The King's Beloved

"W-what do you mean?" the City Lord's voice cracked. His body continued to tremble but his lips were still stretched into a grin.

"This city …," Elliot replied as he turned his back from him and looked at the city below. "It reflects all the things you value as its leader".

" … my values?"

"Fortune, fame, power, pleasure … It looks beautiful on the outside, yes, but if you look closely, you've been raising your people to be nothing. No dreams, no purpose, no values of their own … just out there living for pleasure".

"But they're happy! That's all that matters".

A moment of silence passed by.

"Are they?" Elliot dauntingly asked.

The City Lord trembled again. Elliot's voice was as calm as the waters in a brook, yet something from his gaze made him quiver, over and over. Even so, he still felt exhilarated.

"They're enjoying themselves, so yes, they are happy".

"Does a woman gain happiness from prostitution and slavery? Do men feel happy when they lose their possessions in gambling? Do people enjoy fights? Do they like it if there's no laws or decrees that protect them? Is that freedom for them? Is that happiness for them?" Elliot asked again. 

"Well, that's … but how -" the City Lord was lost for words.

" - I only need to see things once to remember them," Elliot interrupted. 

Indeed, Elliot had been observing the city from the moment he stepped inside it. His curiosity ran not only from the places he could visit, and the different things he could try out - it ran further. He surveyed how the city worked - from its economy down to its people. And he did all that in the span of the few hours they stayed in the city. 

Elliot saw things beyond the eyes could see.

"Fame, fortune, power … these things are nice," Elliot continued, "but they are all superficial. Whether it be a city, a county, or a planet - it will not stand if you have those as your foundation".

The City Lord gulped before he answered, "Then, what do you think are the proper foundations?"

"Hmm …," Elliot thought for a moment. "I have never ruled over anything before but I believe in the wisdom and teachings of the Supreme. I say you start following those instead".

Upon hearing Elliot's answer, the City Lord's face softened and he gave Elliot a swift but warm and gentle smile. For a tiny moment, all the malice and evilness in his face went away.

"And what does the Supreme's wisdom say about ruling a nation?" the City Lord's voice mellowed.

"There's a lot actually. But to sum it up, it all revolves around … wisdom, kindness, compassion, and …," Elliot paused - his eyes widened as he realized something, " … love".

"I see," the City Lord nodded, smiling warmly. "In that case, I'll check them out. For now, let us go back". He then gestured his hands and the servants accompanied them back to the hotel.

Upon arriving, the City Lord bid his farewell to Elliot saying he had urgent matters to attend to. Elliot asked about the temple again but he said he would tell him about it, the next time they meet. 

The servants led Elliot to the most luxurious room in the hotel - a presidential suite. Inside it awaited Rania, but Ducis and Luna were still nowhere to be found.

"Rania," Elliot almost shouted when he saw her sitting on the couch located in the middle of the living room. He sprinted towards her and examined her from head to foot. "Are you okay?"

Rania chuckled. "Yes, I'm fine. Nothing happened, really. They just led me here in the suite and I waited. Then, here you are".

"Good. Did they tell you anything about Ducis and Luna?"

Rania shook her head. "I hope they're alright. Did you manage to get any information about the temple?"

Elliot also shook his head. "He wouldn't speak until he got what he wanted. So we conversed for a bit. He kept on asking weird questions as well. Then he ran off saying he needed to do something urgent. But he admitted he knows it and that he'll tell me next time we meet".

"When is that next time though? I hope it won't take that long. We only have a hundred days, remember? Now, it is less than a hundred already".

"Right. He seemed to be testing me … from the questions he asked. I wonder if he's -"

"I'm thinking that too. It is highly possible. And I noticed guardians tend to have golden eyes. Well, except for Luna, which is a fairy. But Ducis and Fauna both had golden eyes".

"You're right. But …," Elliot hesitated, "I'm still unsure what we're supposed to do in this place. Am I supposed to accept the role of being a successor and change this place before he tells us where the temple is?"

Rania thought for a moment. "Hmm … that is possible. But we don't have much time. How long will it take to rebuild or fix a city?"

"It will take years, probably. It depends".

"Hmmm …," they both thought in unison.

"Why don't we rest for the meantime? Look at the time, just a few more hours and it'll be midnight," Rania interrupted their mulling. "Let's think it over tomorrow and see what we can do".

"Yes, we need some rest to think better," Elliot relaxed his shoulders. "I'll go shower for now. How about you?"

"I'm done. Go ahead and take your time. I'll prepare some tea while you're at it".

Rania and Elliot had lived together for a while now, along with Ducis and Luna, inside the Forbidden Chamber. So nothing about the suite, which was basically a modern version of the chamber, made them uncomfortable about staying the night together. They were already used to each other, and even memorized each other's daily routines - like Elliot taking a bath every night before going to bed, and Rania having tea before sleeping.

While Elliot took his time in the shower, Rania fell asleep on the couch after drinking her tea. As she snoozed off, she dreamt of something. It was short but very vivid.

A basilisk with dark purple scales and golden eyes stood up before her, hissing as it slithered nearer. Though she wanted to run, she couldn't move her feet. The basilisk lounged at her as if wanting to eat her. 

Then, Rania jolted and woke up from her bad dream.

"Hah … hah … hah …," she breathed heavily as soon as she woke up. Her body trembled from fear.