Author's Notes: I own nothing. Familiar of Zero belongs to Noboru Yamaguchi while Fate/Stay Night - Heaven's Failure is a Doujinshi made by Limit Break.

Legend of the Sword Dancer: Old Friends

One week...

Seven Days...

"What was I thinking!?" Karin thought.

That first night Emilya came into her room dressed as a maid was one thing. It didn't help that both their parents allowed it under the pretense that it may help them get along. It also didn't help that Emilya personally prepared her meals. It didn't help that her meals were better than the Family Chef's creations. It didn't help that her pride would not let her admit it in front of her sister/maid.

"Your tea Lady Mailliart." Emilya said with elegance, before placing the tea before her with such grace.

"It's okay Karin," Karin told herself. "It ends tomorrow... Wait... That would mean I won't be served those delicious meals the day after!"

"Emilya be my maid a little longer!" Karin blurted out, before covering her face when she realized what she has done.

"Karin!" Eileen reprimanded.

"But-"

"If it's the snacks or food, I can prepare them once in a while." Emilya smiled, she knew this was coming.

"Who said anything about liking your hand made snacks!" Karin replied, her face beet-red. "It's not like I prefer them over our family chef's or anything!"

"Yep," Emilya thought. "Definitely a tsundere..."

Emilya watched as Karin kept denying her claims, while their mother only covered her face with a fan, maybe hiding her amusement. While being Karin's maid was quite enjoyable on her part as it allowed her to cook again, it also helped both of them to get along. Although by get along meant Karin ordering her around the first day, which diminished as the days pass.

Most of the things Karin had her due was wash her clothes, prepare her bath, fix her wardrobe, clean her room, and make her snacks, something Karin must have though a Noble Raised would have trouble doing. But being the once perfect House Husband, Emilya did every task professionally, after all sometimes it takes a real man to be best girl.

"Oh my," Eileen gently laughed. "You two are getting along just fine."

When Emilya started as Karin's maid Eileen noticed that Karin began to worry about Emilya after a day. Then she became nicer, and tried starting a conversation with her adopted sister every once in a while. She was surprised that Emilya was skilled in housework and cooking, a skill most Nobles don't bother honing.

"I will need to ask Laurence to find a suitable husband for her." Eileen thought.

On the last day, Laurence came home early. And had ordered the servants to assist Emilya and Karin to put on a new set of clothes he has recently bought.

"We have been invited by the Valleries to a ball in honor of their son's accolade." Laurence explained. "I am sure that Centurion missed you Karin."

The dresses were surprisingly well tailored and expensive from the looks of it. Karin's was a blue and white dress, while hers was red and white. Colors which she thought were never going to leave her for the rest of her life.

"The ball will be the day after tomorrow," Laurence added. "And I want both my daughters to be in their absolute best."

Still, it may have been a year since Shirou Emiya became Emilya, but she still cannot do dresses. Specially this type of dress where appearance is preferred over comfort. She wondered how Saber would have done it, she did wear a dress beneath her armor.

"Lady Emilya," a maid said as she entered her room. "Lord Mailliart has assigned me to help you try on the dress."

They were in a carriage on the way to another Noble's Manor. It would be Emilya''s first time to interact with other Nobles besides her tutor, and family. Emilya glanced at Karin, the girl sitting calmly, but was also a bit uncomfortable as she only fidgeted slightly. They entered the land owned by the Valleries and passed by a farming town. Soon the Manor was already in view. Carriages were lined, each guest dressed for the occasion.

Emilya followed her family around, as her Laurence started introducing her to the gathered nobles.

First she was formally introduced to Sir Davion's Family, admonishing Laurence for hiding one of his daughters for so long. Only Davion knows that Emilya was adopted.

Next to the Montmorencys as they were approached by them. Their daughter, around Karin's age, mistaking Emilya for Karin. And Karin introduced them to eachother.

"Marina le lux de Montmorency," Karin said. "This is my sister, Emilya de l'acier de Mailliart."

"It is an honor to meet your acquaintance." Emilya bowed.

"Likewise." Marina said. "I never knew Karin had a sister."

"Certain reasons made me unable to leave the manor." Emilya replied. Laurence told them not to mention to anyone that Emilya was adopted.

The introductions were long, Karin had an amused look the entire time. After that, they were left to socialize themselves as the adults began chatting.

"You will get used to it." Karin said. "You did better than me during my first ball, although I was younger than you, so it doesn't count."

"I suppose." Emilya sighed. "I must ask, are you acting or are you truly accepting the fact that I am your sister?"

"Who knows?" Karin replied. "It's not like you will leave any time soon. I just have to live with it."

Emilya let out a small smile.

"Besides," Karin continued. "With you around as a training partner, I can get stronger and then I will surpass you."

"Karin!" a voice called out and placed a hand on Emilya's shoulder. Both turned around with different looks on their faces. Karin's was annoyed, while Emilya had a surprise look.

"Hello Centurion." Karin greeted. "I know we have not seen each other for over a year, but I did not think you would mistaken someone else for me."

The man removed his hand from Emilya's shoulder and did a double take on the two. While Karin dressed in white and blue had her hair fixed to a bun, the other girl dressed in white and red had her hair flowing down instead.

"My apologies young miss," Centurion bowed. "I did not mean to startle you."

"Apology accepted my lord." Emilya replied.

Karin took the opportunity to introduce them. "Lord Vallerie, this is my sister Emilya de l'acier de Mailliart. Emilya, this is my fiance Centurion de la Vallerie."

"It is a great honor to meet you Lord Vallerie." Emilya bowed.

"Likewise." Centurion replied. "Though I must say, a crimson hue suits you young miss."

"Your fiance is right here." Karin deadpanned.

