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 ~

Though Elliot's head continued to ache, nothing could compare to the pain he felt in his heart upon seeing his late mother and father.

'How could it be possible to miss someone so much… even if you don't remember them?' Elliot asked himself.

Along with his aching heart, he breathed deeply, and tears fell from his eyes. Though his memory failed him, his heart remembered his own parents who were very dear to him. Seeing them again after a long 19 years… he couldn't help but want to embrace them in his arms. 

Elliot ran towards them out of his desperation and great longing… 

Only to disappoint himself for his body simply passed through them… 

For whatever they were seeing right at that moment was but a fraction of a memory—an illusion created by Ducis' magic.

Elliot sobbed. He could only but look at the reflection of his late parents before him. Seeing them, but not touching. Hearing them talk, but not able to hold a conversation. 

It was only then that Elliot realized… how much he missed his parents. Trying to accept the sad truth, he clenched his hands and gritted his teeth.

Seeing him in so much pain, Rania walked towards him and patted his back. But even Rania wasn't able to heal the immense yearning in his heart. The torment it caused him was just too severe.

"Mother! Father!" the little Elliot grinned from ear to ear upon seeing his parents. He immediately glided towards them and embraced them in his tiny arms.

"Greetings, your majesties," little Calum and little Clavis bowed.

"Greetings as well, little gentlemen," Queen Alice smiled at them. "You may raise your heads."

"And as for you," King Eli turned to his son who was then sitting on his arm, "it should be 'your majesty' my little one," he corrected him with a smile on his face.

"Huh?" little Elliot pouted and complained, "Aren't I exempted to that? I'm your cute son!"

"Ha-ha! It seems you have been spoiled too much by your mother."

"What? No, I didn't," Queen Alice shook her head. "If it's between us, it's YOU who spoiled him too much."

"Me? Of course not!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" and they all laughed together. 

"Everything was perfect," Ducis explained to Elliot. "The late king and queen were beloved by everyone. They ruled the entire Gaia with great wisdom, faith, and love—just like their ancestors."

SWOOOSH… 

The wind suddenly blew strong, and glimmers of light started to appear before everyone. A silhouette of a woman formed through the wind.

"You all look like you're having fun," a cheerful and gentle voice echoed throughout the garden.

A little more and what once was a silhouette of a woman turned into a real one. She was stunningly beautiful and looked so kind and gentle, as if she couldn't hurt a fly. She wore a long, white, goddess robe with halter top and a flowing fabric as its skirt. It had white gold linings at its hem, and on her shoulders was a cape cut in half, made also with the same flowing fabric, making them look like wings as they danced with the air. Her legs were adorned with a white gold gladiator sandals, and her wrists and neck also with white golden accessories. They were all a perfect match to her silvery golden eyes, and a great combination to her long, wavy, and smooth bright red hair that shined like rubies when illuminated by the sun.

Everyone looked at the woman who arrived floating in the air.

"Amare," Queen Alice called her dearly, "you've finally returned. Welcome home."

"Welcome home, Amare," King Eli seconded.

"Indeed, I am home," Amare smiled sweetly. Then, she descended to the ground and bowed her head towards the king and queen. "Greetings to my beloved majesties." And turning to little Elliot, she said, "And of course, to the cute little prince as well."

Little Elliot beamed at her. "Amare! Teach me that magic again!"

"Be respectful Elliot, she's a Judge, you know," little Clavis reprimanded him.

"Huh? But Amare doesn't mind it," little Elliot pouted.

"Of course, I don't," Amare chuckled. "Anything for the cute prince."

"See? I told you she doesn't mind."

"Ugh, you really have been spoiled too much," little Clavis shook his head in disapproval. "Hey, Calum. A little help here? We're supposed to guide each other to be proper heirs to our families."

But little Calum was busy chuckling as he adored his little cousin. The little Elliot went down from his father's arms and tugged on Amare's skirt, pestering her to teach him magic. The little Calum walked towards them and rummaged the little prince's hair, much to his annoyance.

"Waaah! My hair," little Elliot complained. "And you said I should look proper."

"Ha-ha-ha-ha!" little Calum laughed at him. "It's punishment for being naughty."

"But I'm not naughty. I just want to learn lots," he pouted again.

"Continue pouting and your lips will be stuck at that position."

"T-that's not true."

"You think so? I think I read something about a curse like that. It just randomly targets children that love to complain and pout so much."

"W-what?" little Elliot whimpered like a cute dog. "T-that's not real, right, Amare?"

Amare laughed out loud. "Oh my goodness, you're so adorable Elliot."

Little Elliot blushed pink. "So it's not true! Calum you liar!"

He then turned to little Calum ready to pick a fight with him but he was faster and already fled the scene.

"Hey! Wait for me!"

And so, the little prince chased his cousin until he caught him in a barrier, to which little Calum easily escaped. They ran around the garden chasing and running away from each other.

Little Clavis sighed and shook his head again. "Am I the only logical person in this place?"

As their laughs echoed throughout the whole place, Elliot, Clavis, and King Calum, lowered their eyes. Seeing their peaceful past before them was both joyful, and heartbreaking. 

In their hearts, they couldn't help but ask.

'Where did it ever go wrong?'