A half-devil was seething with rage and hatred as she saw what was happening to her beloved.

"How dare she touch HIM?!"

She nearly wanted to unleash her monstrous side to consume the world again just to save her beloved from the Ghost's clutches.

She knew that Ghost had done something to her beloved's beloved half-elf. The one who resembled her in all but name. She had seen how the Ghost had been gazing at three individuals then at her beloved with a gleeful smile, and it made her all the more enraged.

One of the individuals was the half elf. Another individual was that bothersome knight who dared to beat her beloved. Despite her beloved making amends with him later, she still disliked him. She had no idea why the Ghost gazed at him. The last individual was someone very close with her beloved. It made her sad when she saw who it was.

She couldn't stay still and watch. She decided to intervene the moment she saw the Ghost touch her beloved's cheek. Before it's too late.

She had heavily suspected that the half-elf's memories had been tampered with once she saw their interactions for the past few days. She had a big theory as to how that happened, but she would need to consult the Witch of Greed to confirm those theories later. For now she needed to intervene and fast. Before whatever plan the Ghost has set in motion succeeds

She charged a great deal of power while within her seal and sent it out in the direction of the still awake half-elf. Utterly exhausting her in the process.

She spoke in a tone heavy with exhaustion.

"I reaaally~ hope this works my beloved.. For your sake."


Emilia couldn't sleep that night no matter how much she tried. Everytime she closed her eyes she would see the face of her knight, Juuklius. Why did it feel wrong for some reason? Is this because she failed to remember him until now?

She recalled his voice. She recalled some of the words he said alongside the memories that came with them.

'If I may Miss, I do not believe we are introduced.'

'Miss Emilia.'

'I urge you to escape. I will hold her off! Now Go! Leave this establishment!'

'I wish to be your knight, Emilia-sama"

And finally the most important words she heard from him: 'It's because I love you. Emilia-sama.'

Her heartbeat increased when she remembered those words.

She felt guilty for not being able to answer him then. She did not grasp the concept of love. She did not understand it, even when she read romance novels. What was "love" supposed to mean?

She had told him that she didn't know what to answer, and he said he wouldn't mind waiting for as long as it took her. And now that she did he wasn't here to hear her answer.

She stood up and walked to the balcony, sighing as the bed couldn't take her away from her thoughts.

'Why does this make me feel happy and wrong at the same time? Is it because I couldn't remember...him? Yes. That must be it.' She felt guilty at the last part. Before making a vow to herself

"I will make it up to you when I see you again...I promise you.. Juuklius." She again felt happy and wrong at the same time when she said that.

Staring out into the stars from her balcony. She started remembering again all their crazy adventures. How he saved her from Elsa. When he requested his reward to become her knight. That grand speech at the royal selection. When he saved her life from Sloth and said those words. The events in Sanctuary, then Priestella. She felt almost nostalgic as she remembered all those events by his side.

She sighed as she went back to her room to try and get some sleep.

As she lay on her bed. She noticed something moving from the corner of her eyes. Looking around the room. She found it completely dark. As if consumed by shadows and it was growing bigger and bigger, inching ever closer to where she was. It was completely surrounding her with very little space to escape.

Thinking fast, she had to jump otherwise the shadows might consume her aswell. She instantly leaped over the bed across the room. Trying to reach the door, despite the ever growing shadows blocking her way.

She managed to barely evade the shadows by an inch and unlocking the door, but the door knob was encased in shadows which started to slowly envelop her left hand. She turned tail and ran to the balcony instead. Evading everything along the way with difficulty.

She managed to finally reach the balcony through great effort. Looking behind her to see the shadows nearly devouring the entire room. She leaped from the balcony expecting to land on the soft ground of the garden. She closed her eyes in preparation for the pain from the landing to come, but nothing came.


Opening her eyes, she found herself back at the capital with Puck. On the same day she met her knight.

'Huh? What just.. I'm in the Capital with Puck? This day is.. The same day I met him! Is this perhaps another weird memory dream?'

She saw Felt steal her dream self's insignia again, which led her to chase Felt all the way into an alley where she expected to meet her knight. She saw the three thugs again, but this time there was a dark distorted figure being attacked by them. Her dream self rescued the dark figure and it asked to help her in return, as she told the figure about a thief who stole her insignia.

