Today's the day...
She'll finally do it...
She'll say what she wanted to say, for so long...
She regretted that she took so Od damn long to realize it...
That...
She loves him...
She loves her dunderhead of a knight...
His warmth...
His comfort...
His light...
His LOVE...
Emilia wants to have it all...
She wants to have it all to herself, to finally give her overdue answer to Subaru...
Now...
If only she wouldn't be interrupted by her own camp members...
The past few days irked the silver-haired candidate to no end. Every since Subaru woke up from his slumber, everyone —including her— wanted to have some moments with him. Beatrice, Garfiel, Otto, Petra, and even Roswaal.
She knows that most—or rather, all—of them missed the nasty-eyed boy, which only amplified when he was on a "comatose" state. As much she wanted to understand and be reasonable about it, she also wants to be selfish about it.
Since she finally realized her feelings to the said black-haired knight...
Now that she realized how painful it was when he is not around with her...
How she almost broke when he was a sleeping visage akin to Rem many months ago...
As such, the silver-haired half-elf doesn't want to waste her time...
"Just you wait, Subaru. I'll finally give you the answer you deserved." she declared as she gazes out from her window. It irks and saddens her that her knights—after a few days being waken up—requested an urgent visit to the Capital. As most of them—mainly herself, Beatrice, Rem, Petra, and Garfiel— were against of him going by himself due to their paranoia and anxiety for his cursed luck, Subaru assures them that it would only take three days and promised them to come back.
Despite his history in breaking promises, Emilia puts her faith on her knight to keep on his word. Like what he said to her before "I believe in you, because I love you...", she trusts him to come back to him safe and sound. And also, she wanted to utter those three words to him to:
"I love you..."
Subaru was now back at the Miload Mansion—as strictly promised due to most of his friends were paranoid that he'll get teleported again to some faraway place. He chuckled at this thought as it was kinda ironic for them to worry for him—as originally he's not from this world in the first place.
As he was greeted by his friends— Otto, Ram, Frederica, Petra and Garfiel— and assaulted with hugs with the others —Beatrice, Meili, Rem, and Louis— he turned his gaze to his liege and "number one": Emilia. He gave her a gentle and warm smile, which sends butterflies through her stomach.
At the moment, Emilia wanted nothing but run into his arms and smothers him with kisses and hugs as well. But at the same time, she's flustered and embarrassed in indulging in her desires—as her palms was getting sweaty, her heart racing akin to a ground dragon on a marathon, and her knees kept on buckling as she willed herself to not fall.
How could such simple smile send her into such an emotional mess?
As she was stuck in her own conundrum, an annoying voice broke her trance and subsequently, the moment as well. Each one of them—with the exception of Ram— were so ticked at the voice, as well as the owner of it, that they curse him under their breath for ruining a wholesome moment.
"So~ Subaru~kun, as much as I want you to enjoy your arri~val, we have business to atte~nd to. Meet me at my office." Roswaal gleefully mused as he used his unusual accent to get their attention—as he savors their negative emotions towards him. It was no surprise to all of them, as well as him, that everyone wants to have a piece on the damned clown if not of his oath to Subaru.
As their eyes started to become more hostile by the moment, the black-haired knight broke their trance to prevent unwanted bloodshed—even if being honest, he really don't mind if there was .
"Okay Roswaal, I'm meet you there. Could you guys, please let go? You're starting to suffocate me...Emilia, a little help, please?" he pleaded as he turned his gaze to his silver-haired liege. "Emilia-tan, a little help please?"
The royal candidate snapped back from her trance and immediately lightly reprimanded her members. "Guys, please let go of Subaru. He has very important things to do. Also, we have to go back to our own work..." she wagged her finger at the "loli gang" as well as the others, similar to how a mother would treat a child.
"Party pooper." Meili and Louis both mumbled at the same time which causes both of them to giggle softly. Slowly, everyone pick themselves up while Otto and Garfiel reached out and help Subaru get up as well.
"Ha! As expected of Barusu, being so lazy and wasting Lord Roswaal's precious time." Ram huffed as she lightly slaps his back to straighten up his stance. Ever since what happened to the black-haired boy, the pink-haired oni's sharp retorts have been noticeably softens—which she'll blatantly denies.
