To alvincobee: I wanted to DM you but your dms are locked. Anyway I usually respond to some reviews at the ending, but I thought, eh I will make this one exception for your review. Just wanted to say, imo read the fic and judge for yourself whether you like it or not. The reviews are going hard understandably because this fic has heavy elements of "A Lone Star" fic, which is a controversial one. So if you read this one day I would like to hear your opinion about it.
-Siegward V
To everyone else: I hope you enjoy the chapter
"Emilia-sama. Dinner will be in 30 minutes." Frederica called out to her.
"Thank you Frederica. I will be there in a moment!" Emilia called out.
Today had been a strange day for her, she could say. Stranger than usual days that is. She recalled how she woke up in the garden following that strange memory dream she witnessed. Which had been on her mind today as she wanted to know more about who that figure was, and why wasn't her knight there this time?
'I can't help but feel that something is wrong with that vision but I can't put a finger on it.'
She wished Puck was still around. Puck would undoubtedly remember her knight. And possibly even know of the dark figure Emilia has seen in the strange dream earlier. She thought that now that she is the Queen, she should be able to get a pyroxene crystal of a very high quality. Enough to host a great spirit like Puck again. She quickly put a mental note to order that later.
Then her thoughts expanded towards breakfast where she truly wanted to find out the whereabouts of her personal knight but everyone seemed confused or looked towards Subaru. Why was that? She wondered.
Especially during her office time when Otto suddenly questioned her about her 'tease'.
'Why did Otto say I was teasing Subaru by calling Juuklius my knight? Especially when Otto said he remembers him. And why did he think I was using Anastasia's name to cause hilarity?'
Realization hit Emilia the moment she thought of their behavior earlier.
'When I mentioned Juuklius, they knew who he was. Or, atleast Meili, Frederica and Otto did. I assume the others know too but they didn't question where he is. The only question I received was Otto thinking I was teasing about this. Do the others think I'm teasing too? Do they think Juuklius is someone else's knight? No. I won't allow it. I'll have to convince them somehow.'
With those thoughts Emilia went out of her room for dinner.
As she was walking through the corridors she heard murmurs from a group of maids who were still doing their chores.
"Was it really him you saw? I heard he was holed up in his estate after returning from Kararagi."
"I'm telling you he's here. He even looked more handsome than before! "Finest" knight, indeed~" Making one of them gasp.
"Quiet with your shameless behavior you idiot! Do you want to alert the entire palace to your perversion? Besides, for me it's our nation's hero Subaru Natsuki.." She whispered the last part though the others heard her and giggled at her response, proceeding to make fun of her afterwards while some maids agreed with her about Subaru.
Emilia wondered who or what they could be gossiping about. And what was that about Subaru being a national hero? She shook off her head from that strange conversation and focused on the road ahead, greeting a patrolling Harwin along the way.
As she neared the dining room. She heard voices coming from within it.
"Enough! How many times do I have to explain it! It's just Otto! Otto!" Otto's annoyed voice rang out.
"If you say so, Ottotototo-san" The familiar voice of Petra said to him
"Gah!" He yelled out in frustration as Petra and two other voices laughed at this.
"Otto onii-san you fell for it so easily." Came the voice of Meili.
"Heh. Brotto, yer being outmaneuvered 'n outsmarted by a little girl." And finally Garfiel was the last voice to speak.
Emilia then heard Petra's voice bursting out.
"I-I'm not a little girl anymore! I turn 16 in a few months! And you're only one year ahead of me, Garf!" Before quickly apologizing for that. "S-s-sorry for yelling."
Entering the dining room. She noted not everyone was here yet, it was mainly Garfiel, Petra, Otto and Meili with a Shaula doll in her hands. Otto was seen being teased by Petra and Garfiel.
"Good evening everyone."
Emilia said as she went inside.
"Good Evening Emilia-sama/Onee-san/Princess." Petra, Otto, Meili and Garfiel greeted her. Though Garfiel had an unsure look. Remembering the suspicion he had on his mind earlier.
Emilia sat down and quickly got into a discussion with Otto about their schedule for the next day.
Roswaal then came in and greeted them in his usual eccentric way. He started to discuss with Emilia and Otto about the meeting he had. Emilia felt guilty as she knew it was her responsibility to attend the meeting but everyone had insisted on Roswaal attending due to her fainting from exhaustion as she believed.
"Good evening everyone." Subaru's voice called out to announce his arrival alongside Beatrice. They all said their greetings before returning to their respective conversations. Beatrice seemed to look at Emilia with suspicion.
"Sorry for being late, Petra. Beako had to draw out her mana for today. I thought for sure you'd be in the kitchen though."
