The following day in Parro, the king and queen were helping the twins with making a building out of sticks. Right as they were on the verge of finishing their masterpiece, the palace doors slammed open and sent their sticks flying all over the place. THey looked up to see Naris and Astrias entering the room. "My liege, we have found the solution to the problem with your daughter."
Naris unfurled a scroll that continued for a great distance. Everyone listened as Astrias bowed to the royal family before standing up straight and Naris began to read, "If the princess has not chosen a husband by the appointed time, the king will choose for her."
"But Sayori hated all those suitors, I can't make her marry someone she doesn't like." The king replied.
"Wait there's more." Naris said, adding on to the actual law for his plan. "If the king cannot choose a husband for the princess, than she will be wed to…" Naris stopped, acting surprised at the next line. "Oh, this is interesting."
"What? Who?" The twins asked. The suspense was killing them.
"Another prince living in this palace, why that's me." Naris said, still acting shocked.
The queen took the scroll from Naris to make sure that was true and not some sort of mistake. "I thought the law stated that only a…"
Naris pulled the scroll back before the queen got a good look at it and held the mystical staff to the family's faces as it began to glow and place them in another trance. "Desperate times call for desperate measures, ma'am."
"Desperate times…call for desperate…measures." They repeated, completely void of emotion or free will.
"The princess will marry me."
"The princess will…" They started, but they broke free of Naris's mind control and pushed the Rod out of their face. "But you're so old."
Now Naris was really mad that he was called old by a guy WAY older than him. "The princess WILL marry me!" Naris demanded, putting the Rod back into their face and re-hypnotizing them.
"The princess will marry…" They started again. This time when they broke out of the trance, it was because of the trumpets and drums they heard playing in the distance. "What is that noise?" They ran to his balcony and saw a parade of sorts making its way through the streets of Parro towards the castle. Naris and Astrias slowly joined the family to see what was interrupting their scheme. "Oh, Naris, look at the festivities. Is it a holiday or something?"
The parade itself consisted of numerous performers and what not. Amongst them was a familiar grey elephant being driven by the leader of the parade, Guin, who had used his powers to make his head a normal human head. He was showing off by twirling a flaming baton skillfully as the parade performers began singing.
Musicians: Make way for Prince Istvali
Sword jugglers: Say hey! It's Prince Istvali
Guin jumped out of the parade, shoved his baton into fire eater's mouth, and began to sing.
Guin: Hey! Clear the way in the old Bazaar
Hey you!
Let us through!
It's a bright new star!
Oh Come!
Be the first on your block to meet his eye!
Guin began to dance around with different spectators. As he ran by a stand selling pots, he clanged them all together receiving a nasty look from the stand owner. Guin however beat on guy's stomach like a drum, and continued sing.
Make way!
Here he comes!
Ring bells! Bang the drums!
Are you gonna love this guy!
Several fans that had been hiding the person on top of Suni's back. At this moment, they all came back to show it was Istvan, or Prince Istvan Ababwa, as he and the others agreed that using his real name would bring suspicion from the city.
Prince Bali! Fabulous he!
Bali Ababwa
Genuflect, show some respect
Down on one knee!
Guin ran over to where Valerius and his men stood. Guin, knowing all the trouble these guys caused for Istvan in the past from hearing Istvan's life story on the way over, pulled the rug they were standing on out from under their feet. Though initially meant to cause them to hit the ground in pain, they had landed on their knees in bowing positions. The three guards looked up to see Suni wave at them with her trunk. Over on the palace balcony, The parents and twins were nodding their head back and forth having found the tune rather catchy, and they weren't the only one. Asterias found the song so entertaining that he began to dance on behind Naris. Naris was not pleased to see someone appear out of the thin blue ruining his plans, so when he saw Asterias dancing, he gave him a sharp glare. Asterias got the idea and stopped dancing.
Now, try your best to stay calm
Brush up your Sunday salaam
The come and meet his spectacular coterie
Guin used a wheelbarrow to pick up numerous bystanders, who stacked up upon each other. This allowed each of the viewers to have the chance to shake hands with Istvan. Although, gravity thought against this plans as the six men on top fell down on top of Istvan. Everyone watching winced at the incident. Guin took a look around and when he was sure that no one was watching he used his magic to make Istvan super strong so he could lift those men easily. Not only did he lift them, but Istvan also assorted them into a festive shape.
