File: Marion.png (1.74 MB, 1253x1739)

1.74 MB PNG

You round the corner to the guest quarters of the castle, and then almost run straight-into someone.
More like, you almost run straight into her boobs.

"Marion?" You blink. "What are you doing here?"

It's true, Bruschetta's currently acting queen has somehow found her way back to Biscotti. She must have come by airship to get here so quickly. Last you spoke with her, she was sending her forces home after the big battle.

"Good morning, Yuuki." She smiles in that warm way that makes your heart flutter. "You know I can't be kept away long. Do you have a moment?'

"Uh, sure." You blink, "What's up?"
"In Anna's room, please. It's important."

Important?
You turn around and unlock Anna's room, and then hold the door open as Marion saunters inside in that almost-seductive way that she loves so much.

You close the door behind you, and Marion continues to stand.
"Sit." She commands. You're starting to get suspicious about what it may be she wants. Slowly, you take a seat on the bed.

"What's this about?" You blink. This is getting stranger by the second.

"It's about this, Yuuki."

Slowly, Marion reaches into her cleavage and takes out a small, red box.
She hands it to you, and gives a warm smile.
"Open it."

The tiny box creaks open with a snap, and reveals two gold jewel-inset rings. Jewels that appear to be hand-crafted diamonds straight from Bruschetta's mines themselves.
Your jaw drops, and your heart skips a beat!

"M-Marion." You try to think of the right way to phrase this with a sudden cloud overtaking your thoughts. "I- I have Anna, I could never-!"

"No, no." Marion laughs, "It's not for me. I want you to give that to Anna."

>W-W-
>You want me to marry Anna?!
>Why?
>..Won't you stop being queen if she gets married?
>Isn't this a bit soon? You only figured out our relationship a week ago.
>Absolutely!
>I need time to think about this
>Other?

File: 1406686411863.gif (709 KB, 245x281)

709 KB GIF

Pastebin:http://pastebin.com/jCGAA6J2
Archive:http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=dog%20days%20quest
Twitter:https://twitter.com/Announcer_QM

Previous Recap threads:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/1271747
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/1311056

>>2054214
>Absolu- I mean isn't this a bit soon? You only figured out our relationship a week ago.
>..Won't you stop being queen if she gets married?

>>2054214
>W-W-
>You want me to marry Anna?!
>Absolu- I mean isn't this a bit soon? You only figured out our relationship a week ago.
>..Won't you stop being queen if she gets married?

File: Yuuki_8.png (511 KB, 600x960)

511 KB PNG

"W-"
You feel yourself studder, and only a tiny squeak can erupt from your throat.

What do you even say to this? What is the correct response?
"You want me to marry Anna?!"
Marion responds with only a subtle nod.

Maybe a little more surprised than you had hoped, but you'll go with it.

"Well, I mean, Absolutel-!"

Before you can give your complete and utter consent; a thought hits you.
This isn't like Marion. She likes playing matchmaker, but doesn't enjoy getting involved in other people's relationships.

It's all, kind of-

"-Isn't this a bit too soon?" You blink. Anna is her niece after all, and you would expect some kind of waiting period for this question. "I mean, you only figured out our relationship a week ago."

"Is it wrong to help the princess get her birthright? I mean, you're willing, she's willing. It's the perfect match!"
"..True, but I get the sneaking suspicion that you're wanting something from this." You're starting to get a bad feeling about something, but you're not sure what.

"What could I want out of seeing my favorite relative berothed to her loved one?"

"Won't you stop being queen if she gets married?" A thought occurs to you. "I thought Anna was to become queen after she found someone to rule with her."
"That's correct, Yuuki." Marion sits in a chair by the dresser.

"So why would you want her to get married now?"

"Well, to put it bluntly." Marion rests her head against the back of the chair, "I want to retire to my summer home."

You blink. Marion keeps that same smile aimed at you.

"So, you're doing this to retire?"
"That, and some other things. But mostly to retire." Marion sighs. "I'd like something different from you, as well."

>That's kind of unfair to Anna.
>Have you thought about if Anna would want that?
>Wait, what are the 'other things'? What's 'something different'?
>Remember that you're alone in a room with Marion and get flustered
>I can't complain. It's a deal!
>Other?

>>2058263

>Have you thought about if Anna would want that?
>Wait, what are the 'other things'? What's 'something different'?

>>2058263
>Have you thought about if Anna would want that?
>Wait, what are the 'other things'? What's 'something different'?

File: Yuuki_worried.jpg (134 KB, 835x1181)

134 KB JPG

"Have you thought about if Anna would want that?" You feel worried about this turn of events, "What if she isn't ready to take over the kingdom?"

"That's not a problem for Anna, she's been training to become queen her entire life."

