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The royal palace garden glittered with lantern-light and low laughter, a sea of nobles in silks and jewels mingling beneath the stars. It was the sort of celebration that would be written about in history books, a joint victory ball thrown in honor of the Whale subjugation and the Rabbit's annihilation, with heroes from every camp in attendance.
Inside the grand hall, wine flowed like water and musicians played until their fingers ached, but out here, in the quieter shadows of the hedgerows, one figure had slipped away from the crowd entirely.
Natsumi stood alone beneath an old oak, her maid dress a humble speck of black and white against all that finery, staring up at the stars with the quiet relief of someone who had finally found a moment to breathe.
In her personal bubble, she hadn't noticed a certain someone approaching.
"Mrs. Natsumi. What a pleasant surprise."
Reinhard's entire bearing shifts the moment he draws near, shoulders relaxing, posture softening, as if some internal light had just been kindled. He looks down at her with a smile so genuine it could melt the snow off Flanders.
"Yo! Hey there, Rein!" She waves, grinning back, then freezes. "Ah! Wait, wait, wait! I gotta show you what I learned!"
Reinhard tilts his head, curious and mildly amused. That amusement blooms into full understanding when she grabs the edges of her long maid dress and dips into a formal bow.
"Greetings, Sir Astrea. It is an honor to be in thy -pfft- thy presence." She manages the words with surprising elegance, right up until her voice cracks on a suppressed laugh. "What do you think?? I've been learning all kinds of polite greetings lately! Ram's a brute, but she's a good teacher!"
Reinhard chuckles, a low, warm sound, and shakes his head. He reaches out, almost absently, and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers linger a moment longer than strictly necessary.
"Your performance could still improve," he says, withdrawing his hand to rest it on the hilt of his sword, which, has started buzzing softly. "But please. Don't use those greetings with me. I prefer you as you were when we first met."
"Oh, I've improved just fine! I laughed 'cause I can't bring myself to treat you with thaaat much politeness." She laughs, and the sound sends a pleasant ache through Reinhard's chest. He glances around the garden, then back at her.
"Forgive the question, but… does the party not please you? I would have thought an occasion like this would suit your energy."
"Nah, it's not that." She looks up at the stars for a moment. "It just got too crowded in there. I was kinda… there, y'know? Just existing in a corner."
"I see." He tilts his head toward her, expression gentle. "If you wish for conversation… would my company suffice?"
She grins. "It's already more than enough. Relax, Rein. And stop with the 'Mrs.' thing, it's weird for me!" She exhales, long and slow, her shoulders dropping. "Pheww… This is just what I needed after everything lately…"
Reinhard hears it clearly, the exhaustion beneath the cheer. His smile softens.
"You've earned the rest, Natsumi. To slay two great beasts that plagued this world for so long, in just a few weeks? That's no small thing."
Her head snaps toward him. "Wha- No, no, no… Pffft, where'd you get that idea?? Crusch killed the Whale. Emilia and Beako sealed the rabbits. I'm just a maid. I was there at the time 'cause I'm just that lucky."
Reinhard waits. Then, calmly:
"Felix and Julius spread the news of your feats. Along with the slaying of the Archbishop of Sloth." Natsumi's eyes go wide. "And Lady Emilia kindly informed us of your strategy against the Great Rabbit."
"I'm putting extra greens on her food." Natsumi groans, loud and theatrical. "How could she-" She stomps her foot, face flushing. "Julius and Felix too! I'll wring their necks!"
"I believe I heard my name."
Julius materializes at the perfect dramatic moment, cape flowing, smile polished. "And it pleases me to know it came from your lips, Mrs. Natsumi." He takes her hand before she can react and presses a fleeting kiss to her knuckles.
For reasons Reinhard cannot immediately name, his jaw tightens.
It's just a respectful gesture. Nobles do it all the time. Why does it-
"I'll tell everyone you're cheating on Emilia, you prick." Natsumi swats his hand away and flicks his forehead. Reinhard glances at Julius with raised brows. Julius sighs, crossing his arms.
"Again. I do not know what gave you the idea that I harbor any feelings for your lady."
