NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 63: The Play (VII).
Chapter 63: The Play (VII).
The play continues as the lights roll and the sound effects are doing their best to give calming music for the two making it a little romantic and serene.
Analissa leans a little to Lady Evelyn, "When I was traveling, I came across a few creatures like me. They were also once human and crossed powerful witches or sorcerers that turned them into what they are now. I have been told that some have cures and... others don't."
"That's horrible."
"It is but I have come to realize that we have our faults. If only had I not been so rude and became welcoming of strangers in need looking past their physical appearance perhaps this curse wouldn't have been inflicted on me." (Analissa) remembers that Lord Ein on this part of the play would hold his head sadly so she did that as well.
Lady Evelyn softly smiles, taking Analissa's hands and placing it aside to look at her adorable frog costume. "How will you break your curse Mr. Frog?"
Without a doubt... It is the blonde girl inside of that costume.
"It is to find my true love and only if she kisses me then will it break."
"A kiss?" (Lady Evelyn) intentionally got close to her and Analissa could only see much from the frog costume's hole on its head.
She looks up seeing the villainess' face up close and panicked on delivering their line- "B-But I have not yet fallen in love or have someone else do the same for me. I mostly think it's because I'm a slimy creature you could easily stomp on."
"Anyways I came here to kill my time. I've been bored of finding my own true love that I want to help you out find yours." She finishes.
The narrator's voice could be heard all over the theater, "The princess sadly smiles, looking up at the sky and thinking of the frog's words. To find her true love might be impossible."
The princess acts out the scene perfectly, looking empty as she turns to the audience before looking at her frog prince. "The time of the social season... It's the reason why suitors visit our castle almost everyday. I must choose someone before the season is over. My kingdom cannot be ruled without a King and my father- the king is coming of age to retire."
Perhaps... it is not too far from what she is experiencing in real life.
"The pressures... I understand." (Analissa) frog hops over to her, trying to cheer her up once more. "So tell me what you want in a person you'll be with! You are to choose a husband then I will help you choose the best from all the rest!"
"The person that I want to be with?" (Lady Evelyn) places a finger on her cheek, pondering over the question.
She cheekily smiles answering the frog's question. "I don't necessarily have to fall in love immediately."
"...?" (Analissa)
"I want them to be kind, reasonable, someone who is able to listen and would spoil me with praise." The villainess stares at the frog's eyes hoping that her message would reach the heroine personally. "Someone who will love me... even if I break apart and lose everything."
"Huh? Hold on, that's not in the script." The narrator double checks the script that they have including Lady Serene who scrolls over the lines- she couldn't help but bite her lip in guilt.
"That's... yes it's not in the script. I suppose Evelyn is going ad lib now." The lackey crossed her arms and chuckled at how she never knew this side of her best friend existed.
The narrator looks over with sweat dripping on the side of her face looking worried. "I-Is that okay?"
"Might as well be we don't really have a choice besides... I think this version is better." (Lady Serene) was never the type to be soft, but her smile at that moment was the widest it has ever gotten.
'Huh? That's... not in the script?'
Analissa blinks in confusion, she tries to recall if there was ever such a line like that. It was supposed to be something along the lines of, 'as long as the man I will be marrying will take care of me and my kingdom.'
Why is her answer so specific?
"That should be fairly easy, your Highness. We can try and scope out the gentlemen in line at your social event, see if you fancy any." The blonde girl continued on, she had no time to decipher whatever answer she gave because the play was still ongoing.
The villainess hums, "There's a grand ball that my father will be hosting in honor of me. Perhaps that's where I can get to know the suitors and see who is most eligible?"
"Splendid idea, princess! I'll help you out in finding your true love! Also would you mind if I crash into your quarters to sleep? The couch or the floor is fine!" The frog pleads, the time of his travels were harsh and he could only sleep in trees with the fear of being hunted by many predators in the area. "It's not safe outside."
The princess nods, patting its head. How could she refuse her request?
"You're most welcome to do so. You can stay on my couch."
...
The curtain closes and the two characters in the stage could see nothing.
"...!" (Lady Evelyn) looks around and realizes that the next scene will be different.
'Right change of scenes!' (Analissa) immediately wasted no time and ran to the side.
The other background helpers placed the props and background settings as quickly as they could. "Everyone quick! The stage background must be changed! Enter our next characters!"
Analissa and Lady Evelyn were supposed to exit on specific sides, where they are needed to enter on the next scene of the set.
