Before you read this chapter, be sure to know the characters our girls are playing in the play.

Maki- Princess Amornia

Eli- Elise, extra during ballroom scene

Rin- Prince Vorit and Bob

Honoka- The King and Bread

Nozomi- The Queen

Hanayo- Rice

Umi- Duchess Miranda, Vorit's servant, Elise's acquaintance, Elise's friend-who-sells-swords, Random Guard, Wedding vow person?

Kotori- Backstage worker

Nico- (She's the one watching the play)

I don't know if this chapter will be confusing or not, but I hope you enjoy!

Kotori hastily brushed Maki's face with powder and started working on eyeshadow. "Eli, how much time left until Nico comes?"

"15 minutes. Umi said she's showering."

Maki winced slightly as Kotori curled her lashes and added mascara. "Kotori, is this really necessary?"

Kotori sighed. "Of course it is, we practiced this multiple times!"

It was finally the day of the show, and Maki was sitting in the workroom-turned-dressing-room. The play was going to be held in a mini-theatre on the 4th floor, fully equipped with a small backstage.

"Okay, Maki, you're all set. Now stand up so you can put on the dress," Kotori said.

Maki stood up and looked at herself in a mirror. "So much glitter..."

"It's stage makeup, okay? It needs to be obvious." Kotori held up an elegant dark red ballroom dress adorned with fabric roses, completely transformed from what it was before. "Let me help you get into this dress."

Maki nodded, and a few moments later Maki walking around with the dress trailing behind her slightly.

"Beautiful," Eli said. "Are you confident in those heels?"

Maki nodded. "I haven't worn them in a while but I think I'll be okay."

Kotori nodded to Maki. "Okay, you're done so go upstairs into the backstage and wait there until everyone is done. I need to do Rin's makeup!"

Eli smiled. "You heard her."

Maki nodded and carefully walked up the stairs into the mini-theatre, where Umi was standing on the empty stage reading off her clipboard.

"Oh, you look nice, Maki."

"Ah...thanks. When's Nico coming?"

"By my estimate,...about 11 minutes? Something like that, " Umi replied.

"What should I do now?" Maki asked.

"Right now, Nozomi and Honoka are ready to go, so you should join them and practice some more lines," Umi said. "They are backstage."

Maki walked into the small backstage area behind the curtains and gasped slightly.

"Ho ho ho, my children... my Princess.."

Honoka was wearing a fake beard and a giant yellow crown. "Amornia! You are my child!"

Nozomi giggled behind Honoka. "'She wanted to practice her character before the show."

Maki took a step back. "Uh, Honoka? That's not what the king is like."

Honoka's eyes widened. "Then I've been practicing him wrong the whole time?"

Maki sighed. "I saw you in practice yesterday, you were fine. I think it's just because you are nervous that you're...acting like like this.

Nozomi stepped towards Maki, giving Maki a full view of her elegant purple gown. "Honoka, don't worry you've practiced your roles for hours."

Suddenly, Hanayo came dashing into the area. "Guys! Nico's on the way!"

Honoka gasped loudly. "AHH! We are so dead!"

Maki watched Honoka cling onto Nozomi, fake sobbing. "Honoka, you're in Scene Two. Stand up and get ready," Nozomi said.

Maki watched as Eli dashed into the backstage with Rin, Kotori, and Umi.

"Everyone! Get ready! Umi will deliver the opening speech!" Eli declared.

Eli nodded to Umi and Umi elegantly walked onto the stage, dressed in a long flowy dress.

Umi took her place at the front of the stage and spoke. "Good afternoon, everyone. We are gathered here to perform a play that my friends and I have been preparing for our great friend, Nico's birthday." Umi smiled at Nico, who was sitting in front with some maids and butlers. "We would also like to address this play for the wonderful staff of this mansion, thank you very much. Now, let's get on with Scene One!"

Eli flicked the light switch off as Maki quickly positioned herself on the stage.

The lights were turned on, and Maki stood silently for a few seconds. What the heck am I doing?

"As a princess, one gets many luxuries," Maki started. "Cakes, sweets, gold, jewelry, our wished shall be fulfilled."

