At the West banquet hall of the Royal palace,
The maids shifted the harp from the orchestra to the center of the banquet hall, with a stool to sit on.
Catherine noted when a maid nodded. Then she turned to Alora who declined the refreshments.
"My dear, Alora," She motioned her hand towards the center, "We are waiting for your performance."
Alora bowed her head as a form of respect. She was going towards the harp when she sensed a presence next to her and Eugenie went forward as she called out. "Who is the harp musician?" Her voice was void of emotions and overbearing.
A man among the musicians stood up hurriedly with his head lowered, gaze on the floor. He ran up to Eugenie in small steps and deeply bowed to her, "Greeting to Your Royal Highness, Crown Princess Eugenie."
"Rise… Inspect the strings." Eugenie ordered.
Catherine and Helena's expressions briefly changed hearing of Eugenie. The musician obliged and sat on the stool. He started plucking at each string with different forces to create different notes of sound to check its rhythm and quality.
'Twing,' A string broke by just a bit of pressure, silencing the hall.
Eugenie snickered, glancing at Catherine who was planning to embarrass her daughter.
The musician stood up from the stool and kneeled to the ground, "Your Royal Highness, I had examined everything before the banquet, I don't know how it broke loose. Mercy Your Royal Highness. Mercy on the poor peasant." He begged for forgiveness as it would have embarrassed Alora.
"Rise… Return to your place." Eugenie commanded, ready to return to Zander.
The attendant announced, "The Royal Queen and the King are arriving. Show your respect."
Everyone got to their position of either bow or crusty when Orla and Lothar walked in poise and elegance. Cuillin and Orla's aide followed them and stood aside to be on beck and call.
Alora noticed Lothar's mood was terrible. He looked like he was waiting for the nation's criminal to be hanged to death.
Orla brushed her eyes on Alora and turned to her husband, "I was anticipating a gift. I guess it wasn't for me." Her voice was laced with enviousness as she will have to share her husband's love and attention with her granddaughter every day.
'She is really a witch.' Orla thought humorously at how Alora managed to win the hearts.
Lothar ignored his wife. He was itching to teach their elder daughter a lesson but Orla stopped him like always, saying they shouldn't take action without valid proof, then it would be called misusing powers.
Lothar nodded at the attendant who announced, "Rise." He took a pause, "The banquet begins."
The orchestra was about to start the music but Catherine raised her hand to stop them.
Helena took the chance and quickly went in front of the throne and curtsied gracefully, "My Queen…" Her voice took a complete turn. She sounded courteous and filial.
"Everyone was curious to listen to Sister Alora playing music. But the harp was damaged. Will it be alright to ask Sister Alora to play something for all of us?"
Alora: "…"
She couldn't believe the hostility Helena showed towards her by stressing that the princess changed into an affectionate sister.
Freya gritted her teeth. She was trying to find out what the Blewetts were up to but nothing was fruitful.
Eugenie glanced at Alora. She really pitied her elder daughter sometimes. First, they protected her, suddenly they were showing her the world out of her books. Nevertheless, Alora wasn't as out of sorts as they expected her to be.
Lothar clenched his teeth absolutely knowing this wasn't as simple as playing music to start the celebration.
When Orla waved her hand up, permitting them to liven up the air, Lothar glanced at Cuillin.
Cuillin noticed the cue and spoke right after as if he was volunteering to take up the work, "Your Majesty, I will arrange the instrument."
Catherine controlled her urge to roll her eyes. She was well aware that her father was also protecting Alora.
Was she looking dumb to them? She instructed the maid to malfunction the first musical instrument to let down the high guards of Eugenie and Zander.
The real attack was now and it didn't matter who brought the instrument to Alora.
Lothar gave a faint nod towards Alora who climbed the stairs to reach the higher platform. She served wine for both before going to Lothar's side "Grandfather…"
"How is everyone treating you?" Lothar swirled the wine in his flute when he asked.
Alora glanced at the chatting royals and flashed a smile to Lothar, "So far, good, Grandfather."
Orla taunted right after hearing the lie, "Your darling granddaughter has learned to lie smoothly.
