Work Text:
*Knock*
*Knock*
“Subaru-sama!” Frederica called out to Subaru. Receiving no answer, she cupped her hands to lean onto the door, trying to listen for any responses. She heard small mumbles and whispers. Understanding the reason, she smiled gently and walked off without disturbing him. She giggled as she walked through the alleyway, disappearing in the shadows cast in the hallway by the bright sunlight outside.
It's been years since the Witch of Envy, the embodiment of people's fear, wreaked havoc, causing the widespread destruction of societies and kingdoms. For the first time ever in history, all the powers decided to come together to defeat the witch. One of these kingdoms, bearing the golden crest shining under the sun, had its troops march, rumbling the land, led by the undefeated hero, knight, captain, and idol:
Natsuki Subaru.
With forces combined, they finally defeated the Witch of Envy. Peace and prosperity hailed upon the kingdom. Each of the selection candidates was assigned a role suitable to the skills they excelled in. One was crowned as the queen of the nation, winning the hearts of everyone, crushing their fears, and rewriting the history of prejudice against her kind:
Emilia.
Tales and songs were written about them, sung by bards all around the world, spreading the heroic tale of the princess and her knight. “A love ballad? A tale of bravery? Hmm... That's for you to decide.”
The princess was always very shy and reserved. Her voice was like silver bells, her elegant white hair shining like an angel, her soft amethyst eyes bestowing forgiveness to anyone who wished to change their ways. She wielded the biggest weapon in the whole world: “Empathy.”
“But you said she was left alone when she was young? How did she accomplish such a great feat?”
Yes, the princess was left alone, not due to the will of her caregivers, but because an unfortunate calamity befell her home. She was devastated as the land she once cherished was turned into ruins of what once was filled with her laughs and mischief.
The princess shed tears; she wasn't ready to give up, and that became her goal. With her willpower, she travelled to other lands, striving every day to stay alive and find a way to turn everything back to how it was. But alas, time swept away like grains of sand in a desert, and day after day, she would cry and cry.
“She seems like me!”
“Haha, yes, you really take after her.”
But now, those days were a memory, a memory she would never forget. Those memories shaped her into who she is now. With her bravery and might, she and her friends, together with Natsuki Subaru, won the battle against the evil Witch of Envy.
Okay, so inside the room, our brave knight, Natsuki Subaru, was practising his speech for the day.
“Ahem, I, Subaru Natsuki, am proud and the happiest man alive… No, this sounds too cringeworthy,” he said.
“I, Natsuki Subaru… Dammit, why can’t I say it?” He was almost at his wits' end, unable to memorise the sentence of the speech. His heart was beating fast; he was so anxious that he didn't even notice Ram watching him until “Hehe…” She chuckled.
His face brightened in embarrassment. Ram walked up to him, teasing him. “Barusu, as cowardly as ever,” she spoke.
“Shut up, Nee-sama… Please cut me some slack,” he said, still embarrassed and flustered.
“Nee-sama is correct. Subaru-kun, you need to muster up the courage,” Rem spoke from behind.
“Huh? Sissy?” Ram asked, confused and shocked. “When did you come in?” she asked. Rem was flustered, unable to give an answer. “Oho, dear sissy has been ogling Barusu while he is in his wedding attire, I see,” Ram teased her sister.
“Moo, Nee-sama, why are you so mean?” she replied.
“You both, please help me practice,” Subaru whined. He faced the oni twins for an expected answer, but their faces expressed disappointment. “Subaru/Barusu, you really lack when it comes to romance,” the twins spoke in sync.
Meanwhile, Emilia sat in her wedding dress. She clenched her hands tightly, her anxiousness making her sweat. Her face was itching due to the makeup. She was worried: Would she be the woman Subaru would like to stand beside for his life? Was she the right choice? She thought while fixing the crevices of her dress. The white wedding gown and the pearl necklace that hung on her neck shone beautifully, matching her elegant dress. Beatrice and Petra looked at each other, standing in front of her, and gave a laugh. “Emilia-sama, you should relax a little,” Petra added.
“Yes, you better not overthink. Betty’s contractor isn't so cheap as to value external beauty over a person’s heart,” Beatrice spoke.
