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"Lady Lumine, you called?"
The blonde perked up after hearing you say her name. She turned to you with a smile. The maids who were helping her also turned to look at you before continuing with their work. This felt familiar.
"Ang- Erm.. Y/n, thank you for coming on such quick notice! I would go over there to greet you but," Lumine paused, motioning to the maids who were tightening her corset, "I'm sure it was a bit of trouble to persuade Sir Dainsleif... Sorry if I got you in trouble."
You smiled in return, "it was no problem. He just wants me to be back soon," Lumine opened her mouth to say something, but one of the maids handed her a damp towel. She wiped her face with the towel and glared lightly at the maid, who shuddered at her reaction.
"Can you both please give us some space? I want to talk to Y/n privately," Lumine ordered once the second maid tightened the corset. They both nodded in response and left the room without a word. Lumine motioned for you to come to her, and you obeyed. She stood from her desk and hugged you tightly. If anyone else were to see this, you would be executed.
"This is so so soooo tiring I hate this tight corset," Lumine complained into your shoulder. "How has preparing for tonight been treating you?" She queried, stepping back but still holding your arms. Staring into her golden eyes, you blushed, realizing you hadn't answered.
"If you think normal Dainsleif is strict imagine today Dainsleif. He had our whole squad patrol the ball venue, twice! He only let me come see you because it was time for my break." You took a deep breath after explaining this morning's mission. Lumine chuckled while looking at your exhausted expression. Her laugh made you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Lumine let go of you to open a drawer in her desk. She carried a silver necklace out of the container and held it to you.
"For you!" She exclaimed, clasping it around your neck. "If anyone asks just say it's a family heirloom." The blonde chuckled, watching you admire the purple gem that sat just below your neck.
"Thank you Lumine, I'll cherish this gift forever." You gushed, earning a sweet grin from the girl. She embraced you again, this time more loosely so you wouldn't suffocate. The two of you stayed in mellow silence. Lumine laid her head in the crook of your neck, avoiding the metal of your armor. Then quietly, she whispered in your ear.
"My angel... If fate allowed, would you run away with me?" Her tone was sweet, but you could hear the underlying sadness. Though you had contemplated asking her a similar question, this proposition caught you off guard.
You replied softly, "if fate allowed, I would do it without a second thought." Her ears tinted a light pink before she giggled quietly. A knock on the door interrupted your moment.
"Lady Lumine, Captain Dainsleif has asked for Lieutenant Y/n to return to her duties," a maid explained from behind the door. Lumine frowned slightly, but she pecked your cheek and hugged you one last time before smiling at you.
"I'll see you in a few hours," she muttered, sending you off to the door. You opened the door, and the two maids from earlier bowed at you to say goodbye.
Your walk back to the barracks was quiet, leaving you to think of your relationship with Lumine. Just thinking of embracing her made butterflies flutter in your chest. She was more beautiful than any of the stars in the night sky. However, your thoughts were cut short upon your arrival at the barracks. Dainsleif was waiting for you by the gate with the usual stern look on his face.
"Lieutenant, how was your visit with Lady Lumine?" Dainsleif inquired, amusement evident in his tone.
"It went well, thank you for asking. She's nervous about tonight though," you sighed, "is there anything that still needs to be done?"
Dainsleif shook his head, "all the preparations have been completed. Now we have to wait." He paused to nod at some passing guards, then turned to you. "His Majesty suggested changing our uniforms for the upcoming event. I wasn't one for the idea but it is the King's order."
Dain handed you a package, the box wasn't very decorated, but the label in the corner had your name on it. Carefully you took the package but didn't open it.
"I'll have to thank His Majesty when I get the chance. A-And thank you as well Captain." You chimed. Though, all he did was shoo you away so you could try the outfit on.
You rushed to your office, package in hand. You locked the door once you arrived in the room and placed the box on a stack of papers. You made a mental note to finish that paperwork before the party.
Opening the package, you notice the uniform inside. The Eclipse Dynasty crest was embroidered on the center, much like your usual uniform. The only difference was that this new outfit seemed more classy and made for fashion. It fit like a glove.
You checked the time and noticed that there were still a few hours until you had to report to the venue. The paperwork on your desk wouldn't finish itself, and the unsorted books wouldn't put themselves on the shelf. At least you could busy yourself until the event time.
It was a while, but the hours rushed by, and you had most of your work finished. Your office was also neater than before. Now you could finally meet the other knights at the venue to prepare for the party. On the way to the venue, you ran into other knights who bowed their heads upon seeing you. Some of them seemed nervous, while others looked to be bursting with excitement. You, on the other hand, felt a mix of both.
You couldn't wait to see Lumine again, even if you were unable to hold her in your arms. Your excitement varied, but one thing stayed on your mind. Lumine in a pretty dress! How you longed to dance with her while a beautiful melody played. However, you knew that your dreams could never become a reality. You were just a knight; she was one of Khaenri'ah's most influential citizens.
