A/N- Wassup? It be TOBN here with a new scandalous chapter of The Royals!
This chapter is taking a sharp and scary turn. Well, not really scary, but sorta dark and deep. And hey! By watching the Imitation Game [And using a dictionary], I was able to pick on some good ol' vocabulary! So maybe that will help me with this story, since vocabulary is a big step for me in this chapter. Lol!
Shoutouts to...
Bethan Forever- Actually, I got Tobias from The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen. His character is not really gay, but that is where I got the name. But sure! That too! Lol! And you are right. Some drama is on the way! But what kind? Who knows! Actually, there might only be one kind of drama...erm...forget I said anything. Thanks for the review!
MBAV fan66- Yeah! YOU GO BENNY! TELL 'EM! Actually, he does tell someone...I believe. I don't know. Maybe in later chapters. You'll have to find out soon! And questions questions fanfic buddy! A lot of 'em! I wonder what secret will be revealed? You find out in this chapter! Thanks for the review fanfic buddy!
funkybananas47- I do know you so well! I seriously was thinking all "Dude, she is gonna be so happy!" when I wrote the chapter. And I am glad you like it! More to come my friend. More to come! Thanks for the review!
123456789vampire- #TeamBenias! Totally on that boat my friend. Totally. Anyway, I hope everyone will accept him as well! He reveals his secret to someone in the later chapters, but an even bigger one is to be revealed. And it may make your heart in particular shatter. Spoilers! Thanks for the review!
And with that, let's get started, shall we? It is COURTING NIGHT!
ENJOY!
The Royals: Chapter 4: Courting Night
Ethan, Benny and Rory stepped into the grand hall, smiles pasted on their faces. Some fake, some true. Some were happy to be here.
Some, were not.
But to be all in the honesty zone, none of the three boys were excited for tonight. None.
Rory, who would usually be excited to swoon a lady, was not excited for tonight since his mind swirled of negativity and remorse. And the remorse was to his own life! Why? He never once knew. And neither did his family.
Ethan of course did not look forward to court a lady, even if he was the oldest and was desperate need of a queen. He also however believed that Sarah was his queen. And why would he not want to just pull her out here? She was the nemesis' daughter.
Benny was the least to like the idea of courting night. It happen every once in a while, but Benny clearly knew he wasn't straight. He never fancied in women, only men. And why would he just tell everyone for the sake of his life? Well, homosexuals were not favored in the Morgan Kingdom, especially if the man was a peasant and never met the royalty in his life.
But of course, against their will, the three royals were to court with women tonight. And this time, it was the real thing. They were to determine the future of their love lives.
Ethan's mind wandered as his father talked with the three brothers, his voices sounding stern as always, and obviously Ethan was not in the mood for this. Ethan didn't even know who invented the night of courting! All he knew was that his father decided it would be good since he hardly let them out of the kingdom to flirt and fancy anyone. So every three years or so, he holds a grand ball called the courting night. It was a grand celebration, but nevertheless an annoying one. Basically, you are to dance with the maiden Father would assign to them for the night or so, and if all goes well, they court. And when they are done that phase, they marry and live in endless happiness.
"I'm not excited." Rory whispered when his father walked away. Ethan sighed. "Alas, I would oppose to your snarky comment my dear brother, but I concur. Courting night has never been a favorite of mine." He said sadly. Benny groaned silently as he, surprisingly, joined the stirring of complaints.
"I also concur brothers. Courting night never fancied me. The women that Father chooses are...um.." Benny trailed off, clearing his throat softly. "Unappealing." He ended up saying. Rory snickered as he nudged his brother playfully.
"Unappealing? I oppose. I will admit the girls are hot, but they are nothing to my liking personality wise. They always lack something." Ethan nodded. "I agree." Benny hinted a smile. "As do I." A pause. Benny looked at his two brothers sincerely.
"I never thought we still had something in common, my dear brothers."
Before Ethan could respond, a certain blonde entered the hall. Rory recognized her as Erica, the servant from the previous night. She wore her usual maid outfit, but he suddenly realized she was assisting with the ball tonight. Rory's eyes bugged out as Benny grinned mysteriously, noticing his brother's strange silence.
"I see you fancy a servant of the kingdom?" He asked teasingly. Ethan's eyes looked at Benny in surprise; no way was he talking so much. He obviously felt good in this day. Ethan however wondered why...
Rory's voice interrupted the thoughts whizzing in his mind. He hushed Benny quickly.
"Oh brother, don't tell. Father would be quite disappointed if word spread that I am in love with a commoner." Benny's eyes lowered the ground in same. "Of course brother. Secret is safe." Benny said quietly. And once more, Benny fell into his regular and deep silence.
The lights in the grand hall dimmed as the three boys stood straighter. Ethan suddenly let his mind wander some more as his father continued to speak to the crowds. [Mind wandering is often a habit of Ethan nowadays.]
This time, Ethan took the time to see what everyone was wearing.
Rory was decked in a fine suit, stringed with threads of a deep, navy blue, and his hair was slicked back slightly. The ruffles on the front of his suit bristled against the soft wind that the crowds created by dancing and whirling around.
