GUESS WHAT GUYS!!! I FINALLY GOT AN EPHRAIM IN HEROES!! IT WAS ON THE LAST DAY OF THE EIRIKA AND EPHRAIM BOUND HERO BATTLE BANNER ON SEPTEMBER 12th,2017 AT 6:19 AM! Lol as you can tell I'm obviously excited. Anyway sorry for not updating this book sooner, I've been busy with college and running its anime club. This angsty fluff paralogue was requested by @__Ylisse__Galexia__ I hope you like it!

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Although this prologue doesn't actually happen in the original story, this takes place a few months after (Y/n) and Ephraim are wed, and before the part in the Epilogue when Ephraim takes (Y/n) out for her birthday. Also, (e/c) means eye color.

Ephraim's POV

"I'm in love with you (Y/n)."

I still remember the day I chose (Y/n) like it was yesterday; it's been three months. Today, I am embarking on a short voyage to Rausten to assist L'arachel's uncle in restoring their country.

"Mm, Ephraim...are you leaving soon?" A sleepy (Y/n) slowly opened her (e/c) orbs.

I must have woke her up, after I got out the bed. My queen is such a light sleeper.

"Yes my queen," I replied stroking her hair and kissing her on the forehead.

"Oh, I thought so...please return safely." She mumbled as she proceeded in wrapping herself deeper into the covers.

"Well this is surprising. I was certain you were going to complain about not being able to accompany me like you usually do."

"There's no point in complaining when the answer is always no."

"Given up already? Well, today the answer is yes."

"Oh really, and why is that?" (Y/n) questioned me as she got out the bed.

"This journey will only take a week, instead of the usual 1 to 3 month expeditions I go on, due to the fact that some of our troops and allies are presently aiding Rausten." I explained.

"Oh, I see. When are you leaving?" She asked.

"Three hours from now," I informed her.

"Alright, I'll be ready by then."

~<>~

(Y/n)'s POV

I feels like it's been forever since I've traveled alongside Ephraim, even though it's only been three months. I haven't picked up my bow and arrow in awhile either.

"Are you ready (Y/n)?" My husband asked, holding out his hand for me to grab to help me up on his horse.

"Mhm," I nodded, grabbing his thick hand encased in a mahogany glove.

And off we rode. The cool of autumn was upon us, and Ephraim wrapped his cape around me. Autumn's reminiscent breeze whisking through his teal strands of hair, caused me to recall the day when Eirika and I left Castle Frelia, and made up our minds to discover Ephraim's whereabouts. I miss those days of being with everyone; Ephraim, Eirika, Innes, and even Tana fighting with me over our dense blue haired love interest. After being so caught up in reminiscing, I didn't realize that the sun was setting.

"You're really enjoying being out, huh?" My husband asked.

"Of course, I haven't been out since our quest to stop Grado!"

"Speaking of that, do you remember when we were alone in Darkling Woods together?"

"How could I forget that?! I was so scared! I'm glad you were able to find that old couple."

"We should pay a visit to them for a bit after we finish our business in Rausten." He stated.

"Good idea. We haven't repaid them for allowing us to stay in there home."

"Great, I'm elated that you agree. Anyway, let's stay in this town tonight so we can rest, I'm sure you're tired."

"I'm tired? Oh please, if anyone is tired it's you! All I did was hold on to you, while you stirred the horse." I laughed.

"True, but holding on requires some serious arm strength!" He laughed.

"Very funny king of Renais, now let's go find some place to replenish our tired bodies; I'm famished!"

The town we resided in wasn't the most grandiose town, so the food wasn't good quality. Instead, we decided to go to the local market and purchase ingredients to make our own dinner.

"Ephraim, what do you want for dinner?" I asked.

"Whatever you feel like cooking."

"You're no help," I sighed. "How about beef stew?"

"Sounds good, (Y/n). I haven't had your cooking for awhile." He smiled as he helped me carry back our groceries to our inn room.

"You should take me with you on your voyages all the time then~" I stuck my tongue out.

"I want to, but someone has to govern Renais."

"Yeah, the king and queen should be ruling together."

"We will be in the future, I promise my queen." The king said taking my right hand and planted a kiss on it.

"How long do you think until all of Magvel's restored?"

"The process could take as short as a year or as long as 15 years. It depends on the other nations, Renais is just assisting each country in starting its own reform. Pertaining to my voyages however, I'd estimate another year or two before I can dedicate myself strictly to governing Renais with you."

"Haha well I guess that means one to two more years of souvenirs for me then!"

"Oh yeah, here I brought you this hairpin while you were looking at ingredients for the beef stew." Ephraim said, presenting me with an ebony colored box.

Not only was the ebony box engraved with the word "Aegis" in gold cursive writing a work of art, but the hairpin itself was beautiful. It had a metallic blush pink colored flower, with gold outlining the petals and the green metallic leaf, along with three intricately designed tassels that hung off the tip of the stick.

"It's beautiful Ephraim! Thanks for thinking of me," A flustered me said as I embraced him.

"I'm relieved hearing that (Y/n). I picked it out because it's beauty reminded me of you~"

"Aw stop it Ephraim, you're embarrassing me~" I buried my face into his chest.

"The metallic blush pink colored flower reminds me of how cute your face looks when you're flustered like right now. Shall I continue?" He smirked.

"P-please don't, what you said will haunt me in my dreams! Plus, I need to start dinner! It's unhealthy to eat too late," I responded as I released myself from the teal haired king's grasp.

