It all starts with Love

"Is someone like me worthy of Love?"

The sound of wind struck his ears and the pleasant sensation of freedom reached his skin. His sight found the view below him to be pleasing. Using the air as a foothold, the red-haired young man was running above the kingdom of Lugunica. Below him, the petals of blossoming flowers danced in the warm wind as people engaged in their daily activities.

With the start of a new season and the coming of a new era, the entire Kingdom was relishing with glee. And, one of its most important pillars had a vital task to accomplish today. Keeping to heart the image of his master, Reinhard Van Astrea moved forward.


Having found the person he was looking for, Reinhard landed his feet on the ground and apologized towards the citizens he had startled. Looking forward, he observed a street vendor and his customer. It seemed the customer was purchasing an abnormal amount of Appa's from the green-haired vendor who held a twig in his mouth.

With Reinhard's superhuman senses he could clearly make out the banter between the two and thus, he quietly awaited the person who would become his companion for today. But despite his calm expression, the inside of his heart was churning with nervous tension. After all, it had been a while since he met this person, an individual who he cannot remember to the fullest extent.

As if having known exactly the timing of the sword saint's arrival, the customer quickly finished his business and frivolously waved at him. With an orange scarf wrapped around his neck, a black kimono covering his body and white hair crowning his head, the black-eyed boy revealed a bright smile.

"It has truly been a long while. I hope you are doing well, Subaru!," and so the sword saint threw his own smile at his friend, Natsuki Subaru.

"Ah, it's been 6 months or something. You haven't really changed at all, huh? The great hero who serves as the lion protecting the queen of Lugunica, Reinhard Van Astrea!". With an exaggerated tone, Subaru casually exclaimed this in a loud voice and patted his friend's back.

"No,no Subaru. I am not such a great person at all. In fact, there is much I want to improve upon."

"Here we go again, with your excessively humble nature. At this point it just sounds like sarcasm. If you keep this up, girls won't be attracted…wait they will. Not to mention, speaking of girls…"

"Y-yeah, today is the day that I shall.."

"He-he, today is the day I shall prepare you for your grand confeeession! ."


The journey of both went as smoothly as it could. With very little interference from the enamored public, both were able to engage in some extravagant shopping. In the eight or so hours they spent together, they were able to rekindle the flame of friendship between the two and purchase lavish goods that would elicit envy from everyone around. Though the purchased items might have worth above that of its price, even then-

"Was all of this really necessary, Subaru? No matter how I look at it, this is going way too overboard is it not?". Dressed in a lustrous black tuxedo, with gray trousers and a white necktie, it was an embarrassed Reinhard that questioned. Carried by his strong arms was a crimson-red bouquet. And sitting on the same bench as him was his companion, holding a smoking pipe in his mouth.

With an exhale of deep smoke, Subaru laughed slightly and said , "In love, nothing is overboard you know. If words don't feel enough, then one has to answer with their actions. If even that doesn't feel like enough, then well…you present them your heart itself." With an amiable smile, he gestured with his hands towards the plaza in front. Gathered there were multiple different families engaging in different activities. Some who were privileged, gave to their loved ones the most exquisite of presents. Others simply gave their own existence.

"Well, we also have 'that'," tapping Reinhard's shoulder, Subaru gestured towards the pocket of his tuxedo. Present there was a black ring box, inside which lay a most beautiful jewel. Crafted with unknown hands and made out of unknown material, the ring nevertheless held a mysterious appeal.

"B-but isn't m-marriage a little too fast, Subaru?!"
"Ka-ha, that one and only sword saint is presenting such an awkward face!"

"S-Subaru…"

"Eh well, my intention isn't to force something on you. Whether you make that move now or later is up to you. It's just a matter of the heart."

"There is still the chance that she would simply r-reject me completely."

"Hm, I don't think the chance for that chance to happen will even happen. Though I shall shut you up before you ask me 'What does that mean, Subaru?', with a 'Subaru has no clue'."

Tasting those perplexing words, Reinhard quickly shook away his uncertain face and grabbed Subaru's shoulder. "As expected, I simply cannot accept such a gift. I cannot grasp its true value, but I am aware that this must have been hard to procure. At the very least if you could tell me its monetary worth then I sh-".

"But I refuse!". Interrupting him, Subaru poked his forehead and continued , "Between friends, such formality is unneeded. Rather, if you just paid me back for it then what meaning was there in going out of my way to procure this."

"But!"

"Once again, NOPE!"

Having gotten rejected, Reinhard sighed at the futility of his action. Gazing at his friend who was inhaling another whiff, he pondered the nature of their relationship.