"What are you waiting for, a boot to the face? Get going now." she continued as she turns around—in order to hide her small smile. Subaru notices this and his smile widens further. "Never change, Nee-sama. Never change."
As they walk toward the main office, the half-elf knight was bombarded with requests and questions from left to right:
"Mean-eyed Nii-san, when are we going to play again?"
"Subawu, Louis wants to play too!"
"Silence brats, in fact! Betty's Subaru should spend all his time with his Betty, I suppose..."
"Cap'n, cap'n! Wen r we gunna train agen!?"
"Hmmmm...Petra, don't be so sad that you feel left out. You could spend time with Subaru-sama after your chores.."
"Really, Frederica-san!? In that case, can we do radio calisthenics again, Subaru...-sama?"
"My, my...aren't we the popular one, Natsuki-san?"
"As expected of Rem's hero, Subaru-kun is amazing as always..."
"Okay, guys. I get it. I promise to spend time with each and every one of you. I just have to finish what Ros-chi wants to talk about, okay?"
Subaru reassures them as he gave each one of them a big and warm smile which resulted to most of them either cheering in excitement or looking forward for their "Subaru time".
As this was going on, Ram, Frederica, and Emilia are walking at the back observing the fun interaction of every one of them vying for the black-haired knight's attention.
"Can't believe everyone is interested to garbage such as Barusu. And even when her memories are gone, my precious little sister still fell for that worthless man." Ram ticked as her annoyance gets the best of here.
"Can't you blame them? Subaru-sama is very reliable and fun to be with. I'm still surprise that you didn't join them, Emilia-sama." the blond-haired head maid lightly giggles as she hides her smile as she turns her gaze to her master.
"Ah...ehh..." the said master was a mumbling mess as different emotions swirled within her.
Even though she's happy that everyone wants to spend time with Subaru, a part of her is fuming with annoyance and jealousy as she couldn't find an opportunity to have him on her own. But seeing him smiling at them as his eyes sparkle with joy and sincerity, her negative emotions were as if washed away as she felt like melting from such breathtaking face.
The two maids could only sigh as they look to and fro at her and the others.
"When will Emilia-sama take that trash such as Barusu away from my precious adorable sister?"
"I both admire and pity Subaru-sama's persistence and patience to wait for Emilia-sama's answer."
When they reached at Roswaal's room, Subaru bid farewell to most of them—giving Meili, Louis, Petra, and Beatrice each head pats— as he, Otto, and Emilia enter the Margrave's office.
"...and there you have it. The awarding ceremony will be held in three days after the renewal of the non-aggression treaty between Vollachia and Lugnica. As such, all of the camps are invited to spectate you being the ambassador for both countries..."
Otto finished as he laid out the contents of the royal scroll that was delivered to them just before Subaru arrived. In relation in celebrating Subaru's awakening—which for him personally thinks people are over-exaggerating it a bit— Vincent and the Sage Council decided to renew their pact to their respective kingdoms as a sign of respect and comradery.
After which, a royal celebration will be held for both of Subaru's awakening and his promotion as the "bridge that connects" the two countries.
"A~nd in relation of that, sever~al marriage proposals were sent to us, asking for our Subaru-ku~n's hand for marriage." the Mathers head continued as he pointed out his table—that was full of letters of either requests, treaties, agreements, and proposals from different nobles from the kingdom. "Poor Otto-kun and Annerose work s~o hard to filter and sort thi~s out."
Subaru was both amazed on how fully loaded Roswaal's table was. Piles and piles of paper are stacked together, as well as envelopes and scrolls. One particular envelope with a certain insignia seal caught his attention which prompted him to smile. Even if he didn't open it and read its contents, he knows what the sender's message was...
"I guess the potion works, huh? I wonder what'll be Reinhard's and Wilhelm's reaction be..." he internally mused as excitement and happiness fills him as he was joyful for the Astrea family to be together again.
"...and with that, Emilia-sama, we have other important matters to discuss to for plans for the celebration as well as the travel and where we'll be staying. Natsuki-san, you're free to go..."
"Are you sure, Otto? I can just listen and help you guys too, you know?"
"The~re's no need, Su~baru-kun. Besides, everyone else wants to spe~nd time with you. It could also be a great op~portunity to think the marri~age proposals, as well."
