Chereads / Destined by Fate: The Villainess and the Commoner / Chapter 25 - The Talent Show and a Heartfelt Song

Chapter 25 - The Talent Show and a Heartfelt Song

The academy was buzzing with excitement for the annual Talent Show. Students from all classes and backgrounds had been preparing tirelessly to showcase their skills. For many, it was the highlight of the year, a chance to prove themselves beyond academics. This year, however, there was an air of anticipation that was even more intense than usual.

Kai had signed up to sing. His choice surprised a few of his friends, but he was determined to express something he hadn't been able to put into words. Music had always been a safe place for him, and tonight, he would let his emotions take the lead.

As the event began, the large auditorium filled with students and faculty. Whispers filled the air as Kai's name was announced, and he made his way to the stage, his heart pounding. His gaze searched the audience until it found Seraphina. She was watching him with a look of quiet encouragement, and his nerves faded in that single glance.

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The Song That Touched Every Heart

Kai took a deep breath as he stood at the microphone. He had chosen a song close to his heart, one that he hoped would convey the depth of his feelings. It was a classic song he had always loved, originally in another language. As he began to sing "Tum Hi Ho" in English, the room fell silent, all eyes focused on him.

(Credits to original song: "Tum Hi Ho" by Mithoon and sung by Arijit Singh)

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You're the one who fills my life,

You're the warmth on my coldest night.

Without you, I'd be lost, alone,

In every breath, you're the only one.

Where would I go without you here,

My soul, my love, you are my fear.

This life I live is yours to own,

In every moment, you are my home.

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As his voice filled the hall, every note held a trace of the longing he had kept hidden. His voice was rich and powerful, pouring out emotions he had kept locked away. Each line resonated with those listening, and a silence, heavy with emotion, filled the space. It wasn't just the beauty of his singing—it was the weight of his feelings, reaching out to anyone who had ever loved and lost or wanted something they couldn't have.

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Seraphina's Reaction

Seraphina's heart felt as if it were being torn apart and put back together in the same moment. As she listened to Kai, her chest tightened. She had always known he was special, but hearing him pour his soul out in front of everyone was overwhelming. She watched him, her vision blurring slightly as tears threatened to spill over.

Why does he have to be a commoner? she thought, her mind spinning. She felt herself falling, even though she had fought against it. Her heart was no longer listening to the logic her mind tried to impose. With a silent, aching realization, she admitted to herself, I love you, Kai.

But that thought hurt as much as it comforted her. She was a noble, and he was a commoner. In a world where status and bloodline defined their lives, her love for him seemed almost impossible.

Seraphina turned away, her emotions too intense to bear, and left the auditorium quietly, retreating to the cool night air to calm herself.

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The Audience's Response

As Kai's song ended, there was a moment of complete silence before the audience erupted into applause. Some of the students had tears in their eyes, moved by the sincerity of his performance. Even the main characters from the game, often focused on their status and rivalry, couldn't deny the raw emotion that had just filled the room.

The female protagonist, Liana, who had always been at the center of attention, found herself unexpectedly captivated by Kai. She watched him with a strange feeling blooming inside her. She was touched by his voice, his sincerity, and his courage to sing so openly. And for the first time, she felt a pull toward him—a pull she hadn't felt with anyone else.

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Later That Night

After the show, Kai made his way through the academy's garden, where the gentle rustling of leaves and the cool evening breeze surrounded him in a peaceful silence. He hadn't seen Seraphina since his performance, and he felt a strange emptiness that she hadn't been there afterward.

Suddenly, he spotted her near the fountain, standing with her back to him, gazing at the starlit sky. The moon cast a soft glow over her, illuminating her in a way that made her look almost ethereal.

"Seraphina," he called softly, walking toward her.

She turned, her eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions—happiness, longing, and an uncertainty she hadn't shown before. They stood in silence for a moment, neither sure what to say.

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A Moment of Happiness

Kai stepped closer, offering her a small smile. "Did you hear the song?"

"Yes," she replied, her voice barely a whisper. "It was… beautiful, Kai. You have a way of reaching people."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, there was no one else in the world. Kai reached out, his fingers gently brushing hers as he took her hand. He didn't speak, and neither did she. They didn't need words. In the quiet night, under the stars, everything was understood.

They walked through the garden together, hand in hand, enjoying the simple peace of each other's company. It felt as if nothing else mattered in that moment—their worlds, their statuses, the challenges they would face. For that night, they were just two people who cared deeply for each other, finding happiness in a single, precious moment.

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The Future Begins to Unfold

Though they didn't discuss it openly, Seraphina felt a sense of relief in his presence. The burdens of her title, her responsibilities, and the expectations placed upon her seemed to lift when she was with him. Kai had given her the courage to face her true feelings, and though the path ahead was uncertain, she knew she couldn't ignore her heart any longer.

As the night stretched on, they spoke of dreams, of possibilities, of a future that seemed far away yet tantalizingly close. And as the stars shimmered above, both Kai and Seraphina felt the strength of a connection that no rank or title could ever define. They were, in every way that mattered, together.

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Twists on the Horizon

Yet, unseen in the shadows, others had taken notice of Kai's impact—not only his rivals but also the other main characters from the game, including Liana. And slowly, Liana found herself thinking more and more about the boy with the voice that could touch even the coldest hearts.

What started as a simple admiration began to grow within her, and she couldn't shake the feeling. Kai had shown her something she hadn't expected, something different from the scripted, predictable world of the academy. And though she didn't realize it fully yet, the seeds of a new affection were beginning to take root within her.

As Kai and Seraphina shared that perfect night under the stars, the threads of fate continued to weave a story filled with emotions, challenges, and unexpected twists. For Kai, the future held both promise and conflict—a path where love, rivalry, and ambition would collide in ways he could never have imagined.