The reason why Jade had never been accepted to the "Finishing school for the Virtuous, Principled Ladies" had nothing to do with her lack of sewing skills or even her wilful personality. She was a fast learner and she could follow rules when it suited her so there really should have been no impediments except for the one that probably changed her life completely; a simple case of embarrassing, hand trembling nerves. It was something about a ticking clock, a blank piece of parchment and the strict examiner's gaze that did her in and made her run out of the examination hall like a lunatic. Her friends were only told that she wished to take an alternative route of education but her father knew better. He never pushed her for a retake purely because he was relieved his only daughter wasn't leaving him to return as a changed person with little of her former common sense and knowledge.

And it was then decided that fourteen year old Jade Durnn would be better off being taught at home by tutors for a more thorough education. Life was quite comfortable after that except for one large problem; Permelia, the oil painting master.

As an impoverished widow, Permelia gained a lot of sympathy from the gentleman of the house who understood the depth of her suffering. She clearly doted on his stubborn daughter and he made the most impulsive decision of his life to marry the downtrodden woman hoping she could look better to the needs of a daughter who was fast growing into a woman.

It was perhaps the worst decision he had ever made and in consequence his daughter was now dressed as a man, in the royal city palace, in front of an empty parchment with a clock ticking in her ears and a strict examiner glaring down at her wondering why she hadn't started yet.

"No, no, no, this is not the time to swoon, you imbecile," She muttered to herself, "Think of Permelia, the evil witch and her ugly, ugly smile. She'll be ever so pleased if I failed this. She would hold a party with George the filthy to celebrate my ruin."

The numbers blurred in front of her eyes threateningly but all her nerves were forgotten when her eyes landed on her mourning band that she had refused to take off. Jade then held the goose-quill pen firmly in her hand and started to scribble on the parchment like her life depended on it.

::::::

After the conclusion of the first examination the participants were allowed time to rest and gain some nourishment in a quiet salon that had blue, silk wall coverings. While the rest of the participants were busy appreciating the fine meat pies and sweet ale Jade was more interested in the architecture of the Palace she had never visited even though most of the nobility and gentry were invited at the last ball held in Prince Luke's honour.

The Ball itself was held in the grand Oval hall which was also known as the Room of Golden Light. Dull mirrors covered the ceiling and replicated the marble patterns in the floor. The walls too were covered in mirrors and when the bronze chandelier was lit up it seemed like the sun had descended on earth or so she had been told by her stepmother, jeeringly.

Jade slipped out of the salon and was strolling down the corridor admiring the different paintings especially one of the present king's great grandfather, King Damian, when she heard the sound of laughter echoing near where the corridor split in two. Feeling reluctant to bump into more people and give them a chance to see through her disguise she chose to push the doors on the right and vacate the corridors. This decision made the matters worse.

Jade had walked out into an indoor patio full of people all gaily dressed, enjoying a party.

The roof was covered with glass panels and the filtered light made clear that the sun had some out of hiding. In the middle of it all there was a gigantic pavilion with white marble columns on either side which contained the main bulk of the party.

Jade was about to turn away, back into the anonymity of the endless corridors, when she heard a sniffling sound near the plantation she was standing next to. Feeling curious she pushed the leafy plant aside to see a hunched over girl wiping her tears. As soon as their eyes met the girl's countenance instantly lost any hint of vulnerability and pain.

"Err, Good Afternoon," Jade promptly bowing her head slightly, remembering her manners. The girl glaring at her was young, slightly plump and had hair that was blindingly light.

"Before you mistake me for baronet's kith or kin I should inform you that I am the librarian's daughter and I have no money what so ever to my name. Now mock me all you want," She hissed like a wounded cobra and crossed her arms daring the unwanted companion to be rude.

Jade paused, not sure what to do about the barely concealed sniffles, "I can hardly judge since I am a penniless trespasser. I'm actually applying for a job at the palace and somehow managed to end up here."

"You'll be Luke's new man then. The poor sod's been wandering about like a lost, blind, bat. Now, take a walk with me. I need something pretty to cheer me up," The girl took Jade's arm before she could protest, wiped stray tears off her cheeks and narrowed her eyes purposefully, "The name's Emma."

"I do have to go back to see the results," Jade tried to pull her arm away but Emma was tightly wound to it like a limpet. Emma was too absorbed in her own angst to realize she was being spoken to, "And I'm not pretty!"

"I don't know why I keep getting invited to these frivolous stupidities that only his bootlickers can enjoy. He knows I would always refuse and that's why he sends all the invitations to my father. My lovely yet completely emotional father would never dare refuse the Royal Prince anything. Bah!" Emma pouted.

