Oliver could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on him. It was something he was not akin to. His cheeks flushed when he sensed the eyes focused on his frame.
It was nerve-wracking.
The room was large and lavish decorated in hues of gold, red and ivory. The floor was covered in a rich red carpet, and the ceiling had intricate designs carved into the stone.
Oliver had entered the room, which was the castle's throne room.
"Oliver, please, come forward," a feminine voice echoed through the chamber.
Oliver walked up the marble steps of the platform and faced the queen, who was seated next to the empty, main throne.
She wore a crown adorned with precious gems of all types upon her head, and her gown was a bright gold, with a red, velvet cape draped across her shoulders.
"Bow before the Queen," the head of the knights, Miles, commanded.
"Your Majesty," Oliver bowed.
Oliver had not been used to being in areas where nobles gathered, let alone actual royalty. His nerves had gotten the better of him when he forgot to bow.
His yellow eyes glanced up as he kept his head down. His sight immediately caught the prince, Fennel, who looked majestic. It was a stark contrast to how the red-headed man had appeared when they met.
"I welcome you to the kingdom's court," the Queen began. "We are glad to have you among us."
"Thank you."
"Now, let's get straight to the point," the woman's green eyes flashed. "You are a bard, are you not?"
"I am, my lady," Oliver nodded.
"Good, you will need to know the kingdom's history," she said.
"I will study it extensively from here on out," Oliver smiled.
The Queen addressed the copper-haired prince sitting on the other side of the main throne, saying, "This is my son."
"Your majesty."
Oliver's heart race. The prince had such a beautiful face. His beauty rivaled that of any woman he'd ever glanced at. Seeing how beautiful the queen also looked made him wonder if royalty was simply blessed by nature.
"Welcome to the royal court," Fennel smiled.
"Thank you," Oliver replied, his cheeks flushing when the young prince addressed him.
"I know you have already met," the queen laughed. "But it is a formality, I'm sure you understand."
"I do," Oliver nodded.
"Let's start the tour," the queen smiled.
"Yes, mother," the prince nodded, standing.
The group of people in the throne room all followed the prince and queen, who led the way through the corridors.
The head knight, maid, and butler were all there to commemorate the occasion of the appointment of a new bard.
They stopped and pointed out various rooms and paintings, giving the group a brief description. The entire castle was impeccably decorated and contained artifacts attesting to the kingdom's history.
The prince would occasionally look back at the group and smile. Each and every smile Oliver witnessed sent waves of desire through the bard. He knew it was unreasonable to feel that way about a royal, but there was something special about the future king.
Oliver couldn't help but smile back each time. It was infectious.
"Finally, the courtyard," the Queen said, leading the group outside.
Oliver gasped, his eyes widening as he took in the sight. Greenery covered the courtyard, with a large, white fountain at its center. The sky was clear, and the air was crisp and cool.
He didn't even try to count the different colors from the bushes filled with flowers.
"Impressive, is it not?" the Queen asked, looking at the bard.
"It is, my lady," Oliver replied, his gaze fixed on the fountain.
"This is the castle where you will live from now on," the Queen explained. "I hope you enjoy your stay here."
"Thank you," Oliver smiled. "I feel honored to live my life in such a place. It's like a dream."
"Now, the ball," the Queen said. "We will hold it on the night of coronation. We will only allow the highest-ranking nobility to attend.
"It will be a grand event," the prince added, his green eyes sparkling and his ears standing straight up in the air. "I remember them fondly from when I was a child."
"Of course," the Queen laughed, her tail swishing subtly.
The queen was excited to see what type of woman the prince would choose to be his bride. It was a special occasion. This ball wasn't the same as the others. It reminded her of her own youth.
"We will have to make a lot of preparations," Fennel sighed.
"Yes, indeed," the Queen spoke.
"My lady, when will it take place?" Oliver inquired.
"A few short days," the Queen answered.
Oliver gasped. "So soon?"
"Yes," the Queen nodded. "There will be a lot of planning to do, and we are short on time, but the kingdom relies on its king, so he will be crowned."
"Indeed," the prince smiled. "It will be a wonderful evening."
Internally, Fennel groaned. He hated how he had to stand there and act interested. He wasn't at all interested in the ball, which was only to be held so he could find a woman to become his queen.
With his thoughts swirling through his head, his emerald eyes caught sight of Oliver, who seemed to be looking past Queen Anise and at him. It caused his cheeks to flush and his stomach to flutter.
"I wonder if Oliver would dance with me?" the prince thought.
Fennel couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have the bard in his arms as they danced around the room, their bodies moving together and their hearts beating as one. He knew it was a stupid thought. The royal court disapproved of same-gendered dancing.
He continued to think while the queen led everyone back to the throne room. Both he and his mother took their seats at the head of the room.
He looked over at the empty central throne, where his father were supposed to sit.
It was unreal how soon, that seat would be his.
The Queen's words snapped Fennel out of his reverie.
"Of course, we will have music," the Queen added.
"Music is important," the prince nodded, smiling slightly.
"Yes, very," the Queen agreed. "Oliver, would you care to play a song for us?"
"Right now?" Oliver asked, his yellow eyes wide.
"I would like that," the Queen smiled.
"Oh, well, if you insist, I suppose I could," Oliver smiled nervously.
"Good," the Queen replied. "Please, come forward."
Oliver stepped forward, his hands trembling slightly. His tail dropped toward the ground, shaking as he tried to gain his composure. He didn't want to make a fool of himself in front of the future king and current queen.
"Now, what would you like to hear?" the Queen asked.
"I could play a song my mother used to sing," Oliver suggested.
"Yes, please," the Queen smiled.
Oliver pulled out his lute and began playing.
His voice was soft and sweet, and the music he created flowed through the room.
Everyone watched the bard as he played, their eyes transfixed on the performance.
Fennel's attention immediately went to Oliver. He studied the way his nimble fingers moved and the way his lips shaped into the lovely sounds his voice made. It was heavenly.
The prince could never grow bored of watching him, but he wished to hear the bard's personal song again.
Oliver finished, and the crowd applauded.
"Beautiful," the Queen complimented.
"Thank you," Oliver blushed.
"Oliver, I would like to talk to you privately," the Queen spoke. "Fennel, everyone else, you are dismissed."
"Yes, mother," the prince bowed, then stood.
He watched Oliver walk away, his heart thumping loudly in his chest. He wanted to talk to him alone, too. He felt like he would never get the chance to learn more about the gorgeous, enchanting man.
He had never been this nervous, not even when he first met the bard. He had a strange feeling that their fates were somehow entwined. He wasn't sure how, but the feeling was hovering in his stomach.