Meet Me in the Garden

Although the honkai problem was no longer significant, Rita still found herself tired. Giving Durandal a much needed break meant the cost of her, Durandal’s right hand. She stood in her place, guiding the lost Valkyries in the fight. 

She didn’t mind, however often when she overworked herself, it became evident. On one specific occasion, Rita remembered cleaning the dinner table, when the next moment she found herself neatly tucked in bed with the lights turned off. Later, Durandal explained to her how she’d found her fast asleep in one of the dining chairs. 

Now, it was Durandal’s turn to worry on behalf of Rita. 

So, exercising her right as the most powerful Valkyrie, she’d requested to keep Rita from going on any missions for a while being. At first she was not accepting of this gesture, but then she understood. She would be a hypocrite to not listen. 

When Rita woke up, it was already late in the afternoon. It was odd, usually she would strictly adhere to a schedule which included her waking up practically at the light of dawn. But, in order to satisfy Durandal’s wishes and prove herself not hypocritical, she slept in. It felt—good, however. For once in quite a while she felt well rested. Maybe she should have listened to her own advice. 

She got out of bed and began her daily routine. First, she cleansed herself and changed out of her pajamas, then before leaving the bedroom, she made sure to make the bed. After leaving the bedroom, she walked down the flight of stairs and descended to the first floor. She found it strange as she looked left and right for Durandal, but found no sign of her lover. Ignoring the sudden anxiety that fell upon her, she walked into the kitchen, the last remaining place she’d left unsearched. 

To her surprise, what awaited her in the kitchen was not the blonde, but rather a plate with a hefty stack of pancakes, a cup of tea, and a written note all left upon the counter. Picking up the note, Rita read it with haste. 

“Good morning, my beloved. 

When you’ve eaten breakfast, meet me in the garden. 

• Durandal ♥

P.S Mei helped me make the pancakes so they’re edible !”

The last words bought a chuckle from Rita. 

The pancakes were indeed edible, in fact delicious, Rita found. She sat there in the silence of the dining room, sipping on the tea that turned out to be her favorite, rosemary, as she contemplated what it could be Durandal wanted to show her. New flowers? That stone pathway they’d been planning to add? There was only so much she could have up her sleeve, right? 

Rita shook her head, forcing herself to stop overthinking. She stood up, still holding the tea cup now empty, making sure to grab the plate and fork as well, only to leave them to sit in the sink. She’d wash them later.

It wasn’t long until she walked in the light breeze, listening to the song of birds in the blue sky as she made her way to the garden. She hadn’t exactly thought of it, but today was in fact a lovely day. The air was fresh and the temperature warm, yet still with a wind that caused goosebumps on her bare shoulders and legs. 

It was…relaxing. 

“Rita! I’ve been waiting.” Finally arriving in the garden, Rita saw a questionable scene before her. Durandal was sitting high up on her stallion, Krishna, 

“I’m sorry to keep you, Durandal.” 

“No, I’m glad you slept well.” 

“May I ask you why you’ve brought your horse into the garden?”

“Oh, I—” For a moment Durandal simply sat there, flustered, cheeks blushed red. She didn’t know how to explain it to her. So instead, she offered her hand. “Ride with me, Rita.” 

Rita just stood and blankly stared for a moment, processing the Kaslana’s words. 

“You want me—someone who has never ridden a horse—to ride with you?”

“Come on, I’ll teach you.” She laughed. 

“Fine, but only this once.” 

It was a struggle to get an anxious Rita on Krishna’s back to begin with and an even harder struggle to keep her calm as they galloped across the field behind the manor. 

“Can we go slower, please!” Rita begged, hugging Durandal’s waist tightly. 

“Alright, alright.” With a nudge of her knee, Krishna quickly slowed to a trot.

At this pace, it worried Rita less, allowing her to take in the beauty of riding. The leaves picked up by the breeze floated past them and the grass beneath them seemed to almost move out of the way as they passed. It wasn’t much, but it was the thought that counted. 

Durandal had done this for her, so she could share something she enjoyed doing with the one she loved. It was a cute gesture, Rita thought, despite the terror she’d felt moments ago. 

“Durandal…”

“Yes?” The blonde looked back, worry stricken upon her face. Perhaps she was worried that Rita wasn’t having fun like she’d hoped. 

“When the sun goes down, can we sit beneath the moon, pointing out the stars?” 

She hadn’t realized how late it had gotten. 

“Of course.” 

They were back in the garden now, all three of them sitting down on the grass, heads pointed toward the sky. The night sky was just as beautiful as the day. In the corner of Durandal’s eye the moon shone brightly, a reminder that Kiana was not gone forever, simply gone for the moment, still watching over everyone. 

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Rita questioned. 

“You're right, it is.” Strangely, she was not looking at the stars anymore, rather, she looked to the woman beside her. 

“Oh Durandal, you're not looking at the stars are you?” Pink eyes shifted to meet hers. 

Rita had always been observant. 

“No, of course I am!” She wasn’t one to admit. 

Rita could only laugh, watching as Durandal turned redder than the roses planted around the garden. Emotion, it was a strange thing that she didn’t tend to often show. Rather, she would hide it behind her kind face and a smile. There was only one who could get the true feelings to bubble up to the surface and that was no other than her superior. 

“Your eyes remind me of the blue that paints the morning sky.” Rita murmured, her lips curling into a genuine smile. 

“And yours—oh what do you call them?” She’d forgotten the name of the flower. 

“It doesn’t matter,” before Durandal could object Rita’s statement, soft lips gently pressed against hers and a hand clasped the side of her face. She stopped thinking, just closed her eyes and lived in the moment. After not long they separated, but for both parties it’d felt like time had slowed down. 

“I love you, thank you for doing this for me. I never realized it, but I think I needed this.” Rita scooted closer and rested her head on Durandal’s shoulder. Being so close, Durandal could smell her sweet-smelling floral perfume. 

“I’m just glad I didn’t botch it.” A great valkyrie, but a horrible planner. 

The two were about to share another moment, but were immediately interrupted by a grunt behind them. It was Krishna, clearly not amused. They’d both forgotten he was still there. 

“He seems hungry…does he even eat?” Rita was in a state of confusion, clearly startled by the unexpected remainder of his presence. 

There was a sudden growling sound that did not source from the stallion. 

Durandal smiled sheepishly, “I also seem to be hungry.” 

Laughing once again, Rita got up. 

“I’ll cook us something.” She gave a hand to the still seated Durandal. 

Durandal took the slender, elegant hand, thankful to have such a loyal maid at her side.