Lukas knocked on the door to the princess's chambers. "Princess Amika, are you decent? We are but two humble servants wishing to lay eyes upon your lovely new clothes."
"Speak for yourself," Emil grumbled beside him. Though he couldn't help but be excited about seeing her new dress as well. After all, he knew exactly how skilled Mei was.
Lili, on the other side of the door, nodded to Amika before throwing open the doors. "Voila!" she exclaimed. "Look at our lovely princess! Isn't she just stunning?!"
For a moment, Emil forgot what speech even was, struck dumb by the absolute beauty of the woman before him. He took a few moments to take in the radiant beauty that was Princess Amika. "Absolutely beautiful," he breathed, eyes full of adoration.
Lukas smirked at his younger brother. "Radiant, your highness. You leave me breathless."
The younger knight shot a quick glare to his brother. How was he able to say things that he was unable to?
When her honey-brown orbs met with Emil's excellent eyes, the princess's heart felt whole. She smiled and blushed like the maiden she was, the dress framing her so perfectly. She glanced up at Lukas, the softest blush on her cheeks. "Thank you." She curtsied gracefully, eyes looking over at Emil with a smile. She twirled around for show, a bright smile on her cheeks.
Emil watched as she proudly showed off her dress. It left him completely breathless. The way she smiled and blushed at him, and how she twirled so gracefully. If he wasn't already so madly in love with her, he's certain he would've fallen in love right in that moment.
Lili smiled brightly. "Sir Lukas, you speak so eloquently," she complimented. "Why can't you say such things to me when I get new dresses."
"I give credit where credit is due, Lady Lili," he simply implied.
Enraged, the blonde leapt at him. "I dare you to say that again!"
Amika was so enthralled with Emil she completely ignored Lili and Lukas' banter and the fact Lili had a murderous look in her eyes upon the "insult". She did laugh, under her breath, though; how could she not? The two of them were so silly!
The princess walked over to Emil, the dress trailing behind her perfectly. "What do you think, Sir Emil?" she asked, a gentle smile on her face. "They say that the dress makes the woman." She twirled around right in front of him, hair moving in unison with her. "Do I look the part of a Princess?"
Emil struggled for a moment to find his voice. Did she look the part of a Princess? Of course! Did she act the part of a Princess? Absolutely! Was she a princess? Indeed! Was Amika the most breathtaking woman he had ever laid eyes upon? Without a doubt.
"Has there ever been a doubt in your mind?" he asked her with a wink. "Princess Amika, if I may be forward for one moment, you could wear a beggar's rags and still look lovelier than any other Princess in all of the world. I truly mean that."
Lukas, having broken free from Lili, nudged his elbow into his brother's ribs. "Well look who found his voice," he teased.
Emil huffed and rolled his eyes.
The princess froze, a heavy blush creeping onto her delicate face as she bit down on the inside of her cheek - Emil was such a smooth-talker when he wanted to be; and yet, one would not think it so when they first met him with how clumsy and easily-embarrassed he could sometimes get.
It was endearing to her, though, and always had been.
"Thank you, Emil," she squeaked out, her hands together in front of her shyly, butterflies filling her chest as they always did when her lover was around; oh how she adored calling him that in her mind; her lover...It was so romantic. Since when had she become a heroine of a most beautifully written fairytale? "Flattery will take you everywhere," she added, tone more playful as she teased subtly, feeling comfortable with the people surrounding her in that moment. They were her closest friends and confidantes.
"Mei truly outdid herself with this gown," she breathed out, snapping out of her flustered state. "It's stunning...oh, I just know I must commission another as soon as I am able..." For a moment she entirely forgot about the issue at hand; that being her newly-discovered suitor.
At the mention of Mei, Emil felt as if he had been plunged into an ice-cold lake with large rocks tied to his feet. He suddenly felt as if he were drowning in his own thoughts. His mind suddenly went to the information his mother had given him about the twins, and who their mother was. A lump formed in his throat as he realized that one day he would need to be honest with Amika about how he fathered Mattie and Liora, yet he had no idea when a good day would come.
