The Banquet

We continue to ramble through the Capital, I enjoy watching all the fairies walk like a normal human being, they are enjoying the heat of a sunny day. I love fairyland, even though, the sun is shining brightly, it is not painful at all, you can just enjoy strolling without worrying about sunburn.

The park of Kentro is so marvelous, it is surrounded by a wonderful garden, and the beautiful trees are decorated with red hanging lanterns with heart designs, fairy children are happily running on the perfectly trimmed green grass. Some children are playing using their own magic, they look so cute. We are sitting on the ground. The Palace looks so sublime in a distance.

Not so far, I can see a busy harbor, their ships are beyond magnificent.

"Why do you need a seaport?" I asked, I am so confused.

"Common fairies use the ships to travel to other kingdoms. Not all, are powerful and gifted Malia, they can do limited magic, only the basic, like flying, but common fairy can only fly within one to two miles, and they have to rest in between, unlike us, we can travel from here to any kingdoms of Erthesia, just by using our wings, then we can also create a portal. But there are common fairies who were able to utilize their flying skills to the highest level, like Freda. She is exceptional with flying." Explained Hale.

"Freda's rank now, is higher than a common fairy, because she acquired additional power, when she was young, that is why, she passed the training and studies to become a full pledge royal guard in our Kingdom." Said Hale, while looking at Freda proudly.

"Wow! I never know about that." I exclaimed.

"There are still a lot of things you need to learn, Malia, there are common fairies, who are powerful enough to fight a royal blood, they spend all their lives training and with enough self-discipline, some royals are so relaxed, because they are born with powerful magic, they never realized, that without proper training and attitude, they will be beaten by a commoner." Nick said, looking at the port.

   "There are fairies, who have three colors in their wings, two primary colors and one secondary color, who are not royal guards, they chose to live a normal life, they use their power by working hard to acquire wealth. They are the hardworking fairies, common fairies are born, with only two colors on their wings, but as you can see, there are many fairies having three colors on their wings, because they never stop training." Freda said.

"I am one of them Malia, my parents are common fairies, they both have three colors, but their wings only have one primary color, when I was born, my father was very happy that I have two primary colors, that is why, I was trained, before I started attending school, my father, knew that I have the ability to acquire additional color, and will become a royal guard. Being a Royal guard gives me a lot of privileges, and simple royal guard can become a noble, once promoted to the highest rank, the King will make a proclamation." Freda said, hopefully.

    I am so happy thinking that my best friend has a chance to become a noble, well it is a big challenge for her, she needs to be elevated for how many times, before she will become nobility. How I wish I already have the authority, I am the only one, who can ascend her, and make her suitable for Hale. Once I will take the crown, I will definitely change some fairy laws, before I will give back the throne to the Vermilion.

    My only problem, when I was in the human world is the strictness of my parents, the lack of freedom to go to school alone or going into the shopping mall, is my only concern. It was so simple, right now, the whole population of Erthesia Land depends on me, I don't even know how to govern this land, and the biggest difficulty is to fight the Dark King.

     The moment we returned to the Palace, we were informed by our chambermaid, that there is a banquet tonight in honor of Avery. I felt hurt, but I still smile. At exactly six o'clock in the evening, Freda insisted that I should change my gown. I don't want to attend the party, but I don't want to ruin the dream of Freda, she wants to enjoy her whole stay at the palace.

"Malia, everyone is invited, so please, change your gown now, you don't want to be the center of attention right? So, if you want to be unnoticed, you better hurry.." Freda said, she is almost done with her hair.

"Okay! But after dinner, I will go back here in our room, don't force me to participate with any dancing Freda, you know I am not in the mood lately." I stand up from the bed, and start undressing my gown, sometimes I still love to change my dress in a mortal way. I can see the look that registered on Freda's face, she knows that I am hurting. Getting over Flynn is the hardest thing to do, I don't even know where to start.

My best friend is wearing an elegant sleeveless, a-line emerald gown, and she created fresh flower headpiece. I simply choose to wear peach, off shoulder, V-neck long gown. Then I made a crown braid hairstyle, and put fresh flowers at the back of my hair.

    The boys arrive thirty minutes before the party, they are both wearing stylish, elegant suits. I am holding Nick arms, when we ascended to the palace grand staircase, in going to the Diamond Hall, where the banquet is held. The banquet is only for the students, prepared by the Queen herself.

     The moment we get inside the hall, most our fellow students are already sitting at the long tables, a beautiful fairy ushered us into our designated table. I don't like our place, because we are so near, with the table of Flynn and Avery. The King gives us a warm welcome. During his speech, he thanked all of us for attending the banquet in honor of their future daughter-in-law. Princess Avery is so beautiful, wearing a red backless, tulle long gown. She is smiling, and her teeth are shining like diamonds.

     After the King finished his welcome address, waiters and waitresses start serving the delicious cuisines. All the menu is excellent, The desserts are mouthwatering. My classmates are all enjoying their food, I am glad that, this gathering gives a beautiful rapport within the students commoner, or royal. If it was really, Flynn's idea, at least he is not that bad after all.

