Chapter Text
‘You are unworthy to stand by her side.’
Julius Juukulius condemned, his wooden sword raised high above his head to deliver the Coup de grâce on the one sided beaten between the trained, battle hardened warrior and the teenager who’d mouthed off to Lugunica’s entire aristocracy and order of knights and was summarily getting clobbered for it.
Subaru glared hotly at the knight, his face stung, his whole body felt as though it had been run through a meat grinder and boiled in lead as he could barely keep his hands steady after over using his gate.
He was on his last leg.
The jeers and taunts from the peanut gallery who’d come to watch the outstanding knight teach the lowly butler a lesson had also tripped Subaru up.
He had no allies here.
Subaru was alone - just as always.
Julius’s sword came down, the whisk in the air made it a foregone conclusion that this would be the blow that would end their ‘match’ If you can even call an uneven scuffle with one of Lugunica’s strongest anywhere close to fair.
Subaru squeezed his eyes shut. Bracing himself for the ensuing pain and the trauma that would accompany it afterwards.
But rather than excruciating agony and eating dirt. Nothing happened.
Subaru dared to open his eyes and the sight that awaited him was awe consuming.
Julius was frozen.
And Subaru didn’t mean that Julius suddenly had a change of heart and made the conscientious decision NOT to knock Subaru’s lights out.
Instead the man was literally frozen in a large block of ice - having been captured mid-swing.
For a long, long moment no one spoke. No one knew what to say.
And then -!
“Hyaaa!” A comically large ball of ice - the size of a boulder came hurdling down from above crushing the block and the trapped knight within it.
A collective squawk came from those spectating, including Subaru himself.
Because what the hell!
“Subaru are you okay!” a voice that resembled bell-chimes said, sounding raw and panicked.
“E-Emilia!” Subaru exclaimed, seeing the silver haired woman standing on said mountain of ice and somehow keeping her balance while on top of it. “Did you do this?!”
Subaru asked as if the answer wasn’t already sprawled out in the open to him.
“Huh? Of course I did! What kind of question is that!” Emilia retorted, sounding more upset than she had been during that mabeast incident and Beatrice subsequently tying her to a chair.
And could Subaru blame her? He’d completely embarrassed her during the ceremony in front of those head honchos and the other Royal Candidates and made a fool of himself against Julius.
Why did he always…!
Subaru bit the bottom of his lip and tightened his grip on his training sword. Feeling more useless than ever.
“Idiot! Stop worrying me so much! I'm going to get a heart attack one of these days because of you dunderhead!" Emilia bellowed, thrusting her fist and kicking out the ice at her feet.
“Emilia…” Subaru said, words failing him. Emilia was mad, apocalyptic even as she slid down her makeshift mound and strode over to the ever wilting Subaru and snatched him up by the shoulders and pulled him into her arms.
“Look at you! You're a mess.” Emilia muttered, scouring up for more cuts and bruises like a worried wart. “What was I thinking? I should have never let you out of my sight!” Emilia said angrily, unwittingly throwing shade at herself.
“Emilia…” Subaru gawked. Emilia’s eyes narrowed.
“Yes, that's me. Emilia. Your Emilia-tan. Your EMT." Emilia her soft finger nails dug into his hair, running gently. Subaru eyes bulged. Did Emilia just -!
Ahhhhhhh!
Subaru felt as if he was having a stroke
Emilia lips thinned “Did you suffer a concussion? Brain-damage? Tch!”
The half-elf rounded on where Julius was still buried alive under a hail of wet and cold slush and threatened him;
“Julius I swear by the Dragon himself if my future husband is left scared or damaged in any irreparable way from this then you better pray that attack killed you, otherwise it will pale in comparison to what I'll do to you if I ever so much as see you lay a finger on him like that again!”
She shouted viscerally at the rubble.
“E-Emilia?” Subaru gapped stupidly. Emilia grit her teeth.
