"For a few days after, the King's son caused it to be proclaimed by sound of trumpet, that he would marry her whose foot this Slipper would just fit."
Charles Perrault (Author of Cinderella, 1729)
CHAPTER SEVEN: THE DELIGHTFUL SEARCH
The next day, the morning sun had rise at last and the people of Jollywood woken up to welcome the first morning day of Jollyday.
People gathered around the snowy park and put up their 30-foot Jollytree and decorate it with colorful Jollyday balls and different Jollyday ornaments. And also, a red-and-white striped hat tucked on the top of the tree as a symbol of their happy, quirky holiday.
Even the milk lady had prepared her most famous sweet hot-milk of her jolliest cow in her barn. There, she squired that pure sweet drink on to their mugs and handed to the people who were excited to drink her milk which can only serve during Jollyday.
The Jollywoodian people were enjoying the holiday very much, except something is different: The guest of honor is not here.
Every Jollyday, Queen Delightful is always the first one to be here. She would've been the one who would open up the lights of the Jollyday tree. She would've been the first one to sip the milk lady's finest milk drink in her cup. But this time, she didn't come to the party. She didn't come for the Jollytree or the hot-milk drinks.
The celebration seems to be incomplete without her.
Inside her palace, Queen Delightful is in her throne hall, watching over her happy people at her tall glass window. She barely sleeps that night, wondering what had happened to Don Basilio of Barcelona after he ran off from the ball.
Queen Delightful moved away from the window and pacing around the hall. Thoughts began to flow in her mind: What just happened that night? I didn't say anything terrible at him, why would he run off just like that? I hope he's alright…
Feeling worn out, she went to her throne, sat down and relax her back. She lifts up her head and looked at the empty ceiling. Where are you, my prince? She thought, frowning.
Then, she heard a yip entering her throne hall. She moved her head down and saw Sir Yipsalot running towards her with something carrying in his mouth.
The dog jumped on her lap. "Sir Yipsalot!" she exclaimed, as she carried him on her arms. "What do you have there?" she asked him, staring at its mouth.
Sir Yipsalot dropped the thing on her lap. Queen Delightful looked closely at it. It's the Leafy-green mask that Don Basilio had left behind. The Queen suddenly remembered that she found this on the stairs while chasing after Don Basilio. The time when Jollyday had came…
Sir Yipsalot looked at his owner curiously as she picked up the mask on her lap and stroked it gently on her fingers. The dog yips and the Queen turn her head at him.
"Yeah…" she answered him, smiling weakly. "I miss him too…"
"Yip, yip!" the dog barks again.
The Queen frowns at him. "I know… but can I do?"
Sir Yipsalot yips again. "Go find him?!" the Queen clarifies, surprised "But how can I find him? Like how can be sure he's still here at Jollywood?"
Sir Yipsalot yips some more, and took ten second for him to finished.
Queen delightful smiled at him. "You're right!" she said, positive. "Perhaps the magic mirror will help me find him…"
Then, she placed the mask in her pocket and carried Sir Yipsalot on her arms and went to the hall of her magic mirror.
In the cottage of the 7D, Bashful woke up with a terrible flu.
He's been running and hiding around the village last night. Hoping not to be seen by anyone, not even by the Queen, especially that his face is all expose.
But the air grew even colder that night and it began to snow. Bashful was in his white polo shirt and not with his coat. The chill in the air was unbearable. But by goodness sake, he was able to reach his home where the other 6D were waiting for him.
It's a good thing the 6D was able to ask permission to leave the ball right after Bashful ran away from the palace. They headed straight back to their cottage right before Bashful came in.
The next day, Happy and Dopey were preparing breakfast for their sick friend while Doc, Grumpy, Sneezy and Sleepy went upstairs to keep Bashful company.
Happy made a nice healthy meal: a bowl of fruit-flavored oatmeal, three orange marmalade toasts and a mug of relaxing green tea.
Then, he told Dopey to kindly fetch the newspaper outside the doorstep. "The newspaper guy must've delivered it by now…" he added.
As Happy placed everything on the tray, Dopey opened the door and grabbed the newspaper. He took a peek on the front page and popped his eyes wide in surprise.
He rushed to Happy and showed him the paper. Happy grinned widely as he read the headlines. "Ooooooh… Bashful's gonna love this!" he said to him, smiling slyly.
Dopey carries the newspaper while Happy carries the tray of Bashful's breakfast and went to the stairs.
