The last duel between Kira and Julius began as it is the match to give the final result to the winner of the battle.
In a minute after its start, both Julius' Armor and Kira's Perfect Strike have begun to duke it out as they had their bladed weapon swinging and clashing against each other.
The crowd cheers for the duel as they see Kira as a good fighter rather than a dishonorable one like Jilk who was taken away.
By Julius' team's side of the special spectator's seat, Marie is left sitting on a chair with Kyle by her side.
Marie watches Julius's Amor battling Kira's Gundam as she is very much panicking inside because of how the prince is the last representative of her side.
'Just who is that guy!? he took out four of them so easy! Well Greg was fist fighting him and Jilk was cheating and all, but still!' Marie bites her thumb's fingernail as she tenses up when she saw Julius' Armor getting pushed back by Kira's Perfect Strike that proceeds to follow its attack with a kick against the enemy robot's shield. 'How can someone like a mob be so strong!? His robot is too strong and it's a damn cheat!'
"Will this really work out, Master?" Kyle asks the girl. "We lost 4 representatives in the duels."
"I-It'll work out somehow!" Marie cries out but she is panicking even more inside.
'Be at ease, Marie! Unlike Jilk who had disgraced himself. I who has the strongest Armor of us all will win this duel! Don't worry!'
Marie remembers Julius' words to her before the beginning of the final duel as she believed he would win but turns out, he is just getting pushed back by Kira's Gundam.
'you guys are so weak! you talk big but that's just it!' Marie cries out as she gritted her teeth hard. 'I knew that you guys were weak as hell in the game, that's why I got my brother to clear it! yet these guys are just too weak!' she shakes her head and held a strong look at Julius' Armor that swings its sword and bashes its shield against Kira's Perfect Strike that gets pushed back a few feet back. 'But no! I got to hope that Julius can beat that mob! If I fail now, all my efforts will go to waste and its game over for my life!'
"Your highness! You can do it!" Marie screams in a cheer for Julius whose Armor turns its head to look at the blonde while in a power struggle against Kira's Gundam.
"Thank you for your cheers, Marie! I won't let you down!" Julius exclaimed in his Armor that unleashes a flare of blueish sparkling flames from its back side. "let's end this, Bartfort!"
The Armor dashes in as its speed increased from the flames it unleashed from its back.
"Hachi, can you analyze what is occurring on the Prince's Armor?" Kira asks his AI partner whose systems processes the images of the fire coming from Julius' Armor. "Is it some sort of thrusters or something?"
"Just air pressure followed with a compression of particles that appears to be magic power." Hachi replied as the AI shows Kira what is occurring on a screen. "The prince's Armor now has a 2% increase of its speed."
"Oooohhh!" Julius roars out as his Armor raises and swings down its sword at Kira's Perfect Strike that blocks the attack with its Schwert Gehwer.
The two foes pushed their weapon's blade against each other as both struggled for power.
"Not bad! But I'll be winning this duel!" Julius shouted as his Armor pushes its blade forward before it did a spin then swings its sword at Kira's Gundam that blocks with its shield. "For Marie's sake!"
"You battle for that girl's sake, Prince Julius?" Kira asks as his Gundam parries against the sword from Julius' armor that repeatedly swings and thrusts the weapon at him. "Then I should ask you a question. Am I allowed?"
"And what you wish to ask?" Julius replies before both robots bash their shields against each other than their blades. "I'll only answer questions that I can answer, and I won't let this moment make me falter!"
"Do you know the reason why this duel occurred?" Kira asks as his Gundam went and kicked back Julius' Armor so that there is a good distance in between them. "Do you know the reason why Angelica-san wished to duel Marie-san in the first place?"
"isn't it obvious!?" Julius replies as his Armor points its sword at the Perfect Strike. "She wishes to separate the both of us because she was jealous! That's all there is to it!"
"No, you are wrong." Kira spoke while his Gundam slowly lowers its right hand that holds the Schwert Gehwer while the left hand raises itself out. "Angelica-san wishes for this duel to occur because she was trying to do what is best for your sake."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Julius spoke as he sounds confused. "She is separating me and Marie because it is for my own good? just how does that make sense!?"
"It makes sense because she wishes for you to do what is best for your future." Kira stated as the Gundam lowers its left hand and then turns its head towards the direction of where Angelica and the others. the Redgrave family daughter having a sad frown on her face. "I understand why you don't wish to be separated from someone you love, but you are the crowned prince of Holfort Kingdom and therefore its future ruler." The Strike looks back at its foe. "You cannot allow yourself to be too selfish in your actions. If you do, the kingdom would be in disarray when you become King."
"Then I'll just discard it." Julius spoke as this made Kira and even Angelica surprised.
"What?" Kira asks as he thought he misheard the prince's words. "you'll discard it? what do you mean by that?"
"I'll discard everything if it's to be with Marie!" Julius stated as his Armor swings its sword to the side before it rushes in and clashes its blade against the Perfect Strike's Panzer Eizen's shield. "If she is really doing all of this for my sake, then she should have you withdraw and leave me be with Marie!"
"Prince Julius, she is looking out for you!" Kira spoke as his Gundam pushes back Julius' Armor before taking out its beam rifle and firing several shots that gets blocked by the foe's shield. "If you let yourself be selfish and influenced in your student life, it will affect your actions as future king! That is why!"
"I don't need it all!" Julius shouted as his Armor started to send a fury of swings and slashes at Kira's Gundam that blocks them with its shield. "you say that she is doing this because she cares for me!? no! that is wrong! There's no way her actions stem from love! She never sympathized with how I feel!" both robots are now close and are pushing their weapon's blades against each other. "no one in the palace has! They force me to play this role! Nobody sees the real me! I didn't ask to be the prince! I never wanted to be born into royalty!"
Julius' Armor pushes back Kira's Perfect Strike that crashed against the border wall.
"Kira-san!" Olivia cries out while Clarice gasps.
Angelica didn't do a thing but just frowned extremely sad when she heard what Julius is saying of her actions.
"Marie is the only one who ever cared how I felt!" Julius shouted as his Armor starts walking to Kira's Perfect Strike that is slowly rising to its feet. "I love her with all my heart! And I don't care what I have to do to be with her!" the robot swings its sword forward and points it at its foe's robot. "This duel shall be in my, no. it shall be in Marie's victory!"
The crowd cheers for the prince as they believed that Luck is on his side.
"r-right! He's winning it!" Marie cries out with a hopeful look on her face. "End this, Prince!"
Julius' Armor approaches the Perfect Strike that is still trying to rise to its feet as the Gundam seems to have some malfunctions around its waist and right leg.
"This is my victory!" Julius exclaims as his Armor raises its sword up before swinging it down. "Be defeated with honor, Bartfort!"
Time slows down as everyone watches the sword go straight down with its blade reaching the Perfect Strike's head.
"Kira-san!" Olivia screams out slowly as the Perfect Strike's eyes suddenly flashes yellow and the Gundam caught the swung blade in a Shirahadori, a bare handed blade block.
"w-wha!?" Julius looks in surprise as his Armor tries to pull back its weapon, but the Perfect Strike clenches its hold on the sword before breaking it into two. "m-my sword!"
Kira's Gundam rises as the Ultimate Coordinator looks at the main screen while small side screens show the damage report of the mobile suit that is slowly being repaired of its system.
"Julius Rapha Redgrave, did you say that you didn't wish to be born as a noble?" Kira spoke out as the Perfect Strike's eyes flashed brighter while taking a step forward. "Did you say that you didn't care on what you would do to be with Marie Fou Lafan? Are those your very words?"
"Yes! What about it!?" Julius exclaims before he grunts in pain when the head of his Armor gets punched by the Perfect Strike's right fist. "What the!?"
"You fool!" Kira shouted as his Gundam started to punch and kick the prince's robot repeatedly. "You didn't wish to be a noble?! You didn't care of what you had to do to be with the girl you love!? Are you saying that you would abandon your duties as the Kingdom's crowned prince all because of one girl?!" the Perfect Strike grabs Julius' Armor and then threw it over its head before to the ground with a big crash. "How selfish can you be!?"
"t-this is!" Julius grunts as his Armor tries to get back up but the Perfect Strike proceeds to do a shield bash against it. "Ugh!"
The crowd are watching in stunned fashion as they see the tables have turned from Julius' side to Kira's side.
