"Sometimes, Words should rather be hidden than to be exposed…"
divine Comedian
CHAPTER SIX: EXPOSED
Just like in Jollywood, it's a cold winter night in one of the darkest parts in the forest. And inside these woods sits an old black house with a dismal and ominous atmosphere. Snow covers the roofs of this old gloomy house. And just the house itself, the owners are as gloomy as their livelihood.
Inside their home is colored in different shades of black, green and purple. And also has a vast collection of dusts, spider webs, potion, witchcraft books and so many eerie, scary things around the house.
Curtains are old and ripped. Unclean candle stand displayed almost every corner of their house. All rusty and covered in candle wax.
You can never wonder why these people lived in such a dark, gothic lifestyle, because this is the very home of The Glooms.
Hildy Gloom and her husband, Grim Gloom, always love how dark and bleak-looking their house is. It's a gothic paradise for those who seeks for obscurity and ill omens and moves away from the brightness of tomorrow…
Here, they find comfort, and also inspiration to claim what they have longed: To capture Jollywood and to overthrow its Queen!
But for now, they would rather stay and unwind. For this night, they celebrate Gloomy Day.
Every year, they celebrate this dark holiday to welcome next year's tragedy and misery, especially the misery that they will cause to the Queen and her Jollywood.
Hildy wears her best gloomiest dress ever: A pure black dress with a huge bat winged-shaped collar and a black, sparkling cape made of lace.
And as for Grim, he wears his gray colored tuxedo and vest, and a deep blue ascot around his collar of his purple polo. He also has a silver spider-shaped brooch pinned at his upper right.
And they decorated their living room with cobwebs and bat-shaped ornaments and they also filled the air with music of sad, dramatic classical music, from Beethoven's Symphony no. 5 and to his Fur Elise.
They also do monologues from one of the most tragic stories of classic literatures as part of their entertainment, from Shakespear's Hamlet and Macbeth and to Edgar Allan Poe's Eerie Poetries.
It's like a Halloween-themed party, but a lot darker and gloomier.
They even hired a bunch of sad puppies for more gloomier state, and an old guy that plays a cello to play slow, deathly musics.
Grim and Hildy waltzed away around their living room as the Cello musician plays a beautiful yet sorrowful classical piece by Camille Saint-Saens: Requiem of Angus Dei
They were enjoying their gloomiest party when suddenly; they heard a loud cherry music from the outside.
Irritated, Hildy went outside to their balcony and looked out from the distance. The loud, joyful music is coming from the palace of Queen Delightful. Her Palace is really shinning bright like a sun, probably because of numerous lights inside the castle itself.
Hildy frowned in disgust. "What's the matter, my Hildy-Wildy?" asked Grim, approaching his wife.
"Like how will we able to enjoy our Gloomy day with a noise like that?!" Hildy groaned, walking away from the balcony and went back inside.
Grim followed her. "Awww… Don't worry, my bewitching-witchy …" he said, grinning at her. "I bet there are some things we can do to enjoy the night…"
Hildy looked at him. "With the racket like that, how could we?" Hildy said, sighing depressingly and slouched on the couch.
"Well…" said Grim, trying to convince her. "We got two options: We can play the Mozart's Lacrimosa in full volume…" he said, holding out an old huge record disc of one of their gloomiest Mozart music in their collection.
Hildy moaned in misery. They been listening to that for years, like is there anything more interesting than to listen to music like that?
"Or we can go to the castle and tell them to lower down their music…" Grim continued, pointing at the window where the castle is.
Hildy grunt and bury her face on the couch pillow. Why does Grim have to be so foolish like all the time? She thought.
Then, Hildy abruptly lifted up her head.
"Wait a minute… That's it!" she exclaimed, smiling.
Grim turn his head on her. "We're gonna play Lacrimosa now?" he asked, excitedly.
Hildy went to her husband. "No, you ding-dong!" she said. "We going to go the castle and gatecrashed it!"
"Oh, Wonderful…" Grim smiled and went to their old 19th century-made telephone. "I'm gonna hire a wrecking ball to crash their gate!"
As Grim rotates the construction company's number on the dial wheel, Hildy snatched the phone and hung it up.
"Hey, what gives...!" Grim complained, confused.
Hildy shot back a stern look, "Look, you idiot…We are not literally crashing down their palace gate…" she snarled, "I meant we are going to their Jollyday party and RUIN IT!"
Grim looked up. "Ooooohhh…Now I get it!" he said, realized.
Hildy slapped her forehead and groaned. He didn't get the idea at the first place, did he?!
Then, she whipped out her wand and magically changed herself back to her usual get-up: A huge spiky-collared sleeveless pink shirt with a dark pink and blue skirt, leggings and boots.
Grim looked at her, confused again. "We're going now?" he asked.
Hildy rolled her eyes, "We don't have much time, Grim…" he said to her idiotic husband, "we're going to celebrate Gloomy day in a new, beautifully-horrid way!"
Hildy snapped her fingers and came out her dark pink and blue broomstick. She hopes on it and flew out of the balcony window.
"Come on, Grim…" she called out, waiting for him.
Grim quickly pulled out his wand and changed himself back to his normal clothes: A dark grey trench coat with a moon-and-star printed on his lower-right coat.
