Somehow, Alanna found herself attending yet another ball. She was shocked and appalled to realize that she had become extremely popular. Noblemen of all ages raced each other to ask her to dance. She tried to look to Thom for help, but he always seemed to be surrounded by a knot of women himself. Neither one of them was bad-looking, but they were nothing special in this sparkling crowd, and Alanna was mystified.
Ten dances in, she finally caught Jonathan's eye with a pleading look. The Prince edged out a nobleman who looked none-to-pleased to lose his opportunity with Alanna.
"What is going on?" Alanna asked as they danced. "Have all of these men lost their minds?"
"I think they're all acting quite sensibly," Jonathan said with a grin. "But I think I'm your problem."
"But not even Thom knows-" Alanna started.
"No, not because of that. The Court has noticed how much time I've been spending with you, or more relevantly, Thom."
"And suddenly, I'm the sister of the powerful sorcerer who has the heir's ear," Alanna said dejectedly.
"Aren't Court politics fun?"
"So much fun."
"Want me to escort you to the door before anyone else can ask you to dance?"
"Gods, yes!" Alanna exclaimed. As an afterthought, she added, "If I had known sleeping with you would get me out of balls early, I would have done it years ago."
Jonathan smirked. "Missed opportunity all around!"
The ball was only the start. Soon she was receiving invitations at least twice a day from noblemen inviting her on various chaperoned excursions or meals.
"What do I do?" She asked Jonathan as she stared miserably at the growing stack of unanswered invitations.
"Easy," Jonathan said. "Let me announce to the world that you're mine, and they can't have you."
She only glared at him.
"Fine," he said with mock hurt. "I'm not sure what to tell you. I've never actually had an invitation refused before."
"Of course you haven't."
"You're seeing mother tomorrow, right?" Jonathan asked.
Alanna nodded.
"You should ask her. I can guarantee that she's turned down many invitations, and she won't gossip about what you tell her."
"But, she's the queen," Alanna protested. "Wouldn't it be impertinent to ask her for such advice?"
"I'll let her know I made the offer. I think she'll find it reassuring if you have such a feminine problem. She'll be happy to help."
"Either way, we need to find a solution," he said, wrapping a possessive arm around her. "Because you're mine, and they can't have you."
"Just say 'no' politely," Queen Lianne explained. "Don't make up reasons like you're sick or busy because they'll just get you into trouble later. And when they start approaching your brother asking for your hand - don't look so shocked. If it hasn't happened yet, it will - just have him say that he isn't looking for matches for you at this time. No one is entitled to your time, and you don't owe anyone an explanation."
Alanna nodded in understanding.
"But if I may ask, don't you want to find a husband?" Or are you just selective?"
"I don't know what I want," Alanna replied honestly. "I wasn't planning to marry at all back when...well, I haven't exactly had the right training to be a good nobleman's wife, have I?"
"Do you still want to be a knight?" Lianne asked.
Alanna considered trying to craft a diplomatic answer but instead answered simply, "Yes."
"I'm afraid I can't relate," Lianne said gently. "I don't know why any woman would want that life. But I appreciate your candor. I don't think that path will ever be open to you, but if it's any consolation, I can tell you this: most of what makes a good noblewoman isn't taught at the convent. Don't count yourself out just yet."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Alanna, I'm more than happy to talk with you and give you advice, and I understand why you feel more comfortable being friends with the young men, but perhaps it wouldn't hurt for you to make some friends among the other young ladies? It might feel less daunting if you can talk to others who are also navigating balls and suitors."
"I'll keep that in mind, Majesty."
Later that day, Alanna was reading in the royal infirmary when a very short young noblewoman walked in whom she recognized immediately.
"Lady Annabella!" Alanna exclaimed.
"Yes," the woman said, looking taken aback. "Although I don't believe we've been introduced."
"No...I think I heard someone mention your name before, though," Alanna lied unconvincingly.
"Oh dear, someone's told you something embarrassing about how I used to fancy your brother, haven't they?" She smiled sheepishly. "Clearly, I know who you are too, Lady Alanna."
Alanna smiled back sympathetically. "I can't fault you for having good taste."
Annabella sighed, "He was my one great hope of having a husband who wouldn't tower over me. Ah, well." Annabella clapped a hand over her mouth. "That was terribly insensitive. Forgive me!"
Alanna shook her head and smiled. "There's nothing to forgive. He would have commiserated. We short people need to stick together. Now, what can I help you with?"
