THE RESCUE

“Why do you always say that?”

“Say what?”

“‘I am the flower and you are the sun’. That.”

“Oh, that.” Hanako simply smiled to herself, brushing off the probing question coyly.

Hina couldn’t help, but to puff out her cheeks in irritation at how evasive her friend was being.

‘I am a flower and you are the sun, and without you I would simply wither.’

More than once her best friend said those exact words. They flowed naturally from her lips as if it was a creed she lived by. It was curious, because Hina could hardly compare herself to something as important as the sun.

“Why do you always say that?” Hina repeated herself. She was intensely curious behind the reason. Was it something she read from a book? Did her grandmother tell her that in her final moments before passing away? Was it a magical spell she said every day to bring good luck? Just what was the true meaning hidden within Hanako’s chant-like words?

Weirdly enough, Hanako got a bit huffy.

“If you don’t understand what simple words mean, then I’m not explaining it to you,” was what Hanako said, sounding a bit sulky. It was unlike her, as she was normally very elegant, graceful and hardly one to show her temper. Hina could count on one hand whenever Hanako showed how upset she was. Crossing her arms and looking away with an adorable pout. So rare was it for her to act so childish, Hina couldn’t help the urge to needle her a little.

“Aw, Han-chan is so cute when she’s mad.”

As Hanako tended to wear her hair up, her ears and neck were on full display. Hina witnessed that snowy skin of hers grow pink and the colour spreading upwards until the very tips of her ears were bright red.

“I’m not cute,” Hanako grumbled, absolutely sulking now.

“But you are. Very, very cute!” Hina pushed, giggling a little.

Huffing softly, Hanako left Hina to go to another room.

“You don’t get it.”

“Don’t get what? How cute you are?” Hina called after teasingly.

“...Tsk!” With a childish click of her tongue, Hanako rushed out of the classroom, probably to go cool off her head after being teased.

Hina continued to laugh even after Hanako had left, though her mirth soon died down as people around them whispered.

“Wow, Masafumi-san can be pretty dense, huh?”

“I feel bad for Sasaki-san.”

“Should we tell Masafumi-san?”

“If the romance otaku can’t figure it out for herself, then we shouldn’t help her.”

“Yeah, I’m on Sasaki-san’s side on this one. We shouldn’t do the work for Masafumi-san.”

It was Hina’s turn to feel a little shame. While anyone else would have realized the truth of what the girls were saying, her interpretation was as far from the truth as was possible: she bullied her friend and she felt bad about it!

Honestly, thinking about it, Hina felt ashamed. She always did as she liked around Hanako. Complaining, hanging onto her, calling at all hours of the night and basically staying glued to her side whenever time allowed for it. Honestly, Hanako was so patient with Hina’s antics, it was probably bordering on concerning for everyone looking in from the outside. From someone who didn’t know how their relationship worked, they would think she was taking advantage of Hanako’s kindness.

Honestly, many approached Hanako about that topic almost regularly.

After all, her best friend was someone of excellent breeding, intelligence and beauty.

And she was…

…Hina had to properly apologize.

However, Hina never got the chance to.

The next time she saw Hanako, her friend would deftly change the subject or deflect from it. Acting as if nothing had transpired, happy to keep up the status quo. And Hina, being the nonconfrontational coward that she was, just played along eventually. But the heaviness of realizing her sins as a friend stayed within her for a long while…

Soleil was trapped.

In front of her was Nicolette, backed up by her henchmen, all strong looking and able bodied men. Even though Soleil had strength that was beyond what a noblewoman should have, she no longer had the advantage of surprise and all the disadvantages of numbers. She and Alperene were well and truly screwed.

How many times have I been in this situation? Not as Soleil Lorainne, but as Masafumi Hina. Nao had her own little group of cronies, always ganging up on her and bullying her. They never physically hurt her, but the fear and danger she felt during those times was similar to what she felt now. Although the key difference was this time she could really die.

Is this how I die this time? She thought, nervous sweat rolling down her head. In an attempt to have something ripped from me?

The wretched smiles of the men around her spoke of a worse fate, as well, and she shuddered at the thought.

Behind her Alperene whimpered pathetically, obviously scared. So different from the confident woman she was meant to be from the story. What of her? Was she going to be subject to a terrible fate because of blunders Soleil had done?

“You should have just accepted your place, you low life,” Nicolette said casually, triumph heavily lacing her voice. Her expression was frightening, eyes wide as she took in the frightened countenances of the other woman. Positively drunk off of it. Soleil felt sick to her stomach. “But no matter. People like you were always meant to be sacrifices for me.”

