was so talented in these areas. Pehaps she'd visit him tomorrow...
"Are mornings not your thing, cousin?"
Alanna bit her lip to stop the groan that had been forcing it's way to her throat at those words. Of all the people she wanted to see this morning, Roger was not one of them. He, however, seemed to be very much the morning person. He was wearing a handsome black robe that blended with his dark hair and made his icicle-like eyes stand out with a certain radiance that made Alanna sick to the stomach.
"No," Alanna replied, her voice hollow, "No, they are not."
She had hoped her short answer and snippity behavior would turn him off her. Give him the hint that she didn't wish to speak with anyone, least of all him. He seemed ignorant to all this or if he did notice, he didn't give a damn. He took the chair beside her.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, settling into his chair.
"Better," she murmured.
"What are your plans for the day?" he questioned, checking his nails for any sign of dirt. He was infamous for hisdesire to be clean always.
Alanna shrugged, "I have none."
"I hear Delia and Cythera were showing you around yesterday," Roger continued, leaving her unaware of what he was trying to say.
"Yup," she answered, getting annoyed.
"What think you of them? Of Delia?" Roger asked, trying not to look at her.
The Lioness raised an eyebrow, "Fine. She was fine."
"Fine, yes," Roger agreed, "But entirely impossible. Not half so clever as she thinks."
"Why do you ask what I think of her when you have such a strong opinion of her person?" Alanna demanded.
"Just wondering," he smiled at her, although his eyes were distant.
Alanna bobbed her head, "Hmm...well as I mentioned she's fine. She'll make her husband a truely fortunate and lucky man."
"And you?" he inquired, "What will you make your husband?"
Her heart started beating loudly but not out of romance but fright. He knew she knew. He knew she knew and he knew she had fainted at the thought of it. Why wouldn't he just leave her alone? What use was his Scanran cousin to him? It would've been all the much easier if he just declared his love for Delia and married her. Speaking of the she-devil, Alanna caught her eye and saw a jealous spark there. To think that she was envious of her and Roger!
"I will never marry," Alanna whispered, believing it to be true with all her heart.
Roger laughed and Alanna saw Delia's face pale. She probably thought that Alanna had just told some good joke and that Roger was howling about it. She thought they were flirting but she wouldn't be suspicious unless she knew about the said engagement. Who else knew? Alanna wondered to herself.
"You're a rampant one, aren't you?" Roger said, a stupid smirk on his face, "Though I'm sure I know someone that may tame you."
'Maybe there are men who may tame me but never you,' Alanna thought, harshly.
"Mind if I join you two younglings with my age?" Winfred asked, sweeping her skirts out as she sat. She need not wait for an answer.
Roger leapt up and helped push in her chair, eyes still on Alanna. She looked away and back to her paper white palms. She put her hands together so that the lines sweeping across them made a smile.
"Morning Alanna," Winfred greeted her, "Early today I see."
"Too early," Alanna muttered in response, "And good morning to you too."
Lady Winfred smiled at her obvious frumpy behavior and Alanna couldn't stop herself from returning it.
"Thank Mithros you've arrived, Aunt," Roger began, "You cause your daughter to smile after wasted seconds of frowns and furrowed eyebrows. "
"I told you I don't like mornings," Alanna grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest so Roger would have to stop looking there.
"I remember when you were younger you liked them just fine," Roger commented, drumming his arms on the table.
Imposter mother and imposter daughter looked at one another, nervously. Winfred changed the subject. "So, what are you doing today Alanna?"
Before she could answer, Roger cut through, "Actually I was hoping Lady Alanna could come out riding with me. She has yet to see the splendors of the royal forest."
Roger leaned forward towards Winfred and behind him Alanna was slicing her hand across her throat to show what she thought of that prospect. She'd rather sew than be out riding and touring the palace grounds with the Duke of Conte!
Lady Winfred was a good actress so therefore she looked as if she was considering the thought for a moment before saying, "Well, yes I suppose...although...oh wait! Great Mother Goddess! I'd forgotten I'd promised Devrah and the other ladies from court that I'd introduce Alanna to them over stitchery. I'm sorry, Roger, but Alanna must come with me today. You'll forgive an old woman's forgetfulness, won't you?"
He looked for a moment that he knew she was lying and did not very well want to forgive her. However the moment passed and soon he was all the gracious and caring nephew. "Forgive you? But what is there to forgive? It's all fine by me."
Soon after, though, when the meal began, he left their table to go sit with Delia. Alanna let out a sigh of relief and thanked Winfred over and over again for getting her out of a day of riding through beautiful scenery, side-saddle, with Roger.
"So what am I to do, really?" Alanna implored halfway through breakfast.
