Lizabella: A Musical Fairy Tale 🎤

19: A Ball

"It is never too late," said Finchley.

"The people are despondent. The monarchy has been shaken, and their hearts along with it." 

Finchley paused for a moment before bursting into his pre-planned speech.

"But I believe I have the perfect remedy to turn this Kingdom around," he said, sweeping his arm across the length of the great throne room like a master performer. "To strengthen the might of the glorious king! To regain the trust of his loyal subjects!"

"A pantomime?" said Malcus, a bemused expression playing across his hairy face.

"Better," said Finchley with a sly grin. "A ball."

King Malcus gave a snort of derision. "Oh yes. Let us dance away our problems, shall we? We shall dance this kingdom into the ground and once we are thoroughly ruined, we shall dance some more!"

"Ah, but this is not just any ball," said Finchley.

The king narrowed his eyes in suspicion at the excited glimmer in Finchley's eyes.

"This ball shall be held in the king's honor," he said, twirling his arm about in an exaggerated flourish and bowing extravagantly before King Malcus.

He leaped across the platform like a ballerina. "We shall scout the land for the finest maidens. They shall be groomed and pampered to the king's liking, and the fairest of them all shall be invited to this ball.

The king stared at Finchley in disbelief. "A commoner? You want me to marry a commoner?"

"A beautiful commoner!" said Finchley, brandishing his forefinger. "You many have your pick, noble sire. There shall be many a fair lady and noblewoman to boot!

And naturally, we shall be stretching our invitation across the seas." He spread his arms out in front of him, where presumably the sea lay. 

"There shall be duchesses, countesses and of course, princesses. The crème de la crème shall flock to the palace to celebrate the occasion of this ball."

"Which is?" said Malcus, wholly unimpressed by Finchley's dramatics.

"Marriage, Your Highness. The king's marriage."

"Absolutely not!" King Malcus slammed his fist in the palm of his hand. "It is out of the question!"

"It is the only way, Your Majesty. Queen Adelia was the most beloved queen to her people. Their hope is shattered. We need to restore their faith. The king's faith. The kingdom needs to move on."

"I will never move on! Adelia was my life. You know that!" The king turned his head, eyes smarting.

"I do, Your Highness. She was a treasure in every way. The most beautiful, kind hearted woman who ever lived," said Finchley, piling on the praise with gusto.

"But there are other women."

"None could hold a candle to her."

"No," said Finchley. "But they may shine a light of their own."

"I do not care to find out."

"Your Majesty," Finchley pleaded. "A man without a wife is like a shoe without a foot."

"Then why do you go barefoot, good sir?"

Finchley's face flushed beetroot. "Ah well, you see, Your Majesty, I am far too preoccupied with the king's duties."

Malcus raised a laughing brow which Finchley pretended not to see.

"And," he went on, willing his face to return to its usual pallor. "If you're not satisfied she can always stay in her chamber rooms. The palace is large enough to rarely cross paths. She could even take up residence in the king's Kalwester home.

"I cannot consider your proposal."

"Then perhaps the king will consider this," he said, clasping his perspiring hands behind his back, his anxiety mounting. For even he had limits with the king, and he dare not broach them.

Malcus glared at Finchley, his gem-clad fingers clenched tightly on the arms of his throne. "Spit it out and be done with you."

"With a queen," said Finchley, his voice smooth like silk, "there is chance of an heir."

King Malcus released his fingers from their choke-hold on the throne. He threaded them through his beard, deep in thought, and before he could set his mind against it, Finchely swooped in to deliver his punch line.

"Do not marry for yourself, Your Highness. Marry for your kingdom."

(Author's note: Well, what do you think? Should the king remarry?

Thank you so much for reading and voting!! :D)