Soleil had nothing to say about that, just remaining quiet so as to not raise the other noblewoman’s ire more. It would be foolish to do so. Perhaps, if she allowed Nicolette to rant and monologue, there was a sliver of a chance for them to stall for extra time. For help? For the others to escape? Just to continue breathing a little longer? Soleil didn't know, but every moment they stayed alive was one more moment of hope.

It’s not easy to be heroic, Soleil thought anxiously. Clearly there was a difference between fiction and real life. The heroes of the stories she loved to read were so brave in the face of death and they were all so easily able to make snap decisions. But Soleil was trembling, knees shaking, scared for herself, for Alperene and the other women, hoping for a way out.

“I don’t know why someone worthless like you was blessed with a divine weapon, and I, the high class daughter of a Marchess, has nothing…it is unconscionable. That is wrong! Only the elite deserve that privilege. It’s only fair you lesser trash should just give me what I want.”

Ah, yes, the usual rantings of a member of the elite who only ran with their family’s name and did nothing to earn it. How many of these have I read in the past? Talk about failure of parenting, thank goodness my parents in the past and present didn’t spoil me like this. Thinking about her old romance novels and their stereotypical tropes brought Soleil some weird comfort, even coaxing a smile, which wasn’t smart as Nicolette had noticed. And she did not like it.

She stomped forward and slapped Soleil as hard as she could right across the face.

“Lady Soleil!” Alperene cried out, shocked at what she was witnessing.

“Urk!” While she was strong, it did not mean Soleil was invulnerable. That actually really smarted, but she did not fight back. Stay calm, stay calm. Don’t provoke her too much.

“Just what is so funny, you wretch?! Are you looking down on me?!” Nicolette roughly grabbed Soleil by the hair as she had during the ball, dragging her downwards so she had no choice, but to bow in front of her in order to alleviate the pain in her scalp. Although the action was the same, the intent behind it was slightly different. Rather than hoping for the bully of a woman to get things out of her system and go away, the meaning behind what she did now was simply to buy more time. The men around them laughed, though if it was at Soleil’s own expense or their mistress’, she had no idea. Perhaps both; the drama between nobles (especially women) were rather ridiculous, when one thought about it. Soleil wished she could also laugh along, if not for the fact she was the one embroiled in the situation.

Soleil was careful not to make too much noise, or react too obviously, pulling on her experience dealing with bullies back in Japan. She had to pray Nicolette would keep going a little longer, before losing steam. She hated having to do this, especially since she did have the strength to fight back, but she had to remind herself that Alperene was also with her and there were more people than they could possibly fight off.

Soleil thought otherwise when she saw Nicolette drag out the dagger she had meant to use on Alperene earlier. She began to tug away, losing a bit of hair in the process, but the other woman’s cronies began to move, two to each side of her holding her in place. Soleil did not make it easy though, shrieking and trying to shake them off. Nearby, Alperene foolishly cried for them to stop, but was soon snatched up by someone else.

“Well, once I become the Saint of the Empire,” Nicolette began, slowly raising the dagger high above her head, “it won’t matter anymore. Prince Darius will have to select me as his wife. He will have no choice. It will be expected of him. And when I become the Crown Princess I will take care of that disgusting Duke who dared to get in my way.”

Soleil’s heart got caught in her throat and she braced herself for impact, seeing Nicolette ready to strike.

Florian we can’t meet again, was what Soleil thought.

In that moment, she saw a flash of red. Did she get stabbed? Her blood was bushing out?

No, she hadn’t felt metal penetrating her skin yet. Her eyes were shut closed and tightly.

It wasn’t a splatter, but the quick image of a thin red line, like a string, drawn taut as if connecting in two places.

And before the dagger could touch her, the entire building they were in shook violently as an explosion happened nearby. Nicolette could be heard shrieking, while her men were crying out in confusion. Alperene was also screaming, frightened from everything.

Soleil dared to open her eyes.

Down the hall, smoke billowed from where a nearby hall had been blown into. The world beyond this place was in plain view as a shadow stretched into the hallway, given form with the settling dust and smoke. Steps echoed as everyone became silent, watching for the cause of this abrupt scene of destruction make its way into sight.

With a black cape that shifted in the breeze that now moved freely through the building, the person looked like the very image of death for a brief moment. Though their pale complexion did not help, nor did those sharp blood red eyes which narrowed upon seeing them all. Their entire being could be described as slow and deliberate in each movement, no sense of hurry as they moved closer and closer, no more bothered than when a fly would get too close. Soleil saw a glint of red on their left hand – a jewel similar to a ruby shining in the night as they quietly tucked a lock of errant dark hair behind an ear, face set in a most familiar serene smile.