“But what if I ruin the show? I still don't feel like I'm worthy, after all, Subaru is…” Her face flushed crimson. She held her face with both her hands, trying to somehow hide her embarrassment. But it made Petra and Beatrice laugh even more.
The manor was well decorated, filled with elegant flowers, and attended by nobles and many other royal families. The residents of Arlam Village were also invited. Some of the villagers crowded the side areas, intimidated by the presence of such high-status nobles. They just stood there as the villagers whispered, “Hmmm…”
“Wow, I wish I could attend it.”
“Haha, me too.”
At that moment, two sets of footsteps entered the room. “Captain, how are the preparations?” Garfield asked, hugging Subaru tightly as he roughed up his hair with a bright and big smile, full of adrenaline.
“Natsuki-san, congratulations,” Otto said, standing at the door.
“Oh, you're both here. I thought you wouldn't be able to make it,” Subaru said.
“Well, bro was almost going to miss it, but thanks to my amazing self, I dragged his ass over here,” Garfield said proudly.
“Huh, dumb idiots always banding together,” Ram spoke, mocking Garfield. Garfield blushed as he stared at her face. “Oi, shut up,” he replied.
“Nee-san, it seems like you are more popular than you think,” Subaru teased, but instead, Ram was furious. She marched ahead angrily. Subaru was almost about to make a run for it until—
*Slap*
The loud slap echoed in the room. Otto was sent sprawling against the wall. He cried, “Why? Why me?!”
“If I hit Barusu and ruin his dress, the event will be ruined,” Ram reasoned, as Otto cried in the background.
“There, there, shh!” Frederica walked up to Otto, slowly patting him. “Let me see where it hurts. Sometimes you are almost like a baby,” she spoke while she took care of Otto. Everyone in the room blushed at the scene. The flame between Frederica and Otto wasn't new for them, but the display of affection made them wonder how pleasant it might be to get pampered by someone. As Rem took a huge gulp, glaring at Subaru.
“Oi, Garf! I feel intense glares at me,” Subaru spoke.
Subaru was alone again. He held the piece of paper, trying his best to remember, but he let out a sigh. “What am I even doing right now? This isn't me,” he said.
“I should be honest with her; this ain't gonna work like this,” he further added.
His heartbeat quickened, remembering Emilia's smile. He was flustered, imagining how Emilia would look in her bridal gown. He felt anxious and almost on the verge of his emotional state, something that he was witnessing for the first time—such an emotion, or more like he was questioning himself: Was he ready to take on such a big responsibility? Would he be able to take care of her? The memories continued flooding his mind until a soft voice called from behind, “Subaru-kun.”
Subaru turned back. “Rem!”
“What's with your expression? You don't seem like the Subaru-kun I know,” she spoke with a small smile.
“I don't know, Rem. I just don't feel like I'm ready yet,” he replied.
“Weren't you waiting for this since the day you met her?” Rem further inquired.
“Yeah, but it's just… It's all messed up. What if I fail as a husband? What if I am unable to work and go into debt? What if I am not able to protect her?” Subaru began to sweat as the worries crept in.
“Subaru-kun, breathe. Calm down. We all know that you won't let that happen. You are someone who held us together even after years since the original goal of the Emilia camp. You persistently visited everyone, making sure no one was left alone, even while doing your duty as a knight, turning yourself into a zombie with the little sleep you got,” Rem spoke.
Subaru looked down; he still wasn't convinced of himself. “Look at me, Subaru-kun. I trust you as the man I love and my hero. Rem’s choice will never be that bad. Rem is sure of it. So have faith in yourself. Show Rem that you're better than the Subaru who confessed to me and asked for my hand to run away. Show me that you are no longer the one bound by your old self,” Rem screamed.
Subaru looked at her in shock. Tears streamed down her face as she cried, unable to hold it back anymore. She let out everything—all the past buildup, every small tear marked her love for Subaru.
“I feel bad for her.”
“Well, me too, but… Argh, let's move on, shall we?”
“Yes!”
