A/N
Sorry for the late updates. My file got corrupted and had to rewrite everything which absolutely a little bit different from the original. Hope you like it either way.
Appreciate all the reviews.
Disclaimer: I do not own Love Live.
A Knight's Princess
"I'm going."
"Then, I'm coming too."
"You can't. It's too dangerous. Stay here. Look after Maki."
"No! You won't be able to handle it alone. There lives to consider."
"Ugh...There's no winning against you. Fine, you can come but don't stray away from me."
Through the open door, I slightly peek inside. Mama and Papa are busy stashing away their clean clothes into the bag that always been used when travelling. They often went away to help other kingdoms, especially when it come to medical attention.
"Where are you going?" I poked my head behind the door, asking a question that I've already know the answer.
"Oh, honey! Mama and Papa are going somewhere for a couple of days. Stay here and be good, okay?" Mama pats my head gently as usual.
Being a good girl as I was, I follow them to the front and bid them a farewell. Unknown to anyone, that day was the last day I ever saw their smile. They were reported missing in action along with the news of...
The fallen of West Palace.
Chapter 3: A Familiar Scent.
"Mmm..."
A light ray from the sun is creeping into the spacious bedroom through the open window. A melodious chirping of birds could be hear, waking the attendant in the room.
In a half-asleep state, that person tries to move but feeling something heavy on top of her. With the right hand, she reach and touch one of the soft mound. Still can't think clearly, she squeeze it a bit.
"Hnn...mmm..."
Hearing the erotic moans, the knight widen her eyes and quickly stir her body to move. This action resulting her to hit the bed headboard.
"Itai!" Touching the bump on her head, she's hissing from the pain.
"Hmm...Ayase...-dono? What happened?" The other occupant awake, startled by the sudden movement. She rubs her eyes in a cute manner, still hazy from the lack of rest.
"N-Nothing happened. Everything is good." Assure the blonde girl that they are not in dangerous.
"But you don't look so good." Pointing out the obvious, the violet-haired girl slowly crawls toward the swordwoman.
Notice the small gesture, Eri looks to the girl direction only to be paralysed by the sexy sight in front of her. Staring at the adorable sleepy face, the sapphire travel south to her bare..um...bosom.
She could only gulp and let her body consummate by the heat. The yesterday events keep swirling in her mind.
A stalker. Someone fall. Light bomb. Wet. No change cloth. My room. Lend a shirt. Breast..Won't fit. Tired. Sleep.
Before the sword wielder can connect the dots, a smooth hand reach and pat her head. It render the pain she felt earlier. She unconsciously mewl in delight.
"Hehe. Very cute." Embarrass, Eri muffles all the sound with both palms. Steams could be seen coming out of her red ears.
Unable to stay awake, Nozomi fall back on the soft mattress. Her arms somehow capture the blonde sides, bringing the knight down along with her. Soon, the maid gives a cute snore, going back to dreamland.
Smiling, the swordwoman stay and enjoy the warmth from the other body. 'What a good thing to start a day.' Later on, the sword wielder carefully maneuver her body, prevent her secret crush from waking up. At the same time...
'BAM!'
"Eri! Are you awake? We need to..." The bang from the door startle the hell out of Eri, making her stumbles onto the sleeping maid.
"Wha-What are you thinking, doing this kind of things in the palace?!" The blue archer grabs her sturdy bow on her back. Prepare to attack.
"This is a misunderstanding!" Though the blonde said that, her position doesn't hold the statement at all.
Because of the shock, one of her legs is in between the maid's while her right hand make a rest at the same mound she found earlier. Nozomi exposition are making everything worse.
Quickly reaching her sword at the edge of the bed, the knight block all the arrows shooting at her. Only 'shameless' 'disgraceful' 'wait' 'listen to me' could be heard during those moment. Apparently, one of the deflect arrows fly its way toward the sleeping girl, hitting her square on the forehead. The girl utters some cries and being awake permanently this time.
"Hey, you should stop. You're hurting an innocent people here."
"You're saying that doesn't include you, right Eri?" Umi prepares her next barrages.
Processing the words, the swordwoman realized her mistake. "Wait! Let me rephrased it." But it was too late.
Sitting dumbfounded, watching the war explode in front her. Nozomi look back and forth from the blonde to the bluenette and settling back to the blonde. She let out a quiet giggles. Who would imagine the stoic sword wielder could make a very distress face early in the morning. 'Never thought morning can be this lively.'
