Chapter 35

After more than a week of peaceful travel, outside of one bandit attack that lasted less than a minute when Keira took them down with ease before Rui hopped off his horse, they finally arrived back home in Matsu.

The gate opened as soon as they arrived, having been spotted in the distance.

Word of their return spread all the way to Shun in his castle before they even had a chance to step foot inside the capital. People lined the streets, cheering and giving their thanks to their heroes as they made their way through.

Always a big spectacle... but I suppose this is the one time it's warranted. She kept her eyes forward as usual, as Rui waved and blew kisses to the crowd, accepting fruits and flowers. Aki pulled his hood up, eyes on Keira ahead of him. Fiona waved to the crowd, her smile as wide as could be.

"I've seen these from the other side, but never actually been one being cheered on for returning." Fiona sighed, relishing in her newfound fame. "Won't get to do this again, so I will enjoy every minute of it!"

Shun met them outside the castle with open arms. "Welcome back, my heroes. I'm sure it was a long, arduous journey, and I want to personally thank you for all your hard work." His eyes swept across them, and he noticed Aria missing. "The real festivities will be tonight. For now, how about we relax with tea while you regale me with tale of your journey and how you fixed the seals?"

--

"I see. But if you're hoping to spare her, I don't think we should tell anybody else about Aria." Shun sighed, shaking his head after listening to them talk about their journey. He set his cup of tea down on the table and leaned back on his couch across from them. "I knew she was upset about Wakaru, and I don't blame her for that, but she went too far."

"Agreed. She both caused the issue and helped save us, so..." Keira shrugged. "She's suffered enough, so I don't think there's any point in hunting her down." I doubt we'd find her unless she wanted to be found, anyway. "We can explain her absence by saying she left on her own journey, rather than lie and say she died or something."

Shun nodded. "I should probably send something to King Malik as thanks as well."

"Or wait for him to show up; he's bound to pop in eventually." Rui smirked and glanced at Keira, who tilted her head to the side.

Does he really have a reason to come here? He has a kingdom to run.

"I see, I see." Shun nodded. "That would be an interesting pairing, but I don't give you my blessing for that. I want the connections to Tanten to be strong, but I don't want Keira leaving Matsu."

"Leave Matsu? What are you talking about?" Keira grumbled, crossing her arms.

"Now that you're safe at home, do you have any plans?"

"Rest, relax... and maybe retire to a rural area." But they still might recognize me out there...

"No! No, no, no. You are not captive, but you're not leaving Matsu. I know the demons are sealed away and behind a barrier, so we're safe from them, but I can't have our Ice Queen living somewhere other than the capital."

Keira sighed. Should've known he'd say that. I could always leave anyway, but that would probably leave Rui in hot water.

Rui frowned at her. "You never said anything about that to me before, partner," he huffed.

"Before this week, I'd never even thought about it. Who am I if I'm not the Ice Queen?" It's all I've been for so long.

"You're still Keira," Aki said. "The strong hero who puts herself in danger to save other people. The one who loves innocent creatures of all kinds. The caring woman who hides her pain for the sake of others." He noticed the others staring and clammed up.

Shun smirked. "Such a Keira admirer, I'm sure you could go on all night."

"Sorry." Aki pulled up his hood, hiding his flushed face.

"I'd ask what Keira thinks of you, but I have a feeling I know the answer."

"Since when are you good at guessing my thoughts?" Keira asked.

Shun gestured for her to speak. "If you doubt I know, you're free to talk, but you're likely to say how he performed on the mission, and that he is a magnificent mage, which isn't what he'd want to know."

Fiona covered her mouth as she held back a giggle.

Why does it feel like everyone else but me knows what's going on?

"Can we please move on from this?" Aki pleaded.

"Sure, we can talk about that." Shun pointed to Fiona cozied up to Rui on the couch, holding his hand.

"Hmm?" Keira looked over at them. "They seem to have gotten close during the mission." She shrugged. "Can I go to my room now? Even if I'm not retiring in the middle of nowhere, I still want to rest in my bed."

"Okay. Good to hear you've given up on retirement. You can rest then return to keeping Matsu safe, but from bandits, not monsters."

"I did that before, too." Keira got up and left.

"She never changes." Shun shook his head. "So, care to elaborate on what she said?"

Aki bowed and took off after Keira. "W-wait up!"

"Hmm?" Keira turned to him in the hall, right before the stairs. "Is something wrong?"

"I... uh..." Aki swallowed hard and took a deep breath, straightening his back as he stared into her eyes.

It must be something serious.

"Would you go to the festival with me? As in a date. You can even wear a disguise so people in town don't recognize you, or we can avoid the festival and relax anywhere else in the kingdom. As long as I'm with you, I'll be happy."

