Chapter 17

Swan observed the audience as they stared in awe at the petals floating in the air. She smiled as the unsuspecting crowd fell to the simplest form of trap. Remarkably, the troupe could provide flowers in the fall. Cailina wasn't impressed, she knew the reason why the flower petals looked as if they were freshly picked.

The spotlight returned to Swan, who's now on the other platform. Her enchanting smile pricked the gentlemen's desire to take her home. The woman pranced in midair, an illusion that she belonged in the Elven Kingdom. She waved her hand, and a trail twinkled with her every move.

"Fione, mask," Cailina said.

The maid handed their masks from behind. Cailina placed her handkerchief on Aris' face and covered it with the white bunny mask. She sighed in relief as she wore her own. This show will be the end of her puppy if she didn't act quickly.

Aris voiced out no complaint nor questions, he made himself sit silently beside his Lady. Obedience will surely reward him. He focused on the show as the woman finished her performance. It wasn't that wonderful, he furrowed his brows at the older gentlemen that whistled and clapped.

As the night got deeper, the performers after another were better than the last. A performer almost set fire to a lady's wig. The battle scenes that feeble men enacted and up to the children playing with animals larger than them. Every segment had kept the audience immersed in their gimmicks.

Cailina wasn't amused, she would yawn after every performance. Nevertheless, she maintained her calmness while Aris' joy couldn't be contained in his mask. The puppy cheered and expressed his distress for the performers high up in the air. After all, they were weaker compared to him.

Lai was rather amused to the exaggeration of his fellow kin. He commended the phony's acting, none could achieve such level of deceit.

Roi's boisterous laughter, the rapt knight would hit him every scene he finds amusing. Lai's desire to silence the person beside him grew stronger from each blow he suffered.

The series of breathtaking performances ended. The man appeared in the middle with his top hat, "Ladies and gents! Another applause for our amazing performers! Now, I have something that I wish to show you…"

He took off his hat and acted as if he was reaching for something, "Just a moment, please! It seems that our next performer is rather shy."

The crowd laughed. Aris couldn't help but roll his eyes, he was starting to regret persuading his Lady in watching this show. His annoyance wasn't really because of the lousy show, it was caused by the smiling animal a few seats from them. He wanted to return home and stop Lai's eyes from looking at Cailina.

The dissatisfaction was hidden behind the bunny mask he wore, Cailina thought that Aris was at awe with the performance.

"Oh! Here it is!" The man pulled out a tail, "Ladies and gents! The Gentle Beast!"

A cage was pushed to the stage with a large cloth hanging over. The man pulled the cloth and a beast snarled at the audience. Aris stiffened, his fists paled and cold sweat trickled down the side of his face. An encounter that he has long forgotten.

The beast circled around its cage, waiting for a moment to pounce on an unsuspecting victim. Cailina smiled, the animal in front of her has scattered branches as thorns. Sharp teeth that can pierce the delicate skin of a being. This circus never fails to irritate and at the same time amuse her.

"Now, any brave souls that can come upfront?" The man reached out to the front seats and stopped at where Cailina and Aris sat, "How about you, children? Dare to stand while the adults don't?"

Cailina preferred to watch and not take part in these kinds of shows, a mockery for someone high as her. The puppy held her hand and shook his head. The obvious rejection of the masked children didn't disappoint the man.

As the man walked his way to Lai's direction, the beast let out a shattering roar. The audience laughed and clapped; they complimented the smart beast for being entertaining.

"Oh dear, Our Gentle Beast couldn't wait any longer." The man incited, "You! Young man! Dare to face the beast." He pointed at Lai, who was smiling from ear to ear.

The spotlight landed on Lai's bewitching face and a few ladies sighed. He turned to ask for Cailina's permission, in which the latter gave a nod of approval, and he glanced over Aris and smirked. His eyes provoked the puppy, and Aris could only bite his lip. The beast was from his nightmare. His small hands trembled in fear at the sight of the animal.

"Ladies and gents! Give him a round of applause!" The man grinned, his show was saved from becoming an abandoned asylum.

