Chapter Theme: Bolbbalgan4-To My Youth

Eira Gwinn never intended to get attached.

All her aim was to sustain her life in the unending journey towards the top, and before she knew it, she became a mere maid in the infamous Khun Family's floor. But she honestly didn't mind it much- all she had to do was finish her duty and earn points and continue on ascending whenever her weak mental and physical condition allows it since she's nothing but a nobody Regular who coincidentally had various lucky encounters that enabled her to climb till this floor.

Then one day, her past memory reawakened.

Particularly, on the moment she set her eyes on a small toddler which had been abandoned, but still it reminded her of her long-forgotten little siblings which she had single-handedly raised due to her father's disappearance and her mother being too busy to tend to them, all the times she had scrutinized her rough and scratchy palms despite being only 12.

That is, until the Tower deemed her worthy to climb up.

Selfishness, greed, desperation- name it, she'd been through all of it that she'd forgotten about her three younger siblings.

But the little miss, Khun Amelina was her salvation, her hope and wish in returning to humanity. The strong feeling of protectiveness she has for her is unrivaled, even if she had to face the family head himself.

But this…

"Eira Gwinn," a familiar voice called out. "When do you plan on telling her?"

Ah yes, there's also another person who's very much infatuated with her young lady; the infamous A class Scout, Han Miru.

She never knew the reason why such a capable person like him was stuck in this estate in the first place, but being in the same situation as him doesn't feel bad. It kind of feel good when she thought even someone like Miru can make such an enraged expression as he leaned on the wall, eyes filled with bloodlust.

Both of them are equally devastated.

But somehow, the two knew they currently has no power nor authority whatsoever.

"Miss Ame…"

Amelina can't really say she had a hectic week, but it certainly was the most tiring. Dealing with Maschenny's provocation every morning, trying to avoid Eduan and reconciling with her retainer. At least the ever-so-supportive Eira was there for her at every turn. It was as if she had nothing more to hide from her two closest people, and honestly it felt great-having allies especially in the estate.

And right now, as a way to 'bond' with her- well, half-sibling, Amelina currently has her feet dipped in the lake water as Aguero focused intently on fishing, his ponytail lightly swaying when the wind blew.

Content with the serenity, Amelina asked, "Aguero, didn't you have classes for today?"

"Nah, no use for it- Hey look, Ame! I caught one!" the usually matured Aguero exclaimed, trying to pull the rod before a velvety voice interrupted making Amelina flinched and Aguero looking away from his target to Amelina, giving the fish a chance to escape in the meantime.

The two gaped at the same time, the fish swimming away in circle as if mocking them.

"A.A!"

The nickname was unfamiliar to Amelina's ears, but she somehow knew it referred to the boy sitting next to her who only kept a neutral expression though there was a little crease between his eyebrows.

"A.A, it's not good to skip classes, you know!" an older looking girl scolded, her long pale blue hair swishing side-to-side as her figure neared them. It feels a bit uncanny meeting anyone else from the Khun family outside her circle so Amelina unconsciously shifted towards Aguero, the latter squeezing her hand.

"It's you again?"

"Hey, what do you mean 'you'? I'm your older sister, you know!" the girl finally halted right behind them, and what Amelina immediately recognized was how she seemed different from the other Khuns. Eyes full of life, though moments ago she was huffing, a wide smile had already replaced it.

It suddenly made Ame conscious of herself.

'I wonder… what is this feeling?' Amelina clutched both Aguero's hand and her skirt.

"Oho? I wonder who is this?" the older girl peeked down, trying to get a closer look to the confused Ame. But before she could get closer, Aguero stood up, pulling Amelina with him to make a distance between them and this new girl.

"Don't touch her, Maria, and you're not my older sister."

There was an uncomfortable silence hanging in the air before this 'Maria' chuckled while gesturing to Ame. "If I'm not your older sister, then what is she?"

Twinge.

That question surely was a thorny one coated with sweet honey, the youngest Khun noticed. But according to Miru, her existence itself is a top secret within the main estate, so she shouldn't rebut anything- was her rational part arguing, but that question really hurts.

To Aguero, what was her?

As if hearing her dilemma, the boy straightened up with his hand still latched onto Ame's his voice loud and clear, "She's my little sister, of course."

Even Amelina didn't expected that. But on another thought, she's happy he thought of it like that. It eased the sorrow from having to part with Ran.

Nearing her side, Aguero whispered, "Miru's here, go back first."

She needn't to be told twice.

The impromptu meeting with another girl within the Khun family wasn't exactly a pleasant one, but Miru did assure her on the way back that there would be no arising problem since her existence is top secret within the estate, which was quite worrying actually. Amelina wasn't quite sure which one was more threatening, Maria or being kept in the main estate forever.

But Amelina knows she couldn't be down forever.

The young Khun couldn't be more thankful to Eira who once again didn't utter any word as she gently combed the younger girl's hair, (probably because Amelina's mood was always on edge nowadays) but she would've preferred not to worry the maid. The way Eira would occasionally stop running through her hair and just stared at the baby blue strands made Amelina think that the maid is definitely worried.

This time was probably not about her like always, but is there she could do?

Amelina wasn't a figure who evolve around her servant's life, but Eira- and Miru of course, sure did. They raised her, protected her and taught her about life. The two were her greatest allies. They call her their young miss, but what's the use if she can't repay them back?

Hesitantly, Amelina muttered while observing Eira's downcast expression reflected on the mirror. "Um... Eira-"

A couple of knocks almost made Amelina stumble over her choice of words, and she released a relieved sigh when Miru's ever-so-comforting figure entered instead of some other relatives she'd rather not meet right now.

