"Ahh, I'm almost done. Today was such a doozy."
Emilia sat in her room, studying to try and become the next ruler of Lugunica. Lately it's been really tiring for her as she didn't have time for anything, which was a major issue. Subaru's birthday was coming up and she hasn't had time to go and get him a present.
Emilia herself knew that she didn't have to buy something extravagant, as Subaru told her many times it's the thought that counts. Even so, her present has to have meaning behind it as she didn't want Subaru to think lowly of her.
"Annnd done. I'm worn out." As Emilia wrapped up her studies, she laid back against the window to see Subaru outside with Beatrice. Emilia herself hasn't noticed, but at times, she would stare at Subaru with tender eyes. She had been doing that ever since Subaru's ceremony, sometimes everyone but Subaru would notice the way Emilia looks at Subaru.
As Emilia viewed Subaru from a distance, there was a knock on the door. "Emilia-sama, may I come in?"
"Yes, please come in." Emilia gave permission to enter her room.
"I see you have finished your studies, but I've come to inform you that Roswaal is heading out to make more connections with some nobles that have given thought to aiding you in the royal selection. So, he won't be here for a week or so." Ram came over to give Emilia some tea as she gave her the news.
As Ram was leaving, she noticed how Emilia never once looked at Ram, instead she was looking out the window, looking at Subaru. "I will never know what you see him."
Emilia didn't hear Ram say this as she left, as she was too occupied thinking about what she should do for Subaru's birthday. She was free for the next few days and she has to use her time wisely. Normally, she would use this time to hang out with Subaru but she wouldn't be able to get him a present. But lately, it's rare to even hear Subaru's voice. The past couple of days have been her sitting in her room studying. That's how life in the mansion was before Subaru came along.
Before her fated trip to the capital, she had spent most of her time studying for the Royal Selection. No one had interacted with her unless they had to. Roswaal had always left her in the dark while looking to gain more support for Emilia, Ram had only interacted with her on Roswaal's orders, and Beatrice would ignore Emilia in favor of Puck. Even Puck had sometimes been too busy playing with Beatrice, leaving Emilia alone. Luckily, she had her minor spirits that she would talk to at times; they would always cheer her up if they ever noticed she was down.
But that all changed when Subaru came along. To have someone finally look at her without having fear or disgust in their eyes was a wonderful feeling. No matter what it was, whenever she thinks back to Subaru, it makes her incredibly happy. If she could, she would spend all her time with Subaru.
Emilia noticed the sun was setting so she had a little while before she headed to bed, she wasn't one to sleep late. She decided with the little time she had; it would be used to spend this time with Subaru as he spent many of his days working hard with Beatrice and Clind.
She noticed that Subaru wasn't outside anymore, so the other place he could have gone to was his room. Before she would head out, she had to change her clothing.
After changing into her gown, Emilia made her way to Subaru's room. Before she entered Subaru's room, Beatrice came out.
"If you're coming to check on Subaru then you're too late, I suppose. He's already went to sleep from exhausting his mana and his training with that creepy man, in fact." Beatrice continued to inform Emilia of Subaru's current state.
"Oh, then I'll see him tomorrow morning, I guess." Emilia was disappointed, but she understood. Beatrice noticed this on Emilia's face and sighed.
"If it makes you happy, Betty will send Subaru to your room as soon as he wakes up, I suppose." Beatrice acted as if it was a crime for Subaru to hang out with anyone but her. Emilia didn't mind this as she knew Beatrice gets really shy with people, except for Subaru and Emilia.
Lately, Beatrice had been more open to Emilia, there have been many instances when Subaru was too busy and was left all alone, so she decides to be in Emilia's care. Before this Emilia barely had an interaction with Beatrice as she only ever interacted with her if Puck was around. Now if Subaru wasn't around, then it leaves Beatrice to look for Emilia as that was the only person, she was comfortable with. It just makes Emilia incredibly happy that she was able to get along with Beatrice and she also trusts her as well.
"Okay! I'm going to bed, night Beatrice!" Emilia waved as she went to her room. It sucks for Emilia that she wasn't able to see Subaru, but at least she can spend some time with him tomorrow.
