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For two nations at odds with each other, neutral territory served as the best place to discuss their treaty. Regent Akira of the Lowin Kingdom had even secured the assistance of a neutral third party to oversee the occasion, and to step in, if necessary. While her initiative and precision as a leader was something to be wary of on the battlefield, Mei Fan had to admit that it had its uses for something as important as this.
And inspiring. Why couldn’t Captain Kaoruko be like that?
“Welcome, dear delegates and dignitaries from afar, to my humble domain,” their mediator greeted them with a theatrical bow and a wink, carefully perched atop a ruined arch. “One of them, anyway. For the purposes of this grand event, you may call it…Sifr, hm?”
At the head of the Lowin party, Akira crossed her arms. “It has a name. Why change it?”
“To remind us that the past need not hold us back from moving forward into a more…amiable future.” Teal eyes narrowed down at them all. “Or would you rather I called it Ground Zero? That’s a more dreadful name, if you ask me, even if it is more accurate. But on the other hand, the Hall of Sorrows does sound poetic too~”
Mei Fan shifted on her feet, creasing her brow in thought. If I recall, this place was actually the —
“Oh, who cares what new name you want to go with! Just call it Castello il Sola like it used to be, and be done with it! We have more important things to do, don’t we?”
Taking a step forward from her spot beside the crown princess, Kaoruko frowned up at their smirking host. Clad in the black and gold armor of the Sonne Queendom’s celestial knights, she stood in stark contrast to Akira’s silver and red. The darker color scheme had caused more than a few of their allies to hesitate when trading with them, but the royal family had remained firm in their adherence to tradition.
After all, it was a reminder of the Sun Nation’s sin.
“Yes, I suppose we do,” their mediator conceded, straightening up and flicking her wrist to produce a white rose in her hand. “Or rather…this is on all of you. I’m only here for the show, really~”
“Unbelievable. What was Akira-han thinking, asking the Fool for help?” Kaoruko muttered under her breath. Were it not for Mei Fan’s position standing behind her captain, she might not have heard it at all.
But that is a good question. Mei Fan shifted her gaze upwards to regard the Fool herself, fighting back a disapproving frown. They were still guests here, and it wouldn’t do to come across as disrespectful. Like Kaoruko. As someone far removed from any political or military struggles, the Fool is the perfect impartial party to make sure there isn’t any bias involved. Even so…
She could only stare, biting her lip to refrain from laughing when the Fool’s rose magically shifted into a shower of white petals falling on everyone present. Including an unamused Akira.
…Isn’t there a limit to being too neutral?
“Mei Fan-san, look! That used to be the royal courtyard—you can even see where a fountain used to be!”
“Shiori-sama, look at these tapestries! It’s amazing how they haven’t worn away yet!”
“I swear, you’re both like children that haven’t seen a castle before, even if it is in ruins!” Kaoruko whispered over their own hushed whispers to each other, glancing back with a frown as they walked. “We can’t have the Lowinians underestimating us and trying to get us to take the short end of the stick. And Mei Fan-han, you shouldn’t be encouraging the princess. Akira-han is probably thinking of how to use this against us as we speak!”
She had a point. A point that normally would have been a concern, if not for the fact that Akira had gone on ahead to chide the Fool for her earlier behavior, even as she continued to guide them to the meeting area.
And no one had the courage to point out the white rose petal still stuck in her hair.
“Akira! You have something— Yes, right there. That’s the last of it. Oh, don’t give me that look; I only spotted it just now! Your mantle was in the way.”
Except for one.
“As you can see, Akira has something else on her mind. You don’t have to worry about anything that cunning from her,” Michiru explained with a smile, falling back slightly to match their steps. Unlike the usual silver and red of Lowin’s signature colors, her starseer attire boasted patterns of the night sky, trimmed with auroras. Affixed to her collar was the silver lion head to mark the kingdom’s officials, and tucked in her blonde hair was a purple star pin.
“But we do have to worry about you , miss tactician,” Kaoruko grumbled, reaching for her spear.
Shiori tugged at the captain’s dark cape, putting a stop to any further silent threats. “Kaoruko-san, we’re here to make peace, remember? We don’t want to anger the Fool, either.”
