Lea woke up feeling incredibly happy. Finally, something would happen in the presidential palace. Yes, it was a funeral, something which generally isn't fun, but it was better than walking around the palace bored out of her mind. At least, at a funeral she could watch a casket descent in the ground, or something along those lines. (She had never been at a funeral before so didn't really know what to expect, and since this was a different world than her own maybe they had different traditions, and even if they didn't it was still the funeral of a president! That was bound to be exciting, wasn't it?)
[Dwyl: Who said you could go?]
William was getting dressed by some maids when he noticed Lea's excitement. He was wearing a completely black suit perfect for a funeral, but when he wore it you wouldn't guess it was for such a depressing occasion. He seemed to shine. The black made his wavy blonde hair stand out even more than usual, and his green eyes seemed full of liveliness, not at all like he had just lost his father. The smirk on his face didn't help, but Dwyl couldn't control his excitement. The end of this world was near! He could practically grasp it.
[Why wouldn't I be allowed to go?] Lea asked wearingly. She had an ominous feeling, like Dwyl was going to blackball her from the funeral.
[Dwyl: Because the funeral is for elites only.]
William adjusted his tie and scowled at the maid who had tied it. Couldn't the help at least do one thing, right? He was so glad he could almost leave, but then again maybe he shouldn't be too glad. There is a high possibility that in the next world he wouldn't even have servants, that is, if he decided to play in it. (He definitely planned to do that, no way he would be so lucky as in the previous world where Lea and Writer couldn't physically touch, and he didn't have to intervene.)
Lea's face fell. Dwyl couldn't be serious. She had been looking forward to this ever since she realized there was nothing else to do here! In a sense she was even glad the president had died. (Not that she was happy her system was a murderer, but at least she could profit from it, that is, if Dwyl allowed her to go.)
[I'm sure you can make an exception.] Lea said unsure about the elite's etiquette and the abilities of her system besides killing people, showing movies in her mind and being cute.
[Dwyl: You are right.]
Lea let out a relieved breath. Good. At least now she hadn't spent all that time mindlessly looking for a dress in vain. She wanted to show of how good she looked in that dress! In her own original body black didn't suit her at all, but for some reason Kailey looked great in that color!
[Dwyl: But I don't see why I should.]
Lea's heart dropped.
[I'm your host!] She said outraged. Lea had been promised she could do whatever she liked!
[Dwyl: Not by my choosing.]
[I will log a complaint!] Lea bluffed. Could she do that? She had no idea.
Dwyl was unimpressed with Lea's outburst. [Dwyl: Really? How are you going to do that? And to whom will you complain?]
Lea almost let out tears of frustration. Couldn't Dwyl just once be a nice system? Why couldn't it at least pretend it didn't notice her bluffing?
[Oh, come on! It's just a funeral. I want to go.] Lea begged. [Live up to your name! What's the point in being the host of a 'Doing Whatever You Like' System if I can't do anything I like?]
Dwyl sighed. He guessed he should allow Lea to go. Dwyl didn't like Lea's implication that he wasn't a good system, because obviously he was the best, and that thought should be corrected. Besides, the more a host completes the system's purpose (in Dwyl's case doing whatever they like), the more energy a system receives. It was very unfortunate that the thought of letting Lea do whatever she wanted didn't sit well with Dwyl. Luckily, he was still young, and didn't need the energy as much. But at the moment he was a little low on energy. Taking over a body for himself is exhausting.
[Dwyl: Fine. You can go, but I'm warning you; you might not be able to handle what's going to happen.]
[I must admit I'm a little bit scared about meeting all those world leaders. I'm just a normal peasant who doesn't know anything about etiquette.]
Suddenly Lea had some doubts about going. She was going to a funeral with a bunch of ruthless elites! What if they decided to bully her because of her origin? The thought was terrifying, but on the other hand this was a once in a lifetime chance (or in her case, a once in a couple of lifetimes chance)! She had also already picked a fabulous dress, and Dwyl had given permission. She had to go!
[Dwyl: Yeah, they'll eat you up alive.] But that wasn't what Dwyl meant. The plan he had concocted to complete the plot of this world was something he was sure that Lea wouldn't approve of. He'd rather not fight with her, because that might make Writer angry with him, but if she got out traumatized, they couldn't blame him! He had given her a fair warning after all, and Dwyl had told Lea repeatedly that he wanted to leave this world.
[You're giving me a lot of confidence, Dwyl] Lea said sarcastically.
[Dwyl: You can always stay in your room.]
[No way! I'm going.]
[Dwyl: That's fine by me. If you regret it in the future, just remember I warned you.]
***
An hour later, William was standing in the great hall welcoming the arriving guests, with Lea standing nervously beside him.
The elites came from all over the world, so all of them would be staying in the palace for the weekend.
"Welcome to our great country X. We are glad to be your host, even if it is for such a terrible and sad occasion," William announced to the hundredth guest who entered the grand doors.
"William," the woman crooned, "I'm so sorry for your loss. How are you holding up?"
"As well as can be expected, miss…," Dwyl halted searching William's memories for a name, but he couldn't come up with anything. William was someone who was not interested in anyone but himself, his father, and his crush.
The woman sighed exaggeratedly. "You haven't changed one bit. How do you expect to lead a country when you can't even remember the name of the heir of your neighboring country? Once I take over, we will be in close relations. Maybe we can even merge our forces. I think that would be best for your county. Besides, we'd look great together, don't you think?"
"I wouldn't even think of doing business with someone who just assumes I know their name and that I can't rule a country. It comes over as quite arrogant and condescending," William waved of her comment.
"If you'll excuse me, there are other guests I have to welcome," William nodded to Mason who was standing a little further away, awaiting orders.
Mason stepped forward and was ready to escort the elite woman to someone who'd show her her room, when she suddenly pointed her gaze towards Kailey and opened her mean, loud mouth.
"And who's this? I don't think she's an elite, or I would have known about her. William, have you sunken so low that you're parading around a filthy little sexslave? Don't tell me you've fallen for her. Is that why you refuse my offer? What a shameful display."