Disclaimer: All characters and places that you recognize are not owned by me.

Neal caught her wrist as she was about to walk into her rooms. He looked her straight in the eye and said,

"Thanks Kel. That meant a lot to me."

Kel smiled but said nothing. Just as she was about to turn into her rooms Neal quickly bent down and kissed Kel lightly on the lips. Neal blushed and hurried down to his rooms quickly unlocking his door and going inside. He glanced back at Kel as he was closing the door and saw her turning into her rooms, her fingers lightly brushing against her lips. She had a small smile on her face.

A glimmer of hope flared in Neal's chest. Maybe he still had a chance.

Chapter 10

The word had spread fast throughout the palace. Keladry of Mindelan the girl page was being presented at the ball as a Lady! Men and women alike were whispering at every corner.

"What right does she have?" some whispered angrily.

"Good on her," others exclaimed.

"Can you imagine her in a dress?" some laughed gleefully.

And the rest (the smart ones) had no opinions, as they saw no need to make the poor girl's life harder than it already was.

One of these smarter people was Lord Raoul of Goldenlake. He leaned against the fence one of the lesser-used indoor courts observing the girl in question.

She truly is an excellent fighter, he mused, carefully observing her sword skills, if only some people weren't so blinded by her gender. They would be able to see her as a truly versatile and confident warrior, willing to sacrifice for her country, her family and her friends. Any Knightmaster should be proud to have her as their Squire. It is a pity that Alanna can't take her. Oh well, less competition for me! Raoul grinned wickedly and continued to watch Keladry practice until Lady Melody came to take her away to get ready for the Ball.

Kel twirled, smiling happily at her reflection in the mirrors in Daughter Sandra's rooms. She was finally ready for the Ball! Melody had found her at the practice courts about 2 bells after the noon bell; she had immediately whisked her back to her rooms to get her ready. Kel, for once, did not complain about being forced to take hours to get ready. She wanted to look her best. It was nearly time for Matt to come and collect her.

Slipping into 'Lady Mode', Kel slowly took in her entire reflection for the last time. Starting at her shoes, a pair of deep russet red, comfortable, Yamani slippers that matched perfectly with the colour of her dress. Her dress had a modestly low square neckline and was tight until it flared out at her hips creating long, swishy skirts that pooled around her ankles. Her entire dress was interlaced with silver flecks, making her shimmer with every move. The sleeves were fashioned much the same as the dress she had worn for her exam. A slit going up her forearm causing the fabric to settle round her elbows when she was dining, keeping the fabric out of her way. The back of the dress was low enough that anyone she would be dancing with would be touching bare skin. She shivered with excitement at the thought of dancing with Neal, which was an event sure to happen through the course of the evening.

Kel had applied her face paint more carefully than usual because of this probability. Her green eyeshade accented and brought out the green flecks in her eyes. Her darkish red lip paint contrasted with the light shimmer she had applied to her cheeks. Her hair had again been thoroughly washed until it shined and hung in loose curls around her face and down her back. Lady Melody had cleverly weaved some silver shimmer through her hair, accompanying the silver in her dress. Kel felt beautiful.

"Wow," Melody breathed, "You look amazing!"

Kel incredulously shook her head. "How can you say such things? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror Melody?" she exclaimed. She pulled Melody in front of her and slowly took in her image.

Melody was wearing a dark navy blue traditional style dress with long skirts and a low V-neckline. Her dress had intricate patterns woven all over it in a darker blue, which matched perfectly to her high-heeled shoes. She also wore a simple diamond necklace, a late gift from Daughter Sandra for being a great assistant, and matching stud earrings. Her hair was swept up away from her face into bun with a few loose tendrils hanging down next to her face. Melody had woven some pretty, long-lasting flowers into her hair for effect and with her make-up done as beautifully as Keladry's, Melody overall looked utterly stunning.

Kel was absolutely sure that she was going to have men hanging off her the entire night and told her as much.

"Melody, I think you are very much in danger of making every available (and some not available) man fall desperately in love with you tonight!"

"Kel! You have to be kidding!"

"Fine. Name one single male who you don't think is going to be speechless by the sight of you."

"Your friend, Matt," she immediately said, "He is much to handsome to trifle with me. He won't even spare me a thought with you on his arm."

"Actually," said Kel with a smile, "I think his thoughts are already firmly situated on you."

"What do you mean?"

"Sweet mother of Mithros...you look absolutely amazing!"

Melody spun around so fast she nearly tripped over in her heels. Matt was standing in the doorway staring openly at Melody, obviously dumbstruck. Matt absently waved 'hello' at Kel his eyes never leaving Melody.

"All right my dear you can stare more at her later," said Kel exasperated a few minutes later.

With a cheeky grin his eyes finally leaving Melody's, Matt said, "You promise Mother?"

