Ponytail
Emilia was told many things during her training as possible ruler of the Kingdom. One of them that particularly stood out for her is that Royalty itself should never find themselves in the kitchen. It was "beneath them", it's "demeaning" to find themself with commoners.
"Royalty should do royal things. Commoners should do commoner things." So they said.
And yet, the silver haired half elf couldn't help but have her interest piqued whenever those squeaking doors had opened. Her sharp ears would light up and she'd seize the opportunity to peak through those circular windows. It sounded like they were cooking up at storm.
She was like a child at heart whose curiosity got the better of her.
Subaru had his strappingly handsome (Puck begged Emilia to not say it out loud) butler outfit on as he sliced the potato skins off. Rem, the blue haired demon maid was busy basting a turkey. While the other twin, Ram the pink haired demon was busy folding laundry as she puts it in the basket.
Maybe she was a "filthy commoner", honestly she'd much rather take those than any more witch or Satella insults, but she loved preparing and cooking meals. It had reminded her of the time when she lived in her self secluded own in the frozen forest in her cozy warm tree house, by the warm and had to prepare her very own meals.
Her amethyst eyes stayed fixed on the three. Ram wasn't particularly great at cooking. She left that to her sister who far exceeded those expectations. However, they needed all the extra hands they could get for this feast.
"Sneaky Sneak" Emilia said, still overlooking them with amusement.
"You can come in if you want." Ram spoke. Oddly enough her back was facing the door. Emilia was shocked. She wasn't even facing this way, so how did she know!? "We don't bite."
"Oh drat!" Emilia cursed and here she thought her hidey-hole was impeccable. She thought with a pout.
She sighed. No point in hiding anymore. Her head bobbed in between the squeaky doors.
"Be careful around Subaru, Emilia sama. He's not in his chains." Ram said so boldly. "And we forgot to fill his water bowl outside."
Subaru was so overjoyed by Emilia's presence that he ignored Ram's roasts.
"EMILIA TAN! YOUCH" He was pulled by his ear back to his place behind the counter.
"Down boy." Ram said with a slight smile.
Subaru mumbled. He still greeted Emilia despite being inhibiting by Ram. "Good morning my Lia. It's nice to see you!"
Emilia gave a smile while her head was peaking "Hehe likewise Subaru. I hope I'm not intruding or anything."
"Not at all. The fact that you're gracing us with your presence is only motivation for us during these dark harsh times!" He swooned.
Ram was staggered with how he hung over every word that Emilia had spoken. He was really in love with her. She continued to observe the two especially Subaru.
Ram wasn't impressed the slightest from his antics. Simp. "Less talking, more cutting."
Ram smiled towards Emilia. She said courteously "Not in the slightest Emilia sama. Of how may we be of service?"
She couldn't articulate her words together so it was hard to say. "Oh I was just wondering how you and everyone were fairing. If you needed my help with...anything"
What an odd girl. Ram had a looming question mark over her bowl cut hair. She assured the half elf. "We're...fine? Really, Emilia-sama, you have way more upcoming important matters to attend to. Don't concern yourself with trivial things commoners should worry about."
"Barasu, eyes front. Emilia sama isn't an ice cream." Ram lectured him.
Emilia twiddled her fingers. This whole thing made her feel a bit insecure. That's where she hoped to change this stigma. "Well.. You see Ram. I was hoping to involve myself more into the life of my voters! The strong working class that brings life to the Lugnica Kingdom. I strive for a nation where everyone is equal, so it would be detrimental to my image if I don't partake. What they need is someone they can relate too!"
"Fair point. Grab an apron." Ram didn't see any point in arguing. Whatever helps her Roswall in the end.
The silver haired girl looked beyond psyched up. Her hands balled into fists as she flared through her nose and ran to the rack.
Subaru's eyes wouldn't leave her. He closely and very attentively observed how she tied the strings on her back.
"EMTA! Emilia Maji Tenshi with an apron! This is not a drill! I repeat, this is not drill!" He started to cut the skinned potatoes into smaller bits faster.
Until Ram flicked his nose. "Owww Ram! I was working this time!"
