The Vollachian Prince and Stargazer
AN: I made a minor edit to chapter 2 where I cut out the bathing together clause of Beatrice's Contract with Emilia and altered slightly to talk to the lesser spirits every day, other than that no other changes. Also Chapter 5 had an edit with Emilia not mentioning the real reason for joining the Selection to Subaru when Puck gives her to Subaru. It plays a key role in this AU and my theme of all power coming with a price and how dangerous it is to treat promises as sacred for good real-life historical reasons. Also I toned down Subaru's security precautions.
DashingSlayer101: Puck can freeze souls and destroy them per Web Novels and Light Novels. Reinhard can suck mana out of folks and negate certain magic tricks. Together they wiped out Roswaal.
More AN at the bottom.
Chapter Begins:
Russell Fellows entered the Prince Regent's Office where he had been largely holed up the past 3 days signing multiple orders, and despite it being early in the morning, the Prince was already awake working having barely slept 4 hours. "Your Highness, the former Oni Maids have been sent to Vollachia, Agents there will ensure they do not return and given their rarity, they won't be killed. Annerose Miload has been informed of her Uncle's treason and execution and her status as a Ward of the Crown. The Astrea Family has formally adopted the children you rescued from the Assassin's Guild."
"Excellent, the Oni Girls would have been a complication I cannot afford. If they won't be assets I can count on, they have to be removed from the board, but I won't kill them if an alternative exists. That being said, Six Tongues will be removed from your purview and become the Crown Inspectors. You will instead be strictly confined to treasury duties and speaking on behalf of the Merchant's Guild. One of your duties is to create the Office of Auditor General who job it is to make sure the Merchants are not engaging in financial fraud and pass on any found to the newly created Office of Attorney General." The Prince spoke as he looked out the office windows.
Russell nodded; the Prince had impressed him enough with a deep knowledge of Six Tongues that could only come from Stargazing. Had the Prince been an enemy, Lugnica would have been destroyed regardless of the Sword Saint; the Prince's strategic mind alongside his Stargazing would have rendered Reinhard irrelevant. Russell was completely convinced of it, and thus would ensure the Prince's will was carried out to the letter, even if it meant losing much power for himself, but in turn he would have great influence with the Prince Regent.
"I will be out most of the day with Emilia-tan. Despite the dangerous Security Situation, I have a safe path for our date. That and I have a promise I need to keep to an Appa Seller, and a certain merchant I intend to recruit as my Chief of Inspectors." The Prince spoke again as he made a notation in the Katakana script he was well versed in.
"I see, and who is this merchant?" Russell asked, wondering if it was someone he knew while marveling at how the Prince was moving to consolidate power with his own people. The assassin Elsa, lounging on the couch, silent while polishing her blade testified to Prince Subaru's ability to find and flip talent with his Stargazing while removing from the board those he couldn't.
"Otto Suwen is his name. His luck stat is horrendous, but his strategic mind is good, he will be a critical part of my plans. Especially with Anastasia and Julius off the board and the Iron Fang disbanded as if it didn't exist."
Russell was confused, "Who are Anastasia, Julius, and the Iron Fang?"
The Prince looked pained, "It is no longer important. What is important is that fire last night in the Merchant Quarters was a first test of our defenses that eluded my sight, no doubt due to executing Roswaal. Thanks to Reinhard and Heinkel, we managed to kill Roy Alphard and now Louanna is awake. You have the Life Sword, correct?"
Russell nodded, "Yes, it is on its way. And it is good to hear Louanna is awake."
"And a Karstein Convoy was destroyed on the road to the main estate correct." Prince Subaru stated.
"Yes, the Duke Karstein is investigating the attack…"
"So Crusch Karstein is gone, as is Wilhelm van Astrea. Soon a messenger from the Barielle Family will inform us of a hit on a Barielle Convoy indicating Priscilla Barielle is gone. The Witch Cult is moving, and a lot of pieces are in play now. I have dived deep into the nightmares again after the Selection. Executing Roswaal while necessary has made Cult bolder, but I have the path forward and this is an opportunity to have my Political and Cultish Enemies eliminate each other so I can clear out the Dead Wood and take firm hold of the Throne. As well as protect my Royal Concubine Emilia." Prince Subaru cut off Russell.
"Who are Crusch Karstein, Priscillia Barielle, and Wilhelm van Astrea?" Russell spoke in confusion.
"That is all, carry out your duties." Subaru ended the discussion with no further clarifications, his voice full of regrets and pain, as well as lack of sleep.
Elsa watched the Royal Treasurer leave and waited for the Prince to command her. Meili's life was in his hands and for her; Elsa would give the Prince everything, even her body if he commanded it.
"Elsa."
Elsa sat up, "Yes your Highness."
Subaru came up to Elsa and placed his left hand on Elsa's face, causing her to blush. Bringing his hand to his mouth, Subaru whispered Elsa's name and then licked it.
"My Prince, um, what was that about?" Elsa asked.