Winfred looked at her as if she was an idiot before replying with, "Why to meet Lady Devrah and the other ladies over stitchery of course!"
Alanna blanched, then giggled furiously for about two minutes in which Winfred looked on with a disapproving, yet almost motherly, frown. When she had finally caught her breath, she asked again, "No really. What am I doing?"
"Lady Alanna of Conte! Do not be pert with me! I already told you twice before. We're going to introduce you to Lady Devrah and the other ladies of court over stitchery."
Alanna made a face, "No."
Winfred grinned, "Yes."
The Lioness' face was suddenly darkened by a scowl. Alright, she'd admitt, she'd thought that she'd rather sew than be out riding and touring the palace grounds with Roger but that didn't meant she actually expected herself to be sewing as opposed to riding with him!
'Life's unfair,' she thought bitterly, 'I hope none of this gets back to Jon or Faithful or George. If it does, I'll never hear the end of it.'
The noble ladies of court practiced stitching, sewing, knitting and embroidering in a large cushioned room that was flanked with comfortable chairs and love seats. As soon as Alanna entered the room her nose caught a whiff of perfume in the air. The mix of everyone's scent together made for a very intoxicating smell. A slightly chubby, pasty faced, blonde-haired girl had a particularly horribly strong scent of some flower on her body. And, of course, as luck would have it, Alanna would end up sitting beside her.
"Ladies, I'd like you all to meet my daughter, Lady Alanna," Winfred told everyone once they'd gotten there.
The eldest ladies looked on with smiles, as did the middle-aged ones. The younger ones were rather less welcoming. Instead, they looked at her with curiousity. Only Cythera grinned at her arrival and flagged her over to sew at her table. Alanna had taken a seat by Miss Chubby Pasty-Face. The table included the likes of Delia and Helena, who seemed to getting along very well to Alanna's great disapproval. Also, Lady Yuna of Tirragen and Lady Yolane of Dunlath, two of the younger women were present, as was a lady named Etta of Timberly. Miss Chubby Pasty-Face was named Roxanne of Norrington. After hearing her name, Alanna caught on that she wasthe girl that had been kissed by Gary in his page's years as a bet. He'd immediately been punished for it and was sentenced to a month of restriction to the palace. How she missed spending time with him and all the rest of her squire and Knight friends!
"How do you like Tortall, Lady Alanna?" Yuna asked, her long eyelashes curled.
"Oh, well, I haven't been here for long," Alanna replied, "But what I see, I like."
"I love your hair," Etta commented, stroking her brownish red hair, "It's so beautiful."
Alanna felt extremely uncomfortable at being touched. She was generally around males and, while they were friends, they never invaded each other's personal space. It wasn't all that restrictive...it was just that men didn't usually touch their other men friends. For women, however, the rules seemed to be entirely different.
"Thank you," Alanna said, not exactly sure if that's what you really did say to that sort of thing.
She looked down at her sewing. She hadn't even started doing anything. Alanna of Trebond, had been, for the last five minutes, trying to get the bloody string through the bloody hole in the bloody needle. All to no prevail. Her face was getting red as her temper started to rise.
"I can't do this!" she exclaimed, throwing her needlework on the table, angrily, "It's so stupid!"
"Well I never...," Yolane muttered, shocked at Alanna's behavior.
"I'm guessing you've never done this?" Cythera questioned, gently.
"Of course she hasn't," Etta clucked, "She's Tortallan royalty. She doesn't need to know how to sew, now does she?"
"I believe that isn't the reason dear Alanna is even worse at sewing than Lady Roxanne," Helena butted in, shaming Roxanne, "I believe she's never been trained in all these women's arts for a very good reason. I'm sure we'd all be inclined to hear it."
Alanna's face went red. She worked past her nerves and retorted, "Tell me, Lady Helena, how did your mother's husbands die again?"
She paled, her lips curled, "Bitch."
"Whore," Alanna snapped back in a quiet voice.
The rest of the ladies at the table blinked, dumbfounded. They argued amongst themselves yes, but never to the extent to which they used foul language on one another like a simple-minded commoner! There were things a noble could and couldn't do! Even Delia looked a little appalled.
'Perhaps she doesn't know the special relationship Helena and I share afterall,' Alanna thought with relief.
They all fell silently into stitchery after that. Cythera helped Alanna to 'thread her needle' and then procceeded to go so far as to work out the first couple of stitches as Alanna learned to get a hang of it. It was boring work but her nimble fingers worked quickly and neatly. Beside her, Roxanne and her sausage fingers were trying, furiously, to do their best but her needlework was even messier than the Lioness'.
"Helena," Lady Catherine called, after what seemed like hours of sewing, "It's time for us to get to our brunch with the Prince and his Naxen friend."
