♔
"Among a whole ocean with plenty of fishes and people, I will always find you in the depth of my love towards you, for you are my whale, and I am your singer."
♔
"Is Lucien prepared?" I asked Oliver.
"He's in place." He nodded firmly.
"Are the servants in their mermaid costumes already?" I asked Philip.
"Ready to be at your service my lady!" He bowed dramatically, making me giggle.
"Is the food and beverages ready?" I asked hesitantly to Dahlia.
"Our 8 tentacled friend can't wait to meet everyone." She smiled.
"Can you breathe for me Diana? You're hyperventilating." Elliot murmured sarcastically, patting my back, as I finally allowed myself to intake oxygen because of an anxiety attack while regaining my posture.
"I needed that." I gulped, before turning around to see the flooded hallways full of curious faces and chattering voices, immediately ready to see the sight behind the closed doors awaiting us, and I cleared my throat.
"Already then my mates, I'm your captain for your the night. We will be boarding our ship of wonders and dreams, and the marine animals are there to meet you. So, Are you all ready kids?"
"Aye aye captain!"
"I can't hear you."
"AYE AYE CAPTAIN!"
I laughed, as all the five of us pushed open the heavy metal doors, immediately letting sparkles of bubbles and pearls greet us with a welcoming blast.
I gasped at the whole room, seeing all the neon colours and floating dolphins flying around the area while greeting us with their friendly noises, as the music and orchestra automatically started playing celebratory music into the atmosphere, captivating everyone's attention.
The whole place was adorned with golden and teal curtains and shimmery flowers, with piles of fake treasure were put in many corners, and we even had a play ship for the kids to be entertained.
The octopus near the bar looked adorable with its googly eyes, as I hugged Dahlia as a huge thank you for this amazing piece, while Lucien dressed up as a cute looking shark and flew around the whole room with his trident on a small whale.
The catwalk, already surrounded by seaweed and clams, had a whole globe of sparkling lights on top of it, illuminating the whole room in golden and blue flames, making everything look sparkly and like a neon house.
Everyone entered right after us, immediately screaming and gasping in happiness and starting to roam around the whole place, while Lucien winked at me.
These preparations turned better than expected.
"Ar! Coming in all royals! Welcome to the Stormanian cove! Remember rule number one, DON'T LEAVE THE PARTY BEFORE GETTING WASTED!" Lucien chuckled in a whale voice, making everyone burst into laughter, as servants in mermaid costumes started to surround everyone with sting ray glasses and coral straws.
"OH MY GOD! LOOK MOMMY THERE IS A SEA MONSTER!" A kid screamed in joy while pointing at the miniature ship in the corner while dragging her royal mother, as they giggled together and followed many flying jellyfishes.
"MY GOODNESS! THIS OCTOPUS CAN TALK! MY STOMACH HURTS!" Some men laughed in joy while getting some oozed out blood from the tentacles, clutching their bellies at the same time.
"HoPe yOu lIkE mY jUicEs! I aM oSwAlD!" The octopus croaked out in a stupid voice, making everyone smile in satisfaction.
"Go princess Antania! Show me what you got!" A painter cheered while making one of the princess flip her hair on the catwalk while painting her whole outfit, as numerous other people started a queue for the same.
"Look over there dear, you want to catch a lantern?" A fellow neighbouring king asked his lovely young daughter, as she clapped happily while Lucien zapped a lantern in their direction, but instead of being blue, it turned pink to match the girl's outfit.
"Pwetty light!" She giggled while hugging the lantern, making me happy internally.
"Mhmm! This is to die for! I need four more plates, now." A group of ladies demanded the servants for more fried brinjals, as they happily nodded and headed towards the kitchen to get some more.
Guess my simple dish worked too.
"Get away from me you stupid kids!" A small red crab winced while running around the floor.
"Come here Sebastian!" A few boys laughed while chasing it, almost getting entangled into my dress in the process. I quickly kneeled and separated them before they got hurt, and they...
Oh my God.
..they hugged me.