"I am assigning you to Reinhard van Astrea who will be your handler. You will continue to wear your normal attire and if anyone asks, you are his wife. Not really, but it will be funny to fluster him and you can greatly aid him on the missions I will be sending him on by pretending to be his wife. The full orders are on this piece of paper which thanks to his Divine Protections, Reinhard can read. He won't know who you are and his memory of you is scrubbed as are the rest of the world's memories, I am the only one who knows your past Elsa. All he knows is you are his companion in his missions and will introduce yourself as Elsa van Reinhard and pretend to be his wife. Up to him if you actually do become Husband and Wife, it matters little to me. Just don't talk about your past life as an assassin; your new background is that of a highly trained Six Tongues Agent. This is how you will repay me for freeing you from Mother Capella and a not prosecuting you for past crimes. In return the Astrea Family will adopt all the children we rescue from Mother, giving them an education and a new life."
"If that is your wish, then it will be done, your Highness." Elsa complied as she stood up, the Prince not even looking at her as she took the piece of paper he held out to her. A measure of how much power he wielded over her.
"You are dismissed."
Bowing out, Elsa left through a side door and walked into Reinhard van Astrea who merely smiled at her and spoke in full sincerity without artifice and genuine curiosity. "Pardon me miss, but I don't know your name."
Elsa was floored, he genuinely did not know who she was as she handed him her orders.
Once the door shut as Reinhard greeted the unknown woman, Puck materialized, "Well Subaru, you do surprise me, I am quite fluent in Japanese, a Language Satella was never taught by Flugel-sama. And I can add extra protection using the sacred dialogue of contractor and contracted."
"Thank you, Puck, I am at wits end trying to navigate a way forward for Emilia-tan."
Puck spoke in Japanese, "Shi niyotte modoru."
Subaru turned to face Puck and sat down at his desk, "Watashi wa shi niyotte modoru koto ga deki masu." Subaru glance around for a few moments, expecting something, and then relaxed in great relief.
Puck grinned, his Mother could not see Subaru directly, but knew a person like him existed. One of Puck's commands was to find the one who could return by death. In his pouch was a ring that once given to that person, would allow Puck to yoink the Witch of Envy's control over the checkpoints. However, Puck could not see into failed worlds with it, he had to use his own discretion of when to move the checkpoints. Even finding the Witch of Envy's plaything's real identity was only a long shot contingency Mother planned for. But if he was found, Mother gave instructions that Puck was to reward him handsomely with Emilia, that he was also the King in-all-but-name of Lugnica was a bonus. Puck no longer had to fear for Emilia's safety and could use Subaru's love for Emilia to mold him into the mindset he needed Subaru to adopt to ensure Lia's safety. With this, Puck now had complete freedom of action.
"Your love for my daughter equals my own Prince Regent Subaru. I look forward to working with you to keep Lia safe. Despite all the power she has, Lia is unable to fully control it, and Mother anticipating her birth created us 3 Artificial Great Spirits as control keys if you will to ensure she doesn't wind up accidentally destroying the world."
"So, Echidna has contracted with Emilia." Subaru stated as he pulled a file containing troop deployments.
"She has, she had no right to defy me my wish, given she has no active contract that prevents it." Puck confirmed.
"And Beatrice has begun the process that will enable us to defeat Capella and the White Rabbit." Again, the Prince stated.
"The entire City will become a giant Pocket Dimension, starting the moment you get back from your outing with Lia, we will start the work. Once completed you can remove your Political Enemies at will and become King immediately. I already confirmed there is no Dragon Blood in the vault, and the pact itself does not need renewal. In fact, going to the Pleaides without killing off the Witch Cult first would cause more harm than good. But I have no known way to counter Pandora. As Lia's shujin, you are responsible for her safety now."
Subaru winced at the archaic term of shujin. "I dislike the use of shujin; I would like to be her otto."
"Shujin is the correct term for your relationship with my daughter Subaru. She is a concubine after all, and the contract provisions you signed and agreed to means she can't ever be your wife." Puck pointed out. "And really it makes no real difference to me when you pollinate my precious White Rose Lia, as a shujin or otto."
Subaru shook his head, "And pollination is your way of explaining to her the mechanics of sex in a non-crude way which also keeps you from killing me. This is my 4 thousandth loop of this conversation since executing Roswaal and updating my checkpoint, but I have no regrets. He needed to die. The entire backwards feudal nature of this nation must be changed as I become an Absolute Monarch so I can implement the necessary changes that will make this a stable modern state that promotes on merit, not birth. Helps that the nature of my authority makes me immortal. Still will Emilia-tan be ok with her role in this?"
"My daughter will obey me her father and you her shujin without question if we say it is necessary." Puck stated without any hesitation and a firm voice. There was no thought of asking Emilia's opinion on this for him. This was a matter of her safety and Emilia knew she had no right to question him on this.
Subaru leaned back with a sigh as he looked at Puck, "I dislike how the only way forward is to remove all her agency, but having tested so many loops, I resigned myself to the reality that she can't survive facing her past by any means we currently know. That being said, Reinhard will be dispatched in 2 weeks with Frederica and Earth Mages to liberate the Sanctuary by destroying the Soul Jar powering it. Your Tome of Wisdom will cease working then and we'll together be charting our destiny."