"Yeah, don't worry about it. We can handle it. Besides, Beatrice-sama would be pretty mad if you kept her waiting..."
The ashen merchant and court magician relieves him from the meeting as they move to other important issues. "Huh. Never knew that they cared that much..." though a bit hurt, Subaru understands as he remembers that he did promise the others to play with them.
"Fine, see you later guys. And I'll see you too, Emilia-tan..."
As he left the room, Emilia's thoughts wander as her mind when blank as the topic of marriage proposals came.
Why does her heart ache when she thought of Subaru being with someone else?
Why does she feel like crying when she imagines her knight kissing and marrying someone else other than her?
Why does she feel an urge to reject and mark Subaru as her own?
*AHEM*
The half-elf was jolted as Roswaal cleared his throat to get her attention. Despite being in a daze, both the merchant and clown knew what she was thinking...
"Par~don my sudden action, Emilia-sama, but we have to still pl~an our iternary for our depa~rture to the Capital." Roswaal smirked as to cover his slight annoyance of her—if not only for his oath with the nasty-eyed boy.
"Yes, Emilia-sama, and with that the..."
...Otto resumed the meeting as Emilia was still thinking about her knight...
"...and together, VICTORY!"
"VICTORY!"
The lawn was filled with lively cheers and laughter as Subaru together with Meili, Petra, Louis, Beatrice and Garfiel were finalizing their radio calisthenics. All were so eager to follow and energetically stretched and jumped together. After working out a sweat they were still buzzing with energy as they wait for him to come up with anything fun.
After Subaru played catch with Meili, Louis, Beatrice, and Petra—which started as tame but eventually turned into a feisty slugfest which he had to stop them to prevent anybody to get hurt— he meets with Garfiel at the forest as they spar and did parkour at the makeshift obstacle course that they built.
As he was swinging from tree to tree, he let his thoughts wander out a bit.
"Marriage proposals, huh?"
The topic itself surprises him to no end. "Surely, it has to be a joke, right? Who could possibly want a useless and pathetic person to be their husband!?" he mused as he swings from tree to tree. Even though most of the kingdom knows his deep love for his liege, it still surprises him that there are some women that took an interest at him. "Really, what's in with them? I'm basically a nobody with any special qualities whatsoever..."
"CAP'N LOOK OUT!"
Subaru snapped out from his thoughts as the blond-haired screamed at him, but it was too late as his face met the hard dark lumber of the branch, resulting to him to fall at a respectable height...
His consciousness faded into darkness as Garfiel's muffled scream were the last thing his ears heard.
Subaru's eyes flutter as his eyes tried to adjust at the sudden brightness of his surroundings. As he rustles his body, a surge of pain and nausea jolted him, causing him to groan in pain.
"Ugh...what happened? And where am I?" as he about to voice his thoughts, the sight before him stopped him to do so...
Emilia was crying as she was holding his hand—unaware that he just woke up. The half-elf was burying her face as she clasped both of her own hands with his at the middle. This breaks the black-haired knight's heart as guilt and shame builds up in him. "Man, I made her cry again, I'm such a scum..." he mumbled as he about to reach out to her, he was surprise when he heard her mumblings:
"Please, don't leave me, you dunderhead..."
"Why do you always get hurt the moment I take my eyes off of you?"
"Please, please...wake up..."
"Please, my heart couldn't take you leaving me again..."
"Please, my Subaru...I love you..."
This rendered the knight speechless. Did he hear what he thought he had heard?
"Please...please...don't die...I love you, Subaru..."
"I love you so much; I couldn't live without you..."
"I'm sorry for being a dunderhead for making you wait for too long..."
"I love you...I love you so much...so please wake up..."
If he didn't hear the first time, he surely heard all of that...
His hands must have been shaking as Emilia notices this and raised her head. As soon as she saw that he was awake, the silver-haired half-elf jumped towards him and hugged him tightly.
"Subaru! Subaru! Subaru! You're awake! You're really awake! You've come back to me..." the half-elf cried as she buried her beautiful face on his chest—soaking his shirt with her tears.
Even though he was so flustered and slightly in pain, Subaru willed himself to suck it up as he was shell-shocked at the sudden turn of events. Shaking off the dumbfounded look he had, he tried to console his liege.
