GLOSSARY—

outsiders: people from another world who are summoned to Ilusium.

elysian: a term equivalent to soulmate for Ilusium people.

blessing: 'currency' that can be used to bid for outsiders, can be accumulated by praying at the blessing hall, stored in bracelet.

bracelet: a magical accessory that is compulsory for wearing. this bracelet facilitate identification and payment for Ilusium people. Outsiders have their own bracelets, but different from Ilusium's bracelets that are divided by colors, outsider's bracelets are divided by flower types and numbers.

pull: that feeling when meeting one's elysian. Ilusium people described this feeling as "an uncontrollable sensation, as if one's entire being is tethered to the elysian's presence. It feels like fate pulling strings, a compulsion so strong that one's world suddenly narrows, centering entirely on this one person."

curse: certain people of Ilusium are gifted with a curse, each people have different curses but outsiders tend to see this curse as an ability instead.

✾

The world of Ilusium is a strange world. It's a place where 'outsiders' can easily enter but hardly leave; a place where 'outsiders' are regarded as a national treasure. As an inhabitants of said world, you don't understand the feelings of those masses, especially on the sixth day of the week, where people—nobles and commoners alike—would eagerly await the arrival of the 'outsiders' in the summoning hall. The way some of them would stare without blinking, as if in awe, and how others would shed tears of joy, as if this was a historic moment. You wonder if you're the one that's broken instead for being unable to understand such common occurence.

No. It's too early to deem yourself as broken, maybe you just haven't found your 'elysian' yet.

So you patiently watch over the ritual from the top floor, scrutinizing the magic circle that the mages draw. No matter how many times you've seen this, you were always amazed by how details they draw those circles. The patterns were so complicated that it would bring those who pursue arts to shame, you don't think just anyone can replicate this.

Then again, you did hear that only specific people know how to do the rituals.

"It's starting!"

Your gaze move to the woman a few steps away from you, clasping her hands excitedly together as if in a prayer, lips curled up in an exaggerated wide smile as the men in hooded cloak start to chant in incomprehensible string of words, each of their 'bracelet' illuminated with green light.

And just like that, a blink of an eye, and three people suddenly appeared on the magic circle; their faces a mix of confusion, vigilance, and... elation? That's new.

In a second, the hall is in uproar. The people of Ilusium cheer, scream, and cry. each of them raising their hands to bid for the 'outsiders.' If this were any other auctions, the lower-class people wouldn't stand a chance against nobility much less royalty, but the currency to bid for the 'outsiders' isn't money but 'blessing,' something that can be accumulated by praying at the blessing hall.

As for you? You've got none of that 'blessing.' You've never care about 'outsiders' anyway, and since you don't feel that 'pull' for any of those three, you get up, making your leave.

Still, that girl with that elated expression seems worth your attention.

✾

Taking off your invisibility cloak after you successfully manage to enter the deepest part of the palace—where only a few people can step their foot in—you are immediately face with the sight of chaos. Royal servants are running around like a headless chicken, fear and terror in their eyes as you can vaguely hear them screaming your title, obviously trying to locate your whereabouts.

You sigh, hiding your invisibility cloak in your 'curse' and coming out of your hiding place.

"My Lady!" a royal servant immediately catches you as soon as you are spotted, their face hidden by a mask—a requirement for the royal servant.

You stare at the mask in silence, recalling the past, where you were also one of the wearers, working as a royal servants, laughing and gossiping alongside your comrades, yet everything change when the heart of Ilusium—the King—seems to have taken fancy on you. In exchange for his adoration, you were stripped of your position, and now you were highly regarded by the people around you, including the comrades you used to work together with.

"Please stop disappearing from us like that, My Lady." They speak. "His Majesty may looks gentle but he's so intimidating when you're not around."

You smile apologetically, not making up excuses because this is not the first time you've done this nor will this be the last time so you let them leads the way until you finally arrived at a secluded garden, and there he is, sitting in the center of the garden while leisurely having his afternoon tea. His face is the epitome of indifference, even his light-blue eyes devoid of any emotions.

Yet, anyone with clear eyesight can see how those pair of dim eyes started to light up once they land their gaze on you, even his stern and rigid expression gradually turns softer, and he holds out his hand which you instinctively take, bringing his knuckles to your lips in a practiced reverence while standing on one knee like a knight promising loyalty to their master.

"Leave us."

You hear his stern voice, knowing that the command is directed at the royal servant who guided you here. You raise up your head once you hear their footsteps, and the King takes this chance to cup your cheek. You shudder slightly at how cool his touch is, and sigh helplessly at the sight of his disheveled appearance. Despite being a King, he acts more like a pampered child. After all, he forbid you leaving him for too long, cling to you as if you were his lifeline, and even his clothes aren't buttons up properly if you're not there to dress him.

"Your Majesty, I know that you're not capable of catching a cold but—" you reached out to fix his clothes. "—exposing your chest like this is unbefitting of a royal."

The King frowns, piercing gaze locking onto yours, and you assume that he is displeased by your nagging, but before you could apologize for your words, he takes you by surprise when he leans down and kisses you without hesitation.