"Beatrice will be saddened by that. She waited centuries for so much as a scrap of writing from Mother. Bring her Mother's remains in an Urn so she can have some closure and Mother's butterfly pin as well. Mother would have wanted Beatrice to have it." Puck ordered for Beatrice's sake. He personally did not care for Mother; the woman was a manipulative bitch. But Puck did care for his sisters, especially Beatrice who deserved to be happy.
"Already in Reinhard's orders, I greatly care for Beatrice; it is not my wish to see her saddened. More importantly, how do you remember the Selection Ceremony?"
"Well, Roswaal informed me and Lia that a male candidate was discovered shortly after you stopped that Assassin that tried to kill Lia, the only candidate found so far. After you paid a short visit and stopped that child assassin from the Mabeast Infested Woods, we were summoned to the Capital and found out that you were the candidate. It was Lia's duty to be your concubine and as her father, it was my duty to give her to you. Especially after you went off on that piece of shit Bordeaux."
"Bordeaux is dead now; his stomach was sliced open last night. He will no longer be a concern. My main issue is I don't have a handle on checkpoints. They can be agonizingly long and very short. There is no rhyme or reason to them." Subaru spoke, not elaborating on why Bordeaux was dead, and Puck did not care why.
"I have a ring that will allow me to control checkpoints, and allow just the two of us to discuss your ability. However, I can't see into failed worlds past those checkpoints, I can barely read your surface thoughts as is Subaru."
"Still, I want to try to find a way to see if we can help Emilia-tan face her past and move on. Kremaldy is out, the Mother you and your sisters knew is gone, there is only the Witch of Greed there and her trials are rigged. But maybe there is other ways."
"It is acceptable to me. But I must stipulate as part of our contract to protect Lia that you will only have daughters, be monogamous, and I choose when Lia gets pregnant. And that I chose the hairstyles and clothing of Lia and your daughters." Puck nodded.
"I am in agreement with all these provisions. Sons will only disappoint me as I did my father, daughters I can marry off to proven and worthy sons-in-laws, and Emilia-tan is the only one for me. So, after 4,000 loops averaging 3 months, I will accept your deal." Subaru held out his hand.
"We are agreed, and if you fail, well I will just kill you. So, you have an incentive to not fail." Puck agreed as he placed his paws in Subaru's open hands, placing the Dragon Ring of Farsale on his finger which allowed one to take control of an Authority and last used on Flugel to negate the Witch of Envy's attempts to death loop Flugel-sama.
Puck felt the Witch of Envy scream as it realized the Taboo had been circumvented, and Puck took over setting the checkpoint, but it was too late, Puck had set the checkpoint to after the sealing of the contract. With fascination, Puck watched Subaru zone out and his Witch Miasma increase substantially. "Subaru are you back?"
"Yes, thank you."
Puck scratched his head, "Don't know about that. I can't see your failed ends. And I don't have the means like my Mother to do more than read surface thoughts and even that can be circumvented."
Subaru signed the paper in front of him, "Even so, you are a good teacher and will be a good grandfather. I promise to be a good shujin for Emilia-tan."
Puck grinned, "You said that without hesitation. From my perspective you dropped a deeply held and entrenched belief in just moments from reading your surface thoughts. But that is the nature of your ability. Even Farsale was shocked at the sudden changes in Flugel-sama's mentality from his own perspective. The way your authority works is both immensely cruel and an immense blessing in disguise just as it was for Flugel-sama. In a way it helped Volcanica come to terms with the fact that we couldn't get Satella back and that thing that took her over had to be stopped."
Subaru nodded in acceptance, "Emilia-tan is a pure and innocent soul. Sadness should not be known to her. Likewise, you, Beatrice, and Echidna are essential to her happiness. A world without you three beside her is a world that can't exist. Besides, it will soon be your duty as a grandpa to be your granddaughters' plaything so Emilia-tan can get some rest."
"Nya, nya, that is Beatrice's job, I am refined cat. I won't survive such attention." Puck spoke in mock horror.
Subaru raised an eyebrow as he pulled another sheet and made a veto mark.
"Nya, nya. For Lia and Betty, I guess I must meet my end." Puck mock died and fell across Subaru's desk.
Chuckling Subaru leaned back in his chair while scratching behind Puck's ears, "You are a good friend and good father-in-law Puck, and I will be counting on you. But I found quite a few hitches which we will correct; I just went through 12,500 loops averaging 5 years and I apologize for being a poor student and poor son-in-law and taking so long to come to terms with your teachings. I even took a few trips to the Pleaides Watchtower. Thus, we can forget about that method to help Emilia. Lastly, I am the only one who can safely consume dragon blood of any type. Whatever was used long ago either wasn't dragon blood, or a type unknown to us, or needed to be refined by a method not recorded in the Forbidden Library."
Puck frowned, "Neither I or Betty can access Mother's Floating Palace. It holds her far larger main library which is tied to Od Laguna itself. Hector took the key as well to it and we never recovered it. And once her tomb is destroyed, it will plunge down the Great Cascade and be irrecoverable." Puck then smiled, "Still I am glad you learned, wish it didn't take you 62,500 years to learn the lessons I don't recall giving you or the no doubt stern punishments I delivered for failure, but that was on you. I can't follow you through time; I don't have the requisite Authority to do so."
