Acting the Part - Chapter 36

36

(Vasanaday)

Terrenden Media

“Palerma, Tephsa, is full of excitement this afternoon! Most residents had no idea that talented Derick Aiden was hiding in their midst as the Neví pursued him following his recent movie release. The story of how Aiden fell in love with a secretary for the A’mara could easily become a movie in its own right. Ja’tel Krijo, the First Husband of the A’mara confirms that this was normal procedure,” a male commentator began.

“We have sheltered Derick from time to time throughout the years. This was just another time,” the dark-skinned man said.

“It was Saraca’s idea to hand Aiden to the secretary using one of his middle names, Kanesh,” a female commentator added.

“I was busy. I didn’t have time to entertain Derick that day. I figured that our very able receptionist was the perfect candidate for looking after him,” the abári explained.

“Apparently, that worked out very well,” the man continued. “Except that some of the Neví discovered he was there sending the pair of them into hiding, posing as husband and wife. Aiden reportedly decided to involve Kauri Klement in developing and filming his next movie, which has yet to be confirmed officially.”

“The rest… is history, as they say,” Derick Aiden said, holding his fiancée close to him.

“Aiden’s agent, Haku Solent, doesn’t seem all that surprised,” the lady commentator continued.

“It isn’t unusual for two people working in close proximity like this to develop a relationship,” the fair, lanky man explained. “I admit being pleasantly surprised that Derick is getting married now, but it’s not exactly shocking.”

“What is shocking, however, is the idea that apparently Miss Klement was unaware of Aiden’s true identity until knowing him for a couple of months. Despite this, she claims that she has always been a huge fan,” the male commentator said critically.

“It’s not that strange, really,” the female commentator said. “People tend to think they’re never going to meet a real-live celeb. So, when it happens, they just assume it’s someone who looks like them. That’s apparently what happened here. She just assumed it was someone with an uncanny similarity. Supposedly, Derick allowed the charade to continue because he found it so refreshing that she didn’t assume, didn’t get star-struck meeting him, and developed a genuine, caring relationship for this man, not a super-famous actor, but just a person she was getting to know.”

“The fairy-tale continues as we follow Derick Aiden’s wedding day after these messages.”

♥

Palerma, Tephsa

“That’s just so sweet!” Iyva gushed from where she and Kauri were getting ready. “Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this!”

“You’re welcome. I know it’s hard for you too with your parents not wanting to be here, even with Derick offering to pay for them to fly.”

“I had really hoped they’d be happy for me,” Iyva said sadly.

“Did you see how many people are out there?” Kauri asked in a hushed tone.

“Lots and lots – like all of Tephsa is here!” Iyva said. “I’ve never done anything in front of that many people.”

“Me neither!” Kauri said. “Fame is a strange thing, isn’t it? I’m not sure I like it, but it comes with marrying a fabulous man.”

There was a knock on the door.

“It’s Saraca,” Iyva informed as she used a gesture to open the door. For a moment, she wordlessly beheld the woman in the long purple gown with her purple Tephsan cloak hemmed with a radiant gold fringe for her office. “You are beautiful, Abári!”

“Thank you, but I don’t hold a candle to the two of you ladies!” Saraca replied with a smile. “I was just checking on how you two were. It’s a different sort of event to what I’m used to doing.”

“I guess media coverage ensures that,” Iyva said.

“I’m somewhat used to the media now,” Saraca replied. “I’m also used to weddings. But I don’t think I’ve ever officiated a wedding with a media presence, and certainly not like this!”

“Places!” came a call from outside the dressing room.

“This is not a film, Haku,” Saraca lightly scolded as she came out of the room.

The agent laughed. “Please go up to the dais, Saraca,” he instructed. “I will escort the pretty ladies.”

♥

Bronnen, Balan

In Balan, the wedding coverage was being shown in the Cloisters of the Sisters of Vasana.

“The first young woman is a 17-year-old lady by the name of Iyva Erynnis. She has to have A’mara permission just to marry today. We don’t have much information about her except that she has been trained in shaze by her groom for the past year. Apparently, they were in Joton recently where she defeated the top student at the Joton Shaze Academy. She’s a very accomplished young woman. She is wearing a stunning white gown from the top Irolean designer, Tuskcat who is very much in demand by all the celebs this year. Even more after today, I would think,” the female commentator said.

“I agree,” the male commentator said. “Iyva wears it magnificently. Do you know anything about her exquisite hairnet?”

“Apparently, this is the ‘something old’ on her today – Velantian, someone was suggesting earlier. We’ll give you a closer look.” The camera zoomed in on Iyva’s head.

“Velantian?” Sister Lidja echoed. “Take a look at this hairnet for me – they say it’s Velantian.”

“Could it actually be the Karsha?”Sister Reyða asked. She described it to the ancient blind woman. “It’s very elegant, woven into a net, but crowned by what appears to be a piece of Material with a dragonstone set into it.”

“Praise Vasana! The time of Velantia is at hand once again!” Lidja exclaimed.

♥

Irola – Iyva’s Childhood Home

The coverage continued on a screen in Irola.