"I-I was waiting for you Subaru-sama." Petra meekly said.
"Alright, let's go in that case. I'll be back in a jiffy Beako, save me a seat!"
Subaru and Petra left to the kitchen to help out Frederica and Rem, as they made more crepes today than usual which will be served as dessert.
Beatrice decided it was a good time to ask Emilia to elaborate now that Subaru wasn't here. She had been wanting to ask her about it since she noticed Subaru's growing confusion.
"What did you mean by what you said today, I wonder?" Beatrice's voice suddenly called out, bringing Emilia, Otto and Roswaal to pause their discussion and look at her with a raised eyebrow.
Garfiel looked towards Emilia. He knew what Beatrice was talking about and he was also interested to hear what the Princess would say.
"Who do you mean, Beatrice-sama?" Otto asked her
"She means th' Princess, Brotto. Princess needs ta explain certain stuff that don' make sense." Garfiel said to Otto, not letting his gaze turn from Emilia. He was thankful for Beatrice for bringing up that topic as he didn't know how to ask her.
Emilia looked puzzled. "Me? Have I done something?"
"Why did you say someone else was your knight, I wonder?" Beatrice asked.
Otto wanted to say she was simply teasing as he had also asked Emilia the same earlier since her response to his question confirmed what he thought.
"I also asked Emilia-sama the same thing earlier, and she teased me in turn too."
Emilia shook her head "I wasn't teasing anyone. I don't know why you thought I was teasing you, Otto. You dunderhead"
"Eh?! But what about you mentioning Anastasia-sama and-"
"Quiet, I suppose." Beatrice's voice cut him off. "Let the half-elf elaborate. I'll ask you again. Why did you say someone else was your knight, I wonder?" She narrowed her eyes at Emilia.
"N while we're at it. Why did yer spell look different, Princess?"
'My spell looks different? Which spell does he mean?'
Emilia didn't really know what to say about that question. She knew what Beatrice was talking about on the other hand. She felt sad that none believed her.
"I'm not sure what you're talking about Garfiel. But I wasn't teasing when I said I was looking for my knight. I don't know why you forgot that Julius Juuklius is my knight, but I know he's out there and I intend to find him." Emilia spoke with conviction.
Making them all look at her in a baffled expression. What on Od is she talking about?
"Onee-san?' Meili's sudden voice came out. She chose to speak up as she didn't know what was going on. She was giving Emilia a curious look after this interaction.
"Mhm? What is it, Meili-chan?"
"It's just.. if you mean pretty knight onii-san is your knight. Then what about father? Isn't he your knight?"
Her question made the trio look towards Emilia with increased interest.
She shook her head at Meili's question. "Subaru is-was" She corrected herself in a sad tone. "Anastasia's knight. I don't know why you would think he's my knight, Meili-chan."
Beatrice, Otto, Garfiel and Meili looked at Emilia with bewilderment written on their faces. Had Emilia really just said that and actually meant it?
'What is happening with Bubby's brat, I wonder? Does she truly mean all of that?'
'W-what? Did Emilia-sama a-actually mean all of that?! H-how did..'
'I knew something wasn't sitting right with the Princess.'
'Why did Onee-san say that about father?'
Roswaal stayed quiet. After his flight back home he had decided to try and assess anything important he could learn. However, he was amused that they caught on to Emilia's change.
A second after Emilia said that the doors opened. In walked Subaru, Petra, Rem and Louis came in. Bringing in food. With Frederica and Ram right behind them.
"Mama can Louis eat now. Louis hungry for crepes. mm" Louis's voice sounded.
"Soon sweetie very soon, I promise." She then shook her head at Subaru as they sat down the plates. "Subaru-kun, you shouldn't have gotten her addicted to that. It's all she talks about when she wants to eat."
"Huh? Don't blame me for this! It's not my fault, you know? You're the one who told me you promised Louis I would make a dish from my homeland the other day!"
"I-I think it's a really good dish S-Subaru-sama. I'm grateful you taught it to me." Petra spoke with true gratefulness towards her hero.
Ram seized the opportunity. "I can only imagine the shameless, disgusting things Barusu has taught you."
"See Rem-rin? Petra gets it. Neesama?! What kind of a person do you think I-"
Subaru finally noticed the looks on the three's faces as he placed down the plates.
"Oi, did you read a horror story or something? What's with the long faces on you lot?"
They couldn't reply. They still looked at Emilia's direction in disbelief over what she said. How could they tell Subaru what she had just told them? Emilia for her part looked sad at their reaction. Confirming they didn't think Juuklius was her knight.
