The King's Beloved

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The crowd fell silent. So did Ventus. His white ribbon, which was a sign of surrender, was now in Elliot's hands. Rules were rules. Whoever unties the white ribbon on their arm would be a sign of surrender. It didn't mention that the one untying it should be the contestant - it could be the opponent too!

Realizing all this, Ventus laughed hard that his laughter echoed in the silent arena.

"Ha ha ha ha!" Ventus cackled, crossing his arms on his stomach. "Of course! Technically, you can force a surrender from the opponent!"

Elliot chuckled. "Sorry for that. I wanted to battle more seriously, but if we did, I doubt that this realm will survive. So it's better to cut it short".

"Hmf! Sadly, I would have to agree with that. Let's fight seriously next time when we get a chance!"

"Deal," Elliot agreed and they both shook hands. 

He then turned back, walked towards Rania, and gave her a high five.

"I saw what you did there, faking a tornado attack," Elliot complimented her. 

"Well, he figured I can cast magic by speech so … instead of it being a disadvantage, I thought of using it to my advantage!" Rania chuckled.

"Great thinking. As expected of my queen," Elliot teased and kissed her hand.

"Huh?" Rania blushed. "Hey, d-don't call me that. And we're in public! D-don't just kiss my hand".

Ventus approached them after seeing them so lovey-dovey that he cringed.

"Hey! I have a question," Ventus interrupted them. "There's something I'm curious about".

Elliot and Rania looked at him.

"What is it?" Elliot asked.

"When I dived in the mist, why is it that I didn't see her spiritual trace and ended up attacking an illusion? I made sure to put tracing magic in my eyes so I can see spiritual energy flow. I found you, but … I didn't find the real her. How did that happen?"

"Oh, that's probably because I'm human," Rania answered him.

Ventus' eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! How can you use magic if you're human?"

"It's a long story," Elliot shrugged.

The crowd that was silent a moment ago began cheering wildly. A very few of them booed due to the sudden end of the match, but still, most of them were astonished by the great battle they just experienced.

"What did we just all witness?" the emcee gaped and shook his head in awe. "Such unparalleled skills, quick reflexes, swordsmanship, magic prowess, and most of all, wit," he said as he turned his head to Rania at the last word. "Never before have we been graced to see a battle amongst the greatest! But now we've seen it! And survived it!"

The crowd couldn't agree more with his words.

"I know it was an abrupt end, when we least expected it but … should they plan to continue the battle with all they've got, I doubt that our kingdom will survive! You've seen how the skies cleared up, and how an empty land was destroyed in a flash!"

"Yeeeaaahhh!!!" the crowd shouted back at him.

"Truly splendid and amazing!" the emcee continued as he clapped his hands and approached Rania, Elliot, and Ventus. "Thank you, all three of you, for showing us a sensational and legendary battle! I'd hate to say it, but there can only be one winner," he then turned to Ventus, "and rules are rules. Since you lost your white ribbon, I declare the winner of this match to be …" and then, he turned his head back to Rania and Elliot.

"The seventh pair - Elliot and Rania!!! The very first couple to defeat the undefeated!" the emcee announced with all his might.

"YEAAAAHHHH!!!!" the crowd went wild once more. 

Luna and Ducis breathed in relief and the former joined the crowd in going wild. She released magic in her hands and showered the whole coliseum with differently colored beautiful flowers so that they fell like rain from the sky. When Rania saw it, she smiled in delight and looked towards Luna's direction, bowing her head to express her thanks. Luna giggled and bowed in return and whispered in her lips "Congratulations!"

Elliot gathered a couple of choice white and blue flowers from the air with his magic and formed them into a bouquet. 

"Here you go, from Luna," Elliot handed over the bouquet to Rania. "I must say, fairies really create the highest quality flowers".

Rania chuckled and smelled the flowers, "Yes, they really do. Thank you".