Missed the purplehead giggles, Eri focus on how to escape. Seeing the open window is the only ticket for her survival, she makes way there slowly, one step at the time eventually seize the opportunity. "Well, I appreciates the morning practice, Umi. Fortunately, I have some business to attend. So long!" With that, the knight jumps out of the room through the window.
"Whaa!" The maid lunges forward to take a look. Evidently, her love at a first sight had leapt from the second floor. Seeing the girl is safe and sound, she sighs.
"I presume she landed perfectly. Hah~I hope she don't do anything to you." The archer inch forward before crouching, collecting the remain arrows on the floor.
Confuse by the statement, Nozomi tilts her head to the side, allowing her to get a full view of her body. 'Oh my...' Grasping the whole situation, the emerald-eyed girl feels sorry for her crush. 'I need to do something to make up for her.' Grinning inwardly, already making plans. 'But now, I'm going to avenge you, Ayase-dono!'
The older maid bend down. Her eyes level are the same as the amber. "How very protective of you, Umi-chan~You don't like me being all alone with Ayase-dono?" The girl tries to hold her laughter when the latter gives her a suspicious gaze.
"I-I'm not really-" The amber darts to her right hand which been hold by the violet maid so suddenly. Her mind send alarms to her entire body.
"I don't mind if you want..."
Knowing where this thing is going, the young archer immediately pull away the captive hand but to no avail. She struggles from the hold. For several minutes, those two are in deathly tug of war. When it's about to be declare a draw, the door harshly swung open.
"Umi-chan~Why are you not in the bed when I wake up?" A certain ash-browned haired princess stands at the door.
Tasting the victory, the violet girl yanks the distract bluenette strongly. Both of them fall onto the bed with Nozomi's back land on it.
The new amber widen as she see the view in front of her. Nozomi managed to make Umi looks like she is stripping her by placing the bluenette hand a little bit below her exposed breast.
"This is not like what it seems!" Blushing hardly, the archer yells to get her point straight without any misinterpretation.
"Ah~Umi-chan~If you want to touch it so badly, you can just feel mine." Kotori is not helping. She make a dash while unbuttoning a few top buttons of her pyjamas, revealing her petite assets.
Seeing her 'indecent' mistress, the blood rushes to her face before finding exit through the nose. Umi faints instantly from the princess harmless attack.
"Umi-chan~You can't pass out from just looking~" Kotori whines before replace it with a small smile. 'You're hopeless, Umi-chan.' The grey haired girl take her protector head and put on her lap, wiping off the stains of nosebleed that had sent the archer to the heaven with the end of her pyjamas.
Watching from the side, Nozomi giggles. 'How cute. I wish I be able to be like that with Ayase-dono.' Her action doesn't go unnoticed by the other girl.
"Mou, Nozomi-chan! How many times I need to remind you to stop seducing my Umi-chan?!" The jealous girl pouts.
"Ara~Together already? Last thing I know was you were searching for some prince charming, yesterday by facts. So, Umi-chan is available, right?" Sounding so playful to the princess ears.
"No, she's not! Never! She will be mine no matter what." The girl grumbles. There is a imaginary raging fire behind her.
"Then, why don't you confess to her already? Things are getting complicated with both of you doing nothing." Surprisingly, it wasn't coming from the maid, instead it was her master who had woke up from all the noises.
"No way~Umi-chan has to do that part. I'm a princess after all." The maiden in love said, crossing her arms with a 'hmph' and turning her head to the other side.
"Who cares about some fairy ta...Wha! Why are you two showing y-your, your...I don't even want to say that?!" Pointing with her index as she enters the room. But thinking about it all over again, there's nothing worth mentioning it. Anything can happen when she come to this kingdom. 'Hah...I know I won't be getting my beauty sleep in this castle.'
"So, why are you wearing that shirt?" Her question is direct to her personal maid, noticing she's not in her usual uniform. She can predict Kotori's situation has something to do with the purplehead girl and Umi collapsed can be relate to that.
"Oh, I kinda fell into the pond and Ayase-dono was lending her shirt. I think you can get the picture already." The older maid said, stuck her tongue cutely while rubbing her back of head.
"I get it. You won't fit it in, it's in Eri size after all." The crimson heiress let the thought wanders before something hit her.
"You met Eri?" A lover fate perhaps.
"Uhh...yeah. Was I not allow to?" There a hint of sadness in Nozomi voice. She fidgets under two pairs of curious gaze.
