Hi there dear readers! First of all, I'm SO sorry for this long delay! I don't want to bother you with my excuses, so I'll just say that I'm finally free from school (summer vacations, hurray!) and I'll have plenty of time to finish the translation of the last chapters of this story! (Yes, two more chapters and this will be over :( stick with me until the end, please! I won't let this story unfinished! mark my words ^^).
Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews everyone! :') They really make me smile! so, yeah! now enjoy this chapter and don't forget to review please! :3

The next morning, when the singing of the birds and the bright light of the sun started to illuminate the small room, Yuri opened his eyes lazily. He blinked afew times and a steady breathing caught his attention, and soon, his dark eyes met a certain pink-haired girl sleeping next to him; slightly bewildered, the swordsman recalled the events from last night, trying to remember why Estelle was sleeping with him:

He smiled when he remembered Estelle's sudden request, and his smile widened when he focused on her sleeping countenance once again: She was deeply asleep.

Estelle trusted Yuri enough as to spend the night with him, he thought.

Then, he noticed that the princess had her right arm resting on his waist, and she was keeping a firm hold on a few strands of his hair as well. Yuri sighed; this way, he won't be able to get up without waking her up.

He had no other choice.

Slowly and gently, the swordsman tried to open the hand of his princess in order to free the strands of his hair, but it was in vain; she didn't budge, not even in her dreams. All of a sudden, Estelle moaned softly. It seemed like she was awakening. After that, and with a small smile on his lips, Yuri placed his big and calloused hand on her head and stroked her. After a while, the princess opened her big green orbs slowly, and Yuri contemplated her; her mesmerizing eyes were a delight to see.
"Yuri…?" She whispered, half asleep. Yuri chuckled softly.
"Morning, sleeping beauty." Estelle smiled lazily at this, and after that she yawned. She freed Yuri's hair as she used that hand to cover her mouth. "How did you sleep?"
"Really good, Yuri. I dreamed about you." She said as she focused her gaze on the man in front of her.
"Oh, yeah? And what was the dream about?"
"We were hugging each other tightly… and then, we decided to eat some curry."

Yuri couldn't help but chuckle at this.

"Curry? Looks like someone is hungry this morning… " He said with a teasing tone as he placed his arm on her small waist.
"No! …at least not yet. I would like to eat some curry later, though." She admitted. Yuri smirked as he observed her sleepy face and tousled hair. Sleeping next to her had been an enjoyable experience, he said to himself. Without a second thought, Yuri let his fingers caress her face as the princess enjoyed his gentle touch. After a while, the dark-haired man kissed her on the forehead and then on the nose.
"Well, I have to get ready to meet Flynn." He said as he sat on the border of the bed.
"I'll go with you." Estelle added as she mimicked him.
"Oh, that's right; you said you wanted to visit Ioder." He muttered as he stretched his body. Then, he got up and stood next to the window; it seemed to be a busy morning at the Lower Quarter with its people passing by, buying food or just chatting. All of a sudden, a nostalgic feeling started to ambush him; it had been a long time since he watched Zaphias' people go by idly.
When he turned around, Estelle was already in front of him with the rest of her dress on. She was now using her fingers to straighten her hair.
"I'm ready, Yuri." She said and smiled when she noticed his gaze. Yuri blinked, amazed by her speed.
"Uh… whoa. I didn't think you would be this fast." He mentioned, and the princess giggled at his comment. Then, Repede approached them as well and the three of them made their way to the Imperial Castle of Zaphias. Yuri and Estelle were holding hands in front of everyone, including those who saw them exiting the room together. They didn't seem to mind the curious looks, and they soon arrived at the castle.

...

Flynn, Chastel and Hisca were waiting in front of the castle's main door while chatting. The blond guy was the first one who recognized Yuri getting near...

...with Estelle by his side.

He blinked, slightly upset. Didn't he ask him to keep lady Estellise out of this?! And as if that wasn't enough, the red-haired twins would see the princess of Zaphias in love with their former and reckless partner...

Flynn wished that the twins didn't recognize lady Estellise physically.

