Kai

Maverick handed a cloak to Valendor, who quickly wrapped himself in it for added warmth and disguise. I glanced up to find us standing in front of a massive iron gate, towering above us and guarded by imposing stone walls.

Suddenly, a man appeared and gestured for us to follow. He led the Gilcha lizard to a hidden entrance, and I instructed the attendant to keep an eye on Haroun and Nikolai inside. Tossing him a gold coin, I could see the excitement in his eyes. I was certain that Haroun and Nikolai would be well taken care of in my absence.

*

The iron gate creaked open slightly, revealing a stunningly beautiful woman who motioned for us to follow her. Stepping inside, I couldn't help but gasp at the sight before me. It felt like I had been transported to another world entirely.

Before us were five magnificent Japanese-style manors, each towering five stories high. Two stood on the left, two on the right, and one directly in front of us. A serene pond lay in front of the central manor, its surface shimmering with the reflection of the surrounding cherry blossom trees. Petals gently floated down onto the water and the small bridge that crossed over it.

The entire place was a blooming paradise, filled with a plethora of vibrant flowers. It was no wonder they called this place the "Elysium of Petals," I thought to myself in awe.

The beautiful attendant led us towards the central manor, where we were greeted by the sound of enchanting music and the sight of graceful dancers performing in front of a crowd. The audience consisted of well-dressed merchants and nobles, each one seemingly enraptured by the spectacle before them.

As we made our way inside, the atmosphere was alive with the scent of flowers and the gentle rustle of silk. The interior of the manor was just as exquisite as its exterior, adorned with elegant decorations and intricate designs. It was clear that the "Elysium of Petals" was not just any establishment—it was the most prestigious brothel in the city, frequented only by the wealthy and influential.

We ascended the stairs, our steps echoing softly on the hidden staircase. Every step felt like a journey in itself, and just when I thought my legs might give out from exhaustion, we finally reached the fifth floor.

The attendant led us to a room adorned with Asian-style furniture, the ambiance serene and tranquil. As she left and closed the door behind her with a soft thud, I took in my surroundings. The room was decorated with elegant simplicity, and the scent of cherry blossoms filled the air.

Soon after, a man entered the room, clad in a beautiful traditional robe—a yukata, I presumed. He was exceedingly handsome, with long black hair tied back in a ponytail, elven ears peeking out from under his hair, and a perfect blend of Asian and European features.

"Your highness," the man greeted me with a slight bow. However, it wasn't his beauty that stunned me. It was the striking resemblance he bore to my best friend from Earth, Kai Wilson. It was as if someone had stamped elvish ears on Kai and taken away his blonde hair, but the resemblance was uncanny.

"Your highness?" the man spoke again, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"I'm sorry," I replied, shaking off my surprise, "You just reminded me of someone I knew." I gestured for him to rise from his bow, and he did so gracefully. Removing my cloak, there was no point in hiding my identity since he already knew who I was.

He motioned for me to take a seat, and I did so, with Valendor remaining standing at my side.

"I am Kai Eluriel, the owner of 'Elysium of Petals'," the man introduced himself with a slight bow, flipping open a delicate fan to cover his face. His name being Kai as well gave me a moment of pause, but I remembered the goddess's words about multiple versions of ourselves, and I calmed myself.

"I am honored to have royalty grace my humble abode," Kai continued, his voice smooth and polite behind the fan.

I observed him with the fan partially covering his face, a gesture I remembered all too well from my friend Kai on Earth. He often used it to hide his facial expressions, as he was never good at maintaining a poker face. It made him a terrible gambling partner, always giving away his hand with the slightest twitch.

"I have come to ask for something," I stated, my eyes fixed on him.

"That would be unfortunate, your highness," Kai replied hesitantly, still behind the fan. "You see, you are quite literally the most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes upon. However, I am unfortunately less inclined towards... err, lady parts."

I couldn't help but internally scoff at his words. Surely, no matter the dimension, Kai was not straight. His awkwardness made me chuckle inwardly, despite the seriousness of the situation.

"That's not what I want from you. Vale, come here," I motioned to Valendor, who obediently removed his robe. Kai got up from his seat and walked slowly around Valendor, who squirmed uncomfortably under the scrutiny.

"He's a beauty, almost on par with my own," Kai remarked as he returned to his seat and resumed fanning himself.

I internally roll my eyes at that remark, some things never change.

"I reckon he's the reason why you sought me out," Kai continued, gesturing towards Valendor.

"Yes, he needs a mentor. And you're the only one I believe is capable of it," I explained.

"Hmmm... fine," Kai agreed with a snap of his fan, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I thought you'd request something in return?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"My price would be an acquaintanceship with royalty. I already have more than enough money that I wouldn't spend in seven lifetimes," Kai replied casually, walking towards me and kissing my right hand. I allowed it. So mischievous.

I stood to leave, putting on my robe, and Valendor followed suit. He gave a clumsy bow, and Kai bowed towards me before the attendant led us out of the room once more. As we made our way back to the Gilcha lizard, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that Valendor now had a mentor to guide him.

My work is done.

*

Kai stood on his balcony, watching as the princess and the elven boy, Valendor, left the premises. It was not often that someone of royalty stepped into his establishment, let alone a princess, but Lucina Solana was different. There was something about her that intrigued Kai, something familiar yet elusive.

He had met his fair share of people in power, and they all had a certain air of arrogance about them. They often looked down on him, whether consciously or subconsciously, but with Lucina, it was different. There was no sense of superiority or disdain in her demeanor. In fact, it felt like she knew him, like there was a recognition in her eyes that mirrored his own feelings.

As he watched her leave, Kai couldn't shake the feeling that they were somehow connected, that they were meant to meet. It was a strange sensation, but Kai trusted his instincts. His hunches had never let him down before, and he had a feeling that this encounter with the princess would lead to something significant.

With a faint smile on his lips, Kai looked forward to the possibility of spending more time with Lucina. There was something about her presence that brought a sense of excitement and anticipation, and Kai couldn't wait to see where their acquaintance would lead.