"Soliès," blown a soft voice into my ear. 

I grudged a few words as I was pulled out of the sweet sleep I was in.

"Hmm what?" I mumbled.

A laugh, both mocking and sweet, was heard in the surrounding calm and this had the effect of making me open my eyes.

The first thing I saw was Orias' face, before I realized I was lying on top of him, hugged possessively.

"Hmmm..., my husband thought, you were so cute sleeping in my arms.

- No need to be so teasing, I buzzed while rubbing my eyelids tired.

- Me? Teasing? Never," my interlocutor chuckled lightly while smiling.

I glanced at him in despair at his childlike behavior.

"Have we arrived? I asked to change the subject.

- Indeed, for some time already," the Cynnerian replied by shrugging his shoulders.

My eyes grew larger knowing that we were expected and already late. I got up quickly, pulling myself out of my husband's arms, trying to put my dress back on as faithfully as possible and struggling to regain my hair under the amused gaze of Orias who seemed not to be moving.

"Are you going to lie down for a long time? I asked.

- Hmm, I appreciate the show, he pointed out.

- Really? Glad you like it, I joked, but that's not the point. I remind you that we're expected.

- Pfff, Orias blew, what a boredom".

I rolled my eyes at such little motivation. The door opened suddenly as I had just pulled my dress up on me, however, the disorder was as visible in the clothes as in the hair.

"Hey, I see we had a lot of fun here! And you didn't even think about inviting me, mocked Fury, who was the one who came unannounced.

- Surely not, Orias replied, in any case, you are already having fun without us. We don't need to join your game, master.

- Master????, I add, completely incredulous.

- Yes, Master Fury has been my tutor since my childhood, explained the second prince by getting dressed.

- I... I understand your teasing side Orias better... I let go.

- Oh, a beautiful personality trait he inherited from me, bragged the blond.

- Help me," I lamented.

My husband just smiled at my answer.

"You're not going to go out like this anyway? asked the god.

- And how? Maybe in tutu?, I laughed.

- Why not?, giggled Fury, but no. Oh dear, what would you do without me!"

He snapped his fingers and our outfits adjusted exactly the way they were before our debates. 

"In short, we meet at the banquet and Soliès, intercepted me this one, it risks going some strange things tonight".

I raised an eyebrow as my blond interlocutor decamped out of the window as we watched in disillusionment.

Orias passed me and began to get off the carriage before reaching out to me.

"Are you coming?"

I smiled and gently blushed before grasping his hand and following its rhythm.

Servants came to welcome us and to lead us to the party place. They announced our arrival. I calmed down to my husband's rhythm and walked slowly, preferring to concentrate my eyes on the red curtains located at the back of the huge glass room, coffee tables being arranged along the white marble columns, almost as far as the eyes can see, and behind those dedicated to the imperial family.

We came before the emperor and the empress, recognizing these faces well. We bowed and paid our respects, basing myself on Orias' gestures. Sadé sketched a smile as he saw me, apparently thrilled at my presence. The emperor kept a calm and distant air, nodding his head simply to fire us.

We headed for the seats, cushions, and I sat between Orias and Zal... He turned towards me, a big charming smile on his face, obviously not having given up his seduction. On one side, my husband's was Aléis, in a beautiful golden and black dress. On the other side, towards Zal, was a young woman with long brown hair and blue eyes, a delicate and soft air emanating from her, surely the first prince's main wife.

"Soliès ≈, called me the whispering voice of the seductive prince, your beauty is even more resplendent than the last time ≈ You are quite admirable ≈

- Thank you Your Highness, i grumbled, not very happy to be positioned next to this man.

- Oh Soliès ≈ You can directly tutor me and call me by my first name ≈ Call me Zal ≈," he will sweat near my ear.

An unpleasant thrill ran through my back and I backed back slightly.

How could he hit on me? And in front of his wife? Who didn't seem to care. She seemed completely absorbed in the contemplation of her tea.

"It is very kind of you, Your Highness, but the only prince I dare call by his first name is the second. So if you would leave me alone, that would be very admirable," I replied politely.

Zal opened wide eyes, apparently not expecting to be refused. A hand came to rest on my waist and draw me to the opposite.

"Did you hear my husband, my brother? I'm the only one with the honor of being called by my first name. Now, if you would stop seducing everything that passes and moves, I would kindly ask you to leave my husband alone," the second prince replied to the address of the first.

And with these words, Orias turned away from his brother, still stunned, to look at me and place some pieces of food in my bowl.

"Eat my dear husband, after all we have done ≈," whispered this one to me in a naughty way.

My face took on a hue of the color of a ripe tomato. I pinched my husband's leg, and he smiled mockingly at my answer.

"Instead of sulking, you should concentrate on the show that will take place before your eyes," he whispered to me.

