WARNING: This fanfiction is NanoFate and it is rated M for strong and/or violent content and situations, as well as intimate scenes between two women. If this type of content is not to your liking, please do not read it.

DISCLAIMER: MSLN Characters belong to their rightful owners. All the situations and characters presented in this work are fictitious, any similarity with real, historical, or present situations or individuals, it is not intentional.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTES: Last weekend there were two chapters published, I just want to make sure you all did not miss the chapter called "Gazes" because it's very significant to the story! As always thanks to everyone reading and reviewing

Anyways... on to the story now...

"Till the End of Times" by Aleksei Volken

Chapter 8. WARRIORS

Nanoha woke up very early that morning. Her whole body ached despite the potion Shamal, her physician, had given her the night before and her medical care. The one thing that drink did help her with was that she was able to sleep without any kind of dreams.

The day before she had remained almost all day in her room, recovering. Fate had come by to see how she was doing several times during the day, but her visits were short and concise, barely asking "How are you feeling?" and "Let me know if you need anything" before leaving almost as fast as she had arrived almost without looking at her.

Nanoha sighed feeling pain in a lot of different points across her body, too many to count them as she got up.

It was not long before Hayate and Shamal went into her room to see how her morning was going. The day before neither of her countrywomen nor Alicia had left her bedside.

"How are you feeling today?" Hayate asked with a warm and comforting smile.

"Hmmm…" she answered with an ambiguous gesture. Finally standing up, she felt like a herd of wild horses had trampled over her, but she would not admit that to anyone, not even her confidants.

"Well, since you are in such a good mood today, I want to inform you that your special guard is awaiting you for a special appointment."

Nanoha and Shamal looked at Hayate clueless.

Shamal had never been an early riser. Hayate was always ahead of her in that aspect and that day had not been the exception. She was up and ready before the sun had come up and even at such an early hour, Vita was already standing guard at Nanoha's door.

As far as she had explained to Hayate she had an important mission that Fate had entrusted her for Lady Nanoha.

After the events that happened the day before, Vita had stopped referring to Nanoha as "Hey, you", to address her in a much more formal and respectful way. The change did not go unnoticed to Hayate, but even as much as she pushed to get to know what her special mission was, Vita did not tell her a word.

So at that moment, unlike Shamal and Nanoha, she was dying of curiosity. She even went looking for Alicia to find out what her sister was up to, but the blonde was equally puzzled like she was. Maybe even more.

After explaining the situation to Nanoha in the shortest way possible, she managed to convince her to receive the warrior after breakfast. Shamal checked Nanoha up, changed some bandages, and helped her dress while Hayate had their service for breakfast brought to them in Nanoha's room.

Alicia joined them as soon as she knew they would be having their food in Nanoha's chamber, motivated as well by Hayate's comment of Vita coming to see Nanoha, so she could also know what was that important task Fate had assigned to her.

Hayate and Alicia seemed far more interested than Nanoha who was intrigued but without giving much importance to it.

So, after a while, Vita entered with a very formal attitude as the four women sitting at the table were chatting idly after their usual frugal morning meal.

Nanoha who was still bringing a berry to her mouth almost choked when Vita addressed her.

"My Lady," she said lightly bowing and with her hand at the handle of her sword.

For a moment she doubted if the warrior was in fact, referring to her, and she was tempted to look around, but Vita's gaze was set on her and only her.

"Yes?" Nanoha replied, straightening up in her seat.

"My Lady Fate has entrusted me with the mission of teaching you the art of defense and the appropriate use of weapons," Vita announced just like that.

Nanoha's eyebrows shot up in surprise to then be frowned showing her dislike but before she could say anything Shamal was ahead of her.

"That is impossible," the physician stated looking at Vita. "My Lady..." she explained, emphasizing the possessive since she was also quite taken aback by Vita's new way of treating Nanoha, "...received significant internal injuries yesterday. She cannot have any physical strain for the next few days."

"It's important that she starts now," Vita insisted as if Shamal had not said a thing. "In battle you receive punches, she must overcome that and start her training."

