Oliver
Two teen boys silently watch the sunset from Greendale hill. He asked Frederick to hang out over the weekend, and though usually busy, the country visitor at last agreed. Now they're left with not much to do on this particularly dull Saturday.
Oliver throws his hands up at his limit at the lack of excitement. "I'm so bored! I don't know why the prince and his friends forever waste their time up here. The view isn't all that special to me either."
"There are no places where I can watch the town below like this in Narrok." Frederick, apparently enjoying the sight, breaks away from it, eyeing the taller boy beside him. "Hey, um, mind if I ask ya somethin? What exactly dontcha like about Prince Wendell?"
"Where is this coming from?"
"Ah, I just figured by the way ya talk y'all aren't on great terms."
"Well, you're not wrong though it's mostly one-sided..." Oliver's voice trails off hesitant if he wants to continue. He hasn't shared this with anyone, excluding a small amount to Blanche, but Frederick is his partner and should be informed of their rivalry. "You see, I wasn't always heroic and strong as I am right now. Back then, I often got bullied for embarrassing faults that I had truly despised. It happened for years until moving to Calestra and finally escaping their torment."
"Must've been awful to endure..."
"Yeah, but those three jerks are past history. The biggest problem I dealt with growing up that hasn't changed is my mother. To spare you the extra details, my mom had a traumatic childhood growing up with an alcoholic father. He beat on his wife and constantly lost jobs which put very little food in their four children's stomachs. And yet, the drunkard forbidden her to work and piled on all the more household chores. This cruel treatment was so severe that it led my grandmother to an early grave before I ever met her." Oliver's scarlet eyes drift upward at the orange hue skies, and he does have caring grandparents from his father's side at least. If his mom was raised under different circumstances, perhaps she wouldn't be this way today.
"Anyways, my mom grew a hatred for the majority of men, besides the exceptional few. Surprisingly, her own son did not qualify for her. She acted somewhat loving when I was a kid and had those feminine features. However, after going through puberty our relationship gradually deteriorated. She developed this fear that I would turn out like her father, and had unreasonable expectations of me to prove otherwise."
The taller boy glances at the shorter who's remained quiet, and he's probably waiting for him to finish prior to speaking.
"Leading back to your original question, Wendell is someone she sees as a ray of sunshine. Similar to my dad, he's a perfect gentleman and will constantly compare us being close in age."
Oliver's gaze drops down to his hands which is a feature he and his mother are said to have alike.
"Truth be told, I don't plan to launch some revolt against the Chestna family. I started patrol to exhibit my newly gained strength and assist weak villagers that's like my old self in the process. I just wanted to show those long-gone bullies, my mom, and even myself I'm worth something," he mumbles, far from the best at confessing these insecurities he hates to acknowledge so openly.
"On a final note, the crowned prince is entitled and takes several things for granted. Wendell chooses to attend the Royal Warriors Association when he can afford a private trainer. Plus, he's engaged to the one I loved since childhood all because it was set in his very lap. It annoys me how easygoing his life must be, but that's royalty for you."
Frederick doesn't say anything for a good minute most likely to see if he's done sharing. Wearing an expression Oliver can't quite decipher, his gaze remains locked at the houses beneath them. This awkward air is making him rather uncomfortable and wishing he would give some thoughts on the matter.
"...First off about that last part, I believe nobody's life is a walk in the park. Everyone has personal struggles they gotta overcome, and I'm sure it's the same for him too. Definitely not takin sides though because ya both could try understandin each other a bit better..." Frederick sheepishly adds, pushing up his glasses with an index finger.
"I won't deny that. I'm certain by the position he's in there are tons of heavy responsibilities on his plate. Yet, jealousy stirs as Wendell excels at everything compared to me the utter failure," he softly admits, painfully aware of how immature this may sound.
"Life's not a competition, Oliver. Besides, the prince must have his own weakness hidden from your sight. He is human just like everybody else. I for one know the feelin well of wantin so desperately to please a parent. Despite whatever praise kids receive, their approval sticks to ya the most..."
Frederick flops backward on the soft green grass with a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips.
"I never met your mother, and I can't pretend to understand your problems. Regardless if she doesn't come around, ya need to take pride in the person you've become. One day, someone will truly realize your hard efforts and be right there to support ya. Even if that individual isn't her."
Oliver falls completely speechless with no counter he can give for such a wise response. Not only is his advice a total shock, but it's also the absolute truth. The envious emotions stirring inside of him toward that prince cannot magically disappear. Nonetheless, he wants to begin moving forward step-by-step, and mature beyond a helpless child clinging onto his mother's every word.