And the owner of that smile said her words so pleasantly, yet so venomously, that it was hard not to feel intimidated even as an ally.

“Did I not tell Marchess Beaumont to properly educate you?” Florian Evanthe Sinclair said, almost conversationally. There was a heaviness in the air that made one hold their breath. The way she smiled did not reach her eyes at all and just added to that air of danger following her.

“Clearly, like father, like daughter. In one ear – “ She tapped one side of her head. “ – and out the other.” She tapped the opposite side, then brought her hand away in a quick motion, symbolizing the futility of trying to educate either one of them.

Remembering her voice, Nicolette shouted in outrage.

“What are you idiots standing there for – get her!” she commanded.

Two of the men holding Soleil down let go of her in order to follow Nicolette’s orders, pulling out their weapons and charging at the female duke. Though useless, Soleil couldn’t help chiming in with a ‘watch out!’

And then she saw something amazing unfold right before her eyes.

The drawing of a divine weapon is said to be quite the miraculous sight. In the Saint’s Thorny Road novel, it was described as a gathering of light that burst out as the weapon was revealed by the saint’s partner, who withdrew the weapon like unsheathing a sword from a scabbard. The novel was new, so there had not been an anime created to visualize this moment back when she had been Masafumi Hina and in all the years she had been alive, Soleil had never witnessed her mother and father draw out her divine weapon.

In the few scant seconds it took for the men to reach Florian, a burst from beneath her feet. Rising from that light, came the spectral shapes of weaponry of all kinds. An axe, a spear, bow and arrow – so many swirled around her form like a whirlwind of a magical armory.

She has more than one. Soleil thought, both amazed and horrified. There was an implication in Florian possessing more than a single divine weapon…

Florian should only have one, maybe two at the most. So how…

She counted 12 weapons floating around Florian.

The Duke reached out and selected one of the spectral armaments, golden light encompassing her and the weapon she had picked. The others fell away and the divine weapon solidified with a burst of golden particles. Florian wielded a thin sword, something closer to a rapier. A saber?

In a quick swipe, she batted both attacking men away from her, continuing her march forward. They got back up and tried again, yet she continued to parry them away, taking steps towards her and Nicolette. Seeing their comrades struggle, others came forward to try and overpower the Duke of the North. However, they were as useless as the others, Florian continuing to fight them away like they were no more than gnats. However, her patience could only last for so long.

“I am not feeling particularly generous right now,” she stated flatly, her smile unfaltering but the gaze in her eyes gaining murderous intent. Plain for all to see.

Nicolette, who still had a hold on Soleil, had inched closer to her, almost gluing herself to Soleil’s side, looking positively frightened. Just as much as this area had been a dead end for Soleil’s own escape, there was nowhere for the other noblewoman to run, either. All three (this included Alperene) in the corner simply watched as Florian coldly dispatched the henchmen like they were nothing.

Soleil had never seen someone get killed before, not for real, in both lifetimes. She supposed the final moments she had on the bus to Okinawa counted, but it was nowhere near as brutal and heartless as this massacre.

There were still the men holding Soleil and Alperene and when she was close enough, the Duke said, “You have a choice, let go of those ladies and leave, so I show you exactly why I don’t need to touch you to kill you–”

None of them had to be told twice. They released their prisoners and immediately ran off, to Nicolette’s horror and dismay. What started off as things heavily in her favour was now looking bleak for the Marchess’s daughter. Soleil took this time to go over to Alperene, leading her away from Nicolette as Florian continued her advance. The protagonist of Soleil’s favourite novel was shaking like a leaf and clung onto her, hiding her face in her shoulder in order to block out everything that was happening. Soleil, for her part, continued to watch the events unfold, despite her own apprehension and fear. Like watching a train wreck as it happened, she couldn’t tear her eyes away.

“St-stay back!” Nicolette commanded, brandishing her dagger like her life depended on it.

Florian stopped in her tracks, tilting her head to the side a little as she considered the other woman’s words. Those sharp red eyes of her lazily, eyed Nicolette up and down, before putting on that serene smile she liked to wear. For anyone else, perhaps this was the moment before mercy would be granted. However, having been witness to similar mannerisms before, Soleil had a very good idea what was coming next.

With one carefully aimed strike, the weapon was knocked out of Nicolette’s hands, the dagger sent flying before landing with a loud clatter on the floor, far away.

Yelping, she backed away, clearly cowed, until her back was pressed up against the wall where Soleil and Alperene had previously been. Snot and tears were staining her usually perfectly made up face, make up streaking in ugly rivulets along her cheeks. She did not beg, as her pride would not allow it, but the way she tried to make herself look small and pathetic in front of the Duke spoke of silent pleas for mercy.

