A/N: Welcome back to writers block the story. Starring three weeks of delay between chapters. Lord knows what happened to me this chapter, but at least its finally here!
DarkyLonewolf: ;) I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter my friend! I love thinking about how the castle reacts to their princess being not at all subtle with a peasant girl. Shits cute. Huh. Even tho I love ddlc, that never crossed my mind butfortherecordmonikaisbestgirl Thanks friend!
GeminiAlchemist: Thank you very much my friend!
cgthereader: Aw thanks friend! To be honest this whole fic has basically become writing practice for my actual novel I'm working on; actually making a story go from one chapter to the next to the next instead of existing as an amorphous cloud of possibilities between two slices of solid beginning and ending. I'm so glad you're liking it!
DuwangChew: SHIELD GETS A SHIELD BLESSED BY GIRLFROND- ABOUT TIME. Plot is happening my dude; expect things to be fought, lore to be breadcrumbed, and smoochies to be had.
Kiotheboss2k: Thank you my friendoooo! I think we can safely assume Haya to be a major part in the castle rumors: as soon as that girl found out, she was telling everyone.
1Fanfanatick: Welcome to the tale my friend! I'm happy to hear that you've enjoyed it so far and hope you'll stick along for the ride; there's more plot and fluff where that came from!
Soccerkid19: Sucy wants this girl in her bed. (I mean that's already kind of happened but she wants it MORE OFTEN and with less armour.) You can bet your ass Akko is gonna be trying to impress Her Highness during the mission- maybe failing sometimes, but whatever makes her smile = job done. Thanks friend!
Joderdip: You see healthy relationships my dude- give and take. They're gonna look after eachother and support eachother and protect eachother and its gonna bE GAy.
Well this has been a long time coming; I hope it was worth the wait! (Am I Gaben now...? deargod)
-oOo-
"All right! Put her down right there!" As the morning sun began to peak above the kingdom, voices slowly began to cry out one by one until the entirety of Castle Town was alive with the sound of hard working men and women.
There were at least twenty different caravans, each of them slowly being filled with supplies by servants, soldiers, and townsfolk.
From her place upon the eastern castle wall, Akko looked out over the town, her red eyes taking in each droplet of colour amidst the sea of grey and white. Earthy browns of wooden boxes, light pinks of fair skin nipped by the cold, greens of varying kinds of vegetable; life continued on, even with the claws of icy death around its neck.
Her Highness released a breath at Akko's side, grip around the defender's arm tightening.
"The Crown was not expecting such a groundswell of outside assistance." She hummed, tilting her head so that the sunlight could continue warming her face. "We may find ourselves leaving earlier than planned."
The shield nodded along silently, watching as a father and son rushed in to help a pair of servants carry one of the heavier crates. For weeks it had felt like Castle Town had been slowly dying, less and less civilians filling its streets every day, but in a matter of hours it felt like the entire kingdom had flooded into the streets.
"It is inspiring to watch." The princess mused aloud. "Simple citizens expending energy for the good of those so far removed from their own lives."
A large grin then slowly began to creep onto the royal's face; her eyelids falling shut as a chuckle vibrated through her body. "If I recall, that was how we first met."
"Maybe your mind isn't so strange after all."
The sound of Her Highness' joyful laughter was beyond compare; pulling Akko's attention away from the bustling city below to simply observe the way the princess' hair bounced with each puff of air.
It looked so soft, and a tiny voice in the back of Akko's head begged her to reach out and wrap a lock of purple hair around her fingers. But she didn't do that; choosing instead to silently take one of the princess' hands off of her arm and bring it to her lips.
Her Highness smile shrunk to something small and reserved, though equally genuine; a ghostly pink tinge appearing just below her eyes.
"A sheckle for thy thoughts?" She inquired, making no move to pull her hand away from the defender's doting kisses. "Thou'st been wordless for quite some time."