Benny was dressed in a black tunic that was different from all his other ones. It was engraved in silver threads that swirled around the tunic's waistline. It had a long tail of fabric hanging from the back of his suit and his eyes seduced by some person in the room, whom his eyes couldn't seemed to get off. Ethan wondered who...
As for him, he was dressed in a maroon red tunic that was threaded by lines of gold. A crown was placed on his head as he nervously clicked against his dress shoes. He was hoping tonight wouldn't be so bad...and that things would actually go his way.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Ross interrupted his thoughts. "Without further ado, may I present the princes of Vania!"
Lights shone on the three boys, who had nervously pasted smiles on their faces. The crowds laughed and clapped as Ross gave way to three women. He smiled.
"And here are the three maidens that shall accompany the three boys tonight! Specially chosen, they are women of fine grace and elegance, and daughters of the noblemen in this kingdom. They are beautiful and of wit, and it is my honor that I present to you, Miss Della, Miss Hannah, and Miss Stephanie!"
Ross displayed three women, each in ball gowns of some sort. Della was in a beautiful pink one, threaded with lace. Hannah had a hunter green gown, that wrapped tightly around her waist. Her sleeves were long and dropped from where the wrist was. Ethan started to sweat nervously as he looked at the other girl. Stephanie was decked in a silver gown, that was embedded with jewels and gold. She had a mischievous smile pasted on her face as her attention went towards Benny. Benny's eyes widened in horror as Samantha clinked her glass as she smiled.
"Okay! So without further wait, let us begin our celebration!" She cheered as the crowds went to a buzz of commotion, as the orchestra began to play a joyous song. Rory, Benny and Ethan placed their steps carefully as they walked down the podium to meet their dates. Ross smiled as his hands clasped together in happiness.
"Okay boys. I have arranged for a wonderful night! Acquaint yourselves and I will hope to see you on the dance floor!" He cheered happily, waltzing off to meet with his wife and stay with some noblemen.
The princes stood in front of the women in silence, awkwardness creeping in the room. Della was the first to say something, extending her hand to Ethan.
"Hello Prince Ethan." She said softly, her voice brushing against the air. She shook his steady hand firmly, smiling. "Glad to meet your acquaintance. It brings me great pleasure." She gushed. Ethan snapped to attention as he nodded quickly, shaking her hand back.
"Yes, of course. Nice to meet your acquaintance as well Miss. Della. Daughter of Sir Jonas Peterson, correct?" Della nodded proudly. "Yes your majesty. And I heard you are to be King soon, correct?" She pushed. Ethan smiled weakly as he nodded. "Alas, true it is." He said. Della gave a lighthearted smile as Hannah linked hands with Ethan and smiled, shooting a glare at Della sharply.
"May I have this dance, Your Majesty? Your time would be greatly special to me." She gushed, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously. Della's eyes widened as Ethan nodded softly. "Of course Miss. Hannah." He said flatly, catching someone's eye in the hall. She wore a mask as she smiled, brushing her brown hair around her shoulder. Ethan suddenly saw as everyone started to put masks on. Ethan gave a startled gasp, that was not recognized by Hannah as she dragged Ethan into the crowds to dance the masked dance.
Della huffed in annoyance as she muttered words under his breath. Stephanie gave a seductive wink at the nervous Benny, who was tugging at his collar discreetly. Stephanie leaned against him as she smiled.
"And it would be my pleasure to dance with you tonight Prince Benjamin." She whispered into his ear, her tongue brushing against his ear as Benny gulped. "O-Of course Lady Stephanie." He stammered as Stephanie mouthed a "help" to Rory as he too was whisked away. Rory tugged at his collar nervously, letting some air into his body as Della huffed, looking at Rory from head to bottom. She sighed.
"I suppose you will do Prince Rory. Come on. Don't leave me waiting." Rory sighed as he went with Della, slipping a mask of his own on as he too was dragged to the dance floor.
With Ethan, Hannah swept Ethan into a glorious waltz, that was sung by millions. A familiar lullaby that the crowds knew, as with Ethan. It was the lullaby he made up with Sarah.
"Oh Prince Ethan! Is this not the song you created?" She asked excitingly as Ethan gulped, the familiar brunette blurring his vision once again. He nodded. "You are correct. Although I merely thought of the lyrics in my mind as I was walking the halls of the castle. Then the scribe heard me and suggested to compose it. It wasn't his job, but he was good at writing ballads. So we wrote it and he sung it to the kingdom." He said, telling the story about the origins of the song. Of course, he left out the part that it was a more complex version that Sarah and him had composed together, but he couldn't just tell her. Hannah just smiled. "So you are a composer as well? Splendid. It is quite a beautiful song by the way." She said softly, smiling at him genuinely.
The song began to boom around the dance floor, Ethan seeing his father's look of approval. The orchestra began to sing as a melodious women of the kingdom began to sing quietly.
*This is a complex version of the lullaby featured in chapter 2. Just saying. And I own it, since I wrote it. Yeah I did!*
Down beneath the willow tree, a boy and girl will meet
At the brink of night, when moon shines high, they find their love, not seen.