"But, did you ask her?" You're starting to feel worried, now.

"That would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it?"

"I just think you should ask her, first."
"Not before you ask her the big question." Marion smiles.

While that does make sense, that doesn't actually address the problem of Anna not being ready to take over the kingdom.
Although, something else catches your attention.


"Wait, what are the 'other things' you spoke of?"
"Oh, I mean simply ruling the kingdom alongside Anna as her berothed."

"I knew that, but you mentioned other things, something 'different'. What do you mean?"
"Well everything that comes with being her bride and a ward of the kingdom, I mean." Marion sits up straight.

"Which would be..?"

You feel as if there's some part of this you're not privvy to. Maybe something that Anna herself didn't consider.
Marion takes a deep breath, and tells you exactly what your roles would be.

"Oh just staying with her forever, protecting her as you are supposed to as a hero, performing for her in any way she pleases, carrying her child, and ruling as Bruschetta's newly chistened queen, and act as head of Bruschetta's army."

"Uh." Your voice cracks, slightly. "What was that.. last part?"
"Ruling as Bruschetta's queen."

"No, the part before that."
"Leading Bruschetta's army?"

Now you're irritated.
"You know exactly what I mean." You frown, "The part after that one!"
"Carrying her child?"

"YES, THAT. WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"
"Shh, shh. Yuuki. Not so loud."

You're not even sure how to respond to that one!
"What do you mean not so loud! What are you talking about?! We're both girls!"
"..And?"

You're at a loss for words.

"I mean-" Marion continues without thinking much about your dismay, "It's just as possible that Anna would carry yours, but I'm optimistic. I think she's too short for-"
"AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!"

"Ah, ahaha. Did you really not expect Anna to want a child?" Marion starts to giggle.
"What's so funny?! How do you expect me to do that with Anna? I thought you needed a boy for that sort of thing!" You're really irritated, now.

"..Can you not have children?" Marion blinks.
"I probably can!"

"Then just have some intimacy during mating season." Marion sighs, "It's not hard, how many pregnancies do you think occur in our all-girl army?"
"Okay, look, wait." You try to stop this entire crazy conversation before you go insane.

>How does this work?
>Let's go all the way back to the start. Teach me how pregnancy works here.
>Forget it, you'll have Anna give you the rundown on it later.
>Is that all?
>Other?

>>2059374
>Let's go all the way back to the start. Teach me how pregnancy works here.

NANI

>>2059374
>Let's go all the way back to the start. Teach me how pregnancy works here.
>Whats the point of separating men and women in Bruschetta then?

>>2059374
>How does this work?
>Let's go all the way back to the start. Teach me how pregnancy works here.
>For us it was only with one man and one woman. Do you have some weird magics?

File: Yuuki_6.jpg (2.28 MB, 2037x2336)

2.28 MB JPG

"Okay, look, wait." You feel yourself rubbing your forehead, "How does that even work?"

"What do you mean?" Marion seems genuinely clueless, not screwing with you. "You were taught this in school, right? Didn't you go to a private school?"

Oh god, this is going to be a very awkward conversation. You just know it.

"Okay, okay. Let's go all the way back to the start." You close your eyes, and get ready for the 'talk'. "Teach me how pregnancy works here."
"..Seriously?" Marion tilts her head.

"I know how it works in my world, but in my world it waso nly with one man and one woman. Do you have some kind of weird magic at play?"

"'Weird magic'." Marion repeats that as if that's the strange part of your sentence. "I'm more curious how it works for you, now. How did it work back in your world?"

You feel your cheeks start to redden. Oh, this is going to be a weird 'talk'.
"S-so in my world." You feel yourself start to studder; how do you even tell her? "A girl and a boy.. get intimate, and after they.. er-"

"After they have sex." Marion completes the sentence for you.
"R-right, after they have sex, there's a 'liquid'- that the boy-"

Oh god you are going to die right now.

"And, uh, uh. It becomes a baby, inside the girl."

THERE, YOU DID IT!

Marion laughs, "You just described sex, but didn't describe at all how a girl gets pregnant."

Oh no, you're suddenly aware that you don't quite know the process on how that works.
"Okay, teach me how pregnancy works here."

Marion sits upright, as if she's about to teach a very serious subject.
"You know about the barrier, right? The thing that surrounds the physical."
"Right, I remember that boring class Aligot taught."

Seriously, Aligot has to be the most dull person in the universe.

"The act of people living their lives gives the barrier a slight charge." Marion takes a deep breath, this is going to be a boring explanation. "When one person's barrier comes in contact with another, the charge can be enough to birth new life. Romance and passion makes the charge stronger, regardless of gender."

That seems extraordinarily wrong. You're not going to question it, though.

"Okay, but you didn't explain how two girls can have children. Or what the 'mating season' is about." You cross your arms.

