Happy Valentine's Day-no chocolates though~

Disclaimer: I do not own Love Live.

A Knight's Princess.

It's a chaos. Whole palace seems to take a hit from the shocking news as well. No one knew what exactly happened or how.

The queen sent out a troop to investigate. But it was pointless. There's no traces, evidences or eye witness. There's...nothing.

Walking through the hallway, all I heard were agonized cry, seeing despair look, feeling a heavy sadness all over the palace.

Though I intended to stay calm, my pace had increased. Eventually, I don't even noticed I was running.

'BONK'

"Oww..." I had bumped into someone. That someone is my own father. The one I admired and want to be.

"Hey, little toddler. You shouldn't be running in the hallway." I muttered some apologizes soon earned a toothy grin from him.

"As long as you understand." He pat my head which rarely be done.

Later, two soldier approached him. They discussed something for a minute. He then turned to me, kneeling until our eyes level was the same.

"What is it, father?" I couldn't wait from him to speak up. It didn't take long for him to answer.

"Well, I just heard that little princess has calm down and now is asleep." I saw his eyes soften, there a hint of sadness though.

"The other girl is not very good. Go to her, support her. She need you right now, my little one." His smile comfort me. Nod, I make way to my room. No, our room.

'KNOCK'

'KNOCK'

"Eri-chan, I'm coming in." Swung the door, I saw something frightening. The blonde was standing on the railing of the balcony. When she about to jump...

"Stop, Eri-chan. What are you thinking doing this kind of act?!" I managed to wrap my arm around her waist, straining her to go further.

"Let me go. Let me join her. I'm her knight after all. A knight must be by his princess side." We struggled from each other. Her words struck me.

It's a pain to know what happened. It's a pain to see her becoming like this. It's a pain to not be able to do something.

I can feel my eyes watering. No, I musn't. I can't let anyone to see me cry. I need to stay strong. For me. For them.

I am Sonoda after all.

Chapter 4: A Smile In Prison.

"HOW DARE YOU PUT ME IN HERE! DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" No one seems to pay attention to the girl in the corner. Everyone here gathered to wait for one thing.

Judgement.

The black-haired girl, crossed her leg. She may calm down for a moment. "Tch, I know I shouldn't save her."

Two days before,

A grilling sound, chopping noises, boiling screaming are all combine in one place. The kitchen. Right now, all the staffs busy preparing for dinner meals.

"Are you sure you don't mind me using this afterward?" The woman sat on a stool near the door, watching others worked.

"It's fine, Nozomi-chan. You can use this kitchen as much as you want."

Apparently, these two had hit off very nicely. Honoka friendliness make the purplenette easy to interact with. Maybe hearing her background story had something to do with it.

As hours passed, a sudden siren rang in every corners of the palace. Nozomi could see the faces worn by the worker turned sour and worried.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Emergency. That's rarely happen." The brunette expression hadn't change, instead she smiled brightly.

"Everyone, let's give our best in cooking today. We're not going to let them come back having an empty stomach, right?!" She received an 'Ooh!' answer from her staffs.

'A leader indeed.' The maid thought. She then excuse herself and strode along the hallways until she reached the reception hall.

Slightly peeking through the open door, she saw two familiar figures. One with orange-haired, having a difficulty in breathing and the other one is the blue archer, kneeling beside the girl while rubbing her back.

The violet-haired girl seemed to notice the hefty cremello. Curiously, she swirled her head left and right but the one she wanted to see was nowhere to be seen.

'No...don't tell me...' She's panicking.

"Where's Eri?" Nozomi gave all her focus on the two as her crush being the subject of their conversation.

"Huff...We were surrounded...Eri..huff...She..." The bluenette gave some time for the feline to catch a breath before continue. Later, the girl told Umi everything.

"I'll prepare the squad. Please rest assure." The archer boots clicked on the pathway. When she about to disappear...

"Wait! I'm going with you nya! Rin can show you the way." The coachgirl offered her help.

"Rejected. It could be dangerous." Though she said that, the protector was perplexed on where her soldier-in-arm location.

Sensed the inner turmoil, a pair of emerald looked at the horse which was grazing the nearby grass. Soon, the stallion stared back. After a couple of minutes, he started walking to Umi.

Poking the bluenette head, he lower his head. "You're going to help me, Atlas?" Since the horse only fond to the blonde, his action surprised the archer. Answered by a low neighed, Umi mounted the cremello.