In their bedroom or perhaps their Bed hall (because their bedroom is as size of a clock tower hall!), Bashful lay quietly on his bed with a thermometer tucked in his mouth. His head is getting groggy; his nose is running a cold and his body felt extremely warm. Bashful felt physical weak and miserable.
And he's back on his usual get-up: a green striped sweater and gray pants. And he's finally wearing his tall green striped hat which was given back to him by Grumpy last night.
Doc sat beside him, writing something on his clipboard. Sleepy went to him, "Is he going to be well?" he asked, concerned. Doc picked out the thermometer from his mouth and checked it, "Well, his temperature had reached to 38 degrees… So mind as well stay in bed, take some medicines and get some rest…"
"Yeah… it's been a long night for him…" Grumpy agreed, standing beside at the bottom side of the bed. His black eye is all patched up with a medical bandage.
Grumpy and the others had no idea of what had happened last night. Bashful stayed quiet ever since he arrived home. He refused to tell the tale to everyone. Grumpy understands why Bashful is behaving like this, and it's nothing be grumpy about. After all, it wasn't Bashful's fault the reason why he ran away from the ball last night…
"So…" Sneezy began who is sitting on his chair near Bashful's bed, "How does feel to be back to your old self again?"
Bashful looked at him with his sick watery eyes. "Well…" he sighed, "Glad I'm back again…"
Back to my old IMPERFECT self…he added in his thought, still recalling the hurtful words he heard that night.
"But, you know…" Doc began, sitting back on his chair at the other side of Bashful's bed. "You did a great job on dating the Queen. You really set things right…"
"You're really impressive…" Grumpy said to Bashful, smiling slyly.
Bashful kept quiet and stared blankly at him.
"You charmed the Queen right from the start… You danced with her like a pro… and you even save her from the Glooms… all in ONE night!" he praised him, trying to make him feel better.
Bashful let out a sneeze and moaned with a headache. "Whoa, Bash…That's a one big sneeze!" Sneezy said to him, concerned.
Grumpy rolled his eyes on Sneezy. "You think?" he said to him. Looks who's talking with sneezes bigger than his… he thought, ironically.
Before the conversation continues, Happy entered the room carrying Bashful's breakfast. "Breakfast time!" he declared to Bashful with a smile.
He laid the tray on his lap and serve him is meal. "Thanks, Happy…" Bashful thanked him with a sniffle. Happy noticed his face flushing red due to his fever and he's sweating severely.
"Whoa, Bashful… you sure don't look so good…" he said, smiling.
Aww… Not you too… Grumpy thought, rolling his eyes in irony. Can't these guys get any common sense?
"But don't you worry, Bashful…" Happy continued, "Cuz Dopey's got a surprise for you…"
Dopey entered the room and rushed beside Bashful's bed. He took out the newspaper and flashed it in front of him.
The front page read as:
"THE LITTLE PRINCE: SPANISH NOBLE DATES QUEEN DELIGHTFUL"
Back at the palace, Queen Delightful, with Sir Yipsalot in her arms, is walking through the corridors with Lord Starchbottom at her side. "You're majesty please you have to believe me…" he pleaded. "Bashful and Don Basilio are one and the same!"
Queen Delightful looked out straight. "I had enough of your stories, Starchbottom…" she said to him. "I need answers, not gossips!"
Sir Yipsalot barked to him in disapproval.
Lord Starchbottom stared at her and then he looked around. "Where are we going anyway?" he asked, wondering.
"I'm going to ask the Magic Mirror where Don Basilio is…" she answered him.
Lord Starchy felt relieved. The Magic mirror is an enchanted item that knows everything and anything that can happen. Ask any question and it will immediately give you the right answer. If the Queen asks where Don Basilio is, the mirror will surely tell her where he can be and Bashful will be foiled big time.
A minute passed and they finally reached their destination, the Hall of the Magic mirror.
Starchbottom opened the doors for her and the Queen went inside. In the Hall, symbolic flags hang around the walls and on the ceiling, and on the middle of a wall hangs a golden-framed, portrait-size mirror. The Queen motioned in front to the mirror and chant:
"Mirror, mirror on the wall… Have you seen Don Basilio at all?"
By its magic, the Queen's reflection disappeared and was replaced by an image of a floating Golden face. It looked back at her and smiled.
