XXI

People nowadays prefer to believe lies. Spread the issues without even a single trace of truth.

But what did they received? None, they got nothing, rather they just desecrated their names.

-

The theater is filled with audiences as the show's almost starting.

The lights are focused on the stage, while the speakers are everywhere.

We sat upstairs where we could see the whole vast stage of the theater.

I sat between the queen and the king. While Adira and Galiah are sitting on the king's side.

Whatever happened last night everything went too fast. At first I thought Salome was kidnapped but I was wrong, it's just there ace against me. The young Prince Sergei I just saw last night, after a few years passed.

He grown up..

Why is he here right now?

Why did his parents allowed him?

Las and Sha, those people who I don't really know who's behind their masks. They kidnapped my parents and hid my crown. The sudden arrival of two men in front of me.

I have only one question on my mind.

'What do they need?'

"Are you ready?" Marxia asked loudly.

Marxia is Marius' right hand. Marius always on her side and believed in her no matter what she said to him.

Everyone shouted and answered Marxia.

Marxia is Marius' right hand, she always stays by his side and believed in him no matter what and how dangerous his commands are.

Everyone shouted and answered Marxia.

Marxia smiled and put down her glowing viridescent  microphone first.

She went to the side of the stage, in where that part is covered with red curtain.

I glanced at my mother's direction but her eyes were focused straight on the stage.

"Look in front and not at me," she commands directly without sarcasm in her tone.

I did not obey her, instead I asked her something.

"I'm just wondering," she arched up her brows at me. "Why do you think that there are kind and demonic people?"

She smiled at me and brought her face slightly closer to mine.

She lightly stroked my cheek then smiled at me.

"Neriah, always remember this. When we're still young there are already choices for us on our plate,  it's either you'll be a hero, villain, or a wicked. There are already good and evil. The savior and the cheater. You're the one who decides what path you will take."

I just listened to what she has to say because I know she is not done yet.

"You're the one who decides if you want to be bad or good. You're the one who decides if you want to kill or help. That's all in your mind and heart, Neriah." She pointed to my forehead and chest.

"What if--"

"Shush, the show is about to start." he stopped me then faced the stage..

Marxia returned with her microphone again.

"How are y'all? Have you been waiting long? Are you bored?" She asked everyone directly.

There was a smile on her lips as he looked at the women one by one.

"You definitely won't be bored with the first thing that will happen here on the show." She pressed a button that showed a picture on the screen.

One by one the letters appeared in front of everyone.

"Who is the next Mr. and Ms. Alterwood?" I whispered, reading what was on the screen.

I looked at my parents but they both just shrugged. They seem to have no idea about ​​the first event. They were fine after what happened last night. It was as if they had erased from their minds what had happened.

If you are looking for my brother he is not here. He was in the other country where our father had given him a mission.

Everything seems to be just a failure as it is already. When I was still playing with him, I leaned on him every time I stumbled. But the world and life seems to be different now.

Back then I would feel pure joy. Now that feeling is slowly disappearing.

Kung hindi siguro ako nagkamali sa isang bagay hindi mangyayari ang lahat ng ito.

Why is it that they only see my mistakes, rather than the good things I have done and prove?

"Princess Athaliah!" Marxia suddenly called me.

I think my mind just flew away and I was thinking  of something. I no longer knew what was going on the show.

"Me?" I pointed myself with no emotion at all. "What me?"

I saw three women standing on the stage, including Adira.

Marxia smiled broadly before speaking. "Audiences chosed you," she answered my question.

I raised an eyebrow at her and looked at my hands wrapped in a purple gloves.

Who could've choose someone like me? I feel like I can knock them all down right at this moment.

I looked at my mother who was now also looking at me.

"Hmm?"

"You go and join them," I heard my father's voice. I did not listen to him and I waited for my mother to speak.

"Go enjoy," my mother said with a smile.

I hugged my mother before removing my gloves. I slowly went down the stairs and walk towards the stage.

Marxia assisted me as I was stepping on the stairs. When I officially in front of everyone and the contestants, I saw how their eyes sends me triggers.

Oh, are they threatened?

Well, I'm Athaliah they should be threatened.