"Who told you about that? I'll kill them!"

Matt shrugged, "Roald."

Kel mock glared at him, "Why did you have to choose the nice one?" she pouted, "And he's the prince, I can't kill him."

Melody quietly giggled, her hand across her mouth hiding her smile.

"You like to see me suffering eh? Fine you can suffer until the end of the first dance. Come on Matt."

Matt however was frozen on the spot, "You really mean that Kel?" Kel smiled and nodded, "Good," he winked at Melody who started blushing (Kel was amazed that she hadn't started blushing earlier but kept her thoughts to herself), "'Cause I really like this one."

Kel just shook her head and dragged him out of the room and in the direction of the Grand Ballroom. As Matt slowly eased out of his Melody-induced daze he momentarily looked down at his clothing and smoothed out some non-existent wrinkles in his shirt. As he looked up, he really looked at Kel for this evening.

"Woah, Kel...you look fantastic!"

Kel opened her mouth to deny it as per usual but instead just said, "Thanks. You too."

She really did feel confidently...feminine this evening and she wasn't going to deny it. They made it to the back area behind the staircase of the Grand Ballroom with 10 minutes spare. Melody joined them a couple of minutes later, she was the only Lady other than Kel to be presented tonight. The three chatted while they waited for someone to fetch them.

"You nervous Kel?" Melody asked.

"Sort of," Kel replied with a smile, "You?"

"Same, sort of...I've been doing it all so long I don't think I could forget anything even if I tried!"

Matt slung an arm around each of their shoulders and declared, "Neither of you shall have any problems! I have complete and utter faith in both of you!"

The girls exchanged grins, "Oh we are satisfied now that we have your confidence," said Kel sarcastically.

Matt opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by the herald walking in. Matt inconspicuously dropped his arm from around their shoulders and turned to listen to the instructions they were given. The King, Queen and Roald were (obviously) going to be announced first but they would enter from a room situated next to the thrones in the main part of the hall. When they were seated the herald would announce Matt and Keladry and when they reached the bottom of the staircase he would announce Melody.

At the conclusion of his speech the herald hurried out, Their Majesties were waiting. The group exchanged one last smile and Matt and Kel lined up at the red drapes that opened out into the Ballroom and patiently waited for their names to be called.

"Lord Matthew of Genola, Shang Lynx and Lady Page Keladry of Mindelan!"

The drapes shimmered for a moment and then opened out into the Ballroom. Momentarily blinded by the light Matt and Keladry paused before descending the grand staircase as gracefully as they could, polite smiles on their faces. Whispers swirled around their descent of the staircase, when they reached the bottom Kel shot Matt a wide smile of congratulations for his rank. Lynx were known for their speed, agility and trust in their own abilities, it was a respectable rank that well suited Matt.

"Lady Melody of Firehill!"

As etiquette required Matt and Kel did not stop and turn to watch Melody's descent, as much as they wanted to, but continued forward so that they could greet the King, Queen and Roald. Kel matched the smile on Roald's face with one of her own and curtsied demurely when they reached the thrones. Kel did not rise from her curtsey until Melody had joined her and curtsied also.

"It is good to see you both in court," King Jonathon said in his smooth baritone.

"Finally," Thayet murmured with a smile.

"Thank you Your Majesties," said both Kel and Melody before moving away to find their assigned table.

They had been seated with some of Kel's friends to her relief but she was disappointed to find that her cousin Camellia was seated a few tables away, her eyes fixed firmly on Neal who was staring at Kel absolutely gob smacked. In fact, all of her friends were staring at her, incredulously. Kel could tell that Matt found this amusing. They quickly sat in two spare seats, Kel next to Neal and Melody next to Cleon with Matt in the middle.

"Kel, you look beautiful," Merric whispered as the others nodded their agreement, with the exception of Neal who was still gazing at her open-mouthed.

"And of course you too, Lady Melody," Said Cleon with what he thought was a suave smile.

Melody smiled politely and turned to talk to Matt. Soon their meals were served and quickly eaten. Kel often felt eyes on her, not only were her friends seeing how she progressed and any mistakes she might make but nearly everyone in the hall kept checking on her. It was quite daunting.

At the conclusion of the meal the band started the music with a slow traditional dance. Matt stood and offered Kel his hand who took it quickly, rising with him, Neal watching this with a scowl, mumbled something about finding 'Lady Ellia' and took off. Hearing this Kel's face took on a stony appearance but none of her friends seemed to notice.

Matt then quickly whisked her off to the dance floor after making sure someone was dancing with Melody (Owen). The night moved quickly with Kel being passed around all her friends and then was approached by Sergeant Domitian who asked the favour of a dance in such a way that Kel and her tired feet could not decline. Spotting Matt and Melody sitting snugly together in a corner Kel asked Dom is they might give her book feet a rest. Dom quickly agreed, guiding her to a seat before whisking off to fetch some punch. Kel and Dom chatted for some while.

