#apprentice kachiri

Responding with a confirming hum, Kachi couldn’t deny Nadia’s perceptiveness of her. With a blissful sigh, Kachiri let herself be tenderly persuaded, with a tug on her hair, into laying her head back, giving Nadia more playground and allowing her to inspect the top of her beloved’s head for more flowers. “They did smell amazing, Nadia,” she admitted, her nose still faintly making out the sweet scent of this particular flower. It really was no secret that a lilac bush could always invite Kachi for a minute of staying and wondering just how it could smell this good. Then again, this had been the first time she ever bathed in it, only knowing it as a remedy against fever and digestive problems until now.

However, the smell was barely able to take hold anywhere anymore, as Kachiri was more or less engulfed in Nadia’s very own lavender scent, coating the room into the calming smell. And that was much appreciated by Kachi, who - when she wasn’t talking with Nadia - was fighting the anxious bubbles in her stomach. It didn’t go unnoticed by the former princess sitting behind her, as always, Nadia being extremely perceptive of the people around her - especially someone so dear as Kachiri was to her.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. Kachi hesitated for a moment before telling her, unsure if she should even bring up the topic again. It was nothing new that the talks around the palace were something Kachi had gotten better with, yet, dreaded still as she simply couldn’t keep up with nobles. Nadia was a natural talent, paired with years of experience how to handle these people, but Kachi was only now learning, and that day again, had left her exhausted.

“I was just wondering if I might have angered the Duke who you introduced me to today? He didn’t seem too happy as he left for his afternoon rest.”

Nadia’s touches never ceased or changed as Kachiri opened up about her worries. In her heart, she knew, Nadia wouldn’t judge her for something like this, but still, it was hard to open up about her weaknesses to someone as great as the Countess. “You mean because of the fig-trees? When you said you’d prefer a field of sunflowers over a garden full of figs anytime?”

Nadia’s words were followed by a rare snort as she remembered Kachi’s words from that afternoon, soft laughs falling off her lips. “D-Don’t laugh!” Kachiri stuttered lightly, a bashful blush falling onto her cheeks. “What if that changes anything with the connections of his lands with Vesuvia?”

“Oh, Darling,” Nadia chuckled. She reached past Kachiri towards the brush she had taken with her into the bed, finding Kachi’s hair to finally be free of flowers and ready to get brushed by a tool instead of her fingers. “First of all, it’s my duty and responsibility to be liked by them, not yours. I have to represent Vesuvia, but you are free to speak as you want and see fit.”

“Secondly-” Carefully, Nadia began to brush through Kachi’s sensible hair, knowing it had the tendency to be quite hard to shape and get through despite the conditioner they had used on it beforehand. “Ah, there’s a knot,” Nadia warned, interrupting her own speech and using her fingers once more to untangle the strands of hair tied together. Kachiri had to wait for another breath or two before Nadia went back to her words, after she freed the hair, readying it to be brushed through now.

“Secondly, I like it much better when at least one person in court speaks her mind, instead of fifty others only nodding and bowing.”

Kachi knew it was a compliment, her lips curling briefly into a smile before reality pulled her back. Despite Nadia’s encouragement, Kachi still felt the responsibility on her shoulders to be liked, too, especially now that she and Nadia had grown closer more than ever. It meant she was going to stand by her side more, and as such, she wanted to support her partner as best as she could too.

“It’s just…” Kachiri let out a long sigh, shrugging lightly in frustration as she found it hard to put her thoughts into words. “I am not someone exceptional, or extraordinarily smart or pretty, and I feel like I need to do more to earn--”

Cutting herself right off before she could say anything more, Kachi bit her lip, trying to brush off the topic with a quick, yet awkward, laugh. “‘Your place’? Is that what you wanted to say?” Nadia caught her red-handed, even though she had yet to stop her brushing, remaining as calm as ever. Kachi sighed deeply as she felt busted by Nadia’s sharp wit. If anything, Nadia wasn’t a woman you could keep something hidden from easily, which was a pain whenever her birthday came around, and there were presents to hide.

Finally, the brush was set aside, as Kachi felt two hands on her shoulders, squeezing them lightly. “Kachi? Look at me, please.”

There was no reason for Kachiri not to follow Nadia’s request, despite finding herself unable to maintain eye contact with Nadia’s eyes, which were as purple as the lilac flowers. But before she could duck into herself like a child about to receive a scolding, Nadia pulled her into a sudden hug, giving her a tight squeeze, unlike the usual tender embraces Kachiri was used to from her.

“As long as you want, your place will always be here.” Raising some butterflies in Kachiri’s stomach, Nadia slowly let her go, but not without lifting her face by her chin so the two of them could face each other properly. “No matter what you do, things are not eaten as hot as they are cooked here, even if they seem to have a serious impact. And while I say it’s my responsibility to take care of anything that might occur, it helps me a lot to know I have you by my side to mend all the things that could come my way.”

She smiled as Kachi blushed over her words. Letting go of her chin, Nadia leaned forward to kiss her forehead, bringing her hands to Kachiri’s cheeks to tenderly caress them. “You’re perfect just as you are. And besides, you are the hero of Vesuvia! Don’t think I would let anyone who might take offense in something minor like your words, forget what you did for all of us.”

There wasn’t much Kachiri could return back at Nadia, the Countess having a way with her words that left Kachi with nothing but butterflies in her stomach. Sometimes, it could get really tough being the partner of someone so rational, yet kind. But hearing she had all this trust and respect from Nadia, who Kachi loved and idolized in many aspects of her life, certainly helped calm her.

