The next morning Subaru woke up in a very great mood.
"Rise and shine Beako! Today is the day I finally get my main heroine."
Shaking Beatrice to wake her up, before getting up to do some Radio Calisthenics to start the day.
"What is Betty's Subaru talking about. I wonder?" She spoke while yawning. Wondering if he was referencing some new "Subaru-isms" that she didn't hear before, though she could probably guess it had to do with the half-elf as he spoke about her endlessly last night.
"Ahh Beako one day when you grow older you'll understand." Smiling cheerfully as he patted her head. Making her red from both embarrassment and annoyance.
"I'm 400 years old in fact!" Beatrice replied indignantly while enjoying her head being patted.
"Well anyways it's time to get ready and wake up Emilia-tan. You can go play with Louis, Meili and Petra till breakfast is up. Make your best childhood memories Beako!" As he gave her a playful smile, before giving her one last headpat. Then resumed his stretching.
Which made Beatrice reply once more in even greater annoyance.
"Again I am 400 years old in fact!"
Emilia woke up feeling strange today. A sudden headache was gnawing at the back of her mind, she noticed that it wasn't going away anytime soon, so she tried to ignore it as she got up to change her outfit for the day. As she was changing, she was trying to recall the events of the past night, but to no avail.
She could not recall anything outside of certain stuff like what outfit and hairstyle she wore, what papers she went through, or even what food she ate. Beyond that it was a void that when she tried probing further, just made the headache worsens to the point where she groaned in pain. She decided to leave that train of thought as it wasn't worth the pain.
Finishing up, she heard a knock on her door and a familiar voice calling out to her.
"Rise and shine Emilia-tan, sleep any more and you'll basically sink into your bed. Although that will make any couch salesman beg to buy it"
'Tan? What does tan mean?'
Opening the door to be greeted by the familiar face of the knight Subaru Natsuki.
"Huh? Subaru Nat-"
"Good morning Emilia-tan!" "The day is made brighter by your cuteness!" Giving her a thumbs up and a grin.
'When did Subaru Natsuki arrive here? I heard he was grieving in Kararagi after Anastasia's..'
She caught herself quickly; she had wanted to ask him, but noticing his cheerful expression, refrained from doing so.
"G-Good morning to you too Subaru, I'm elated to see you're doing well. I'm reaaaally sorry about your loss" Giving him a sad apologetic smile as she said that.
"No one says "elated" in this day and age Emilia-tan" "Also what do you mean by sorry for my loss? Did Garfiel kill Otto without me knowing? Or did something happen to Beako? Or Louis? Or Meili? I was so sure I sent Beako to play with them two and Petra after I woke up.. Wait! Don't tell me.. Petra turned evil?! But she's so innocent and pure!"
'He knows about Louis and Petra? I thought he only knew the ones who went with us to Priestella aswell as the Pleiades watchtower. Maybe he talked to everyone when he arrived here? yes that must be it.'
"Hmm no that's not what I mea-"
"Good morning Emilia-sama. Subaru-Sama. Please head over to the dining room as breakfast will be served in 5 minutes."
But before she could respond, the headmaid Frederica politely called out to both of them to alert them.
"Coming Fredrica! Let's go Emilia-tan, I'm sure whatever it is you wanted to say can wait until tonight" Winking at her and heading out before her.
"Y-yes…?" Tilting her head in confusion as she saw him head out.
She was wondering over the cheerful and happy attitude present on the knight who was supposedly very depressed over the loss of his lady.
'What a strange day.'
Deciding it was best to not dwell too much on it, as the day had just started and she still had duties to attend to.
Reaching the dining room with Emilia in tow. Subaru quickly noticed 3 lolis chatting with one another.
Louis yelled before jumping to hug him.
"Papa!"
'Papa?'
Subaru chuckled. "Haha good morning to you too Louis. And you Meili" Patting both of their heads affectionately, as Louis stayed clinging to him.
"Good morning father." Meili replied enjoying the headpat.
'Father?'