“Look! There’s Iyva!” the woman said to her husband.

“Who needs flights when we can see better from here. Charity, we are not!” the proud man complained.

“We could have been in the front row. She’s still our daughter,” Mrs. Erynnis replied.

“She stopped being our daughter the day she ran away!” the man scowled.

“Quiet! I want to hear this!” the woman commanded.

♥

Terrenden Media

“Iyva is escorted by Andrian Ramsley of the A’mara in Tephsa. His purple cloak is typical of Tephsa, and his purple fringe designates that he is the abári,” the male commentator explained.

“But we have Saraca Krijo here today too,” the female commentator said.

“She’s also from Tephsa originally, so she wears purple as well, but her fringe is gold, indicating that she’s abári of all of Terrenden.”

“Sounds like a huge responsibility,” the woman replied.

“I understand that she is well loved and respected, so she done very well for them,” the male commentator added.

“Next, we have Kauri Klement. She’s twenty-five and has been secretary for the Irolean A’mara for five years. She is wearing more of a princess style gown – also by Tuskcat. She is stunning, isn’t she?”

“She really is. Not much of a secretary today! The satin brocade fabric is whiter than white, and could easily blind you if you catch it wrong. The chiffon curtains it just perfectly to give it that ballerina flounce, but not take away from the shiny brocade. Kauri’s hair has been braided into a stunning hairnet of her own.”

“Kauri Klement is being escorted by Haku Solent, Derick Aiden’s agent. Kauri, apparently, has some sisters in attendance, but no brothers or living father to escort her, so Haku volunteered,” the female commentator informed.

“That’s good of him.”

“We’ll be back after these messages…”

♥

Irola – Balan Center

“They always stick adverts in the worst places!” Rurik complained loudly.

“It’s true,” Elskie replied, sitting next to him. “So, how does it feel to be Irola #1?”

“Probably only a little better than it does to be #2 or #3,” he replied.

“Apparently, the position of Terrenden #2 is a little open. If we can run the show, then we could claim those positions,” Elskie said.

“How would we do that?” Rurik asked.

“Well, the four people we are watching on the screen are all slated to die,” Elskie reminded.

“Have you seen the footage of the battle?” Rurik asked. “With those levels of shaze skills, it’s going to take someone with a lot more skill than I’ve ever seen to defeat them!”

“Then we will have to be cleverer,” Elskie said. “But forget Halley. If we claim Terrenden #2 and #3, she automatically slides behind me – no shaze battle required.”

“We make a good team,” Rurik said taking possession of her mouth.

♥

NEXT CHAPTER

If you have enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could put your thoughts as a review on Goodreads for me.

Other Chapters of this set

Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Building on Promise - Chapter 1

Acting the Part, part 2 - Chapter 10

Spice of Strength - Chapter 1

Acting the Part, part 3 - Chapter 19, Chapter 28

Sands of Survival - Chapter 1

Acting the Part, part 4 - Chapter 29

Maps and Guides

continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
continent of Almara (five maps)
countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
characters, pronunciation and glossary

PLEASE CATCH UP!	LINKS TO BUY! (in chronological order)
	Brighid's Blood 2006 and 1200 B.T.C.E. Katja and Rachel are so desperate for love that they cast two love spells one night. But the Guardians do not consider spells "fun", but rather as cries for help from the very depths of your soul. Certainly Katja and Rachel could not have possibly imagined where these spells would take them!
	Birth of the Neví 829 T.C.E. It is a tumultuous period of Terrenden history. As is all too common, there are those who wish to profit from the misfortune of others. Some of these come together in a new "charitable organization" and step on the toes of the notorious Uugli. Combine this with draconian new measures to combat pollution and Terrenden has a situation ripe for a power struggle. Book 1 in the Rise of the Neví series.
	Rebound of Power: 850 T.C.E. Collection of Romance Terrenden is being terrorized by a previously underestimated Neví who, through the mysterious “Curator,” have been controlling elections all over the planet. In this collection, we meet some interesting women. Iyva - a homeless teenager in Irola whose untrained power leaves her close to death in Rebound of Power; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past in Friendship on Fire; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness in Courage to Trust; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara in Elect to Change; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara in Ocean of Empathy.
	Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance The Neví have infiltrated the Terrenden Freedom Party. Dr. Jarly is on the run and the Curator still dominates the Terrenden stage. Famous actor, Derick Aiden has released his Neví expose film and now the Neví want him dead... In this collection, we meet more interesting women. Kauri - a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; in Acting the Part Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; in Building on Promise Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; and D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; in Spice of Strength Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; and Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart in Sands of Survival. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously.
COMING SOON	TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!!
	Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. In this series, the Neví begin their rise in power with the completion of several large housing projects that seem totally charitable, but also hide a great evil within. The draconian measures brought in the previous year has caused major distress throughout the world, perfect for giving the Neví a further foothold on the Terrenden stage. Will the A’mara, now removed from the Council of Peers, be able to shut down the Neví? Titles to include: Name of the Neví, Head of the Neví...

Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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