I carried a few boxes to the backyard and set them down next to Roy. He smiled at me and nodded. I nodded back and noticed Nebula and Tsuhori helping Lily carry a few items. She smiled sweetly at them both. I noticed Lily had dropped a few items and I went over to help her.
Eirine was making lunch with Cecilia and smiled as she watched us from the kitchen. "Already such a big help. We've got more done in a few hours than we ever done in a weeks time."
"Yeah." Cecilia smiled and watched me.
I walked inside and sighed softly. "Alright."
Cecilia turned away, quickly. She stirred the contents in the pot quickly, clearly flustered. "A-Ahh was everything going smoothly out there w-with Uncle Roy and Aunt Lily?"
I looked at Cecilia and chuckled softly then walked toward her and hugged her from behind. "Everything went smoothly..~"
Cecilia blushed as she tried to concentrate on stirring. "Y-Yeah..?"
I chuckled softly and held her hips. "Eirine, Lily wanted us to go to the market and get more supplies and groceries."
"E-Ehh?! Just the two of you?!" Cecilia asked and looked up at me.
"Will there be a problem?" I teased and kissed her forehead. "She will also become my wife at your request. Are you going to be okay with sharing me with her?~"
Cecilia blushed then elbowed me away. "I don't care what you do actually!" She scoffed.
"By the Gods just tell me you love me already..~" I chuckled and let her go.
"Shut up and leave already!" Cecilia growled, stirring more aggressively.
I chuckled and walked off. "Come on, Eirine. Nebula's waiting for us."
Eirine nodded and hurried behind me. "Coming!~"
Cecilia grunted and looked at the pot. She thought of me and shook her head. "No..! You've only known each other for three days..! You can't love a man this quickly!"
Cecilia bellowed and quickly stirred. "I don't like him!"
Roy heard Cecilia's bellow and chuckled. "Ahh...the love at first sight syndrome..~"
Lily giggled and nodded. "I've never seen her so riled up before. Ryoma must have some serious seduction skills..~"
-----
"So uhm...Eirine." I started, feeling her tight embrace around my waist.
"Yeah?~" Eirine purred.
"Why are you staying out here?" I asked.
"Because the Royal Politics and Issues are too much for me! Daika has ruined Selum...I ran away and came to the countryside to live with my auntie and uncle." Eirine said with a soft southern accent in her voice.
"Your role as royalty is still important. We can't hide here forever." I said.
"We can!" Eirine said and gripped my kimono. She rested her head against my back. "I...I don't fight anymore because I was defeated by Klaus. He humiliated me..."
"Klaus. What are your brothers masters at?" I asked.
"Daika is a master in most Martial Arts like Karate, Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Ninjutsu. Moroto is skilled Ansatsuken, a martial arts primarily used to kill. Klaus is a master at Bujutsu. Soren is a primary master of Ninjutsu. As you know Cecilia is a master at Wrestling and as Lady of War I am a Master at Selum Martial Arts." Eirine answered.
"I see. Cecilia told me that this year is Selum's 30th Tournament." I said.
Eirine nodded and closed her eyes. "This year we are hoping to finally summon Asura. Only two of us can be chosen for his Crest. Daika plans to take the Crest and conquer Uthea for the Legend."
"Well I know I'm not letting that happen. No one's going to ruin my legacy." I said and smiled. I felt Eirine hold me tighter. "Easy, My Queen. I am not going anywhere."
"I know...I just like your touch. Your warmth...it makes me warm inside.." Eirine smiled.
I chuckled softly and pat her hands gently. "Well...hold me for however long you wish."
"You don't have to tell me twice..~" Eirine giggled and nuzzled me gently.
We continued toward the marketplace and soon made it. We got off Nebula and she waited for us at the entrance. Eirine and I walked together to gather what Lily needed.
I held Eirine's hand and she looked at me. "Don't want you getting lost..~" I chuckled.
Eirine blushed and smiled. She held my hand back then nodded. "I know I won't be getting lost, My Emperor..~ I can just feel your presence..~"
We continued to walk together and I paid for all the items we needed. I even bought Nebula, Eirine, and Cecilia something from the market. We went back to Nebula and got on her back.
"Nebula..~" I said and held out a golden apple toward her.
Nebula looked surprised and happily whinnied then ate the golden apple. They seemed to be her favorite because once she ate it, she squealed and the markings on her body shined then wings emerged from her body then folded.
"Ahh..~ An Awakening~ You are a true alicorn..~" I chuckled and rubbed her neck.
Nebula whinnied and nodded. I smiled and clicked my teeth then she galloped back home. Eirine smiled at the connection I had with Nebula and let out a soft giggle.
------
We finally made it back home and got off Nebula. She shapeshifted into her human form and hurried to the backyard. Eirine and I walked into the house together.
"Geez about damn time you two came back!" Cecilia sighed and walked to the front and noticed we were holding hands then grunted. She closed her eyes and her cheeks became red from jealousy. "Unhand my sister now!"
I smirked and let go of Eirine and she let go of me. I walked toward Cecilia and kissed her cheek. "Glad to know you missed me..~"
I walked into the kitchen then snapped my fingers and the bags appeared on the table. Cecilia watched me and shook her head. Eirine giggled and held her arms.
"Why are you so jealous, Celli?~ You've spend three days with him prior. I'm sure he's made moves on you as well..." Eirine smiled at Cecilia.
Cecilia thought of all the times I've teased her and shown affection toward her over the course of the days. She grew annoyed and barked at Eirine, "It doesn't matter! We are just here until all the heat dies down!"
