It was a momentous day for Queen Emilia; in fact, it was exquisite. Every meticulous preparation for this auspicious occasion had been meticulously completed.
A new, lovely dress? Check. A fresh hairdo and manicure? Done. Makeup? Flawless. Everything had fallen into place as planned.
One might not think of the queen as one for grandeur; simplicity usually suited her. However, this day was different.
Years had passed since her personal knight and now Prime Minister had confessed his love for her. He had shown unwavering devotion and loyalty, and during that time, she had asked him to wait. To wait until she could understand her own feelings until she comprehended what love truly meant. The loyal knight had obliged, understanding and caring, always by her side.
"I love you, Emilia-tan."
"I will never stop loving you."
"You will have to reject me for me to go away."
"I will always be here for you, no matter what."
These were just some of the heartfelt words he had spoken to her. A true dunderhead, he was.
Yet, even after all these years, he continued to hold out for her. He kept waiting. But now, the time had come for her to respond to his love. This time, she would accept his affection, and they would finally be together.
As Queen Emilia stood up from her vanity mirror, admiring her dress and hairstyle, she couldn't help but think that her staff had truly outdone themselves. After a brief moment, she left her Chamber and made her way through the halls. Various maids stood at her door, ready to assist her.
"Queen Emilia, are you ready to go out?" asked her head maid, a beautiful but middle-aged woman with orange hair, named Petra-san.
"Yes, Petra-san. But could you summon the economic minister for me? Ask him to meet me at the front of the castle. There's something important I must discuss with him," said the queen, her voice filled with happiness.
"Right away, my queen," replied Petra, bowing respectfully. The queen nodded and proceeded down the halls of the royal castle with grace and elegance.
The castle buzzed with activity today, just like on every similar occasion. Was it that time of the year again? The queen thought to herself, reminiscing.
Ah yes, it was the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the monarchy, or as some called it, Monarchy Day, which was just four days away. On that day, millions of people from all over the world traveled to the capital city of Lagunica to celebrate the stability and progress the monarchy had brought to the outside world. And let's not forget the World Fair, an event her knight and Prime Minister had invented, which she always loved.
It didn't take long for the queen to reach the front of the castle. As she stepped out into the front yard, a dozen Dragon carriages and a company of royal knights awaited her.
It was always like this whenever she went out. She would be content with a dozen guards, but her dunderhead Prime Minister insisted on more, citing the importance of her safety. He was truly sweet.
"Emilia-sama!" a voice called out, and a man in a green suit ran towards the yard to meet the queen. He was panting and sweaty, having rushed just to be with her.
"Did you summon me, Emilia-sama?" asked the merchant named Otto, still catching his breath. He hadn't been accustomed to running like this, especially after getting married and having kids, which led to him putting on a few pounds.
"Yes, Otto-kun. How are you? And is Frederica doing well? I heard you are expecting another child," said Emilia with a happy smile. She, too, wished to have a family of her own one day.
"Uh, yeah, Emilia-sama. But she's been very cranky lately hehehe. Her cravings have been all over the place in the past few weeks," said the merchant, scratching his head. His tigress of a wife had been craving different foods nonstop, and he didn't know how to keep up.
"How lovely," murmured the queen absentmindedly, gazing into the distance as she imagined a life with her dunderhead and a bunch of quarter elves running around.
"What was that Emilia-sama?" asked Otto.
"Huh? Oh, sorry, I was just lost in thought. Forgive me," said the queen, blushing slightly as she quickly regained her composure.
"Uh, Otto, have you seen where Subaru is? I need to meet him, but I heard he was away from the capital. Do you happen to know where he is?" asked the queen.
"Uh, yeah, Emilia-sama. I heard he's in Ladrima..." Otto trailed off, looking at the queen from head to foot. This was the first time he had seen her like this, and she looked stunning. But he couldn't help feeling that today might not be the best time for such a meeting.
"Emilia-sama, I don't mean to interfere with your affairs, but do you think it's a good idea to meet him now? I mean, Natsuki-san is there for a reason, after all, and its family day hehehehe," Otto said nervously, realizing the significance of this particular day for his best friend subaru.
"Absolutely Not, Otto-kun! I reaallly need to see my Subaru today, and nothing is stopping me from meeting him," the queen pouted playfully. She immediately composed herself, though, as a few of her royal knights looked their way.
"I can't be seen like this, as my dunderhead said," the queen thought. Aloud, she continued,
The merchant's eyes widened as he heard his queen's remarks. Did she say that? My Subaru?
"If that's the case, Emilia-sama, then I won't delay your trip any further. Please say hi to Natsuki-san for me and tell him he owes me a beer or two," said Otto, his face and voice tinged with unease, but the queen didn't notice.