'Who is this? Wasn't I supposed to meet my knight here? Where is Juuklius?'

This figure seemed strange, as if otherworldly and the only thing she could glean from it's appearance were it's eyes. They looked scary.

It seemed to not fear Emilia for her appearance and treated her like as if a normal person. Which surprised her.

As they were walking and talking, the figure did a weird pose and introduced itself. Though Emilia couldn't exactly hear out the name.

Then Emilia's dream self introduced herself "I'm... Satella."

Which made Emilia immensely shocked at what her dream self just said.

'WHY?! Why would you use that name?! Stupid! Dummy! Nincompoop! Dunderhead! Stupid!'

She agreed entirely with what Puck told her dream self.

"Satella? That's a nice name." The dark figure said in a distorted voice. Making Emilia as shocked as her dream self.

'What?! Does it not know the meaning of that name?'

The scenes began to play out in the same yet very different way from when she met her knight. The figure seemed to speak in words that made no sense to Emilia. Eventually they saw the appa shop's daughter again and reunited her with her parents.

Then the figure saw Emilia interacting with the spirits which made it ask about this. It seemed to be a stranger in a new land.

Reaching the 'Loot House'. The figure stopped Emilia and said:

"Don't come in until I say it's alright to come in, Satella." Making both Emilia and her dream self flinch and look away.

Emilia disliked how the figure seemed to be unaware of what that name meant. She hated that her dream self told the figure that vile name.

"If you can get my insignia back, I'll apologize" Her dream self spoke. Which made Emilia for once look at her dream self with some sort of sympathy.

'When is Juuklius going to arrive here?' Emilia thought, as the figure went inside.

Some minutes passed in silence and eventually her dream self opened the door to get in. Then darkness enveloped her vision. She couldn't see anything.

"I'm... going to...save you..."

She heard that voice without distortion. It sounded oddly familiar but at the same time she didn't know who it belonged to.

Then nothingness. She saw nothing. She heard nothing. She felt nothing. She thought there was going to be another memory dream that will play out after that, but everything was too dark. She was left all alone with her thoughts now as time seemed to stop.

'What sort of memory dream was that? Was it real? Or a conjured illusion?'

'Why wasn't Juuklius there this time?'

'Who was that figure?'

She heard someone calling out her name, but she couldn't respond. That voice came closer and closer. Was it her knight coming to save her once again? She had hoped so for sure.

Then she felt someone shake her and she regained her surroundings again. 'Huh? When did I arrive here?'

"Subaru?"


Subaru woke up in a good mood today, although for some reason he felt something wrong was going to happen. Not paying too much attention, as he noticed a great spirit was drooling over his hand. He began to stir her to wake up.

"Oi. Beatrice wake up." "Hm... I wonder?" "You're drooling all over my hand. It's so precious how my little Beako is acting her age!"

Saying that instantly woke her up. Going red from embarrassment

"I was not drooling. I suppose!" She said that while wiping her mouth from any remaining drool. Making him laugh and pat her head.

He quickly got up to get dressed while thinking over what to do today.

'Hmm what to do today.. Let me see. Waking up Emilia-tan, check. Finish sewing a doll for Meili, check. Training, check. Feeding Patrasche, check. See if Louis wants more crepes..' He sighed at that

'That girl really loved crepes, so much that she earned the name "Gluttony". Ah, I shouldn't joke about that as Rem is.. Anyway, anything else to do? Oh I did ask Emilia-tan for a date yesterday. Maybe I should start planning one soon? Yes! This will be it.'

"But I have to finish everything first beforehand. Eh well, may aswell get started with today's first activity. See you at breakfast Beako, I'll go wake up Emilia-tan. Remember make as many childhood memories as you can!" He flashed her a grin as he expected her to yell at him about her being "400 years old in fact!" which she did.

Heading out to wake up Emilia is always one of his favorite things to do. That girl could sleep through anything. An earthquake would happen and she would still not wake up. He always had to resort to creative methods, although sometimes those backfired on him. He shuddered as he remembered the one time he woke her up by trying to scare her, and she in her grogginess accidentally threw him across the room with her half-elf strength. From there on he always woke her up from a safe distance.

"G-good morning S-Subaru-sama."

He was greeted by the shy, orange haired maid as he reached the corridors.

