~ [Music Recommendation: "Always on my mind" by Yōko Shimomura (Orchestra version by Berlin Virtual Symphonics) - available in Youtube] ~ Please listen to it in loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter T_T ~

In life, we would be given many choices,

​​

Different paths would be laid before us,

Paths that would shape our lives,

And it would be up to us to decide which to take.

Some paths may lead us to where we want to go,

While some others … may not.

Some paths may lead us to a trail of happiness,

While some may lead us to a road of regret.

It would be easy to say "Go to where your heart leads you!",

But most of the time, we knew not what our hearts truly desired.

Even if we knew, there's a limit to how far ahead we could see,

For nothing in life was certain.

Just as the body grows,

And the mind changes,

Our hearts and desires, too,

Could change along the way.

All of these, Rania knew ...

So she thought, maybe … once she's gone,

Elliot would be able to move on,

Just as she moved on when Zeid was gone.

In this life, Rania stumbled on an unavoidable crossroad,

Two choices were laid before her.

Choices that would not only change her life,

But also the fate of two planets.

When destiny and feelings collide …

Which should hold more importance?

Rania already made her choice,

And nothing in this world could change her mind.

Yes … not even her love for Elliot.

For she could never be selfish as to risk two entire planets,

Just for her love to be fulfilled.

The time she had left was more than enough for her.

"Rania … please promise me you won't risk your life for me again," Elliot solemnly pleaded, letting go of her lips for a moment, and kissing it back again. His hands remained fixed on her face and neck. He swore to himself not to let go until he received her word.

But Rania still shook her head in disagreement. Since he already knew the truth, she didn't want him to hold on an empty promise. So she would rather have him be prepared for what's to come, than to give him false hope.

Elliot sighed. "What do I need to do to change your mind?"

"I'm … really sorry, Elliot," Rania replied, giving him a bittersweet smile. "I want to be with you, and grow old with you … but if I am to choose between my happiness alone, and the world's, I'd rather let go of mine and have a billion more people happy. And I want that billion to include you".

"You speak as if you've seen yourself die. How can you be so certain that there's no other way?"

"Because what I've seen is from the Supreme. Without doubt, I know it will come to pass. And I pray that His will be done".

Ellliot lowered his eyes. In a dejected voice he asked, "The Supreme's Will? … Is it really His will to sacrifice such a … pure ... kind … selfless and gracious child as you are? You are one of His beloved children, too! I'm sure He won't just let it end that way".

"Elliot …," Rania called him dearly. This time, she was the one who held his face and gently pulled it to look at her. When their eyes met again, she continued, " There are some things in life that really must come to an end no matter how much we want them not to. And I need you to be strong, take heart, and accept that fact. So when that time comes, you are ready".

"... I will never be ready".

Seeing Elliot's dejected face, Rania sighed. It was never her intention to make him sad, in fact, it was the least she wanted to happen. That's why she did her best to keep it a secret. But it seemed that she didn't do a great job of hiding it.

"Elliot, let's stop this conversation. Instead of focusing on what's to come, why not focus on the present. Let's not brood over something that has not even happened yet, okay?" she tried to convince him, "Instead, let's enjoy the moment and spend it just as how we've been doing it … Can we do that instead? Please?"

Elliot remained silent. In an attempt to cheer him up, Rania kissed him, gently pressing her soft lips unto his'. But Elliot didn't respond to her kiss.

"Ughh … Elliot, please don't make this any more difficult than it is," Rania begged him. "I hate to see you sad … Please tell me what I need to do to make you happy again. I'd do everything!"

Elliot's gaze became fierce again. "Everything?"

"U-huh! Tell me!"

"Then stop your foolishness".

"Ugh … well, except for that, of course".

"This woman …," Elliot frowned, "A stubborn girl like you needs to be punished".

" .... Huh?"