    Slow music is in the background, my classmates continue talking in a sophisticated manner, I look around the banquet hall and admired its beauty and grandeur. Common fairies really blend in, they also have their unique own beauty, that is why I don't like racial discrimination, everyone should be treated equally, because each one has a right to be happy.

     Then the waltz dance is about to begin, I tried to get away from the crowd, but I was sandwiched between Nick and Declan, though Declan's date is Amy, he is still looking out for me. I am already familiar with the steps, since Serpentina taught me about balls, she taught me about royal dances like Waltz, Tango, Salsa, Foxtrot, Rumba, and Cha Cha. She even asked Roz to be my partner, nevertheless they are animals, they really behave like human. I love to waltz the most, and second is Salsa.

      Nick placed his right hand on my left shoulder blade, then I place my left hand on his upper arm, near the shoulder. When the music starts Nick steps forward with his left foot, and I step back with my right foot, then we continue dancing to the rhythm, I actually enjoy dancing with Nick, he is so graceful and charming. I saw Flynn looking at us, his face looks unhappy, or maybe I am just hoping that he is miserable. I immediately turned away from their direction. I didn't like what I saw, Avery is intentionally bringing herself so much closer to Flynn's body.

    The music continues, I wanted to get back to our table, I saw the king coming to us, I was shocked, when King Cassian asked Nick to take his place as my partner. All the guests are staring in our direction, I can see the envy in Avery's eyes, while Suzanne is looking at me dubiously. Flynn's face is neutral, I am wondering why he is acting weird, it seems he is back to being good again? Maybe to pretend again, perhaps he is afraid now, what his father might do.

     If Declan is right about everything he told me, that the King is waiting for me, maybe that is why, Prince Flynn is trying to be good to me. Is he really afraid that I will take the crown from him?

     "May I have the honor to dance with you, Malia?" The King asked me, then he smiled at me heartily.

     "Of course, Your Royal Highness, the pleasure is mine." I said to him, excitedly. All the couples who are dancing, in the dance floor went back to their seats, to give us enough space to dance, then King Cassian brought me to the center of the hall, and take my hand. I see Queen Sophia, her wife watching us happily. They both know who I am, I am guessing the King and Queen are one of my godparents.

     "You are finally here." He said looking at me intently, then he shook his head, I can see tears started to form in his eyes.

     "I still can't believe this, when Robert told me, that you have been found, I am really overjoyed with happiness. You are like a daughter to us, Malia. Welcome home, I want to introduce you to everybody, but I know this is not the right time yet, you still need to train and practice harnessing your power. We can't let everyone knows your existence, or else all our plans will be wasted, you need to take down the dark king first, then I will turn over Erthesia to you." The King said, seriously. I know he put a spell, so that none of them can hear what we are saying to each other.

     "Malia, I just want you to know, that I am so happy to see you. Why you look so sad? Aren't you having a good time?" The King asked. I smiled at him widely, trying to conceal everything from him, I use a spell to shut off my mind, I know he is a powerful King, I don't want him to read, what is on my mind. I will be very embarrassed, if he will find out that the reason of my sadness is his son.

     "No, I am enjoying myself Your Royal Highness, I am not so used with all these, everything is still new to me." I lied to him.

    "I see! Well, you should be ready Princess, because once you will be crowned as the new Queen of Erthesia, you will be hosted so many events, don't worry in time you will learn everything." He spoke so softly, he reminds me of my father in the human world.

     "Enjoy your stay at the Palace Princess, I Know you have a very busy schedule, but I hope you can find a time to visit us one of these days." King Cassian said,

    "Thank you, Your Royal Highness." I said shyly.

     "Now, I know a lot of boys wanted to dance with you, now I will give you back to Prince Nicholas." He said, looking in the direction of Nick, who is still standing near the center of the dance floor.

    After dancing with King Cassian, I asked Nick that I will go back to our table. Nick holds my hand, and he takes me back to my seat. I told him to dance with Freda, because I saw Suzanne forced Hale to dance with her, Freda was left in the middle of the dance floor. Then the moment, Nick started dancing with Freda, I stood up, and left the hall at once.

     I descended from the stairs leisurely, while looking at the old-fashioned rock-crystal chandeliers hanging on the high ceiling of the Palace, I want to go back to our room to have a rest, I know I can't have a good night's sleep, especially here in the palace, knowing that Flynn will be engaged tomorrow. When I turned the corner, going to our classy bedroom, I saw a shadow, then before I know it, I was face to face, with Prince Flynn.

     Then, without saying anything, He kissed me on the lips, I was taken aback by what he is doing, I wanted to push him away from me, but my knees became weak, I miss his lips, then I lose again, I kissed Prince Flynn back, with fervor and longing. He pushed me to the wall, and moved his whole body closer to me, and we moaned together, he savors my lips tenderly and passionately.