DAY 1
"..."
Locked inside a library, a little Great Spirit was completely alone. While she was waiting doing absolutely… nothing.
To be honest, that wasn't really anything new for her. Most of her life she had spent doing exactly that. Still, it never stopped being boring… Just as painful.
Even if only a few hours had passed since her son had left for the capital, that didn't mean she wouldn't feel some sense of missing him. In fact, it seemed she missed him even more than before.
After several years of solitude, after centuries of solitude, she greatly loved the moments when she had the opportunity to be with her loved ones.
She had greatly enjoyed Bubby's company ever since he started living in the same mansion a few months ago. And she enjoyed it even more when her own son, now grown up, also came to live with her!
She hadn't remembered this feeling of happiness for a very, very long time. Naturally, on a day like today when she is alone once more, without either of her two living family members present… She missed them terribly.
And yet, she can do nothing but remain silent, sitting on her small stool. Waiting and wishing for someone to open that door to be with her.
"Hmm?"
She felt a slight surprise as it seemed the world granted her wish, when she saw the library door open wide, showing a silhouette entering with light steps.
"...Good morning, Beatrice-sama"
However, amidst her thoughts, it was a short pink-haired maid who entered the scene, Carrying a broom in her hands, And greeted the Great spirit before her courteously.
"Good morning. I suppose" She replied with the same courtesy and much neutrality "What are you doing in this place?"
She asked without any intention of fighting, although her sharp tone seemed that way. She simply didn't like, nor was she used to, anyone other than her son or brother daring to enter her library.
Ram tries to compose herself a bit. As if she truly hadn't been prepared to find Beatrice the moment she crossed the door.
"Currently Ram is the only maid in the mansion. Because of that, She is cleaning the entire mansion by herself."
She explains, Beginning to relax, barely, as she starts to speak slowly.
"Ram just entered Barusu's room to tidy and clean it. And she was lucky that it was connected to your library, Beatrice-sama."
"I see. You ended up here by accident, I suppose."
"I suppose unconsciously I am connecting the library with Subaru's room, I suppose."
Under that affirmation she made to herself, she had no real reason to be angry about the Maid's entry into her library. So she only makes a slight movement of her hand. Indicating that she has permission to leave.
However, Ram seems to ignore the request. The moment she carefully closes the doors behind her. And begins to sweep the floor with the broom she had in hand.
"What are you doing?"
Beatrice raises an eyebrow as Ram completely ignores her words. But she only responds with a bit more confidence, Without taking her eyes off the floor.
"As she already said, Ram is the only person in charge available inside the mansion. Roswaal. In his absence, She will have to keep everything clean and tidy. That includes your library, Beatrice-sama."
"I suppose there have been few times when you or your sister have come to clean my Library."
"That is because it never gets dirty by remaining closed at all times. But since Barusu's arrival, the library has been used much more since then. So it is necessary to clean it."
Beatrice could not deny the truth behind Ram's words. Since her son had arrived, the library was opened even more than once a day. Allowing him to enter whenever he wished to see her. There were even occasions when the twins also entered it.
Letting out a small snort, she has no choice but to accept Ram's presence. While letting her clean whatever she needs.
"...Finish quickly, then."
"Ram will take all the time she needs. But if you wish, You can help to finish earlier."
She says with a barely courteous tone. But there was a slight proud smile on her face. It seems that her brother's return made her gain more confidence with the Spirit of the library.
"Hmm? And since when do you have the confidence to speak to me like that, I suppose?"
"I just thought that Beatrice-sama might want to help or talk a bit with me. Seeing how you get along well with Barusu, I don't see why you couldn't bother talking with Ram."
"I suppose Betty's Subaru and you are on completely different levels. Don't treat me with the same confidence as him."
"Yes, Beatrice-sama."
"...For od."
Although it was true that the relationship between them wasn't really very close, Both had to admit that the presence of one for the other no longer felt so uncomfortable.
And that reason had a name. Natsuki Subaru.
Due to his presence in the mansion a few weeks ago, The two girls who had an almost family relationship with him, had begun to get used to seeing each other and exchanging a few words.
They didn't seek each other out to pass the time. But at least they had no reason to make an awkward moment or move away if the two of them were alone.
"Are you sure that you alone are capable of maintaining the entire mansion without the help of your sister or Betty's Subaru? I worry that you might not be able to keep the library or Betty's son's room in the state they deserve."
Ram doesn't seem bothered by Beatrice's words as she continues sweeping. She only has a proud smile. While letting out a small snort.
"Ram is one of the best maids the world has ever created" She says as if it were the most obvious thing "Why would she think she wouldn't be capable of keeping everything in order?"
