"Cheer up, Umi." Eli pats Umi's back. Nishikino's party was next week. Kotori somehow managed to convince both Eli and Umi to dress up but still be doing their jobs. Eli couldn't help but feel a little excited.
"Eli, you know how I am in these situations! At the princesses last birthday party she asked me to dance with her and I froze!" Umi's cheeks turn red and she tilts her head down.
"Oh, right..." Eli mutters. "Well, that was last year! It's a new year, Umi. You'll never get the princess if you don't make a mo-" Umi quickly covers Eli's mouth.
"E-Eli!" Umi yells. She grabs Eli's head and whispers in her ear, "I have no such feelings!" Eli smacks Umi's hand away.
"Sure, like you've never secretly wrote poems about her-"
"What?! How did you- I mean-"
Eli can only break away from her grasp and laugh. Umi stares at Eli with her mouth open, trying to find the words to explain herself. Eli loved to tease Umi but she knew it was too much this time around. "It's okay Umi, I'm just messing with you. C'mon, lets go shoot some arrows."
Umi perked up at the suggestion.
"Excellent as always." Eli mutters as she watches Umi hit dead in the middle of the target.
Archery wasn't Eli's strong point but she knew that if she had to use a bow, she could probably take someone out, considering that they wouldn't be as small as the training target. As for Umi, she was talented and there was no denying that. She preferred long distance, to carefully pick off her enemies one by one.
The breeze throughout the archery grounds feels nice to both of the girls. Umi lowers her bow and stares at her target. "This feels good to me. Standing here and practicing archery. This is where I belong."
Eli only tilts her head in confusion. She can understand where Umi is coming from, because Eli really only feels alive when she's fighting. "Hey um...I'm sorry again about earlier. You know I care about you and want you to be happy." Umi turns to Eli and gives her a smile.
"Thanks Eli. I care about you too and wish for the same thing." Umi tucks parts of her hair behind her ear. "We should head back. The princess will be finished with her morning studies soon."
As Eli and Umi arrive to Kotori's study, they find her just finishing her session. "Good afternoon princess." Both girls bow at their princess.
"Would you like us to accompany you for lunch?" Eli asks, standing up straight again.
"Actually I had something else in mind but it does require the both of you!" Kotori smiles. "Let's go out of the castle and in town!"
"In town?" Umi tilts her head. "For what reason?"
"You'll see." Kotori tugs on Umi's arm. "Please Umi, come with me. Eli-chan is going to come with me, right?" Kotori looks at Eli and she nods. Umi sighs and nods in defeat, she can't deny Kotori's request. As long as they keep her safe.
As the three girls walk across the bridge and into the town, many of the guards bow their heads. They all wore similar uniforms to Eli and Umi's except that the details were green instead of red and they didn't have all the fancy gold accessories. "Wow it's been so long so I've left the castle." Kotori skips ahead a few steps.
"Princess you came last week." Umi replies. Kotori looks back at her and pouts.
"But it feels so long ago! All I do is study and practice things I don't understand yet."
Eli lets the both of them have their own little conversation and checks her surroundings. The town was very peaceful and had barely any disturbances. Kotori really didn't need two knights with her but she loved their company anyway. The town that resides in the Minami kingdom was big and had many different stores and services. As they head down the main street, many commoners greet Kotori properly and go on with their day. The town loved their princess and they would do anything to keep her safe. "So princess, where are we going?" Eli asks.
"To see Alisa." She replies. "Hmm I wonder if she would like if we brought her some sweets?" Alisa was Eli and Umi's younger sister.
"What about your afternoon classes?" Umi asks. "We wouldn't want you to get in trouble because you were skipping out."
"Oh no, I'm free for the rest of the day. My teacher is out sick." Kotori smiles and talks further ahead, "C'mon lets go to Homura!"
Homura is a sweets shop in town's square. It was one of Kotori's favorite places to go to when she left the castle. Not only because they sold good sweets but because of the shop owner's daughter. Outside of the castle, Kotori would say that she's one of her closest friends. Eli has met her several times and they know she doesn't have a bad bone in her body. As the three girls enter Homura, a woman with brown hair greets them. "Ah, welcome Princess Kotori. And welcome Ayase and Sonoda."
"Good afternoon." Eli and Umi bow while Kotori walks up to the counter.
"Hello! Is Honoka-chan in today?" Kotori asks. The woman gives a small smile and begins packing Kotori's goods.
"Not today. She's with her father traveling to other Kingdoms to sell our sweets."
"Aw..." Kotori pouts.
"But the Nishikino family requested us to come for their daughter's birthday." The woman chuckles once she sees Kotori's face light up.
"That's one more reason to be excited about the party." Umi nods her head. Eli doesn't accompany Umi much when they go visit Honoka but she knows that the three of them get along very well.
