Chapter 50

Ray's POV

Almost a week later, Ray was focusing on paperwork, when his mother entered his office. Ray was surprised, his mother rarely came to visit him when he was busy working. She seemed cautious about entering, but approached his desk.

"Mom? What's wrong?" Ray asked, worry starting to fill him, he hoped there wasn't anything wrong with the plans for the music festival tomorrow.

"Nothing's wrong, I just….thought we could talk." She replied, sitting in the chair across from him. Ray stared skeptically at his mother, yes, they talked, but usually there was some reason to it.

"Oh? What about?"

His mother cleared her throat, and was wringing her hands together, "I was just thinking, that, since you were getting so close to the end of your Selection, that we could hold a party. To celebrate those that are left, and hopefully let you get to know your choices a little more before choosing your one."

Ray sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Mom-"

"Please, Ray? I know you need a break, and a party would be so much fun! I'm thinking costume again, but fairytale this time! It could be so good for you."

"Mom, what about security? With the rebels, I'm not so sure it's a good idea."

"Please, Ray? For me? I'll plan the whole thing! You won't have to do a thing!"

Ray stared at his mother, she was so hopeful, and she really did just want to help him. He knew she wouldn't let anything bad happen, so he sighed, and nodded. "Okay, you can plan a party. But please be careful, and don't go too overboard, no one here is extravagant."

Emily's face broke into a giant smile, and she jumped up, clapping her hands, moving around the desk to kiss her son on the cheek. "Oh, thank you Ray! You'll love it, I promise."

Ray smiled as she left, shaking his head. At least he could make her happy, she deserved it. Emily opened the office door, and Ray heard her say something to someone, before Akio walked in the office.

This was the second surprise of the day. Ray sat up, and titled his head, "Akio?"

Akio offered a weak smile, and looked to the seat across from Ray. Ray waved to the seat, and Akio sat down, a quick huff of air escaping him. Akio was avoiding eye contact, and took a moment to compose himself. Ray waited, knowing Akio wasn't a very straight-forward, confrontational person.

"Ray, I- I did some thinking, and….I've decided to follow my heart."

Ray bit his cheek, sure of where this was going, but wanting to let Akio finish.

"I really like you Ray, and I care for you; but I can't stay here and pretend that I stand a chance at winning your heart. I'm sure I know who your final three will be, and I think each of them would be wonderful for you. Ray, I can't win your heart, because mine already belongs to Spencer." Akio wiped away a stray tear, and took a breath, "He hasn't left Angeles yet, we're going to meet up, and see how things work out. If things go well, then I think I made the right choice. Even if they don't work, I can say I tried."

Akio looked to Ray, and offered a smile, "I owe it all to submitting my name to the Selection. Thank you."

Ray smiled back at Akio, "Thank you, Akio. You've definitely been an amazing friend here, and I'm glad that you're following your heart. At least one of us seems to have it figured out."

Akio chuckled, and nodded, "Well, I wouldn't say I have it figured out. I still have to explain to my family that not only am I going to be dating a guy, but that guy isn't even the prince." He rubbed the back of his neck, and sighed, "But, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it." He smiled again, "Thanks again, Ray, I hope you find your own heart."

Ray smiled softly, "Thanks, Akio, and if you ever need anything, just let me know."

Akio nodded, "Of course, same for you." With that, Akio stood, and practically danced out of the office. Ray chuckled, and looked back to his work, sighing. It could wait a few days. He shut his files, put them in his desk, and left his office, waiting for Akio to finish packing to see him off.


The next afternoon Ray, Endra, and his Selected drove down into the city where the music festival Endra had been planning would take place. There were about 20 different bands, groups, and solo acts performing throughout the afternoon and evening. Brendan had taken off early to practice with Ars Goetia, since they were one of the bands performing. Ray secretly suspected that Endra just hired them to see Lucas, possibly without a shirt on.

Already the area was crowded with groups warming up, fans asking for autographs, security wandering around, eyes peeled, and of course food vendors in trucks. Endra had really gotten down the feel of a music festival. Of course since it was winter, it was a bit cold, but nothing a jacket couldn't fix. Some girls were wearing dresses, and Ray couldn't believe how they could be any sort of comfortable.

Around 3, the first group started singing. It was a country-singing group, and Ray listened politely, even though country was far from his favorite type of music. Other people were talking, and eventually Ray was drawn into conversation with Evie. She was telling him about the latest letter she'd gotten from her family, and he was interested to hear how they were doing.

