Phillipe and Bela took notice of everyone staring at them, but instead of feeling embarrassed, the two looked at each other, and the two felt reassured knowing that they were doing this together.


Bela: This really is an amazing place my parents have been going to every year. Can’t believe me and my sisters always turned down going here.


Phillipe: No kidding. But it would be nice if they could’ve seen this too like we are.


Talking about her sisters, Bela remembered about what she tried to tell Phillipe on the ride to the Banquet.


Bela: Phillipe. Back at the car ride. There was something I was trying to tell you. My sisters-


????: Well now! What a unique and stunning outfit you have on there, young man!


Being interrupted again, Bela could only groan internally as she tried to explain to Phillipe about the matter with her and her sisters. She could only watch as she saw a large middle-aged man, wearing a white suit and a white cowboy hat come up to Phillipe, draping his arm around his shoulder.


????: And seeing you with this lovely lady, I take it you’re the helping hand for Daniel Miller and you’re one of his daughters am I right?


Phillipe: Yeah, that’s right.


????: Splendid! I’m one of Daniel’s old-time pals! He told me you were one heck of a worker!


Phillipe: Oh, really?


????: He sure did. Now come on, son. Walk with me. Gotta introduce you to the rest of the group.


The man escorted Phillipe away from Bela, leaving her on her own to mingle with the others. Or, at least try to. Bela didn’t know what to do, or who to talk to. Nobody around her she knew, and being on her own at a banquet she had never been to did not make it any easier. Feeling that she should get something to eat before giving it any attempt to socialize, she made her way to the tables. The culinary dishes served by the cooks for the banquet were, to put it plainly, not what Bela was used to. While they look somewhat appetizing, there was a fundamental lack of variety, for one reason or another. What Bela saw spread around the tables were foods and appetizers that she was completely not familiar with at all. However, given she felt a bit hungry, she took her chances and began to select random food that looked to her, as edible as they could be.


‘Aww man. I really have no idea what I am even eating. If they had some hotdogs, burgers, or at least some good steak or fried chicken I would easily pick those in a heartbeat. Well here goes nothing I suppose.’


Bela picked up a slice of pie that looked green, but had shavings of chocolate on it. She had no clue what pie it even was, but she still took a bite of it. To her, it tasted strange, but she still ate it nonetheless until the slice was finished. But unbeknownst to Bela, the alluring aroma of the food wafted through the air, all round the Grand Hall and into the noses of the guests and attendees. A few of the latter came over in a small pack to inspect the food and give it a try. They all wore such beautiful, elegant and convoluted dresses, which upon looking at, made Bela feel a bit insecure by comparison.


‘They're all so gorgeous. Maybe I should’ve gone with something looking more exotic than this.’


Bela felt self-conscious, and at best, intimidated by some of the others standing out far more than she did with the dresses they wore. She watched as the other girls seemed to be enjoying their food as they chatted idly to one another, sporting smiles all the while. That was, until one of them tapped another and pointed to something, whispering all the while. Bela's line of sight followed the finger until it landed on the man she was attending the banquet with, and that was Phillipe. Phillipe hadn't seemed to notice the attention he was getting, as he was rather preoccupied talking to the man who separated the two of them and talking to the other guys in the group. Bela gave a long look at Phillipe, and turned back to look at the group of girls, who were now all looking at Phillipe, giggling girlishly all the while. Bela’s mouth formed a line, feeling a way that she never had before when she saw the girls looking over at Phillipe in a flirting manner, and she didn’t like it. Bela walked towards Phillipe, and wrapped herself around his left arm, which made him flinch as he was caught by surprise.


Phillipe: Oh, Bela! Didn’t see you coming. Hope you’ve been alright on your own.


Bela: Well, in a way. But I would rather be by your side.


Phillipe could only blush at the remark, while Bela glared over at the girls. Which in turn, having seen her grasp ahold of Phillipe, were now groaning and frowning, giving Bela the stink eye. They turned around and skulked off to another part of the Grand Hall, while Bela smirked to herself.


‘That got rid of them.’


With the crowd of girls eyeing Phillipe gone, Bela felt relieved. But she felt bored since she wasn't sure what was around, and with people she had never met before. She turned to Phillipe, who she wanted to be accompanied with.


Bela: Phillipe.


Bela spoke his name sweetly, causing the young man to feel a bit hot.


Phillipe: Yes, Bela?


Bela: Are we able to go for a wander through the crowd? See if there is anything else to do here?


Phillipe could do nothing but grin at her. He couldn't say no to her smile.


Phillipe: Sure thing. We just wrapped things up here when you arrived. But there will be a presentation a bit later.


Bela: We'll be finished with everything to do here, I am sure.


