The Whiteriver 2

The fourth kingdom was just announced and it was my sister's kingdom. Maya Ryan's kingdom and honestly Maya seemed very unhappy. She and three other young women followed the king who had his first wife by his side. I didn't understand what my sister and the other women were. They were dressed like royalties but their gait didn't show it. They seemed too cold, all four of them.

"Your majesty? Who are those following the king of Avira and his wife." I asked Queen Charlotte.

"They're his other wives. I hear they have no say in the palace. Such a pity." Queen Charlotte responded.

Before I could ask more questions they announced us. "King Albert Eldrago of Akalon and family." The announcer said.

We all walked in, I tried hard to keep my gait steady and confident. Our servants which included Irene were all waiting in the carriage. None of the servants from all five kingdoms were permitted to enter the Whiteriver. It was believed that non-royalties would desacralize the castle.

Queen Charlotte smiled widely and waved at other royalties. Some admired her while the rest resented her. I was distracted as I was busy looking around for my sister. I needed to find her. Finally, my gaze landed on the king of Avira and his queen but none of the young wives were standing close to them.

People from other kingdoms admired me. I could hear their whispers.

"That's his bride?." A voice said.

"She's very beautiful." Another voice whispered.

"She's too innocent. How did she end up marrying him?" The third voice whispered.

Well, I heard it all but I didn't care. What I cared about at that point was my sister Maya.

Soon we sat at our designated table and in just a short while the festival began. There were a lot of performances from different kingdoms. I still searched for my sister but never set my eyes on her. I was really worried about where she must have vanished to. What could be the problem?

I was still worried about my sister when prince Liam poked me and then I heard the announcement. "Now, it is time for princess Nardin Eldrago to step forward and show us what she's got within her." The announcer said.

My heart skipped and I could feel my stomach tied up in knots from nervousness. I didn't expect this to happen. Nobody told me I had to perform today and in front of all five kingdoms? I've never even performed in a locked room alone talk more of perform before people. I looked at the king and queen and they were smiling widely at me. I looked at Percy and he gave me a thumbs up while the other brothers didn't even care. Liam put his hand on my lap gently and spoke softly. "Go on Nardin, you can do this." He said.

Although he didn't smile I still felt encouraged, at least he believed in me even if he was only pretending. I slowly got up from my seat as everywhere was silent and I had the attention of everyone in the castle. The castle was so silent that I could even hear my heart beating fast. Soon I was standing at the central aisle. I already thought of what to do, I was a very bad dancer or rather I haven't even tried dancing before but I remember I sing a lot with my sister Maya and singing our special song now would bring her out of her hiding place or so I thought.

I took a deep breath to settle my nerves and calm my beating heart before I finally started singing. "You my dear are the star, and I my dear am the night..." I went so deep into the song that I closed my eyes and forgot about every other person in that room. I sang so confidently and loudly and emotionally that people almost started to shed tears, after singing for about 120 seconds I ended ".....so stay in my arms tonight...!"

As soon as finished, my voice got drowned in the applause of everyone there. While some people shed tears as they felt some emotion rushing through them while others held their hands on their chest. I looked around in search of Maya but still did not find her so I smiled and bowed slowly then went back to my seat.

"Bravo princess." Queen Charlotte said to me.

"You've got a very lovely voice, princess Nardin." Prince Percy complimented me.

"Thanks." I responded.

For the first time that day, the other brothers smiled and nodded at me as I smiled back. Then I turned to look at Liam.

"I didn't know you could sing so beautifully." He said.

"There are so many other things you don't know about me." I said.

Liam didn't respond to that. He just shrugged.

The festival was a soothing one for me. It was as suffocating as I feared it to be and people there were quite nice except for a few who were bent on dragging Liam's name on the mud.

"I wonder how he got such an angel to become his wife. I'm sure he forced her." Woman 1 said.

"Hmm, this is a marriage between the devil himself and an actual angel. She's such a sweet little girl and deserves better than that Liam of a devil." Woman 2 added.

They were standing close to me as it was time for the free dance and I could hear them loud and clear. I got fed up with them gossiping about my husband so I quickly approached them.

"You know I never thought of royalties as ones to sit back and gossip about people. I wonder who let servants into this castle." I said to them as I observed the look of anger on their faces.

"Listen, princess Nardin..." Woman 1 started but I quickly cut her short.

"No you listen, woman, what you should do when you feel threatened by people is buckle up not gossip, and if you do not step aside right now I'll make you regret your attending this festival." I said with a scornful smirk spread across my lips and without another word, the women walked away shamefully.

Just then someone started to applaud me. "Bravo princess." A voice spoke.

I turned around to see a very handsome young man standing across me, he was handsome and his body well built. He had his legs crossed together as his body leaned on the wall. When he finally got my attention, he started coming close to me.

"Hi, my name is Arthur." He said.

"Nardin." I simply responded. Arthur didn't mention if he was a prince, what kingdom he came from, no he said nothing else apart from his name.

"Your performance earlier was really interesting and I'm glad it came from the most beautiful woman in this room." He said.

"Thank you." I blushed at his compliment.

"Nardin, would you please dance with me?" He asked politely.

I looked around in search of my husband but he was out of sight. Everyone at the party seemed busy dancing so I decided to dance with him.

"Okay, maybe we could dance a little before my husband steals me away." That was my way of letting him know I was married.

"Of course Nardin." He said and stretched out his hand for me to take it but before I could someone else held his wrist.

I looked up to see Prince Liam furiously glaring into Arthur's eyes. His eyes were somewhat not looking normal at all. Shit what was going to happen now?