Stars are among the few celestial bodies that light up the night sky. When the moon is shrouded in darkness, and the sun is absent, people worldwide gaze at the stars. These sparkling lights are a constant source of comfort for everyone who observes them, guiding lost souls back home. Many find solace and bliss beneath these eternal guardians.
But stars are some of the most isolated entities in the universe. Despite giving so much, they are often overlooked and fated to be forever solitary, confined to the vast emptiness of space.
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the royal selection's conclusion for the new queen of Lugunica. The reigning queen won by a significant margin. Her strategic prowess saved countless lives, and her confidence inspired everyone who saw her. Her camp led the battle against the witch cult and eradicated and dismantled it, eliminating each archbishop one by one.
This was the apex of their accomplishments, rescuing those lost to time and avenging those claimed by death. The one who achieved this feat in five years, when it would have taken the sword saint several decades, was the silver-haired half-elf candidate herself, Emilia, now formally known as Emilia Lugunica.
The half-elf, who bore a striking resemblance to the Witch of Envy, initially appeared immature and foolish. She seemed more likely to survive a full-powered attack from the Sword Saint than to win the royal selection. But she defied expectations, overcoming a terrible start, unfortunate genetic traits, and a fragile mental state to achieve her goal of becoming queen, leaving a legacy unmatched by even the greatest warriors.
Across the entire country, people of all races, sizes, and heights celebrated their new queen. They hosted grand celebrations, generously offering food to strangers and reveling in each other's company as they shared stories of their queen's achievements and the improvements in their lives because of her. These five years of Emilia's reign have been the most peaceful the kingdom has ever experienced. Crime reached an all-time low, and neighboring countries maintained good relations; it was only natural that they celebrated the half-decade of tranquility their queen had secured.
Today was also a day of great joy for the queen herself. She paused everything to make an important announcement, a revelation that transformed everyone's elation into sheer bliss.
The queen was soon to be married.
When the queen made the announcement, the people were not surprised by her impending marriage or her chosen partner. Quite the opposite. They were more taken aback that it took the couple five years to wed. It was evident how smitten they were, blushing when they caught each other's gaze and trying to impress each other, often to mutual embarrassment. The citizens of Lugunica were delighted their queen and soon-to-be king had decided to marry. They knew this union would extend their half-decade of peace into decades and eventually centuries.
As the sun retreated and night arrived, the people of Lugunica prepared for bed. Parents tucked in their children, and adults left the capital's bustling streets to attend to their affairs at home. Some, like the children, sought restful sleep, while others pursued more intimate activities behind closed doors.
The capital of Lugunica and its neighboring countries fell into a near-simultaneous slumber, broken only occasionally by the hoots of owls, the chirps of crickets, and the surprisingly elegant yawns of ground dragons.
Within the castle's thick walls, a young boy with raven-colored hair was struggling to fall asleep. Despite his attempts to close his eyes and envelop himself in darkness, he would inevitably open them again, only to find himself lying in a dim, luxurious room atop a lavish bed.
He tried various tactics to join the rest of the world in peaceful slumber. He shifted and contorted his body on the bed, seeking the perfect position. He flipped his pillow to regain the cool touch lost to the heat of his head, providing momentary relief before the warmth returned.
He closed his eyes again, plunging himself into total darkness. To fall asleep, he decided to employ an age-old trick parents had taught their children who struggled with sleeplessness. A trick he had used in this world, which had always helped him find sleep. It was called taking a deep breath. The Spirit Knight, Natsuki Subaru, allowed darkness to engulf him once more as he murmured under his breath.
"One sheep, two sheep - no, that's always been silly. Lacks any decent rhythm," the raven-haired boy exclaimed, clicking his tongue in distaste at the idea that anyone could find sheep comforting when it came to this ancient technique. Yes, they were fluffy, but they were far from cute.