Emilia gladly accepted Ram as her new master for lessons.
But first and foremost, before anything else; her hair.
"It would certainly get in the way during cooking and no one wants to find your hair in their dish."
Emilia nodded. A stern look was on her face to showcase how truly serious she was over this matter.
Ram continued. "Well except for Barasu here cuz he's a dirty recluse who would do questionable things to it."
This was where he drew the line."Hey that was uncalled for."
Ram smacked him behind his head.
The next big thing was simply tying it. No big deal. Ram gave her a hairband. Usually Puck does her hair but she wanted to be a bit more independent.
Her hair was tied in a ponytail to avoid making a mess.
Emilia felt a lot more subconscious. "Wait Subaru. I don't have anything on my face right?"
Subaru was looking at the nape of her neck. The whole world finally stopped. Time itself froze. Suddenly, it felt like his whole body had entered the state of nirvana. His brain exploding as the serotonin boost exceeded beyond his most wildest dreams. He felt his body travelling fast. So this was what experiencing true enlightment was.
A tear escaped his eye. "Born too late to explore the world. Born too early to explore the galaxy. Born just in time to enjoy glorious Emilia tan in a ponytail."
"Subaru are you okay?"
"EMTP!"
Emilia donned her head sideways. Was this another acronym he had of her? She wondered. "EMTP?"
"Emilia Maji Tenshi Ponytail!" He proclaimed.
Before Ram threw a pan at him.
"I am looking forward to learn from you, Ram senpai. Please show me the way!" Emilia had a game face back on.
A proud smile was upon Ram's face. "Finally some appreciation my way."
"Very well!" Ram took a knife. Emilia did exactly as the maid beside her. "The closest way to a man's heart is to his stomach. You'll win countless of votes through policy's and delicious home cooked meals"
The hornless maid continued to elaborate while slicing a carrot. Emilia looked at her carrot, then at Ram's to verify if she was cutting correctly, at a much slower pace however.
"After all, when they witness how your cooking excels expectations; they'd realize you have nothing else to learn. Since boars like to believe women belong in the kitchen. Beat them at their own game and then kick their faces in. It doesn't have to be in that particular order!"
Emilia nodded. She believed that everyone should be freed from any stereotyping. Regardless of their gender, race, social status or age.
Ram held onto a huge pot as Emilia threw all the contest of the wooden cut board into it.
"Make sure you stir well." Ram was slowly stirring into the boiling saucepan. "Don't overdo it or else it'll be too liquidity, but don't be slacking either. It would end up too chunky. The importance is balance"
Emilia with her undivided attention focused as Ram's wrist gently but also somewhat timidly used the wooden spoon through the boiling thick tomato paste.
"Now you try it, Emilia sama." Ram handed the mantle to Emilia who quickly stood by the stove, giving it gentle sweeps.
"Add salt." The maid suggested Emilia poured some in. "Quicker, don't let the salt sink to the bottom. Put your elbow more into it."
Lia's admirer was once again not preoccupied at his own work. Instead he looked at Emilia. Those white purple thigh highs that hugged those soft plump legs. The apron makes her look like a young housewife too. His eyes went up. Don't get him started on that ponytail. Things were getting awkward when their eyes had met. She was licking the spoon.
The innocent half elf gave him a smile in return. She's too pure to realize his intentions with his gaze. It made him feel guilty.
"Want some, Subaru?" Emilia offered the same spoon she had licked from.
"Absolutely Emilia tan! I'll be your tester!" Subaru eagerly jumped the opportunity. It was a bit sour but it wasn't finished.
"And now Barasu had to ruin a perfectly good spoon. Emilia sama, please assure that you dispose of it properly, better yet; incinerate it."
"Come on now!" Subaru thought that was in bad taste. She acted as if she wouldn't want to touch him with a ten-foot pole. (She wouldn't)
Emilia hugged Subaru, comforting the recluse boy. She patted his back, rubbing up and down to console him. "There there! Ram, don't you think you're a tad bit too hard on him?"
He started to fake cry, shivering. "I tell you Emilia tan, it gets worse every day!"