Oh... He said a date, as in romantically. She couldn't help but remember how Aki's face flashed through her mind when Malik asked her about her feelings. Not sure I'd be able to tell even if we go out. Her heart thumped hard. But I guess there's only one way to know. "Okay."

His face lit up, eyes sparkling as a weight lifted off his shoulders. "Okay?"

Keira nodded. He always feels like such an innocent puppy.

"Yes!" He pumped his fists into the air and danced around. "Oops." He stopped and cleared his throat. "Sorry about that. Let's... meet in two hours. I need to clean up."

She nodded again. I suppose I should do the same. She headed to her room, took a shower, and then stood around in a robe, staring at her closet.

Knock, knock.

"It's me," Miya said. "I was hoping I'd get to welcome you back."

"Come in."

Miya entered. "Keira, I'm so glad you came back safely."

"Thanks... Say, what would you wear on a date to the festival? I'm hoping not to stand out, but I know that won't happen."

"Date?" Miya grinned, sliding up next to her. "I can help you with this. Now, who's the brave man?"

---

I said I didn't want to stand out extra. Isn't think more of an evening gown? Ugh. Keira smoothed out the fabric of her long, icy blue dress, matching her eyes, and poked at her fancy hairdo with two small braids on the sides of her head leading to a pony in the back. I guess for Miya, this isn't overboard. Too late to pick something else now.

Knock, knock.

Keira opened her door to see Aki in his green, embroidered noble attire with a red rose in his hand.

His jaw hung open for a moment before he held the rose out to her. "A forever rose for your room to match with Sora."

A small smile played on her face. "Thank you." She took the rose and put it into a vase on her desk.

Aki offered her his arm, and they took off together. "You look b-beautiful, by the way. Not that you don't always look that way, b-but you are even more stunning than usual."

"Thanks. You look handsome yourself."

His face turned red. "Thank you!"

The two of them turned heads in the castle, with whispers starting right away.

"Hey, guys, headed to the festival..." Rui trailed off, stopping in his tracks in the hall near the entrance. He stared at them for a moment before smiling. "Way to go. Have fun, you two. I'll see you out there soon." He high-fived Aki as he passed by.

Outside, Shun was talking to a group of nobles. He spotted them and smiled, deciding not to interfere.

"I think we're overdressed for this festival," Keira said, feeling the eyes on them as they wandered through town.

"Maybe a tad, but it is a date, and we match in our attire, so I think it's okay. Let's enjoy our time here as much as we can." He bit his lip, worried about all the staring.

"Yes, starting with food. I'm starving."

---

Once Keira grew tired of the crowds, they made their way to a nearby park with no one around and sat on a bench.

"Sorry if I ate too much; I don't know what's appropriate on a date." Avoided them for the most part.

"I don't mind. I'd rather you eat a lot and enjoy yourself than starve yourself because you're with me," Aki said, smiling as he gazed at her.

She stared up at the stars above. Hard to believe how the mission ended. If it weren't for him, who knows what would've happened? "Aki, thanks."

"F-for what?"

"Everything. For all the effort you put into the mission. For saving us. For being you." She thought about the conversation earlier with Shun and talking about feelings.

His fingers reached for hers on the bench, and she laced her fingers through his. "Oh." He bit his lip.

"Thank you for constantly trying and for being such a sweet, innocent puppy that somehow isn't afraid of the Ice Queen."

"I..." He thought for a moment. "I will admit to having my puppy moments, but I am most definitely a man." He swallowed hard.

"I know." Keira chuckled. "But I still like that puppy side."

Aki inched closer on the bench and rubbed his thumb along hers. "Hey, you aren't really planning on leaving, right? I know Shun basically forbade it, but we both know he'd have trouble enforcing it."

"Dunno."

"Well, I'd love it if you stuck around, and we can... continue this. Or if you're set on leaving, you can take me with you."

Keira raised an eyebrow as she turned to meet his gaze. "You'd come with me to a remote place if I asked?"

"In a heartbeat. I love you, Keira, and I don't want to be apart from you."

"L-love?" Her heart fluttered. Oh, what was that? My heart is reacting to him? What does that mean?

"I'm sorry if I'm coming on too strong, but I mean it, and it's actually been hard not to say it." He took a deep breath. "Don't worry, I won't push anything, but I'm hoping this won't be our only—" Aki's eyes widened as Keira kissed him. "Hmm?!"

She backed away. "Interesting."

"Interesting good or interesting bad?"

"Interesting good." Keira smiled and leaned back against the bench.

Aki nodded as he bit his lip.

Maybe it's time for a new journey. "We can see how this goes, but if you're going to be with me, I think you'll need some training to keep up."

Aki saluted. "Whatever it takes."

Keira chuckled. "Good answer."

THE END