"One Puck, two Pu-ugh, it wasn't like before. It helped then, but things have changed so much. I don't need to remember the worst father in history again," Subaru mumbled, recalling a desolate landscape of ice and snow that stretched as far as the eye could see, with the only sign of life being a monstrous creature with sharp teeth and glowing yellow eyes, looming over everything.
This vivid image sent shivers down Subaru's spine. He could have sworn that the room temperature dropped as soon as the imposing beast appeared in his thoughts. Was Puck here, had Emilia perished, and was he about to bring about the world's end once more?
No, it was more likely the cool night breeze seeping through his partially open window. Paranoia was creeping in, which only worsened things for the sleep-seeking knight. He shook the thought of the beast of the end from his mind, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes, ready to attempt another variation of the ancient technique.
"One-Roswaal, two-Roswaal, three-Roswaal - absolutely not. The idea of three Roswaals in my mind again is worse than death. Nee-san probably recites his name every night, though. I worry for her mental health," Subaru grumbled under his breath, imagining a clown adorned in white makeup, blue hair, and a large red nose. The knight felt annoyed and somewhat disappointed in himself for considering the clown as a viable option for inducing sleep. When he found the right technique, he hoped three infant Roswaals wouldn't descend from the heavens to whisk him away to the afterlife.
Subaru gazed into the mirror, examining his reflection as he donned the suit. The fabric was smooth and luxurious, fitting him like a glove. It was an important day, and he couldn't help but feel a mixture of stress and anticipation. His heart raced, and his palms felt clammy, but he knew he had to face whatever awaited him head-on. He questioned whether he truly deserved this moment. Still, as he recalled the challenges he had overcome and his sacrifices, he felt a sense of pride and determination welling up within him. He had earned the right to be here and wouldn't let his doubts hold him back.
Subaru heard a gentle knock on the door.
Keep it together, Subaru. Just take a deep breath and let it out slowly. No matter who's on the other side, you can handle it. This situation feels overwhelming, but you've faced challenges before and become stronger. Stay calm, stay focused, and remind yourself that you've got this. You can do it, Subaru. You're more than ready for this moment. Just breathe and trust yourself. Who am I kidding?
Subaru sighed, "Come in."
Fredrica stepped inside, her eyes lighting up as she took in his appearance. "Subaru-sama, you look stunning," she said, her smile warm and reassuring.
His hands trembled slightly, betraying his nervousness. "You really think so?"
Fredrica nodded confidently. "I'm certain you'll utterly enchant them. The Dragon Carriage is ready and waiting for you outside."
As Subaru approached the door, he couldn't shake his anxiety. He knew he had to handle the situation gracefully, and the last thing he wanted was to embarrass himself. He took a deep breath, reminding himself to remain composed and exude an air of calmness. After all, this was a significant day, and he needed to rise to the occasion.
As he walked outside, he knew that Emilia had already decided to leave to make it a surprise when the wedding was held for the others in Emilia's camp.
"Ah, Cap'n! There you are!" Subaru heard a lively voice greet him as he reached the first floor of the castle behind the demi-maid. He quickly turned his head and his expression brightened with a smile upon seeing Garfiel Tinsel, Royal Knight of Lugunica, smartly dressed in the standard royal knight uniform. Garfiel looked up at Subaru with a cheerful, sharp-toothed grin and strode toward him without delay.
Garfiel wasn't alone. Petra, Otto, Ram, Roswaal – every member of the Emilia camp was present, each clad in a stylish suit that perfectly suited their individual tastes and personalities.
"Natsuki-san, you certainly took your time. We've been waiting for twenty minutes," Otto complained as soon as he spotted Subaru.
"Oh, come on, don't exaggerate. I had a full two hours; I couldn't have taken that long," Subaru retorted, rolling his eyes while stepping closer to the group.
"Regrettably, Subaru-kun, you did take two hours and twenty whole minutes. We finished preparing forty minutes ago and have been waiting for you ever since," the court mage, Roswaal L Mathers, responded in his distinctive accent. His words caused Subaru to halt mid-step, his face reddening with embarrassment. He couldn't believe he had taken that long, especially on such an important day.