He knew that the answer was lost among those memories that he had let go off. He knew that when Natsuki Subaru's name was eaten, their bond was eaten along with it. He had a multitude of questions that he wanted answers for. Even now he wanted to know whether Subaru had always had a habit of smoking or not. Even now he wanted to repent for having failed and for not even realizing that he had failed. And so-

"Subaru."

"Hmm?"

Standing upright, Reinhard looked straight into his eyes and proposed.

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"Subaru, I-"

"If you tell me 'I love you', then-"

"I would like to offer you a place at the Astrea household."

"...what?"
"...hmm?"

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As an awkward silence filled the realm, it was Reinhard who broke it with a deliberate cough. And adopting another serious stance, he started again, "I would like to offer you a place at the Astrea household. I am sure that Felt-sama would not only agree with it, but would also be happy about it. With us by your side, no one will dare label you an archbishop ever again. And with your incredible talent, I am sure you could attain an incredible job. Ah, but even if you don't it's fine. We will accommodate you completely for as long as you want."

"Ho, is that a free hikikomori pass?!"

"But if that isn't enough, then I am more than willing to talk with Emilia-sama. If that is the place you desire to belong to, then I shall assist. If words aren't enough then I will use my actions. If even that isn't enough then I shall offer my heart."

"...Reinhard."

"Yes?"

"You really are nice. A guy like you is just too amazing and bright," with a small smile that could be labeled as a sad one, Natsuki Subaru gazed at the sky while holding his tears.

"Then!"

"I am sorry to get your hopes up, but I am passing on the hikikomori free pass. Seriously, I appreciate the offer more than you think. In fact, if it wasn't for you and Felt, then the entire kingdom would still be hunting me down. My innocence has not been completely established, but at least I am not getting tortured in a gaol. And for now, I think I have found my place. This lifestyle of traveling the world and doing some small business suits me better than I thought ! I meet various individuals and experience different cultures. I am not suffering nor lamenting the past."

"..."

"As for Emilia and the others. Well, though they don't remember me, they appear to be safe and happy. For me, that is all I ask for. I do not desire to disturb their peace nor to insert myself there. I am not seeking pity. And that is why, Reinhard."

"..."

"Raise that gloomy face of yours! Let's celebrate my newfound lifestyle instead of mourning it."

"It seems there is no convincing you Subaru ," once again the sword saint released a sigh. But this time it had more spirit than before.

Though it seems that Natsuki Subaru was not finished with just that.

"Speaking of Felt. Why was it her, Reinhard?"

"Th-that's"

"I thought for sure, that this was the reason you had even begun serving her in the first place. Wait, but even I started serving Emilia because of Love…well, whatever. Ahem, though personally I believe that a proper age is essential for this, I also believe that Love knows no bounds. But it doesn't change the fact that my opinion of you made a complete backflip."

"That is completely wrong, Subaru! It was only during the end of the selection and what followed after, that I began to have romantic feelings towards her. Supporting her in the royal selection from the start was not due to love."

"Hee, really?"

"Really?!"

With a bright red face, the sword-saint rebelled. Enjoying this expression, Subaru continued , "So, why is it her?".

As much as Reinhard wanted to run away from the question due to his embarrassment, he also wanted to proudly proclaim his feelings. And so with guts and his divine protection of calm-down-feelings, the sword saint put his words together slowly.

"At first I only thought of her as being special. She had the qualifications and the features of royal bloodline. But her mischievous and rebellious nature grew on me slowly. And her dream regarding the future inspired me. Felt-sama truly brought a new wind in my life. And this burning wind kept getting stronger and stronger."

"..."

"She was always there. Even during the war with Vollachia. Even when my father went missing. Even when grandfather passed away. And even when Mother was finally cured. I guess, one day that unfaltering wind had swept away my heart as well. That's when I truly realized my feelings. And now here I am, dressed in a tuxedo, with a bouquet in my arms and having been bolstered by the words of a friend."

As his words trailed to an end, a sound was heard. The sound of a loud clap. Looking towards the source, Reinhard spotted his friend who adorned a smug face. But that was not the end. As soon after, a loud applause rang out in the plaza. At its source were the citizens he had completely forgotten about. Some gave a thumbs-up, while others even shed tears. And to this embarrassed Reinhard, the hand of his friend reached his back.

"I guess I should not keep this lovesick puppy here, huh."

"Ugh."

Flashing a bright smile that made his teeth shine and giving him a stamp of approval, Subaru finished with a, "Go sword saint! Get all of these feelings to reach her and make me proud. If it's you I am sure you can do it. And regardless of the result, next time we meet I am going to be holding a massive drinking party. Both of you are invited of course."

"Though I have various complaints, I shall keep them for next time. Thank you for today, Subaru. I shall definitely get these feelings across."

"By the way, Reinhard."