About 4, Ray went to a food truck, and was surprised to find Kara. With a cup of beer….he laughed, and said, "Kara, it's only 4."

Kara only shrugged, taking a sip, "It's 5 somewhere."

Ray shook his head, "So, is all you drink alcohol?"

Kara gasped, wiping away a fake tear, "How dare you? No, I drink water, sometimes an assorted mixture of fruit juices if I'm feeling fancy."

Ray laughed, and turned to the chef to order nachos, before turning back to Kara. "So, you excited to see Brendan perform?"

She shrugged, "I guess, I kind of already got a preview since Brendan wanted some advice on the order. I just think you'll enjoy it." She smirked, and drank more of her beer.

Ray wasn't sure why his face heated up, but he asked, "W-what do you mean by that?"

Kara laughed, "You'll see."

Ray was suddenly very worried, but the sun was starting to set, and Ars Goetia was starting to set up. Ray quickly moved to the front of the crowd, a repeat from years ago when he'd snuck out with Endra to see a concert in disguise. He still had the crown from that show that was auctioned off.

Ray saw Endra a few people down, and sure enough her eyes were trained onto Lucas. He winked at her, before moving to his spot, and Ray looked up, to find Brendan looking at him. When Brendan noticed he'd been caught, he quickly looked to his guitar, and worked on tuning it. He soon went up to the mic, and tapped it.

"Hello, Angeles City! How is everyone tonight?" He asked, grinning wide.

The answer was an unintelligible scream from the crowd, and Ray laughed as Brendan marched around the stage. He was hyping up the crowd, and announced the first song he'd be doing. As Brendan began to sing, Ray noticed it was even different from what he'd heard in the music room whenever they were there practicing. Brendan definitely had more anger in his voice on stage. It could just be the crowd, and his appearance to keep up, or maybe he really did feel this way about the crown….

Ray shook that thought from his mind, after all, Ray wasn't very fond of his father or his decisions either, he had to remember not to take it personally. After a few songs, Brendan began talking again.

"Now, I bet you all want me to sing Army Men and Dress Up Dolls, but as you know, it's blacklisted, and we're in mixed company." Brendan winked, and continued, "But I'm also a part of the Selection, and that would look bad. Instead, I'd like to give you a new song. It's well, I'm still working on it, but it's good so far I think. It's called Bitter Chocolate."

Brendan started strumming a few chords, and Ray was surprised that the other members of the band backed out, letting Brendan take it himself. As Brendan sang the words, it sank into the crowd that it was a love song. Well, a love song for a rock singer. Ray felt his face heat up, this must have been the love song Kara had mentioned, and why she said he'd enjoy it. Did Brendan really write this for him? Or at least about him? That….was so amazing.

Ray's eyes never left Brendan throughout that entire song.


Brendan Morgan, Two, Fennley

It was odd to Brendan. Here he was, a singer famed for trashing the crown and what it stood for, and now he was singing a love song about its prince. He tried not to look Ray in the eye while he sang, he might stop everything if he did. Although, Brendan did hope that Ray knew what this song meant. It was sort of a declaration, not necessarily of love, but that he was definitely falling into it.

He didn't plan on it, and he certainly didn't want to. But yet, the Little Prince had somehow broken his walls. Brendan knew he could never win the Selection, and that falling in love was hopeless, and would only end in heartbreak, but a small part of him wanted to. Brendan was rebellious, a trouble maker, a performer, a cynic, everything a prince consort shouldn't be; but he did think that Ray was worth it.

After Bitter Chocolate, Brendan sang two more songs, and closed Ars Goetia's time. He bowed, each of them did, and the applause that followed them were almost deafening, even from such a small crowd. Brendan was in a good mood; that is, until he saw Elizabeth Le Fay.

Brendan scowled, and hissed at her, "What do you want?"

Elizabeth smiled sickeningly, "Just to see how you're doing. Well, with your rebellious little attitude, I'm surprised Rayden's kept you in this long."

Brendan glared at her, "I'm doing great without you, thanks. And it doesn't matter, our relationship is none of your concern."

"Oh but it is. See, if you become happy, I'll never be happy. I'll always be your best relationship."

"You weren't a relationship. You were abusive and manipulative, and awful. Why on earth would I want you to be happy?"

"You wrote a song about me, just as you wrote one about him. But mine is, and always will be your best."

Brendan scowled at her, "Your song shows you for the villain you are, his song is actual…."