"Well, the barrier can only support so many people. When it has a massive growth in size, that's when a mating season happens. Girls can become pregnant from anyone. As long as a couples' charge is strong enough when they mate."

"What's the point of separating men and women in Bruschetta, then?!"

"Because the vast majority of women love men, Yuuki." Marion smiles. "Even if some women find a way around it."

>You think you may have learned way more than you expected
>Okay, but you still didn't tell me everything that you were expecting.
>But again, is it fair to expect this of Anna?
>She doesn't even know!
>Other?

>>2060878
>We should inform the other heros about this change at some point. Except Cody, it's too late for him.
>Okay, but you still didn't tell me everything that you were expecting.

I always wondered why there wasn't a mass exodus of people from Bruschetta to less stupid kingdoms the day the king announced gender seperation.

>>2061089
I may not have made it very clear, but it only exists in one city; not the whole kingdom.

When one person's barrier comes in contact with another, the charge can be enough to birth new life. Romance and passion makes the charge stronger
>Romance and passion makes the charge stronger

Well this explains why Amaretti was upset about Cody not loving her and not that he cheated. She thinks that Cody love Camille more because he got her pregnant.

>>2060878
>Okay, but you still didn't tell me everything that you were expecting.

File: Yuuki_happy.jpg (406 KB, 700x760)

406 KB JPG

You sigh, "I should tell the other heroes about this change at some point. Except maybe cody, it's too late for that."

"Don't worry, I'm sure they're going to have the same talk at some point or another." Marion smiles, "But in any case. I gave you that ring so you could propose to Anna. If you're not ready yet; I understand."

Something about trhis entire thing just seems wrong. Like there's another part that went right over your head.
"Okay, but you didn't tell me everything you were expecting." You see right through her. "What is the 'something else' you wanted?"

"Just this."

Marion stands up from the chair, and sits down next to you on the bed.
Slowly, she takes you into a hug.

"I know I've said it before, but I mean it even now." Marion's chest is pressing against your face, and it's hard to ignore. "Thank you so much for being Anna's hero, and thank you for being her lover. She has grown so much as a person since she met you."

You try to say something, but it's muffled against something soft and fluffy.

"But anyways-" Marion breaks the hug, "I'm happy to leave the decision to you. Please don't rush yourself. Anna is yours to take when you please. I only ask that you be patient with her, she can be a handful at times."

"Y-yeah, no problem." You're going to assume that was the correct thing.

"Just think about it." Marion stands up, and smiles. "I'll be around if you want to talk. I have a meeting with one of the captains, and then I'll be looking for Anna later. Feel free to join me if you want."

"Right, maybe I will."

Marion winks as she gently leaves the room. You wait for her footsteps to disappear with the echo of the hallway, and then you react in the only way you deem acceptable.

You grab your eyes with your palms, fall backwards, and groan.

"What the hell was that?!" You say to nobody. "Marrying? Queen? Pregnancy? WITH OTHER GIRLS?!"

The thing about Marion is that you can never be entirely sure that she's being serious. While it wouldn't be like her to joke about such a serious thing; it would be totally like her to set up an elaborate prank just for her amusement.

Picture going to propose to Anna and having her merely laugh the idea off. Or having Marion step out and saying 'Haha got you!'. That would be humiliating! That would be just the kind of humiliating that you know Marion is in to!

Or worse, what if you go to Anna and start babbling something about having a child? That would be even MORE embarrassing if it turned out not to be true!

You stand up from the bed and adjust your roughed-up hair. It seems Marion was rubbing it quite stiffly when she was hugging you. Then, you prepare to face the day once again.

>Go get some breakfast, you need it.
>No! You need relationship advice! Go find Cody! He has some.. right?
>Try to go to town and not think about it for the day.
>Just do your morning training routine and try not to think about the implications of proposing.
>Other?

>>2064751
>No! You need relationship advice! Go find Cody! He has some.. right?
Might want to warn him that apparently he could become a father AGAIN even if he "plays it safe"

>Think about how you'd pop the question. And where. And when.

>>2064751
>No! You need relationship advice! Go find Cody! He has some.. right?

File: Felice.467085.jpg (443 KB, 1344x1680)

443 KB JPG

A part of you wants to simply ignore the knowledge you've just been given, and instead seek breakfast and a relaxing cup of tea.
No! That's not what you need to be thinking about right now. You need relationship advice! Who do you know has the most mature relationship?

Jack.
No, never mind. Forget that you ever considered that. You should instead seek relationship advice from someone who has actually proposed before.
Cody?

That's right, Cody. Cody has a fiancée, right? He may not be the model husband, but that's one more step than what Jack has taken. Amaretti may not seem like the best wife, but she still seems to like Cody. He'd be the perfect person for advice. Maybe even Amaretti, too.