Lili frolicked over to Amika and began to fiddle with the lace and bows on the gown. "Do you think she could commission one for me as well?" she mused. "I would love to have such a fabulous dress as well!"
Lukas scoffed. "Mei Mei's dresses wouldn't suit you, Lili," he simply replied with a sigh.
"You make me so mad! Just get out of here already, Lukas!" she roared.
Amika's gentle laugh filled the room as she turned glanced over at Lukas, "I'm sure Mei could make even Lili appear beautiful," she countered with a teasing tone matching his own as she turned to Lili with amused eyes. "But to answer your question without tormenting you so - I am certain she would appreciate the business, she runs a boutique afterall." Admittedly, teasing Lili was something Amika didn't do too often, but found plenty of entertainment in it when she did. It was harmless banter - and, perhaps, payback for all the times Lili would terribly embarrass the young princess in a similar manner. Little stolen moments such as these, eternally stored away in her mind and heart, would remain there even through the trials of time.
"What do you think, Emil?" she asked as the gown swished perfectly with her movement as she turned and looked over at him, smiling. "Do you think Mei's dresses could make Lili even prettier than she already is?" She changed her position so her hands were holding Lili's shoulders, amiably hugging her friend from behind. When her eyes met Emil she felt a sense of dread she couldn't explain; he seemed distracted, lost in his thoughts. Was everything okay? "Emil...?" she repeated, eyebrows furrowed, "Are you well?"
The younger knight snapped out of his trance-like state upon hearing his lover call his name. "Yes, I am well," he replied with a smile. "Sorry for worrying you, my princess. I was just thinking over the things I have done today and was making sure that I remember what I have left to do." Though he hated lying to her, he knew that it was better this way.
Lili giggled, imagining the dress she could ask Mei to sew for her. "Perhaps I could ask for a blue or a light green gown?" she mused aloud. "Those colors look splendid on me! They'll help me capture the eye of any man that I may come across!"
Lukas couldn't hide his scoff of distaste. "Is that all you think about?" he sighed. "Lady Lili, please have more respect for yourself. You should probably become more of a lady before forcing a man to put up with your antics."
She lunged at the older knight once again. "I swear, Lukas, if I hear you comment on my mannerisms one more time, I'll end you!"
"This is what I'm talking about! What sort of proper lady does this?! I would never marry you!"
"Good! Because I'd never marry a fool like you either!"
Truthfully, Amika felt her worry for Emil only increase further - he was acting strange, but she tried to brush it off; after all she often fell into her own thoughts as well, overthinking was an easy hole to fall into and thus she shouldn't fixate on this. Regardless, her own attention soon turned towards Lili and Lukas and their shenanigans. Truly, one could expect better from a lady and the captain of the royal guard than such childish behaviour - but Amika wouldn't have it any other way because this made her feel as though she had a family, albeit a messy, non-blood related one.
"Come now, Lukas, I'm sure someone would love to wed Lili," she stated, defending her friend with a soft, amused tone.
Lili smirked and stuck her tongue out at Lukas, "See?" she hummed, "Ami agrees with me, ha!"
After a short moment of silence, Amika spoke up again, "On second thought, we better send a letter to Vash begging to give Lili a larger dowry to make her more eligible..." The gown beautifully flowed with her body as she slowly walked around the room with her hands behind her back, an air of frolic in her step as she further teased the poor blonde.
"Wha- Ami! Come back here," Lili cried out dramatically, chasing the princess around the chambers, huffing but all in good fun.
"Ah!" Amika exclaimed, breathlessly laughing. "Emil, protect me!" Amika rushed over to Emil, hiding behind him like a meek churchmouse.
Lukas laughed loudly in agreement with Amika's suggestion regarding Lili's brother. "I'm on it, your highness!" he jokingly assured, doing his best to hold the struggling blonde back but to no avail. "She's after you, Princess Amika! Run for it!" He then turned toward his brother. "Protect our princess, Emil! It's up to you! You're the only one who can save her from the beast!"
"Beast?!" Lili shouted. "Just you wait until I'm finished here, and I'll get back to you!"
