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Princess Miorine lay on her bed, staring out the window at the greenery of the rolling hills, the farmlands way off in the distance. Her room was high up, atop a spire of the Rembran castle. She loved to lean out her window, cool wind tusling her hair, as she looked out over the lands of her people. Far off hills rolled in their shifting shades of green, broken up by the occasional yellowy-brown plots of a farmland.
All across her room, canvases decorated the walls and floors, her paintings of the views she’s seen, moments captured in strokes. Storms smothering the landscape in rain, beautiful sunny days and nights lit up under a full moon. Close up studies of flowers were scattered between her landscapes; Boquets of calla lillies, weaves of hyacinth, bunches of multicoloured roses, still-lifes of sunflowers, and whatever else had piqued her interest in her mother’s flower garden on a particular day.
Painting was one of her only ways of passing the days. It was her alone time, her peace and quiet. She wasn’t suited to the hustle and bustle of the streets – at least, not when she was alone. The time with Her was her most cherished moments, though she’d never say it.
She smiled softly as she heard the clanking of armour coming up the stairs, the usual amount before they stopped, and paused.
Miorine smiled softly, hearing the familiar clanking jingle of armour from behind her door. There weren’t many stairs, but that suit of armour always made enough noise to echo off the walls. As the clinks dropped in volume, Miorine knew she was taking those scant few steps to the door. She always paused before knocking, it was so cute. Was she working up the courage to call out?
One, two, three knocks, same as always.
“Lady Miorine? Are you in there?” A soft voice called through the heavy door.
She let the moment linger a little before calling back.
“Yes, Ser. Come in.”
The door opens to reveal a figure clad in armour; claymore on her back, hilt sticking over her shoulder, helmet by her side, and red, tangled hair spilling down her back in a loose ponytail, her gorgeous, sun-kissed skin glowing…
Knight Suletta. Her devoted knight and sworn protector. A beaming smile spreads across Suletta’s face, almost as bright as her hair, before she remembers her role. She takes a few steps and goes down on one knee, setting down her helmet and bowing her head. “Hello again, my Lady Miorine.”
“Hello, Ser Suletta.” Her head raises with a smile - and their eyes lock.
Miorine’s pulse quickens. Goodness, you could tell her frame was strong even under all that armour. No wonder she can carry that huge sword around with such ease, and move like that armour is nothing.}
“What should we do today, my Lady?” Suletta’s voice snaps her out of her wandering, though her face must have reddened a little. Miorine turns away to stare out the window.
“You may rise, Ser.” She says, hoping to distract Suletta from any blush she may have seen. “I’m not sure what I want to do today, but I would like to go into the town square. I need some more paints for a portrait I’m working on.”
She heard the movement of Suletta’s clinking armour. “Your paintings are beautiful, Lady Miorine,” Suletta mused. Miorine turned to see Suletta staring deeply at a certain painting, a display of red chrysanthemums she had painted only recently. She turned to Miorine, those big blue eyes full of curiosity. “What are these?”
“Chrysanthemums. They’re a beautiful flower, often known as the flower of love.” Miorine said, standing from the bed and walking over to her knight. “They’re some of mother’s favourites.”
“They’re red as my hair!” Suletta beamed, raising a gloved finger to her head and grinning. God, this girl was so beautiful.
“They are!” Miorine giggled, ruffling Suletta’s red mane gently.
Suletta giggled to herself as Miorine walked over to her dresser to change into proper outing attire. She didn’t bother to move the folding screen across to cover herself, since she could hear Suletta face away. At this point, it was ritualistic for the two of them.
As she changed, Miorine couldn’t help but remember when her father had first mentioned the idea of having a personal knight. She had been furious, because of course, everyone who offered their knighthood had been the firstborn sons of the main noble families. Men who had wanted her for years, solely to marry into the royal bloodline.
It made her so angry that her father didn’t back down - so she proposed a duelling competition, open to anyone who wanted to participate. The king pitched it as a royal event, leaving Miorine to watch in misery as potential suitors beat each other senseless for her hand. Until a mysterious armour-clad knight appeared, hearing the news from far off.
