The celestial warriors had indeed started to pester Eriolan in his dreams every night, pouncing on him one after another amidst the lush clouds and swirling in vortices around his delicate shell. He realized that this not only amused these spirits, but also gave them a certain pleasure and delight: they would then fly away with jubilant cries. However, he didn't need all this, and he was so tired of this boisterous advances that he decided to turn to Taylor for support.
"You want a relationship with me, so they'll leave you alone?" the gardener asked in surprise when they met.
"Well, what am I supposed to do? It's every night... this harassment! How tired I am of it! And I didn't even know about this when I agreed to become Lamori! Why is it all like this, Taylor? What should I do?"
"Swear allegiance to the Overlord? Nothing can be done! It was your choice! Such is the price for patronage! I can help... of course... I'll reassure my brothers... but I need to do something with you in front of them and receive your passionate reciprocation. Do you at least like me, milord?"
"You are a very handsome man..." Eriolan admitted cautiously, slightly embarrassed. "And what... is this supposed to be a date?"
"Yes... and a romantic one, I suppose," Taylor chuckled and kissed him on the cheek in the shade of the neatly trimmed greenery, pulling him closer by the waist. "I like you very much too, my golden locks King... Although I prefer women, in that sense."
"Does that mean there's nothing between you and Ray? After all, you are his bodyguard?"
"Nothing!" Taylor blurted out sheepishly and bowed, citing his busyness.
Before the date, Eriolan, in turn, did not carefully monitor his appearance, dressed in a silver-blue gown, and combed his hair back into a hairstyle with a simple tiara, significantly downplaying his excessive femininity, which the visitor had to comment on at the meeting.
"A-ah, what a shame, milord. Why did you remove your wonderful curls? I like them so much..."
"Indeed?" Eriolan answered coldly, leading him into the guest room. "You tied your ponytail too..."
"Do you like my careless appearance?"
Taylor immediately removed the ribbon from his hair, shaking his head, and thin black snake-like strands scattered over his broad shoulders.
"Undoubtedly, it turned on the charm..." the King whispered barely quietly, hiding his eyes. - "I suppose... if our relationship starts like this, your status should be raised. Will the title of Earl suit you?"
"Wow! I have not yet done anything to deserve such a service. Will I have my own house with a fireplace?"
"Certainly! If you are my official favorite."
"I am greatly honored to receive favor and earthly honors from the son of Logos, Irmay."
"What? Irmay? I'm the son of Logos? I've never heard that name? Irmay… My priests never mentioned it!" the King was genuinely surprised. "All they said was that I am the son and viceroy of an immortal celestial being—an angel—who thus established authority over people on this planet, and that cannot be disputed..."
"That's understandable, after all, an entire cult and service has been created. Logos is a spiritual status significantly higher than that of an Angel... He is a very ancient being and a Creator in multidimensionality, and interacts with beings manifested in various layers of matter for his own pleasure in various ways. He created you for his own purposes..."
"What purposes?" Eriolan was alarmed.
"I don't know... are you feeling bad?"
"No, but how can I meet him, my creator? Why can't I communicate with him?"
"May be you can… pray to Him in the temple. I think He will still... talk to you. Ask more persistently."
Taylor extended his hand to King and touched his graceful fingers, and he shuddered from such actions.
"I think you are the most precious man Irmay created," Taylor said insinuatingly, stroking his palm.
"Why Logos never contacted me. I did not even know his name until you told me. Irmay... "
Phoenix didn't answer and kissed the King's hand, looking piercingly into his eyes.
"It is like you are casting a spell..." Eriolan muttered, trying not to be swayed by the blue-eyed gaze. "Is this the ability of a phoenix? There's no need to influence me like that... I do not want to be an unconscious toy in your hands."
"Milord, I do not need this myself. Only sincerity and your own will. No need for charms, I can see perfectly well that you like me. I am in no hurry and will not take advantage of your softened state."
"Then what actions do you expect from me?"
"None yet, because I am the one courting you."
Closing his eyes languidly, Taylor continued to kiss his hand, moving over each finger and plunging his lips into his palm.
"What do you feel?" The seducer asked.
"It is nice... no one did this to me."
"Good... your hands are so elegant, created for a beautiful life. Let me let your hair down."
He stood behind him and removed the tiara and hairpins studded with gems from his hairdo, separated the curls and laid them over his shoulders, which sent large shivers down the King's spine.
"That's it..." he said with a satisfied smile, returning to his chair. "... it would be better if you met me... in such a romantic way... My gentle..."