Waking up. Emilia felt strangely energized. The last thing she remembers was an intense headache, then a white flash that overtook her before waking up here. She knew it had something to do with the purple haired man that appeared in her incredibly long, vivid dream that felt more real than any normal dream.
She knew him as her knight. His name was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't recall it despite hearing it constantly in her dream. She wondered why she had suddenly forgotten about him until that dream, as well as why she couldn't recall his name now despite clearly remembering him.
Slowly opening her eyes to take in her surroundings. She didn't remember when or how she got to her bed last night. Then she heard soft snoring nearby. Looking around she saw Subaru asleep on a chair next to her bed, noticing his peaceful expression as he slept. Memories came to her about some parts of their conversation last night, but not all of what they talked about. Her mind was still waking up she thought.
She quickly understood that due to the intense headache she's had, that she's likely fainted and he carried her here. Making her feel guilty as she looked at him.
'He is a good boy. I must have made him severely worried about me last night. I feel guilty for having him care about me while sad at his loss... I should find a way to thank him later and to help him with his loss.'
Changing up as quietly as possible to let Subaru rest, before heading out the room. She was greeted at the hallway by her headmaid Frederica.
"Emilia-sama! Thank goodness! I'm truly happy to see you up and moving." Frederica excitedly spoke, almost hugging Emilia but restrained herself to smiling happily instead.
"Good morning Frederica." Emilia greeted her with a smile of her own.
"How do you feel Emilia-sama? Subaru-sama had said you were fine one moment, then clutched your head in pain the other. Then you fainted." She paused for a moment, to let her words sink in before continuing. "Subaru-sama carried you to your room, then Beatrice-sama and Rem looked at your condition. But they both said you were fine. Are you sure you shouldn't be resting?"
"I feel fine thank you Frederica. I'm reaaally~ grateful for everyone's help. Especially Subaru's, I don't even know what befallen me either last night, but I feel much better today." She said that in a regal yet slightly guilty tone as she remembered Subaru is still sleeping in her room.
Frederica looked relieved as she heard that.
Looking at Frederica again, she wanted to ask her something important.
"Frederica.. He's.. He's not back yet isn't he?" Lowering her gaze was to the floor as she said that.
"May I ask whom you speak of Emilia-sama?" Frederica answered her, concerned about why her liege looked so down.
"My knight."
"Subaru-sama? Last I remember he carried you to your room, before he came by frantically asking for help. If I had to guess, I would say he is probably sleeping in his room."
"No I mean.. The purple haired man.. He's not back yet, right?" Looking again at her in the hopes Frederica could tell her about his whereabouts. Her eyes had slight hope in them. Emilia felt guilty for calling him that and not his given name, but she could not remember his name.
Frederica was confused. What was her lady speaking about?
"Purple haired man? I'm sorry but I'm not following you, Emilia-sama."
Hearing that made Emilia speak to her in a stern tone. "You know him too, Frederica. You shouldn't lie you know. Lying is only for bad people. Do you want to be a bad girl, Frederica? Bad girls get spanked, you know."
Frederica's cheeks flushed. She looked very uncomfortable at that 'innocent' remark from her lady, while still confused at who she means.
"E-E-Emilia-sama?! I-I truly h-have no idea who y-you spea-"
"Oh! Emilia-sama you're awake! Are you ok? I heard Subaru-sama was on edge when he brought you yesterday.." Petra suddenly showed up looking for her mentor when she found her lady talking with her. She ran in to give her a quick hug.
"Good morning Petra. Yes.. Subaru is a reaaaally~ good boy. I need to find a way to thank him."
"Well that said, Emilia-sama, shall we head down to the dining room for breakfast? I'm sure you must be hungry after the fatigue of last night." Frederica chimed in. Her blush was still there and she wanted to get the heavy embarrassment she felt of the past minute out.
"Oh yes, I'm very famished. Thank you Frederica."
Walking down to the dining room, Emilia was stopped and asked how she was doing by the palace knights and maids alike. Which was beginning to grow a bit tiresome for her to answer that question, but she knew everyone meant well.
