Who Do You Think I Am?

My cheeks heated as I drove my hand through the bag Prince Pharon was holding. The number I drew out of this bag would determine which female I was to be partnered with for the exhibition mating event. Prince Pharon had informed us that we would perform in pairs. There would be thirteen performances in total.

To say I was nervous was an understatement. I hadn't performed since my mother died ten years ago. I hadn't even sung to myself since then.

I was hoping that I could politely bow out of the participating in the event for that reason. After all, what female, other than me, wouldn't want the opportunity to exhibit alone when she could?

My fingers closed around the final slip of paper in the bag and slowly I drew it out. Unfolding it, I saw the number four written on the paper.

"I- I am looking forward to your performance, Miss Adamare." Prince Pharon said reassuringly.

I smiled queasily and then turned to look at the other participants. They had all grouped themselves together in pairs. The only one not in a pair was Lady Vivian.

Smiling radiantly, Lady Vivian stepped forward towards me. She looked past me and said, "Prince Pharon, I need to set this event out. My skills simply aren't up to exhibiting."

"What number are you?" Prince Pharon asked in a clipped tone.

Lady Vivian simpered, "number four. I knew you would understand." she smirked. Exiting the room, she threw her slip of paper in the wastebin.

My heart sank as I watched that paper flutter into the trash can. I turned to Prince Pharon to ask the same thing, but he cut me off, "It looks like you are performing solo, Miss Adamare." He said. I opened my mouth to protest, and he spoke again, "no butts. Go choose your music."

I stared at him in silence for a moment. Then with the low hanging head, I shuffled over to the music that was arranged on the back of the piano.

Since I had been the last one to draw partner, all the other females had chosen their songs already. The remaining selections where the least preferred and the hardest pieces. They look like foreign languages to me. The notes looked like some kind of alien markings. I leaned closer and observed the titles. The songs were written in foreign languages.

With a heavy sigh, I grabbed the one whose title was the most aesthetically pleasing. I liked the way calligraphy strokes appeared swooping. I knew I couldn't play it, much less sing it, but I couldn't do that with any of the pieces so I might as well choose this one.

Or should I pick a different one? I glanced at the sheet music again and set it back down. Seconds later I'd picked it up again.

"Are you planning to play that?" Lady Brook asked from beside me.

I turned to look at her with a wry smile, "I can't play." I admitted.

Lady Brook nodded, "then, I will play for you." She grabbed the second copy of the song off the back of the piano and walked away.

This made me feel even worse. I was going to embarrass her now too.

After we picked our partners and pieces, we returned to the dining Hall which had been converted into an exhibition Hall. The long tables had been removed to be replaced with cushioned benches. The stage for the high table was now covered with an array of instruments including a piano.

I was walking to the last bench in the room, where Ishmael was already waiting for me, when Lord Alecai stepped into my path.

He flashed me a jaunty half smile as I found him.

"You are is eye grabbing as ever, Miss Adamare." he said my friend depend. Was that supposed to be a compliment?

"Where is your ever-present throng, Lord Alecai? I've never seen you without at least three females surrounding you since you arrived." I said. My words carried a mocking edge.

Lord Alecai smiled, "so you've been paying attention to me, have you?"

"Not really." I replied flatly, "excuse me. I have to go learn this song."

I began to try to walk around him, but he sidestepped into my pass again.

"I was hoping to talk to you." He said. I couldn't keep the irritation off my face as I gazed up into Lord Alecai's handsome face. "you see," he continued, "I've been paying attention to you too. I've begun thinking I may," Lord Alecai blushed and lowered his gaze to the floor, "I may want to claim you, but I'm not certain. What do you say to going back to my rooms and helping me make up my mind?" Lord Alecai looked back up at me. His eyes widened as he took in my dark scowl.

"Do you honestly think I would do that?" I demanded hotly, "I know you haven't been here very long, but do I honestly seem like the type of female to get on my knees and beg you?" Lord Alecai's mouth fell open. "Or were you expecting me to do something else while I was down there?" I stared at Lord Alecai's pale expression and sneered, "I'd rather chew broken glass. My answer is no."

with that, I walked around him to flop aside is Ishmael on the last bench. Ishmael raised an eyebrow at me but didn't say anything. I glared at him and then, letting out a sharp breath, I turned my focus to my song.