"Forgive me, my Queen…" she began, "I cannot give you the answer you seek but I do know this: Don Basilio of Barcelona is somewhere around Jollywood… and he hasn't left at all…"
Queen Delightful's face lit up. "Then please tell me where he is…" she said, impatiently.
The golden face looked up again. "Whoa, easy there, your highness…" she said to her. The mirror has her own way of speaking casually.
"Why do you want to see him all of a sudden?" the mirror asked the Queen.
"Well, I…" Queen Delightful paused, blushing. She puts Sir Yipsalot down on the floor and pulled the Leafy-green mask out of her pocket and stared at it.
"It's just that…" she stammered, still looking at the mask. Her face became even redder. "I just want to apologize to him!"
"Apologize?" the mirror said, doubtfully.
Lord Starchy and Sir Yipsalot also looked at the Queen, confused.
"Yes...It must've been a terrible night for him because of the stress I got myself into…" Queen Delightful explained.
"I understand…" the mirror said to her. "But like I said earlier: I cannot tell you where he is…"
"But why?" the Queen frowned.
"Yeah, why?" Lord Starchy stepped in, also frowning.
Sir Yipsalot yips in total surprised.
"Well folks, it's like this…" the mirror began, "Don Basilio of Barcelona is a man full of mysteries that I find it hard to define. All I know is that his physical self is around here, somewhere at Jollywood… but his presence is no longer exist.
Queen Delightful doesn't seem to understand. What does she mean she can only sense him but not his existence?
"Tell you what…" the mirror added. "Why do you round up a search party…"
"Oh, but I can't…" The Queen said, "I don't have time to throw parties… we just had a big Jollyday party last night and…"
Lord Starchbottom cleared his throat, "No, your highness…" he said to her. "She meant we need to make a search group to find Don Basilio…"
"Ooooh…." Queen Delightful sighed, naively.
Then, Lord Starchy motioned to the mirror. "And how exactly do we find Don Basilio?"
"You don't…" the mirror said to him. "But the Queen does…"
"Me?" Queen Delightful asked surprised.
"Tell me…" the mirror looked at her. "What does Don Basilio looks like?"
"Well…" Queen Delightful began; her eyes stared dreamily on the Leafy-green mask. "His eyes were dark as the beautiful night sky… His cheeks were as fair as the light-brown sand… and his hair as gold as sunshine...and…"
"That's it!" the mirror exclaimed.
Queen Delightful snapped out of her daydream and looked at the mirror. "What's it?"
"What you said…" the mirror replied.
"He's got eyes of a beautiful night…" the Queen recalls.
"No, the other one…"
"Cheeks as fair as…"
"No, the last one…"
"Hair as gold as sunshine…"
"That's the one, honey…" the mirror corrected her.
Queen Delightful looked at Starchy, confused. Impatient, Lord Starchy moved closer to the mirror. "So what does the 'hair as gold as sunshine' got to do with searching him?" he demanded.
The mirror glared at him. "Now, don't rush me, Starchy…" she said to him.
"Here's what you're gonna do: Declare an operation dwarf-search. Gather all the golden-haired dwarves around the village and with the use of that green mask, you will able to find him…"
Queen Delightful went closer to the mirror. "That's a fantastic idea, Magic mirror…" she praised her. "But how can I find Don Basilio with all the golden-haired dwarves around Jollywood?"
"Yeah…" Strachbottom began and looked at the mirror. "There are so many golden-haired guys in this area, how can we positively find Don Basilio with this mask?"
Sir Yipsalot barked in confusion.
The mirror stared at the Queen again. "You're right…" she began, "They are many dwarves with hair as gold as sunshine but not every one of these people has the same masked face as Don Basilio does…"
Queen Delightful thoughts began to clear up. Of course, she thought, everyone has golden hairs but when it comes to facial features, not everyone has the same masked face… unless Don Basilio is one of them.
Lord Starchy lit up. "Yes, of course!" he exclaimed, "That mask will tell the difference… When we let them try it on, we can tell if it's him or not…"
Sir Yipsalot yips in excitement.
Queen Delightful, feeling hopefully, straighten up her back and cleared her throat. "Then, it settled…" she began, confidently. "We will form a search group and find the dwarf with 'hair as gold as sunshine'."
"That's the spirit!" the mirror praised her confidence.
The Queen turns her head on her. "Thank you, Magic mirror…" she said to her.
"All for my Queen's necessities…" the mirror replied to her.