“Oh no it’s getting worse! You keep repeating my name over and over! I know I'm always on your mind Subaru, but this time I seriously think you might have suffered a blow to your noggin!” Emilia lamented.
‘Who says noggin anymore.’ Subaru thought dryly.
Emilia wheeled her neck and spotted Felix - who’d been placed in the unenviable position of refereeing the match between Subaru and Julius and locked eyes with him.
The feline turned as stiff as a plank when Emilia enveloped him in a cold leer. “Felix. I need you to heal Subaru.”
Emilia commanded. Felix squirmed as though someone had ensnared his tail in an elaborate trap.
“I’d love to Emilia-sama. And nya will, but nya think Julius-kyun may need nyeow’s assistance first -!”
“Ferris.” Emilia cut him off violently, her soft, compassionate voice which only compounded those into believing Emilia was not made for the cruelty the Royal Selection could bring, never sounded more close to murder. “If you don’t get your keister over her in the next three seconds young man and heal my lover I’ll scalp you and use that surprisingly comfortable fur of yours as a throw rug to decorate Subaru’s and mine's bedroom.”
She provided an ice made shiv as a handy visual aid and Felix got a sickly green color and hurried to provide the best medical service Natsuki Subaru Lugunica could afford.
‘Maybe that last blow by Julius did stick and I’m lying on the floor right now in a daze.’
It was the only sensible conclusion to draw from. In no way would Emilia be as bold as to proclaim herself his lover nor would she make such a declaration publicly.
Subaru asserted, feeling delirious as Felix’s magic washed over to seal up any injury he might have procured in his scuffle with Julius.
Emilia nodded and directed her amethyst gaze to the balcony overlooking the stadium. The spectators who were once obnoxiously rowdy and quick to throw cheap shots at her beloved were now visibly wary and silent after watching one of their ‘finest’ get flattened like a pancake.
“I’ll say this once and hopefully I’ll never have to repeat myself again so listen up.” Emilia inhaled, then released all in one go, “If any of you rapscallions so much as look at my Subaru the wrong way. Mock or berate or belittle him in any way. Bump or even graze him. In fact if I so much see a hair out of place on his big, beautiful dome then by every Spirit in the book I will end every last one of you right here, regardless of status.”
Emilia warned.
She never once raised her voice, staying freakishly calm and composed throughout the harsh rebuke.
But she wasn't done yet, not by a mile
“Unfortunately some of you won't give my words credence or will discount them as a needless bluff or fable and believe yourself untouchable or infallible and try to pick a fight with me and mines anyway.’
Emilia snorted as if she found the idea that any of these rigorously trained warriors taking her on in a fair fight perfectly laughable.
“Let me just cut that off at the head and inform each and everyone of you that you're dead wrong. This isn't a scare tactic or a far flung warning that I’ll overlook or minimize later. I WILL without a doubt, absolutely, a hundred and ten percent kill anyone here if they harm Natsuki Subaru or anyone else in my camp.”
Emilia stated bluntly like one of her ice sculpted maces.
“So spread the word or discuss it amongst yourself like you did when one to many of YOU threatened to murder someone directly associated with me ergo under my protection because a few impassioned words by a young boy bruised your fragile chivalry."
Here a genuine look of revulsion snaked its way into Emilia’s expression as she held Subaru tighter, more protectively and unafraid to break the hand of anyone who tried to pry him from her.
“Lastly.” the temperature dropped by a nominal degree. Bodies shivered, breaths became visible in the bitter cold and a handful of knights strained from the magnitude of the power being displayed as others collapsed onto their knees like a foot pedal begging pardon from a king.
Subaru heard Felix’s teeth chatter as the androgynous healer hunched over and held himself for a litany of warmth.
Notably Subaru didn’t feel a single scrape of this billowing change that was tormenting the rest
Being in close proximity and under the umbrella of Emilia’s spell left Subaru basically immune to any and all effects.
“I have it from a reliable source that the Witch Cult is on the move and plans to attack multiple targets in the preceding days. One of those targets happens to be the Mathers domain.” Emilia said matter of factly.