Her small smile gradually faded when Miru approached her with a stoic expression and stopped beside Eira who already backed away a couple of steps from her original position, the comb tucked back in its place.

If she were to be honest, she didn't like Miru's current emotion and how even Eira looked so lifeless. It was as if they were forced to do something-

'Don't tell me!' the girl slipped from her seat, but before Amelina could fret over the two, Miru brightly smiled and held Eira's hand.

"Young miss, we've decided to get married!"

"…eh?" The statement definitely caught her off guard since it contradicted so much with the mood earlier. And she was even more taken aback when she switched her gaze to Eira who was also smiling warmly. "The two of you… getting married? So suddenly-" Amelina kept silent, remembering how the two were always together over the years because of her existence. It actually wouldn't come off as weird if they actually fell in love with each other.

Eira kept her smile as she crouched and held Amelina hands, grasping it ever so tightly. "Young miss, we would like to thank you for being our master, and for letting us both meet each other."

Amelina didn't like where the conversation is going.

"We've decided to live on another floor to build our own home and family."

A familiar deafening echo reverberated in Amelina's eardrums, blocking out the rest of Eira's voice and words. Amelina should say something, yes, but she looked happy, too happy for her to protest against the occasion.

'Please let me come with you.'

'Please take care of me for a long time.'

'Please don't go.'

The unsaid words died, never having the chance of being voiced out and once again the young girl felt the tightness of her heart, the same condition occurring when Ran, her supposed-twin decided to part from her.

"Young miss, no matter what happens-"

"You'll see that in the end, they will all eventually leave you anyway, so why not cut off the ties first?"

The voices of the two females most involved in her life overlapped, an internal war of tug ongoing inside of Amelina. The contrast of Maschenny's mocking voice and Eira's soft tone ringed inside of her mind, making her breath hitch and quicken.

"Not only that, the more you let go, you won't feel anything when the time comes for you to leave them. You will definitely feel no pain."

The moment her mental state almost broke, two pair of warm hands brought her back to reality, a gesture considered more meaningful than any embrace.

"I will always wish for your happiness, Ame."

The hopeful feathery words made Amelina snapped out of her trance, making her realize both Eira and Miru are kneeling, their hands grasping Amelina's outstretched one. Those words are sincere, Amelina could tell, but what does that determination and desperation behind their eyes mean? Another thing, she won't notice it without a calm and calculated observation, but Eira was definitely holding back. But she would never know whether it was due to tears nor something else.

At least, now Amelina knows what to do.

"I wish for the both of your happiness too," a wide smile was formed, the smiling girl grasping back those warm hands. "Please, do be happy out there."

Only when they were far from their young missus room did Eira collapsed, her dam of tears breaking as she uncontrollably sobbed while trying to wipe the unending stream of tears. Beside her, Miru stood firmly with a grim expression as he stared at an incoming figure, a figure he'd came to hate so much, to death even.

"Congratulations on your wedding, you two," Maschenny grinned, her bony fingers trailing over her smirking lips. Even Miru could tell behind that insincere smile was full of contempt towards them. Should he feel proud that at least the oh-so-great Jahad princess considered them as her enemy and a threat to whatever her plan is? "So, when are you two going to get out of here?"

The ex-retainer's hand trembled ever so slightly from holding back trying to kill the Maschenny on the spot, but his instinct knew right away the end result would be the opposite if he really did try so. He can't die yet. Not until he can fully be of service for Amelina. "We'll get out of your sight before you know it, don't worry," Miru gritted.

Eira who had stood up from her spot already changed her melancholic expression to one of burning hatred, the two ladies of totally different backgrounds and world are now glaring at each other. Although the princess could always control her emotion and expression, it seems her true emotion could be seen through clearly whenever Eira was involved. No, Maschenny didn't even bother to hide her dislike towards the maid who is deemed the closest to Amelina.

"She just parted from young master Ran! Why did she has to-"

"Do I really have to explain that too?" Maschenny nonchalantly walked until she's face-to-face with Eira. "You're in the way for Amelina's education, growth and future. She doesn't need someone like you to be a princess."

Before Eira could raise her hand, the retainer grasped her hand in time, tightly gripping it as a warning for the both of them. 'It's not the time yet,' Miru reminded her of the unsaid agreement between them. 'Not until Miss Ame-'

With a low growl, Miru pulled Eira with him and left with a message, "Make sure Miss Amelina is healthy and safe." Though he's sure that princess will interpret it as something else inside her maniacal mind.

"Of course, I'll make sure she becomes the finest Jahad princess."

Back in the room, Amelina grimly stared at her expressionless face as she muttered, "It's okay. Aguero's still here. He won't leave me."

Author's note:

TKFP'S backkkk! I'm very sorry for the very long wait (did anyone even anticipate this fanfic's update? XD) but I got a lot busy after my exams. Months have passed and this fic's been on a hiatus (even though I didn't announced it).

And Einkley-san, yes I do play Genshin and am still playing it. I play on the Asia server so if you're interested for any co-op session just PM me on Twitter! (P.S: I have three accounts, just to warn you :) )

And yes, lenlenlennn-san, it's the English lyrics of Hirari Hirari by Hatsune Miku. I guess it's one of the songs that I use to find my inspirations (and motivation) to write TKFP!

I'm sorry if the next chapters aren't to your liking, but I made this for those who wants to read it anyway, so enjoy!

Arigato!

Love chu guys!