Chapter 20:Memories & Ecstacy

"Did you know that the Heavens will be the one to choose your bride?" A voice of a woman whose shadow covers him from the bright gleam of the moonlight.

He gave her a confused, cute look.

Although their hair colors were different and the young boy has most of the traits of his father, their eyes match.

"I hope I can meet your bride," she wishful thought as she sighed, like she had the idea that her time with him was already limited.

"Mommy," says the cute prince wrapped in dull, plain clothes.

"I don't need a bwide. I have mom," he said.

She squeel. "How adorable! My baby is adorable," she hugged him tight.

"But Mommy still looks forward to you having your bride. She will be like Mommy. She'll love you and take care of you more importantly when Mommy is no longer here. I'm sorry but Mommy can't be here with you forever," she said as she snuggled him.

"No! Evan will take care of Mommy," he remarked.

She chuckled, covering her sad expression.

That morning, the sound of hot tea being poured into his favorite cup resounded in the early atmosphere. The day of the union ceremony will take place tomorrow late afternoon, before the sun sets.

"It seems like you have a peaceful sleep," Stephen stated.

The emperor, in a light sigh, spoke. "I dreamt of her," he said. He knew his butler had an idea whenever he dreamt of his mother. It's because of the aura he releases after he wakes up. He seems much more at ease.

This makes him forget the prophecy that the chief priest gave for a moment.

Stephen also wanted to hear something about his beloved lady. At least she is not lingering only on his head. Someone else knows she existed and that keeps himself convinced that she is real and not an illusion that faded away like a dream.

Somehow the emperor hated the idea that his mother chose the wrong guy; indeed, he is nonexistent if that happens, but she will be still alive, living happily, and probably free up until now if she does. Then he hated the previous emperor for fooling her because of the lust he had for her, not to mention his multiple women.

"Same things as usual," he said just to cut it off yet seeing his loyal servant, who gave the rest of his life to serve him just because he loved his mother, even though he was the son of the man she chose over him, he reconsidered and gave him the same details as if they were all recorded.

The conclusion that his butler sticks with him because of hoping to see her one day has already passed his mind. When he finds his empress, his mother might be resurrected or maybe she will be found—anything from the miracle of the oath festival.

He knew, however, he didn't bother to cast away the only person he could trust.

This guy treated him as his child. A weak soft side that you can detest out of masculinity but is very nurturing if you let it go. There are many men, but not all of them are loving husbands and loving fathers. 

The Emperor was obsessed with people with strong principles, a sense of loyalty, and reverence—those who could take serious steps to follow what they believed in and were eager to live with it.

The chief priest interrupted their conversation.

"The union ceremony will be held tomorrow; let's have a bro-dal shower today," he said while he put his arm around his neck.

"You have lots of spare time, don't you?" The emperor asked, thinking of loading him up with other tasks.

His friend shows him a big grin and states, "Well, we can't disappoint the ladies on your first night. And after this, you will be a married man, no more single era so this is your last day to have much freedom."

Evan was silent as in his usual state.

Kal's approach is like a father who is letting his child go for the next milestone of his life. Stephen agreed with the matter as well. Although the number is not that high, there are still a few that he can consider his real acquintance in the palace.

"I planned it very well, so don't you worry," he assures him.

The preparation will be held by the honorary lady while the state regulation is already set on a blueprint so the officials can manage from there. It is much easier because Duke Oliver returned from his leave.

Then they left.

Hence, before this happened, Kal was having a conversation with the young woman who came back to their world. She was seated and he laid his head on her thighs. It was indeed a great day for a little snack under the shade of a huge sycamore tree.

He was still disappointed. "You don't want to fool me but you did not reject me either," he stated. She took a piece of grapes from the basket and put it in his mouth to quiet him down. However, he continued to speak after swallowing it. Seeing that they ran out of grapes, but he doesn't stop talking anoyed her. She playfully strangles him and groans, "Oh, shut up, you talkative priest!"

"I am just asking for an answer," he stated.

"No, you are pissing me off; you're noisy." She ranted.

"You're mean, I'm only this noisy with you," he replied.

"No, you are always noisy with almost everyone," she counters.

"No, I'm not!" He insisted. "Wait.. are you jealous?" he asked.

"What!?" No," she answered, trying not to offend him. She sighed, giving up on how childish this man is whenever he's with her.

He continued the conversation but in her ear, it just turned into a blabbering sound as her attention shifted to a weaver ant that was crawling on his hair. She tried to wipe it away once or twice until it fully fell on the ground.

But it appears like she was caressing his hair.

"There's an ant," she muttered, still tracing it on the ground. When her gaze returns to him, he just sees him smiling.

He turns to the side and scoots nearer to her and finally stops insisting on an answer. "I am giving most of what I have to everyone but to only you; I have this greed," he muttered. 

She sighed again, knowing it had been hard for her disciple to be in this state. She continued to caress his hair. Either for pity or sympathy, lover or sonship, he's still very dear to her.

"Have you thought of giving your friend a gift before everything happens? (This grammar was intentionally used)" she asked randomly.

Kal opened his eyes and turned to see her. Then pull himself seated and speak, "No, I haven't put any thoughts on that yet."

'Look how updated she is in our world's events,' he thought.

She smiled, "How about a Bro-dal?" and expressed her suggestion. "I'll help; I have a plan," she stated.

He smiled and responded, "Yes, that's a great idea." He held her face and gave her a big smooch and left.

She covers her lips, surprised. She was not able to push him back because it happened so fast and her face is all cupped on his hands.

"Kalik!" She called but he continued to disappear from her sight.