With that, the two of them sifted through the crowd, barely managing to squeeze through the abundance of bodies that had now come to the Banquet. However, to their disappointment, as they searched around the Grand Hall for anything else that would be interesting, there wasn't. What they had seen all around them at the very beginning was all that was there to do. To Phillipe, he wasn't all too surprised considering what a banquet was meant for. But to Bela, it was a complete letdown for her. Her only saving grace at this moment in time, was just being with Phillipe.


Bela: Not gonna lie. Didn't think a Banquet would be like this sort of speak.


Phillipe: You mean the lights and the large dance floor?


Bela: I was gonna say a bit boring. Hate to say it. But there really isn't much to do here.


Phillipe: Oh. But was the food at least any good?


Bela: Not gonna lie. Most of it that I saw. I never seen before. Kind of took a chance with some, but it just tasted a little weird and funny.


Phillipe could only see the faint of disappointment that was on Bela's face. When he did, he felt his chest tighten, as if he was feeling that he had let her down in a way.


Phillipe: I'm sorry that this wasn't what you were expecting. Maybe we could do something fun after this to cheer you up. What do you say?


Bela looked at Phillipe, seeing his eyes and the hint sadness that she could see behind them. Not wanting to make things feel more down, she smiled, nodding in agreement. And to see that smile, Phillipe smiled back.


Phillipe: Why don't I just grab us some punch. I'll be right back.


Phillipe walked away from Bela, as she could only watch him making his way to the table serving refreshments. At this time, her mind began to wander again.


'The only saving grace. The only reason why this all felt bearable until now was because you are here. But......I guess in the end; Margaret was right all along. She always had a knack for intuitions. Guess I was just in hard denial since there's only one of him.......and so many of us. That I didn't want anyone to fight over who would be with his in a relationship. It's just hard to turn away from those soft red eyes of his....'


Bela could do both but smile and blush as she thought about herself and Phillipe. That was when a large arm snaked around her left arm, as she turned to see who would try to lay a hand on her. Bela was met with the view of a large man, dressed up in a suit but sloppily put on, and reeked of alcohol. And with the red that she could see on his face, he was intoxicated.


Drunk Guy: Well well….


The Drunk man gave out a belch, showing a clearer sign that he was under the influence.


Drunk Guy: Looking pretty lonely over here are we? In this fancy schmancy party where people come to eat and get their drink on.


Bela: Excuse me but can you get your disgusting hands away from me?!


Bela got the man’s arm off of her, all the while getting some distance from them.


Drunk Guy: Well now. Playing hard to get, are we?


The Drunk man paused, staring at Bela as he did. That was when he spoke up again.


Drunk Guy: You…. look familiar. I’ve seen you once before……Ah now I remember. That Mansion surrounded by farm fields. You’re one of the daughters for that Rabbit farmer aren’t ya. You’re always sweating your tail off surrounded and working alongside those hot sisters of yours.


The Drunk man began to laugh, not caring about the remarks he had just given out to Bela and her family. All it did was piss her off.


Bela: You got a lot of God damn nerve to say that about me and my family! We all may work hard but at least we earn our keep together!


Drunk Guy: And I take it that rumour about there being a hired hand for once at your farm being true then? I bet you all just brought in a scrawny little weakling who can barely handle the work unlike me.


The Drunk man lurched forward, grabbing his hands on both of Bela’s shoulders. She tried to break free, but the man was too burly and big for her to get him off her. However, before things could go any further, a hand grabbed the drunk’s left arm, gripping it tightly. This made him look to his left.


????: I don’t know who you are or what you think you’re doing you big lummox. But you better let her go! You don’t know the first thing about that woman and her family!


Bela looked to her right, where she saw her knight. It was Phillipe, and he looked furious. To see him standing up for her, Bela could only blush.


Drunk Guy: Oooh. So scary. I’m quaking in my boots, Mister Fancy Pants. What are you gonna do? Make me stop?


Phillipe: Actually…..


To both the Drunk and Bela, they were both caught by surprise. Phillipe turned around, still gripping the Drunk man’s arm, and pulled him up, making them release their grip from Bela’s shoulder, and off their feet. The next thing seen, was Phillipe performing an Over-the shoulder arm drag, throwing the large drunk to the hard floor, knocking them unconscious.


Phillipe: I was!


The loud and rumbling thud from the action created quite the attention, as a majority of the people in the Grand Hall turned to see Phillipe throwing the large man to the ground. Security and several others came rushing to the scene, as Phillipe began to explain what was going on and happened. But as this was going on, Bela could only look on, completely at a loss for words at what she had just witnessed. When she needed someone, Phillipe came to her aide. And at the end of it all, showed off that despite looking fancy and odd with his outfit, he was very strong, and would do anything to protect her.


‘Did…..Did I really just see that all happen? Holy crap. Is this the same Phillipe I met when he first came to our farm? I never knew realized how strong he was. And all just to protect me. I…..I can’t believe it. Margaret was right all along. I have a crush on Phillipe.’