The squad were ready, equipped with refine sword on the left side of the waist. Some with a bow and arrows on their back. They all waiting for the order. The leader was none other than the Sonoda. Wrapped by the sturdy bow and arrows on her back, she added a medium size of black blade on her side.

Giving a few words, they rushed out of the palace.

Still watching, Nozomi prayed.

"Please be safe, Ayase-dono."

Other place,

The sweet and pleasant aroma trickled the blonde nose, waking her up from deep slumber. The sapphire was stared by three pairs of rubies. Since she still had lightheaded, she could only blinked.

"Oh, she awake. Kokoa, go and tell onee-chan." The little girl with dark brown haired with a pony styled tied by red ribbon bounced, walking before disappeared behind the curtain.

The knight looked back at the one who gave the order. She looks no different than the last one only differ in the hair coloured which also tied in pony tailed with yellow ribbon but on the other side of head. She had a calm demeanour.

Eri tried to sit up but been pushed back to lay on the futon. "Don't move too much. Your wound might be open again." Two soft pillows were under her head, elevating the swordwoman so that her wound won't touch what's underneath it.

'That's pretty clever.'

Later on, the blonde realized a young boy with a red toy hammer in his hand, still staring at her. The azure connected with him. Suddenly...

"Itai!" The pain on the head make the sword wielder sit up straight. 'So much for not moving.'

"Ah! Kotarou, don't hit her with that." The girl snatched the toy away, lifting up the boy as well.

'Well, too late for that.' Since she already sit up, she scouted her surrounding. It seemed the knight been treated in a small room. There's not much decoration in it. Just a simple and plain room contained basic furniture such as closet and futon.

'This is extremely poor.' As Eri thought that, the white curtain been pulled, revealing the same little girl earlier and now had an accompany with her.

The latter seemed to have the same rubies like other. Her height weren't any difference either...okay, she might be a little bit taller. Her black hair styled in twintailed, making the knight anxious at the moment.

"So, you finally wake up. Hihihi. Behold the saviour of your life, you should be thanking me for saving your sorry butt...or should I say...back? Either way, bow to me and worship me forever." The girl said, stretching out her right arm forward while the other on her hip.

Saviour or not, the swordmaster found this situation to be ridiculous. Not to mention the smug on that 'kid' face irked her to no end. However, being grateful to the one saving her, she stood and held the girl hand for a shook.

"Thanks for saving me back there."

"Hmm...Not to be rude, but a hoard of gold would be a good gift, if you know what I mean. Your treatment aren't free." The twintailed girl face was very contradicted with what her said, since she was smiling brightly as if nothing wrong with that statement.

"Onee-chan...you're being too blunt." The little black haired girl sighed.

"It's fine. I can give you that." When the blonde about to turn away from the older one, she caught a sniff of sweetness, a familiar one, on the girl.

"You..."

"Oh, you finally notice! Heh~took you so long, Er-"

"You! You're the stalker yesterday!" The sword wielder tightened her grip.

"What!? I rather been called anything but that! Oww! Hey! You're crushing my hand! Can you just let yesterday go? I meant no harm." The girl greeted her teeth, writhing in pain. All the little ones were panic.

"Of course not. What did you planned on doing to Kotori-ojousama?" The swordwoman twirled the girl around, locking her head.

"I give up. You know I won't do anything to Kotori. Geez, nobody tells me you're good in acting."

"What are you talking about? I'm not acting." The knight wished she had her blade by now. She saw it was in the corner of the room.

"Huh? Then, can you let me go now, Eri? You're kinda choking me here." She gave a light chuckle.

The sapphire orbs widen. Suddenly, the two crushed on the floor. "How do you know my name?" Her voice now was nothing but intimidated.

"Ergh...What give? Of course I know. We are friends." She barely lift her face with Eri's palm pushing her head.

"You're lying. I don't even recognized you nor know what's your name." The three childs were hitting the swordmaster back. The pain weren't felt by her since she's in rage mode.

"Well then, does Yazawa Nico ring any bell to you?"

"Unfortunately, there is no bell, so no."

"What about royalty from West Kingdom?"

"That's just a lame lie. The kingdom doesn't exist."

"It does!" Nico groaned. Her body ached.

"It doesn't!" The two argued for a while.

"How about Nico-Nico-Nii!?"

"The heck!? That's it. You're coming with me." Eri stood, lifting the poor girl up and put her on the shoulder. She strode to the corner, taking her long sword. Ignored the three toddler, she exited the house or more like abandoned hut.