“That woman doesn’t get angry even when she should. It’s irritating.” Despite the edge in her words, Kaoruko withdrew her hand as ordered. And with a huff, she quickened her steps to join the two up ahead.
Mei Fan started. “Ah, Captain—”
“It’s best to leave her be, Mei Fan. She’ll cool off on her own,” Michiru sighed as the hallway narrowed a little, shifting close enough to bump their hands together as they walked. “I don’t need the stars to tell me that. But… I suppose just being here makes everything irritating to her. You both know the history of this castle, right?”
Mei Fan’s other hand curled into a helpless fist at her left side. “I can’t say that I know all of it. There weren’t that many records back at the palace, and certainly not ones that a new celestial knight had access to…”
“And you, Princess Shiori?”
From her periphery, she saw Shiori fiddle with the hem of her dark sleeve. “...Yes, I do. To be honest, taking back this place is one—”
“Ah! Shiori-sama, m-maybe you should save that for later?” one of the Sonne officials behind them hurriedly piped up. “We seem to be nearing the meeting room, after all.”
“Oh! Y-Yes, that’s right… Thank you, Shiro,” Shiori conceded as an embarrassed flush crept onto her cheeks. “Um… Starseer Michiru-san, would you mind forgetting what I said?”
Michiru offered a smile her way, more mischievous than reassuring. “Normally I wouldn’t, but I’ll let you off the hook this time for today’s sake~ You aren’t as scary as your mother either, so I’d feel a little bad if I didn’t.”
“I’ll try to be scarier next time…”
“‘Scarier?’ Your gentleness is your strong point, Shiori-sama!” Mei Fan cut in, stopping to slip her hand away from Michiru’s and to take her princess’ hand in both. “In contrast to Queen Adler, it’s much easier to talk to you!”
Regent Akira aside, I’m sure everyone else is glad the queen isn’t here…
She certainly was. Under Queen Adler’s sharp gaze, Mei Fan’s biggest secret would have been discovered before they could even enter the castle’s ruins. It likely wouldn’t affect the treaty’s proceedings this late into the process, but the interrogations that would have come after was something she wanted to avoid, if she could help it.
It didn’t matter how good of an actress she could be—the queen was simply the kind of person who had a knack for uncovering secrets.
“Oh? Is there going to be a wedding announcement alongside this peace treaty? The timing is certainly bold,” the Fool’s voice cut in, her tone teasing and right next to them .
Mei Fan hurriedly released her princess-turned-friend’s hands, coughing into her left fist while she tried to regain her composure as a celestial knight. Without noticing, it seemed they had already reached their destination. But she didn’t have to worry about upsetting her captain, at least. Standing near the large open doorway up ahead, Kaoruko was locked in what looked to be a one-sided argument with Akira.
One-sided, in the sense that it was like a small dog barking at an unmoving tree.
“N-No weddings here! Please, continue as you were,” Mei Fan managed to say, keenly aware of another’s gaze on her.
“If you say so. It’s a shame—a romantic declaration would’ve really livened up this event,” the Fool airily sighed, shaking her pink-haired head. She turned slightly to address both parties gathered, continuing in a louder voice with, “You’ll find a large table inside to lay out whatever documents you have with you. Food and drinks are in the next room over. And if you need anything else from me, just say the word~”
Kaoruko jolted, turning her attention away from Akira to step towards the Fool. “Hold on, you aren’t stay—”
And with a sharp snap of her fingers, their only mediator vanished in a cloud of white rose petals.
Some minor chaos had reigned after their host’s sudden disappearance, but the leaders of both parties managed to calm everyone down and begin the negotiations. Only the officials and higher ups for both parties were required to be present for the meeting, which left Mei Fan waiting outside with the other guards and support team.
…Or rather, she would have been waiting with them, if not for a prior engagement.
Sneaking away and following the subtle tug of magic from the glowing rune on the back of her right hand, Mei Fan eventually found herself in a large garden. Overrun and reclaimed by nature and time, it hardly seemed like the most romantic meeting place. But for the two of them, they couldn’t afford to be picky.