"Ah Petra, good morning. Wait, what are you doing here? I thought you'd be helping Frederica or Rem-rin in the kitchen?"

She blushed as he asked that, she knew full well why she was here but couldn't tell him.

"I-I Um.. Frederica-neesama wanted me to accompany you to ensure Emilia-sama wakes up. Yes! So, um e-excuse me for coming alongside you, S-Subaru-sama." She spoke all too fast, fidgeting and nervous about his reply.

Subaru wanted to chuckle at this reaction, but refrained as he didn't want to hurt the poor girl. So he stifled a laugh before replying.

"Sure Petra. Let's go then, it'll be like our own little adventure just like the days in Arlam. We shall call this adventure "Waking up Emilia-tan". Now then onwards we march!" Subaru said in a cheerful tone. Making Petra giggle and lose her nervousness from before.

Along the way they were doing mostly small talks, though she seemed a bit too nervous. An idea also formed in Subaru's mind to ease her nervous attitude.

"By the way Petra. I'm making crepes again later on if you want to tag along. This will be a good way for you to learn how to cook some dishes from my homeland." Subaru suggested, which made her instantly reply.

"YES!" Before covering her mouth and responding properly. "I-I mean yes please, S-Subaru-sama. If it's not too inconvenient." She had really enjoyed crepes, it was almost the best thing she had ever tasted, and the best part? It was made by her hero.

"Haha Petra, you know you don't have to act that way around me. It's true that I'm a knight but I'm not blue-blooded, you know?"

She nodded at her hero. Though she was confused as to what he meant by "blue blooded" as blood was usually dark red.

Reaching Emilia's room, while greeting several maids and knights along the way. Subaru prepared himself with a deep breath. He almost wanted to yell like yesterday when he summoned Petra, but decided not to as yelling that loud this early would make the knights look at him weirdly for disrespecting their Queen.

"Ready Petra?" "Yes!"

"Ok, you knock and we'll both shout. But not too loudly because the knights will probably kick us out. Also, feel free to call her "Emilia-tan" when I do it." Subaru explained to Petra and she nodded and started to knock.

"Rise and shine Emilia-tan! You're sleeping the entire day off!" "Y-yes E-Emilia-t-t-tan.. Um. D-Do what S-Subaru-sama said!"

"Huh, I didn't actually think you'd do it Petra. I'm so proud of you. Anyway Emilia-tan! Get up!" "Y-yes Emilia-t-tan! please do as Subaru-sama says!"

"May I ask what you two think you are doing?"

Came the harsh voice of a certain demi-human maid. Instantly making both of them jump.

"Frederica/Frederica-neesama!" They both said in a frightful voice. "We we're just waking up-"

"I expected this from Subaru-sama, but to think you would follow alongside his whims Petra." She spoke in a disappointed tone shaking her head in a disappointed manner aswell.

"I-I'm sorry F-Frederica-neesama!" She spoke and had her gaze to the ground.

"D-don't be too harsh on her, Frederica. I asked her to do this." Subaru said, trying to take away the guilt from Petra.

"Regardless, what were you two doing? Emilia-sama is clearly not in her room." She spoke then turned her attention towards Petra. "And you. What were you doing with Subaru-sama? I thought I asked you to help Rem in the kitchen." She spoke in a stern way. Making Petra immediately blush and run off while shouting an apology to Frederica.

"Really, this girl.." Frederica muttered.

"Wait, so Emilia-tan is already awake?"

"Hm? Oh yes, I assume she is. Do you not see that the door is open?" She opened the door to prove her point. The room was empty but Frederica didn't pay attention to that. "Besides, who wouldn't wake up from the noises you two were making."

"S-sorry Frederica. Anyway, I should head to the dining room to greet Emilia-tan then, see ya there!" Subaru said before he took off, leaving Frederica to shake her head in both disappointment and amusement at the sametime. Subaru's antics were truly an entertainment. How Subaru became a knight was an enigma for Frederica.


Reaching the dining room. He saw Otto there and Roswaal, no doubt discussing what they were working on yesterday. Yet no sign of Emilia.

"Oi. Otto, did you see where Emilia is?"

"Good morning to you too Natsuki-san. Also, am I Emilia-sama's locator or something?!' Otto exclaimed. Making Subaru nearly chuckle at how easy it is to rile him up.