Reaching the dining room, they encountered the rest of the Emilia camp who have just awakened themselves.
The voice of Garfiel boomed as he saw Emilia.
"Oi! Brotto look, th' Princess is up. Ye can now stop worryin' like Gareth 'n the rocky mines." Which made Otto immediately perk up as he noticed Emilia's presence.
"Emilia-sama! Are you alright!? We were all very worried for you. Though not as much as Nats-."
"Thank you Otto, I'm reaaally~ sorry for worrying everyone. I'm not sure what came over me, but it's all passed now." Emilia said in a tired way as she's been asked that question several times already.
Making him let out a relieved sigh.
"I'm glad to hear that Emilia-sama, me and Beatrice-sama spent quite a while trying to figure out why you fainted, but found nothing. Are you sure you're well?"
Came the voice of the blue-haired Oni, carrying plates of food. With Louis following her excitedly as eating was her favorite thing in the world, after Mama and Papa that is. To whom she was wondering where he was at. Though when she saw Emilia, she looked at her in a curious way.
"Huh? Oh good morning Rem, you too Louis-chan. Thank you for checking on me yesterday Rem, you're diligent as always. I still need to thank Beatrice and Subaru for what they did too."
"Barusu only carried you while shamelessly crying for help. Ram's innocent and sweet little sister did all the work. You should praise her more Emilia-sama, aswell as me for being her amazing sister." Ram came in, carrying a plate of steamed tatoes.
Hearing that Emilia felt bad.
'Subaru was crying when he carried me? He must've been very worried. Oh no! What if seeing me like that made him remember his loss?' Internally sighing as her guilt spiked up.
"Ram, please treat Subaru kindly. He is a good boy, he just lost his lady too. Seeing me like that must have made him feel melancholic.." Emilia spoke, making everyone present heavily confused at her choice of words. But they mostly discarded it as her possibly still feeling a bit tired from fainting.
"Mama, where is Louis's Papa mmm?" At the mention of her Papa, Louis innocently asked Rem as she looked around. She had been wanting to let him feed her today as yesterday was her Mama's turn. That innocent question made Emilia feel guiltier, as she felt it was her fault that Subaru was still asleep. Despite that, it still felt strange for her to hear Louis refer to him as 'Papa'.
"He must be still sleeping Louis, don't worry I'm sure you will see him later. I'll even let him make you a snack today." Rem replied, caressing Louis's hair as she said that. Which made Louis perk up instantly and exclaim how much she loves her Mama. "Thanks Mama! Louis loves Mama sooo much mmm!"
Meanwhile Ram was smiling at her sister and her sister's adoptive daughter's adorable interaction.
They then ate breakfast while mostly doing small talk, Garfiel teasing Otto as always. Rem feeding Louis and Ram watching over both of them with a smile, or even interacting with Louis a bit, though Louis was giving Emilia some curious glances. Frederica and Petra were going over their schedule, and Emilia with her thoughts. With Meili joining them a few minutes later.
After breakfast, Emilia wanted to go to her office but almost everyone urged her to take a break, especially after the events of last night. They didn't want her to faint from exhaustion again, so she ended up going to the garden. To clear her head as well as do her daily activity of talking to the spirits. She tried asking the spirits but they too didn't know whom she spoke of.
After that she was sitting in the garden while thinking over her dream and the purple haired knight.
'I still need to find out where the purpl- my knight is. Last time we encountered one another was at the Pleiades Watchtower, where he then vanished into thin air towards Vollachia, or atleast that's what I've heard. But why can't I remember his name? If only I could remember his name, this would be so much easier to figure out. I wish I can ask them but they'll probably hate me for forgetting my own knight's name... I'm sure Frederica already think-'
"You know Emilia-tan, if you think that deeply with that frown on your face, your wrinkles will develop much faster. But that will just add to your cuteness!" A cheerful voice suddenly made Emilia pause her thoughts, and made her nearly yelp.
Turning around she saw Subaru standing there with a big smile at his face.