"I'm amazed you even managed to get up this morning," Otto added with a sigh, his tone somewhat more sympathetic.
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"You know precisely what I mean," Otto retorted. To Subaru's surprise, Otto's expression wasn't one of annoyance but rather astonishment, as though everything Subaru said and did defy comprehension. Feeling slightly uncomfortable under Otto's gaze, Subaru wiped the sweat from the back of his head.
"Enough. We mustn't waste any more time. Our private dragon carriage is already here. It would dishonor Queen Emilia if we were all late. Especially... a certain someone," Roswaal interjected, his tone turning serious as he glanced toward the open door leading to the castle grounds. A white and purple dragon carriage awaited them, pulled by the trusty ground dragon Patrasche. Thirty battle-hardened guards surrounded the carriage, their hands resting on their sword hilts while their eyes scanned the area.
Upon seeing this, the margrave turned and headed out the door into the sunlight, with the rest of the group following a few moments later. Petra, Frederica, Otto, and even Garfiel adjusted their outfits, ensuring they appeared proper and professional. Now that they resided in the castle and worked closely with the queen, it was crucial to maintain a polished appearance, especially when attending significant events like the Queen's wedding. Their public image was directly tied to hers, and they had to uphold it at all costs.
"Well, that's our signal to leave. Let's get going," Subaru declared, stifling a heavy sigh. Quickening his pace, he approached his spirit companion and took her hand. "Come on, Beako. Stay close so you don't get lost."
Initially surprised and somewhat embarrassed by Subaru's sudden gesture and words, Beatrice quickly brushed it off. It was only natural for Subaru always to want her by his side.
"Barusu."
Suddenly, Ram spoke up, halting her steps and pivoting to point a finger directly at Subaru, startling those around her. Her voice was firmer than ever before. She fixed her gaze on him, her eyes narrowed, and Subaru could not breathe or look away. It was as if an invisible force compelled him to maintain eye contact with her captivating crimson eyes.
A peculiar, silent five seconds elapsed between Subaru and Ram.
"Don't embarrass yourself, understood? You must keep your emotions in check, no matter what. Is that clear?" Ram's tone intensified with each word.
"Nee-san, why are you-"
"Is that clear?" The pink-haired oni interrupted the raven-haired knight without hesitation, her voice raised slightly.
Subaru's brow furrowed but quickly relaxed. "...Yes, I understand. I swear on Emilia-tan's name that I won't do anything foolish on such a significant day." Subaru's reply matched the gravity of Ram's words.
Without responding, Ram narrowed her eyes more and continued to stare. She offered a small, insincere sigh before turning away and resuming her walk. She disregarded the stares of those around her as she approached the elegant dragon carriage befitting royalty. The others still inside the castle exchanged worried glances, disturbed by the blunt and arguably rude manner in which Ram had spoken to Subaru. Though they had seen her behave this way before, it had never been to such an extent, even considering the event's magnitude.
Subaru said nothing but reassured his friends with a smile and a nod. The once Emilia camp, now closer than ever, exited the castle, basking in the sunlight before boarding the dragon carriage. They prepared themselves not for the most important day of their lives but for a day that would be recorded in history and remembered fondly by generations to come: their queen's wedding to ensure the continuation of a lineage of benevolent rulers.
The journey to the wedding ceremony was quite eventful. Lugunica's capital, accustomed to having thousands of people bustling through its streets, appeared even more populated than usual, with the number of citizens seemingly tripled.
From their seats in the private dragon carriage, Subaru and his companions observed what looked like millions of people lining the city streets. Both demi-humans and humans, some native and others from afar, stood by the road, applauding and cheering as they passed. Some held handmade wooden signs that read 'Congratulations.'
That was all Subaru and the others could see for miles: people offering support as they passed. The renowned shops were closed, and their owners stood front and center. Secretly, the Emilia camp members were grateful that the dragon carriage windows were opaque. To maintain their esteemed public image, they must smile and wave tirelessly in every direction.