The time was near. A soft hum of piano filled the whole manor. Sunlight streaked through the hallways as Emilia, in her white bridal gown, assisted by Beatrice and Petra, took one step at a time, her face lost and confused. With each step, at each window of the hallways she passed, the sunlight illuminated her face. She looked like a marionette, a doll crafted with the utmost precision.
Subaru stood stiff at the venue as the piano played in the background. He closed his eyes, holding his breath. “Mom, Dad, give me your strength and blessing,” he thought, until his attention was drawn by the sudden cheer of the crowd. He could hear the whispers around him. “How beautiful.”
“She really is our princess.” The crowd couldn't take their eyes off her. Subaru looked straight at her. Her eyes were flashed by the bright, angel-like figure walking towards him. Her pale, soft skin, her plump lips, and those amethyst eyes—he swore he felt like he was drawn into those eyes. Emilia's face was flushed with crimson, making her makeup blush look useless by her natural blush. Her lips quirked as she took each step closer.
Beatrice and Petra stopped midway. She kept walking. Subaru took a huge gulp and walked closer. Emilia looked up. Before her stood the man whom she had never known before that sudden day in the capital, the man who looked so weak yet so strong, who always knew when to do what and what to say when, as if he had lived those days before. Her mind echoed his voice.
“EMT.”
“Emilia-tan.”
She felt slightly dizzy with the pressure of everyone watching her. Subaru knew this; he observed her as she walked in. Holding her hands, Emilia was shocked. She looked up at Subaru's face, panicked. “Ah, sorry, Subaru, I… I am so sorry. I ruined it,” a small tear forming at the edge of her eye.
“Emilia-tan, you didn't ruin anything.” Subaru took a step back, striking his usual pose. “EVERYONE, I AM NATSUKI SUBARU, BLACK HAIR, BLACK EYES!” he screamed.
“I sometimes thought that maybe I wasn't worthy of everyone's praise. I felt like I was just taking away people's achievements and hard work as my own. Never ever did I imagine that the people I cherished so much cherished me. I was such an idiot until now to ignore such affection, but no more.” He faced Emilia. “Emilia-tan, I, Subaru Natsuki, promise to make you the happiest woman alive. I love you.”
Emilia held her mouth, warm tears rolling down her face. She felt weak, but Subaru caught her just in time, bringing her close to his chest. They shared a moment together.
“Do you, Subaru Natsuki, accept Emilia as your bride and wish to cherish her, support her, and love her?” the priest asked.
“YES,” Subaru answered without hesitating.
“Do you, Emilia, accept Natsuki Subaru as your husband and wish to love and support him?” he asked again.
Emilia hesitated, her body sweating. She whispered, “Y…”
“Emilia-tan, it's okay. We can take it slow,” Subaru spoke.
“Emilia, you can do it,” a voice called out to her from her mind. “Mother Fortuna…” Emilia broke down; she couldn't hold herself anymore. She closed her eyes tightly, screaming, “YES!!!!!!!!”
Whistles came up, cheers and flowers were thrown at them. Everyone shared the joy of the moment. The whole kingdom of Lugunica cheered for them.
Emilia opened her eyes, her tears rolling. “Ah, Emilia-tan, are you-” Subaru tried to speak, but was cut off as Emilia jumped in for a passionate kiss, holding him tight. Their kiss is “a scene romanticised in the history of Lugunican literature to this day.”
“And that is how your grandpa and grandma met.”
“Ara, she has already fallen asleep, hehe,” a lady with similar silver hair chuckled.
“My sweet Carmela, you really do resemble your grandma,” she laughed.
Her mind remembered the day her mother first told her the story, “Mother Emilia, I miss you so much.”
“Chocorina, you are an amazing daughter. I am happy to be able to be your mother,” a phantom voice of Emilia called to her. Chocorina's words choked; she felt like tears were about to burst, but she held them back. She gently caressed Carmela's hair, giving her a goodnight kiss as she blew out the candles in the room, with the gentle breeze bringing calm to her heart. Both of them slept peacefully.
“Father Subaru, Mother Emilia, please lend Carmela your strength and look after her,” was her final wish as they continued the journey to the land of dreams and slumber.