"What? No way!" Nico spits out her drink. "That's like...Something I'd read in a children's book!" Nico waves her hand and shakes her head.
"I'm serious!" Eli replies. She slams her mug down and wipes her mouth. "We know each other. Didn't you see it in the way she looked at me?"
"Shut up Eli, you bastard! Not everyone has good looks like you, you can't just use that every time you're interested in someone!" Nico stands and points her finger at Eli.
"But I don't!" Eli yells back.
They were lucky they were separated from the Royal Family for dinner because they were being so loud the whole room of Knights turned to them. They only stare for a few seconds before returning to their own conversations. Umi, Hanayo, and Rin who were sitting together with them felt embarrassed. "You guys, settle down." Umi sighs. "Sorry for her behavior, Eli usually doesn't act like this." She apologizes to Hanayo and Rin.
"It's okay actually. We don't usually see the Captain this lively unless she's with the Princess. This is good for her." Hanayo smiles looking at both Eli and Nico.
"I see." Umi replies. She looks over to the orange haired girl who was too busy eating to participate in the conversation.
"Rin-chan, be careful eating so fast you might get sick." Hanayo tries to get Rin to slow down.
"It's okay Kayo-chin!" She raises her hand with her fork facing up. "Princess Nozomi always says to eat a lot so I have enough energy to fight!"
"K-Kayo-chin?" Hanayo stutters, "Since when-"
"Hurry up and eat Kayo-chin, your rice is gonna get cold, nya!"
"My rice!"
The table Umi sat on was filled with strange people. They weren't close or anything but Umi felt content. She felt like she'd known these people for years despite only meeting them today. Maybe this week wasn't going to be so bad after all.
"This is no time to rest, Eli. Follow me." Nico kicks the dining room door open and throws on her cap. Eli rubs her stomach and follows Nico.
"I'll catch up with you later, Umi." Eli waves at Umi and she nods, enjoying her time with both Hanayo and Rin. Eli puts on her cap and follows behind her small friend. "Where are we going?"
"It's Maki-chan's birthday party. And they invited a lot of people. You know what that means?" Nico stops suddenly.
"Uh...Danger?" Eli raises one of her eyebrows in confusion. What else could it possibly mean?
"No!" Nico snaps and Eli takes a step back. "Suitors!"
"Oh..." Eli nods her head. And then she comes to a realization. "Oh no..."
"Exactly." Nico crosses her arms. "Maki-chan's mine, but I still gotta defend my territory y'know?"
"Wait what exactly is your relationship with her? Are you guys like a thing, is that allowed in your Kingdom?"
"What like gay?"
"Huh- No not like gay- I mean yeah but-" Eli groans and Nico laughs.
"You're something else Eli." Nico smirks, "I know Maki-chan likes me she's just too stubborn to admit it. Plus the King and Queen love me too."
"But like...Is she allowed to be with someone of your status? For us, Kotori's family usually marries them off to other Royal Families."
"I don't know maybe? I mean they haven't killed me yet for making a move on her, so I think I'm in the clear. The King is pretty relaxed. I mean c'mon my squad is literally called the Maki-chan Defense Squad."
"I guess that's true..." Eli mutters. "Well good luck to you, my friend."
"What are you wishing me luck for? You're gonna need it more than I do."
"Huh?"
"Princess Nozomi might have her own suitors too. Plus she's almost 18, she might even be engaged already."
"Huuuuh?!" That made Eli's heart drop. "B-But-"
"Woah Eli relax, I was just saying maybe!" Nico waves her arms frantically. "C'mon at least let me introduce you to Maki-chan and maybe you'll get a chance to talk to Princess Nozomi." When they entered the main dining room, Eli quickly scanned for Nozomi. But she was nowhere to be found, like her own Princess Kotori. Everyone was mostly just chatting to each other, it looked like dinner was over. Eli follows Nico toward the balcony, where a red haired Princess in a beautiful white dress stands. She was speaking to a taller young man.
Nico looks back at Eli and whispers, "Watch and learn." Eli stops in her trail and leans against one of the pillars. "Aaah Maki-chan!" She yells. "There you are."
"N-Nico-chan." Princess Maki replies. Nico tips her hat off and looks at the man next to her.
"I don't believe we've met. I'm Captain Yazawa, Maki-chan's Number One."
"H-Hi, I'm Prince Kasuga from-"
"Could I steal her away for a bit? The King wants to see her for a minute."
"Of course." Nico motions for Maki to follow her and as they walk down the steps, Nico's eyes meet Eli's and she motions for Eli to follow as well. Eli follows behind Maki and can hear her scolding Nico.