"I'll leave you two to catch up." Emilya excused as Karin only stared at Centurion who was visibly sweating.

As soon as she did leave, Karin and Duke began to argue with Karin almost wanting to use magic on him.

Emilya left the two alone and wandered the Manor. Dodging people left and right, and greeting those who she failed to dodge. She then found herself in a secluded part of the garden. A dimly lit area where people rarely stay for long.

"Not a fan of a crowd?" a voice asked.

Emilya turned around and a blonde man around his twenties wearing a white and blue suit beneath a long white coat with a blue inside. Emilya looked at his face and noticed he has green eyes.

"I have heard that the second daughter of the Mailliart will be present in this ball." the man said. "I see that they were not lying about your beauty."

Emilya stared at the man, for once she does not know what to say. It is the first time someone complimented her after all.

"I must be making you uncomfortable," the man said, realizing that Emilya was silent all the sudden. "I will take my leave young miss."

"Wait," Emilya said.

"Yes?" the man asked.

"It's just," Emilya explained. "It's the first time someone complimented me."

"I see."

"May I know your name my lord?" Emilya asked.

"Ah," the man realized. "I have not introduced myself haven't I?"

Emilya nodded.

"My name is Arthur de Marcillac," the man introduced himself. "It is a pleasure to meet the second daughter of the Mailliart. Might I know your name?"

"Emilya," Emlya answerd. "Emilya de l'acier de Mailliart."

Arthur, a name that reminded Emilya of another person. A King... A friend... A lover once... But that Arthur was different, a girl who pulled a sword from a stone. A girl who tried her best to rule, only to doubt herself as her kingdom fell.

"Miss Mailliart?" Arthur asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"I apologize my lord." Emilya replied. "I was just reminded of another who bears the same name as yours."

"I see." Arthur said. "I suppose my name is quite common. May I know about this person you speak of?"

Emilya thought for a bit, trying to make a story about the Saber Class Servant.

"King Arthur," Emilya then decided. "It revolves around the story of a child who once pulled a sword from a stone enchanted by a magus named Merlin. The sword was called Caliburn, the-"

"Golden Sword of the Victorious?" Arthur asked, his eyes narrowing.

Emilya looked surprise at Arthur's question.

"Impossible!" she thought. "How does he know of it?"

"Might I inquire how you know of it my lord?" Emilya asked. She wanted to know if there is indeed a Caliburn in this realm. And if so, another King Arthur must have existed here.

"I should be the one asking you of that young miss." Arthur said grimly. "Unless there are books in the Mailliart Libary that mentions of such. So I must ask, who are you Emilya de d'lacier de Mailliart?"

Emilya looked around, and noticed that they were out of earshot from the nearest group of gathered guests.

"Emiya." Emilya answered noticing a surprised look on Arthur's face. "Emiya-."

"Shirou?" Arthur asked, and Emilya nodded. She slowly looked at Arthur trying to see how he would react.

"It has been a while," Arthur smiled. "Master."

Shirou couldn't believe it. While it was impossible because the Saber Class she summoned in Fuyuki was a girl, the only explanation she told herself was Magic. Well she was turned to a girl, why not Arthuria becoming Arthur.

"Saber..."

"Might we sit down?" Arthur asked. "It would be bad if I let you stand the entire night."

Arthur and Emilya sat down and began to catch up. Saber told her that her cycle was somewhat broken thanks to the events of Heaven's Failure. And she found herself waking up as a six year old child in a Floating Kingdom named Albion. She was a bit surprised that she was now a boy, but was able to adjust quickly, no thanks to Merlin and his Magecraft when she sired Mordred. In turn Emilya told Arthur on how she arrived on this world, starting from being saved from falling from the skies, to meeting Zelretch, up to the present.

"Fate is strange isn't it." Arthur laughed. "Unlike you who only came here a year ago. I had to live another life."

"Maybe it is Fate that we met again." Emilya said.

Emilya felt a slight chill as the wind blew. Arthur noticed this and stood up.

"It is getting cold outside Miss Mailliart." Arthur said, offering a hand to Emilya. "Shall I escort you to your family?"

"You may Lord Marcillac." Emilya replied, and accepted his hand.

Unknown to the two, they were noticed by Laurence and Eileen. Eileen was surprised that Emilya was chatting with the son of the Marcillac, while Laurence was already making plans for a possible engagement. The House of Marcillac were of a rank of Duke, the same rank as the House of Vallerie. An engagement between them would be beneficial.

"Is that your daughter Lord Mailliart?" a man asked them. "I must say she takes after her mother more than you."

"Lord Marcillac," Laurence greeted.

The two lords were looking at the two chatting. Arthur occasionally smiling as he talked to Emilya.

"You know," Lord Marcillac said. "Arthur refused his last engagement because the girl was rude to one of our servants. Is your daughter any better?"

"I assure you Lord Marcillac," Laurence answered. "Emilya is a well manered lady in training."

POST CHAPTER NOTES:

What do you think?

To answer some reviews:

1. The "lesson" I was going for in my head was supposed to be:

"Knowing your limits." & "Learning to accept defeat."

Based on what I have gathered Karin was more like Louise, attitude wise, when she was younger. Which was why Karin strict with Louise specifically during Louise's younger years. And that she fought by overpowering her opponents with Wind Magic, or Swordsmanship.

But the way I have wrote it portrayed a different message than the one I had in mind...

Also, this version of Shirou, while GenderBent thanks to Heaven's Failure (Yes this is a thing, there is a Doujinshi of it, but it's more of a post Holy Grail War setting...), has experienced fighting in a Holy Grail War in all its glory. So there has to be a gap in Karin's and Emilya's fighting experience.