Maki sighed deeply. "But like a double edged sword, princesses have many responsibilities. Our freedom is replaced with gold, and we are supposed to appreciate it." Maki melancholically glanced to the floor. "Comparable to handcuffs made of gold, I shall never reach my happiness and I must be married off to strengthen our kingdom."

Maki collapsed to the floor and the lights went out.

Maki rushed backstage and Rin scrambled on stage.

Kotori flicked the light switch again and hurriedly turned to Maki.

"You need a touch-up! Sit down!" Kotori whispered.

Maki sat front of Kotori and watched Rin as Kotori brushed her face with more powder.

"Ever since I was a child, people have bowed to me. I'm used to seeing their bent necks, and it's tempting to slice their necks." Rin laughed evilly. "Their lives are worthless anyway."

Rin turned to the side of the stage. "Tell me, who is the most beautiful maiden in the world?"

Umi replied from the backstage, acting as a servant. "Your concubines."

Rin slammed her hand on a random table. "I AM NOT SATISFIED! I deserve only the best! YOU! TELL ME!"

"Okay, you're done," Kotori whispered to Maki.

Maki continued watching Rin and Umi. Rin's super into her character.

"Oh, well how about this maiden?" Umi said. "She's a princess from a neighboring kingdom and is said to be the most beautiful lady in the world."

"Her name?" Rin asked.

"Princess Amornia."

"Interesting. Well then, write a letter to the King of that domain and tell him to give me his daughter."

"Prince Vorit...the Princess is engaged to Prince Theodore of Revada."

"THEN KIDNAP HER!" Rin bellowed, and the lights went off.

Under the cover of darkness, Maki swiftly took her position on the stage while Honoka and Nozomi hurried onto the stage along with Eli and Umi who were both in dresses and masquerade masks.

The lights were on again, and Maki started walking towards the center of the stage.

"Amornia! Perfect timing!" Honoka exclaimed. "Meet my daughter, Princess Amornia," Honoka said to a masked Umi.

Umi is acting as so many extras! Maki thought.

Umi bowed to Maki. "It is an honour to meet you, princess."

Maki bowed lightly. "The pleasure is all mine."

"Amornia, this is Miranda, the new Duchess of Thebes," Honoka said.

Maki smiled at Umi.

Ballroom music was played and Maki gently swayed with the music while Umi danced with Eli.

Nozomi approached Maki. "Amornia, we have finalized the plans for your marriage to the Prince of Revada."

Maki sighed lightly. "Yes, mother."

"You are going to be married in Revada, in the grand palace," Honoka said in a fake man voice. "Prince Theodore is very excited for it."

Maki shuddered very realistically. "Yes, father."

The music slowly faded and the lights went off again, where everyone except Maki hurried off stage.

When the lights came back, Maki was slowly walking along the side of the stage. "As it turns out, Prince Theodore is 3 years older than me and is a dense, unpleasant person."

Maki sighed. "Perhaps I shall never reach my freedom..."

Maki knew that Umi was supposed to capture her in the play, but it didn't stop Maki from gasping for real when Umi suddenly threw a giant sack over her from behind.

Maki squirmed from inside the sack (which was really just a stitched up blanket). "Ah! Guards!"

Umi, with intense strength, threw Maki over her shoulder and started walking off stage.

Then the lights went out.

Backstage, Eli was desperately untying the sack. "Maki! Hurry up! We need to re-do your hair!"

Maki hurriedly crawled out of the sack and sat on a chair.

Kotori hurriedly loosened Maki's hair bun as the lights went on again and Nozomi started talking frantically.

"Dear! Amornia is gone!"

"WHAT?" Honoka gasped. "She's not in the castle?"No, no...

"No... the maids have been looking everywhere for her!"

Honoka gently Nozomi's shoulder. "It'll be fine, I'm sure. Amornia is a smart girl after all. She might just be exploring the castle a bit more."

"Maki, you're done," Kotori whispered.

Maki look at her new hairstyle, wavy and a bit messy. "Okay."

Nozomi paced around the stage nervously. "What if we don't find her?"

Nozomi's good at acting, Maki thought.