Shamal did not even give time for Nanoha to complain.

"Absolutely not, Nanoha-chan is not a barbaric warrior like the lot of you." Vita shot Shamal a killer look while Hayate tried to hide her laughter. "She is a lady."

"A lady that cannot defend herself," Vita rebuffed.

"Knight Vita," Alicia intervened with a serious voice reprimanding the warrior of the guard. She had almost reacted in the same way as Nanoha to the announcement. Surprise at first followed by annoyance. "So that's my sister's brilliant idea. By the Gods."

But she refrained from voicing her thoughts out loud and concentrated on controlling Vita. "Modulate your comments to your Lady."

Much to everyone's surprise, Vita conceded and bowing her head she explained again. "Those are Fate's orders."

"I do not care what she orders," Nanoha finally said, tired of having everyone speak for her, "She doesn't even know or care whether I want, need or even if I am able to do that."

No one said a word. Alicia knew that was coming, if her dumb sister had told her something, they could have avoided this new conflict, especially considering the situation.

Even Vita seemed shocked after Nanoha's argument, blinking several times surprised. Never had she considered Nanoha would not want to follow the warrior's path.

"I will talk to my sister," Alicia volunteered. "You are not at fault Vita. Also, as counselor Shamal mentions, Nanoha cannot do any physical activity at the moment."

Vita tried to protest but Alicia cut down all her objections with the same arguments until the warrior had to accept with resignation.

When Vita left the room, everyone was expecting for Nanoha to start bickering about Fate, but the outburst never arrived. She simply stood up and walked towards the window where she leaned in just to look out at the castle's yard.

Her friends stayed with her a little while longer but realizing she was serene, they left her so she could rest. Alicia was worried because soon Veyron's situation would have to be decided and she was sure Nanoha would have a major role in it, so she needed her to be as composed and recovered as possible.

All day long, Nanoha stayed in her room, still puzzled by Vita's offering, which actually was an order from Fate. The news had triggered a series of contradictory thoughts and mixed feelings.

"Who the hell told that arrogant and prepotent woman that I want to learn the 'art of defense' in that way?" Nanoha kept thinking while circling her room almost frantically. "Can't she imagine who will be the first person I will want to be defending myself from?" Were just some of the questions going on in her mind over and over again during her internal monologue of personal questioning.

Although that same monologue made her realize it really had no point considering defending herself from Fate anymore. Even in her anger, she recognized that ever since she had left the room for herself, she had made no attempt to touch her anymore. But it did not completely stop her line of thought to keep traveling that path along with her irritation.

"She did not even come in person to offer the proposal herself!" In all truth that was probably the one thing that annoyed her the most about the whole situation.

During those terrible minutes she was subjected to Veyron's mercy, fervently wishing to be able to face him and kick his ass for daring to violate her dignity in that way, she had felt deeply vulnerable and weak.

And for a brief moment she wished she had not rejected all her siblings' attempts to train her.

But she did not enjoy training. Her siblings were expert and lethal warriors, just like their father was and they had offered to train her many times. But they were not savage and barbaric warriors like the Belkan. No, they were spiritual and mystical warriors who trained for years to dominate the inner impulses to avoid combat. Winning a battle without fighting was the ultimate achievement a warrior like them could aspire to. That was something the Belkans would never understand and least of all, would never respect. She had purposefully decided to avoid that path of mythical and ancestral warriors of her family and now… a Belkan wanted to teach her the uncivilized techniques they used so she could defend herself?

Miyuki, who had always told her that training would be good for her temper, would have died laughing.

The irony of the situation sickened her. And to make the irony even more painful, the proposal had come from the Belkan she hated the most. Her wife.

— X —

"Do you really trust him?"

The Hegemon's expression remained unaltered. Her spokesperson was the only one who dared question her and talk to her in such a familiar way. At least she had the common sense of only doing it in private.

Except for this time, where they were not completely in private.

Precia had also summoned the head of the noble's council due to the pitiful incident Fate and Veyron starred in.