"You believe that you are the only one who curses the life you are born into!?" Kira exclaims as his Gundam slams Julius' Armor to the walls. "Do you believe that you are the only one whose life was being controlled!?" the Perfect Strike grabs and then kicks its robot foe by the chest before throwing it away. "My fate along with many others are far worse than yours!"
"What?" Olivia spoke out while Clarice and Angelica look confused and surprised.
"What do you mean yours is worse!?" Julius shouted as his Armor rises before unleashing its magic particles on its back before doing a shield bash clash against Kira's Perfect Strike. "you're a foreigner! I heard that your land had a war but what makes you think that your fate is worse than mine!?"
"Have you ever killed someone without remorse?" Kira spoke as this made Julius let out a small surprised and confused noise. "Have you ever been forced to fight a battle that you didn't wish to be a part of!?" the shield bash clashing was stopped when the Ultimate Coordinator's Mobile suits pushes forward and then slams the enemy robot to the arena's field. "Have you ever been threatened to be killed by someone who was your closest best friend!?" the Gundam proceeds to do a right punch to the head of the downed Armor before landing a left hook next. "Have you ever slept through the night without being haunted by the many souls whose lives you have taken in a stupid war!?" the Perfect Strike then did a powerful punch that nearly destroyed the Armor's head. "I fought in the war of my homeland! I fought until thousands are dead! I fought until I was even called a murderer who was only fighting to protect those I care for!"
Kira's eyes stream with tears as he looks angrily at Julius who believed that his life is worse than his own.
Mylene who is watching the fight could only frown while grasping a hand to her chest, her expression is a mixture of sadness and shock.
'He is too much of a kind soul…' Mylene thought. 'For him to be forced to be a murderer…. i can't just believe how cruel the world can be…'
"What do you know about being forced to become a weapon to kill the enemies!?" Kira shouted as the Perfect Strike went and punches the head of Julius' Armor that gets destroyed into pieces.
After the last outburst was let out by Kira who is huffing his breathing in his Gundam that slowly rises and moves away from Julius' Armor.
"You believe that being born as a noble is something to be cursed, but you're wrong." Kira spoke as his Gundam points a finger at Julius' Armor that has small statics coming around its head. "There are other people whose life are worse than your own." The Strike waves the hand around. "The people of this crowd, the men themselves. Those who are ranked Baron and below have struggled with their lives because they had to work hard for their family's sake, but nothing is easy for them. They are forced to take horrible choices; they have to hold in their pride and honor by doing anything necessary to even be a part of society!" his words made a few male students cry and the girls look weirded out because of it. "You are too selfish to see the people of your kingdom's suffering! You must be someone who never bats an eye to someone in need, aren't you?!" the mobile suit points a finger at the downed headless robot. "The youngest son of the Bartfort Family was planned to be used as a tool for political marriage to a 50-year-old noble woman! You say that you are unlucky to be born in royalty!? Colin Fou Bartfort is just a ten-year-old child who is innocent yet was planned to be used for such an agenda!" the robot then places a hand to its chest piece. "I heard their cries! I helped them when they are in trouble in order to repay their kindness and because I wished to!" the mech then points its finger back at the downed foe's mech. "If you are truly the crowned prince of Holfort Kingdom! then you must answer their calls and their prayers as the future king!"
As his words echoes upon the arena, some male and female students started to give applauses and some cheers. They were all in tears because they have someone who understands their pains and struggles.
"You are the crowned prince of Holfort Kingdom. You are the one who would rule this kingdom and continue to lead it to an era of peace for its citizens." Kira spoke out as his Gundam looks down at the headless Armor. "If you continue to push aside the person who would devote her life to support you for that coming day…" the Perfect Strike turns and looks away. "You would become a King of a fallen kingdom."
After saying the last piece of his words to Julius, the Perfect Strike starts walking away as half of the crowds are cheering while the other half are left speechless of the duel that they have just witnessed.
"This duel is now over, remember to accept the results of it." Kira spoke as the Perfect Strike stops and then points a finger at Angelica. "And be sure to apologize to Angelica-san whose feelings you have hurt."
The Gundam was about to continue walking away when Julius' Armor made a loud metal creaking noise because it was slowly getting up.
"Where do you think you're going!?" Julius spoke out as gasps are heard from the crowd while the Perfect Strike turns its head to see the Prince's Armor slowly rising up to its feet, even though it is moving a big weirdly. "Do you think I would let this be the end of our fight!?" the robot holds what is left of its sword and shield then gets into a battle stance. "I'd rather die than have Marie taken away from me! I'll never accept defeat!" the headless robot dashes straight for Kira. "I forbid this battle to end until either of us are dead!"
With renewed vigor, Julius continues the losing battle as he strikes his weapons against Kira's Perfect Strike that guards with just its Panzer Eizen.
The crowds watch the battle in silence, but for Angelica. She is just watching while in utter tears.
"he's serious about her." Angelica whispers while her body is shaking. "He truly loves that girl more than I do."
"Angelica…" Clarice frowns as she went and held her shoulders. "Angelica. I understand your pain but it's not."
"He loves her, and he hates me…" Angelica spoke while her tears continue to stream down her eyes. "That there is all to it…he hates me."
"you're wrong!" Olivia cries out loudly as everyone turns to look at her. "you're wrong!"
"Olivia-san?" Kira whispers as he and Julius looks at the blonde who is crying in tears.
"it's true that your highness might be in love with Marie-san! but! But!" Olivia cries after shaking her head and then looking to the front with a determined gaze. "But Angelica-san loves your highness and it's why she is suffering as she watches the fight! Even if it hurts so much, she just continues to watch with a heavy heart!" she shed more tears while placing a hand to her chest. "Please don't say that it isn't love!"
The crowds went silent once more as Olivia's words got them stunned.
"Her voice has reached all even though it is nearly impossible to do so with a human's vocal cords." Hachi spoke as the AI had listened to Olivia's voice that is loud and clear. "Perhaps the people of this world aren't exactly alike with the ones from our world, Kira."
"I think so too." Kira nods as he looks a bit amazed.
As everyone looks at Olivia with a stunned look on their faces, the only one who didn't is Marie who just looks annoyed.
'That pisses me off! This is why I hate naïve good girls like her!' Marie thought with a very frustrated looking face. 'One sided feeling aren't love! They're just a nuisance! Hearing her say those words makes me irritated!' she clicks her tongue while looking to the side before back to Olivia. 'Is she trying to say that she is the real protagonist of this game?! Just because she got a strong mob on her side?! Back off! You don't have a place in this world anymore! I'm the protagonist! Not you!'
"Is that all there is to it?" Julius spoke out as everyone looks at his headless Armor. "To be forced to face those one-sided feelings from her!? those feelings that you can call Love!?" the robot then points a finger at Angelica. "that's not love at all! she never saw me as who I am! She only saw me as a prince! She's just like those many women in the royal palace!" it then swings its hand to the side before pointing a finger at the Strike. "And if you think I'm wrong, then you yourself is the wrong one here! you yourself is the proof of her unfaithfulness and selfishness!"
"What do you mean by that?" Kira asks as his Gundam turns to face the headless Armor while its pilot hardens his gaze at it. "How am I the proof of her unfaithfulness and selfishness?"
"Are you playing dumb!?" Julius exclaimed. "You selfish and playful man who takes advantage of women's hearts!"
Kira looks more confused as so did a few students in the crowds.
"When Angelica and I were to be engaged, we did a vow and a demand to each other that we would not take any lovers with one another!" Julius stated while pointing a finger at Angelica who is crying in tears. "She says that I am selfish and unfaithful to be in love with Marie?! She is a liar! She even has you; Baron Bartfort as a lover to heal her wounds!"
"I am not her lover. I am her champion and representative of this duel." Kira stated in a serious tone.
"don't give me that bullshit!" Julius shouted. "You think I didn't saw what you did that night! I saw how you ask to be her representative, all to get her love and affection! You are more selfish than anyone in this academy! And the world!"