"It's called straightening him out. Stop coddling him." Ram had no regrets.
It only made her hug him even tighter, pushing his head closer to her bosom. "Sorry Ram but I don't do tough love! The world needs more compassion, not less"
In a child like fashion, Subaru stuck his tongue out for Ram. She was going to get him back later for that.
"Fair enough but don't come crying to me when he bites the hand you're feeding him out of."
She patted him. "I'll take my chances."
Ram's onslaught continued. If anything she was even harsher now. There wasn't a moment she'd go by without letting him know how he couldn't even do the most simplistic of tasks right.
Subaru tried to pour cereal and milk in a bowl. It suddenly caught fire. He finally called her out. He told her to leave the kitchen and only come back when she was perfect. Ram left and came back a second later, saying she was indeed perfection.
She had a blank expression on her face. "Well Barasu, I have no idea how you managed to do it. I had no expectations of you and I am still disappointed."
Emilia was busy punching the bread dough. Her cheeks stained with flour. She was genuinely getting the hang of it.
However, Emilia's bread making was cut short by Ram who said she had an urgent matter to discuss.
"Shopping?"
Emilia looked at the list. "But Ram senpai I am sure I saw some in the pantry."
"Just get him out of here."
They overheard Ram saying that she wasn't getting paid enough as she disappeared past the kitchen doors.
There was no use for Roswall's personal carriage. They could simply walk. However, the village had run out of quite a few of the basic necessities and they didn't want to return with only the bare minimum. They really didn't want to face Ram's wrath, particularly Subaru.
It helped that the public lizard transport carrier wasn't discriminatory towards Emilia like others would be. They found their transport there and back.
It was great to be back at the bustling city and under better circumstances too. What was supposed to be a quick trip down memory lane and an errand run, ended up taking almost their entire afternoon.
They met once again with the appa merchant who one again thanked them for finding his daughter.
Subaru saw green jewelry earring's ornaments similar to the one she used to store Puck inside. Emilia tried them on. The combination of the earrings and the ponytail was too much for Subaru. Fortunately, they weren't expensive either.
"What do you think Subaru?" She asked. The fact that he had a much better look at her jawline and her half elf ears that way made it even better.
Subaru frantically nodded as he blushed. It had his seal of approval.
Emilia and Subaru walked together hand in hand. While he loved Emilia's new appearance, Emilia was just as awe struck with Subaru's butler uniform (She didn't tell him just like Puck begged her not to but still) it was a nice change to his usual tracksuit.
They ran into Anastasia. She invited them so that they can have cheeseburgers. Emilia learned a lot more about one of the candidates and her policies. Subaru warned her that she could be distrust worthy and would only help those if she can benefit from it. She knows politicians weren't the most honest, probably in his world either. Emilia wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Last but not least, they finally acquired the groceries.
"Today was a lot fun. Thanks Subaru!"
Subaru joked. "I know right! I should burn down the kitchen more often."
They two laughed together.
Subaru had a bright smile. "Not bad for a second date right?"
"Date?" They already had the first dates when he gave her the flower crown. It just felt so natural being with him now. She loved it.
She felt like a dunderhead for only realizing it now. "I suppose it was. Thanks for the date Subaru. We should do it again."
"I bet all the girls in your world like you!" She wasn't exaggerating when she said that either.
"Pfft!" He scoffed. "Not really!"
He actually cooped himself up in a room for days on end, missing school. But he wasn't going to confide about that with a girl he loves. He was in a much happier place now.
Emilia's mouth was wide in shock. "Really!? Is it because they're all a bunch of dumb dumbs!?"
He shyly rubbed the back of his neck, laughing a bit. "Well it's because none of them are you my Emilia tan!"
Emilia blushed hard, giving him a pout. "I bet Subaru says that to all the girls!"
Puck warned her of his was womanizing ways. She should have listened.
They continued the walk towards Roswall's mansion enjoying each other's company.
He'd occasionally catch a glimpse of the girl who walked with him. How the ponytail went down all the way to her lower back. How there was a much better view of her jawline. Her half elf ears that were usually shyly hidden tucked in her silver locks were now open, adorned with green earrings.