Queen Delightful stopped and looked up. Don Basilio used to say that to her back at the ballroom, and she's going to find him.
She picked up her dog and carried him with her. "Come on, Sir Yipsalot, Let's go find Don Basilio…" she said to her dog.
As she walked out of the hall, Lord Starchbottom saw his opportunity to ask more questions to the mirror. Somehow, he has a feeling that this enchanted mirror knows something that the Queen doesn't. He went near the mirror again. "Psst… Hey Magic Mirror…" he whispered to her.
"Yes, Starchbottom…" the mirror said at him.
"You do really know who is Don Basilio of Barcelona, right?" Starchy muttered to it.
"Of course I do…" she muttered softly to him.
Lord Starchbottom jerked up his head in shock. "THEN, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL HER?!" he cried at the top of his lungs.
"Shush, Starchy…" the mirror warned him. "The Queen might hear you…"
"I hope she does…" Starchy growled. "You knew who is this Don Basilio all along… Why didn't you tell her from the start?!"
"Because of two things…" the mirror began, "One: the Queen asked WHERE she can find Don Basilio… she didn't ask WHO he is… and Two: You're selfish and completely unreliable…"
Starchy held his breath, Don Basilio, or perhaps Bashful, had said that to him last night at the Queen's royal suite.
This Magic mirror really does know everything, as seen E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.
Starchbottom glared at the mirror and pointed his finger at her. "Don't you dare say that again…" he warned her.
"Oh, you mean selfish and unreliable?" the mirror asked, teasing him.
"I said don't say that!" Starchy growled.
"Sel-fi-sh…" the mirror said, mockingly.
"I said stop it…" Starchy said to her, his face his burning red.
"Un-re-li-a-ble…" the mirror said, smiling slyly.
"I SAID STOP THAT!" boomed Starchy, shaking his fists in the air.
The Magic mirror giggled. "Oh, Starchy…" the mirror said to him. "You really are a hot-head…"
Starchbottom grunted. "I don't see anything funny here…" he muttered angrily. "And besides, what does being "selfish and unreliable" got to do with Bashful?"
The mirror looked up. Her golden face motioned at him. "Because…" she started, "You're selfish enough to let jealously rule over you and try ruining Bashful…"
Starchy hung his jaw in disbelief. "J…Jealous?!" he stammered, "I am not jealous of…"
"And secondly…" the mirror interrupted him, "I cannot rely on you with this information because I know you will use this to expose his secret…"
"But I have to… this is the reason why I'm doing this. No one should lie to the Queen! Not even the 7D…" Strachbottom explained, "And it's clear that Bashful had broken his promise to the Queen on trust and honesty…"
The mirror frowned at him. "What you don't know about Bashful is that he done that for the Queen, and NOT for himself…"
Starchy looked away at her, puzzled.
The mirror sighed and explains: "You see, Starchbottom, Bashful has feelings for the Queen. But he's too shy to tell it to her. When his friends found out that Queen Delightful needs a dance partner, they saw this as an opportunity for Bashful to show his true feelings for her."
Starchy looked back at her. So it was his friends who forced him on that date… He thought, and what does she mean by 'to show his true feelings for her…'?"
The mirror continues: "It's true that he lied to her by simply being a guy of his opposite personality but you have no idea how hard it is for him to act out being someone else, it takes a lot of pressure…"
Lord Starchbottom crossed his arms and looked away.
The mirror cleared her throat and continued: "But you know what: even if he has difficulty of acting somebody else. He actually enjoyed the outcome…"
"He enjoyed LYING to the Queen?" Starchy shoots back.
The mirror ignored him: "This is the very first time Bashful had actually enjoyed a real party. He never had this experience ever since he was born. And what made his day is when he came dancing with the woman he likes…"
Lord Starchy blinked, Likes… he thought, Bashful…LIKES her?!
The mirror added: "For him, that is the most beautiful and amazing night of his whole life… Until you came in and ruined it…"
Lord Starchy jolted in surprise. "What?" he protested, "You're blaming this to me?! It's his fault that he let his friends helped him pretended to be charming and gorgeous and all…"
"Perhaps…" the mirror replied, "but because of your jealousy, you try to ruin his once-in-a-lifetime moment, his only chance to make close friendship to the Queen"
"Wait a sec… Are you saying that I should let Bashful date the Queen while he's making a lie out of it?" Lord Starchy asked, rather confused.
