Narcissus
Chapter 7 - The Piercing Spears
It took a heavier blow to make Sharon descend into depression and sulking. Sharon didn't know how to sulk—she had the instinct kicked and beaten out of her at a very young age. Instead of weeping and drowning in sorrow, as many other maidens of less steely resolve might have done, Sharon finally got to doing what she came here to do: as the saying goes, if you can't have it, destroy it.
Or at least die trying.
—
Alanna had really done her best: she had. She had tried on multiple occasions to hint to Jon (and later, bluntly pointing out) that Lady Delia was up to no good. She had tried to bring Jon to seeing the vile schemer in George's court (she had the name of Sharon there). She had tried to prove that Delia did not love him with all her innocent, charming heart. She had tried discrediting Sharon by telling George that Sharon was Delia (George had laughed and told her Sharon had reported her doings a long time ago). She had done everything she could, but the elusive Sharon was not to be outdone by such an amateur plotter as Alanna. The only thing Alanna was well-versed with was hiding things, not revealing them.
So when she found George talking cordially with Sharon, who smiled and winked at her, Alanna spun around and went downstairs of the Dancing Dove. It upset her that George should be this chummy with the very person she warned him against. She was more upset when she was found by Jonathan, whose eyes lighted up when he saw her for all the wrong reasons.
"Alan!" he called, "Mind if you read over my poetry? It's dedicated to Lady Delia!"
While Alanna was oblivious to the piercing looks that George gave her, Jon was as oblivious to the piercing looks that Alanna gave him, though hers were spears of disappointment and despair, whereas George's were of hope and patience.
He didn't have to hope long if Jon kept at it, but alas, Jon didn't, for Lady Delia disappeared before carrying out her part in Roger's plans.