"Subaru you dunderhead! You nearly made me jump with fright!"
Saying that automatically prompted him to say the usual.
"No one says "jump with fright" in this day and age, Emilia-tan." Replying to her with his usual tease. "Besides are you ok? You gave me a scare yourself yesterday by fainting on me!"
His words made her remember her earlier guilt.
"Oh! I'm reaaally~ sorry for worrying you like that last night Subaru. I don't know what happened. it was all so sudden. Even the spirits didn't know."
"Don't worry about it Emilia-tan, as long as you're fine it's ok. But! For worrying me like that I deserve some kind of compensation.. don't you think?" He spoke with a mischievous tone and a smile creeping across his face.
Emilia felt slightly uncomfortable at the smile. "Eh? Um. Ask away and if it's within my power, then I'll oblige."
"No one says "oblige" in this day and age, Emilia-tan" Which made her pout for once as she got tired from this unusual teasing.
"As for compensation, it's very easy" Snapping his fingers and winking at her. "Go on a date with me and I'll let bygones be bygones!"
Though she was confused at that word.
"Dayte? What is that?"
Asking that again made him sigh. He thought if it was maybe because she fainted that she forgot most of the conversation. But it also brought up a question of why Emilia forgot it in the first place? And not just "date" but also 'tan'.
"This again Emilia-tan?"
"It's just, I don't reaaally~ remember much of what we talked yesterday. I'm sorry Subaru. I know I should say 'thank you' instead of 'sorry', but in this case it can't be helped." She spoke while fidgeting her fingers, confirming his suspicions that she likely forgot some of the conversation of last night.
Sighing before speaking. "It's ok, I kinda thought that too after you fainted, but well.. Date is spending time with the person that you like and want to know better." He explained to her once more, but he still wasn't fully done. "Also since we're on that topic, 'tan' is a nickname. It means that you're someone very close to me"
"Thank you Subaru. I promise I will remember them this time." She vowed that he wouldn't have to re-explain it a third time.
"It's fine Emilia-tan. I get it, that you must be pretty stressed with being queen and all. That your brain got infused with too much work all at once and made you lose some of the things that you knew, sadly it had to be the most essential ones!" He replied while shedding a fake tear.
Emilia put a finger to her chin and spoke in a moment of genuine curiosity rather than teasing. "Hmm. I don't think they use "infused" nowadays? Or do they?"
"What?! That's a first. I'm so proud that it happened! and so disappointed that I'm the target of it..." Subaru responded with a smile on his face regardless.
"Anyways, what do you say about the date Emilia-tan?"
"Huh? Oh hm. I guess I don't mind? I'm not sure what to do on this "dayte" though." She was a bit curious about this, but also reluctant.
"Well it's fine you just leave all the planning to me! Now that that's done with, why are you hanging around in the garden? Not that there's anything wrong with that, but usually you come here at night." Subaru asked.
"It's because everyone wanted me to take a break from my duties, judging from what happened yesterday.. and besides that I have nothing to do so I thought to come here and enjoy the peacefulness."
Though that gave an idea to Subaru.
"I see. Emilia-tan, I have an idea. Since you're free and you seem to be in need of a distraction, then how about we train like we used to? It could be a good distraction for you and it's been awhile since we sparred. I was already on my way to the training grounds to meet with Beako before I spotted you here."
'We used to train? But that dream that made me relive my memories didn't show us training? Maybe it's something I haven't dreamt yet? Yes that must be it.'
"Alright Subaru." She replied to him with a smile adorning her face. Making him almost say "EMT!"
Reaching the training grounds. They saw Beatrice waiting for Subaru for their usual training, which also gave Emilia a chance to thank her once she saw her. There was also Garfiel already training there alongside few knights who paused that their lady was coming to this place.
After doing some stretches. Subaru took out the sword that had it's sheath strapped to his back. It was a dark single-edged blade with a handle that was custom fit for Subaru's hand, and it could be wielded with one or two hands. It had some writings that were engraved along the blade and it's hilt. At the top of the hilt a red gem lay that absorbed the sun's light whenever it reached the gem, making it glow in turn. It's design and the red gem proved that it was made in Vollachia. A truly remarkable craftsmanship all around and it even seemed like it was a kingly gift.