"Coolest Gloomy day ever…" he muttered to himself, excited to try the new way to celebrate their gloomy holiday.
He quickly hopes on his old, brownish broomstick and flew out the house as Hildy waits for him outside.
And together, they zoomed across the night sky and went to the Palace of Queen Delightful.
As they reached their destination, they came close to a tall glass window of the Ballroom. There, they saw the merriment that is happening inside which made Hildy growled in disgust and annoyance….
Grim looked at his wife. "So what's the plan, my malicious maiden?" he asked, holding out his wand from his back pocket.
Hildy clenched her wand. "I heard they always have fireworks display as midnight comes…"
"So?" Grim asked, quiet puzzled.
Hildy looked at him with an evil smile creeping across her face. "So let's give it to them BEFORE midnight comes…"
Grim looked at her and smiled back. "I really love it when you talked like that…" he muttered sweetly to her.
Grim pointed his wand to the ballroom window and with his magic; CRASH! He blasted the glass out of it!
To the Jollywoodian's great surprise, the Glooms zoomed inside the Ballroom and started shooting colorful yet violent fireworks out of their magic wands!
Hildy laughed sadistically as she watches the little dwarves running and screaming in terror.
"That's right, you little well-dressed shorties! Run with your sissy dresses off…" she exclaimed, shooting more fireworks out of her magic wand.
As Hildy let off fireworks on the hapless Jollywoodians, Grim flew above the buffet table and fired it on its floor, sending foods flying through the air and splatting it on the people nearby.
Including the Doc, Happy, Sleepy and Sneezy who was also got spluttered by the foods itself.
"Winkers!" Sleepy exclaimed as he wiped off the gravy on his face.
"Now who invited them?" Happy asked curiously with lumps of Ice-cream dripping off of his face.
"What are we gonna do?!" Sneezy's coat is all covered with carbonara pasta as he asked Doc.
Doc glanced at his fellow 4D with cakes all over his coat, "They want to play rough… then we'll give them one!"
The crowd went panic and came running, screaming and hiding around the ballroom. But despite the tension, Queen Delightful struggles to keep her position to find Don Basilio of Barcelona.
"Don Basilio...Don Basilio, where are you?!" she called out amidst the screaming from the crowd.
But before she called him again, she spotted her little white dog, Sir Yipsalot, standing on the middle of the empty dance floor, yipping for help.
"Sir Yipsalot!" she thought, completely alarmed. She tries to run across the ocean of terrified dwarves, but she can't reach for her dog.
And things got worse when Grim saw the Queen's little pup and flew above it.
"Oh no…" she gasped in fear, "Sir Yipsalot, Get out of there!"
Sir Yipsalot didn't seem to hear her because of the loud screams of the crowd, so he didn't actually noticed Grim is a few feet above him.
Grim raise up his wand with a fiery spark lighting up its tip.
"HAPPY JOLLYDAY, sir puffs-a lot!" he exclaimed to the dog.
But as Grim released the fireworks from his wand, Don Basilio dashed into the scene and grabbed Sir Yipsalot out of the spot, right before the fireworks blasted his little tail off!
Grim looked out in surprise, "Now, who in the world…?!" Before he could think things through, a huge chunk of spaghetti spluttered on his face!
Grim wiped off the spaghetti sauce on his face and saw Doc, Happy, Sneezy and Sleepy holding out different chunks of foods to be thrown at him.
"FOOD FIGHT!" Happy exclaimed and threw off another huge lump of spaghetti onto Grim.
As the ballroom got cleared out, Queen Delightful regained her position and ran to Don Basilio and Sir Yipsalot.
"Oh, Sir Yipsalot…" The Queen cried, as she grabbed her dog and snuggled it into her arms.
"My Queen…" Don Basilio said, sounded concerned. "Are you alright?"
"I am now…" she answered.
Before Don Basilio could reply, he noticed Hildy had already stopped shooting off fireworks, but her gaze glanced up on him and the Queen.
This hall is already empty… she thought, but at least I got these two to mess up with!
Hildy directed her broomstick to them and zoomed across the ballroom.
She's coming this way! Bashful thought, alerted. Without a word, He grabbed the Queen's arm and quickly run to the ballroom exit.
As Hildy chased after them, a large piece of cold chocolate ice-cream hit her face! Knocking her off balance and fell from her broomstick…
She landed pretty hard on a round dinner table, smashing it into two! And the Poor witch became unconscious.
Happy whistled, impressed. "Way a go, Sleepy!" he praised him.
"Don't mention it…" Sleepy said, patting off the cold chocolate creams out of his hands.
But before could they celebrate, a bolt of fireworks blasted in their place! Sending Doc, Happy, Sleepy and Sneezy flying into the air…
They are scattered all over the floor and were all slightly burnt due to the fiery impact.
As they struggle to stand up, they saw Grim marching out at the other side. His coat is all covered and dripping with different kinds of foods, sauces and desserts.
"Nobody treats my Hildy-Wildy like that!" he called out, aggressively.
He had a hard time lately as the 4Ds began to food-fight him down. And eventually lose when he slipped off from his broom due to the slippery sauces around his grip.