At last, the legendary battle concluded, with Rania and Elliot as the winner. Shortly after, the awarding ceremony began and they received a hundred thousand gold coins for being the champion. They also got free tickets to the theatrical play that would be held later that night. And most important of all, the invitation to the party at the castle, scheduled for tomorrow night.

"Raniaaaa!" Luna greeted Rania happily when they rendezvoused outside the coliseum. She jumped at her and gave her a big hug, rubbing her cheeks on hers. "You were amazing!" 

"Thank you," Rani hugged her back. "And thank you for the flowers!"

"He he he," Luna giggled shyly. "Nah, it's nothing. It's the least I could do to congratulate you both. Great job, too, Elliot! I didn't think you could pull that new move in one go!"

"Hmm … to be honest, it was a little hard. If I wasn't careful enough, evolution won't be successful".

"A 'little' hard?" Luna squinted. "Huh! Of course! It's just a 'little' hard for our genius Elliot," she clapped her hands.

"Luna, are you complimenting him or being sarcastic?" Rania teased.

"Well …," Luna shrugged, "I guess you can say both?"

Rania and Luna laughed together. Elliot approached Ducis.

"Ducis, why didn't you tell me about the full potential of the Zweihänder?"

"That's because …," Ducis hesitated, "it's such a destructive power that if we practice it in the Forbidden Forest, there's a high chance that the whole place will be destroyed. We can't do it in Anguis Solum as well or in my realm, I don't want you destroying it. But most of all, Ventus is the best teacher for that. He has great control and the highest success rate of weapon evolutions". 

But at the back of his mind, he also thought, "... and we can't have them find out about you just yet. If you use too much spiritual energy, they will definitely detect you since the barrier won't be able to disguise your spiritual energy anymore. Just like that time with Rania - they detected it because it was too much". His face turned sullen at this thought.

Elliot noticed and didn't press on the matter anymore. He turned to Rania instead.

"So, about that play tonight," Elliot smiled cheekily to her, "we better buy some new clothes, right? It's a theatrical play, so we should dress formally if I'm not mistaken?"

"Ugh," Ducis grimaced. "Don't tell me you're really going to watch that?"

Rania and Luna nodded enthusiastically. "Uh-huh!"

Ducis slapped his face with his palm, "Please don't".

"We can't waste the tickets".

"And I wanna watch, too! Why are you so against it, dragon? Hmf! You must be hiding something embarrassing, huh?" Luna waggled, teasing him.

Losing hope, Ducis turned to Elliot.

"But I want to watch it, too," Elliot replied. "Don't worry, we won't judge".

Ducis sighed and replied with his most uninterested tone, "Fine, do whatever you want".

And so, the team wandered around the town to look for clothes to wear for the play. Rania and Luna decided to look separately with the guys to give an element of surprise. Elliot agreed with the idea so he went along with their cute scheme and dragged Ducis with him. Luckily, they all found the perfect outfits. Once done buying the clothes they chose, they went back to the hotel to prepare.

Luna chose an illusion top, baby pink princess gown, topped with white chiffon that had pink cherry blossoms scattered on her chest area and from the knee, down to the end of the gown. She held her long hair up in a gorgeous braided updo and adorned it with beautiful flowers. Her accessories and heels were a perfect match for her gown as well.

Luna went out first of the dressing room and she was welcomed with Ducis who wore an all-black suit, and golden tie. He blushed upon seeing how stunning Luna was and averted his eyes.

"As expected of a fairy, to dress like flowers," Ducis shyly said. "But … i-it looks good on you". His tone softening into a mumble.

Luna's face flushed pink as her dress. "W-well, thank you! Y-you look good, too".

Next to come out was Elliot who wore a navy blue suit with a bit of golden glimmers making it appear like the night sky. His blazer and pants were the same and his inside shirt was black, partnered with a plain black tie. Truly, anything Elliot wore looked great on him to the point that even if you make him wear just a simple shirt, or a ridiculous fashion, it would probably trend and he'd still be able to carry it off easily.

The three sat on the couch as they waited for Rania to come out. And when she did, they all gaped in astonishment.

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