Subaru sighed, "I know. So here is the path I have determined in recap. The Trials of Kremaldy are out, that was just a giant fucking disaster series of loops and a price that I refuse to pay as is the Pleiades Tower. I as a king cannot justify jeopardizing the safety of the kingdom just to save Emilia's heart from her past. Emilia-tan can't overcome the truth of her past so therefore I will have to create a new past for her. I took 500 loops to test it, but the best way forward is to use Beatrice's Tome of Wisdom as a pseudo save file backup, I can selectively edit Emilia's memories and your siblings. I still can't override the contract stipulations you have as those are embedded right into her Od as well as yours. However, nothing can be done for the Frozen Elves of Elior, or the ever winter there, whatever Emilia did there is beyond our current knowledge to fix. We just have to remove those statues from her memories and alter her story again while destroying the statues. These alterations will only be known to us."
"I see, as her father I approve." Puck stated as he licked his paw, there was no thought of Emilia's wishes on this for him. If a wholesale rewrite was needed, then a wholesale rewrite would be done. Puck could care less about the statues of the Elves. It was an unnecessary complication to Emilia's happiness.
"Also, Puck, whenever she leaves her quarters, she must be accompanied either by me, or you or your siblings. Otherwise, she is to remain in her quarters and only females allowed in to visit her, and no males aside from me and you are to ever be in her quarters. This is until further notice. I will try to set aside time as much as I can to take her on outings in the capital and elsewhere, but given the sheer number of things I have seen go wrong, I can't make promises." Subaru outlined the way forward.
"I concur with this plan Subaru. I am glad that you take Lia's happiness and safety so seriously." Puck agreed without regard to Emilia's opinion on this or that of his siblings. They knew not to question his decisions once made.
Subaru held out his fist. "Now let's get to work father-in-law."
Puck paw bumped Subaru's knuckles, "I knew I chose correctly in placing my trust in you son-in-law."
Puck then updated the checkpoint to here, satisfied that Subaru was fully onboard with his philosophy and desire to keep Emilia safe, happy, and meek.
"Oh, and Puck, in 3 months' time, an envoy from Vollachia will arrive. 7th Rank Divine General Yorna and she will be accompanied by her servant and messenger Tanza, and 9th Rank Divine General Madelyn. You and Emilia-tan will like Yorna. Allow her and her 2 escorts access to Emilia-tan."
"I take it they are coming to determine your claim to the Vollachian Throne?" Puck inquired.
"Vincent is so determined to not lose; he hasn't lost his virginity. We only need to wait for the Empire to turn on him for not producing heirs. After which, the Prime Minister will call upon me to take the Throne in a year and a half."
"Now that is just sad Subaru. Vincent is said to be smart, but to lose his throne over not taking a maiden to his bed is just plain funny."
Subaru smirked as he moved to scratching Puck's back, "Indeed, and merging the crowns will enable me to straight out buy the loyalty of the Kararagi City States not to mention getting Muspel and Zarestia to contract with Emilia-tan. Gustenko will be a snap afterwards when I approach Odglass to contract with Emilia-tan. This will unify all 4 Crowns under me and all 6 Great Spirits under Emilia, making her the new living Goddess. Combined with Yorna teaching Emilia-tan Soul Marriage, I will have total control as the Holy Emperor, bringing forth peace and prosperity once I eliminate the last remnants of the Cult."
"Wow, you are quite ambitious Subaru. Good thing those others are ladies themselves, or I might have to fear another father figure trying to steal my sweet innocent Lia. And Zarestia when she isn't being murderous is quite an innocent gal herself and easy to fluster."
Chuckling, Subaru didn't answer, changing the topic instead. "Have Beatrice send you the Tome of Wisdom now. As her father, you know best how to edit her memories and the world's memories and only we will know the truth. You owe it to her as her father to bear this burden for her. If ever we find a way to regain the true events that happened that day, we will both restore it. But other than that, I am giving you Bordeaux's Seat on the Council and making you Prime Minister with right to govern in my absence, the first time I am doing this. As my Father-in-Law, you will sit on all council meetings and be regent when I must attend to other matters in person and can't be on hand to handle internal governing matters."
"All of this is acceptable to me," Puck affirmed as he sent a telepathic message to Beatrice who could receive but not send.
…
Emilia sat at her table in her new bedroom at the palace, nicknamed the Pollinating Room by Puck and was part of the larger concubine wing of the palace where the Farsale Dynasty's concubines and later queens, stayed. Beatrice was sitting next to her, serving tea while Emilia and Echidna yawned from the early 6am wakeup. Emilia was currently in her nightgown, having just concluded her early morning talk with her lesser spirits and now eating a light breakfast.
"Beatrice you never really agreed with Puck's choice to give me to Subaru-sama as a concubine." Emilia made small talk as she sipped some tea.
"It is not Betty's place to defy Bubby's decisions once made, no matter how much I dislike them, in fact. Even Bubby's decision for Betty to change her outfit to somewhat mirror yours was one that Betty could not defy in fact." Beatrice replied, indicating her new sleepwear that mimicked Emilia's in every way.
