“…Under ordinary circumstances I wouldn’t find myself worrying over the safety of my knight— but Guilford’s absence has been a long one.”

“If I find he’s been murdered in battle somewhere out of my periphery…”

caedem-reginae:

“Indeed, it has been long…far too long for my sake. I honestly don’t know how I’ve managed to stay out of trouble without you by my side.”

It was moments like these that she loved the most, ones reserved only for her eyes, engraved in her memory and heart. Cornelia never was one to show affection, not even when they both under went being assigned as Viceroy, and Sub-viceroy of Area 11. Those dark times were only filled with chaos and war, now that it was all finally over, to share times like this, was simply wonderful. Seeing as her older sister wrinkled her nose, Euphie did the same in a playful manner. “You know, if you do that your nose my stay that way sister, it is quite adorable I might add.”

Returning the smile she’d been gifted, it was soon to be replaced with a more shy expression, along with a tint of pink across her face. “L—L…ah— it’s hard to say..I…” Her feelings were more than obvious, but telling her sister that she’d indeed fallen in love, and fallen hard for her…Knight. 

but I’m not entirely sure I’d be willing to give you away so easily…

Dropping her hand, in exchange she moved even closer to embrace her sisters arm in a hug. “Don’t be silly, I’d never ask you to do that. You’re the most important person in my life! Besides…I don’t think I’d ever exchange our time together for anything.” Letting her head lean against Cornelia’s shoulder, a soft sigh escaped her pink lips. “I don’t even know if he still feels the same really…I’m sure that after all this time he’s probably met someone new.”

Leave it to dearest Euphemia to be the only person who could ever cause the ‘Witch of Britannia’ even a fraction of shock. Then again, her beloved sister had always been extremely blunt in matters concerning the heart, an area where even one as impassioned as the Second Princess found herself a bit lacking. A somewhat mournful sigh escaped Cornelia’s painted lips; it was at times like these where she felt plagued with the bitter sense of nostalgia for the days when she and Euphemia could simply lay in the freshly-cut grass in the palace gardens, leisurely sipping tea and braiding each others hair as they shared innocent words of adoration and childish frivolities.

Though the innocence of their youth had faded with time, the degree to which Cornelia cared for her younger sister so lovingly had only grown stronger with time. And at the mention of her potential heartbreak, the Second Princess’s instinct to protect her angelic Euphemia flared brilliantly within her. 

“If there ever was a man dull enough to discard the rose who cherished him with all her heart, he surely isn’t deserving of her love to begin with.” She murmured gently, laying a hand atop her sister’s halo of pink curls as she attempted to comfort her.

“Euphie, you know I care for you more than any other in this world we live. I’m afraid I haven’t been at your side as much as I hoped to be, but my love for you hasn’t wavered since our youth.”

“Each day, you grow more into the prime age for being married away for the purpose of creating unity between two powers— and it pains me to know you could one day be beyond my reach…” She pulled back for a moment, her hands finding their way to rest upon Euphemia’s shoulders. A rare, warm smile reserved for her younger sister’s eyes alone would make itself present on Cornelia’s lips once more before she continued.

“The good of the people is important, but the good of Euphemia is only good I could truly hold in reverence.” Cornelia explained, amethyst hues stern. “Pursue the man your heart desires, if he too should desire you in return. More than anyone else, I want you to be happy Euphie.”

suzaku—kururugi:

After even this such short conversation, Suzaku was already getting annoyed at her attitude towards him. Cornelias approach towards the Japanese was well known, the way she say them as completely inferior and his relationship with her beloved sister didn’t help at all but considering how he, a lowly Eleven in her eyes, had risen to become Knight of Seven and as such his orders and duties came directly from the Emperor. She couldn’t possibly know what his duties were.

He could never say this to her though. He knew that he was already on her bad side just for being who he was. He couldn’t let things get any worse so despite his feelings he instead nodded his head and said calmly. “Of course Princess, forgive me.”

“I’m appalled you have the brazen audacity to not only make such indiscretions in the first place, but to think an insincere apology is enough to right such wrongs.” Her brow furrowed in disdain; whatever attempt he made to hide his annoyance was made in vain, and his reactions only served to further grow irate with him. Regardless of his personal feelings in any matter, she expected Suzaku to at least have learned some semblance of social tact and responsibility for his own actions since his promotion. If not, then what did that make Cornelia? A fool for believing in his ability?

“For yours and Euphemia’s own good, I highly suggest you put forth more of an effort to brush up on your social skills when in the presence of other nobility. The last thing I’d want is a scandalous love affair with a Knight who can’t even be bothered to drill into himself proper etiquette —smearing her name, are we understood?

