(Oneshot featuring Nico and his favorite niece Emma!)
The dog days of summer in Stein had just begun, and today was definitely one of the hottest days so far. Nico was thankful that he was able to have a rare day off on such a day like this. He snorted to himself as he walked down the halls of Stein Castle. While he had the day off, Albert had to suffer through a long day of training new recruits. Poor Al.
He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard small footsteps coming up from behind him. He smiled knowingly before turning to face his tiny stalker. “You’ve gotta be more quiet if you want to sneak up on me, Princess,” he teased. He chuckled when she gave him a pout.
The little princess had him wrapped around her thumb from the very moment she was born. Nico could not believe that it had already been seven years ago that they first met each other. Emma had grown so much, and she was looking more and more like the queen each day. There was also a glint in her eyes that reminded Nico of his half-brother. It was unspoken, but everyone knew that one day she would surpass all of the expectations bestowed upon her and create a great legacy of her own.
Nico smiled and leaned down so that he was eye-to-eye with his niece. “Do you want to spend the day with your Uncle Nico?” he asked.
It wasn’t long until Princess Emma’s expression brightened. “I was hoping you would ask. I would love to spend the day with you! I was hoping that you’d take me to the training fields. I heard that there are new recruits,” she explained. For her age, she was very articulate. She was always so straightforward and to the point. Someone in particular had taught her how to do that.
“Albert is training them today, and I doubt he’d want us to to be nosy,” Nico warned. In truth, it was extremely hot and he wanted to avoid the sun’s rays. He sighed as he stood up straight.
“I suppose we could go out there for just a little while. Then perhaps we can come inside and have some ice cream?” he suggested, hoping that the offer would appease her.
She beamed happily. “That would be lovely! Come on!” She grabbed her uncle’s hand and began to pull him along.
Sure enough, there were several recruits on the training fields with swords in hand and he could hear Albert barking orders to them as always.
“Wow! I’m impressed with some of the muscles these guys have! Look at Albert’s!” the princess exclaimed.
Nico stopped abruptly and let out a loud gasp when he realized that all of the men were shirtless, including Albert. He was so used to it that he didn’t even bother to think about what Emma would say in this situation.
“If you say anything about their muscles to your mother or father, neither of us will be having ice cream for the rest of our lives,” he warned.
“I am just stating the facts, but okay,” Princess Emma said, shrugging. She followed Nico to a shady area and the both of them watched as the new recruits continued their training. Not all of them were perfect by any means, but she was still in awe at their swordsmanship.
“I’d like to do that one day. Instead of being a princess, can I be a knight?” she asked suddenly.
This hadn’t been the first time that Emma had asked such as question. In fact, she had been stuck on this idea for at least a year now. Her mother and father usually laughed it off and assured Nico that it was just a phase that she was going through. Byron even promised her sword lessons once she was a little bit older. Even Albert didn’t seem troubled by Emma’s thoughts. However, the usually carefree Nico was bothered by it.
“Why do you want to be a knight so badly?” he asked.
“It looks really fun, plus I can protect people from bad guys like you and Uncle Albert do, silly!” Emma responded with a giggle. She held out her hands as if she were holding a sword of her own and began to mimic the motions that the recruits were doing with their own swords.
“You can protect people from bad guys as a princess and someday as a queen, too,” Nico explained softly. “Your mother and father do it all the time. They are really good at their job. You will be good at that job as well.”
Emma stopped what she was doing and turned to face her uncle. “But they don’t get to wear the neat uniforms. Mama’s dresses are really pretty and Daddy cape is really cool, but the uniforms are so much better! Besides, I can probably be both a princess and a knight if I want to!”
“Ah, so now you want to be both?” Nico asked, his nerves beginning to relax. Maybe the king and queen were right after all. It was just her childish whims. “Actually, I think that would be pretty neat myself. You know, your father is pretty skilled with a sword. He hasn’t come around her often. Maybe you should have him train you when he says you’re old enough.” Nico grinned to himself. Byron was definitely going to kill him before Emma’s next birthday arrived.
“I want you to train me, Uncle Nico,” Emma said softly. She gazed up at him with nothing but sincerity in her eyes. “Everyone knows that you’re the best swordsman. Oh, and you’re the best as making tea as well!”
When Nico did not respond, the princess frowned. A single tear fell from Nico’s eye, causing her to pull on his hand. “Uncle Nico, did I hurt your feelings? Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. it’s just sweat.” Nico wiped the tear away with his free hand. He was touched by her compliments, but he had not expected to get teary eyed over it. He had gone through many trials during his youth, and horrible things had been said to him. Years later here he was, valued and loved by so many.
“Okay...” Emma responded, suspicious of his excuse. For once, she decided not to pry. “Well, it is kind of hot out here. Let’s go get that ice cream.”
Nico smiled and stood. “How about a double scoop for the best niece ever?”
