The Maiden's Song (draft-editing)

Chapter 9 The Feast

Chapter 9
The Feast

Am couldn't believe her eyes. That girl reflected in the mirror didn't look like her at all. Like busy bees, Amalthea's mother and two servants helped her getting dressed. A maiden skillfully braided part of her hair, adding white petite roses as a simple headdress.

Her gown was delicate and so elegant, embroidered in pale blue and appliqués of pearls and lace. Am traced with her fingertips the swirls and ribbons on the empire cut dress in awe, her green eyes glowing with excitement and joy. She was living a dream.

Jocelyn beamed with pride as she locked the clasp  of a necklace, a pendant of a cross with sapphires and diamonds that belonged to Anibal's mother.
Placing a kiss on her daughter's forehead, the woman wished luck on her debut and walked her to the door, where a page waited to escort her.

Already crowded, the grand salón teemed with life, color and music. From behind a door in the back, Am could hear people's chatter and laughter. Waiting only made her feel more nervous. Beneath her shaky fingers, the redhead played with the crucifix on her necklace. If her dad could only see her, she thought, fighting back the lump forming in her throat. She took a deep breath and sighed.

The massive red iron door in front of her opened and the music stopped. All faces turned to her. It was time, her time.

Am waited, as instructed, while King Ataro spoke to the guests. "Tonight it is a special occasion for me, my family, and for the whole kingdom. We are celebrating my son's birthday and I feel, we feel beyond honored and grateful with your presence. One more time, thank you. But now, for me it's a great pleasure to introduce you to a very special person, a beautiful young lady who I'm sure will delight you with her talent. Prince Alasther, my beloved Queen Cephora, ladies and gentlemen all. With you, Lady Amalthea de Albis.

Flabbergasted by the king's introduction, the redhead sashayed her way to join the orchestra. She couldn't help her hands shaking, cold sweaty. From the throne, the ruler reassured her beaming a smile. The girl faced Maestro Romanelli, avoiding Queen Cephora's curious stare.

All eyes were on her but she had to be brave, to prevail. There was no chance to fail, it was her time to shine like a star. Standing still, posing with grace, she waited for the music to start. Harps and flutes tuned a melody like a lullaby, soft and gentle. Maestro Romanelli marked the compass, one, two, three, four and pointed to Am. As soon as the maiden gave a first note, everyone in the room fell to her. Beowulf never sounded as idillic as that night in Am's voice. It was a sublime rendition song after song.

Her confidence showed and what were before curious glares changed into expressions of delight. Rounded applause was given every time she ended a song, her mother being the most enthusiastic fan.

On the royal table, the queen never stopped praising his husband choice for the main event. This Lady Amalthea was a class act and this birthday would be the talk of the year in the realm and beyond.
"We have magicians and jesters everywhere, but this girl sings and looks like the angels... oh and the music has been splendid. Don't you think Katharina?"

"Indeed, your majesty. She's wonderful." The blond sitting next to her replied, forcing a smile after noticing, not only the queen was entranced by this singer, but the rest of the audience, including the prince.

For the first time, Katharina was not the center of attention of a party, but this newcomer brought by the king himself. Every time she talked to Alaster, she got only babbling in replies. The young man never took his eyes off the redhead.

An outstanding ovation closed Am's performance. Jocelyn cheered her daughter enthusiastically from a corner, crying tears of pride and joy. King Ataro stood up and walked giving an enthusiastic and so the queen... and the prince. Am's chest swelled with exhilaration. Like a pro, she performed song after song with perfection. Maestro Romanelli took the girls hand and bowed to her pleased and proud of his new pupil.

The ruler and his wife reached Am, the man hugging her fatherly. Queen Cephora greeted the young lady with enthusiasm. "My dear, you have performed incredibly! Why is that I haven't heard of you before?"

"It is because I just discovered this beautiful nymph in the woods and this is her debut." The king held Am's hands.

"How is that? In the woods? Is not this lady Amalthea a celebrity amongst the nobles? This doesn't look like first timer at all. So much talent grants you fame, my lovely!"

"Thank you, my Queen. But I'm afraid the king is right. I'm just a village girl who's path met in a gamble of fortune, the king's path one day in the woods."

The king who knew his wife and her tongue, interrupted the conversation before she committed and imprudence. "My dear, this lady here is the daughter of Lord Anibal de Albis. Do you remember him, and how beloved he was by us?"

The queen composed herself a little and visibly emotional gave the girl a hug. "Oh, my! Your father was much esteemed by us. You see, I was not mistaken at all to say there's noble blood in your veins. So today we celebrate not only my son's birthday, but this debut of yours! Everybody is talking of your marvelous voice Amalthea... Now we can make plans together. I wish to hear you singing soon for us again"

"As you wish, your excellency", the lady curtsied and smiled.

It didn't took long for the prince to join the conversation, followed tightly by his fiancée, holding hands.

"It seems that somebody else has stolen my placed as the celebration's protagonist" the prince said.

The Queen rushed to grab his son's free arm. "Oh, I'm so sorry my dear son. We left you sitting there looking at us. But you were in the best company..." Queen Cephora winked to both Prince Alasther and Lady Katharina. King Ataro introduced Amalthea to both Lady Katharina and the Prince. Alasther released from Katharina's grip and took gently Am's hand and kissed it softly. "It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Amalthea..." Lady Katharina neared to stand next to his fiancée once more clearing her throat, wimping to be introduced. "Oh, and this is my fi- friend Lady Katharina." Lady Katharina didn't have time to give the deserved looked to the prince. Did he just say 'friend'? She wasn't precisely happy for she considered herself his fiancée. But that could wait... She preferred to remain relaxed and avoid a scandal. She hugged instantly Am, totally overreacting. "Oh, It's a pleasure Lady Amalthea. I was telling the Prince, just a minute ago. What a marvelous performance you gave us! Such a tremendous talent! You thrilled me from the very first song!"

A page came to interrupt the royal introductions to request the presence of the king and Lady Amalthea. There were some nobles and other dignitaries who wanted to meet Am with eagerness. The king excused both him and Amalthea and holding her arm left to attend the guests.

Am was so excited. Everyone had been so nice to her. All the guests congratulated her, and she kept blushing.

Am saw her mom in a corner staring proudly at her. She wanted so badly to go with her and tell her how was she feeling and share this moment forever.

In the other corner the Prince was fixated to Am. everywhere she walked he followed her with his gaze. She looked so beautiful, so innocent and heavenly like a fairy from the woods. He couldn't believe he had never seen her before in the realm, never in his hunting expeditions. He felt like he had missed something now that he met this enchantress... Who was this Lady Amalthea that had evoked these reactions on him? Not a single woman from the Courts or any exotic lady from a foreign kingdom visited before had this effect in him. Nor his future fiancée Lady Katharina, with her blonde locks, stunning blue eyes, high cheekbones and plum lips.

Lady Katharina, who was from noble blood and was considered the most charming and beautiful lady in the Northern Kingdom's Alliance, couldn't be compared to the humble charm of this red haired belle. However, he was determined to do something to resolve that...

I hope you had enjoyed this story so far... What do you think of Prince Alasther and Lady Katharina? Please let me know! Vote and comment!!!

:-)

Rosaimee