The knight had fought with such ferocity and poise, but managed to outmaneuver every single opponent with that giant sword, until it was just the knight against the failed royal guard Jeturk. Miorine despised Jeturk, so she prayed he wouldn’t win.
As they fought, Miorine noticed a wisp of firey red hair dangling from under the back of the knight’s helmet. It didn’t particularly stick out to her until they had won - and he turned out to be a she.
Suletta didn’t realise she would become the princess’ royal protector: She thought it was a simple knighthood competition. But Miorine didn’t budge, and with a few big beautiful blinks of her eyes, the female knight had agreed to be her protector.
It had been about 8 months since then, and Miorine couldn’t have been happier to have Suletta around. She was always so willing to accompany her, so willing to listen, to treat her as a Lady and a friend, rather than a fragile princess. Plus, it didn’t hurt that Suletta was handsome. So, so handsome.
“I’m almost finished. You can look now, Suletta.” Miorine grunted, trying to reach the button of her dress below the nape of her neck. She heard Suletta moving around a lot, before her heavy, clanking footfalls came right up behind her.
“I’ve got this, Lady Miorine.” Warm, gentle fingers brushed against Miorine’s own as Suletta finished doing up the dress.
Miorine turned to see Suletta without her gauntlets, warmly smiling. It was a strange sight. Miorine hadn’t ever seen her without her armour, and as silly as it was to say… her hands were beautiful. It felt like such a forbidden beauty, to see Suletta’s bare skin. They looked so strong, and yet she knew how delicate they could be. She had seen Suletta’s gentle touch with other people and herself, even in that big heavy armour.
Suletta cleared her throat and waved her hands, and Miorine realised she was staring. She looked away, the hem of her dress suddenly very interesting.
“Are you ready to go out, Lady Miorine?” Suletta asked, concern creeping into her voice as those big eyes bore into Miorine’s reddening face.
“Yes, Suletta, I am.” She said, as she spun on her heel and started walking toward the door with her cheeks burning. It was reassuring to hear Suletta close the door, the clinking of her armour trailing behind her.
“I’m not sure how much you will need, Lady Miorine, but I grabbed a basket for us.” Suletta said warmly as the two walked through the castle halls.
“Thank you Suletta.” Lord, this girl was beautiful.
Suletta walked ahead and opened the front castle door for Miorine, waiting for her to walk through. She looked beautiful, red hair glowing from the light behind her, a warm, inviting smile. And God, those beautiful blue eyes. Miorine couldn’t help but match her smile as she walked through the door, taking Suletta’s gloved hand and pulling her along playfully. “Let’s go to town, Suletta.”
The sun rose high above the town of Asticassia as Princess Miorine walked through the cobbled streets with her noble knight by her side. She liked walking just slightly behind Suletta to admire her resolute form. Her taller figure was strong and imposing, her armour polished as always. She’d heard a few of the maids gossiping about how Suletta stayed up in her quarters, shining her armour by the candlelight, followed by hushed whispers about her working out and her strong form.
Her armour shined bright in the sunlight, assisted by the firey glow of her hair. She always took her helmet everywhere, but usually kept it off and carried it beneath one arm. The blood red gem embedded in her sword’s hilt glowed in the daylight as the giant sword was slung across her back.
A claymore is what she called it. She’d never seen Suletta use it other than that very first duel, and swinging it around effortlessly with her two hands. Miorine had tried to pick it up one day, and barely managed to get it off the ground, absolutely baffled at the bigger girl’s strength. Meanwhile, Suletta carried it everywhere daily, as if it was nothing - along with her suit of armour.
She’d been happy to explain it to Miorine when asked - talking about how she had made it with her father, and practiced with it for years.
It was a brilliant silver colour, almost white in the sunlight, with that beautiful gem embedded at the base of the hilt. It was clearly her pride and joy, as what with her having spent nearly an hour talking about it.
...but the princess didn’t mind.
Suletta was always on full alert for any potential dangers while they walked, keeping watch for anything suspicious or dangerous, which was always funny considering she never noticed the Miorine’s lovestruck gaze. But being on full alert also meant she got distracted easily.
