The Forbidden Talent (ON HOLD)

Chapter 9

Author's Note

Hello again guys. I've decided to start updating once every week or two on the weekends until my brain's had enough for a while again or I finish the book. Sorry if I'm a little later than expected... My cat had to be put down last week and it's been really hard on all of us. If you've lost a pet you (probably) know how it feels. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy and happy Thanksgiving!

Also, any suggestions/predictions/comments/whatever for what'll happen next or for previous chapters would be awesome. Thank you all for sticking with me even through that super long break thing I had <3

And I kinda realized that people who go to college usually live on campus or in their own home or whatever and DON'T ride a bus there every day. I was trying to make it more like grade school kind of because I don't really know what college life is like and stuff so I apologize. I'm not really sure how to fix it though without major plot changes so I'll just leave it and hope you guys get the idea :p

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Later that morning, I called our escort to the castle. I told him to bring us there again early that afternoon. I wanted to go back to the king immediately but my mom wanted to get ready with some stuff so I gave her time for that. After a while of waiting and pacing and thinking, I started writing down what I planned to say to the king, just in case.

Art is something amazing that people can create to let out their emotions, show someone they care, or just to have something fun to do. It's an important part of everyone's life. It can help in the workplace, in school, at home, basically anywhere. This is why I'm working this hard to try and bring it back. I even made this for you to show you how beautiful it can be.

Obviously the thing I made for him was the ttmnbn, which still shall not be named.

I continued writing and after a while my mom came down with a bag on her shoulder. She had a small smile on her face. "I think I'm ready to go see the king now. When will the guy be here?"

I looked at my watch. It was only 12:36. "About three hours. Have some lunch." I offered her a sandwich I had put together for her when she didn't come down at her usual 12:00.

"Okay, thanks." She smiled wider, looking like she was proud of what she had done earlier. She sat down, put her bag on the table, and took a bite of her sandwich.

"So...what's in the bag?" I asked her.

"Oh, you know, just some stuff." I looked at her with an expression that said more details, please. "Old stuff. You'll find out later," she added.

"But that's not fair, I showed you my thing!"

"Nope, not telling you. It's a surprise. Plus I don't want you to accidentally open your mouth and ruin it for everybody. Loose lips sink ships remember."

"Fiiiiiiiine."

--three hours later--

The doorbell rang. I moved to go get it, knowing it was our ride, but my mom beat me to it. It almost seemed like she was more excited for this than me.

While my mom was at the door, I went upstairs to get my ttmnbn. I had read over my speech so many times that I didn't even need to bring it with me. I had my ttmnbn in a protective bag all ready to go, so I just grabbed it and headed back downstairs.

Once we arrived at the castle, the three of us got out at the same time. The doors were already open, almost as if the king was expecting us. Maybe he was, I don't know.

We all bowed before the king before anyone spoke up. I had planned to talk first but my mom started her speech before I had a chance to even take a breath. Guess I'll have to adjust mine then.

"Your Highness, please, forgive us for interrupting your day. My daughter and I have some things we'd like to tell you, show you, and ask of you. First of all, I understand why you have banned art in this country." The king rolled his eyes like he has been hearing this for ages.

She continued, ignoring his eye roll. "I completely understand why you feel the need to do this. I, too, have lost a loved one who was very close to me. My husband died in a car crash twenty one years ago, and that's why I'm reluctant on using cars all the time. So I know where you're coming from with this. But no matter how hard it is, you just have to let them go." Well, I guess she had figured it out too.

"And how do you know this?" The king sneered. "Maybe I just don't like art. Maybe I wanted to be different from most other cultures. Maybe I wanted to see who actually cared about some silly little papers with lines on them. How do you know that I banned it because of family issues?"

My mom was obviously prepared for this. She took out an old photograph that I recognized was from when the king first started ruling. I think there was a queen at that time, but I don't really remember. It was a long time ago.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but do you recognize this photo?" She walked up to the king and showed him the photo.

"Yes, I do. Where did you get that from? I made sure to destroy all pictures of her when she died." He seemed upset and angry.

"It's a tradition in my family to keep records of who ruled this country so we can make better sense of family genealogy. Nothing personal, I promise, just some pictures, their names, when they reigned, and any rule changes that happened during their time. I noticed that when she was alive, art was allowed and even encouraged. In fact, this queen seemed to love it. However, when she died and left you as king, it was immediately banned. I figured out that it hurt you too much to see it or even think about it after she was gone."

The king seemed angry, upset, confused, impressed, and sad all at the same time. I wasn't sure what he would do next.

"Yes. Yes you're right, I admit it. And I'm kind of sorry, I think, for what I've done. I don't really see why I should change it now though; everyone else seems perfectly happy."

"That's just it, Your Highness. Everyone else has either never been exposed to it or forgotten how important it is. That's why they're all okay with it. We, however, remember very vividly, with Alexis's talent, what it's like. And it can be truly stunning." She looked at me as if signaling something. It took me a moment to understand what she meant, but I soon figured it out.

I took out my ttmnbn, which shall now be named. It was a portrait of the queen, similar to mom's photo but not quite. I had made her look more beautiful than anything any of us had ever seen and it captured her ruling, yet loving, personality perfectly. I saw tears start to form in the king's eyes as he gazed upon the portrait of his wife.

"So you see," my mom continued, "art is a wonderful thing that no one should ever be forbidden to. I hope you understand my feelings and will consider changing your mind about this." With that, she bowed again and left the castle.

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Author's Note (yes, again)

The next chapter will have Alexis's speech. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Vote, comment, share, like, add to library, follow, whatever you want. Any feedback would be awesome, whether good or bad or whatever. Thanks for reading! :)