"I didn't need your help!"
"Oh yeah, this Ayase Eli, Princess Kotori's Captain." Nico points back at Eli and Maki meets eyes with her as they exit the dining room.
"Pleased to meet you, Princess." Eli nods her head and smiles.
"H-Hello." Maki replies. She turns to Nico and gives her a sour expression.
"Now now, Maki-chan." Nico smirks and puts her hands up. "Before you yell at me for saving you, can you tell Eli where we can find Princess Nozomi?"
"Nozomi? She went with Kotori to go to our garden." Maki replies.
"There ya go, Eli." Nico smirks again and Eli nods. "Thanks beautiful."
"N-Nico-chan!" Maki turns red and Eli laughs.
"I'll be taking my leave. Thanks again, Nico. And also see you sometime soon, Princess!" Eli runs in the direction of the garden.
That Nico was something else. She was cocky and smart, but in a way that interested Eli. She hoped one day she would be able to challenge Nico to a duel, she just had that confident air around her that made her strong.
After Umi was finished with dinner, she parted ways with the younger girls. They seemed to have gotten along well and were in their own little world so she decided to let them bond together. She decided to roam around the castle. Eli was bonding with Nico very well, and Kotori was catching up with all the other Princesses. Umi didn't want to bother either of them. Plus Umi knew it was good for her to have her alone time. She eventually finds a balcony to stop at. She leans against the edge and sighs.
Ever since her parents passing, Umi felt a gaping hole in her heart. They had passed 10 years ago, the same year as Kotori's father, King Minami. She was 6 when it happened. A group of rouges tried to overthrow the Kingdom. Ultimately they had failed, but had taken the King and several of his Knights with them. It was a sad year for the Minami Kingdom but it has truly made them stronger.
But Umi didn't understand that until she was a little older. For awhile she felt numb and alone. Even after she was adopted into Eli's family, she still had felt numb. Eli would try to break Umi out of her shell but it would never work. Umi felt that it was better to not love anything anymore. After months of living together, slowly Eli was wearing Umi down. She didn't find her resolve until she saw Eli breakdown after her mother and grandmother died. Eli refused to believe it but the rest of her family had to accept it. Eli had always acted strong for Umi, but seeing her so broken and sad like that made her realize.
Umi couldn't let the life that Eli's father saved, go to waste. She decided to make herself useful and follow in the footsteps of her father, and of the Ayase family. She decided to protect and fight for those she loved. She wouldn't let another loved one slip through her hands ever again. When Eli's father gave her the chance to fight, she didn't let the opportunity go. Since then, her and Eli have been side by side, fighting their way up to the top.
If it weren't for Eli being by her side, she would've been dead and vice versa. Eli was Umi's best friend and as long as they were together, Umi wasn't going let anything happen to her. And the same goes for their precious younger sister, Alisa. Now, 10 years later, Umi was now a respected Vice-Captain in the Royal Guard. She belonged to the distinguished Ayase family and brought honor to her late parents. Her life was perfect. At least, that's what it looked like on the outside.
The Ayase family was complicated. When Umi was adopted, Eli's father wasn't around very much. She knew he was a very busy man, so Eli's mother and grandmother were always around for the girls. But months later, they both got very sick. They both passed away and that's when things started going downhill. Their father became more detached and cold. But he did give them the option to fight and make something out of their lives.
That was the most he's ever done for them. Was give them a duty. And when Alisa turned old enough, he offered her the same. But she wasn't interested in that kind of thing, and the older girls knew. He had left his youngest daughter alone, because she chose not to follow in the Ayase family footsteps. Umi knew that if their mother and grandmother were still around, it wouldn't have been a big deal. But things change. On the outside, they're a very well respected family, but no one knows that their father left behind Alisa. And as her older sisters, Eli and Umi needed to step up and take care of her. Along with their duty to the Princess, their little sister was one of their top priorities.
Umi and Eli hated talking about their family situation. But the only other person who knew that was Kotori. Umi found it very easy to speak with her about what was bothering her. And she's shown them time and again that she would do what she could to help. Alisa could never live inside the Castle because she couldn't contribute, but Kotori takes the time out of her day to come visit the younger girl when they all had free time. Normally when you heard the word Princess, you'd think about some stuck up girl who had everything handed to her.
"Umi-chan?" A familiar voice breaks Umi's train of thought. She turns to the owner of the voice and her gaze softens.
"Princess Kotori." Umi smiles.
