The team were back to the luxurious limousine and they all sat quietly while the chauffeur drove them around the city. The old butler acted as a tour guide and introduced all the places they passed through. He would always ask if they were interested in checking them out - the casinos, strip clubs, and bars amongst others, but Elliot always shook his head. Nothing about the people laughing as they wasted money, beautiful women dancing on poles as men feasted on them, or people dancing to the beat of music, the fun-looking games men played, alcohol and other interesting-looking things all around, seemed to amuse him.

It's been an hour and Elliot still sat with his elbows leaning on the soft armrest, and his face rested on the back of his hands, sulking. He was still irritated from what happened. Luna had been pouting all along as well, while hugging Rania's arms. Ducis was also quiet, as he sat arms crossed, and just stared at the windows like Elliot.

​​

Rania didn't want the atmosphere to continue being heavy, so she decided to break the silence.

"Ahm, do you have anywhere we could eat great food?" Rania asked the butler as cheerful as she could. "I want to try out the different foods out here".

"Great suggestion, ma'am! I do know of a place!" the butler's face finally lit up. He had been feeling down for a while now, trying to entertain a bunch of uninterested guests. He then gestured his hands to the chauffeur.

Rania turned to Elliot, he was still staring outside. Since she sat beside him, Rania raised her free hand, and poked Elliot's cheeks - it had been bulging for a while now.

"Ah," Elliot jolted and looked back to Rania. "Rania … sorry I was lost in thought".

"I know," Rania chortled, "It's because of that unbelievable City Lord. Hmf! The audacity of him to do that!" Rania cutely pouted. "But, I'm fine now. I didn't really see much. And it's not like I'm oblivious to such things. Even among humans, some of them do it, too". Her face grew sadder by the minute. "Even this city, we actually have the same back on Earth, with lots of casinos and bars, and places like the ones here … a city made for all that humans desired".

Elliot stopped his sulking immediately when he saw Rania's face saddened. Turning his body to face her, he quickly lifted his left arm and patted her head. He wasn't entirely sure why, but Elliot began to feel that he didn't want to see Rania sad. So unconsciously, he would always either pat her head, or embrace her, or do something whenever he saw her unhappy.

Noticing this, Rania smiled at Elliot and said, "You're really kind, Elliot".

"Rania … I've always wanted to say this before but I wasn't sure how to say it".

"Huh? What is it?"

"Our race, Magi, I … I'm very sorry for … everything that we did to your world.

For conquering it, and making you all suffer".

As if time stood still, and all the background disappeared, Rania stared at Elliot, seeing nothing but him alone.

Her heart beated rapidly in her chest.

Emotions came pouring from the depths of her soul.

In a matter of seconds, she was reminded of everything that happened, like scenes flashing at the speed of light before her very eyes.

All the pain, the sorrow, grief, and hopelessness.

Her own race's suffering.

All the deaths, the war, families that were separated and the ruin that was their planet.

Rania was never happy about all of them. Deep inside, she still regretted everything, and still wished how all of this had not happened.

Yet, now, in front of her, a Magi was saying his apology.

The race that gave them all the pain and despair, someone from them, was apologizing.

Someone … who held no sin.

Someone who didn't even participate in the war since he himself was locked up by his own race.

Someone … who was utterly innocent.

Yet, this innocent soul was the very first one who said the words Rania had wanted to hear for a very long time now. So she could somehow forgive in her heart and let go of the remaining pain that stuck deep inside her.

The pain of all the deaths still stung her heart, even now. She just chose not to carry on with hatred in her heart.

Hearing those words … meant a LOT to her.

Large droplets of tears started falling from her eyes.

Tears that carried on the weight of a thousand words and a thousand unspeakable emotions.

She wanted to thank him, but no words came from her mouth. She just opened them, unable to speak, and sobbed.

Elliot moved his hand that was patting Rania a moment ago, and slid it to her back to embrace her.

Even if Rania didn't speak, somehow, he had been able to tell her emotions. Even if he used to be a doll unable to comprehend emotions.

Perhaps, it was because of his life energy that he shared with her, or maybe something else, but he understood everything … and the depths of it.

It's as if an invisible connection started to form between them …

A connection that ran deeper than blood …

Luna was shocked to suddenly see Rania crying. She was about to hug her too and cry with her but Ducis held her mouth and pushed her back towards him.

"Don't disturb them," Ducis whispered quietly to Luna's ears.

But Luna was already crying. She felt so sorry for Rania. She followed Ducis though, and cried silently.

"Tsk, what a crybaby," he whispered again. But he also patted Luna's head, trying to calm her down.

Ducis stared at Rania and Elliot.

At the back of his mind, he prayed, "I'm beginning to understand now, my Lord.

Thank You … And may Your will be done".

==========================

Hi My Beloved Readers!

We have reached the 100k views milestone so I will be publishing 3 chapters today!!! Hope you enjoy them! They will be released with 1 hour intervals each.

Moreover, starting tomorrow, my chapters will be locked from Chapter 60 onward. I understand that some of you may not like the idea and I'm hoping for your kind consideration and understanding. T_T . You may use fast pass or coins to unlock the chapters. And sends gifts too, if you feel my story is worth the gifts. T_T. Thank you so much for everyone who has gifted me so far! I am truly blessed and thankful to have all of your support.

In return, I will increase my chapter updates to 2 chapters daily!!! So you can enjoy more of the upcoming events in the story.

I will continue to tag chapters with mature content and put R-18 in the title, so please read with your own discretion.

Again, thank you very much for all of your love and support!!!