Beatrice recovered faster than any of them, she had a look of annoyance on her face now and wanted to talk back in anger towards Emilia. But before she could speak the door opened and a knight entered. Making everyone look in his direction.
He saluted before speaking to get their attention. "Please excuse my interruption, your Majesty. I am here to announce the arrival of your visitors."
The others looked in surprise as they weren't aware of any visitors. Otto chose to speak up to explain, stammering as he spoke as he was still recovering. "W-W-We were told E-Emilia-sama has had surprise visitors earlier today. We invited them to dinner as Emilia-sama couldn't meet them due to her schedule."
Emilia nodded towards the knight. "Carry on with your announcement, please."
The knight cleared his throat before speaking. "It is my honor and privilege to introduce the fellow knight of the Royal Guard of Lugunica."
As he said that everyone wondered who he could mean. Was it the sword-saint? Emilia for sure thought it was Felix and Crusch.
"A man who is a paragon to all who call themselves knights." Subaru's eyes grew in recognition and annoyance as he knew exactly who that meant.
"Julius Juuklius and his companion Helena." The knight finished his announcement and gestured for the two figures standing outside to enter. Before taking his leave.
The others' eyes widened when the knight said that name and Julius entered. For Beatrice, it was something else. Shock mixed with annoyance. For Louis it was curiosity as she could feel something familiar emanating from him, same as her elf Auntie's. Meanwhile Roswaal was intrigued by this sudden development.
Emilia couldn't believe her eyes. He was here! Her knight whose whereabouts she desperately wanted to know. She felt tears pricking at her eyes as she saw him.
"J-Juuklius?"
He took a knee as he saw her, making Helena imitate him so as not to appear disrespectful.
Julius held his gaze to the ground before speaking. "My lady. While I cannot express the happiness I feel to be here and see you again. Please forgive me for my late return. I hold no one but myself responsible. I'm truly-"
"Oi! Jerkface, what are you doing here?" A voice called out to him.
'Huh? That voice and insult sounds rather familiar. Could it be?' Julius lifted his gaze and found the face of his friend staring at him in annoyance.
"Subaru? My friend... I.. Allow me to express my deepest condolences for.. your tragic loss. I am terribly sorry. " Julius spoke in a sombre tone and shifted his gaze to the floor again. He also felt ashamed of himself as he couldn't remember neither the shape nor the name of the lady his friend served.
'What the hell is going on?' Was the question on Subaru and everyone else's mind aside from those two.
"Juuklius! It's soooo~ good to see you again finally!" She had really wanted to hug him, but noticed that everyone was looking at him weirdly. She decided to do so later, as no doubt they needed to be convinced he's her knight first. Regardless, she was feeling immense joy at seeing him again.
"Juuklius? Hm. I believe this is the first time you referred to me as such, Emilia-sama. Though I don't dislike it." He gave her a genuine smile as he looked at her. He got up and started to walk towards her. "You have grown more beau-"
"Hold it right there, I suppose." Beatrice's hostile voice stopped him in his tracks. Making Julius look at her then everyone else in the camp. His smile grew as he saw their faces again. No doubt they were shocked about his surprise appearance just as he intended.
"It is wonderful to see you again too, Beatrice-sama. Infact, my heart grows with joy at seeing you all again, my friends. I cannot state how much I deeply missed all of you. Especially you my lady." He spoke making them all give him questioning looks aside from Emilia who smiled at him. Then his gaze fell on a certain blue haired oni and his smile formed into a sad one.
"Miss Rem, I'm immensely relieved and happy to see you awake again. Despite the doubt that lingers in my mind that you would remember me."
Rem took a good look at his features. She recognized him to an extent. "I remember you." She said in a disgusted tone, making everyone including Roswaal look toward her with surprise adorning their faces. Did she know or remember Julius from before?
"You were the man who was eyeing me earlier." She revealed while hiding Louis behind her. Making Julius lose his composure while Ram turned towards him with a glare.
"W-what? I-"
"Disgusting. How dare you dirty Ram's cute little sister with your bland and boring lecherous eyes! Kindly remove yourself from Ram's presence." Ram growled at him with a hostile tone.
"I did no such thing Miss Ram. I was merely fascinated and overjoyed by the fact that miss Rem was awake. Miss Rem, I apologize if my staring made you uncomfortable. I assure you it was not my intention."
Helena simply was baffled by what's happening. She knew her master was on good terms with some of the Queen's camp, but she didn't know it was to that extent.
"You didn't answer my question. Why are you here all of a sudden, Julius?" Subaru questioned, wanting to know what was going on. Everyone else had the same thought as him.