The princess held onto Emil tightly, trying to hold back the giggles. "Lady Lili is after my very life! Oh, the woe!" she dramatically exclaimed. "Whatever did I do to deserve such betrayal!"
Admittedly, her cheeks grew a shade of cherry blossom pink when he referred to her as his princess - oh, the effect this man had on her...
Emil stood in a professional guarding stance to add more to their playful game as Amika "cowered" behind him. Though he knew it was all for fun, he liked the idea of protecting his love. It made him feel proud and honorable. "Don't worry, my princess, I'll protect you with my life," he assured. "Lady Lili, I order you to cease!"
"Or what?" she mocked, going along with the charade. "Do you believe that you have the power to stop someone such as myself?" Lili stopped before Emil and stood in a powerful villainess stance. "Hand over the princess, knight, and no one shall be harmed."
"It is my sworn duty to protect her," he replied, standing his ground. "And that's what I shall do."
Lili smirked. "You dare to challenge me? Do you have any idea who you are dealing with, brave knight?"
Lukas then jumped between Emil and Lili. "Take the princess to safety! I'll hold her back! Run, Emil! Go!" Without another word, he hoisted Lili over his shoulder. "Run!"
Emil took the princess's hand and ran her behind her changing screen. "You are safe now, Amika," he told her, chuckling at Lili's cries of protest and Lukas' playful laughter.
She watched the scene play out, more amused than she had been for a very long time - this was like her own personal theatre company all in the comfort of her own chambers. Soft laughs escaped her sculpted lips as she covered her mouth with her dainty hand. It...felt sweet, seeing Emil defend her from "evil".This was the kind of playful fun she had longed for; this sense of real family. Though it made her think back on her youthful years of early development and how, once-upon-a-time, she and Leon had been close enough to mess around so foolishly as well - but that was long ago, before they were both ushered to their respectable studies and roles in life.
What she hadn't expected was for Lukas to jump in-between, catching Lili - and herself - off-guard. "Woah!" she exclaimed as he took her hand and they hurried behind the shelter of her changing screen. It felt far more intimate than it should - being so close to Emil behind a changing screen, knowing that they were hidden from sight and yet there was a risk of being...caught - if they decided to do anything...inappropriate.
With a heavy blush she smiled alluringly, pushing herself into his chest as she embraced him, "Thank you, oh brave knight," she whispered tenderly, heart beating profoundly in her chest as Lili's cries of "Release me, you scoundrel!" filled her bedroom. She pulled away just enough to look up into his eyes with the purest love sparkling in her own.
Emil seized the moment that his brother and Lady Lili had so graciously given him. His hands rested firmly on the princess's waist as he pulled her in closer to him and pressed his lips to hers for a brief moment. How he wished that such a perfect moment could last forever!
Emil's body so close to hers...their lips touching, the sensation of her waist held by his strong, chiselled arms - it was all so perfect, so ideal. How did she get so lucky? Emil was...he was the perfect lover, there was simply no other way of putting it; he was everything Amika could ever hope for and so much more. The way he could set her heart on fire with one wink was enough to make her bit her lip in flustered anticipation. If only they were alone this very moment - no, she...she shouldn't think such unladylike thoughts.
"Would you be so kind as to honor me with your presence in the garden after nightfall tonight?" he whispered into her ear as they broke apart. "I assure that as your knight I will keep you safe, of course. No harm will come to you under my watch." He winked a violet eye at her.
Fluttering her thick eyelashes she was about to respond to his plea to meet her in the gardens, only to be cut off when she heard Lili's shocked squeal and gasped breathlessly, the atmosphere around them immediately changing into something far more tense and sinister than she wanted it to. Had her Queen-Mother entered?! Oh, that was the worst possible scenario; such giddiness going on in her chambers...she was sure mother would have her beheaded if she witnesses this.
Lili squeaked in surprise, causing Emil to snap into action, jumping out from behind the changing screen, yet standing guard in front of Amika, whom he had left behind it. He laid eyes upon a man of Asian nobility who just seemed to have sauntered into the princess's chambers.
When Emil rushed out behind the screen the princess instinctively reached for him but then stopped herself, reminding herself that this was a strange situation and her position was better left as is until they knew who was here.