You try to think if anyone would have seen Cody today. He's been rather secretive as of late for some reason or another. It's not your job to pry about that; so you have been keeping mostly to yourself.
That's another thing you need to ask: how do you even propose? You've never done it before, and you've never seen it be done. Do you ask Anna on a date? Do you just find her and pop the question to get it over with? Where would be the best place to ask the question? A long night on the town? A starry walk by the lake?

You're starting to panic and you haven't even seen Anna today. What a great way to start this romantic adventure you have planned, Yuuki.

You turn the corner of the hallway and notice Felice sitting outside of Louise's room. She's always pushing herself into other people's business. So surely she must have heard something.

"Felice?"
"Oh good, Yuuki. You're just in time!" Felice is beaming with excitement.

"For what?" You feel like you missed something huge.
"Louise is going on a date."

You blink.
"A what-? Louise? Why?"
"She promised Kayda that she would do the same. She's inside being dressed by Charlotte, now."

"Who is it with?"
"You know that white-haired boy that Jack found? The urchin?"

"Oh, you mean the one who tried to steal Anna's bracelet when she wasn't looking." You frown, you almost took his hand for that.
"That's him! He's being washed up by the maids, now."

You sigh. At the very least, you're not the only one with intense romantic problems right now.

"So, wanna come watch?" Felice smiles. "That's what you're here for, right?"

>Later.
>No, Have you seen Cody?
>Ask Felice what you should do.
>Yes.
>Other?

>>2066894
>No, Have you seen Cody?
>Later.

>>2066894
>No, Have you seen Cody?
>Later.

>>2066894
>>No, Have you seen Cody?

File: Camille_formal.jpg (83 KB, 1400x982)

83 KB JPG

"No, not really." You have more important things to be worrying about instead of following Louise around, today. "Maybe later, I have more important things on my mind. Have you seen Cody?"

"Oh, have I." Felice gets that big grin on her face. The kind that she only has when she learns something that she probably shouldn't have.

"Okay, where is he?"
"Probably apologizing to his future wife." Felice keeps that smile on.

"What did he do?"
"You're not going to believe this, but-" Felice eyes you, intently. "Cody has been unfaithful."

"What?"
"It's true! He told his soon-to-be wife this morning." Felice smiles, "What were you going to ask him about?"

"..Relationship advice."
"Well!" Felice giggles, "I think you've chosen a great person to ask. Good luck finding him!"

You stomp away in a huff. You can never trust anything Felice says anyway.
Why would Cody outright cheat on the woman he loves? It makes no sense. It's probably just some hearsay or teasing that she's spreading around.

Oh! There's someone you can trust. Camille! Yeah, she might have the answers.

"Hey Camille!"
"Oh, good morning Yuuki!" Camille's seemingly dark mood brightens when she sees you. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, I sure did!" You try not to blush, thinking of last night. "How about yourself?"
"Oh, I've been having problems sleeping, but it's looking up!" She laughs, nervously. "I heard you asking Felice about something. Is something wrong?"

>Yes, I'm looking for Cody.
>Have you seen him?
>I had a question about relationships.
>Maybe she can help? She's like a more mature Atsuko.
>Why have you been having trouble sleeping?
>Other?

>>2071063
>Nothings wrong exactly, just looking for Cody for some advice
>Have you seen him?

>>2071063
>Yes, I'm looking for Cody.
>Why have you been having trouble sleeping?

Continue on, but take note of things while doing so.

>>2071063
>I had a question about relationships.
>Maybe she can help? She's like a more mature Atsuko.
>Why have you been having trouble sleeping?

File: Camille.1689396.jpg (85 KB, 540x600)

85 KB JPG

"Nothing is wrong, exactly." You find it strange that she seems to think something is wrong, "I'm just looking for Cody."
"Oh, uh. Well-" Camille adjusts her voice, "I saw him this morning, what did you need to see him about?"

"I just had a question for him." You try to keep it as vague as possible. "Why have you had problems sleeping?"
"Well, that's a-" Camille stops herself; with a blush. "It's a personal problem. I've been sick."

"Oh, you should talk to Madeleine about that."
"She knows." Camille seems to be wanting to avoid this subject, "Is it anything that I can answer? I think Cody might be indisposed. I last saw him boarding his kingdom's airship."

Oh, well he must be with his bride, then.
You don't feel comfortable asking her about this directly, but there is something that she may be able to answer for you.

"Well, I had a quick question." You try to play this off as a simple, casual inquiry. "Do you know any good dating sites in-town?"
Oh please don't link that question with Anna. Please, oh please-

"Dating? Well there's that new restaurant that's been doing pretty good. Biscotti now has its own lake, as well. A walk by the lake at night sounds romantic."
That's a good thought. A dinner followed by a walk by the lake. You can do that! That's not even hard.
"Okay, so, let's say that I haven't been on a date with this person before."