The woman joining them was not as tall as the Hegemon, or as impressive; she was not as beautiful as the spokeswoman, but all her appearance was infused with a serene and elegant tranquility that denoted her nobility.

Just as the Segbrecht, the Huckebein, the Ingvalt, the Stratos, or the Dahlgründ, the Alpine family was one of the longest lineages among the Belkans and the ones who currently headed the council.

The three women had grown together, being friends in their childhood and teenage years, but despite that, Megane Alpine always addressed Precia following the most rigorous and strict protocol even in private.

Hearing Olivie talk to her powerful cousin in such a familiar and slightly brazen way, Megane could only sigh, her lips curved faintly in a barely distinguishable smile while averting her eyes to avoid looking at Precia's reproachful look towards Olivie, concentrating in some random ornament in the Hegemon's personal study.

Several years before, her husband and former Hegemon, had set up rooms very close to the Throne Room to hold more informal meetings. Unlike the previous Hegemon's, Enzo preferred on certain occasions, to sit down and talk with his military commanders, governors, and nobles in a closer and more private way.

Precia had kept that tradition. Just as her husband had taught her, the secrecy was easier to maintain that way. Also, expectations could be controlled. The Hegemon had always been careful about not setting a pattern. She could as easily treat serious matters in either room depending on the effect she wished to have on her summoned ones, which were unaware of where the meeting would take place until the last minute.

Megane was, however, immune to those effects. She treated Precia with deference and respect, but she knew her very well. And she knew that she was not particularly happy with her cousin questioning her in that way in front of her.

"It's not a matter of trust, but of convenience, Olivie," the Hegemon answered severely after contemplating her cousin for several seconds with a penetrating look.

Another thing that annoyed the Hegemon about her cousin was that, just like Megane, she knew her perfectly. And she was unruffled under those scrutinous looks. She fulfilled her orders even if she did not agree, she did not question her in public but left her position very clear.

Like in that case.

"You are going to involve him in a very serious matter… and a very internal one, Precia. Even if we have never had any conflict with the Kingdom of Albion, and they match us in strength, we are now... weakened," Olivie argued, ignoring the evident irritation of the Hegemon for her comments.

"That's exactly why we need their support. Besides, he was Enzo's friend," Precia cleared before sentencing. "And the decision is already taken."

Both women looked at each other. Olivie knew from the beginning she could not do anything but she at least had to try and let her stand be clear.

"Fate is not going to like it."

"I am not doing it so she will like it. I am doing it because it is necessary. Besides, she has her own problems now due to that wife of hers," the Hegemon replied without hiding her contempt.

"How long do we have to prepare ourselves?" Olivie asked, back in her official role now.

"The royal emissary arrived this morning, the warrior of Albion will be here by nightfall, and the reception, although discreet, needs to meet the expectations of his rank," the Hegemon ordered in a haughty voice.

Olivie refrained from making any comment and just looked at her cousin. Precia was perfectly aware that left them little if not zero time to prepare anything and even if it was an official, discrete visit, they would be running from one way to the other doing such preparations, added that to Veyron's situation, Fate would go ballistics when she found out about the foreigner arriving. Precia knew everything, so at that moment when they were engrossed in their private duel looking at each other, the Hegemon smiled wickedly, daring Olivie to complain.

She knew and she had waited until the very last moment to tell her. She was also using her as a messenger and artifice to Fate. It was surely a scheme plotted weeks before with Fortis, who, being the head of the Huckebein family and main imperial counselor, was so upset with the treatment to his little brother, the Hegemon had required involving her at the very last minute.

Suddenly, Olivie noticed another small detail that she had overlooked. Precia must have noticed something in her look because Precia's smile straightened a bit.

Olivie realized that, had it not been for Veyron's incident, Fate would supposedly be two days into her journey to Kestrel and she would not have found out until days after their sudden visit. It almost seemed as if Precia had planned everything to happen exactly like that, and Olivie looked at her cousin, frowning unconsciously.

That was one of the advantages of knowing each other so well.