Alora: "…"
She had expected worse treatment from the royals due to her appearance nowhere matching the Roosevelts. She would have probably been frightened if they treated her normally. Considering it, she could handle some insults and taunts. Hence she framed it as just good.
Lothar glared at his wife who sipped her wine in nonchalance. How could he just listen and be quiet? He countered, making sure to stress 'your' and 'my' words.
"I am glad MY darling granddaughter isn't like YOUR granddaughters who keep causing troubles." he usually mentions as 'Our,' he was grumpy hearing Orla.
Alora: "…"
She quickly curtsied to grab their attention, "Your Majesties, I would rather prefer to join the family than disturb the bantering of the couple. If you will excuse me…"
Orla and Lothar: "…"
Cuillin came at the right time before Orla could complain more about Alora. "Your Highness…" He presented the flute holder with both hands.
Alora knew her flute holder. So she guessed it was a new one her grandfather bought for her. She quickly opened the lid and was amazed at the sight.
It was a thin and long flute made of crystalline material. The ends of the flute were decorated in golden material with golden rims around the flute. One end of the flute had a beautiful bird trinket with braided strings like vines.
Alora carefully picked the flute and people's eyes set on it. Orla glanced at her husband and looked at Alora who tried to test the flute.
'Peep… pooo… pee..'
A few in the banquet burst into laughter hearing the hoarse notes. However, some had their eyes set on the flute.
Alora glanced down at the ones who were laughing at her. Her eyes took note of Eleanor, Helena, a distant cousin, and Orla's nieces laughing at her.
She even noticed Catherine stifling her giggles and the man next to Catherine looking at Alora as if she was a nuisance. Another princess rolled her eyes and a princess next to her, glared at the rolling eyes princess.
But Freya was smiling. Alora smiled looking at the rare smile of Freya. Freya was gleeful because Alora wasn't offended or embarrassed by the laughter. Instead, she noticed who was with her and who wasn't.
Although Alora wasn't having a good start, Freya was glad the banquet served some purpose. And it will help Alora to be reserved and guard up against some people.
Evander spoke as he went forward, looking at the flute in delicate hands. "This is the Mystical flute."
Alora met Evander's eyes as she heard him carefully, "I have seen this flute and heard a master playing it when I was on duty at the border. It- It couldn't be played by just anybody." Alora sensed a hint of worry in his eyes.
Eleanor gritted her teeth, looking at Evander mesmerized by Alora and trying to save Alora's face. How could she let that happen? She chose to use his words differently to embarrass Alora.
"It's alright, Evander. You don't have to make up stories. She wouldn't mind accepting that she couldn't play the flute."
Orla looked at Eleanor who wasn't only jealous but had the audacity to remark on Alora. Orla and Lothar had met an old flutist who handed them the flute saying, 'The mystical flute could be played by the ones who have pure hearts without sin.'
Considering Alora who was yet to learn royal politics, Orla instructed, "Alora, play the flute."
"Accepted, my queen." Alora bowed before she alighted a few steps and sat down. She held the flute in position and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and the rest held their breaths in anticipation.
Alora remembered the early morning sun rays knocking on the glass window of her room, slowly vanishing from the darkness. The sun rays falling on the dew of grass, glimmering like sparkling stones…
Her face glowed at the train of memories, a smile made its way to her face. Her long lashes fluttered faintly casting a shadow on her spotless skin. She blew the hole, gradually filling the hall with soothing music.
Eugenie unawarely took steps closer as soon as she noticed the flute glow in fresh green color as though it could reflect the feelings of the flute player.
Many were in shock or astonishment. Some were instantly lost in the music, completely unexpecting such impressive music from Alora.
Catherine turned to Helena the moment music floated to her. Helena loves music, music is life and soul to her. However, Helena always found something lacking in her music. Thus Alora's music could…
Catherine's fear came true. Helena's eyes were staring at Alora. Her hostility was replaced with pure admiration for Alora.
Catherine couldn't let this happen. She has to make sure more and more people loathe Alora, it would be a slap on her face if her daughter, Helena supports Alora. Shaking in panic, she discreetly looked for the maid but the maid was also lost in the heavenly music.