The King's Beloved

A heavy atmosphere shrouded everyone. The silence it produced was deafening.

Ducis' face reflected an unspoken grief. His stunning visage was now covered by deep misery. With clenched fists and gritted teeth, he furrowed. Everyone could tell his heart was breaking. It just shows that no power in the world could make someone invulnerable to pain … even Guardians.

Rania encouraged everyone to go back to Anguis, the Forbidden Chamber, to get some rest before they continue on their journey. They all agreed. Upon returning, they were surprised to see that it was still high in the afternoon and only a few minutes had passed by. Anguis Solum, surely was a place in a different dimension. Time did not even exist there.

As soon as they got back, Elliot went to the Forbidden Forest to try out the sword that he got while Ducis watched him from a distance. The silence between them persisted and only Rania and the sprites were talking to try to liven up the mood. But nothing was working. She then decided to talk to Ducis, maybe there was something she could help with.

Rania sat beside Ducis who had been staring at Elliot for a while now, as he sat on the pavilion near the forest.

"Hellllooooo~ ," she greeted him cheerfully with her sweet voice.

Ducis turned his head towards her and nodded with an unpleasant smile.

"You know, this pavilion … is actually where Elliot and I first met."

"Really?" Ducis lit up with curiosity.

"Yes," she nodded. "He was asleep though and it was a very cold night, too! I was shocked to see that a person could sleep in that kind of temperature".

"Oh, that. Well, Magi ... don't get bothered by temperature easily. They could just cast magic to warm themselves up".

"Ah, I see ... I shouldn't have given him my cloak then. I, for sure, got cold returning to Pémptos back then".

Ducis chuckled. "Sorry about that - and, thank you".

Rania stood up and stretched her body as she breathed the fresh air. Then, she glanced back to Ducis.

"You're really kind, Ducis".

"Ha-ha!" he laughed even if his eyebrows were still furrowed. "Why would you say that? 'I' tried to kill you, you know".

"That was before - and there was a reason why you did that. And now, looking at Elliot, I could understand why".

Ducis smiled bitterly again. "You're a very perceptive person".

"Yes, I am! I pride myself on that," she smiled gleefully. "Ducis, back there you said ... that it was your fault - why he's like that. Why would you say that? May I know the reason?"

Ducis sighed deeply, then answered, "That's because ... I was a bad parent for him".

"Why would you say you're bad?"

"Because I was never his real father anyway. And I never knew how to take care of a child or anyone at all. I was born a Guardian from the beginning of time, always been, and always will be. I'm just good for my powers ... but taking care of a person - no ... never".

Rania lowered her eyes and bowed her head.

"What a funny thing our name is - 'Guardians' - we, or I, especially, were never one in the first place. I never guarded anything correctly. I've always only failed them. Truly, all the powers in the world are nothing if you can't even protect the people you care about. And now, this child ... I'm not even sure if I'm protecting him correctly or not. "

"But he grew up well, didn't he? He's kind, respectful, gentle, though a little innocent, but he's a good person".

"Grew up well? Did he really? Look at him, he can't even comprehend human emotions.

It's all because of me.

I ... I casted a magic to heal him back then, but it backfired and left him like that. It's all my fault ... not knowing that a child could be very weak against my powers - and I'm a Guardian at that!

I ... almost killed him.

If it was his real parents, they would definitely have taken such good care of him and love him all the days of his life.

Not someone like me".

Ducis let out a very melancholic smile. His eyes were now watered with tears at its corners. He clenched his fists again that they almost bled and bit his lips.

"If only ... " he couldn't utter any more words. He just lowered his head. You may not see him crying but his trembling shoulders told a different story.

Rania walked towards him and patted his shoulders gently. She wanted to ask who Elliot's parents were and what happened. But then she knew it was not time yet to ask such questions and that there were just some things better left unsaid. Whatever it was, surely, it left a huge hole of guilt into his heart.

"Ducis ... ," she called him gently. "I want you to remember this ...

It is not flesh and blood but the HEART that makes one a father and a son.

And that ...

Real family ... it is the people standing beside you when no one else is.

You have stayed with Elliot for so long ... even if you didn't know how to - but you STAYED - and that's what matters.

Yes, he might be lacking a few things right now because of what happened, but that's fine!

People change ... people grow ... They don't stay as the same person always.

And he's still young ... there's still a lot of time.

I'm here, you're here, and the sprites are here, we could all help you. We could all help him together".

With these words, Ducis felt comforted. He gave a sweet and gentle smile to Rania and said, "Thank you".

After their long talk, Rania encouraged Ducis to help Elliot out with his sword practice. Regaining a bit of courage and joy, Ducis agreed and approached Elliot to offer help. Good thing Elliot was no longer sulking since he was so focused in learning to use the Zweihänder. He just simply snubbed him for a bit but he let Ducis help him out to practice.

Few more hours passed and night came. They all ate together merrily, with Ducis and Luna quarreling again and Elliot, still trying to be aloof towards Ducis, not giving him food on his plate when he gave everyone theirs.

Alas, all was peaceful again. Everyone slept happily.

Until … Rania's sleep was disturbed by a dream.