"Wow… that's a lot of people," Otto murmured, peering out the window as the dragon carriage passed by hundreds of people lined up along the street. The continuous line of spirited individuals grew steadily larger, certainly leading to their destination.
"Mine amazin' self ain't never seen this many folks in my life." Garfiel chimed in after Otto, his face pressed against the window, eyes shining with excitement as he took in the vast number of people gathered to see him - well, mostly his queen, but they would see him too.
"What d'ya think, Cap'n?" Garfiel inquired, flashing a toothy grin as he turned away from the window to look at Subaru, who was seated across from him with the great spirit peacefully resting in his lap.
"..."
"Cap'n...?"
Subaru remained silent, his gaze fixed on the window. His face was inscrutable as he mechanically stroked the slumbering Beatrice's head as though she were a feline.
"Cap'n, are ya alright?" Garfiel inquired, now more concerned about his captain's peculiar behavior.
"Don't fret, Garfiel-kun. Subaru-kun is merely lost in thought; he's always like this. Right, Otto-kun?" The clown grinned as he looked at the merchant, sending a shiver down his spine. Despite the passage of years, Otto and many others still struggled to trust the clown. Nevertheless, they had to make an effort.
"Y-yes. I'm certain Natsuki-san will come to his senses shortly. He does have that tendency, but it's understandable given the joyful yet tense nature of the day, particularly in light of Ram-san's comments." The former merchant's eyes drifted to a pink-haired oni seated next to her master. She offered a dismissive shrug, hardly acknowledging the merchant's words.
Otto was about to continue discussing Ram's unnecessary comments toward Subaru, but his attention was drawn elsewhere as the dragon carriage slowed. The ground dragon, running nonstop for the past forty minutes, gradually transitioned to a leisurely walk before halting completely.
"We have arrived," announced the driver in a respectful tone. A man in white gloves and the standard royal knight uniform opened the dragon carriage doors, gave a courteous bow to everyone, and stepped aside, still holding the door handle.
"Beako, wake up. It's time to leave." Subaru, pulled from his thoughts by the driver's voice, gently prodded Beatrice's left cheek.
Annoyed, Beatrice stirred. "Five more minutes, I suppose." She lazily shifted, making herself more comfortable on her contractor's lap.
"Look at the result of your indolence, Barasu. Your slothful ways have corrupted the great spirit's mind," Ram snapped disdainfully.
"Oh, come on. Beako is just tired and wants to rest a bit longer. Don't make me remind you of all the times you slept for hours while everyone else had to work around the castle," Subaru shot back, rolling his eyes at the oni's hypocrisy. If he had a dollar for every time Ram accused him of being lazy, unproductive, or inept, only to do little or no work and perform worse than Subaru ever could, he'd be wealthy enough to buy the entire Hoshin company. He could already feel his arms growing sore from the countless times he had to pick up Ram's slack, even long after becoming a knight.
"Hmph. There's a clear difference. I've been working diligently since our days at Roswaal Manor." Ram scoffed at the knight before her.
"You're lying through your teeth, and you know it!"
"Enough. Betty is awake," Beatrice mumbled sleepily, yawning as she got off her contractor's lap and onto the wooden floor of the dragon cart. Initially wobbly, she soon found her balance.
"See what you've done, Ram! It's terrible for a child to be woken by an argument!" Subaru complained, shooting a disapproving and disappointed glare at the maid as he stood up and took the hands of his great spirit.
"Betty is not a child, I suppose! Can we move along? The faster we go, the sooner we start, and the sooner Betty can return to sleep." Beatrice tried unsuccessfully to pull her contractor's hand to get him moving, but her diminutive stature and strength rendered her efforts fruitless.
A voice echoed, "Subaru, are you ready?"