"Let go of Betty's contractor I suppose!" Beatrice spoke angrily and tried to break up Louis's hold on Subaru, which made Louis hug him tighter.
Making Subaru pat her head while Louis and Meili pouted at the loss of contact.
"Aww, is my precious, cute Beako getting jealous? Don't worry I will make sure to pamper you extra later!" Making her cheeks slightly red from embarrassment.
"Hmph. You do that I suppose"
'Beatrice contracted him? He does have an unusually high affinity for the spirits, even better than mine. Was he the person Puck mentioned Beatrice was waiting for?'
"Good morning S-Subaru-sama" Petra shyly greeted her hero, while serving food with Frederica.
"Oh good morning Petra.. Wait, oi! What did you do to Beako, Louis and Meili?"
"Eh? S-S-Subaru-sama what do you mean?" Petra nervously replied and blushed as she saw Subaru's eyeing her with an accusing look.
"You tell me. Emilia-tan said she saw you doing something not so innocent and pure to one of the 3, if not all of them!"
Looking at Emilia with a confused stare. "Emilia-sama?"
"Huh? No Petra I said nothing of the sort." Emilia replied, while thinking over the weird interactions the 4 girls were giving Subaru.
"Tsk, perverted Barusu has to bully a child to feel better about his own inadequacy" Said a new voice joining the conversation.
"Who says "nothing of the sort" in this day and age?" "Also! I'm not bullying Petra nee-sama, and was the last part really necessary?!" Making everyone chuckle, except for Louis who didn't understand most words and Emilia who looked confused at this new interaction.
"Subaru-kun please hand over Louis, I have to make sure she eats her greens you know how gluttonous she gets over meat"
"Noo! Papa pwease don't hand Louis to Mama!" Louis clung to him tighter and gave him a tearful look, doing her best puppy eyes impression.
Completely falling for her act. "Hey uhh Rem, why don't I take over feeding Louis now, and you can feed her greens later?"
"Unbelievable. You fall for it everytime Subaru-kun."
Shaking her head in disappointment. Before smugly smiling in victory. Knowing exactly what will happen in the next 5 seconds.
"Fine, just because I'm in a good mood today I'll allow this. But you're not getting dessert later Louis"
"Nooo! Pwease Mama! Louis will eat her greens pwease give Louis dessert!" Wriggling free from Subaru's arms, and running over to Rem sitting in her lap and waiting patiently for her Mama to feed her.
Emilia was utterly confused. 'When were they so familiar with Subaru Natsuki? Why did Louis and Meili call him that? And why is he so cheerful and happy?'
She recalled how she was truly shocked and saddened even shedding tears when she heard about Anastasia's sudden death just before the selection had ended. Though she was her fellow rival in the selection, they had established a friendly relationship and even an alliance after the events of Priestella and the Pleiades Watchtower.
Emilia had also heard about how her loyal knight was utterly devastated at the tragic death of his lady. Though Subaru looked as if nothing like that had happened. Odd.
'What a strange day I am having.'
"Emilia-sama are you feeling alright? You haven't touched your food at all." Frederica's sudden voice managed to get her out of her thoughts.
"Oh yes Frederica thank you, I was just lost in thought."
"Emilia-tan must be thinking about something really important to tell me" Cheerfully exclaimed before blushing as he saw the room looking at him
"Oops did I say that outloud, please ignore my childish outburst, Emilia-tan's cute face makes me lose control over my speech"
Making everyone deadpan at his response.
"Idiot Barusu. Emilia-sama is probably thinking of the best ways to euthanize a perverted dog like yourself."
"So harsh! Are you sure you're not on your period or something?!"
"Ah! Subaru-sama! Please refrain from using such crude language in the presence of children, aswell as Emilia-sama, and Ram stop teasing him too much." Frederica chided both as if they were children, as she tried frantically to close off the ears of both Meili and Petra. Rem did the same with Louis while giving Subaru a demonically inspired glare.
"S-sorry Frederica.. And Rem" Subaru bowed his head in apology to both. Glaring at Ram as he did that.