"My, my. It seeeeems~ Subaru-kun can't find his own laaaaady~" Roswaal spoke in an amused tone.

"Nobody asked you, creepy clown. Anyway, so both of you haven't seen her?" He asked them, but both shook their heads.

'Hmm. Where could Emilia have gone off to? It's weird that she's awake this early in the morning actually. Think dammit think! Wait, I can just use Cor Leonis to locate her. Pfft I really am stupid sometimes. Anyway, gotta find her before breakfast starts.'

Ever since Vollachia and the war there, he had used Cor Leonis constantly to save lives, especially that of Rem and Louis. Which in turn made Cor Leonis evolve and expand in its range. He could always tell where a friend was whenever he used it. Using his Authority of Greed: Cor Leonis. He immediately noticed a silver transparent dot, shaped like a flower's head, glowing outside the palace.

"Nevermind, I think I have an idea as to where she is. I'll be back soon Ros-chi and Ottottottotto-" Subaru never losing a chance to tease his friend.

"Enough! We get it!" Otto shouted at this. It was annoying for him this early in the morning.

As he was exiting out of the room, he heard a familiar voice coming from the kitchen. That of Louis asking for her papa, so he needed to get out fast before the little glutton would drag him into a chair and force him with puppy eyes to feed her before he finds Emilia.

Heading out into the garden. He didn't need to look far to notice a familiar silver hair standing there. Out of all the flowers in the garden she was the most beautiful. She looked like she was in a trance. As if daydreaming.

'I wish I had my phone on me now. I would easily fill it with photos of this scene to last me a lifetime. Sadly the winds of fate have decreed that I must ask Emilia-tan to eat some food rather than stay and pose.'

He wanted to yell "EMT", but held himself in check because it looked like she wasn't focusing on the world around her. That, and he didn't want to scare her. It was tempting but he didn't want to make her angry so early in the morning.

As he got closer to her. For some unexplicit reason he felt an awful sensation, almost as if something bad was going to happen. He thought he might be just nervous that he's looking at her.

He reached closer and closer and it seemed like no matter how loud he walked, she wouldn't notice him. He could only wonder what she was daydreaming about. A smile formed on his face as he knew exactly what to say in this situation.

"You don't need to daydream about me when I'm already here, Emilia-tan. Although I would be overjoyed if you were to say that to me!" He exclaimed in a cheerful tone to her.

She didn't seem to budge as he said that. Her ears did not even move to pick up the sound.

"Emilia-tan? You there?" He asked, and again there was no reply.

"Emiliaaaaa-taaaaaaan~" Again there was nothing. Though he cringed at how he sounded like Roswaal.

"Earth to Emilia-tan! Actually we never really established what this world is called. Is it even called Earth? Calling it Lugunica wouldn't be right if I was in Kararagi or Vollachia. I should definitely ask Echidna next time I see her. Point is. Emilia-tan wake up!"

'Ok, what the hell? Did she suddenly go deaf or something? Or is she sleepwalking.. but more like standing still and sleeping? Hmm.. Let me try something else maybe.'

He stood infront of her face. Her eyes were looking through him rather than at him. He thought this looked really odd.

Shaking her shoulders to wake her up, suddenly she refocused on her surroundings again.

"Subaru?" She answered with a confused look on her face.

"Finally you woke up! I've been calling you for days! Well not literally but still. What were you doing out here and daydreaming about, Emilia-tan?"

"Huh? I was.. Actually I don't remember how I got here."

"You're telling me you were in the garden without knowing that you were in the garden?" He asked her with a doubtful look.

"Y-yes, I'm not even sure why I was out here, to be perfectly frank." She answered.

"No one says "perfectly frank" in this day and age, Emilia-tan." which made her pout for the second time at this tease, before he continued.

"What's the last thing you remember then?"

She put a hand on her chin as she tried to remember the last thing she did before finding herself out here. "Hmmm. I remember I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about my knight." He instantly blushed as soon as she said that.

"So I went out to the balcony to think, and then went back to try and sleep. I think I had a nightmare where shadows attacked my room? Then I had a weird dream before I woke up here. End of story" She quickly explained as she tried to recall what she was doing before she woke up here.

'Shadows attacked her room? Weird dream? That doesn't really explain anything. What is she on about?'