“Lady Miorine, look! Aren’t they cute?” she exclaimed, excitedly pointing at the rows of chickens in cages, and the accompanying pen full of baby chicks. Suletta paused, stopping and turning to see where Miorine was going.
Crossing her arms as a knowing smirk crept across her face, Miorine stared at her gallant knight, consumed by childlike wonder from the baby chicks.“They are pretty cute, aren’t they?”
“They’re so cute! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could bring one back to the castle?”
“Where would we keep them, Suletta? Who would look after them?”
“I could look after them!”
“But then who would look after me?” Miorine said, giving an innocent smile.
A blush crept across Suletta’s face as she looked away a moment, before those blue eyes turned and looked directly at her once more. “I think I’d rather look after you, Lady Miorine.”
Miorine often thought of Suletta’s eyes as blue as the oceans, and if she could she would swim in them forever, lost in their rolling waves.
A moment of silence passed between them, before Miorine finally speaks up again, “I’d like that, Ser Suletta.”
Suletta walked back with a mischevious, unreadable look on her face. Before the princess could inquire, Suletta bent down and scooped her up effortlessly, one arm easily sliding behind her knees, the other behind her shoulders.
“Suletta!” Miorine squealed, instinctively wrapping her arms around Suletta’s neck to steady herself. Suletta just laughed as Miorine pouted and looked away, her face going red with embarassment. Her laugh sounded like pure sunshine.
“Sorry, Lady Miorine,” She giggled as she put down the smaller girl. “I just wanted to pick you up. To prove I would look after you!”
Miorine continued to look away and pout, trying not to let Suletta see her bright red face. She began to walk in a direction, but her heart wasn’t in it, knowing full well she’d just have her big, iron-clad puppy follow her immediately behind her. As expected, the heavy, armoured footfalls fell in line behind her, with giggles following.
“I’m sorry Lady Mio, but I thought it would be funny!” She chortled, unable to control her giggles.
Miorine spun on her heel and gave a very grumpy look to her Knight, which made her stop giggling instantly.
“That wasn’t… it.. you…” Miorine struggled to find the words. She didn’t hate what Suletta did, and she dsperately tried not to think about asking to be carried to the painter’s store… Eventually, she stomped her foot and huffed. “I wasn’t expecting that! Ask me next time, at least!”
“Yes, Lady Miorine,” Suletta said meekly, before putting her helmet on. “I’m sorry, Lady Miorine.”
“...and since when did you call me ‘Mio’?”
“Sorry, Lady Miorine. I just thought it was a nice nickname.” Suletta sounded strange muffled by her helmet.
Before Miorine could tell her off more, a blur suddenly crashed into Suletta, knocking her flat against a wall. Dust flew everywhere, and when it had settled… there was a goat.
Suletta had been knocked to her butt by a rogue goat.
Her helmet’s visor had been knocked down, muffled groans rattling out - but her arms were wrapped tight around the goat as it thrashed about.
“Tiko!” A voice called out as a group approached: A girl with dark hair taking the lead, with two boys and another girl trailing behind her. The two boys were unremarkable to Miorine, dressed in simple farmhand garb, but the girl’s bright pink, puffy hair stood out to her, completely defying gravity. The dark haired girl grabbed the goat, presumably Tiko, by the scruff and pulled it away, while the boys helped Suletta up.
The girl gave some very angry mutterings to the goat, and then gave it to one of the boys, before looking back up at Miorine, recoiling in horror as she recognised King Delling’s daughter. She dropped to her knees immediately.
“Princess Miorine, I’m so sorry! Please forgive me! Tiko, he, he-”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to kneel.”
The girl immediately rose to her feet, barely holding back tears.
“I’m sorry, Princess Miorine!”
“It’s okay. Your goat hit my knight over there, but she’s back on her feet now. It seems like everything’s alright again.” The girl looked over at Suletta - who was a little dusty, but otherwise fine - as she talked to two boys, and then looked back at Miorine.
“I’m- thank you, Princess Miorine. You are much nicer than your father.”
She snorted. “That’s really not that hard. But thank you, miss…?”
“Aliya, Princess Miorine. Those two boys with your knight are Till and Martin. The girl with the pink hair is Miss Panlunch.”