"Prince Luke?" Jade asked with alarm but Emma shook her head in negation.

"No, no, not Luke though if he did turn up it would give this gaggle of silly geese much to talk about. He is, as we all know, quite the recluse. We used to play together when we were children but even then he was rather... quiet," Emma sighed, "If I had known he would be my only ally left I would never have pulled his hair quite so much during tag."

"Sounds like a charming fellow," Jade snorted.

"Oh, you mustn't misunderstand him. Just because he keeps to himself doesn't mean he hates everyone, oh, maybe he does hate us, I don't know but," The shorter girl's eyes widened drastically as she noticed the couple that paused in front of her stopping them in their paths.

"Oh, Emma, found yourself a new beau? Fancy that," A very stunning young woman smiled winningly though the malice dripping from it was quite obvious.

"You mean our homely, little Emma," The dark haired man with high cheek bones standing next to her smirked and gave Jade a very steely eyed appraisal, "He's rather girly looking, too. Didn't know you liked pretty boys?"

"I am not pretty," Jade gritted out, ruthlessly crushing her whimpering feminine side. Emma had lost all her bravado and was clutching onto Jade painfully.

"What did you say?" The man's mouth contorted into a sneer while his blue eyes flashed.

"I said I'm not pretty and I wish people would refrain from calling me that."

"Well, we agree on something," The woman diluted the tension with a condescending laugh, "Come on, Edward, stop wasting time with ugly riff raff."

"What a miserable couple that is," Jade grumbled as she glared at their retreating backs but any further complaint died seeing Emma's ashen face.

"Didn't you say you wanted to be employed in the palace," Emma said and continued without waiting for a reply, "If that is the case then why in the world were you arguing with the Crown Prince?"

"That was him!" Jade had to remember to shut her gaping mouth. She had of course seen the etchings in the newspaper and who could forget that scandal last year with the haddock fish, the jumping chimpanzee and the witch's assistant but his face had slipped her mind.

"Oh, yes, that was him the Crown prince; the bane of my existence," Emma's sighed again, "But he is right. You are rather pretty."

::::

"You are late Mr. Ward," The toupee-d man spoke imperiously, clearly disapproving the tardiness.

"I apologize, I was," busy arguing with the Crown Prince, "admiring the artwork," Jade internally cursed herself for being too polite. She took a seat at the last line but not before getting a smarmy look from the dandy who had been creating trouble earlier.

"You are lucky we have not begun the session because I would not allow you to sit through if it had,"

The man placed his attention back to the rest of the gathered participants. "Now, in my hand I have a list of all those who passed the written test. Anyone whose name is not called out must leave."

Jade watched as names were called out in an alphabetical order. The thumping of her heart was so loud that she feared she might miss her name if it were called and while she was thinking of this the red haired boy sitting next to her thumped her back aggressively.

"Congrats mate, though it looks like the end of the ride for me," The red head smiled bravely and vacated his seat. Other rejected men were not so polite or humble.

"This is outrageous! I have the recommendation of the Grand Countess and she will be appalled her nominee was treated thus," A young man ranted as he was led out forcibly.

"Ah, Mr Killen brought an excellent point during his departure. While recommendations are welcome they are not necessary. We will confirm whether the recommendation is no fallacy so tread wisely," The secretary coughed hoarsely and tied the scroll of names up.

Jade searched her pockets for her card but it seemed to have vanished. She surged forward through the crowd of candidates with panic riddled eyes.

"I'm afraid I seem to have misplaced my recommendation card," She said while discreetly trying to maintain her position at the front of the desk.

"That's a shame," Elliot replied without an ounce of sympathy.

"Please you can ask Betha. She did indeed give it to me," Jade pleaded.

"There's nothing I can do for you I'm afraid," Elliot dismissed her with nod.

:::::::

"He was right, you know," Luke pushed himself from against the wall he was leaning against. Unbeknownst to the candidates the Prince had been keeping a close eye on them during the announcement.

"Pardon?" Elliot looked up, confused.

"The boy who says he lost the recommendation bumped into me and dropped the card," Luke held the card out.

"Did he?" Elliot handled the card carefully. "He does seem rather irresponsible, dropping things, being late. He's rather fragile looking too. Is he up to the challenge?"

Luke shrugged nonchalantly and Elliot started speaking again, "And Bertha's word is hardly worth the same as a noble from the east."

"No, it is better," Luke answered calmly.

"If you say so," Elliot sighed feeling like the weight of the world was upon him.