Chapter Text
It was their final and last meet after their countless meets.
As per tradition, the whole nation had plenty of celebrations that honor his ascension.
Particularly today, there was a formal ball that was a celebratory party for his ascension to be the new leader of Fontaine for exclusively the nobles.
The nobles had greeted him as his new title.
He was sitting on the terrace above the ballroom, watching the festivities ongoing below him.
It was customary for him to do so.
Everyone was celebrating him yet he couldn't feel the same excitement as they were.
He only yearned for one thing, which was to see her again.
He missed her. It's been years since he last saw her.
As he was admiring the nobles, a particular figure drew him in.
Particularly their silhouette, it was familiar.
His eyes widened in disbelief as the figure turned to his direction, allowing him to see her full face.
It was her.
It was truly her in the flesh, attending the party for only nobles.
He stood up abruptly yet he held himself back, he almost instantly sprinted at her. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
To see her once again.
He relaxed himself down as he tried to look at her once more but she was gone.
He hastily looks around and manages to catch her dress' silhouette whizzing past the nobles and out to the garden.
He didn't dawdle around and swiftly went to the gardens to catch up to her.
-
In the desolate garden of the Opera Epiclese..
He was looking around the garden swiftly for any signs of her.
But as per usual, she had mysteriously disappeared.
After a while, as he was looking around, he finally saw something passed by in his peripheral view.
His attention was taken away by said figure.
He turned to the figure's direction to be met with a shocking sight.
His heart thumped wildly inside.
It was her.
It was truly her.
She was admiring the rainbow roses grown in the garden of Opera Epiclese.
Before he realized, he was already approaching her figure.
She didn't realize his figure behind her. She was absorbed in the flower as she usually is.
Her fondness of flowers.
He couldn't help but chuckle at her actions.
Which immediately broke her attention from the flower.
She swiftly turned her head, almost getting whiplash and her eyes widened in disbelief.
She swiftly cleaned and straightened her dress. She then hastily curtsy in greeting, "Greetings to Your Majesty, the Emperor of Fontaine"
Before he managed to reply to her greeting, she hastily continued, "I apologize for not greeting Your Majesty earlier."
He smiled, it was exactly like what she did years ago. She was still the same.
He was quite glad to see her again after a long time, years now.
It has been ages. He had yearned for her tremendously. He had been dreaming to see her and finally, his dreams and wishes had come true.
It seems brief and nevertheless simultaneously in his eyes, yet he knew humans are fleeting lives.
One blink and she will be gone.
He sighed softly. It seems she still didn't recognize him.
"It is quite alright. I had frightened you instead. My apologies." Neuvillette retorted.
While her eyes widened and she shook her hands wildly, "Uhh, no, it's alright! You shouldn't apologize, it's all my fault."
He wanted to frown but ended up with a grimace face. He didn't like her taking the blame.
Which she noticed and worried inwardly.
Did she accidentally offend him?! She was panicking but then an idea popped into her head.
She rummaged through her dress pocket.
Fortunately for her, she insisted on having pockets even in her dresses despite Her father's protests. She was adamant and her father had somehow reluctantly agreed after she threatened not to go to balls without the pockets.
"Your Majesty, would you give me the pleasure of accepting my humble gift?" She questioned as she offered him a flower as accustomed of her.
"I respectfully decline..." He trailed off, he didn't feel he deserved a present from her as he usually does.
Yet she hastily shook her head and bowed, "I very much implore you to take it as I had committed a grave offense to you. I would be tremendously in joy if you accept it" As she offered the flower once more, now the distance was inches away from him.
He could only sigh.
It was a familiar scene to him.
It was their second meeting. She had been incredibly polite and stiff around him as well.
He knew well that she wouldn't give up if he didn't take the flower, as she was quite determined.
He had thought it was better to take it as it would resolve it faster.
He slowly grabbed the flower and their hand touched.
Once again after a while, her hand felt warm. Contrary to his cold hands. Her warmth sent a spark of electric jolt to his body.
She instantly smiled, a wonderful one, "My sincerest gratitude for your acceptance."
"It was nothing. I should be giving you gratitude as you have given me a wonderful present" Neuvillette returned her thanks and even gave his own gratitude alongside a smile.
Which shocked her to the core. The rare beautiful smile that graced the usual stoic Iudex which reminded her of someone else. Alongside the gratitude of the Emperor is not to be taken lightly as it was challenging to get one.
She had remembered the texts in history books.
It essentially meant he favors you or had given you a favor.
Which was something huge coming from an Emperor! The sovereign of Fontaine. He has Fontaine and tremendous power in his palm.
He could grant basically anything for her if he was willing.