"I told you that I am not her lover!" Kira exclaimed. "I had a misunderstanding on the…"
"don't lie!" Julius shouted in cutting off Kira's sentences. "You are nothing more than a scum who just use the opportunity to win Angelica's heart when I humiliated her! she is the wrong one here! not Marie!" the Armor swung its broken sword to the side and then forward towards Angelica. "She vowed to take on no lovers! But she did so in front of many!" the robot then swung its hand to the side and faces towards the Perfect Strike then towards Angelica once again. "Marie is the only one who sees me as who I really am! She is the one I truly love! You never tried to understand who I was, Angelica! Your feelings for me aren't love! It's just forced and one sided! You are no better than the rest of those women in the royal palace! You are the selfish person here!" the headless robot swung its broken weapon to the side while stomping its right leg down. "For being such a person! You are worth nothing to me!"
It is Julius' words that stunned the crowd this time and made many to start jeering bad words at Angelica who broke down into utter tears.
'that's right! I'm not the one who is in the wrong here!' Marie thought with an agreeing face. 'Julius is right! We got real love!' her face made an annoyed look when she sees Angelica being consoled and comforted by Clarice and Olivia. 'I don't care about the villainess but why is she and the protagonist getting along like that?! That's ridiculous!' she then smirks a bit as she turns to look at Kira's Gundam. 'I don't know who that mob really is, but if he did anything to the prince in this sacred duel, he'll get punished even if he wins!' she snickers. 'If you really care about this kingdom then lose this match!'
Kira is silent in his Gundam's cockpit as he stares at Julius' Armor while gripping his control levers hard.
"Kira…" Hachi calls out as Kira took a glance to the side and sees how Angelica just cry in utter tears while Clarice and Olivia try to console her. "Kira, what do you wish to do?"
"I will…" Kira spoke out as he grips his controls hard and glares angrily at Julius. "I will beat the hell out of you, Julius Rapha Holfort!" the Perfect Strike's eyes flashes yellow as the Gundam charges in and sends a punch at the Armor's shield that gets thrown away. "You believe that Angelica-san is a selfish and unfaithful woman?! You believe that you are right and just in your actions to break her heart!" the mech lands another punch to the Headless mech's chest. "Make her cry!" another punch to the torso. "And call her an unfaithful person!?" another punch lands and breaks a part of the enemy mech's right arm that holds the broken sword that falls to the ground in an instant. "You have no rights to say such words after having such an affair yourself!"
"You little!" Julius exclaimed before his Armor gets grabbed and thrown to the side of the field by the Perfect Strike. "Ugh!?"
"Angelica-san was doing everything for you! She spent half of her life to prepare herself to be the woman who can support you as the future ruler of the Kingdom! She did everything to ensure that you can be happy in your future! But you hurt her feelings like she is nothing to you!" Kira shouted while his Gundam proceeds to come straight for Julius' Armor that is struggling to get up. "You didn't see her as a person! You only see her as an object to vent your own sense of superiority! You only saw her as a slave that has no feelings!" the Perfect Strike grabs the Armor and lifts its up. "Angelica-san is a person who cares for you, and yet you threw her away for some woman who had seduced you!?" the mech's eyes flashes before it proceeds to punch its enemy mech away very harshly. "YOU ARE THE SELFISH, ARROGANT, AND FOOLISH ONE IN THIS WORLD!"
"Aagghh!" Julius screams in pain as his Armor crashes to the wall of the arena that explodes with dust.
"If you continue to believe that Angelica-san is not worth your time and care! I will unleash a torment of pain upon you!" Kira shouted loudly as his Gundam raises its right fist. "I do not care of what will happen to me when I beat the hell out of you, but if it means that I will be able to free Angelica-san from being with the likes of you!" the Gundam's eyes glows brighter. "Then so be it! I will truly be her champion and knight! I will fight for her! I will ensure this duel ends in victory for her!"
The crowd goes silent to hear Kira's words and sees his actions as all of it were just showing that Kira is indeed doing everything for Angelica. Which all confirms that he is doing everything for her affection like the gossips and rumors that had been spreading after the night he became her representative.
"that guy…. he's like her knight in shining armor." "Yeah, it's almost romantic." "Tch! The guy just had to do it in such a way, huh?" many students started to whisper amongst each other as everything that Kira just said and did is like a hero's actions for his princess who is Angelica, it all mostly comparable to a story in a children's storybook.
"Like I will listen to such…" Julius grunted as his Armor is barely able to get back up to its feet.
"Hachi, increase the output of the right arm from 60 % to 75%" Kira spoke as Hachi made small beeps in affirming before a screen showed the 3D image of the Strike's entire frame and its energy power that gets transferred to its right arm. "Thrusters at full power and give me a target to the Armor's cockpit!"
"Roger" Hachi replied as the Perfect Strike's eyes flashes and its Aile Pack's Thrusters went full power and made the Gundam fly straight for Julius' Armor.
"I won't ever…ugh!?" Julius roared out but stopped and be shocked when the Strike rushes in and delivers a right punch that went straight through the Armor's shield which gets destroyed along with the robot's cockpit. The attack didn't stop there as the fist went right out of the back along with the pilot. "Aagghh!"
"w-wha!?" Marie along with many others gasps in shock as Julius gets punched out of his Armor's cockpit, literally.
Julius flies before he falls to the arena field where he is left knocked out and unconscious.
The Perfect Strike throws away the pilotless Armor to the side and looks down at Julius.
"Julius Rapha Holfort, you have lost this duel and therefore must never be near Marie Fou Lafan as agreement of the duel." Kira spoke in his Gundam that turns and walks away. "You are also incredibly selfish and ignorant which is why you are not worthy to become the next king of Holfort Kingdom."
As the Perfect Strike moves away, the referee snaps out of his daze and then announces the winner.
"w-winner! Kira Fou Bartfort!" he announces loudly as half of the crowds' cheers while the other half just screams in utter despair and shock, possibly because they lost money from their bet.
The Perfect Strike returns to its base as its color changes back to its deactivated colors before kneeling while opening its cockpit for Kira to come out.
Kira walks away from his Gundam as he sees Angelica and the others nearby. He sees the tears from the Redgrave heir as he could tell why she cried.
"Thanks for winning her the duel, Kira-kun." Clarice spoke instead of Angelica who is very overwhelmed with sadness. She frowns and looks at the girl. "But…"
Before Clarice could speak another word, Kira went and hugged Angelica in an instant.
Olivia gasps with a blush while Clarice gawks a bit because it was a sense of DeJa'Vu all over again for her.
"Angelica-san, I'm so sorry." Kira spoke softly as he hugs Angelica who looks at him with surprised tearful eyes. "It was because of my mistake in misunderstanding the cultures of this kingdom did I cause such chaotic disorder. I am so sorry for allowing this to happen to you."
Angelica slowly understands Kira's words as she started to tear up before she cries on the young man's shoulders while hugging him back.
Olivia and Clarice watched the two as they frowned sadly for Angelica while Kira looked very disappointed. Not Julius but himself.
Some hours later, in a medical office room where there is Angelica and Julius who is on a bed.
The duel was over, and Julius was brought to the room to recover from his injuries.
Silence filled the air as it was just Angelica and Julius in the medical office. no one else.
Angelica sat near Julius' bed as she stares at the prince who just hung his head and looks at his lap.
"Y-Your highness, I'm really glad that you're safe." Angelica spoke to Julius who turned towards her direction with an emotionless gaze. The blonde still a bit sad over all the words he said about her, but she held strong. "your injuries are."
"Stop your shameless acting." Julius cuts her off as he looks away. "Wasn't it your representative that drove me this far into a corner?"
Angelica frowns sadly as she knew that he was ashamed of losing.
"…Your Highness, please listen to me. What is it that I can't do?" Angelica asks while placing a hand to her chest. "I…I've been doing my hardest for your sake." She remembers her childhood of constantly being lectured of the many ways to be a noble woman who could become future queen of Holfort Kingdom. "all for you."
"For my sake?" Julius spoke with a small chuckle. "I think it's just that you want the position of being the crown prince's woman."
"T-That's not it!" Angelica cries out in denial. "That's not my relationship with you!"
"I'm not wrong. You've never seen me for who I was." Julius spoke as he looks to the side before to Angelica. "I have proof too." He raises a hand. "Do you even know what my favorite dish is?"
"I, I do! It's that soup──" Angelica quickly replied in describing Julius's favorite dish, but the reaction she got was negative.