"Well, I for one consider this new look to be quite cute Beako," Emilia gushed.
"Bothersome, I suppose, but promises are important and must be kept."
"I agree with our contractor, you look cute in the new sleepwear." Echidna added.
"Uggh, why did you get a fox form?" Beatrice moaned while Echidna just laughed.
Emilia remembered that day, waking up to a crying Puck, covered in snow, asking her to forgive him. The appearance of Melakuera shortly afterwards, the terrible fighting, the contract she made with Puck that saved them both and gifted her the Green Crystal that rested on her upper chest from the collar of her nightgown. Echidna then showing up to aid her and Puck in defeating Melakuera, her radiance enabling Puck to deliver the finishing blow. For 7-and-a-half years she wandered around Elior Forest with Puck and Echidna by her side. She knew she was a half-elf, Melakuera called her that. He also called her a devil. The few humans who came to the forest either tried to enslave her and got defeated by Puck and Echidna or fled in fright calling her a witch. Despite her contracted spirits telling her she was beautiful, she started to think she was ugly from all the whispers by the village folks of the village she traded pyroxene crystals at. Still, she had Puck and Echidna.
Then one day, she was awoken by loud explosions. Puck battled an unknown man for a whole night, wrecking large sections of her beloved forest garden of white roses and beautiful trees. When both were temporarily out of mana, there was a truce, well more her pinching Puck's ear and berating him for not talking first with the visitor while Echidna apologized for Puck's rashness. Roswaal then revealed Emilia was a Dragon Maiden and placed an insignia in her hands. Despite his misgivings, Puck informed her that this was an invitation from Volcanica himself and they must accept it. For the next year she resided at the Mathers Estate. There she met Frederica, Petra, and the Oni Twins and Annerose. Emilia also met Beatrice who ran the Forbidden Library and was Puck and Echidna's younger sister. Beatrice took on the role of a stern older sister, who taught her to read and write, a skill Puck and Echidna had neglected to teach her.
"But why did it have to be that shady boy who turned out to be king, he doesn't even knock before opening doors, I suppose? Hmmpf."
"Beako, he saved my life from that assassin when my insignia got stolen."
Emilia though back to that day. There wandering the city and seeing the utter hostility shown to her by humans while the Demihumans were more accepting but wary, she came to understand just how much she was hated. She lost Ram in the crowds, Echidna was feeling tired all day, Puck was just as lost and conserving power, and Beatrice had no luck as well. Her insignia was stolen from her, but despite having the support of 3 Great Spirits, and her immense mana supply, it was like there was a lock on their powers that day, and the thief got away and Beatrice got accidentally left behind and lost till she bumped into Ram. Echidna tried to locate Beatrice and Ram. With no one to turn to, Emilia got in contact with the lesser spirits who sent her towards the Loot House.
"Beakooo, the Prince gave his aaaall to protect us. Was even trying to defuse the standoff peacefully before that assassin attacked."
Beatrice looked aside, still miffed at how the Prince easily defeated her door crossing and showed no regard for her noble status and even had to gall to encourage her to play with kids her age. "He taught our contractor bad habits; Betty doesn't like him for that in fact."
Emilia smiled, "You knooow I can tell when you reaaally don't have any bite now, Beako."
Emilia thought back to that day again, entering the Loot House and meeting the Prince for the first time. The giant gave up all thought of fighting on seeing her. The thief got frightened when she realized Emilia was a half-elf and asked if she was the witch. The Prince tried to defuse the situation by telling the thief to return the insignia and for her to get going. Confusing Emilia and the thief, but all of a sudden the Prince called for Puck, who was hidden, to protect Emilia. The Prince seemed to know Emilia and Puck and even Puck's limited endurance that day for some reason. But despite her efforts and Puck's, the assassin was able to outlast Puck and temporarily incapacitate Emilia. When she came to, the thief Felt had run off to get help, the giant was down, and the Prince had summoned the Yang Sword to fight the assassin in a vicious close quarter battle to protect her long enough for Reinhard to arrive and name the Prince as Subaru. But just when they thought they won, the assassin made one finally lunge at Emilia while she was still temporarily out of mana from Reinhard's sword technique. But Prince Subaru pushed her out of the way and beheaded the assassin as he slashed at the air.
"Betty can tell you are thinking of him again in fact. I suppose Betty must allow that shady boy near you."
Emilia smiled and hugged Beatrice to her. She remembered Prince Subaru's request for her name as a reward and the fear and sadness she felt when his stomach wound opened. How when she went to retrieve her insignia while Reinhard stood over the Prince, she tried to rapid snatch it out of Felt's hand only to send it flying towards Subaru. Thinking back, this was likely when Reinhard discovered Subaru was the chosen successor to the throne. Then there was his visit the next day, his short stay as he casually broke Beatrice's Door Crossing, charmed her, and captured the child assassin Meili without harming her. When he was revealed as the Rightful King and Bordeaux insulted her, he was quick to defend her. And when Roswaal turned out to be a traitor and there were calls for her removal as a concubine, he silenced those calls and accepted her. Calling her beautiful and meaning it, and for the first time, Emilia found someone who truly loved her and considered her beautiful.