Emilia couldn't help but be impressed by it.
"Wow. That sword looks reaaally~ beautiful Subaru." "Anastasia must've really liked you to gift you that.." She said amazed by the way it's gem was radiating. Though that last part was spoken in a sad quiet tone as she remembered the merchant princess.
"Hm? That's not the first time you see it Emilia-tan. It's all courtesy of that prick Abel and Cecilius-sensei though." As he said that, he thought back to all his time in Vollachia for a moment. Which, While it involved a lot of fighting he did truly enjoy his time there. He missed the friends he made there, the merchant siblings and the arrogant sun princess most of all.
Shaking his head to focus on his surroundings again. "By the way Beako! Don't interfere, I will have a one on one spar with Emilia-tan." Receiving a "Hmph! I suppose."
Garfiel paused from his training to watch this: "Oi! Cap'n and Princess are fightin'? Dat case, my amazin' self bets on th' Princess ta kick Cap'n's ass." to which a knight asked why he calls the Queen a princess, before telling them that Princess will always be Princess to him.
Subaru stepped a few distance away from her, twirled his sword before pointing it at Emilia as if taunting her.
"Now then, let's begin Emilia-tan."
Then he got into a battle stance.
She nodded at what Subaru said and immediately readied a few tame huma icicles, making sure they would not seriously hurt Subaru first. Then launching it at his direction to start the sparring session. Forcing Subaru to try either block or dodge the oncoming icicles. He was managing well, yet he couldn't block all the icicles. Some of them managed to graze him a little.
Emilia was seeing how Subaru could with slight uneasiness manage to avoid getting hit by her barrage of icicles., and that he was getting closer and closer to her. Making her decide to stop the barrage and instead create a two handed ice spear to try and hit him in melee.
Seeing her with a spear made Subaru slow his advance towards her, as he thought of a quick strategy to deal with the lack of range on his part. Emilia noticing how he slowed down took matters into her own hands. Charging towards him with her spear and trying to get hit at exposed areas. Though it proved costly for her, as he quickly adjusted to her attack pattern, and even managed to get within her range making her spear ineffective. He made a feint at Emilia's side before changing directions and giving her a small cut on her leg, making her groan in the process.
"Shit.. Emilia-tan? You alright? I hope I didn't cut you too badly, we can sto-" He quickly stopped and spoke in a worried tone. Cursing at himself for not using the blunt side of his sword.
"Mhm it's fine, doesn't hurt too badly just the initial pain invoked that reaction. Besides I will heal it in a moment's time as it's not a deep cut" Emilia assured him she was alright. Though that reply made him want to respond back with a tease, but it didn't feel like the right time.
"Let's continue" She said to him after seeing her wound heal. Deciding to change her style along the way, she threw the ice spear in his direction. Forcing him to dodge as she created a two handed ice hammer instead.
Subaru slowly approached her. Being wary of her hammer, as Emilia's strength was very much on a higher tier than he could ever hope for. Which meant any hit from her hammer would hurt despite her limiting her strength whenever they sparred.
Emilia didn't let him reach her again, and started to swing her hammer and attack at random directions, so as not to make him predict her attacks again. Putting him in a bind. He would be proud of this change of tactic from her, had he not been so focused on evading.
Parrying one of her swings was a bad mistake on Subaru's part. The strength of her attacks made his hands ache from blocking the blow. Making him put some distance between them a bit to recover from the shock of the blow. He was very thankful for the parkour training as it helped him greatly with dodging her hammer swings, so he wouldn't have to hurt himself by parrying her attacks too much.
Subaru knew he couldn't dodge forever though, so he hoped he could get close enough for her to throw her off balance, he had an idea in mind. She saw how he was approaching her again, which made her prepare to attack with her hammer again.