"That's definitely not eerie or anything. You know what this means, Emilia-tan?" He said in a strange tone.

"Hm? What does it mean? Am I cursed? Did a sin archbishop control my mind? Did a new inner me form and took over the old me, which only spawns when I'm asleep?" She rapidly threw out suggestions hoping one of them is the right one.

"Well, you've certainly been reading some interesting horror stories. No, what this means is that we've got ourselves a mystery to solve, Emilia-tan. But we'll do that later, why don't we head to eat breakfast? I actually came here to find you before breakfast starts, which should be any minute now!"

"Oh yes, thank you for reminding me Subaru. Let's go I'm reaaaally~ Famished."

Immediately prompting his usual tease at how no one says "Famished" in this day and age, which made her pout again as she muttered "Dunderhead" under her breath.


Breakfast was always a chaotic time for the Emilia camp. Mainly for a certain raven haired knight. Surrounded by 3 little girls, one of them his spirit the other two his adoptive daughters. Though Meili surprisingly was the more mature one of the trio and didn't require to fight over him feeding her, or having to feed him unlike the other two.

"Papa do aaaah." Louis said as she tried to feed Subaru.

"It's 'say' aaaah, not 'do' aaaah you stupid child. Subaru say aaah. I suppose." Beatrice held a spoon near Subaru's mouth aswell. He accepted both of their gestures.

"Beatrice-sama. Please be kind to my daughter." Rem spoke in a cold tone.

"Beatrice-sama. Please don't refer to Ram's adorable little niece as stupid. That title only belongs to Barusu."

"Mmmfh! Thank you Beako, Louis. Also Beako be nice to Louis she's still learning, and you didn't need to add the last part neesama!"

"Hah." Said Ram in her usual snort following her tease. She always enjoyed their banter.

Everyone else was just chuckling at this interaction. Emilia was quiet, which seemed to be an occurring thing these past few days.

'I promised to ask about Juuklius yesterday, but do I do it now or at dinner? I shouldn't tarry, I need to know where he is. I need to speak up now before breakfast ends.' She began fidgeting with her fingers as she thought of a way to ask about him.

"Emilia-sama? Is everything alright?" Frederica noticed her lady's fidgetness.

"Y-yes Frederica. E-excuse me everyone. I want to speak about something reaaaally~ important with all of you." She spoke to get everyone's attention which she succeeded.

"I wish to ask if any of you know the whereabouts of my knight.." She spoke in a sad tone.

Everyone was confused at this. They looked at Subaru then back at Emilia then to Subaru. Roswaal was looking on in an amused manner with his yellow eye scanning the scene.

Subaru looked at his hand to see if he was invisible or something.

"Is anyone else able to see me? Or is it just me?" He asked, almost in a panic.

"Natsuki-san? Emilia-sama?"

"What kind of perversive, shameless game are you playing with Emilia-sama, stupid Barusu?" Ram chided. She wasn't one for being pranked.

"Even I'm confused over the game, neesama. And you could've just asked without all the slurs!"

"Emilia-sama? What do you mean? S-Subaru-sama is sitting right there.. I think?" Petra tilted her head in confusion as she asked her lady to explain exactly what she meant. Which made Subaru panic even more that he has turned invisible.

"Petra?! What do you mean "I think?"?! I am right here! Tell em Beako. You can sense from our contract that I'm right here, right?"

"What nonsense are you speaking, I wonder? You. Bubby's brat. Explain yourself." Beatrice spoke to Subaru before turning towards Emilia with a curious glare.

"It's just.. I haven't seen him since he vanished.. I heard he was in Vollachia, but now that I'm Queen and there is peace between our kingdoms. He hasn't shown up. Did he forget about me?" Then she whispered in a very quiet voice to herself. "Did he... die?"

Now they were all truly confused. They all simply looked at Subaru before looking back at Emilia, to confirm he did exist.

"Emilia-sama/Princess/Bubby's brat?"

"Emilia-tan, what are you on about? I'm literally right here. I'm pretty sure I could never forget someone as beautiful as you." As soon as he said that, everyone visibly cringed or groaned, aside from Louis who didn't understand the meaning of those words yet. She was mostly looking at Emilia in a curious way ever since Emilia spoke.

'Did they all forget about him? Did they all forget about Juukllus?'

