"Wasn't he wonderful..."
Leon who hears it could only frown at his sister's words. Finding their way back wasn't troubling, but the effect of that small encounter was. His mind and heart may be calm but his hands were slightly trembling at the amount of force he exerted.
"Who?" He tries to say in a monotone voice, his eyes rolling she suddenly finds the man they left behind interesting.
"That man," Lily turns to him with a frown on her beautiful face, "Wasn't he breathtaking?"
"I wouldn't say breathtaking..."
More like an artwork. An untouchable artwork... But remembering that fellow's personality made him seal his lips at the thought, "His looks were above average..."
"Are you blind?"
"Why does that angel enrapture you all of a sudden?"
"Did you not see what I saw?"
"I did and you should stop those thoughts, It's best if you keep a distance from that person."
"Why?"
"Look around and observe." Leon sighs while crossing his arms together. "The guards, the servers, the musicians. They aren't wearing one. And that man was wearing something light, like a scholar. He is most likely a figure behind their laws and politics. Or maybe someone from the King's retainers."
It was said that the Celestial King's retainers were trusted people he had personally selected and educated. Some came from childhood and a few from the battlefield. And just like their King, they were capable individuals who acted as pillars that strengthened the entire Celestial Realm. There were even a few retainers who looked over the Infernal Realm when major problems would occur.
When the Celestial King was busy ensuring the safety of both realms, the retainers were there to oversee the problems when he was away. Their King wasn't even worried he would be taken advantage of because his retainers were loyal and dependable. The Infernal beings didn't know who these people were but everything they heard about them was positive and commendable, flawless.
That beautiful handsome face. A face carved by the heavens shouldn't be fair. Looks, knowledge, and capabilities are charming traits that Leon shouldn't feel positive about.
Clearing his throat, the demon fixes his composure as they spot Lance not too far from their original spot. And having them in the latter's view made that handsome face free from anxiousness. "There you are..."
"We went out for some fresh air," Leon tells him, accepting the coat he had disregarded. Luckily for them, Lance was a diligent friend who had gathered his clothes for him.
"I had a feeling," Lance chuckles as he kneels on one knee to help Lily with her shoes.
One hand at the latter's shoulders and the other at her dress, Lily carefully slides her feet at the awaiting shoe.
Lance had the patience to help her with the other foot, "But I kinda expected for you two to take a while?"
Leon watches as Lance pushes himself up to stand. "We'll tell you later. I kind of don't want to talk about it right now."
"Oh?" Lance slightly frowns, eyes looking around his frame, seeing if anything was out of place, "Are you alright? Did you two get into trouble?"
"Not quite," Lily was the one who answered him while waving a hand and Leon chuckled at her answer, "You'll see."
Leon's smile had always been charming to see, right from the beginning people never took their eyes off him even for a second. Lily might radiated an elegant beauty that may be on par with any celestial being, Leon however had a smile that reminded them of the rising sun within the ocean. He was undeniably eye-catching even from behind.
Lance was gazing at him before Leon could even notice. As Leon could look at him, his eyes caught something fluttering in the air. Lifting his chin, he sees something small almost hovering above him. Stretching out his plan, it drops gently at his skin.
A white flower petal.
And there was another and another. Until everyone looked up to see flower petals coming down to greet them. The scent was mild and subtle with a comforting note that followed each petal as it increased.
Each petal reminded Leon of something. It was as if he had seen this not too long ago, only to realize these petals belonged to the flowers they had seen earlier.
The infernal beings stood idly, enjoying the sight. The Celestial beings however had their heads down, in a bow—a hand over their chest in respect. There could be only one reason for such a scene. And Leon watched in curiosity as they all waited. Minutes that felt like hours, the sound of footsteps began to fill the ballroom.
A strange energy fills the room causing Leon to grab Lily's arm in protection. It wasn't just him who felt the unfamiliar aura. Every Infernal being stayed alert in their feet as color leaves their faces. Lance moved in front of both siblings, brows furrowed in confusion.
"May we have everyone's attention please!"
This voice was magnetic, almost hypnotizing as it held confidence and firmness. Thus, it earned everyone's attention in an instant. Not only was this voice captured attention, but also this person's striking features. This person was wearing a formal uniform that stood out from the rest, his face had no mask as it represented his role.
A smile tucked on his face, "Sorry for the interruption but I hope everyone is enjoying their evening. But may I present, The very figure that brought us both realms together. To some, he may be called—a friend, to a lot—a stranger, but to the realms, Abraxas."
There was a time when both the Angels and Demons were ranked the lowest of the beings. They were treated as objects that satisfied other beings' vanity and greed. But when gods descended to protect And Abraxas was the god that saved them all from that suffering. It was even said that he saved the current Celestial King from childhood and personally brought him up. However, that was deemed as a rumor as no one outside the Celestial Realms knew or had seen the Celestial King.
Which is why this was also an opportunity to get a glimpse at the King.
However, the curious gaze that Leon had disappeared the moment that someone had stepped into view. Wearing a mask made from white flowers with a delicate lace that held it in place. This man. This man was the person who danced with him earlier.
Even the people who had recognized him couldn't help but gasp at the realization.
"Good evening everyone. It is so nice to see both the realms of day and night gathered here on this happy day." Abraxas had a pleasant voice, "And not only is this day to welcome our Celestial King's victory but also to announce that I have wonderful news for the Infernal Realm!"
Leon suddenly felt strange when Abraxas smiled from ear to ear.
"I have chosen an Infernal King."
This was news. For everybody.
To finally have a ruler, the infernal Realm will undoubtedly be successful. Which means the Celestial Realm would no longer interfere. And since safety has been ensured by the Celestial King, the infernal Realm will have no trouble starting a new era. And this idea alone, made every Infernal being break into tears. They cheered and hugged one another as a King will arise among them. Happy and relieved that their realm can grow and would no longer try to survive on their own.
However, the Celestial beings did not reciprocate their happiness as a majority of them felt their faces paling anxiously.
"Who is it?!" One of the people in the crowd shouted, manners gone.
"What do you mean who," Someone hisses, "It's got to be Leon!"
"Definitely!"
Leon whose name was suddenly brought up felt a chill run down his spine as eyes started to invade him. And fortunately Lily and Lance had stepped forward to block most of them.
"But wouldn't it be more reasonable if the King had just been born?"
"But shouldn't it be someone with experience?"
"Experience can be earned! And Leon has enough of that!"
This series of topics suddenly engulfed the ballroom. Suddenly Leon was reminded of his and Lily's conversation in the carriage. With all the eyes looking at him, Leon was starting to feel uncomfortable. Their gazes held excitement and very much expectations. Expectations that Leon was not interested in.
"However," Abraxas's voice stops everything once again, everyone's attention going back to the God, "When the time is right, your King will stand before here in time. Until then, their name will not be uttered by my lips."
As if he already knew where Leon was, their eyes met instantly startling Leon in the process. And before anyone could properly process his words, flower petals emerge from the air and fill the room with its comforting scent. Every being was rendered in a confused state. And as they lifted their eyes to where Abraxas was.
He was no longer standing there.
Suddenly everything felt strange as Leon began to feel a numbing feeling in his eye. Without a thought he places a hand over it, brows knotting as he felt pain replacing it. Lance was quick to catch his movements, thus turning to him while placing a hand over his shoulder.
"Is your eye acting up?"
"Mn," Leon sighs through gritted teeth while using his free hand to pat over his pockets. Finding that there was nothing in there, he felt a headache followed shortly. "I left my medication... Of all the days."
"How about..." Lance mutters, his face turning anxiously, "We head home early?"