She's That Knight Known as Zero 241 I Have To Go Now

He played with the branch in his hand, twirling it as the leaf on it flutters. A playful smile appeared on his lips. He was standing on a tree looking to the horizon as if he can see what was happening in a far away place.

"Maybe staying abit more isn't that bad. I can see how those people she left behind would develop. Instead..."

He looked up in the sky, as if looking farther than what was in front of him. Even farther from the skies up above him.

"Will you really be able to return before the promised time?"

*****

A knock on his table reined in Kaoru's scattered thoughts, he looked up and was greeted by Akira's smiling face.

"I think you need a rest, I have cooked dinner already, when I saw you working hard I thought I can give you some snacks. But the time in making one would take more time. So I thought that I should just call you down instead for dinner," Akira explained non stop.

Kaoru checked the time and was shock to see that it was actually so late already. And seeing how Akira seemed to be hesitating, he knew she must be wondering if it's just right for her to disturb him.

Kaoru stretched before standing up, "I didn't notice the time at all. Thanks for calling me. Shall we?"

Akira nodded and went ahead. She really was planning on making some snacks but she hesitated at the last moment for it was already quite late. If she indeed make some surely the dinner would become the breakfast.

As they eat.

"You seemed to have come up with an initial plan. What do you think?" she inquired, after all she didn't come here just to watch him. She wanted to be of some help as well.

"For now, we need to check the condition of their weather. And how this affects every livelihood they have. Especially the food and medicine, that shall be the top priority," Kaoru answered without hiding anything.

He is not some kind of a hero, he will be needing as much help as he can. If he knew that the condition was far worse than they have anticipated, then he would have brought more people. Those who are already used to the current condition.

Alas, all of them were mistaken. They took the condition they were in for granted and forgot the differences. Just because the three kingdoms were okay doesn't mean that everyone is fine.

"When it comes to their medicine you can count on me. I'll do my best in acquainting with it and maybe I can integrate some of our medicinal knowledge to them. With that, I know it sill surely help them greatly," Akira nodded and commented as she eat another spoonful of the dinner.

"I'm... really glad. You came with me," Kaoru commented as he finishes his own food.

"I guess I'll leave the dishes with you for now. I'm really sorry I want to organize everything while my mind is still working. And the dinner is seriously delicious. Thank you very much," he stood up and went upstairs.

Akira continued finishing her food with a smile on her lips before fixing everything and going to bed herself, not forgetting to write a letter. But this letter might only be send after another few days.

*****

"What is it Natsuki?" Ichiro asked for Natsuki who was taking care of the knights and the minor details in the kingdom came to him early today asking for an audience.

"Yes, I was still investigating it but it seems that they were moving earlier than I have anticipated."

"Are you referring to those who couldn't accept the changes?" Ichiro asked seriously.

Natsuki nodded, just like Raven, they too anticipated that there would be people rebelling regarding what had happened and would do their best to find a way to return their abilities.

"Some were already leaving the kingdom. Little by little but if one were to look closely they would notice that these people were having some group activities quite a few times before they started leaving," Natsuki replied as he handed Ichiro some papers, these were filled with details regarding the people involved.

Ichiro tapped at his table in deep thought. They were not yet ready for another battle. Plus some of these people were stronger than the others.

"Just keep an eye on them for now. The kingdom is not yet ready to engage in another battle. If they were just some weak people then surely we can end this right now. But some of this were knights of commendable strength."

"I understand. For now I shall make sure that they won't do anything stupid to the other people," Natsuki replied respectfully as he bowed down and left.

"Really why can't we just live in peace a little longer?" Ichiro massaged his temple as he sighed.

"Hi Natsuki!!" just as Natsuki stepped out of the office a jolly voice greeted him.

He just glanced at the girl without saying anything.

"Geez as cold as ever, but that is also why I like you so much," the lady followed him.

He didn't bother with her. This lady is one of the people who have died before they were taken in by Aurora Kingdom. She was a daughter of a duke, not among those conspirators.

She had shown signs of her affection towards him but he didn't bother with any of it. Especially now, he had rejected her multiple times and said that he will never return her feelings but she just wouldn't stop.

She didn't even believe the knights who told her that Natsuki already have someone from Aurora Kingdom. They just didn't say that it was the princess. For them, identity is not what makes her qualified for their prince but the way she had changed him.

"How many times have we told you that you stand no chance, Diane?" another voice butted in after they left the castle.

At the side, Suzuki was approaching them. Seeing her Diane couldn't help but to frown. This woman had been separating her from Natsuki ever since they returned.

Looks alone, Diane could be termed as drop dead beautiful. With her long eye lashes complimenting her doe like eyes. Matching it with her red lips and black wavy long hair. Together with her fair white skin, if it was someone else they would choose her undoubtedly.

That is someone else, someone who never met Nana.

It is to be known that Nana and Rino's looks were unique and out of this world. If it was known in the past that Haruka was the most beautiful among the ladies and Akihiro was the most handsome among the men, then surely their offsprings are unmatchable.

It just so happens that the two of them were asleep far longer than the time they were awake. This alone didn't allow the people who didn't get the chance to go to Aurora kingdom to know what they look like.

"Why do you always keep me from Natsuki? The fact that I once again lived to see him was proof enough that we are meant to be with each other," Diane rebuked.

'The fact that you were given a second chance in life was proof of how amazing the sister of the one whom Natsuki have fallen in love with,' Suzuki replied in her mind.

All of them felt like they had a silent agreement, not once did they boast of who it was that really ended the war. They didn't feel like it, for that person is not here at all. What the others knew was that with the help of everyone who remained alive the war ended and they have defeated their enemy.

"Here," without bothering more with Diane, Suzuki handed a letter to Natsuki.

Natsuki accepted it with his brows furrowed. When he read it, his eyes grew wide as he look at Suzuki, "You told her."

The content of the letter was simple, 'I'm coming.'

"I just thought that this is the best solution. Though I didn't expect that reply," they spoke as if Diane was not there.

"When did this arrive?" Natsuki asked narrowing his eyes towards Suzuki.

"Two weeks ago. I forgot about it," Suzuki shrugged as if the matter was not urgent.

Letters could be sent through trained birds so it arrives faster than the people who travelled by land.

"You-" 

"Hey I am still here what are the two of you talking about?" Diane butt in before Natsuki could say anything.

"I see, so it was you. Hmm no wonder he wouldn't even bother with you. Someone who was unmarried is wearing such clothes?" before any of them could speak with Diane another voice was heard.

*****

"She must be there already right?" Akihiro asked worriedly to Haruka.

"Don't worry, atleast she was unlike Kaoru who suddenly left. She asked for our permission," Haruka replied.

"That's not asking permission, that was demanding," Akihiro sighed remembering Nana's words.

'If I don't go now, you will lose a very competent son-in-law. You have to let me go and show them who's the queen. Do you understand father? I have to go tomorro- no, now, I have to go now.'

"We really have a variety of children don't we?"

Haruka just smiled, Nana left a week before Kaoru went to Hesperian Kingdom.

Chapter end