Prince Istvali!
Mighty is he!
Istvali Ababwa
Strong as ten regular men, definitely!
While everyone was watching Istvan, Guin snuck into the crowd and turned himself into an old man as he addressed two men.
Old man Guin: He faced the galloping hordes
Guin then turned into a child and approached the children Istvan saved earlier on.
Kid Guin: A hundred bad guys with swords
Guin turned into a big guy and approached to the two different men.
Big guy Guin: Who sent those goons to their lords?
Why, Prince Istvali
Male chorus: He's got seventy-five golden camals
Guin appeared before the readers disguised as a reporter saying, "Aren't they fabulous folks?"
Female chorus: Purple peacocks
He's got fifty-three
Guin appeared again, this time disguised as a female reporter. "Fabulous. I just love the colors and feathers." 'She' said.
Guin: When it comes to exotic-type mammals
Guin came back to the kids in the form of a goat and then again in the form of a tiger.
Goat Guin: Has he got a zoo?
Goat Guin: I'm telling you,
Chorus: it's a world-class menagerie
The same three girls who had been mocking Istvan not too long ago were watching the parade, completely entranced by "Prince Istvali." Guin appeared behind them dressed as a dancer, much to Istvan's amusement.
Dance Mask: Prince Istvali! Handsome is he, Istvali Ababwa
(The girls: There's no question this Istvali's alluring)
That physique! How can I speak
(Never ordinary, never boring)
Weak at the knee
By this point, Sayori had come out onto her bedroom balcony. She had come to watch the parade, it's kind of hard to ignore. Guin had used his magic to make Ben unbelievingly muscular. While the sisters were impressed, Sayori rolled her eyes thinking Istvan was just another pompous prince.
(Everything about the man just plain impresses)
Well, get on out in that square
(He's a winner, he's a whiz, a wonder!)
Adjust your veil and prepare
(He's about to pull my heart asunder!)
To gawk and grovel and stare at Prince Istvali!
(And I absolutely love the way he dresses!)
Istvan blew a kiss to the sisters causing them to pass out into Guin's arms. Sayori simply scoffed and left, not waiting to hear the rest of the song. The parade continued by showing off a group of monkeys.
Chorus: He's got ninety-five white Persian monkeys
(The Guards: He's got the monkeys, let's see the monkeys)
And to view them he charges no fee
Istvan had baskets full of gold which he threw out into the streets where numerous citizens ran to take.
(Poor people: He's generous, so generous)
He's got slaves, he's got servants and flunkies
(Servants: Proud to work for him)
They bow to his whim love serving him
They're just lousy with loyalty to Bali! Prince Bali!
The parade had made its way all the way up to the palace's front door. Rinda and Remus, full of excitement and glee from the spectacle and the prospect of a new suitor, ran over to the door to let in the parade. Just as they started to open the door, Naris and Astrias ran up and forced it close. Naris couldn't allow another prince to jeopardize his plans. But their actions didn't stop the parade. The parade performers kept pushing on the door until it flew open and crushed Naris and Astrias up against the wall.
Guin: Prince Istvali!
Amorous he! Istvali Ababwa
Heard your princess was a sight lovely to see
Guin ran over to the King and Queen and put his arm over their shoulders as if they were buddies. The door came off the wall slightly to reveal a flat and seething Naris and Astrias. Guin threw the king and queen into their throne so they could see the end of the show with Rinda and Remus.
And that, good people, is why he got dolled up and dropped by
Chorus: With sixty elephants, llamas galore
With his bears and lions
A brass band and more
With his forty fakirs, his cooks, his bakers
His birds that warble on key
Guin, while nobody was looking, flew back into his lamp, cleverly hidden under Istvan's clothes. Naris and Astrias was meanwhile forcing all the parade outside, with the exception of Suni, Istvan, and carpet. Speaking of whom, carpet flew down with Istvan down to royal family where Istvan took a bow.
Make way for prince Istvail!
Naris and Asterias slammed the palace doors shut, bringing an end to the song. The royal famliy was impressed.
"Oh that was marvelous, terrific, wonderful." The king said excitedly with applause.
"Your majesty, your highness, I have journeyed a great length to seek your eldest daughter's hand in marriage." Istvan said, deepening his voice to pull the charade over even more.