"THIS IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! Thank you so much!" One boy squealed while kissing my cheek and running around the crab again with his friend, almost making me faint in happiness while touching my skin.
It was his...birthday?
"This is priceless Diana! Best plan ever!" Oliver chucked while already entangles in some colourful ocean flowers.
"I CAN'T MOVE!" Philip growled while being attacked by an angry clam while he was holding it's pearl in annoyance.
"MY EYES!" Dahlia squealed before wearing a beautiful crown and imitating a queen while flipping her hair.
"I found my best friend. You are my family goldie, and we are going to be together forever. Never breaking apart." Elliot deadpanned seriously with a very firm expression while hugging a magic dolphin.
"This is incredible.." I trailed off while seeing everyone enjoying themselves with something, as Lucien's friendly wizards even conducted a few magic shows.
"I couldn't have done this without all of you." I broke while looking at them with teary eyes.
"Oh heck no, you ain't going to cry tonight. Not on my watch." Elliot growled while tackling me into a back hug, before all of them engulfed into their warmth.
"I. AM. BEING. SQUISHED." I croaked out into the air, as all of them laughed and let me breathe again while I fanned my face dramatically.
"What a marvellous and alive evening!" A heard a way too familiar squeal, as everyone eyed the beauty in front of me with thinking eyes, and she scanned the whole place beside her mate.
"Is Lucien seriously a shark?" Micheal laughed while holding Cynthia closely.
"I AM A SHARK PEOPLE! CAW-CAW!" He growled playfully in a pirate voice while making crow noises, making everyone groan as a joke after hearing his volume, before surrendering to a laughing stock.
Classic Lulu.
"This has definitely topped the list, the best party I've ever been to. It's so out of box, wizards just make everything much more enjoyable. I wonder what Lola has planned for a performance." A new voice muttered beside us.
Oh no.
Are you kidding me—
Why—
"Whatever it is, I'm sure it would be the best one we've yet to see. Have you seen this place? It will be as good as the arrangements made here." It's like anervously adjust my dress by the neck.
The best one yet!?
Yet!?
Does everyone want me to die!?
"Well I guess we still have a few more minutes before the welcoming act, let's go see the octopus." The first voice cheered before walking away.
This is a disaster.
"I am dead!" I panicked frantically while seeing their shocked faces after hearing their words with me shamelessly.
"What are we going to do!? They want an act! A freaking act! How am I supposed to arrange something in such short notice!?" I grumbled out loud, before I heard the front doors open again.
Wait, the doors opened again? Why—oh.
Wait.
Wait.
That...
Would mea—
My eyes widened at the sight behind us, as the whole music stopped and everyone turned towards the direction we were looking at.
Immediately, shimmering gold pieces adorning a black cape and a shiny crown came into the view, and my breath hitched at the broad figure entering with a cold expression.
OH MY—
"Please welcome, your long living King, Lazarus Rey!" An announcer cheered, as the whole room erupted in claps and roars of smiles in the next few seconds.
HE IS HERE—
Hide bitch.
He scanned the whole area with a firm face, still holding his spear of the noble Gods, and I really wanted to break one of the servant rules and look at his face clearly.
But then his gaze was scanning way too much—
Before even seeing him enter completely, I made Elliot cover my figure from head to toe in order to shadow myself away from his sight right on time.
"I am double dead!" I hissed behind him while covering my face.
"What are you doing!?" Elliot rolled his eyes while trying to pull me in front of him.
"If you want me to stay put and not jump his bones in front of everyone then CONCEAL ME!" I growled at him, yanking myself away from his arms and staying there.
"Horny arse." He grumbled.
"No you!" I grumbled back, making him huff.
I could hear almost every single woman gush at my opposite direction, probably drooling at the sight in front of them.
I mean, I don't blame them for drooling. Who wouldn't?
My man is sexy.
Out of the corner of my eye, I even saw some men drooling over his appearance.
And I'm the horny arse here apparently.
On cue, everyone started to get up and now respectfully towards the doors, as I panicked and swiftly turned around to almost crouch to the ground so that he doesn't see me.