"Is something wrong, Flynn?" Chastel asked him all of a sudden. Flynn blinked once again and focused his blue eyes on the twin, smiling nervously.
"No at all. Everything's fine, Chastel."
"Oh, isn't that Yuri?" Hisca said as she pointed at Yuri Lowell indeed; Estelle and Repede were next to him. "Huh? And who is he holding hands with…?"

Flynn rubbed his neck nervously.

"Oh, Yuri, who are those girls?" Estelle asked Yuri in that moment, and Yuri immediately recognized the two red-haired girls standing next to his friend. 'Dammit, Flynn didn't tell me that those two would be already here.' He thought as he imagined the coming scolding from his blond friend. Stupid Flynn.
"Yuri?" Estelle repeated, looking at her boyfriend with a worried look.
"Ah, I'm sorry Estelle." He let go of her hand in order to scratch his head nonchalantly. "Those girls are twins. They were in the same brigade as me and Flynn, back when we were training to be knights."
Estelle's eyes started to glow with increasing joy.
"Really?! Oh Yuri, how very exciting!" She exclaimed. "Now that I think of it, I don't know anything from the time you were a knight, Yuri."
He looked away, blushing slightly.
"It's not… something I like to talk about." He muttered.
"Oh, I see… I'm sorry for bringing it up." She said, a disappointed tone on her voice. Yuri sighed in defeat.
"... But I guess I can tell you one thing or two from those distant days someday." He added then. Estelle looked at him with a big smile.
"That would be wonderful, Yuri! Thank you very much!" She exclaimed, her voice now filled with pure joy. In the blink of an eye, and much to Yuri's surprise, the princess started to run and made her way to Flynn and the twins, Repede following suit.
"What the…?! Hey, wait!" He exclaimed. "Dammit, why does she have to be so hard-headed?!" He said to himself as he started to run after her.

"Hi there, Flynn!" Estelle saluted him with a small bow as she approached him.
"Lady… uh… I mean… it is… unexpected to see you this early in the morning." Flynn replied, more nervous than before. He was seriously starting to think about giving Yuri a punch right in the face after all this was over.
Estelle smiled politely as her gaze met two pairs of yellow eyes. The twins, on the other hand, were looking at the newly-arrived girl with curiosity. Then, the princess approached the two girls calmly.
"Hello. It is a pleasure to meet you both; my name is… " She started to say, but she was interrupted by a sudden bark coming from Repede, which caught the attention of the twins.
"Is that Repede…?" Hisca asked with notorious amazement. "I can't believe it, he's so big now!"
And after those words, both girls crouched down to salute the proud hound after all this time, leaving Estelle behind; to her surprise, Repede allowed them to fondle him.
"Greetings, Commandant." Yuri said with a teasing tone as he approach his friend. Flynn turned to him, frowning.
"Yuri, I thought I was clear when I said that—" He began, but Yuri shook him off.
"I know, I know, I told you I couldn't guarantee it."
"That aside, Yuri, why did she arrive with you? Wasn't she supposed to be in the castle, sleeping in her room?" Flynn asked, and Yuri blinked at this; he didn't have anything ready to explain that small and unimportant situation.

How could Yuri explain to Flynn that his little princess spent the night with him, but nothing between them happened?

Being Flynn, obviously he wouldn't believe that.

"Oh yeah, about that…" Yuri started, but much to his relief, Hisca and Chastel ran toward him in that precise moment and welcomed him with a big hug.
"Yuri, it's great to see you again!" Hisca mentioned.
"Wow, you've grown too! You're taller!" Chastel added. Yuri chuckled at their enthusiasm; it reminded him of a certain princess.
"I'm glad to see you girls. Looks like you're doing fine." The swordsman replied with a lopsided smile on his lips, and the twins freed him and nodded at the same time.
"Eh, well, I think it is time for us to set out." Flynn added as he cleared his throat to get their attention. He then approached Estelle, who was watching everything with a slightly jealous and worried look, and whispered to her:
"Lady Estellise, It will be better if you stay in the castle, it's still very early."
"But Flynn, those girls were your partners as well, right?" She asked with the same tone, and Flynn nodded. It seemed like Yuri told her something about them before.
"If you wish, I could introduce you to them later, lady Estellise; right now, we have to start our mission as soon as possible."
"Hey, Flynn." Hisca interrupted as she got near. "Wait a moment."