Lukas had already approached the man, Lili cowering behind him. "And who might you be, sir?" he demanded, all previous playfulness forgotten as his tone turned icy and threatening. "Are you aware that it is forbidden to enter the bed chambers of the princess unannounced?"
Hearing Lukas speak so...coldly set sombre shivers down Amika's spine that made her feel dread in its purest form.
"So that's where I am," the Asian nobleman mused as he looked around, wide-eyed. "You know, I've never been in the bed chamber of a princess before! This is exciting!"
Emil narrowed his eyes as he positioned himself beside his brother. "Who are you, sir?"
"I'm Im Yong-Soo!" he cheerfully announced. "I guess you could say that I'm Princess Amika's fiance!"
The younger knight's heart instantly dropped as if it were made of lead. Nausea over took him as he paled.
Amika's heart pounded in her chest, this time not because of the love she felt for Emil, instead because she feared his reaction. She'd entirely forgotten to speak to him about this - they were just having so much fun that it had slipped her mind and now...now he was finding out like this...Amika ensured she was still well hidden behind her changing screen as she glanced over at her beloved, observing every move he made and she felt moments from dropping on her knees in shame and fear that he'd leave her because of this. She dared not speak, merely clenched the fabric of her delicate gown tightly, chest raising and falling as she silently reached out for Emil, trying to get him to look at her, even for a moment, to see his eyes and the emotions he may be feeling.
Lukas's glare on the young prince hardened. "Fiance or not, you are not welcome here, Prince Yong-Soo," he coldly replied. "A gentleman may not enter a lady's room without first requesting entry. I suggest that you leave now before my brother and I remove you ourselves."
"If I'm not allowed in my fiancee's room, what gives you two men the right?" the prince demanded, crossing his arms. He planted his feet firmly in place to show the blond guard that he had no intention of leaving. "Something doesn't seem right about two young men and two young women left unattended in anyone's bedchambers."
"Even if those men happen to be the captain and vice captain of the royal guard?" the older of the two simply asked, standing toe-to-toe with the intruder and looking down at him. Lukas was relieved to be at least a head taller than the prince in that moment. "What makes you think we aren't here to make sure that men such as you don't wander in here uninvited and molest our fair ladies?"
Yong-Soo shrunk back. "What sort of ill-mannered man would be allowed into the palace?"
"You would be surprised," Emil simply stated, moving to Yong-Soo's side. From this position, he had helped his brother corner the prince, making the exit his only option. "I suggest you get going now, your highness. Princess Amika will be available later on. I'm sure she will have many things to speak with you about."
Amika sucked a breath in sharply, stopping herself from crying out when he rushed out completely from behind the screen, where she silently remained as though she were not there, covering her mouth with her palm as she shut her teary eyes in shame. How could she have been so foolish as to not immediately tell Emil of this?
"Y-Yes, of course," the prince stammered. "R-Right away." The prince then scampered out the door like a frightened mouse.
Emil looked down at his boots, fighting back nausea. How could his precious Amika be engaged to someone like that?
Lili jumped on Lukas's back, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "My hero!" she cheered.
"Ew, get off of me," he groaned in response.
Hearing the situation play out, the moment when she heard the soft thud of Lili hopping onto Lukas' back like an excited bunny and Lukas' protests she knew that the intruder had left.
But she was incredibly anxious to leave her hiding spot because it meant confronting Emil and she could only pray he would not feel fury or spite towards her.
With tiny steps, the princess emerged from behind the screen, a sombre expression on her soft face which she tried to conceal with a forced smile aimed at Lukas and Lili, not wanting them to worry in the moment. "Thank you," she spoke up after a moment, keeping her distance from them all. "I'm immensely fortunate you were all here with me, I...know not what I'd do if I were alone." Honey eyes kept glancing over at Emil nervously, but he was staring down at the ground. Her heart felt like it was dying seeing him so deeply dejected.
"It's my sworn duty, your highness," Lukas assured. "I was just doing what needed to be done. If he bothers you again, please don't hesitate to come find my brother or myself. We'll get him to leave you alone if that's what you wish."