The sapphire looked around, seeing they were in the forest. "You lived in the forest. What are you, caveman?"

"I'm not! We have reasons and aren't caveman live in a cave? Now, put me down!" The black haired girl kept on struggling, much to the knight annoyance.

Spotting a black horse tied up from afar, the sword wielder walked toward it.

"Merry?" The horse responded. "What now? Stealing our horse?" She casted a side glance.

"Hell no! I'm just found her running along the road without a rider. Lucky for you that I went to check up with her. So, let me go!" The red-eyed girl wriggled on the knight shoulder.

"This and that are difference, which mean you're going with me whether you're like it or not." The blonde noticed a few sacks laying around. Taking one of it, she gave a devil smile to Nico.

"W-What are you going to do?!"

Somewhere nearby,

The whole squad scattered to search some clues about their missing comrade. The leader stood at a place where there was a pool of visible blood.

'Is this yours, Eri?' Umi grimed from the thought.

"Sonoda-taichou, the east squad had made their investigation. Nothing abnormal been seen so far." One of the soldiers saluted her while giving his report.

"Don't stop looking." The leader said.

"Yes!" The guy ran back to his position.

'Where are you?' The bright orange-coloured in the sky slowly became darker.

The archer then heard audible thumping of noise. Letting her guard up, she summoned the archers.

"All archers, take your place." Soon, they were ready. Stretching the arrows and focus anything that will come in front of them.

The sound were getting louder. That's blueshifted effect no wonder. All the soldier stiffened. The one who unfazed was Umi. She was concentrating on the road in front. Then, she caught a yellow tresses in her peripheral.

"Hold!" The bluenette raised her dominant hand. But some of them panicked and let the arrow fly on its course.

The figure in front dodged them easily.

"Lucky, you're not the one who shoot it."

"Eri..." The archer gave a worried look to the knight.

"I know, I know. I tell you later but for now could you send some men into the forest?"

"Hmm...what for?" The amber caught a view of a bulk light-brown sack.

"I need them to take care some children in there." The swordwoman pleaded so that the archer won't ask further questions.

Sighed. "Alright. You really want to go back before it get even darker, right?" Eri could only grinned. The protector pointed some of her men. Others followed her back to the palace.

The palace,

'TAP!'

'TAP!'

'TAP!'

"Erm...Maki-chan..." The green maid said fidgety.

"What?" Came out a stern toned.

"Why are you getting angry nya!?" Yelped the cat-like girl.

"I'm not! I'm just a little anxious. They are late." Her index twirled playfully the crimson hair.

"Ohoho..Is it Maki-chan worried about Eri-chan and Umi-chan? What a playgirl. Two at once." Honoka shook her head with 'tsk' repeatedly said. Soon, she found herself growing a bump on the head.

"Stop being ridiculous! Don't you need to be at the kitchen."

"Uuh...Maki-chan~You don't need to be so hard on me~" Rubbing her head to render the pain.

"Oh, you guys are here too!" A high-pitched voice suddenly rang on everyone ears.

"Ah, Kotori-chan nya!"

"Kotori-chan~please tell Maki-chan not to beat me."

"A-Are you here to wait for them as well?"

"Do you just finish your work?"

"Eh! Please...one question at a time." Kotori breathed out. Her face shown all her tiredness.

"No. Don't bother. Why don't you take a bath and rest for awhile?" The wealthy heiress adviced the princess.

"But, I want to see them as well." She fought.

"You're going to make us worried. So, please take some rest. Umi won't be happy if you don't. Lets not make her worked up, okay?" The South princess pleaded.

"Maki-chan, you really care about Umi-chan hah?" The mistress sighed defeatedly.

"Of course I do. That's not really a question, right?" Maki turned her head aside, hiding her embarrassment.

"So, the rumours are true..." Kotori mumbled to herself.

Meanwhile, the trio only being the audience for the entire scene in front of them.

"Hey, why does it seem like the aura getting tense and dark over there?" The chef asked.

"Rin don't know. Maybe Kotori-chan is stress from all the work nya!"

"Rin-chan might be right. Anyway...Where Nozomi-chan?" The maid looked around.

Followed the suit, the duo scanned every corner of the reception hall. Then, they said a same thing at the exact time.

"Where is she?"

Garden of Glasses,

A violet-haired woman was sitting beside the pond where she fell the night before. It was also where she meet her destined one...or soon-to-be.

