Once news spread of Eli's and Umi's promotion, many in the Castle and Kingdom congratulated them. Including Kotori, who gave them both big hugs (but for Umi maybe an even bigger one). But now, a week later and the day before they depart for Princess Maki's party, they have to submit their squad name. The Captain and Vice-Captain were both in the Princesses chambers thinking hard about squad names. Both girls groan. "How about Printemps?" Kotori suggests.
"Printemps?" Eli tilts her head. "Hmm... I don't know about that one."
"Oh! Or Lily White?" Umi suggests.
"No no, it's got to be BiBi!" Eli nods and seems satisfied with her answer, but the other two girls shake their heads.
"What does BiBi even mean?"
"I don't know but it sounds cool, right?"
"But Lily White seems more elegant, right Princess?"
"I like Printemps!"
"Ugh, we're getting nowhere with this." Eli crosses her arms. "How about we just play odd man out for it?"
"Fine, I accept the challenge. Get ready to serve for Lily White, Eli." Umi smirks.
"I'm in!" Kotori jumps up, "Printemps here we go!"
"Wait...Kotori-chan what does Printemps even mean?" Eli turns to face their Princess.
"It's French! I think..." She holds her chin and Eli can see her trying to think hard.
"Okay Princess, it's valid. Now, I have faith in BiBi!"
The Next Day
Eli stands in front of her mirror and straightens out her uniform. She fixes her squad ribbon on her left arm that says 'Lily White'. She looks up and sees Umi smirking behind her in the mirror and she scoffs. Umi laughs and puts on her cap and walks out of their room. Eli straightens her nameplate and puts on her cape and cap. She takes on last look at herself and takes a deep breath. She grabs her katana and exits the room.
Eli rejoins Umi at the entrance of the Castle along with Kotori. Outside in the courtyard they can see their squad of 20 Royal Guards waiting patiently for them. Kotori walks to her carriage, with Eli and Umi following closely behind her. They stop before Kotori enters her carriage. Eli faces her squad. "Everyone!" They all salute to her. "You all know our mission is to keep our Princess and Princess Tojo safe. Let's complete the first mission of Lily White with pride!" They all yell and Eli nods. Kotori chuckles and enters the carriage.
After maybe 5 hours of traveling, they can see the Nishikino Kingdom in the distance. Unlike the Minami Kingdom, that's surrounded by grasslands, the Nishikino Kingdom was surrounded by trees and lakes. Perfect for any fisherman. "Are we there yet?" Kotori yells from inside the carriage.
"Yes, Princess!" Umi answers. "10 minutes!" Many of the Knights cheer from the back of their horses. As they approach the Kingdom closer, Eli moves to the back of the group to check on the second carriage, holding luggage and about 10 Knights. The rest of the Knights were on horseback.
"We'll be there in a few minutes, prepare yourselves." Eli says.
"Yes Captain Ayase!"
As they near the gate, Eli races to the front. "Who approaches?" The gate guard at the top of the watchtower yells.
"Princess Minami accompanied by Lily White!" Eli yells.
"Princess Minami? Welcome!" He yells back and the gate opens. They wait a couple of seconds until they move into the Kingdom. Gate guards greet Eli and Umi and motion for them and the rest of the squad to let their horses stay in the stables. The Knight driving Kotori's carriage waits until Eli and Umi rejoin them before continuing to the Nishikino Castle.
As they cross the bridge over the moat, Eli can hear instruments playing, signaling their arrival. A man with black hair, wearing a red robe and crown, King Nishikino, Eli assumes stands with open arms. "Welcome welcome!" He yells. Behind him, Eli sees a woman with red hair smiling toward them, she was also wearing a crown, most likely the Queen.
Kotori's carriage stops and Eli and Umi wait for her to exit. As she steps down from the carriage and makes her way to the King and Queen, Eli and Umi take their spots behind her and kneel once Kotori stops to greet their host. "Hello, King and Queen Nishikino." Kotori bows, "Thank you for having me this week."
"It's our pleasure!" The King speaks loudly, "We're so glad you made it safely."
"Maki-chan was supposed to be here to greet you but the maids had to add some finishing touches to her dress." The Queen says.
"It's no problem at all. I hope that you don't mind I brought so many Knights with me."
"Of course not! Your mother let us know what happened, don't be sorry."
"I'd like to introduce you to Captain Ayase and Vice-Captain Sonoda of Lily White." Eli meets eyes with the King and she stands.
