Magical World: The Chosen One

Chapter 3

The day that Charlotte accepted my mother's ring was one of the happiest in my memory. I could not explain why, for she had rejected my proposal to spend our lives together. Perhaps it was simply knowing that a union was a future open to us gave me the courage to withstand the long months that were to follow.

Lady Elizabeth had said that this future would require patience and perseverance. But after three longs months of debating with my fellow rulers as they tried to reform an alliance and being locked in conversation with representatives from Yumemi's world, I found my strength faltering. As the seasons on the planet below changed from spring to summer, my desire to see her once more began to grow.

Charlotte found herself with nothing to do.

It was the end of summer break; Ava was out with Kai on a date, Mia was on a trip with her dad to the mountains, almost all of the homework was finished, and there was only so much studying that a third year student could do before the brain started to melt.

Her mother had kicked her out of the house - apparently summer was no time to be sitting in air-conditioning and watching the television. Charlotte begged to differ, but she didn't have much of a choice.

With no clear destination in mind, she started to walk aimlessly toward the center of town. Her white sundress flowed around her in the wind and she held onto the straw hat that was the only thing protecting her from becoming a burnt tomato.

As she walked, her train of thought drifted to Elijah.

In her recent visions, she could see him becoming haggard from the constant bickering between all the different parties who had an interest in the floating islands. Worry as she might, she could see that the young ruler was enduring it the best he could.

She smiled to herself, thinking about the proud Eljah, great ruler of the Magical Kingdom, battle-hardened magician, practicing diplomacy and the fine art of small talk.

Despite being the one who set the boundaries on their relationship, sometimes she wished that she could see him. It was very easy to recall the heat of their last embrace, when she listened to his internal emotions. Once in a while, it would be nice to feel that again.

Maybe one day. One day she would walk right up to the plateau, fly to the Magical Kingdom, and visit Elijah.

One day when she wasn't studying. Or busy with her friends. Or at her part-time job at the shrine. Or doing homework. Or going to school.

She stopped. TODAY she wasn't studying. Or with her friends, at her part time job, doing homework, or going to school. There was nothing stopping her from visiting today.

Feeling the excitement build in her chest, Charlotte began to run down to the plateau. Sure, she would need to find a way to get up to the floating island, but she would think of something.

After all, she'd flown once before, hadn't she?

"Elijah, please review this document before our next meeting."

Louie strode into the royal chamber with his blue cape flowing behind him and dropped a hefty roll of parchment on the stone table.

"This is the proposal from the Lower World's Earth Defense Force to provide military support in the Magical Kingdom Airspace. The military representatives will be present in the meeting and have already expressed a wish to discuss this."

"Thank you, Louie." Elijah did not even look up from the current piece of legislature that he was reviewing. "I will look at it soon."

Louie gave a bow and left, closing the heavy wooden doors behind him.

Sighing, Elijah looked at the stack of paperwork that needed to be reviewed and proceeded to grab Louie's document next, since the meeting was within the hour. Diving right into the matter, the piece of parchment held his attention.

He failed to notice the silver akira doll that usually rested right outside his window, make a sudden departure.

There was a knock with military precision at the door. "My Lord, it is time for your meeting with the Lower World Defense Force."

"Thank you." Elijah pushed himself away from his desk and walked briskly to the door, his black coat swirling about him. He sighed once again, but then let himself out of the room and headed to the military meeting.

Which was just as bad as he thought it would be.

The Earth Defense Force was offering aircraft for patrols in the Magical Kingdom airspace. The Magical Kingdom was the only floating country located over land mass - primarily over Earth. The military claimed that other countries, such as "America", "China", and "Russia" would target the Magical Kingdom, as it was the closest and also posed a potential threat.

All of the Heavenly advisors and ministers argued that no such patrols would be necessary - the mages of the country would be able to defend against any incoming armed forces.

Eijah then listened as the Defense Force counter-argued that the Magical Kingdom's existence was a threat, since the Defense Force was no longer allowed to fly near the country. This posed a security risk for the people within the towns below, as they would no longer have access to flying resources.

For the most part, he had very little to say during these meetings with the people of the Lower World. He was still a relatively inexperienced ruler, but he took vigilant notes that he would review with his trusted advisors later.

But today, he was feeling particularly on edge for some reason and he snapped.

"Rather than go around in circles, let's cut to the chase." He looked pointedly at the Defense Force members. "I believe we have made it clear that we of the Magical Kingdom will be able to defend ourselves, therefore your patrols are not required. Furthermore, introducing foreign vehicles into the skies around our country will only cause undue stress on the citizens of this nation."

One of the Defense Force generals started to protest, but he was immediately shot down. "If you require access to the airspace around this country for the purposes of providing emergency support to the town below, then my ministers will be happy to assist in drafting up some legislature to facilitate those actions."

The general continued to vocally protest and this time, there was no holding back.

"Do not insult my intelligence. I may be young, but most of my experience lays on the battlefield. I can see when someone is trying to get a military foothold into a region. Whether you are attempting to do so as leverage against us or against the other countries you have mentioned does not matter to me. There will be no air patrols around the Magical Kingdom, unless of course you grant us the right to run ground patrols in the town so that we may have regular surveillance for potential threats."

This comment left the entire conference in silence, except for the human general who was still sputtering in anger. Hearing no further arguments, he stood. "I believe this concludes the meeting for today. I look forward to speaking with you all next time."

Then he stormed out of the room.

As soon as the doors closed behind him, he ran his hands down his face in exasperation.

That was poorly handled and he knew it. What was the matter with him today? His ability to play the game of saying one thing and meaning another did not come easily to him, but he was usually capable enough to keep his mouth closed and leave the gameplay to his ministers.

There were more meetings to attend to, but he would be of no use in this state. He slowly made his way to Elizabeth's temple on the edge of the palace. Visiting the calm and tranquil prophetess would surely help sooth his nerves.

He made his way up through the central staircase, a winding tree with large leaves that served as stairs. The leaves spiraled up through a glass dome to the rest of the outer palace grounds.

He felt better the minute he stepped into the sunshine, but his mood remained dark and troubled. He trudged up the stone steps. At the entrance to the temple grounds, he saw the silver akira doll crouched, with its wings unfurled. He stopped to pat the creature.

"So this is where you got to." He rubbed the creature's front gem. "I see that at least you were able to escape your cage. Some of us aren't as fortunate."

Laughter filtered down from the main temple grounds. It was not uncommon for the hospitable Lady Ryuely to receive guests from the other seven heavenly countries.

"Thank you for providing the food. I was quite hungry."

If she was serving food, then her guest must be from the Lower World, since Heavenly Beings did not eat. There was no denying that the humans were enchanted by the ethereal ways of Lady Elizabeth. But, there were only so many Lower World inhabitants he could stand in a day. Perhaps he would return to his room and prepare for the next meeting.

"What does that one taste like?" This time Toche was curiously inquiring.

Elijah paused; it was surprising to hear Elizabeth's little assistant being so lively around strangers, especially humans from Earth. And yet, here he was being friendly, as though he had met the visitor before.

"How do I describe it to you when you have not tasted anything before?"

Now his heart leapt into his throat. He recognized that voice - he would recognize it anywhere.

He hurried up the stairs, two at a time and then stopped when he reached the top. There, at a small stone table, was Toche picking strangely shaped fruits from a bowl. The person sitting across was...

"Charlotte," Elijah whispered.

Afraid that the dream would end if he spoke any louder. He rubbed his eyes to verify they weren't playing tricks on him.

~~~