'Somehow, sitting here make me feel calm. How spiritual. The air is soothing, telling me everything gonna be alright. I hope so too.'

The moment of serenity been interrupted by a soft chime this time. She could heard noises from these and there. She restrained her ears to listen carefully.

"Hey, do you hear that Ayase-sama has return?"

"Haha, I know there's nothing to worry about. This Ayase-sama we're talking about. She always come back in one pieces."

"Well, yeah. I think this emergency thing is bullshit when anything concerning Ayase-sama."

"Hey, don't be nasty now."

Nozomi turned her attention back to the lilies. At least what she want to hear happened.

'I should look for her.' The maid stand and walked away from the garden.

Reception Hall,

"Eri-chan!"

The chef and the coachgirl jumped, only to be hit by the hilt of Umi's blade, which still unsheathed.

"Please restrain yourself. Eri is hurt."

"She does? I don't see any injury." The maid took a good look on the blonde.

"That's because I've already been treated." The knight said.

Everyone were staring at the big sack on her shoulder.

"Erm...Eri, may I ask what is that thing?" The red heiress pointed with her index. Hearing the spoken voice, the sack wriggled vigorously.

"Well, we can have a nice chat later, Maki. It's good to see you again. I need to get this one into the detention room. Umi can explain to you guys the details." The swordwoman left, struggling with the 'moving sack'.

The South princess watched the blonde go until she disappeared from her sight.

"Umi, can I meet with the one who got caught by Eri earlier?" Maki asked. She got curious when she smelt something sweet from the sack.

"Huh? Well, you can but you have to wait for another two days, that is after we done interrogate them." Umi said.

"Why is that?" The amethyst-eyed girl asked.

"Oh, we have this rule which any interrogation and interaction between the person who been held in detention with anyone is forbidden for three days after the royal birthday celebration." The bluenette explained.

"Wait. You can work the day after but you can't do any investigation? What with that rule anyway?" The red-haired heiress crunched her pretty face. She can't gasp the rationality of that particular rule.

"Aren't the job is too sad to be doing after the happy days?" The archer chuckled. Her face painted pink. She knew the reason was not strong enough to convince a deadpanned expression Maki gave. She also had questioned the rule itself but the one created it said it was needed. How can she said 'no' to that cute puppy face.

"Why are you even interested? You barely know whoever it is." Tilted her head aside, the amber casted a curious look.

"Nothing really, I just want to know how it feels like to meet those inside the detention room." The violet eyes avoid the latter orbs, playing with strand of her hair.

"Then, Rin want to go too nya!" The feline suddenly spoke.

"Hai! Hai! Hai! Me too! Me too!" The young chef excitedly raised her hand, jumping as well.

"I-If that so..." But Umi cut Hanayo first.

"Denied! I only allow Maki to enter it." The blue protector crossed her arms, her eyes became colder as those pierced straight to the trio.

"What?! That's not fair, Umi-chan..." Honoka complained.

"Yeah..You just want the prisoner all by yourself, nya!" Rin pouted.

"That doesn't even make sense! That place only restricted to the soldiers and royalties. If you want to see them go to the visitor room."

"Boo..." The chef and the coachgirl slump dejectedly. They walked away.

"Hope they really understand that at least." Umi massaged her spinning forehead. Sighed.

"I-I sure they will. E-Excuse me..." The shy maid said before followed those two.

The room became quiet.

"Ehem. I think I want to hear what did happened actually." Maki broke the silence.

"Oh, yeah...that...Erm, as I can understand, Eri been attacked by a group of bandits and hurt in the process. Someone saved her but the bandits got away. Apparently, her saviour turned out to be the stalker who had sneakily went inside the castle yesterday."

"Why would the stalker helped her if they end up here anyway?" The princess found that was strange for the stalker to be doing such thing.

"Well, we can find out that later. Here, Eri said the culprit left this." Fishing out the small package from the pants, Umi showed the gift to Maki.

"A birthday present?"

"Yes. I assume this was for Kotori-sama. I opened it already. It just a simple handmade handkerchief, nothing dangerous." The purple eyes fixed on the gift as the archer put it back into the pocket.

"Now, talking about these...Where Kotori-sama?" The bluenette asked.

"Oh, I told her to take a rest since she looked so tired." Said lazily as her mind still thinking that familiar handwriting.