"Hah." Ram snorted but then said nothing.
Emilia was again pondering the odd interaction between everyone and Subaru, but stopped paying it attention as she wanted to finish her food before attending her duties as the new queen.
After breakfast, the group went their separate ways. With Emilia heading over to her office where Otto was waiting for her. The maids heading to their work, Beatrice and Subaru heading out to train and met up with Garfiel and the other royal knights in the training grounds. Louis went with Rem as she was teaching her more and more words among other stuff, and finally Meili played with Petra for a while before Petra left to attend to her duties.
After finishing training and taking a quick shower. Subaru went over to Emilia to help her with her queen duties. While also mentally preparing for later tonight, he couldn't wait to finally hear those words.
Reaching the office before knocking at the door to come in, and as soon as he was in he quickly took over some papers from the mix to try and lessen the hard work that Emiila had to go through as the new queen.
"Subaru? Why are you perusing through that?" She asked him, confused as to why he suddenly showed up and started to look at some of the papers left on her desk.
Making Subaru give his usual teasing remarks almost as if on cue. "Who says "perusing" in this day and age Emilia-tan."
"And don't mind me, I'm just doing what I always do, which is to take a load off your shoulders" Smiling as he said that.
"Wait Natsuki-san! Not those papers, these are just letters from my family. Please leave them alone! Take these trading documents instead." Otto pleading with his friend, knowing he would probably get teased for it.
"Now, now Otto. As the queen's one and only knight I have to read these to make sure there are no internal threats" A smug smile appeared on him as he saw Otto's face pale, knowing he'll get teased endlessly when Subaru reads the way Otto's mother calls him in his letters.
"Nooo! I beg! Emilia-sama! Please do something, don't make him read my family letters, please please please!" Crying comically to his liege.
Emilia wasn't paying attention as she was lost in thought. She went over the strange events that occurred today surrounding the sudden appearance of the raven-haired boy. Looking over at him still teasing Otto.
'What a strange day I am having. First the cheerful morning greeting, then the 'tan' which I still don't know what it means. Then the interactions with everyone. Even now with Otto. Perchance I have missed something?'
She slapped her face with her hands to free them from thoughts as she needed to focus more on the new peace terms between Vollachia and Lugunica.
Subaru eventually relented to Otto's demands, when Otto teased back and started to mention certain embarrassing moments that happened to his friend, that no one but himself and Garfiel knew about.
Hours later. Dusk had begun to settle in, the trio had finally finished the most arduous papers for the day and were now on a break until dinner that is. Subaru decided to head over to help Frederica cook dinner. While Otto went to his room to read his family's letters.
Emilia was left alone in her office but she decided to retire to her room to take a bath and wash the stress of the day away, aswell as calming down the headache that invaded her every now and then.
Along the way to her room she had managed to overhear some of the palace knights talking although something about their conversation made her headache worsens.
"Have you heard? ….. Is back in the capital, and apparently looking like a corpse, the entire garrison was talking about it. I heard that Marcos personally ordered him to take a break the moment he saw him"
"Poor man. First the whole thing with his brother, then that happens. Who would've thought she'd die so suddenly and just before the selection even. Don't mistake my words, I'm glad our lady won, but still. I hope ….. Recovers though, sulking in misery doesn't fit a man of his virtue"
Clutching her head in pain, she hurried to her room to avoid making a scene. Once she arrived she quickly started casting a healing spell to alleviate some of the headache away.
Once the headache was beginning to fade, she went on to draw her bath all the while thinking if the headache was due to stress from being queen, or if she had fallen ill somehow. Though that was a weird thought as she could never remember the last time she felt ill. The more she thought about it, the more she thought she was ill.
At one point she had been tempted to almost use the mirror metia to summon Felix to do a medical check up on her. Before deciding otherwise, as Crusch's health had deteriorated since Priestella where she was crippled by a dragon's blood.
She decided to stomach it for tonight, hoping it would go away the next day. Before focusing on what outfit to wear for dinner.
