Chapter 23

The talent show started with a few subjects. Prince Ron was delighted and amazed to see such beautiful people showcasing extraordinary talents.

Some could breathe fire, walk and swing on ropes, swallow sharp swords, and break bricks on their bare chests. Some could even make snakes dance!

Others, mostly females and little girls, could sing and dance or play a musical instrument very well.

Ron clapped and cheered for each contestant wholeheartedly.

Netheridge was a place he would love to live in forever. Feasts back in Ashenmore weren't even half as entertaining as this. The people put their all into it and he was even thinking he might not win the talent show after all.

The prize is one wish which would be granted by the King. He turned slightly to his right to find his silver haired beloved watching the show with a bored expression. He sighed. The King should show a bit more enthusiasm to inspirit his own people.

But it didn't matter anyway. His people didn't seem to care.

What the little prince didn't know was that the people of Netheridge were already being encouraged by him. His laughter was enticing and every contestant wanted to make him laugh more just to please their own hearts.

Prince Ron was just captivating and he didn't know it.

The Queen mother could feel the positive vibes from her people. There has never been such a talent show were they did their best to impress such as this one. She felt that the coming of prince Ron was a miracle. She was right to suggest cohabiting with humans. If her people could learn to accept the Prince and Princess, it wouldn't be hard for them to welcome other humans into their hearts. After all, the mother tree was dying. Their existence would soon be known to all. Wouldn't it be better to slowly get rid of their hatred and anger now?

A little girl had just finished singing and everyone, including Prince Ron cheered loudly.

"And now" the announcer shouted in his loud baritone voice. "Presenting, Princess Rose of Ashenmore!"

Ron snorted in his heart but clapped nonetheless. He watched as his sister gathered her overly large dress and went down. She stood in the spot where all contestants did then smiled. "This song is dedicated to his Majesty, the King. It is a message directly from my heart to yours, your Majesty. It is called Bound to You"

Prince Ron choked on his saliva. Bound to who? What nonsense! Since when did his sister learn such sappy stuff? He hoped King Zedekiel would hate the song from the bottom of his heart. What an ugly title for a song!

Princess Rose parted her rosy lips and the most sonorous voice anyone had ever heard flowed out of her throat.

The whole hall went silent and they listened to her tale of love. Her voice was powerful and beautiful, making something stir in their hearts. The story she sang about was beautiful and sweet, tugging on their heartstrings.

King Zedekiel's bored expression did not change one bit. In fact, he even yawned at one point but no one noticed because they all had their eyes on the Princess.

The King thought that his people were all fools. How could they enjoy such music? Agreed, her voice was sweeter than a nightingale's but, what she sang of didn't match the emotions in her eyes. He felt that the eyes were a gateway to a person's soul. He could clearly tell that the love she spoke of wasn't something she felt. Maybe she was just infatuated with him. He couldn't wait for her song to end.

Prince Ron on the other hand, was green with envy. He grumbled in his heart and screamed in his head. Why was he not given a sweet voice? Or some extraordinary ability that could blow the King's mind away? What were the deities doing when he was born? Why didn't any of them bless him with something mindblowing? How could he woo his beloved with his talentless self?

Princess Rose hit a high note perfectly and he felt it really wasn't fair. How could he beat that?!

Prince Ludiciel had already concluded in his mind that the Princess would win. The twins weren't really paying attention. Instead, they were sneaking cut pieces of fruits into their mouths and snickering as if it was the most fun thing to do.

Princes Mariel wasn't bothered at all. She wasn't participating to win. She was doing it to pass on her feelings to Prince Ron. Like Princess Rose dedicated her song to the King, she would dedicate her's to Prince Ron.

After what felt like hours to Prince Ron, Rose completed her song. The hall erupted in cheers and she bowed then made her way to her seat.

Ron whistled in fake joy. "Well done sister! That was amazing! Beautiful!"

Princess Rose blushed. "Thank you Ron". She then faced the King. " Your Majesty, what did you think?"

The Prince was facing the crowd but his right ear twitched and perked up, wanting to catch the King's answer.

"I was surprised" he said. "Your voice is really beautiful"

Ron bit his lip and grumbled further in his heart. The King loved it. Of course he would love it. Who wasn't mesmerised by Rose's sonorous voice?

Princess Rose was delighted. It seemed like she had a great chance at winning!

The Queen mother rolled her eyes. It seemed like the Princess was forgetting the fact that the person who decides the winner is her and she would most definitely not let her win. Ah if only Prince Ron was contesting...

"Presenting, the next contestant, Princess Mariel of Netheridge!"

Everyone started to clap and cheer again. A huge silver harp was placed in the spot where Princess Mariel would stand.

Prince Ron flashed her a thumbs up. Encouraged by her newfound love interest, Princess Mariel went down and stood by the harp.

"My song is called As pure as the Glistening Sea" she said. As she spoke, her eyes never left Ron. She wanted to dedicate the song to him but then she remembered that Prince Ron is a human and her brother would freak if he knew she was harbouring feelings for him. So she could only sadly repress that thought and begin.

The music was slow and soothing. Gentle and beautiful. It filled the hall with warmth and harmony. It was the kind of song that made you want to hug or cuddle someone. They all knew that the song spoke of love. Pure love.

Well, all knew except Prince Ron whom the message of love was for. To him, the song was nice but it was so slow it made him want to sleep. He fought hard to stop himself from yawning especially since Princess Mariel refused to look at anywhere but him. He was quite annoyed. What was she looking at him for? Now he couldn't yawn in peace. His eyes were even misty.

If Princess Mariel knew what the Prince was thinking, she would most likely vomit blood from shock.

She stared at him, hoping to get her feelings across and when she saw tears in his eyes, she was overjoyed! She got motivated to play better. It was working! Prince Ron was falling for her!