"Is that so...Then I better check on her. See you later Maki." Waving her hand, the protector strode away toward her mistress room.

Detention room,

"HEY, YOU DON'T SERIOUSLY GOING TO PUT ME HERE, ARE YOU?!" The loud voice almost woke everyone in the room.

"I never mention we playing a game anyway." Eri pulled the small stalker out of the sack and opened one of the cell, at the farthest corner. Tossed the black-haired inside. She quickly locked the door and walked away from the room without looking back.

Recovered from the short 'flying', Nico ran and grabbed the bar, shook it like a madman.

"YOU GOING TO GET THIS, ERI! I WILL PUNISH YOU BY THE NAME OF WEST ROYALTY!" She shouted which got yelled back by the prisoner there.

Sighed defeatedly, the small girl leaned to the wall before slumped down on the floor.

"Maki-chan is here, right?" Remembering the voice she barely heard earlier, she felt very nostalgic. "Hah...Now I really missed that voice so much. You will come to me right, Maki-chan..." She whispered as she slowly went to the Dreamworld.

Kotori's royal bedroom,

'KNOCK!'

'KNOCK!'

"Kotori-sama..." Opened the door gently, Umi poked her head inside the room. She had to squint her eyes a little to see better. The amber immediately found a sleeping figure.

Pushed the door, she tip toeing to the large king-size bed. The wind blown the curtain from the outside, giving a chance for the moonlight to shine dimly into the room. The ray fall onto the sleeping beauty face, revealed the pale skin, the buttoned nose and kissable lip.

Calming the desire, the archer went to the left side of the bed. Sitting on the soft mattress, she swipe the ashen bang. She smiled before muttered, "You really are beautiful, Kotori."

"Hghn...Umi-chan?"

Froze. Umi mind was in panic. 'Did she heard that?' The bluenette peeked slightly and saw the princess was still half-asleep.

Tried to check whether the image in front of her is real or not, the ash-brown haired girl reached her palm to cup the protector cheeks. The warm sensation revealed the truth. "You're safe..." She smiled.

"Of course. No matter where I go, I will always come back to you." Umi said sweetly, placing her own hand on top of the latter's. Enjoying the touch, she slowly brought her lip to kiss the palm.

"Hehe, that tickles, Umi-chan." Kotori giggled, fully awake by now.

"I have to give something for the hard work my mistress done today." Earning a soft hummed from the princess.

"Maki was right when she said you're tired. Maybe you should go back to sleep." Kotori frowned by this statement.

"You meet her first before me?" She sounded agitate.

"Hmm...she practically waiting for us in the reception hall with the others, so we are bound to meet. There isn't exactly an option." Umi said, not noticing the sad look on her super duper crush.

"Of course there is! You could've enter from the back door and meet me first!" Instead of laying on the bed, the angry amber-eyed girl now sat up. Both her hand placed on the bluenette shoulder.

"Huh? I was escorting Eri. Wouldn't that be weird?" The archer can't understand why they are having this conversation.

"So, you're saying it was my fault for not wait you at the front unlike Maki-chan." The grey-haired barely kept her voice from getting higher.

"Wha! I'm not blaming anyone. Why are you dragging Maki in this? Why are you even mad, Kotori-sama? Did you not feeling well?" Concerned, the protector tried to scoot closer but been held firmly by the latter.

"Get out."

"Ko-Kotori-sama?!

"Get out of here, Umi-chan!" This time the princess shoved the archer as hard as she could mustered. The latter fell to the ground.

"Kotori-sama what happened? You can tell me if anything is wrong." Umi still insisted though her mistress had pushed her away.

"NO! YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND! GET OUT! GO TO YOUR MAKI-CHAN!" Finally, all her patience ran out.

The yell gave a shiver to blue-haired girl. She straight away stood up. If the yell pained her, the wet ambers crushed her completely. Knowing she can't do anything, she bowed down.

"I'm sorry if I done anything wrong. But please...Maki has nothing to do with this." The bluenette slowly turned away, leaving the crying girl on the bed, she left the room.

'In the end, you stand up for Maki-chan.' Kotori smiled sadly. Her flowing tears won't stop.

'Umi-chan baka!'

Hallway,

The stomping of boots attracting anyone passing by. Some bowed, some just smile and others gave a thumbs up. The blonde could only smiled. She hoped to see a certain purplehead girl. But first, the knight really need to change her torned attire.