‘W-What!” Subaru squeaked at the scary information Emilia was spewing. Subaru wasn’t the brainless dolt that his candid actions often suggested he was. The word ‘Witch Cult’ had popped a few times before, but they normally were so few and far between that it got to the point where he placed it behind his mind.
‘Especially after-!”
“Are you a member of the Witch Cult?” a robotic voice said mundanely as if she were working your average nine to five retail job as Rem stood over a crying, begging Subaru with a bloodied morning star in her hands.
Subaru wished to forget such unpleasant memories.
“S-So you want our help in defending your own territory!” One of the braver knights spat, a shard of terror lodge in his eyes.
Given their treatment so far they were right to be incensed with Emilia’s audacity to ask them for their assistance with anything.
It was fair exertion, but…
“While that is admirable of you to volunteer. I’ll regrettably have to decline.” the half-elf lips crinkled as Emilia tried and failed to keep the tickle from her throat at the mere assertion that she’d need these folks' help for anything, much less take on the powerful organized entity in the world.
“I simply wanted to make it abundantly clear that when all was said and done that the appropriate credits were given out after my camp and I single handedly dismantle the Witch Cult and use those foul fiends as a stepping stone on my eventual coronation towards becoming this country's next King!”
She declared magnanimously, hands set firmly on both ends of her slender hips as a near taunting, borderline arrogant smirk spawned on Emilia’s lips as if the world spun for her and only her.
Every eye soaked in the sight, stunned beyond any words in the dictionary were able to distill at the boldness - the sheer gull of this woman's actions.
Contrary to the disapproval garnered from her little stunt Subaru was loving it!
Emilia looked so cool and great and hot - we mustn't forget that!
Was it possible to fall in love with someone so many times over that you completely slid off the rails for them?
“Emilia…” Subaru swallowed then shouted at the topic of his lungs; “You're gorgeous! Perfect! Phenomenal! Ten out of ten! Amazing!” Subaru said fanatically, rooting her on - fist flying into the stratosphere
“Awe! You really think so Subaru!” Emilia breaking her stern and seedy image at the flurry of genuine praise and affections Subaru was tossing at her that made the butterflies in Emilia's stomach kick it into overdrive.
“I thought I was overdoing it a little” Emilia admitted sheepishly, “Yeah, I spent months practicing in the mirror, but making epic speeches while posing in your underwear isn’t the same as the actual thing you know.”
Emilia grinned cutely, scratching the back of her neck.
That awesome image would forever live rent free inside of Subaru’s head.
The boy blushed.
“You know - I can help you out with that if you want.” Subaru offered, insisted - he was practically begging.
Mouth glistening with anticipation.
“Oh Subaru,” Emilia began coyly, barely shielding her own glorious smile behind a well pedicured hand, “You already do enough of that already - especially with our foreplay in bed.”
Emilia reminded him with a nostalgic air that flew entirely over Subaru’s head.
“E-Excuse me!” S-Subaru’s words were straddled by the boy’s throat locking up on him at the revelation.
Judgmental eyes full of disbelief, confusion and jealousy hailed Subaru all at once from his unenthused audience.
“N-No need to get stage shy Subaru.” Emilia assured him like a lover would in the privacy of their bedroom during an ‘intense’ session. “It makes the stuff we get up too in bed ‘real’ spicy. And don’t even get me started when you put on the wig and bring Natsumi into the picture. I never took you as the submissive sort before, but at least that made me aware of my more dominant side and how I do enjoy being on top."
Emilia said with gratitude and a daring allure that gave a salacious suggestion.
Subaru’s efforts were valiant - he held his ground. Unfortunately he was still a kid at heart and his delicate personality coupled with the unsubtle innuendo Emilia was hinting at during a public setting no less made the poor boy's eyes go glassy as his mind went haywire and he fell back and passed out on the floor at that very instance.
“E-Eh?! Hey Subaru, are you oh-kay!” Emilia said frantically, knees touching the ground as she fretted over the man in whom her world revolved around.
