I know it's been quite a while since my last update, but I think this chapter turned out nicely :)

These chapters are surprisingly hard to write, so they take a few days of adding and editing.

Anyway, I'll let you get to the story now.

Thanks to AnnaW14 for beta-ing this story! She's brilliant :)

Chapter 4:

Clary's eyes were fixed on the Invitation sitting on the surface of the vanity. It was shaped to be a perfect square, and made of a stiff, purple paper topped with white lace. Her name was printed in black ink, dancing across the page in sweeping calligraphy.

Clarissa Adele Fray,

You are cordially invited to the New Year's Ball this evening. The Event shall be held at Morgenstern Manor at 7:30.

Clary sighed, turning towards Isabelle with a silent plea for assistance. The Ball was only in a few hours and she would need all the help she could get.

Isabelle was currently sliding the copper-colored bobby pins into Clary's hair while humming along to the soft music playing in the background. Maryse had said that she had to go see a friend, and left without saying where she was going, or who she was visiting; leaving Isabelle in charge of preparing Clary for the ball.

Clary tugged at the rim of her pink dressing gown's silk sleeve with her fingertips absentmindedly as she struggled to relax.

It had dawned on Clary a few days ago that she was going to have to have a child with Maryse's son, and it kept resurfacing in her mind, though she shoved it back down. She wanted to be able to do this for Maryse, but Clary wasn't sure she could ever feel anything for Alec. He was nice, but… there was something a little off about him; there always had been.

Do you mind If I'll always love you?

Heaven's gonna burn your eyes

Now Heaven's gonna burn your eyes

Isabelle sang along to the song in a quiet, lovely voice. She'd always had a talent for singing that Clary had been jealous of.

The rest of her getting ready process seemed relaxing with the sound of Isabelle's voice as she sang along with the pleasant tune.

Isabelle finished pinning up her hair, and applying her subtly sexy makeup, then Isabelle slid open Maryse's jewelry box that sat on top of the vanity, and pulled out a pair of black chandelier earrings, and a matching necklace.

"Robe off." Said Isabelle as the song changed to one with a similar melody, but with no lyrics.

Clary stood up from the vanity chair, and slid Maryse's dressing gown off her shoulders; exposing the ball gown Maryse had bought for this particular occasion. The dress Maryse had bought cost as much as a month's rent, but Maryse reassured her they had enough extra money for it.

The dress was lovely, Clary thought. It was an emerald green silk gown that went to her ankles, and dragged on the ground behind her some. The top of the dress was rather tight on Clary's waist- she'd had to wear a corset with it- but it gave Clary shape, and the sweetheart neckline somehow made Clary's breasts appear larger than they actually were. There was black embroidery and tiny black gems decorating the torso portion, and the hem of her skirt, trailing up in various places. Clary could see why it was so expensive.

"Here." said Isabelle, putting Clary's earrings in, and draping a necklace around her neck. Clary winced at the cold bite of the metal along the delicate skin of her collarbones. "And to top it off…" Isabelle went to Maryse's closet, and took a wooden box off one of the higher shelves that Clary could never reach. She set the box down on the vanity, and opened it up.

Clary peeped inside curiously. The box was full of gloves, all expensive-looking, and made of things like silk or lace. Isabelle took out a black silk pair, and handed them to Clary. "Try these."

Clary's slender arms and hands easily slid into the cool silk. The gloves went just about to Clary's shoulders, and Clary decided she liked them. A small smile came to her lips. Maybe it was the music that had calmed her.

"You look stunning," Isabelle gushed as Clary put on the other glove.

"Thank you, Isabelle." Clary said quietly, glancing down in an attempt to hide her nervousness.

Isabelle's eyes darted to Clary's bare feet, and she smacked her forehead. "Oops! I forgot the shoes." She went into Maryse's closet, and went through all of the shoes in there. "Which ones did she buy for this dress?" Isabelle asked slowly, mostly to herself. "Aha!"

She set a pair of black velvet peep-toe sling-back heels in front of her, and Clary sighed in exasperation. She gripped Isabelle's shoulder for support as she stepped into them.

"Okay," said Isabelle, "I think you're ready."

Clary smiled at her best friend. That was what Isabelle was to her, wasn't she? She couldn't be her sister, after all, because of Alec.

"He's gonna fall head-over-heels for you in no time." Isabelle winked, slipping in a sly smile for Clary.

Clary gave her a tight smile. She was kind of hoping she'd fall for him instead.

Clary stepped out of the white limousine, and took in the Capitol Building. It was just as lovely as Clary had remembered it, but it was now crowded with guards, and people Clary recognized from TV: senators and aristocrats.

Everyone's suits and dresses looked either as nice as Clary's, or nicer, depending on who they were, and how wealthy they were. Clary was glad she wouldn't stand out too much.

Clary walked briskly up the steps while attempting to remain unnoticed. She lifted her full skirt a few inches from the ground so as to avoid tripping. When she got to the top, she showed the guard her invite, and they let her pass.