With a single nod of gratitude, the princess smiled bittersweetly at Lukas, knowing that he couldn't protect her forever. A time would come, unfortunately soon, it seemed, where she'd be married off and carted away into an unknown, forsaken land as a bride of a man she could never possibly love. Try as she may, her heart was forever Emil's; she knew it was so, and that she'd never love another. Not so profoundly, intensely, deeply.
Emil bit his tongue. More than anything, he wanted to say terrible things to her. 'When were you going to tell us you were engaged?' 'Did you have plans to invite us to your wedding, or were you just going to let him announce when you were married as well?' Yet as badly as he wanted to say them, he would never dare. After all, he was keeping something from her as well. He was many things, but a hypocrite was not one of them.
Once he had finally calmed down enough, he finally choked out, "So a fiance, huh?"
Truth be told, Amika hadn't expected Emil to speak up at all, and when he did she selfishly wished he hadn't; his tone cut right through her, tearing her in half. He was so angry! She could tell in his voice alone. She couldn't blame him for it - he was right to be furious at her. Nevertheless, it made her feel hopeless.
"Yes," she sucked a breath back, trying to keep her voice from trembling, "...a fiance." She confirmed, unable to look at him, now she was the one staring at the ground. Technically he was only a suitor until said otherwise, but she didn't feel as if pointing that out in the moment would help quell the rage in his bones.
Lili, realising the situation was dire - and it was a worst-case scenario, really - took a deep breath and hurried over to Amika, holding her hand as a way of saying that she was here for her, and then turned towards Emil - admittedly very frustrated at his tone and choice of language used to speak to his princess. Lover or not, it wasn't right.
"Yes, Emil - her fiance," she huffed, pulling the princess into a tight hug and glaring at him as she held Amika close to her, making sure that she couldn't look over at Emil from the position. "Her fiance who she only found out about herself today, because no one has had the courtesy to inform the princess of this life-changing information." Her tone was snarky and passive-aggressive, perhaps a little too much.
"L-Lili, that's enou-" Amika whispered softly to her friend, body shaking in her arms but Lili only tightened her grip, staring Emil down - it wasn't her fault that she couldn't stand Emil being so accusatory towards her, so...bitter. She did not deserve such treatment from one who claimed to support her unconditionally.
"Besides, Sir Emil, you ought to know better than to speak to your princess in such an uncouth manner." Admittedly that had been cruel of Lili to say, reminding him of his place had not been the best idea to diffuse the situation but she couldn't stop herself!
Amika managed to pull herself away from Lili's grasp, shakily stating, "I said that's enough, I..." She was at a loss of words as she swallowed thickly, turning to face Emil but unable to look at him, so she turned to see Lukas, and then Lili, and then Emil - the room started to spin and her heart felt as though it would give her cardiac arrest. Anxious panic consumed her and she did not know what to say or do, tears welling in her honey eyes as she attempted to keep herself together.
"I-I...I.." Shouldn't a princess speak eloquently? Why did she fail to accomplish that? "Must attend to my duties!" she lied, running out of her own chambers - past Lukas and Emil as the trail of her gown flowed behind her, running as far as her legs would take her, not realising that the peony she had adorned her hair with each day had fallen behind her as she hurried outside.
"Ami, wait!" Lili cried out as she failed to stop the princess from leaving, upset with the situation and her own actions. Why couldn't she just let things play out naturally? Why could she never stay out of these things and cause more drama? What was wrong with her?
"I don't know what just happened, but I suggest you go and patrol now," Lukas snarled at his brother. "I'll check on the princess. After all, the one she appears to be upset with is you." He quickly turned on his heel and followed after Amika.
Emil felt sick to his stomach. All of this was his fault. Why couldn't he have just not said anything at all? With a sigh, he simply walked straight past Lili and into the hallway. His violet gaze then fell upon the peony on the marble floor. He knelt down to pick it up, despair in his gaze as he stared forlornly at the small flower in his palm. Careful not to crush it, he tucked the flower into his breast pocket beside his own, deciding to return it to her once they've both calmed down. If she would choose to accept it at that point. With a heavy heart, he began to patrol the palace.