The sound of shoes crunching on cobblestones filled her ears as she walked along the paved path. Lush greenery flanked her on both sides, and she relished the coolness of the night air.
A serene expression graced her delicate features as she absorbed her surroundings, experiencing a sense of calm and tranquility that had eluded her for over a week, especially throughout the day.
As she continued her walk, she noticed a nearby bench and decided to take a seat. From there, she had a lovely view of the meticulously kept garden.
Yet, nothing could compare to the beauty of the night sky. Countless bright specks sparkled like pearls against the deep black canvas, with faint outlines of shapes resembling objects and animals for those who dared to connect the dots.
Her friend had called them constellations—groups of stars that formed imaginary shapes, visible only on clear nights like this one.
This wasn't her first encounter with them; many times, when Ram was asleep, she would sneak out with him to sketch the stars and try to link them into recognizable forms.
Emilia had never been one to focus on the sky. While she appreciated its beauty, she had never pondered deeply about it or how everything might be interconnected.
But it was her friend Subaru who had opened her eyes to this wonder, and now he was sitting right beside her.
She wasn't sure how long he had been there, nor did she particularly mind if she was honest. Just being close to him was more than enough.
Yet, she still couldn't quite understand the fluttering sensation in her stomach whenever he was near…
"Do you remember what I shared about the stars? Why do they mean so much to me?" Subaru broke the silence, initiating the conversation.
Emilia welcomed the distraction. "You said they're peaceful."
Subaru agreed with a nod from his seat. "Life is chaotic, with its ups and downs, and it can take an unexpected turn when you least expect it. But the stars? No matter what happens or where you find yourself in this world, they remain stable."
His statement rang true, this day's events were a testament to it.
"What else did I say about them?" he asked, glancing her way.
She met his gaze. "Curiosity. You said they always sparked your curiosity."
He looked back at the stars. "We always take everything around us for granted, assuming they'll always be there, yet we rarely ponder existence. We don't question how they came to be or what purpose they serve."
A wistful expression crossed his face. "That's why I always gaze at the stars; they bring me peace, curiosity, and most importantly, hope. Hope for brighter days ahead, because if they can achieve such a state of being and stability, then surely, I can too."
Emilia absorbed his words, feeling the depth of his passion and admiration for the stars. She understood their significance to him, but could they truly offer hope?
"Aren't you getting a bit philosophical, Subaru?" she teased.
Subaru glanced at her from the side, though his sunglasses hid his expression. "Maybe. I'm just surprised you actually pronounced it right."
She stuck her tongue out at him. "I'm a swift learner! Of course I would!" She puffed out her chest and looked up proudly.
'No, you're not. And who the hell says "Swift" nowadays?' he thought, recalling the times he had to explain things to that air-headed half-elf repeatedly.
Not that he minded; her adorableness made it all worthwhile.
They settled into another comfortable silence, but it was soon interrupted by Emilia.
"How are the people of Arlam doing?"
"They're doing pretty well. Their spirits are high, and they don't seem to mind the accommodations. They're just happy to be safe and secure," he replied.
Crusch had generously offered to house the people of Alarm in her front yard with tents and sleeping bags, even food for them.
This was her idea, not his, as he had initially planned to take them to the capital. He wanted to decline her offer, but the fire in her eyes made it clear that she wouldn't accept a refusal.
Everyone in her camp supported the idea, including her parents, Helena and Meckart Karsten, even though he was sure they preferred the peace and quiet of retirement. and it was with them that he finally relented.
Consequently, Subaru had spent some time with the duchess, and what he had observed during his time with her, he had come to see Crusch as a dependable person—someone you could confidently call upon for help and who would come through.
But enough about Crusch Karsten; now that things were quiet, it was time to get down to business.
"Emilia, we need to talk"
"Subaru, we need to talk,"
Subaru blinked in surprise, glancing at Emilia, who mirrored his expression. Did they really just say the same thing simultaneously?
"Are you copying me?"
"Are you copying me?"
They exchanged incredulous looks, indignation evident on their faces, before bursting into childish giggle, eventually settling down.
"Heheh, you're so silly, Subaru," her sweet voice chimed.
"I could say the same about you, Dunderhead," he retorted.
Emilia opened her mouth to respond, but Subaru quickly interjected, "Don't even think about it, Emilia. Otherwise, you'll be a hypocrite!"
She pouted at him, feeling offended by his words; after all, she was his lady! And he was just a normal, foolish, handsome—annoying butler!
"I think we should really start talking, or we'll be stuck here all morning," she suggested, to which Subaru replied, "Agreed."
Taking the lead before Subaru could speak, Emilia said, "Subaru, I'm very sorry."
She noticed Subaru freeze in his seat, and while she couldn't guess what was on his mind, she pressed on with her apology.