"No…" the mirror replied, "what I'm saying is don't be so jealous of him and just let him enjoy this, just this lil' bit once…"
"I told you I'm not jealous!" he finally said to her. "And I can't let that liar date away with the Queen. I'm just trying to protect her…."
The mirror looked at him with her eyebrow arched up. "Protecting her or pulling her away from him…"
Starchbottom groaned in annoyance. He couldn't take it any longer. "You know what?" he said to her, frowning. "Though you're named as 'The Magic mirror', you don't seem to be so magical to me…"
The mirror blankly stared at him.
Lord Starchbootom continues: "I can't believe I'm wasting time with this thing… I thought you're gonna help but instead I got insults rather than advices… Well, thanks for your 'help' anyway, I truly appreciate it…" he thanked her sarcastically.
The mirror shook her face in dismay. "Bashful was right about you: You are selfish…"
Without a word, Lord Starchbottom glared at her and began to walk away.
"Don't do anything stupid…" the magic mirror said to him, "Cuz if you do, misfortune will surely befall you… and you can only help yourself if you stop being so selfish and go save him…"
Lord Starchy is already at the door. He glanced back at the mirror. "Sure…" he mocked, rolling his eyes. "Like I'll keep that in mind…"
Then he closed the doors behind him, leaving the Magic mirror alone in her hall.
Back at the cottage, the 5D were browsing the today's newspaper, and they couldn't believe how Bashful became famous so instantly. The articles are overflowing with news about Don Basilio dating the Queen. The headlines read as follows:
"DON FOR A DATE: Queen accepts dance proposal from Spanish Noble Don Basilio"
"BARCELONA DWARF: Who is this Don Basilio of Barcelona?"
"BASI-LIGHTFUL: Jollywood's Royal couple"
"KNIGHT IN SHINNING ARMOR: Don Basilio saves Jollyball from Glooms"
There are even photographs of him doing his speech, him dancing with Queen Delightful, him drinking wines with the Queen, him talking with the Queen and even his walkout after his sudden wild behavior with the Queen.
Grumpy held the paper while Sneezy, Dopey, Sleepy and Doc peeped onto it. "Wow…" Sneezy breathed, impressed. "You're all over the news, Bashful…"
Grumpy chuckled, "They even gave you a couple's name: Basi-lightful…" he said to Bashful.
Two names of the most famous people in the Jollyday ball, fused together to form a pairing love team: BASI from Don Basilio and LIGHTFUL from Queen Delightful. And together, they formed "BASI-LIGHTFUL" the newest royal couple as the newspaper declared.
Sleepy looked at the paper, "Wow, Bashful… you're a celebrity now…" he said calmly to him.
Bashful try not to pay any attention to this. He may had enjoyed that night but not the whole night itself. What happened back in that royal room is totally frustrating, and he would rather forget those things.
Disturbed of what happened last night, Bashful tries to hide his emotions by gobbling down his oatmeal like a pig. Happy is standing beside his bed, gladly watching him gorging down the oatmeal with every scope and gulping down his tea, drops of green tea sips throughout his lips as he drinks it.
"Glad He's enjoying it…" Happy thought to himself, contented.
As Bashful greedily eat up his breakfast, the 5D read the articles on the newspaper.
"Mysterious Spanish aristocrat entered the Ballroom and declared himself as Don Basilio of Barcelona, a successful wine master and noble dwarf based on his opening speech last night…" Doc read the article.
"It's the Queen herself who invited this Spanish noble but does not know nor had any contact with him according to the Queen's on-the-spot interview last night…" Sneezy continues reading it.
"It is still unknown who is this Barcelonan noble who refuses to take off his wooden green mask during the masquerade ball but rumors says that this noble dwarf can be a half-British due to his golden-blond hair and clear matured accent…" Grumpy read the other article.
"From Spanish boy to British boy… HEH! Rumors…" he laughed.
Bashful ignored him and took a bite on his toast.
Sleepy stared down to another article. "Hey, look at this…" he said to them, pointing on the other page.
THE RUNAWAY: Exclusive reports of Don Basilio of Barcelona running from the castle as Jollyday countdown commenced.
Witnesses saw that the little aristocrat had entered Queen Delightful's royal suite before her assistant, Lord Starchbottom entered. His clothes looked old and grimy.
"Dopey…" Grumpy called him, suddenly realizing it. "Where exactly you put Starchy when he was unconscious?"
