The evening of the third day of the festival in Delsgade had come and the whole kingdom was decorated in beautiful colors and flowers.
The people had gathered to witness the beauty of the culmination of the wonderful celebration.
Everyone was seated and the stage was set with bright beautiful lights.
The lights went out and one spotlight shone on a white figure.
The figure was static, unmoving and unchanging for seconds, minutes. Until a drumming sound was heard once. The figure changed its position, twisting its body to arrive at it.
Another drumming sound was heard and it changed its position again.
This continued for about ten minutes until the drumming sound changed its rhythm.
The sound become more repetitive and consistent.
The figure moved faster, swaying to the rhythm that was being produced.
The drumming became intense and the figure shook violently in response until it stopped abruptly.
The figure pulled out a pair of blunt knives from the sides of the white cloth that draped it's body and placed them on its neck.
The figure's face could not be seen, only it's movements.
It twirled the knives around dangerously, making the audience gasp in shock and fear.
Isn't he scared of the knife flying out of his hands? Many of them thought silently.
The figure danced with the knives for a few more minutes before throwing them to the side.
The figure pulled out a stem, waving it and it moved its body.
The flowers bloomed on command and the audience cheered in response.
The figure waved again and the flowers wilted on the spot
Gasps could be heard across the audience.
The figure stopped and stretched while the drumming beat continued.
The beat intensified and the figure jumped up and down.
The figure was twirling, it looked like it was high on whatever it was feeling.
The beat reached it's climax and the mask of the figure broke off and the figure dropped to its knees.
The spotlight shone directly on the face of the figure.
His grey eyes and white hair looked ethereal and gasps erupted from the audience.
He was panting and looked somewhat high, ecstatic and untouchable.
The lights dimmed and the figure faded into the background.
The audience stood up and applauded. The queen was sobbing with joy. The king and the princes were so proud of their brother.
King Zane, on the other hand, was still in shock. He was blown away by the last few seconds of the performance.
Roshan was looking directly at him with an expression of yearning. He looked like he was high above the clouds.
He looked like he wanted something. Like he needed something.
Zane shook his head, perhaps he was imagining it because he hadn't had any close relations with anyone in some time.
He set those thoughts aside briefly, focusing on appreciating the performance he had just witnessed.
....
A feast was held after the performance to feed the people of the kingdom heartily.
The feast lasted for a few hours after which the royal family and their guests retired for the night.
Everyone had gone to bed but Roshan was very much filled with energy. He felt so good after the performance that he didn't know how to sleep.
His head still felt very light and he thought he was floating.
He was walking happily in the dark courtyard when he bumped into a bigger figure.
Roshan lost his balance and fell backwards when he felt an arm around his waist that firmly grabbed him and pressed him to their body.
"Oh I'm so sorry about that" Roshan quickly apologized before checking to see who it was.
He let out a gasp when he noticed how close his face was to the other person....Zane.
Roshan unintentionally sighed in relief, still in shock but didn't mind being in this king's arms.
Zane didn't look away, neither did he let go and Roshan stayed in his embrace.
They looked into each other's eyes, drinking in each other's expressions.
Roshan's lips were parted, his breathing was soft and his expression expectant.
Zane maintained his composure as he watched the boy before him.
It would take him only a split second to devour this white haired boy but he wouldn't. At least not yet.
He let go of Roshan and the latter looked somewhat disappointed by his choice.
"Thanks for catching me" Roshan said, frowning and walked away.
Zane didn't say a word and didn't move an inch. He knew that his patience was hanging by a thread and if he turned back to watch Roshan's silhouette, he would pull him back into his embrace.
He couldn't start fooling around with Roshan. The boy was a prince and he, a King. He had duties to fulfill for the sake of his people.
He repeated this over and over in his head instead of turning back.
Once he was sure Roshan had gone inside, he turned around and sighed. Even if he would feel more deeply for Roshan, he would make him his partner rather than a fling.
Zane looked up at the sky and sighed.