Elizabeth smiled again, and Brendan cursed himself for falling into a trap. "You can't even say you love him? Do you even know what love is? Of course you don't, you're just a lost little teenager with pretend angst."

Brendan felt his face heat up, and knew he was red, as he practically yelled at her, "Look, bitch, I don't care what you think. You broke me, and left me to pick up the pieces. Ray is my only hope at that, and I-" His voice cracked, and he felt his fists shaking. "Don't ever fuckin' talk to me again, Le Fay. You used me. I'm done."

To his horror, when Brendan turned around, Ray was actually standing at the bottom of the stage stairs. Ray's eyes were wide, and he looked confused, and a little off-put. Brendan glared at Le Fay, "You knew he'd be here."

Elizabeth only shrugged, "Have fun Brendan, I told you, your happiness is my concern."

Brendan felt ready to drop a piano on top of her head, but unfortunately, no such piano was rigged. Brendan felt Ray still staring at him, and he turned slowly. "Ray, I-"

"Brendan, I've never seen you like that…"

Brendan tried to reel in his emotions, "I, she, she gets to me."

Ray tilted his head, "Well, I figured, but why?"

Brendan let loose a shaky breath, and stepped down to Ray's level. "I, well, it's a long story. When we were dating, she was already pretty mean, and not good for anyone's emotional well being. Then, she cheated on me with an ex, and afterwards, made it seem like she was the victim in the situation. She seemed to have made it her life's goal to ruin my life. She broke my trust in a way I never thought would heal. She's the only one that makes me so unbelievably angry."

Brendan glanced at Ray, who was staring at the floor in thought. Brendan sighed, "It's okay if you want to eliminate me. I get it. Who wants a prince consort with a temper and vicious anger like that?"

Ray was shaking his head before Brendan even finished. "I'm not eliminating you, Brendan. You have every right to be mad. But uh, if you were to win, maybe that anger would just never be caught on camera." He gave a sympathetic smile, and Brendan stared in amazement.

"Wait, you're seriously not eliminating me?"

Ray shook his head, "Not after you wrote that song about me…" Ray's face was pink, and Brendan would have laughed if it wasn't so serious a moment.

Ray took Brendan's hand, and somehow it felt like Brendan had revealed an important part of him to Ray. Ray knew about his ex, and how vicious Brendan could get, and he still wasn't scared. Maybe…..just maybe, Brendan's trust, his love, could heal with Ray.


The music festival went all night, and Ray spent time with Brendan, Kara, Evie, and Jed. Endra was off with Lucas somewhere, no doubt. The two had hit it off extremely well. Brendan laughed with Kara, who was making fun of drunk girls, even though she herself was a drunk girl. Brendan made sure she didn't go too overboard, and when everyone went back to the palace, he helped her up the front steps, then gave her to one of her maids. Brendan guessed her maids knew she'd have been drinking, and waited for her to get back so nothing would happen to her.

Brendan looked around for Ray, and noticed he was reading something on a small piece of paper. He was scowling at it, and Brendan approached carefully. "Ray? What's that?"

Ray's eyes snapped up, and he crumpled the paper before Brendan could see what was written on it. "Nothing." Brendan highly doubted it, but he didn't want to offend Ray by taking the paper anyway.

Ray thought a moment, then said, "Wanna help me with something? I could use some more eyes and ears around the palace. I feel like something's going to go down, and I'll need all the help I can get."

Brendan was wary, if this was about the rebels, Brendan admittadly was unsettled by them, but more angry that they were so violent about the crown, he would never condone the murder, or damage of someone, no matter how much you hated them (Yes, he hated Elizabeth Le Fay, but he personally would never hurt her). He remembered though, how Ray had shown him support, and nodded.

"Yeah, what do you need?" Brendan asked. If Ray wanted his help, he'd gladly help.


Heyyyyyy everyone! Soooooo another elimination, but I think this one is a bitter-sweet one. It's so nice to be able to send Akio off with Spencer. And another ball coming up! Oooh, thanks Mama Schreave! THE MUSIC FESTIVAL IS HERE! Yay! We get to see Endra oggling Lucas, Ray oggling Brendan, and Brendan snapping at his awful ex. I'm so excited for the next chapter. It'll be soooo much fun *eyes* plz don't sue me after, I promise, it's all for the best. Anyways, only 3 chapters and an epilogue left! We're getting so close *tear tear* My baby is almost grown. But soon I'll have the sequel! Lord knows I can't stay away from writing for two seconds smh.

Oh well, see you in the next chapter~