"Alright. Say hi to Frederica and the babies for me," replied the queen with a warm smile as one of her royal knights held the door open for her to enter the dragon carriage.
"Have a safe trip, Emilia-sama, and enjoy yourself," Otto bowed as the dragon carriage departed from the front of the castle, passing through the gates and into the bustling streets of the city.
As soon as the carriage was out of sight, Otto let out a sigh of relief, or perhaps it was frustration.
"Good luck, Emilia-Sama, Natsuki-san, hehehehe," Otto simply said to himself, before heading back towards the castle. He couldn't help but be intrigued by the potential interesting events that might unfold in the next few days.
Seated comfortably inside the carriage, Emilia gazed out of the window as they passed through the city gates. Her hand instinctively reached for the necklace around her neck, a precious gift from her devoted knight and prime minister, Subaru.
The pendant, adorned with a small, sparkling sapphire, shimmered under the warm sunlight. She couldn't help but admire it as she pondered what the future held for them.
"Subaru," she whispered, her heart fluttering with emotion, "you've been reaally waiting for so long, and now it's my turn to answer your love."
She reminisced about the many remarkable things her knight had done, from the first time they met at the Loot house in the slums, to his heroic acts in the Arlam village. She thought about the times he stumbled and struggled during the selection process and how he had returned to her, declaring his love.
His unwavering support and care had been the pillars that helped her overcome her past traumas at the sanctuary. Emilia recalled with a fond smile the heroic feats Subaru performed during the events at Priestella, rescuing her from the clutches of an unwanted marriage orchestrated by the Sin Archbishop of greed. And then there was his brilliance displayed at the watchtower and his grand pacification of Vollachia; the memories of their encounters warmed her heart.
The selection had been a turning point, and Subaru had played a pivotal role in guiding her to the throne. Without him, she knew deep within her heart that her reign wouldn't have been as successful.
It was undeniable—Subaru's presence had transformed her life in ways she couldn't have imagined.
"He's my strength, my confidant, and my love," Emilia thought out loud with overwhelming gratitude.
Tightening her grip on the pendant, she felt the weight of her emotions.
"My Subaru," she said tenderly, holding the precious gift close to her heart before placing it gently around her neck once more. The necklace was more than just an accessory; it symbolized the profound connection they shared—a connection she would cherish forever.
Emilia knew that her heart and mind were clear. She was ready to answer Subaru's love with all the affection and devotion she held for him.
"I Love you, Subaru," she whispered, as she stole a glance out of the window of the dragon carriage. The queen's voice filled with both nervousness and excitement.
"Hmmmm, this would reaally make him happy."
After a grueling five-hour journey, the Queen's Convoy finally arrived at the gates of Ladrima, a city that had once stood as a formidable military outpost on the border with the Vollachian empire. In those days, Ladrima's walls were a symbol of defense and resistance against cross-border raids by the Jingoistic forces of the Empire of Vollachia.
But times had changed, and with the skillful diplomacy of her prime minister and the restoration of the monarchy in Lagunica, Ladrima had undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, emerging as a beacon of peace.
The historic signing of the eternal peace treaty between Queen Emilia and Queen Prisca of Vollachia paved the way for both nations' military forces to withdraw from their once-contested borders.
As a result, the imposing military fortress had been transformed into a bustling city, serving as a vital hub for trade and cultural exchange between Vollachia and Lagunica. What's more, thanks to the ingenious efforts of Natsuki Subaru, Ladrima had also embraced the blossoming tourism industry, becoming a sought-after destination for relaxation and entertainment.
As the carriage door opened, Emilia stepped out into the vibrant streets of Ladrima, her eyes wide with wonder and pride. The transformation was nothing short of astonishing, a testament to the unwavering dedication and vision of her prime minister, Subaru.
The once solemn and guarded outpost now thrived with life, its markets teeming with activity, the sound of laughter filling the air, and the Various Parks, Amusement parks, and Tourist spots, offering joy to locals and visitors alike.
Emilia couldn't help but feel an overwhelming surge of admiration and love for her loyal knight and prime minister, Subaru, as she surveyed the impossible feat he had accomplished.
"You've accomplished all of this, my dear Subaru," she whispered to herself, her heart swelling with affection. Throughout the arduous journey, sleep had eluded her, for her mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of Subaru - her knight and prime minister.
Before she could immerse herself further in her emotions, she was gently pulled back to reality as one of her royal knights suddenly appeared and bowed before her.
"Your Majesty," he addressed her with deference.
"What is it, Calwin?" Emilia inquired; her attention fully focused now.
"We've inquired with the local constables in the area, and they informed us that the prime minister is currently at the Buri Market, not far from here," the knight informed her.