He was just out cold (thank the spirits) but it seemed he wouldn’t be regaining consciousness anytime soon.
“...Wait, is this before or after we finally tied the knot?” Emilia mulled, brows squinted, “It’s been so long. I could have sworn that -!”
Emilia shook her silver head as though eliminating a certain inedible thought from her head.
“It doesn’t matter.” Emilia said, voice air tight, “This actually works out better! I can explain everything once we get settled.” Emilia traced her fingers over Subaru's boyish face. “Don’t worry Subaru this time I’ll be the one to protect you!”
The half-elf promised. Her lips were curled into a grim line, but her eyes, the very mark of her soul never faltered with the single-mindedness to save the most precious treasure she had in this world.
“Excuse me Ferris, I’ll be taking Subaru off your hands now.” Emilia said with empty platitudes.
Felix didn’t argue. The cat-boy didn’t want to be within an inch of Emilia and all her wrathful glory as his cowering figure showed.
“S-Sure.” the healer said coarsely as though he’d drunken bitter poison. “Nya ever you say my Lady.”
Emilia bent her knees and scooped Subaru off the floor effortlessly - compared to her gargantuan strength he weighed practically nothing.
But that hadn’t meant Emilia wasn’t extremely gentle when cradling him to her chest like a princess or bride on her prized wedding day being carried off by their one true love.
‘Sort of like we were.’ Emilia reminisced the happiest day of two’s lives surrounded by those who loved them both dearly.
‘And I’ll make sure to recreate that wonderful moment and it will be ten - no hundred times better!’
Because now Emilia knew Subaru’s terrible secret and although she was furious with the young man for his deceit. Emilia was mature enough to know she couldn’t place the blame of that on this naive version of her would-be husband.
Emilia hadn’t fully come to terms with what she had lost. All those little things that one never really appreciated until it was gone and erased from existence - never to be returned.
And Emilia mourned the loss, but the time for tears would come later.
The first step now was to take Subaru away from those who wanted to harm him and deal with the catastrophes ahead.
‘The White Whale, the Archbishop of Greed and Gluttony and - oh poor Geuse would need to be put out of his misery for a second time again wouldn’t he.’
Then there was Roswaal and the Great Rabbit to deal with. So much to do and so little time.
"How did you make it look so easy Subaru?” Emilia sighed dramatically.
Which reminds her. Emilia abruptly pinned her gaze again on Felix who bristled as though expecting Emilia to lunge at him.
Emilia rolled her eyes. What a dork.
“Tell Crusch that although I admire her greatly and would like to be close friends in the near future I’m going to have to regretfully steal her thunder. So please don’t hold any grudges against me for what I'm about to do.”
Emilia said cryptically as she took a page out of Subaru’s play book and let her opponents know she was about to rain on their parade.
As Emilia intended to solo the White Whale herself and claim all the credit along with its demise.
“...” Felix looked at Emilia as though she’d lost her damn mind.
Maybe she had and this was all one big hallucination.
Not likely, but a girl could hope couldn't she?
Without another word Emilia departed, head held high and a strut in each step she took, leaving paralyzed onlookers struggling for a proper response for what they just saw.
Julius summed it up perfectly as the knight finally clawed himself out of the rubble of ice that Emilia had planted him in.
His face was strained and blue and he was panting on all fours like a pitiful dog.
“W-What…” Julius rasped, outfit soaked and in tatters, “...WAS that!”
A silence that was as ominous as a graveyard answered him back.
No one knew what to make of this turn of events or how to respond
Of course there were those who tried to play it off. Calling the half-elf's bluff. This was then joined by a litany of offhand remarks or colorful insults.
No one truly believed the elf stood a chance in what she set out to accomplish.
…a few days later word came of the defeat of not only the White Whale, but the subjugation of the Great Rabbit and the death of the Sin Archbishop of Sloth, Gluttony and Greed by those in the Emilia faction.
Unsurprisingly everyone lost their collective shit.