Silence had covered the air and he coughed, to break said awkward silent.
Their eyes met.
His eyes had a beautiful violet shade. It was as if amethyst stone shone brightly against the dark sky. It sparkled like the most beautiful jewels the world has to offer and she has seen her fair share as a noble lady.
She somehow blurted her thoughts out loud, "I had thought it suited your highness quite well" She managed to speak up.
His eyes widened as he looked downwards to admire the flower.
It was a Lumidouce Bell.
It was the same flower she gave him all those years ago when they had last met.
He couldn't hold it in anymore, he terribly missed her, "I am the person you have given me flowers on countless occasions." He suddenly revealed his identity to her as she gasped in shock.
She couldn't believe his revelation. She even took a few steps back from shock.
He was the mysterious Lord that she had seen on countless occasions?!
And she even left him for years!
She initially even planned to leave him forever as she didn't like Fontaine. Mostly because of her father, she had wanted to settle down somewhere else.
She would ask him to come with her if he wanted. But she was never stepping back to the cursed city anymore, it was filled with nightmares that she would rather leave behind.
Also, because she had the chance to do so, her father had sent her away for schooling and marriage simultaneously in another region. It was still very lucky for her, yet...
Fortunately for him, her father had been unsuccessful in finding a suitor when she was abroad and thought otherwise. So, he ended up bringing her back and presenting her to high society as a prospective young lady in Fontaine.
"I..I knew you looked familiar yet, I couldn't believe that all these time I have been meeting with a sovereign!" She spoke up in bewilderment, her face was morphed into disbelief.
He chuckled, amused by her reaction, "I know it quite well, you are rather fond of flowers, no?"
She nodded, she didn't trust her voice to answer his question.
She knew she had committed plenty of grave sins to him.
Her eyes were spinning.
She didn't know what to do?! She might be thrown in prison for all her crimes?!
Fortunately, Neuvillette noticed her thoughts of panic and chuckled, "It's quite alright. I've never thought that you committed any wrongdoings to me. I, contrary to your belief, favored and was impressed by you."
As he swiftly took out a bouquet of flowers.
Somehow he had that on him, it was sudden yet he was prepared.
How could he not?
He had waited for her all these years, it seems right to be prepared for this right moment.
"Romaritime flowers, Lakelight lilies and Lumidouce Bells?" She questioned, baffled.
It was a beautiful bouquet of flowers, she couldn't help but admire it. The bouquet seemed to glow and was ethereal, it shone beautiful against the night sky.
She loves it yet.....
She couldn't help but question his choices. The mixture wasn't exactly a common one in Fontaine because attaining them isn't easy.
Though...
The longer she admired the flowers, she couldn't help but had more questions bubbling inside her.
Why did he give it to her?
It was so sudden..
Is it because she gifted him plenty of flowers in their past encounter?
Yet, the main question lingers...
Did he know what the flowers he gifted her meant?
She knew clearly what those flowers meant.
How could she not?
She loved flowers deeply, she practically knew all of the information about them, especially Fontaine's.
The main reason is the bouquet was filled with her favorite types of flowers.
The meaning and myth behind those were beautiful.
Their eyes met.
"I love you" He confessed, she gasped in shock.
As fireworks explode behind them.
His eyes seemed to shine, the firework's reflection enhanced his glowing beautiful purple eyes and drew her into his depths.
She froze in her tracks, mouth agape.
She couldn't believe it.
The hydro sovereign loved her!??!
It was bizarre.
She hadn't expected the sudden confession of feelings.
She wouldn't deny that he hadn't had affections for him either.
But him?
He was the Emperor, there are countless women in the whole nation and lands that want him.
She's just...her.
She's not special or anything extraordinary, unlike him.
"I...you know what those flowers meant, right?" She couldn't help but question again. She wasn't sure she heard him right.
He smiled beautifully, it was as if flowers bloom once he smiled. His splendor matched the bouquet she held. It was breathtaking and out of this world.
"I do, an unswerving oath and loyalty. Alongside the tale of their love. Those were my feelings I wished to convey to you" He answered in joy.
"I promise to love you forever and only you that I love." He continued.
She was speechless at his sincere and wonderful declaration.
Any girl would swoon at his romantic confession.
She'll admit she's already charmed by him since the first day they met.
The stiff but polite and kind personality attracted her. She found him interesting as he was different from the other people he had seen before.
As their encounters grew more frequent, she couldn't help but was enraptured by him.
She couldn't help but await their encounters.
She liked everything about him.
His shiny curly luscious silver hair with a few blue streaks.
His beautiful soft smile that shines as if it was the sun and makes flowers bloom once he smiles.