"Well, stay away from the bar for one." Camille seems serious saying that. "Not very romantic going someplace overly social unless you're just meeting them or you know them fairly well."
"Okay.." You think you know Anna better than anyone, but that's a good suggestion nonetheless. "So, romantic dinner, and then walk by the lake. Got it."

"Oh, and another thing." Camille continues to act very seriously, "Enjoy your time together, and don't rush things. Wait a few dates before you get physical, because it's easy to fall into that instead of being romantic."

Well, too late for that, but you still feel that it's possible to be romantic still. You just have to find that sweet spot.
"Thanks Camille." You smile.
"Best of luck, Yuuki." She drops the serious facade just long enough to give you a quick hug. You appreciate the gesture. It departs a very calming feeling.

You let Camille get about her business, and continue searching for someone who might be able to answer your question: is it even right to propose to someone whom you haven't had a first date with? Maybe Camille is right, maybe you should just take it slow and let the romance speak for itself. The one who really pushed you into this is Marion, and she only seemed to do it for her own selfish reasons. So why would you risk harming your relationship just for her?

Great, now you're conflicted.

>Keep looking for Cody
>Just find Anna and ask her on a date.
>Calm down some, maybe you should get breakfast like you had planned
>Oh, there's also Aligot. Maybe he can tell you if Marion was lying to you.
>Other?

>>2073319
>Calm down some, maybe you should get breakfast like you had planned

Does no good to plan important things on an empty stomach.

>>2073319
>Calm down some, maybe you should get breakfast like you had planned

>>2073319
>Calm down some, maybe you should get breakfast like you had planned

File: hooded_girl.png (648 KB, 792x1195)

648 KB PNG

Maybe you should take it slow. There's no reason to rush Anna. You're not even sure if she's up to the idea. What if you pop the question and she says "no"? That would be heart-wrenching, that would be-
..
That would be a question that you should ponder over breakfast. You were originally coming to get something to eat in the first place, and the goading from Marion hasn't changed your base desire. You flick your messy hair back and make your way from the guest quarters down to the cafeteria.

There is one advantage to waking up so late: the crowd has long since cleared out. While this means you may not have the same breakfast selection that they had; it does mean that you can eat in relative peace and think about this decision on your mind.
Inside, there's only one patron sitting at one of the tables. It's a small girl with white hair wearing a black cloak. She sits cross-armed with a sour expression on her face.

You have other things on your mind, so you instead opt to get some breakfast and pay no mind to the sourpuss. This morning, they're serving strawberry pancakes with bacon and an omelette.

You sit down at a table in the corner, and suddenly notice that the little girl has slightly turned her gaze to glare at you.
Your fork pierces into the pancakes, and takes a small chunk out of them. Strawberries and pancakes, what an incredible combination.

Slowly, you glance upwards and notice that the little girl is still staring at you. Her face still contorted into an almost cartoon-ish frown.

That reminds you of something. You're supposed to be going back to Bruschetta soon. The festival is over, and that means all the heroes and their princesses will be going home. It's going to feel weird leaving this place after spending almost two months here. So much has happened that you almost think of this as your second home.

You blink, and suddenly your eye catches sight of the little girl. Is she.. holding her breath? Something must have really caught her ire.

You decide to keep eating, and not think about it. Anyway, speaking of which, where is Kayda even going to go? She can't go back to Konditorei, not after what happened. Is she just going to stay here? At the very least, she would be in good company. Gallete isn't that far away from Biscotti; so she could visit Louise almost anytime she wanted.

You feel a strange itching feeling at your brow. Your hand reaches up and pulls your bangs from your forehead, and you catch another glimpse of the little girl.

..
-Maybe that's what you should do about proposing to Anna. Just wait a few weeks and propose to her in Bruschetta. That's a start, right? Come to think of it, iIs it something you should keep a secret? It is a little.. abnormal after all.

Is that little girl still staring?

>Go talk to her.
>Ignore her. You have breakfast to eat.
>And decisions to make
>Take your food elsewhere, this is uncomfortable.
>Think about Anna some more
>Other?

>>2075286
>Go talk to her before she suffocates herself
>Dont't forget to bring your food with you

I hope that's Ethan all dolled up for his date

>>2076158
Works for me.

>>2076158
This.

File: Ethan_nocloak.jpg (157 KB, 465x800)

157 KB JPG

You sigh, something about this tells you that it's more trouble than its worth.
At the same time, you don't want the girl to pass out. She seems extremely upset, and appears to be looking to you to fix it.