And for Florian, such a thing seemed no more than a joke as she raised her sword to strike down Nicolette.

Unable to see more death, Soleil was going to shout for things to stop. Nicolette should pay for her crimes properly, the argument that death would be too easy a punishment ready to roll off her tongue, however, another voice shouted down the hall, pausing the Duke’s carnage.

“Your Grace! Where are you? Have you found Soleil?!” That was…her father! Orion had come with soldiers and other reinforcements in order to rescue his daughter.

Florian let out a half-sigh, half-chuckle. A look of disappointment on her face.

“Count your lucky stars, my lady,” the Duke stated, making her divine weapon disappear into nothingness. The saber dissipated into a small eruption of sparkling light that illuminated the hall, before completely disappearing from whence it came.

Nicolette looked relieved, her shoulders sagging. There was relief on her face, as living meant she could fight for her rights, or possibly make her father make it right for her. Just as always. Nobody could touch her.

That was the thought she had before Florian slapped her hard enough to knock her to the ground. Considering the force she had hit the woman with, she was not getting up any time soon. Personally, the Duke figured having her be unconscious would make transporting her all the more simple.

“Is it…is it over?” Alperene asked, now that the sound of fighting was over. At the same moment, Orion arrived at the scene, bypassing the mess Florian had created and going straight to his daughter.

He tugged her away from the others and held her tightly.

“Thank goodness! My dear daughter, I am so sorry…I am so, so sorry!”

Soleil, unable to do much else, returned her father’s embrace, assuring him that she was all right. Knights spilled onto the scene, having followed the Count, going over to report to Duke Sinclair as well as checking on Alperene and Nicolette. Things got extremely busy, as they were ushered to the exit, leaving no time to truly talk.

Her eyes met Florian’s for a moment and the older woman smiled apologetically, but there was the promise of seeking her out later within her eyes.

Soleil nodded in acknowledgement, following behind her concerned, fretful father.

“Are you cold?”

“Oh, Florian.”

Soleil was sitting outside the Beaumont’s town residence. The city guards had been mobilized at Florian’s insistence and they were now milling about, taking statements and investigating the building. The kidnappers who were still alive had been rounded up and tied up, to be taken to the local garrison to be locked up. Many knights were currently sorting out the girls and women captured, trying to figure out where they needed to go after taking down their accounts of events. Her own father was also aiding in the effort, leaving her to sit with Marianne who was now watching over her vigilantly.

It was in the middle of the night. Soleil could see the moon shining brightly in a pitch black sky. She had been gone for hours, Marianne confirming that it was the same day she had been abducted. It was still spring, so there was the occasional biting wind.

Before she knew it, Florian had taken off her cape and draped it around her shoulders. Though she was taller and more athletic, the size of the cape was just perfect, wrapping her up just nicely. It still held the warmth of the female Duke’s body and despite the havoc she wrought, was somehow still clean and didn’t smell terrible.

Soleil blushed at the kind act.

“You didn’t have to,” she murmured, feeling bashful.

“I do. It’s the least I could do for losing you,” Florian replied, voice full of regret.

It took Soleil a moment to remember, but the last time they had seen each other was when she had been spirited away earlier that day, with a huge crowd separating the two of them. Florian had tried to get through the throng, but failed to do so.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that! It wasn’t your fault at all, Florian. If anything, it was my fault for not paying attention and being alone in a dangerous time,” Soleil said, trying to reassure her friend.

Florian, despite her ruthless actions earlier, looked like a normal person at this moment, brows pinched and smiling awkwardly as she tried to fight with the guilt she had for being unable to help her friend. She got down on one knee and held her friend’s hands. Soleil saw the ruby ring glinting and catching her eyes again, but soon tore away to meet the other woman’s similarly hued gaze. There was so much Soleil wished to say and ask. Like, how did she find them? Had she been looking for her all day?

…How did she come to possess 12 divine weapons when there were no women in the Sinclair clan to inherit them from in the entire history of their family?

“I wasn’t strong enough,” Florian said, voice torn. “I won’t make the same mistake again. I will make sure Nicolete Beaumont won’t ever bother you again.”

Florian spoke so seriously, it was making Soleil nervous.

Considering your reputation in the novel and what I just saw, why do I feel like if you had your way, you would have killed her right then and there?

Not that Nicolette wouldn’t have deserved it. If the charges stuck (nobles were notorious for weaseling their way out of punishments in these kinds of stories, Soleil recalled glumly), the entire family would be considered ruined. Human trafficking, murder, attempted murder…if Nicolette had been able to see a chance at the coveted seat of future empress before, there was no way she was in good enough standing now. Her crimes would be enough to warrant capital punishment.