"Hm? I'm here to visit my lady and our camp again after my long journey in Vollachia. To be honest, I am thoroughly surprised to see you here Subaru. From what I heard, I'd have thought for certain you would be devastated. Although I'm glad that's not the case." Julius replied, which made no sense to all of them.
'Visit his lady? Me devastated? Wait, "our'" camp?'
"What the hell do you mean by "our" camp? Or any of the others? You're not making sense!" Subaru exclaimed at him.
Julius was about to respond when a confused voice joined.
"If I may. Julius-sama received an invitation to come meet with the Queen." Helena's voice came out to them, incase more of them questioned why her master was here. She then whispered to Julius. "Julius-sama, please behave yourself."
Julius gave her a quizzical look in turn.
"Oh, Helena!" Emilia spoke all of a sudden. Making Helena freeze and look at the Queen and making everyone else look at Helena as they wondered who she was. "I'm reaaaally~ sorry for not greeting you earlier. How have you been? How are Marius-san and Joshua? "
Her question made Helena confused.
'Huh? Did I meet the Queen already beforehand?'
"They are doing fine, I suppose your.. Highness?" She spoke in an unsure way, making Julius roll his eyes at this.
"I'm happy to hear that. I hope I can meet them again soon. It's been so long since we've seen each other's visage." Emilia smiled kindly towards her.
"No one says "visage" in this day and age, Emilia-tan." " Forgive me but "visage" is not used in this era, Emilia-sama" They both spoke at the sametime. Making Emilia pout. Everyone else simply deadpanned while Beatrice's glare intensified. What a strange day.
"Tsk. Don't steal my lines in a fancy way, you asshole." "Don't speak nonsense, Subaru. It was you who copied me. In a crude and uncouth manner might I add."
Before the conversation could go on any further. Frederica called their attention as dinner was growing cold.
"Ahem. Excuse me for interrupting. But may I ask that we all take a seat so we could enjoy our meal before it grows cold?"
Dinner was definitely tense and uncomfortable to say the least. Everyone stared at Julius and Emilia with suspicion and curiosity. Beatrice and Ram glared in hostility for different reasons. Subaru for his turn was truly confused, what was happening? His thoughts were more suspicious than earlier.
Julius meanwhile simply stared at Emilia while she often glanced at him. Julius also stared at everyone with great joy, although he was also puzzled at some of the looks he was getting. He was wondering why they were all silent. This should be a happy occasion.
They all wondered who would start speaking first as they wanted to ask some serious questions.
"My goodness, this desert.. It is truly palatable and delightful. Please extend my compliments towards the one who made this." Julius spoke as he tasted the crepe. He did like the crepe but was mainly trying to initiate conversation.
"Tsk. Even when you compliment food it sounds boring as heck." Subaru muttered irritatedly.
"Excuse me, Emilia-sama?" Frederica sounded. Having had enough of the silence. And knowing that she's arguably the best one to smoothly start a conversation out of everyone, aside from potentially Otto but he seemed to be lost in thought. She wondered what her lady and the others were talking about before herself and the rest brought food.
"Mhm? Yes, Frederica?"
"I mean no disrespect to Juuklius-sama." She said which made Julius look at her with attention. "But, I believe we are all owed an explanation here. Just what is the relationship between you two exactly?"
The others perked up at Frederica's question. They really wanted to know what was happening. Julius for his part felt sad that Frederica would ask that. Did she not remember him?
Emilia sighed as she had to convince them Julius was her knight. "Jeez. You're all being veeery~ weird. it's like I told everyone at breakfast and yesterday at dinner. Juu- I mean Julius is my knight." She said his first name to emphasize her point.
The room was dead silent. No one could believe what she had just said. Even Otto, Garfiel and Meili. They had the slightest hope that this was truly a morbid joke. Now it was fully snuffed out. Beatrice's annoyance grew as the half-elf dared to say that yet again. She wanted to hurt Bubby's brat.
Finally a voice decided to speak up.
"Your knight? Emilia-tan. Is this a joke or a prank or something? Cause it's not funny if it is." Although from what he suspected, he knew it wasn't a joke. Still he really wanted to confirm if what he heard was right.
"It's not a joke, Subaru. I'm not sure why everyone else thinks it is." She had a sad look on her as she was reminded that they all didn't believe her earlier.
Subaru felt anger and annoyance swirling within him. He wanted answers. He needed confirmation.
"What am I to you then?" He asked with an annoyed tone, making Emilia flinch at this.
"Subaru. I suggest you speak to my lady with calmness and respect befitting her royal- " Julius attempted to speak with indignation at how he was speaking to his lady.