"We'll find her," Honoka reassured. "Of course we will, right?"

Kotori switched off the lights again and Maki quickly positioned herself in the center of the stage.

Once the lights were on again, Maki was lying on the floor.

"Huh?" Maki sat up. "Where am I?"

What am I doing? Maki thought.

"It seems you have awoken."

Rin stepped from the stage wings. "Hmm...you certainly are beautiful. Perhaps not as beautiful as I thought, but still beautiful."

Maki tried her best not to laugh. "Who are you?"

Rin cleared her throat. "I am Prince Vorit."

Maki widened her eyes. "Y-you!? What do you want from me?"

Maki heard Nico's laughing from the audience.

Damn it, Nico.

"Well," Rin started. "You are to become my betrothed in 15 days."

Maki stood up. "No. Kill me, torture me, humiliate me, but I shall not become your betrothed."

Rin slapped Maki's face (softly, but Eli played a sound effect that made it seem REALLY HARD). "I see. Well, have fun in the dungeons before our marriage."

Rin started walking away, but Maki spoke.

"Can you let me go?"

Rin stopped walking. "Let you go?" Rin laughed maniacally. "After all that effort to bring you here, you think I would simply let you go?"

"Answer me."

Rin chuckled. "If you really want an answer; no. Never. Over my dead body."

Rin started marching away into the backstage while Maki crumbled to the floor.

"What will I do? Father and Mother would be worried sick. The guards would go everywhere, but will they find me?" Maki tightened her fist. "I must escape."

The lights went off and Maki dashed off stage where she was immediately pulled into a chair by Kotori. "Stay still, Maki! You won't be until Act II so let me re-do your makeup!"

Maki stayed still as Kotori contoured her face until she looked gaunt, and then added a few bruises on her jawline with FX makeup.

"The princess is missing!" Honoka announced on stage. "Any man who finds her wins her hand in marriage!"

Honoka turned to Nozomi and softly spoke, "Don't worry, dear. She will be back before you know."

Honoka and Nozomi exited the stage and Eli walked onstage.

"Huh? Our princess is missing?" Eli gasped. "We must find her!"

Umi, acting as an extra, snorted. "You? You are homeless, broke, and filthy. You can't even save yourself, let alone save our princess."

Eli frowned. "Say what you what. I'm going to make money and save the princess."

All of a sudden Rin quickly rushed past Maki on stage, dressed in casual clothing. "Did you say money? We are recruiting haunted house workers right now at the CHEECHU haunted house! Would you like to come and work? 15 coins an hour!"

Eli's face lit up. "Really? That would be great!"

Kotori switched the lights off again, and everyone rushed off stage.

"Maki, you're done. Eli, go get changed now!"

Maki stood up off the chair and looked at herself in the mirror. Maki's face appeared to be gaunt, slightly sweaty and bruised. Kotori knows what she's doing...

Honoka entered the stage with Nozomi.

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Honoka said. "Our daughter is smart after all."

Nozomi sighed miserably. "If she's smart, why would she disappear? She must have been captured."

Honoka patted Nozomi's back. "Don't worry, dear. Have faith in Amornia."

Eli, now changed into a ghost costume, walked past Maki closer to the stage.

Kotori flicked off the lights and Eli immediately dashed on stage on stage with a sack, 2 water bottles, and some fake fruits. Eli placed the props on one end of the stage, and the lights were turned on.

"Good work today everyone!" Rin called. "Elise! Come here!"

Eli jogged up to Rin. "Hello, Manager!"

Rin handed Eli a few fake coins. "Here is your pay for the week, 150 coins. You did really well even though it's your first week... are you coming back next week?"

Eli shook her head nervously. "Er, I was working to buy some stuff. Now that I have enough money, I don't think I'll be coming back."

Rin nodded. "Well...understandable. It was nice working with you here at the CHECHU HAUNTED HOUSE this week! You're welcome back anytime."

Rin exited the stage and Umi walked up with 5 fake swords in her hand.

"Hey, Elise. You wanted to buy one of my swords right?"

Eli nodded. "Yes! Which one would you recommend?"