All eyes in the ceremony were fixated on Reinhard Van Astrea, who exuded unprecedented aura and authority. The atmosphere in the room shifted, and the air grew heavy with anticipation. The attendees seemed to be holding their breaths, glued to the formidable figure before them. Some were fearful, their eyes widening as they struggled to comprehend the transformation in the renowned knight.
Roswaal, in particular, appeared intrigued by this unforeseen development. His gaze narrowed, and a hint of suspicion clouded his expression as he pondered the situation. He couldn't help but wonder what Subaru had planned and how this remarkable change in Reinhard's demeanor factored into it. The air was thick with tension and curiosity as everyone awaited the unfolding of events, their attention riveted on the commanding presence of Reinhard Van Astrea.
Subaru smiled as he walked up to the stage where the wedding would be done.
Subaru turned around. Emilia's wedding dress was a vision of elegance and grace, perfectly complementing her beauty. The gown featured a fitted bodice with intricate silver embroidery resembling delicate frost patterns, reflecting her ice magic. The sweetheart's neckline framed her face and slender neck. The voluminous A-line skirt, made from layers of silk and tulle, floated around her as she walked. Scattered silver embellishments adorned the skirt, adding enchantment. A long, flowing train with matching silver embroidery extended from the back of the skirt. She wore a delicate silver tiara crafted in the shape of intertwining branches with tiny, sparkling gemstones. Her silver hair was styled in a romantic updo, and a veil was attached to the tiara, adding allure. Emilia's wedding dress captured her inner and outer beauty and her unique connection to the world of spirits and magic. As she walked down the aisle, her radiance lit up the room.
She announced, "This wedding will be held for two purposes."
The room fell into a hushed silence, the air thick with confusion and uncertainty. Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what was transpiring before them. Roswaal felt a growing sense of unease, tempted to act but acutely aware of the sword saint's watchful presence just behind Subaru and Emilia. His mind raced with questions – had Subaru somehow deciphered his plan? What was happening, and how could it jeopardize his carefully laid schemes? The frustration of being so close to achieving his goal, only to have it possibly snatched away, made him clench his teeth in suppressed agitation.
Amidst the crowd, Puck's expression was a mixture of irritation and helplessness. He could sense that Emilia was on the verge of making a crucial decision, and the weight of his inability to intervene bore down on him. He watched the scene unfold with a furrowed brow, his eyes darting between Emilia, Subaru, and Roswaal as he silently wished for a way to alter the course of events. The atmosphere in the room remained tense, with everyone holding their breath in anticipation of what would happen next.
Emilia stated, "I, Emilia Lugunica, denounce my position of being the Queen of the Kingdom."
The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly tense as the crowd struggled to contain their mounting turmoil. Whispers and uneasy murmurs filled the air, a cacophony of confusion and disbelief that threatened to erupt into an outright uproar. Yet, the sword saint's aura acted as an invisible adhesive, effectively sealing their lips and preventing the chaos from spiraling out of control. It was as if an unseen force exerted its influence over the room, commanding respect and obedience through sheer presence alone.
Faces in the crowd displayed a wide range of emotions – shock, bewilderment, and even fear – as they tried to make sense of the unfolding situation. Eyes darted back and forth between the key players, searching for answers in their expressions and body language but finding only further questions. Amid the tense silence, the sword saint's gaze swept over the gathered onlookers like a vigilant sentinel, ensuring that order was maintained despite the simmering undercurrent of unrest.
Reinhard acted as the Priest of the Dragon as Emilia and Subaru stared at each other in awe. The wedding commenced as Reinhard spoke, "Subaru Natsuki, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in Dragon matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
Subaru smiled, "I do."
Reinhard asks Emilia, "Emilia Natsuki, do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in Dragon matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
Emilia smiles as she answers, "I do."
Reinhard saw the couple join hands, then declared, "By virtue of the authority vested in me under the name of the Dragon, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Subaru and Emilia kissed as they both felt complete. Two halves of broken people formed completion.
