The King's Beloved

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While Ducis was busy taking care of the drunken Luna, Rania and Elliot continued their sweet stroll.

"We still have an hour and a half, where do you want to go next?" Elliot asked Rania.

Rania thought for a moment and answered, "I think we've covered the whole town, just not inside every shop. I would love to go and read in the library but … I'll probably spend the rest of the day there, so no. Ha ha ha!" 

"Pft! Yeah, right," Elliot chuckled. "How about we get something to eat then? We've been walking around for quite some time already. And we have a fighting competition to go to".

"Now that you mention it, I am feeling a bit hungry. Hmm … what to eat?"

"Let's try that big restaurant we passed by. Their food smelled good".

"Yes, that's right. Let's go there!"

Elliot nodded. "Rania, about the competition …"

"Hm? Oh, are you worried about me?"

"I am, yes," Elliot admitted. "I know you're strong in terms of magical ability but … what if it becomes a battle of fists or swords or other things? I'm just worried that -"

Rania hushed Elliot, gently touching his lips with her forefinger.

"I'll be fine. If that happens, I can always cast a barrier," Rania assured him with a smile.

Elliot sighed. "Of course. And I promise to protect you, too".

"It will be a duel, couples to couples, so you will most likely fight with the man, and I with the woman. Focus on yours, don't mind me. I can do it!"

"Yeah, says someone without any battle experience," Elliot teased her.

"What did you say? Of course I have! I practiced with you and Luna and Ducis. That's experience enough," Rania pouted.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say," Elliot teased again and pinched Rania's cheeks gently.

"Hmf! I'll prove you! You never know, maybe I'm the one who'd end up protecting you," Rania teased back and winked at him.

"That was cute," Elliot thought in his mind. He tried to hold back his laughter. "Pft! Alright, let's compete in protecting each other".

"Why are you laughing? You're not mocking me, are you?" Rania squinted.

"No, I'm not. I believe in you. You're a strong, independent woman, who wouldn't just let me protect her in silence. Always giving me a headache - I mean -"

"Hey! I'm not giving you a headache! When did I?"

Elliot coughed and mumbled, "When you try to cook, or end up blowing up the forest when we practice".

Rania was speechless. She DID, almost blow up the forest when she practiced casting elemental magic like fire, or water, or wind and others. She had a bit of trouble controlling the amount of spiritual energy she'd release, hence the dilemma. But it was all good now, the practice helped her a lot. Regarding cooking, well, that was an entirely different matter. 

"F-fine, I did give you a headache," Rania continued to pout.

"You gave me more happiness than headaches, though," Elliot comforted her and embraced her after. "Ahhh, my Rania is so cute".

Rania's face turned pink, and she buried her face on Elliot's chest as usual. "Please stop saying c-cheesy things, my heart will explode".

 Elliot chuckled, "I'll try. I just say things that are on my mind". 

He let go of Rania after a few minutes and held her hand again. They began walking towards the restaurant they were talking about.

"I do have a question, though," Elliot asked. "We're not husband and wife yet, so what should I call you? Lover? My woman? Or is there another term for that?"

"Ahmm … yes, there is," Rania averted her eyes in embarrassment. She softly whispered, "It's ahm … boyfriend and girlfriend. But just keep on calling me by my name. No need for endearments".

"I see … So I'm your boyfriend, and you're my girlfriend now, right?"

"Y-yes".

"Regarding endearments … I do have one for you".

"Please, no need," Rania felt too embarrassed. Her heart kept thumping on her chest.

"Beloved - My Dearly Beloved Rania," Elliot smiled so sweetly towards Rania. "The word 'beloved' is the highest form of endearment for us Magi. It's how the many great kings and great men of history referred to their wives".

Rania felt her heart squeeze again. "Uhm … Thank you. But I'm not your wife yet, s-so just Rania is fine. I feel my heart will explode if you'll keep on calling me that".