The combination of the ponytail and apron from earlier, it reminded him of how his mother had worn it. They both wear it with such stride, although with hazel nut hair instead of silver. They were equally pretty too nevertheless.
He misses her..a lot.
"What's wrong Subaru?" She noticed the hint of sadness on his face.
"It's just you remind me of my mom now. You're really pretty!"
Of all the compliments he had given her, that was by far her most favorite one. She never met his mother but she knew she was a great woman if she raised someone like Subaru.
The redness in her cheeks wouldn't go away. "Why, thank you Subaru! That's nice of you to say! This is the first time I'm hearing about your mother."
Emilia felt guilty. Was she enjoying him but at his parents determent? She'd tell him to move his caboose back there as soon as possible.
She had a sad expression on her face. "Do you miss them?"
"I do..."
"I bet they'll love you Emilia!"
Emilia's face kept getting redder over the idea of meeting his parents. "Quit jesting Subaru! I would look completely out of place for them."
"Nonsense! You would fit right in!"
"Nuh huh. My ears would freak them out!"
"But your cute pointy ears are the best!"
It's like the more she tries to chase him away. The more he wants her.
"Geez, does anything of me scare you Subaru!?"
"Nope!" Subaru answered that quickly.
"What if I start treating you like Ram does?"
"I would gladly be Emilia tan's dog! Just give me a few treats now and then!"
Emilia was stunned. "You're hopeless!"
He'd clutch his heart if his hands weren't full. "Hopelessly in love with you! If you think I'm bad now just wait until you become Queen."
He was more confident in it than she was.
"I will announce to my parents my undying love for you my Queen Emilia tan. Better yet, I'll climb up the highest mountain and scream it."
Emilia blushed like market bought appas. "Please don't!"
Subaru had a smirk, an overconfident daring face. "Why, you don't think I would do it?"
"Just because you would doesn't mean you should!" She hoped he had the common decency not too.
"Watch me! I LOVE YOU EMILIA TAN! PLEASE MARRY ME!"
Everyone in the village nearly turned their necks over towards the two. They'd stop their daily activities like cutting down logs, bartering, or fishing to give them odd looks.
Emilia was certain she crushed the tomatoes in her bag. She couldn't let go of them either
Emilia was blushing, turning the deepest red possible. "Subaru please!"
"BUT YOU NEVER GAVE ME AN ANSWER! WILL YOU MARRY ME?!"
Now everyone inside their homes were looking outside the windows too to see what all the commotions was about.
She imagined the wedding in her mind. It made her heart beat faster and her knees weak. "Okay!"
"WAIT WAS THAT A YES OR A NO!? I DIDN'T HEAR THAT!"
"Yes dunderhead I'll marry you! I like you okay!"
He was snickering, as he looked back at all the villagers they'd soon save. They only gave the duo questionable looks.
"SHE SAID YES EVERYONE!"
Emilia snickered before fully laughing. Their reactions were pretty funny. "Geez, Subaru that was really embarrassing."
"I know right but now everyone knows you said yes so no takesies backsies."
She playfully bumped her hip into his side. "We'll talk but only after my coronation."
Subaru's mouth was agape. "So it's not a no!?"
Emilia finally decided to hit him with a tease of her own. "Be a good knight and you'll find out."
"Yes ma'am!"
The huge Roswall's mansion was finally in sight. Their tour was about to come to a close.
"But if we do get married. Just know I'm a difficult sleeper so you'll have a hard time waking me. I also love to sing eventhough Ram and Beatrice told me I'm not particularly good at it. I don't have all the world's answers"
Nothing seemed to have dissuaded him. "Maybe the cruel world needs a bit of Emilia tan!"
Her big smile radiated along with the orange hue sunset light. She hugged the brown grocery bag in her arms.
"Silly, that's your answer to everything!"
Author's Note: I have more Emilia goodness in mind. I hope you enjoyed this one tho! I really enjoy writing her. Whenever I am writing something, six more ideas just pops up!
Aidan.