Lai went up onto the stage and saw the beast salivate all over the floor. Disgust flashed before his eyes but was soon replaced by a charming smile.

The man explained the things he will do together with the drooled face beast. Lai pursed his lips as he hid the desire to slash the dirty beast.

He hated the fact that his 'partner' was an animal. It reminded of a part of him he wished to eradicate. The beast being disgusting was another thing he loathed, he sighed. He did this for his Lady to notice him. To help Cailina realized that he was better than the chicken dog she adores the most.

"Are you ready, young man?"

"Yes," Lai said with a smile.

The man unlocked the caged, and the beast pounced on the frail-looking boy. It was a free meal for the beast. Before it could devour Lai, he pulled out a paper given by the man. He was told that as soon as the beast saw this, it would be tamed.

To everyone's surprise, the beast paused, and its rage became clear. The audience widened their eyes and Cailina was about to interfere. She wouldn't let Lai be damaged. He was Aris' toy!

Lai scoffed, 'stinky old man.'

He dodged the beast and jumped. His petite body landed on top of its head. Lai laughed and took the liberty to sit on top of it. The beast shook its head and tried to get rid of a pest that tainted its majestic fur.

The crowd cheered and shouted for Lai's victory over the beast.

It roared as Lai tapped its eyes for fun. Cailina's lips tugged upwards, she chose well. If it was any other caged being, it would've been dead by the moment the beast was let out.

She crossed her arms and watched in amusement. Lai felt that her Lady took notice of his heroic actions. He agitated the beast further. Make it lose its control and rampage on the stage.

The man that thought he could hurt a nobleman's thing. He stood unmoving behind the curtain. A jester approached him and whispered, "You said that this show will be a bloody one. What the hell was that boy doing to Gentle Beast!?"

He strangled the jester's neck, "Shut your mouth! Are the locks already set?"

The jester nodded, and he was released from the death grip of his boss, "Everything is good. You'll be the one facing the man who paid us, Eli."

"Then scram! What're you doing? Trying to show yourself to the audience?" Eli yelled.

Cailina narrowed her eyes at the man and saw the frustration plastered on his face. She recounted the suspicious movements of the troupe. The flower petals, the beast, and the man's anger. She placed her chin on her hand and thought again.

'What is their aim?' She glanced at Lai who's having the time of his life infuriating the pitiful beast. Her attention landed on the paper hanging on Lai's waist. She scanned the entire surroundings, a few bins have been placed.

She signaled Lai to end his childish play. The latter bowed and struck its head. The beast fell down without a fight. The crowd clapped at the brave and heroic young man. Cailina snapped her fingers and pointed near her, Lai smiled and strutted towards his master.

The puppy remained silent. He stared at something and ignored the smiling newcomer. Aris drowned in his mother's memory. The warm look on her face gave Aris a complicated feeling. The lady in front of him resembled his mother's image; a kind smile and empty eyes.

"Come, let's go home." The lady beckoned him. However, Aris stayed rigid to the woman's call.

She frowned and came closer, "Do you not remember me anymore?"

"Your father has something to discuss with you. Aristide, let's go." The woman said.

Aris continued staring at her with a blank expression, harboring no hatred or love. He saw the woman as an object of his suffering. He was glad that they died. They deserve death more than any criminal under the heavens.

The woman held her head and began screaming, "Aristide! Stop! What are you doing? This is all for your good." Her perfect image became distorted by her disheveled hair and blood dripping down her face, "Don't be afraid. It'll be over soon. I- Your father and I promise."

She knelt and grabbed his foot, "Please, just one more time."

"Listen to your mother, son. This is for the greater good. After this, our Ruler will recognize you." The man placed his hand on the woman's trembling shoulder, "Let's go home."

Aris' gaze landed on the man behind the weeping woman. The man's features were the same as his. Their only difference was his blood eyes in contrast to the man's green ones. He could have had his father's countenance.

Aris grabbed the woman's hair and tossed her far from him. Her cries disgusted him. The woman shrieked and the man frantically supported her.

"Let's go home."

"Aristide, it's time to go home."