I gave them a smile and waved at them before looking in front of everyone.

I saw Sverre on the other side, he was seated on the first row where he can see what we're doing here.

"Please bring the candidates at the backstage and let's choose a male candidate." Marxia said and pointed at the man.

He took us at the backstage. There were four rooms there and it was all right for us.

This is not the first time I have joined as a candidate. I joined when I was young but that was too long ago.

We stopped at a door then the man looked at me. "Here is your room, everything is prepared there. Just wait for your partner." He opened the door for me.

The whole room is in color purple and they seem to know my favorite color.

I stepped inside to really look at the whole room.

"Are you okay here?" The staff questioned.

I just nodded at him then he closed the door.

I immediately went to the walk in closet. When I opened the door, the were five beautiful dresses in there.

There are really five  inside and there are in different colors. There's a red, black and green.

But a beautiful dress caught my attention. It is worn on the manicuen.

I immediately approached and touched it.

I liked the fur on its shoulder. It is black and it fits my body, perfectly.

I stopped fantasizing about the beautiful dress when there was a sudden knock on the door.

I closed the walk in closet first and then opened whoever knocked.

I felt like a statue when I saw who was in front of me.

My heart skipped a beat for a moment, until I realized I had been staring at him for a long time.

"S-sverre," I stuttered calling him.

He did not speak and he just looked me straight in the eyes. I blinked a few times before avoiding looking at him.

"A-hh," I don't know what to say!

He looks so hot with his V-neck white shirt and Black pants. Napalunok ako nang hawakan niya ang aking magkabilang balikat.

"A-ano?" Nauutal ko pa ring tanong sa kanya.

"Papasukin mo ba ako o hindi?"

"Papasukin, saan?" Lutang kong tanong sa kanya.

"Saan nga ba, Prinsesa Athaliah?" He said and smirked!

I just avoided looking at him and then stepped back so that he could enter the room.

"Ako ang magiging kapareha mo," sabi niya sa akin saka umupo sa mahabang sofa.

"Bakit ikaw?--"

"Bakit hindi?" He fired back.

I shrugged and walked towards the walk in closet again.

I opened it to see what's good for my body again, but the black dress was really more dominant.

"Bagay sa'yo," usal ni Sverre mula sa kinauupuan niyang sofa.

Hindi ba siya pipili?

"Ang alin?" Nagtataka kong tanong sa kanya dahil kita niya naman ang lahat ng bestida kaya malay ko kung ano ang kanyang ibig sabihin.

"Anong alin?" Inosente niyang tanong sa akin. "Ako... Ako ang bagay sa iyo." Hindi ko inaasahan ang sasabihin niya kaya hindi ako nakapag salita kaagad.

I just didn't answer him and just sat in the big mirror where there was a vanity table and a some make-up.

"Bakit maglalagay ka pa niyan kung may natural na ganda ka naman?" He informally asked me. He went to a closet where his clothes were.

"Gusto ko eh," sagot ko naman sa kanya at nagsimulang maglagay ng kolorete sa aming mukha.

Why is he my partner? I know we like each other but it's awkward.

"Hindi mo sinusuot ang binigay kong kwintas sa'yo," malumanay niyang sabi na nagpatigil sa akin.

I looked at my amulet as it slightly light up which is why I hid it inside the dress I was wearing.

"Ah, hindi ko maaring tanggalin ang kwintas na sinusuot ko." Tanging sagot ko sa kanya, at hindi naman na rin siya umangal pa.

He did not speak anymore and prepare his self. I also put lipstick on my lips and a different shade for my eyes and cheeks.

As I was fixing my hair there was a sudden knock on the door. Sverre opened it and I heard the staff voice.

"We'll start in Five minutes," he announced then left.

I touched the black dress before putting it on. I looked at myself in the mirror.

The dress leaves my shoulders uncovered but there's a fur on it, instead it's supported around my neck and flows down into a graceful round neckline.

It's a comfortable fit which makes the dress look comfortable, yet elegant and stylish. I loved this dress because of the fur.

My arms have been covered completely, like it used to be. The sleeves start out loose and tighten towards the bottom where they wrap graceful around her wrists, perfectly for me.

