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4Cvit was adjusting to the heat, it had surprisingly only taken a week, usually it would take longer for slimes to adjust to the Solunian heat as they usually reside is colder places such as the moonlit swamp- which was where 4c was from if Apo was correct- or even thornhelm which owned a colder climate then soluna which was where most their slime population came from.
With that said, even with the drastic change of heat 4c has been acting off, not in a bad way-hopefully-rather in a…’anxious something bad happened way’. Apo wasn’t sure how to exactly explain it except that 4C was acting the same way that day she and Cherri found him on the beach.
That had been the day 4C had escaped hell.
If that was how he had acted back then, had something happened again with the rogue god? It has been 2 years, why would the god start tormenting him again now? Why wait 2 whole years to just torment her friend again? And if it was the rogue god, what could they possibly want with 4C again? Last time it was his soul, what would they want now?
Or was it a different god? The knight god? No…too noble to torment their own, the knight god at least has some preservation. Mage Goddess seemed like a stretch, 4c wasn’t a mage after all or even training to be one. Then, Lady Death? No. Nom died two years ago wouldn’t make sense for her to show up now, and Sausage was her disciple or messenger? She wasn’t sure but Apo doubts it would be Lady Death
Maybe she was imaging it, has she not seen 4c for so long something seems off when nothing is actually wrong? Apo looked up from her pocket book at the princess and the slime sparring with wooden swords while she watched, she tapped her pencil onto the book, the sight of her friend and soon to be fiance was quite nice, it felt like old times in the red kingdom.
The knight sighed, the pocket book being tucked away in the new pockets of her uniform, maybe she really was imaging it, well either that or 4C has been just getting better at hiding. Apo was sure she knew which one would bring more distaste to her tongue
The clash of wood filled the air, with the sun setting to the side turning the sky a beautiful pink and red hue, it reminded her deeply of Cherri, she turns her head back to the duo at the sound of the clattering swords and the thud before it, she spots Cherri on the ground while 4C extended his hand to help her up, Apo stifles a laugh as she stood up and strided over to the two
“So, it seems 4C has you beat princess” Cherri spares Apo a glance, a grin growing on her face “Obviously, after all he can bounce, although he was more defensive rather offensive” Cherri comments brushing off the dust of her fall “Hey…Just because I can bounce doesn’t mean I’m very great at being a knight, just that I’m good at fighting with my own methods” Cherri chuckled at the response her arm wrapping around 4C and Apo’s neck and pulling them closer “Hey 4c,ever tried macing Owain after bouncing?”
4c shook his head giggling at the thought “Not yet, he has been educating his new squire to never underestimate a slime in a fight, especially ones that can bounce” Apo gave the slime a confused look “wait,does that mean some slimes can’t bounce?”
Cherri’s arms loosen on her hold the two pulling away from the gesture “Well..yeah, some slimes can’t bounce due to their density” Apo hummed thoughtfully at the info, while Cherri blinked in surprise “That’s an actual thing?!” she yelp, 4c nodded in confirmation “Holy sun, I didn't think slimes actually have different densities…” 4c shrugs “it’s not something widely known since most slimes lived in swamps, but it depends on where they were formed and where they grew up in”
Cherri nods “That’s actually really cool!” 4C launches himself slightly excitedly, Apo spots the odd twitch in his bounce, maybe she wasn’t imagining it after all.. Just noticed the little cracks. Something was definitely going on with the slime, but tonight will not be one guided by her speculations.
Apo can hear the two talking, vaguely listening to them with her heartbeat taking a pace forward. She can’t let tonight be a night that is guided by her own speculation, because tonight was the night
Everything was set up,everything in the right place, the moon hanging outside the window of their private quarters awaiting them,her heart beating a little faster at the thought, her face a shade of pink and her palms sweating at the thought, she can only hope for the best on forward…Apo clears her throat catching the duo’s attention “It is quite late, best we all head back and get some rest no?” Apo glances over to 4c, he stands idle and slightly confused, the knight gives him a small nod “Uhh, yeah I suppose so! I am quite tired after today. I’ll see you both tomorrow?”
Cherri changes her attention to 4C and gives him a thumbs up “Yeah! We’ll see you tomorrow 4C!!! BYEEEE” the pair waves away at the slime heading to…the wrong way, Apo glances between Cherri and the way 4C went and shook her head, 4C was capable enough if he runs into danger, and she has something much more important to do.