As Grim moves closer to his injured friends, Bashful, Grumpy and Dopey peeped out from the ballroom door.
Bashful looked out to his friends in great fear. Then, he glanced at Dopey and noticed him still holding on the round silver tray.
Dopey whistled in alarmed.
"Yeah, I know…" Grumpy replied to him.
Then, he leaned over to his friends, "Okay, here's the plan…" he began, "You guys stay here with the Queen while I get out there and…"
As Grumpy speak on, Bashful's heart is beating fast. Oooh… how long does this plan is going to take? He thought, impatiently, Doc and the others need help and we don't have much time!
Before he could even think, Bashful snatched the tray from Dopey and ran across the Ballroom!
Grumpy was about to grabbed him but it was too late. Bashful is already running towards Grim.
Grim heard footsteps, tapping faster on the hard tiled floor. Then, he glanced around to see Don Basilio running towards him with a silver tray.
He quickly pointed his wand at him and aimed another blot of fireworks.
As Grim releases his magic, Don Basilio stopped on the spot and raise up the tray.
When the bolt is zipping closer to him, he swing off his tray and smacked it away like a baseball bat!
Grim's eyes grew wide in surprised as the bolt of fireworks is coming back to him.
It hit directly at him with a big colorful-fiery explosion and fell on the ground! All blackened up and unconscious…
The 4D, looked up at Bashful, completely dumbfound.
Whoa…. Doc gasped in his thoughts, amazed.
At the door, even Grumpy and Dopey looked at him, stunned. Bashful defeated him? In JUST ONE shot?! Thought Grumpy, astounded.
Just like them, Queen Delightful was peeping out if the door too and saw the whole thing.
"Oh my…" she gasped, who is also very amazed of Don Basilio's courage. Then she began to blush, he's so confident and fearless at the same time…
Everyone is completely stunned by Bashful's sudden bravery until another bolt of fireworks zapped across Queen Delightful's crown, knocking it off of her blond hair.
Grumpy glanced back and saw Hildy flying towards them with her magical broomstick; She points her wand directly to the Queen.
Grumpy and Dopey pushed the Queen back to the hallway for safety, but Hildy went in and chased after them.
Bashful saw her and quickly grabbed a bottle of unopened champagne wine from the floor nearby. Oh no, you don't… Bashful thought bravely as he runs to the ballroom door and followed Hildy.
Grumpy and Dopey lead the Queen across the dark hallway. But before they could reach the other door, Hildy blasted off a huge flag pole on the ceiling and crashed down before them, blocking their way with its huge, thick flag.
Dopey whistle in panic and turned to Grumpy.
"I…I'm thinking…" stammered Grumpy who suddenly lost his state of mind.
Before he could even think, Hildy jumped off of her broomstick and pointed her wand at them. Her face is still dripping in chocolate ice cream.
"Alright…" she snarled furiously, "I had enough of your games! Give me the Queen or else…"
Desperate to defend themselves, Grumpy spotted a flower pot nearby. He quickly snatched it and threw it to Hildy.
But the Angry witch blasted it off in midair with her bolt of powerful magic, exploding it into a thousand of pieces!
Dopey and the Queen shrugged at Grumpy. "I thought it would knock her down, OK?!" Grumpy gulped, slightly embarrassed.
Hildy breathes heavily in rage and fatigue. "I am so sick and tired of your Jollyday rubbish!" she growled as she staggered towards them. "Your Queen is so foolish and ignorant that she doesn't deserve to be your ruler…"
Then, she held up her wand with a bright sparkling light on its tip, burning dangerously on it.
" … AND SHE'LL NEVER WILL!" Hildy shrieked and fired a big bolt of fireworks at them.
But before it could reach its target, a bottle of champagne flew in front of them, and the bottle got hit instead by the fireworks, exploded it into midair! White wines splashed all over the floor…
Hildy gasped in shock and glanced beside her. But before she could react, a flat-silver looking platform began to spin its way to her like a boomerang!
It hit her forehand hard and began to stagger in pain.
Without her knowledge, she slipped over the spilled wine on the floor and fell on her back!
Hildy is still recovering from her pain when she felt her wand is out of her hand. She glanced around and saw her wand lying a few feet away from her.
She desperately crawled away from the wet puddle and reached for her wand,
But before she could even touched it, Don Basilio's little black shoe appeared over it and pressed his foot so hard until her magic stick snapped into two!
"Nooooo!" Hildy shrieked in despair. Then, she looked up to see her mysterious opponent:
A Golden blond-haired dwarf in a dark suit and with a Leafy-green mask.
"Who the heck…?!" Hildy stammered in confusion.
Before he could let her speak, Don Basilio pointed his round silver tray at her. "On your feet!" he commanded.
Hildy arched her eyebrow; "Yeah, right…" she smirked, looking at his tray. "Like that thing would be hurt me…"
Irritated, Don Basilio slapped her face with the tray with a loud BANG!
Hildy rubbed for cheek in pain and yelled: "HOW DARE YOU HIT ME WITH A…"
"And I wouldn't hesitate to do it again…." Don Basilio shoots back, interrupting her. Then, he pointed his tray again at her and Hildy crawled away from him.