"──Wrong." Julius stated as Angelica made a confuse yet surprised noise "I like the grilled skewer foods that I get to eat when I sneak outside disguised." He closes his eyes and smiles a bit when he remembers a childhood memory of him eating the skewered meat dish. "they tell me that commoner foods aren't suitable for me, so I couldn't say it to you. I'm sure that you would also want to deny me from such things."
"I wouldn't!" Angelica cries out. "If you told me that, I would have immediately──"
"Marie noticed it without me even saying." Julius cuts her off yet again. "When we went outside together, she understood me and invited me to a cart."
'That girl did?' Angelica thought in utter shock as her tears began to fell to the floor in large drops. 'I didn't notice it and yet that girl did. I've been by his highness side all this time and yet…'
Julius turns and faces Angelica.
"What Bartfort say is right, I had been rude to you who has been trying to help me in becoming King" Julius spoke out. "Not only to you but I have been rude to your Household as well. But." he looks away. "The only one I love is Marie."
Angelica's tears intensified as she is trembling and shaking now.
"e-even so! I still! I still want to be by your side!" Angelica cries out. "I still want to be with you, Prince Julius!"
Hearing her words, Julius closes his eyes for a moment before he turns and looks at Angelica with the most calm and serious looking face and said. "I…cannot love you." Straight upon his now former fiancé.
Angelica's tears continued to drip as her mind and heart has finally accepted the fact that her love for Julius is truly one sided.
Accepting her defeat, Angelica gets off her seat and slowly made herself out of the room.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry, I won't say anything anymore. However,…" the tearful blonde spoke by the opened door as she slightly turns and smiles a bit to Julius. "I'll be rooting for your happiness from the sidelines."
Julius looks at Angelica who soon left the room in tears.
The prince now alone looks away before down to his lap as he grasped his hands a bit.
"I wish…I wish I could've heard that from you much sooner." Julius whispers in a small guilty and regretful voice.
meanwhile in a room somewhere in Holfort Academy.
Jenna is just screaming in joy as she is running and hopping around a table full of gold and platinum coins.
"100 dia~! 200 dia~! 300 dia~! 400 dia~! 500 dia~!" Jenna squeals as she joyfully coins the amount of money she won from the betting of the duel. "I got 1000 dia~! I'm rich~!"
"She became a greedy monster…" Nicks spoke as he stands near his sister while having his own share of the betting money.
After the duel was over, Jenna and Nicks who got helped by Clarice's Followers were brought to the room in Kira's request. The young man coming in and sees the siblings while frowning.
"Hey, Kira." Nicks greeted the young man while Jenna instantly runs and hugs the young man.
"Kira-kun~! Thank you~! Thank you so much for winning~! You made this Jenna so happy~!" Jenna squeals in joy while rubbing her cheeks against Kira's. "Thank you~! Thank you~!"
"y-yes. Jenna-san." Kira replies with a very awkwardly uncomfortable look.
After Nicks pulls off his sister from Kira, the young man proceeds to bow to the two.
"Nicks-san, Jenna-san. I'm really sorry." Kira spoke. "Because I became the representative of Angelica-san's duel, I got the both of you in danger even though I warned the Prince and his comrades." He bows even more. "I'm truly sorry."
"No need for apologies, Kira." Nicks spoke with a smile as he patted Kira's back. "We know you became Angelica-san's representative because of it's who you are." He let the young man raise his head up. "You got guts, and kindness. It's the Prince and Marmoria Household's heir who are at fault here." he crosses his arms and shakes his head with his eyes closed. "Being selfish and breaking a vow in a sacred duel ain't something that they can get off without a catch."
"But because of me, you two were harmed and threatened." Kira spoke while frowning before Jenna went and ruffled his hair a bit.
"it's those guys' faults." Jenna spoke with a small smile. "True, it was a bit scary when the both of us got threatened and all, but it's not your fault, Kira-kun." She then hugs him. "And besides! How can I be angry at you when you made me so much money~! You're the best knight our family has, Kira-kun~! And I don't want to ever lose you~!"
"Be a bit more sympathetic, won't you?" Nicks told his sister while sweatdropping because of seeing how Jenna's mood is so happy from the money she won from betting.
"But will this be okay?" Kira asks. "I mean, I battled against the heirs of noble families just to ensure Angelica-san's safety." He frowns. "I learned that it is nearly taboo to do so, and it could cause harm to many."
"well, that is true and all." Nicks spoke as he scratches his chin while looking up at the ceiling. "I mean, the duel was conditioned that our family won't get harmed and all, but since it was breached." He sighs and shakes his head. "I think we're going to get called to the royal court for how Kira did overkill with Jilk Fia Marmoria and how he beat down the prince as well."
"can't we just pay them off like we could do with problems?" Jenna asks as she looks at Nicks. "I heard from a friend of mine when she and her friend got into trouble with higher ranked nobles. They just gave some apology money and the things got solved."
"You think it's cheap if we want to get apology from five noble families?" Nicks spoke while raising an eyebrow as he sighs while shaking his head. "Well, apology money is one of the many ways to settle the aftermath, but…"
"It requires a high amount?" Kira asks as Nicks nodded.
"it'll at least need about two thousand Dia or so." Nicks spoke while scratching his chin. "Now how are we supposed to get that much money…" he trails off as he slowly turns his head to look at the money that Jenna won from the duel. "In a short time?"
"Hey, why are you looking at my money like that?" Jenna calls out as she looks at Nicks who turns and smirks a bit at her which made the girl look uncomfortable. "what's with that smirk!?"
"You say that Kira here is the best knight of our family, right? You can't lose him, right?" Nicks asks as Jenna starts to look pale while furiously sweating.
"NOO~!" Jenna screams.
About a week later. within the Mansion of the Redgrave Household.
Kira is found present within as he is with by Jenna and Nicks who are just kneeling respectfully with him to the Head of the Redgrave family; Vince Rapha Redgrave who is accompanied by his son and heir; Gilbert Rapha Redgrave.
After the duel, Kira wishes to meet and converse with a noble family connected with the Royal Court. One of the first options was Angelica's own family household; the Redgrave themselves. But one thing he didn't expect when he and the two Bartfort Siblings came, was that there is also the head of the Atlee Family; Bernard Fia Atlee who is the father of Clarice Fia Atlee.
Seems that the two family members were just discussing something before Kira and the others came.
"Rise." Vince spoke as he sat behind a table with Gilbert standing by his side while Bernard is sitting on a chair nearby. "You may speak freely, Kira Fou Bartfort."
"Yes." Kira replies as he, Jenna, and Nicks stand up, but the two siblings are looking very nervous because they are meeting with a Noble family who are at the Duke's Ranking. Starting the requested meeting, the Ultimate Coordinator steps forward and then bows quickly. "Before we begin, I would like to thank you for your time in meeting us, Vince-sama."
"You are the one who assisted my daughter in the duel that could've led in her banishment from the Kingdom." Vince spoke as he raises a hand before waving it to the side. "It is the least I can do."
"Yes, I understand." Kira spoke before he raises up and then bowed to Bernard. "I am also thankful that we could meet you at this coincidental meeting, Bernard-sama. We were expecting to meet you on the next day, but…"
"I just had a quick business with Vince's land and had forgot about the time." Bernard spoke with a small smile. "But this coincidental meeting isn't that bad for I too wish to have a conversation with you after what you did during the end of your school's term." He chuckles and shakes his head. "You really made an uproar in the royal court, you know?"
"Yes, and I do not intend to apologize for my actions against the 5 noble families' heirs." Kira spoke as he stands up straight and had a very stern looking face on him. "Their actions filled with selfishness would directly affect the Holfort Kingdom upon the day that they would be a part of the society's system."
"Do explain." Vince spoke while crossing his arms upon the table.
"Yes." Kira nods as he explains how Julius, Jilk, Chris, Greg, and Brad are foolishly being lured into doing the biddings of Marie who have them fooled, but not to himself who could tell that she was a bad influencing person with a glance. He told the two families' heads about how dangerous it would be for the Kingdom if the crowned prince was too selfish on his own needs that he would forsake the need of his own people which eventually would lead to the downfall of the society.
"Seems that for a foreigner, you are very well educated in the verse of the kingdom's rulership." Gilbert spoke while having his arms folded behind his back. "Do you speak from experience?"
"From experience and from history." Kira nods as he closes his eyes when he remembers ORB's destruction. "I've read and seen many countries fall because of their ruler's foolish actions. Some were caused by their bravery for the sake of justice while some caused by their own greed."