Dopey whistled and whistled more.
Grumpy shrugged. "You put him in the broom closet…" he translated. He suddenly remembered that the nearest broom closet was inside the hallway where Hildy blocked them when they were escaping.
Dopey whistled some more and smiled nervously.
"And you forgot to locked it?!" Grumpy said aloud, his eyes grew wide.
Dopey frowned and whistled and began waving in his arms in the air.
"For the love of cheese…" Grumpy sighed miserably, "Make sure you locked that door shut before you panic!" he scolded him.
Dopey got all freaked out because of the sudden appearance of the Glooms last night that he kept Lord Starchbottom in the broom closet and left it unlocked.
Dopey just smiled nervously at Grumpy.
Grumpy groaned as Doc reads the article:
When the royal assistant went inside her majesty's room, Witnesses heard screaming and shouting inside of it. The next thing they saw is that the Spanish noble Don Basilio of Barcelona came running out to the room with tears in his eyes.
Bashful felt uncomfortable as Doc continues reading the article.
The Official photographer for the Ball had captured an exclusive snapshot of Don Basilio escaping the ballroom with Lord Starchbottom and the Queen chasing after him.
Below this paragraph, a rare photograph of Bashful running away from the door was printed on it. But the photo only captured Bashful at his back view position, and so does Lord Starchy and the Queen.
According to Lord Starchbottom, the Spanish noble ran away during the Jollyday countdown and disappeared into the village at exactly midnight. "It happened so quickly! We have no idea about his whereabouts, but the palace will not tolerate such misbehavior" he said in an interview.
That nerve of that guy... Grumpy snarled in his thoughts. Recalling the moments where Lord Starchy tries to remove Bashful's mask and the part where he was gaining on Bashful during his escape. That man is so selfish and envy of him that he'll do everything to ruin Bashful.
Don Basilio of Barcelona may have violated the protocol about leaving the castle without her permission. But the Queen has no comment about this event. Her assistant also explained that it is her majesty herself to decide if she will find him or let him go. "I leave that decision to the Queen herself who refused to take any interviews at this hour." He said.
"I violated the laws?" Bashful said timidly after hearing the articles. His oatmeal bowl is already empty and so does his toasted breads.
Surprised, the 5D glanced back at him.
Happy went to him and patted his back. "Awww… Of course not, Bash…" Happy said sweetly, trying to comfort him. "You just violate the code of behavior, not the laws itself…"
Bashful felt even more miserable. His headache returns and moaned in pain.
Grumpy punched Happy by the arm. He reacted to the pain and giggled. "That wasn't any help, Happy…" Grumpy said, glaring at his slightly lunatic friend.
Doc approaches Bashful. "Don't feel bad, Bashful…" he started, "I bet this issue will die out soon, I guarantee it…"
Bashful looked at him with his sad sickly eyes. He doesn't worry about the issue; he's worried about the Queen upsetting her.
What am I thinking? He thought, disappointed. Why am I so worried about her? Queen Delightful worries more about Don Basilio rather than ME… Like the Queen said, I'm nothing to her…
Frustrated, he lift up his mug and drunk the half of his green tea.
Silence came in for a moment when Happy appeared next to Bashful. "Y'know…" he began, changing the subject. "There's something I don't quite understand…"
Grumpy rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me…" he grunted ironically.
Happy ignored him. "What are you doing with Queen Delightful last night?" he asked Bashful.
Completely shocked, Bashful spitted out the green tea like a fountain.
Everyone's eyes on Bashful in curious.
"W-what do you mean…" Bashful stammered at Happy as he wiped of the tea out of his lips.
"That article said you came out at her royal suite," he explained. "Did something happen with the two of you?" Happy smirked to him.
"Oooooh…" Sneezy, Sleepy and Doc said and smiled slyly next to him.
Bashful's face began to turn red not because of the fever but because of embarrassment.
"N-no…" Bashful answered timidly, crumpling the blanket on his bed. "Nothing happened… Nothing at all…"
Sneezy went beside his bed. "You're not a good liar, Bashful…" he said to him. "Come on, tell us…"
"Yeah, tell us…" Happy exclaimed, excitedly.
"Come on, spit it out…" Grumpy said, smirking.
"Tell it, Bashful…" Sleepy calmly said.
Dopey whistled in excitement.
"We promised we won't tell to anyone…" Doc promised.
