Xx The King's Beloved Xx 8 Chapter 6 - The Banquet Part 2

First, she tried creating a "barrier charm" - a charm that will block all physical or magical attacks - but this charm only lasted for so long. It didn't work on everyone. The king was too powerful as well so his spiritual energy kept on countering the charm. The next thing she tried was a "spiritual summon" - a creature with the ability to protect its master. But this same creation was too weak compared to the king and was not worthy of protecting him. One after another, she continued trying all ways she could think of, but all was naught.

The king and queen were very pleased with her intentions but told her not to bother anymore and rest a.s.sured that they will be fine. But the kind sorceress didn't stop. Alas! She thought...

"What if ...instead of creating something that will protect the king….. what if I create something that can read people's hearts and their minds? If I know what they're thinking then definitely, I will be able to prevent disaster before it happens!"

And so, she created the "Pandora's Charm" - a spell that will reveal the deepest and darkest secrets of the heart and mind. She first started it at a banquet held at the king's palace, telling people it was a spell to change hair color. Most magi believed her since she's a Judge so they let her cast the spell to them. To some, it was fine, showing the different colors of the rainbow until… the charm accidentally got casted to the wrong person - someone who didn't agree to changing his hair color. It was none other than the current king's great grandfather. The kind sorceress was playing with a fellow Judge that time and accidentally bounced the charm to him. As soon as it reached his head, the man's hair grew into a dark black color. This alerted the kind sorceress and immediately, she reported it to the king.

"Amare, the man you mentioned is my very own brother. It is impossible for him to wish my destruction. He is a very wise man - full of honor. He will not betray me. There must be a mistake." the king hesitated.

The kind sorceress "Amare", replied, "But my charms don't lie, your highness. Dark black color means death itself, either the wearer saw death, experienced it, or killed someone! And my charm is directed to you, your highness. So the color will change according to a person's true feelings towards you. It means he wishes to -...to...kill you."

The queen gasped in astonishment. Her eyes, teary. "My king, I understand he is your brother.. But...we should not ignore what Amare speaks of."

"That's why he didn't agree to me changing his hair color - he knew! He knew there was more to it." Amare continued.

The king felt contradicted. He trusts both Amare and "Sanguis", his brother. "Then, what do you suggest that I should do to my brother?"

Amare felt the king's heart break saying this. To soothe him, she replied, "Innocent until proven guilty, your highness. I'll just monitor him and if he does something he shouldn't, then I'll carry out my duty of protecting you both.

After the conversation with the king, Amare started wide-casting her Pandora's charm. Each and every Magi's hair had been enchanted with the charm. And this time, the charm she casted was an "Everlasting Pandora's charm" - a charm that will pa.s.s itself generations to generations. And so, everyone's hair color changed according to their feelings towards the king who sits on the throne. One after another, green-haired, dark-haired, grayish-haired magi revealed themselves. Amare strictly monitored everyone belonging to the latter category.

Aside from the hair color, she also wide-casted the Everlasting Pandora's charm to all the seeds that produces fiber which was where their clothes were made from. She did this as a countermeasure just in case there would be someone who'd put a countercurse on her charms. Since plants have weaker spiritual capacity and can only accommodate one charm or curse casted on it, this charm is weaker than the one cast on one's hair. It can only discern what's inside the deepest part of one's heart and not directly the motives they have for the king.

Still, it was an everlasting charm and up to this very day, this charm she created years ago continues to work and continues to reveal what's inside a person's heart.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

Everyone's hand chorused in a clap as they congratulate Rania's performance. It was a truly splendid one, but what's more intriguing was her dress changing to "white".

Seeing as everyone was astonished including the king, the handsome man with long and straight light blue hair and a pair of light blue eyes, sitting on the right hand side of the king, stood up and spoke. His voice, very deep and s.e.xy yet mysterious. This same man was the one who spoke with the king about the meaning of a black Pandora's dress.

"Purity" he started. "..that is what your dress color signifies."

Everyone looked to the man's direction waiting for what he'll say next.

Slowly walking towards Rania, he continued. "For us Magi, our hair has been cursed by the Pandora's charm same as the dress you humans are wearing right now. Hence, the reason why all of us have different hair color even though we belong to the same race."

Rania stared at him as he spoke.

"The moment we are born, our hair turns to pure white since a baby is the purest of all. Then as we grow older, that white changes accordingly to what our hearts inhibits, especially towards the king. And in the whole history of Magi, there was never...ever...an adult whose hair didn't change and kept it white. Yet, here we are seeing a human in pure, bright, white dress."

He was now in front of Rania. He raised his hands a bit and touched the chiffon cloth covering her dress' skirt, trying to feel the magic casted on its fabric. Convinced it was a Pandora's dress, he continued his speech.

"I am known as the wisest Judge and yet, I do not understand ...How? How can someone who suffered so much, be as pure as white?"

"A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials." Rania answered. "You say it is impossible for someone to achieve purity in adulthood but I say, it is only a matter of choice. Just as everything depends on our choices, so as our heart and soul."

The man was amazed with her words.

"If I choose to be pure, then I am pure! If I choose to be brave, then I am brave!. All are but choices and it is up to ourselves to decide."

"Woman" the king finally spoke. "What is your name?"

"I am Rania from the house of Pémptos."

"I see…" the king muttered. He was caught in a daze while looking at Rania, as if… bewitched by her. Who can blame him? For Rania was very beautiful at that moment. With all the darkness gone from her.

"I have performed my duty for tonight. If you'll excuse me." Rania bid her farewell. And with this, she turned her back to the king and walked away towards the door and out of everyone's sight.

"Clavis" the king called the light blue haired man.

"Yes, your highness" the wise Judge answered.

"What should we reward the woman who entertained me the most this night?"

"Let her be given everything a woman desires, your majesty."

"Then it shall." the king decided.

Not long afterwards, the king and his judges went on their way to rest. The party still continued for the generals and n.o.bles to enjoy themselves.

Meanwhile...

Amidst the cold weather and bustling noises that can be heard from the great hall, a young man can be seen sleeping outside, in the pavilion. Sitting on the soft couch with his wrist supporting his head, he lay asleep.

This young man had glossy, rosy, white skin that reflects under the moonlight. Wearing a princely outfit of blue and silver, surrounded by numerous white and blue roses, he s.h.i.+ned. His black yet silky hair shone bright like crystals. It was as if seeing a perfect picture depicting a sleeping prince under the night sky. A very beautiful sight indeed.

Despite the fact that the view was outstanding, it was such a shame that this man's beauty was obstructed by his mask. Yes, he wore a plain, white mask on his face, not letting a glimpse of any of his facial features. Unable to tell whether his face was as beautiful as the scenery or that of a scary, horrid beast.

As Rania continued to walk towards Pémptos palace, she pa.s.sed by the pavilion and saw the sleeping man.

"How can someone sleep in this place? It's freezing cold out here.", she thought.

With worry and kindness in her heart, Rania approached the man quietly. As she drew near, she removed the cloak she was wearing and gently, covered the man's arms and body with it.

"Hmm..this should do it. Now, you won't feel cold anymore" she whispered to herself.

After that, she went on her way and continued walking towards their palace. Unbeknownst to her, the man she helped was never asleep. The moment she left, he opened his eyes to reveal a very beautiful and bright blue color.