"No one asked you jerk of jerks." Subaru spat in an angry tone. Before turning his gaze towards Emilia. "Emilia. Answer me. What. Am. I. To. You. Then?"
Emilia flinched again and fidgeted with her fingers at his tone. Before replying. "You're ...'s knight. B-but you've been a reaaally~ good help these past few days Subaru. You're a good boy."
Those who weren't present for the conversation Emilia had earlier when dinner was being prepared, were looking at Emilia as if she said the most unbelievable thing.
Helena was very confused. What did the queen mean that Subaru Natsuki was the knight of her master's lady?
Subaru looked hurt and in disbelief. His mind was running how, when and why.
Subaru's frustration reached a high point. "What the hell are you saying, Emilia?! Julius is ...a-san's knight. NOT ME! Don't you remember the knighting ceremony?! Don't you remember the vow.. I made?"
Julius felt an intense headache at what both his lady and his friend had said, but he didn't show it. it continued pulsating in his mind.
"I'm sorry, Subaru. But I don't know what you're talking about." Emilia was also hurt. Something about this felt wrong, but she didn't know what. Why did Subaru say he was her knight?
Otto was rubbing his forehead as he could understand his brother's frustration. He needed to take over the conversation before someone says something they might regret.
"Emilia-sama." He spoke in a rather uncharacteristic serious tone. Making everyone listen to him and making Emilia adjust her posture in full attention towards him.
"Since you say Juuklius-san is your.. That." He couldn't even process how she thought he was her knight and would refuse to even acknowledge it.
Julius was a bit distracted by his headache to focus entirely on what Otto referred to his position as.
"Then how did you and Natsuki-san encounter one another? How did you and I encounter each other for that matter?"
She put her hand on her chin as she started to remember the way she met Otto and Subaru.
"Hmmm. I met Subaru during the royal selection event. When the candidates were getting introduced to Lugunica. I remember it was during ...ia's turn to speak. She was trying to introduce herself and preach her goals, but like me, everyone was being mean towards her. They wouldn't let her get a word in. Then Subaru showed up from nowhere, and started to berate the Sages, the nobles and the knights. I bet his lady was sooo~ proud of him that time. Just like I was when it was my turn to speak. And just like A...ia, I was also treated badly if not worse. Then Juuklius did this reaaally~ amazing speech and wooed everyone with his words." Emilia spoke fondly as she remembered that event. Julius nodded at her words initially. Before his headache's pain increased, worse than the previous time.
With every word she spoke, Otto and everyone else's disbelief grew more and more. Subaru for his part was quiet yet ugly emotions were gnawing at him.
"As for how I met you. I think it was after Juuklius fought against the Witch's Cult?" She blushed lightly as she remembered what her knight told her after that event.
"He said he hired you to rescue the villagers of Arlam and transport them to Sanctuary. That's where we met." Emilia finished explaining.
Otto gripped his face with both of his hands as her words sunk in.
'What on Od is... What about all the accomplishments Natsuki-san had done for her? Does she believe it was all done by Juuklius-san instead?!'
"E-Emilia-sama. A-Are you..." He shook his head to refocus before speaking again. "Are you aware.. of what you.. just said?" Otto sighed heavily after he said that. The disbelief he felt never left his expression.
"Yes? Did I utter something wrong?" Emilia asked him, she was curious at his tone. She was curious about a lot of things. Why did they keep insisting Juuklius wasn't her knight? What happened to their memories?
Another voice joined the conversation.
"Tsk. Th' fuck is happenin' with ya, Princess?" Garfiel spoke, before deciding to bring up a question. "If ya say Cap'n ain' yer knight. Then how th' fuck did he save yer ass from that crazy bitch th' first time?"
The others nodded at Garfiel's question. Meili was sad at the mention of her sister though.
"Well. Like I told Otto earlier, Julius accompanied me after I met him at the capital. Then he fought off against Elsa and saved me, Felt-chan and Rom-san. He became my knight after that." Emilia truly hoped that she could make them remember her knight. She even said his first name again to emphasize that.
The disbelief grew even further. It seems like she had every memory of Subaru replaced with Julius. Subaru's expression darkened at that. Beatrice had been feeling the hostile intentions of her contractor was growing. She sensed how he was getting angry at this. She looked worriedly at him knowing he was very close to lashing out. The half-elf and the knight definitely deserved him lashing out though, she thought.
Otto spoke towards Emilia.
"I.. I don't know how to believe this.. Is this a joke? A dream?" Otto's voice grew louder "Are you not aware of what you're saying?! H-how could you say all of that so easily?!" Otto thought his ears were playing tricks on him. His mind couldn't wrap around the fact that Emilia said all that.