Gently, you grab your plate and stand up. Slowly, you walk over to her table and sit down in front of her. Her expression softens, but doesn't exactly go away.
"Hello." You try to approach this with care and caution, "Is there something wrong? What's your name?"

"Don't you recognize me?" She says in a strangely upset tone of voice.
"No, I, uh-" You try to think of the best way to assess the situation. "I don't think I do."

"I'm Ethan!" The 'girl' puffs her cheeks up. "Look what the maids did to me! I'm wearing a dress! I'm supposed to go on a date with that mean, bossy girl! What am I going to do?!"

"That's not a dress." You take a second look at his clothes, and realize that it's actually more of a fancy cloak than a hoodie. "And I think you look cute."

You pat him on his hooded head, but that just makes him more upset.
"I'm not cute." He pouts.

"I disagree." You smile, and then eat another slice of pancake. "I think you look great for your date. Where are you going?"
"I don't know, that's the thing!" Ethan seems almost a little panicked, "I didn't even know I was going on one until a few minutes ago! I don't know what to do, and if I do the wrong thing that girl might kill me!"

"Louise, right? She's not going to kill you." You can't help but pet his head. His pointed ears cause his cloak to stick upward slightly. "She has a hard exterior, but her heart is made of solid gold."
"And she throws lightning bolts made out of gold, too. Doesn't make them any less painful." He frowns.

"Just remain calm, and think about how nice it would be to have her as your girlfriend. It's not hard."
"Easy for you to say, can you even imagine the amount of pressure I'm feeling right now?!"

You chuckle lightly to yourself. Somehow, the irony of this situation just hit you.

"Yes." You reply with a smile, "Yes I do. I think you're overthinking it. Louise asked you on a date, right? Anna is going to love you no matter what you do. I think you're perfect for her, and that's enough of a reason to be confident."

Ethan's ears twitch, "Who's 'Anna'?"

You blush, and suddenly realize your gaff. You adjust your voice, and take a drink of water.
"Sorry, meant 'Louise'."

"Well, I'm glad you're all confident about it." Ethan seems sour, "How do I even know she loves me that much? I live on the street. I sneak into shops to eat. She's practically a princess."

For some reason, that last one almost struck a little too true.

>I know exactly how you feel
>If she chose you, then that's good enough, right?
>You're right, none of us are good enough.
>-We just have to become a little better.
>That's up to you to decide, not her.
>Other?

File: Could Not Be More Relevant.png (446 KB, 433x629)

446 KB PNG

>>2078798
>Well she used to be the daughter of a trader
>Also arn't you technically a prince or something?
>Either way, she chose you, then that's good enough, right?

>>2078798
>I know exactly how you feel
>If she chose you, then that's good enough, right?
>Don't worry about love or details or anything, just get to know her and have a good time. Make a friend.

File: Ethan Heart.png (200 KB, 460x600)

200 KB PNG

You smile, sadly. This entire conversation opens a wound that you thought had long since healed. Maybe the feeling is gone, but the insecurity remains.
"I know exactly how you feel." You try not to let it affect your smile. "But either ways she chose you, then that's good enough; right? You are a prince, after all."

"How can you know how I feel? People keep saying I'm a prince, but I'm still just a street urchin. I was about to have my bell rung earlier for trying to steal."

That hurt, too.
"Before I was summoned, do you know what I did?"
"Were you the guardian of a princess?"

"No, far from it. I lived in my father's mansion, waiting to be married off. I did nothing and met no people who wouldn't one day become my husband."

Ethan blinks.
"That can't be true! You know like, martial arts and stuff."
"I learned it in secret." You think about those days ducking your father and his servants, "One of the martial arts masters offered to teach me, and I readily accepted."

"Were you going to use these skills to escape?"
"Far from it, I wanted to know some skill that had nothing to do with my looks." You feel a little guilty admitting it. "The fact that I became a martial artist was simply coincidence."

"Then, how did you become Anna's hero?"
"I ask myself that question every day." You smile, softly. "Sometimes I think I don't deserve her, but then I remember that she's the one who chose me. That's all that matters in the world."

You take a small bite of your breakfast, and then continue.
"Do you know that Louise was the daughter of a trader before she became a 'princess'?"

Ethan blinks, "Like.. a street vendor?"
"Sort-of! She was the daughter of a trader in her home nation who traveled all the time. Do you think that's too good for you?"
"Well.. No. I bet she probably thinks poorly of me because of how I eat, though." Ethan sighs.

"Listen, there's no need to overthink this." You almost feel yourself lose your composure. "Don't worry about love, or details or anything. Worry about having a good time. Just get to know her and make a friend."
Ethan's eyes light up, "Really? Just a friend?"

"Of course! If you can say you're her friend, then you won't feel guilty about dating her, right?"

