The Kings: A Band's Tale

A Scottish Performance [10]

The morning sun bathed the Scottish hills in a soft, golden glow as Uno and Denise strolled hand-in-hand down a quiet cobbled street. The town they had found themselves in was small, charming, and peaceful—exactly what they needed before the chaos of their concert later that evening. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of the nearby sea, and their breaths came out in small clouds as they walked. Denise wore a long wool coat, while Uno, always the fashion-conscious one, wore a navy blue scarf tucked into his blazer.

"This place is beautiful," Denise said, taking in the scenery. "I’ve always wanted to explore Scotland."

Uno smiled, squeezing her hand. "Yeah, it’s nice. Good to get away from the hustle for a bit." His blue eyes wandered over the distant hills, the peaceful quiet grounding him.

Denise looked up at him, her yellow eyes sparkling. "You know, you’re surprisingly relaxed for someone about to headline their first big concert."

Uno chuckled softly. "I’ve got the suit prepped, the stage is ready... what’s there to stress about?"

Denise laughed, nudging him. "Always with the suit. I swear, if the music career didn’t work out, you could open your own tailor shop."

"Maybe someday," Uno said with a grin. "But for now, I’m happy just making music and being here with you."

They walked for a while longer, exploring the quaint town. They stopped by a small café where they had breakfast—scones with clotted cream and jam, along with hot tea. They sat by the window, watching as the sleepy town slowly came to life.

"This feels so normal," Denise said softly, stirring her tea. "It’s easy to forget that tonight, we’re going to be performing in front of thousands of people."

Uno leaned back in his chair, looking out the window. "Yeah, but that’s the best part of it. We get to do something huge, then come back to moments like this." He looked at her, his blue eyes full of affection. "That’s what keeps me going."

Denise smiled warmly. "You’re right. And I wouldn’t want to share these moments with anyone else."

After breakfast, they wandered down to the coast, taking in the salty breeze and the distant sound of seagulls. The world felt still, like it was theirs for just a moment.

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Meanwhile, across town, Lance and Olivia were visiting Lance’s parents. His childhood home was modest, nestled at the edge of a small village surrounded by hills. Lance had insisted on bringing Olivia along, eager to introduce her to his family.

"Ma, this is Olivia," Lance said proudly as they stepped inside the cozy home.

His mother, a woman with a warm smile and bright green eyes just like Lance’s, greeted them. "It’s so lovely to finally meet you, Olivia! Lance has told us so much about you."

Olivia blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, Mrs. Summer. It’s so nice to be here."

Lance’s dad, a tall man with graying hair, clapped Lance on the back. "You’ve done well, son. Bringing home a star like Olivia."

Lance chuckled, shaking his head. "Dad, please, we’re all in the band together. She’s just as much of a star as the rest of us."

Olivia laughed, feeling right at home. The visit was filled with warmth, laughter, and stories from Lance’s childhood—exactly the kind of morning Lance needed before the big show.

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As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of pink and purple, the venue began to fill with excited fans. The Kings were in the green room, dressed in their sharp suits, doing last-minute prep before heading to the stage. Uno stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie for what felt like the hundredth time, while Lance fiddled with his bass strap.

Denise, standing beside Uno, grinned. "You look great, as always. Ready for tonight?"

Uno smirked, glancing at her through the mirror. "Always ready. Especially when they remembered to keep the lights simple." He looked relieved, grateful that the stage crew had respected his needs.

Denise gave him a playful nudge. "I made sure to remind them. I know how much those harsh lights mess with you."

Uno smiled softly, appreciating her support. "Thanks, Denise. You always look out for me."

Lance, overhearing, chimed in. "Yeah, Uno, we got you covered. No crazy light shows tonight. We’re sticking to the basics—just the music and the fans."

Uno gave a nod, looking around at his bandmates. "Alright, guys. This is it. We’ve worked our asses off to get here. Let’s show them what The Kings are all about."

Everyone cheered in agreement, the nervous energy in the room quickly turning into excitement. Olivia, Jada, Avva, and Kate gave each other final hugs before heading out to their respective positions.

The lights in the venue dimmed as the band took the stage. The crowd roared, the energy buzzing in the air. Uno stepped to the front, his Stratocaster in hand, his navy blue suit catching the soft lights from above. He felt the thrill of the moment but also the calm of knowing everything was in place—the suits, the setlist, the lighting.

He leaned into the mic, his voice smooth as ever. "Good evening, Scotland. Are you ready for The Kings?"

The crowd erupted in cheers, and with a nod to the band, they launched into their first song from The Rise of The Kings—Midnight Fire. The driving beat from Angelo's drums shook the venue, while Lance’s bassline hummed beneath Matt’s electric keyboard. Lorenzo, Sherwin and Maury strummed in harmony, the music blending seamlessly as Uno’s voice rang out clear and powerful.

After the first few tracks, the crowd was fully immersed, and Uno couldn’t help but glance at Denise as they moved into Echoes in the Wind, a slower, more soulful song. She was standing close by, harmonizing perfectly with his vocals.

Between songs, Lance leaned into his mic, shouting to the crowd, "Scotland, you guys are killing it tonight! Who’s ready for some more?"

The response was deafening.

"That’s what I like to hear!" Lance grinned, stepping back as they dove into King’s Reign, one of their most energetic tracks.

Midway through the show, Uno turned to the audience, his heart swelling with pride. "This next one’s called Royal Dreams—it’s about never giving up on what you believe in. We wrote this one when we were just starting out, dreaming of nights like this."

The crowd roared, and as the music started, Uno could feel the emotion building. He poured everything into his performance, and when the final notes rang out, the applause was thunderous.

After the encore, Uno, still catching his breath, turned to his bandmates, who were all grinning from ear to ear. "We did it," he said, his voice quiet but full of pride.

Denise came up to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I’m so proud of you, Uno. Of all of us."

He kissed the top of her head, feeling the weight of the night slowly lifting. "This is just the beginning."