The King's Beloved

[Music Recommendation: "Somnus" by Yoko Shimomura (instrumental only - FFXV OST) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the true atmosphere of this scene ~

The scenery changed after. What once was a bright garden turned into a dark room—an office, and a loud crackling of thunder could be heard in the background. Everything was dark. Only the large window, behind a man with green hair, illuminated the place. He sat in front of the desk located at the middle of the room, with his arms resting on the table. He tapped his forefingers on the desk, looking bored from waiting. Until a knock on the door got his attention.

A man with golden hair and bright aquamarine eyes came inside. He had a handsome visage, but looked stern and cold.

"Avarus," the man with golden hair called the green-haired man. "You sent a message saying that you wanted to show me something in your office?"

"Ah! Finally, you arrived, Sanguis," Avarus beamed at him, as he welcomed and ushered him inside, towards the sofa.

"This better be worthwhile or I would find you impudent for trying to ask a Judge to visit you in your office when you should be the one doing it if you need something."

"But, of course! It surely will be worth your while," he smiled smugly.

Sanguis smirked in return. "This better not be about more funds for your research."

When they were seated, Avarus waved his hand and the table set itself for tea. He poured the drink for Sanguis and offered him pastry which he accepted. They exchanged few pleasantries and small talk. It would appear that they were rather friendly with each other as they chuckled on their jokes.

"Kidding aside, speak your business," Sanguis broke their idle talk.

"Right, I shouldn't take much of your time," Avarus replied, putting down his cup on the table.

A moment of silence passed by.

"Sanguis… do you not want more power?"

Sanguis was taken aback by the sudden question.

"What do you mean?"

"Ha-ha-ha! I know you know what I mean, my dear friend."

Sanguis' eyes widened in surprise and his eyebrows furrowed in anger. 

"Not this again, Avarus!"

"I'm sorry but I will keep on pushing you since I personally believe you are a better fit for the throne than anyone else!"

"My brother is doing an outstanding job."

"He is, but it's not enough. We can't keep having a king that's too kind for his own good. The world doesn't run that way. All these idealisms… they're just that—ideals! He has to wake up from reality! And you! You know reality! You know what it's truly like out there, in the streets, in the villages, in places these royals don't see! Places they never know since… they've never been there themselves. How can kings just sit on their throne? We need a leader! Not a—I'm sorry I had to say this but—not a king in name only."

"I don't understand where you're going. My brother has done everything. All the people love him!"

"No! It's not him they love—they loved the peace, the protection. But who really provides to them? Is it the king? No. It's us—from his Judges, to Generals, the Tribe Leaders, and their subordinates. He does nothing! Just command and decide. Sometimes, I don't even agree on some of the decisions. You know what I mean, my dear friend. You're a Judge! You're always there during state meetings."

Sanguis sighed deeply and thought for a moment. Deep inside, he understood what Avarus meant.

"He… he just needs guidance."

Avarus shook his head and sighed in dismay.

"No. It is not guidance he needs. He needs to renew his mind and beliefs. He's too… naive with the ways of the world. And because of that, many people suffer."

"Are they… really suffering?" Sanguis asked, trembling.

"I'm afraid yes."

"I can try talking to my brother."

"Sanguis. This is not something mere talking will do. Please, just take the throne from him. I'm begging you," Avarus pleaded with his brows knitted tightly.

"You're asking too much. In order to take his throne, he would either need to die since I'm next in line, at least until the Crown Prince comes of age. I will never kill my own brother, nor my nephew! And I will never plot against them to be dethroned!"

Anger rose up within Sanguis' heart. He felt conflicted. He never wanted to harm his brother nor anyone for that matter. But then again… what about the other people whose suffering? It was like having to choose between family… and duty to their country, to their planet, and their people.

Avarus sighed again. "Please, calm down my dear friend. I know this is hard for you. It is for me, too. But I'm willing to taint my hands if it meant the good of many."

After that, Avarus stood up,  took something from his table and handed it over to Sanguis. It was a black octagonal box or mostly known as "Exsorbeo".

Rania, Elliot, Calum, Clavis, and everyone who were watching, gasped at the sight of it.

Sanguis shivered upon seeing it. Avarus offered it to him but he slapped his hands that the box fell on the ground. He shook his head and looked disappointedly towards Avarus. Then, he stood up and fled the room in anger. Avarus sighed deeply and picked up the Exsorbeo, while muttering to himself.

"The seed has been planted. It only needs time for it to grow."

Everyone's faces became dim. It was all getting clear to them… who started it all. Anger, resentment, confusion, bitterness, and many other emotions covered their hearts. Because of that, none spoke a single word.

After that, was yet another scene. This time, it was a banquet held at the Grand Palace to celebrate the return of Amare from her expedition. It was then that she first tried the new charm she created—Pandora's Charm—making everyone believe it was merely a charm to change hair colors, though in truth, it was a spell that revealed the deepest and darkest secrets of a person's heart and mind.

All the guests in the banquet were having fun and Amare kept on casting the charm towards random people, though most of them were probably people she didn't trust much. Moments passed and while joking around with a fellow Judge, her hand slipped and the charm accidentally cast itself towards the wrong person—someone who didn't agree to changing his hair color.

Amare's eyes widened upon seeing the man's hair turned into the darkest shade black could offer. Feeling the spell that was cast upon him, the man looked behind him, and glared at Amare.

It was none other than… Sanguis, the king's very own brother!

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