From Reinhard's perspective, I must've gone quiet for a long while - just standing there, staring up at him like a deer caught in headlights. His lips parted, probably about to ask if I was alright when I finally spoke, my voice a little hesitant, a little rough.
"…Where… am I? And what happened?"
There was a flicker of relief in his expression, like he was just glad I was coherent enough to talk. Reinhard offered a gentle smile, his voice as calm and steady as ever.
"You're safe. This is the Astrea estate," he explained softly, crouching down a little so we were at eye level. "After everything that happened in the capital… I thought it'd be best to bring you here. You were badly injured."
Wow... that is a big divergence... but why?
Before I could ask, Reinhard lowered his head in a quick, apologetic bow.
"I learned from Lady Emilia that you trusted me enough to have her find me," he said, guilt weighing down every word. "And yet… I was too late. If I'd arrived sooner, none of this would've happened to you. I… failed you. Both as a knight and as your friend."
His voice tightened near the end, as if saying it out loud physically hurt him. friend?... oh... right right, I remember now, when we both met the first time. but damn, i forgot how much of a kicked puppy he was.
I tried to open my mouth to speak, but the blazing-haired self-depricating unloved as a child teen continued. "And then… even after being so injured, when Milady was in danger," his expression softened into something even more pained, blue eyes lowering, "you used magic. Knowing full well it would worsen your wounds, you still chose to protect her. Against the Bowled Hound, no less."
He let out a slow breath, as if forcing the next words through a tight throat.
"You've already suffered so much… and still, you put others before yourself."
For a moment, he fell silent again.
I swear to god, if this guy starts crying, I'm done...
wait... Milady? Who did I save that was "milady"? emilia?
"And for that, I am truly grateful," he said, standing slightly up with a smile.
ok... well... this feels really weird.
Then he straightened slightly, offering a small, genuine smile. "And for that, I am truly grateful."
Okay… well, this feels really weird.
I raised a hand, already feeling awkward. "It's fine. All of that was for my own benefit anyway. So don't worry about it. Hell, I should be the one thanking you. But I know your type, so I'll be happy just having your support. That's what friends are for, right? So don't stress. Okay? Okay."
Reinhard blinked in confusion. "O-kay?" he repeated, clearly not quite understanding the phrase, then quickly shook his head with a small smile. "If that is what you wish, Shiro."
Just then, a faint but persistent banging noise reached our ears, the unmistakable sound of someone trying desperately to get out of a locked room.
"Oh, my apologies," Reinhard said cheerfully, a light gleam in his eyes. "I almost forgot—I made food for both you and Milady. Let's continue this discussion after you've eaten. Please, follow me, Shiro."
I stared at him for a moment, questioning reality, before shrugging and falling into step behind him. "Wait up then," I muttered, and it seemed he heard, because his pace slowed to match my slower-than-normal stride.
As we walked, the rhythmic banging grew louder, until we reached a door that visibly shook with every BANG BANG - clearly someone was failing at trying to break it down.
"I SAID OPEN UP, DAMN IT!" a familiar, high-pitched female voice screeched in anger from beyond the door. If it opened, it would most likely reveal a blonde-haired, red-eyed teen.
I don't even need foresight to know what'll happen if that door is open. But seriously, he just chucked Felt in a room and locked it? Maybe felt was right, this is a kidnapping.
Reinhard, graceful and composed as ever, calmly walked over to the door, stopped, and opened it with the kind of careful ease you'd expect from someone handling glass.
The instant the door opened, a foot shot out like a bullet, aimed straight for the first unlucky soul in the way.
Reinhard didn't even flinch. He caught the flying foot effortlessly, holding it there with one hand like it was nothing.
Felt let out a yelp as she lost her balance and toppled backwards, landing hard on the floor. She shot Reinhard a death glare sharp enough to kill. "Don't block my kick, you bastard! And you better tell me what the hell's going on here!"
Reinhard tilted his head slightly, an almost apologetic look in his eyes. "What's with the aggression, Miss Felt? Was the room not to your liking?"
"Like hell it was!" Felt snapped, already pushing herself up with a scowl.
Reinhard knelt, offering a hand. "Allow me-"
"I can get up by myself!" Felt barked, slapping his hand away and scrambling upright, brushing herself off like she hadn't just fallen flat on her ass. Then, without warning, she threw a punch straight at his face — and just like the kick, it was casually brushed aside like swatting away a fly.
"Don't block it, you bastard!" she shouted, glaring up at him.
Reinhard gave a sheepish smile, scratching the side of his cheek. "My apologies, Miss Felt. It was instinct."
Seriously, saying sorry for blocking a punch is just crazy. I just stood there, watching what could only be described as a canon event anime-ass scene happening in front of me.
but also... damn, this is shit is pretty fucking entertaining. Your sacrifice is worth it, Reiny
"Oh yeah?! Really?!" Felt snapped again, practically vibrating with rage. "Is it also your 'instinct' to go around abducting people too?! Huh?!"
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Hah, this is so funny.