“Also!” Nadia picked up, suddenly perking up and climbing off the bed. “Your words gave me such a good idea for tonight’s outfit!”

As if on cue, a knock echoed through the room, Nadia calling a tender, “Come in!” at the door, which opened to reveal Portia peeking her head in and grinning. “I got them, Milady!” Portia announced, door flying open widely to reveal another bucket full of flowers in her hands. The bright yellow, palm-sized flower heads were everything to Kachiri, immediately bringing a smile to her face, which Nadia perceived with a satisfied expression.

Portia didn’t waste time to bring over the sunflowers, setting them down next to the bed, before taking place at the edge of it herself. “Ready for some flowers in your hair?” she asked, expression turning into confusion when both Kachi and Nadia couldn’t help their voices rising in a laugh. “I am, apparently, a flower catcher, after all,” Kachiri chuckled, and Nadia agreed with a nod, climbing back behind her on the big bed.

It was a surprise that Nadia would arrange sunflowers for hair decoration, but Kachi was thankful she did. They were her favorite flowers after all, and it put her into the pleasure of having Nadia braid her hair loosely, whilst Portia handed her one flowerhead after the other. Nadia was well aware that anything too strict or a big up-do might be complicated once Kachiri’s hair dried. Then again, both of them enjoyed a more natural style anyway. Kachi sat back as she got pampered with some more soft touches, and tending to her, Portia giving away the reason for all of this.

“Nadia thought it would be grand to show the Duke just how much prettier sunflowers are after you mentioned them to him.”

“Nadia…” Kachiri gasped, surprised to find out that Nadia had thought this through way beyond sunflowers being Kachi’s favorite flowers. “That’s so sly!” she added, chuckling, and Nadia’s lips curled into a knowing smile, the three ladies falling into soft laughter. “Well, I believe he just has to appreciate your taste a little more, you know?”

Portia hummed loudly in agreement, leaving the room for the enclosed closet, gathering the evening clothes as Kachi presumed, while she and Nadia were left behind in silence.

“Thanks, Nadia,” Kachi eventually muttered sheepishly, slightly embarrassed.

For the first time, Nadia’s diligent fingers halted their movement, processing the words before continuing with their work. “For what, my Love?” she asked, voice soothing and calm, fitted to the situation. “Just…” Kachiri let out a short laugh, lifting her hand and gesturing from side to side aimlessly. “Everything.”

Blushing lightly, Kachiri fidgeted with the hem of her bathrobe, twirling it between her fingers. “Accepting me and fixing my mistakes… I’ll work even harder on myself in the future, I promise!”

Tender chuckles fell off Nadia’s lips as she finished braiding Kachi’s hair, pulling her fingers out of the artwork that was the big braid interlarded with the strongly shining, yellow flowers. Instead, her hand dropped to Kachiri’s, tugging her gently after Nadia off the bed and towards the large mirror in the corner of the room. “Look,” she pointed at Kachi’s reflection, wanting to show off how sweet she looked, with the soft braid from one side of her head to the other.

The golden gleam in her hair matched perfectly with the sunflowers decorating her now, together with the green of her eyes, which blended in as if they were stems. “I have a wonderful, beautiful partner. Every day I wake up with the rays of light, lucky to look at my personal sun sleeping next to me.” Nadia mused, hands on Kachi’s shoulders as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, standing behind her.

“I could never put into something as simple as words, how grateful I am, and what admiration I harbor for the strength you give me every day. So please, never feel less than deserving of everything that I can offer you, Kachiri. You made me the person I am today, and this person wants nothing more than to show you to the rest of the world, declaring you are the sunshine in my life.”

By now, it was impossible to hide the bright blush on Kachi’s face, especially when so exposed to her own reflection. All she could do is bring her hands up to her mouth, trying to shield it from revealing that huge, dorky grin on her lips. Though, Nadia had long seen it flash through the gaps in between Kachi’s fingers, a smile just as wide on her own face, proud and happy. “Let’s face the Duke and whoever comes afterwards - together, alright?”

“Okay,” Kachi agreed, turning around to face Nadia head-on for the first time. Their arms were quick to wrap around each other, lips finding the other like a perfect fit. After all, they were a well-attuned couple, knowing each other’s actions like their own. Through the affection and tender caress of her cheek, Kachi could feel Nadia’s strength and determination. Nadia was ahead of Kachiri already when it came to faith in herself and also in Kachi. Still, she’d be sure to take an example, wanting to give back exactly what Nadia offered her.

They only separated as they heard the shuffling of fabric, Portia returning from her scavenger hunt for evening clothes, laying them out on the bed. “What did I miss?” she asked chipperly, as she found the couple still united by their arms around each other. “Or… was I interrupting something?” she eventually figured, blushing lightly as the awkwardness hit her. Kachi and Nadia exchanged a quick glance before they started laughing, denying Portia’s worry, instead, opening up their arms for her to join them in a group hug.

“Careful now, we wouldn’t want the flowers to fall, would we?”

Laughing, Portia eased her heartful hug, and Kachiri chuckled. “We’ll show the Duke just how much better sunflowers are compared to figs!” she announced, now in agreement with the other two who were already doing their best to speak this into reality.

“You’re going to show him, Kachi!” Portia encouraged, and Nadia gave a sophisticated nod. “You can do it.”

Smiling from ear to ear, Kachiri let out a strong, “Yes!”, all the anxiety of the afternoon gone, as she knew that the people she could always count on, had her back. And in an instant, she was tightly smushed back between Nadia and Portia, their hug resuming as they all grinned widely.