“Let’s go princess, the king had requested you head in early before the royal dinner at midnight tonight” Cherri turns to her knight “Royal dinner?” she wondered aloud before she whips around to face her knight “Wait, who's engaged?! We only have a royal dinner when someone gets engaged?!” Apo shrugs “I’m unsure myself, the king didn’t say a name” Cherri sighs her shoulders shagging, the princess gestures for her knight to lead
The two walk in silence, the sound of crickets, lively chatter and laughter from the town square, the sound of the waves and the light of the moon that graces them. It all felt so perfect. Apo glances up to the moon, taking a deep breath filled with prayers that tonight will go as planned
Cherri is steps behind her and as they were nearing the castle, they stepped inside the castle of Soluna Cherri spoke up “uhm,Apo do you…” the knight stopped in her tracks as the princess words died “...Nevermind, it’s stupid” Apo stares at her, she takes a step towards her princess hand moving to wrap around her wrist “Nothing is stupid if it comes from you” the knight assured
Cherri stares at her with a look the knight couldn’t quite figure out, the princess lets out a soft chuckle, the gesture making the heart of her knight flutter. “Since when did you become sentimental?” Apo shrugs “I’ve always been sentimental when it came to you” Cherri gave her a sad smile, mumbling something under her breath the knight couldn’t catch
Apo squeezed her hand, Cherri looked up giving her an attempt at a reassuring smile, yet something ached inside her knight, it had always hurt to see her princess hurt “Let’s head to our private quarters before this dinner so you can rest and change” Cherri nodded along with the idea letting her knight guide her to their room
The halls stretched out as they approached, she tried to control her breathing, the way her face was so red and how everything felt like too much right now, but never Cherri. Holding on to her felt like the only thing that felt right in the moment. They approached the door of the room, Apo just, stares for a moment before she pushes the large doors open, she lets the princess enter first with her in tow
Cherri sits down at the edge of the bed,the figure stiff and her leg bouncing in a nervous gesture, Apo stands between her princess and the door before she takes the strides and sits down beside her.
“Is something the matter?” Cherri shakes her head “No, just…thinking I suppose” the knight hummed “That’s never good” Cherri shoves at her side with a spared glare “I’m just…the kingdom has been stable and well, but..dad is getting old and soon i’ll have to choose a suitor that I don’t know anything about and I don’t know how to feel about that because I don’t think I want to pick a suitor!” Apo blinked in surprise, her hand moving down from her shoulder to her back, rubbing it in circle motions while Cherri panted at the loss of breath
Apo punched herself a little internally, this would be such horrible timing to propose, would she say no? Would she say yes? If she said no will she be dismissed as her official knight? The thoughts piled one after the other, the world feeling like it was closing in on, Cherri was mumbling something under her breath, Apo wasn’t sure what she was saying
Or for a matter of what to do,she was about to propose for sun sake. What should she do? Apo glances up at Cherri who was close to tears and took a deep breath, Cherri came first. Nothing comes above Cherri.
Apo patted the Princess back in comfort “I’m sure your dad wouldn’t force you to make a choice you don’t want” Cherri shakes her head “ It’s not about my dad…it’s just, I will have to take over Soluna one day and when that day comes people expect will suitors, and, I don’t want suitors even if it’s for the kingdom..I just, can’t I just -! Ugh! It’s just I don’t want suitors I want to- to ....” The princess wraps her arms around herself shrugging off the hand of Apo
Apo retracts the contact, her hands tucked in her lap “want to what Cherri?” her tone gentle carrying across the moonlit room, Cherri looked over to her, now shame and fear filled her eyes “Nothing! I don’t- I don’t want anything Apo!” the knight continued to stare at her "You're lying to me, why?” Cherri sputters at the response, her face turning red, Apo is unsure if she was embarrassed or just that frustrated
“It’s..complicated okay? I don’t want anything Apo.” Apo tilts her head slightly, her eyes still focused on her princess who is now pacing around the room, the ring in her pocket felt like a bomb as her princess continued to pace. It would be horrible timing, it would seem like a joke, a cruel and hurtful joke, but the best way to make her princess listen.
If she says no, she’ll act like nothing happened. Her princess can do as many things and she would forgive her, no would not be the worst answer and Apo knows that, she is aware of that, and she would forgive Cherri if she said not, she was never obligated to say yes, it had always been about Cherri. For once, this would be for her even if she says no.
Apo sighs, her shoulders relaxing in turn as she stands up
She kneels down one in par for a bow
Her hand moving to grab the custom ring she had asked to be made
Cherri hadn’t noticed the knight move.
Apo holds the box that holds the ring in the palm of both her hand, the ring inside like a blazing sun that she isn’t sure how to deal with if she says no, but the sun would be bright and it would light a path for her even when unsure, and yet the only sun she had known was in front of her, pacing the floors of their private quarters
Apo takes a deep breath the last of the tension easing out of her figure
It would be now or never.
“Cherrifire,You have made me one of the happiest people alive. You have stood by me at my worst and at my best, you have stuck around the uncomfortable moments and the delightful ones, you have been the sun to my moon, you have been so special to me not only as your knight but as a friend. You are my greatest princess I have ever met, nothing can change how I see you, no matter how much one tries. And so with the permission of the king and his right hand knight, may I ask for your hand in marriage my lady?”
Apo pants slightly at the rush of words she had just said, she swallows down her anxiousness as the silence envelops her confession,the first sniff, then the second, and then a sob.
Apo lifts her sight from the ground, Cherri stands in the middle of the room, her hair messy, and hands over her mouth holding back sobs. Apo stares at the sight as the horror washes over her, this was a terrible idea, wasn’t it?