Reaching her own room, she noticed the door was widely opened. Slowing down her pace, she leaned to the wall, taking a peek. The sapphire bored on the back of a clueless figure.

"Okay, all done. I hope Ayase-dono will like it." Eri saw a glimpse of satisfied smile plastered on the face.

"If I say yes, do I get anything?" The swordwoman stood in front of her room. Her coiled smile hardly missed.

"Ah! Ayase-dono! You should tell me if you were here already." A cute pout formed on the maid face.

"It wouldn't be a surprised otherwise." The sword wielder heart swelled with happiness by the sight in her room.

"I'm the one supposed to give you the surprise." The violet haired girl sulking.

Laughed inwardly, the blonde said playfully, "I thought there was a burglar tried to steal from me. She did left the door opened." Winking to the latter, the azure caught a red hue on the cheeks. 'You don't need to steal anyway, I probably give everything if you want.'

Nozomi was speechless. The knight action left her breathless. 'Aren't you the thief here? You already stole my heart.' Is not like she going to say it out loud though.

"Mou...I'm sorry to barge your room without permission." The pout wouldn't leave.

"Don't worry, I don't mind if you're going to set this thing up for me." The blonde gaze soften, she gave a reassure smiled.

The purplenette had dimmed the light in the room, which she only used the bed lamp. The ambience seems to be romantic somehow, much to the swordwoman liking. Beside the bed were some trays, filled with delicious looking food. The maid had the idea to serve Eri dinner on the bed.

"Before you eat this, I want to apologize for breaking my promise." The emerald looked down, feeling ashamed.

"Oh, you did?" The swordmaster sounds disappointed.

Nodded. "I'm not the one who cook this. It come warmly and freshly from the kitchen. The staffs were giving their best, I don't want to intrude them. A-And I don't even know your favourites food. What if I accidently cook something you don't like?" The maid face contour in distressed.

"Chocolate. Anything with chocolates in it would be fine for me. They are my favourites." The knight step forward into the room. Her crush dejected state make her wanted to hug the girl.

Gasped. The turquoise got full view of her first love. The pretty face got bruises on it. The wrapping bandages on her head loosen a bit. The most capturing sight was the torned clothes covered with mud.

Without thinking, Nozomi rushed, taking the blonde hand and lead her to the bathroom. "You need to clean yourself, Ayase-dono."

"Erm...I can do this myself, Toujou-san." Feeling conscious when a pair of warm hand started to undress her, making her skin contacted with the cold air. The tinges of red were available on Eri cheeks.

"No. You had a long day already. At least let me do this." The purplehead insisted, the torned shirt was thrown aside.

"But you already prepared..." A whimper went out from the sword wielder mouth. She felt a sting on her back.

"Your wound is reopen. We need to close it back before any affection happen. I'm going to take some of supplies from the medic room. Meanwhile, please take a shower." With that, the maid went out.

Hearing the main door closed, the blonde released her breath which she unconsciously held. 'Who knows she has that serious side too.' Stripping her pant, she walked to the shower and turned the knob. 'That doesn't mean I hate it though.' The injured soldier smiled.

The knight enjoyed the rest of her shower time, though it was hurting her back. Relinquished from all her soreness, she ready to go out but realized that she came into the bathroom without bringing any clean towel.

Sliding the door a little, she let her sapphire scanning the outside area. Finding no giant purple, she pump her fist. Quickly make way to her medium-sized wardrobe, she started searching for a comfortable clothes.

When she about to slip them on her body...

'CREAK...'

"Ayase-dono, are you finish?" The girl at the door stunned. A pair of emerald met the blue one before it travels downward, taking all the view of sexy bodyline displayed by the blonde.

"-jou-san..Toujou-san!" Blinking her eyes for several times, the maid snapped out of the entrance.

"Y-Yes?" Her voice came out hoarsely. All the blood rushed to the head.

"Could you...um...turn around from a moment?" If Nozomi wasn't thinking straight, she could had jumped and hugged at the adorable sight of the tall soldier who was trying to hide her red face along her flushed naked body with a piece of clothes.

Obeyed the plead, the purplehead back faced the latter's. A hasty rustled from the clothes was heard by her. When the sound stopped, a beautiful voice was heard.

"Okay, you can turn back now."

Not need to hear the second one, the older maid swirled her body. In front of her was a topless knight, which only wearing a light blue bra, revealed the needed attend wound.

Walked gracefully, she brought the trays to the other side of the bed, right in front of the swordwoman. She soon crawled onto the bed, taking her place at the back of the knight.