The heroine went immediately to the left and the villainess to the right. So they didn't have the time to talk to one another.
"Cue the music." (Lady Serene) waves her hand for the signal and an instrumental piano and violin begins playing.
The narrator clears her throat before reading her line. "The social ball has started, everyone danced and partied. Raising their wine glass in toast for the princess, in honor of having to pick her new husband soon. One of them was the famous duke of the north."
The Grand Duke of the north walks with confidence as he enters the stage.
A noblewoman calls out to him. "Oh~ grand duke of the north you are, it's been a while since I've seen you! You've come for the ball to be the princess' suitor?"
The grand duke of the north laughs and shakes his head. "My goodness! I came to be her husband."
"That is fast my lord! Your goal is truly very high up!"
"Oh it is but fear not because I am-"
Analissa was hiding in her spot in the corner where she's supposed to be watching the whole musical plot of the small-time villain. They did much practice beforehand and she has watched it all, how good her classmates were. At first she was confused because when she first reading the script-
She could barely recognize it from the original story she knew. This script of the princess and the frog was a lot more different to what she had back in her original world.
First there was no grand evil duke that's trying to marry the princess for the throne.
Second, there weren't as many fight scenes. There was only one villain as far as she knew, in here it was two.
Third, the original story there is a lot shorter and simpler compared to this revamped complex one. The play is over two hours, and there's five musical scenes here.
"To have the princess on my knees~ My whole entire life will surely be at ease! You'd think that those fools knew something!" The actor for the grand duke was pouring his whole heart and soul for the role. "No, no, no! They're all the same! Stupid idiots I don't tell lies!"
Analissa whistles as she hears the whole song for the second time. "Damn that dude sure knows how to sing... if I remember correctly his name is Owen?"
Lord Owen Makedon, a son of a well known Baron who thought something like theater is a waste of space and time when he was still studying in the academy.
Didn't know that his own son has talent in performing arts.
"What's more delicious than power?!" He stomps his feet and the crowd listens to the rhythm of its melody. "Hah! The answer is none! That's why my family will soon be number one!"
"The bars on this kid are wild." The heroine compliments his talents as she continues to watch him singing some more before dropping the sickest bars at the end.
"Oh... the crown will... soon be mineee!"
The crowd was enjoying every bit of his performance.
...
"Well done, next it's your cue ladies!" (Lady Serene) whispers to the side characters who were with Lady Evelyn walking with such stride.
"As the ball ensued, the frog watched not too far to see the princess walking around and greeting her guests." The narrator looks at the crowd of ladies forming as they walk into the center of the stage.
"Your highness." They greeted her in deep curtsy before going on their way.
"Hello, thank you for coming. I hope you enjoy the ball." (Lady Evelyn) greets back with curtsy and stops after seeing two girls running in her direction.
"Your highness, have you heard that the grand duke of the north is here?!"
"Oh... he is?"
"Yes! And he wants to see you!" The girls squealed with glee. Opening their fans and started using them to hide their faces, making excited expressions. "I'm sure that he'll try his luck with you, your highness!"
The grand duke of the north who was near couldn't help but overhear. Luck?
Pah!
"I don't need no luck, my wit and handsome face are enough I hope." He grins, finally walking over there to introduce himself properly and elegantly. "Mademoiselles, charmed that my name has gotten through your beautiful lips."
"Oh my~"
"It is good to see you today, Grand Duke Pierre Deravouci. I hope you are enjoying the social season."
"I am enjoying it more now that you're here." The grand duke Pierre Deravouci reaches for Lady Evelyn's hand kissing it's back. "I have barely seen you these past balls."
"I forgot about that scene." (Analissa) was watching it all and didn't feel at all comfortable seeing Lady Evelyn being kissed at the hand by someone else.
"I have been busy, I hope you will forgive me for not having much presence these times. I have been looking for a... suitor suitable for me."
"It is hard to find someone that my father approves of." She replies and the grand duke shakes his head with a smile.
"Well he will not look further to find someone suitable because I... am the one you're looking for." (Owen) lowers his head and offers his hand to the crown princess. "May I have this dance?"
It was clear that the drama was starting now!
"The crowd of ladies around them gasps, waiting in silence for the princess' answer. She turns to the frog for aid, wondering what she should do." The narrator was sweating as she read those lines. "The frog prince, knowing that she needed to find her true love, thought that it wouldn't hurt to try. He could only nod in reply and hope for the best."
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