Like a repeat of earlier, Dainsleif greeted you again. It was just a slight wave since he was in the middle of briefing other guards about patrol routes. You knew where to go. The elite officers would guard the ballroom and royal family.
Upon entering the room, you were overwhelmed by the sudden bright lights reflected from the crystal chandelier. After recovering your eyesight, you noticed the room was neat, and the marble floor was spotless. Servants were preparing wine and small platters of food on each table. Some guests had already arrived. Luckily, there were some that you recognized. Three of the sages were said to be attending the party, and one of them was already here. The Great Sage Erwin who worked with the alchemist Rhinedottir in the Art of Khemia. You heard much from Dainsleif about her being a "mysterious" but "wise" leader. You passed by the Sage and bowed your head slightly, earning a nod from her.
You continued your path to the area you were supposed to be overlooking. The room was a terrace from which you could see the whole ballroom. A door behind you was connected to an outdoor hallway that led to a quaint patio. You stood behind the rail in the center of the terrace watching servants busy themselves with chores and guests arriving. Of course, other knights who were uninterested in making conversation joined you at the deck. Dainsleif and Halfdan were guarding the main entrance, greeting guests.
Another figure you noticed was the current head of the Alberich clan. You had never met him personally, but rumors among the Knights were that he was a skilled mage who was offered the title of Sage but declined. You couldn't believe someone would pass up that kind of opportunity.
The east doors opened, and the room fell silent. King Irmin, followed by the Queen, entered and made their way to the thrones that sat on a balcony above the room. Then entered the one person you had been waiting for that whole evening. Lumine entered with a polite look on her face. She was dressed in a silver gown that touched the floor. Behind her was the famed alchemist Rhinedottir, who walked with an arrogant aura. They took their seats at one of the reserved tables where the sages sat. When the doors closed, King Irmin stood from his throne to speak.
"Everyone, I thank you for attending our grand event tonight. I have invited you all here so that we can celebrate what the alchemist Rhinedottir, along with our nation's great guardian, have created. I hope that you all can enjoy this night as if it were your last. May the festivities begin!"
The hall erupted into a mix of music, voices, and orders. You were never one for festivities because of the noise. Luckily, the knights didn't need to intervene with anything. Some of the knights who had been nervous earlier were slowly starting to adjust to the atmosphere. You watched over the hall patiently, studying each of the guests' actions. Nothing suspicious, as expected. Everyone was having an overall great time.
It felt peaceful, almost too peaceful to be real. Though, you couldn't shake the feeling that this had happened before. It made you wonder if you had already lived through this day. Maybe you saw this play out in your dreams. Or perhaps it was a strange case of déjà vu? Whatever this was had you spacing out. When one of your subordinates stood next to you, you were brought back to reality.
"Lieutenant, it's time to change shifts remember? Captain Dainsleif suggested that you and the other officers take a break..." The knight's words reminded you of Dansleif's earlier orders. You nodded and stepped back to allow your subordinate to take your place. While the shifts were changing, you could easily slip by to areas unnoticed. So, you chose the one area that could give you a break away from the noise—the balcony.
Quietly you made your way toward the outdoors. The farther you got from the main hall, the quieter the noises got. Eventually, making it to the area, the only thing you could hear was the tranquil sound of music. Some dimly lit lanterns on the patio added to the calm ambiance. You leaned your arms against the stone wall and let out a sigh of relief. Now that you were less focused on duties, you noticed how tight your chest harness was. Did you really put this on?
Firstly, you set your coat on the stone wall, carefully positioning it so it wouldn't fall somehow. You really hoped that jacket could easily be washed. Not like you planned on wearing it anytime after this. The harness wasn't too tight, but it did squeeze your shoulders too much for your liking. While you adjusted the straps, the necklace you had tucked into your shirt revealed itself. You had no idea if the necklace looked better outside your dress shirt or inside, so you just left it alone. Now that the straps loosened, you felt much more relaxed and stretched your shoulders.
You leaned back against the wall and looked over the landscape of Khaenri'ah. Despite being underground, you could see the capital city very well. You tilted your head up to stare at the crystal roof of the underground. In your opinion, it was almost as beautiful as the night sky above ground. A sound interrupted your focus, causing you to turn to the walkway from which you came readying your weapon. Though, you saw someone you weren't expecting.
"Hey, don't use your sword on me!" The blonde exclaimed half-jokingly, putting her hands up in self-defense. It was none other than Lumine. You took a hand off your sheathed sword and relaxed again, to which she walked over to you. That was when you realized. One of the most essential guests wasn't at the party. You turned to her in shock while whispering loud enough so she could hear.
"What are you doing here?! You—..You have to get back!!" Upon hearing, this Lumine crossed her arms and smirked confidently.