"I don't really care. Do what you want." Shifting her violet orbs elsewhere, she thought 'I was hoping some reaction other than that hurt puppy eyes.'
"A-Anyway, where is she?" Maki looks confuse as the owner of the room is not even there.
"Oh, she just jumped out earlier." The maid said, nonchalantly.
"Jumped?!"
Outside the castle,
"Ergh...I think I sprained my leg." Walking aimlessly around the castle, Eri find herself standing in front of the Garden of Glasses. 'Might as well search for some clues.' The knight then went to the bushes opposite to the pond.
Looking around for some minutes, she's nearing give up until she see something hidden in one of the bushes. Crouching, she takes it out. It just a small package. 'Is this a present?' Stating the obvious since the package wraps neatly with a big 'Happy Birthday' written on it.
"Is the stalker planning something dangerous for Kotori? I won't let it happen, I must investigate." The moment she pick the gift up, she smell a faint sweet scent from it.
"Ah! Why am I still smelling that scent nya!?" A certain orange-haired girl enter the glasshouse. It's Hoshizora Rin. A couchwoman of the royalty who right now had a long hose circling around her neck, accompaning by a bucket full of soils in her small hands.
"Is it your turn today, Rin?" The blonde stands, facing to the feline. Not minding the girl appearance.
"Nope, it's Kayo-chin but Rin is off duty for today so I offer my help to tend the lilies."
"Oh, anyway, the scent you've been smelling, is it coming from this?" The swordwoman shows the gift to the other. 'Umi did said something about she's having a sharp nose.' Eri thoughts.
Taking steps closer to sniff, the small girl says, "It definitely emits the same scent as the one I've smell at the gate. So, why do you ask, Eri-chan?"
"Rin. We're going for adventure today." Clasping both sides of the cat-like girl, her blue sapphire pierce the yellow orbs.
"Ehh! Really?! Let's go right now nya!" The eyes are sparkling, Rin don't even questioned the sudden suggestion. All in her mind was the excitement for the adventure. When her body almost crossing the boundary between the entrance and outside world, the sword wielder stops her.
"Wait! I've some business to finish first. Why don't we meet in front of the gate later? You too have lilies to take care right?. The knight gives a crooked smile. Her business had something to do with bathing that she haven't gotten since Umi tend to let her mind go beyond normal.
"Oh yeah! I have works to do here nya! Ahahaha...Then, see you later, Eri-chan." Coming back inside, the orange girl prepares her things.
Conference room,
"According to this newest statistic, your business currently on the top in making profit for my kingdom. I guess you can get fifty percent from what we'd gained." Tapping the economic file with her pen, the South princess read the information from it. It's been since forever for Otonokizaka Kingdom and the South Kingdom to still trade their own business to gain income for each other.
"Well, yours are also needed here, Maki-chan. Though it's not high in market but we can still give you thirty percent from it, right Umi-chan?"
"Hmm...thirty is fine however raising five more percent won't hurt either. I did heard there are troubles in one of the factories." The bluenette scans the kingdom report, calculating it very careful in her mind.
"Wha! H-How did you know about that, Umi-dono?" The crimson heiress shocked as the archer knew about that issue.
"Rumours do travel faster in this castle, Maki-ojou. Mind telling us what exactly happened?" Reverting back to the formal mode as they are on the kingdom business.
"Huh...Nothing escape you, Umi-dono." The princess sigh defeated before continue, "There's nothing big happen really, just the equipments in one of the research facilities had been sabotaged. So, they're seized to function at the moment and the investigation still in progression." Maki relief, having someone to listen about her problem can lift up the burden a bit.
"Don't worry, everything's going to be fine, Maki-chan." The other princess rubs the girl's back.
"Yeah...We can support you through money but it's better to seek help from the East Kingdom. They're good in machinery." Umi said, placing the report into one of the cabinets.
"Thanks for the advice." The red girl smile secretly.
'KNOCK!'
'KNOCK!'
All three turn, facing the door. The big door open and reveal a middle-aged man behind it.
"Sorry for the intrusion. I need assistance in my department, Kotori-sama." The blue hair man with glasses on his face said, bowing his head a little. He has been working in the palace as the supervisor in design for the kingdom.
"Okay! I'll be there in a minute." The heiress give a sweet smile. The man again bow before leave, expecting the ash-brunette princess to follow.
"Well, time for work. See you two later Maki-chan, Umi-chan!" Kotori bounce from her seat and walk in fast pace, catching up with the supervisor.