"Hmm..." Umi scratched her head. "Perhaps this one?" Umi held up a long sword with a black handle. "It's lightweight and pretty sturdy. But it's a bit pricey."

"How much is it?"

"100 coins."

Eli handed Umi some of her coins. "I would like to buy it."

Umi handed Eli the sword. "Be careful, though. If it's mistreated, it will break."

Eli nodded. "Thanks."

Umi walked off the stage while Eli approached the sack, water bottles and fake fruits she had set up before.

"I'll need these," Eli mumbled to herself as she placed each prop into the sack. Eli fastened the sack to her back and stood up.

"Princess, here I come!"

Eli exited the stage and Umi reentered.

"Act one has now ended. We are going to have a 10-minute break before Act Two."

Backstage, Kotori was rushing around, doing people's makeup and shoving outfits at people.

"Hanayo, stop talking!" Kotori exclaimed. "Maki, have you changed- why haven't you changed? You had so much time!"

Maki nodded slowly. "Er, I'll change now."

"And Eli, let me re-do your makeup!"

Maki slipped behind a curtain and put on a short black dress.

When Maki walked back out, the backstage area was in chaos.

Kotori was frantically slapping makeup on Umi, Hanayo was chatting with Hanayo, Eli was yelling instructions to Rin, and Nozomi was sleeping on the floor.

"Um...guys?"

Kotori turned to Maki and gasped loudly. "M-MAKI! You're wearing the wrong dress!"

Maki's eyes widened. "What?"

Kotori shoved another black dress at Maki. "Change, quick! You're on in 2 minutes!"

Maki was pushed behind another curtain and started changing immediately. "But what's wrong with this dress?"

"It's not the right design! That dress is Umi's outfit. And we need to tie up your hands!"

Maki finished changing and was grabbed by the wrists by Eli.

"You're already late!" Eli exclaimed as she loosely tied ropes around Maki's hands. "Go!

Maki hurriedly got on stage and sat on the sofa previously set up, just in time as Kotori switched on the light. That was nerve-racking...

Maki looked around. "No guards...this is my chance!"

Maki bit off the ropes hastily and hid behind the sofa. Carefully, Maki started crawling towards the backstage.

Suddenly Rin walked on stage. "You- wait. Where is she?"

Maki hid behind the other side of the sofa, but Rin shoved away the sofa.

"Trying to escape?"

Maki froze.

Rin smiled at Maki. "That dress does look very nice on you. Too bad you aren't submissive."

Rin chuckled and bent down in front of Maki. "Tell me, Amornia. How are you going to get away? This place is surrounded by guards." Rin grabbed Maki's face. "Answer me."

Maki avoided eye contact.

"ANSWER ME!" Rin forced Maki to the ground.

Maki coughed. "Just you wait," Maki whispered. "I'll kill you."

Rin laughed. "Really? You? A spoiled little princess?" Rin slammed her fist into Maki's stomach (lightly I would hope). "I would like to see you tr-"

Maki slapped Rin's face.

"JUST YOU WAIT! I'LL GIVE YOU WHAT YOU DESERVE! I'LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" Maki screamed.

Rin chuckled. "What I've done? What have I done?" Rin turned away from the audience to hide her genuine laughter. "W-well."

"What you've done? Treating people like dirt, mistreating women, CAPTURING ME, beating me and forcing me to marry you." Maki swallowed down her laughter. "Are you satisfied yet, Vorit?"

Rin cleared her throat. "Am I?"

Maki stood up. "I will not stop trying. I will keep trying to escape. Until you realize how foolish you are and let me go, I WILL NOT GIVE UP!"

These lines are too cheesy.

Maki swung her fist towards Rin's face but Rin grabbed Maki's hand and slammed her to the floor.

Ouch. Rin is too into her role.

"Agh!"

Rin laughed. "AHAHAHAHAHA! Your face is much more beautiful in pain!"

Maki fake sobbed silently.

The lights went off and Maki hurried off stage.

When the lights were on again, there was a table set up on one side of the stage. On the table was 3 bowls and standing behind the table was Honoka and Hanayo, dressed in matching headbands and t-shirts.

