Moonlight Bride English Version

"I can't. I didn't sign up for this," Callea seethed. "You said it is just cosplay."

"Yes. A cosplay dedicated for your brilliance. These people came here for you. They spent money for your books and they invested their money and time in their costumes just to show how much they love you. They want to talk to you a bit and see you sign their books. Is a little thank you very much too much for you? Do you want to disappoint them?"

She gulped nervously. "I wish it is easy, Deive."

"Callea, you are in your costume. You are here as Xylara. Nobody would know that you are Callea Lopez," he whispered.

"What if they want to see my face?"

"All of us are in costume. Even Mattheu. Come on. If you don't want to do this, you can tell him yourself."

"I-I can't do this alone," she whispered and she wanted to cry as they walk the labyrinth of booths for the book signing. She was starting to become dizzy.

"I won't leave you. We won't leave you. I know you are scared and you might hate me for putting you on the spot. But if you won't conquer your fear now, how long will you live inside your dark world? I want you to know that there are people here who love you so much and admire you for your talent. I will be by your side. I won't leave you. Trust me."

Callea tightened her grip on Deive. People were buzzing around her and giving admiring looks in her direction. They don't know it was her. They thought she was just a cosplayer. The stage area was jampacked. There were hundreds of them inside the audience area and many were in line outside the perimeter. She was directed backstage where the host told her the flow of event and what she would do.

Mattheu greeted them and asked if she wanted to eat but she only asked for water. She was nervous and they were about to start in fifteen minutes. All she needed was to say "hi" and "thank you" once the host called her. She would answer a few questions from the audience then the book signing would begin.

Then the host started to introduce her. "Let's call our artist of the hour - Xylara!"

The room boomed with cheers from her readers. She didn't expect that kind of reception from them. This was it. Her first book signing. The light on the stage was blinding. She couldn't see the audience's faces. She was apprehensive. What if they didn't like her? What if she did something wrong?

"They love you. It is time to share you to the world," Deive whispered and led her to the center of the stage.

Deive stepped back and she had no choice but to face the audience. She was trembling and held the mic tightly. She kept her veil on check. They were the people she shared her heart with. They accepted her for her talent and not for her looks. They love the product of her eccentricities.

"H-Hi!"

The whole center went into an uproar. "We love you, Xylara."

"Thank you for coming here…"She forgot about her hesitation and words of gratitude flowed from her lips. It seemed natural. They were readers who loved her and knew her inner heart.

She felt lighter when she was taken to a table for the book signing. Deive stood beside her. Even if she was not wearing a costume, she was still nervous. She had to interact with her fans now.

A man with a tattooed mask and was wearing the Raja Makisig costume was the first one who asked for her signature. "Your name?" she asked and opened the book, her pen poised below the title of her book.

"Tomasino Lopez, Sr. You can dedicate it as Lolo Tomasino."

She shrieked when he removed his mask. It was her grandfather and he was in character. She gave him a hug. "What you are doing here, Lolo?"

"Deive told us to be here or he would whisk you away and marry you without us. SO, all of us are here."

Then she saw a band of pirates on the side of the stage. Her cousins were there in their warriors of Raja Makisig Regalia, Lolo Jorje who was wearing a pirate head costume and Deive's friends as his minions. But Deive's friends were too gorgeous to be villains. A story was forming in her head. She wanted them for her next series. And she nearly cried when she saw Marina who had Luna in her arms. No, she didn't need a costume. She was a heroine in her book. And she didn't look scared. She was loved, too, the way people loved her in her book.

It was a solid force. These are the people who loved her and supported her. It was overwhelming.

Luna jumped out of Marina's arms and ran to the stage. Then she climbed to the table before she settled near her. "Calliope's Luna is also here. The cast is complete," squealed the audience in front who were waiting for their turn for the book signing and took pictures of her cat.

She signed her book and happiness burst in her heart. This was her day. And no one can take that happiness away from her.