Don Basilio followed her, looking very fierce. "Kindly do us a favor and Get yourself AND your husband OUT OF HERE…" he commanded harshly to her.
Frightened, Hildy jumped on her feet and ran back to the ballroom door.
There, she saw Doc, Sleepy, Sneezy and Happy carrying her unconscious husband Grim to the same door. "Don't forget your guy, missy…" Sneezy said with a sniffle.
They dropped Grim onto her feet. Hildy went to her husband and saw how awful he had got himself into.
Then, she looked around them. The 6D, the Queen and her mysterious defender were all around them, glaring at them.
She hates to admit it, but they won this time.
Feeling defeated, she snatched Grim's wand on his hand and with her magic: a thick gust of purple smoke surrounded the couple. And in a few seconds, Hildy and Grim Gloom had disappeared on the spot.
Doc sighed in relief and turned to his fellow 6D, "Well done, 6D!" he said to them. Then, he turned to Bashful, "Especially, you, Bash- I mean…your grace…" he stammered, suddenly realizing Bashful's undercover.
Bashful looked at him and smiled, "Well…" Don Basilio sighed; feeling slightly embarrassed "Couldn't done it without your help…"
Happy went to Bashful, "That was incredible, your nobleness!" he praised him. "You were like: Run… and Smack… and BOOM! You blew that wizard away!" Happy exclaimed while he crazily imitate Bashful's brave moves from Grim Gloom.
Then, Grumpy approached him. "Yep…" he said, placing his hand on his Bashful's shoulder. "You did really show those two no-good punks!" he said to him.
Then, Sneezy went to his side. "Yeah… Didn't you see the look on Hildy's face?" he said to Grumpy, "She looked like she saw a ghost and ran off like a baby…"
Sleepy giggled next to him, "Yeah, you're right…" he agreed to Sneezy. "And who would've thought that silver tray can be a good weapon to knocked enemies away?"
Dopey jumped next to Bashful and whistled in victory.
"Alright!" Happy cheered, "Let's give it up for Don Basilio of Barcelona…"
"HEIGH-HOOOO!" the 6D cheered for their shy, fearful friend who somehow learned to be brave in the midst of danger.
Bashful looked around his friends and thanked them all. In his thoughts, he has to admit: He too was surprise of his own brave efforts, especially his daring rescue to save the Queen from Hildy Gloom.
Then, Bashful remembered the Queen, and glanced up to see Queen Delightful, leaning over the floor, trying to picking up her tall, pink and gold crown which was knocked away by Hildy's fireworks
Don Basilio went to her and quickly picked up the crown for her. "May I, your highness?" he asked her, sounded sincere. Queen Delightful looked at him. "Of course…" she smiled.
Then, she kneeled in front of him as Don Basilio carefully placed her oversized crown on her head.
"There you are…" Don Basilio sighed, smiling "Just the way her majesty should be…"
"Her Majesty…" the Queen repeated the words, looking down.
Don Basilio looked at her, "Is something the matter? Are you hurt?" he asked, worried.
Queen Delightful glanced up, "Oh no, It's not that…" she said, smiling but her eyes looks watery.
Bashful felt something is bothering her. "My Queen…" Don Basilio began, "Did Hildy said something to you?"
Queen Delightful abruptly turn her head on him. Seems like he's smart enough to notice her uneasiness...
The Queen became quiet for a few seconds. Don Basilio waited patiently for her response, "Do you think…" she began, still sitting on the floor. Her hands began to clasp into a grip. "Do think she's right about me? Do you think what she said is true?"
Bashful looked at her in the eyes. Tears began to flood in. Something is terribly bothering her… he thought.
Don Basilio cleared his throat. "Pardon my discourteous, your highness…" He began, "But is it alright if I may know the things that Hildy had said to you?"
The Queen smiled weakly at him as tears rolled out of her eyes. Don Basilio is so gentle that he is very careful with his words…
Queen Delightful sniffled and wiped away her tears. "Yes…" she muttered sadly.
She breathes deeply and sighed. "She...she told I'm not good of being Queen…" she said, her voice shaking.
Don Basilio remains quiet, willing to listen to her.
"She said I'm too foolish and ignorant…" the Queen moaned in tears. "And she also said I don't deserve to be Queen!"
The Queen buried her face on her hands and sobbed. "I mean I tried to be the Best Queen Jollywood would have… but sometimes, it hurts me to hear the people's statement about me being mediocrity…"
Bashful still remain quiet, letting her emotions break through.
"And now…" Queen Delightful lift up her head, her face is flushing red. "Even Hildy said the same thing about me… and I…I…."
Queen Delightful couldn't speak anymore words and placed her hands back on her face again, crying some more.
The 6D felt sorry for the Queen and looked at each other. They haven't seen the Queen crying so bitterly before.
Bashful came closer to her and gently patted her back. I know what it feels like to be discouraged…I've done through that every time… he thought, wishing that he himself would say this to her.
After their dirty encounter with the Glooms, the 6D wasted no time and hurriedly cleaned up the whole ballroom before the Jollyday countdown starts.
Happy and Grumpy stood up the tumbled tables and chairs while Sneezy and Dopey collected the broken pieces of chairs and tables.