"Ayase Eli, at your service. Thank you for having Princess Kotori here to celebrate Princess Nishikino's birthday. While we're here we'll gladly assist you with duties around the Kingdom, your Highness."
"Thank you, Ayase. I was hoping that you would get to meet Nico-chan but she seems to be with Maki-chan now." He looks around and turns back to Eli. Eli gives a confused look.
"Nico-chan is a Captain of our Royal Guard. Her squad is called MDS. She's Maki-chan's favorite." The Queen chuckles. "But you all must be tired! Let's get you out of the sun. Hanayo-chan is waiting inside to show you around."
. . .
A small petite girl with brown hair greets them as they enter the castle. "W-Welcome!" She bows. "My name is Koizumi Hanayo. I'm one of the maids in the castle, please feel free to ask me for help!"
"Thank you." Kotori chuckles, "May I call you Hanayo-chan?"
"Hanayo-chan? Uh- I mean yes, yes you may!" She nods her head once more. "I'll be taking you to your room now." She begins leading us to Kotori's guest room. She takes them through a couple hallways and up a few flights of stairs until she finally stops and opens a door, revealing a spacious room for Kotori. In the corner we could see Kotori's luggage stacked up neatly. "Um...I'll be back to get you for dinner time. Captain, your shared room is right next door. Until then feel free to..." Hanayo meets eyes with Umi. For some strange reason, Umi has had this strange look on her face ever since we arrived to the Castle. "T-To look around the castle!" Hanayo runs off without another word.
"Umi what's with you?" Eli pats her sisters back. "What's with your face?
"Huh?" Umi shakes her head and looks at Eli. "S-Sorry. I just can't believe we're in another Kingdom. We were never allowed to go until now it's just new to me."
"Oh yeah, I can understand that." Eli agrees. "Well you can relax for a little bit. I'm going to take a look around the Castle and check on the rest of the squad."
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Umi asks. Eli shakes her head.
"I'll be okay. Take a breather." Eli takes off her cape and throws it on Umi. "Princess, I'll be taking my leave."
"See you soon, Eli-chan!" Kotori smiles. "Help me unpack, Umi-chan!"
The Nishikino Castle was bigger than the Minami Castle. Eli was walking around until she found herself at the castle entrance. From there, she decided to go to the courtyard and walk around the castle walls. As she walks around the castle walls, gazing upon the town surrounding it, she bumps into someone. "Ow, watch it." A high pitched voice snaps.
"Oh-" Eli looks down and see's a smaller girl with pig tails sitting on the ground. She wears a similar uniform like Eli's, including the color, cap and all the fancy gold accessories. Except the family crest that was on her jacket was the Nishikino family. Her Squad ribbon on her arm said 'MDS'."Oh?" Eli mutters.
"Oh?" The other girl mocks. She dusts herself off and stands up. Red eyes meet blue.
They stare at each other with confused expressions. "Uh..."
"Oh!" She says. "You're from..." Her red eyes move to Eli's jacket. "The Minami Kingdom."
"Sorry, I was just surprised. Are you perhaps..." Eli crosses her arms and closes her eyes. "Nico-chan?"
"Huuuh? Who told you that?" The girl gets in Eli's face. She steps back crosses her arms. "But yeah I am. Yazawa Nico, Captain of the Maki-chan Defense Squad." She does a weird pose and sweat drops down Eli's head. "So thats what MDS stands for..."
"Ayase Eli, Captain of Lily White. It's a pleasure to meet you, Yazawa."
"Ehh?" Nico seems unimpressed. "Just Lily White? Where's your passion?"
"I let my Vice-Captain pick the name." Eli shrugs.
"C'mon Ayase, you're gonna let your Vice-Captain call the shots? You look like you could've come up with something better." Nico begins walking again and Eli walks by her side.
"Well...BiBi would've been way better..."
"BiBi? That does sound cool, what's wrong with you?" Nico scoffs. "But anyways, Ayase. What're you doing up here?"
"I thought I'd become acquainted with the Castle and meet you and the other Princesses."
"I see. Well, so far just your Princess and the A-RISE Princesses have arrived and a couple others. Still waiting on the Tojo Princess." Nico shrugs. Both Captains can hear instruments playing. They look over the castle wall and see another carriage arriving. "Or not?" Nico makes eye contact with Eli and she motions for her to follow her to greet that Princess.
They run down to the courtyard and make their way behind the King and Queen and kneel. "Welcome, Princess Nozomi of the Tojo Kingdom."
"Thanks for having me, your Highness's."