The Buri Market buzzed with vibrant energy as Emilia gracefully navigated through its colorful stalls and enchanting ambiance. The air was filled with the irresistible aroma of delicious delicacies, and an array of trinkets and souvenirs adorned the fairground, enticing the bustling crowd of shoppers, all lost in the moment.
As Emilia strolled along, her heart danced with each step, and her thoughts swirled with the words she had longed to express.
"Perhaps Subaru and I could visit this place on one of our dates. It would be truly enchanting – just the two of us, accompanied by Puck and Beatrice," she mused to herself.
With every stride, anticipation built, and she could feel the fluttering butterflies in her stomach. Her heart raced with every beat, and her mind rehearsed the words she had been wanting to say for so long.
"I love you, Subaru,"
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Emilia caught sight of Subaru amidst the bustling crowd. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight of him – his Scary brown eyes, jet-black hair, and smooth skin. The maturity in his demeanor now brought butterflies to the queen's stomach.
"Subaru!" she called out, striding toward her prime minister, who held a child in his hand, probably a local from the area. Emilia couldn't help but smile, knowing how fond Subaru was of kids, his gentle and caring nature shines through wherever he went.
"Emilia? What are you doing here?" Subaru asked his face a mixture of shock and curiosity, not expecting the queen's unexpected presence.
"I came here to tell you something," Emilia stated, her voice soft and her eyes twinkling with nervous anticipation.
"Is it about the Monarchy Day and World Fair? Can't it wait until tomorrow? It's Sunday, after all, and I'll be back there first thing in the morning," Subaru replied in a neutral tone, trying to decipher the reason behind her visit.
"No... it's not about that," Emilia replied, her voice now tinged with nervousness, which only made Subaru more anxious.
"Wait! Don't tell me some nobles are conspiring again? Those assholes! Haven't they learned?" Subaru's face turned angry, his voice laced with venom. "Tell me their names, Emilia, and I'll deal with them immediately."
"Huh? No, it's not that!" Emilia said with a pout, waving her hand to dismiss any thoughts of political intrigue.
"Huh? Then what is it?" Subaru's curiosity was piqued. "Is it really so important that you traveled all the way from the capital just to meet me?"
"Uh, yes, it's reeeally important, and it's personal... reeeally personal," Emilia replied, now blushing like a ripe tomato, which caught Subaru off guard.
"Okay... what is it, Emilia?" Subaru's nerves began to kick in, his eyes widening like pancakes as he tried to make sense of the situation. Why was the queen here? And why did she look like she was on a date?
Emilia inhaled a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She had rehearsed the words all week, but now that the moment was here, everything felt anything but simple.
Keep calm, Emilia. You can do this. Just say the words you've been practicing.
Another deep breath, and she steeled herself. She was a queen, a strong queen, and Subaru had helped her become one.
In a heartfelt confession, Emilia poured her heart out to Subaru.
"I've made up my mind," she began, her voice stuttering with nerves.
"I've realized that no one makes my heart flutter like you do." Pausing to find the right words, she continued,
"I can't stop thinking about you, and I feel terrible when you're not around. It upsets me to see you with other girls. I think... I think this is love. Yes, surely it is... so this is why I... no," she paused again, searching for the right words, and then she found them.
"I reeeeeeally, love you, Subaru," she finally said, giving him a sweet smile, her face radiant with affection.
A sense of joy permeated the air as the day reached its happy conclusion. The queen and her beloved knight could finally be together, after years of courtship, trials, and tribulations. Love had triumphed, and the prospect of marriage and a family filled their hearts with hope. Emilia envisioned a future where they would have a few quarter-elf children, cherishing the thought of naming a daughter "Chocorina," while Subaru would choose the names for the rest.
It was a truly happy ending, or so the gullible half-elf thought. However, reality would soon shatter her dreams.
"Emilia, what the Fuck?! It's been 20 years now!" Subaru exclaimed, his eyes revealing a mixture of shock and annoyance as he looked at the girl in his hand. "I'm married now."
"...what?" The half-elf queen was rendered speechless, her heart sinking like a stone.
The little girl in Subaru's hand, who had been silent until then, suddenly chimed in.
"I don't like this woman, Father!" she grumbled. With blood-red eyes and black hair, she bore a striking resemblance to someone - a certain baroness who had now ascended to become a queen.
Emilia desperately wanted to speak, to express her feelings, but something seemed to be holding her voice back, sapping her energy.
A sharp pain was building in her heart, threatening to overwhelm her. Her train of thought was interrupted by a new arrival, a boy not older than nine with blue hair, a perfect carbon copy of Subaru. He appeared out of nowhere, carrying a bunch of grocery bags in his hands, and addressed the prime minister.
"Dad! What are you doing there like a doofus?!" the boy exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of annoyance and mild scolding.
"Dad! Let's go home! The moms are waiting!" he urged.
Shout out to Xynoparadox and Mobster24.