Sleepy is sweeping the floor, collecting a huge pile of spoiled food and broken dishes, while Doc mops the tiles with his ever dependable mechanical arms.
Bashful carried his silver tray with a glass of ice-cold water on it and went to Queen Delightful who is now sitting at the foot of the ballroom stairs, still recovering from her weeping.
"Take a drink, your majesty…" Don Basilio muttered, motioning the tray to her and served her drink. Queen Delightful grabs her glass and drunk down some of its water.
"Thank you…" the Queen breathes, refreshed.
"All for my Queen's necessities…" Don Basilio replied, and bowed to her in respect.
The Queen smiled at him. "I…I'm sorry…" she said.
Don Basilio looked up, "For what, my Queen?"
"For acting a little emotional back there…" she explained, rubbing her fingers around her glass. "I know it's strange to see your Queen acting so… well… insecure of this."
Bashful looked at her, Guess she has her own insecurities too… he thought. Then, he laid the tray on the nearby table and cleared his throat.
"Truly, your highness…" Don Basilio began, "But I believe I should be the one who should ask for your apologies…"
The Queen stared at him, puzzled.
Then, he lowered his head again. "Perhaps I should not ask about what Hildy had said to you lately, I beg for your forgiveness…" Don Basilio apologized, his voices sounded sincere.
The Queen blushed; surely, he is a true gentleman. Very caring and concerned, either if you're physical or emotional disturbed.
"Oh, Don Basilio…" she said to him, then she giggled. "You don't have to apologies…Besides, they're right! I think I should stop being so naïve and everything…"
"But you never are…" Don Basilio said, lifting up his head.
The Queen glanced at him, "Excuse me?"
Bashful felt he surprised her. "Oh, forgive me, your highness. I don't mean to surprise you…" Don Basilio said. "But what I mean is that no one is a better Queen than you"
The Queen fell silent.
Don Basilio continues: "Jollywood needs a Queen with a heart with as kind as a lamb, warm as the sun and joyful as a child… though the world can be very kindly to you… It's always kindness and bravery that are stronger than anything…"
"Don Basilio…" Queen Delightful thought as she felt her heart beat pounding through her chest.
"It's obvious that this Hildy is living in Hatred," Don Basilio moved on, "which is why you should NEVER listened to any of her words…"
"Because hatred feeds on LIES, kindness feeds on LOVE… which you already have in yourself… You have more kindness than all the people I know…"
Queen Delightful remained silent and looked to him, rather impressed. No one has ever told me those things before… she thought.
"Yet…" Don Basilio continues, "Kindness is strong... But with bravery, we can withstand any obstacles…"
"Being kind to your people is wonderful … but to be able to defend your kingdom and yourself from these awful people is remarkable …"
"Don… Basilio…" the Queen breathes, she couldn't find the words to express her gratitude to all his inspiring words.
"I believe some day you will become the greatest Queen Jollywood has ever recognize… the kindest and the bravest ruler of them all…" Don Basilio finished, and smiled warmly to her.
Bashful noticed Queen Delightful is welling up tears again. He pulled out her pink hanky, which was given to him, and handed it to her.
Queen Delightful carefully took the hankie and wiped off her tears.
"I'm sorry…" Don Basilio said, feeling guilty, "I think I must have said too much… Perhaps I must leave you for a while…"
The Queen didn't say anything and wiped away more tears in her eyes.
Then, Don Basilio bowed down to her again and began to walk away.
But before he could get even further, two hands snatched him and the Queen wrapped her arms around him.
"Thank you…" she sobbed, hugging him tight. She is completely touched of his kind, meaningful words.
Bashful went speechless and blushed. He can feel the warmness of her body and the pounding of her heart beat in her chest.
"You're…" Don Basilio stammered, and smiled, "You are quite welcome, your highness…"
Queen Delightful felt even more touched and hugged him even tighter like a teddy bear…
Bashful felt his chest tighten, literally. "Your highness…" Don Basilio began, his voice sounded husky. "I believe… I believe you're hugging me too tight!"
"Oh… I'm sorry!" Queen Delightful quickly released him from her tight embrace. Bashful stood up and gasped for air. That was really a tight squeeze that it almost chocked him.
As Don Basilio huffs and puffs for air. "I'm very sorry…" the Queen apologized again, "I got carried away…"
"Oh, But quite I'm fine, thank you…" Don Basilio smirked, still breathless, "Indeed, that is some mighty grip who have there, your majesty… You can actually pin down anyone as massive as a bull…"
Queen Delightful chuckled, "Oh, It's not kind to wrestle down an animal…"
As his breath returned, Don Basilio straightens up his back. "You're right, your majesty…" he said, grinning. "Perhaps something less worth than Hildy…"
The two giggled on their shoulders, and then Queen Delightful stood up and looked at Don Basilio. "You know… I never met anyone like you before…"
"Oh?" Don Basilio said, blushing. "Is that so, your majesty?"
"Yes…"she replied, and then she handed back to him her pink hankie. "Thank you…"
Don Basilio looked at her in the eyes. She seemed to look much better now comparing her looks moments ago. He smiled back to her and carefully took the hanky from her palm.
