The two were like night and day, if I were to compare. Where that man had dark green skin and hair covered in moss, Raguna was tanned, light brown like a human's skin would be. And his hair was curled and long, tied into a half pony-tail. His golden eyes were also not the same shade of evergreen that belonged to the man before, but the stare was similar. The only difference was that Raguna's stare was more distant. Another visual cue I picked up on was the golden scarf looped around his elbows and back, a fashion choice similar to the draped black robe the man from before wore.
However, these were just guesses. Nothing concrete yet, but I still couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity between the two. In the case that this was true, however, and that these two were the same; the only thing I'd be able to say was this was a terrible disguise.
As I looked between the three other kings staring up at him – Odette smiling in mirth, Jude grinning in adoration, and Stevather's painful expression barely held back with a straight face – I could tell either neither knew or that they did and were alright with it.
'But why on Earth would a king be parading around as a faerie?' I thought as I watched him take a seat at the far end of the table, right beside Stevather. 'Why change forms? Assuming that my guess is right – wait. Lavy, stop.'
For the second time that day, I wanted to slap myself. What use was there in even cracking the code, assuming that there was one to begin with. The kings had nothing to do with me. What would I even do with this information? Nothing, what was I going to do – blackmail them for a way to get out? Nobody even knew how to break the curse. Even then, what was I going to do if I even got out? When they said universe, I knew for a fact that I was a long way from Earth. And even if I got back to Earth, what was I going to do? I'd be out of a job since most of my clients would've assumed I was dead. So really, I was left at the mercy of these people of Sun-Glint.
The least I could do was be kind and stop butting my head in places I had no business in.
"So, miss Lavy – "
"Brother, she prefers to be called just Lavy actually."
Raguna lifted his eyes to meet Jude and smiled, "Already making a friend, are we? Very well, Lavy, how are you finding Sun-Glint?"
Jude only smiled back sheepishly.
"It's beautiful, your highness." I said, "I'm grateful for everything you have given to me, if there is anything I can do to repay you I'd be more than happy to do so."
"Yes, well. I suppose King Jude has offered you a position in the alchemists division, however I must also offer our sincerest apologies for not addressing your situation properly."
At this, Stevather's eyes instantly turned to Raguna. They were wide and filled with outrage, barely hidden back – by the way his hand was trembling underneath the table, I knew this was true. I didn't need to look underneath the table to know, I could see the fabric of upon his upper arm shift in that tell-tale way. Odette on the other hand had paused drinking her tea mid-way, staring up at Raguna from the rim of her amethyst embellished tea-cup. Her eyes held a look of pure concern.
Thankfully, one look from Raguna instantly told them to back down. One of those stares your boss or mother would give that said 'we'll talk about this later'.
"Therefore, I think it is best for you to spend time in each of our divisions." Raguna shared looks with the other kings, "I know this is in short notice, but it would give you the choice to decide. You can choose a total of five options, an alchemist for King Jude, a curse-breaker wizard for King Odette, a presider over the aristocracy and nobility for King Stevather, or one of the common folk. I trust the other kings will be able to receive you properly, yes?"
"Without a doubt," Odette smiled. "We'd be happy to have you work with us, Lavy."
"Of course, your highness." Stevather nodded.
"It'll be sad to see you go, but the choice is always yours, Lavy." Jude said, "I just hope you'll be alright."
Stevather seemed to be at his breaking point right now, I could see the barely concealed veins on his neck threatening to burst. His movements indicated that he wanted more than anything to slam his hands on the desk. I knew he wanted to demand what was going on, but the reason why was honestly up for grabs at that point. However, if there was anything I knew for sure was the fact that between the four it seemed that Stevather had issues with both Jude and Raguna.
Which, again, was none of my business. So I tried my best to ignore it.
"Good, and since this is tea time – please help yourselves." Raguna nodded, pouring himself a cup. "Onto the next subject, which is in regards to your living conditions, I think it'll be proper that you live in close proximity with the divisions. I'm sure each of us has at the very least a house or some land to spare?"
"I'll arrange it." Jude nodded, "King Odette, would you – "
"Take her on?" Odette grinned, "I'd love to be able to meet the person my people's hard work has brought to our hidden kingdom, everyone would also like to meet you – "
Raguna raised a hand, "I would highly advise as little contact with your people in the beginning, let Lavy figure out the job she would most enjoy first."