"Betty's Subaru has told her that besides cooking, you are not the best at cleaning. I suppose. That he and the other maid are always behind you to help you."
"Barusu clearly is not capable of admiring my beautiful skills in the mansion. And the reason he is always behind me is because he is my Kouhai. Just like Rem, he enjoys cleaning with me in charge."
"...If you say so."
Beatrice says with a slightly resigned tone. As if she wasn't really sure, but right now she can't do anything but trust the process.
The two of them fall back into silence once more. It wasn't exactly a comfortable silence. But not uncomfortable either… It's as if neither had anything to mention to the other. And that was fine.
"Don't move the order of those books, I suppose."
Although she has to intervene when she sees Ram approaching one of her bookshelves, starting to grab a few books in her hands. She stops for a few seconds looking at her, While asking with a raised eyebrow.
"Usually the books in the library are always ordered the same way, aren't they? Ram would swear these books were in a different position."
The library was Beatrice's. Truthfully, Ram didn't really care about the order in which all the books were. It was just mere curiosity about what she had done to make them change place so much.
"Betty has simply been reading several books over the last few weeks, In fact."
"Ah yes? And that?"
"...I suppose Betty has been trying to investigate the possible causes and Cures for her son's Amnesia, In fact."
Ram's eyes open briefly at Beatrice's words. Her body tenses for a few seconds before finally carefully cleaning each book. Although this time the movements were slower and more mechanical. As if her mind were focused on something else.
"...Have you discovered something to help Barusu?"
She asks with slight nervousness. Wishing for a satisfactory answer. She may act a little harsh with him. But he was still the little brother she met years ago and who she believed had died because of her.
If there was something she could do to help him, Even if only to recover his memories, She would do whatever was necessary for it.
However, Beatrice's expression seems to extinguish that small determination and hope she held inside.
"...Nothing. Nothing at all. Betty has not managed to obtain any reliable information about those summoned from beyond the Great Waterfall in any book. Not that it's something everyone doesn't already know, In fact."
"...I see."
Both fall into a depressed silence for a few seconds. While they take that time to think. Although they weren't friends, At least this was something they had in common and that they had to help each other for his sake.
"Yesterday an Emissary came to talk about the Royal Selection to Emilia-sama. And it seems there was more than one person who knew Barusu."
"The Earth Dragon that grew fond of my son, I suppose?"
Both can't help but let out a small exasperated laugh at seeing how Subaru… ended up with an earth dragon from the visitors on the same day he arrived.
"Barusu sure always causes talk."
Ram thought with a smile. But forced herself to return to the main topic.
"Barusu also seems to be friends with Felix, 'The Blue'."
She clarified, Remembering what Subaru had told her the previous day, And his reason for going to the Capital with the rest of the mansion's residents.
"If we have already confirmed that we are not the only ones who know him, It may be that he has had more summonings with other people during his lost memories."
"Betty knows that, I suppose. But until Betty's Subaru fully recovers his memory, We cannot be sure if they are already complete or not."
Beatrice naturally as his mother, Couldn't help but think about that when her son confessed his memory loss. And that apparently he was not summoned in a single place. She wanted to discover everything about where he had been these years away from her.
Ram remains silent for a few seconds while doing a quick mental calculation.
"According to what Barusu has told us, So far we have confirmed a total of… 7 Friends he met while being summoned?"
"8, I fact. If we count you and your sister as two different people" Beatrice corrected. "You two, The Sword Saint, A girl from the slums, and her giant grandfather. If what Bubby's daughter said was not wrong."
"Besides them, There is also you, The Royal Healer Felix… And the Bowel Hunter."
Ram mentioned that last name with certain disgust and concern. She still couldn't understand how her little brother could have gotten involved with someone like her.
And even Beatrice makes a small grimace of disgust that her son could have connected with people… Of bad influence for his growth. An assassin like her would not be someone she would want near him.
"Betty does not like that her son has friends like them… On the other hand, We also don't know exactly how they met. So it's difficult to determine their relationship. I just hope she doesn't try to approach him."
"If she really sees him as her friend, I doubt she will try to make any move to hurt him. And if she does, I will stop her before she does anything."
Ram's protective side, Which usually only works on Rem, Just activated thinking about such a possibility.
"...Betty's Subaru is right. You really are a Tsundere."
"...!"
Beatrice smiles proudly when she sees the Maid's attitude break for a second. Clearly not expecting an attack of that kind.
"Tsk. It shows that he also influenced you."
Ram makes a small sound of frustration upon seeing how even the Great Spirit of the mansion could be easily corrupted by her little brother's words. She really had a truly problematic Kouhai.