But still, Bashful looked down and kept quiet. Somehow, he doesn't like to tell what actually happened in there. For that was the most awful part of the night, being insulted by the girl you like.
Happy rubbed his chin, wondering. "Oh, I got it!" he exclaimed. Then, he puts his hands on his sides and smirked at Bashful, "You two smooched, did you?"
Bashful jolted on his bed. "We've what?!" he cried out, dumbfounded.
"Of course…" Doc stepped in, suddenly realized. "No wonder Queen Delightful took him in her room, she wants to make the kiss privately…"
"N-no, no… it's not that…" Bashful stammered fearfully. His face is getting even redder.
"Ooooh… he's blushing! Something did happen to them!" Happy said with a smile.
"Ooooh…So you DO kiss each other…" Grumpy teased.
Bashful wished he could be in someplace else. This isn't happening… he pleaded on his thoughts, I can't believe they're saying this to me…
Dopey whistled a "wit-wew" and grinned.
"Whoa! Way a go, Bashful!" Sneezy praised him.
"Bashful, we're never been so proud of you…" Doc said to him, rather impressed.
Bashful couldn't believe his ears. He's already worn out with a fever and now they're sabotaging him into a controversy. Can't a guy get a break?
"So what does it feels like?" Happy jumped near his bed.
"What does she said when she kissed you?" Doc asked Bashful
"Did she kiss you in the lips?" Sneezy asked, leaning closer at him.
"What does her kiss taste like?" Sleepy asked, curiously.
Bashful sunk into his bed, completely confused and overwhelmed. He would really want to explain the REAL story to them. But the pain that he had received last night is too strong that he can't find the strength to tell them.
Before the conversation gets worst, a familiar sound of bells filled the air.
Doc gasped, "It's the Bing-bong bell!"
"The Queen needs us!" Sneezy borrowed Bashful's line.
"You guys go ahead, I'll stay here…" Bashful quickly said, relieved to end their conversation.
The 6D glanced at him. "Saved by the Bing-bong bell…" Happy muttered with a grin.
"We're not done with you yet, Bash…" Grumpy smirked at him.
"Yeah, you owe us an explanation…" Sleepy said to him, smiling.
Bashful gulped. His fellow dwarves smiled at him as if they're planning something sinister at him.
"Just remember to take your meds and get some rest…" Doc reminded him.
"Sure…" Bashful said timidly.
Doc pulled a lever near his bed and a big trap door lifted up from their bedroom floor. Seven holes big enough to fit them, this leads to their underground mine, land on their mine train and go straight to the Palace where their Queen awaits.
"To the Castle!" Doc exclaimed to them.
"HEIGH-HOOO!" the 6D cheered as they jumped into the holes and went to their mine train underground, except for one hole which is meant for Bashful who needs to stay in bed.
Bashful watched them jumped into the holes and closed the trap door behind them. Again, Bashful is left all alone.
"That's more like it…" Bashful sighed to himself.
"Glad that's over…" he said to himself as he picked up his mug from the tray, "Can't believe those guys were talking about me kissing her… Even Sleepy asked what does her kiss tasted like… Gross!"
As Bashful finished his drink, he looked out at the window. Snow falls gently from the cloudy morning sky. From the distant, he can see the castle of his crush, or at least, his ex-crush.
Bashful couldn't imagine why Queen Delightful would say something so awful. That night, he did everything he could to give her a wonderful date. He put down his real self just to pretend to be the guy the Queen always wanted, and all he gets in return was terrible insults about him.
It's clear that Don Basilio had caught the Queen's heart, which means Bashful himself is meaningless to her.
But the problem is: There's no such person as Don Basilio of Barcelona. How will the Queen react if she finds out that this insignificant dwarf is actually Don Basilio all along?
Bashful sighed by the thought and stared at his empty cup.
I wonder why the Queen needs them now… He thought, sitting on his bed and stared back at the window, watching as the snow falls from the sky.
As the 6D speeded their way with their three-carted mine train, they noticed a long line of golden haired dwarf men standing at the very entrance of the Palace. The line seemed to be coming from the castle and out of its gate.
"Excuse me… Coming through!" yelled Doc at the crowd as their mine train entered the palace door.
In the matter of seconds, the mine train burst into the throne hall and almost hit Lord Starchbottom who was standing behind the door, scribbling something on his long paper scroll.