Eirine had a grin on her face. "Or is it that you're scared I'm going to take Emperor Ryoma away from you and keep him all to myself?~"
"Why you-"
"Ladies, calm down. There's enough of me to go around." I said from the kitchen as I was putting things away. "Both of you will soon to be wedded to me so it's time to learn how to share."
"Yeah, Celli~ We gotta share!~" Eirine giggled.
Cecilia sighed and stared at the ceiling. "Fine.."
"I'm glad you two made it back safely." Roy chuckled as he walked in. "Once I heard Cecilia's usual barking I knew you all had made it home. You have the soil and new watering can Lily asked for?"
"Yeah." I said then picked them both up. "It's all right here, even got some extra things for your gardens and crops."
Roy chuckled and took them. "Ahh you're like the son I've always wanted..."
I smiled at him then watched him leave. I leaned against the counter and closed my eyes. Cecilia walked into the kitchen and noticed me against the counter.
"What's wrong?" Cecilia asked.
"He's like the father I've always wanted. Sure I loved my father, but we never really spent time together. I don't know, I'm just feeling pretty nostalgic." I said and chuckled then opened my eyes to look at Cecilia.
Cecilia watched me and crossed her arms. I grabbed a box from the counter and handed it to her. She looked at it and took it from my hands. She opened it and her eyes widened.
"W-What? You got me this pendant?!" Cecilia asked in shock.
"It has your birthstone and the Month Crest engraved. I had to spend a lot to get it made." I said and smiled at her joy.
She got closer to me and hugged me. "Thank you."
I chuckled softly and hugged back. "Mmm~ You're welcome, My Queen."
She let me go and went to show Lily the pendant. I watched her hurry outside then walked to the other box. I grabbed it and walked toward Eirine. She looked at me and back at the box.
"This is for you..~" I said and watched her take the box.
She opened the box and noticed a ring inside. "A promise ring..?~"
I held her chin and smiled at her. She gazed into my eyes and blushed. I kissed her cheek and let her go. She blushed even more and stared at me.
"A promise ring..~" I said then stroked her chin and walked toward the front door. "I'm going to go find something to do. Ciao~"
Eirine watched me leave and hurried upstairs.
-----
"Hey where's Ryoma?" Cecilia asked as she trotted to the living room.
"Don't know. He said he was going to find something to do. He never said where he went." Eirine answered as she enjoyed her popsicle.
"It is getting pretty late. Hopefully he isn't hurt." Lily said and looked at her clock.
All three heard a neigh outside and went to check the window. I got off Nebula's back and smiled at her. They noticed my clothes were torn and dirty.
I snapped my fingers and used magic to cleanse myself then walked inside the house. "I'm back, sorry for being gone so long."
"Sir! Where have you been?!" Cecilia scolded at me, walking toward me.
I smiled at her and held her hips. "Just getting a bit of training done...I happened to run into a few powerful beasts, but I'm alright my love."
Cecilia closed her eyes and blushed as I kissed her cheek. "Mmm...just tell us where you are going. We don't need you getting hurt.."
I chuckled softly and placed my forehead against hers. "I won't get hurt, my love. When I have Nebula and Tsuhori with me, my two personal retainers and partners, I won't be in any real danger."
"But still...I don't want to lose you..." Cecilia said softly as she looked into my eyes and held my shoulders.
Her demeanor was different when we were alone. She was more submissive, more doting, more gentle. She grew more soft when there was no one around.
"Celli!~" Eirine giggled and watched us.
Cecilia grunted and pushed me away. "And don't EVER disappear on us again you reckless brute!" Cecilia barked.
I laughed softly and crossed my arms. "Alright, I won't disappear again like that."
Cecilia blushed madly and looked away. She scoffed and stormed off from embarrassment. "I'm going to bed!"
"Nighty night!~" Eirine giggled.
I chuckled and walked toward Eirine. I kissed her cheek then walked to the living room. "Hey, Lily. Where's Roy?"
"He went to the city to settle some monetary issues. We've been getting robbed by our government. I'm not too worried though. Roy used to the the First Commander in the Selum Army." Lily smiled.
"I see. I promise you all I will fix this kingdom. This is no way for nobles to live...well young nobles like me, Cecilia, and Eirine. I do like it here though, but this kingdom need their Queens in action." I said.
"I know, but they aren't strong enough to deal with their brothers just yet. Once they grow strong enough, they will go back and show Selum what a real ruler looks like." Lily smiled at me.
I chuckled softly and nodded. "Don't worry, I'll make sure they are trained. After all they are my soon to be wives..~"
Eirine blushed and smiled. "Why not make it official now?~"
"Well, there's too much danger lurking for me to just focus on marriage right now. Right now we aren't even royalty. We are merely commoners right now. Once I make you two Queens, I'll marry you both." I smiled.
"Okay, whatever works for you, My Emperor!~" Eirine giggled and hurried back to the couch. "Care to join us?~"
"Sure." I nodded and walked toward the other couch and sat down.
------
Cecilia laid on her bed and sighed softly. "I don't like him! I'm just worried for him. Yeah, that's all it is...I only tolerate him! There is no connection! He saved me, I'm thankful. I owe him nothing!"
Cecilia sighed and rolled on her side. "So why does it hurt so much when he's with Eirine...I'm not jealous. If I really wanted him I would get him!"
Cecilia sighed and closed her eyes, deciding to just get some sleep for the night.
Everything was peaceful in this town. Everyone was nice toward me and Cecilia despite our run in with the Selum Guards and Prince Soren. There are clear signs of injustice in this kingdom and I'm planning to rid of it. This is only the start of the Order.