Alanna felt her face blush hotly. No amount of years at the convent could fully prepare her for all the attention that was directed towards her. She glanced at the Prince's eyes, but his eyes were a startling blue and she looked away. Without looking at his face, Alanna could tell that he was amused. This made her hate him even more. Awkwardly she stepped to the waltz. In her mind, she slowly repeated the steps. In doing so, she could ignore all the stares coming from the waltzing ladies nearby.

One, two, three…one, two, three-keep the rhythm…

"What?" Alanna asked, startled out of her mantra.

"I asked of how you are enjoying the ball," Jonathan repeated.

"Quite fine, thank you," Alanna gritted through her teeth. In the end, she decided to smile in order to be polite, but it came out as a distorted grimace. Jonathan laughed at her, quite amused in spite of himself.

Alanna looked up, surprised to hear him laughing.

"You enjoy people staring at you?"

"No." Alanna blushed a little harder.

Jonathan felt a little surprise welling in him. This girl wasn't what he had expected at all. He admitted that he had first found her appearance revolting, but she wasn't so bad personality-wise. From how she had unabashedly stepped down from the carriage, Jonathan had assumed that Alanna enjoyed attention, and here she was, blushing madly at the stares that one should expect when dancing with a prince. He chuckled and decided to change the subject to save her some more embarrassment.

"So…what activities do you enjoy? Perhaps we can appoint a time to spend together…"

One, two, three…one, two...What? Activities? "Well…" one, two, three…wait, activities.

"Well," Alanna relied hesitantly. Her mind was still somewhat occupied counting. Without much thought, she said, "I would really like to learn to fence, or perhaps spar."

"Fence? Spar? Aren't those activities unsuitable for a lady?" He should have known that the traitor's sister would be so unlady-like.

Hearing this angered Alanna, and she pretty much forgot her embarrassment. "Of course not! If a man can do it, why can't I?"

Jonathan frowned. "Because you are a lady, and ladies do not do such things."

"I'm not a lady," Alanna retorted, as if that should explain it.

"Yes you are, you are of a noble decent, and your family name is recorded in the Book of Gold."

"That does not make me a lady, nor does it make me incapable of doing things that men do," Alanna huffed.

Jon got angry at how insistent she was, no female had ever been as stubborn as Alanna (asides from his mother). Why doesn't she just admit that she was a lady? Why won't she admit that she was a lady? He'll show her…"Fine, tomorrow at noon, after lunch. Meet me at the court."

"Deal."

With that the dance ended, and Jonathan bowed. Alanna curtsied.

"It was an honor."

"The pleasure was mine."

Alanna was just about to make her way towards Thom to announce her news when someone intercepted her. Not expecting this intervention, Alanna quickly halted, but not quick enough. Cool hands reached out to steady her. Goosebumps formed on her flesh.

Roger of Conte smiled at her, revealing a set of pearl-white teeth.

"Hope I haven't startled you much, Lady Alanna?"

Alanna swallowed. "Oh no, milord, not at all."

"Good. Then may I have this dance, my lady?" All thoughts forgotten about her recent dispute with Jonathan bout not being a lady, Alanna nodded. "You may."

Dear Readers,
I know I haven't updated in ages, you guys must be like, "after months of waiting, and this is all?" I admit, this is a bit short, but I'm working on it... But to tell the truth, I don't think this story is very good...I'm planning on writing a better story. Besides, didn't you guys think that Alanna is a bit ooc here?

Bambolieblue