"It won't taste good if it gets colder than it is. Go on and eat it while I treat your back." The hot breath on the tip of her ear make Eri shuddered in pleasure.

"Okay." Though she managed to control her tone. She took the spoon and started to dig her dinner.

The atmosphere was very quiet. It started to kill the sword wielder slowly. Bothered by the maid silence, not to mention also her fleeting touch on her fine body. When she about to break the silence...

'GRUMBLES~'

It came from her back. The azure casted a side glance which met with a cute and adorable sight of the embarrass face from the purplenette over her wide shoulder.

"Sorry, I haven't gotten myself to eat since I'm worried about you." The last few words able to avoid from entering the blonde ear tunnel.

Giggled. Eri swiftly scooped some of the soup and held in at the latter. "Why don't we share it? I don't think I can finish it alone."

The second noise didn't give time for Nozomi to argue. She scooted closely and took the filled spoon by her mouth.

"Umm! It's delicious, Ayase-dono!" The maid cheerful face gave happiness to the swordmaster.

"Indeed it is." She smiled. They continued to share the food until nothing left.

"Now I'm totally full." The blonde soldier slammed her side to the bed, while the maid put the bandages and the antiseptic back to its kit.

"Can you stay with me tonight?" The knight unconsciously said. The emerald gave a curious looked...or a shy one, maybe?

"I-I mean it's weird to sleep on my side and the room kinda look emptier if I do so..." Not to sound bolder by her request, the sword wielder hid half of her face on the soft pillow.

"Only until you sleep though." The purple-haired girl lie on the bed, right beside the owner of the room.

Eri was about to agree but on the second thought..." Hey, I feel cold somehow. Need some warmth." She quickly hugged the other girl, buried her head onto the maid well-developed chest, taking a short breath while on it.

"Mou, just take a blanket Ayase-dono." Nozomi tried to escape the unplanned trap by the swordwoman. She pushed the girl head only to see the blonde already asleep. The work today finally took a toll on Eri.

'You're not being fair, Ayase-dono. How am I suppose to sleep if my heartbeats won't slow down anytime sooner? You're going to be my death.' The purplehead snuggled told otherwise.

Present...(Two days later)

A girl inside her spacious room is getting ready for her duty as usual. Buttoning her dark blue shirt, pat away all the unseen dust. She then start putting on her white gloves. Leave the cape alone as she will be doing the job inside the palace today, she tightened her shoes. Satisfy with the appearance, she walks out the room.

A normal greeting be exchange as usual as the bluenette walks along the pathway to the detention room. She could hear some of the soldiers murmur about a certain prisoner being quite loud in the room. Well, that prisoner is going to be investigate by her today.

Arrive on the right spot, the keeper salutes and open the steel door which lead to the temporary prisoners.

"She's in the farthest corner." Said him, letting the archer walks in before closing it.

Umi walks with full of pride along the way. There also other soldiers here doing their on investigation. The prisoners are going to be release if they can prove they are innocence or face the royal punishment from the Queen if they can't. The worst one probably been sent to underground dungeon where they will be left to rot.

Shaking her head, the bluenette starts to focus on what she be question on 'this called stalker'. She won't be very forgiven if this stalker tries to hurt her precious princess. Reaching the farthest side of the room, she stood in front of the dark bar.

"Hey, are you still asleep? I need to take your testimony." Umi walks close to the bar, gripping it and start to squint her amber to see in the dark.

"Boo!"

Suddenly, a bright light shine behind the bar. The prisoner face appears right on the soldier, startling her. The bluenette jump from shock, landing her butt on the floor.

"Wha-What the heck?!" The shouting attract all people in the room. The archer turns her head aside, avoiding all the gaze while hiding her embarrass red face.

"Hahaha, you should look how the Great Nico-sama make you so jumpy and scare, Umi-chan." The familiar voice and nickname make the blue soldier snaps her head back to the jail.

The amber widen, taking all the new information in front of her. Stagger a bit when she tries to stand, her eyes never leave the figure.

"N-Nico?...or is it Nico sister?"

"Hey, you're trying to said I'm small!"

Hallway,

The two princesses are chatting happily. The chamber maids that are passing through think it very heartwarming sight. But there is a storm in one of the princess, unknown to them.

"So, you're going to the tailor workshop today as well?" The red-haired girl said.

