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The afternoon sun spilled gold across the gardens of the Roswaal estate, catching on polished armor and silver hair alike.
“Honestly,” Julius sighed, brushing a speck of dust from his pristine knight’s uniform, “I cannot fathom how one man can trip over perfectly flat stone.”
Across from him, Emilia pressed a hand to her lips, trying—failing—to suppress a laugh. “He said it was a ‘strategic roll.’”
“A strategic roll,” Julius repeated gravely, violet eyes narrowing with theatrical concern. “Yes. I have heard seasoned generals speak of such maneuvers. Usually not after being startled by a butterfly.”
Emilia’s shoulders trembled. “It wasn’t even flying at him. It was just… nearby.”
They both turned toward the mansion doors where, not long ago, Subaru Natsuki had burst outside, declared that he would “train like a man among men,” and immediately misjudged the last step.
Julius clasped his hands behind his back. “I do admire his enthusiasm.”
“That’s a very kind way of saying he’s reckless,” Emilia replied brightly.
“I am a knight, Lady Emilia. It is my sworn duty to choose the kindest phrasing available.”
“You called him ‘a walking incident report’ yesterday.”
“A term of endearment,” Julius said smoothly.
Emilia laughed outright now, her amethyst eyes shining. “He tries so hard, though. Did you see him practicing his speech for the next royal selection meeting?”
Julius closed his eyes, recalling it. “‘People of Lugunica! I, Subaru Natsuki, humbly—no, boldly—no, humbly boldly—’”
They both dissolved into giggles.
“I think he practiced bowing for an hour,” Emilia said. “He kept overbalancing.”
“Yes, well, humility is difficult when one insists on adding flourishes,” Julius replied. “At one point he nearly headbutted the floor in devotion to you.”
Emilia’s cheeks pinked. “Julius!”
“What? I merely report the facts.” He paused, then added, “Though I must confess, his loyalty is… impressive.”
Emilia softened at that. “It is.”
A beat passed.
Then—
From behind a hedge came a muffled voice. “I can hear you, you know!”
Julius didn’t even glance over. “Subaru, eavesdropping is unbecoming.”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping! I was dramatically brooding!”
Emilia cupped her hands around her mouth. “You’re supposed to brood quietly!”
“I am quiet!”
The hedge rustled violently as Subaru Natsuki attempted to stand with dignity and instead snagged his sleeve on a thorn.
Julius finally turned, eyebrow arched. “Careful. The shrub appears to be winning.”
Subaru yanked himself free, marching over with as much pride as someone with leaves in his hair could muster. “Wow. Betrayed. By my own Emilia-tan and the Sparkle Knight.”
Julius placed a hand over his heart. “If I sparkle, it is only because I polish my armor properly. A concept you might explore.”
“I polish my tracksuit!”
Emilia tilted her head. “With what?”
“…Spirit,” Subaru said after a pause.
Julius gave him a look usually reserved for poorly composed poetry. “That explains much.”
Subaru squinted at them. “You two are way too in sync right now. This is suspicious. Are you forming an anti-Subaru alliance?”
Emilia leaned toward Julius conspiratorially. “Should we tell him?”
Julius leaned down slightly. “I think not. It is more entertaining this way.”
“HEY!”
Despite his outrage, Subaru’s lips twitched.
Julius stepped closer, lowering his voice to a gentler tone. “In truth, Subaru, we mock because you make it so effortless.”
“That’s not comforting.”
“But,” Emilia added quickly, stepping forward, “we also know you’ll just bounce back. You always do.”
Subaru blinked, caught off guard.
Julius nodded once. “You charge forward despite lacking grace, skill, or a coherent plan.”
“…Wow.”
“And yet,” Julius continued smoothly, “you move people. Even when you stumble.”
Emilia smiled warmly at Subaru. “Especially then.”
For a moment, the teasing edge softened into something sincere.
Subaru scratched his cheek, trying—and failing—to hide his pleased expression. “Well. Obviously. That’s just part of my charm.”
Julius smirked. “Ah, yes. The ‘accidental hero’ aesthetic.”
“I am not accidental!”
Emilia giggled again. “You did accidentally confess your feelings to a garden statue once.”
“That statue knew what it did!”
Julius actually laughed at that—quiet, refined, but unmistakably amused.
Subaru threw his hands up. “Unbelievable. I risk life and limb for you people!”
“And trip over both,” Julius added.
Emilia stepped between them, linking her hands behind her back, eyes dancing. “It’s more fun this way, isn’t it?”
Subaru huffed dramatically. “…Maybe.”
Julius extended a gloved hand. “Come. If you truly wish to train like a knight, I will supervise.”
Subaru eyed him warily. “You’re not going to make me polish armor for three hours, are you?”
“No,” Julius said smoothly. “Four.”
“EMILIA—”
She laughed, bright and clear across the gardens of Lugunica. “I’ll bring bandages. Just in case.”
As Julius led a grumbling Subaru toward the training grounds, Emilia followed, smiling to herself.
They teased him because he was ridiculous.
They laughed because he was dramatic.
And they stood beside him because, ridiculous or not, dramatic or not—
Subaru Natsuki always stood for them.
Even if he did trip on the way there.