Miorine smiled. “That’s a lovely name, miss Aliya. Do make sure you keep your goat under control next time, yes? There’s not many who are as strong as Suletta.”
Aliya giggled as they both looked over at Suletta, now eagerly conversing with the two boys. She had taken her helmet off again to better converse, a smile beaming across her face as she chattered away. Miorine felt warm watching Suletta talk with the people of the town. She may have been a knight, but she was more charismatic than any noble Miorine had ever met.
She wondered how Suletta would fare in her role. Miorine could never be a knight herself, but maybe Suletta would be a better princess.
“Oi, you three!” A voice cut through the air as Panlunch approached them all. “We’ve still got work to do, why have we stopped? We gotta get back to others!”
Aliya turned back to Miorine, sheepish. “Sorry again, Princess Miorine.” She gave a polite bow before dashing off to the other two boys. She said something to Suletta, bowed again, and then they all walked off, mischievous goat in tow. Suletta walked back up to Miorine, basket in hand.
“So. My brave knight was bested by a goat.” Miorine smirked.
“I wasn’t expecting it!” Suletta pouted.
“Maybe that’ll teach you not to put your helmet on when you don’t need to.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Besides… covering that pretty face is most unnecessary, my dear knight.”
Suletta’s only response was a squeak, and to go bright red.
Miorine laughed as she took her hand, pulling her along the street.
“Come on, Suletta, I want to get my paints. I’ve an idea for my next portrait.”
“...My face is itchy.”
“So scratch it, Suletta.”
“But don’t I need to stay still?”
“You’re allowed to scratch your face.”
Suletta pouted, but scratched anyways, before quickly shifting back to her original pose. They were both around the back of the castle, settled upon a patch of land that was high enough to see far off - Miorine’s favourite painting spot. She’d asked Suletta to pose for a portrait, but her staying still was proving difficult.
“I’m hungry.”
“So eat something, Suletta.”
“But I need to stay still!”
“I’m not going to starve you, Suletta,” huffed Miorine, putting her brush down. “If you want to eat, then eat something.”
Suletta just pouted, not wanting to move. Miorine sighed, and stood up from her easel.
She walked over to the picnic basket that Suletta had brought with them, pulling out a sandwich. Suletta had slipped away at some point to request a maid to make a picnic basket, thinking Miorine wanted to have a picnic. While they might not have neccesarily done that, Miorine was beyond grateful to have food while she painted Suletta’s portrait.
She walked over to Suletta and held it out in front of her mouth. Suletta looked up at her coyly, before leaning forwards and taking a bite. Miorine hoped she wasn’t blushing as Suletta took a few more bites, before making a satisfied noise and returning to her model pose.
Did this girl know what she was doing? Maybe she wasn’t as romantically dense as Miorine thought. She put the mostly-eaten sandwich down on the basket, and returned to her easel. As the day grew long, Suletta stayed unmoving in her pose, as Miorine sketched and painted. Even though she was focused, they talked the entire time about various things.
“I still can’t believe you got knocked over by that goat today, Suletta.”
“I wasn’t expecting it!” Suletta pleaded.
“I thought you prided yourself in being ready for anything.” Miorine said, giggling as Suletta blushed.
“I’ll be ready next time, Lady Miorine, I promise.” Suletta said, before the two of them burst into a fit of giggles.
After hours, under the orange haze of the sunset, Miorine stood up and started packing away her paints. Suletta remained in the same spot, in case Miorine wanted to fix something up. She watched the princess pack up, her usual royal regalia replaced with some very simple, baggy clothes, stained multicolour with years worth of paint.
Suletta preferred this side of Miorine to the royal side, and happy that her Lady felt she could be so carefree around her. She watched carefully as Miorine pulled out a large covering and wrapped the easel in it.
“Lady Miorine?” she asked sweetly.
“Yes, Suletta?”
“What are you doing with the painting?”
“I’m covering it, Suletta.”
A pause, before she cautiously spoke again.
“Lady Miorine?”
“Yes, Suletta?”
“May I see the painting?”
“Not yet. It’s not finished.”
Suletta pouted and deflated a little. She was so looking forward to seeing her portrait.