Alanna listened to the girl describe her ailment and handed her a tonic Duke Baird always kept well stocked.
"Take three spoonfuls of this when you first start to bleed each month, and it should ease the cramping for the full cycle."
"Thank you! I should have come asking about this ages ago," Annabella said.
"You should be all set, but, um, I was wondering - I don't have many friends in the palace. Would you like to have tea or go riding or something this week?" Alanna stammered.
"I'd like that. Tea tomorrow afternoon in the garden?" Annabella asked.
"Perfect."
When Annabella left, Alanna tried to read more of her book, but she couldn't concentrate. She was back at Court, but she was learning to heal instead of kill, being courted by Jonathan instead of serving him, and now befriending other noblewomen. Why did living a normal life feel so terribly strange?
Alanna meant to tell Thom about her new relationship status with Jonathan, but somehow it never seemed like the right time. She and the Prince would often find excuses to be together during the day, and on a few occasions, Alanna had slipped out to go to the Prince's rooms late at night and returned to her own room early in the morning.
One evening, Jonathan had come to Thom and Alanna's rooms to discuss the next spell he wanted to learn. After an hour, Thom had some other engagement and left the two of them alone. This had, of course, led them to Alanna's bedroom, where exhausted by magic and other exertions, they had both unintentionally fallen asleep.
The next morning, they dressed quietly, and Alanna peaked out the door leading to the sitting room that lay between her room and the hall to see if the coast was clear.
"I know you have company. You might as well both come out," Thom said without looking up from his book.
Alanna opened the door wider, and she and Jon joined Thom at the table.
"Are you going to marry her, now that you've sullied her honor?" Thom asked Jonathan dryly.
Jonathan somehow managed to look sincere and smug at the same time. "If you insist, Lord Th-"
"No, we are not talking about marriage," Alanna interrupted firmly. "And I will defend my own honor, thank you."
"Fine. Do as you like." Thom replied. "But, Highness, do remember that I'm among the world's most powerful sorcerers and can make you sorely regret any... bad decisions."
"Thom!" Alanna started, "You can't threaten the-"
Jonathan quieted her with a firm hand on her arm. "I would expect nothing less. And believe me, I know better than anyone that your sister is not to be trifled with."
With that, he leaned down and kissed Alanna, then bid them good morning and left.
Thom turned back to his sister. "If it's not one thing with you, it's another. I really will turn him into something small and slimy if you ever want me to."
Alanna just shook her head and left to go find some breakfast.
Alanna was surprised to find conversation with Annabella to be fairly easy once she finally gave herself permission to relax.
Annabella was only at Court for the season. Most of the year, she traveled with her new husband or ran their fief, which faced many of the same struggles as Trebond. Her region also had an unusually low concentration of gifted people, and she was eager to get Alanna's thoughts on how to best care for her people with limited healers.
They also exchanged palace gossip, and Alanna couldn't resist asking, "Will you tell me more about Alan? What did the other ladies think of him?"
Annabella hesitated before saying, "Alright, but stop me if it gets too painful, okay?"
"I will," Alanna assured her.
Annabella nodded and leaned back in her chair. "Ah, Squire Alan. Where to begin? He was incredible, right? I saw that duel with that Tusaine knight - the stories aren't exaggerated. He humiliated that man so thoroughly. It was glorious. And there were so many other stories about him - the desert demons and the sweating sickness. I'm sure you got sick of those tales as his sister, but he was sort of a legend already, and Prince Jonathan clearly adored him.
But at the same time, he was so short, and he didn't have the big muscles that the other squires and knights did. He was built - well, almost exactly like you. Your family resemblance is quite striking! And he was so awkward around women, just clearly uncomfortable.
So some of the girls decided he was mysterious and were determined to be the one to crack his shell. Some tried to use him to get to Prince Jonathan, which of course, always failed. And the rest just couldn't be bothered. Clearly, I was in the first group. The height thing was very appealing, and my parents would have loved for me to snag the Prince's squire, but mostly I thought being married to him would have been adventurous and thrilling. Silly, right? It probably would have meant sitting in Trebond alone while he went off having adventures without me."
"Oh, Great Mother Goddess, save me from my stupidity! I'm sorry, again, I didn't mean to imply...I know you were at Trebond…"
"And again, there's nothing to apologize for," Alanna said. "That's honestly my greatest fear about marriage. I don't think men should get to have all the adventures without us."
"Certainly not!" Annabella agreed.
They moved on to safer topics, and Alanna was very proud to have successfully made her first noblewoman friend.