I decided to wear a cone heels, they're simple, but radiate grace and refinement.

To top it all off, I'm wearing a ornate necklace and large jeweled earrings.

"Athaliah, handa ka na ba?" Tanong ni Sverre sa akin mula sa labas ng closet.

I looked at myself in the mirror again before going out.

I looked at Sverre  who's looking at his watch.

He's wearing a standard shirt and left it unbuttoned at the top for a more casual look.

On top of the shirt he's wearing a black vest with 4 buttons, it has a fairly deep v-line, it's just narrow enough for the top to remain visible, adding another layer to the overal look of the suit.

"Sverre," I shyly called to him.

When he looked up his eyes suddenly twinkled.

He looked at me from head to toe without saying a word.

"S-sverre," naiilang kong tawag sa kanya, dahilan kung bakit ako'y tinignan niya ng deretso.

He smiled at me and stood up. He handed me his arm then I reached for it.

I looked at him with a smile. The smile on his lips did not fade either.

Many things are unexpected including this one.

The man in front of me who first made my heart beat.

"Mahal kita," he whispered then suddenly kissed me.

On the cheek.

I smiled at him when he finished kissing me.

We walked towards the side of the stage together along with the other candidates.

He squeezed my hand, I don't know why.

"Kinakabahan ka?" He asked me.

"No nuh! Ako, bakit ako kakabahan?" I lied.

I just leaned on his shoulder while waiting for Marxia's announcement.

Hopefully even after today, it will still be like this. Nothing will change.

I know there is no eternal love when it comes to the state of life.

But I can fight for the person I really love, right?

"Hello again!" Marxia greeted again.

The audience is already screaming, waiting for us.

Sverre squeezed my hand again, when I turned to him he smiled at me.

When I averted my eyes from him, my eyes immediately landed on Adira.

"Oh, Athaliah," she called me sarcastically. "Huwag kang lilingon sa iba at baka may biglang maglalaho," she told me before going to her seat.

Marxia has already announced what will be held today. It's too early so there is plenty of time to have fun.

Marxia started calling and the man and woman in the line also separated.

When Adira was called I will admit she is beautiful now because of her attire.

Her maroon dress' waist is thin, but it's a loose fit. A small, elegant belt helps accentuate her waist without being too much.

Below the waist the dress widens and forms a round, balloon-style dress.

The dress reaches to just below her ankle and is the same length all around, the balloon itself is also wavy.

She's wearing stilettos, no other shoe would've matched this dress better. She's also wearing a subtle necklace and several lavish bracelets.

The way she walks on the stage, on the runway she looks like a pro. The way she wave at the people looks so simple and easy for her.

When Marxia called me I took a deep breath before going out from the curtain.

Most of the students were screaming when I came out of the curtain.

I went to the middle and put my right hand on my waist and I stretched my right leg to the right.

middle and I saw a few flashlights raised by the student where I was walking.

"I am Athaliah Neriah Lauverés destined to be your Ms. Alterwood!" I proudly said to them all.

When the women finished and the male candidates followed.

When Marxia's other wishes are over, here we are, In the Q and A portion.

We all wear headphones on our ears so that we do not hear the question and the candidate's answer.

I was a little surprised when someone removed my headphones from behind me.

I no longer looked at who's behind me and confidently marched to the middle of the stage.

"Crowned princess Neriah," Marxia greeted me.

"Hello Marxia," I greeted her enthusiastically.

"I didn't know it was nice when you mentioned my name," she said to me with a smile and took a card.

"I'm excited to know your answer, Princess," he said and slowly open the card.

"I'm also excited,"

When he finally opened the card he handed it to me.

"If you could give your younger self one piece of advice what would that be?" I clearly read the question.

I handed him the card then took the microphone.

"If I would advice my younger self, that would be never stop loving yourself, because when you start to love yourself you will live with confidence, and your every choice reflect every perfect perspective of your life," I answered my question while thinking that my younger self had not done that.

"Woah, that's a very good answer, princess!" Said Marxia. "In short what you said?"

I reached for the microphone again to answer that.

"For me, you don't need those people who leave you after everything. Because if they truly value you, they wouldn't step on your dignity and abuse it."