The King's Beloved

~ [Music Recommendation: "Zanarkand" by Nobuo Uematsu "Final Fantasy X" OST - instrumental only - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter T_T ~

Deep breaths … Ducis took a couple of deep breaths before he jumped into the black hole of the Eleventh Gate. It was a beautiful gate made of flower-filled vines and what seemed like branches of trees. Just one glance at it and you'd think of the spring season. With a light hop, Ducis entered the black hole and proceeded unto the Eleventh realm … the "Spring of Flora".

"It has been a while," Ducis whispered to himself as he gazed around the beautiful forest he was transported to.

The forest looked mystical and enchanting with its trees that had purple and pink leaves. Different flowers could be found in the bushes or the grasses all over the place. Luminous plants, wisps, butterflies, or curious pixies served as light in this already very colorful forest. There were pathways made of stones and pebbles that laid on the ground. Ducis followed them and it led him to a village filled with tiny fairies and pixies. Their houses were made from large flowers and vines or wood. A little further was the village for larger fairies, mostly Grand Fairies, from whom the next Guardian of Nature was usually selected. Ducis bowed his head as he passed them as a form of greeting. They bowed to him in return.

"Did you notice anything strange lately?" he asked the Grand Fairies since they were the most mature of all fairies, entasked to take care of the forest.

"Indeed, there was something," answered one of them. 

Then, the other Grand Fairies looked into each other with worry on their faces.

"I - I think it's best if you see it yourself," the other one with a hesitant face told him. "Go to the Fairy Circle. It had been glowing for a couple of days now".

Ducis gasped and immediately ran towards the next path, not minding the others that led to other places in the forest. He followed the narrow, straight path ahead. Even from afar, he already caught a glimpse of the pinkish glowing light. On and on he ran, increasing his pace every second. The closer he got, the more familiar the glow became for him. Like a heartbeat … calling to him.

"T-this very faint aura … this glow … this warmth … could it be?" Ducis asked himself. His body trembled though he didn't know for sure if it was because of excitement, or nervousness, or perhaps, both.

Just a few meters away from the light, tears began to fall from his eyes …

"No way … this can't be," he thought again, "Am I being crazy right now? There's no way that - but this presence! Why didn't I notice it sooner?"

Finally in front of the entrance to the Fairy Circle which was covered with clusters of bluish-lilac flowers of Wisteria, he stopped. His heart pounded heavily on his chest. His hands and lips kept on trembling. He felt hopeful and yet, hesitant at the same time. He didn't want to hope for much only to disappoint himself after. But the feeling in his heart betrayed him.

Slowly, he pulled the clusters of flowers sideways, and went inside. There, he found several Verus Amor flowers formed in a big circle. The circle glowed bright and formed a light pink but transparent barrier. And inside the barrier …

"F - F … Flora …".

Ducis' eyes widened and his knees weakened, making him fall to the ground just beside the Fairy Circle. With his trembling hands, he touched the barrier which broke into pieces as soon as he touched it. And inside the barrier laid an enchanting woman with a beauty so divine, you could mistake her for a goddess. She had long and silky, pinkish white hair, like the color of a light blush. On her body was a white goddess robe with gradient pink ends held tight in the waist by a belt made of different beautiful flowers and vines. Though she was asleep a moment ago, the barrier breaking woke her up, revealing her sparkling golden eyes.

The longing dragon wasn't able to contain his emotions. When Flora opened her eyes, he quickly wrapped her in an embrace and whispered out her name so endearingly … as if wanting to express the words of love he wasn't able to utter for so many years.

The indescribable yearning …

The unexplainable heartache …

The unmeasurable loneliness ...

"Flora … Flora … Flora …," Ducis whispered as his tears kept falling from his eyes.

Then, he looked at her, caressed her cheeks gently, and without warning, caught her lips in a passionate kiss. He kissed her deeply, as if trying to pour out his infinite love for her. 

"Ducis …," Flora sweetly called out his name. Tears fell from the corner of her eyes as well. Her hands held tightly unto Ducis - one on his chest, and another at the back of his neck, pulling him closer to her. Her face was so red and she kept on crying. "Ducis … Ducis".

They kissed once more, only this time, more needy than the first. Ducis pinned Flora down, unto the bed of tiny flowers. Cupping her face with his hands, he continued to kiss her lips. Slowly, his lips traveled to her cheeks, to her ears, and down to her neck.

"Ahhh," Flora let out a moan - her voice too sweet and dear to the ears. "W-wait a minute. Where do you think you're kissing?" There was a hint of embarrassment to her tone as her face turned beet red.

Ducis chuckled. "It's really you, isn't it? Flora? I'm not dreaming … am I?"

"Huh?" Flora looked surprised. "What do you mean? And why do you keep calling me Flora?"

Ducis' eyes widened in disbelief.

"Huh? But you're -"

"- Luna!" she finished it for him. "Seriously stupid dragon? You're kissing me without knowing who I am? Are you hallucinating?" 

And there it was, Luna's temper.

"B-but … that body," Ducis was taken aback. "What is happening?"

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Hi Beloved Readers!

It's all thanks to all of your love and support! T_T I couldn't have done it without you all. Thank you very, very much from the bottom of my heart! T_T

I'll be joining again this year and hopefully, I win again. I'm so shy but I'm gonna be shameless and ask all of your support once more. XD Please check out my new story by searching for it in the app.

Title: "A Beautiful Catastrophe"

Please VOTE me with POWERSTONES on that story and leave reviews and comments. More PS, more chapter updates! And once again, thank you all so much!

Lots of Love,

Macy_Bae

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