"Wow, never expect her to be working after her birthday already." Impress, the red hair girl stands before heading toward the near window.
Following the suit, the blue archer look outside through it. "I see there's no reason for not working just because of your birthday."
"And...you're the one suggesting that?" The violet orbs glance and see a nod from the bluenette. She chuckles. "So, you're the powerful one here."
"Huh?" The amber eyes turn to the heiress, full of confusion. She cocked her head to the side.
"I noticed you've been doing all the kingdom important matters. You aren't try to take over this castle, do you?" Placing her index on her lip, try to hide a smirk which can be seen through.
"What?! Why would I want to betray Kotori-sama? Who gives you that idea?" Umi voice sounds intimidating. She frowned, thinking whose plant that sick idea into Maki mind.
The crimson princess facepalmed. "Geez, Umi...I don't say you're attempting any invasion on this palace. What I mean is you've been doing the work like a real king would." The last word came out as whisper but still caught by Umi ears.
Caught off guard by that, the archer face become hot. "W-Wait! I-I'm not doing something like that! I'm just helping Kotori-sama." Since yesterday was already over, Umi reverts back to call Kotori with her title, much to the princess dismay.
Before Maki can pursue another statement, the bluenette cuts her first. "This conversation is over!" Turning her head back to the window. Suddenly, her amber spots few familiar figures at the gate.
"Hey, Maki. Look!" Follow the pointed finger, the heiress seems interested on what she see.
"Isn't that..."
At the gate,
"You should tell me if you're going somewhere. I could prepare something for you to eat along the way." The timid girl try to sound angry but fail because of her own softness.
"Don't worry nya! We can find any ramen stalls if we're ever get hungry, right Eri-chan?"
"Y-Yeah...sure." The blonde said but in her mind 'I need something healthy' while putting rein on her cremello stallion.
"Fine..." The maid mumbles before continue. "You two aren't going to use the carriage?"
"We're going for adventure, Kayo-chin. What's the point using a carriage nya!" The feline puff her cheeks only to earn a small giggles from her friend.
"I'm just asking." Eri smiles seeing the two youngster but soon her peripheral vision caught a certain purplenette.
"Koizumi-san!"
Turning to the source of voice, Hanayo smiles. "Toujou-san! How's the costume? Is it fit?" Those questions get their answer by eager nods.
"Yes! Where did you get my..." Her words stray as her turquoise eyes spot the swordwoman. "Oh, Ayase-dono! I don't notice you earlier."
The knight smiles but evidently there's hurt in her eyes. "You look nice."
"T-Thank you." The older maid lower her gaze, avoiding meeting the sapphire. She refrains herself from twirling her body around to show her crush how the new maid costume hugged her curves perfectly.
Gazing the maid become shy in front of her, her eyes soften. "Sorry about this morning. We didn't mean to wake you up like that." Express an apologetic face, the sword wielder struggles mentally, blocking any inappropriate images from the morning.
"No! It's mine to begin with. I'm the one who should be apologized." Brought her head up, fix her eyes to the blonde. Unknown to anyone, both of their breath hitched for a moment.
Before Eri argues, Rin yells. "Eri-chan hurry up nya! You're not going to survive if its getting dark later." Flustered, she hides her face behind her palm. Her greatest weakness has been reveal to her secret sweetheart.
"Heh~Ayase-dono...Do you afraid of..."
"No!" Eventhough she deny it, her crimson cheeks has give it away. The horse behind her snorted. "Oh, shut up, Atlas!" The knight pulls the rein too hard, making the poor stallion bow down.
"Atlas?" Nozomi throw a question to the swordwoman who has been headbutts by the horse for a few times. Like others, the name make her feel uneasy.
"That's Eri-chan horse. It has a same meaning as strength in Greek mythology, that's what the girl who named him said to me." The shorter maid explains.
'So, it wasn't Ayase-dono who named it.'. Knowing that, the maid consume with jealousy since this so called mysterious girl got privileged to name her beloved cremello.
Seeing dark aura surround the purplehead maid, Rin leans to whisper with her friend. "Nee, Kayo-chin, why don't we tell Nozomi-chan that she'd named it nya?"
"We can't, Rin-chan. We promised Umi-chan." The maid bewilder by the feline suggestion.
"Its fine. She's not going to know nya!"