Alanna looked up. Brunch with Jonathan and Gary? Why? Helena caught her eyes and gave her a smug grin. Alanna looked away, not ready to admitt she was jealous. It was probably nothing. Even Delia looked miffed that Helena got to leave sewing early to be with her the Prince. Cythera looked as if she might die at the idea of someone else in Gary's presence without her.
Etta looked longingly after them as they left then turned back to Alanna, "What's he like?"
She glanced up from her stitchery, "Who?"
Etta and Yolane caught each other's eyes and giggled, frantically. Delia rolled her eyes at their childish behavior. "I'm talking about that god of a cousin you have."
"Roger?" Alanna questioned, confused. Delia glared at her, sharply, upon hearing his name. Alanna'd only said it because he was almost always on her mind now because she was in deep worry of this bethrothal.
"No! Although he is attractive. I mean the Prince, silly," Etta explained, "Now, come! Tell us about him!"
Roxanne and Cythera looked up from their work and even though Delia did not, Alanna could tell she was listening. They all wanted to know what the most handsome man in all of Tortall was like and who better to get that information from than his very cousin.
The Lioness cleared her throat, "Erm...I hate to disappoint you, girls, but I know him very little." Their faces dropped so she added, "But from what I know, he seems very kind and um-funny. Charming. Good dancer, that's for sure. And-and...when he smiles, his eyes glitter like gifts of Neptune..."
The other ladies looked between each other. It seemed as if the Prince's cousin was herself smitten with him! Yolane released a sigh of pleasure and whispered, "I knew it. I knew he was perfect! He's almost a god!"
Delia snorted, "What you feel for him is a child's infatuation, Yolane of Dunlath."
She glowered at Delia, "Is not! I feel as if I'm in love for your information! You're just petty because you had him and then you lost him."
"Ladies, please," Cythera mutuated them, "Let's change the topic to something else. Gary for example."
Everyone in the circle but Roxanne and Alanna groaned. Apparently, Cythera suggested this a lot.
"Must we always talk about him?" Etta complained, "Especially when his royal cousin is all the more better?"
Cythera's nostrils flared as if she had just taken personal offense, "I disagree."
"As do I," Roxanne said, boldly.
Yolane snickered and Delia remarked, "Of course you do, Roxy."
"She's been in love with him since he kissed her years ago on account of a bet," Delia said, quietly, as a side note to Alanna.
She mouthed an 'o', rather awestruck. She hadn't known that Gary's wild antics had actually felt a mark on someone. For Mithros sake, she thought it would be taken to all as it was taken to her. Stupid.
"I don't love him," Roxanne mumbled, softly, although it seemed even she didn't believe it herself.
Yuna comforted her, kindly, "Love is a strong word. Do not use it either way unless you're sure."
"Even if you do, even if we all do, it seems we have no chance anymore," Etta sighed, dramatically, "Since all our men-"
"-All our handsome men!" Yolane chorused.
"-Yes, all our handsome men," Etta agreed, "Have fallen under the spell of one Alanna of Conte."
She sighed dramatically once again for a grand effect.
Alanna blinked, fingers twitching, "Huh? Under my spell? No, no, no. I hardly know any of these men here."
"Yet you captured all of their attention at the last ball," Yolane countered, "The Prince for instance."
"And dear Gary," Cythera nudged in.
"And my Geoffery," Yuna's voice added.
"Isabelle's Douglass," Etta intoned, "Oh and, of course, Raoul of Goldenlake and his golden muscles."
She sighed dramatically and this time it annoyed Alanna to all ends. Did she have to sigh after every few sentences?
"Only one missing was small Alan of Trebond," Delia stated, speaking after a long time, "I wonder where he is?"
She looked at Alanna as she said this, making the Lioness' stomach turn over. Did she suspect? Did she know?
"Oh yes him," Yuna nodded, "I heard he's sick or so Geoffery said."
"Sick? Pity," Etta said, shaking her head, "He's rather cute in his own brooding way of course."
Alanna shifted in her chair, not liking the way in which this conversation was going. It was strange to hear one's name spoken romantically by others of one's sex. Not that she minded those who were comfortable with it. She just didn't like it for herself.
"I hear he's sleeping withNessa of Queenscove," Roxanne answered.
"I hear he's sleeping with Stefan, the hostler," Yolane reacted.
"I hear-," Cythera stopped and looked at Delia, "I hear he's sleeping with you. It's not true, is it?"
"It most certainly is not!" Alanna spluttered, her face red with humiliation. Was that really what word of the mouth said about her? Alan and Delia? Never! Never!
Everyone looked at her, surprised. Delia responded, slowly, looking at her, "It's not true. I can never hold that one's attention for more than a minute. You're not-you're not in love with him, are you?"