The lyrics stirred in his mind as a girl swiftly passed him, Ethan recognizing her as the girl from before. He gasped as he heard her whisper the lyrics. She smiled, brown eyes shining beneath the masks. Ethan's mind whizzed; what was she doing here?
"The boy, with hair as dark as night," She whisper sung when she got closer to Ethan. Ethan whispered the lyrics as well, recognizing the voice.
"The girl whose heart is gold," He softly sung. The girl saw the danger in what they were doing and she nodded her head to the door, smiling as she was whisked away by some gentlemen dancing with her. Hannah however didn't know of this sudden contact as she smiled.
"Aw! Are you serenading me?" She swooned. Ethan started to sweat discreetly as he nodded his head, saying nothing.
And when their hands might intertwine
The life they know so far behind.
The orchestra played some melodious beats as Ethan twirled Hannah, his eyes glued to the door. She giggled as the orchestra started the next stanza of the song.
They meet in midst of all the trees
Their laughter in the wind
They mustn't let their love been seen
The life they know so far behind.
Ethan clearly remembered writing the ballad about his love with Sarah, that being the only publicity that he could reveal about their relationship. The brunette smiled at Ethan when they made in contact again, knowing the meaning of the song very well. The third stanza continued.
Watch the night, it closes in
A sun begin to rise
The girl and boy, who always meet
Return to lives, so far behind
Ethan lifted Hannah softly, making her squeal in great joy. He bristled against his youngest brother [Benny], and Benny shoots him a knowing smile. Ethan smiled back, knowing it was a song Benny quite enjoyed. He wished he could tell him the real reason behind the song. His thoughts winded through the lyrics of the song, the final verse beginning.
A kiss. The orchestra played sharp notes as the violins struck at their strings.
Last kiss. The women said sharply.
The time begins to stride The note was held as the piano played alone, the instrument fading as the girl sang softly, projecting her voice to echo the halls.
They know by now
They made their minds
To meet again
Leave their love behind.
Down beneath the willow tree!
At the brink of night when moon shines bright
They'll find their love, not seen.
He will return, hair dark as night
She will come back, her heart as gold
And their hands might intertwine
When they leave their life
So far behind.
The orchestra played the last notes as the crowds clapped, the King walking up the steps as he smiled.
"And that ballad was written and composed by none other than Prince Ethan of Vania!" He boomed as people turned to Ethan and clapped. "Soon to be King Of Vania!" He added. The crowds clapped even harder as Ethan bowed feebly, about to flee. Hannah placed her hand on his shoulder and frowned.
"My prince, may your dance linger?" She asked. Ethan glanced at the door and sighed.
"My deepest remorse, but I must go. I will return of course. Eventually." He said quickly, fleeing before she could say anything. Hannah sighed as she walked away into the crowds, automatically flirting with the next guy she saw.
As for Ethan, he ran out of the halls as he threw his mask off. He smiled as a girl did the same. He grinned.
"Ethan." She whispered. Ethan smiled.
"Sarah." He said back, linking his hand as he grasped his hand on hers and pulled her away, their hushed laughter trailing away.
Benny danced with Stephanie nervously as she smiled, whispering in her ear.
"I see you taken off your mask once more darling." She whispered. "Shame you must wear another." Benny gulped; he was dancing with the girl that was at the bar. He gulped when he saw a stranger in the darkness, dancing alone at the snacks table. Benny sighed.
"Once again, dear Stephanie. My interest lingers not in you, especially after the attitude you expressed to me last night. I bid you thee." He said sourly, walking away as he went to the bar. Stephanie squealed in fury as she just went to dance with another man.
Benny grabbed a goblet and poured himself some wine. He knew he was probably underage, but why not? He saw the man at the counter as he hissed under his breath.
"I thought we agreed to meet at night." Benny whispered to the man alone. Tobias smiled.
"It is night, is it not?" He said in a smart alack way. Benny sighed as Tobias whisper laughed.
"Glad to meet you once more Benjamin." He said. Benny nodded. "As with you Mr. Myoc. But I cannot talk to you tonight. Come with me."
And Tobias obeyed the young prince's orders as they sneaked out of the dance, a small smile on Benny's face.
Rory danced with Della, Della being all diva and annoying the whole time.
Della suddenly had it when Rory accidentally stepped on her dress, ripping it. She gasped as she slapped him. Rory yelped in pain as she growled.
"You!" She yelled, catching some attention. "You disgrace to the kingdom. Rid me of your sight!" She yelled, storming off. People calmed her down as Rory sniffed back tears. He ran out of the ball as Erica happened to see, curiously following him.
She whisked through the halls silently, running the stairs to Rory's room. She crept open the door.
"Hello? Rory?" Her soft voice echoed the room as she spoke for the first time. She heard a thud in the bathroom as she walked there, gasping when she entered.
A knife was beside Rory's unconscious voice, as blood pooled from his wrist, staining his tunic.
He cut himself.
Purposely.
A/N- Oh no! Rory is in depression! What will happen now?!
A lot happened in this chapter, and I will fill in with everyone else and their whereabouts in the next chapter! Yay!
In the meanwhile, drop a review and thanks for the review!
In Fangs, We Trust.