Arc 1 Epilogue - One Year Later... (2)
The current atmosphere of one of the Royal Palace's many hallways can be described in one word: Peaceful. Petra, a young 15 year old maid, the youngest member of the entire place with Meili herself being a close second, is currently cleaning a vase of flowers alongside the newly revitalized Rem.
She had grown enough to the point where her feminine beauty had started to show. Her short brown hair is now getting longer, but it is currently being tied into a ponytail to help her move better without her hair causing much trouble. As she cleans, she begins to hum a tune of a song that was taught by the one she still loves after all this time, Natsuki Subaru, as a way to remember all the things he had done for her since the first time she met him at her village. She was told that this was the tune that was played during his fight with the white whale. He had said to her that it came from his favorite childhood story about a pair of kids and a dog named patrasche. The story is also where he also got the name for his ground dragon too.
Rem heard the junior maid's hum as she was sweeping the floor. But currently ignoring it instead of asking what song she is humming about. She had grown to be more independent of Subaru, and was not that all saddened when he had disappeared. In fact, his disappearance had allowed her to grow more as a person. Now, she is a fully independent woman who has to take care of Spica ever since Subaru's disappearance. Spica was also formerly known as Louis Arneb, the former sin archbishop of gluttony. And after the civil war in Vollachia, Subaru had essentially adopted her as well.
The two continue to clean the surroundings of the hallway, before being interrupted by an incoming pair of voices approaching. Judging by the sound of their voice, the two can conclude who they are.
"You are really having fun as Big Bro's daughter huh....I wish I had time to hang out with him before you know..." Felt said.
Meili nodded smugly, though a bit sad after hearing the last statement made by her, "Though after I'm done with this mission and you're done with today's 'Queenly Tasks' we can play with some of my dolls if you want! I can even teach you some of Papa Nii-chan's subaruisms, is that O-kay?"
Felt perked up as she heard her offer. "Really!? Thank you! My life has been so boring and stressful, that is just what I need as a break! Not some quiet dinner with Reinhard!" Felt exclaimed, hugging Meili in the process.
The former assassin laughed as they walked down the hallway, Petra and Rem soon noticed them arriving. Petra quickly went for a bow as they passed by, followed by Rem also, almost forgetting to do so in front of the free roaming queen. Though Meili stopped and proceeded to ask her friend about something, making Felt stop as well, gesturing to her to be quick.
"What is it, Meili-chan?" Petra asked.
Meili hummed happily. "Just want to know if you have time to play with me and Felt once we're done with our job. Do you want to?"
Petra widened her eyes and nodded, "Sure! I would love to if I have time!" she then turned to Rem, "Rem-neesama, can Spica-chan join as well?"
Rem tilted her head before nodding with a small smile, "I will inform her once our daily chores are done"
"That makes four of us then! I should think of a plan on what to do with this event!" Meili said.
Petra giggled at that statement, excited for the event that is to come. Now she is thinking about what to bring for the party. Perhaps the 'Special Edition Vollachian Adventurer Natsuki Subaru' doll he made for her? But the special tea set given to her by Frederica would be nice to bring for the party too. Perhaps both? Her pondering just never ends before the carefree queen interrupted.
"Well we should get going now if we want this event to come quicker now shouldn't we?" Felt interrupted.
Meili nods in agreement, "Yeah, we should really get going. Well then, bye Petra-chan! See you at the doll party!" she said.
Shortly after, Meili continued onwards with Felt as she waved at her friend, who replied with the same gesture as well. Rem can only stare at the three young teenagers, thinking of what to do with her sister after her daily tasks are done while the kids play. Soon enough though, she goes back to sweeping the floor, along with the now more enthusiastic young maid Petra Leyte.
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Emilia is currently waiting by the gates of the palace, sitting on a nearby seat as she watches from the staff walking by and doing their chores in the background. She's a little less bright this morning, as she does in every other morning since Subaru's disappearance. Though in spite of that, her love for him grew, and so does her longing for him.
She remembered the time she actually confessed to him, a month after they returned from Vollachia. The first time they had their second kiss, but a first one where it was mutual, where both sides realized their feelings for one another. That very day was the happiest moment of her life, nothing could compete with that, and even the second and third place was taken by Subaru's first and second confession to her.
She also remembered the sorrowful first days of his subsequent disappearance with Beatrice. She remembered herself crying to sleep, not even bothering to eat for a few days just because of her heart being broken in two with him gone. It was a feeling that she hated to a high degree, but she is obligated to feel that sort of thing. The feeling of longing and despair, she felt absolute loath for them.
But, she quickly reminded herself of the memory of her beloved, cheering her on to overcome her challenges. She smiled at that. And she reminded herself of time and time again where he saved her, and in turn her saving him too, both physically and emotionally. She smiled at that too. She reminded herself of his words, his declarations of love towards her. She used it as her source of strength, and from then on she matured overtime, and learned to somewhat live without him, little by little she used her memories with him to grow stronger as a person. And after the battle with Capella, she had grown far enough that she had considered it a success, and returned from the despair of sadness and into the light of a hopeful future.
She hoped that he would return to her once more. Because from then on, she would not want to live alone anymore, even if she grew stronger because of that. She would stay by his side eternally as lovers, as future husband and wife, and just like he had said it, she would stick by his side 24/7! She can feel her love growing by the second everytime she thinks about him, and just like that, she grows more hopeful for what is to come in the near future.
She smiled brightly, hoping that her saviour and beloved would come to her when the time comes.
