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[PLEASE READ JULY 26th UPDATE ON MY PROFILE IN REGARDS TO LEMON FICS]
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It was sunset by the time the throne room was cleared of confused women and men from across the three nations and an equally, possibly more, confused Asbel who went straight to King Richard's study. Asbel walked around in circles, waiting for the questionable King to arrive. When Asbel heard the door open, Asbel immediately turned his head at the chuckling blonde, throwing him sharp daggers with his eyes. Asbel didn't say anything because it was pretty self-explanatory.
"Oh, come now. Have a seat and let me explain before you hurt me," Richard said casually, leading the frustrated knight to a seat parallel to Richard's.
"First off, I would never hurt you, Richard," Asbel said when he sat down. It was only on certain occasions when Asbel dropped the 'your Majesty' bit and called Richard by his name, especially when it was a personal issue. Asbel brought his hands to his forehand and continued, "You told me to help you find someone to marry, and then you…I-I…" Asbel couldn't find his words.
Sensing his friend's frustration, Richard leaned back on his chair and smiled. "It was actually Lady Kerr-"
"Mom!" Asbel widened eyes in disbelief. This did seem like something her name would be splattered all over.
"Now, Asbel; don't blame Lady Kerri for my actions."
"Then who? You?" Asbel asked accusingly. Asbel's face immediately turned apologetic, "I-I'm sorry…"
Richard shook his head with a smile, "No worries. But no, not me. It is actually yourself that you should put the blame on, Asbel."
"Me? What do you mean me?" Asbel asked, confused.
"Well, if only you would've been quicker in replying one of the numerous proposals Lady Kerri had left on your desk, I wouldn't have to take such drastic measures to help the poor Lady out."
Asbel couldn't fathom the words coming out of Richard's mouth. Was he being serious? "Okay, look, Richard. What about you? To marry you, they would have to capture my heart? What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means exactly what it sounds. Starting tomorrow, Duke Dalen has offered his assistance putting together a list of eligible bachelorettes from across Fendel, Strahta and Windor and you are to be sent via Sophie's shuttle to those ladies and entertain each for a day and you shall observe whether they can accomplish in capturing your heart."
"That doesn't make sense! Let's say if they did, which I highly doubt they would for the record, what's the point of them liking me, if you're the one who's going to marry them!"
"Ah…about that, heh; what I said back there was just a teensy bit exaggerated. When I said capturing your heart, I just meant that they would have your approval for them to marry me. What's life without some drama?"
Asbel furrowed his eyes and twisted his expression into a 'still-don't-get-what-you-mean' sort of thing.
"Basically, if you think one of them is good enough, then I'll consider one of those special ladies for marriage, and if you find any other lady to your liking along the way, you would take her as your own. It's a win-win," Richard said matter-of-factly, a triumphant expression on his face.
Asbel frowned, "I have no say in this, do I?"
Richard grinned mischievously in reply. Asbel sighed and got up with Richard following suit, showing the knight to the door.
"You know, it kind of seems like you're treating these women like items to pick off a rack-" Asbel gasped as he was suddenly pushed against a door by a hand. Looking up, Asbel's eyes locked with Richard's. The blonde royal slowly brought his lips to the pale ear, his lips brushing slightly against it.
"In that case, I'd treat my possessions very well…" Richard did a deep chuckle when he noticed the burgundy haired knight turned a strawberry shade. "Good night, Asbel," whispered Richard and then gently pushed the speechless knight through the other door, closing it with a smile.
When the door shut, Asbel was immediately introduced to the turn in the stomach. His heart was beating rapidly and his first thought was whether or not Richard was able to hear it.
The next morning, Asbel was forced out of his slumber by a group of giggling maids. Half-asleep and drooling, he felt hands on him left and right and soon enough, he smelt of cologne, hair gel and was fitted in a clean suit. Duke Dalen had given him a list of the ladies picked out, with the first being in Yu Liberte. When Sophie picked up Asbel with the shuttle, he was taken aback from what Sophie was wearing.
"Sophie...?" Asbel sat in the passenger seat and stared at the purple haired girl driving the shuttle towards Yu Liberte. "Why are you in a suit…?" Asbel had to admit, though; Sophie looked kind of cute in it.
"When Richard asked for my help, he also said that I could also get into role, and then when I asked Pascal about it, she gave me this suit and told me that I was supposed to be your valet," the girl said, eyes still on the front.
Asbel could not believe what he was hearing, "And you agreed to this?"
Sophie nodded her head.
"Well, I guess…Sorry for having you do this, then," Asbel apologized. Sophie shook her head with a smile. "It's okay; I like being able to spend time with you."
Asbel returned the smile and looked at the clouds in front of him, wondering what was in store for him.
"Asbel?"
Asbel looked up and saw a familiar face walk towards him. "Cheria?"
The magenta haired girl sat herself down across Asbel and lit up a smile, "Long time no see."
"Yeah…long time no see! How've you been? How's the relief organization doing?"