Miorine noticed her and gave a warm smile.
“Oh, don’t look so sad. I have a surprise for you. I think you’ll like it.”
Suletta tried to smile, struggling to hide her disappointment. “Thank you, Lady Miorine. Can I move now?”
“You may.”
Suletta stretched, arms up in the air as high as her armour would let her, back arching.
As she stood up to approach Miorine, she said “You were a great subject today, Suletta. Maybe my best.”
“Thank you, Lady Miorine!” she replied, immediately happier that the afternoon was good for the princess.
While Miorine grabbed her easel, Suletta picked up her case of paints for her, and the two of them began walking back to the castle in a comfortable silence, the sunset sky lighting their way.
Suletta laid awake by the candlelight of her lantern. It was very late. She had polished her armour, twice, having buffed out every mark her run-in with that goat had caused. She had worked out extensively; two hundred pushups, two hundred situps, and a hundred pull-ups. She’d had her nightly tea after dinner, and even went out and talked with the maids for a good while before returning to her quarters. By all means, she should be exhausted.
So why, exactly, could she not sleep?
She had tried every trick her mother had taught her, everything she and Eri did to race to sleep in her childhood. She counted to a hundred, twice, she focused on her breathing, but nothing was sending her to sleep. She didn’t know what to do. She huffed, and rolled over angrily.
As she laid there, a wicked idea came to mind. Maybe Lady Miorine was up?
No, she couldn’t bother the princess.
Not while it was so late.
And yet, she sat up, putting her feet on the floor, ready to walk to Miorine’s chambers.
“I can’t.” she muttered.
Miorine would certainly be asleep, and even if she wasn’t, Suletta’s presence would probably bother her.
...And yet her body moved. Rising from her bed, she took her bedside lantern - although she probably didn’t need it - and began making her way through the castle. Having made the journey to Miorine’s chambers so many times, she could do it blindfolded. Excitedly waiting in her quarters every morning, until it was time to go and see the princess.
The castle was silent, faint moonlight spilling through the windows. Suletta knew no one would be upset at her if she was taking a midnight walk, yet still she felt the urge to tiptoe, slinking through the halls like some master thief. With every step she took, she felt a burning shame in her gut. What would she do if Miorine was asleep? Surely she couldn’t even open her door without waking her?
She arrived at the stairs up to Miorine’s chamber. What if she woke Miorine up? A step further.
What if Miorine thought she was trying to watch her sleep? Another step.
What if Miorine thought she was a pervert? Another step.
What if Miorine thought she was childish? Another step.
What if Miorine were to have her kicked from her role as protector? Another step.
She should just turn back and run. Another step.
Lady Miorine wouldn’t be awake. Another step.
She would hate Suletta for this. Another step.
Surely, she wouldn’t want Suletta there? Another step.
A light under the door. Another step.
A light for her. Another step.
A light for Suletta. The final step.
Miorine was awake. Would she want to see her? She raised her fist, hesitating on knocking.
A deep breath in, and out. One, two, three knocks.
“Lady Miorine? Are you in there?”
The silence was shattering for Suletta. A second felt like an eternity. She lowered her hand, and-
“Yes, ser. Come in.”
She didn’t push her away. In fact, she sounded happy Suletta was there. Pushing the door open, she was greeted to a beautiful sight. Miorine, gorgeous pale blue silk nightgown silhouetting her slender frame, red paint drops on her arms and face, hair tied back, paintbrush in her hand as she painted on her canvas from earlier today, faced away from Suletta.
She looked beautiful.
“G-good evening, Lady Miorine.” She suddenly felt very small. Had she ever been with Miorine without her armour?
“Good evening, Ser Suletta.” Miorine said, clearly focused on her painting. She wasn’t even surprised Suletta was up, much less in her quarters.
“It’s late, Lady Miorine.” Suletta said dumbly.
“It is.” Came her flat response.
Unbeknownst to Suletta, Miorine had been sneaking glances at her exposed figure. A lot showed in a sleeveless tunic and loose-fitting shorts, especially when it was usually clad in armour.
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“Mmm.” A long pause.
“What are you doing?”
“Painting.”
“Oh.” A moment of awkward silence. Maybe she should just leave? “May I see it?”