"Hmm?"

"Don't worry about that question in your head and just say the words you need to say. Well then, see ya!" With his orange scarf swaying in the wind, Natsuki Subaru walked away.


"Is someone like me worthy of Love?"

With his red hair flailing in the wind, he once again asked himself the question that had been stuck with him today. No, it wasn't just today. It had been stuck with him throughout his life.

The question had arrived when his grandmother died. It was there when his grandfather called him a monster. It destroyed his heart, when his father forsook him.

The more he grew up, the more eyes were on him. With power he never wanted, with responsibility he never needed and with curses he could not take, the sword saint simply continued to fight. But the more he did, the more that question appeared.

Many respected him as a hero, while others condemned him as a monster. And though he made several invaluable relationships, it was only that one burning wind that seemed to swat away his question.

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Arriving at the innermost room of the royal palace, he entered a well-guarded and lusteriously decorated room. Receiving permission from the resident inside, he slowly entered it.

And there it stood, with blond hair and crimson eyes, that burning wind which took the throne of Lugunica.

"Yo, Reinhard! Took you long enough. What the hell were you..what the heck is that outfit?!"

"..."

"Say something goddammit?! What kind of a fashion show is this? Could it be that you are actually drunk? This is some huge news! Gotta let everyone else see this Rein-"

"Felt-sama," interrupting her, Reinhard proceeded to bend on one knee and presented her with the bouquet.

With confusion in her heart, Felt took the bouquet and questioned with a, "Is this for me? Well, the flowers are pretty but I don't really understand."

"Felt-sama, I have something very important to tell you. Something that I cannot keep inside my heart any longer."

"O-Oh, go ahead…"

"I-," as he strained his muscles and brought his feelings towards the surface, only one question kept banging in his head. "Is someone like me worthy of love? Is someone like me worthy of love? Is someone like me-" ….."Don't worry about that question in your head and just say the words you need to say."

And then, to shatter that question-

"I love you!"

"...wha?"

"Felt-sama, I love you from the very bottom of my heart. For me, you are special above all else and I want to keep you there. I have cherished you and will continue to do so. My words are unfortunately insufficient and awkward. I don't know anything about this and it seems that just consulting my friend was not enough preparation. But I don't even need my divine protection to tell me that this feeling is very real and that my heart right now is about to burst. No matter how many words I speak, it would not be enough to convey this feeling properly. But even then I shall attempt to try."

"Wa-wait, wait, wait, wait a goddamn minute! You! What did you just say?!"

"That I love Felt-sama."

"Wha? If this is some prank then-"

"No! These are my true and unfiltered feelings."

Overwhelmed by the strength of Reinhard's words, Felt stumbled backwards. With a bright red face which mirrored the expression of her knight, she questioned the reality of this situation.

"You….are you for real?"

"Yes."

"...Like actually?"

"Yes."

"R-really?"

"Yes, Felt-sama. I love you deeply."

Turning her face away from those bold proclamations of love, she stood there in silence for several minutes. And then-

"W-why is it me? I mean, look at me! I was raised in the slums. I was a thief. I am uneducated and rough. Even if I am the queen now, I am still a pain in the ass. Well, my face is pretty cute…. but why me?!"

"Felt-sama, all of those parts of you are lovely as well. I truly love all of it. Though, I do believe that your education is a vital matter we need to attend to. And also, your behavior as a Queen could use some fine tuning. But even with all of that, I still love you. And if I had to give one reason out of the unlimited number of reasons."

"..."

"Then it would be, that thanks to you being here, I think I have succeeded in shattering a very melancholic question."

"Wh-what is that? I have no idea what you're even saying. In the first place, I have never seen you in that way!"

"Yes, I am aware. But for me it's a privilege just being able to be in love. I am not asking for an answer or anything in return."

Once again, the queen of Lugunica could only turn away in response. With a face as red as an appa, she looked outside at the bright moon.

"Are you really…. Sure?"

"Yes."

"...Pervert."

"Ugh"

This time the silence felt warm but awkward at the same time. As the pair contemplated their now-changing relationship, a cold wind blew into the room. While Reinhard pondered about the discrepancy between the hot weather outside and the existence of that one cold wind compared to the others, Felt interrupted.

"So you love me, huh. The sword saint of all people has fallen for my charms, huh.

Happy, that makes me truly happy."

"R-really, Felt-sama!"

"Yeah, it makes me really really happy. Truly I am so happy to receive such love. It is incredibly tasty and exquisite."

"..."

"Ah, I am so glad! Mama is, Mama is truly happy! Kaha!"

"...Ma..ma?"

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Author's note: For those who don't know, 'Mama' is the nickname of Capella the sin archbishop of Lust.