"It's going great! The steam distribution system that Pascal made had a significant deal of impact in Valenik and we were able to get everyone heat in their houses and more supplies of food and water. Now we're just going around and lending help wherever it's needed."
"That's amazing!" exclaimed Asbel. He always admired Cheria for her dedication to helping others. Cheria was truly one of the strongest people Asbel has ever met. However, Asbel's face then turned into a questionable look. "So, why are you here?"
Cheria's face turned a bright shade of her hair colour and avoided his gaze. "W-Well, I-I'm here b-because…"
"What's wrong? You look really red; are you sick?"
Cheria only became redder. Asbel's density made it really hard for Cheria to say the truth. "It's…I heard you were here so I came and I…"
"Oh. Well, Thanks for visiting me. But, I'm actually kind of waiting for someone right now and I have Duke Dalen watching my every move so I kind of have to see her. I wonder where she is…" Asbel looked around the red Cheria, checking if he had missed the girl somehow.
"O-Oh, yeah…Well the thing is, I-I…"
"Cheria, you're getting really red…Sophie's still in the shuttle, she could take you ho-"
"It's me!" yelled Cheria. Asbel was taken aback from the sudden outburst, not understanding why she did so. "You're what?"
Cheria slowly became irritated. Does he really not get it? "I'm the one whose…supposed to see you…"
Asbel widened his eyes, letting the words sink in. The both of them sat in silence; Cheria avoiding Asbel's gaze as the knight's face slowly turned into the same shade as Cheria's.
"…Did Richard or my mom make you do this…?" Asbel had finally asked, breaking the silence.
"…No."
Asbel was speechless as he looked at his friend's face. The awkward turn of events made it very hard for Asbel to sit still. "So…you…"
Cheria looked Asbel in the eye with all the courage she could achieve. "Asbel…When I heard that Richard was doing this with you, at first I was surprised and angry. I thought it was really stupid and inconsiderate but then…I-I heard that you would be doing this to find a wife of your own so I…" Cheria trailed off and pursed her lips unable to continue, but she knew that even Asbel's density would understand what she was trying to say.
"So you…you like me?"
After a minute, Cheria slowly nodded her head.
"…When…?"
"…Ever since we were little. I was actually jealous at Sophie when you first brought her home and I thought that…you know…you were into older girls. But then everything changed and little by little during our travels together, my childhood crush became something more and I realized how I felt about you, Asbel. I really…I really like you. You were always there for me and protected me and I…I…"
"Cheria…"
You should take her, in my opinion.
"…I never knew she felt that way…But…"
But?
"I…I don't feel the same way."
Why not? Cheria is a highly capable girl. She's sweet, kind-hearted, independent…embodies everything of a perfect women. I think that Cheria would be the perfect wife.
"Well, I mean, yeah. Of course she would be perfect as a wife. But, not mine."
"Asbel…?" Cheria's eyes began to turn red, tears restrained as she anticipated the burgundy haired knight's response.
"…I'm sorry."
Cheria was silent before looking down to her clenched fists on her knees, "O-Oh…"
"I'm really sorry-"
"N-No! I-It's okay…I figured you wouldn't feel the same way," Cheria lied. Cheria conjured up the brightest and cheeriest smile she could at Asbel.
"…Okay, " Asbel smiled back, "I'm really sorry, Cheria. You're a great girl but...I don't feel the same way about you. You're like a sister to me…-"
Cheria's face grew hot and angry. That was it.
"Asbel Lhant, you are un-believable!" Cheria snapped back. "I just-I just confessed to you and you give me the sister crap? Look, just…stop it, okay? I'm already down as it is."
Asbel didn't know what to say. After Cheria calmed down, she threw an apologetic look. "…Can you at least tell me why…? Do you…do you like someone else?"
Asbel didn't respond. Did he? Did he like someone else enough to turn down Cheria?
Perhaps.
"I don't like anyone…the only girls I know are Cheria, Pascal and Sophie and we both know I don't feel anything like that for them."
Well…those are the girls…
"…No…Don't you dare, Lambda! That's weird, I don't swing that way!"
You never know.
"Look, even if-IF, I did, which I DON'T; who do I know? Hubert's my brother and Malik's way too old! He's old enough to be my dad!"
You're forgetting someone-
"No. You forget it, Lambda. I don't want to talk about it anymore." Asbel didn't understand why Lambda was pestering him about something so ridiculous and why Asbel was being so aggravated about it.
"So…do you-?"
"-NO," Asbel said out loud. Cheria was taken aback from the sudden outburst, "Jeez…okay."
"Cheria…I'm sorry. Richard got me into this when I really didn't want to. And for my own marriage, I'm…I'm just not ready yet. I hate it how my mom keeps putting this on me and then Richard being in on it…I'm really sorry."
Cheria pursed her lips and nodded her head in understanding, "Okay…Well, just to let you know, I'm not interested in Richard at all. I just came here for you."