What the two of you do in your private time is no business of mine, but listen well Sir Kurururgi— I haven’t any intention of allowing any sort of relationship to continue so long as you keep making mistakes you ought not to be making. I expect much more our of the man I personally promoted to rank, and the man Euphemia personally chose as her knight.”

“Until you get your act together, Kururugi, I’ll not accept any half-hearted apology you dish out.”

suzaku—kururugi:

On her command, Suzaku stands. Forgetting for a moment that as a Knight of the Round he has equal status to the Princes and Princess’ of Britannia. Yet out of all the members of royalty he never dream of pulling rank on Cornelia or any of them for that matter.

As soon as he heard the question presented to him Suzaku thought that Cornelia must already know the answer to this. The Lancelot project depended on his physical fitness. If he fell behind then the military then the project would be shut down.

“Of course, your highness. Piloting the Lancelot Knightmare frame requires me to keep in peak physical condition. I trust you have seen the recent reports on the war front? I am glad you are here, your presence could help turn the tide of battle and I know that Euphie has been missing you dearly.”

“I’m well aware of Princess Euphemia’s feelings towards my extended absence.” She spoke clearly, with an added emphasis as her beloved sister’s name escaped her lips. Cornelia was all too aware of the fact that Euphemia had personally selected Suzaku as her knight, and even more so of the fact that the relationship blossoming between the two was far mor than merely that of a princess and her chosen champion. And while she was extremely protective over her younger sister and knew that she would inevitably intervene in regards to the matter of a scandalous romance, Cornelia would much rather fix her attention on the matter at hand; A well-trained soldier and Knightmare pilot he may be (just as he claimed), The Knight of Seven seemed far from being well-versed in the social aspects that his rank demanded.

She trusted in his skills as a knight, hence why she’d personally promoted him to his in the first place. Even more so, Cornelia was acutely aware that with his standing as an Honorary Britannian/Former Eleven/Knight of The Round demanded strict results. She was confident enough in his abilities to handle the pressure of a promotion, so to see him so carelessly making flagrant indiscretions was nothing short of irritating.

“—But what I wasn’t privy to was the fact that it’s apparently now apart of a Knight’s duties to address issues that don’t directly concern him…? Know your place, Kururugi.” She scolded, her brow furrowing in distaste.

“—As for the war reports, I’m all-too aware of how our forces seem to have gone to the dogs in my absence. —I’m not about to allow everything the Britannian Empire has worked hard to establish simply go to hell while I’m here, least of all for something as ridiculous as our own neglect.”

caedem-reginae:

Just as her fingers had wrapped around the sheets of paper she’d been looking at, that one familiar voice that made her feel safe and strong, no matter the occasion; rang through ever inch of her body. At first her head only turned, soon her body followed, now facing her completely. Looking directly at Cornelia, the pinkette’s eyes began to shine in admiration, a few lingering tears adding to the gloss.

“Cornelia…”

Leaning into her delicate touch, a hand slipped in between, fingers slipping within the gaps between her own. Moving the hand from her face close to her lips, in one swift move she placed a gentle kiss to her sisters hand.

“I’ve missed you as well, more than I could ever describe. How’re are you dear sister?”

“Always so considerate…” She mused warmly, “I’m well, thank you for asking. —Even more so now that I’ve seen you after being apart for so long.”

A pretty, girlish smile adorned her lips, though her loving expression would’ve likely been much more fitting if worn by Euphemia than on the otherwise harsh features of her elder sister. Cornelia’s nose wrinkled in delight as her sister caressed the top of her hand with a pair of delicate, painted lips. Her other hand free, she reached up to capture a stray lock of Euphemia’s hair between her fingers before tucking it gently behind her ear and back into place.

“If it were possible, I’d say you’d become even more lovely in my absence.” She continued, admiring the angelic vision that was her younger sister. As a sudden thought occurred to her, Cornelia’s lips curled into a wry smile, her indigo gaze teasing as she continued.

“Don’t tell me, have you fallen in love? They say a woman grows more beautiful once her heart’s been stolen, but I’m not entirely sure I’d be willing to give you away so easily…” 

caedem-reginae started following you

Upon seeing that familiar, heart-shaped face framed in angelic curls of strawberry pink, Cornelia’s expression reflexively eased into that of a much more gentle nature.

“Dearest Euphie…”

She raised a single gloved hand to her sister’s heavenly visage, lovingly caressing her lightly-flushed cheek. The corners of her own lips visibly curled into a warm smile, her features softening as she looked upon her beloved younger sister.

“How I’ve missed you.”