"I see…" Vince spoke before he tilts his head a bit to the side. "So then. what is it that you wish to converse about?"
"I wish for your and Bernard-sama's protection for the Bartfort Family." Kira spoke while bowing his head. "I'm sure you have learned about my actions against Jilk Fia Marmoria who broke his vow upon the sacred duel and causing the harm to come to Jenna Fou Bartfort and Nicks Fou Bartfort."
"w-we believed that we should request assistance from a noble family who is in the court and therefore…" Nicks spoke out in a stutter before he looks very nervous.
"Yes, we very much know about that." Bernard spoke as he sighs while looking down with a mixed emotional look on his face. "Ever since Jilk-kun broke off the engagement with my daughter, I had a feeling something like this might happen sooner or later."
"I'm certain that many other noble families won't stand and allow my actions against the Marmoria Household's heir and the crowned prince to go unpunished." Kira spoke out while raising his head and looks at Vince. "I am a foreigner and I have nearly nothing to be lost." He places a hand to his chest. "But after arriving to this land, the only thing I have that I do not wish to lose would be the care of the Bartfort Family who I am indebted to."
"I see." Vince spoke before nodding. "I understand your situation." He soon leans forward while intertwining his fingers. "so, you're asking for us to clean up after you mess, is it?"
"In a way, yes." Kira spoke before he waves a hand to the side as he motions to a table filled with gold and platinum coins. "I have acquired the necessary funds needed for the court work."
"a hefty amount for a baron like you." Bernard spoke while scratching his chin in seeing the amount of money that Kira has with him.
The money in fact is actually Jenna and Nicks' money combined with Clarice, Raymond, and Daniel who pitched in as it was collected for the court work's fee.
"My money~!" Jenna whispers a whining scream as Nicks quickly jabs her side to shut her up.
"Everything can be accordingly be put to order, but I must as you this one question." Vince spoke as he looks at Kira. "What is your true motive in all of this?"
"Pardon?" Kira replies while raising an eyebrow.
"My father asks you on your true motives here." Gilbert spoke with a hand raised. "For someone like you who is a foreigner, it would've been easy to just leave the land considering that you have found a rather powerful Lost Item and yet you still remain here." he lowers his hand. "Is your debt to the Bartfort Family has not been repaid yet?"
"no." Kira replies while shaking his head. "I have only repaid a quarter of it."
"Really now?" Vince asks. "I have heard of your actions in helping the Bartfort Family's agriculture, how you provided them treasures from that uncharted island you had discovered." He leans a bit forward. "Are you saying that those previous actions of yours have not fully repaid the debt?"
"My debt to the Bartfort Family was created on the day that they saved my dying life." Kira spoke while placing a hand to his chest. "The life I had was fading and yet they were able to save it." he close his eyes for a moment and sighs before looking back at Vince. "a life is precious and extremely valuable to the host and no amount of treasure can ever hope to fully cover its worth. My debt to the Bartfort Family can only be repaid until they believe I have fully repaid it."
"I see…." Vince spoke before he glances at Bernard. "Do you wish to ask the boy something, Bernard?"
"Yes." Bernard nods as he leans a bit forward. "Do you regret your actions upon the duel, Kira Fou Bartfort?"
"no" Kira shakes his head. "My actions that are aggressive or not was done for the sake of the kingdom." He closes his eyes and remembers his duel against the Five heirs. "They were being too selfish, arrogant, and over all foolish to be easily deceived by Marie Fou Lafan. Their growing ego would cause damage upon the Holfort Kingdom and cause it to fall into chaos." He opens his eyes and shows how serious they are. "I have personally seen a nation be consumed in chaos from a man's selfish desire. I do not wish to see it occur upon the Holfort Kingdom."
"Hmmm, I see." Bernard spoke while scratching his chin before he nods with a smile. "Very well, that shall do for me."
"Agreed." Vince nods as he looks at Kira. "We shall do the minimum work needed for the safety of the Bartfort Family and yourself." He crosses his arms. "Also, I believe it is in your best interest that thanks to your actions in exposing a dangerous subject in the kingdom. We had better reasons to cancel the arranged marriage between my daughter and the now former crowned prince." He tenses his gaze a bit. "that thing isn't worthy of my daughter, wouldn't you agree?"
"I do not have any personal intention for their relationship, but yes." Kira spoke while nodding. "a crowned prince who is selfishly fooled with a random woman should not be someone for Angelica-san's life. He mistreated her and would only see with his own self-centered ego than to see the truth behind others. that Prince even believed in the words of a stranger than the person who has been with him since he was young. that is why I became Angelica-san's champion in the duel. I fought for her care and kindness. Only that and nothing else" He raises his hand. "But on another personal matter, I do not wish for any deaths for there may be a chance for the prince to be reeducated so that he may or may not be able to prove himself to be a leader one day."
"I see." Vince spoke while nodding before he closes his eyes. "Sorry to change the subject, but I have a favor to ask of you, Baron Bartfort. It has come to my attention and concern for my daughter who is not doing well after the recent events." He waves a hand to the side. "As a parent, it is unbearable to see her in such a depressed state." He opens his eyes and looks at Kira. "Currently, a classmate of hers named Olivia is caring for her." he waves a hand towards the young man "I'm thinking of sending her to a moderate countryside for time to recover and your household seems perfect. Would you take her?"
"Yes," Kira spoke while bowing to Vince. "I shall gladly do so."
"Take my daughter with you as well." Bernard stated in with a smile. "she has been good around the household but I can tell that she is still not over what Jilk-kun did to her. she needs some personal time for the holiday after all."
"you have my word that I shall attend to their needs." Kira said while bowing to Bernard and then standing up straight. "but if I may ask a favor in return?"
"and that favor is?" Vince asks while raising an eyebrow.
"please be cautious upon Marie Fou Lafan." Kira spoke out a bit seriously. "she is a dangerous person."
"What makes you say that?" Bernard asks with a curious voice.
"I am currently on the suspicion that she is a dangerous person because she was able to influence and manipulate the Prince and his entourage." Kira replies with a hand to his chest. "Please be cautious of her actions from this day to the future. I believe that she might bring a terrible danger to Holfort Kingdom."
"I see." Vince spoke before nodding. "very well, we will take your advice to heart."
Kira nods back before he along with Jenna and Nicks left the Redgrave's Household.
After the guests were gone, Vince leans against his seat and let out a small sigh.
"seems that the young foreigner boy is much more human than we had anticipated, Vince." Bernard spoke to Vince who nods. Clarice's Father smiles while intertwining his fingers on his lap. "we had first thought that he might be a person of the Fanoss Empire or the Holy Capital of Rachel, but seeing how human he is. How much moral he has, it just shows that he is clearly not from any of those lands."
"perhaps it is the truth of the rumor of him coming from a land far from the Holfort Kingdom?" Gilbert spoke as he went around the table and looks at the table full of the money needed for the Bartfort Family's Court work. "if that young man only came alone, it might have been to put up a more good front of his request?"
"it just goes to show that he has too much of a kind heart with a brave might." Vince stated as he looks to the view outside from a nearby window. "I have seen many youngsters from many ages and that young man is the first one who has the resolve to do what is needed for the sake of the Holfort Kingdom." He let out a small huff before chuckling in amusement. "and to think this meeting could happen by Angelica who dueled against that Lafan girl."
"do you believe he might be of a good influence in the kingdom, father?" Gilbert asked Vince who nods while slowly getting off his seat and making his way to the nearby window. "do you intend to give him a reason for cooperation?"
"yes, but not now." Vince stated as he stands near the window that he had opened. The Head of the Redgrave family sees the view of the sky outside. "there is much we don't know of that young man's origins. For all we know, he might return to wherever he came from if he finds a way to do so."
"do you actually plan to keep the young man from going to his homeland, Vince?" Bernard asks. "that's cruel even for you."
"that boy gave assistance to Angelica when everyone turns foe, and no one was willing to help. He was a knight in shining armor for her." Vince stated while folding his hands behind his back. "We need his abilities to ensure that this Kingdom would prosper for years to come."
"How far are you going with this?" Gilbert asks as he waves a hand to the side. "if you wish, we can prepare some women from our household to give a small reason for him to stay in our kingdom?"