Emilia was out cold in bed. She wasn't one to just wake up in the morning and go straight to work, she would use up all her time she had in bed to get some rest. Since most of her life has been isolated and alone in Elior Forest, she never woke up early as she wasn't forced to. This complicated things as once she was abducted by Roswaal, she found herself struggling waking up early in the morning. Emilia would vary on how much time she would spend in bed awake, as she refused to even move before she was satisfied with the amount of time spent in bed.
As such, once Subaru came along, she found herself jealous once she found out how easily Subaru was able to wake up. Subaru had seen first-hand how bad Emilia has trouble trying to wake up.
"Emilia-tan, it's time to wake up." Emilia could feel herself being nudged as she heard a voice next to her. Once she finally opened her eyes, sitting beside her bed was Subaru.
"Hmmmm, Subaru? What are you doing here...?" Emilia was far too tired to get embarrassed that Subaru was in her room like it was nothing.
"Well, Beako told me that you wanted to see me in the morning, I was going to wait if you weren't up but you told me to come in."
"Huh, no, I didn't."
"Yes, you did, about an hour ago. Maybe if you weren't such a heavy sleeper, then you would remember." Subaru poked Emilia's forehead, making her notice how she barely moved an inch ever since starting her conversation with Subaru.
Emilia giggled as she started to poke fun of Subaru's choice for waiting in her room. They chatted for a while, but soon Emilia had to get up and eat breakfast.
Once she finally decided to make her way down stairs, everyone finally started to eat. It was still rather weird for Emilia. Even once she started to live at the mansion, Emilia was still isolated from everyone. Even if no one was being harsh, she still felt alone. But now, it was different. Every day she would watch Subaru, Otto, and Garfiel have fun with one and another, how everyone would just bully Otto, and how lively everyone was towards each other. There was no hostility held behind anyone. For once, Emilia can finally say she has a home.
Once everyone was done eating, Emilia was going to use her day off to prepare for Subaru's birthday. She had a couple of ideas, but she wasn't sure if they were good or not. She wanted someone else's opinion on the matter, and if she could choose, it would be Beatrice. But as today she was going to spend almost the entire day with Subaru, Emilia didn't want to possibly have no chance at getting that opinion. So, she chose the next best thing.
"Otto?" Emilia knocked on the door as she made her way into Otto's office.
"What is it Emilia-sama?" As usual, Emilia looked upon a very stressful Otto.
"Is it a bad time? I can come back later if you're too busy."
"No, it's fine. I can make time, so what do you need?" Even if Otto said so, Emilia could tell that this was definitely a bad time. She was going to have to make this quick.
"Well, it's about Subaru's birthday. I'm not so sure what I should get him, I have ideas but I want to make sure they're good for Subaru."
"I don't think Natsuki-san would mind whatever you get, especially if it's from you. It's the thought that counts."
"I know he would but it's just I don't want to hurt him."
"Huh? Hurt him how?" This was a very surprising thing to hear, as Otto found it hard to believe that Emilia of all people could hurt Subaru.
"Ever since Sanctuary, sometimes when we hang out, I would say something and it hurts him."
"Like..." Otto pushed for a bit more detail.
"Like whenever I say I like him or whenever couples are mentioned. It hurts him because I know what he wants, but I haven't even given my answer to him, and I still can't give him one." Emilia felt ashamed in herself, as this was directly her fault and she can't do anything at the moment to fix it.
"Emilia-sama, Natsuki-san loves you greatly, more than anyone else. He's willing to wait as long as he has to so he can hear your answer. That's not something anyone can just do. Plenty of people would want someone like Subaru in their lives, and you out of everyone he's met is the one he wants. With that, he's willing to wait as long as he needs to." Otto wasn't the most experienced person when it came to love, but he could tell Emilia what she needs to hear, as love is very complicated. Some can have no issue understanding the emotion, but someone like Emilia will have a hard time trying to understand it.
"If it were up to me, I would want to make sure he's happy, as maybe that could be a sign to him that you're trying your best to understand. That's all you can do at the moment, but so back to your original question, what are your ideas for his birthday." The merchant quickly changed the topic as he wasn't able to say much more about this kind of thing anyway.
"Oh yeah! That should be the priority first!" Emilia was talking more than she intended, as Otto didn't have lots of spare time.
"How are you doubting yourself when it comes to these ideas, Natsuki-san would love it!" Otto couldn't believe Subaru of all people was getting this kind of treatment.