"Alisa? Are you home?" Eli calls when she enters her family home. Kotori and Umi follow behind the older girl.
"Pardon the intrusion..." Both of them mutter.
"Alisa?" Eli calls again.
"Onee-chan?" She hears her sister's reply. They can hear running and Alisa appears from the hallway. "Princess Kotori!" She runs up excitedly to Kotori.
"We brought you sweets." Kotori shows Alisa the bag of sweets. Alisa gasps and hugs Kotori tight. Kotori chuckles as Alisa thanks her. "I have a request from you."
"Excuse me for a second princess." Alisa takes a breathe and then looks at her older sisters. "Onee-chan. Umi-nee. Hello." She nods her head and then gives her attention back to Kotori. "I'm sorry Princess Kotori, you can continue."
Eli and Umi turn to each other with blank stares. "Seriously, Alisa..." Alisa ushers Kotori to sit down with her.
"So! I have an important party coming up and I've convinced Umi-chan and Eli-chan to come with me! And I was wondering if you wanted to help me sew their outfits." Kotori looks at both of her knights and smiles before turning back to Alisa.
"Hah?" Eli and Umi turn to each other again and look back at their princess. Alisa can only give an excited look before she starts yelling.
"Wow really?! I can help you with that?! I'm so excited when can we start?" Unlike her sisters before her, Alisa instead took up sewing. Her and the Princess both have that interest in common and sometimes when Kotori has free time, her and Alisa sew together.
"We can start now!" With no other commands, Alisa runs to her room and comes back a few seconds later with her sewing kit.
"W-Wait!" Umi slowly starts backing up. "I thought I was just going to wear this and a mask." Her back hits the wall. "I'm not wearing a costume!" Before Umi starts in a full on sprint, Eli grabs her arm.
"Hold on Umi. We said we were going to do whatever the princess asks of us for this party. We're not going to back out, right?" Eli tightens her grip on Umi and she can only swallow in response.
Alisa and Kotori quickly took both of the girl's measurements. Well, for Eli it was quick but getting Umi to sit still and not move every time Kotori touched her was a challenge.
"Now, I know both of you aren't into wearing dresses." Kotori sits and begins thinking to herself.
"Right right." Eli nudges Umi with her elbow and they both nod at each other. "So we can just wear our uniforms."
"No!" Kotori snaps. It makes both knights and Alisa jump. "I want you both to wear suits."
"Suits?" Eli tilts her head. She looks at Umi but she can only shrug. "I guess it's better than wearing a dress."
"It's not very different than what we're wearing right now actually." Umi adds.
"Right, we're pretty well cleaned up right now if I must say."
"Well you're wearing what we make you on the night of the ball. Can we all agree on that?" Kotori asks and gives both of the other girls her biggest smile and brings her hands together. Both girls sigh and Kotori claps her hands. "Then it's decided! Only for the night of the ball. The rest of the days you may wear your uniforms."
"Huh? The rest of the days?" Eli asks.
"I didn't tell you? It's a week long celebration."
"Huh?!"
"A week long celebration? That's insane." Umi mutters. "It'll be nice to be away from the Kingdom and on our own but a whole week for someone's birthday?"
"Not just anyone's Umi. Princess Maki's birthday." Eli corrects her. They were back inside the castle and finishing up dinner. "It'll be fun to see Kotori enjoying herself, will it not?"
"Of course but anything could happen."
As Eli and Umi were about to exit the banquet hall, one of the messengers stops them. "Knights Ayase and Sonoda. The Commander has asked for you to both come to the great hall."
"Of course." Eli nods her head and begins walking to the great hall. Umi walks alongside her and mouths, "Do you know whats going on?" Eli can only shrug in response, her father only called for them when they were in trouble. Only once has their father called for them, when they made a mistake as rookies and never again have they made the same mistake. Commander Ayase has to discipline each knight for their mistakes, even if that includes his own daughters. A mistake is a mistake and must not be overlooked, especially in this line of work. Eli swallows nervously just thinking about it.
As they arrive to the great hall they both take one last breath of freedom. They look at each other and nod before opening the doors to the hall. At the end of the red carpet are the thrones of the Royal Family. The Queen was sitting in her throne, and their father was standing at her side.
Both girls quickly walk down the carpet and kneel once they reach a respectful distance from their Queen. "Your highness." They both say.
"You may stand." She replies. Her aura was always intimidating and Eli liked that about her Queen. She wasn't weak willed and always thought about her people. Even at the loss of their King several years ago, she has kept the kingdom growing. At the corner of Eli's eye, she can see Umi shiver. She can't blame her, if she was in the same room with the mother of the girl she liked, she'd be scared too. Both girls stand and meet eyes with their father. "Go ahead, Commander."
