The tavern was busier than usual.

It was bustling with people and their conversations, the clicks of their drinks, the continuous yelling from the failures of their bets while some were busy with women on their laps, caressing their body and too preoccupied with anything going on, while others were snoring, their heads put down on the table.

While Edric continued to do his job diligently, serving drinks and foods at the tables, his eyes were searching for only one person: the advisor. He carried several drinks in the tray, placing them where they were wanted, while his eyes always wandered to the door, waiting for the advisor to appear.   

Was it all just a fluke? Did he forget? He was drunk, yes but not so much that he'd forget. No, he must've forgotten everything. He must've forgotten it all. I have to think of another plan. I have to conspire—

"The front table, dreamer boy!" One of the workers yelled angrily through the hustle, pointing at Edric as he broke out of his thoughts, shaking his head.

He was about to move to work when a pair of hands took the tray of beverages from him. "I got this," Meridia said, giving him a firm nod. "You look for the advisor. He must be here somewhere, there's too many people," she looked around, looking for the majestic clothes and the shining batch but only found people dressed in dirty loose clothes.

Edric smiled at her, holding her arm and giving it a little squeeze. "Thank you, Eris," with that being said, he disappeared into the moving people, his dark locks of hair no longer visible and far away from her.

Edric utilised his eyes to the fullest — they roamed around the tavern slowly but cautiously, taking in every person and trying to find the advisor and after searching the whole tavern for the umpteenth time, he finally found the advisor sitting in the last bench, alone, drinking the most expensive wine of theirs, his blond locks of hair not messy like last time and his cheeks more refined. Edric made his way there, apologising to the workers he'd bumped with and finally reached him, now standing in front of him.

"Ah, Resrei!" The advisor seemed to recognise him as he took a sip from the wine, his legs crossed. "I was waiting for you."

"I could say the same thing," Edric said, keeping his voice cool and not trying to sound anticipated.

The advisor smiled. "I will cut to the chase for you as you must have your own work to do. Would you like to take a seat?"

Edric looked around to see everyone being busy with their jobs — workers rushing everywhere to meet the customers' demands, some dealing with cursing men, some dealing with rude ones with politeness, some apologising for mistakes they never made, some hurrying with plates and wine and amidst them all, he noticed Eris doing his own work along with hers.

Edric nodded before taking a seat opposite to him as he laced his fingers, but immediately placed them on his laps when he realised he was a filthy commoner in front of this man, and not the king of Elysia. "I'm truly honoured that you've taken an interest in me and decided to recommend me to the king—"

The advisor cut him off, frowning. "Have I ever told you that you act a lot like royalty?"

He's a completely different person from yesterday. "You flatter me. I'm nothing but a commoner with no land or title of his own,"

"We all come to this world with no land or title of our own," the man said, a small smile playing on his lips. "But a rich background is sure an advantage,"

Is this the same man from yesterday who was ogling Eris? Edric thought and voiced out his thoughts. "You're really different when you're sober,"

The man chuckled, golden locks covering one of his ocean eyes. "I apologise for my impertinence towards you and your. . ." He glanced at Eris far away from their gazes.

"My family. She's my family," Edric confirmed.

"Family," he bobbed his head, his eyes still lingering upon Eris. "She's beautiful. What is her name—"

"That doesn't matter," Edric said immediately. "What matters is that have you recommended me to the king and has that recommendation improved your position as the advisor in the royal court?" he gave him a dark look, his eyes narrowed at him, his fingers laced in front of him at the table.

"See, you even talk like a highborn! You speak the common language like you were raised among noblemen. I don't see anyone speaking it with this clear accent," The man laughed, clapping the table as Edric retreated to his old position, feeling wary. As much as he appreciates this man for making more things easy for him, this man was awfully observant to him.

"And as for the recommendation," the man began. "It went well and the king wishes to see you and your abilities,"

Relief washed over Edric's face as he suppressed a grin. This is it. I can go back to the palace. I can meet the king. I can avenge my family. Edric swallowed, bobbing his head vigorously. "Very well, he's acknowledging me," he said to himself. "And you? What did he say about your recommendations?"

The man looked more serious now. "The king said that if you turn out to be the way I described you, he will promote me as the Head Advisor for finding an asset like you,"

"And? Are you happy with this proposition?"

"It is everything I could ask for," the man said with a smile. "My name is Kael, by the way."

"I came to Elysia after the Great Massacre. Elysia was flourishing back then — a new king — even though he was an usurper, he was still better than whoever was before him. At least he knew how to handle a kingdom and its people," Kael said, rolling his eyes at the mention of the previous king.

Edric swallowed, clenching his fist. "You support a king who massacred an entire family to sit on a throne?"

"This world is for those who know how to fight. Those who are weak are better off with the gods. Our king is only giving them mercy," Kael said casually, slightly shrugging.

"We have a very just king, then," Edric said, clenching his fist more firmly, his knuckles turning white. You couldn't stand him just yesterday. He was wary of not saying that aloud. This was the fastest way to go to the palace without trespassing and he would not miss the chance anyhow.

"Indeed. He's made Elysia so much better than before," he concluded before standing up and throwing silver coins at the table. "That is enough, isn't it?"

Edric glared at him and then smiled. "Perfect," he stood up as well and bowed his head. "When will I be called to showcase my abilities?"

"I will let you know," Kael turned on his heels, and Edric noticed the clean shoes from the Elisora Palace.

"Here again?"

Kael bit his lips. "Not a good idea. This place is always bustled. How about your house?"

Edric raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "My house?"

"You don't have a house?" Kael asked, smiling.

"I do," Edric's eyes briefly landed on Eris who was occupied with not letting the mugs of alcohol wriggle out of her hold. "Why my house?"

"You're an interesting person and I would like to see your abilities myself before handing you to the king," Kael said while Edric watched him intently. "You're a Possessor of seven renèi. Surely, you're not wary of someone who's only two renèi Possessions?"

"Two skilled Possessions," Edric pressed.

"Your ones are skilled as well, no?" Kael tilted his head to the side, his hair following as well as the sun brightened it. "Are you not confident in your Possessions, Resrei?"

"My one renèi Possession is enough to kill you," Edric said and it was the truth.

"Then, why are you so hesitant about this?"

"It's the first time I'm seeing a nobleman man wanting to visit a commoner's hut just so he could tell him an affirmed date, I don't find my doubt irrational,"

"You're about to get a lot of surprises," Kael said and finally turned around, walking away before craning his head and saying the next words. "Be ready for the call. It won't take long for me to find your address, I have my men ready for that stuffs."

Before getting out of the door, Edric saw Kael making his way to Eris who was catching her breath after the work and exchanged a few words with her, bowing his head all while Eris smiled and nodded her head and shook her hands. In the end, Kael left Eris with a charming smile and Eris inclined her head.

Edric watched Kael leave, wondering what he'd gotten himself into.