Parker sits on the Gustan palace roof to look at the stars.
"darling!" His mother said as she opened the window hoping he was on the roof. "I have grand news! I was able to hire that singer you liked to sing at your coronation ball tomorrow. Analese." His mother exclaimed happily.
Parker's face lit up as he heard the news about his mother hiring the singer he liked for his coronation ball tomorrow. He stood up quickly and smiled at her before saying, "That's wonderful, Mother! I can't wait to hear her sing!"
Parker first heard about the traveling singer months prior when news spread of my rise in fame. I even played at a festival he attended and that's when he asked his mom to get me to play at his coronation. "Me too. She was surprised but agreed." His mother said with a smile glad that he was happy.
"That's perfect," Parker replied with a grin. "And she'll be here tomorrow night? I can't wait." He paused for a moment, his expression turning thoughtful. "Do you think she'd want to meet me beforehand?" he asked curiously.
"Oh, darling! Of course!" His mother exclaimed, beaming with delight at the idea. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind in the least."
"everything is in place now. All that's left is for you to get a good night's rest." His mother said as she kissed his cheek. "Goodnight son."
"Goodnight, Mother," he said with a yawn before lying down on the roof again, staring up at the stars. As he drifted off to sleep, images of the beautiful singer danced in his head. He couldn't wait until tomorrow night.
the next day he rushed to get ready and ran around to make sure the decorations were right in the ballroom. The food had to be grand as well. Parker wanted everything to be perfect so everyone would see if as a great soon to be king. "The sun is setting darling.. are you ready?" His mother asked as she adjusted his sleeve.
"Almost," he replied with a smile, looking at himself in the mirror one last time before turning to his mother. "I'll see you downstairs." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and headed out of his room, eager to meet the singer and start the coronation ball.
The night air was crisp as he descended the stairs leading to the grand ballroom. Torches flickered along the walls, casting dancing shadows across the marble floor.
"Analese will be here shortly but her carriage experienced a bit of trouble along the way so she won't be here for at least ten minutes before the ball arrives.. I know you wanted to meet her beforehand. Sorry your highness.." a guard told Parker before bowing.
Parker nodded understandingly, telling the guard it was fine before turning back to his mother. "Is there anything else I should be doing?" he asked her, trying to keep his impatience in check. She smiled reassuringly and led him over to where some of their guests were already mingling.
"You just relax and enjoy the company until she arrives," she said, patting his arm affectionately. "Trust me, it'll be worth the wait."
"you'll make your grand entrance here soon." She told him while she shut the door leaving him alone in the corridor. People began to fill the ballroom and through the door he could hear there were a lot of them. "Thank you all for coming for such a joyous night! I won't halt you much longer as I know you all are here to see the legacy of Gusta. Parker of Gusta crowned prince next in line for the throne!" His mother announced before the guards opened the door so he could make his entrance.
As the music began to play, Parker took a deep breath and stepped forward into the ballroom. The crowd erupted in cheers as he strode confidently across the floor, his eyes searching for any sign of the singer amidst all the guests. He couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within him with each passing moment.
he went around and greeted as many people as he could before he heard the microphone buzz again. He turned towards the balcony and could see me standing there in the most gorgeous black gown. I looked like a princess even though I had no title to my name. I smiled once he noticed me. "Thank you for wanting me to sing tonight.. it's an honor." I spoke into the microphone as the live band began to softly play behind me. I closed my eyes softly. He recognized the melody as his favorite song of mine. "Stars are my friends. I talk to each one. Every now and then. And dear moon... You are my light. Guiding me through loneliness, every single nightttt. And to the skyyy. I wanna flyyyy. Away from all my sorrows. The troubles that soon follow. I wanna flyyyy..." I beautifully and softly sang to the crowd but I sang to him.
As he listened to her sing, Parker felt his heart race in his chest. The words she sang were like poetry to him, and the way she carried herself on stage was breathtaking. He couldn't help but feel a rush of emotion as he watched her perform; it was clear that she was meant for this.
When the song ended, Parker hurried over to the balcony, his eyes never leaving hers. "That was absolutely beautiful," he murmured, reaching out to gently take her hand in his. "
I laughed softly. "Thank you.. I am here to perform at least 2 more songs. Any one you want in particular?" I asked with more grace than any princess in the room could even imagine.
"You can't go wrong with any of them," Parker replied truthfully as he leaned closer to her, his voice lowering so that only she could hear. "But if you had to choose just one more... I think 'no one knows me' would mean the most to me." He gave her hand a squeeze before letting go, reluctantly stepping back to give her some space.
The anticipation of hearing her sing the song he felt most connection with was almost too much for him to bear.
I nodded and turned towards my live band to tell them to start playing the melody to no one knows me. I grabbed the mike gently. "Hmmmm.." I started to hum sadly knowing this was a sadder song. In my mind I felt a pain my heart wondering if Parker felt like he related to the song. "Surrounded by people.. whom I barely know.. yes they all smile.. but no one knows me. I have given.. all of me.. but no one understands, that no one knows me." I softly sang before the chorus. "If I could have.. someone here. To love and cherish with my life. Without all the fears. I would open up. Tear down walls. Let them in. And more than enough... But... No one knows me. The real me. Just the image... No one truly knows me.." I sang with my heart and soul. When the song ended I looked softly at him.
Parker's breath caught in his throat as she sang those words; it felt like she was singing straight to him. He couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion wash over him, and for a moment, he wondered if maybe that was why he had been so drawn to her music all this time.
I told my band to just play soft music so I could go down and chat with Parker. "Is your ball going the way you hoped?" I asked as I made my way to him.
"It's perfect," he replied with a warm smile, taking her hand in his once more. "And it wouldn't be the same without you here to sing for us." He leaned closer, lowering his voice even further so that only she could hear him. "I want to thank you again for agreeing to come. It means a lot to me."
"your mom told me you were a huge fan.. I couldn't say no." I replied with a smile. The most beautiful smile. "Im just surprised a future king was a fan of mine."
Parker laughed softly. "Well, I guess it's not very often that someone like me finds music they can truly relate to," he admitted, squeezing her hand gently. "You have a way of expressing yourself through your songs that... well, it just feels real. And I appreciate that more than you know."
He could feel his heart racing as he spoke to her; there was something about this woman that made him feel so alive. It was as if she had brought out a part of himself he hadn't known existed until now.
"I'm glad.. that's all I want. Is for people to enjoy my words not just my voice. I've always loved singing." I told him as my band mates urged me to come back up to sing another song. "I'll talk with you again once the ball is over okay?" I told him with a smile as I headed up the stairs again so I could sing. "With you I have felt.. so loved and warm. I have always wanted a hand to hold. And now that your here. No need to fear. But now I'm not sure where this ends. Can i find a place in your heart? Can I find I place in your arms? Can I be near you? Till we're old and grey? Cause I want you every single day." I started to sing my most popular love song and people began dancing together. Yet Parker said no to multiple girls asking for him to dance with them.
As he listened to her sing, Parker couldn't help but smile in spite of himself. The words she sang felt like they were meant just for him, and the way she looked at him as she performed... it was enough to make his heart race wildly in his chest. With each passing moment, he found himself wanting her more and more.
He wondered if there was any chance that this could be something real; after all, she was just a traveling singer with no title or claim to nobility. But then again, neither did he... not yet.