"I'm really sorry for leaving the capital like that. I should have listened to you more and not send you away. You were trying to protect my honor, but stupid me was ungrateful and pushed you away because you caused me some trouble."
"I'm genuinely sorry, Subaru, and I ask for your forgiveness." She spoke with a heavy heart, feeling guilty and ashamed, avoiding his gaze as she looked away.
She anticipated that he would scorn her, harbor resentment, and reject her apology. It seemed only natural for someone as ungrateful as her to expect such a reaction. So, she was completely taken aback when she felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her, pulling her close.
"A-ah?! S-Subaru! W-what—?!" Emilia stuttered, her words failing her as she found herself embraced by Subaru. The warmth of his chest made her cheeks flush with heat.
They remained in that position for a moment, with Emilia bewildered and her mind racing from embarrassment.
Eventually, they pulled apart, and Subaru chuckled at the flustered half-elf. "Hehe, sorry Emilia, I just had this itch I needed to scratch, and that did the trick."
He would be lying if he said he wasn't feeling the embarrassment as her; his cheeks were slightly flushed, and his heart was pounding.
In fact, it was instinctive, as if his body was urging him to hold her close and never let go. It was only when his mind caught up that he finally released her.
Subaru shook his head to clear away any distracting thoughts and turned to the blushing half-elf.
"Emilia, you are the most sincere, kind-hearted person to apologize for something that wasn't even your fault," he said earnestly, smiling at her.
Emilia managed to regain some composure and looked back at him. "What do you mean? I abandoned you! I left you in the capital—!"
"With good reason," he replied, cutting off her protest.
"Emilia, what you did was the sensible choice. I nearly attacked a sage councilman and beat Julius badly. None of that was beneficial to you; it was all for my own self-satisfaction," he explained, his tone resolute.
"And what did you do? You just gave me a time-out. That's it, nothing more. If it had been someone else, they would have kicked me out without a second thought. I would have been left homeless, jobless, and with no clue on what to do,"
He took her hand and gazed into her eyes, saying, "Please don't apologize for someone else's mistakes; that's not a healthy way of life. If the person you took the fall for refuses to take responsibility and face the consequences, they'll never learn and will keep making the same mistakes."
Emilia stayed quiet, reflecting on his words. Logically, he was correct; he had made a mistake and needed to own up to it and accept the repercussions.
Yet, she still felt guilty. She remembered the pain on his face when she announced her intention to leave him in the capital.
"But… you looked hurt. When I said I would leave you behind, it really affected you," she expressed.
Though she couldn't see his eyes, she sensed his features soften as he tucked a strand of silver hair behind his ear. "I was. I really was. But in the end, it turned out to be for the best."
He smiled, adding, "I mean, I spent time with Rem, and we did a lot together. We talked a lot about the issues between us, the action I took at the meeting and how to resolve them. So, while I was initially upset, it ultimately led to something better; to recognize my mistakes and fix them."
As Emilia listened to him talk about his time with Rem, an uncomfortable feeling began to bubble up in her stomach. She couldn't quite understand why, but the thought of Subaru and Rem together made her feel even worse. So, she decided to change the subject entirely.
"I get it, Subaru. You were in the wrong, and you're the one who needs to apologize, not me," she concluded based on what he had shared.
He nodded approvingly, "You got the gist of it. So, will you forgive me?"
Emilia fixed Subaru with a serious stare, took a deep breath, and tried to maintain a straight face…
"No."
"Ah, Thank you—Eh?"
Emilia held her serious expression as Subaru stared at her in confusion, but she couldn't keep it up for long. Within five seconds, she burst into laughter.
"Of course I would, you silly! Why wouldn't I?" she giggled, while Subaru dramatically placed a hand over his heart.
"Emilia! How cruel of you! You're going to give me a heart attack!" he exclaimed, and they both laughed together.
As their laughter subsided, they continued to gaze into each other's eyes, or glasses in Subaru's case. Emilia enjoyed this feeling; the sound of Subaru's laughter had chased away that feeling.
However, as she looked at him, a question popped into her mind.
"So, Subaru, how did you manage to get Crusch-san's help?" she inquired, tilting her head slightly.
"I mean, she's a royal candidate and my rival. I'm curious about how you convinced her to help you."
Subaru scratched his jaw, trying to find the right words, but eventually decided to go with the blunt approach.
"It's simple. I saved Crusch from the white whale and then killed it."
"Ah, I see…"
Emilia responded automatically, but then paused as she processed his words, her mind finally catching up to what she had just heard.
She let out a high-pitched squeal.
"T-t-the W-white Whale?! Y-you actually killed it?!" she stuttered, her surprise evident.
Subaru chuckled at her expression. "I know it sounds unbelievable, but that's exactly what happened."
