The Damianya Anthology 3 - Damianya Week 2024

Chapter 4: Indirect truths (Mellifluous)

Mellifluous is, according to the dictionary, having a pleasant and flowing sound. In our case, we will see our dear Damian expressing some gorgeous words to someone special with his voice.

Enjoy it!

"Remember to always keep your gaze steady and straight ahead, Desmond. That allows you to show formality and seriousness when addressing your audience."

"All right Professor."

Henderson's last instructions were clear, and even though he was repeating those same words nearly 20 times, he knew his star student wasn't going to ignore him unlike others present in the classroom. He didn't like that many were taking the course lightly, but he was amazed that there was at least someone who wanted to make the most of his class in that hour and a half.

The public speaking course, although an optional one for students, was a course that Damian was putting his 100%. The basis of any politician was excellent public speaking and speech making skills, so he jumped at the chance to join Professor Henderson's course when he saw the opportunity. He was already about to graduate from Eden, and he needed to finish that subject to make sure he was ready for the world.

There were other optional courses for the advanced years such as chess, research, drama, contemporary art, even music. They weren't of a demanding nature and were only to develop extra skills in the student; they were practically courses that students were forced to choose by their parents, or simply wanted something to kill time. There were very few who chose the optional courses by choice.

Damian was one of these exceptions. He took the course as if it were an obligatory one, trying to excel as he had done since he began his studies. And now that he was an Imperial Scholar, he had to prove that he was not only the best academically, but that he had the potential to be a skilled and convincing politician.

Between work and work, he managed to improve his oral expressions in front of everyone, in poetry, in small speeches, even as a host. He demonstrated with great skill the charisma that the Desmonds had in politics, causing many girls to be captivated by him. The snooty rich boy he was years ago became the model of the man everyone wanted as a partner. He had the whole package to be the perfect boyfriend, and the oratory was further underlining that idea.

Seeing everyone's admiration was a sign that he was doing a good job. By this time, he had only one more evaluation left with which he could keep his perfect grade. His final evaluation was a simple task. An oral presentation of any kind; be it a speech to a specific audience or even expressing affection for an important person. He was no longer limited by the topics of a syllabus; it was his creativity against the world.

The rest of the students had mediocre grades due to lack of effort, but they could still pass. But Damian was on an excellent streak; he just needed to excel in that last task and his grade would be the highest and most perfect in the classroom.

Finally, it was his turn. He received Henderson's recommendations, and after that he handed him a folder containing his paper to be presented orally. He made his way to the front of the classroom, while Henry looked through the few pages of the folder.

The title of the paper was "For the girl who extinguished the flames of my doom". An attractive title at first glance, so Damian was off to a good start in Henderson's eyes.

"The following words are dedicated to a person who I will not say her name out of respect, but who deserves a special mention from me. After all, this is something that deserves to be expressed because of how important she was in getting me to this point in my life. This situation will be open to interpretation for everyone, and it is, for me, something I need to say to close some loose ends."