"I just want to make sure it's perfect for Subaru, he's always made me happy so I want to return the favor!" Subaru had always made her happy no matter when or where, she only wanted to do the same on the day he was born into this world.
"Alright I'll be heading out Otto, thank you so much!" Emilia made her way, as she needed to prepare for Subaru's birthday coming up soon.
Otto said his goodbye's as what Emilia had said earlier stuck out to him. "I don't know how you can do it Natuski-san."
After the conversation with Otto, a couple of days have passed and today was the day for Natsuki Subaru. Emilia was more confident in her gift but she can't help but still be worried he won't like it. But in the end, this was her steps to understand Subaru's love for her.
Many things were being prepared, such as Frederica and Ram making the cake for Subaru. It wouldn't be a surprise as Subaru is someone to know things are coming, so they have to make sure he's far too busy with other things to even head towards the kitchen. That's where Emilia comes in.
Emilia was going to take Subaru on a 'dayte' and make sure he was far too busy with Emilia before everything in the mansion was ready. For something like this Emilia had to ask Beatrice not to come along, as she wanted to do a couple of things with the time she had alone with Subaru. Beatrice was a bit stubborn at first but she quickly realized what Emilia wanted to do, and she agreed to it eventually.
On special occasions like this Emilia had to pick out an outfit that would look great. As to Emilia this would feel like it's the best she can do when it comes to her looks. If there was one thing Emilia could never understand, she couldn't understand how Subaru could love the face Emilia holds. She looks like the Witch of Envy; how could anyone ever think that she looks beautiful. She's the ugliest person alive, and deserved none of the compliments she received from Subaru.
As Emilia felt this was the first time, she was taking the lead in a 'dayte', she went with her original outfit she took on their first 'dayte' together. She remembered that day very well, as it only happened yesterday. That day is one of the most important days she's ever had. Emilia herself can't put her finger on it, but she cherishes that day as she would never want to forget it. She still has the ornament that Subaru gave her, but for some odd reason she finds it really embarrassing if anyone catches her wearing it. So, she leaves it on her desk, only wearing it knowing no one would come in.
After a couple of dates, Emilia already knew Subaru was waiting outside for her. So, she hurried up as it would be rude to keep Subaru waiting.
"I'm sorry, I didn't keep you waiting a long time, did I?" After finishing her hair, which takes longer to do without help from Subaru as he would give recommendations, Emilia made her way outside to meet Subaru at their usual meet up with a bag along with her.
"Not at all. Actually, you came a lot faster than usual." Subaru smiles at her like usual.
"Alright, should we get going? It's my turn for once to take you on a 'dayte', so I'm excited myself." Emilia couldn't help but show how much she wanted to ahead out, there was plenty she wanted to do.
"Alright! Emilia-tan, I leave everything to you!" Subaru pumps his fist into the air, declaring Emilia's determination in this date.
As Emilia and Subaru made their way, Subaru couldn't help but wonder what was inside that bag Emilia was carrying. Subaru knew well enough that Emilia and the others needed Subaru away from the mansion since it was his birthday and all, but Emilia doing this wasn't something he was expecting. It also didn't help out that his curiosity was eating him about what was inside Emilia's bag. In many ways it looked like a purse, but bigger.
"So, Emilia-tan, where are we going? I know you don't want to tell me as it's a whole secret and everything but, at least give me an idea where we're going." Subaru and Emilia walked through woods he's never been in.
"Nope! I want this to be a super-duper secret and I don't want to tell you nada!" Emilia refused to even share a bit of information.
"Ummm Emilia-tan first, no one says super-duper now a days. Two, did you just say nada?" Doing their natural routine, this was the first time Subaru ever heard Emilia say the word nada, let alone anything Spanish.
"Oh, whatever! No one says nada either!" Emilia gets a bit flustered as she finds a way to bite back at Subaru.
"You're adorable! EMT!" Subaru started to gush over Emilia as she had to continue with her plans. She didn't want Subaru making her all flustered.
"Alrighty! We're here." Emilia stopped and turned to face Subaru, presenting the location that she wanted the 'dayte' to take place in.
Subaru took a couple steps forward to view the area she's taken them. At first it seemed like they were just going to have a date in the middle of a random forest, but with a couple more steps he was able to see the place Emilia had taken him. He was able to see a river that seemed to glow as the sun hit, not only that he was able to see clearly through it. Not even the river, the forest was clear as if the area was specifically made for them.