Eli opens her eyes. "That voice..." It would be rude of Eli to raise her head now, she wasn't being spoken to. But the voice makes her shiver. She wants to see who it belongs to.
"I'm glad you made it safely, I hope that your parents are doing well."
"Thank you. I'm excited to see Maki-chan and the others, it's been so long."
"Of course, Maki-chan has been excited for weeks, but she likes to play it off like she doesn't. Also, who do we have here?"
"Ah, this is my one of my strongest Knights. Hoshizora Rin-chan."
"Pleased to meet you, your Highness!" A high voice yells. Eli can hear a small nya at the end and it makes her even more confused. "Did they bring a cat?"
"Speaking of Knights- Ah, there you are Nico-chan! And you brought Eli-chan too!" The King's voice snaps Eli back into reality. She can see Nico stand from the corner of her eye and she does the same.
When she looks up, her eyes meet green. Eli's eyes widen.
The Princess in front of her was the girl in her dreams. How could she forget the long and beautiful purple hair that haunts her dreams, along with the dazzling green eyes that leave her thinking about her next visit.
"Yazawa Nico, Captain of the MDS. I'll be in charge of security while you're staying here and this is-"
It seems as the Princess has realized the same thing too, because the way they look at each other is like something clicked.
Eli snaps out of it once she feels Nico elbow her, "A-Ayase Eli, Captain of Lily White from the Minami Kingdom." She bows.
"Ah, Nico-chan be nice. She must be tired from her travels today, why don't you two show Rin-chan around and get some food? Dinner will be soon." The Queen motions for Nozomi to follow her and the King.
"Uh, Princess Nozomi?" Eli's eyes follow Nozomi as she nods to her orange haired Knight, Rin. Nozomi glances back at Eli before she enters the castle.
"I...I have to talk to her." Eli mutters.
"Get a hold of yourself, Ayase!" Nico elbows Eli again. "You're really weird. Anyways, come with us, Hoshizora."
"Okay, Captain Nico-chan, nya!"
"Oh so we're skipping last names? Fine by me."
Eli can hear both of their voices fading away. "Hey!" Nico grabs Eli's arm and drags her. "C'mon Eli, stop being weird!"
"I saw her!" Eli bursts through Kotori's room door. It causes Kotori to squeal and Umi to unsheathe her katana and point it at Eli. "I saw the girl in my dream!" Eli grabs the katana out of Umi's hand and drops it.
"E-Eli what-" Umi gets interrupted by Eli shaking her shoulders.
"It's Princess Nozomi! Of the Tojo Kingdom! She's the girl in my dreams!" Eli jumps up and down.
"Wait really?" Umi tries to stop Eli from jumping. It doesn't work.
"Really? Nozomi-chan? Oh she's so pretty and kind, you have to talk to her!" Kotori begins jumping with Eli.
"Right right! She's so beautiful I need to see her immediately because she looked at me like she knew me too! Maybe our dreams are connected or-"
"Guys!" Umi yells. "I know this is a big moment for you Eli but..." Umi points at the door and both Eli and Kotori spot Hanayo waving at them.
"Um...Dinner's ready."
Eli's heart pounds fast as they are taken to the dining room. "I have to see her again." As Hanayo leads them to the dining room, they see Nico leaning against the door. When Nico spots them, she stands up straight, "Greetings Princess Kotori, I'm Yazawa Nico, one of the Captains here. Princess Nozomi and Maki-chan are inside already. Do you mind if I take your Captain and Vice-Captain with me?"
"Of course not." Kotori takes a step toward the door and Eli quickly opens it for her. "Why thank you, Eli-chan."
"No problem, Princess." Kotori winks at Eli before entering the dining room. Eli quickly scans the room to look for Nozomi, her dream Princess. She spots purple hair and it makes her heart pound. They meet eyes again before Nico closes the door.
"C'mon Eli don't stare." Nico shakes her head. She looks up at Umi, "Sorry, we haven't met yet. I'm Nico and I've already met Eli earlier."
"I'm Sonoda Umi, Eli's Vice-Captain." Umi and Nico greet each other, but Eli keeps her hand on the door.
"Ah, so you're the one who chose the name Lily White..."
"Yeah, it's cool right?"
"Not really, but c'mon lets go eat I'm starving. You coming, Eli?"
"Eli, c'mon." Umi touches Eli's shoulder and Eli nods. Nico falls behind to walk next to Eli and playfully elbows her.
"I know you just met her and all, but I didn't think you were the type to catch feelings fast."