The Hegemon widened her smile for Olivie. "I was not expecting such a quick response from Albion, much less such a prompt arrival, I would have loved to give you more time dear cousin but I know this is something you can handle."

Olivie bowed her head.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence… Your Highness, now if I may be excused, I will see to it right now."

She left, leaving Precia alone with Megane.

"Even after all these years, Her Majesty continues tormenting Olivie tirelessly," Megane pointed out with a faint smile on her lips but a shadow of sadness in her eyes.

Precia burst into laughter. "I have no idea what you are talking about, you know I'd be lost without her."

The Hegemon had been sitting down during all the exchange, while Olivie and Megane had remained standing up. The two of them were alone now, but Precia did not invite Megane to sit down.

"I know. She has been the one by your side after our beloved Hegemon Enzo died," she paused to briefly gaze at her childhood friend. "In fact, she has been by your side, long before that… Your Highness."

Precia made a gesture with derision and stood up. The look she shot back at her made it clear that Megane should not scour through the path.

"The reason I summoned you, besides your participation on the regrettable show my daughter and Veyron put together, is to manage the expectations of the other noble houses regarding our visitor," Precia said, drastically changing the subject.

"I understand the reasons," Megane responded quietly. "I will talk to them. I don't think there will be any problem. However, I do believe the incident between Fate and Veyron will cause us all more… confrontations. Even though most agree Veyron acted wrongly, some oppose a punishment… too harsh."

Precia kept in silence for a few seconds. "We will wait and see how Fate handles the situation."

"She will have my full support on any decision," Megane clarified with conviction, she was completely confident in Fate's sense of justice and she sympathized for having the Hegemon always testing her heiress at all times, even on such delicate matters. "But she has a difficult decision on her hands. Whatever she decides will determine her future as leader of the Belkan Empire."

"Certainly," Precia concurred. "That's exactly what I have been trying to make her understand in regards to her marriage with Nihon's heiress. That marriage was only for the sake and wellbeing of the Empire! And now look at the show she has put together just to defend her wife at all costs."

"That's what Her Majesty said about your marriage with the Hegemon," Megane reminded her much to Precia's deep irritation.

"It was different," the Hegemon answered, minimizing its importance. "Enzo and I got married for convenience but we both were aware of the advantages of our agreement."

"And you both gave up the people you really loved to fulfill it at all costs… Your Highness."

Precia looked at her friend almost with antipathy.

"We all have a price to pay, Megane."

— X —

"Do you want to explain how you came up with such stupidity?"

Alicia did not even knock at Fate's study-room door when she stormed in.

Signum and Fate raised their heads from the maps they were studying, looked at each other and Signum stood and turned to leave the sisters alone. She knew perfectly well when Alicia let loose her temper there was nothing to do but face her. Fate had no choice.

After Signum stepped out, Fate gave a dead serious look to her sister.

"If you explain to me what you are talking about…"

"That brilliant idea of Vita training Nanoha!"

Fate blinked twice, surprised. Alicia looked extremely furious and if she was so pissed off… surely someone else was even more.

"Well… after what happened with Veyron I just thought…"

"And you had to do it in that way? By all the Gods, Fate, do you really not understand what Nanoha has been through?"

Fate remained silent, resting her hands over the table feeling the frustration taking over her. It never mattered what her intentions were, she invariably messed up with her… every single time.

"We have taken every single thing from her, her country, her freedom…" Alicia refrained from mentioning other things Fate had taken away from Nanoha, but the pause was meaningful enough for the both of them, "... and then your dear friend comes in to assault her in the way he did as if he had the right to do it, and then you top it off it when you come in all nonchalantly with your 'Well, now learn how to defend yourself'. You didn't even suggest it to her in person, Fate. Actually, I said it wrong, it wasn't even a suggestion. It was a goddamned order!"

Soft knocks on the door interrupted Alicia's furious altercation. The young woman breathed in deeply to calm down realizing she never spoke that way to Fate. They never yelled at each other and certainly, they never insulted each other in the way she had implied in a few phrases.

