Free Web NovelChapter 104: The Pianist And The Songstress
Alistair and Roxine looked at one another. Sierra had stepped out to help her friend. Hearing what she was proposing to do, they quickly realized what she was trying to do. The audience turned to look at the King and Queen too.
"A joint performance?" Sierra, what are you doing? I... I can’t do this, not to you," Myra whispered to her as she tugged on Sierra’s sleeve.
She didn’t want to drag Sierra down with her.
"You’ll be alright, Myra. I promised to be here for you," Sierra added with determination.
"Very well, Princess Sierra, you have our blessing," Queen Roxine declared to all after a short discussion with Alistair.
Sierra thanked them with a curtsy and a deep bow. She looked over to Ida who brought out a set of scores. Ida seemed to have understood Sierra as she handed the princess what she needed. freeweɓnøvel.com
Placing the scores on the music rack, Myra understood too.
"Just like we practiced, okay?"
Sierra turned back to face the audience. Despite the glaring lights on the stage, she could still see them clearly. All of them had their attention on her and it was getting to her nerves. As her heart continued to pound in her ears, Sierra took in a deep breath of air.
Silence in the theatre helped her to calm down a little. Once she was ready, she flickered her eyes open and turned to Myra. They exchanged a glance and Myra began to play on the piano. As the musical notes began to fill the air, Sierra glanced up to the balcony.
Alistair was looking intently at her. A smile formed on his face as he mouthed ’good luck, sweetling’ to her. That gave her the boost of confidence she needed to begin singing.
In a forest so lush and green,
there was a fair maiden so fair.
She wished for a man, strong and kind,
to serenade her tender, loving heart.
In a forest of rustling crisp leaves,
the maiden longed for someone true.
For she had never been loved, never fulfilled,
till the armored man came through.
In the forest of chilly air and crumpled reds,
the maiden gave her heart away.
He promised her the lands beyond the forest,
And asked her to wait for his return.
In the forest blanketed with white soft snow,
She waited and longed for his return.
But as the snow returned time after time,
Her sorrow and anger grew.
In the kingdom faraway where flowers bloomed,
The loveless maiden searched through and through.
Not a shadow to be found, only a clue,
The armored man had bled in battle,
His time dwindled and was no more.
In the kingdom covered in blood and cries,
The maiden found the hands that caused his bleed.
She showed them no mercy, no tears
She returned what she did not ask for.
In the forest, still and calm,
The blood-covered maiden returned to her abode,
She laid to rest by her lover’s ashes
And slept for eternity till the end.
The last note she sang lingered in the theatre for a few seconds. Sierra slowly opened her eyes. As the music died down and was replaced with silence, she could hear her heart pounding in her chest once more.
She looked out into the audience, waiting for a reaction. Though that moment was no more than a fraction of a second, it felt like an eternity to Sierra. Before she could react, the audience all got to their feet and gave her a standing ovation.
Some of the audience had tears in their eyes, they were moved by her voice. The applause drowned out her thoughts, Sierra could not believe it. This was the first time she had sung in front of a crowd. As she scanned the theatre audience, her eyes naturally drifted to where Alistair was seated.
He, too, was standing.
Sierra looked over to Myra, who was equally stunned. She rose to her feet and together, they took a deep bow. Two maids came up on stage from the side and handed each of them a huge bouquet of flowers as whistles and cheers could be heard from the audience.
Sierra and Myra stepped off stage into the wing. They were immediately congratulated by the other princesses who watched from the side.
"You two were amazing!" Taita exclaimed with glee as she gave each of them a hug.
"You mean Sierra was amazing! Who knew she was hiding such an amazing singing voice!" Myra added as she side hugged Sierra.
"I’m no better than anyone," she replied humbly, cheeks blushing.
She was not used to this amount of praise. It made her feel uneasy. Sierra’s performance was supposed to come after Myra’s, but since the two princesses combined theirs, it marked the end of the Arts showcase.
All the princesses were invited back on stage to take a bow together. After that, a special reception was held in the hall outside the theatre. Everyone got to mingle with the nobility. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
It was clear that there were favorite princesses amongst the nobles. The concubine choosing in Drakin was the hottest topic of discussion as of late. Everyone wanted to meet the princesses, knowing that any one of them could be chosen to be King Alistair’s concubines.
Sierra watched as most other princesses were surrounded by groups of nobles, fawning over them and asking them question after question. She did not envy them.
"Announcing the arrival of King Alistair and Queen Roxine!" The announcer made his statement as the doors to the hall were pushed open by two guards.
The King and Queen of Drakin entered the hall to mingle with everyone. When some of the nobility saw them, they immediately went over for a chance to speak to them in person.
Alistair glanced over to Sierra for only a flicker of a moment and gave her a smile.
"Looks like I won’t get a chance to speak to him," Sierra sighed in disappointment as she watched Alistair being surrounded by nobles and some of the princesses.
Everyone wanted a chance to speak to him. Sierra was so engrossed watching him, that she failed to notice that Roxine was coming toward her. It was not until the Queen was standing before her that she realized.
"Your Highness," Sierra greeted her at once and curtsied.
"You’ve amazed me yet again, Princess Sierra," Roxine praised her as she lifted her lace fan.
She could tell Sierra was distracted, glancing over to where Alistair was. Roxine leaned into her and whispered in her ear.
"I’m afraid that you’re going to be disappointed this evening, Sierra."
"Disappointed?" Sierra was confused, "I don’t think I quite understand what you mean."