Ethan is about to respond with somethign, but instead stays silent. He sits in front of you for a few minutes while you eat your breakfast.

Just as you finish, he has an epiphamy.
"Thank you, Yuuki!" He stands up, and bows slightly, and then lets his hood fall back around his shoulders. "I'm gonna go fix my hair!"
"Anytime, best of luck!"

He runs out of the cafeteria, and allows you to put your plate at the front.
Maybe it's time you take some of your own advice.

>I'm gonna go propose right now
>I'm gonna go ask for a date right now
>..Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.
>No! remember what you just said? Do it!
>Other?

>>2082757
>I'm gonna go ask for a date right now!
>Before all those insecurities and self-doubt comes back!

>>2082757
>I'm gonna go ask for a date right now
>Before all those insecurities and self-doubt comes back!

Good progress so far!

File: Anna_dress.jpg (1.01 MB, 1000x1300)

1.01 MB JPG

What you said to Ethan wasn't incorrect. If he tried to become a friend to Louise, then he could share anything with her. Much like how you can share anything with Anna.

..
Screw it, you're going to go ask Anna on a date right this minute!
-Before all those insecurities and self-doubt come back!

You quickly make your way out of the cafeteria, and out of the castle. Anna is probably in town a the moment, and you're going to find her before this feeling wears off. This feeling that you're on top of the world, and that nothing you can do is a bad idea.
This is it, this is the confidence boost you were looking for.

Of course Anna isn't going to upset with you if you propose to her. She's going to love you no matter what. While you don't think you should take it too quickly; you also think that you need to take the initiative here while you're still in your honeymoon phase and can still have fun with the relationship.

You're going to do it; you're going to ask her on a date.

Quickly, you take to the administration wing of the castle. She's probably in one of those boring meetings right now.

Or.. not. In fact, a lot more time has passed than you expected. It's been almost an hour since you woke up!

Oh, you hope Anna hasn't already gone back to your room already, seen you weren't there, and went off to town without you. That would be a good way to shoot down the great mood you're in right now.

You proceed through the administration quarters, hoping to find any trace of Anna in the cleared-out hallways. It looks like the morning meetings have ended, which means-

"Yuuki!" You hear a very familiar voice.
"Anna?" You turn around, and notice your princess carrying some papers in her arms. "Anna, I have a-"

"Oh, right. Yuuki. Hey, did you want to go to lunch in an hour or so?

"..What?"

"Yeah! I heard a bunch of people were going on dates today, so I thought we should too! Want to?" Anna seems almost excited.

"Y-yeah, sure."

"Great! Let me turn in these papers and I'll get dressed! We should go to that restaurant that I heard Louise was bringing her date to. We can watch how it goes!"

"S-sounds fun."

"Okay! See you in a few!"

With that, Anna sets off down the hallway. Which leaves you completely baffled as to what just happened.

So.
Now what?

>You're definitely proposing on that date.
>Enjoy your time together
>Follow Anna, try to explain what Marion told you
>Try not to panic.
>Other?

>>2085170
>Enjoy your time together
>Try not to panic.

I don't think Yuuki should propose on the date, especially if it's at the same place Louise and Ethan are going to.

>>2085170
>Enjoy your time together

First date is for fun and setting up the second date, second date can be the long romantic walk on the beach at night followed by a proposal.

>>2085170
>Enjoy your time together
>Try not to panic.

File: Annetta.65428.jpg (517 KB, 883x1022)

517 KB JPG

If you're going to enjoy this date, you should take your own advice. You should think of your friendship with her first, and the implications of such later.

There's nothing wrong with having some fun with the woman you love.
Speaking of which, you should maybe dress in something a little more formal, as well. Quickly, you head back up to your room to change.

--

The restaurant is bustling this time of day. It's a little past lunchtime, and the patrons are taking full advantage of the picturesque scenery.
Fortunately, you and Anna were able to secure a seat near the open window. Anna seemed insistent on one in this part of the room. You're not entirely sure why, but you're sure she has her reasons.

"Look, there they are." Anna quietly whispers to you.

You look past the crowd, and toward the entrance of the establishment.
Slowly, two familiar faces file in, and are seated by a waitress.

It's Louise and Ethan.

"Did you want to come here just to spy on their date?" You ask, curiously.
"Well, I also wanted to spend time with you." She gives you a warm smile, "But of course, yes. That was one of the reasons I wanted to come here."

You feel a little betrayed, but not angry enough about it to voice your distaste. Still, at the very least, you get to see how Ethan handles the advice you gave him.

Suddenly, you realize Anna's eyes have not left yours.
Why.. do you feel like you're panicking all of the sudden?