Rustling in the air only be hear by the two youngster as something past between Rin neck in incredible speed. Turning slowly, they could see an arrow stuck on the ground. Frantically, both of them make a zipping sign on their mouth. Meanwhile, the knight and the maid stay oblivious.
"You're going somewhere, Ayase-dono?" Nozomi approach, gaining attention of Eri's horse. It stares the purplenette intensely.
"Yeah, I'm searching for someone."
"Is this someone very important?" The maid now stands few inches from the knight.
"Very." Yet again, unseen dark aura appear around Nozomi. As an animal, Atlas feels it, he then headbutt his owner...hard before trots to the other girl. He lower his muzzle and start nuzzling the girl cheeks.
"What was that for?!" Her head still spinning from the cremello attack. The swordwoman notices her stallion warming up to the maid. 'Aren't you not suppose to like people?'
Her movement stopped when she saw the purplehead girl are not in danger, instead she was laughing from the tickles. Being a knight in shining armour, Eri steps forward, stopping the innocent assault of her horse.
"That's enough, boy. We're going." Reaching the rein as the blonde is trying to lift her body but been stopped by a tug on her white cape. Jerk her head to a side, the delicate hand belongs to her adorable crush.
"Are you going to come back by night?" The emerald-eyed girl give a kicked puppy look which could send the knight straight to heaven if she hadn't control her emotion.
Silently sigh, she shake her head. "I doubt I can fine her within a day...unless I have something to look forward to." The sword wielder tries to sound playful but it turns to be a hopeful tone.
"Yes! Please come back! I'm going to cook for you." Flustered by the maid eagerness, the swordmaster tries to calm down her fast heartbeat. Her wish is granted.
"Really?"
"Um...as a thank for helping me." Nozomi lower her head, embarrass by her early excitement.
Smile inwardly, the knight take hold the maid hand which clenching her cape and bring it to her lip, kissing its knuckles. Feeling a sudden touch, the jade travel upward only to meet with a seductive lapis lazuli. Every words from the maid caught on her throat.
"Well then, I really should be going now. Wouldn't want to miss that special cooking I'm gonna receive." Satisfy by the effect she has on the girl, she let go her hand and reach the rein, pulling her body up to sit on the cremello stallion.
"Hey, Rin. Lets go." Hearing no reply.
"Rin?"
"Oh, yeah! Lets go nya! Hahaha..."
"Hmm, are you okay? You've been quiet for some time now." The blonde turn, facing the cat-like girl with a curious look.
"I'm okay nya! Rin just quiet to save some energy, right Kayo-chin?" A line of sweats trickling down from the orange girl forehead. She's now pleading and in need of her childhood friend help.
"A-Aah..y-yeah..." Though it's not very convincing, Eri just let it slide.
"If that so, lets go then." Before she could kick the horse to move, she heard her crush spoke.
"Be careful."
Swirl her head to look on the fidget violet girl, the swordwoman cast a genuine smile. "I will."
Soon, both riders dispatch. Their horses trot slowly before galloping, disappear from the maids sight.
Bringing up her warmth knuckles, she placed her lip on the same spot as the knight earlier. "I can make do this for today." Her heart's beating faster than usual.
Hanayo who happened to see this suppose unseen act, let out a little squeal.
Nozomi notices this. Her face suddenly become redder and hot, she hides both her hand at her back. "Oh, Koizumi-san! I-I forget that you are here."
And the atmosphere become awkward and tense.
'S-Somebody help me!'
Back to the conference room,
The room is silent. Stood there were two young ladies near the open window. The bluenette placed the bow back to its place. Her demeanour remain calm.
"You don't have to do that extremely." The voice from the red heiress reverberate in the room.
The archer gives a sceptical look. "I don't think it's any different than what you did yesterday."
"What! This and that are totally to different things. You almost kill her with an arrow."
With one hand at the waist, Umi turns her body and proudly state that, "Just to let you know I'm one of the top archers in this kingdom."
Growl. The princess let out a 'hmph'. "Cocky!"
"Hehe, you don't have to worry, Maki. I know where to shoot. I already warned them. That shoot just to spice thing up." The bluenette chuckles.
"Hmm, what you do to them doesn't matter to me. Please don't hurt them to much." There are traces of red hue on the wealthy girl cheeks.
"Roger that, Maki-ojou." Umi closed her eyes, leaning her back against the wall.
"What do you thing about those two?" The redhead girl crossed her arm, staring to nothingness.
"Well, from what I saw they did act like strangers but at the same time they're not. Sheesh, how I suppose to put it..."
