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The Sun was slowly setting over the Black desert. As soon as the daily beam would fade away, the true beauty of this land would reveal itself to the rest of the asleep world.
Asleep ? Today, the City of Life was bubbling. Buried under the warm, poisoned sand, its inhabitants were preparing. The Royal delegation had just arrived, and a great celebration was planned on the central plaza.
Alberu had never got to take in this sight. Not with his own eyes.
This place that his people never stopped calling ‘home’ around him. A home he, in spite of being a dark elf, never saw. Never visit.
How ironic. Bitterly so.
The Crown Prince quietly observed the busy streets, his eyes catching on the joyful figures roaming around.
The importance this place had for him was beyond words. His mother had kept on talking about it, narrating him elven legends and telling him about their traditions as a form of bedtime story everyday.
When she had passed away, Tasha had made sure to take over. And the other dark elves living in this ruin that had been the palace annexe had helped too. Reminding him daily that he wasn’t alone. That those people he had only heard about through his Mother’s tales were his family. His people.
And that those people would protect him. Take care of him and cherish him.
Deep down, Alberu had always known his birthright was on the line when it came to this benevolent protection. Aunt Tasha would have always been here to support him, but maybe the rest of the dark elves that had been sent at the palace would have been more adamant about blindly scarifying their life for him.
Things would have been different if he hadn’t been the Crown Prince. Fallen, yes, but still a member of a human royal family. Their only hope for a better future.
Alberu could not blame them.
They may have poured years of hopes and suffering over the weak, tiny shoulders of a mourning child. But they had still protected him all this time. Even if this action hadn’t been all gracious and disinterested, this was not something he could easily wave off. He didn’t want to wave it off.
Without their endeavours, Alberu wouldn't have made it to this day.
He wouldn’t have been able to witness this with his own, dyed eyes.
Today was the day he was repaying all those hardships. Tenfold.
When his Mother had told him about this place for the first time, Alberu could barely walk, nor understand a word escaping his smiling lips. Overtime, he had slowly started to grasps a few words.
‘Hidden.’
‘Secret.’
‘Desert.’
‘Bright.’
Laying his eyes on the illuminated cave for the first time, Alberu felt his heart swell. It definitely was bright. Enchantingly so.
He already loved this place.
This was behind anything he had pictured in his mind.
When he was small, he used to draw the imaginary landscape he portrayed in thoughts, according to his Mother’s description. It had always been empty, secluded and covered with yellow crayon.
After a couple of years, and the unfortunate event, those drawings had become warmer. He would crowd the streets with faceless people, and sometimes crumble the sheet into a ball out of frustration.
It had felt too ephemeral. Too far away from his reach. Yet, so accurate to what he had in mind.
Time passed, and he had taken art class as a part of his princely studies. The last painting of the City he had made was beautiful. Perfect brushstrokes and painfully accurate representations of all the descriptions he had read in the dusty books Aunt Tasha had brought him.
It was artistically excellent, not a single brushstroke flawed or out of place. It was bland, and felt colorless.
Now that he was seeing it in person, the first words he recalled were those of his Mother’s. Not those of the ancient volumes he had abandoned in the annexe when moving back to the main palace.
Bright.
A smile curled up his lips. And a familiar sting reached his heart. He would have wanted his Mother to be there with him. He would have wanted his Mother to witness this day.
Childish considerations. He was well aware. But couldn’t bring himself to care.
A lot of things had changed. And he knew she would have loved this too.
‘Desert, secret and hidden.’
Those were no longer an accurate way to describe the place, nor their people.
Alberu scoffed to himself when he took in the cautious gaze of his attendants. They were all looking around with wide eyes, as if witnessing a curious yet dangerous manifestation.
A lot of things had changed. But there was still a lot of work to do. The journey was not over. Far from that.
“Is this where we’re supposed to meet with Miss Tasha ?” Chester queried, glancing around as he was frantically noting down everything caught in his vision. The Crown Prince's bitter smile softened slightly. Whereas the rest of his old attendants and advisors were standing the farthest away from the building, and throwing cautious glances at the city stretching before their eyes, the young record-keeper was eagerly writing a description of the place. This guy never ceased to amaze.
This was also why Alberu was keeping him around, aside from his lowest-ranking position.
“A delegation will arrive soon.” His Aunt had told him Obante had made sure to welcome their guests properly.
“His Highness already met her, yes ?”
This time, Alberu couldn’t help but let out a heartfelt laugh. This question had taken him aback. Chester was probably referring to the reward ceremony that had happened after the end of the war against the Indomitable alliance. But still…
“Yes. I met her before.” quite a lot, actually. But Alberu couldn’t say this. So he kept his mouth shut.
“Is His Highness not nervous to be there ? Today is a very important day.” In a way, the record-keeper was correct. Today was a very important date for the Roan Kingdom’s history; a couple of months before the coronation of who would become its first Emperor, the territory was spreading. All thanks to the addition the heroes had brought it - not conquered by relentless warring, but as a way to thank them for their great help and overall good deed towards an allied Kingdom. Crown Prince Valentino was a man of words, after all. And the Caro Kingdom surely was generous when needed.