"Anna?"
"Just so you know, I'm completely serious about us spending time together. I think we should make a habit of it instead of running off to do our princess thing and our hero thing." She smiles in that way which makes your heart melt.

Just to drill it into you, she repeats the same soft tone she just had.
"And let nothing come between it."

"R-right."

Okay, calm down Yuuki.
She's telling the truth, you're only here for the date and nothing more. Spy on Louise is just a happy coincidence.

"Oh, did you hear that?" Anna unhelpfully interjects.
"What?"

"Ethan just told Louise that he thinks she's very pretty."

Wow, bold move there, kid.
"How did Louise respond? Also how did you know that?" You feel confused at her telepathic powers.

She grabs one of her droopy ears, and tugs on it.
"These ears hear everything." She winks.

Ah, ha. Right. Anna can hear a lot thanks to those. You have superhearing as well, but Anna is on a different level.

"So." Anna smiles, while looking away. "Marion asked you to marry me earlier, huh?"

>PANIC
>Well look at the timeIgottagothanksforthedinner!
>M-maybe.
>Think happy thoughts.
>Don't say anything.
>Other?

>>2086248
>(deep breath)
>...Yes.

>>2086248
>[Panicked Yuuki noises]
>...Yes

File: Annetta.14814.jpg (507 KB, 1500x1700)

507 KB JPG

Wow Anna; she knows how to put you on the spot. You're not entirely sure what you did to her lately, but it must have been something evil if this is her revenge.
A part of you wants to ask how she knew, but she gave you a pretty big hint with the ears.
The other part of you wants to stand up, scream, and run out of the room.

Oh my god she knows. She knows, she knows, she knows. How can you possibly ask the question, now? Is she expecting it? Does she want it?
No.
Stop.

You're letting it get the best of you, again. You need to take your own advice, and remember.
There is nothing you can say to make her stop loving you.

Slowly, you take a deep breath, and exhale.
"...Yes." You say, simply and curtly.

Okay, now you can panic.
Just do it quietly.

"Mm." Anna replies in a very relaxed manner. She stares wistfully at Louise and Ethan as she chastises him about something or another.

What does that mean? 'Mm'? What is she trying to tell you? Is that code for something? Or worse, is the very idea of you marrying her simply cute in her opinion? Does she have any idea how much you've been worrying about this decision?

You try to think of something else to say, but come up short. Anna notices your lack of ambition and tries to fill in the blanks.

"I need to have a very long talk with Marion about putting you on the spot like that." She coughs, "Trying to push my hero just so she can retire? The nerve of her. I thought she was better than that."

You retain your silence, and instead find someplace else to look besides her face.

"Yuuki."
"Hmm?" You turn your head at just the right time.

Before you know it; Anna has leaned over the table, and caught your lips in a surprise attack!

You freeze, but feel yourself gradually warming up. Slowly, Anna pulls away and sits back on her side of the table.
"W-what-"
"You were acting up, so I thought I would melt you a bit." Anna smiles.

You almost forgot that she's just as mischevious as Marion. You feel your racing heart start to slow as you try to calm down.

"L-listen, she asked me to propose to you, and-"
"And, 'I do.'" Anna blushes.

You blink.
"What?"
"That's what I'm going to say when you finally getting around to asking that question." Anna smiles.

"W- so should I ask the question right now?" You're even more confused now than you were before.
"When you're ready to, of course." Anna leans on the table, "Don't rush yourself to do it just because stupid ol' Marion asked you to. Please, take your time." Anna puts her hand on yours.

"..Thank you, Anna. When I'm ready, I'll let you know."

Your tender moment is interrupted by a light shriek coming from across the room. You suddenly notice Louise standing over Ethan, trying to teach him how to hold a fork the 'correct' way. Ethan looks like he may die of shock as Louise folds his fingers painfully around the metal instrument.

"Aw, isn't that cute?" Anna smiles. "I want a relationship like that!"
"..Oh Anna, please no."

>Thread End

File: 1413523458098.gif (2.26 MB, 400x250)

2.26 MB GIF

Thanks for the thread everyone!

Guess what? Next thread is the LAST epilogue thread, and will also be the LAST thread of Dog Days quest! for the time being, I'll probably revisit it in the future.

That thread is scheduled for- TOMORROW! That's right! After today's thread, last thread will be tomorrow!

Wow, what a ride, huh? It's hard to even say those words.
Feel free to ask me any question today and tomorrow. I'll gladly answer everything. Until then, see you next time!

>>2088337
Thanks again for everything Announcer!

File: 78c209ceb84eac1c097c5bd7a(...).jpg (249 KB, 548x791)

249 KB JPG

Hey everyone.

So, just a quick one before we fall off: Today's new thread postponed because I was getting ready for Thanksgiving.

But! Final thread is still happening! Wednesday is my new target day! See you then!