"Ha ha ha! Alright. I'll call you that once we marry and you become my wife".

Rania sighed. Along with the warm and fuzzy feeling, was a bit of sting in her heart. Because deep inside, she knew … she would never reach that stage with him. Her lips shook a bit, but she gave Elliot an endearing smile.

"That expression again," Elliot thought. He immediately noticed the hesitation. "Why? Why does she act that way whenever I talk about the future? As if … she doesn't belong in the future? Is that what she's worried about? Dying? I know this journey is dangerous, and there's a lot of things that can happen. But … no! I won't let her die! Over my dead body! So please, don't be sad. Don't look like that".

And so, Rania and Elliot arrived at the restaurant and planned to spend the remaining hours before the competition there. On the other hand, Ducis carried Luna on his back as he looked for a place to stay since a certain fairy just got drunk in the height of the morning - of all the times she would get drunk.

"This midget is really getting on my nerves. I swear when she wakes up, I'll have my revenge," Ducis swore to himself while he walked towards the large inn beside the restaurant in the town square. 

"Welcome to Ventus Inn!" one of the hotel staff welcomed them. "This way, please," she gestured her hands towards the front desk. "Are you looking for a room for two? We currently have a promo for our deluxe couple rooms".

Ducis wasn't paying much attention to the attendant. Luna's body kept on sliding on his back. He got irritated again and put her down, then switched to a princess carry instead.

"This midget will be the end of me," Ducis shook his head. Turning to the attendant, he replied, "Yes, whatever. Any room is fine".

"Got it, we'll prepare the rooms right away".

Then, the attendant talked to the woman at the front desk and helped them register. Once done, she guided Ducis to the room and gave him the key. Ducis then used the key and got inside the room. Upon entering, he was disgusted with the lovey-dovey look of the room. There was one bed shaped like a heart, with flower petals, too. There's also a bottle of champagne on top of the bedside table, paired with two champagne glasses. Good thing that aside from that, the room was typical and classy - it was a deluxe room after all.

Ducis dropped Luna on the bed and in his annoyance, pulled the blanket to her body and up to her face. He didn't want to see that drooling and happily sleeping … cute face. Ducis shook his head and sighed as he sat on the bed. He stretched his body for a bit then pulled his sleeves on his right arm to reveal a silver bracelet with blue gems on it. He tapped it once, giving it a tiny bit of spiritual energy and the gems began to glow.

"Master?" Ducis called out to Elliot on the other side of the communication bracelet.

Elliot felt the bracelet on his wrist glow while he was eating with Rania. He lifted his left arm and answered the call.

"Yes, Ducis? I'd like it if you stop calling me Master, though".

"Master! You answered!" Ducis felt so happy. "Please come back! I don't want to deal with this fairy anymore. It's like I'm babysitting a child, for goodness' sake!"

Elliot chuckled on the other line. "Go and build your relationship with her first. You two keep on fighting but in reality, you're concerned about each other".

Ducis' eyes widened. "W-what are you saying?! T-that's not true!"

"Oh? You sound flustered. I guess, I hit the mark, huh?"

Rania chuckled at Elliot's teasing with Ducis.

"Don't laugh at my misery! This midget was pigging and got drunk from barely finishing a gulp of wine! And its sparkling wine! It had very low alcohol content too! Now, I'm stuck with her in a hotel since she fell asleep," Ducis complained. "Please come back here and accompany me. I can't take this anymore".

"Ughmm …," Luna woke up from all the screaming she's hearing. Her face was still very red, half-awake, and looked drunk. 

"Ducis?" Luna called out to him. "Who are you talking to?"

Ducis turned to Luna. "Finally, the troublemaker is awake! I'm talking to Elliot and Rania and I'm telling them how you're a drunkard in the middle of the day," he hissed.

"I see … Did you tell them we kissed too? Hic!" Luna teased. 

Elliot and Rania's eyes widened.

"What? You kissed?" they chorused.

Ducis' face went pale.

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