"I just don't understand it Furfrou," Princess Allie huffed as she sat in front of her mirror, applying makeup after her bath.

Furfrou raised her head, her ears perking up as she listened to her trainer vent.

"I mean, I'm smart, beautiful and rich. I can have anything I desire without so much as having to lift a finger. Who wouldn't want to marry me?" Allie continued, setting her brush with a sigh. "I mean, look at me!" She added, causing Furfrou to snort.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!?" She scolded, crossing her arms over her chest.

Furfrou lifted an ear and stood up to move closer to Allie as she beckoned her over. It was time for her to be groomed.

"I am completely desirable. There isn't a man out there who wouldn't kill to have me," Allie grimaced as she began to groom Furfrou. "Not in it for me. Just where does he get off saying that? He was lucky enough to hold me for the few moments that he did. He should consider himself fortunate," Allie huffed.

Furfrou winced a little as the brush went through several knots. "I'll show him who's undesirable," she chuckled darkly, getting a worried look from her Furfrou.

"Seth? Is everything alright?" Mrs. Rosseau inquired as she stood by Seth's desk. "You seem rather spaced out."

"Huh? Oh...sorry Mrs. Rosseau. I had a long night that's all," Seth replied truthfully, yawning slightly as he adjusted himself in his seat.

Mrs. Rosseau sighed.

"You're going to work yourself to death at this rate Seth. I know you want to start your journey as quickly as possible, but shouldn't you slow down a little? Your final exam isn't until next week," she reminded him.

"Yeah, I know. But if I have any hope of passing that exam, I need to keep studying up until the last minute," Seth added, stretching in his seat a little.

"Mrs. Rosseau is right Seth. You work too hard. Take a break once in a while man," a young girl said with a sigh.

"I'm fine Felicity. I think I'm just tired from the workout with Pawniard," Seth replied, cracking his knuckles and picking up his book once more, glancing back at Mrs. Rosseau, waiting for her to continue.

"As long as you don't overdo it, by all means, keep studying. But remember to take breaks. I want you to be able to finish the exam without passing out afterwards," Mrs. Rosseau added, adjusting her glasses before continuing with the lesson. "Now, Jamie, could you be so kind as to read the next paragraph?"

"My word...Melody this is fantastic!"

Melody blushed profusely at her teacher's compliment.

"Thank you Mr. Rosseau. It was an opportunity I just couldn't miss," Melody said with a bright smile.

"The way you captured their expressions. It's incredible. And you're right, she really does look like she's a woman in love. I knew having you be the photographer for the yearbook was a good idea," Mr. Rosseau affirmed.

"Th-thank you Mr. Rosseau!" Melody beamed.

"I'll have to scan this into the book. Don't forget to put these in your portfolio. I'm sure the arts school will be more than thrilled to see it," Mr. Rosseau added.

"You think so!?" Melody exclaimed.

"I know so. Now, it's nearly time for lunch, why don't you run along while I finish grading these assignments? By the way, the paper you wrote was very inspiring. I can say with confidence that you're going to be a great writer someday."

A wide smile spread across Melody's face. It made her happy to hear those words from her teacher. With a warm feeling in her heart, Melody skipped out of the classroom and scurried down the hall to the cafeteria.

"Dude, you look way too tired for this late in the afternoon," Jamie pointed out as he and Seth sat down with Melody and Kate at their usual lunch table.

"I'm fine Jamie. Pawniard and I just went a little longer with training after dinner. I'm beginning to think it wasn't the best idea since I'm still feeling it," Seth winced, taking a bite of his sub sandwich.

"Maybe you two should take it easy for a while?" Melody suggested, taking a sip of her smoothie before cracking open her notebook to look over a few things she'd written. "I know you have your final and all, but that's no excuse to overwork yourself."

"Alright, if it will make you happy, Pawniard and I will take a break for a day. Besides...I need to get a suit anyway," Seth sighed,

"Oh, that's right...you're in that competition aren't you?" Jamie chimed in, taking a bite out of a rawst berry. "I thought you weren't into her Seth," Jamie said with a quirked brow.