"Um...sorry, I have to finish this new creation as soon as possible or else our trader will cancel the contract." Kotori look like a wounded puppy.

"It's fine. See you work hard, I also want to start doing it. I too should be going home. I think there's a pile of works waiting for me already." Maki sighs, thinking the later work she going to receive.

"That unavoidable. So, what are you going to do today?" The grey-haired mistress feels guilty for the bad treatment she give to the guest of her castle.

"I promised Umi to meet her today." The South princess sounds eager. She has been waiting for this very day to see the culprit who caught her attention by the same scent she secretly love.

"Oh, go on ahead then. I kinda left something in my room and need to get it." Before the crimson girl could said anything, the latter had run away. It seems Kotori had took the promise between them as a sign of new budding relationship.

'Is I'm too late, Umi-chan?'

Outside the detention room,

A blue-haired archer leans her back on the wall. She is in deep of thought. Even a certain attractive red-haired wealthy lady don't get her attention.

'SNAP!'

'SNAP!'

"Oh, Maki." Return to the real world by the snapping sound from the princess long fingers.

"Sheesh, what you're thinking about? I hope it's not Kotori." The girl regret her word later as she see the calm expression turn to a painful one.

"That one too..." All the energy seem to sweep away from the archer as she remember her mistress. The light amber doesn't even want to meet hers after that day. Umi thought that was because the princess tiredness, however the girl tried to avoid her tells her otherwise. It's been two night in a row, the young archer was racking all her brain to think what could she done wrong to her cute crush, but it was futile.

"Hey...do you think Kotori somehow heard the rumours?" The violet eyes stare her feet while the index twirls playfully her crimson hair.

The bluenette knows which rumours Maki talk about. Apparently, the innocence act had become not very innocence according to the some rumours. Umi baffled when hear it. Though there's nothing can be done at this point, they only hope is that it soon disappear just like any normal rumours.

'Hey, look. Isn't that Sonoda-dono and Nishikino-sama?'

'What? Where? Are they on dating?''

'Ah~A forbidden romance. How romantic!'

The maids whisper excitingly as they pass the two hot stuffs in the castle this week.

"That's going to make the rumour last longer than it should, does it?" The redhead princess growls.

"That seems like it." Umi sighs.

"I guess it a right decision for me to go back home as soon as possible. They won't be talking about it if we weren't together. So, Umi, please make a conversation with Kotori. I don't want any jealousy stare when I'm talking something related to you in front of her anymore." The girl crosses her arms.

"I'm trying. She always get away so fast."

"Then, shoot her."

"Are you try to suggest me to kill her?" The bluenette face deadpanned.

"I'm not. Aren't you one of the top archers?"

"Still, that doesn't mean I can do that to her."

The heated argument notice by a few soldier there.

'Ha~What a young love.'

'Well, a young couples do like to argue~'

The murmurs around them make the fight stop abruptly.

"We are getting the opposite result. Anyway, aren't we side tracking? I'm suppose to meet this stalker. You not doing this on purpose right?" Maki tries to sound playfully but fail miserably.

"Umm..."

"Wait. You did?!" The nervousness from Umi really give it away.

"Do you really need to see this person today?" The archer clearly announce that she doesn't want the red-haired girl to meet the prisoner.

"We promised!" Intensify the last word as she knows that the soldier weakness, other than the obvious.

"Okay, okay." The dark blue archer massages her temples. "I only going to warn you to be prepare for whatever you might see." The girl clasps both her hand on the side of the princess.

"Why are you telling me like I'm going to see a corpse?" Maki face twist in horror.

'She partially one in the history.' Umi spoke in her mind before continues. "It wouldn't be surprise then. I need to get on my next duty. And Maki, I'm happy for you." The strand of blue hair flutter as the owner make a dash, passing through the pathway.

'Geez, at least say something sensible before leaving.' The South princess stand in front of the door, waiting for the keeper to turn his key around in the keyhole.

Afterward, she walks straight along the way. She can see on both her left and right side are a small space for the prisoner. Not minding the look by a few of them, especially from the men, she go to the farthest corner.

Her high-heeled sandal give out a thumping noises. Reaching her destination, she could see a long black-haired girl in the cell. The girl is sitting on the floor while caressing her long hair.

The last thumping sound stop could be heard by the occupy in the small cell. Curious about the one who stopping by her cell, she swiftly turn around. But she wouldn't expecting this.

The amethyst meet the rubies.

TO BE CONTINUE...