Before the Queen could speak, the guests returned into the ballroom and looked around. The 6D cleaned the ballroom so quickly and perfectly. Though there some things that were minimized in terms of numbers such as there are fewer tables, fewer chairs and fewer plates to serve.
But the important thing is Jollyday Ball is saved! And now they will welcome Jollyday with the most-awaited Grand Fireworks Display.
The Fireworks that only fascinate the guests and not the very fireworks that the Glooms used against them…
The 6D went to the palace courtyard to help assemble the fireworks while Bashful left behind in the ballroom with Queen Delightful.
Everyone turn their attention on the wall of tall, glass windows, excited to see the colorful fireworks that will light up into the night sky.
As Don Basilio looked up, Queen Delightful called him from behind. Curious, he went to her. "What is it, my Queen?" he asked.
The Queen leaned her lips near his ear and whispered: "Come with me…"
Then, Queen Delightful pulled Bashful by the arm, hurriedly climbed up the ballroom stairs and went to her royal suite.
In her suite, she led him near a window of red curtains. "What is this, your majesty?" he asked, grinning in curiosity. Queen Delightful didn't answer and pushed the curtains aside to reveal a huge, rounded balcony from the outside.
"I was thinking maybe we can get a better view of the fireworks tonight…" she explained as she walked out and onto the balcony.
Don Basilio followed her. The air is chilly but the snow had stopped falling. Then, he peered down the courtyard and saw his friends, fixing the rockets and the firecrackers for the fireworks display.
Then, he heard a small sneeze from behind. He looked back saw Queen Delightful, rubbing her nose as she sniffled.
"My Queen…" he said, approaching to her, "You might catch a cold out here, perhaps we should go back inside…"
"No, I'm fine…" she said to him, tucking her fury shawl around her arms.
Worried for his queen, Don Basilio removed his black velvet coat and offers it to her. "Your majesty, here…"
Queen delightful looked at him in his pure white long-sleeved polo shirt. "But what about you?" she asked, corcerned.
"Oh, I'll be fine…" he said to her, smiling. "I would gladly get sick than seeing my Queen shivering in the cold…"
Queen Delightful went quiet and smiled at him. She bends over him and Bashful puts his black jacket over her shoulders.
"There…" he said. "Are you comfortable?"
Queen Delightful straightens up her back and looked at him, smiling. She couldn't believe how amazing he is. He's small yet he is confident and serious, He is also smart to see how she feels and gives words of wisdom to her and also, he is handsome, cool and proper. Though she doesn't see his face, she somehow felt comfortable, and trust this mysterious dater.
Indeed, The 7D had kept their word: He is Short, Smart and Handsome guy…
Then, she glanced out at the balcony. In the distance, she could see their clock tower called the Tick Tock Tower on the other side. Ticking its way to the twelve o' clock midnight…
The Queen gasped excitedly. "It's almost there…" she said.
Don Basilio glanced at her. "The what?" he asked, curiously.
Queen Delightful walked over the railings of the balcony and looked closely on the clock tower. "We only have few minute till Jollyday starts…" she said to him, excitedly.
Before Don Basilio could say anything, someone boomed the door open with a loud SLAM!
Don Basilio and the Queen looked back to see who's at the door.
Bashful felt his blood turned cold as he saw Lord Starchbottom marching inside the royal room, his clothes looked dusty and messy…
"Your majesty!" he called out to his Queen. "I believe we have an imposter in here!"
Queen Delightful looked at him surprised. "Oh, don't worry…." She said, smiling at him. "The Glooms had almost ruined the party but its okay… Don Basilio stopped them on time!"
Lord Starchy crossed his arms. "That's not what I meant, your majesty..." he clarified. "I meant THIS person here is the Imposter!" he said, pointing his finger to Don Basilio.
Bashful became speechless. Quadruple Floom… he fearfully thought.
Queen Delightful stared at Don Basilio, then turn her head on Starchbottom. "What? Him?" she said, confused.
"Yes, your Majesty!" Starchy said, assertively. "He is no other than BASHFUL who dressed himself as a Spanish noble and tricking you with his charms and wits!"
Hearing the word "tricking" force Bashful to show his daring self, "For your information, Starchbottom…" Don Basilio called out, eyes darted at him, "I would NEVER tricked the Queen as you said!"
Lord Starchbottom looked at him, his eyes wide open. Did he just call me with only my surname?! He growled in his thoughts. One of his hated gestures from someone his calling the Queen's assistant by only his surname and not with his Title itself.
He marched towards Bashful. "Oh is that so?" he said to him, his eyes flashing in rage. "Why don't I rip that mask of yours and see if you're not lying to her…"
Bashful tries to stay put and breathed deeply. "I would gladly do so…" Don Basilio replied. "If you reveal your offenses against me…"
"O…OFFENSES?!" Starchy exclaimed; his nostril is growing in fury. Lord Starchbottom stammered a word for a moment. This is unbelievable…How dare he blackmailing me! He thought to himself. He didn't expect that Bashful would be this brave and audacious, especially at this point. But he's got to talked back the truth and "saved" the Queen by his bewitching charming lies.