"no, there's no need for such a thing." Vince shakes his head. "I've seen that young man's eyes directly today and I could tell that he is a man who would love only one in his heart." He chuckles and shakes his head. "I find that charming and a pity at the same time."
"indeed." Bernard nods as he chuckles. "I do wonder who has his heart settled upon?" he smiles. "perhaps my daughter or yours?"
"he said that he fought for Angelica because he wished to do so.." Gilbert spoke as he caresses his chin while looking down before he turns to look at his father. "perhaps it is that Olivia girl?"
"whoever it is, I can only hope that we can ask more for that young man's strength in the future." Vince stated. "that is all there is to it."
A few days later, the holiday came for the end of the school's first term.
In the sky, there is a luxury airship flying by as it is actually a camouflaged fake ship for the Archangel that is currently using its installed Mirage Colloid System. The action was done to ensure that no one would know about the ship because it is way too advanced for the people of the Holfort Kingdom.
The basic idea of its optical camouflage is that a large luxury airship is built on top of the Archangel and attached to its frame. It can move around and do many things but the main basic and usage of attack is from the Mobile Assault Airship itself.
The Archangel just flies its airship straight for the Bartfort Family's floating island as Kira plans to take Nicks, and Jenna, along with Olivia, Angelica, and Clarice to the place for the holidays.
Kira is currently on the front side of the ship and is just looking at the sky while having Tori on his shoulder. The little mechanical bird twists and turns its head several time before it turns and let out a small cry.
Hearing the cry from the mechanical bird, Kira turns to see Clarice coming near him. the Atlee family's daughter coming with the young man for the holiday as she is accompanied by her followers and a few of her family's servants.
"your ship is very nice, Kira-kun." Clarice spoke with a smile as she gently holds down some of her hair that is fluttering from the wind. "it's spacious, wide, and very much accommodating."
"thank you for your compliment, Clarice-senpai." Kira replies with a small smile before he looks away while frowning. "but I believe my actions may cause some losses in the kingdom."
"not too much of losses." Clarice replies while shaking her head. "the crowned prince got his title taken away, Jilk and the others got disinherited, and nobles are more angrier at them than to you." She shrugs her shoulders. "if anything, you're safe in a way."
"is that so?" Kira replies while glancing at Clarice before to the back. "and? What about her condition?"
Clarice frowns as she shakes her head.
"what the Prince did really hurt her bad." Clarice spoke out as she sighs a bit before looking at Kira. "but Olivia is consoling her and I think she's going to get better soon."
"Soon, huh?" Kira whispers before he looks to the sky while Tori flies away.
In one of the many rooms of the ship. There is a bedroom where Angelica and Olivia are currently in.
Angelica sat on the bed while Olivia is beside and holding her hands.
"how funny…." Angelica whispers with a sad smile. "I won the battle yet lost the war." Her tears appear as a single drop fell to her lap. "not one of my feelings ever went through him. I hoped that I was able to persuade him but he never looked my way…" her tears started to increase as her body trembles. "to lose to a woman he has been separated from…this is my total loss."
"Angelica-san…" Olivia frowns while holding Angelica's hands. "it's not your total loss. I mean, there may still be a chance that…"
"there isn't any left." Angelica stated while trying to stop her tears from falling. "the Prince never loved me and the duel just ended with no true winner." She place a hand to her forehead while just sobbing sadly. "all that I ever did was to get you and Kira involved in my own selfishness."
"you didn't do anything, Angelica-san." Olivia told Angelica. "Kira-san wanted to be your representative on his own free will. You didn't do anything wrong."
"but I did…" Angelica spoke. "my actions possibly got him expelled from the school. I let him battle against the prince and then…i…i.." she broke down in tears as Olivia hugs her. "I'm such a terrible person! I just cried like a child! I didn't thank him properly and I just went to the prince! I might be the same as any other no good woman!"
As Olivia continues to console Angelica in the room, outside there is Kira and Clarice who are just standing nearby in silence.
They were planning to come in and check on Angelica but after accidently hearing what they had just heard, they decided not to.
"I don't think you'd be expelled, Kira-kun." Clarice spoke a bit quietly. "I mean, your actions were seen by many as noble and rational." She then frowns "But I guess some nobles won't be so agreeing."
"it doesn't matter to me." Kira spoke as he looks to the side. "I knew the consequences of my actions and I'll embrace them no matter what." he sighs softly. "besides, I don't regret my actions that night at the social party."
"you don't? really?" Clarice asks as Kira just nods.
"my mother and father once told me that you should always lend a hand to those in trouble." Kira spoke as he turns and walks away. "I just did what they taught me to. That is all there is to it."
Clarice watches Kira leaves as she smiles while sighing softly.
"he's really a unique guy…" Clarice whispers.
Some hours later, at the island where Kira discovered the ruins which is where he found the Archangel.
The land is just serene and filled with lovely flora all over the place.
"so this is Kira-san's island…" Olivia wows with a big smile to see how beautiful everything is looking.
"you have a very wide source of agriculture here and there." Angelica stated in seeing a large crop field filled with fruits and vegetables growing and are being tended by machinery that Kira and Hachi built together. "what are those things that are watering them?"
"they are mere Automaton programmed to water the field every 4-6 hours." Kira spoke as this made everyone confused and him sweatdropping. "to be more understandable, you can just call them Gardening Robots."
"hey, you use these things for?" Clarice asks as she is standing near a large truck that has legless yet floating robots carrying baskets of fruits and vegetables that they stored into the back.
"transport of the produce." Kira replied. "I work along with Balcus-san's family's farmlands and share the produce I made here with them. Just to help them economically."
"and this vehicle is?" Dan Fia Elgar, one of Clarice's followers who came along with the girl had spoken out as he is pointing to a motorbike. "it seems awfully alike with an Airbike."
"it is, but it's a motorbike that only runs on land." Kira replies as he takes out a pair of keys that he throws to the man who catches it. "you may take it for a drive if you like."
Dan nods as he inserts the key to the keyhole, turns it, and made the engine go to life.
"now how do i?" Dan checks on the machine and pulls the throttle that made the back wheel spin and go rushing forward. "woooah!"
Dan rides the motorbike away as Clarice's other followers wowed to see how fast it could run.
"go and get him." Clarice told them with a smile. "and try taking turns on that motorbike."
"y-yes!" the group replied as they quickly went after Dan.
"seems that they have the passion for it, huh?" Angelica said to Clarice who nods with a smile as she sees how Dan rides the motorbike and adapted to how to use it.
"Kira-san, what's that smell?" Olivia asks as she sniffs the air. "it's a very strange smell."
"strange smell?" Clarice spoke as she and Angelica sniffs a few times and smelled what Olivia had smelled before them. "yeah, what is that smell?"
"it smells like eggs or something." Angelica added in.
"ah, that smell is…" Kira spoke with a smile.
10 minutes later, Angelica, Olivia, and Clarice are just having the time of their life in a big Japanese hot spring bath that is for themselves.
"aahh~! That's so nice~!" Clarice spoke as she is currently rinsing off shampoo bubbles from her hair. She repeated her actions and sighs. "this is a good water!"
"Angelica-san and Clarice-san has such beautiful hair~!" Olivia said with a smile as she is currently helping Angelica in washing her hair after finishing with Clarice's first. "they're so glossy."
"his highness once said that he likes long beautiful hair." Angelica replies as she holds a handful of her wet golden blonde hair. "I'm planning to cut it shorter next time."
"still, this is such a wonderful place." Olivia asks as Angelica nods before both switched role in washing each other's hair.
"not only is he a successful adventurer, but he acquired such a rich land before coming to the academy." Clarice said as she washes off the last of the bubbles on her hair and body before signing with a smile. "I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't want to live here."
"yes." Angelica and Olivia nods in agreement.
"but still, after what I did. It might become to what we would expect…" Angelica spoke as Clarice and Olivia instantly notice the sadness in her voice.
"Angelica, you do know that Kira-kun is prepared for the consequences, right?" Clarice asks the blonde while frowning. "I already asked him if he has plans if he was expelled from the academy and he said that he would just live here until he found a way to return to his homeland. He's not mad at you for making him get expelled, you know?"
"I know." Angelica nods while frowning. "but it doesn't change the fact that it's my fault." She sighs. "I want to repay him for his assistance in the duel, but there's nothing much I can do at all."