Asbel smiled back, "Thank you, Cheria."
Cheria crossed her arms and pouted, "You better be thankful that someone like me likes you. We could've made cute babies together-"
"-What?"
"N-Nothing! Anyways, I'm glad that I was able to get this off my chest," Cheria said standing up. She looked away avoiding Asbel's gaze. "I-I should get going now."
"W-Wait! It's been so long since we saw each other. Can't you just hang for a bit?" Despite the awkward conversation that just happened, Cheria was still one of Asbel's closest friends.
Cheria turned her back against him. "I-I gotta go for some important things with the relief organization. I don't want to seem like I'm slacking off," Cheria lied.
"Ah, I guess it can't be helped. Well…see ya."
"…See ya," Cheria said quietly before waving a hand and running off.
Asbel watched Cheria run off until she was nowhere to be seen.
"I guess I have to report back to the castle. Jeez…I wonder if Richard knew about this…"
Cheria stopped running when she reached the Great Fountain in front of the palace, rubbing her eyes from her newfound tears. A hand then gently placed itself on her shoulder.
"Are you going to be alright?" Hubert asked.
"…Yeah."
"Wah shup, bro?"
When Asbel got back on the shuttle, he was greeted by Pascal, eating a plateful of crablettes next to a cheerful Sophie who was eating her own portion. Asbel sat himself on one of the vacant seats, letting out a long sigh, "You wouldn't believe what happened…"
"Well, juh-ching from da long face, I gey-sh Cheria didn't take eet sho well?" Pascal asked with her mouth full which earned her a small smack on the head from Sophie. "Bad Pascal. Don't eat with your mouth full."
"Wait, how'd you know?" Asbel asked.
Pascal had swallowed her food and fell backwards into her chair, rubbing her tummy in circles, contently. "She was panicking to me and Sophie-"
"Sophie and I," the purple haired girl interrupted.
"Jeez! You have got to stop hanging with Hubert so much!" Pascal whined before turning her attention back to Asbel, "Anyways, she was like, reaaaaaaaaally nervous and basically, we had a girl's night out to calm her down and prepare her before she confessed to you. Oh, Malik and Hubert knew, too."
"Wait, wait…you guys knew she liked me? For how long?"
"Eh. Pretty long time ago. Let's see…Hubert told me he knew about it when you guys were still kids, and then Sophie knew when the captain and I joined the bandwagon," Pascal said matter-of-factly.
Asbel couldn't believe that for the past 20 years they've known each other, Cheria had hidden away her feelings for him. Asbel tried to imagine how hard it must have been for her. Asbel felt a surge of new-found respect for Cheria but also guilt.
And regret?
"…No. Not regret. I truly do love her, but nothing more than a close sister, or best friend."
"Well…Cheria said it was okay when I said I couldn't return the feelings back. She actually just left in a hurry right after."
Sophie stood up and walked over to Asbel before smacking him harder on the head than when she did with Pascal.
"Bad Asbel. When a girl says it's okay, it means she's really not okay."
"Ow…Really…? Maybe I should go back and apologize again-"
"Nooooooo, I think the damage is done. If you went back to Cheria and apologized again after we told you, you'd make her feel even worse! She'd probably think you were feeling sorry for her, and let me tell you, not the best feeling to match with a girl. Cheria's strong; she's going to get over it eventually so let her be," Pascal said.
Both of the Lhants looked at Pascal, surprised.
"What?" she asked when she noticed them stare at her.
"Nothing. It's just, I mean, I don't mean to be rude but that doesn't sound like something you would say, or rather, even know how to say."
"Nah, you're right. This is more Fourier talking."
"What?" Asbel asked confused.
Pascal held up the pigeon communicator that displayed the exact words she had just mouthed. "See?" she said with a grin. Pascal then stood up and wiped her mouth of any stuck-on crablettes. "Anyways, I'm getting off. I'm meeting up with Hubert."
"Oh, you guys planning to go to Fodra?"
"Oooooooooooh-kay," Pascal said while rolling her eyes, averting Asbel's gaze. She then headed towards the exit. "Anyways, see yah later!-Oh, Sophie! Make sure to give Asbel the curry!" Pascal quickly added before finally hopping out.
"Oh. You guys made me curry?"
Sophie shook her head. "No, Pascal brought it along with the craplettes," Sophie said, holding up a plate of ordinary-looking curry.
Asbel furrowed his brows in worry as he imagined Pascal cooking his food. But, he quickly shrugged it off. "Ah, whatever. Curry's curry," he chirped before digging in.
A/N: ARGHNEKERGW. I actually convinced myself for a brief second that I was writing an AsbelxCheria fic when writing her bit. HAH. I so funny. I'm sorry that the characters are a bit OoC. I had a hard time figuring out how to write out Cheria's reaction to the rejection but, whatever. I had fun in breaking her heart, hehehe :3
Thank you for enjoying the story so far so stay tuned for the final chapter!-()