Enchanted Feelings

Chapter XIV

More and more people started filling in the courtyard, getting ready for the ball.

Yet, Fiona and Shrek were nowhere to be seen. It seemed like they were taking longer than they should.

"Belle," Mom said as she looked at me, "Why don't you keep the crowd entertained? You sing better than anybody I've ever known."

My eyes widened at Mom's suggestion.

Although it wasn't documented and/or really studied, I knew that when one takes Mermaid's tears, they appear like a mermaid. When they sing, they can become extremely dangerous, men could be loured and anything could happen.

"Is something wrong, Belle?" Mom asked.

I took a deep breath and shook my head, "No, not at all." I stood up and flattened out my dress, "Any particular theme for the music? Calm? Energetic? Rock? Opera?"

Mom smiled at me, "You're one of the best people for reading people in a room. You pick, honey."

I gently nodded, "Give me a few moments, and I'll head up to the stage, okay?"

"Okay, darling," Mom said with a smile.

As I walked up to the stage and nodded to the band.

"I'm gonna do three songs," I said as I walked up to the band, "We'll start with Chokehold, then Like A Stone, and we'll finish with Aftermath. That'll take us about 13 minutes for those songs."

The band members nodded and started getting prepared.

I cleared my throat before getting up to the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, before our honored guests make their entrance, perhaps we can get this party started with some music," I said.

I watched as everybody started to turn to the stage as the music began. I looked over at my parents and started singing to the music. Not going to lie, it felt good having attention on me.

I had looked over at my parents when I finished singing Chokehold. Mom was clapping and encouraging me to continue singing. Dad, on the other hand, kept looking over at the doors that led into the courtyard. I flashed Mom a quick smile before looking at the band and nodding, signaling to get ready for Like A Stone. 

I finally started to feel like myself as I sang up on that stage. It was nice to feel appreciated for once. Then again, I knew that about 50% of the attention was because of the Mermaid's Tears. When I finished singing Like A Stone, I looked back over at my parents. Mom was talking to a knight and was nodding. Mom finally looked over at me and putting her index finger, mouthed "One more". Dad made quick glances at me, which was an improvement. Mom probably told him to pay attention.

I looked at the audience and smiled, "Ladies and gentlemen, I will be performing one more song before Princess Fiona and her new husband make their appearances."

The audience cheered and I looked over at the band again. Time for Aftermath. I noticed that the crowd was really getting into this song which was putting a smile on my face. It was nice to have an engaging crowd. When I finished singing Aftermath, I looked over at my parents one last time and saw them both standing and clapping for me. Something I hadn't really experienced before. It felt nice.

I smiled as I waved at everybody as I got off of the stage and walked over to my parents and stood by them.

"You sang beautifully, Belle," Dad said with a smile on his face.

"Thank you, Dad," I said with a smile.