Natsumi giggles, actually giggles, and grabs Reinhard's arm, trying to pull him down like they're sharing secrets. Reinhard obliges immediately, bending low.
"You should've seen it, Rein! Julius kissed Emilia's hand and blabbered something about how beautiful she still looked, heheh!"
"I have also kissed your hand, Mrs. Natsumi," Julius mutters under his breath, rubbing his temple.
Reinhard looks down at Natsumi. Then, very deliberately, he takes her other hand, lifts it, and presses a slow, gentle kiss to her knuckles.
There.
Julius's eye twitches.
"It's a gesture of respect, Natsumi," Reinhard says, releasing her hand with a small smile. "Not affection. Otherwise we'd be disrespecting most noble ladies."
Natsumi blinks. Then snorts. "Bullshit." She kicks at some dust. "And stop with the 'Mrs.' stuff, Julius! It's irritating."
Julius chuckles and takes a step closer, but before he can speak, Natsumi brightens suddenly.
"Hey, Julius! Did Ricardo and the twins come too?"
Both knights pause.
"I believe they haven't arrived yet," Julius says carefully. "Why do you ask?"
"Ah… that sucks." Her shoulders drop. "Man, I wanted to see Ricardo again."
Reinhard's heart performs a small, quiet act of betrayal by aching.
Julius's expression doesn't change, but something behind his eyes goes very still.
"Natsumi," Reinhard ventures, "why the sudden interest in… Ricardo?"
"Oh, right, you weren't there!" She gestures enthusiastically. "Before the Whale fight, I was super nervous. And Ricardo just ran up and kept talking to me the whole ride. It was really nice of him."
Ah.
I could have done that too.
I should have done that too.
Both knights share a glance. Something unspoken passes between them. A silent accord of mutual, begrudging understanding.
Competition, then.
"Natsumi." Reinhard places a hand over his chest. "Had I been part of that battle, I would have done everything in my power to soothe your worries. In fact, I would have sworn to protect you myself. I'm certain Lady Felt would have approved."
Natsumi laughs and shakes her head. "Aww, that's sweet! But it would've been too much."
Reinhard's invisible puppt ears flatten.
"Had I arrived earlier," Julius interjects, pushing his hair back with practiced elegance, "I would have stayed glued to your side. My spirits are quite fond of you as well. They would have surrounded you the entire time."
Natsumi waves a dismissive hand. "Eww. I'm telling Emilia, you weirdo."
Julius grumbles something inaudible.
"You two are really kind," she says, and her eyes go soft and distant with memory. "But what's done is done. Ricardo was pretty cool in battle, too. He's got that huge sword! He was putting the whale to run- I mean, fly."
Reinhard looks down at his own sword. The Dragon Sword is buzzing again, vibrating against his hip, if t considers Natsumi a worthy opponent then he can pull it, right?
It's kind of like a claymore, he thinks. If you squint. Would Natsumi like to see it too?
Then, he feels a familiar sensation in his chest.
"Natsumi." He smiles, bright and sudden. "I've just received a new Divine Blessing."
Julius freezes mid-thought. What?
"Huh? Blessing? What do you mean?" Natsumi tilts her head.
"Od Lagna has granted me a new Divine Protection."
"Okay… Od Lagna is…" She squints. "I studied that. It's-wait." Her eyes go wide. "YOU GOT A GIFT FROM GOD??"
"Od," Reinhard corrects gently. "Od Lagna. And yes. One I think you would thoroughly enjoy seeing in action."
She glances at Julius, just for a second, then nods eagerly. "Yeah! Yeah, let's see it!"
Reinhard beams. "For the demonstration, I'll need to retrieve something. Please wait here."
Before either of them can react, he's gone in a blur of displaced air and dust.
Natsumi coughs. Julius sweeps his cape to shield her face. "Are you all right, Natsumi?"
"How does he just DO that?!" She's already staring at the sky, gaping. "Is this guy a cheat code??"
Julius's concern goes thoroughly ignored. Great.
"I'm not familiar with the code you speak of, Natsumi." Reinhard reappears, uniform pristine, hair unmussed, holding a simple practice sword. "But I've retrieved what I need."
The sword shifts. Warps. Grows.
"This is the Divine Protection of Claymores."