"Speaking of him. Are you sure you don't have any useful memory of Betty's Son?"
The conversation had already flowed without either of them realizing it. Having reached this point, Beatrice doesn't mind continuing to talk a little more with Ram. It would be better than just staying silent, at least.
"Ram believes she has said everything she considers relevant about Barusu. We met one day when Rem went to look for ingredients in the forest and she was late in returning. When Ram went to look for her, she found her with Barusu. I distrusted him at first, But he started visiting us more often after that."
"Are you completely sure you aren't forgetting anything important?"
"At least nothing that helps reveal something about his past. If I knew, Ram would have already said it."
"Tsk. It's really Frustrating not having any clue where to start to discover something. Not even He knows what summons him to this world in the first place."
Why was he summoned?
What summoned him?
Who did he meet while being summoned?
How many Memories had he lost?
Can he recover them Soon?
Is there a possibility that he will return to his world again?
All those questions were inside their minds. And they had nothing to start answering them.
"Barusu didn't tell you anything? You knew him since he was a baby, didn't you? Couldn't you have seen something at that time?"
"Truthfully, Betty couldn't really understand the nonsense her son said in those days. Everything sounded so… surreal."
She remembered the dozens, if not hundreds, of Words that Babybaru said with excitement and childishness when he learned to speak.
"But either way, Betty is sure that he didn't say anything about his summonings, In fact. Most likely at that time he couldn't even really understand it, I suppose."
"A Barusu who doesn't know anything about what's happening around him… He has always been like that. So problematic."
Ram said with her usual tone. Which although it makes Beatrice defend her son, she doesn't really feel anger at her words.
"Tsk I know you don't mean it. But you should be careful with your words When talking about my son. Much more so if you do it in front of me."
"Ram has not said anything unnecessary. He always makes us worry without explanations or reasons… Like when he tried to leave the mansion a few weeks ago."
The memory makes Beatrice open her eyes slightly. And for this time… She had to side with the Maid.
She still can't quite believe the words her son had said that day.
That he was a burden to them?
That moving away from them was a good idea?
That She could end up hating him!?
"I suppose Betty's Subaru can be a little silly sometimes."
Simply. She couldn't deny it.
"At least your sister and I were able to bring him back before he really left Lugunica's border. Once there it would have been very difficult to find him."
"That doesn't change the fact that what he did was foolish. Leaving alone for a world he doesn't know… Argh. He was lucky that I didn't punish him for causing me unnecessary worry the moment he returned."
Beatrice raises an eyebrow at Ram's angry words that… also seemed to contain some affection.
"You didn't want him to leave either, In fact?"
"...His Departure would make Rem very sad. Besides, I haven't paid him back for everything yet. That's all.
"Tsundere" Beatrice laughed.
"Still, it really surprises me how stupid Barusu could be."
Ram comments. And not by trying to sound harsh with her brother. She genuinely believed his disappearance made no sense.
"Even if he wanted to leave so as not to hurt us, Didn't he think that disappearing without saying anything to anyone would be something to worry about? At least he could have left a letter. Ram knows that his handwriting at that time was barely decent. But it was much better than just disappearing without saying a single word."
"…"
Beatrice agreed with that… She felt there was still a key piece to resolve about that day.
Even if her son wasn't in the best state at that time… He hadn't left a message for them? Did no one really see him or help him leave?
No one who could tell him where to go? Or no map to guide himself. Did he really plan everything alone with no one to help him?
"…Bubby?"
"…Is something wrong?"
Ram raises an eyebrow when she thought she heard the Great spirit mutter something. But she quickly denies it. And changes the subject.
Although she had fought with him in the past… he was still her brother… she didn't want to think badly of him. Although she also didn't like how little empathy he seemed to have with her son. He didn't even know him to criticize him like that…
"...Betty is just thinking about whether Subaru could be connected to someone we know."
"What do you mean?" Ram asks.
"You and your sister have lived in this mansion for about a decade, I suppose. Even so, we never exchanged words about him… There is a possibility that you have more acquaintances who know Subaru without realizing it, In fact."
Ram falls silent, considering the words behind Beatrice and, to be honest, the possibility that something like that had happened.
"…Ram hadn't thought about it."
Perhaps in another situation she wouldn't have thought about it, saying it would be very unlikely. But considering that despite the years she had no idea that Beatrice knew about the boy she met in her childhood… She simply couldn't rule out the idea.
"The two I can most think of as acquaintances of Barusu… would be those who live in the sanctuary. Garfiel and Ryuzu. And maybe Frederica too."
