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“Eula, I think if I’m still all alone by the time I’m grown up, I’d wanna marry you,” the girl in crimson had declared.
Eula looked at Amber with an amused smile. It was a quiet day, and the two were sitting on a hill not far out from the city after the girl in red had made a perfect (not so perfect) escape plan from the Lawrence house. They sat under a sunsettia tree and watched the windmills turn slowly as a gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead. For once in her life, Eula felt at peace.
“Oh? Why is that?” she asked.
Amber simply giggled as she crossed her legs, looking up at Eula. “Well, because you’re really cool! Grandpa really likes you too, and you’re just an amazing person! I’m really glad to have you in my life,” the brunette gave a cheeky grin.
Though Eula tried her best to keep a straight face, a small smile cracked from her lips. An indescribable feeling swelled in her chest as she could feel her cheeks dust pink from embarrassment.
“As much as I appreciate the sentiment, I do not believe my family would approve, Amber.”
The shorter girl sighed, resting her cheek on her hand. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I know your family doesn’t like me that much.”
Eula gave a sincere nod, though she began to grow particularly antsy. She couldn’t help but feel slightly guilty for Amber. The Lawrence Clan found Amber to be a waste of time due to her lack of nobility, but Eula couldn’t care less. Not only were Eula’s family not quite fond of Amber, if they were to ever discover she helped the young aristocrat sneak out from her rigorous studies on a rather daily basis, they would most certainly take her head. It was most likely by now they already noticed her lack of presence.
“Eula Lawrence, what do you think you’re doing?”
Speak of the devil.
Eula’s father, along with a band of servants, towered over the two girls. His eyes stared so intensely at Eula like never before, she could feel herself cowering and trembling slightly with fear.
“Father, this isn’t what it looks like-”
“I will have none of it from you, girl,” he sneered, his gaze soon turning to Amber. “And you.”
While his eyes stared daggers through Amber, the young girl could feel her expression morphing into one filled with nothing but fear. She could feel her heart racing as she tightly gripped onto the grass beneath her, fingers digging into the dirt.
“How dare you influence her this way. You and your commoner blood have no right to be talking to a Lawrence. Disgraceful.”
Roughly grabbing her by the arm, Eula’s father dragged her off of the ground before turning to Amber once more. “I forbid you to ever speak to her again. I will have servants patrolling the manor and if they see even a glimpse of you, I will have you and your grandfather thrown out of this city.”
Turning roughly on his heel, he began dragging the young, shaking girl by the arm once more. “You will be punished severely for this, Eula. You will double your studies for the next month, and I will not accept anything less of perfection.”
Eula turned to look at Amber, an apologetic smile on her face as faint tears brimmed her eyes before she slowly walked away.
It was a quiet day on the tree on the hill once again.
Several years had passed since that day.
Now, she was making her way towards the Favonius Headquarters as per request of the Acting Grand Master. The moment Eula bore her family crest, the Glacial Seal, she promptly left the Lawrence Clan and swiftly joined the Knights of Favonius due to the recommendation of the Dandelion Knight. She knew her family would take it as an insult and deem her as a traitor, but Eula did not care.
While Eula began to make a beeline towards Jean’s office, she couldn’t help but notice the two guards watching her with worry. She could feel their anxiety ridden eyes trailing her every movement, but she simply scoffed it off. She would take vengeance for it later.
Entering the headquarters and standing before the door to Jean’s office, Eula’s hand roughly knocked on the door.
“Come in!”
Closing the door behind her, Eula’s heels clicked against the wooden floor as she made her way towards Jean, who was rummaging through piles of paperwork.
“Did you need me for something, Acting Grand Master?” Eula asked, placing a hand on her hip.
“Ah, Eula,” Jean looked up. “I have a mission for you, however-”
The door to the Acting Grand Master’s office burst open once more as a girl dressed in crimson came tumbling in. “Master Jean, you called for me? You said it was urgent?”