"Their hearts still connecting eventhough they forgot about each other, that was it, right?" Maki finish it off.
"Simply said this going to be troublesome. No matter what we're going do, the pain is inevitable." The archer calmly said that.
'Pain...huh..'
"Umi...I went to the garden yesterday. Did you do something to it?" The sorrow in the heiress voice don't go unnoticeable by the protector.
"The garden?" It's true the soldier was on duty the day before the party, however she did nothing to change anything in it. So, she just shake her head. "Nope. I don't think so. What about it?"
Maki face become solemn. "I smelled her. Though it faints, but still, its hers. Tell me Umi...Am I being a delusional?" The desperation in crimson girl voice tighten . the bluenette heart as well. But she has nothing to offer.
"Maki...I-"
"Stop! Don't say anything." The princess kinda stuck both her hand and push the archer, her face exactly. She then turns and kneel down. The girl evidently tried to hide her tear although settle it with sobs.
Since the push took her by surprised, Umi tumbled down to the floor. She moaned in pain. 'Geez, what did I do to deserve this?'
"Lets talk about something else. H-How about your night with Kotori. You slept with her, right?" The ruby mistress sounds very raspy.
"What!? No, I didn't! I just stay with her until she was sleeping. I don't do such act." 'Though I had to pretend I was asleep for a couples of minutes.'
Umi hears a chuckle for the other side. The girl turns her head with a small smile. There stain of tears visible at the corner of her amethyst eyes.
"Coward as ever."
Sigh. "I let that one slide since I prefer to see this Maki." The bluenette slowly make way to the girl. With a clean handkerchief, she wipe off the remain tears. "You're still a crybaby after all these years."
"J-Just this once...you get to see me like this. Understood!?"
"Yeah, yeah. Wouldn't want people to know this crybaby Maki, right?" Umi smirk.
'CREAK..!'
From the moment the door was open, the young heiress throw herself into the archer open arms. She drape her face on the crooked of the girl neck, hiding the smudges on it.
"Sonoda-do-?! Wha! I'm sorry! I don't mean to intrude y-your in-intimacy!" Before the blue protector could say anything, the maid bolts out.
"That's going to be a problem, is it?" The hot breath from Maki tickles Umi.
Then, something reach the conference room from the open door, vibrating through every corner.
'Sonoda-dono is having a scandal with the South princess.'
Sigh.
"Indeed, it is."
Hallways,
The two maids walk silently, nobody dare to open their mouth until a rush maid suddenly bump with Hanayo.
"Wha!"
"Koizumi-san!" The other caught her on time. She glance to the unapologetic lady who keeps on running. She saw the lady face was brightly red in colour.
'Did something happened?'
"Ah! Thank you, Toujou-san." The young maid stable herself before letting go the purplenette hand.
"No problem, Koizumi-san." She gives her a sweet smile which the other haven't see it in long time.
"I-If you could..p-please call me Hanayo. I'm younger after all." The green-haired girl look down, staring at her shoes.
"Hanayo...Hanayo...Hanayo-chan? Is that okay?" Nozomi feels at the back of her mind to call the little girl like that.
"Yes! I pleasure to be calling that."
Amuse by the sudden eagerness, the older maid giggles. "Then, call me by my names too. We are maid after all."
"Yes, Nozomi-chan!" Surprised by the nickname, the violet maid can't help but feels warm inside her heart.
"You guys peek my curiosity." Maki's maid spoke, earning a puzzled look from Kotori's. "You guys seem very close with each other. I mean with the princess and all."
"Well, we are childhood friends, hahaha...You might see us as very laid back but we do know how to be professional at the right time." A light chuckles from the small maid.
"Can you tell me more? I-If I'm not intrude anything..." The green-eyed pleading despite saying that.
"There's no harm in it. So, I guess it's fine." Secretly grin, Hanayo pump her hand a little.
'Mission one start now!'
Apparently, the three stooges had planned some secret mission after Umi warned them not to reveal anything to Nozomi. Still they were allowed to help the girl regain her memories using other ways.
And the first one is to tell everyone background.
"Okay, let start with Kotori-chan since she's the princess here. What do you think about her, Nozomi-chan?" The maid starts her important task.
"Purely innocent." Shortly state. 'When there's no presence of Umi-chan.' She continue in her thought.
"Em, she also very hardworking."
'When it come to that particular someone.' The purplehead can't help but respond sarcastically in her mind.