Subaru employed a trick he learned from Cecilius on striking fast then retreating. This style of hit and run annoyed Emilia to where she reformed her hammer into an ice spear, and threw it at Subaru's direction. Then she quickly summoned two twin swords made of ice.
The twin swords proved harder for Subaro to deal with than he would've liked to admit. Every time he'd attack, Emilia would quickly parry with one sword then slash at him with the other one, managing to land few cuts at him and making him wince in pain. He had to admit, she seemed a bit better trained with the swords than the other two weapons she made. Even in their previous spar which wasn't that long ago, she didn't show that much skill with the swords as she did now.
He abandoned the hit and run tactic as it didn't work in his favor this time and tried to adjust to her new style.
This was what was so great about fighting Emilia, while she wasn't practically skilled at fighting in melee, as she fought mostly by instincts. it still gave him a good grasp of fighting against 3 different weapons at once, 4 if you count spellcasting.
For dual wielding he knew the main weakness was their reach. Yet his sword was not at a big advantage here as it wasn't that much longer than her ice swords. Thinking fast, Subaru put some distance between them and took out his old trusty whip in order to try and attack Emilia from a longer range. He disarmed her of one of her swords by wrapping his whip around it and yanking it, allowing him to come closer and attack her. Forcing Emilia on the defensive.
Garfiel and the knights that were watching this were impressed by the ingenuity that just happened.
Emilia was having enough of Subaru outsmarting her. Knowing he would eventually win at this, she decided to play one of her trump cards. Her eyes shined with determination as she yelled out.
"Ice brand arts: Ice soldiers!"
Immediately, four statues made of ice began taking shape. Though it wasn't the usual shape that Subaru and everyone else she knew was familiar with.
The summoned ice statues took a form that highly shocked Subaru and Garfiel to some extent. They looked eerily similar to a certain jerk he knew.
'Is that Julius!? What the hell.. Why are Emilia's ice soldiers shaped like him?'
The knights were murming behind them.
"Huh, is that who I think it is?"
"The finest knight..?"
"That's really him? I thought he looked more smug."
"Out of anyone, I would've thought the Queen would sculpt the sword-saint, or even Natsuki-dono."
In an instant all four ice automatons attacked Subaru simultaneously, forcing him to dodge and react without leaving him time to think. Subaru was far too distracted by their appearance and defending from their attacks to notice Emilia. Who took advantage of Subaru's shock and distraction and managed to knock him from behind, before pointing her ice swords at his defenseless neck. Ending the spar in her favor.
"Hahaha! Look at dat! Princess tricked Cap'n like th' dragon statue in th' walled city. My amazin' self told ya th' Princess is gonna win." Garfiel's voice sounded in the distance towards the knights that were shocked at their lady's magic.
'That was weird, why did.. Oh wait. Right. I guess since this is a spar we have to use everything to our advantage. Damn she's learning!' Thought Subaru over the random appearance of the ice soldiers.
"You did reaaally~ good Subaru, you should be proud." Emilia told him as she was slightly out of breath. Offering him a hand in turn and smiling at her victory.
"Gotta say you surprised me with those statues. Well played Emilia-tan." He complimented her ingenuity as she offered him her hand. Making her confused in turn at what could he possibly mean. Before thinking it must have been about the sudden ice statues.
"Thank you Subaru. I didn't mean to use them but you ga-."
"What a marvelous displaaaaaay~ of your power. Emilia-samaaaaa~"
A new voice suddenly joined. A voice they were all unfortunately familiar with.
"Eh? Roswaal?"
"Ros-chi? How long have you been here you creep."
He looked at both with a smile, his yellow eye was scanning Emilia however.
"I apologize for surpriiiiiising~ you both. I had been summoned here to take care of some duties that Emilia-samaaaaa~ has unfortunately been unable to, due to her exhaaaausting~ herself. I came here to infoooorm~ you of that when I stumbled on the fight." Roswaal spoke.
Hearing that made Emilia guilty at this.
"Oi. Are you trying to make her feel bad about herself?"