It all made this day even more special. Grander, greater. More dignified.
It surely was a very important day.
And yet, Chester’s words seemed too bland to express the tremendous anticipation burning in the hearts of each inhabitant of the City of Life.
Alberu could.
This day had been all they have worked towards for decades. They had fought, spilled blood and tears over what had long since started to feel like an unreachable ideal.
After the Crown Prince’s birth, his ascendance made the Dark elves hope again. Hopes other races that lived under the Sun had tried to kill, to take away from them. But they had fought. They had kept on fighting, on surviving. And they eventually won.
Today was making centuries of suffering and indignities worth it. All this struggle hadn’t been vain, after all.
Alberu Crossman had not known what the City of Life looked like until this precise moment.
He had never scented the air of the main street, charged with spice and incense. He had never tasted the food served during banquets held by his great grandfather at the Town hall.
Until today, Alberu had never seen the sun set over the Land of Death, nor taken the secret entrance to slide in this place his people had always called home.
But feeling the pride and anticipation swelling his heart, Alberu knew.
He had always belonged there.
And was proud to be the one linking their home to a more welcoming Kingdom. One that he would reign over. One that he would one day manage, and direct towards the integration of Dark elves in the people. The integration of people like Mary, or the former Maiden Hannah.
All those major changes would happen under his rule.
His people did not have to be ashamed of who they were anymore.
They didn’t have to hide under the soil of the poisoned land to be certain no one would find them anymore.
This cave would no longer feel like a prison, but like a home they themselves chose in an environment that suited their powers.
They could go out and show themselves to the world.
“No.” Alberu was in a rather good mood today. So he decided to answer Chester’s question with honesty. “I am relieved.”
The record keeper’s odd look was ignored by the royal, as he directed his gaze back at the city buildings.
The preparation for the coronation had been eating his nerves and sleep lately, and yet… his shoulders were lighter. Most of the burden he had carried for years had abruptly been lifted. Alberu did not feel any form of missing.
He was relieved.
Alberu was proud to be a Dark elf. And today, for the first time, he was persuaded to be one.
He belonged in this unknown yet so familiar city.
‘You would have loved to be there today too, right, Mother ?’
.
.
.
“Human, human ! The others are waiting downstairs.” Raon loudly announced, barging in the room without waiting for any form of invitation. Of course not.
“Ah, already ?” The retired commander looked a little surprised to hear this news. He had probably expected the trip from Roan to take longer. Or maybe not the travel itself - with two dragons and an archimage in the team, the transport matter was easily dealt with - but the packing. Ron had probably been very efficient. As always.
“I thought the city would be more difficult to navigate with all those preparations for tonight’s celebration.” Choi Han pointed out, already standing up from his seat to go welcome the others downstairs.
“I asked my Aunt to send someone to show them the way.” Alberu also stood back up, abandoning his paperwork and messy maps on the desk of his honorary office.
‘A guest house ?’
‘Yes. The City of Life has dozens of those. I already told you how people that run away from the Dubori Territory often end up there ? We have to welcome them properly for them to recover as fast as possible.’ Tasha explained, her voice carrying a hint of pride she was barely trying to conceal. It was too difficult for her to mask her happiness.
Not only because of how important this day was, but because Alberu was finally there. Down there, with the rest of his people he had only read about in fairytales and flawed, stereotypical history books.
‘This is where we’re staying then ?’ He absently asked. It was hard to keep his mind focused on the conversation when everything around was trying to snatch his attention away. Everything was so new and fascinating.
This place was fascinating.
It reminded him of the Endable Kingdom, but it was still very different in a way he couldn’t quite explain yet.
It was hard to put a word on everything he felt at the moment. His chest hurt - but happiness lingered.
‘No, the royal delegation has another house. I thought Young Master Cale would bring people over, and asked for you guys to have a separate one.’ His Aunt smiled brightly. And years of royal etiquette was the only thing that prevented Alberu from pulling her in a tight hug.
After so many years, seeing that genuine, carefree smile on Tasha's lips was like a gift from the gods themselves. It was almost too good to be true.
‘And you put me with those crazy people ?’ He teased lightly, keeping his expressions in check nonetheless. They were speaking in elven language, but the members of the royal delegation were still observing them.
‘Yes, yes. What a cruel Aunt I am.’ Tasha sighed a bit louder. Sarcasm was the only form of drama she could keep on while remaining peppers by the books. She still grinned at him. ‘Don’t worry, I still gave you guys the best one.’
‘How merciful.’
‘Right ? Aren’t I the most skilled Aunt of the Kingdom ?’ She preened, and Alberu just chuckled softly. He didn’t reply, but
Tasha’s smile did not waver.
She already know the answer.