The Emilia camp had a different feeling for each member after Emilia's words sank in.
Emilia with sadness at her friends for not believing her words.
Subaru with anger dominating his thoughts.
Beatrice with worry as she felt her contractor's feelings. It took everything from her to not attack the elegant knight and the half-elf.
Frederica with sadness towards her lady, she should've been able to tell something wasn't right from the start.
Petra had tears in her eyes of disbelief at her lady's words towards her hero, wondering if she can support him somehow. She hated herself for being unable to voice anything from sheer confusion and shock.
Louis looked curiously at the duo, especially Julius. Something seemed familiar to her. She wanted to say something the moment she saw him but she didn't know how to describe it.
Garfiel looked annoyed and angry. Not even training would take his mind away from tonight's strangeness. What the hell happened to his Princess? Who the hell is this man to pretend he's in his Captain's position?
Otto was in utter shock and bewliderment. He really needed to drink alcohol to calm himself.
Roswaal looked thoughtful. His blue eye closed and his yellow eye was scanning Emilia, then Julius and finally Subaru. The charade's stage has been set, sooner than he anticipated.
Ram stared suspiciously at Roswaal. Did he know something? Or was he responsible for this?
Rem looked confused over this. Did something happen to her lady's memories, like hers?
Meili was also confused over the appearance of the pretty knight. As well as Emilia's behavior towards her adoptive father.
And finally, Helena was focused on Julius.
She was as confused as everyone else if not more so, she turned towards Julius to ask him and hear his answers and explanation.
"Julius-sama? Have you truly forgotten about An...ia-sama? About your friends in the Iron Fang?" She whispered to him, while the others' conversation was ongoing. She needed to know this. Was this why he was suddenly more responsive and cheerful than when he first arrived? Why he seemed unbothered by his loss?
She received no answer from him. He seemed to be in deep thought over something.
"Have Julius-sama's ears stopped functioning?" Helena's voice called out to him, but she received no answer.
Unbeknownst to everyone else. Julius withheld himself with great difficulty as the conversation was ongoing. He wanted so badly to grip his head, it took all of his will to not do it. The expression of pain was visible on his face, and it looked like he was sweating and his skin was turning pale. The pain increased even more for him when Helena spoke. It was worse than when he fainted last time. It felt like his head was truly going to explode.
His buds made an appearance and started swirling around him suddenly, making all sorts of chimes and alerting everyone else to this.
"Juuklius? What's the matter?" Emilia asked him in a worried tone and got up from her seat, as she could feel his spirits were also crying out in pain it seemed.
Everyone else got up from their seats at this scene while staring at the elegant knight. What was happening now?
"J-Julius-sama?" Helena asked him again but no reply. Looking at his face, more specifically his eyes. She nearly gasped as she saw them. His eyes looked dead.
She shook his body but no response. "Julius-sama!" His body leaned on Helena as she shook him. It looked as if he was barely breathing.
"He's not responding!"
Emilia rushed over to him. "Juuklius?! What happened to him?!" She quickly started casting a healing spell on him.
Tears were flowing down Helena's face.
"I-I don't know! I DON'T KNOW! GET A HEALER TO HIM! PLEASE!" She shouted in urgency.
Emilia instantly took over command and yelled out. "Rem! Beatrice! Please help him!" Her face was also forming tears as she really didn't want to lose her knight the night she got him back.
Rem quickly hurried over and started doing what Emilia asked of her.
Beatrice didn't budge from her spot. She wanted him to get hurt for causing distress and anger to her contractor.
"Beatrice?! Please, heal him!" Emilia shouted towards Beatrice.
"I have no obligation to do that, I suppose." Beatrice coldly shot Emilia down which made Emilia genuinely hurt over this. "You in your foolishness hurt Betty's Subaru when you said Subaru is not your knight. Meaning. I have no reason to help, I suppose."
Helena in full tears beseeched Beatrice to help.
"Great Spirit Beatrice! Please help Julius-sama! I beg you!"
Her voice turned normal in between sobs as she spoke again "I don't know what happened between the Queen and Subaru Natsuki."
"But Julius-sama did nothing wrong! So please!"
Helena's pleas made Subaru turn towards Beatrice. He also wanted Julius hurt, probably more than her. But he didn't want him to die. He knew something wasn't right.
Beatrice gritted her teeth and begrudgingly accepted. She could also tell whatever was happening was unnatural and it did pique at her curiosity. She wondered if using her healing magic would allow her to know something. Whatever ailed him could also be ailing Bubby's brat.
Everyone else was wondering what was happening meanwhile. Today had been a day of surprises following another.