"T-then what about you?! Are you hurt?! Did you get injured—" she was cut off when Subaru gently placed a finger on her lips.
"Please, Emilia, don't worry. I'm perfectly fine. Rem was hounding after I was done, and Felix made sure I was physically okay too. So really, there's no need to worry."
Emilia studied him for a moment before giving in. "I don't forgive you, Subaru! but, If you want my forgiveness, you'll have to tell me everything!"
Subaru laughed at her cuteness. "As you wish, my lady."
And so, Subaru shared the entire tale. He described his return to the mansion, his encounter with Crusch's army, and how he saved her. He detailed his one-on-one battle with the whale, recounting every important moment.
"…Wow." Emilia exclaimed as he wrapped up the story. The way he teleported to save the army, confronted the whale directly, countered its attacks with his magic, and ultimately vaporized it was nothing short of legendary. Such a tale was worthy of a hero, destined to be sung about for ages.
"You're amazing, Subaru."
Amazing. That's the only word that truly describes him. Everything he has accomplished has been flawless. He retrieved her insignia, saved an entire village, defeated the whale, and rescued hundreds of lives, not to mention taking down the sloth archbishop.
Natsuki Subaru was truly an incredible individual.
But when Emilia looks at herself, the one that leads the camp of which he was a part of, what did she see from herself?
Nothing.
Despite being a candidate for the throne, she has achieved nothing. Even as the leader of the camp, her accomplishments are nonexistent.
She sentenced herself to her own misery while he was out there achieving legendary feats.
A painful, almost bitter feeling began to grow within her. Emilia felt… inferior to Subaru in every way. Leadership? He excelled. Accomplishments? One look should tell you everything. Courage? He faced the whale and the sloth and emerged victorious.
Subaru always said that a capable person should lead a nation, while incompetence would only lead to disaster.
Was Emilia a capable leader? What achievements can she claim as her own?
Nothing.
If Subaru viewed her as useless and incompetent, would he…
Leave her?
'No!' she cried out, the feeling inside her becoming unbearable. She couldn't take it anymore.
'Subaru is my friend! He will always stand by me. He wouldn't abandon or hurt me like this!'
Subaru has accomplished so much in such a short time, and now it's her turn! She will prove to everyone, including Subaru, that she can achieve something on her own!
'Subaru! I promise, from now on, I will not become a burden!'
She made her promise.
As Subaru heard her call him amazing, he felt a wave of bashfulness wash over him, his cheeks flushing a light shade of red.
He was genuinely happy about it—overjoyed, in fact. Her words made his heart race.
If there ever was a sliver of doubt, it was now clear; Subaru was truly in love with that adorable half-elf beside him.
He was also relieved that his worries had been unfounded and that she had indeed forgiven him.
Since arriving here—no, for a long time now—Emilia had been his friend. They shared countless moments filled with laughter, jokes, and hobbies.
In the month they had spent together, they had experienced so much and grown even closer.
The mere thought of losing a friend like he had before—
Subaru quickly squashed that thought. He didn't want to waste a single moment on it.
Right now, he had reconciled with Emilia, and the gap between them had been healed; that was what truly mattered.
'Emilia... Because of you, I feel like my life has improved more than ever. Our bond is something I will always treasure and never forget,' he thought, smiling.
'Emilia, I promise, from now until forever, to always stand by your side.'
Unbeknownst to them, they had made a silent promise to each other at that moment.
One wished to be an equal to her amazing friend, while the other longed to spend eternity with the woman who had captured his heart.
Indeed, these two were meant for each other.
———
Darkness.
That was all that surrounded it, an endless expanse of emptiness.
A true void, one might say.
Yet, unlike a true void, there was something present, something unfinished, akin to a puzzle missing its pieces.
But was that presence something, or perhaps someone?
It couldn't tell, but did it even possess thoughts to discern? Could something without thoughts truly be considered someone?
Nevertheless, the presence lingered there. Unmoving, in complete stillness, it floated in the vast darkness.
Then, a change occurred. The void, the immense darkness began to transform. Something was beginning to seep into it.
Stars, tiny white dots, began to scatter across the expanse, embellishing it. A few more stars joined in, but that was just the beginning.
A large void appeared, black in color yet encircled by a ring of white, something unusual.
Colors of purple, yellow, and orange began to swirl within the darkness, crafting an abstract masterpiece.
The presence, which should have felt alarmed, remained calm; what should have evoked fear did not, and what should have sparked concern was met with indifference.
It was incomplete, yet somehow, amidst this deep sense of incompleteness, something emerged within.
A memory.
The presence recognized this place.
If it had eyes, they would have shed tears—tears of happiness, tears of joy.
Tears of reunion.
'Master…'
At last, the incomplete presence had a thought and transformed into someone.