Alandria had finally found a friend in the cold world of court life. Someone who accepted her and wasn't afraid of what everyone else would think. As her friendship with Susan grew, she slowly began to change. She started to take part in more activities and easily became the center of attention; even if she didn't know it.

On the last day of the retreat, Susan approached Alandria with a pensive look on her face. "Alandria?"

"Yeah, Susan. What is it?" Is there something wrong?"

"No, everything is fine. It's just... What are you going to wear to the ball tonight?"

"I hadn't thought about that yet, but... I suppose..." She rummaged through her belongings and pulled out a pair of black dress pants and a dressy turquoise top "This should do."

"So... you still won't wear a dress?" Susan asked disappointingly.

Alandria closed her eyes, lowered her head and sighed. Then she looked at Susan and said "Even if I wanted to wear a dress, I wouldn't be able to."

Surprised by her comment, Susan asked "Why? Why can't you wear a dress?"

"Because I didn't bring one" Alandria giggled. "I can't wear something I don't have. I'm sorry, Susan."

Susan turned and walked over to the wardrobe. She opened the door and searched through the dresses. When she found the dress she was looking for, she turned to Alandria, smiled and said "Well then, I guess you'll just have to borrow one of mine."

Alandria nearly broke down in tears. She had never been treated this way by another 'young lady of the court' before. She walked over to Susan, wrapped her arms around her and chokingly whispered "Thank you. Thank you so much Susan."

"Come now, let's get you ready" Susan said as she gently pried herself free from Alandria's embrace. "Why don't you go and take a shower first. Then we'll get you dressed."

"Okay" Alandria replied as she strolled off to the bathroom.

When she returned, Susan handed her the dress "Now, go and put this on while I get everything else together."

Alandria obeyed and when she returned from the dressing room, Susan's eyes widened with shock. Alandria was absolutely breathtaking.

"What's wrong?"

Coming back to her senses, Susan said "Nothing... You look beautiful!"

Alandria chuckled. "No I don't. These kinds of outfits don't suit me at all. I must look like a fish out of water."

"You're wrong! You look amazing!" Susan interrupted before Alandria talked herself out of wearing the dress. How can she think she doesn't look beautiful? "Now let's do your hair and makeup."

"Why do we have to do all this? It's not going to make any difference. I'm not really attractive and no amount of makeup will change that."

"Come on, you'll never know unless you try. Besides, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. All that matters, is what you think... and if you ask me, I think you are the most beautiful, amazing and wondrous woman I've ever met" Susan said as she worked on Alandria's hair and makeup.

"You're just exaggerating."

"No, I'm not" Susan said honestly. Then she closed her eyes, slowly leaned in and kissed Alandria passionately.

When Susan opened her eyes, the graveness of what she had just done, shocked her back to her senses. "I'm... I'm sorry, Alandria. Please excuse me!" she said as she ran from the room.

It took Alandria a moment to fully take in what had just happened. By the time she had come back to her senses, Susan was already gone. What just happened? Why did she kiss me? Why didn't I mind? Where did she go? Alandria sat alone in the room pondering what had happened. It was then that she realized something she hadn't noticed before. "No, I can't be."

Susan ran and ran until she came to the only unused room in the palace; the royal bed chambers. Once inside, she tried desperately to catch her breath.

"It took you long enough to get here. What kept you?" Came the voice of a man as he walked in through the open balcony door.

"I'm sorry, Father. I lost track of time" Susan replied as she bowed at the waist.

"How long do you intend to keep that ridiculous outfit on?"

"I'm sorry; I'll go and change right now." Susan left the room to change, but she was not to return.

A few moments passed and her father became a little anxious. "Hurry up! We don't want to be late!" he screamed into the dressing room.

"I'm almost finished!" replied a young man's voice.

A young, handsome looking man emerged from the dressing room. "Now that is more like it, Jared."

"Father, there is something we need to talk about."

"Does it have to be now? Can't it wait? We have a ball to attend."

"No, it can not wait Father. It is very important" Jared spoke seriously.

"Really? Now this is intriguing. What on Earth could make my young Prince so serious? This I've got to hear."

"Father, I think I've found... her."

"And just who is this 'her' you are referring to? I assume she is one of the young ladies attending the ball?"

"Yes, her name is Alandria."

"Alandria? You wouldn't be referring to Lord Richard's daughter, would you?"

"Yes, Father. I want you to meet her. I think you'd really like her. She is..."

"Jared! What makes you think I'd accept her?" he screamed at his son. "I told you to find a young lady who'd make a suitable Crown Princess and future Queen! Have you forgotten that you are the Crown Prince? That wench is far from acceptable!"

"She is not a wench!" Jared said in a defying tone.

"You had better watch your tongue. You may be my son, but that can always change."

"But Father, you haven't even met her yet!"

"I don't have to! I've already seen her at numerous functions. She is not suitable!"

"You're wrong!"

"Jared!" came the voice of the Queen. "That is no way to be speaking to the King. Even if he is your father." Then turning her attention to the King, she spoke softly enough so that only he could hear "And Joseph, don't you think you ought to at least meet the young lady? After all, it seems as though our son may actually be in love with her."

The King sulked. He had never been told he was wrong before. "I suppose you are right, Elaina" he begrudgingly muttered back. Then he carefully pondered the situation and said "If this girl really means that much to you Jared,... Then I shall meet with her."

"Thank you, Father!" Jared's face beamed with excitement.

"Don't get your hopes up just yet, my son. I've only said I'd meet with her. I didn't say I approve of her." The King wore an annoyed expression. He had hoped his son would choose one of the young ladies at this retreat, but he didn't expect it to be the only one he felt was unsuitable. He took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. "The ball should be under way by now, shall we go and make our appearance?" he said as he held his arm for the Queen. The Queen took his arm and Jared took his place behind them as they made their way to the ballroom.

Tonight's ball wasn't only for the young nobles who had been staying at the palace, but for their families as well. It gave them the opportunity to see what their children had been up to and who they had managed to make connections with. The ballroom was a buzz when the King, Queen and Prince arrived, but immediately fell silent at the sound of their names. Everyone turned to face them and bowed to pay their respects.

As Jared began walking towards the throne that was placed at the King's right hand side, he couldn't help but frantically scan the room looking for Alandria. When he didn't see her, he tried to think where she might be. Did she run away? No, she wouldn't do that. Maybe she's on the terrace again?