Casting healing magic on Julius didn't seem to work at first, until eventually after several minutes of continuously channeling mana to heal him, his breathing and heartbeat started to stabilize. No doubt thanks to the effort of Rem, Beatrice and Emilia. Though he was still unconscious and his forehead was very hot.
The knights that were stationed outside had came in due to the commotion they heard. They were surprised to see their Queen, the great spirit and one of their Queen's maids healing the Finest of Knights, who was being cradled by another maid they didn't recognize.
Sighing in immense relief after Julius was stable. Emilia ordered the knights to carry him steadily to his room. She followed suit alongside Helena who led them to where his room was. Frederica and Rem joined in as well. Frederica because it's her duty as her lady's personal maid. Rem only went because her healing might be needed in case something happens. It would be a long night for them.
Beatrice frowned as she felt nothing wrong with the knight after healing him. She needed to research her library to find out if there is any answer later.
Everyone else in the Emilia camps dispersed and went to their rooms in confusion over the events of today. Far too many things have happened. First it was their lady's odd declaration that Subaru wasn't her knight earlier. Which many believed it was a tease originally.
Then it was the random and sudden appearance of the man their lady claimed to be her knight. A man they were all familiar with as the knight of another royal candidate. A deceased one at that. Who treated them with more familiarity than ever before.
Following that was when their lady claimed to everyone present that Subaru was said deceased royal candidate's personal knight. Rather than hers, as the entire world believed.
After that it was the persistence of their lady. That he was her knight. Almost as if she was trying to convince them of his identity towards them. Especially that story of how she met Subaru. She had replaced Subaru and Julius in her mind.
And finally when Julius Juuklius for some unknown reason, suddenly collapsed infront of them and required the healing of 3 people.
Everything was far too strange. Each of them had a different thought in their head over this. For now they just wanted the awful day to end and maybe tomorrow will be better.
-At Julius's room-
Rem had to retire to her room after some time, as she felt she had used too much of her mana. Leaving Helena, Emilia and Frederica alone to attend to Julius. They took turns in taking care of Julius. Helena taking a cloth and Emilia using magic to dampen it, before putting it on his forehead to cool it down. With Frederica bringing in refreshments for the long night, as well as water incase her lady's mana supply ran out.
Helena glanced at Emilia with curiosity several times throughout the night. She was far too confused over today's bizarre events than she would have liked.
'Why did the Queen keep referring to Julius-sama as her personal knight over Subaru Natsuki? And why did Julius-sama not react to Anastasia-sama's name? Especially when the Queen said Subaru Natsuki was Anastasia-sama's knight instead. Did he truly forget about her and the Iron Fang?'
Realization hit Helena as she recalled how he behaved weirdly recently. She had assumed he was in denial.
'I think this atleast explains some of Julius-sama's odd behavior recently. Him thinking the Queen was his lady.. He was not in delusions brought on by his sadness as I thought. What happened to him? The Queen also called me out by name and I do not recall ever meeting with her.'
She specifically recalled how the Queen referred to her by name. She also remembered how the Queen also mentioned Marius and Joshua which made Helena feel guilty over how to report her master's state to them. But she didn't say anything because she had to prioritize taking care of her master right now.
Suddenly a quiet voice alerted all 3 women.
"...ia.."
"Julius-sama?!" "Juuklius?!" "Huh?" They all spoke in unison.
'He also muttered something in his sleep last time. I wonder what or who it could be.'
"Helena? Has this happened to him before" Emilia asked her. Which again made Helena again wonder how she knew her name like that before responding.
"Yes, your.. Highness? A few days ago he fainted all of a sudden while speaking to Joshua-sama. Then he muttered something in his sleep but none of us picked up on it." Helena responded, although unsure really of how to call Emilia.
Frederica's curiosity was piqued at this, as she knew the same thing happened to her lady. Although her lady hadn't muttered anything in her sleep.
Emilia for her part was surprised as the same thing has happened to her. Atleast the fainting part. She was wondering if Juuklius was having his own strange memory dream with a weird dark figure, just like hers.
"I see. And you don't have to be so formal with me Helena you dunderhead."
'Dunderhead? Isn't that an archaic term? No matter, she is the Queen I suppose.'
"As you wish. Queen Emilia."
The conversation seemed to stop there.
Subaru had been unable to find sleep this night. Too many thoughts were running in his mind. Too many scenarios. His mind was busy processing the events of today. He was wondering. When did it all begin? She seemed normal a week ago. So was this just a few days ago?
He was hungry with an insatiable appetite for answers. Questions that were swirling everywhere. He was greedy for information he wanted to gain. The suspicions he confirmed brought on more suspicions.