"The other yellow-haired maid, In fact."
"Yes. However in the years I've known him, none of the three seemed to have known Barusu. They have never mentioned a human boy who was in the sanctuary."
"I suppose neither you nor your sister have asked them about him either."
"…The next time I see them, I'll make sure to ask them."
"Good. I suppose."
"…And you, Beatrice-sama? Do you know anyone Subaru could have been with?"
Beatrice frowns at Ram's question. Having several memories of many centuries in the past. She quickly forces herself to ignore them and focus on the present. At least momentarily.
"Betty has been in this library for 400 years. I suppose. Most of those I could mention are probably already dead… However, I can think of people like Bubby, His daughter, And even Roswaal. But I don't think any of them have said or given any sign of remembering him. In fact."
Ram remains silent for several seconds. She had thought about Roswaal. But he was someone… whom she was very careful with at all times. Despite everything…
She decides not to answer anything about him. She will take care of confronting him directly when he returns to the mansion. She had to make sure of that.
As for Emilia and her spirit, well…
"Emilia-sama seems to have a good connection with Barusu. Despite only having known him for a few weeks."
"I suppose Betty's Subaru is someone you would love to spend time with. Whoever you are, In fact."
Beatrice says with pride. Feeling satisfied seeing her son grown up and slowly growing even more day by day.
"Hmph. Or he's just someone so annoying that it's impossible to ignore him. And you have no choice but to be with him. Depends on how you want to see it."
Ram says technically the same thing. But the Ram way.
"…Although I wonder which side Emilia-sama's spirit would be on."
"Ngh"
Although Puck's name makes Beatrice tense in the same instant she mentions it.
"Has Bubby done something?"
She asks in a low voice. As if she didn't really want to know the answer at all. But still forces herself to respond.
And for her good or bad, Ram responds with a Neutral tone. As if she didn't really have anything accusatory about him to be angry about.
"Nothing we don't already know. He seems to be too attached to his daughter and prefers that she focus more on her studies than on 'Dates' with Barusu. While I agree that Emilia-sama should study, His jokes about Subaru can be a bit annoying."
"…You didn't bite your tongue? Doesn't that mean he's just like you?"
"That's a good joke. Every insult I say to Barusu is not a lie. It's the complete truth."
Ram says with pride and without shame. As if she truly believed in those words that only manage to get a snort out of Beatrice.
"You are a… sigh. How do your sister and my son put up with you? It's really annoying having to think about what you really mean to say."
"What do you mean? Ram always says what she thinks."
"Yeah right… argh. Come back soon, Subaru. Betty is already getting tired of this conversation."
Beatrice says with a long sigh. This day seemed like it was going to be a really long one after all.
"Do you miss him that much?"
Ram asks while slowly walking, picking up the cleaning products she had brought with her.
Beatrice just raises an eyebrow. As if she had just been asked a really stupid and absurd question.
"Don't you miss your sister?"
"That's a completely absurd question. Of course I miss her."
"It's exactly the same for me then."
She replied, wanting to emphasize her point.
Although Ram doesn't seem really convinced. Daring to speak a little more.
"May I ask something?"
"What is it about?"
"If you were going to miss him so much, Why didn't you want to go with him?"
"Eh!?"
Beatrice has to admit that she didn't expect such a question from Ram. Who only looks at her with slight curiosity and some firmness.
"Before he left, Barusu and Ram had a small conversation. Besides joking that I keep the mansion standing, He also asked me to keep you company, Since you were going to be alone. Since you rejected his request to go together to the capital…Why did you do that?"
Ram asked, looking firmer than during the entire conversation she had already had with the Great Spirit. Beatrice remains silent for a few seconds, as if she were thinking deeply about her response. But she only responds with a subdued tone.
"Isn't it obvious? I can't leave Betty's Library alone. I must stay there and protect it."
That was her response. Hoping the maid would stop asking more.
"That would be valid if there were absolutely no one in the mansion. However Ram is present. What stopped you?"
"…It's Betty's library… Betty cannot abandon it."
She said again. Reaffirming her point more and trying to convince both the maid and herself. She was simply fulfilling her duty. She wasn't doing anything wrong-
"Do you really prefer to stay inside the library rather than go out with Barusu? Is the library more important than your son?"
"…"
Ram's words strike heavily in her thoughts. Making her reflect strongly on her priorities as a Spirit, Mother… And Daughter.
"…Forgive me. Ram spoke out of place, Beatrice-sama."
Ram quickly apologizes. Seeing the expression Beatrice just made… Although she can't understand her emotions at all, she understands that perhaps she went a bit too far with her sharp tone. Even she could make mistakes from time to time.
