AN: I want to apologize for the big pause in the story. I will make sure to update regularly.
Thanks for reading y'all, it's very much appreciated.
Chapter 6: Coming of age ceremony IV
Chloe finished her dance with a smug smile on her face as she looked around the crowd searching for someone.
Her eyes finally landing on the person and she offered him a smile.
Davis looked at Chloe with an expressionless face. He looked away and did not bother to smile back.
He did not like her and she kept forcing herself on him, it was really annoying.
Chloe seethed with anger and returned to her seat but after a while, she smiled.
Only she knew the reason behind her smile.
Soon, it was Arielle's turn and she was a nervous wreck. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.
She had practiced her song countless times, but now that the moment of truth had finally arrived, she couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had been building up inside her. The audience was silent, waiting for her to begin.
In the darkness, I search for the light
A guiding star to lead me through the night
I've been broken, but I won't give up the fight
I'll rise above, and shine with all my might
Arielle started her pieces her voice trembled at first, but as she began to sing the lyrics of the song, her tone grew stronger and more confident.
I'll lift my voice, and let my spirit soar
I'll rise above, and shine like I've never been before
I'll stand tall and strong, and let my heart be free
I'll rise above, and be the best version of me
I'll rise above the noise, and find my inner voice
I'll rise above the pain, and find my heart's rejoice
I'll rise above the fear, and find my soul's release
I'll rise above, and find my inner peace
Davis stared at the brown-haired girl singing and could not take his eyes off her. Her voice was melodious and soothing, he relaxed subconsciously.
I'll lift my voice, and let my spirit soar
I'll rise above, and shine like I've never been before
I'll stand tall and strong, and let my heart be free
I'll rise above, and be the best version of me
She ended her song and gave a bow.
The hall was quiet for a few seconds which made Arielle anxious.
'Ohh well, I did my best.' She thought to herself and was about returning to her seat when the hall erupted into applause.
Victoria and Natalie cheered for her from their seats.
Arielle gave a bow again and strode back to her seat.
Chloe was boiling with rage, 'It's okay Chloe, calm down, calm down…' She kept chanting to herself.
The ceremony went on for some more time with the rest of the girls showcasing their talents.
The King called his advisor and whispered to him,
"Gather all the girls in the second hall immediately after."
Bernard nodded his head in understanding.
After the girls finished, Bernard gathered all the girls in the second hall and asked them to get seated and that the King would be coming to address them soon.
"Please, have your seats ladies. The King would be coming to talk with you soon." Bernard informed.
The girls settled in their seats and soon enough the King entered the hall.
All the girls stood up to pay their respects.
The King nodded, "You can all have your seats." He said.
The King started speaking after they settled down. "I have called you all here to address your marriage. I know you ladies would be wondering why you are getting married at this age and I am aware some of you don't want to get married… especially the ones that tried to run away." He said and looked at the girls.
Emma, Bella and Anna averted their eyes immediately as they were the ones the King was talking about.
"Can I ask why we are being forced to get married my King?" Asked Arielle, her voice barely above a whisper.
The King's expression turned solemn, and he leaned forward, his eyes scanning the room. "It is an ancient tradition, one that has been passed down for generations," he said.
The grand hall was dimly lit, with only a few candles flickering to illuminate the solemn faces of the girls.
Arielle's face scrunched up in confusion, her eyes narrowing as she tried to make sense of the King's words.
"Ancient tradition?" She asked softly.
"Why can't it just be abolished?" A girl asked with slight confusion marred on her face.
"Right! I mean you are the King, why not just put an end to that tradition. Some of us hate the idea of forced marriage, you know." Another girl said as she tried to retain her anger so as to not sound rude to the king.
Some of the other girls agreed to this.
"Just keep your mouths shut already. As the king as said, it is an ancient tradition and it can not just be put to an end." Chloe said with annoyance.
She then continued, "Just do what you want to do and forget that you have done it."
"That's easy for you to say, since you are sure of who you are going to marry, what about us that have no idea?" Emma asked.
"Well, that's on you. Whichever man chooses you, whether he is nice or not, that's your cross to carry." Chloe replied as she chuckled.
"You…"
"That's enough girls." The King ordered.
The King paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing.
The King's eyes swept the room, as if ensuring that everyone was paying attention, before he announced, "That's all ladies. Now let's all go down to the main hall for the main reason of the ceremony." and was about leaving when he halted.
"Ohh… and no running away or anyone caught would be severely punished." He said before finally leaving the hall and not answering any of their questions.
"Thank goodness the King did not call us out." Bella said as she patted her chest to calm her racing heart.
"Yeah.. thankfully." Anna replied.
"I knew it would be you three." Arielle said in between a small laughter.
The four girls have been friends since they were children, with Emma, Anna and Bella being the mischievous ones.
"You can't blame us Ari, we were scared alright?" Emma said with a pout.
"I know right, a marriage taking place without your consent is a scary thing and the worst part is, we don't have a clue as to who we are marrying." Arielle said sadly. Her shoulders slumped and she looked down, her gaze falling to the floor.
Arielle looked at the girls and noticed that they were about to cry.
Emma's eyes welled up with tears, and Anna's face crumpled. Bella's voice trembled as she spoke, "What if we don't like them? What if they're cruel?" The four girls stood there, frozen in fear and uncertainty, as the reality of their situation sunk in.
Arielle blinked her tears back to prevent them from falling as she went ahead to hug the trio.
She was also scared of the probability of what Bella said happening.
Arielle's hug was tight, as if she was trying to hold onto something solid in a world that was rapidly spinning out of control. "We'll face this together," she whispered, trying to sound braver than she felt. Emma, Anna, and Bella nodded, clinging to each other as they tried to find comfort in their shared fear.
Bella pulled back from the group hug, her face scrunched up in frustration. "Why do we always have to follow the rules?" she demanded, her voice rising. "Can't we just refuse to get married?" Arielle placed a calming hand on Bella's arm, and said softly,
"Bella, I know it's hard but we can not refuse. It is something that has been going on for years now.
We'll be fine alright?"
"And you never can tell you might find a Prince Charming." Arielle said with a smile on her face as she tried to lighten up the mood.
"What Prince Charming, Ari?" Anna said as she laughed.
Bella and Emma laughed also as Arielle's smile was contagious.
The tension in the room dissipated as the girls' laughter filled the air. Arielle's smile grew wider, happy to have lifted her friends' spirits. "Well, maybe not a real Prince Charming," she said, chuckling, "but maybe someone who's kind and gentle, and will treat you like a queen." Emma playfully rolled her eyes, but Bella's expression softened, and Anna's laughter trailed off into a thoughtful smile.
Just as the girls were trying to comfort each other, the guards opened the door to the hall to make sure all the girls were in the ceremony hall.
"What are you still doing here?" He asked them and they realized they were the only ones left.
Arielle's eyes met her friends' and she could see the uncertainty in them. "Let's get through this once and for all." She whispered.
The girls nodded in unison, taking a deep breath as they prepared themselves for what was to come.
Emma smoothed out her dress, Anna fidgeted with her hair, and Bella stood up straight, her shoulders squared. Arielle gave them a reassuring smile before they strode towards the door and went out of the hall.
Prepared to face whatever fate had installed for them.
A/N: How was this chapter? Kindly add this book to your library and comments your thoughts. Thank you.