"It was getting boring and I couldn't bear to leave you alone like this." The girl snickered, placing a gloved hand on your shoulder. "And don't worry, Rhinedottir is covering for me!"
She squeezed your shoulder affectionally before letting go to look over the capital. You stood next to her in silence, the only sounds coming from the party hall. Lumine seemed lost in thought as she focused on the landscape. Her alluring eyes sparkled brighter than a sea of stars, a sea that you could easily get lost in. Your lover noticed you staring and faced you with a sly look on her face.
"What is it? Is there something wrong?" Lumine questioned, leaning forward to close the distance. You kept staring into her eyes, thinking of a response. Then without a second thought, you hugged her. Lumine showed no protest and hugged back, resting her head in the crook of your neck. Despite the collared blouse, you felt her breaths tickle your neck. "What is it my angel?"
"I... It's a childish thought.." You whispered.
"Nonsense! You can tell me anything remember?" Lumine scolded playfully, taking your hands into hers. You wanted to tell her. You wanted to tell her your deepest desires. You wanted to say to her how holding each other like this made your mind run in circles. You both knew you loved each other, but "love" was just the tip of the iceberg for you. A beautiful melody began to play in the ballroom, and you knew this could be your only chance.
"My lady may I... May I have this dance?" You requested, stepping back to hold your hand out. Blood rushed to your cheeks when Lumine covered her mouth to giggle. Then she placed her hand on yours and whispered.
"Yes you may, angel." The blonde nodded, allowing you to walk her to an open patio area.
You slipped your hand behind her waist and took one of her hands into yours. Lumine followed along and placed her unclasped hand on your shoulder. You both began to sway along to the music despite it being so quiet. Pressed together, the warmth of her body against yours was something you could never forget. Lumine held a soft but focused smile, and her gaze never left yours. A blush dusted her face, and you could only imagine what color your face was. You were never the best dancer, but your body moved in sync with hers as if under a spell. You both stopped as the melodies of the ballroom became quieter.
Neither of you changed positions, and you saw no reason to ruin the moment. Lumine's face was now inches away from yours. You could feel her warm breathing tickle your cheek. Her hands cupped your cheeks without hesitation, and the blonde pressed her soft lips against yours. This took you off guard, but you held onto her all the same.
Lumine broke away with tears forming in her eyes, letting go of your face. Instead of releasing her, you rubbed the tears away, kissed her cheek, and kissed her lips lightly. Your lover embraced you tightly as if she would lose you forever if she let go. Lumine sniffled in the crook of your neck, tears soaking the fabric. You rubbed her back, allowing her to cry.
"Why are you crying Lumi? I'm sorry if I did something wrong." You muttered into her ear. Lumine didn't answer, instead burying her face in your shoulder to muffle her ragged breathing. Despite holding each other like this, you couldn't help but feel cold. Your chest was also aching in pain for some reason. A sorrowful feeling welled up in your chest as well. Heartache? Despair? It was a combination of the two.
Lumine started to mutter incoherently through her sobs, which were getting heavier. Repeatedly she whined, "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. Angel please I'm sorry. You can't leave me-"
Your thoughts were clouded, and the soreness in your chest wasn't helping you figure out what was going on—a numbness formed in your body, keeping you from moving. Your breathing became erratic while a high-pitched ringing blocked out Lumine's cries. Finally, you felt your consciousness fading, and your surroundings went black.
Pain jolted you awake from the illusion. Your eyes shot open to see destroyed surroundings. Stinging ripped through your chest, and you shuddered from the cold. In your right hand was a now broken sword. Leaning against the ruined wall, awakening to the cold reality, you knew life was slowly draining from your body. As your body became more aware of its surroundings, you felt a familiar warmth on your left side. The high-pitched ringing dissipated, and you heard the same cries from your dream.
Weakly, you released the broken sword and placed your hand on her head. The sobs quieted once Lumine held your arm. Now that your vision was more precise, you noticed Lumine's bloodstained hands holding your bleeding arm.
"Are.. Are you hurt...?" You questioned faintly, hoping that Lumine could hear your weak voice. In response, the blonde shook her head, earning a pained smile from you. Lumine was trembling, and you felt ashamed being unable to help her. Cold tears ran down your face. Your heartache felt more painful than your fatal injuries. "I-I'm sorry I couldn't... I c-couldn't help you in ti-time," Lumine mumbled through tears, "please you can't- you can't leave me!"
You thought up many responses to Lumine's request but felt too weak to say anything. A despairing chill went up your spine, reminding you that time was running out. You wanted to tell her that everything would be okay. You wanted to know if you had done your duty in protecting Khaenri'ah. You wanted to find Dainsleif and report that the mission was completed. You wanted to live.
But, the world, along with your racing mind went quiet and the pain faded away leaving one final wish.
The only thing you wanted was for Lumine to happily call you "Angel" again.