"It's nice to see you both. You have grown into fine Knights of the Royal Guard."
"Thank you father." They both bow their heads.
"You can relax. This is not about punishing you." He laughs. Even the Queen chuckles and it makes them both surprised.
"This is why I trust you both protecting my daughter. You're both so serious, especially you, Sonoda."
"Y-Yes, your highness! I'll always do my best for her and you!" She bows her head once more and it makes the Queen laugh louder. Eli covers her mouth to hide her laugh. Umi always turns into a mess when it concerns her feelings and actions for Kotori.
"Let's not waiver anymore from the topic, I'm sure the Queen has her own matters to attend to." Their father's voice makes both girls stand straight.
"Yes, sir."
"You both have done excellent work as Knights of the Royal Guard. You are not even 18 yet but have been Knights for over a year. We would like to commend your achievements and promote you both." Eli's eyes widen in surprise. She didn't think she would ever get promoted so soon. "Eli, since you are older and have more experience, we would like you to become a Captain, and Umi to be your Vice-Captain. You will be in charge of your own squad within the Royal Guard." Their father walks down the steps and becomes level with them. He places a golden Captain badge in Eli's hand and a Vice-Captain badge for Umi. "This goes on your uniform caps and I'll send for someone to bring you the ribbons that go onto your jacket sleeve. And lastly," He reveals two name plates that say 'Ayase' and 'Sonoda'. Eli's was golden to mark it as a Captain's nameplate, and Umi's was silver. No one ever gets those unless they're truly important within the Royal Guard.
"W-Wow...Father I really..." Eli can't find the words for how much appreciation she feels. She was having a a bad morning but this made it better.
"You don't have to say anything, you both deserve it. You have worked hard for this Kingdom and we have noticed. Be proud to wear your last names on your jacket, along with the Minami family crest." Both girls bow once more.
"Now, moving onto your first assignment." The Queens speaks again and they raise their heads. "I'm sure Kotori has already spoken about this but, Princess Maki's party is soon. I want you to assemble a squad before the day you depart. The Tojo Kingdom has requested assistance defending their Kingdom. After Princess Maki's party, you will take both Kotori and the Tojo Princess back to our Kingdom, but one of you will head back to the Tojo Kingdom."
"Yes, your highness." Eli and Umi bow once more. "The Tojo Kingdom.." Eli has heard of them before as one of the Allied Kingdoms but has never been or met anyone from there.
"Protect Kotori, and Tojo Nozomi!"
"Tojo Nozomi..." Eli mutters. They were back in their shared quarters. Both girls were laying in their beds staring at the ceiling.
"Can you believe it Eli? We have our own squad now." Umi breaks Eli's train of thought. "We've really made it far."
"Yeah, we have." Eli replies. "And now we have another Princess to look after. I hope she's kind like Kotori." Her eyelids feel heavy and she blinks a couple times to stay awake.
"Kotori is such a great Princess, y'know?" She hears Umi's voice fading away. "I hope she'll be proud-" Eli's eyes shut.
Eli awakens in green grass. She sits up and looks at her surroundings. She recognizes it as the garden of glass, as the girl in her dreams always refers to it as. In the corner of her eye, Eli can spot purple hair flowing in the wind. She stands and dusts herself off. The purple haired woman sits on a swing that's attached to the tree in the center of the garden. As Eli walks closer to the other girl, she can hear her singing. "A maze of dreams...A maze of lilies..."
"Wow..." Is all Eli can say. The girl stops singing and meets eyes with Eli. Eli feels the wind blow against her and she can't bring herself to move.
"You came again." The girl stands and slowly walks toward Eli.
"Y-Yes.." She nods and the girl smiles at her. Eli swallows. "I wanted to see you again." Eli's face burns and the other girl chuckles.
"I wanted to see you again too." She grabs Eli's hands and brings her to the swing. It was big enough for two. They sit together, fingers intertwined and swing slowly. Eli truly enjoys these moments. The mysterious girl always makes her feel warm and touches her softly, it makes Eli feel safe.
"I wish I could be with you forever." Eli blurts out. She feels her face burn once more and the other girl can't help but laugh and give her a big smile.
"You don't even know my name." She smirks.
"W-Well! You don't know mine either!" Eli pouts.
"Well, you're my knight in shining armor that's for sure." The other girl leans her head on Eli's shoulder. Eli feels her heart beating fast and she feels embarassed knowing that the other girl can hear it too.
Eli has learned that whenever she tries to kiss or learn the other girl's name, it shakes her awake. She tries to prolong the dream by avoiding that but sometimes she just can't resist. She really is the girl of her dreams.
But eventually Eli has to wake up.