"Hmm? Not at all Subaruuuu-kun. I'm simply stating it how it iiiiiiiiis~"
"Roswaal I'm. No. Thank you, Roswaal. I want to apologize for inconveniencing, but I've said 'sorry' too many times today, so instead I'll say thank you." She said in a regal voice.
"You don't have to woooooorry~ Emilia-sama. I will make sure everything is in ordeeeeer~ according to your will. Now then, if you'll excuuuuse~ me."
As he was leaving to attend to his duties, he suddenly stopped to look at them one last time. With one eye closed and the other eye opened. "Oh, and Emilia-sama? That was a nice trick indeed." He spoke without his signature accent. Stunning both and managing to make them both confused.
"Tch. What is that creepy clown upto now." Subaru mumbled before scratching his head and speaking to Emilia.
"Well that was something I guess. Anyway Emilia-tan, let's get our injuries, or I guess my injuries looked at. Beako! Come here, we're done!" Receiving a "Fine. I suppose".
Subaru got teased by the knights and Garfiel for losing to the Queen/Princess, before everyone went their separate way for the day. With Emilia departing for her room to recuperate her mana a bit after the intense spar. Despite winning, she still exerted herself more than she had over the past year. Not since she faced off against the Divine Dragon at the last trial of the Pleiades Watchtower. The place where she last saw her knight.
After training. Subaru went to oversee some of the duties he had for the day. Which involved sewing a doll for Meili, taking care of Patrasche and last but not least cooking some of his world's snacks for Louis. As Rem told him she promised Louis he would make her snacks today.
As he was attending his last duty, Subaru couldn't help but think over some stuff that has happened regarding Emilia recently.
'I can't help but feel something is off with Emilia. Ever since yesterday. It seemed like she was acting... different? Maybe I'm just overthinking it and she is actually overstressed from her royal duties. It's still weird though. I guess the main reason is that I had to explain 'tan' to her twice already.'
"Papa? Louis is hungry. Food is taking looong! But it smells pretty mm." Louis exclaimed, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Haha calm down Louis. All good food takes awhile to prepare, besides I bet you the wait will be worth it!" Flashing her a smile as he was cooking her a berry flavored crepe.
It seemed like this world had not discovered such delicacies yet. Or rather did but, since it's a very recent addition, it meant that it wasn't hugely popular yet. He's been fascinated at how easily he could find the ingredients for these kind of things at the capital. Back when he used to live at Roswaal and then Miload's mansions, they had been in secluded parts of the Kingdom and could not find ingredients for more of his earthly dishes that easily. Though Mayonnaise was still by far his favorite creation, despite not everyone enjoying it to his great dismay.
"Mmm okay. Louis will wait for Papa, but Louis is booredd mm."
"Well then how about we play a game until this is finished?" He suggested, which made her perk up.
"Yeeess! Louis wants to play games with Papa!"
"Alright, give me a minute. Oh and close your ears Louis." He warned her and she did what he suggested, before he filled his lung with air and shouted at the top of his voice "Petra! Oii! PETRA!"
Then silence ensued. A minute or two later and the orange haired teenage maid came in. "You called for me, S-Subaru-sama?"
"Yes, thank you for coming so quickly Petra. I just wanted you to watch over this pot for like 15 minutes. Louis and I will go to the garden for an... important thing." He paused for a moment at that, before continuing. "I promise I'll make it up to you later Petra! Hell I'll even let you have first taste over the crepe I'm cooking!" Though it made Louis pout.
"Nooo! Papa! Louis wants first taste!"
"Haha don't worry Louis, you will still get the most share of crepes in return. Besides, we have to thank Petra for covering for us some way." Patting her head as he spoke. Before turning to Petra.
"I'm sorry to ask this of you Petra. But there is no one I trust more than you with this." Which made her blush instantly. "Y-yes! I promise I won't let you down S-Subaru-sama!"
Giving her a small headpat in turn before heading out with Louis. Petra's cheeks blushed deeper at that headpat.