I let go of his leg and turned to the stage out of curiosity, in front of me, through which place we came.

In the meantime, dancers had arrived, some on the side and playing various instruments, a soft and pleasant music diffused in the air, while others used ribbons, cloths or fans to accompany the rhythm of their steps and gracious gestures.

I remained amazed at such a spectacle, letting myself be carried away in dreams awakened by pleasant music.

Nevertheless, everything ended when the music stopped and a dancer, out of nowhere, appeared on stage. Applause rang out when she arrived, which was clearly known to everyone. 

 "This is a great dancer and singer, Fury informed me, who had suddenly appeared to my right, separating me from Zal.

- Ah? Oh yes?, I stuttered, surprised by its sudden appearance.

- Yes, although the adjective "tall"** is a hyperbole", sneered the blond.

He was not wrong, she was the smallest dancer among all the others.

Wait! I remembered her! She was the one who threw a rose to General Tolis!!

I glanced across the room and recognized some familiar faces. Alfen, as Prime Minister, was in the front row. Right next to him, Tolis simply chewed his food skillfully.

I didn't see Mariana or Méaline, maybe they were behind? Surely their social standing was not high enough to allow them to be ahead. Solène, on the other hand, did not have the right to show himself as a concubine. I raised an eyebrow when I recognized the figure of Narel in the councilors. Finally, Polters' abominable facies were nowhere to be seen, much to my relief.

"Dear friends, I am pleased to be here on this great day, thanks to the immense magnanimity of His Majesty the Emperor. You probably know me for my fun songs and dances, I'm here to entertain you. But since today is also a day of love, because it celebrates the birth of the third son of his Highness the first prince," the little woman announces, draped in a shimmering color dress, bright white beads in her hair, makeup with red features highlighting her eyes.

Applause came from all sides, interrupting her speech, before easing quickly.

"As I said, since today is a day of love, so I decided to dedicate my song and my dance to the great and sublime...", the Cynnerian left in abeyance.

A tension set in the room, curiosity seized everyone, wondering who would be the chosen one of the music.

"... General Tolis!!", exclaimed the signer while jumping like a flea.

The concerned person spit out his liquor, lacking choking, not really expecting to be the chosen person. Next to him, Alfen had gone away with a laughter, his head hidden in his arms, visibly holding back from collapsing on the ground.

A smile appeared on Orias's face, while Zal, too, cheerfully laughed, as did the emperor and the empress.

Was I the only one who didn't understand why those laughs?

"This dancer takes the pseudonym of Tuyau and has fun charming, through a parody musical piece, all the beautiful Cynarians that she likes. If you want to know everything, Alfen and Zal have already been chosen, said Fury with a goofy look.

- I, too, have suffered the costs. Moreover, the last time, General Tolis made fun of the 1st Minister Alfen after the song. Now it's his turn, it seems," Orias admitted to me with a gentle laugh.

Oh! I was curious at the moment to know what she was going to make a mockery of.

"And my work today is called: Reincarnated to marry General Tolis, this beauty," the dancer proudly exclaimed.

The laughter grew louder as Tolis blushed more beautifully, surely with shame, looking increasingly embarrassed by the situation.

The gnome moved to the right side, behind red velvet curtains, giving a nod to the general before disappearing behind.

I'm smiling, curious to know what she had concocted for this person I didn't like in my previous life.

"It's a shame that his brother Solène isn't here to attend, I said.

- This is an excellent suggestion, Soliès. I'll go and get him, chuckled at the blond.

- How? And where are you going to hide him? He has no right to be there, I explained to him.

- You're not funny, Soliès," Fury replied, pissing.

I was going to answer when the music started, at first nagging and slow, some dancers dressed in... fruits and vegetables??? Coming out from behind the curtain. 

WTF? What was that show?

Others were dressed in tricolor, or even multicolored, hats of more or less odd shapes on their heads.

Was I attending a contemporary or an old performance?

Suddenly, a huge plateau emerged from the red cloths, carried by at least a dozen ballerinas, on top was laid a huge pale pink shell on a plate filled with various shellfish and seafood.

Just as the tray was being laid on the ground, in front of General Tolis, the shell opened wide and confetti emerged, the music taking on a wild and festive rhythm.

What was I looking at? (What about me? What am I writing??)

The woman jumped out of the seafood and then began to sing and dance in front of him, before coming up to the table under his amazed eyes, causing the Prime Minister to crumble and laugh, and he fell down. Not being the only one, everyone had started laughing, under the embarrassed gaze of the poor general.

"🎶Hé bien, qui avons-nous là ?*, she began to sing.

