The nobles' event finally came. The Ministry of Culture screened and invited the best performers. It included not only musicians but also actors and actresses. The guests were different representatives from noble clans, as well as all the Ministers and other officials in close contact with Minister Holter.
Beautiful women from all across the nation also came. Minister Holter invited them, hoping that the King could move on soon because Ely's absence affected him too much.
The event was held in the spacious dance hall filled with gold and red decorations, and all the guests wore formal clothes. The noblemen wore velvet robes with their clan seal at the back, while the noblewomen wore elegant, silk ball gowns with big headdresses. The performers, however, wore outfits depending on what they would perform.
A circular stage was set up in the middle of the dance hall. The guests surrounded the stage as they watched the performers. There was a waiting room near the hall, and together with the other performers, Ely and her bandmates were getting ready.
"Let's do our best tonight," Nerion told them, "I heard that whoever the King chooses will be one of the royal performers."
Vienna added, "A royal performer can earn as much as seven bags of gold coins. I want to buy a new harp."
"We have Bethy with us," Karla told them, and she placed her arm on Ely's shoulder, "I'm sure His Highness will notice us."
Ely, who wore a dark brown, V-neck, simple cotton dress, and also bunned and covered her hair with gartered cloth, did her best to make the fake dark circles even more evident. She also placed more scattered freckles.
"You look tired," Rainier noticed that there was something different about her face. "Are you feeling unwell?" he asked her worriedly.
Ely shook her head, "I am fine, don't worry." She forced a smile, not wanting to bother them further. She didn't want them to worry about her and instead just focus on the performance.
In her mind, she was already thinking about how to escape the city right after they performed. It would be a great opportunity because the mercenaries would most likely focus on the event.
And then finally, it was their turn.
Unfortunately, Karla had a stomachache.
"Bethy… You can do it, okay?" Karla said as she held onto her tummy. "I'm… at my limit…"
"Did you eat a lot, again?" Nerion facepalmed, "After all the preparations we've done, you can't perform because of a stomachache? Oh, come on!"
Ely patted her back, "You need to go to the comfort room now?"
"Yes… I need to take it all out…" Karla responded. She gave an apologetic look, then headed over to the comfort room.
"We're next to perform," Nerion said, "As the leader of the band, I therefore appoint you, Bethy, to sing everything. Can you do it?"
Ely didn't want to draw a lot of attention, but in order for the band to perform properly, they'd need a singer. The others' goal to become royal performers convinced her to sing, even though she knew it was risky for her.
Then, they were called onto the stage. On the platform, they all bowed down to the King. When Ely raised her head, she saw King Maro, staring blankly at them. She got teary-eyed as she noticed that he had become thinner. His eyes were lifeless, and it was as if he sat there without a soul.
Ely's ocean blue eyes suddenly met his gray eyes, and she quickly looked away. Fortunately, Nerion had given the signal that they could now start the performance.
She arranged the songs in the pattern of modern songs so that they would sound different from other bands and musicians. And as soon as Ely sang…
The King widened his eyes in shock. He gazed at the singing young woman with freckles and dark circles.
"Did she catch your attention, your Highness?" Minister Holter said, "The Ministry of Culture acknowledged them due to their skills. They are Akali Tavern's band, and they have recently become famous in Leoniva City."
"I see…" The King said. "But who is this woman?"
"She's the newest member of the band," The Head Minister of the Ministry of Culture explained, "I talked with the tavern manager, and he said that she's a traveler."
The more that King Maro gazed at Ely, the more that he got interested in her. He couldn't be wrong; he was hearing Ely's mesmerizing voice at that moment.
"Minister Holter," he called his right-hand man.
"Yes, my King?"
"Include them in the list of royal performers."
The Minister was surprised to hear the King's tone changed. He gave him an affirmative look.
"Also… prepare my horse immediately."
"But Your Highness, the next part of this event is you're going to meet the most beautiful women in the nation-"
King Maro shook his head, "I already chose a woman… who will be at my side from now on."
Minister Holter was pleased to hear it. He was happy that finally, the King was going to move on from losing Ely. "Is that so? Please tell me who she is, my King, and I shall give several. I shall arrange a meeting with her and her family."
"No need," the King stood up after Ely and the others performed their last song. He clapped his hands, and the crowd cheered.
King Maro briskly walked and stepped out of the room.
As soon as the performance ended, Ely excused herself without saying a reason. She got past the guards because they recognized her as Bethy, the Wonder singer in Akali's tavern. As she got further and further from the palace, her footsteps were becoming faster and faster, until she finally reached the city gate, wherein the mercenaries got fewer.
Ely lined up, looking as lowly as possible.
"Alright! Next!" the guard uttered.
The man was approached by Ely, and he narrowed his eyes. The woman in front of him was too ugly for his sight.
"Get out of the city," the mercenary told her, "The City of Leoniva is a paradise. We do not need ugly ones like you in here."
"Okay, sir..." Ely tried to look as calm as possible.
But before she could step out...
A sudden deep voice said:
"Ely. Are you done playing hide and seek?"
And when Ely turned, she saw the King mounted on his black horse, and he glared at her.