There were servants at the front doors, taking jackets, shawls, and shrugs as people came in, before directing people towards the main ballroom.

Clary gave one of the servants her black fur shrug, and moved with the flow of people.

The ballroom was bigger than Clary had imagined it. She supposed it had to be to fit all of those people in there.

The ballroom was formal, and grand, with cathedral ceilings echoing the classical music. The walls of the ballroom were sparkling marble with flecks of gold accenting it. The floor was a red carpet with gold swirls that came together in a sort of rose-like shape, and the high vaulted ceilings were rimmed with balconies with arched French doors. The centerpiece of the room was a grand chandelier, the crystals reflecting the light across the room like stars.

There were waiters wandering around the room, serving finger food and champagne, and there was soft music playing from a live band. The music made Clary's heart and stomach pulse with unease, though she couldn't say why.

"Clary!"

Clary turned to see Maia, looking stunning in an orange and black lacy dress. The girl embraced Clary as she reciprocated uncomfortably. "Hello Maia!" Clary said, her tone friendly, though tinged with her slight discomfort.

Maia pulled away and looked Clary up and down. "You look gorgeous!" She smiled, flashing her white teeth.

"As do you."

"How've you been?" Maia asked.

"Well, I've been fine. And yourself?"

Maia smiled. "I'm just fine. Come." She took Clary by the hand and began pulling her to the small group that was the Morgenstern children. Clary noted that Alec was absent, though she couldn't find her voice to ask for him.

"Ah, Clary," Maia's husband Jonathan smiled, "It's good to see you again."

Clary smiled at him. "You too."

"Good evening," Sebastian and Kaelie said in unison, then looked at each other, amused. Kaelie's green-tinted blonde hair was in a swirl on top of her head, and her dress was an off shoulder, and a dusty rose color. It suited her fair complexion well.

And then there was Jace. He smirked, and nodded at her.

Clary didn't even bother smiling at him, opting instead to a simply nod.

"We're so happy you're here!" Maia gushed, clearly much happier about it than anyone else. "I know Alec's around here somewhere…" she searched the crowd.

Clary looked around too, wanting Alec's familiarity, and wanting an excuse to get away from his family- mostly Jace.

That's when Clary caught someone staring at her. She stared back at him, trying to remember who exactly he was. He had been on TV, and in the newspapers, but Clary could quite place it. Then a woman walked up beside him- a beautiful woman in a subtle black and white dress, then Clary remembered who they were: Amatis Graymark, a senator famous for her eternal virginity vow, following in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth the first, and her brother, Lucian Graymark, who was her constant companion.

Why would he be staring at her?

"Clarissa." purred a familiar, icy-silk voice that made Clary's head snap back to her surroundings. Camille and Valentine had come, and Camille was greeting her (thank goodness without coming close). Camille's gown was a deep red, and the torso portion was made of black lace so her skin was visible. "I see you've made it."

Clary gave a forced smile, and nodded.

Valentine was by his wife's side in the most expensive suit Clary had ever seen. "Where is Alexander?" he asked, looking around the room. "Why isn't he with his date?"

Valentine, as usual, made her skin crawl, and not addressing her directly didn't make Clary like him any more than she already did.

"I'll send someone to find him," said Valentine.

"I will," Camille corrected, putting her hand on her husband's shoulder before heading off.

"Why don't you go dance?" Valentine said, addressing his children. "It is a ball, after all."

"Certainly," said Sebastian, offering his hand to Kaelie, and they went towards the middle of the room.

"Would you do me the honor?" Jonathan asked, bowing at Maia as if they were strangers practicing proper courtesy.

Maia giggled and took his hand, then she looked excitedly at Clary as Jonathan led her to the dance floor.

Jace began to walk away, but Valentine caught his shoulder. "Ah," he said, then leaned down to whisper something in Jace's ear.

Clary looked around the room again, looking for Alec. She felt awkward here, and was desperate to get away from her two least favorite people. She saw someone with black hair, and started towards them.

"Miss Fray." said Jace, and Clary turned around. Since Valentine was there, she gave him the realest smile she could muster, but she was sure it looked fake.

"Yes, Mr. Morgenstern?"

He looked like he didn't want to be talking to her, but he managed to look a little like he did. "Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" he held out his hand toward her.

Clary was horrified that he'd ever ask that, and was about to harshly decline, but then she glanced at Valentine; he'd probably told Jace to, she realized, and she didn't want to be rude when Valentine's cold gaze was on her…

"Alright." She managed, sighing in displeasure. When he reached for her hand she found herself glad for the gloves separating the two of them.

Jace led her out to the dance floor, and Clary could feel hate bubbling up inside her. She wanted to pull away from him, and to leave that second, but resisted the urge.

Jace turned to her, a smirk on his face as he placed his other hand on her waist, and she flinched. She put her free hand on the shoulder of his suit jacket, but not so elegant as the other ladies. Clary knew she would never fit in here, but she knew she had to do it… For Maryse.

They began dancing, and Jace was looking at her features carefully.