Following dinner, which went almost the same as breakfast where everyone interacted as if they knew Subaru for years. With him doing the same. Beatrice snuggling next to him. Louis and Meili hugging him. Garf and Otto laughing with him. Petra blushing at him. Ram teasing him. And Emilia befuddled by it all. What she failed to notice was Subaru excitedly stealing glances at her every now and then.
With Dinner finally over and everyone spreading out once again. Either to do their final chores of the day, or simply to relax a quiet evening before retiring to their rooms to sleep. Emilia decided to head to the garden to do what she always does, which is to take a walk in the beautiful garden and then summon the spirits to talk to them about her day. As she was talking to the spirits, she noticed Subaru's presence although a fair distance from her. Seemingly not to overhear her talk but rather to watch the scene play out.
Finally the spirits retreated and quietness settled in to the night, and she watched Subaru approaching.
"It's a beautiful evening, don't you think Emilia-tan? With the clear stars being visible and all." Subaru quick to bring up a topic of discussion. Trying
to set up a romantic scene.
She didn't say anything for a moment, before looking up at the sky and nodding her head to confirm what he said.
"Yes it's sooo peaceful, It makes me miss the early days I spent at the forest, with the frozen elves.. and Puck.. I wish I could see them again.. I wonder what Puck would say now that I'm here. I wonder what they'd all say about me." She sighed sadly as she placed a hand on the broken fragment of a crystal that lay above her chest.
"Emilia look at me"
Doing what he told her to do.
"Now that you're the queen you can focus on getting back Puck, and especially your "selfish but not really selfish" dream of freeing Elior forest, both of your dreams are within reach. You just need to believe in yourself and grasp it with both hands. You can do whatever it is you set out your mind on Emilia-tan" Giving her an approving nod. "Besides you're not alone. You have everyone here to support you. Especially me"
"Th-thank you Subaru. I'm such a dunderhead for doubting myself and everyone else's" Chiding herself, before giving him a genuine smile that would make everyone faint if they saw it.
"A-anytime Emilia-tan, or should I start calling you 'you're highness' or 'Emilia-sama' now that you're queen? You know we never really were clear on that" He blushed and quickly tried to divert the subject so she wouldn't look at his face.
"About that.. Um what does "tan" mean exactly? I was befuddled when I heard you mention it today" Emilia asked him as she was confused why he was calling her that all day.
"Who says "befuddled" in this day and.. Wait. You forgot what "tan" means?" He spoke while looking at her with slight hurt and confusion in his eyes.
"I thought I told you what it means on multiple occasions before.. Emilia.." Subaru spoke in a fake hurt tone. Making her play with her fingers in nervousness
"S-sorry! It's just been a reaaally confusing day today and I tried to make head and tails of it but nothing came up."
"Hahaha! Don't worry Emilia I'm just teasing you. Well "tan" just means that I think of you as a very dear person to me. Also you know someone once told me that it's much better to say 'thank you' than saying 'sorry'"
"Hmm you're right. Thank you Subaru" Giving him a genuine smile again.
"EMT!"
"By the way.. E-Emilia-tan, don't you have anything to tell me?" Blushing as he said that.
Making her put a finger on her chin as she was beginning to think what she wanted to tell him. A rather cute move that made his heart pump faster. He nearly shouted "EMT!" again but withheld himself with all his strength.
"Huh? hmmm... Oh I um I'm reaaaally sorry but I don't remember what to tell you. Like I said it has been a confusing day"
"A confusing day you say? Then perhaps a date might jog your memory."
"Dayte?" She asked in a confused gaze.
"Is that a yes?!"
"Yes. I mean, No. I mean.. what is a "dayte"? It sounds like a bad word. You know you shouldn't speak those kind of words or the children might pick up on it. You should be a good boy instead."
Hearing that made him nearly want to facepalm. 'What the hell is wrong with Emilia today? Did she end up on the wrong side of bed? Or did she fall from it and hit her head or something?' 'Then again she's always been a bit of an airhead so that wouldn't be a surprise. What am I even saying! Better focus.'
Looking at her seriously.