The world seemed to turn silent as Eula’s eyes widened, though she could distantly hear Jean sigh. Quickly averting her attention from the girl, Eula turned to look at Jean who was pinching the bridge of her nose.
The girl laughed sheepishly as she apologized profusely.
“Captain Eula, you will be completing this mission alongside Outrider Amber. I will need the two of you to clear a hilichurl camp. However, I do not believe you two have met?”
A tense air floated through the room as silence filled it. It was several moments before a sound was made.
“Actually, Eula and I have known each other from a while back!” the Outrider grinned, hands on her hips. “I guess you could say we were childhood friends!”
A familiar feeling in her chest had returned, and Eula could feel her heart swell once more. Oh how Eula yearned to see her again! Memories of the past came rushing back, though she couldn’t bring herself to look at the current Outrider. She resented her family for what they did.
“Ah, I see. You two can catch up during this mission then. Good luck!”
The two quietly walked side by side together, making their way outside of the city. A tense air followed them as they made it to the bridge, though Amber was the first to break the silence.
“So… you joined the Knights?” she asked.
Eula remained silent for a moment, but simply nodded. “Yes, I did.”
More silence passed before Amber stopped walking, turning to look up at the Reconnaissance Captain. “Eula, do you hate me for what I did back then?”
Eula halted, though her gaze remained still.
“I should be asking you the same thing.”
Eula could hear the Outrider laugh sheepishly, and she could only imagine what she was going to do next. Glancing to the side, the two made eye contact for the first time since they were children.
“Eula, what happened back then wasn’t your fault.You shouldn’t blame yourself,” Amber smiled at her warmly.
Eula could feel her heart swell once more. Warmth began to spread through her cheeks before she continued walking, quietly grabbing Amber’s hand. The Outrider’s eyes widened with surprise, but obliged.
“Come with me.”
The two remained silent as the former aristocrat led the shorter girl through the area. Eventually, they found themselves at the base of a tree that laid on a hill; Eula could hear Amber gasp beside her.
“Amber, I hope you can forgive what my family has done to you. I will surely take my vengeance upon them.”
Gently grabbing the other girl’s hands, Amber smiled softly. “I’ve missed you, Eula.”
“I’ve… I’ve missed you too. I’ve missed you so much, Amber.”
The taller girl embraced the other in a tight hug, tears steadily flowing down her cheeks. It was unlike the Reconnaissance Captain to show her tender side, let alone break down into tears. As they embraced, Eula never wanted to let go. She didn’t want to never feel the other girl’s warmth again.
“With each day that passed, I never stopped thinking about you, Amber. There wasn’t a day where you weren’t in my thoughts,” Eula slowly pulled away, gently grabbing the Outrider’s hands. “No matter how much I went through, I endured it in hope I’d see you once again.”
Eula sharply inhaled, squeezing on Amber’s hands. “It is selfish of me to say this, but I love you, Amber. Truly, and from the bottom of my heart.”
Amber’s eyes widened with shock as she felt her cheeks burn overwhelmingly hot. She stared back at Eula as her mouth went slightly agape.
“Eula… I-”
The Outrider was abruptly cut off by a pair of lips on her own. It was quick and simple, but left her yearning for more. She gently brought her hand up to her lips, pressing gently against them before looking up at the Reconnaissance Captain with shock. Eula simply looked back with an apologetic smile.
“I apologize, I have wanted to do that for a while.”
Amber was flustered. She buried her face into her hands with a groan. “You can’t just do that Eula!” The Outrider huffed as she heard Eula laugh, clearly amused at her state. “You can’t just confess to me after being separated for years and then… and then kiss me! At least take me out to eat first!”
Eula smiled fondly at the shorter girl. “Very well then. Would you like to go to the Good Hunter together?”
“I’d like that,” she smiled. “But first, we have a job to finish!”
Clasping their hands together, Amber smiled brightly at the blue-haired girl. “Oh, and Eula?”
“Hm? What is it?”
“I love you too!”