Subaru, Felt, and Emilia agreed upon this. After Subaru learned Roswaal's true intentions with Emilia becoming Queen, he knew he had to stop it. But Roswaal was hard to stop, and he required Reinhard's assistance. Not only that, but his role mentally burdened him. Neither wanted to be Queen or King, and the role rightfully belonged to Felt. Subaru and Emilia now lived in a peaceful cottage away from everyone within the Astrea domain, protected by the Sword Saint. Emilia was saddened that her goal was not attainable, but she accepted the past and that Elior Forest would remain. Subaru regretted that he had to leave everyone, but both his trauma and mind couldn't handle it anymore. His mind was already near broken, and he needed time to recover.
Subaru yawned as he could hear the sound of the shower. When the shower stopped, his eyes widened as Emilia peaked through the door naked. After Emilia put on some clothing, she walked outside to see Subaru with a bright red face.
"Soooo what do you think?"
Subaru blinked, "Of what?"
Emilia teased, "Hmmm, your face shows the answer."
Subaru teased, "I don't know…."
Emilia teased, "Want me to prove it?"
"Go ahead."
Emilia pressed her lips together, "This is my first time sooo if I mess up-"
Subaru cut her off, "My first time as well."
Emilia pulled off the blanket covering Subaru, who only wore black boxers. She then took off her shirt completely naked. He stared at her glowing face, perfect tits, and sexy smile. Subaru would've had an insane response, but being a Subaru allowed him to maintain his sexual desire without acting strange.
Subaru picked up Emilia and placed her on the bed as he was on top. The bulge from his boxers pressed down on Emilia's thighs as the two started to kiss their tongues clashed, exchanging saliva and light moans. Subaru felt a sensation he couldn't describe as an intensified emotion, including sexual emotions. He began to kiss Emilia's neck as he slowly moved down, kissing her stomach.
Emilia felt Subaru's tongue between her thighs as she felt something she couldn't describe. Her body began to tremble as her mind and soul felt pleasure she thought didn't exist. She could feel her body pulse with pleasure as Subaru continued.
"Ah… ah… ahh… agh…."
Her sensation continued growing as she felt it couldn't reach any higher. She moaned loudly. Subaru stopped as her body felt like it was being pulsed. She felt like her heart was about to burst. Her body began to relax as the sensation of bliss was left with it.
Emilia pulled the boxers off Subaru, "That was ah… amazing now it's your turn."
Subaru watched as Emilia put her tongue down his body and began to desire more. Emilia could see that and opened her mouth further, beginning to move her head up and down. Subaru's mind felt something he couldn't describe as his pleasure was only comparable to a drug. Emilia continued as she moved her tongue around. Subaru was surprised he was lasting this long. As she continued, Subaru felt his brain consumed by pure erotic pleasure. Emilia stopped staring at Subaru's face.
"Did I doooo it right?"
Subaru moved Emilia's body on top of him, "Your perfect."
Emilia felt Subaru's erection enter her as Subaru began to thump repeatedly. Subaru's mind was at a climax as the inside of Emilia made his erection grow into a rock. He continued as he moved faster, and Emilia started to rotate her thighs in a circle as she moaned throughout each passing moment. She felt her body reach another climax as she moaned loudly.
"Ahh… Uhm… Uh…. feels… so…. good….Subaru."
Subaru continued as the inside of Emilia was a blissful heaven. Every time he reached deeper, he felt his body tingle as he reached his climax. He moved Emilia's head and thrust as fast as he could. Her moans only made his sensation grow. After a few minutes passed, he came into her, and his body felt complete.
The two laid there naked as they stared into each other's eyes. Subaru's erection passed, and Emilia's pulsing pleasure faded as the two felt exhausted.
"That was something I can't explain with words."
Emilia whispered, "We should do this every night."
Subaru realized, "Wait, it's the morning. Fuck why did we do this in the morning?"
Emilia teased, "You're the one thatttt wanted it. We can just take showers and continue the day."