"This place is just amazing. I don't know what to say..." Subaru was in awe; he couldn't possibly figure out how Emilia found this spot.
"I'm reaaally glad you like it, Subaru. It was reaaally hard to find." Emilia wasn't lying on the finding part. It took her almost a whole day to find this place. She wanted a good spot for their 'dayte' and she almost wasted a whole day looking for nothing. Thankfully she managed to find this place.
"Ummm Subaru? I would like to give you something." Emilia was getting slightly red.
"A gift for me? Well explains why you're carrying that bag along with you. Anyway, I'm ready to receive whatever Emilia-tan has decided to bless me with!" Subaru started to kneel to her goddess as he awaits her blessings.
"Oh my, Subaru can you not!" Emilia was burning red; she couldn't handle Subaru at all. Emilia opened the bag as she signed to Subaru to stand up, giving in his hands a piece of clothes. Subaru looked at the clothing, looking at how it was similar to his track suit but with a different color scheme.
"I asked Clind-san if he could help out with the outfit since I'm terrible at this kind of thing and there were only a couple days left. But I did ask what I would like from the outfit. He couldn't exactly make it identical like yours but he gave it more similarities to mine." As Emilia explained the outfits design, Subaru could clearly see the inspiration from Emilia's outfits. The color scheme and even the symbol that Emilia wears to represent Roswaal is present on the back.
"Well, I could use a bit more white in my life. Also how does this fit me perfectly, like it fits me better than my usual outfit?" Subaru was a bit weirded out on how it fit him perfectly. He knew Clind took measures of him when they made his outfit for his ceremony, but he cannot remember a single instance he took measures again.
"Oh, he told me he used your outfit for the ceremony for the measures. It was only a couple of months and he said 'he doubted that you became bigger since then. Smile.'" Emilia gave her best Clind impersonation.
"I liked it a lot, thanks Emilia!" Subaru took off his tracksuit jacksuit he had on and wore the new one. He would also match with the pants it came with but he wouldn't want to show that to Emilia.
"Wait one more thing. This time it came from me entirely." Emilia took out her hand, and signaled for Subaru to close his eyes.
"Aaaand now. Open them up." Emilia told Subaru to open his eyes, as he opened them, he saw an ice bracelet on his wrist. As he was about to ask about it, he also saw one on hers as well.
"You've been teaching me a lot lately with my Ice Brand Arts, so I want to give you this for two reasons. First, I want something to keep with you, a way to remember me while I'm not with you. It's nothing special but that bracelet won't ever go away unless I run out of mana. Two, this is to show you that I still have to give my answer to you someday. I can't give it now, but I'm doing my best to understand and give you an answer. I'm really sorry that I haven't given you one yet, but I need you to wait more. I'm asking for a lot but I want to give you the answer you want to hear one day." Emilia hoped this could be enough for Subaru, as she didn't want to make him think she's wasting his time. But before she could speak more, Subaru pulled her in for a hug.
"Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm willing to wait as long as I need to, Emilia. I told you, however much time you need, I'll give it. But, thank you. This coming from you, it means a lot more to me. Thank you, Emilia." Subaru continued to thank her and as Emilia heard, her heart throbbed. This was the feeling she constantly felt as she was held by Subaru. She wished she could stay there forever, as if all the danger disappeared, to never return.
Emilia knew understanding love was going to be a difficult task. There wasn't a day where she didn't try her best to understand. This person, holding her right now, gave her everything she has now. She was given a chance to live a life as Emilia, and not the Witch. She was given a place to call home, other than the frozen Elior Forest. She was given friends, something she longed for her entire life. She was given all of this all thanks to the man named Natsuki Subaru. Whenever she understands her feelings and love, this is the man she wants to spend her life with.
"Happy Birthday Subaru. And thank you for giving me everything in my life."
So, there was actually going to be a longer conversation between Emilia and Otto, but I wrote this a month ago and I don't feel like adding that missing conversation since I'm way too lazy. So the conversation is going to stay the same but I kinda wanted to be harsh on Emilia in that moment but I didn't. It was like 3 am what I wrote that scene and I just wanted to sleep so, yeah.