"Angelica-san…" Olivia whispers.
After the little talk in their bubbles and getting their hair and body washed clean, the girls went into the hotspring where they relaxed.
"ahhh~! This is the life~!" Clarice moans in pleasure as she sinks into the warm water. "so relaxing~!"
"for Kira-san to find such an island with a Hotspring by just travelling with a tiny boat" Olivia spoke before signing with a smile. "it's so amazing, isn't it?"
"indeed." Angelica nods while splashing some warm water to her face and then smiled. "this may be the greatest achievements done by many in the last few decades." she sighs and looks sad. "I'm jealous.."
"about what?" Clarice asks.
"about you guys. Of course." Angelica replied with a smile. "I mean, I know that Olivia is Kira's friend, but isn't he your new lover now, Clarice?"
"not really." Clarice replies while shaking her head and smiling. "Kira is a nice man and all, but I don't think he plans to have anyone in his love life right now."
"what makes you say that?" Angelica asks in a curious voice.
"well…." Olivia spoke as she begins to explain to Angelica about the ring that Kira has around his necklace, the man already having the love of his life who is just waiting for his return in the future.
"I see…" Angelica spoke with a small smile. "I'm jealous of the girl who has his love, she must be one great person."
"Yeah.." Clarice nods in agreement
"Whenever I asked Kira-san about the girl he loves, he always says that she's someone who would always make him calm and happy no matter what the occasion is." Livia spoke with a smile. "this Lacus Clyne person must be a very incredible person."
"Lacus…Clyne…" Angelica spoke out softly as she looks at the waters while pondering. 'I feel like I heard of that name before…but where?'
Meanwhile at the Bartfort Household. There is some urgences in the family cause of the news that Balcus and Luce receives from Kira about him coming back with Nicks and Jenna along with two high ranked nobles' daughter and a friend from school.
"everything is prepared? Everything!?" Balcus exclaimed as he panicked. "what was that boy thinking?! I know that he is kind to lend a hand to everyone but being the representative of a duel against the crowned prince!? That's just insane!" he scratches his head and pulls his hair. "and now he's coming back with Nicks and Jenna along with a school friend, but with the addition of a duke's and an earl's daughters!? My heart can't take any of this!"
"excuse us." A maid came in as she along with a few other maids entered the room. The group of maids are from Clarice's and Angelica's households who had come earlier than their families' daughters to do some early preparation. "we've finished preparing Angelica-sama and Clarice-sama's rooms, thus we have come to assist you over here."
"oh, uh, don't worry about it!" Balcus replied franticly. "everything is prepared, so please rest! We'll begin preparing the rooms immediately."
"dear! They already did that!" Luce told her husband who is a total wreck after knowing who are the guests that are coming.
"hey! What's going on with all these maids!?" a familiar voice shouted out as Balcus flinches when he hears it. "you're nothing but servants! Are you telling me that you cannot listen to my orders!?"
"Z-Zola…" Balcus spoke as he sees the elderly woman coming with a furious look on her face. "l-long time no see?"
"long time no see?" Zola said before she went and smacked her fan against Balcus' face. "you fool!" she watches the Bartfort Family's head fall from the smack as Luce went to him. "do you have any idea what that brat did?! The royal capital is in an uproar! How are you going to take responsibility for this, I wonder!?"
"w-well this came as a total surprise for me…" Balcus spoke while holding a hand to his smacked cheek but stopped talking when he noticed the maids leaving the room and soon formed two lines while bowing as Kira and the others came.
"we've awaited your return, dear masters." The maids spoke respectfully to Kira and the others who came and went through them all.
"what is this?" Zola spoke while Balcus is panicking. The elderly woman faces Kira and glares down at him. "you little brat, you made such an uproar in the royal capital!"
Kira was about to speak but Angelica and Clarice stepped forward.
"huh? What do you two girls want?" Zola spoke before swinging her fan to the side. "move! I have important matters with that brat behind you two little girls!"
"seems that you didn't hear about our arrival, did you?" Clarice asks with a small smirking face. "if you did, I'm sure that you know who you are talking to, right?"
"huh?" Zola looks confused. "what does that supposed to mean?"
"I am Angelica Rapha Redgrave." Angelica stated in a serious voice. "And standing beside me is Clarice Fia Atlee."
Hearing their names instantly made Zola look pale.
"A-Atlee? Redgrave!?" Zola gasps as she panicked because of realizing that she is being rude to high ranked nobles before her. She then smiles awkwardly while bowing repeatedly. "i-I'm very sorry! I just arrived from the royal capital and didn't know that the daughters of the Redgrave family and the Atlee Family are here in the countryside!"
"you didn't know or you didn't bother?" Clarice asks while crossing her arms under her chest. "we heard from Kira-kun here, you know?" her eyes became tense and stern at Zola. "we find it very odd that the madame is very far away from her own residence."
"and much more odd is the fact that the eldest son of the Bartfort Family is not helping out with the family's work…" Angelica added in with a small smirk. "What on earth is the eldest son; Rutart-dono doing currently?"
"w-well! For the sake of his future, I'm having him study in the royal capital and then.." Zola replies with a very tensed and nervous voice. "m-may I ask why you are here?"
"we are currently here for our holiday and Kira here was kind enough to let us have a relaxing time at the outdoor bath on his island before accompanying us to come to the Bartfort Family's island for sightseeing." Angelica spoke as her red eyes stared daggers at Zola. "and just seeing how you greeted us. I believe that there are some problems here and there, right?"
Zola turns pale as she begins to sweat profusely.
"Please enjoy your stay! I have an urgency at the royal capital and I must leave soon. Please do enjoy the island and forgive me~!" Zola screams as she panicked and just runs away.
"wow, that's fast." Nicks said while Jenna nods her head twice, both seeing how fast Zola runs for the port to leave the island.
"goes to show that not even that old bag can go against the duke and earl families." Jenna stated.
Afterwards, everyone settled their belongings in the household as they got some greetings from Balcus and Luce who are very nervous and panicking because of the fact that they have high ranked nobles' daughters in their own household.
A few days later on Kira's island.
Kira is found coming out of the hot spring's outdoor bath as he just took a dip for 2 hours before coming out in a blue yukata and holding a bottle of chilled strawberry flavored milk. The young man shaking his hair with a towel to dry it before he finds his guests just relaxing while wearing pink yukatas. They seemingly just finished a bath from how they still look puffy warm and holding bottles of chilled milk in their hands.
"are you all enjoying your stay?" Kira asks as he greets them.
"we are!" Olivia replies with a smile. "the bath, the fields, and even the entire island is just amazing!"
"but that outdoor bath has to be the best of them all." Clarice said as she caresses her cheeks. "I mean, taking baths at the place really got my skin to be so soft and smooth!"
"I see." Kira chuckles with a smile. "but please remember that it is dangerous to go into the hotspring too much."
"we know, but it's just too addicting." Angelica replies with a smile.
"are Dan and the others still playing and enjoying their motorbikes?" Clarice asks Kira.
a few days back, Dan and the other followers of the Atlee family's daughter had a fun time riding the motorbike to the point that they asked the Ultimate Coordinator if he had more than one to which he did. Now, they're just having fun riding those motorbikes and are just racing around the island day by day.
"they're having fun to the point that they don't care about how much dirt that they are getting into." Kira replies with an awkward smile.
"you should make this hotspring of yours as a business place." Angelica told Kira. "not only the bath, but also the motorbikes that would get a lot of attention from many airbike enthusiasts."
"I know, but I plan to let that be something for the future." Kira replies while waving a hand to the side. "right now, the island is still under development and can only host a number of people at the time."
"just thinking about the island with such a good hotspring that makes your skin smooth and soft…" Clarice spoke as she imagines the island being filled with people going around for the hotspring. "it might be one heck of a tourist attraction."
"yes." Olivia nods in agreement.
The group chatters amongst each other as they talked about random things about the island's richness.
"still, I'm jealous that Angelica-san and Clarice- senpai have such silky smooth hair…" Olivia said as she is in a group huddling hug with Angelica and Clarice. "it's amazing how smooth they are."
"but your skin is more fairer than us, Olivia." Angelica told the blonde girl.
"our hair are nice but yours is just as smooth as ours." Clarice added in.
The three girls just huddled and hug each other close while Kira just smiles.