~<>~

The Next Day

Ephraim's POV

Morning came about, and (Y/n) and I continued on the path to Rausten. The ride that would usually take another 6 hours, felt like 6 minutes with (Y/n) riding with me. When we arrived at Rausten, I reunited with Innes and my sister Eirika, who were also aiding in Rausten's reform.

"Brother, (Y/n)! I've missed you so much!" Eirika cried pulling us in for a hug.

"Eirika, I've missed you so much! Sorry, we haven't gotten to visit you lately. How fares Frelia?" My wife asked.

"Frelia is doing good, everyone is slowly recovering. Sorry, we haven't gotten to visit either! There's been so much work to do these days. How's my brother been treating you?"

"He leaves me to go on voyages a lot of the time haha,"

"Ephraim! You should leave (Y/n) by herself, she'll grow lonesome. And, you don't want a repeat of what happened before with our parents..." My twin scolded me.

"You're right Eirika, but how's Innes been treating you? I'm sure he does the same." I asked changing the subject.

"Negative. Eirika and I go on voyages together." Innes said as he emerged from the shadows.

It was good to be reunited and talk with Eirika and Innes, but as the day went on, we went our separate ways and continued to aid Rausten for five days.

~<>~

"Thank you for lending a hand to Rausten!" L'arachel's uncle thanked us as we departed.

As we agreed, (Y/n) and I traveled to Darkling Woods to visit the old couple that let us stay in their home for a night.

"Going through Darkling Woods certainly does bring back memories, I'm glad it's the afternoon this time!" (Y/n) exclaimed.

"Heh, I enjoyed when we went at night, and I got to carry you because you were scared," I grinned.

"Anyone would be scared at night in a place called Darkling Woods! And if I recall, you yourself stated that you were scared too that night!" She retorted.

"What's all that yellin' about?!" A familiar old voice said. I didn't notice that we were so close to the elderly couple's home.

"Oh, it's the handsome prince and his mistress from before!" The elderly woman exclaimed.

"Don't tell me y'all need to stay over again! Last time my breakfast got cold cuz of your lollygagging  upstairs with the lil lass!" The old man informed us.

"Haha, this time I am here to fulfill my promise of compensating you both for letting my wife and I stay over. I know I promised horses, but I couldn't bring them all here myself. I hope this monetary gift will suffice." I explained as I handed them each an envelope of money.

"You and the lass got hitched?! I'm proud of ya son!" The old man cheered as he slapped me on the back. "Thank ya for the money son! With this amount, we can move out of Darkling Woods!"

"Thank you so much prince or should I say King Ephraim, and congratulations, I'm glad you and the mistress got married. Protect her and treat her well."

"Thank you." (Y/n) and I said as we took our leave.

"I think the old man thinks of you as a son." (Y/n) chuckled.

"I agree. I'm glad we were able to repay them."

"Ephraim, look at the clouds, I think it's going to rain soon."

"You're right, a storm is brewing by the looks of it. The next village is about another half hour from here, so we can stay there if it rains badly." I replied.

As we were midway through Darkling Woods, we were stopped by monsters.

"(Y/n), hand me my lance. Do you have your bow and arrow ready?"

"Yes!"

"Don't hesitate to call for me if you find yourself cornered!"

"I won't! And same to you as well."

It's been awhile since (Y/n) has fought, I'm going to keep an eye on her just in case.

"Ephraim, look out!" (Y/n) screamed as a monster was dangerously close to me.

Luckily for me, I was able to dodge it's attack, and (Y/n) shot it down.

"Thanks (Y/n), I owe you one."

"You're welcome Ephraim, now let's finish off these monsters!"

~<>~

"(Y/n)'s POV

"Whew, that was a tiring workout!" I breathed a sigh of relief.

"I must admit it was. Are you okay?" My husband asked as he examined my body for any injuries.

"Haha, you're such a worry wart; I'm fine!"

Little did I know that Ephraim was right to worry.

"(Y/n), behind you!"

Before I was able to fully turn around, I felt liquid fall on the back of my shoes. Is it raining? But I don't see any rain. I turned around to see the unbearable,  Ephraim's body dressed in bloody lacerations from the monsters razor sharp claws. I quickly stepped back and shot down my husband's attacker.

"Ephraim, hang in there! We're almost to the nearest town—"

"(Y/n), the blood from my body is leaking at haste...I'm not going to make it. Heh, I finally picked a fight I couldn't win." The king cut me off as he began to close his azure eyes.

"No, that's not true, you'll survive! I-I'll carry you to the town if I have to! Open your eyes, damnit!" I wept.

"I'm sorry (Y/n)...I'm glad I was able to perish being your aegis...let that hairpin remind you of me. I love you (Y/n), take care of the people of Renais." He uttered.

"Ephraim! Please you can't leave me! Y-you're the only one I have left!"

But like everyone else, he was gone. My first and last love, my aegis. I clenched my hairpin and secured the corpse on the horse, as rode back the painful path back to Renais.

~<>~

END

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I hope you liked this paralogue! Also, be sure to read my other books if you're a fan of Kuroko no basket and/or Nanbaka! I am the author of Area 51 (Jyugo x reader), Arrested (Aomine x reader), Kuroko no short stories, Star Crossed (Akashi x reader), and the sequel to Star Crossed called Vengeance and Lust (Akashi x reader)!

Written September 15th,2017
Published September 16th,2017
Next Update September 19th,2017