"Lia, hope you didn't wait too long, but it's time to get you ready for your outing today." Puck announced as he materialized in the room.
Emilia blushed as she thought of her outing today. "We were just getting ready to bathe Puck, but are all these new security precautions a bit much, especially only allowing vetted females in here aside from you and Subaru-sama?"
"Not at all my daughter. This is until further notice and the command of Subaru-sama and me." Puck laid down the law.
Emilia started to protest, but stopped and nodded her head in compliance and placed her hand on Beatrice's head to forestall a protest. She had no right to dispute her father or Subaru-sama anymore per her promises. She was a Royal Concubine now and had to obey. "Yes father, I will obey Subaru-sama and you. Promises are important and must be kept."
"Very good my daughter, you will be with just the Prince, as I will be taking a nap for my skin. The Prince will be with you at all times and if something comes up, I, Echidna, and Beatrice will be at your side in moments." Puck explained.
"I understand Puck." Emilia smiled.
"Now let's get you ready for your outing," With that, Puck led the way to the linen room where her clothes, makeup, and linens, were kept in closets and drawers that were locked by Puck's and Beatrice's magic. The entrance to the concubine baths was also through the linen room.
Emilia raised her arms up and to the front so Puck could undress her upon entering the linen room. Per her contract, she did not dress or bathe or groom herself, Puck taking care of that for her. Puck floated to Emilia and removed her nightgown, revealing no underwear was worn under it. Tossing it into the hamper which Beatrice and Echidna would retrieve it later to be cleaned via magic and stored, Puck unlocked the door to the baths.
Going to her washing stool, Emilia stood tall, legs spread out slightly and arms up and to the sides. The main bath was of an older type and too reflective to use per Emilia's contract unlike the Mather's bath which had jets that made the water cloudy. So Puck had drained the bath and would hand wash Emilia from here on out.
Once positioned, Emilia held still as Puck dunked cold water on her and soaked her in a whirlpool of water before shifting two streams of water aimed at her butte and vulva to irrigate them till he got to them last. With those two streams still going, Puck started to clean Emilia's skin, nails, and hair. Puck's work was always thorough and massaging. Starting with her hair, Puck used a tear free concoction and lathered it through Emilia's hair before cleaning her ears, face, and neck before rinsing her off in more cold water.
Head and neck done, Puck moved to Emilia's shoulders, and arms, taking a pick to clean under her nails. Once satisfied they were cleaned, Puck moved to Emilia's chest, scrubbing her breasts clean before going to her belly and back. Once those were done, Puck went down her legs and used a pick to clean her toenails to perfection before gently her feet to clean the bottoms. Emilia was then rinsed off in cold water jets from several directions. After that, Puck began on her vulva, cleaning the outside before pulling her labial lips apart to clean the insides. Then taking a vaginal insert of stiffened cloth with a small opening at the top and sides that sprayed water, Puck inserted it and for the next few minutes, Emilia gasped and bucked as her vagina was irrigated with cold water as Puck held it firm before pulling it out, having flushed any bacteria out. Moving to her butte with a different insert, Puck gave her a cold soapy enema of 5 minute duration thrice before using a 4th of plain cold water to rinse her out.
Once done, Puck gave Emilia another cold-dunk and whirlpool wash. Emilia was then left to air dry for 10 minutes, as Puck proceeded to clean Emilia's teeth and mouth thoroughly. Using a toothpick to ensure her teeth were clean of all debris. Once dry enough, Puck began to oil her body to give it a glossy sheen that would be attractive.
"Well, we won't have to wax treat you again for another 8 weeks since we did it yesterday." Puck commented as he finished oiling Emilia's body to perfection with the final touch of putting a suppository in her anus to keep it oily to ease her later reliefs.
"I still don't understand the need to wax, the maids didn't wax themselves…"
Puck cut off Emilia's protest by respreading her labial lips and applied vaginal cream with another applicator causing her to gasp at the sudden intrusion. Puck hit the plunger, filling Emilia's vagina with the cold feeling cream to ensure it remained moist, flexible, and ready for Subaru's shaft later. That way Emilia would have no pain later during sex.
"Per your contract you agreed to leave all decisions on your grooming and the process itself to me. And this is my decision, you have no right to question it." Puck reminded Emilia as he removed the applicator before leading her back to the linen room.
Sighing in defeat, knowing she had no right to argue due to her contract, Emilia stepped into the fresh pair of white silk panties, with floral lacing at the waist band, Puck had gotten her. Holding her arms out so Puck could fit her white floral laced bra on, Emilia stood still as Puck made the band tight and adjusted the straps to lift and separate her breasts, making them appear bigger than they were.
Next up where Emilia's thigh high boots followed by her pleated miniskirt. Then her bodice which had two pleated extensions to give an illusion of a layer of skirts. Next was her detached collar to which her green crystal was attached. Then came the buttoned half-coat that buttoned beneath her breasts, with her sleeves which was counter balanced by the small cloak going down her back. Due to the miniskirt, she had to be careful in how she walked and sat to avoid flashing her panties. This was by Puck's design to help her learn ladylike walking and sitting, though Emilia's movements and simple wind defeated the purpose. But Subaru liked it, and Puck would cater to Subaru's tastes.