"Look here, Bashful!" he snarled, pointing his finger at him. "You're not who you think you are! Cuz you're not Don Basilio of Barcelona… You're a NOBODY!"
Bashful held his mouth opened, dumbfounded.
Seeing his opportunity to fight back, Lord Starchy gathered his breath and roared: "You're nothing but a worthless dwarf who would rather hide like a coward than to face your own problem! You're an EMBARASSMENT…"
Bashful's face fell blank and felt his heart skipped a beat. No… he thought, heavily I…I'm worthless…
Then, Bashful's sad face suddenly turned furious. Don Basilio clenched his teeth in anger and yelled at Starchy: "Well, you're a pathological punk who is selfish and completely unreliable. You're never fit to be her assistant because YOU'RE IMPOSSIBLE!"
Lord Starchbottom gasped in horror. "Why you, little…" Starchy growled and almost seize him by the neck.
But Queen Delightful appeared between them and pushed them aside. "ENOUGH!" she yelled at the top of her lungs.
The two went quiet as the Queen glared at them both.
"Starchbottom!" Queen Delightful glanced at him with a serious expression. "Tell me what Bashful looked like…"
Lord Starchy cleared his throat. "Well… he's all cover from head to foot with his tall green hat and sweater…"
Don Basilio doesn't like to hear anymore insults and was about to speak to the Queen.
But Queen Delightful shoot back with cold eyes, telling him not to disturb as she listen. Bashful got the feeling that she's totally furious and confused of this issue. Awkwardly, he went back to his silent mode.
"And he's fearful and a master introvert…" Lord Starchy finished.
"Master introvert?!" Bashful protested in his thought. He rather prefers to be called shy and timid, but to be called a master introvert is really insulting.
"Alright…" Queen Delightful sighed, and then she pointed at Don Basilio. "You think HE looked like Bashful?" she asked to Starchy.
Lord Starchbottom looked at Don Basilio. He's completely clean and well-polished. His golden blond hair is neatly combed back looking like a true gentleman, his white polo shirt suits him, by the way, and his shoes is all neat and tidy. Not to mention his personality is very strong and positive. Unlike the Bashful he had described…
"Well no…" Lord Starchbottom answered, slightly awkward. "But your majesty, he's…"
"You answered it yourself!" The Queen interrupted him. "Don Basilio here is NOT Bashful at all…"
Bashful sighed at his thoughts, relieved that he somehow earned the Queen's trust and saved him from epic humiliation.
Lord Starchy is about to protest some more when the Queen blocked him again. "You have no evidence to proof your accusation! So you have no right to treat him like this…" she said, crossing her arms.
Starchy glared at Bashful as he stared back at him uneasily.
"And beside…" the Queen added, "Don Basilio is much different than Bashful, actually they're exact opposite…"
Queen Delightful speak on. "Don Basilio is a textbook gentleman who is serious and confident, caring and courteous, and he's brave and bold… Unlike Bashful…"
Bashful glanced at the Queen, Wait…What is she talking about? He thought, nervously.
Lord Starchbottom was about to barge a word but Queen Delightful rose up her hand, a gesture telling him: "Stop right there and let me finish…"
Completely overwhelmed by stress, The Queen became forceful and aggressive that she's becoming unmindful of her words
"Unlike Bashful…" she repeated, "He is shy, coy and very weak-hearted. Though he does come with his friends in numerous dangerous missions, he is not as courageous as Don Basilio…"
Bashful gulped. Is that how Queen Delightful thought of him?
"Yes, my Queen…" Lord Starchy finally began. "But He is…"
"As you said earlier…" the Queen interrupted him again. "Bashful is insecure and quite insignificant… But Don Basilio is NOT!"
Bashful's chest felt tightened. Me? i…insignificant? He thought gravely to himself.
"He is unlike you, Don Basilio…" the Queen turns to him. Trying to control his emotions, Bashful abruptly turn his face on her. His eyes were getting moist.
The Queen leaned next to him and placed her hands on his shoulder. She looked him to the eyes and smiled. "You are amazing, caring, confident and fearless at the same…. You're PERFECT!"
Bashful looked at her and hold his breath. Just as he feared, The Queen is completely attracted to him that she lost her interest of the Bashful she knows.
Don Basilio is perfect… he thought to himself. Then, that means I AM NOT perfect at all…
Bashful's world came crashing before him… after all his efforts to give her a one heck of a date, and all he gets in return is …this?!
Queen Delightful noticed Don Basilio is breathing heavily. "Are you alright?" she asked.
Lord Starchy noticed this too and looked up closely at him. What's his problem? He thought.
Don Basilio looked up to his Queen, his eyes is flooding in tears. "I…I have to go…" he muttered to her as he slowly walk away from her and run away from her royal suite.
In the hallway, Happy and Grumpy are walking briskly back at the ballroom. They came back from the Palace courtyard to announce to the people that the fireworks are ready. Happy looked at his wristwatch and checked the time.
"We better hurry, Grumpy…" he said to him, "We only five minutes till midnight…"
Grumpy staggered behind as if he's foot is hurt or something. "Next time you placed that big rocket on the ground, make sure my foot isn't there..." he complained.