Both sisters looked at each other, Fate looked uptight while Alicia felt something halfways between anger at her sister and guilty for having spoken to her like that.

Without waiting any longer, the person that had knocked opened the door a couple of seconds later.

Olivie looked at both girls and without waiting for an invitation to come in that may never arrive, she simply did.

"Your conversation was perfectly clear outside, and that is unnatural between you two," Olivie said, getting closer to both but looking at Alicia in particular. The table stood between the twins but they seemed more distant than ever before. "I do not think Fate's actions should be judged that harshly, Alicia."

"Aunt Olivie…" Alicia explained, "All I am saying is that Fate could make a little effort trying to understand Nanoha's situation."

"So she can be considered kind and gentle?"

Alicia nodded looking at her aunt but by the looks of her face, she sensed that she was not going to like what the older woman had to say.

"The leader of an empire cannot afford to be considered gentle and kind, Alicia. Just like you, I find Nanoha to be a charming young woman; I truly believe she is a good person that ended up in a strategic position at a certain time. She, just like all of us, has a role to play in this moment and situation we got to live. She is as free as we are; she can undertake what her condition as heiress to the Kingdom of Nihon and Imperial Consort requires from her or she can reject that and die. Don't delude yourself thinking it is any different for us. She was aware what coming here implied, whether she accepted it or not is an entirely different matter."

Alicia and Fate did not answer, each wondering, for different reasons though, what had happened that morning to her aunt; Olivie was usually much more optimistic and glowing. She was the one encouraging them not the one that abruptly pulled them down to earth.

"We are in the middle of a crisis and it is when you two have to be closer to each other, more than ever, and not discuss things you cannot change," Olivie continued, taking one of Fate's maps and unscrolling it. Taking one of the carved paperweights that Fate used to mark positions, she placed it on the Belkan capital and then she placed another one in the distant lands of Albion. A small sea, narrow but dangerous, separated each other.

"Your mother has requested help from the King of Albion to face the crisis. She thinks it's better to have him allied than having him as a jackal waiting for our weakest moment to then jump to our throats," she explained.

"What?" Fate asked, raising her eyebrows in surprise. "Mother has not told me anything about that."

"No one knew about it," Olivie said, not without effort. "Precia claims the King's falcon arrived this morning."

"Falcon? What do you mean, aunt Olivie?" Fate took her aunt by the arm calling her by her name in a similar fashion as they did when they were little to call for her attention since the woman looked preoccupied with her own thoughts.

Inhaling deeply, Olivie turned to Fate. She was the one she was most worried about at that moment.

"An… emissary of the King will be arriving today before nightfall and we must be ready to receive him. Your mother expects the help of Albion will be fundamental to avert this crisis. Since no one is really aware of all the problems we have, the emissary comes in an official yet discrete mission," she looked at her niece and Fate could not read her aunt's look. "However, the king has sent the warrior of Albion to your mother's service…"

Fate was speechless upon her aunt's next words.

"... and will fulfill any tasks she requires of him… and will protect her in any eventuality that could arise. She says that way she will feel safer… when you are not around."

Fate dropped heavily one of the chairs unable to believe the words Olivie had just said. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind like wild horses. Among all the things her mother could do… she was taking that decision… without telling her a single thing.

"She doesn't trust me enough," Fate mumbled, to herself, more than to the two women with her.

All the fury she had been feeling moments before evaporated and Alicia reached out to rest her hand on Fate's shoulder since neither she nor Olivie knew what to say to soften what they knew the blonde was thinking.

Just as if she had realized the position of vulnerability she was showing, Fate stood up with determination.

"Let's prepare things as Mother wants, then," she said with a serious and imperturbable demeanor. "We don't have much time,"

Neither Alicia nor Olivie questioned her. Fate called Signum and Zafira and they worked with them until all the details were covered. Signum would prepare the guard for the reception and Zafira would escort the warrior and his group from the border of Dinsmark and all the way to Stier Castle.

That day they could not do much more for the Albion people as they arrived too late, but surely the next day her mother would set up different meetings, so after assigning the tasks and duties, Alicia and Olivie left Signum and Fate to prepare the information and data they would surely need for the upcoming days.