Flynn freezed up.

"Are you… princess Estellise?" Chastel asked as she looked at Estelle. Yuri sighed; they recognized her.
"Uhm, yes. Why do you ask?" The pink-haired girl replied as he tilted her head to the side.
'Well, I did what I could.' Flynn thought, defeated. In that moment, the twins exchanged looks for a few seconds, and after that, they knelt down before her.
"Forgive our rudeness, Princess." Chastel said with respect, her eyes closed.
"I am Hisca Aiheap and she's my sister Chastel Aiheap. We are at your service." Hisca mentioned with the same respect. Estelle blinked; she didn't expect that.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, but please, call me Estelle." The princess replied with a kind smile. "Uhm, how could I tell one from the other…?"
"Uh… I'm Hisca, the older one."
"And I'm Chastel." The other twin added.
"My, you're both identical…" Estelle muttered, slightly ashamed as she couldn't tell them apart. Flynn blushed as he remembered a way to distinguish them, but he said nothing.
"Weeeell, I hate to interrupt you guys, but we have to go. It's getting late, you know?" Yuri said in that moment as he stood next to Estelle. "Well princess, I'll escort you to the castle."
"Uh… actually… I was thinking that my healing artes could come in handy during the mission… don't you think so?" She said shyly, and Flynn sighed once again. "…Could I go with you?"

Hisca and Chastel exchanged looks again, confused, and Yuri looked away.

"Lady Estellise, I will strongly suggest you to stay in the castle." Flynn interrupted this time. "I wouldn't like to put you in unnecessary danger."
Estelle blinked and lowered her gaze.
"Oh… I understand. Then, I'll wait for your return." She replied with a hint of sadness in her voice." "Everyone, please be careful."
"Princess, wait!" Hisca said all of a sudden, and everyone observed her. "Do you really want to come with us?"
Estelle opened her mouth to say something, but she immediately closed it. Then, her eyes searched for a pair of familiar dark orbs. Yuri shared a discreet smile with her, and that was enough for her to made up her mind.
"Yes, I do want to go with you."

The twins looked at each other once more, and they nodded.

"We would happily agree with you, princess, but don't you think it's dangerous for you to go with us?" Chastel said; Estelle, without hesitation, placed her right hand on her waist and lifted her left fist in the air before replying:
"Not at all! I had a wonderful journey with Yuri and Brave Vesperia not too long ago, therefore I'm always ready for a new adventure!" She exclaimed happily.

Yuri and Flynn sighed at the same time while Hisca and Chastel blinked, slightly amazed.

"I see… well then, Commandant Flynn, after hearing those words, what is your opinion about this?" Chastel asked him as she turned to him.
"Well… if Lady Estellise is willing to come with us, and you girls have no objection… then I guess I can't really stop her." The blond man explained.
"Besides, Estelle is as stubborn as a mule." Yuri added with a smirk. Chastel looked at him and raised an eyebrow, finding his sudden comment about the princess rude.
"It's settled then! Where are we going?" Estelle asked enthusiastically. The pink-haired girl didn't seem to mind, though.
"We're going to a mountain located in the Yurzorea continent. We'll tell you the details later, is that okay with everyone?" Hisca asked as she looked at the rest of her companions. Everyone nodded. After that, Chastel turned to Yuri and frowned as she said: "And Yuri, I don't want you to do anything reckless like you used to do back in the military, okay? Do as we say!"
The swordsman shook his hand in the air nonchalantly.
"Yeah, I get it, don't worry 'bout it." He turned to Estelle then. "By the way, what about Ioder? You wanted to see him, didn't you?"
"Oh, yes, but he can wait. I'll talk to him after we're back!" She answered with a smile. Yuri shrugged and smiled as well. After that, the six of them (with Repede included of course) left the capital and made their way to the almost uninhabited continent of Yurzorea, hoping to find a certain important item for the knights.

...