Apo closes the box of the ring, rushing as she stumbles slightly to her the princess side, her hands hovering afraid to damage anything more than she already has, Apo settles her hand on her shoulder, squeezing them in a comforting gesture enough to not her, the tears running down her cheeks makes her heart aches at the sight. The sobs soon stop and Apo lets ago of their contact, stepping back to give Cherri space, her hands fidgeting with her uniform
“Princess I’m so-” Apo stumbles back, the impact fo Cherri throwing herself at her, her the princess throwing her arms around her shoulders and pushing her close, their lips meeting in between them, words of apologies dying on her tongue with each doubtful thought of the knight, the moon shines upon them blessing them with her earlier prayers
her the princess brushes away the loose stand of her knights hair, the late night birds chirpped with joy and the kingdom square loud of cheer and laughter, the flowers danced in joy and the moon shone just a little brighter. Cherri pulled away slightly out of breath with her face flushed a red color, Apo brought up her hand, fingers dancing against her lips, her eyes wide in surprise
“Is..is that a yes?” Cherri chuckled at the sight of her flustered knight “Yes, it is a yes…” Apo stares at her, they stay in those same poses for a minute until Cherri pulls away, and her knight stood in the same pose “uhm..Apo..? Are you okay there?" Apo nods, she blinks and pulls out the box ring she had tucked away
“uhm, it’s the best one I came up with, I hope you like it?” Cherri pears at the box as it opens, the velvet box held a pair of soul rings carved with patterns of the sun and moon. “The moon one is for me, but we can always switch if you would like?” Cherri sniffs “No! No- it’s perfect” Apo takes the ring in her hand, her other hand reaching out for her princess.
Apo slips the ring onto her ring finger, Cherri lifts up her hand admiring it “Princess, will you do the honors?” Cherri looked over to her fiance, then at the box presented to her. Her princess picked up the ring and the hand of her fiance, slipping on the ring on her ring finger. Apo smiles, admiring the ring of her making. Apo pulls Cherri in, her arms wrapping around her “thank you” she mumbles into her princess hair “no, thank you my knight”
They stay in that position for a while, just absorbing their time together, the clock ticking away as the time passes. Now Apo could get used to this
Apo opens her eyes, pulling away from her finance “I love you cherrifire” Cherri poked her nose and chuckled “And I love you Apokuna” Apo sighed at the sigh, goodness she felt breathless “Hey, Apo” the knight hummed “Should we have told 4C that he went the wrong way? Apo stares at her a moment before she burst out laughing
Apo coughed before composing herself and wiping away the imagined tears “No, 4C been here a week, I’m sure it was intentional” CHeri shrugged “Yeah, but what would he even be doing?” Apo shrugs “Who knows, it’s 4C we-” Apo shuts her eyes at the sight of blinding light, it was 10 pm what could possibly be so bright?!
She hears Cherri gasp before she opens her eyes to the sight of 4C standing in front the closed entrance of their door “4C? What are you- how did- what??” 4C looks around seemingly clueless himself “4C why are you glowing?” the slimes looked down on himself, and sure enough, he was glowing a faint blue “uhm, I’m not sure..? I think it has something to do with this magic..”
Apo glances over to Cherri,then back to 4c “is… is that why you have been acting weird since you’ve gotten to Soluna?” 4C scratches the back of his neck “uhm, yeah? I suppose…I kinda got dropped off by the gods” Cherri gapes at him before collecting herself “I, I’m so sorry did you say GODS as in plural and not singular?!” her voice rising octave with every word she says
4C shrinks into himself slightly “uhm..yeah?” Apo blinks at her actually being right, it brought a bitter taste to her mouth with the fact that 4C has gotten better at hiding his own distress “oh, my, sun. 4C what did they do?!” Cherri launches herself across the room,her hand wrapping around him in an embrace, Apo follows behind Cherri, 4C stutters slightly shifting inside Cherri’s embrace “They, didn’t really do anything? They just kinda gave me an answer that just gave me more questions…” Apo raises her eyebrow at that very vague statement “What do you mean an answer?” 4C looks at Apo and pushes Cherri away from the embrace, Cherri lets him go and stands next to Apo
“After going through hell I always asked myself, why me? Apparently, well from what I deduced was that…it was a test of sorts I suppose” Apo finds herself dumb founded, who the hell tests someone by sending them to hell? “Okay, but still why specifically you and not Mae or heck even Frogue? Not that I would wish that upon them but still again, why you?"
4C took a deep breath, his hand fidgeting with a loose string from his new cloak “well, they told me that..I was one of the, that..I was a demigod” the pair exchange glances “that… is a lot to know” 4C nods at the remark “Thank you, for telling us 4C” Cherri nods hugging him again in turn “We can help you with your magic too if you would like? I’m sure we have a connection to someone with your errr… magic category?” Cherri says attempting to reassure him
“I doubt that, but…it would be nice” Apo approached them, wrapping her own arms around the two “ We’re here if you ever need to talk” 4C nods “of course’ the three stay in the embrace, the warmth wrapping between all three
“Oh and uh, happy engagement!” Apo freezes and Cherri glances at her knight, Apo looks at 4C “How do you know that???” 4C places a finger for his mouth “Secret” Apo groaned while Cherri laughed the room filled with their own joys now as the moon looked over the three and the kingdom.
Tonight was indeed one beautiful for all in Soluna