Fate, on top of all that, still had pending Veyron's trial and sentence as her responsibility despite the protests from the Huckebeins, the normal duties of the Imperial Guard, which she usually shared with Veyron, the investigation to the Florian sisters, the coordination of the mission to Kestrel and all the disturbances caused by the rebels. With a long sigh she wished for Victoria and Micaiah to be there with her and not on their way to Kestrel… and then… it finally dawned to her... the same realization Olivie had reached not long before.

It was just circumstantial she was still there. The warrior of Albion would have arrived while she was on her way to Kestrel. And then she started wondering what were truly her mother's intentions for that decision.

Almost simultaneously, Alicia and Olivie were headed to their respective tasks. Alicia wanted to let Nanoha know that as Imperial Consort she had to be present in the reception and she wanted her to be ready. She had suggested Fate she be the one to talk to her and make sure Nanoha would be ready and on time.

"My mother had not been in touch with Albion in years," Alicia suddenly said. An alert in her head had gone off the moment her aunt had told them the news. "Why now all of a sudden? Why like this?"

"The king was a good friend of your father," was Olivie's only answer.

"He came to pay his respects for the funerals but had not heard from him since then." Olivie just nodded at her niece's words.

"Even if it is known the King of Albion is tough and relentless, he is also fair. He never entirely agreed to the expansion plans your mother rolled out ten years ago. He…" Olivie said, again as if it was painful for her. "He said that all of this, which is happening now, would inevitably happen."

"He told my mother then? When dad died?"

"No," Olivie answered after pondering. "He told her a couple of years later when the expansion campaign was rolling. He told her to forget about those plans that would not bring anything good and… he proposed to your mother to marry him."

Alicia halted, flabbergasted with her mouth wide open. She and Fate were fifteen when their father had died. Her mother was scared to death about the family's destiny, Fate was the heiress but she was not strong enough yet. That's why she had launched the frantic expansion campaign, attacking before being attacked.

"I never…" Alicia started.

"No one did. Precia did not consider it a viable alternative back then… Now she might think differently," Olivie cut her off with a dejected and somber attitude Alicia had never seen before.

— X —

Nanoha looked exquisite in her striking deep blue long dress, while Shamal and Hayate finished touching up her hair she would wear that night. She had not dressed that elegantly since her wedding day.

Alicia had come to see her before lunch to announce them about the sudden visit of Albion's emissary. Hayate obviously knew everything about Albion and talked excitedly about the warrior when Alicia told them who was coming. Nanoha had heard about them but they were so far away from Nihon, they had never had a direct relationship with the Saxons and she was definitely not nearly as well informed as Hayate was.

Be that as it may, she was surprised by Hayate's enthusiasm. According to her counselor, the Warrior of Albion was the warrior of warriors, practically a living legend and she could not wait to have the honor of meeting him. She and Shamal spent the whole afternoon talking about all they have heard about the mythical warrior even though Shamal said, timidly at the end, that unless seeing him in person, for her Signum was the most complete picture of a true warrior.

Hayate made fun of her all afternoon for that comment. Nanoha was intrigued but nothing further than that, she really was not yet in the mood for those official meetings but Alicia had insisted so much on the importance of her participation in the event and that she had to look spectacular that she had no choice but to accept. Her wife's sister even asked from her, almost as a personal favor, to be kind and courteous with their visitors that night… and the days to come."

Taking into account they were not Belkan, the evident enthusiasm Hayate was displaying and that their reputation of being noble and brave knights, and not barbaric savages like their hosts, preceded them, Nanoha believed she could be politically correct treating them. Maybe she could even like them.

Also by that time, she was very intrigued to meet them.

Soft knocks on the door indicated it was time. Hayate and Shamal were ready as well, beautiful and elegant, but could not nearly compete with Nanoha's splendid appearance and bearing who simply looked ravishing. Even with the small cuts on her face that Shamal had not been able to hide away with powders, she looked regal, just like a queen.