"Oh," Odette blinked, turning to me with an apologetic smile. "But of course, whatever that would make her most comfortable after all."
"On the subject of that," Stevather finally spoke, his voice gravelly. "Have any of you asked what Lavy would be comfortable with? Or have you two simply decided on this on your own, as usual?"
"Oh stars," Odette sighed. "Don't drag me into this."
"Watch your tongue, Stevather." Jude seethed, "Have you asked Lavy if she would be content to sit and watch us argue?"
"Have you asked her if she would – "
"Why don't you both stop arguing and simply ask Lavy?" Odette said, exasperated. "Enough with it already! Pointing fingers does nothing when something needs to be done."
The kings were fragmented in their unity as rulers of a kingdom, which confirmed my worries from the beginning. I mean, what country decides four kings would be a good idea?
"King Odette is correct," Raguna said, withdrawn and reserved in his tone. "Therefore this meeting shall be adjourned. Lavy, would you care to walk the grounds with me?"
So there I was, teacup in hand ready to take my first sip. Having watched a very real political fallout before my own two eyes, then be asked to walk around the area with a king.
"Of course, your highness." I said, but really – what else could I say?
"Don't worry, you may take your tea with you." He said, taking his own cup in one hand and extending his other for me to take.
Still taken aback by what I just witnessed, I spared a look towards Jude and Stevather who were glaring daggers at each other. Odette looked tired and when she met my eyes she smiled dryly.
"I'll get going then," she said. "I have work to do. Let me know if she comes over first, alright?"
Out of my peripheral vision, I saw Raguna nod, slowly retracting his hand. Panicking over the fact that I'd be rude, I instantly reached out to grab his hand – accidentally yanking him down. Raguna stumbled for a bit before regaining his composure, staring at me with wide eyes.
I felt my cheeks burn, "I am so sorry, I –"
Instead of being reprimanded like I had expected, he laughed. A gentle sound I did not expect could come from a person like him.
"Tight grip, I see. Good to know you're strong and healthy," he smiled, "It's alright, come then."
Entranced by that sound, I let him lead me out of the room. Still replaying that sound in my head, and wondering why it sounded so much like the laugh of the man from the gardens.
Yet as I gazed at him as he rambled on about the gardens and Sun-Glint, walking underneath the trellis shadowed by purples and greens, I could not shake that feeling. I've always prided myself as someone with a keen eye, able to discern what was right and what was wrong – what my eyes saw and what my brain perceived.
Raguna stopped mid-sentence suddenly, turning towards me with a fond smile, "Is there something on my face? You're staring at me rather intensely."
I blinked a couple of times, finally realizing why my eyes were beginning to ache, "Oh. Right, I'm sorry – you just… seemed familiar."
"Do I?" he said, a playful tune to his voice. "I hope I resembled someone you fancied then, since you stared at me so openly."
I couldn't say anything to that, because it was such an absurd thing to say. I'd only ever been with one person before in my life, after all.
"No," I said, rather deadpanned. "Not at all."
"How cruel!" he laughed, "Then what warranted the stare? Have I said something wrong?"
"No – it's just… your voice was familiar, is all." I said, my voice dying down to a whisper.
He was silent for a moment before he finally spoke, his tone taking on a more serious tone, "I see."
Worrying if that change in tone was due to my own flippant answer, I quickly tried to remedy the situation.
"I said you didn't look familiar to the person I once fancied," I said. "But it doesn't mean you're in any way ugly."
"No?" he said, sounding surprised.
"You're very handsome, if it means anything." I said, only to be greeted with silence and the lack of his presence beside me.
Faltering in my step, I turned to look behind me only to find him just standing there, with an absolutely befuddled look – as if I had pickpocketed him right under his nose and he had just realized.
"Well," he placed his hands on his hips. "Lavy, it means a lot. Since such a beautiful woman is saying that to me."
I knew my heart should've skipped a beat, I knew I should've felt butterflies in my stomach. I knew I would've felt those things, if only I was anyone but myself. Or if this situation was anything but this situation. Or if it was Mara telling me these things, instead of him.
"Thank you," I said, trying to smile.
"And for that compliment, I shall take you to the prettiest spot in this garden. Filled with all the best purple flowers, to match your eyes." He grinned, hooking my arm around his.
I only hummed and continued to listen to him talk about the gardens; while my thoughts, inevitably, were still caught in my past.