"I haven't seen much of Neal tonight," commented Dom.

"Hmm," said Kel gloomily, "I believe that my evilest of evil cousins has captured his attentions."

"And you're sitting here doing nothing?"

"What is there that I can do?"

Dom just gave her a knowing look and wandered away. Kel sighed, frustrated.

"Hrmph."

Kel wandered aimlessly around the Ballroom, smiling and waving absently at people she knew. Where in Tortall could Neal be? She hadn't seen him since he declared he was going to ask 'Lady Ellia' for the first dance. Kel shook the disturbing thoughts that followed this one quickly out of her head, focusing on her task. After another few minutes wandering she spotted him, over in a corner talking to Camellia. Her blood boiled as a rage of jealously consumed her. Neal was going to choose between them and he was going to choose now. She slipped on her Yamani Blank Face.

She strode over to where they were sitting. Kel saw Camellia move closer to Neal and lean towards him to give him a better look at her low neckline. To her disgust she saw Neal's eyes flick downwards momentarily. Just before she reached them Neal spotted her and jumped up to greet her with a bow and a small (slightly guilty) smile, to her cousin's disappointment. Camellia also rose to give her a very quick curtsey. Kel returned the sentiments, without the smile.

"Cousin...Nealen." Neal winced, "How are you this evening? It has been quite a while since we talked."

Camellia wound her arm through one of Neal's and clutched on tight. Neal, focused solely on Kel didn't seem to notice.

"I do hope you have been having a good time, Cousin Keladry. Neal," here she looked up at him adoringly, "has been keeping me entertained all night with dancing, witty conversations and well..." she trailed off and smirked evilly at Kel, who remained silent on the outside but on the inside...she was definitely screaming.

Neal, finally returning to the real world gave Camellia a confused look and detangled himself from her. The band started up a new song, the traditional waltz again.

Offering his hand to Kel and bowing slightly he said, "May I have this dance?"

Kel's smile shone brightly as she took his hand and answered, "Of course."

As they were walking away Kel looked back over her shoulder, if looks could kill both she and Neal would be fried by the look on her cousin's face. A small smile settled over Kel's face.

They halted in the middle of the dance floor. Settling into the right position Kel could barely control the butterflies that had now exploded into her stomach. Kel and Neal were both excellent dancers and their skills didn't escape the notice of many. As she and Neal flowed in time with the music Kel looked up and caught his gaze, their eyes locked. As if compelled by an outside force they started to move closer to each other but just as they were about to finally kiss the music stopped and they were interrupted by applause.

They looked around in surprise at the people surrounding them. They quickly bowed and curtsied and moved out of the circle that had been created. Spotting a fast approaching Camellia, Kel decided that it was time to sort things out once and for all. She swiftly turned to Neal and declared, "We have to talk."

Neal looked slightly surprised but made no objections when Kel grabbed his hand and dragged him out onto the closest balcony. The evening was nearly over; if nothing happened between them tonight Kel doubted that she would ever have to courage to do anything about her feelings ever again, especially if Camellia stuck around.

As soon as they were out of earshot and eyesight of the Ballroom, Kel halted and turned around abruptly to face Neal who nearly bumped into Kel at the sudden stop. Despite how close they were standing, neither took a step back. Kel fixed her eyes on Neal's shoulder.

"You have a choice Neal, Camellia or me...take your pick." Kel said quietly but firmly, her eyes flicking up to meet his.

Seeing his confusion, Kel sighed in frustration.

"I like you Neal! A lot! But I can't stand Camellia even though she's my cousin, she's tried to take away someone I care deeply about before, and it was Matt all right?," Neal started but Kel plowed on, "She didn't succeed and has hated me ever since. And now she's trying to do it again, with you! I don't want to let her Neal, but you're giving me no choices here!"

"So you do like Matt that way then?" inquired Neal quickly, jerking his head somewhat stiffly in the direction of the Ballroom.

Kel smiled softly and shook her head as she took a timid step closer to Neal making the distance between them almost non-existent.

"I think he's pretty happy with Melody and as I said yesterday to Dom, I prefer green eyes to blue."

Kel looked up, hope flickering in her eyes, and held Neal's incredulous gaze. After a moment's realization, a small smile crept over his face and he leaned closer.

"Good," he whispered, "'Cause I don't like sharing."

"I know." Kel replied just as quietly.

He then captured Kel's lips in a soft kiss that wasn't their first, wasn't their last, but certainly would never be forgotten by either of them.

I just want to say one final thank-you to all my reviewers! It really means a lot to me that you stuck with me through all my delayed updates! You guys are amazing. I love you all so much!

Sam