"Of course, Prince Istvali Ababwa. We are most delighted to meet you." They each took Istvan's hand and shook it before turning him to face Naris and Astrias. "And this is our royal friend Naris, he's delighted to meet you too." Remus added.
"Ecstatic." Naris said without any emotion. This guy was ruining everything. "But I'm afraid Prince Abooboo,"
"Ababawa." Istvan corrected.
"Whatever, you can't just come parading in here uninvited and expect to…" Naris was cut off by Rinda and Remus.
"My goodness, we've never seen quite an interesting piece like this before." Rinda said, referring to carpet. Carpet was happy to receive such praise from the king. "You don't suppose we could…" Remus and Rinda clearly wanted to ride around on carpet like Istvan.
"Why certainly your majesties. Allow me." Istvan got off of carpet and gave Rinda and Remus support onto carpet. Carpet could manage, anything for the little kids, besides their weight combined was nothig. Just as carpet was about to take off, Naris stomped his foot down on carpet. Now that really hurt.
"Rinda, Remus, I must advise against this." Naris said. If this guy got on the king and queen's good side, there was no doubt he could actually earn Sayori's affection.
"Oh, learn to have a little fun in your life Naris." Remus said while pushing Naris's foot off carpet. Once free of the extra weight, carpet and the twins took off and flew like crazy through the throne room.
Naris began to approach Istvan . "So, where are you from again, Prince Istvali?" Naris questioned how legit this guy really was.
"Um, a far away land." Istvan hadn't created an idea of a place to actually be prince of. "In fact, it's so far away, I bet you've never even heard of it."
Naris smiled, he was getting somewhere, "Try me."
"DUCK AND COVER!" The twins yelled. Both Istvan and Naris gave him a confuse look, until they were nearly hit in the head by the twins and carpet.
Astrias had been unfortunate enough to be caught into the insane flight pattern. To make things worse, he was on carpet's eye, so carpet couldn't see and crashed right into a pillar. The twins and carpet were alright, Astrias was another story. The impact flattened him and resulted in him falling to the floor. His head hurt so bad that instead of seeing little birds, he saw little twins riding little carpet .
"Look out everyone, we're coming in for a landing." The twins and carpet did a triple loopty-loop before landing right in the middle of the room at the feet of Istvan, Naris, and their parents.
"You're a natural." Naris said, albeit sarcastically.
Carpet got so dizzy, he fell. Suni caught him with his trunk. "Hey, are you alright?" she asked in a whisper.
"Yes, I am quite skilled aren't I? But enough about me, this is about you my boy. You are quite an impressive youth, and you are a prince none the less." The king said to the others, all the while patting Istvan on the back. He then took Naris aside to speak with him in private. "If we're lucky, you won't have to marry Sayori after all."
Naris was enraged, his plans were going fine until this guy came into the picture. "I don't like him sire."
"Oh, nonsense Naris. If there is one thing I pride myself in is that I'm an excellent judge of character." The king retorted.
"Oh yes, an excellent judge of character, NOT." Astrias said to himself, recovering from his previous injury.
At this moment, Sayori entered the room without receiving any notice as the conversation continued.
"I have a feeling that Sayori will like this one." The queen said happily.
"And I have a feeling that I will like Princess Sayori." Istvan said just as happily.
"Your highness, no. I must intercede on Sayori's behalf." Naris said, throwing himself between Istvan and the queen. His actions made Sayori angry. "This boy is no different than the others. What makes him think he is worthy of the princess?" Naris said, getting in Sayori's face.
"Your majesty, I am Prince Istvali Ababwa!" Istvan said, messing his hand in Naris's hair. This resulted in it being messed up. Naris fixed it in annoyance as Istvan went on. "Just let her meet me. I will win your princess' heart." Istvan said.
"How dare you!" Sayori shouted. Everyone looked surprised, not noticing her there at all. They pretended to have been discussing something else all together.
"All of you, standing around deciding my future? I am not a prize to be won!" Sayori said storming out of the room.
"Oh, dear. Don't worry, Prince Istvali. Just give Sayori time to cool down. Now, why don't I show you all to your quarters." The king said as he, Istvan, Suni, carpet, his queen, and the twins exited.
Naris was furious. Now his plans were delayed. "I think it's time to say good bye to Prince Abooboo." he said, sending a death glare at Istvan.