"You're a pretty smart guy, Frederick. Callius and Jonathan always cracked that my patrols are silly, but I made a wise decision picking you as my partner..." Oliver straightens from his leaning spot against the tree with a much clearer head on shoulders. "Well, we've wasted enough time here. There's still a while to do something fun before I have to leave for Everlane."
"Are we goin on patrol?" His friend asks, slowly sitting up.
"Let's skip today. I just remembered the marketplace is holding an eating contest around now. We should go check it out." Oliver takes the lead down the large hill as Frederick quickly follows behind.
I plan to grow into a man that I above all else can look back on in future days and be proud of.
...
Backstage of the Vincent theater, young ladies scramble in every direction finishing last-minute preparations. He arrives early, having a little time to chat before the pageant begins. Blanche's younger cousin is also present as mentioned, and she introduces him to her noble friend named Lucille. While discussing the talent part of the competition, a neatly folded handkerchief on her vanity catches his eye. Oliver can't prevent the slight smile at what she remembered to bring, and after talking a bit longer they're ordered to go take their seats.
Blanche's father scored the trio an excellent spot to watch from being in the middle row toward the front. He hasn't visited much recently but this theater still holds its original spark. Numerous fancy chairs are perfectly aligned and a huge burgundy curtain reveals the shining stage. The loud jazz music hypes up the crowd as the host followed by the contestants step out.
"Hello, all! Welcome to another year of our annual beauty pageant! Soon one of these gorgeous young ladies will win the title of Calestra's Beauty Queen. Now the returning two-time winner, Delancy Gurley, has an opportunity to earn a special trophy, if she places first again tonight!" The male host declares, and Delancy gives an elegant wave as applause fills the room.
"We'll see about that," Oliver grumbles, not impressed by her sickening sweet act.
"Now there's quite the night ahead of us so let's get right into it. Starting on the outer beauty section with our fashion show!"
At his cue, the curtains swiftly shut and the girls are given a small window to change their clothes.
Random draw selects the order participants will be called with Blanche in the middle of this line-up. The physical aspect should be fairly easy to get a decent score as most receive a high number of points. Still, Oliver's back straightens once his childhood friend appears on stage, and nobody can even scratch her unreachable level of beauty.
The adjustments have Blanche's red gown a perfect fit, alongside her gifted heels and choice jewelry. Gorgeous indigo curls flop over her shoulder as she struts with sparkly makeup creating a stunning transformation. Dressed like this, the girl gives off a more sophisticated style, yet maintains a certain innocence at the same time.
"If foreigners were present they would mistake her for the princess," Oliver exclaims, his heart skipping a beat when she shoots him a tender smile. "She's like an angel that has descended to us from the heavens!"
"Blanche did put a lot of work into her look, but don't you think you're exaggerating a little bit?" Justus flatly asks, and a giggle escapes the noble girl beside him.
"The judges do seem to agree since she got a near-perfect score."
Her results given, Blanche disappears backstage and none other than Delancy comes next. The moment she steps out, impressed gasps echo the crowded hall, but her revealing dress is nothing praiseworthy in his sight. Her cleavage matched with a cutesy smile gives him mixed signals, though the top scoring just raises his confusion.
"Argh, I had a feeling it would happen again! She managed to score a golden thirty putting her in the lead so far. Delancy will probably be the only one who achieves that for this section," Lucille informs, thus causing the black-haired boy to leap on his feet.
"Well, I say Georgie is blind for giving this indecent broad a ten yet robbed Blanche with a mere nine!"
"C-Can you please sit down?! You're making a scene!"
Justus's face is beat red and listening to the younger boy's point, he huffs before flopping back in his chair. The outer beauty is but one part of this pageant as there are two other sections where Blanche can reclaim her rightful place. Knowing she has what it takes to win, Oliver's fury fades while the last contestants finish modeling.
After the fashion show is complete, they proceed to the inner beauty with their questionnaire. Each girl will be required to answer the exact ten questions he offered advice for yesterday evening. Oliver is relieved to hear Blanche did alter her response on the fifth one. However, his peripheral vision spots a particular contestant absent from her seat. Oliver catches a glimpse of ginger hair leaving the room, and though girls are allowed to get some fresh air, he still feels uneasy.
"Where are you going? Can't you at least wait until Blanche is done?" Justus whispers, his gaze remaining locked on the closed door.
"I need to check something real fast. Just keep on supporting her with Lucille. I'll be right back."
Stating his reason, Oliver tails the suspicious enemy out of the room.
Delancy cautiously turns the corner--him quick to duck behind the wall for cover--and travels the opposite direction of the exit to feel a gentle breeze. Instead, she circles to a backstage entrance, which is the only way people can enter the theater other than the stairs. Talking to the male worker blocking all entry--with a simple exchange of gold, he steps aside. Oliver takes a second to collect his thoughts, unsure how to go about continuing the pursuit.