“Wait.” The response was sharp, and Suletta winced a bit at her sudden tone. She stood awkwardly in the center of the room, waiting. It was only a few minutes before Miorine spoke again, but it felt like an eternity. She set her brush down gently and turned to face Suletta, giving her full attention to the girl. Her demeanor seemed cold, but her eyes sparkled. Suletta could usually tell her true feelings from those beautiful platinum eyes.
“Suletta?”
“Yes, Lady Miorine?”
“Do you remember the flowers you talked about this morning?”
“Oh! Yes! The chrys… the chri… the chrys…”
“The chrysanthemums.” A smirk tugged at her lips.
“Yes, the chrysanthemums!”
“You mentioned you liked them, and truthfully, they’ve always reminded me of you. So, I…” Miorine trailed off, suddenly extrmely self-conscious.
“Lady Miorine?”
“I don’t usually show people my paintings, let alone paint things for others.” She said, looking down at the floor. She mumbled something inaudible, before turning the easel to show Suletta the canvas.
There, upon that canvas was Suletta, posed as she’d held earlier that day. Hints of Miorine’s unique style were woven throughout the work; there was so much attention to detail, the reflections in her armour, the slight smile on her face, and her own eyes that suddenly held so much life. The tanned skin and crimson hair of the painted knight looked like they were glowing on the canvas, as one armoured hand rested on the hilt of her sword. Her ponytail rested over her shoulder, a detail Suletta was sure Miorine added. There was more than just a painter’s detail in this picture – it was a painting fueled by love, by adoration. Every drop of colour was purposeful, each stroke driven by that love.
Bordered around the painted knight were blooms of bright red chrysanthemums, woven together in a beautiful border to the painting on the canvas. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and looked miles better than any of Miorine’s other works. She had clearly put her whole heart into this painting. Yet, she stood embarassed next to the canvas.
Suletta’s body moved on her own as she walked towards the smaller woman and pulled her into a loving embrace, ignoring everything so she could comfort her. She was so warm. Miorine immediately stiffened.
“Thank you for painting me, Lady Miorine. It’s… beautiful.” Suletta said, pushing her face against the top of Miorine’s head. She softened, and wrapped her arms behind Suletta’s back.
“I wanted you to have something. A thank you for being my knight, a reminder of how I see you…” Miorine mumbled, burying her face into Suletta’s shoulder. “I just wanted to paint your beauty.”
Suletta didn’t need to see her to know she was blushing. Her own face was on fire.
“Th-thank you, Lady Miorine…” She could only manage a stutter. Miorine just squeezed tighter.
They stood there for a long time, just hugging.
“Suletta?” came her muffled voice, eventually.
“Yes, Lady Miorine?”
A long pause. “Do you want to stay here with me tonight?”
“Of course, my Lady.” The hug got tighter.
“Can you carry me to the bed?”
“Of course, my Lady.”
“Don’t let go of me.”
“Of course, my Lady.”
Suletta lifted her, laying her down on the bed tenderly, before laying down next to her and embracing her again. A wave of exhaustion hit her as soon as she laid next to the princess. Though the room smelled strongly of paint, Miorine smelled like a flower in bloom, like a cool summer evening, like… well, she smelled like a princess. A beautiful one, at that.
“Suletta?” her voice was a whisper.
“Yes, Lady Miorine?” Suletta said, giving a huge yawn.
“You look really good without your armour.”
“Thank you, Lady Miorine.” Suletta said drowsily. “You look… beautiful.. in your nightgown…”
Suletta’s eyes closed, while Miorine’s remained open, staring at her knight’s resting face.
“Suletta.” Miorine whispered, knowing full well her words were falling on deaf ears. “Those flowers remind me of you.”
She snuggled up against Suletta, muttering into her chest. “Maybe I’m the fool, for painting you a boquet, instead of giving you one.”
As she laid there, listening to the beautiful sound of Suletta’s heart, basking in her warmth and presence, she remembered her mother explaining the meanings of flowers.
As she drifted off, she remembered how a very young Miorine’s favourite flower was a firey red collection of petals. A flower symbolising love.
...What a fool she was.