The estate presented by the King caused a lot of trouble for the young duke. Homely by nature and brought up to properly conduct housekeeping, Ray was still not ready to take ownership of a large stone mansion with a vast garden that required daily care.
"Such busyness will give you the opportunity to grow up and become responsible," - Eriolan visited him with such parting words, concerned pacing in a long gilded gown through a spacious hall with columns and crystal chandeliers.
"It's too luxurious for me, - Ray said shyly. - So many worries around the house!"
"And how different are the heavenly palaces from those here?"
"It's all made of flame and doesn't get dirty from dust and insects. And these massive lamps are not easy to clean. Marble floors and mirrors! So much cleaning!"
"Royals don't do that! Hire employees and they will do everything for you."
"Do you attach so much importance to what kind of well-kept place I should live in, my King? I am very unpretentious in the interior, and the natural landscape is enough to please my eyes."
"You can call me by my first name," - Eriolan said suddenly.
"Oh… well…! Why do I have such special affection, milord? Do you like me because I am Immortal?"
"Dear angel, I have never had the opportunity to communicate with such a heavenly being like you. Therefore, I try to provide you with maximum comfort and a high quality of life, as befits your origin."
"Eriolan… Why did you believe me so easily? Everything I told you, others would consider nonsense."
"Your celestial husband Rohen personally ordered me to keep an eye on you. Is it possible to refuse such a mighty Overlord?"
"He rules you!? - The stunned young man started up. - Did you… make a contract with him?"
"Yes! I was flattered by this offer! He came to me in a dream and everything was so real! Your husband is truly handsome and powerful as God... We talked for a long time and came to an agreement on cooperation."
"But this is irreversible! Now you will become his servant! And perhaps... even more..."
"So that's great! I was lucky to gain the patronage of the heavenly Lord. I can say that I could not even imagine such luck. And it's thanks to you."
"You don't even have a clue about his Realm, Eriolan?"
"I haven't been there yet. Tell me something."
"Well… so… Amriobraes is a subtle-material metropolis of the Immortals in consciousness, where the Essences return after a mission from dense worlds."
"What kind of missions?"
"Um… how can I put it mildly? They attract special souls, or rather they bind to themselves with love relationships."
Thin eyebrows arched in bewilderment on the handsome face of the King.
"Hunters for the Radiance souls, - Ray continued. - They are called Lamories… They are born as beautiful men and women, attracting everyone with their magnetic charisma."
"And why all this?"
"This is how everything works: love energy is the main value for a successful existence. Only love keeps the worlds in inspiration. The more loving souls are attracted, the stronger the Realm."
"Love… - Eriolan drawled thoughtfully. - I thought that other qualities of the soul are needed to dwell in heaven. High morality, adherence to principles, fearlessness, devotion…"
"This is also taken into account, but without the ability to love, this is not enough. Cold hearts are difficult to melt, so such souls are not attracted to Amriobraes. Only sensual, emotional empaths are the main inhabitants who generate the energy of love. There are no useless ones. Even phoenix guards, fiery annihilator warriors, merciless to the enemy, are called upon to seek love relationships. In addition to my main spouse, I have deep connections with other entities."
Eriolan fell into a stupor, comprehending the unexpected information. He never took amorous matters seriously and did not plunge into sensual searches. Despite the huge amount of women who were his one-time lovers for pleasure and the mothers of his kids, not one of them left an imprint on his heart.
"Do you... think I am cold?" - the King suddenly asked after a long pause.
"No! Why? - Ray perked up. - I still don't know you well!"
"I am biased against your connection with Arlow and against this kind of carnal interaction between men ... Does this seem harsh from my side?"
"Um… actually… - the young man was embarrassed. - You are giving it too much importance. It's not as immoral as you think. Between us, love is primarily spiritual, but our eternal images are important to each other and inspire further creativity. Yarion or Arlow is a very amorous ancient Essence, which has needed me for a very long time. We are still not satisfied with mutual feelings and experience strong excitement and joy at every meeting in other worlds and bodies. We recognize each other almost immediately and, as a rule, enter into a carnal relationship due to the inevitable gravitation. Have you experienced something like that?"
Eriolan closed his eyes in confusion and murmured:
"But I have no memory of past lives!"
"You have! You just didn't think about it while doing government and other deeds."
"How to awaken this memory?"
"Not difficult! Analyze everything you love. What hobbies, habits, passions, desires do you have - all this came with you into your current life. Apparently you have already been a Ruler before. You love power and worship. But you don't look for love! It means someone has greatly disappointed you..."
Tears suddenly appeared in the monarch's eyes.
"You… such a perceptive young empath, you feel me like no one else… Ray! Your impact is so strong, my heart is beating like crazy... What are you doing to me?"
"My energy pierces your spiritual core and breaks down the barriers you have created so that you do not suffer from mental pain."
"Is that your strength? Disarm? Make vulnerable?"— Eriolan's voice trembled.
"For free up! For reveal the true essence! I am the Eternal Radiance and thereby liberate your heart. Didn't you want it?"
"So you are Lamori… It's impossible not to fall in love with you."
"Right! That's my nature! Therefore, I give in to those who are in love with me, those who like me..."
"And… do you like me?"
The King came close to Ray, holding out his hands to him.
"Will you let me hug you?"
Ray stepped back excitedly, noticing the purple light up in Eriolan's eyes and exclaimed:
"Rohen? It's you?"
"Yes, my dear! — he heard the familiar velvet voice of the Lord. - I'm here now in Eriolan's body..."
"What for?"
"Cutie... can't you guess? To merge with you in the flesh! Come to me! Do not run away!"