The sleeves still retained the hawk emblem of House Mathers which Subaru had taken over as his own heraldry. Once on, Puck began fixing Emilia's hair into a crown braid and attached two white rose hairpins to both sides of her head. The old floral hair piece had been destroyed as was the flower pin Plum gave her. Puck having made the decision over Subaru's protest when he erased Plum from the story. Next came Emilia's purple lipstick and some light highlights to improve her cuteness when she blushed.
"All done now, you can proceed to meet with Prince Subaru." Puck stated after the 2-hour grooming session to prepare Emilia by 9am.
"Puck, will you be fine asleep in your crystal." Emilia asked as she stood up.
"Certainly my daughter. Staying up all the time is bad for my skin. And soon I will be having to take turns being held and cuddled by your birth daughters and Beatrice. So I best enjoy a cat nap while I still can." Puck smirked before pretending to die as he disappeared in light and settled into his crystal.
Exiting the room, Emilia found Prince Subaru in the strange clothing he wore at the loot house.
"Ah, Emilia-tan, ready to depart?"
Smiling, Emilia offered her hand, "Certainly Subaru-sama, by the waaay, how are we getting to the market district unnoticed?"
"We will go in the back of a supply cart while our doubles utilize the main carriages with the knights escorting. Given the variety of different cultures, and refuge in audacity, we'll be fine." Subaru reassured her.
"Refuge in audacity?"
Subaru scratched his head, "It's a saying in my hometown that means; others don't do anything as it seems way too crazy to try."
"Um alright, I just have to take your word on it Subaru-sama."
…
The trip in the supply cart was a little bumpy, and space being at a premium, she had to huddle close with Subaru who had his arm wrapped around her waist, causing her to blush. Their lesser spirits hovered above them, chatting amongst each other.
"So Subaru, where is our first stop?" Emilia asked to break the ice.
"Kadomon Risch's Appa Stand, I made a promise to buy some appas a while ago and it's time to keep it."
"Ah, that is a good thing Subaru-sama. Promises are important to Spirit Arts Users and must be kept no matter what." Emilia agreed.
Subaru's eyes held joy and sorrow in equal measure as he gently placed his right hand on her head and guided it onto his left shoulder as the ride got a little bumpier. "Yes, and no matter what, I vowed I would not lose you no matter what, the first time we met and you saved me."
"The first time we met was in the loot house. I was so confused as to how you knew me. Felt was confused as well. Then you saved me. I never once saved you Subaru-sama." Emilia stated in confusion.
"My ability is so cruel, so many beautiful moments that weren't anymore. And I can't save everyone, trying to can lead to worse outcomes, like trying to save Anastasia Hoshin."
Emilia was further confused, "Subaru-sama… Who is Anastasia Hoshin."
Subaru had a look of pure sadness in his eyes before sighing, "It's not important, only I can remember her, and it is best you dwell no further on it. It is my burden to bear alone."
"Subaru-sama, you seem quite troubled by all the visions you have. If there is anything I can do to help you. Even just a little bit. Will you tell me?" Emilia pleaded with Subaru, unable to bear his suffering that was clearly taking a toll on him.
"Well after we get appas, there is a park with a fountain pond and a bridge over it. Let me borrow your lap as a pillow for my head so I can unwind for a bit in a peaceful area."
"That's it?" Emilia was surprised.
"Yep."
"If it will reeeally help you. Then sure Subaru-sama, I will give you, my lap."
Subaru smiled, "Thank you Emilia-tan
…..
Emilia let Subaru-sama help her down from the carriage in the fabric market. The light breeze and height difference cause her panties to be flashed to Subaru-sama, making Emilia blush slightly. Once down, Subaru tilted Emilia's head up and kissed her. Emilia knowing this was coming, opened her mouth and let Subaru's tongue enter and touch hers. After a few moments, Subaru pulled back and held out his hand to her. Holding on to Subaru's hand, Emilia let Subaru lead the way.
"To enhance security I got several doubles, some alone, some with guards, some have dyed their hair, others have not. This ensures we move unnoticed." Subaru spoke.
"Um, Subaru, the ones who are alone, will they be alright?" Emilia asked in concern.
"Plainclothes Agents of Six Tongues are watching out for them and they can handle themselves as well. In fact that red flare you see ahead is the first catch of the day and just about…" Subaru summoned the Yang Sword and cut a rope, causing a bag of flour to land on a man moving to a side alley holding a knife onto a little girl he just grabbed.
'His Stargazing saved that little girl.' Emilia watched in awe.
"Guards, arrest this man and bring him up on charges, and fine him the cost of that flour after you pay its owner the restitution for its lost." Subaru commanded before turning towards the traumatized child. "Hi Plum." Subaru stated as he knelt down to the girl.
Emulating Subaru, Emilia knelt down as well while the guards seized the would-be kidnapper. But upon looking at her, the little girl Subaru called Plum began to panic in fear.
"I'm sorry I'm not the person you're looking for, but I promise to help you." Emilia began to panic in turn as she waved her hands in an attempt to calm the girl down.