"Shhh...I'm awake Emilia-tan. I won't leave you, I promise. I'm so sorry for worrying you..." he soothed her as he rubbed her back and silky hair—which prompted her to cry even further...
As time passes by, the wailing downgraded into sniffles and sobs as Subaru continued to rubbed and draw circles on her back. Emilia slowly raised her head; her wet eyes sparkled like shiny gems and her messy hair.
"Idiot! Nincompoop! Dunderhead! Bonehead! Scatterbrain! Why do you always get hurt every time I take my eyes over you!? Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"
Initially soft mumblings, her voice slowly rose to each octave as she starts to berate Subaru—softly hitting him in the chest as she kept on venting out her frustrations...
"Ow, ow, ow...it hurts; my Emilia-tan is hurting me that I'm getting dizzy..." he dramatically acted as he contain his laughter."Why is this scenario very familiar...?" He internalized as he remember another adorable half-elf that did the similar thing to him."I wonder how Tella-tan is is doing right now..."
As soon as Emilia heard this fake pain, she abruptly stopped and frantically hugs him again...
"No! No! No! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please don't leave me!" she bawled as she hold him tight and never let go...
"I'm fine, I'm fine, Emilia-tan. You don't have to worry...Shhhhh, its okay..." he caresses her hair as he consoles her again. Man, he regrets taking his teasing a little too much. "She must have been so afraid I'll be asleep again..."
As time passes and they had settled down, Emilia was sitting at the side of the bed—as she was staring at the floor and twiddling her thumbs—while Subaru kept on rubbing her back. With a glowing blush which reached her ears, she started her conversation while stuttering:
"So, did you hear any of it?"
"Heard what?"
"What I said..."
"What do you mean, Emilia-tan?"
"You know...the stuff I said..."
"I don't know what you mean, Emilia-tan..."
"Stop teasing me, Subaru!"
"Hahaha, sorry, can't help it. Just trying to lighten the mood..."
"How can't I be relaxed when Garfiel carried your unconscious body!? I really thought you died!"
"C'mon Emilia-tan, I'm not that weak. I lagged out and became a tree-hugger..."
"There you go again, downplaying your pain and saying stuff that doesn't make sense!"
"But really, Emilia-tan, aren't you a little bit too overreactive on this?"
"I AM NOT!"
Suddenly, Emilia grabbed both of Subaru's shoulders and look at him in the eye. He notices the tear tracks on her face—amplifying his shame and guilt even further.
"I thought...I thought I lost you again...I thought I may not have a chance to be with you anymore..."
"It's bad enough that you got transported to Vollachia and endured so much...it was worse when you came back comatose...I couldn't...I couldn't live a world without you in it...I couldn't eat...sleep...breathe...without you. And even when you woke up, you still downplay your suffering and worth by acting like nothing happened!"
"I cried when you left to the Capital...I was scared...so scared to lose you even for a second...I felt so jealous that you didn't hug me when you returned...I felt so left out when you rather spend time with others than with me...I was so heartbroken when I heard there are so many women who are interested in marrying you...I felt my heart shattered into a million pieces and I couldn't breath...I couldn't...I couldn't imagine you being with someone else without breaking down..."
"And when you feel unconscious again, I felt my chance had slipped through my fingers and I couldn't say the things I want to say..."
"Not anymore..."
She cupped his face—which was so shocked and flustered that he was froze from his position. With a teary smile, Emilia blurted out what her heart is filled up:
"Subaru Natsuki, I love you. I LOVE YOU! I love you so much, my dunderhead knight!"
With such rush of adrenaline, the half-elf capture his lips with her own...
Meanwhile, all of the residents of the Miload mansion were eavesdropping the whole thing outside the room. Muffled screams and gushing were heard throughout the hallways...
With high fives and vigorously pumping of their fists, one thought was common to each one of them:
"FINALLY! It's very overdue, but goddamnit! Finally, Emilia-sama gave her answer..."
Author's note:
*writer's running away from the mob...*
*pant* *pant* *pant*
Ha...there...my "attempt" for an EmiSuba chapter...
Happy?
:)))
Anyways, thank you for Hin and two face for beta-reading the chapter. You guys are awesome...
Thank you so much for the support and please leave a like and comment to let me hear your thoughts...
Again, thank you so much, and see you in the next chapter.
Take care.