Alanna's face went crimson and the rest of them looked at her in awe. The royal Niece and squire Alan? Since when? He'd been sick since her arrival...
"Alanna?" Winfred called her, as she stood. Lydia and Carly came to her side. They were leaving.
"Coming mother!" Alanna called back, happy to leave. Lady Winfred had saved her once again!
The night was dark and dinner had only just ended. Delia of Eldorne was sneaking away to a chamber not far from the Ball Room. Her ballerina feet hardly made a sound on the floor. Her dark hair was pulled up into a high and overpowering ponytail. Her makeup was dark and stunning, just as she'd wanted it when she went to meet with her lover. She knocked on his door-once-twice-three times. Her knuckled fist had just pulled away from the door when it opened.
No one had opened it since Roger was so dripped in the Gift that he'd just used that. He sat at his desk, shuffling through papers, looking exhausted. Delia came to him and in an instant she was kissing the back of his neck and was beginning to move onto his shoulder. His strong, fine-boned shoulder...
He shrugged her off, "Can we not do this right now?"
Delia was hurt but she would't embarrass herself by showing it, "What bothers you, my love?"
"Nothing that should bother you too," Roger muttered, crossly, "Now what do you want? I haven't called for you."
Delia sighed and went to sit on his bed. She knew this room as well as he did, she'd been in here so many times. Her fingers stroked the fur-lined blanket and she felt entirely at peace in this room. She looked at Roger and, though she would never admitt it to anyone, she really did love him.
"I...well I've been hearing rumors, Roger," she started, knowing she sounded like an idiot.
He arched an eyebrow, "Rumors? It's not like you to buy into them, 'lia."
"I know! I know," she murmured, "It's just that this one is so vile! I just want to hear the falsehood of it from your mouth."
He nodded, turning back to his work, "Go on."
"Uh...well, it claims that you-that you and...,"
"I haven't got all day," Roger snapped, impatiently.
She frowned. She hated it when he was in a bad mood. "It claims that you and your cousin-Alanna that is-are to be bethrothed and married."
Roger looked at her and Delia laughed, "I thought the same as you. Crazy, right?"
When he didn't laugh in response, she became seriously worried, "Right?"
He seemed to be mentally scolding himself then said, "Delia..."
"No," she gasped, "No. No. No. Tell me it's lies! Tell me it's all lies!"
"You don't understand!" Roger pleaded her to listen, "If I just kill off Uncle Roald and Aunt Lianne and cousin Jonathan, there is still unstability to unsue! But if I had one of the Tortallan royalty other than myself on my arm, then they couldn't say no, right? Both of us would be royalty! You know she's fifth in line for the throne..."
"You pig! You fool! You bastard! I hate you!" Delia shrieking, jumping off the bed and seizing the nearest object (a candleholder) she chucked it at him.
He stopped with his Gift and looked at her in shock, "I'm the fool? You're the one who's being a fool!"
"You promised me I'd be Queen!" she cried out, tears stinging her eyes. She was more hurt that he'd ever think of being with anyone other than her.
"But you will! You will! But, first, Alanna must be Queen," he tried to soothe her.
"If she's Queen first, she'll be your wife first, she'll be mother to your children first," Delia snarled, bitterly.
"Well, that's a given," Roger placided, coldly.
"You know what else is a given?" Delia spat, throwing words at him to hurt him like he was hurting her, "That she'll never love you! She's in love with Alan of Trebond! She practically admitted it today at stitchery! She even fancies Jonathan more than you!"
"Alan of Trebond?" Roger said, looking surprised, confused, and, to Delia's great pleasure, bothered, "You lie."
"Yeah right! You better stop this bethrothal thing right now or I'm out this door this instant!" Delia threatened, getting frantic.
In her rush of jealously and love for him she hadn't ever considered that maybe he didn't love her.
"Walk out then," Roger said, dryly, "See if I care."
Delia looked as if all the wind had been knocked out of her. She breathed in, deeply, trying to hide her stupefied nature. He couldn't be serious...They loved each other! They would one day reign as King and Queen together, wouldn't they? One look at his expressionless face told her otherwise. Sucking up tears, she stalked out of his rooms. Once out she cried her heart out. She was lucky it wasn't a very popular hallway and no one came round.
What had she done? What had she done? She'd just ruined the best thing that had ever happened to her.
Author's Note: I didn't really want to end it there but oh well. I didn't have the time nor the space. So just leave it as is. Oh and I really really dislike Delia so ignore this if it's really showing her in a sympathetic light near the end. It won't always include Delia sob stories. This may be the only one. Next chapter, Alanna returns to becoming a squire/noble lady and hears her friends points of views on 'Alanna of Conte.' Oh, and an announcement by Duke Gareth leaves her in another tricky situation. Read and review! Thanks!
winky-wink