Reinhard, still looking entirely too calm for a man being accused of kidnapping, raised his hands placatingly. "I assure you, there was no ill intent for the relocation. It was for your own benefit, Miss Felt."
"Benifit my ass!" she barked. "You didn't even ask!"
Reinhard sighed. "I did plan to explain after you'd woken up and calmed down."
Felt snorted. "Calm down? How 'bout you try being locked in a room and see how calm you stay!"
Watching this, I almost burst out laughing, but held back because I really wanted to see how destructive this would get. But then, I felt a small grumbling and a pain in my stomach. holy shit i am so hungry why?
I grabbed my stomach, then quickly coughed, getting their attention, "yeah... i have no clue what is going on buuut... I wa~as told about food. So I was wondering about that. Oh right. hey felt." I gave a lazy little wave like we weren't in the middle of this ridiculous scene.
Both of them froze. Reinhard coughed awkwardly, realising only now that he'd completely forgotten about me. Felt stiffened, turning toward the sound of my voice like she hadn't even noticed I was standing there this whole time. Her eyes widened, recognition hitting her like a slap.
Reinhard cleared his throat. "Ah, yes. Shiro is right. I had prepared breakfast for the both of you. I was planning to explain everything then."
"Great," I cheered, "makes things easy."
Felt's gaze didn't leave me, though. A weird mix of emotions flickered across her face, confusion, disbelief, guilt? and... begrudging respect. "Shiro!? y-you... " her face morphed again, as she thought, she stared between us, then clicked her toung, grumbling before "Fine then, I'll follow along, but i swear if you do anything i'll kick your ass." she stared, glaring at the blazzing haired teen.
The guy just smiled politely, like he'd just been asked to hold a kitten. "Of course, Miss Felt. I assure you, I mean no harm."
.
.
.
I walked beside Felt, a little behind her while Reinhard led the way. The halls of the estate were quiet, save for the faint sounds of our footsteps. Every so often, I caught her sneaking a glance at me out of the corner of her eye, only to quickly look forward again like nothing happened.
It was kind of funny, honestly.
Eventually, after a long pause, she spoke, voice kinda gruff and awkward, like she was forcing the words out through clenched teeth. "Thanks… again. For saving me. You still went outta your way for me even when you were messed up… and… and… AND I'm really thankful you did, okay?! Just- are you good?"
I blinked, then smiled. "Yep, no pain, whoever healed me up, did great, just some chest pain is all. But that'll probably go away too. Hmm, are you fine too, i don't really remember much since i was kinda getting my ass kicked by my own body."
Felt snorted. "Yeah, well, you didn't miss much. After you went down, everything kinda wrapped up. I gave that royal thingy back, and then that guy," she jabbed a thumb at Reinhard up ahead, "started spouting some weird nonsense before knocking me out."
She huffed, crossing her arms. "Woke up locked in some fancy room like some goddamn kidnapped princess. Still hasn't told me anything. I guess you're in the same boat then?"
"Yep. Though I'm suppose I'm here 'cause Reiny hauled me off for some help," I said, throwing a look his way. Then, smirking, I leaned in a little. "Also, man, you do know you gotta ask a girl out before kidnapping her, right?"
Felt snorted at that, but I didn't stop there. I patted her on the back, lowering my voice. "But don't worry, Reinhard's like a kicked puppy. Annoyingly polite, but not a bad guy."
She let out a sharp cackle, the tension easing from her shoulders. "Alright, fine, I'll take your word for it." She grinned, then grumbled under her breath, "But if he pulls that stunt again, I'm breaking his nose."
Eventually, the three of us made it to a dining room where Reinhard cheerfully served breakfast like this was some regular, totally-not-abduction situation. Plates of steaming food were placed in front of us, and while I casually grabbed a fork, Felt just… stared at her plate like it was some kind of alien artefact.
Then, without a word, she scooped up a handful of food with her bare hand and shoved it in her mouth.
"Woah! This is actually good!" Felt exclaimed, immediately switching to shovelling more food in with both hands like a girl possessed.
I raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-bite as I watched her. Reinhard, on the other hand, looked like he was witnessing a crime against table manners.
"U-Um, Miss Felt," he started, trying to sound polite but clearly rattled, "it would be… more ladylike to use the silverware provided."
Felt shot him a sharp glare, crumbs clinging to the corner of her mouth. "I'll eat however the hell I want! And you don't get to tell me squat, kidnapper!" and shoved another mouthful in her... well... mouth.
Reinhard flinched slightly, visibly caught off guard, and wisely chose not to say anything else. which is a good choice against bombs
I snickered, leaning back a little as I eyed the table. "How fancy~" I mused, before casually picking up one of the forks, remembering without a second thought which one was actually for the main course.
What an annoying ability, I thought, my mind flashing back to that one time I accidentally memorised an entire restaurant's cutlery layout just by glancing at it once. It's handy… and a pain in the ass. especially with-
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A/N - :0 :0 :0 fluffy wuffy.