"Though she haven't be crowned yet, but she already been involved in the business." That statement had taken Nozomi aback for a moment. The greyish princess seems to strike her as a fun and enjoy person who doesn't really has any responsibility. So, she might see the heiress in a new light even for a little.
"Oh, and Umi-chan always help her though she belongs to the army." Hanayo continues.
'Nothing surprising in that.' The violet maid then pursues next question. "How did they met?"
"Since Umi-chan grown up in the army, she often see Kotori-chan when her father meetings with Minami-himesama. Sonoda family is the only noble who stay loyal to this kingdom until now." The green maid bow slightly when a group of scholars passing through them.
"Hmm...passing generation, I see..." The other girl mutters to herself.
"But Honoka-chan story is funny." The young one suddenly said, startled the purplenette.
"Ho-no-ka?"
"Yes. She a head chef here. Oh! Maybe we can ask her to lend the kitchen. You want to make something for Eri-chan, right?" Hanayo face brighten up, her suggestion seems very flawless to Nozomi.
"Please tell me about her."
At certain time in the past,
The light penetrates through the canopy of forest, illuminates it surrounding. In the middle of it, there was a little girl, a long sleeve shirt clad onto her small body, her short orange-browned hair barely hide the collar of the red shirt.
"WHERE AM I?!"
The blue eyes scanned through the unfamiliar jungle, try to locate where to go for umpteenth times since she was seeing a same view all over again.
"I should be home by now, mom is not going to like this." The girl was doing an errand for her mother when she thought by entering the woods can be a shortcut to reach her house. Unfortunately, she got lost.
Without any direction, she just walked where her legs took her. Finally, she found an exit although it's not the one she want.
The azure orbs widen. A big gate stand in her view. She was mesmerized, slowly went along the wall until she saw a small size hole which she could fit in. It lead to the inside of the barrier
Her eyes twinkled.
'Is not everyday you can get to sneak into the castle.' The little girl crouched and enter it.
There, she looked into a spacious empty space. She was at the backyard of the castle which will build a glasshouse in the future.
Walking carelessly, she make way to the front only to be stop when she saw two unknown figures. One has a long blue silky hair and the other has ashen coloured.
The bluenette swung her bamboo sword in perfect angle, earning applauses from the cheerful girl. The little swordgirl flushed.
Interested, the brunette kinda move forward, stepping on the stick laying on the ground for some cliche reason. The snapping sound attracted the two girls.
"Who are you?" The bluenette spoke, pointing the bamboo sword to the intruder.
"Ahahaha...I'm just a normal trespasser."
There's no sound or movement been made for few seconds.
'Wait! I'm an idiot. Why am I confessing?!' The peasant girl wanted to bury her head in the ground, actually she halfway doing that.
"Wha! Please don't kill yourself." The sweet girl stepped forward, shielding the 'trespasser' from the other girl. "Umi-chan, put that away."
"But, Kotori-sama..." The girl couldn't do anything, not against that puppy-eyed.
The small princess kneeled, meeting her amber with the blue one. "Why are you here?" There's no anger in those voice which make the orange girl replied honestly.
"I'm lost."
"Oh, don't worry. We can find the way back together, right Umi-chan?" The girl turn to see the confirmation.
Sighed. "Tell me your name."
"K-Kousaka Honoka..."
Present,
"Starting that day, Honoka-chan always sneak in, much to Umi-chan distressed. They become good friends though. But eventually Honoka-chan got caught by one from the patrol squad. Umi-chan tried to help, ending up she's the one who got scold." Hanayo tells with happy face.
"Well, that's unfortunate however she did become a chef, head chef to be exactly. How's that happened?" Nozomi giggles from the story.
"Umi may not be any help but there was someone who witnessed it and make offer to the soldier to let Honoka-chan go as he took her to work in the kitchen since they were short-handed as the punishment. Eventually, Honoka-chan interested in cooking and the Queen hired her." The young maid finish her story.
"How spiritual. You got lost but somehow you get friendships and passion in return." The violet maid mumbles while smiling.
Watching from the side, Hanayo too is smiling. She can feel the calm and mature aura that used to be emit by the person beside her.
"How about you, Hanayo-chan? What makes you become maid?" The emerald eyes now focus on the small girl.
Closing her eyes, the green maid reminisce her past. "A promise."
Somewhere on the road,
A pitter patter on the the ground are coming from four pairs of horse hoof. The riders seems to enjoy the ride, despite looking for someone.