"Excuse me, Sir. I really need you to let me inside. I'll just be a minute," Oliver bargains, but the man shakes his head.
"Look, you're not supposed to be snooping around here. Now run along to your seat rather than trying to pull a fast one on me. If you get kicked out your costly ticket goes to waste."
"That's funny considering I just saw you accept a bribe from another contestant." Oliver's glare of disgust causes the worker to tremble in his boots. "I'm a relative of the host, and I'll have you lose your job faster than you can blink! Then we'll see between us who is truly out of more coins! Now let me through and this act of greed stays between us."
Oliver's threat seems to fool the naive man, fumbling open the door without any further protest.
The room remains as earlier though a tad untidy through the rushed preparations. That and one person currently adding to the mess while she searches every nick of Blanche's station. Oliver watches the girl continue to fiddle with crossed arms unaware of his presence.
"Just what are you plotting, Delancy?" he questions, which has the girl jolting upright with her hands hidden.
"W-Who are you? Guests can't be in here right now!"
"The same goes for guests and participates alike, and to answer your question, I'm a friend of Blanche." Oliver takes a step closer in an attempt to peek behind her back. "Seems like you've found something that doesn't belong to you..."
Delancy tries to escape but he catches her arm retrieving the papers she swiped. Unsurprisingly, it is music sheets for Blanche's performance to be used in the talent section. Now discovering her objective, this all starts to come together.
"So you were eavesdropping on our conversation and knew Blanche needed these sheets to play. You attempted to steal them, therefore damaging her final section score. She was smart to be wary of you."
"Lemme go! She only picked to play this instrument because I'm doing the violin! All to upstage me when I'm so close to winning that special trophy!"
"Regardless if it was true--which it isn't--this gives you no reasonable grounds to cheat. If I tell the host of your attempted thievery you can get disqualified. Then even your previous wins are stripped from you."
"I'm Calstera's favorite, Delancy Gurley. Who's word do you think they'll take? Mine or yours and that new worker," she taunts, bringing a frown to his lips.
She makes a clever argument. I didn't know the guy was newly hired, so his word isn't very good. Plus, I should've brought Justus and Lucille for more witnesses, or simply told the host upfront when I first suspected her.
These are mistakes Oliver wishes he could reverse, if he just went about this more logically. The host's announcement can vaguely be heard as Delancy is called to go out next. She snatches her arm away fleeing the scene, and though he can't get Delancy eliminated at least he recovered the sheets. The boy lays them neatly back on Blanche's vanity before hurrying to rejoin the others.
Delancy being so desperate to cheat means Blanche must have a good chance of winning. She can beat this faker, even if her pathetic attempt of sabotage isn't brought to justice.
When everyone's questionnaire is done, the most crucial section of the pageant arrives. All twelve contestants are tasked to perform a brilliant talent of their choice. He eagerly looks forward to his friend's amazing piece, and soon, there's one last song ahead of her turn.
"Agnes should be in the running against Blanche and Delancy. Based on her scoring, she did really well in the previous categories," Justus says, while the blonde sets her microphone up properly.
"Yeah, that's an accurate deduction. Still, it appears she's gonna try singing again, so this year will end like the earlier four. Otherwise, I believe she'd surpass Delancy without a doubt."
"Are you saying this lady hasn't won any of the four years she's participated?" Oliver questions the redhead, but he doesn't get a reply prior to the bright lights dimming.
The young female clears her throat as a soft relaxing melody fills the room. Unfortunately, the moment she opens her mouth this calm sensation disappears, Oliver frozen solid by the intro verse alone. His wobbly legs almost sprint for the exit on instinct, and he glances at the two sitting beside him. Lucille for one sits unfazed as if her ears are no longer functioning, but the younger boy between them sinks low in his chair.
"My ears! My ears are bleeding!" Justus groans in agony, and he can't comprehend why these judges would allow her to put the audience through this for a fourth time.
"Why do they let her sign up in the first place?!" Oliver tries his best to block out her screeching that is already making his head pound.
"Agnes does fantastic in the outer beauty and questionnaire though fails to realize she's tone deaf," Lucille explains, as the boys suffer while pleading for the song to be over. "The judges give her a few pity points, but this is why she never reaches the finalist."
How is she not reacting at all? The woman sounds like an actress in a scary play being butchered. And even the killer would've left his prey than put up with this horrific noise!
The three-minute torturous song results in very slow claps, most likely because they're released from her awful performance. Whatever low numbers Agnes has received won't be revealed until the pageant winner is crowned. The dark-haired boy massages his temples with a sigh when the aching pain suddenly lessens. Blanche handles her viola with such skill and grace that it compares to the talent of a professional.