Eli was standing on the other side of the stage, a book in her hand. "Hmm, according to this book, Princess Amornia is the most beautiful maiden in the land. And...there are plenty princes who want to marry her, but the most immoral of them all would be...Prince Vorit."

Eli slammed her book shut and grabbed her sack. "That's it! The princess must be captured by Prince Vorit! I must leave for that kingdom immediately!"

Eli walked around the stage, mimicking traveling. As Eli was walking closer to Honoka and Hanayo, Honoka cried out, "Hey!"

"Huh?" Eli turned to Honoka. "What do you want?"

"Do you want to join our eating contest? Winner gets 50 gold, loser pays 25!"

Eli tapped her chin. "Hmm...I do need some pocket money...okay sure!"

Hanayo gestured to the rice bowls set up on the table. "The person who finished eating their bowl of rice first wins!"

Eli walked behind the table and positioned one of the bowls in front of her. "Okay!"

"Alright, now on the count of three," Honoka started. "3...2...1...GO!"

Honoka and Hanayo started to eat their rice, but Eli scarfed down all the rice in seconds.

"Done!"

Honoka and Hanayo gawked at Eli in shock. "W-what?"

(Of course, this situation would never happen in real life because Hanayo and Honoka are pro-eaters).

"Pay up!" Eli exclaimed.

Reluctantly, Hanayo handed Eli a few coins. "Here you go..."

Eli flashed at smile at Hanayo. "Thanks! Now, I'll be off."

The lights went off and everyone hurried backstage.

"Honoka! Your cape!" Kotori whispered, throwing Honoka a red cape that she draped over her shoulders.

Eli was dragging the table off stage while Umi ran past with the rice bowls.

Why is everyone working so hard? Maki thought. Nico should be pretty darn honoured.

When the lights were on again, Honoka was standing with a sobbing Nozomi.

"It's been 2 weeks!" Nozomi cried. "When will we her?"

Honoka looked hopeless. "I'm sure we'll find her. Young men in the kingdom are searching for her, after all. Have faith in our people," Honoka said, despite looking a bit unsure.

Nozomi started falling to the floor. "Oh...I don't feel so good."

Honoka darted to Nozomi. "Noz-Dear!"

"She almost said Nozomi!" Eli whispered to Maki.

Honoka caught Nozomi before she fell to the floor. "We need the nurse! Guards!"

The light went off and Eli re-entered the stage, alone.

"I've been walking for days."

Eli sighed. "When will I get there? It's already been 2 weeks."

Eli gasped and stared into the other side of the stage. "What is that? The black castle?"

Eli started running into the opposite stage wing. "Finally! I am here!"

The lights went off and Eli ran back into the backstage.

"Maki, get ready, you'll be on soon," Eli said to Maki as Umi pushed a mattress onto the stage.

When the lights were on, Nozomi was lying on the mattress.

"Dear, please get better," Honoka said. "I don't want to lose you too..."

Umi, acting as a nurse, spoke," Your royal highness...Her highness is not physically unwell. It may be a mental problem."

Honoka sighed deeply. "Do you think she'll be alright?"

Umi nodded slowly. "Perhaps with time she shall."

Kotori flicked off the light.

Maki scrambled on stage and quickly positioned herself on the floor as Umi dragged the mattress off stage.

When the lights were turned on, Maki was lying on the floor.

"Today is the final day."

Rin walked on stage.

"Will you marry me? Or will you die?"

Maki stood up and locked eyes with Rin (trying not to laugh). "Vorit. I've made my decision the second I've woken up, and there is nothing you can do to change my mind."

Maki clenched her fist. "I would rather die."

Rin chuckled cheerfully (probably genuinely too). "Ahahaha! I suppose your pride wins, huh?"

Rin stopped smiling. "But, you know, if you marry me, you could live...but I guess you'd rather die."

"You never give up, do you? You will never truly make the perfect woman."

Rin positioned her rapier in a thrust. "Such a shame. Your face is so pretty."

"For some reason," Maki stated. "I do not feel flattered at all. Go on, kill me."

Rin raised her rapier. "Well, here goes."

Maki closed her eyes, and just as the (fake) sword was about to hit her, Eli burst onto the stage.

"Princess!?"