"Are you sure this is the way?" The blonde pop up a question. They already pass the small town, nearing the border of East Kingdom.
"Rin's sure nya! Merry said it too." The black mare underneath her give out a loud neigh. "See!" The cat-like girl grin.
They continue to trot in slow pace. The knight let her mind wanders to a certain maid. She remember her act on the poor girl.
'Erghh...Why I do something like that? It's embarrassing.' Hiding her beet red face on the stallion white mane. She heard he growls softly.
"Hey, Eri-chan. What are you thinking about Nozomi-chan, nya!?"
"I-I'm not thinking anything!" As if she got caught while thinking about her crush.
"Is that so..." The feline obviously dejected.
Again, Atlas rumbles. "What is it, boy? You've been doing that a lot." For a moment, the swordmaster see a glimpse of silver.
"Rin, watch out!"
Shock by the yelling, the orange-haired girl turns her head as an arrow missed her neck that was shot straight to her.
"Uwaa! I don't even say anything dangerous yet."
Unfortunately, the missed arrow had startled the poor mare. She reared, making Rin fall. The horse then run away.
"Wait! Merryyyy!"
Ignored Rin unlogical statement, the sword wielder closed the gap between her. Picking the girl up, mount her stallion. Her sword was no longer in its sheath.
Soon, a group of bandits come out from the tall grass beside the road. They are surround. Mostly have bow in their hand.
"Looky, looky, someone from the palace. I wonder how many fortune we can make for exchange of your safety." A large main with eyepatch on his right step out, assuming he's the leader.
"I would say none." Eri answer, giving a cold stare to the man. She absolutely can survive by herself but now there's Rin to be consider.
She then take a drastic measure.
"Rin, go back to the palace." The rein now in the young couchgirl hand. Before the feline can say anything, the blonde kick her horse, making him gallops.
"Take care of her, Atlas." The knight jump off the cremello.
Obey his master, the horse run straight back to the palace. Rin managed to shout before disappear. "I'll call back up nya!"
Standing on the middle of road. Eri takes her fighting stance. Her sapphire eyes focus on the group in front of her.
"You think I let that girl escape? Well, think again. Boys!" Two of them make way forward while some archers are shooting at the swordwoman to distract her.
Much to the bandits displeasure, the knight deflects the arrows rather quick and make a dash to the two forward, knocking them out cold.
"I wouldn't let you move forward than this." The blonde stand on her ground. She can't allow the bandits to pass through since there a town behind her. That's why she sent Rin away so she can secure this area.
"Hehehe, you just make things harder." The leader said, fishing out his sharp pocket knife. The underlings behind him are preparing for barrages.
With one swift move of his fingers, the attack begin.
'Thanks for the morning practise, Umi.' Years training with the archer proved to be worthy. These arrows are slow and predictable unlike the bluenette. Fast and random.
The sword wielder steady make way to the archers despite their attacks. Tilting her long sword, she hit them hard and accurate with the hilt on their head.
'No reason to kill these worthless.'
Sneakily, the leader tried to position himself before jump to the knight. Luckily, she manages to avoid the sneak attack.
Pry away the knife with her blade, she grabs the man shirt and slam him to the ground. There's no need of retaliation since Eri has point her blade near the man beating heart. His eyes now full of fear.
"Alright, alright, you win. We retreat." The man voice sounds shaken.
"I can't get you off hook that easily. There is no guarantee that you wouldn't attack others later. Maybe some compensation can make me believe." The sword slowly move the left side, onto the man dominant hand.
Wince, the tip of the blade press the epidermis of his skin. Accepting the cruel fate, he said to the knight.
"Cut it off, if that would make you feel better." Maybe deep down, he wanted to escape from this stealing and kidnapping business and this blonde swordwoman might be able to help him accomplish that.
But soon, the wish been bury again when one of his underlings rise from his fallen. Stagger, snatch the knife that was laying on the dirty ground and slash the back of the royal soldier, below her shoulder.
Missed the man hand, the sword stab deep in the ground. Eri grunts. Her grip on the man loosen as her red blood gush away from the open cut.
Seeing this gold opportunity, the bandit leader connect his knuckle with the knight skull. She thrown to the ground, hitting her back to it.
The pain was unbearable. The punch had her a concussion. The world spins making her confuse. Last thing she see is a blinding white light before she be consume by darkness.
'I'm sorry...'
'Toujou-san.'
TO BE CONTINUE...
Thanks for reading.