“Really, you don’t need to be worried about me–”

“No, I won’t have you in danger again. The Saint trials have yet to begin and as a candidate, you will likely be targeted again.”

“Well, that’s true.” Alperene saw herself kidnapped not once, but twice in the novel. And according to the anecdotes of past trials, there would be no end to the troubles ahead. However, if she went home to Lorainne, it shouldn’t be an issue.

“But you needn’t worry, Florian. From now, until the trials, I will be going home – ”

“With me,” Florian interjected.

Soleil froze.

What did she just say?

Laughing nervously, Soleil took one hand back to rub at her left ear.

“I’m sorry, I think I’m still suffering from that blow to the head today. I could have sworn you were suggesting I go home with you, haha.”

“I did.”

Soleil mentally screamed.

She did. The literal Duke of the North wanted to drag her up to the northern lands in a bid to protect her. This was both bad and good, almost falling in line with her original plans for keeping herself safe and alive. However, she never thought it would come to fruition! Especially with everything she had witnessed.

Marianne was nowhere near as horrified as Soleil was feeling.

“Oh, you would need to ask permission of the Count, but I doubt he would say no, all things considered, your Grace.”

“Of course I will ask him. I will follow proper etiquette…”

“W-wait a minute…”

However, Florian was already leaving the young noblewoman behind with her maid in order to request permission from Count Lorainne to take his daughter to the northern territories.

Just how had it come to this? Well, fine there was probably no safer place in theEmpire, except the northern lands owned by the Sinclair family. Florian was strong and reliable, as Soleil had seen not long ago, if utterly ruthless at times.

But she looked like such a kicked puppy, thinking she was at fault for letting her get caught. She’s surprisingly cute…

“My lady, you have truly made such a wonderful friend,” Marianne stated, drawing Soleil out of her thoughts.

“You think so, Marianne?”

“Oh, yes,” Marianne replied with a little nod of her head. “Her Grace came to find us right away and eventually led us to you. Your father was so upset and I…I also failed as your maid. I should have looked after you properly.”

The maid’s eyes began to tear up, remembering her failings. Her, the knights assigned to their protection, Soleil’s father, too. All of them regretted being so inattentive. They were all beating themselves up over what happened. Orion chose to channel his upset energy into helping the local guard finish up with the other captives and taking down their statements and sorting them out. Marianne simply let her tears fall.

“My lady, more than anything, I want you to be safe and though it pains me to say it, I think Duke Florian will be able to do that. She is a strange woman, but an otherwise fine friend. She will have the power to protect you until the end.”

“Marianne…”

Reaching out she pulled her maid, who had always been with her since childhood, into her arms and consoling her. The older girl sniffled and tried to hold it in, but soon let everything spill out in sobs and wails as relief came out. It was unsightly for a maid, but Soleil did not mind it. Marianne was not simply staff, but a member of the family.

“Um, excuse me…”

Hearing someone call out to her, Soleil saw none other than Alperene, eyes averted as she stood there awkwardly, waiting to be acknowledge.

“Oh, Lady Alperene, how are you doing?” Soleil asked.

The other girl smiled softly at the question. “I’m doing very well, thanks to you.”

“Oh, n-no…Duke Sinclair did most of the work,” Soleil replied, embarrassed. All she did was run around like a headless chicken, getting into trouble left and right.

“Yes, but you were the first one to do anything for me. For that you have my gratitude,” Alperene said, voice sweet and full of praise. “If not for you, I fear that I would not be ehre now.”

“Hahaha…you give me too much credit, Lady Alperene.”

“Pl…please…just Alperene is fine…if that is all right, Lady Soleil?”

Knowing that it would be useless to try and argue this, Soleil allowed the convention of honorifics to drop. She already argued with Prince Darius and Duke Florian about decorum; she was not going for a hat trick with Alperene as well.

“Yes, of course, Alperene.” I am going to be known as the most brazen woman in the country at this rate.

Smiling dazzlingly (as expected of a protagonist with the best beauty specs in the story), Alperene gave her a curtsey. “I hope we can be friends, Lady Soleil.”

“Likewise…”

There really was no fighting how things turned out, did it?

As Alperene made her way to some carriages called for by the knights, Marianne piped up excitedly.

“Amazing, my lady! I’m so happy you’re making such lovely friends,” the maid said, still in the midst of a cryfest, though for a different reason now. Soleil could only pat her back comfortingly and returned to waiting for her father to return, most likely with Duke Florian in tow.