But Kotori was a different story. When Umi was first assigned to be Kotori's Knight along with Eli, she didn't think she would have grown as close as they were now. She was sweet, and always somehow knew when Umi had something on her mind. Kotori was truly special to Umi and wouldn't let anything happen to her. Of course it was her duty to protect her anyway, since they were her personal Knights but Umi felt more. Her need to protect Kotori was beyond her duty.
"You look like something is troubling you." Kotori walks over to Umi and gives her a worried look.
"I was just thinking about some stuff." Umi straightens her stance and clears her throat. "Like about before and all. I've come a long way." Umi looks out at the night sky. "I didn't think I'd make it." Umi feels Kotori's hand on her top of hers.
"Yes you have." Kotori smiles at Umi as she turns to face her. "I want you to know I'm proud of you." Umi feels her ears and cheeks burn. Her heart soars. Those were the words Umi longed to hear. Growing up in the Ayase household, you were expected to bring home results, especially since she became a Knight. Eli's father was so strict that he never really told his girls that he was proud. The closest they got to that was their promotion.
"I..." Umi starts. She looks Kotori in the eyes and swallows. "Thank you." Umi somehow managed to keep it together. Kotori chuckles and takes her hand off of Umi's. Umi misses her touch but she knows she can't say it.
"You know..." Kotori looks off to the side. "I have some things I'd like to speak with you about." Kotori's tone changes and it startles Umi. Kotori meets eyes with Umi again and can see her worry. "I mean! Not now, I want us to relax this week." Kotori waves her hands frantically. "But when the time comes, will you hear me out?"
"Of course, Princess."
"And when we're alone like this, call me by my name."
"...Yes, Kotori."
As Eli enters the garden she listens carefully for voices. Their garden was spacious and well taken care of, and she could see a gardener watering plants. "Hi. Did two Princesses pass by you?" Eli asks.
"Only one, Captain. The other Princess left to see your Vice-Captain." The gardener replies. "I saw Princess Nozomi go that way." The old gardener weakly smiles at Eli before returning to her duties.
"Thank you." Eli walks in the direction the gardener pointed at. As she walks down a long row of hedges, she begins to hear singing. "Wait...I know this song."
"On our secret swing..." Eli can hear Nozomi's voice and she picks up her pace. "Swinging with you now..." In the clearing, Eli can see Nozomi sitting on the bench facing the small pond. Eli swallows. "Just gazing at each-" Nozomi stops singing when she hears Eli step on a leaf. Eli's face reddens.
Eli clears her throat, "Keep singing." She smiles and Nozomi gives her a knowning look.
"Just gazing at each other softly.."
"A girl who's fallen in love with love, her quiet sigh is lonely..." Eli joins in and Nozomi gives her a surprised look. Eli walks slowly to Nozomi who stands from her seat. Once they stand in front of each other is when Eli finishes Nozomi's song. "Contented and lonely."
"...I didn't know you could sing." Is the first thing that Nozomi says to Eli.
"There's a lot you don't know about me." Eli smirks. She holds out her hand for Nozomi to take. "May I, Princess Nozomi?" Nozomi smiles and places her hand in Eli's. "Is there a reason why you haunt my dreams?"
"I could ask you the same thing. Bothering me in my sleep so much when I only get to meet you now? You're so selfish." Nozomi pouts and it makes Eli's heart skip a beat. "But I suppose it was our destiny to meet here." Eli kisses the back of Nozomi's hand while she speaks.
"Ayase Eli, Captain of Lily White from the Minami Kingdom, at your service."
"My my, Elichi, I didn't think you were that important." Nozomi covers her mouth and tries to hide her laugh. The way Nozomi says her name makes her cheeks burn. No one has ever given her a nickname except her grandmother.
"Elichi?" Eli laughs. Nozomi takes a step toward the pond and looks at the frogs.
"I like your name. I've been waiting so long for you to tell me." Nozomi turns to Eli and gives her a soft smile.
"Thank you Princess." Eli looks down at the ground to avert her eyes. Nozomi was so beautiful in real life, Eli couldn't believe her eyes. "I-I like your name too."
"Then call me by it." Nozomi takes a step toward Eli and brings her hand to cup Eli's cheek. "Say my name, Elichi."
Eli is frozen in place. The warmth she's only felt in dreams was becoming real and she was frozen. She was scared to open her mouth because her voice might crack. She tries to clear her throat quietly and meets those green eyes that has haunted her dreams for over a year.
"I..." Eli touches Nozomi's hand and leans into her touch. "I've been looking for you for so long, Nozomi." Nozomi steps closer until they can feel each other's warm bodies. Eli can hear a loud whistle in the distance. A loud pop indicates it as fireworks.
"I'm here, Elichi." Nozomi whispers as their lips meet for the first time.