Defender Kagari squeezed the princess' hand, placing it against her shoulder as she looked out past the walls of Castle Town towards the horizon.
"It might sound stupid to someone who actually has prophetic abilities..." She began hesitantly, unsure of how to turn the maelstrom of warring thoughts, ideas, and emotions inside of herself into words. "But I have this feeling... something like sadness or fear that I can't pin down the reason for."
"Do you think something happened?" Her Highness proposed. "There is a great deal of magic in and around you at all times; perhaps the Lady of the Blue Moon has given you a glimpse?"
"Maybe..." Akko replied with a noncommittal hum. The explanation sounded probable, but a twitch in the defender's gut told her it wasn't the answer she was looking for. "We should all just stay on guard, no matter how well the mission goes."
"Any other course of action would disappoint me, Defender."
The sudden deeper and gravelier, distinctly not-princess-like voice from her left caused Akko's head to snap to the side.
"Y-Your Majesty!" It took less than a second for Akko's neurons to rub together in such a way to allow her to recognize the man now stood next to her. Her head dipped low in a sort of bow, though carefully as to not drag Her Highness down with her.
"Listening in on our conversations, Father?" Princess Sucy snarled, moving her eyes in the opposite direction of the king. "How rude."
Instead of reacting with equally harsh words or an offended shout, King Ataas began to laugh; a low and earthy sound that brought flashes of Knight Yanson into the defender's mind.
"I am the ruler of this land, my dear." He chuckled, quickly glancing sideways at the side of his rather grumpy daughter.
"I listen in on all conversations."
Akko wasn't sure how to respond to His Majesty's admission; it disturbed her that the king would joke about spying on his people, sure, but for some reason she just couldn't bring herself to feel upset.
"Did- Did you come to see us off, Your Majesty?" The defender stumbled, freeing Her Highness' hand so that she could return both to their rightful place around her shield's arm.
King Ataas nodded, turning and stepping closer to the pair. "Indeed I have, Defender. To say my farewell and to give this to my daughter." From somewhere within his elaborate fur cloak and layers of fine clothing, His Majesty pulled out something small wrapped in dark silk embroidered with gold.
"Thou shalt be far away from this place for a long span of time." He began, slowly and methodically opening the bundle. "Therefore I gift this to thee; that thy path to the tenth will not be delayed."
Unfolding the final crease, the king revealed a simple yet beautifully crafted silver necklace. The glittering chain of tiny loops was fed through the top of a matte, vaguely leaf shaped ornament; the symbol of the kingdom etched into its surface.
Though her senses were not nearly as refined as His Majesty or Her Highness, Akko could smell the strong aroma of magic; feel its warmth radiating against her face. There was nothing simple about this necklace.
Her Highness glanced from the necklace, to her father, and then back down to his hands again; a slightly confused expression on her face. "I thought you wished for my training to be delayed..." The princess' arms untangled from her shield's bicep, and she reached out hesitantly towards the gift.
The king shook his head, his expression remaining pleasant yet neutral. "No. Thy training will not be rushed or pushed forward, but never shall it be delayed."
Akko bowed her head again, ferrying the amulet to Her Highness' outstretched hand, placing her own gently atop it. "Would you like me to assist, Your Highness?" She questioned respectfully, locking eyes with the royal.
She nodded once in response, slowly removing her hood and gathering her hair into a bundle so that the defender could access her neck.
Taking a step back and behind the princess, Defender Kagari reached her arms around her charge, holding both ends of the chain. Tentatively she brought the necklace up to Her Highness' neck, pulling the ends together as the princess held the pendant to her collarbone.
Fastening the clasps together, Akko couldn't help but let her eyes wander to the nape of Her Highness' neck; actively fighting the temptation press her lips against it numerous times.
She might have lost that fight, if His Majesty was not mere feet away and watching intently, but as it were, the defender's preference to having her head attached to her shoulders overruled any other personal desires.