Minutes passed, as Phillipe had gotten everything settled and explained what had happened, the large drunk was brought back up to his feet, as he was escorted out of the premises by security. With the matter settled and things going back to normal, Phillipe went back to Bela, who was waiting at the same spot she was witnessed it all.


Phillipe: Sorry about the wait. Had to explain and sort out what had happened. But we’re now in the clear.


Bela:…….Phillipe?


Phillipe: Yes, Bela?


Bela: Thank you. Thank you for saving me back there.


Phillipe began to blush, as he could only smile back at Bela, as they both looked at each others’ eyes. For the two of them, they felt something click with each other. Something just felt right about all of this for them. Before either one of them could say anything, the music began to get louder, indicating that it was time for the dancing to begin, and breaking eye contact. As the dance was about to begin, Phillipe reached out his right hand in front of Bela, as she looked down at the same gesture she was given before they left her home.


Phillipe: May I have this dance, Bela?


Not thinking twice about it, Bela took Phillipe’s hand, as they and other couples began to make their way to the dance floor. The slow, melodic tune hummed in a tranquil tone as Phillipe and Bela arrived in the middle of the dance floor, directly underneath a large chandelier. All around them couples were already beginning to slow dance, seemingly swept up in the beautiful music. Phillipe smiled at Bela as they began to slowly dance. People who were watching them thought that the two of them had danced together before, due to the both of them seemingly dancing together almost flawlessly, gracefully moving around the ballroom, hand in hand. Phillipe smiled as they danced, as Bela did the same, the two of them enjoying being together, their own personal space, with nothing around them mattering at all.


Phillipe: I hope that brute didn’t hurt you when I was away. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there sooner.


Bela: Hurt me? I’m just amazed you were able to lift him off the ground. You really are strong.


Phillipe: I guess working out in the fields of your family’s farm has been paying off. But I am sorry that this Banquet wasn’t what you were expecting.


Bela looked at Phillipe, as she shook her head no.


Bela: This Banquet may not have been hat I was expecting, but it would’ve been really boring if you weren’t here with me. And to be honest, part of me always wanted to have a moment like this. With you.


Phillipe: But…..what about your other sisters. How would they feel about us having this time together.


Seeing that her sisters were still fogging Phillipe’s mind, Bela took a deep breath, knowing that she wouldn’t be interrupted anymore, finally spoke out.


Bela: Phillipe. There’s something I have been meaning to tell you. Something that I have been trying almost throughout the whole way here to say.


Phillipe raised an eyebrow, wondering what it was.


Bela: Phillipe. When it came to me being picked, it wasn’t out of any competition or anything like that. The truth was, Margaret told me that everyone came into an agreement, and that it was best that I go.


Phillipe: What made them do that?


Bela: Because the truth is, Phillipe. I…..I have a crush on you. In the beginning, I was denying it. But as the day went on, it only came and showed what was in front of me. That I have strong feelings for you…..


Bela blushed deeply, her eyes turned away from Phillipe not knowing how he would feel.


Phillipe: Bela….


Bela looked at Phillipe, who at this point was blushing deeply as well, who had his eyes away from her but quickly looked at her once more.


Phillipe: Bela. There’s been something I have been meaning to tell you as well. I also have a crush on you. This whole time, I have just been so undecisive because I didn’t know how your sisters would feel about me being in a relationship. But I have been feeling the same way as you. With the day going by, I had been trying to put the feelings I had for you aside to give your other sisters a chance. But the truth is, when I saw that big guy lay his hands on you, I couldn’t deny them any longer. I want to be with you too, Bela. And I felt really happy you were the one who came here with me tonight.


To hear Phillipe’s response, Bela could help but smile and tear up. This whole time they both had strong feelings for one another but were too afraid to admit them. With the song being played coming to an end, Phillipe and Bela locked eyes at one another. As they did, the two of them got closer and closer, until their lips made contact with one another. The two of them accepted one another’s kiss, staying together until the song ended. As some of the guests saw this moment of affection, some of the crowd couldn’t help but cheer for the couple, making them official.


When the two broke contact, they both smiled at each other, knowing that at the end of the day, both of them would be walking out as a true couple.


Bela: Phillipe? When this is all over. Mind if we just go somewhere to gaze at the stars?


Phillipe: Anything for you my sweet. But what made you want to see them tonight?


Bela: I wanted to hear your story again. The one where you told me about you and your friends. After all, you’re the Farmhand who fell from among the Stars.

---

Artwork by  shonuff44


Colours by  upstairstudios


The Bunny Girl belongs to  shonuff44


The Black dress designed by Hannah ( https://www.deviantart.com/artlover4lifehannah )


Phillipe belongs to Me  rambobrosreloadit


Phillipe's outfit designed by  rumcandy


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