"Come in," Nanoha said, sitting straight and wondering who it could be. Alicia had told her Fate would come for her, but Fate always came in unannounced, which was the reason that she had been ready, or at least fully dressed, long before the scheduled time.

Much to her surprise, it was Fate who came in after she had indicated her authorization to enter.

Her wife entered and stood by the door just watching her.

Even if her face would not reveal it, Fate was both breathless and speechless just looking at her wife, with her heart quickly pounding its way out of her chest. Almost like the first time she laid eyes on her in Nihon. Almost, because that time she had not been paralyzed without knowing what to say.

"Testarossa-san," Hayate called her bringing Fate back to reality. "You look very elegant tonight."

That night, Fate had chosen her black full dress uniform as Marshal of the Imperial Guard with red and gold motifs, along with the white cape and the brooch that invested her as heiress to the empire.

Hayate's voice also broke the trance into which Nanoha had fallen to, which she quickly blamed it only to her surprise of Fate actually knocking on the door and waiting to enter, and not because she was spellbound just looking at her. At that moment, she noticed an impressive sword on her belt she had not seen her wearing before.

Protocol dictated that ceremonial swords were to be worn for social events, but for Nanoha, that sword seemed perfectly capable of battle.

"Thank you… Yagami-san," Fate answered and to everyone's surprise, she did something no one would have ever imagined. She blushed.

Slightly clearing her throat, Fate fixed her cape that did not need any fixing and gathered her self control back. "Shall we? They should not take long and we have to be in the Throne Room before my mother arrives."

With a somewhat insecure attitude, she approached Nanoha and offered her arm.

"I can walk fine by myself," was her blunt answer and started walking without waiting for anyone.

Hayate and Shamal rushed behind her while Fate stayed in there for a few more seconds. It was until she consciously relaxed and breathed at last that she realized her jaw was tense from clenching her teeth together and for the strength with which she was grabbing the handle of her sword.

When she finally left the room, she found her wife and her counselors waiting for her by the end of the hallway.

"You promised, Nanoha-chan," Fate managed to overhear Hayate speaking to her wife.

Fate approached them and without looking at her wife, invited them to continue their way.

She did not offer her arm again to Nanoha until they arrived at the side door of the Throne Room, where they would take their place for the welcome reception.

Before entering, Fate turned and looked directly into her wife's blue eyes. Nanoha breathed in and got ready to counter anything Fate would tell her but those words she was expecting never arrived. Fate only looked at her until Nanoha could only feel something melting inside her under that look.

The guard opened the door and right until that moment, Fate lifted her arm again.

"You just need to touch my arm until we get to our places," she told her, but more than her words it was the look that crossed through those crimson eyes that made Nanoha lightly rest her hand on the requested place.

Walking up the steps to the elegant seats they would take, which were a couple of levels below the Hegemon's Throne, Nanoha had to hold on tighter to Fate's arm. She turned slightly to look at her wife but Fate continued looking straight ahead as if the contact had not happened.

The Throne Room was full. All the nobles were anxious with the sudden news and especially to meet the legendary warrior.

The Hegemon's Throne was placed at the top level, with the most privileged view, while Fate's and Nanoha's places occupied provisional places below to her right, while Alicia and Olivie's were at the same level on her left. They had arrived earlier, and barely a couple of minutes after Nanoha and Fate took their places the sound of trumpets announced Precia's entrance.

The Hegemon entered fashioning her most elegant white cape with purple motifs and a dress in the same color but with a darker shade.

All the presents bowed or kneeled to the Hegemon and they stood up until she was installed in her position of honor. Two stomps on the floor indicated the guest of honor was at the door.

The enormous doors opened.

Nanoha bent over slightly forward while the doors opened.

A single figure stood still and it was almost possible to hear everyone holding their breath expectantly.

The legendary warrior they were waiting for was a woman.

She was blonde, and although she wore her hair in a high hairstyle, two strands of golden hair fell gracefully framing a perfectly chiseled and serene face. She was covered by a regal dark blue riveted cape and underneath a silver shining armor covering a long blue dress.

