"Feliciano, get back here!"
"No, I need to do this, and it needs to happen now!"
Lovino chased his brother down the bottom steps of the staircase and into the main hall, determined to stop him from accidentally incurring Natalya's wrath. Behind him, Lovino could hear Ludwig and Kiku following in behind, muttering to each other as they also followed Feliciano out to the terrace.
Upon arriving outside, Feliciano finally stopped at the top of the stairs overlooking the gardens, allowing Lovino to catch up to him.
"See, she's right there!" Feliciano pointed out as Lovino pulled him back from the steps, "Antonio's with her, he'd be able to mediate as he's been doing all week."
"Don't be foolish," Lovino scolded, "She's probably not ready for this."
"She's been willing to discuss everything else this past week though," Feliciano argued, "If she can see eye to eye with Spades on making a peace treaty and ending the war, then maybe she'll let me speak to her."
"This is far more personal, Feliciano," Lovino countered, "She only just remembered last week that you killed Katerina. You really should allow more time."
"But Lovi, she returns to Nodiff tomorrow!" Feliciano pleaded, "This is my last chance to attempt a reconciliation for who knows how long it will be before we finally negotiate reparations. I need to talk to her now, I can't just leave this unaddressed until then."
Lovino groaned and turned to glance out at the gardens, where Natalya and Antonio were indeed taking an evening stroll. The other twelve of the Royals were finally leaving Oriasa tomorrow, returning home to their proper kingdoms after being away for so long. Natalya and Ivan will return to Nodiff, where they will continue to grieve before any reconciliation can take place with Hearts.
He turned back to face his fellow Heart Royals as he considered his brother's plea. Ludwig has been, and is continuing to be silent on the matter, with no interest in facing the rage of Ivan or Natalya. Kiku had spent the week helping Lovino keep the other twelve Royals in line, and wanted to stay out of this more personal matter.
Feliciano had remained well-behaved all week, but was now pulling out the insufferably irresistible puppy dog eyes to get his way.
"Okay, fine," Lovino conceded, "I'm going down there with you to observe, though. If she refuses to see you, that's the end of it. You hear me?"
"Loud and clear," Feliciano agreed.
"Kiku and I will watch from here," Ludwig said, "I trust you'll choose the right words, Feliciano."
Waving for Feliciano to follow, Lovino walked over to the staircase and marched down the steps into the gardens. Keeping an eye on the two Aces below, he led his brother through a few twists, turns and shortcuts through the winding garden paths. Finally they arrived at the junction where Natalya and Antonio stood below a maple tree, with many of its red leaves turned to green for the summer, and rose bushes surrounding the edge of the clearing.
"You stay right here," Lovino hissed as he grabbed Feliciano's collar and held him where they stood, "I'll wave you over if she agrees to hear you."
Feliciano immediately nodded in acceptance, and Lovino could tell by the look on his face that he understood the order. Lovino let go of his collar before stepping away from his brother and entering the clearing. The other two Aces quickly noticed his presence, as well as Feliciano's behind him.
"Ace Lovino," Natalya acknowledged, glancing behind him suspiciously at Feliciano, "What is he doing here?"
"My idiot brother would like to speak to you, Natalya," Lovino addressed, "If you'll allow it, of course. He wishes to apologize, beg for forgiveness and offer to make amends."
He noted a slight uncertainty in Natalya's eyes as she looked at Antonio, as if she couldn't decide whether to let Feliciano talk to her.
"It's up to you," Antonio encouraged, "Allowing him this chance before you leave Oriasa would be reasonable, but only if you're ready for it."
Natalya glanced at the ground briefly, before turning to look at Lovino again and nodding.
"I will hear him," Natalya answered.
While Natalya and Antonio sat on the bench beside the maple tree, Lovino turned back to his brother and waved him over. Feliciano cautiously walked into the clearing, while Lovino took a step over to watch from the side. The two Aces got comfortable on the bench, with Antonio's arm draped around Natalya's back, before Feliciano halted a few feet in front of them and took a deep breath.
"Natalya," Feliciano nervously greeted.
"Feliciano," Natalya coldly replied.
"First of all, thank you for letting me speak to you now," Feliciano began, "I know this is a difficult time for you, and that I am likely the last person you want to speak to right now. But I couldn't also leave things unspoken until whenever our next meeting will be. I also need you to know that Ludwig echoes my sentiments, but he will respectfully keep his distance until you and your brother are ready to speak to him."
"I apologize for my role in Katerina's death. No matter how much of the blame Ludwig tries to take on my behalf, I am still the one who shot the arrow. Perhaps it was at the Deck's whim that I ended up in Nodiff with you for the past six months, so that I could observe your grief. I watched you mourn for Katerina for six months, with neither of us recalling that I was responsible for her death."
"I can and will plead until the end of time for your forgiveness, but I also know that what I've done is unforgivable. Nothing I can do or say will bring your sister back to life, and anything I do to make amends will never be enough. I have discussed this with Ludwig, and we've had an idea on how we can begin to make amends if you are willing to hear it."
Feliciano paused for a moment, allowing Natalya the chance to consider it. After a brief glance at Antonio for reassurance, she nodded at Feliciano in approval.
"As you and I both know, the only memorial for Katerina in Nodiff right now is a small tombstone just outside the Clubs Royal Cemetery," Feliciano continued, "She was a sweet lady with a gentle heart and soul, and that tombstone is hardly a worthy tribute for her. Ludwig and I can arrange for Hearts to commission a proper memorial piece for her, whether that is a full grave in the Clubs Royal Cemetery or some other form of monument dedicated to her memory. We will also cover the costs of maintenance and upkeep of this tribute for Katerina so long as the four of us live, or all sixteen of us current Royals if you wish. I know we will likely need to offer more in reparations, but perhaps this is something we could start with on that path to reconciliation."
Feliciano nervously wrung his hands together as he finished speaking, and patiently waited in silence for a response.
"Your offer is generous," Natalya responded, "I will consider the possibility, and discuss it with my brother. I am not ready to accept your apology, and I do not know if I can ever forgive you, but I do acknowledge and appreciate your words here and now."
"That in itself is very kind of you, Natalya," Feliciano accepted, "I will leave you to these thoughts then. Hopefully, the next time we meet, you will be ready to discuss the matter further. Until then, farewell and have a safe journey home to Nodiff."
Feliciano nodded at them both one more time, before turning to leave the clearing and return to the palace. Lovino trailed behind, giving the two Aces a nod as well as he departed, and noticed the small smile of approval on Antonio's face. As he walked away and followed his brother, Lovino couldn't help but smile as well.
Perhaps allowing Feliciano to talk to Natalya was the right move after all.