"I already explained it to you guys. I don't like repeating myself, you know this," Seth muttered, glancing over at his sister and Kate. "So, can you two help me? I'm not exactly the best at picking out anything good."

"This is true. For all your looks, you do need help from time to time," Kate laughed.

Seth rolled his eyes.

"So, is that a yes?" Seth asked them.

Melody and Kate exchanged glances before giving him a definitive answer in the form of a nod and a smile.

"Why don't you meet us by the Boutique Couture? My sister has some status there and could probably get you in. And if you were to let's say...mention the contest that Princess Allie created, she may be able to pull a few strings and get you a discount," Kate said with a grin.

"And...why would it matter if I mention it or not?" Seth inquired.

Melody cleared her throat and spoke up.

"Because her sister is one of Allie's best friends. The two are somewhat alike, only one is less snobby," Melody finished.

"Also, she kinda put you on her list. So yeah...she'll help you. Trust me," Kate added hesitantly. "Just don't tell her I said that..."

"Wait...you mean the 'totally wouldn't and definitely would' list? Yikes," Jamie added with a shudder.

"Yikes is right. And you're in the top ten Seth," Kate sighed. "She may not particularly like you, but she'd definitely-"

"Okay I think he gets it!" Melody blurted out, putting a hand over her friend's mouth.

"Riiiight...anyway. What time should I meet you guys? I need to have it before the end of next week," Seth stated, taking another bite of his sandwich.

"Hmmm...how's four o'clock sound? The store closes at six so we'll have plenty of time to browse around," Kate proposed.

"Sounds good to me," Seth replied as the bell rang for lunch to end.

Princess Allie stood once more at the balcony overlooking the garden. Her eyes shifted to where she would have landed had she not been caught. The thought of her body lying broken on the ground sent a quiver of fear through her. Shaking the vision from her head, she tried to think of happier thoughts. Deciding to dwell on the competition at hand, she began to daydream about several of the participants. As little girls do, multiple visions of her dancing with the prince of her dreams, waltzed through her mind.

"Would you care to dance Princess?" She said in her most manly voice possible, imitating  stature of her ideal prince.

"Really? You'd like to dance with moi? Je serais ravi!" Allie giggled, holding out her hand to the air before pretending to dance with her pretend prince.

"You dance so wonderfully Princess Allie. Your steps are more graceful than that of a Lilligant," She said as she waltzed.

"Oh merci beaucoup, and you're quite the dancer yourself my prince," she giggled.

As she continued to dance, unbeknownst to Allie, her parents were watching, smiling all the while.

"Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all," her father said with a smile. "Just look how happy she is. The contest hasn't even begun and she's already dreaming of the dance she'll have with the winner."

"Our little girl, she looks so grown up now. I just wish she would see that there is more to life than luxury," sighed her mother. And hopefully, someone will teach her that...

"Thanks again for the help Clarice! We really appreciate it," Kate called back to her sister as the group left the store.

"Anytime Kate! See you at home!" Clarice replied with a wave.

Seth walked alongside Melody and Kate, carrying the bag with his new suit inside.

"This has to be the most expensive thing, besides my fencing stuff, I've ever bought," Seth muttered, sweat-dropping at the amount he had to pay.

"Well, just be glad I was able to have Clarice get you the discount. Thirty percent off knocked it down to two grand," Kate reminded.

"That's still way too much for a suit," Seth sighed.

"At least it looks good on you. Just be sure to take good care of it," Melody added.

As the group stopped at the corner, a taxi pulled up and rolled down the window.

"Hey you three, need a ride home?" The driver inquired with a bright smile.

"Pierre! Yes, we would love a ride home. Merci!" Melody exclaimed, opening the door so that the others could get inside.

Pierre stepped on the gas and drove down the route towards Vanville Town.

So Seth has a suit now. Note, I made him slightly challenged in the fashion department so his sister and her friend are his guides. The final exam is approaching and soon after comes the social event where the princess will meet with the participants before their journey begins. Feel free to leave any feedback to help me out. Don't forget to vote and leave a comment if you enjoyed what you've read! Ciao!