Anger and logic were vying for dominance in his mind, that not even his great spirit could calm him from it. Poor Beatrice even wanted to stay up with him but she had exhausted her mana for today.
'I just need to convince Emilia that her memories are of me. The only question is where do I even begin? Even when everyone told her she refused to believe them. Do I ask Reinhard to come in and act as a lie detector? Or maybe I can change her mind? Maybe I can prove to her that I'm really her knight without needing Reinhard's help?'
Anger took over.
'Actually. Why do I even need to prove that I'm her knight?! I've been through hell and back to prove it, GODDAMMIT! No. Someone's to blame for this. Someone did this to her and they can reverse it!'
'Could it be that Roswaal is behind this for some stupid shitty game of his? That stupid ass clown definitely did something to her.'
Then logic took over.
'Wait, but he still has the vow on him. Wouldn't he die if he did anything to Emilia?'
'Whatever. For now I should focus on what matters. Something weird happened to her and I don't know what it is. Did something eat or alter her memory? Knowing it happened to Finest Jerk as well makes me suspect that another Gluttony exists. Which is weird since I'm sure that Louis is the only Gluttony left.'
'Was my name eate- No. It doesn't make sense. My name wasn't eaten. Everyone else still remembers me, so why only Emilia? Why does she think all my actions were done by him?'
'I don't understand. How did this happen? Who's at fault here? Can I fault her for this? Can I fault him? Actually, yes. Most parts of me are blaming him! but I know something is not right, otherwise that wouldn't have happened. So who do I blame here?'
He wanted to get into self-loathing but he couldn't because he didn't know where to start and he didn't want to resort to his annoying self-harming habit and exhaust Beatrice more by healing him.
Sighing heavily to himself he got up as he had enough of these thoughts. He didn't feel like sleeping tonight. Or rather, he couldn't sleep. It just wouldn't come to him.
He opened the door to the balcony as quietly as possible. Taking a deep breath once he was there, his nose was filled with the scent of the nightly air. It brought some measure of peace for him.
"I'll do whatever it takes to convince and restore Emilia-tan." He made a promise to himself.
He then sat on a chair and looked over to the stars. This beautiful scene made his thoughts vanish, as he began remembering his life in this world as well as his old one. Before losing himself to sleep while still sitting at the chair.
I don't own any of this. All characters and rights belong to the creator Tappei Nagatsuki.
Author's note.
Well chaos and confusion for everyone involved. More on that later.
Also I will also change the Prologue to say that it was "2 or 3 weeks ago". Rather than "A week ago". As I feel like one week is not enough to change Subaru's mentality that much. I apologize for that:P I was too excited over my first fic that I should've checked everything first.
In before: "You're extending the time period to make Subaru suffer more." No. I simply want to make the narrative makes sense I guess. As going day by day would get tiring pretty quickly I feel. So I might do a little time skip to keep things fresh.
Anyway! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.
I'm grateful for all the reviews and any criticisms!
To answer some of the reviews I've gotten:
To Marshall-056: Like I said, you are entitled to your opinions. If you think Subaru is all that, despite not even getting to him suffering yet. Then you're free to do that. I imagine these type of fics will always be seen like that.
To Waislander: I like the support for Subaru!
To Starmegalo: First of all I appreciate the detailed review. I feel like that's a lot better to learn from than simply writing "Oh Subaru is getting ntr'd/getting cucked." without really explaining anything. Onto the main points:
The Emilia camp do respect Subaru especially for his help in securing Emilia the throne, among other things he did for them personally. They just simply are unaware of what Emilia's true thoughts were about, so they refused to take her words as genuine and assumed some weird form of teasing or a prank. Aside from Garfiel and Beatrice as they saw her duel and suspect something else. Rem is innocent I should say, since she's lost her full memory and is still not overly used to them again, despite living with them for few months.
Onto Subaru. I understand the cuck suffering rant. But to be honest. If you read the prologue, this route was always going to lead there in some points. This is all just a flashback until the prologue's time is reached. I've said this before, but I was always intending to let Subaru suffers emotionally. As he always suffers physically instead.
I apologize for the drama for taking this long though. I had to make it make sense as I'm treating this fic seriously I guess. But I'm tryna speeding it up a bit as we go. Don't quote me on this though haha.
And lastly no. I won't make Subaru suffers any kissing or heavy smut between Emilia and Julius. As I feel like that will just be a cheap way to generate more suffering for Subaru. Smut will mostly be implied or very light for now. (Apologies again to anyone who wanted Emilia and Julius heavy smut:P)
To Deathenglegamers1144: Thank you!
Without nothing more to say. Thank you for reading and see you on the next chapter!