The warrior was holding her magnificent sword with blue sheath and golden engravings.

Nanoha, who knew next to nothing about swords, was marveled by the beauty of the weapon in the hands of the foreign warrior; the Belkans were gaping. Nanoha did not even notice the way Fate was looking at her at that moment.

The voice of the imperial sentry, who was drooling watching the guest and had to be snapped out of his stupor by a smack from Zafira, was heard announcing the warrior which helped everyone else break from their own absorption.

"Saber of Albion!"

With that, the warrior that had been standing completely still and with her gaze down looked up and walked with firm steps up to the mandatory distance where, with a graceful movement, kneeled down and bowed to the Hegemon of the Belkan Empire.

"King Uther Pendragon of Albion sends his regards, Your Highness. My sword and my life are at your service."

Precia smiled and standing up from her throne, descended the steps until she stood in front of the one sent from Albion.

"Rise, Warrior of Albion, be welcome."

With that, Saber stood up and it was until then that Nanoha could see the newly arrived had beautiful, deep, and penetrating green eyes which at that moment met hers and they looked at each other for an instant.

The court who had been holding their breath, bedazzled, exploded in claps and cheers, mostly to relieve the tension than to welcome the newcomer.

The first introduction corresponded to Fate as Imperial Heiress. At her mother's signal, she and Nanoha raised up and the red-haired noticed that this time Fate did not offer her arm but rather held her arm to walk down the steps up to where Precia and Saber awaited.

"Fate Testarossa," she said with a formal tone once Fate was in front of the guest; she was taller than Saber but seeing them both together had left more than one -men and women- from the court slightly fainting.

"Saber of Albion," the foreign warrior responded in the same tone

Both blondes look at each other before very slightly bowing their heads.

"My… wife," Fate said, taking Nanoha by the arm again. The aforementioned looked at her slightly surprised but managed to hold back before saying anything. "I also have a name… And I am much more than just 'your' wife!" she thought affronted.

"Takamachi Nanoha," Nanoha said before Fate said anything else and bowed lightly with a genuine smile. To everyone's surprise, Saber smiled back, a slight almost shy smile, and extended her hand to take Nanoha's and bowed to her.

"It is a pleasure, My Lady," was all she said.

Nanoha immediately liked that formal and well-mannered young woman.

"Seems we both like blue," Nanoha said, still smiling.

Saber's smile widened a little. "My Lady looks beautiful in that dress, it's a type of beauty a warlike dress could never achieve."

"How should we address you, Warrior of Albion?" Precia asked at that moment, interrupting the conversation going on and basically ignoring Nanoha's presence.

Saber turned to the Hegemon to answer and just until that moment, Nanoha turned and her smile disappeared when she realized Fate was looking penetratingly and deadly serious at her, almost frowning and her eyes looked much more darker than usual.

"Just Saber, Your Highness. I am but a humble servant to the King of Albion, now at our service," she answered.

"You will have to let me know how Uther is after so many years," Precia said. "Now let us welcome you... Saber."

Precia lifted her hand so that Saber, as her shining new knight would guide her to make the next introductions personally.

During the rest of the night, the Belkan Throne Room was boisterous and overflowing with laughs, food, music, and lightened conversations. Everyone was euphoric and fascinated, completely starstruck by the golden warrior with her charm, gallantry, gentleness, and indisputable nobility.

Everyone but Fate, who a little away from everything, clenching her sword as if wanting to hurt her, just silently watched how Nanoha was smiling and amicably speaking for a long while with the Warrior of Albion.

But she was not the only one apart from others and paying close attention.

Olivie alternatively looked at Fate and at Precia. Precia was scrutinizing everyone but her. Fate only looked at Nanoha.

Alicia looked at everyone and no one was looking at her.

And Nanoha… Nanoha seemed to only have eyes for Saber.

— X —

Author's (original) Note: Yes, it's Saber from Fate/Stay Night. A character gently borrowed for this story and invited as a special guest star, not intended to be a crossover of some sort.