Including the wrinkles he makes when he is extremely happy.
His kind and soft personality, albeit sometimes he may come off as stiff.
His love for learning everything about her and people.
His understanding and his humor.
Basically everything about him is perfect in her eyes.
She smiled, a beautiful bright smile. As if the sun was shining brightly, he's fond of that smile of hers.
He leaned in and they shared a soft yet passionate kiss under the fireworks.
Bouquet of his and her favorite flowers on her hand.
They ended up being together till death do them apart..
The End
A bit of extra:
As they were strolling in the garden, their hands intertwined...
"You didn't have the same hair color as our past encounters," Neuvillette pointed out.
She smiled awkwardly. Not knowing how to explain her complicated circumstances.
She couldn't just say about what happened behind the scenes in her 'noble home' and that she almost wanted to flee Fontaine because of it.
She was a daughter of a Marquis, her words could destroy her family's reputation.
That her father abused her regularly, scars littered her body under her clothes. That she was locked in their residence. She couldn't go to Fontaine without permission from him or any escort, even then, he wouldn't let her go unless she needed to. Which was extremely rare.
She loved Fontaine but due to her restrictions, she had to make use of what she had. Which was a lot of resources.
Also that she escaped from her own home to enjoy Fontaine and for their encounters which was why she brought a disguise, a wig of different color from her's (blonde, because she favors that color). Just to cover her identity.
Which worked well enough.
"Uhh, it's complicated..." She resorted to reason.
She didn't want to burden him with her problems as it doesn't involve him in it.
But Neuvillette thought otherwise, his soft and kind eyes, which seemed almost pleading at her, "Please do tell me. I want to know my future spouse more" He pleaded and she couldn't deny his request or his beautiful eyes.
And what he called her, it made her heart swoon.
"So...How do I start..." She started.
Let's just say by the end of her story. Neuvillette almost destroyed her house and almost put her own father in prison by himself.
It seemed even a murderous aura covered him, which could kill.
Her father did end up in prison for harming her and a few other people. She became the Marchioness, succeeding after her father.
But soon enough, her title changed.
She rose through the ranks into an Empress and was the only woman of Emperor Neuvillette.
Their love story became a famous tale.
Even after years to come.
Ending:
He admired her cold body in his hands.
The once warm and bright person turned to be pale and fragile in the blink of an eye.
It seemed brief yet everlasting as his sense of time differs from hers.
It was natural as they were different beings.
He was immortal, forever to wander the Earth. She wasn't, her time had always been limited and fleeting.
He knew what the repercussions would be.
Yet he still chose her.
She was wonderful, she was his sunshine that shone even in his darkest and stormy days. She shone light, love and warmth, to him. She made him happy and brought the best out of him.
How could he not love her?
When she was perfect, she was his everything, in his eyes.
Now she withered away like those flowers she loved.
He remembered instinctively, he had once asked her about said withering flowers. He had shown slight discontentment of the darkness slowly eroding it. Yet she had once replied to him, in her kind eyes and gray haired, as she admired the withering flower, she spoke, 'I thought it still looked beautiful.'
Yet he looked at her in confusement and she chuckled at his reaction, nevertheless she continued, 'Death is part of its beauty. That's called the circle of life, they die...Yet it still changed the world surrounding it by giving pollen and nectar to the plenty of bees which in return pollinated itself. Some flowers themselves also manage to revive themselves after winter and grow back in spring. I found the process to be beautiful as well as it's appearance'
She smiled, the beautiful one. As if flowers bloom once she smiled.
It was her saying to him, yet he saw it more fitting for her rather than him. Nevertheless, she disagrees with his opinion.
She was the flower itself.
She shone brightly and was very beautiful. Yet she withered as time passed on.
The difference is she will forever be underground and be one with earth while he will keep living above and without her.
They will be forever separated and never to see each other.
He will forever be alone.
He stared at her tombstone.
It has been years now...a Millenia?
He didn't know.
He has long stopped counting ever since her death.
He felt emotionless. He is living life because he needs to. Also that she wanted him to strive, even without her.
Yet, it proved to be extremely challenging..He would still honor her wishes.
He felt empty and seemed as if a dark cloud hovered above him everywhere.
He could only stare at her tombstone.
Her name etched had long since eroded over time. It was barely noticeable to anyone other than him.
As he admired the bouquet of Romaritime Flowers placed beautifully on her tombstone.
He could only smile bitterly at their tragic fate.
He would forever honor his promise to her, unwavering oath and his love.
Fate never did approve of their relationship, they chose to carve out their own destiny.
They were doomed forever to be separated from the beginning.
The End.