The blade now rests in his hand as a massive, beautiful greatsword, easily as long as Natsumi's torso, yet not as beautiful as- ehem, that last part was not necessary, actually...
Julius exhales slowly. This is fine. This won't impress her. She's sensible-
Natsumi closes the distance between them so fast Julius nearly gets whiplash.
"HOLY SHIT!!!" Her eyes are literally sparkling. "THIS IS SO AWESOME!!!"
Reinhard's invisible ears perk straight up. His tail, conceptual as it may be, begins wagging at dangerous speeds.
"I'm glad you like it." He extends the sword toward her. "Would you like to hold it?"
She shakes her head, suddenly shy. "I- no, it's fine. I'm not that strong, and it looks kinda heavy…"
"Not a problem." He gently takes her hand and guides it to the hilt. "Let me help."
For a moment, they're both holding it together, her smaller hands over his. Reinhard feels the Dragon Sword buzz harder against his hip as if in protest.
Natsumi's reluctance evaporates. She laughs, delighted, as she swings the claymore through the air. "This is amazing! I'm- I'm using a claymore!!"
"If you like it so much," Reinhard says, trying very hard to sound casual, "why not accept it as a gift?"
She pulls her hand back. "Ah… I like big swords, but… I don't have the strength for 'em. I'll stick with my whip."
"Then allow me to teach you." The words leave Reinhard before he can second-guess them. "With my Divine Blessings, I could help you wield any weapon you desire. It would be nothing but pleasant."
"R-Really? You'd do that?" Her excitement is barely contained. "Wouldn't it be a problem? You've still gotta take care of Felt."
"Felt often complains about not being able to go out. I'm sure she'd enjoy visiting you." He pauses. "Or you could visit us. The Astrea Manor has a selection of teas you might find… magnificent."
"Ahh, that sounds—"
A flash of light interrupts them.
Julius stands surrounded by dozens of lesser spirits, their soft glow illuminating his smug smile. "Forgive me. It seems my own Divine Protection attracted them. I simply can't help it, I'm afraid."
"Hey, you have one too?? What the hell-" Natsumi steps closer. The spirits recoil.
"Eh? Ah." Her face falls. "Right."
"What's wrong?" Julius steps forward. The spirits stay firmly behind him.
"It's my contract with Beako. I scare little spirits 'cause of our bond." She shrugs, then grins. "That's just how amazing my spirit is. She scares everyone else!"
Reinhard moves to her side. The spirits waver uncertainly.
"Eh? They're scared of you too, Rein?" She blinks.
"Not scared," Julius cuts in smoothly. "It's simply that Reinhard also has a unique affinity with spirits. They become so loyal to him that, if the situation demands, they will destroy themselves to aid him."
Natsumi's face goes pale. She stares at Reinhard in horror.
"Reinhard… you're killing little spirits for mana??"
His heart seizes. "N-Not at all! The times it happened were completely beyond my control! And it almost never occurs anymore, I swear."
The look on her face, that flash of fear, reminds him of other faces. Other accusations. Other condemnations.
Sensing his distress, Natsumi's expression softens. "Hey. I was joking." She steps closer and pats his back firmly. "You're a cool guy. I know you wouldn't do any of that, okay?"
She smiles at him until some of the tension leaves his shoulders.
"So," she says, pointing at the forgotten claymore still stuck in the grass, "you were gonna teach me how to use that thing?"
Reinhard's smile returns, fragile at first, then genuine. "Yes. Does the offer still appeal to you?"
She nods.
And the rest of the conversation fades into background noise for Julius, who stands apart, watching, his spirits swirling around him in agitated orbits.
Fine.
He'll get his chance.
A small figure in a frilly dress storms across the garden, Beatrice, mouth set in a pout, grabbing Natsumi's hand and declaring that she's been gone far too long.
Julius watches them talk, Natsumi eagerly telling her about Reinhard's offer.
He thinks one thing, and one thing only:
I need to have a conversation with Ricardo. About swords. And weapon choices.
Specifically, about how he should choose a different one.
Fuck claymores.
His spirits shudder violently at the language. They were, however, more surprised at the fact that their contractor liked women.