She turned towards Reinhard who began to approach her in his knightly uniform. He had recently finished evaluating the reports of the knights as their new commander, and is now heading for the palace to report it to the queen. But after he saw Emilia waiting by the gates, he decided to walk up to her and spoke.
"Emilia-sama," Greeted Reinhard, "It is a pleasure to see you here beside the gates. What are you perhaps waiting for?"
"Oh!" She exclaimed, still a bit surprised even if she had expected him, "I'm just looking at people passing by due to boredom, that's all. I'm on a break after dealing with the amount of paperwork I've been given today, what's up?"
Reinhard blinked, "Did Emilia-sama perhaps just used a subaruism? If not then I would say what is up is the clear blue sky today, the weather is clear and pleasant and there is no chance for rain. As for the break, why don't you head to the royal garden? I've heard that Garfiel is currently training under Honored Grandfather Wilhelm before he initiate his test to become a royal knight by the end of the month. It must've been a spectacle to watch." He said gracefully in his usual knightly tone.
Emilia hummed and nodded, "Yes, I did use a subarusism, Reinhard. You don't need to be so literal!" She gave off a small laugh before resuming, "Though the thing is, I like the nice and peaceful atmosphere of the gates here, and I would've been in the royal garden if not for that spar as well. Garfiel has just been a reeallly bad boy for fighting in that place, but I understand that he wants to because it's easier to set up that way."
"I see," Reinhard proceeded to bow before speaking "I would like to apologize for my mista-"
"Reinhard?" She interrupted, "I should've told you this earlier if not for me being sooo busy today. But with that in mind, I will say this just once!"
"What is it that you want to tell me, Emilia-sama?" Reinhard tilted her head.
"A single thank you is better than a million sorrys! It's not that hard to think and process now is it? I've told this to Subaru multiple times when he arrived at the mansion for the first time, so you should reeaally remind yourself of this when it is this important!"
Reinhard straightened his stance and nodded, "Understood Emilia-sama. I thank you for this message you've given me."
"There, that was not hard now was it? And please drop the formalities, we're friends remember? I am on a break too, so no need to keep it outside of the job!"
"It certainly wasn't. But this time I would like to apologize that I cannot do your latter request, as even though Emilia-sama is on a break, I am not. For I'm here to report the current findings of the knights and guards of the capital, as well as the reporting an important finding that had been conducted by the locals of the Mathers Domain"
Emilia nodded, understanding what he had said, "Understandable, understandable. Say...what kind of important report that had transpired over there?"
"Around a quarter of the barrier crystals in the small demi-human settlement of Leglonis had disappeared recently, and we're worried that this may be an attempt made by one of the split sects of the witch cult who call themselves The Black Hand. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find Queen Felt anywhere in the slums she several times had visited this past week, so I am heading here to report to her about this urgent matter." He explained to her.
"That's really dangerous and urgent, I hope you can find Felt-chan soon!" She exclaimed.
As she said that, two people had suddenly walked up to them, and both turned to see who had come to greet them. It turns out, Felt and Meili herself had arrived to the scene, and Reinhard proceeded to kneel down and greeted his queen.
"Queen Felt, it seems I have finally found you at last. There is an-"
"Yeah yeah, no need to he so formal, stand up please! Plus, is this about the potential mabeast attack at a demi-human village?"
Reinhard proceeded to do what was told before replying, "Yes Queen Felt, have you perhaps heard of it already?"
"Of course I did! The blessing had told me to visit the slums this afternoon, and guess what? I heard it from the fellow slum dwellers there about that very problem! You shouldn't really panic over such matters except if you really can't find me anywhere in the capital. Really, you're such an idiot!" Felt turned her head away from him, clearly upset over his sloth.
"If that is the case, then I would like to thank you for always being up ahead on the urgent news in these passing months, Queen Felt." Reinhard said to her, surprising the blonde loli a little.
"Heh? Reinhard, did you just thank me instead of apologizing!? Just who are you!? You must be a fake!" Felt exclaimed, panicking over his simple gesture of gratitude. Emilia laughed at her antics.
"There is certainly no fake Reinhard that had been detected nearby, Queen Felt. And I am certain that I'm the real one. What I did was simply something that was reminded to me by Emilia-sama recently"
"Your interactions are really so funny to see, I can't stop laughing!" Said Emilia between her giggles, before stopping shortly after, "Though to talk about the urgent matter we're facing, shouldn't I come instead of Meili? I'm more than capable on facing the mabeasts and repairing the barrier at the same time."
"Well, I can't see why not...but Big Sis have her own matters to attend to, right?" Felt said to her
"What was it again?" She asked, humming to a tune before answering it herself, "Was it the meeting with the lords up north!? Oh fudgenuckles! I'm going to be late!"
"Emilia-sama, the meeting won't happen until next week, you do have time to prepare. But I would not recommend on going to the Mathers Domain either, even with that longer deadline." Reinhard told her.
"Really!? I must've read the dates wrong then huh?" Emilia facepalmed, ending her panic.
Felt followed with her own as well, "Big Sis can really be forgetful sometimes" She said, giggling a little.
"Who even says fudgenuckles in this day and age too? Hehe..." Uttered Meili from behind.
Reinhard turned towards the two young girls shortly after. Emilia turned towards them as well, "So it seems that Queen Felt had brought you with her for the mission, correct?" he said.
Meili nodded, playfully saluting towards the sword saint as well, "Yes sir! I am here for that mission!"
Reinhard nodded with a smile before bringing up a piece of parchment he had brought from the barracks, "Then let us begin the briefing..."