The Two Empresses
Wishes and Hopes

"Saciel, are you seriously letting Lao go?" ask Cerlina restlessly.

"Because the only person who can stop Vristhi is Lao. You're strong, but you're still a long way from Vristhi. Phillip is still in treatment, Tania still has to learn again from the beginning and Julian would have chosen to retreat if told to face Vristhi," Saciel said as she sipped tea.

"You're right. And congratulations on your election as queen" Cerlina said. Saciel gave a small laugh and stroked Cerlina's head affectionately.

"It's only temporary" Saciel said. He turned to Parvati who was waiting beside him. "I have to go now?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Work is waiting for you" answered Parvati happily. Saciel let off an awkward laugh and sighed. "Tomorrow you will be crowned."

"Hurry up" said Cerlina.

"Because the longer we delay, there may be a third party that messes up" Parvati replied. Cerlina mangosteen heard it. Saciel stood up and looked at Aunt who was holding back tears falling on her cheeks.

"Auntie, I only went to be queen, not to the battlefield" Saciel comforted as she handed him a handkerchief. Auntie's cry broke and immediately clasped it tightly.

"Miss, I am very happy to see Miss become queen, but I fear that it will only bring Miss into despair" Bibi said in her tears. Saciel gave a small laugh and patted Aunt's back to calm her down.

"Depression huh? Not bad," Saciel murmured. After 10 minutes in Bibi's arms, Saciel broke free and left with Parvati, followed by sobs and wails from everyone in the Arakawa residence. "I feel like I'm at a funeral."

"An interesting analogy, Your Honor," Parvati said. "Stevan is done with his administration and the invitation to some of the countries in the Respher that are still our allies."

"What elves are included?" ask Saciel.

"We'd better check together when we meet Stevan" Parvati replied. Saciel just rolled his eyes and got into the carriage, followed by Parvati. The train was moving at a rapid speed towards the palace.

...****************...

"My wife will be queen and I will be king" Dark said. "King!"

"Calm down, you look like a crazy person" Vatra said, playing with a knife in his hand. "Don't be rash, remember you almost died at the hands of demi-humans."

"Huh, I know. By the way, why is he here?" tanya Dark while glancing towards Vristhi who was silent a thousand languages in the corner.

"Because he's quite useful to us."

"How did you get him? I think he's loyal to the kingdom" he asked again.

"There's something important to him" replied Vatra. Dark was silent, but his eyes focused on Vristhi. "He would not betray."

"You're so sure of that" Dark said. Vatra just shrugged and left, followed by Vristhi who put up a bete face. Dark just grumbled to see it.

"Take confidence in yourself" said Vristhi. Vatra grinned at hearing that.

"Because I have a guarantee that you don't defect, boy. And I'm sure you know that, don't you?" vatra pongah. Vristhi was silent, her hands clenched tightly until her fingertips turned white. "You think I'm stupid to let you come along without bail?"

"It turns out you're smart, too" Vristhi praised with a smile. Vatra did not crush him, but walked back to leave Vristhi who was grieving.

"Damn it," complained Vristhi. He walked in the opposite direction to the balcony. His eyes caught a crow perched not far from him. At his feet was bound a small piece of paper. "Hm? Who do you have birds?"

Be careful around the bird and try to untie it. As soon as he opened the small paper, he was flabbergasted to read the contents.

"...fool, why did you come to pick up danger?" whiskey Vrishi. He burned the letter and provided feed and water for the crow. "After you're satisfied, go. I don't have anything for her."

After being content to enjoy the rewards, the bird rubbed its head on Vristhi's slender hand and flew towards the vast horizon, making Vristhi a little sad. He did not know the owner of the bird was waiting with a happy smile.

"Me too. Now how am I supposed to pull you out of those demons?" muttered Lao while stretching his arms. The crow darted down into the forest and perched on his arm. "So far away too? Good job, man."

He stroked the bird affectionately, then carefully pulled out a brown feather disguised between its black feathers.

"He didn't know I put a tracker. Get ready to go again, man. It could be that they will move again" Lao said. As if understanding the wishes of his master, he spread out his two wings and swam across the horizon. Lao covered his face with a black cloth and walked across the forest.

...****************...

"How you doing, Phillip?" greet Julian while putting a bouquet of white lilies on the vase. Phillip pouted to see it.

"Damn it, I'm not dead yet" Phillip lamented as he tried to burn it, but Julian moved faster. He locked the young man with a vine that emerged from under his bed. "Aah?"

"How dare you kill this plant, I'll break your neck" Julian threatened.

"You're mocking me or what? I'm sick and treated like this" Phillip lamented. Julian immediately pulled back his tendril and sat down on a chair near where he lay.

"I'm sorry, I came here just to cheer you up. How are you doing?" ask Julian sincerely.

"Well, you can see I'm fine. After striking Vrishi with such a big lightning bolt, I was immediately overwhelmed," Phillip replied. Julian little O-o heard it, but slowly grinned his face.

"You serious? Not because of Vatra's beat?" syndical Julian.

"...if you already know don't ask," Phillip replied annoyed. Julian laughed loudly and patted Phillip on the shoulder. "sick."

"But I must admit, your lightning is getting stronger and stronger. I just goosebumps hearing it from afar, let alone the plants that are near you," Julian said. "I think you'll soon beat Saciel."

"Hahaha, it could be," said Phillip stiffly. "Was Saciel really the queen? I think Cerlina is the strongest candidate."

"I thought so. When I asked the people, they thought Cerlina was still weak in politics" Julian replied. "Would you give him a present?"

"It's interesting, but what?"

"Anything that matters can make Saciel happy" Julian replied.

"It's getting more complicated. Stop thinking about it" Phillip replied. "Oh yeah, did you stop by Tania's house?"

"It has. Right now he is training hard to catch up with us. I have to admit, the power of time is more terrifying than controlling a puppet. But it could be that she's going to be an amazing witch" Julian retorted.

"You're right. I can't wait to see her grow into a magician. Time goes by fast, right?"

"You sound like an old man" Julian lamented.

"Just kid, you're the old one" Phillip replied. He got up from his bed and walked to the balcony. "May tomorrow be a good day."

"Hopefully."