Emilia was getting visibly upset with the lack of answer to her question. She thought they must have forgotten about him.

Tears were nearly forming on her face as she thought of that.

Subaru saw that sad look. He remembered how she also looked sad last night when she spoke about her 'knight'. A serious question came up to his mind.

"E-Emilia." He spoke to get her attention. He really didn't want to ask the question that came to his mind but he had to. "Who exactly do you think your knight is? If... If it's not.. me.. that is."

His heart started pounding as soon as he asked that.

Everyone else looked at Subaru with a puzzled look, then turned towards Emilia to hear her answer. Almost all of them had 'What is happening?' running across their minds.

"My knight.. He's a man who has purple hair, he is reaaally~ kind and strong and everything I said when I described him yesterday.. His name is Juuklius."

Everyone who heard that name froze. Subaru could not believe his own ears, he nearly pinched himself to check if he was sleeping.

'What? What the hell? Why did she just say that asshole's name? Wait.. Why did she say he was her... Knight?'

"Juuklius? As in that pretty knight onii-san, who came with us to the sand place with the mabeasts where we met naked onee-san?" Meili asked, to which Emilia nodded as a slight hope entered her eyes that they might have started to remember him.

Hearing that Frederica knew exactly who it was now. As well as anyone else who didn't know it already.

"Does Emilia-sama refer to Julius Juuklius? The Knight of-"

"Yes! That's him! Thank you Frederica." Emilia had a smile forming on her face as she realized her camp hadn't forgotten him as she had thought.

'Julius! Yes! That's it. That sounds even more familiar than Juuklius. Harwin must have told me his last name when he referred to him as "Juuklius-dono". Hmm but I did like calling him Juuklius so maybe he'll forgive me if I call him that?'

"Emilia-tan what makes you think he is your... Knight? You do know who I am... Right?" Subaru asked. He wasn't sure whether he should speak up or stay quiet, he was extremely confused and slightly hurt over what Emilia had just said.

Emilia stared at Subaru with a sad look, she knew she shouldn't mention it so soon but she had to now.

"Hmm. You're Subaru Natsuki. Knight of An-"

"If I maaaaaay~ speak. I think Emilia-samaaaaa~ is simply tired or perhaps not yet fully awake? How about we continue this when everyone is fuuuuuully~ awake at dinner? We still haaaave~ some papers to go over today, Emilia-samaaaaa~" Roswaal interrupted Emilia's speech, as he knew exactly what she was going to say. He had his suspicions ever since he witnessed the spar, which were proven correct now. He could only theorize what happened, though he could guess whose work this is. His yellow eyes scanned Subaru for a moment. Before getting up and leaving.

"Tsk. Creepy clown and his bad timing" Subaru muttered under his breath.

"Anyway, yeah I guess Ros-chi is right. Let's have this talk later. Good luck with your duties Emilia-tan." He flashed her a smile. Although he was hurting a little on the inside aswell as really confused over what she said.

Everyone else went their separate way. Though all of them were still pretty confused over what their lady had said.


'Why did Emilia say that?'

Sewing a doll for Meili. Subaru couldn't help but think back over what Emilia had said. He wondered why she specifically mentioned Julius? And what's that deal about him being her knight?

'Yesterday's talk at dinner.. She was mentioning him? I mean I know she said it, but still.. Why did she make it sound like she knew him personally? If she thinks he's her knight, then where does that leave me?'

"Tsk. I wonder what 'Mister Perfect' would do in this case. If his precious lady spoke like that about me to him." He muttered under his breath before quickly remembering that Anastasia is no longer here.

"Oh. Uhh, sorry Anastasia-san if you're listening in on this." He spoke in an apologetic tone.

As soon as he said that, suspicious thoughts entered his mind.

'Wait... Anastasia? Is this what Emilia meant about my loss? No way! Does she actually think...?' Opening his eyes in shock as realization hit him. It was beginning to make sense. Emilia's behavior over the last couple of days.

"H-how...?"

His mind began running all arguments against himself, trying to figure out if what he thought of was possible.

'How is this possible? Was it the Witch's Cult? There has been no Witch Cult attacks recently. Not since Priestella, well technically Pleiades Watchtower when Glutt-'

"No..."

His eyes were even wider with shock now.

"L-Louis?"

"No no no! How could that have happened?!"