"Aww, come one…" Happy began, grinning at him. "You didn't complain when Bashful hit you in the eye with a crock, Did'cha?"
Grumpy groaned at him as he slightly touching his injured black eye. "Speaking of Bashful, I wonder how he's doing…" he asked, suddenly realizing.
Then, they saw a familiar figure burst out of the ballroom door, it's Bashful! He looked sweaty and breathless as he ran away from the door and rushed between Grumpy and Happy.
Grumpy grabbed him by the arm. "Bashful, what's going on?" he said to him, alerted.
Grumpy saw his face is flushing red; his teary eyes looked sad and fearful. Something terrible had happened…
Desperate to break free from his grip, Bashful pushed Grumpy away from him and dashed through the hallway.
"Bashful!" Happy called him, but he already made it to the other door and disappeared.
"STOP HIM!" a familiar voice called out from behind. "Don't let him get away…"
Happy looked back and got slammed by a huge tall person dressed in red-and-gold squire uniform. It's Lord Starchbottom! The two slammed each other by accident and both stumbled on the floor.
Starchy moaned in pain when Queen Delightful went to him. "Where is he?" she said to him, breathlessly. "He went to the stairs!" he replied to her as he pointed to the door where he last saw Bashful went out.
Queen Delightful lift up her wide flowing skirt and rush to that door. Lord Starchy stood up and was about to follow her when suddenly Grumpy and Happy hurdled in and grabbed his ankles, losing his balance and fell on the floor again.
"Let go of me!" Starchy ordered them. Grumpy glared at him, "What did you do him this time?" he said aloud. Starchy glared back, "Why don't ask your 'Spanish noble' yourself?" he said to them.
In the stairway, Bashful rushed into the long stairway, down and down he goes. Sadness, fear and anger stirring up inside of him that it made him all wild and confused: Is that how she thinks of me? He thought, as he continues to run downstairs. A worthless, insecure dwarf?! But what about those moment we spent earlier?... those talks… those laughter… that dance…How could she forget?
As he can see the bottom of the stairs, his foot slipped on the steps and came rolling and toppled down the stairs until his face hit the bottom! Bashful moaned in pain as he tries to stand up, but it's not the pain of his body that matters, it's the pain from his heart…
How could I been so stupid? He sobbed in his thoughts; tears began to stream across his cheeks. That wasn't me who's in that ballroom. It's this other self…But after all I done for her, just to give her a one heck of a date…and this is what I get? Insulting remarks aboutME?!
Before he could go to the next hallway, he noticed his mask is gone! It must've fallen lose when he fell down the stairs. He looked around and saw his mask about twelve steps away from him. He was about to climbed back when he suddenly heard a squeaky, girly voice calling him. It's Queen Delightful!
In the ballroom, the people looked out at the window and peered through the Tick Tock tower at the distant. "We only have ten seconds till midnight…" exclaimed a little boy. "Then start the countdown!" exclaimed a middle-aged dwarf. The crowd gathered around and shouted: "Jollyday starts at 10…9…8…"
"Don Basilio!" Queen Delightful called him again. "Don Basilio! Please come out…"
Bashful could see her shadow passing by the walls as it run down the stairs. Desperate to escape, Bashful run away fast as he could, leaving his mask behind.
"7…6…." the countdown of the crowd echoed throughout the castle.
When Queen Delightful reached the twelve step, she saw a wooden leaf-shaped mask lying on it. She picked it up and looked up. "Don Basilio went here…." She thought as she dashed to the bottom of the stairs and chased after him.
"5….4…" the countdown continues as Doc, Sneezy, Dopey and Sleepy are in the courtyard, lighting up their torches, excited to ignite the fuse and start the fireworks display.
"3…2…." In main hallway, Bashful dashed through the hall and saw the main door, finally he reached his exit. He grabbed the knob but looked back. Queen Delightful has already entered the hallway!
Adrenalized by fear, Bashful pushed the heavy doors in front of him.
"1….HAPPY JOLLYDAY!"
As Bashful burst out of the door, fireworks began to shoot through the night sky, exploding in different colorful sparks. Bashful wished he could stay and forget his problem by looking at these beautiful fireworks display, until he looked back and noticed Queen Delightful running towards him now.
Bashful gasped in shock and dashed outside. The air grew colder and the drawbridge is all covered in snow. Despite the cold piercing through his skin, he runs across the drawbridge and went through the village.
"Don Basilio!" Queen Delightful called him again. But as she went across the drawbridge and through the palace gate, her mysterious dater had vanished! She looked around to find him but he's nowhere to be found.
Fireworks continue to light up the dark cold sky when Lord Starchbotttom came to the Queen, who is standing still under the Palace gate. "Your majesty…" he called out, panting. "Do you find him?"
"He's gone, Starchbottom…" she said to him, blankly staring at the quiet village in front to them.
"He's gone…" she repeated softy, clutching the green wooden mask that he had left behind.
END OF CHAPTER SIX
NEXT CHAPTER: Determine to find Don Basilio again, Queen Delightful formed a search party to find the dwarf with "Hair as gold as sunshine". Will Queen Delightful find her mysterious dater once more? Or will Bashful continues is hide until everything's too late? The Search is on in Chapter seven: The Delightful Search