"There you go, Your Highness."
The princess looked down at the pendant, thumbing the inscription with a conflicted expression. "Thank you Defender... Father."
Her gentle grip suddenly clenched into a fist around the molded silver, her eyes turning downcast. "I have acted unfairly to thee... thou only wished the best for me and I was resentful."
His Majesty reached out, placing a heavy hand on top of his daughter's head. "Chin up, my child." He began softly, the harsh undertones in the kingly voice smoothing out to something better suited for a father. "Thou only wishes to protect thy people; there is no shame in such a desire."
Pressing his dry and cracked lips into Her Highness' purple tresses, His Majesty closed his eyes, voice dripping with pride.
"You will make a fine queen one day."
-oOo-
After a few more moments of quiet conversation, the two royals parted, Her Highness and her shield making their way down towards their carriage, His Majesty remaining atop the wall to see the whole convoy off.
As was usual, the princess allowed Akko to lead the way as she drifted off into her mental landscape. Her Highness's gaze was turned downwards as she walked blindly, holding the pendant between her index finger and thumb deep in thought, feeling the grooves of the inscription against her skin.
"My mission must be successful." She stated seriously, an unreadable expression solidifying on her face. "My father and our people have placed their hopes on me."
"No one loves the people of this kingdom more than you do." The defender stated simply as her eyes scanned the hallway ahead, the words that flowed from her lips nothing short of fact. "Your people know that."
Her Highness fidgeted harder, sliding the edge of her nail through the pendant's many grooves. "But what if I haven't trained hard enough? What if I can't build the garrison? Maybe my father should have-"
"No. "
Akko suddenly halted their movement, turning her head to lift the princess' chin; staring her straight in the eyes. "You are their next queen; you are the one chosen by the Nine."
"Your people believe in you, the Nine believe in you; I believe in you." The defender reassured, softening her face and offering her best sunny smile. "Please believe in yourself."
"We will succeed, and no matter what happens, your most loyal will all be at your side, supporting you."
Her Highness looked back down at her shoes, fidgeting for a second more before burying her face in the defender's arm. "I'm sorry..."
"...And thank you."
The pair fell back into a mutual silence, continuing out of the castle through the eastern gate and into the plaza, where a sea of soldiers and civilians milled about and rushed from place to place.
It didn't take long for someone to recognize their next queen, and from there the rest of the plaza was informed very quickly. The crowds parted around Her Highness' intended path, and every single man and woman bowed their heads low in reverence, pushing down the heads of children who couldn't read the situation.
Lotte Yanson stood at the other end of the cleared cobble path, bowing next to the royal carriage and a small bag of her own.
"Your Highness." She greeted, rising to meet the princess. "The convoy is stocked and ready to ride at your command."
Her Highness turned her head to take a look around them, meeting eyes with a few of her subjects as they stared back in silent awe. In the silence of the plaza, Akko could hear the wind whistling in the branches of dead trees, like the discordant playing of amateur court musicians.
"Perhaps a few parting words would be adpt?" Lotte suggested in a hushed tone, stepping close to the pair. "One last boost of morale?"
The princess shuffled anxiously, fiddling with her new pendant with one hand; hugging Akko's arm tight with the other. "There's nothing I could..."
Defender Kagari gently pulled on her arm to get Her Highness' attention, meeting her eyes with silent reassurance and encouragement.
'You can do it; I'll be right here.'
Reluctantly letting go of her friend, the princess stepped forward, clearing her throat and straightening her spine.
"Dear citizens of Luna!" She began, stretching her arms out in front of her like a hug. "Thou'st done thy country proud this morrow! To leave the safety of a warm hearth to volunteer in our preparations is truly admirable."
Her voice was loud and firm, similar to how His Majesty regarded the Council of Lords but with far more affection for the audience than his formal tone.
"On this day, we depart to push back an enemy that has heretofore been merely a shape in the mist; unknowable and untouchable."