"What?" she snapped, trying to keep her voice low.

"You know you'd be pretty if you scowled less." He smirked.

His compliment didn't affect Clary the slightest bit, and she maintained her scowl.

"My father wishes for me to apologize for calling you a whore." He said. "But somehow I thought you may not acccept it."

"Than you are correct, Mr. Morgenstern." She said bluntly.

He chuckled lightly. "Jace, please."

Clary didn't say anything else for several seconds. "Now that you're done with your pathetic excuse for an apology, may I leave?"

He chuckled again, not slowing their dance or loosening his grip on her waist. "I thought you of all people would enjoy the pleasure of my company."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she growled, her eyebrows coming more deeply into her scowl.

Jace scoffed, the smirk still plain on his face. Clary wanted to slap it away. "You probably don't draw the eye of many attractive men, much less interact with them."

Clary felt her nostrils flare as she imagined smoke rising from ears. "Belief can be a deceitful thing, Mr. Morgenstern," she addressed him that way just to piss him off, and she could see that he didn't like it, but was concealing it rather well. "Like God."

Jace raised one eyebrow, and Clary pushed her jealousy of his ability to the back of her mind. "You don't believe in God then?" he asked.

"Not since my mother's death," she said quietly, then realized she'd said it out loud, and silently cursed herself.

Jace's face held no sympathy, just the stupid smirk. "I'll let you in on a secret." He said, stopping their dance just as the song ended and pulling her close to him by her waist. She gasped, not expecting this. "Neither do I." He whispered seductively in her ear, then backed away and released her.

Now that she was free, she instantly walked away, trying to hide the slight blush in her cheeks. She needed to get away for a moment, she thought.

She headed out of the doors, and started down the hall to try and get some distance.

After a while of walking, she'd cooled down, and was headed back to the ballroom.

The long hallways lined with doors and decorations all looked the same, and Clary was trying not to admit to herself that she was lost.

She turned the corner, and finally saw someone, but it wasn't what she expected.

She saw a man- two men in the hallway, kissing. They weren't just kissing, they were making out, hands all over each other, passionately connecting. Then Clary realized with intense shock that one of the men was Alec.

It had only been a total of one second since Clary had turned the corner, and she gasped- louder than she'd meant to.

The men shot apart, Alec looking at Clary with a horrified expression. "C-Clary," he managed.

Clary stared at him with wide eyes, blinking. Alec was gay? That would explain a lot…

"It's not what you think," he said desperately, fixing his rumpled waist coat.

Clary only gaped, watching him frantically fix his hair while the other man retreated before Clary could see who he was. He was skinny, and Asian, but Clary didn't catch much more than that.

"I was- he was- we weren't." Alec was stuttering, clearly terrified. Clary had never seen him like this before.

Clary composed herself, and decided she currently didn't have to be her exterior, but just Clary. "Alec, calm down," she said, "I won't tell if you don't want me to."

He looked surprised, but continued to try to convince her that it wasn't what it looked like. "He was… he was- choking, and I-"

"Alec!" Clary raised her eyebrows. He was really scared of what would happen if someone found out. She knew Valentine homophobic, and that was probably what he was worried about. "Alec, I don't care," she said, "I won't tell anyone, I swear to God."

He had come closer to her, trying to explain. "But-"

Suddenly, she got an idea. "Alec, hold on," she said, putting her hands up, trying to get him to settle down. "I can help you."

He frowned. "... What? Clary-"

"I could be your beard." She said.

Alec frowned, looking at her as if she were speaking a different language. "My what?"

"Look," she said, her voice gradually getting calmer, which was visibly calming Alec, "a beard is when someone has a relationship with someone gay to cover it up."

Alec's eyes widened. He apparently had nothing to say to that.

"I could marry you, and we wouldn't have to be together," she said, "and you could see all the other people you want." Clary realized after she'd said it that she's said "married" and Alec looked freaked out. Clary was slightly excited about this idea, however; she could marry Alec, and gain his trust, but she didn't have to sleep with him- probably…

Alec looked so surprised that he'd stopped trying to convince her of anything but the truth. "... You would?" he seemed to catch himself then. "I mean-"

"Alec," she shook her head. "Don't worry, I won't tell- even if you say no, but how many other women would agree to this?"

Alec looked like he was considering, then looked back up at her. "What's in it for you?"

Clary opened her mouth, then closed it. What could she say? She couldn't tell him why she really was.

"Ah," he said, looking at her curiously, "I see."

Clary realized what he'd thought then: he thought she wanted the money, the fame, and the perks of being a Duke's son's wife. She opened her mouth, about to tell him she wasn't that shallow, but realized that would have to do. She closed it again.

Alec put his hands into his pockets, looking at the ground and expelling a puff of air. "Alright," he said, looking back up at her. "It's a deal." He held out his hand to her, and she shook it.

Did you like it? I know I don't update this story often, but I hope it's worth the wait when I do :)

Any requests? I really like them, and I take them to heart :)

See you soon!

-Jade