"Emilia-tan."
"Mhm?"
"Did you really forget what "date" means?"
"Y-yes.. Like I said it has been a confusing day, so I don't reaaaally remember much before today. Mostly just few pieces and puzzles." She nearly clutched her head as she said that. As trying to remember anything made the headache of before return, though not as intensely painful as before.
Hearing that made Subaru's disappointment grow slightly, but he still looked over her in a worry. Sighing at his selfish thought before replying to her.
"Well it's not a bad word, it just means like going out to have a picnic or just spending some time outside with the person you like the most. It's an important part of a courtship I guess you can say that" He explained to her as she nodded in understanding. Before he decided to bring up the main topic that was on his mind for the past few minutes.
"Actually, Emilia-tan. What's the last thing you remember?"
"I..I.. Argh!" clutching her head as she said that. She fell to the ground with her hand clutching her head, trying desperately to stop the headache.
"Emilia?!" Subaru rushed to her side, and immediately began to check up on her.
"Emilia, What's wrong?!"
He wanted to carry her and run to the healers, but he didn't know whether it would help her if he moved or worsen her pain. He didn't want to risk it so he just stayed by her side. An idea formed in his mind and he sat on his lap next to her head. Then he laid her head on his lap and started to caress her hair. Blushing as he did that while thinking 'She was right.. This does tickle'. Shaking his head off from these thoughts, he focused his eyes on Emilia as he saw her hand glowing, which meant she was casting a healing spell to soothe the pain.
A moment passed and the pain receded making Emilia starting to regain her surroundings, she found herself in a weird position.
"Subaru?" She asked as she noticed she was on his lap and tried to get up.
"Emilia are you feeling better now? You don't have to force yourself. I'd be happy to lend you my lap anytime. Although I doubt it's as comfortable as the most divine pillow of all" Grinning at her as he said that.
"Yes I feel much better now thank you Subaru. Jeez. I'm such a dummy. Here you are comforting me while being sad and devastated about your loss." She was feeling guilty about this and gave him an apologetic smile. As she slowly stood up.
Having heard that. He recalled their conversation during morning where she said the same thing about him losing someone.
"Hey Emilia-tan?"
"Mhm?"
"What do you mean about my loss? You said the same thing earlier this morning but I thought you were simply teasing me." He chuckled as he said that, remembering poor Petra's reaction.
She looked at him with utter shock, not believing what she's hearing.
"Subaru you dunderhead! It's not funny you know. But I guess we both must be having a strange, confusing day." Chiding him before looking sadly at him.
Thinking over his behaviour today it made sense why he was so cheerful and happy. She didn't know what his reaction would be should she be the bearer of bad news that tells him his lady had passed away.
"No I'm serious, who exactly did I lose? Do you mean Rem perhaps? I know she is not the same Rem as before, but I.. got over it. Seeing her awake and interacting with everyone despite her lack of memories is much, much better than her sleeping forever and being forgotten."
Emilia not having the courage to tell him. Averted his gaze and quickly came up with an excuse to avoid answering.
"No..It's. It's starting to get late. Yes! Reaaally late! We should go to sleep. Only bad boys and dunderheads stay up this late at night after all you know?"
He almost broke down in laughter at how bad she was at diverting the topic and coming up with stuff.
"You're not good at lying Emilia-tan. But it's one of the many things I like about you!" "Really though, who did I lose? I promise I won't get mad at you or anything, if that's what you're worried about."
Emilia, seeing as how she had no way to escape the conversation, and knowing he had every right to know.
She sighed to herself as she didn't know what to expect from his reaction. She mentally prepared herself for the worst before looking at him and giving him a sad smile.
"A-Anastasia.. she.. she's dead." She said in a heavily sad tone, biting her lip as she nearly shed a tear as she remembered the merchant princess.
As soon as she said her name, she saw a look of confusion appear on his face. She assumed it's because he didn't believe her.
"Huh?"
"Subaru I.. I'm sorry to have to tell you that, I wish she was alive too."