Her Highness' epression became stern and serious, her nose turning slightly upward.
"Our enemy believes themselves free to treat the kingdom of the Nine as their hunting fields; to seize this protected land as their own." She paused, looking over her people; her jaw set firmly.
"We shall demonstrate just how wrong they are."
Shouts of approval arose from the sea of people, Her Highness' words sparking flames of righteous indignation with their hearts. Akko felt a similar anger in her chest: this kingdom was theirs by divine decree, molded and crafted by the Nine for their chosen.
The beast would be slain by her hand; its ruin scorched and its ashes scattered across the kingdom to feed the new life of spring.
"We have learned, we have planned, we have prepared! Our knights have trained to slay these monsters of ice and frost; first blood has already been spilled!"
"With the Nine at our backs, granting us strength; we ride forth in their name! For Luna!"
A great roar of voices erupted from all around, from the carriages and their cavaliers; from the mass of servants and villagers, echoing off of the buildings and up the main road to reverberate out into the rest of the kingdom.
"FOR LUNA!"
"Get to your cariages!" Akko shouted, relaying a mentally exhausted princess' orders to the rest of the plaza. "Prepare to depart!"
As the crowds of knights and servants and civilians scattered and dispersed, the defender turned to Her Highness, reaching for her hands. Both were brought up to her mouth independently, and both received their fair share of gentle kisses.
"That was wonderful, Your Highness. I didn't know I could have more motivation to see this mission through to completion." The princess bashfully averted her eyes, muttering an inaudible 'thank you' into the crowded soundscape.
As the prince in Her Highness' fairy tale, Akko relished in witnessing these rapid flips in her personality: from a confident conqueror and ruler of millions one minute, to a flushed maiden unsure of how to react to affection the next.
"Shall we, Your Highness? Defender?" Lotte suggested, gesturing towards the royal carriage; her bag already bundled in her arms. "All of our personal effects have already been packed."
"We shall." Her Highness agreed, leading her two most loyal servants around the carriage to the cart's door. Akko offered her hand out to the princess, helping her up the step and into the transport where she could slide across the seats to the opposite window.
Lotte joined her next, placing her bag on the seat opposite of the princess and climbing in to sit next to it. The servant girl seemed rather awed by the carriage's interior, leaf green eyes scanning the intricate golden accents and finely polished dark wood.
"The seats..." She murmured, childlike wonder in her voice. "They are so soft..."
"Defender, you must feel this!" Akko thought it was rather cute, seeing someone so married to their job act their age for once; looking over to Her Highness, it was evident she felt the same.
"Do not simply stand there Defender; thou'rt wasting valuable heat." Her Highness prodded, patting the seat next to her. "If thou art eager to be free of it, I am feeling slightly chilly."
Taking one last look around the plaza, Akko watched the crowds thin out until only the volunteers and onlookers remained, leaving her as the last hold up.
It would be some time before they returned to this place, and she wanted to keep a vivid picture in her mind. The grand spires of the castle overhead, glistening in the light; puffs of smoke climbing from every chimney, the sweet smell of burning birch carried on the wind.
Defender Kagari had grown to love this town, the castle sitting at its highest point, and all the people living there.
She was eager to see how it would change come spring.
Just as the shield was about to break her gaze and duck down into the carriage, her eyes caught sight of a smaller crowd of people near the back; some still bandaged, some with scars, and one who was missing an awful lot of hair.
"Papa..."
The people of Torinosu smiled at her from afar, her father standing as tall as he could at the head of the group; supported by Mr. Norihiko and the shopkeep from down the road. Though his face was strained in effort; both from standing and from trying to see his daughter from a distance, Mr. Kagari was smiling.
Akko smiled back.
'I'll make you all proud...'
A/N: Make your pops proud Akko; kick some ass, take some names, and smooch a princess.
Something something writers block is suffering something something thank you for being patient something uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Roadtripbois.