Now that he's out in the garden. He decided to play a game with Louis from his world called baseball. Though a rather different variation where he would throw the ball as far as he could, and Louis using her incredible leaping skills would grab it and return it for him. He was almost amused at how it was essentially "fetch" yet he would never insult his adoptive daughter that way.
Creating a ball seemed easy, from all the sewing materials he had at his room from the dolls he intended to make for Meili. They got out to the garden and started playing that. Louis seemed to enjoy this game far too much as she liked to leap a great distance to watch everything from height.
"Nicely done Louis! That last jump seemed really higher than before, but don't hurt yourself ok?"
"Yes Papa mm!" She replied cheerfully.
He kept throwing the ball higher and further each time, mostly because Louis seemed really excited about leaping for it.
As they were playing in the gardens. Emilia had stepped out into her balcony while still in deep thought about something. Though she was not paying attention at what's happening below in the palace's gardens.
Subaru had noticed her when he used Cor Leonis to see where Louis has gone off to, as she hasn't came in yet from his last ball throw.
'She looks really beautiful.. I hope she finds the answer soon though. I really thought the other day was going to be it.' internally sighing as he thought that. Seeing her made him completely lose all focus on his surroundings.
Louis finally returned with the ball and was going to give it to her Papa when she saw him focused at Emilia's direction. Louis felt something when she looked at Emilia. Something wrong yet familiar at the sametime, but she couldn't describe it. Her vocabulary wasn't developed enough to describe what she felt when she looked at Emilia. Before turning her gaze on her Papa as she wanted to protect him too from that wrong feeling.
"Papa? Louis came with ball mm." She gave him the ball, making him focus his attention on her again.
"Huh? Oh Louis you're back. Anyway I think the crepe is finished now, let's go back to check on Petra. I highly think this will become your favorite snack for a long time."
Making her face lit up as she really, really wanted to try that.
"Emilia-sama. Dinner will be served in 15 minutes so please prepare to head downstairs soon." Frederica's voice called out
"Coming Frederica. Thank you." Emilia replied.
As she got ready to head out, she kept thinking of how to bring up the subject of her missing knight whose name she didn't remember to her camp. She could only imagine how badly they would think of her for forgetting his name.
Stepping out of her room into a big corridor on the way to the stairs, she saw one of the knights patrolling around. She thought maybe she can ask him, without too much repercussions. Although it made her nervous a bit. She was stuck in her thoughts of whether to ask him or not, that is until he spoke.
"My lady? Are you alright?"
"Huh? Oh yes I'm fine thank you. Um.."
"Harwin, your highness. Harwin Remendis, at your service." He gave her a deep bow as he introduced himself.
"Harwin. Can I ask you something?" She replied although in a nervous tone.
"Of course your majesty. I shall do my utmost to answer what ever question you deem fit to ask of me."
"Thank you Harwin, you don't need to act like that around me. The question I wanted to ask you is if.. you know a knight with purple hair?" She said that last thing with a low voice, making him scratch his ears as he didn't quite hear what she said.
"Forgive me my lady, could you please repeat that? I'm afraid mine ears have not sensed your words."
"D-do you know a knight whose hair is purple?"
He put a hand on his chin as he thought of who matches that description. "Hmm purple hair? I'm afraid you're going to have to be a bit more specific my lady. I apologize, for there are several knights who share that hair color in the garrison."
"He's also a spirits arts user like myself and Subaru." She spoke, hoping it would be enough of a description. Which seemed to work as his eyes immediately perked up in recognition.
"Ah. I know of whom you speak of. From that description alone, the only one who comes to mine thoughts would be Juuklius-dono." He spoke though in a sad tone as he knew what had happened to the elegant knight.
Hearing that name immediately brought a smile on Emilia's face. 'Juuklius Dono. It sounds reaaally familiar so it has to be him! Hmm but maybe not the Dono part as that could be a title.'
"Yes! That's him. Thank you Harwin. You're a good boy." She said that and stood on her toes to give him a small headpat, making him truly confused at the fact that the Queen herself has just given him a headpat. "U-um, glad to be of service your majesty?"
