"Do I really have to Father?" A young lady pleaded "I hate going to those types of functions!"

"I know, but you have to Alandria" her father replied. "You were personally invited by the King. If you don't attend, you will probably be ostracized by the court."

"I don't care! Let them! I hate that environment! I couldn't care less what they think of me!"

"Yes, but that would also have an impact on both your mother and I as well. You really must think of your position, you are a noble born lady of the court. When are you going to start behaving like one?" It was an old argument and he was tired of replaying it over and over every time she was invited to court activities.

The young lady sighed "If I must attend... I will, but I'm going to do it my way. Is that okay, Father?"

"I suppose you're going to give me no alternatives?" he questioned and when she didn't respond, he said "Fine, but remember you are a lady."

"I will" she smiled and kissed her father on the cheek before leaving the room.

"Whatever shall I do with that girl?" he sighed.

The following week, the young lady was preparing to leave. She packed her suitcase and, just as she was about to walk out the door, her mother came running down the stairs. "Alandria! Wait!" she called after her.

She stopped abruptly and turned around. "Mother? What is the matter?"

Her mother quickly caught her breath and said "I know you don't like these events, but...try to have some fun, okay?"

Alandria gave a half smile and said "I will try." She gave her mother a hug and said "Tell father I said goodbye. I'll see you both in a week." She turned around and opened the door. Then she took one last look and said "I love you,... Bye!" She picked up her suitcase and carried it to the taxi that was waiting for her. She climbed into the back seat and took a long last look as the car drove off.

The drive took hours and when she finally arrived at her destination, the guard at the main gate wouldn't allow the taxi to enter.

"You can not pass!" he bellowed at the nervous driver.

"That is okay. You can just let me out here" Alandria spoke up from the back seat.

"Are you sure, Miss? I'm pretty sure it's a long walk to the main house. Probably about a mile considering I can't see the building."

"Actually, its two and a half miles to be exact" she corrected the driver. "Don't worry mister, I'll be fine. Thank you for your services." She collected her belongings and exited the vehicle. She approached the driver's window and handed him an envelope. "This should cover the fare. Thank you."

She turned to the guard and presented her invitation as the taxi drove away. The guard was dumbfounded "Forgive me, my lady. Had I known you were in the car, I wouldn't have..."

"That is okay, I could use some fresh air" she replied, cutting the guard off mid sentence. "Now, if you don't mind, could you please allow me to pass?"

The guard suddenly came to attention and said "Of course, my Lady. Right this way" he showed her to the gate and opened it for her.

"Thank you" she replied with a bright smile as she passed through the gate. The two and a half mile walk to the main house was quite peaceful. She often enjoyed taking long strolls on nice clear days, so she was thankful the weather was pleasant.

She arrived at the front door fully prepared for what was to come. She knocked on the door and was greeted by Mrs. Fletcher, the head of the housemaids. "Lady Alandria, please forgive me. I did not know you had arrived." She looked out at the driveway "Where is your driver?"

"Oh, the guard at the main gate wouldn't let the taxi through. So, I just walked" she smiled.

Mrs. Fletcher's eyes widened from shock. "From the main gate? Oh my! You must be exhausted. Please come in, my Lady." The maid reached for her suitcase and ushered Alandria inside. "Is there anything you need? A glass of water, perhaps?"

"No thank you, I'm fine" she replied. "If it is not too much trouble, I'd prefer to go to my room and unpack."

"Of course, my Lady. I'll have your assigned maid bring your luggage up to your room, if..."

"No, Mrs. Fletcher!" Alandria's sudden outburst stunned the maid. "Please forgive me, but I can handle my own suitcase. You do not need to assign a maid to me. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"Of course." Mrs. Fletcher quickly regained her composure. "Now, if you will kindly follow me, I shall show you to your room."

Alandria gave a slight bow and said "Thank you." She then turned, grabbed her belongings and followed Mrs. Fletcher to the accommodations that had been prepared for her.

"This is where you will be staying. As there are so few rooms in this palace, we have had to ask guests to share. I hope you do not mind."