"She's doing awesome," The redhead quietly squeals, Justus nodding.
"I've seen how she has practiced this piece for weeks. Sounds like all of her hard efforts have paid off."
Not a comment leaves Oliver's mouth being taken away by the peaceful music he has dearly missed. So many years have passed since listening to Blanche play that a tender nostalgia rises in his chest. Though he isn't the only one moved as people give a standing ovation once her bow and instrument separate. To him in all three acts combined, Blanche did an outstanding job that her rival can't dream to surpass. But time will tell if this is worthy enough in the judges' eyes to grant her this rare title.
They sit silently as the three judges ever-so-slowly tallies up their scores and hands an envelope to the host. The man calls back out all twelve contestants and eliminates them down to the final pair. Of course, Delancy and Blanche remain with a simple five-point difference in their total scoring. Despite the fact he is confident which girl won, Oliver holds his breath anxious for her name to be announced.
"These beautiful ladies bared their full heart on every section tonight. Alas, only one can be crowned Calestra's beauty queen. A near battle between our two-time favorite and the young prince's fiance! This year's winner of our beauty pageant goes to...Blanche Valenta!" The host exclaims, a round of applause soaring across the theater.
The trio cheers loudly up and out of their seats at her much-expected victory. A dazzling tiara is brought which will be set on Blanche's head, but Delancy storms off stage in pure rage before the queen even gets crowded. A total flip from the adorable facade, she ignores concerned guests trying to consult her sour attitude. No matter what childish fit the cheater throws in the background, his friend doesn't let her ruin this moment. Just like he suggested, Blanche uses the returned handkerchief to wipe joyful tears streaming down her cheeks. The noble girl then gives a small speech of gratitude now bringing this yearly pageant to a close.
The four make their way towards the theater doors following the large crowd. There's plenty to discuss between the pageant contestants and Blanche's terrific viola performance. The indigo-haired girl is smiling from ear-to-ear, and she must be ecstatic about her winning.
"I knew first place was in my grasp yet this all feels surreal. Delancy departed so fast that I didn't get any chance to gloat, but I'm sure we'll run into each other eventually. It seems my old handkerchief was quite the good luck charm." The pair exchange smiles, Blanche having the fabric tucked safe inside her purse.
"I say we celebrate! I know this neat little shop in the capital that stays open late. It'll be my treat!" Lucille offers, and not one of them rejects her free snack.
However, Blanche's walking speed falls behind which immediately grabs his attention. A visible pout is on her face with the contagious smile vanishing into thin air. Oliver is clueless about what can be upsetting the girl, but hopefully, he isn't to blame for her change of demeanor.
"The handkerchief might hold some luck, but I saw how you took off during my questionnaire. I needed the extra support, you know! Whatever business you had could have waited until my turn was over." Blanche jerks away and he places a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Actually I only left because I was tailing Delancy. She tried sneaking backstage to steal your music sheets, thus would have ruined your talent performance. I caught her though and put them back without too much trouble."
"Delancy was going to cheat?" she clarifies her blinking in response. "If my papers were missing, I would have had no choice but to play another piece, and who's to say how high that would've scored. Thankfully, you managed to stop her for me and weren't even going to boast on this good deed. I'm so happy I could kiss you right now!"
"Then why don't you?" Oliver's straightforward reply causes a faint blush to surface amidst her makeup.
"Eh? I-I mean that's just a figure of speech, I'm an engaged young lady."
"A kiss doesn't automatically have to be labeled something romantic. Suppose I receive no reward for the constant help I've offered during this pageant," Oliver grumbles, and though he wasn't pitching in for such reasons is left a tad sour.
Blanche's beaming smile should be a reward itself. Yet, I feel greedy tonight and want more than flowery words of praise. Even a simple hug would satisfy my needs...
Just as he goes to pick up his pace, Blanche latches onto his arm without warning. Then standing on her tiptoes a gentle touch is pressed against his right cheek. Oliver's mind can hardly process the short action as she pulls away.
"T-There's your kiss. I believe a peck on the cheek should suffice."
"Ah, y-yes I guess that'll do," he stammers, certain his face is redder than her own right now.
"Why are you two dragging your feet?!"
Justus's annoyed shout brings him back to reality as both awkwardly create distance. The others are waiting by the exit and the place is now fairly empty. He sure hopes neither watched the small intimate moment that conspired between them.
"We're coming!" Blanche hurries off ahead but he doesn't move an inch. His hand brushes where her glossy lips had previously been. These emotions stirring inside of him get more difficult to contain every passing second.
I wonder how long w
e can maintain our recovered friendship before my heart reaches its limit.

A/N Another end at its end. This update came much earlier than planned. Don't forget to always comment and vote;)