“You didn’t have any trouble along the way, did you?” Michiru asked from her spot sitting on the grass, her back resting against a fallen pillar. In the light of the setting sun, the purple star in her hair gleamed.
“Ah. No, I…” Mei Fan swallowed past the dryness in her throat, trying to hold back her excitement. “No, I don’t think anyone followed me. But I can only feign a stomach ache for so long. If only the Lowinians had shared their famous peppers earlier…”
Michiru giggled. “I’m sure they’d understand if you need some time to calm down after that outburst before. But it seemed like the Sonnes were used to it already.”
“I did tell you that Shiori’s my friend. And I get excited easily, especially since we’re in a new place like this…”
“Well, your enthusiasm is one of your strong points,” Michiru said, tilting her head slightly and offering a warm smile. “Now that we’re finally alone, you don’t need to hold back, either.”
She patted the spot beside her, an unspoken invitation and reassurance that there was no one around to see or eavesdrop on them.
As far as magic went, Michiru was the strongest between the two of them, and far more compatible with the stars. She wouldn’t have been a starseer otherwise—someone capable of deciphering the cosmos to reveal the past, present, and future. But it was a lonely burden; perhaps Mei Fan’s feelings had first started to shift because she didn’t want to leave her be.
Dismissing her armor with a burst of her magic, Mei Fan gladly took the offer and hurried to take a seat at her side.
“...! Mei Fan, a little warning next time!” Michiru giggled, but settled into her embrace all the same.
She shifted to make it easier for Michiru to sit between her legs, slightly tightening her hug from behind. “Sorry, sorry! It’s been months since we were last able to meet, after all. I really wanted to hold you!”
“Just remember your strength, okay? You’re blessed by the stars, too.”
Mei Fan rested her chin on top of Michiru’s head, humming. “I know. And I’m still so grateful they led me to you. Did you see the peace treaty happening?”
A hand reached up to clasp over hers, a thumb rubbing idle circles against her gloves. “It was a…possibility. It took some prodding and convincing, but eventually Akira warmed up to the idea of a truce. Based on how soon Queen Adler replied back to us, I’m assuming she’s been wanting to end it too?”
“Princess Fumi renouncing her claim and leaving for the empire might have shifted her perspective a bit,” Mei Fan sheepishly admitted. “But that’s only a guess! You’d have to poke her yourself to know for sure.”
Michiru chuckled, sending comforting reverberations. “I have my ways~”
A comfortable silence lapsed after that, long enough for the sun to fully set and for the stars to begin emerging. Their time together was always too short—it wouldn’t be long now before they’d have to make an appearance again to avoid suspicion. But, someday soon, they’d be able to meet freely.
“Hey, Michiru…?”
“Hm? What is it?”
“So why was Captain Kaoruko so irritated?”
Michiru laughed in her arms, settling in deeper to make herself more comfortable. “That? It’s obvious, isn’t it?”
“Not to me!” Mei Fan pouted, only to press a brief kiss to the top of Michiru’s head. “But this sounds like a story, and you’re always good at those.”
So many stories woven into the heavens. Would theirs be up there one day?
“Well… To start with, she kind of looks like Catalina Leopold, doesn’t she?”
“...! N-Now that you mention it…”
Perched atop the tallest tower, a colorful figure languidly watched the unassuming couple down below. She had claimed this area as part of her domain, and thus, nothing could escape her eye. While the rose petals were merely for show, the magic imbued in them at a touch allowed her better control over monitoring her guests.
She had been asked to be the mediator, after all. Ensuring that no funny business happened was simply part of the job.
“Well, Akira-san… I doubt two lovebirds are the problem you were so worried about,” the Fool sighed, lazily flicking her wrist to summon a white rose in her hand. “Didn’t you know? Before, marriages were a surefire way to ally two nations together.”
Though it was a shame Catalina and Mariavella couldn’t fulfill that desire, in the end.
“Good luck, you two! I’ll be rooting for you!”
With that jovial call, she tossed her rose to the sky—an offering to the heavens, and her blessing upon them. The rose burst into a flurry of petals, which transformed into a flock of magpies, soaring away into the night.
“Cross the stars, and prove your love! Heheh…that’s how the legend goes, right?”