The King's Beloved

[Music Recommendation: "Melodies of Life" - Final Fantasy IX OST - available in Spotify or Youtube]

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The sound of fireworks could be heard everywhere.

All the Magi were overjoyed. It was the first day of the Restoration Festival, and everyone felt ecstatic as they were reminded of how their world was saved. It seemed only like yesterday when it was still on the brink of destruction, but then the Supreme chose to save them. And they were all grateful for the Saintess. How they wished they could have thanked her in person.

Meanwhile, this very same Saintess whom they thought was dead, was merely roaming around the town, appreciating everything her sight landed upon. It felt like it had been a long time since she last saw people—at least for her. The lively atmosphere, enchanting decorations, different magics being performed here and there—how she missed seeing them. Her head looked from left to right, up and down, and everything was amusing for her. A big smile could be seen on her face.

"Hello there! Would you like some flowers?" a passing merchant offered her. "Yes, I know, this is a replica of a Verus Amor flower and not a real one, but you should get yourself one. It's the symbol of the Saintess. We will offer this to her later at the ceremony!"

Rania, hearing the word "Saintess" was surprised. She never knew anyone who was a Saintess, at least not until she temporarily left the living world.

"The Saintess?" she asked, curious of what he meant.

"Oh my heavens!" the merchant was appalled. "Where have you been living all this time?" Pointing his hand on the huge statue located at the town square, he told her, "There, that's the Saintess. She saved us from chaos exactly one year ago. It's too bad she had to die, though. I personally would like to say my thanks."

Rania looked at the statue and was even more surprised. Well, who wouldn't be? The statue was her!

"Ahm…" blushing, she didn't know what to say first. "I think there's no need to go that far. Creating statues… that's rather embarrassing."

"Huh? What's embarrassing about that? Are you one of those who disrespect the Saintess? Unbelievable!"

"Wait—No. I meant, the Saintess would probably feel embarrassed if she sees that."

The merchant was baffled.

"Ugh. I think you need help. Are you alright in the head, miss?"

Shaking his head, he left her. He thought he didn't want to speak with a lunatic.

"Oh my goodness," Rania whispered to herself as she covered her face. "What happened when I was away? How could they make statues of me? And what's weird is that they don't recognize it's me. Ha-ha-ha! Well… maybe it looks too beautiful than the real one, that's why. And it has no color except for the core. I should talk to Elliot and tell them to take down these statues."

Continuing further inside the town, she saw lots of shops selling food, accessories, dresses, and different stuff. Most of them had items related to the Saintess as well. Because of that, she decided to buy a cloak to cover herself.

"Is there anyone else buying a dress for later's banquet?" another merchant shouted from afar. "If there's no one, I'm closing the shop now."

When Rania heard it, she hurried towards the clothes shop. She struggled to go there, though, due to the amount of people swarming everywhere.

"Ahm, excuse me!" she shouted. "When you said banquet, did you mean—"

"Yes, a banquet at the palace," she answered. "Are you new here?"

"Yes, something like that."

"Well, are you buying?"

She thought for a moment before answering. Honestly, she was already headed towards the Grand Palace since she thought Elliot and the others would be there. But then again, she had been gone for a long time—as the merchant said, it's been a year. They'd be surprised if she just arrived like nothing happened, right?

Thinking of a little mischief, she answered the seamstress, "Yes, I am. Can you recommend me something nice and white?"

The seamstress looked at her from head to foot.

"Hmm… you are very pretty. It shouldn't be hard to match you with something," she said. "But a white dress would be a bit hard. You see, I'm just a normal shop, so most of my clothes are made of Pandora grass. It will change color once you wear it. Unless you're the Chosen Maiden, it won't turn white."

Rania wanted to laugh so bad.

'So this is what it feels like… ha-ha-ha.'

"If you're rich, you can go to the high-class shops. They use high-class magic on clothes to make them bypass the Pandora charm."

"It's alright," Rania answered her. "Your dresses are very pretty. I'd like to try them."

"Aww. Aren't you a sweetie? Okay, come on here. Let's get you prep'd."

After that, Rania enjoyed touring around the town before she went to the Grand Palace. She made sure to buy little trinkets for everyone as a gift. Though she felt a little guilty for creating Magi money using magic. She promised herself to go back to those merchants and pay them for real later.

Hours passed, and soon enough, evening came. Rania learned a lot of things as she wandered around the town. But at last, it was time to go to the Grand Palace. She felt both excited and nervous. Would they still recognize her? Or maybe they have forgotten about her? The Supreme did tell her a lot of stuff but still… would they still feel close when they meet again? Or would there be a gap? Or worse, they might be angry with her!

"Hmmm… I sure hope they won't be angry," Rania muttered to herself. "I can already see Luna nagging me lots. Oh well, it's fine. I can bare the nagging."

"Next! Invitation, please," the palace guard said.

Rania was surprised. She didn't have an invitation. She never thought Elliot would close off the palace like that.

"An invitation? Shouldn't everyone be allowed to attend the banquet? It's to celebrate the Restoration Festival, right?" she asked the guard.

"You're not from here, are you?"

"Something like that, yes."

"I'm afraid the king had to restrict people in the palace. The nobles had been nagging him to get a queen for himself, and well—lots of women became interested that they just come and go like flies to the palace. Our king is too handsome! And too kind! This is what happens when—ugh. Anyway, if you don't have an invitation, you can't come in, I'm afraid."

"Oh, I see. How do I get an invitation?"

"Unless you have a relationship with his majesty or are close to any of his officials, you won't get one. And don't even try cheating the invitation! We have magic detectors. And don't try sneaking inside the palace! We are heavily guarded."

"Right… Okay, thank you very much then."

Rania sighed as she walked around the walls of the palace. It really was heavily guarded.

"This is a problem. How will I go inside?" she asked herself. "And to think Elliot is getting targeted by so many women. Ehem! That's rather unnerving. Anyway, how do I go inside? Maybe I should teleport? I am familiar with the inside of the palace, so I should be able to teleport, right?"

And so, the night continued with Rania having a dilemma of how to enter the palace.

Meanwhile, the guests started to gather inside. Wonderful music could be heard all around—from the entrance gates up to the banquet hall and even in the gardens. Delicious foods were ready on the tables around the hall, where servants stood to cater to the guests. The tables and chairs around them were all arranged neatly, with only the most sophisticated designs for the furniture. The banquet hall itself was a work of art. Whoever prepared it must truly be a genius for its beauty.

Soon enough, everyone has gathered, wearing their best attires. After all, they would meet with their king. Some made sure their daughters were the most beautiful in order to catch his attention. Perhaps, they would be chosen as a queen. Aside from the reason of the Restoration Festival, the nobles were adamant on making the king choose his queen to the point that the festival had become an excuse. Indeed, such ungrateful nobles disrespecting the spirit of the festival.

Nonetheless, their much-awaited king soon arrived. From above, a pillar of light shined on the throne, which was located at the farthest center of the hall. When the light faded, it revealed their glorious king, in a suit that shied away from his unparalleled beauty. Still, it perfectly fitted him, only making his already handsome countenance shine even brighter. The golden crown was on his head, and a long, white cape fell from his shoulders.

When he arrived, everyone curtseyed and bowed before him.

"All hail the Anointed King of the Supreme!" they greeted him. "May your kingdom last forever!"