Swiftly, Eli shoved Rin to the floor and scooped up Maki with little difficulty.

"Princess, are you harmed?" Eli asked.

"No, who...?" Maki trailed off.

"Who are you?" Rin asked, glaring at Eli.

Eli set Maki back down. "I am Elise. Here to rescue our beloved princess."

"Good luck with THAT!" Rin shouted as she raised her rapier and charged at Eli.

Eli started parrying with Rin. "Princess! Get back!"

Maki stepped back and watched nervously. The lines are cheesy but Nico is probably dumb enough to like these things...

"That girl is mine now! Besides you're no match for me!" Rin shouted.

"Am I?" Eli smiled and swung a powerful roundhouse kick at Rin's waist.

Rin fell to the floor and coughed. "You fight dirty."

"Anything for my kingdom."

Eli raised her sword. "Goodbye-"

"Wait!"

Maki dashed up to Rin. "I need to do something."

Maki kicked Rin's face. "I hope you've learned your lesson, Vorit."

Eli stabbed Rin.

The lights went out and Maki went backstage.

"Maki! The wedding dress!" Kotori exclaimed.

Maki nodded and quickly changed into a beautiful white dress behind a curtain.

"Maki! Makeup!" Kotori shoved Maki into a chair and began wiping Maki's face with makeup remover vigorously.

Meanwhile, Honoka was sitting next to Nozomi-lying-on-a-mattress onstage.

"My dear...do not lose hope...You must stay strong." Honoka whispered. "Amornia could be walking into our door any second now."

Nozomi smiled weakly. "I hope so..."

Suddenly, Umi dashed into the room and bowed quickly at Honoka. "Your highness! Princess Amornia has returned with her savior!"

Honoka and Nozomi gasped. "Who?"

Eli walked into the room sheepishly. "Myself...your highness."

Honoka ran up and hugged Eli. "Thank you! W-where was she?"

Eli spoke, "Princess Amornia was captured by Prince Vorit."

The lights went out and Maki stood and waited for Eli to change into a tuxedo.

ELI CHANGED IN 30 SECONDS!

Maki linked arms with Eli and entered the stage as the lights went on.

Both took their place at the center and Umi stood between them. "Do you, Elise, take Her Highness Amornia to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," Eli said.

"And do you, Princess Amornia, take Elise to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," Maki said blankly.

"Now by the power vested in me by the Kingdom, it is my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife. You may seal this declaration with a kiss."

Eli carefully held Maki's face and leaned in closer and closer...until they were millimeters apart...

Then Kotori shut off the lights and Maki separated from Eli.

A few second later, the lights were on again, with no one onstage.

Hanayo walked into the center of the stage with Rin. Both took their place in the center of the stage and bowed to light applause and great laughter from Nico.

Next, Kotori calmly walked out and bowed to some more applause.

Umi shyly scrambled onstage and bowed to great applause.

Honoka and Nozomi walked out together, bowing to moderate applause.

Lastly, Maki and Eli walked out together hand in hand. Maki bowed next to Eli to thundering applause.

Eli began speaking. "I would like to thank everyone for taking your precious time to watch our production. Everyone here performed beautifully for our dear friend Nico, who we would like to invite onstage."

Nico looked confused. "What?"

Eli smiled. "Come on, Nico!"

Nico climbed onto the stage hesitantly. "Um...hi!"

Eli gave Nico a big hug. "Happy birthday, Nico!"

There was applause and Maki stood awkwardly.

Umi started talking, "Yes, and it was only because of Eli, who wrote the script me, and Kotori, who handled all the costume, makeup, and hair work, that we were able to make this play possible!"

More applause.

"And of course, we can't forget Maki, who provided all of the resources as well as working hard for this play!" Umi exclaimed.

More applause.

Nico eyes watered. "Guys...I can't believe you did all this for me... I DESERVE IT!"

Great laughter exploded across the room.

"Er...Nico, yeah," Maki mumbled.

And...that's an update!

Okay, I do know that this chapter took almost a month, but I really wanted to make the play in one chapter and it ended up...over 4000 words...

The next update will be up next Sunday as usual, I hope.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed and please review!