Another day, another start in the Natsuki family. It's been several weeks since Subaru saw Meili playing with her siblings but she left as quick as she came. Meili has had habits of appearing and disappearing without a word and Subaru and Emilia gave no concern about it. It's been almost 15 years since Meili was adopted by Subaru and the disappearing act quicky became known. Meili is seen at least three times a year the moment she became an adult. She did however visit a lot when Chochorina was born, the same went for Keid. Meili was so enamored that she stuck around with her siblings until a few years passed by. It was the most that Subaru and Emilia could ask for that Meili was at least in Chochorina and Keids lives.
It's been 17 years since the demise of the White Whale and Crusch decided that it'll be nice to hold a feast for all the camps that were involved in the Royal Selection all those years ago. It's been quite a while since everyone has seen one and another together. However...
"Why do I have the worst feeling in the world right now?" Subaru questioned. Ever since being told about the party, he's had nothing but a bad feeling.
"This doesn't feel like 17 years ago bad but this feels like bad Subaru time type of bad. Maybe I should stay behind?"
"No, you won't Subaru. We haven't seen everyone in a while now and it would be rude to not show up to your own party. Besides you're only saying that all because Chochorina and Keid are coming along." Emilia was there picking out her outfits as she listened to Subaru's unnecessary concerns.
"There! That's what it is! Julius."
"What about Julius?"
"He hasn't met the kids since Rina was a baby. Imagine what he would do now since they're older. It won't be a party; it'll be my funeral."
"Aren't you best friends? Honestly, you can be such a child." Emilia brushed Subaru's comments aside.
"Emilia-tan, you're supposed to be taking my side. I don't want the kid's saying things like 'you're so cool Uncle Julius, I wish you were my dad.' It would be the end of me." Subaru lying on the bed continuing his rant with Emilia to his side. But Subaru wasn't exaggerating however, this was truly something he feared.
As much as Subaru denied his friendship with Julius, they were very close friends. But when the chance of talking about how Subaru was when everyone first met him, no one would pass it up. Everyone would always look proud of the man he's become but Subaru just loses a piece of his soul every time. And that was something he doesn't want his kids finding out anytime soon. It's inevitable that they will find out but he will hide it as long as he lives.
"Enough about Mr. Perfect Knight, what about Rina and Keid? Do they have their outfits ready?"
"Well Petra should be helping the kids out so they should be fine. Speaking about outfits where's yours? You're not going with that are you?" Emilia looked at Subaru in his regular tracksuit. Subaru doesn't wear it as often as he used to but to say he never let it go would be the understatement of the century.
"Well, this is what I wore when taking down the White Whale so I think it would be fitting." Emilia turned to Subaru as he said this and was met with a glare.
"No. You're going to wear a proper outfit for once in your life mister and I won't be having it either." Subaru complied with his wife and later on help her with her own makeup.
A couple of rooms from Subaru and Emilia were Petra, Chochorina, and Keid all getting their clothes ready.
"I heard that there's a lot of friends of mom and dad will show up to the party Petra. What are they like?" Chochorina asked as Petra was picking out Keids outfit.
"Well, I haven't met all of them myself but considering that they're friends of Subaru and Emilia-sama they will be very excited to meet the both of you. So, it's best to be on your best behavior." Petra quickly glanced at Chochorina as she spoke.
"I know. I know. Why don't you tell that to my dad, he causes more trouble than me half the time." Chochorina scoffed at the reminder.
"But that means the other half of the time you cause trouble, right? So, both of you together would make a mess." Keid spoke out to his older sister fearing that their whole family will be embarrassed if either of them made a scene.
"Just as Keid says. And don't worry about Subaru, Emilia-sama should be warning him before we head out so worry about yourself for now. Anyway Chochorina, let's give Keid some space for him to change alright." Petra and Chochorina head out of the room and walked down the halls towards the lobby.
As both made their ways through the mansion, Beatrice could be seen waiting outside of Subaru and Emilia's room. Before either of the girls could question Beatrice, Emilia could be heard from the other side of the door.
"Beatrice-chan, may I ask what's going on with Subaru and Emilia-sama?" Petra walked up to Beatrice with showing a disappointing face.
"Emilia took it to her own hands to remind Subaru to not cause a scene, in fact." No one dared to catch Emilia's attention so all three of them decided to move on and leave Subaru and Emilia alone.
After a while, Keid came to the lobby as well waiting for their parents to show up. Apparently Keid also heard his mother as he walked his way over. Garfiel and Otto came in from the front doors as they were preparing the carriage to head over to Cruschs domain.
"Huh? Where the Captain n' Emilia-sama at?" Garfiel looked around in surprise considering that time at the moment is very short.
"Mom is busy scolding Dad right now. It's been a while so they should be coming soon." Keid answered as he was swinging his legs. Otto and Garfiel took their seats waiting for the two to join them.
"Otto, as we wait for Mom and Dad to come, what are the people at the party like?" Chochorina asked the Merchant the same question as Petra. This way they could kill some time as they waitied.
"All the Knights and Royal Canidates are all really outstanding people but they're nothing to be feared of. They all have high respects for your parents and are very likeable. You should see how your father interacts with Julius-san." Otto smirked as he couldn't wait to see the children's reactions to their father seeing the Spirit Knight.
Really everyone who has seen Subaru prior to him having kids, he really didn't hold back his own feelings towards anyone. He would always be blunt and make unnecessary comments and even when he's trying to keep it to himself, Julius seems like the only exception. Brining along the kids would allow them to see a side of their father they've only heard about.
Chochorina and Keid, in their own ways were also excited. It was strange enough that they never met anyone other than visitors that come to see their parents. Considering that the other Royal Canidates had such a competition, the kids figured they would meet them eventually but not this long.
"Sorry we're late!" Subaru and Emilia could be seen heading down the stairs making their way to the group.
"Natsuki-san want to explain what took you so long considering we're short on time?"
"Sorry just lost track of time and didn't realize it."
"We're reaaaally sorry for holding everyone but we had some important business to handle." Emilia and Subaru apologized before they left but Subaru realized something.
"Wait where's Rem? I thought she was supposed to come considering she helped with the White Whale."
"Don't yer worry Captain, she already at the carriage wait'n." Garfiel waved towards the door as he stood up while everyone followed suit. Technically no one remembers Rem helping out but Subaru. He insisted that she made her own efforts against the Whale once Wilhelm was eaten by the giant mabeast saving his life. Even if neither her or everyone else remembers such a thing happening, Subaru will always remember of those that have been forgotten.
"Anyway, Captain? You and Emilia-sama smell weird."
"Really? I'm pretty sure I took a shower today. Maybe it's just you." With the final words shared, they set towards Cruschs domain. Heading forwards to see familiar faces and new faces finally meet.
I ended this like last chapter thinking the amount I wrote was fine but went to Mexico thinking how much I wanted to continue writing. So I'll be writing probably a few more chapters depending on my mood and what I want. So hey this is back. And no I wasn't dead I just lived life.