Now on her way down to dinner with a small smile. 'Now I can finally talk about him without having to use that.. description.. I need to find out where he is. But how do I bring him into the topic of conversation in the first place?'
Reaching the dining room. She greeted everyone there and sat down in quietness as she contemplated on how to ask the whereabouts of her knight that she until recently has forgotten about.
"Emilia-tan are you good?" Subaru asked as he noticed she was too quiet. "You seem pretty quiet tonight."
"Oh yes, I'm just thinking about my.. knight." She replied in hopes of steering the conversation his way.
Though what she said made Subaru blush in an instant. "E-Emilia-tan. I hope you're thinking about what you like about h-him!"
The others overheard this and either smiled at Subaru, or just groaned at that. Meanwhile Petra pouted with jealousy at this.
"Hmm. Well he is selfless, always helps even if it doesn't benefit him. He's also Strong, reaaaally~ strong. Good with spirits too and lastly he's kind towards everyone." She spoke fondly as if reminiscing. "He also never once hated my appearance.." She murmured quietly to herself.
Subaru just blushed deeper and deeper at her words. He opened his mouth to speak but a pink haired maid's voice interrupted him.
"Barusu, are you so perverted as to blush just from the words of Emilia-sama? Truly shameless. Kindly remove yourself."
"Like you wouldn't blush when a certain creepy clown pays you attention?!"
Making everyone either chuckle or sigh at their usual banter. The conversation seemed to be down after that as everyone focused on eating or enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Though Emilia was feeling sad about this.
'Did they forget about him like.. I did? But if I remembered him, then why don't they remember him? And that knight Harwin also remembered him.. more than I did.. No. I mustn't give up, I will try to ask them again tomorrow.' She had wanted that when she brought his qualities up that the discussion would take off from there to sprout ideas on how to retrieve or locate him.
Dinner ended and everyone retreated to their rooms for the night. Including Emilia, which Subaru thought was odd as she usually strolls by the garden every night before bed. He recalled that she did look sad towards the end of the dinner there, wondering what's on her mind. He decided he should go to the garden for the both of them.
Sitting on a bench in the garden to enjoy the quiet serenity of the night while gazing at the stars. He wondered why Emilia had that sad look on her face at dinner. He wondered a lot of things about her really, and the way she spoke of him was as if he wasn't there? Strange he thought. Recalling that when she was describing him, it seemed like she spoke in a somewhat different tone. Questions started to swirl around in his head following that. After sometime without any answers coming to his mind. He decided he might be overthinking this more than he should before heading back into the palace.
Reading Louis a bedtime story from his homeland before going to bed. He suddenly felt a gaze going on him as he was reading to Louis, Louis also felt it. They both both turned around but there was nothing there. Subaru attributed it to his imaginations and calmed Louis down until she slept before retiring for the night.
Little did he know, his cheeks were being caressed that night as he slept.
In another part of the world. A Half-devil was watching this with great animosity.
I do not own any of this, all rights and characters belong to the creator Tappei Nagatsuki.
Author's note.Good day everyone! This chapter is finally moving things forward a bit but not fully. Some wholesome interactions with father and daughter too.
Anyways! I hope you enjoyed reading it.
I'm grateful for all reviews and any criticisms!
To answer some of the reviews and questions I've got:
to Commander Cost: He's more sociable because of both him interacting with his personal family and very close friends. And the fact that the past 3 years stopped weighing his conscience or were replaced with new memories. Im The Person answered the Lone Star part better than I could actually.
To Im The Person: Haha I like how you're full on cheering for team Pandora here. Can't wait for your next chapter of Sealed!
To Starmegalo: I also don't think that Subaru can just say it's Pandora. As I imagine only Emilia would believe him, and potentially Roswaal and Beatrice due to being 400 years old, he would need some hard convincing to do otherwise haha. I agree with your NTR analogy though.
To Synicall: Thank you!
To Waislander: That's a good shout for him being a reverse Amnesiabaru now that I think about it.
Without anything more to say. Thank you for reading. See you on the next chapter!