The confusion on his face was extremely obvious at this point. She could only wonder at what his mind must be going through.
"Emilia-tan. What are you talking about? I know miss greedy is dead."
Now it was her turn to be confused.
"Wait! Ok it sounds bad when I put it like that. I mean I liked Anastasia and her weird scarf spirit. I'm even sad that she's gone as I liked her more than I liked a certain jerk of jerks. But why would I be sad and devastated about her death? Don't get me wrong I'm sad about it but not to that point."
Hearing what Subaru just said, she almost couldn't believe her ears. She thought that he must be so devastated that he's putting up a tough front.
Deciding to act quickly she brought Subaru's head to lay on her chest and enveloped him in a hug.
"Eh?! E-Emilia-tan?!" Blushing heavily at the unexpected hug.
She started caressing his hair with one hand while bringing her mouth close to his ear. "It's been rough, hasn't it?" She said in the most gentle way possible.
"Hmm.. You could say that? But no not really. Wait Emilia-tan! While I very much appreciate the heavenly position where my head is at, I really am not overly sad about her death."
She was at utter disbelief at what he was saying. She had heard of the rumors surrounding Anastasia's camp, at how her entire camp was lost. Especially her knight. But perhaps they were just rumors?
"But... as her knight. Shouldn't you be sad to see your lady gone?" She spoke in a confused tone. Before quickly adding.
"But I suppose rumors are just that."
It was Subaru's turn to be utterly confused for once during this entire day. 'What is she on about? Her knight? What the hell does mister perfect have to do with.. Her knight?'
"Emilia. What did you mean by "her knight"" He asked her curious to hear her response.
She put a hand on her chin as she pondered the best way to answer this.
"You know like hmm Reinhard being the knight of Felt. Or Felix being the knight of Crusch." She said as a matter-of-fact.
"Yes and yes. But what does that have to do with being Anastasia's knight? And where's finest idiot in all of this?" He spoke in a slightly irritated tone.
"That you are her knight?" Puzzled at what Subaru said.
Subaru took a moment to compose himself as he felt he was getting annoyed at what Emilia is saying. Letting out a tired sigh at this point. He started to clarify once and for all for her:
"Emilia, what are you talking about? Anastasia's knight is that arrogant prick J...s . Tsk just saying his name makes me feel annoyed though he is pretty reliable, but don't tell him I said that or it'll make the jerk even more annoying."
"Anyway I'm not sure what is going on with you tonight maybe a beauty sleep will do you-"
"Huh? Emilia-tan? E-Emilia..? EMILIA!"
I don't own any of this as all characters and rights belongs to the creator Tappei Nagatsuki.
Author's note.
Hello again everyone! This is continuation of the last chapter that I hope you enjoyed reading it!
I'm also grateful for all the Reviews, especially in regards to it being well written! Spelling errors is a pain so this fills me with me pride:P
Onto the main point. I understand some of the complaints about seeing yet another "A Lone Star" fic. As that fic's concept is almost as overused as "Re:forgotten" and "WHDAA". Though despite that those 3's themes are really interesting and can spawn so many ideas to go on from. /shrug
I'll answer some of the reviews here:
To SomeRandomMexican: First of all I love that name dude. I agree with you, I find Subaru's self-hate to be a very annoying habit, I almost always skip over them when I read them, even in the actual canon story. No disrespect to Tappei of course. Unfortunately Subaru without self-hate is not Subaru, as it's one of his key characteristics.
To Faincrazy543: Good guesses. Though I will say I didn't expect to see the name of one of my favorite "Re:forgotten" fics there.
To Commander Cost: Thank you!
To Starmegalo: Haha I appreciate the enthusiasm and thank you for the compliment:) I'm taking your advices to heart. This is my very first fic, so it's hard to make everything not so black and white for our dear Suffaru, since it'll mostly be from his PoV on how he views things. But I am trying there! No comment about the Pandora part though:P Also your English is awesome dude! But I guess since we're both non-native English speakers, we tend to downplay it:P
With nothing more to say. Thank you for reading. See you on the next chapter!
