The chapter you've alll been waiting for he he, sorry it took so long! But this is a long one, with some wit in it...so YAY!

Thanks for all of the reviews!

-MK

Enjoy

Jonathan was surrounded by pretty faces, but the thought of sitting through several hours of this made him want to scream.

He smiled and nodded, pretending to be interested in the anecdotes that were given to him, and waited for this whole disaster to be over.

"I thought that you like a pretty skirt…er woman," His cousin and friend Gary smiled at his wife and then back at his prince.

"I do, but I like something to be up there as well…" Jon muttered.

"I'm sure that you'll find someone. Oh that Delia girl has been eyeing you for the last five minutes, you could go dance with her!"

Jon sighed and did as he was told. Delia was very pretty with large bright green eyes, and she was definitely smart, but she was too…strong. Every thing that he said was turned into a flirt and he felt almost dirty when he talked to her. Suddenly a murmur fell on the dance floor.

Jon sent a few tendrils of his gift out to hear better.

"I hear that it's a princess from another nation…"

"The carriage screamed of rich family…"

"I heard she was an heiress…"

"She was so beautiful."

Jon pulled Gary aside, "Who are they talking about?" he muttered.

Gary smiled, "You'll see." Jon glared at his cousin, but then saw people pointing at the staircase, and he followed their gazes…

Alanna smiled at she went up the palace steps and into the foyer. Tossing her hair back behind her shoulders, she glided through marble corridors, solid white softly lit by candles.

"Ah…milady, this way please." A man dressed in the Conte colours led Alanna through the halls

She was lead to solid oak doors that parts slowly for her, she heard a hush fall in the room as she slowly walked in, as she had practiced in her head.

She smiled slightly as she walked slowly down marble stairs, finger tips lightly skimming the golden handrails. She noticed many in the room, her step sister, and her step mother, Myles…who was definitely well dressed for a drunk. She made a note to ask him about this later.

Then she caught the eyes of another that she didn't recognize, cold blue eyes met her, a lick of hair falling to veil his face. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes, but he was hiding something…anger…boredom?

Alanna got to the bottom of the stairs and glided over, hearing whispers flow out, no one caring who heard anymore.

"That's her…"

"The heiress? She's so beautiful…"

"She'll hook any man that she wanted…"

Alanna skimmed the room again, a group of boys began to form around her. She smiled, this would definitely prove to be an interesting night.

Jon watched as the mystery woman flew across the dancefloor. Her arms were to muscular for her to be a court lady, and her face too delicate for her to be a servant…he remembered her from something else that was at the back of his mind.

He slowly waded through the crowd, and put a hand on her shoulder.

"May I interrupt this dance?"

The man knew when to fight a battle, and he quickly left.

"Good evening."

"I suppose…"

Jon frowned, "I'm sorry?"

She smiled apologetically, "I'm not saying that you're a bad dancer…simply this is a waste of time…"

Jon almost choked.

"I mean I like to get dressed up as much as the next girl…but this is over kill. How many of these women starved themselves for weeks, or spent the money it would cost to buy a house…I mean…" She then shut her mouth firmly, and looked up to her partner's eyes.

"I suppose you're right, the nobles in this room will probably never wear these clothing again, and the money that it cost could build several houses." His voice was thoughtful, yet teasing.

"I'm glad to see we have at least one good will advocate here."

Alanna flushed slightly, "I'm simply saying that if no body thinks of the lower classes then there's going to be a lot of trouble."

"Are you saying that the lower classes aren't thought of? Every woman was invited."

"Sir, who in the lower class has enough money to buy a dress…like this for example. It's ridiculous that someone who barely has enough money to feed themselves can buy finery."

Jonathan smiled, he liked this mystery woman. He paused for a second, the song was ending.

"Would you like to join me for a moment outside, it's too loud and stuffy in here for philosophical discussion."

Alanna smiled, obliging.

Jon was already leading her out onto the balcony, the glass door swung open to reveal the cool night. He then led her down the outer steps into the garden. The tall bushes obscured the view from the people indoors.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes…"

He put a hand to the bottom of her chin, and turned her face so that she stared at him, her purple eyes turned from blazing to…misty. She flushed and looked away.

"Look at me…" his voice was soft and commanding, and she did.

"You're embarrassed." It dawned on him, slowly and surely.

"Sir, I've been going on for the last I don't know how long, about how nobles are rich and the lower classes are poor. Normally, I wouldn't blame you, if you hated me now."

Jonathan laughed.

"I don't hate you miss, I think that it's refreshing to listen to conversation topics. If I had to listen to one more woman talk about her dress and hair I will…"

Alanna giggled, and then caught herself, "I'm sorry, I'm really not one for the girl attitude."

Jon quirked his eyebrow.

"I'm not!" She flushed.

"I'm sure you aren't." Jon nodded his head slightly.

"It's the dress isn't it?"

Jon smiled, "I think so…"

Alanna started to walk away again.

"What did I do this time?"

"I'm not a girly girl, I'm…tough."

Jon raised an eyebrow, and almost started to laugh. This beautiful creature in front of him, who was in a full evening gown, make up on and hair pinned up and arranged carefully, was claiming to have fighting prowess.

"Really?"

Alanna spun around and before he could stop her, she punched him right in the stomach, hard enough to wind him.

"Really." She smirked as she saw Jon gaping behind her.

"I see…" He brushed invisible dirt from his shirt.

Alanna smoothed the gloves on her hands, "Well gentle sir, is there something else that you'd like to challenge me on?"

"Not really, however I would rather like to sit down…I think I'm going to develop a bruise tomorrow. Scratch that, I am definitely going to develop a bruise tomorrow." Jon moved his hand to indicate a bench through the bushes.

Alanna paused obviously confused. The man who had just called her girly and insulted her fighting skills was now inviting her to sit down with him. This night could not possibly be odder.

As she sat down, he started to laugh.

"What?"

"It's definitely the dress…" He smiled, and turned to face her. The moonlight caught and reflected in her eyes and she stared up at him, the laughter died slowly as they held each other's gazes. Slowly he lowered his head and kissed her softly and firmly on her lips.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…" He rasped, as she pulled away slightly, breaking the kiss. She put a finger to his lips.

With newfound confidence she said, "Don't be," and let him kiss her again. It was then that she heard the clock chime….nine….ten…eleven…fifty?

She jumped up as if she was on fire, and then started to panic. Jon jumped up too asking what was wrong.

"I need to go, it's midnight…"

"What, surely you can stay…?"

"I can't I have to go…I…" She ran, away from the garden, and the prince and everything. She ran so fast that she let things blur, but she didn't notice the crack in the marble, causing her to trip, and unwittingly catching her heel.

Not bothering to stop, she kept running leaving the shoe behind the glass twinkling invitingly.

Jon ran to catch up with her, but the last thing that he saw was the magnificent carriage speed off, and the glass slipper twinkling on the ground.

I know the cliches and everything are REALLY there, but I was kind of bound to the original story line. So yes, have fun reading it and REVIEW! Or I may not update soon...:(