Queen Delightful is sitting on her throne when the 6D stopped their mine train in front and hopped out of it. "THE 6D, REPORTING FOR DUTY!" the 6D greeted their majesty.
Lord Starchy rolled the paper in his hand and went to them, "Wait…the 6D?" he said, surprise to see that the other one is missing, again. "Where's Bashful?"
"He's not with us… he's a little busy right now." Sneezy explained. Sneezy, unlike Grumpy, had no idea about Starchy's involvement in Bashful's case, but to be at the safe side, he tries not to mention any clues that would lead anyone to Bashful's cover-up last night.
"How busy was he…?" Lord Starchy said to Sneezy who is feeling a little uneasy as Starchy frowns at him.
Grumpy appeared between them. "Why would you like to know?" he snarled at Starchy.
Lord Starchbottom and Grumpy stared to each other with cold eyes when Queen Delightful interrupted them from behind. "This is no time to do staring contest…" she called out to them.
The Queen stood out from her throne and went to the 6D. "Thank you for coming for my aid, 6D… " She said to them. "I need your help…"
"What seemed to be the problem, your majesty?" Happy asked kindly.
"You all know what happened last night…" she started, the 6D exchanges looks. Is this something to do Bashful again?
"Unexpectedly, Don Basilio of Barcelona went away that night" she continued, "And during his flee, I found this laying on the stairway…" she pulled out the green wooden mask from her sleeves and showed it to them.
The 6D looked at the mask, and then looked at each other again. Uh-oh…
"And I just remembered…" she went on. "It is YOU who recommended him to me, and so I ask you all: Have you seen him?"
It took a few seconds before the 6D could answer. Lord Starchbottom frowned at them, his stare is like saying: "Come on, tell her the truth…"
Grumpy stepped in. "F-forgive us, your majesty…" he began, "But right after he ran away, he refuse to tell his location AROUND HERE and didn't come back to us…"
Hearing the words "around here" made Queen Delightful gasped. Just like the Magic mirror said to her: She can only feel his physical self but not his presence…
His Location is unknown… she thought, but his existent is still AROUNDHERE…Of course, his location is around here in Jollywood but he doesn't tell where exactly… Not a moment to lose…I must find him!
Lord Starchbottom stepped in, furious. "No! That's a lie…" he said out loud.
Grumpy glanced at him. "It's the truth! Believe it!" he said to Starchy.
"I will not allow anymore lies, mister…" Starchy yelled at Grumpy, pointing his finger at him. "Tell us where he is now!"
"Stop being a hero and just SHUT UP!" Grumpy yelled at him, his temper is growing hot.
"Enough! The Two of you…" Queen Delightful scolded and moved between them.
Grumpy and Lord Starchbottom stopped are a moment. "This is no time to argue…" she said to them, she grabbed the rolled paper in Starchy's hand and gave it to Doc. "Doc, here's the names of all the golden-haired dwarf people in Jollywood… you're coming with me as I put this mask on them to determine who is Don Basilio…"
Doc grabbed the paper and unrolled it. He removed his glasses and scanned the paper closely. "And how exactly we will know if Bash- I mean Don Basilio is among them?" he asked the Queen.
"Yeah, almost all dwarves in Jollywood had golden hairs…" Sneezy added.
Dopey agreed with him with a whistle.
Queen Delightful looked at them. "That's true…" she began, "Everyone had golden hairs, but not everyone has the same masked face as Don Basilio does…"
The 6D looked at each other, what happened if the Queen learns that Bashful is the guy she's looking for?
"Come, everyone…" the Queen calls her search party, including Lord Starchy. "This is going to be a very busy day… So let's get our hands on!"
Then, they all follow Queen Delightful as she went down the stairs and to the main door.
"Let the search begin!" Queen Delightful declared confidently as she opened the door to reveal a distant long line of golden haired dwarf men, perhaps in a population of a hundred times more.
The 6D and Lord Starchbottom dropped their jaws in shock. I wished I stayed at home… Grumpy thought, who always has a very short patience.
The 6D wonders how long they will suffer this search thing if they really know where the REAL Don Basilio is.
END OF CHAPTER SEVEN
NEXT CHAPTER: Due to his sickness, Bashful thought he'll be safe here at his home. But he was wrong… Will the 6D able to keep Bashful from Lord Starchbottom? Or will Starchy find a way to uncovered the truth? Everything will unfold in Chapter eight: Dwarf-napped