Wow, Elliot's shoes are nice.
Very nice.
Super duper nice.
I want to poke them, and make him trip and stab himself with a fork. He's such a nice brother.
"Rise." Zari commanded in his velvety voice which I missed so darn much, as I almost groaned in satisfactory to hear him speak after days, before everyone regained their straight posture and looked at him.
I didn't really know what was happening, as I was just staring at Elliot's firm and broad back, hiding my identity completely, before I felt some sharp eyes bore my back all of a sudden.
I glanced behind to see the royal family look at me with a smirk, as I immediately turned around again with a shocked expression, before whining quietly to myself.
His parents and brother were watching me.
I swear—
"I am triple dead!" I cried into his back, as he patted my arm gently to reassure me as a joke, while Dahlia chuckled beside me.
I heard a set of thundering footsteps start heading forwards, as almost everyone went back to what they were doing, and I continued to conceal myself behind my forsaken brother.
"Do not. Reveal me." I commanded him softly, as I could feel him smirk in secret.
"I might just—"
"I will twist your cheek if you even dared to expose me." I threatened while pinching his butt, as I could here him wince before growling to himself.
"Fine." He deadpanned, as I silently did a victory dance, being able to witness his boots walk almost very beside us, before he abruptly stopped, and for a few seconds, he stayed there.
He just...stopped walking?
"Nothing to see here your majesty." Elliot smiled kindly, making my eyes wide as I clutched onto his attire in realisation.
WALK AWAY!
WALK AWAY WALK AWAY—
"Shouldn't the performer be here by now?" An old man curiously asked, as my ears perked.
No, the performer has diarrhoea.
"I know, even Lady Lola is far away from our spot. I wonder what she has planned." An old woman replied.
She has planned in ruining me.
I stopped clutching Elliot's attire and dashed across the crowd by redirecting myself somewhere else without giving a glance behind me, quickly rushing and blending among the hundred vampires to literally submerge into the people's attire before sighing to myself.
What an escapade.
I remembered to cover my mark properly, as it began to tingle a little bit, making me shiver inwardly, while I calmly walked and excused myself before bumping into to someone.
I kept on walking, not really sure where I was going, as my ultimate goal was to get away from all of them.
And this continued to happen before I was already in the middle of the ballroom.
Again.
Wait, I'm in the middl—
Some people started to whisper amongst themselves as all of a sudden the whole crowd around me dispersed abruptly, leaving me to the public's eye completely bare, and I gulped as almost everyone looked at me.
"She's the woman who brought us here right? Is she going to announce the performer?" A young voice squealed while clapping their hands.
"I think so, she's like really in the middle of the room. So I'm hoping she'll say something." Another voice shrugged, as more and more people gathered their glasses and stared at me.
Flappity Flack.
Why do I get myself into trouble?
"Uhh.." I spoke without thinking, almost grabbing everyone's attention without any intention, making me freeze on my spot with every eye watching my move from head to toe.
I just did a bad thing. I rEgRet tHe thInG I dID.
And you're wondering what it is?
I'll tell you what it is.
I did a baaaad thing. Period.
"We can't wait for the welcoming gesture!" A man shouted happily from the audience.
"Let's hear it from you my lady!" Another lady cheered.
Some people started clapping at me as a gesture of greeting, as I gulped and gasped my hands together to face them properly, seeing everyone behind my move away towards the side leaving me on the spotlight.
Everyone was watching me.
My friends.
Lola.
The guards.
The servants.
Even He. Was. Watching. Me.
I'm doomed.
I felt pretty awkward, as I tried to be avoided tonight as much as possible and got the exact opposite treatment, not helping me form words into my mouth.
They were waiting patiently for me to say something, do something, or even move, and I felt paralysed.
Right, a welcoming performance.
What am I supposed to say? 'My brain is closed today?'
My palms became sweaty, as some kids looked at me with hopeful eyes, while I gave them a weak smile as a returned gesture, making everyone take a chair and sit down while waiting.