His mind began running multiple scenarios, before finally calming down and started arguing with himself again.

'Wait no, it's not possible either. First of all. Louis literally has the mindset of an innocent child right now. I'm pretty sure she's the most innocent person in the palace. Not to mention Louis had over a year to act suspicious, or even eat my memories, if she even could do it that is. Alongside Rem's. Yet she didn't. Cor Leonis shows her as a friend, just yesterday I used it to find her even. I'll need to find out for myself. I have to confirm this.'

His thoughts were going wild over this new mystery.

"I need to figure this out, and fast. Before it happens to anyone else. I have to check on Louis."

Then a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Hello Father."

"Gah! Meili! Jeez you nearly gave me a heart attack." He clutched his heart in a fake pain. She giggled at this.

"I came here because I thought you finished with my doll?" Meili asked in an innocent tone. She was learning how to interact as a human, which wasn't the easiest for her. Despite him disappearing for a year she still thought of him as a father figure. That and she really liked how he made dolls for her whenever she wanted, it reminded her of Elsa.

"Yeah, yeah. Gimme a minute, almost done." Subaru said that and focused on the doll. He was sewing her an unusual request this time. Shaula.

Making Shaula was hard for Subaru, not because she was half naked. But because he felt truly bad for her fate. She, like Beatrice, had been cooped up all alone for 400 years. Which was even worse for Shaula, as the only interaction she's had was with the ghost of Reinhard's perverted ancestor. Then she turned into a small scorpion unwillingly due to breaking the tower's rules. Without a way to turn her back into a human again.

He had promised himself that once the royal selection was over that he'd focus on getting Shaula back. The only issue is that no one knows a way. It wasn't like Rem where the solution was simply killing Gluttony, which was not simple at all.

A minute later he finished sewing the human Shaula doll that Meili wanted him to make.

Meili perked up as he handed the Shaula doll to her.

"Thanks father! It looks realllly good. I'll show it to naked onee-san's scorpion mabeast form. Maybe she'll like it so much she'll transform again?" She spoke in an excited tone before running off to her room to test that theory.

All alone with his thoughts now. He again returned to his earlier thoughts. Figuring out this new mystery surrounding Emilia.

He wanted to make sure that Louis was cleared out from any suspicions. Using his Authority of Greed to locate her, he found her transparent white-yellow-ish dot alongside a blue dot. Which he knew it had to be Rem. He decided to investigate what they were doing. He needed to know if Louis was innocent or if she did something.

Walking over to where they were. He saw Rem doing her duties cleaning an unused guest room with Louis helping her.

Louis used her strength to lift a bed over her head with a single hand.

"Here, Mama! Louis helps! mm"

"Thanks sweetie." Rem gave her a smile then swept the floor underneath the bed.

"Mama? Did Louis do good? mm"

"Yes. You're really helpful Louis. More than my own sister sometimes." She laughed a bit to herself. While Louis gave her a big smile. Then they were talking about words that Louis needed to remember.

Subaru, seeing all that, sighed in relief and went into the training grounds.

'Ok, that adorable smile alone definitely confirms that Louis is innocent. There is no way she would do anything to anyone. Even I wouldn't believe it. What happened to Emilia then? And why only Emilia?'


As noon was reaching it's end. A knight was yawning off the boredom of the day until he saw two figures approach.

"State your business." The knight asked them, eyeing both. Especially the man infront of him as he seemed familiar to him.

"I am Julius Juuklius, a fellow royal knight as well as the personal knight of Emilia-sama. This is Helena my maid. We are here to meet with Emilia-sama."

The knight instantly recognized Julius once he spoke his name. Though both him and Helena were confused at what Julius said. Subaru Natsuki was the personal knight of the Queen.

"Finest of Knights? It's an honor to meet you Juuklius-dono, but I'm afraid I will need more than your name and reputation in order to let you in. I hope you understand. Also unless I misunderstood, I had heard that the Captain ordered you to stay home?"

"The pleasure is mine, and do not worry I have received an invitation to the palace. Give me a moment please." Julius began searching his pocket until he found what he wanted, handling the invitation to the knight.

"As for what Marcos ordered. I am not on active duty. I'm simply a guest that is visiting Emilia-sama." He explained about the suspension, which he still felt curious and confused about.