C'est le grand général Tolis,

Le plus dangereux des vices

Mais ne dirons rien ou il nous tuera

Vraiment ? Bien sûr, puisqu'il est le général

Celui sur qui compte Sa Majesté

Ou sans ce dernier

Nous aurions sombré dans une guerre abyssale

Sans qui personne ne serait ici pour fêter

Sans qui personne ne pourrait danser

Sans qui personne ne pourrait chanter

Et c'est ce que je fais ! 🎶"

With these words, she paused and began tap-dancing, her rainbow dress swirling as her footsteps and music swung as her crayfish hat swung.

If the lyrics were not so ridiculous, the dance would have been more enjoyable, this one being truly incredible as one could have the impression that it was flying and moving with grace.

The music slows down and becomes nagging, plaintive.

"🎶 Ô grand général ! Pourquoi ?, she continued suddenly.

Sommes-nous des oies ?

Ou bien des poulets ?

Avons-nous seulement le choix ?

Ou devons-nous nous résigner ?

À nous soumettre à la loi ?

La loi de la nature qui fait régner

Que vous êtes tous des proies

Pour celle qui va chanter 🎶"

I raised an eyebrow as the people around me laughed.

I turned to Fury, seeing him laughing at the top.

"Is it so funny? I asked, surprised.

- Oh yes!! If only she could do it in real life!!" laughed this one.

However, after these words, Fury fell silent instantly, contrasting with his laughing and cheerful character just before, then he frowned and suddenly hit his cheek.

I widened my eyes, not expecting such a sudden gesture from him. I heard him grumble:

"If you want to talk, do it on your own. Don't use me as a scapegoat."

No one had noticed his merry-go-round, much too absorbed in the performance unfolding in front of their eyes.

The music suddenly resumed more beautiful, becoming cadenced and rhythmic, almost like a cabaret song. 

"🎶 Ô général Tolis, je vous avoue

Oui, tout mon amour pour vouuuus

Vous êtes si grand, si beau

Vous avez un si grand égo

Mais ce n'est rien

À côté de votre courage

Sans qui la faim

Nous aurait poussés à l'outrage,

Alors, laissez-moi vous remercier

Pour tout ce que vous avez fait

Vous êtes notre héros, notre sauveur

Mais aussi l'élu de mon cœur 🎶"

And on these last words, the music stopped in a tiny sigh as the dancer lowered her hat, blushing slightly.

"Oh?? Was there a public admission? It's risky," Orias whispered in my ear.

I nodded, praying that she would not be turned away before so many people.

To my great surprise, Tolis pulled out of his sleeve a rose, slightly wilted, of the color of the curtains of the room. He got up and handed it to the young woman, making her lift up her hat.

"I will be delighted to talk to the woman who gave me this rose," he replied affectionately.

The smile of the woman grew while a music, completely different from the previous ones, resumed. The little dancer gave a sign of reverence and went away, the flower against her heart.

I smile softly, reassured by this turn of events.

"Do you want me to offer you a nice flower too? Orias teased me.

- Why do would you do it? You've already given me a greater treasure, I said, laughing quietly.

- Oh yes? What is it?

- Your heart," I confessed as I looked him straight in the eyes.

He seemed baffled by my answer before smiling tenderly and laughing.

"More honeyed, you die, Fury interrupted, taking a dumb look

- And well, die, but in silence please," I prayed.

The blonde rolled his eyes, content himself with falsely sighing at my lack of interest.

A thumping noise suddenly appeared and the doors of the palace opened wide, revealing a distraught servant.

"Your Majesty! It's a bad time! We attack the palace!!"

________________________________________

**This is a joke in french when "great" means "grand" in fame and "tall" means "grand" too but in weight. The same word can be used in french for two different meanings. 

*I let the original song because it had its own rhymes and rhythm. The proof is in the audio proposed in media at the top of the page (you can hear two different versions from two persons in french, hope it will please you). But here the translation in english to understand better the song : 

"🎶Well, who do we have here?, she began to sing. 

This is the great General Tolis, 

The most dangerous of vices 

But let's not say anything or he'll kill us 

Really? Of course, since he's the general 

The one on whom His Majesty relies 

Or without him

We would have descended into an abysmal war 

Without whom no one would be here to celebrate 

Without whom no one could dance

Without whom no one could sing

And that's what I'm doing!🎶"

"🎶O great general! Why?, she continued suddenly.

Are we geese? 

Or also chickens? 

Do we only have a choice? 

Or should we resign ourselves? 

To submit to the law? The law of nature that rules 

That you're all prey 

For the one who will sing🎶."

"🎶O General Tolis, I confess 

Yes, all my love for you 

You're so tall, so handsome

You have such a big ego

But it's nothing

Next to your courage

Without whom hunger 

Would have led us to contempt,

So, let me thank you

For everything you've done

You are our hero, our savior

But also the chosen one of my heart🎶"