"Not at all. It is I who should apologize for inconveniencing you."

"It is no inconvenience, my Lady. It is our pleasure to have you here." Mrs. Fletcher bowed. "If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to ask" she said, and then she turned and left the room.

Once Mrs. Fletcher was gone, Alandria turned her attention to unpacking her suitcase. As she did so, the door opened suddenly. There, standing in the doorway, was a beautiful young woman with long brown hair and enchanting hazel eyes.

The two women stood staring at one another for a moment until the young woman in the doorway spoke softly. "You must be my roommate. My name is Lady Susan. It is a pleasure to meet you." Then she smiled at Alandria and proceeded to enter the room.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Susan. My name is Lady Alandria."

"Oh, were you getting ready for the ball?"

"Ball? There is a ball tonight?"

"Yes! Didn't you know?"

"No, I'm afraid that they did not inform me of the agenda before my arrival" she commented, uninterested in what had been said. "Besides, I've only just arrived. I was merely unpacking my suitcase."

"I see,... well shall we get ready together?"

"Honestly, I'm not really interested in these kinds of functions. I think I'll just unpack and then retire early for this evening."

"You are not going to go? But... you have to!"

"Why? Why do I have to parade around a ballroom when I have no desire to be there?"

"You don't want to be here?" Susan asked. She was surprised and confused by Alandria's comments and was curious about the young lady standing before her.

"Please don't misunderstand, but I've attended many of functions like these over the years and they are all the same. They say it is to foster friendships among the young nobles so that in the future we can work together, but that is only on the surface. Beneath that, all the young ladies and gentlemen are weighing each other out. They are trying to figure out who is a suitable friend, who is their competition and who they are interested in courting. Many will smile to your face, but once your back is turned you have to be careful or they will betray you. This retreat is nothing but a farce."

"Then why did you even come if you have such a cynical view?" Susan screamed at Alandria.

Alandria turned, faced Susan and simply replied "Because I had to."

Susan was surprised to see that Alandria's eyes were void of any emotion. It seemed as though nothing she said would get through, but she had to try. "I know you don't have any reason to trust me, but not everyone is like that."

Alandria gave a half smile and said "That may be true, but they are few. Also, they are often ridiculed because they are the ones who are considered 'competition'." She sighed "This is your first time at a 'retreat', right?"

"Yes it is."

"Then why don't we get ready. We don't want to be late to the ball." Alandria smiled, but Susan could tell her heart wasn't in it. She didn't understand why Alandria was so cynical and emotionless when it came to the retreat.

"So, what are you going to wear?" Susan asked lightheartedly in the hopes her excitement would rub off on Alandria.

"I don't know. I wasn't really planning on attending the ball, but I'm sure I have something suitable. Don't worry. What about you? Do you know what you are wearing?"

"Yeah!" Susan replied as she rushed over to the wardrobe and pulled out one of the many gowns from inside. "I was going to wear this. What do you think?" she asked as she showed the dress to Alandria.

"I think you will look beautiful" Alandria said honestly. "Why don't you get ready, while I take a quick shower."

"Okay!" Susan smiled.

Alandria casually walked into the bathroom and took her shower. When she returned, Susan was already fully dressed for the ball. Alandria stood in the doorway, shocked by how lovely Susan looked.

"What is the matter Alandria?"

"Oh... Nothing" she replied as she came back to her senses. "You look beautiful! Why don't you head on down to the ball. I'll follow shortly."

"Are you sure? I could help you get ready."

"That is okay. I'll be fine. You don't have to wait for me. I promise, I'll be there as soon as I'm ready."

"Okay, I'll see you there. Don't take too long" she smiled as she left for the ball, but she was afraid that Alandria wasn't going to come.

After Susan left the room, Alandria strolled over to her suitcase to find a suitable outfit to wear. Then she got dressed and went to the ball. Before she entered the ballroom, she took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. She slowly made her way through the ballroom and walked out onto the terrace.

Out on the dance floor was the only person who saw Alandria arrive, Susan.