Then, Elliot pushed Rania down, making her lay down on the couch, and pinned her arms. Rania's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wait … Elliot, what are you -"

Elliot shut her up by kissing her. This time, his kiss was more intense … more yearning … more passionate … but the gentleness and love in it remained. He expressed the growing ache in his heart through this fervent kiss. His kiss went on for a couple of minutes before he went down and trailed to her chin … then to her neck.

"Ahh!" Rania was startled when she felt Elliot's lips on her neck. Her face grew red thinking what could possibly happen next. In her mind, she screamed and thought, "W-wait a minute! Where has my pure and innocent Elliot gone? I-is he really planning t-to … to … ahhh! I don't think I can take this yet!" Her mind only calmed down when she thought, "But then again, does he even know how?"

Luckily for her, Elliot was still the purest and most innocent of all men when it comes to "intimacy". He stopped on her neck and unconsciously nibbled and sucked her skin instead in his irritation. But he sighed afterwards and went back to kissing it gently.

As for Rania, the feeling of Elliot's warm lips on her neck was rather exhilarating. She felt hot as warm shivers travelled her entire body. A warm sensation was left on the areas where Elliot's lips travelled. Later on, Elliot moved back to her lips and continued his passionate kiss.

Meanwhile, Luna and Ducis became worried as time went by. It had been more than half an hour and the two were still not back. Aside from that, their worry grew deeper since they could see the barrier Elliot made on the pavilion from the room where they were at. It was opaque, too, so they couldn't see what was going on. Although Ducis could try to peek through his magic, he respected his master's privacy. So, he decided to wait instead.

But Luna's patience was not as enduring as Ducis'.

"Waaaaaaaa! I can't take this any longer!" Luna screamed out loud, as she scratched her head in vexation. "What in the world is taking them so long? We're supposed to be resting right now! There's still a lot that we need to do tomorrow!"

Ducis sighed and smiled wryly. "Let them be. It's probably something serious and they needed some privacy, that's why -"

"- Serious?!" Luna interrupted. "In that case, we need to help! Whatever they're discussing, they need to let us in it too! Maybe there's something we could help you know!"

"Ugh, you really have a few loose screws, don't you?" Ducis grimaced. "Did you not understand a word I said?"

"Shut up stupid dragon! You're the one who can't comprehend the depths of my knowledge, hmf!" Luna crossed her arms in annoyance. Then, she spread her wings, went to the balcony, and flew towards the pavilion right there and then.

"What the -" Ducis was dumbfounded. "This midget - argh!" Shaking his head, he immediately followed her to stop her from whatever she was planning on doing.

Only a few seconds passed and the two of them were already in front of the pavilion near the Forbidden Forest. Luna cast her magic on the barrier to break it however, nothing happened.

"Argh! This stupid barrier!" Luna stomped her feet. "Of course, this is Elliot's magic so I can't break it". Turning to Ducis who stood beside her, sighing in relief. "Hey, Ducis! Break this barrier right now!"

"I told you - let them be! Give them some privacy!"

"What if he's doing something bad to Rania?"

"What?! Do you seriously think Elliot would do that?"

Luna gulped, "Well, he's a man and they're in a secluded place. You never know what could happen!"

"Ugh …," Ducis hit his face with his palm. "Such foolishness. My master would never do that".

"Oh yeah? How can you be so sure?"

"It's Elliot we're talking about -"

"Wanna bet on it?" Luna provoked him.

"I don't even need to bet".

"Pft! Scared your master's gonna disappoint you?"

"Huh! You really … Fine! You're on!"

"Alright then, break it".

Ducis scoffed. And so, he touched the barrier with his fingers and it shattered like glass in a split second, revealing the pavilion inside.

"There's no way, Elliot would do something -"

"- Ahhh!!! Rania!" Luna screamed at the top of her lungs.

Both their eyes widened to see Elliot, on top of Rania, pinning her down.

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Ps. I got inspired with Luna and Ducis' bickering moment on this chap by my granny and gramps (fellow author friends and senpais). I thank them with all my heart and i love them both.

You can check them out, "dreamygurl7968" (granny - Luna) and Reili (gramps - Ducis). And read their stories while you're at it.