I can't just dance in front of everyone in this attire.
How about a comedy show? Maybe I can make fun of myself-No that's a terrible idea.
"You can do it. Do something." I glanced at Dahlia's mouth, creating words from afar with an encouraging smile, as I closed my eyes and took and deep breath to calm my nerves. Of course she knew I was on the verge of breaking.
Am I really going to do this?
Come on Diana, be brave. Be the 'loser' who everyone is shocked by back in the village.
Be the badass woman you were before.
Oh God.
I am..so going to regret this.
I cleared my throat and glanced at the orchestra, as one look gave them a whole description of what I wanted by just one look to my eye, and the piano immediately started to play a tune, commencing the start of a disaster.
"I'm trying to hold my breath..."
I sang the first line perfectly, as everyone gasped at with wondering eyes, almost taking some people aback from my action.
Come on Diana, it's just one song, just like in the shower. Ayee, sing like how you would when you get fresh shampoo from the market.
Jolly good.
"Let it stay this way, can't let this moment end,"
I clutched my sleeve to conceal my shaking legs, as everyone listened to me intently, and I glanced at the opera on the top floors staring at me.
"You set off a dream, in me,"
I sang with all the loving emotion I could offer, as many children stepped forwards with big smiles, encouraging me more and more.
"Getting louder now, can you hear it, echoing?"
I harmonised, as the piano dropped beat with the violins starting to play a similar tune.
"Take my hand, will you share this with me?"
I sand with a smile while stretching my hand to one of the children as a act, making them clap silently while seeing my gesture.
"Cause darling, without you..."
I closed my eyes to regain my complete voice from my stomach, and proved myself that I can give them a good performance.
Fuck this.
"All the shine from a thousand spotlights, all the stars we steal from the night sky will never be enough,
Never be enough,
Towers of gold are still too little, these hands could hold the world but it'll, never be enough,
Never be enough,"
I dragged with all my heart, feeling my fingers twitch with the melody my voice matched with the violins, as the opera singers started to give me a harmony in the background.
Everyone started to sway to the music, as many people engulfed each other into a hug because of love song, and some people even started to kiss each other's forehead.
"For me, never never,"
I glanced at the whole crowd while speaking these words, as couples held their hands and looked at each other passionately, while children hugged their parents with joy.
"Never never,"
I gulped to regain my saliva, as I could see Amber and David snuggle against each other after hearing the lyrics, making me smile.
"Never, for me, for me, never enough,"
I raised my voice to match the ascending volume of the instruments, as my song echoed among the ballroom walls, while I could see Lucien flicking his wand.
"Never enough," I sang the high note again, finally witnessing some sparkles heading my way.
"Never enough,
For me,
For me...for me,
All the shine of a thousand spotlights, all the stars we steal from the night sky will never be enough,
Never be enough,
Towers of gold are still too little, these hands could hold the world but it'll, never be enough,
Never be enough!" I sang with compassion filling my system, completely transforming all my anxiety into determination, as my voice held power more than ever before in my life, and it made me smile brightly against the light of the sea lanterns.
"Never never," I felt overwhelmed.
"Never never," I felt like I want to go home.
"Never, for me, for me, never enough! Never, never, never enough! Never, never. Never enough!" I boomed, hearing the crescendo of the music.
"For me, for me...for me!" I sang the last high note, as the orchestra suspended it's beat, letting the drums finish off the harmony, as the opera paused from their singing, and I finally opened my eyes to see the whole crowd stunned by my performance.
And lastly, my eyes finally met his hazel orbs, as those eyes that held...so much...more than...what they used to before.
And it was trapping me in an endless maze of admiration.
He looked...so..I don't know.
His expression became unreadable.
"F-For me." I finished while whispering, as my voice retracted itself from the spotlight, and I was already embarrassed for the bold move of thinking they might actually like it.
But before anything else could happen, each and every guests got up on their feet, and clapped.
So Jesus, about that invitation to the afterlife? Yes, I accept.
♔