I'm baaack. I know, you all want to kill me but hey, here I am. I have had a few surgeries, and there are more to come so I will be able to update more often. Hopefully.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, TP owns everything.

STRESS

"What?" Kel sat in disbelief. This couldn't be. Marry Roald?

"That is what they said. They saw you at the ball last night, and they know there is strength in women." Roald said uncomfortably. He was still looking at his hands. Kel sighed and looked at him.

"My parents said they wouldn't arrange my marriage." Kel said still not believing. She pondered this thought until she got another headache. She began rubbing her temples again, and yet again she felt the pressure lesson. Roald was looking at her with concern. Kel smiled at him and sighed yet again.

"I guess I could always ask them." Kel said as she picked up her books. She thought about replacing them on the shelves but instead she held them tight against her body to try and hide the titles.

"Here, let me help." Roald motioned towards the books. She lowered them away from her body and Roald waved his hands over them. The titles disappeared. "If a boy looks at them, they will look like books about insects; nothing very interesting." He smiled at Kel and she smiled back. Resigned to the current situation for the moment, she knew worrying about it won't help; she'll just have to find a way out of it later when she had the time.

"Does anyone else know about the engagement?" Kel asked as they left the library and towards the pages' hall. Roald shook his head.

"My mother said that they would not make anything public until you are of age to be married." Roald shook his head. "We have until you are sixteen. At least, that is what your parents said. Until then, we are to act like nothing is happening. And that means not telling Neal." Kel knew she would have to keep this from him, but she didn't like the idea of keeping things from her best friend.

"It will be hard I must admit, but you are right." Kel said gloomily. They began to talk about their math work when they arrived at Neal's room. Neither mentioned anything and their lives went along as planned.

When Kel arrived at her room later she opened one of the books she had gotten from the library and called for Lalasa. The older looked at what the book said and giggled. Kel shook her head.

"Lalasa, I need your help. If 'Lady Kel' keeps coming to visit, she can't just stay for one night, I know she will have to visit for longer and that means knowing some of this stuff. The other ladies will expect it of me." Kel shook her head. "Now I have to learn twice as many things."

"My lady, I can at least teach you sewing dancing and dresses. But I am afraid you will need someone else to help you with talking and manners. I am not of high standing and don't know much about the court. But I think I might know someone who would." Lalasa left and Kel was left to her own musings until she returned. It wasn't too late in the evening that lights out were expected. She had left studying early complaining about a headache and tiredness and was bid farewell from the other boys. Roald smiling as she left, letting no one but her see it.

After four pages Kel looked up to see Lalasa leading a woman into her room. She quickly closed her book and stood up, wondering what Lalasa thought she was doing; revealing her to someone.

"Milord, this is Mairi, she is a servant of Lord Denivold." Lalasa explained and then it hit her. Lord Denivold was known for liking other men and was therefore scorned. But in the Islands, liking other men didn't bother the Yamanis; and Kel saw nothing wrong with it.

"How do you do." Kel said nodding her head to the woman who curtsied. Lalasa smiled and motioned for Mairi to speak.

"Milord, Lalasa here has explained to me that you wish to know how to speak and act like a woman. Lord Denivold hired me for that reason, though I am not supposed to say anything about it." Mairi looked at Lalasa and continued, "Since you are asking the same thing, I don't think he'll mind as long as you don't tell anyone."

"I wont, I hope that you will keep the same principles with me as well." Kel said sternly. Mairi nodded.

"Milord Denivold doesn't need me at this time everyday during the week, if you wish I could come over and start to teach you. I could explain it away that I am friends with Lalasa." Kel grinned and nodded. Mairi smiled back and they got to work. They were just beginning to talk about posture when it was time for lights out. Kel bid Mairi farewell and got ready to sleep.

"Lalasa, at first I was skeptical, but I think this just might work. Thank you." Kel hugged the girl and got into bed.

"It's my pleasure my Lady." Lalasa said as she blew out a candle and disappeared into the gloom of her sleeping space.

"Luke!" Someone yelled across the practice field. She looked up to see Merric coming over to her. They were just dismissed to lunch and she was heading back to her room. The explanation given to Lord Wyldon was that 'Luke' had a strange skin discoloration and the boys would make fun of him. By a special request from Sir Myles she was allowed to have her baths in her room.

"Yes Merric?" Kel said tired and sore from the days' training.

"Roald wants you to meet him at the Lioness' rooms after lunch. He said that you have both been excused from your lessons." Merric said grumpily. He wasn't happy that he hadn't been invited.

"Thanks Merric." Kel clapped him on the shoulder and ran up the hill to get changed. She met Mairi in the hallway and they ignored each other. Kel was happy for that.

"Lalasa?" Kel called as she hurried into her rooms. She quickly disrobed and put on a fresh pair of dark brown breeches and a cream colored tunic. Lalasa poked her head out from her room.

"Milady, was there something you needed?" Lalasa asked as Kel finished lacing her shirt. Kel shook her head.

"I was just wondering if you could go and get me some new stockings. I am having trouble tying my points." Kel slid on her boots as she heard the boys in the hallway going down to lunch.

"Yes milady." Lalasa disappeared back into her room as Kel left. What is her little maid up to? Kel shook her head. She didn't need anymore troubles.

Hope you all like the update. I know, I know. My next one should be soon.