The knight nodded at what Julius said, as he was reading the invitation.

"Hmm. There are no signatures or seals on this.. Yet it looks valid. Very well. One final question before I make a decision." The knight spoke to garner their attention.

"Do you intend to bring harm in anyway towards the Queen or the Kingdom of Lugunica?" The Knight asked them both. "I know who you are Juuklius-dono, but I still need to ask that question. You understand why, I imagine?"

"It is alright. I am fully aware of your duty. To answer your question. No. I fully intend to serve Emilia-sama with all my heart." Julius said. The knight then turned his attention towards Helena.

"And you?"

"I promise the same. I am not here to hurt nor harm anyone." She spoke in a cold and bored tone. Julius wanted to facepalm but refrained from doing so.

The knight paused for a moment before nodding his head.

"Open the gates!" He shouted towards a fellow knight nearby.

"Allow me to personally welcome you to Her Majesty's palace Juuklius-dono, miss Helena. Though it may take you some time before you see her Majesty, as she is rather busy during this time."

Julius nodded in understanding.

"You may use the guest rooms while you wait. Would you like an escort to guide you and your comapnion to where they are, Juuklius-dono?" The knight asked after the gates opened.

"You have my gratitude for the welcome aswell as the offer, but there is no need for that. I have been to the palace a few times in the past, I would like to think that I still know my way around." Julius replied. He was getting flashbacks of his visits to this place.

"Very well. we will inform Her Majesty of your presence in the meantime."

"Actually regarding that. Is it alright if you don't inform her that I'm here? Do not misundertsand me. It is simply because I wish to surprise her." A notsalgic smile formed at his face as he thought of how their meeting would go.

The knight scratched his neck before speaking.

"As you wish Juuklius-dono. In that case, we will merely inform the Queen that a guest has arrived. Please come in."

Julius nodded and quickly said his thanks in an elegant way before walking in alongside Helena.

Helena stayed silent for the most part while she stared at Julius. He seemed to be reminiscing about this place. She smiled as she saw that look on his face, she's seen it many times on Marius.

Pleasant memories were flashing through Julius' mind as he walked. He remembered the last time he was here. That day when he made the speech and announced to the world that he was Emilia's knight.

Staring at the direction of the training grounds. He remembered sparring there with Reinhard and Fourier. He truly missed the royal prince sometimes. If he had one wish, it would be to bring his dear friend back to live. Although that might mean his lady wouldn't be Queen anymore.

Coming across the garden. Julius took a deep relaxing breath as he remembered the time he spent here with his friends.

'This place is as enchantingly beautiful as in my memories.'

Fondly remembering Ferris and Duchess Crusch. The garden was their favorite spot.

Every spot of the place seemed to bring on a nostalgic feeling for him.

Finally entering the palace. He walked through the corridors with Helena while greeting the maids and knights who worked there. Many of them recognized him as he passed by. Some started murmuring about Kararagi but he didn't pay attention to it.

Julius saw a familiar figure in the distance, and couldn't believe his eyes.

'By the Divine Dragon! Is that.. Rem?! She has awakened just like Joshua! My eyes are truly blessed this day. I need to focus on meeting my lady first before I can greet Rem again. What if she does not remember me like Joshua did? Also, who is that child with her?'

Julius shook off his thoughts before marching forward. He glanced at Rem's direction as he walked, until she was out of sight. Today is a pleasant day for him and is about to get even more pleasant.

He reached a secluded part of the castle, where there were many empty guest rooms. He gestured for Helena to take one for herself before doing the same. They retired into their rooms to prepare to meet the Queen and the rest of his friends soon.


I don't own any of this. All rights and characters belong to the creator Tappei Nagatsuki.

Author's note.

Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. I can only say. So it begins:P

As always I'm grateful for all the reviews and any criticisms!

To answer some of the reviews and questions I've gotten:

To Waislander: Thanks man. I like to say that I'm committed to this story since it's my first ever fic. I hope I can finish this story smoothly though, as I have some good ideas at the moment.

To TrigunInferno: I'm glad to hear it!

To Commander Cost: He doesn't have return by death. It's more he saw a prophetic vision of what may or may not happen in the future. I guess you can say it's a side effect of Pandora making him replace Subaru in his mind.

Without nothing more to say. Thank you for reading. See you on the next chapter!