"What I have here is a notched ten-yen coin," Prince Subaru cut in, showing Plum and Emilia a strange coin, catching their attention. "Now I will clench it in my fist tight, tight, tight like this."
Subaru then opened his fist and turn it over to show the coin was missing, fascinating both Plum and Emilia who both wondered where the coin went.
"Now where did it go?" Subaru rhetorically asked as he used his other hand to brush across Plum's hair and behind her ears before revealing the coin again after pulling the hand back from Plum's ear.
Plum smiled before looking at Subaru expectantly.
"Here, it's rare, so take good care of it." Subaru informed Plum as he placed it in her hands. "Now it looks like you lost track of your mom. Since your father's fruit stand is nearby, why don't you hold onto my and Emilia's hands and we'll go to your dad and hopefully your mom will be there as well."
Plum nodded as she placed the coin in her pocket and held out her hands. Taking a hand alongside Subaru, Emilia noted the look of pure joy in Subaru's face as if he had regained something that was precious to him. Emilia wondered if this involved Subaru's visions somehow as they began walking.
"You know, people who didn't know better would think we were a mother and father walking with their daughter." Subaru spoke up after a minute.
"We look more like her big siblings age wise." Emilia pointed out.
Subaru chuckled in response with a nostalgic look.
"Daddy! Mommy!" Plum cried out and let go of Emilia's and Subaru's hands and went running forward to a stall keeper and a young woman.
"Plum, where have you been?" Kadomon lifted up Plum and began holding her while the young woman hugged both Plum and Kadomon.
"A mad man accosted her with a knife while we were walking, he has been arrested and will be dealt with." Emilia explained to Plum's parents.
"You're the prince…" Kadomon noted Subaru and Emilia's presence, "Thank you your highness and lady."
"Now I could hardly let my favored appa vendor's family suffer if I can help it. So Plum and Raksha will be protected no matter what." Subaru spoke with a grin as he pulled out his coin pouch. "Besides, Kadomon I promised I would buy from you the moment I got money, despite a few sidetracks along the way, I am here to make good on it."
Kadomon smiled as he handed Plum to his wife Raksha took the money, "My freshest batch for rescuing my sweet Plum." Kadomon filled a bag with appas.
As he did so, Subaru removed a pass from his coat and slid it over to Kadomon. "I will be exclusively buying our fresh produce from you. This will allow you to reach the palace. We will pay 4 times the usual price for your produce. And this allows you to move into the former Mathers Mansion in the Capital. Thus allowing you to sell to the nobles directly."
The Risch Family's eyes widened. This would enable Kadomon to grow his business massively and give Plum an education and substantial dowry. He and Raksha could even afford to have more children.
"Uh thanks Prince Subaru," Kadomon spoke as he clasped Subaru's free hand.
With appas in hand, Subaru took Emilia's hand and they proceeded to a park with a fountain pool that was non-reflective and had a bridge over it. Taking a spot near the water, Emilia knelt down and let Subaru rest his head on her lap. The moment he did, she could see how tired he was.
"You've been working tirelessly the past few days haven't you?" Emilia inquired as she stroked his hair.
"I have, and the nightmares don't seem to get better. I know the path forward, but what I must do to keep everyone safe, to keep the country safe, will make Frederica-chan sad in a few days. But her mentor Clind is another secret traitor who took me many nightmares to figure out was my enemy."
Emilia hmmed in response as she continued to stroke Subaru's hair, "I trust you Subaru, whatever your decisions, I know you are doing what is best."
"Hearing that from you means a lot." Subaru spoke softly as he closed his eyes and began to sleep on her lap.
Smiling, Emilia let Subaru nap for a bit while she stroked his hair. Glad to help him relieve some of his burdens.
AN: Now we see why the Taboo actually protected Subaru from Puck finding out, which would not have been good. Puck was a gaslighting scumbag the entire Series who did not respect Emilia whatsoever and had a twisted love for her. If he had known Subaru was the one who had return by death, he would have molded Subaru into his way of thinking, not allowing him a successful loop till Subaru was completely in line with his ideals, and completely dollified Emilia. Roswaal on the other hand would have just been fine with Subaru giving him the opportunity to get the dragon blood, and not try to forcibly mold Subaru to his thinking and even try to minimize the number of times Subaru had to die.
But we also see fully just how dangerous holding promises as sacred is. This is a main theme throughout the canon. Subaru had to shove Emilia's face in how stupid obsessing about promises is in order to get her to grow up and step up in Arc 4. Especially as she asked him to hold her hand all night in exchange for surrendering all her agency to him like she did Puck… That wakeup call from Subaru finally got her to do the right thing without regard to prior promises and take back her agency which she had none before. Story Pointers consistently fail to understand this and even worse hold moderator positions that make it near impossible to have rational discussions on most forums as they push a party line completely at odds with what we are canonically shown. Hence most people not realizing that Julius was in the wrong at the Royal Selection and was the only one actually punished in that fiasco while Subaru was officially rewarded with the Mathers Crest and paid for the damages done to him by Julius. Hence Subaru was able to negotiate on behalf of his Camp in the first place and give orders to Julius in the Sloth Takedown.
But hey, it is what it is. I simply lay out what we are actually shown canonically. Up to others to accept it or reject it.