'it's like Lacus and Cagalli but with the addition of Miriallia.' Kira compares the three girls with his lover, twin sister, and friend who are close acquaintances back at his world.
As Kira imagines about his world, he notices Olivia looking at him.
"what is it, Olivia-san?" Kira asks.
"u-um…" Olivia whispers before looking at Kira. "Livia. Please call me Livia."
"Livia?" Clarice asks.
"i-it's what everyone calls me back home and…umm…" Olivia spoke out before frowning. "is that not okay?"
Hearing her words, everyone just smiled.
"then just call me by Clarice," Clarice said with a wink. "no need for seniority with my friends."
"call me Angie." Angelica said while placing a hand to her chest. "my close friends all call me that."
"is that alright?" Kira asks Angelica who frowns a bit.
"it is, but I doubt you want to be friends with such an unpleasant woman." Angelica said with a sad smile.
"can you stop saying that?" Clarice asks the girl with a frown. "it's not your fault that the duel happened. You're just…"
"it's still my fault no matter how you look at it." Angelica stated. "I'm still a horrible person who caused so much trouble to those around me."
"N-No! Angeli- I mean, Angie is a wonderful person!" Olivia cries out. "you're not a bad person!"
"I'm not a bad person but I'm just the worst." Angelica stated as she closed her eyes. "even though I said I wished for his highness' happiness, but I still can't think about forgiving him for what he said during the duel and I cannot help myself from hating Marie." She shakes her head. "no, I can't ever forgive her. never."
"his highness is one thing but that Marie girl is just a bad example of a person." Clarice stated while nodding. "I don't think it's bad for you to hate her."
"but I can't help but think how bad of a person I am." Angelica said while placing a hand to her chest. "I am too hotheaded, selfish….it's no wonder that I was tossed away by his highness. I wouldn't even like myself either."
"is that not fine?" Kira asks as everyone looks at him. "the fact that you could hate Marie Fou Lafan for her actions with his highness is just proof that you care for his wellbeing." He raise a hand and waves it to the side. "you can just hate them as much as you desire, but leave them to be hurt by their own karma."
"what do you mean?" Angelica asks while confused.
"if you wish to get even for the things that they have put you through, it'd be best for you to just attain your own happiness as revenge against the prince and Marie." Kira replies while pointing a finger up. "they believed that you are a no good person, then prove them wrong by obtaining great happiness that would make anyone jealous."
"that's some good advice, right there." Clarice said with a smile while nodding as she looks at Angelica. "Kira-kun once told me that I can hate Jilk as much as I want but I can't forget that I can do way better than himself. I can just find my own happiness with someone who is ten times better than he is. You should do the same, Angie."
"I should find…my own happiness?" Angelica asks as everyone nods with a smile.
"rather than harming people for revenge, you should begin taking action to make the prince jealous and be guilty for doing such things to you." Kira said with a smile while nodding. "that way, he'll learn that the person who could make him happy was you all along."
"r-right! I'm going to get a great level of happiness and show him how wrong he was!" Angelica said with a huff. "I'll show him!"
"then count us in to help you do that." Clarice said with a nod while pumping up a fist. "I'm going to get back at Jilk too after all!"
The girls huddled together while Kira stands by the sidelines with a smile before letting them be in their own private time.
The holiday continues on as Kira and the others spend their entire time in doing whatever activity that they can get into.
At the farmland of the Bartfort's floating island, Kira is found helping out on the field with Nicks and Colin.
"be careful on board it, Colin!" Nicks called out to his little brother who is riding on a tractor, the young boy driving it carefully.
"I got it!" Colin replies with a grin.
"he's getting better at riding it." Kira said with a smile as he had taught Colin how to use the tractor just a week ago and he is getting very used to riding the vehicle.
"who can blame him?" Nicks asks while shrugging his shoulders and then smiling to Kira. "I mean, you made the controls easy to use for anyone after all."
"I guess so." Kira nods before he gets hugged by Jenna from behind. "wha?! Jenna-san?!"
"Kira-kun~! Please~! Please find another Dungeon for you to conquer~! And please share me the treasure~!" Jenna cries in tears. "I don't got any money left until summer's end~!"
"hey, Jenna. Can't you ever stop whining about it?" Nicks asks while sighing.
"shut up~! That was 1000 Dia! 1000 dia~!" Jenna cries.
After the whole talk with the Redgrave and Atlee Families' heads for the court work, Jenna has been crying and whining nonstop about how most of her money has been used for the compensation fee.
"my money~! I want my money back~!" Jenna cries as Kira looks very uncomfortable from how she is clinging and hugging him tight.
"here!" Nicks said as he gave a stack of money bill to Jenna. "I got 500 dia here! take it and leave Kira alone, will you!? You're bothering us at work!"
"yay~!" Jenna instantly cheers up as she takes the money and giggles all joyfully. "thank you~!" she then hugs Kira one more time. "let's go on a date next week, Kira-kun~!"
"but I'm going back to school next week." Kira replies awkwardly.
"oh come on~! Let's just go on one date!" Jenna huffs before she smirks. "did you forget whose money was it that is used for the compensation fee?"
"ugh…" Kira sweatdrops as he is literally being threatened and blackmailed at the same time.
"enough, give the guy a break." Nicks told Jenna who huffs at him before smiling at Kira one more time.
"think about it, okay~!" Jenna said to Kira before leaving while skipping on her steps.
"is she really your biological sister, Nicks?" Kira asks as Nicks just sighs and nods in response.
The two continues to work on the field as they just work on what they need to do but they are also being helped by Olivia and the others who are just going around doing whatever they can.
"w-what is this thing!?" Angelica asks as she is with Olivia and Clarice by a vegetable field. The Redgrave family's daughter is wearing gloves but she is creeped and disgusted by an earthworm that is wriggling around. "i-it's so slimy looking!"
"that's an earthworm, Angie." Olivia told her friend.
"haven't you ever seen one from your own garden?" Clarice added in, herself being familiar with the slimy creature.
"but I never seen one before!" Angelica cries out as she is very much creeped out. "ew~!"
As the group goes along with their part of the work, Kira and Nicks along with Colin who watches them.
"man, I can't believe we have high ranked nobles in the country side…." Nicks said as he sighs before looking very awkward. "our social standings are so different and all."
"I understand that." Kira said with a nod before smiling a bit as he sees how there is a fun atmosphere shared between Angelica and the others. "but it is to put their minds at ease from the duel."
"I guess so." Nicks nods.
"Hey, Kira-niichan. Which one of them is your girlfriend?" Colin suddenly asked an innocent question as Nicks and Kira looks at the young child before sighing with a smile.
"Hey, Colin. Don't you know Kira already has someone in his life?" Nicks asks while patting his little brother's head. "You do remember about the ring he has, right?"
"Yeah." Colin nods as he sees Kira taking out the ring necklace. "He said that it's something that he used to make a promise with someone."
"And that promise is to return to the person I love." Kira said with a smile before he patted Colin's head. "Those people are just my friends, that's all."
"Kira! Hey! There's someone here to meet you!" Balcus calls out from a few feet away, the man looking a bit panicked in a way. "it's a representative of the Redgrave!"
"a representative of the Redgrave?" Nicks spoke as Kira nods before he excused himself.
At a room at the Bartfort Household, Kira with Balcus is having a meeting with a messenger from the royal capital. The older man being there with the young man because he is listed as the young man's legal guardian.
"I have messages for Kira Fou Bartfort." The messenger spoke while taking out a rolled-up paper that he unravels. "First is that he and the Bartfort Family shall not take responsibility for the duel that had occurred in the Academy and that all side is now at peace."
"I see." Kira nods. "May I ask about the current situation about the prince and the others?"
"They have been disowned and disinherited by their respective families." The messenger replied while waving a hand to the side. "For your actions in educating the prince and his entourage, you have been seen as an independent knight of the Kingdom who has been officially recognized as its own citizen. Congratulations."
"Then that means there's no more trouble, right?" Balcus asks as the messenger nods which made him sigh in relief. "that's good."
"Now to an important matter." The messenger said as he takes out a letter which he opens and reveals a promotion paper. "For your actions and efforts to reeducate the prince. Kira Fou Bartfort has been officially promoted to the rank of sixth in the royal court. Congratulations."
"EEeeehh?!" Balcus screams while Kira merely looks surprised.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye