Chapter 73: Controversy

Chapter 73: Controversy

(3rd Person POV)

The room held its collective breath as Herold Green fingered the envelope containing the winner of the Lunar Laurel for Best Director. He cleared his throat, milking the moment for all it was worth.

"And the award goes to... 'Lord of the Rings' directed by Arthur Morningstar!"

The announcement hit like a thunderclap. A beat of silence, then a cacophony of reactions.

"This can't be possible," an elf filmmaker muttered, his face a mask of disbelief.

He wasn't alone. The room buzzed with shocked whispers. Sure, "Lord of the Rings" had been cleaning up in the minor categories, but this? This was different. The main awards were supposed to be above such... upsets.

All eyes turned to Arthur Morningstar - the infamous prince turned filmmaker - as he made his way to the stage. He accepted the silver award, looking almost as surprised as everyone else.

Herold beamed, practically bouncing on his toes. "You're making history, Arthur Morningstar! First demon filmmaker to win a main award at this festival, and your film's sweeping the board!"

Arthur blinked, as if trying to process it all. "Yeah, it's... it's something alright. Honestly, I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that this festival was willing to embrace a film from a demon."

Herold's smile widened. "At this festival, we don't care if it's made by demons, elves, or even orcs. Good cinema is good cinema."

Arthur chuckled, the sound a mix of amusement and lingering disbelief.

In the audience, a sea of sour faces. Filmmakers who'd been so sure of their chances now sat rigid in their seats, a bitter taste in their mouths. The word 'cheated' hung unspoken in the air.

But for the journalists present, it was a feeding frenzy. Pens flew across notepads, cameras flashed. This was history in the making - a demon film shattering records and expectations at the Moonlight Film Festival.

The excitement only grew when "Lord of the Rings" snagged the Celestial Crown for Best Film. It was a clean sweep, unprecedented and undeniable.

Well, almost undeniable. In the back of the room, a cluster of journalists from Titan Pictures-owned papers huddled together, faces grim. They'd been under orders to trash "Lord of the Rings," but this... this made their job significantly harder.

"Rigged festival?" one suggested half-heartedly.

Around him, other passersby were engrossed in their own copies, their reactions a mix of disbelief and intrigue.

"This calls for an investigation," a dwarf grumbled to his companion.

"Agreed," the other nodded. "The integrity of the festival is at stake."

Not everyone was focused on potential scandal, though. A pair of humans nearby seemed more interested in the film itself.

"I'm curious to see just how bad this 'Lord of the Rings' really is," one mused.

Her friend scoffed. "I heard Love Pictures Entertainment is distributing it. Always knew Kyle Love was in cahoots with demons."

***

(Arthur POV)

And so it begins. I sifted through the stack of newspapers I'd just bought, my eyes skimming the headlines. A handful praised "Lord of the Rings," highlighting its historic win for demon entertainment. But the major papers? They were out for blood.

"'Lord of the Rings': A Stolen Tale?" screamed one headline.

"Film Festival Rigged? Demon Movie's Sweep Raises Eyebrows," declared another.

"Moonlight Festival Loses Credibility with Controversial Win," a third proclaimed.

I tossed the papers aside with a snort. Let them rant and rave. In the end, success speaks louder than any headline. And I knew, deep in my bones, that "Lord of the Rings" would have the last laugh.

As I stuffed the last of my belongings into my travel bag, my mind wandered to the journey ahead. Sure, I could pop back to the Morningstar Kingdom in an instant thanks to my handy portal. But sometimes, the old-fashioned way has its perks.

For one, I needed to maintain appearances. An exiled prince suddenly materializing out of thin air might raise a few too many eyebrows. Plus, the airport would be crawling with reporters and industry folks. A perfect opportunity to gauge reactions, maybe drop a few choice quotes for the press to chew on.

And if I'm being honest? A part of me wanted to savor this moment. To feel the weight of that Lunar Laurel in my bag, to see the sideways glances and whispered conversations as I walked through the terminal. Let them wonder, let them gossip. The story of the demon who conquered the Moonlight Film Festival was just beginning.

With a final glance around the room, I shouldered my bag and headed for the door. Time to face the music - and maybe conduct a little orchestra of my own.