This luxurious guest house indeed looked like one of the best. And Alberu was delighted to have an office for himself. It was as important for him as bedrooms were for his troublesome Dongsaeng.
Said Dongsaeng also stood up from the couch, stretching a little. The travel had ‘exhausted him’, as he had himself said. But he had still accepted Tasha’s invitation for tonight's banquet at the Town Hall. Hence, he had taken a quick nap once they had settled down their things while waiting for the others.
He had been resting while he still could.
“Human ! Is that true that there will be a lantern ceremony this week ? I want to go !”
“Ahh…” Cale sighed, but patted Raon’s scaly head nonetheless. The sight made both Choi Han and Alberu smile gently.
As the baby dragon kept on nagging at the retired commander to know the program of their sojourn, Alberu paused his track as he was heading to the door.
A thought had stopped his steps.
A thought that had been in the back of his head for quite some time by now. Since the end of the war.
He glanced down at the necklace dangling down under his shirt.
Cale Henituse's people…
No, his people now.
Those people downstairs had come all this way for him too. Those people who had fought alongside him and the Dark elves during the previous years. Those people that had protected him, and who had helped him to plan his coronation since the end of the last battle.
Those people he wanted to protect too.
Those people he had let close. And had grown accustomed to over the countless visits they had paid to his office. Casually, and without any invitation. Of course not.
Maybe…
His hand clenched around the intricate pendant of his magical necklace.
Today was a special day, after all.
Alberu felt like he should enjoy the euphoria of the event while he still could. This newfound courage had been all he had needed to take the plunge.
He took a breath before unfastening the clasp of his necklace. Cale remained silent as the magical dye faded away. And Choi Han simply smiled as he observed this familiar display.
The Crown Prince stared at the bright skin of his hands for a bit - dark strands hovering over his brown eyes. He then gave the two others a bright smile.
“I’m ready.” They still noted the way the corner of his lips were slightly tenser than usual. But none of them comment on it.
“Let’s join them then.” Cale was the first who made a move towards the doors. Choi Han followed, and Alberu eventually headed to the stairs alongside them. Raon laid on his shoulder, shouting close to his ear.
“Cookie Prince looks very cool like this ! This Great and Mighty dragon prefers you like this, even if Cookie Prince looks good in both forms !”
Alberu felt his tense, sweet smile relax a little when he heard the child’s voice. He lifted his hand up to the round head, and patted the scaly surface between Raon’s horns.
“Thank you, Raon-nim.”
“Your welcome, Cookie Prince! This Great and Mighty me always speaks the truth after all !”
The royal chuckled again, and nodded calmly. He was not about to go against the kid’s words.
When they walked in the lounge - where everyone had been waiting for them to join - they noticed how the newcomers had already invested in the place. The Ancients Dragon was observing the elven paintings hung on the wall, while Rosalyn and Lock were chatting on the sofa. Hong and Ohn were trying out the armchairs, rating their comfort, while Beacrox and Ron were glancing around to make a list of the urgent tasks. Mary was there too, standing by Eruhaben-nim’s side to explain to him what the paintings depicted and some elven traditions exclusive to Dark elves.
Alberu tensed in spite of him when they turned to their group exiting the staircase. Even with extra courage today, it was still so damn scary. And it felt very uncomfortable at first.
Thankfully, Raon’s warmth on his shoulder was reassuring enough. It helped him keep his mind clear and not start making up lies ‘just in case’. It was hard to break from preservation habits.
Especially when those had turned into a second nature overtime.
A short silence passed, during which Choi Han and Cale went to sit on the sofa next to Lock and Rosalyn. Alberu eventually took place in an armchair as well.
But this uncertain ambiance was soon broken by two kittens hopping on his lap.
“Cookie Prince is here too, nya !”
“Our youngest was scared you would be too busy at the Town Hall.”
“Noona was upset too !” Raon defended himself, definitely not in a pouty tone, and the adults around let out a little laugh.
Alberu’s fingers carded through the kittens’ soft fur.
When his gaze lifted back up to look around the room, he meet different gazes carrying all a different expression within them.
Eruhaben-nim’s seemed approving, and the old dragon was subtly nodding. Alberu had suspected he might have found out already. But still preferred being the one bringing up the topic. Or well… walking in without his disguise before him.
Rosalyn’s look was a clever mix of surprise and warmth. Whereas Lock’s was a not-so-balanced mix of surprise and curiosity. Alberu could guess it was a good type of curiosity.
The two assassins did not outwardly react. Or at least, not too much, but Beacrox’s eyes had lit up with curiosity as well. And Ron’s with interest. Those were a good type of interest as well.
The children were purring under his pats.
Alberu’s lips curled up slightly. He laid back in the armchair, feeling the tension in his back relax wholly. A second weight had been lifted from his exhausted shoulders.
He could feel it
disappear as he started to chat with Rosalyn. It was a light talk, something about tonight’s celebration.
His smile broadened as he glanced at the window.
His Mother had been right. The City of Life truly was magical.
He loved this place.