"It doesn't matter, I suppose."
Beatrice finally said… Not really being upset despite the words affecting her. And she also didn't care much about the personal topic Ram had just spoken about.
She was simply… reflecting.
"…But if you want Betty to forgive you, You could try to lower your tone a bit with my son."
"Ram treats everyone as she should treat them."
In the end, both end the conversation with that small joke. Somewhat forced, But at least it served to leave a bitter aftertaste.
Ram finally opens the library doors. Having finished cleaning, she still had a lot of work to do during the day.
"I'll bring you some food later. If you have good taste like your son, You will enjoy the best 'Tatoes'."
She said with a smile, remembering how little by little even someone like Barusu ended up giving in and loving her signature dish.
"Hmph. I still don't understand how you managed to make him like your food so much. Either way, it won't surpass the flavor of the flan that Betty's Subaru made for her."
And Beatrice also smiles. Remembering the maid's face when she was fascinated by her son's dish.
With that small farewell, The two separate for the rest of the day.
"He is not even close to my son's level… But I suppose he's not bad, In fact?"
Beatrice just added some points to her opinion of Ram as a person inside the mansion. She wasn't as bad as she had initially thought…
"…Why is the library dirtier than before?!"
However, That thought was quickly overwhelmed when she noticed the horrible state the Maid had just left her library in.
DAY 2
"Good morning, Beatrice-sama."
"Good morning, I suppose."
The morning of the following day had already arrived. While a pink-haired Maid and a Great spirit greet each other, both standing in front of the great entrance door.
If you asked them if this time alone together had felt too long… The correct answer would be 'A little. But it wasn't bad at all.'
Both had simply enjoyed their time together, but it didn't compare to being with their favorite beings. For that very reason, neither doubted when a carriage had arrived at the mansion that morning.
Both had left their activities at that moment. Ram had left the kitchen half-cleaned. Beatrice had stopped reading her book in search of information. And now both were waiting for that door to open.
"I wasn't entirely sure if you were going to leave the Library to greet everyone, Beatrice-sama."
"I suppose Betty wanted to be the first person to greet Bubby and her son. We are family after all. Shouldn't you be fulfilling your maid duties?"
"Yesterday Ram worked like never before. You won't be able to find a single speck of dust in the entire mansion no matter how hard you search."
"Yeah, sure."
At Ram's proud declaration, Beatrice couldn't help but let out a small resigned sigh. There was no need to see her work in the library from yesterday. Just by looking at the floor in the mansion…
She could say, without exaggerating, that it was cleaner before Ram started her work. But she didn't seem to react at all.
"Besides. Right now I am also fulfilling my duty. My work as a maid is to welcome back my Master and my beloved Sissy."
"You didn't forget my son's name?"
At the absence of that name, She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. To which Ram remains silent for a small second. Before responding with her usual tone.
"Naturally I also wish to greet Barusu. After all, I have to give him all his servant duties for today. In addition to a reward for doing all his work yesterday."
"Demanding a reward for doing the work that corresponded to you? And on top of that, a job not well done? You really are a… Never mind. Betty won't say anything more about it. In fact."
Beatrice knew what Ram meant behind her tsundere words really. But honestly, she also didn't want to talk having to mentally translate everything she said. It could be exhausting.
She had to admire the blue-haired maid and her son a bit for being able to do it so easily at all times.
"…!"
Their chats and thoughts were quickly interrupted when the mansion doors opened wide. Letting in the rest of the mansion's residents.
The master of the mansion, Roswaal.
The Royal Candidate, Emilia.
The Great spirit and Beast of the End, Puck.
And… No one else?
"…?"
The expression of both girls was one of slight surprise at not seeing precisely the two most expected beings.
Still, Maintaining respect, Ram was the first to greet everyone. With the courteous and polite tone of a high-level maid like her.
"Welcome back Roswaal-sama, Emilia-sama, Puck-sama."
"Hello Raaaaaaaaam." Roswaal's voice and tone were the first to sound. "Thank you for the warm welcome and for taking care of the mansion."
"Hello Beatrice. Hello Ram. Glad to see you again."
"Betty. It's rare to see you outside the library."
The voice of the half-elf and her spirit followed. Sounding with their characteristic tone when greeting the two girls who were waiting for them.
"Betty felt like greeting today, I suppose… Welcome back, Bubby."
"Thanks thanks."
The cat-shaped spirit replied. Raising a paw while he was sitting on the hair of his beloved Daughter. And looking peculiarly happy.
"…May I ask where Rem is?"
Ram had to ask upon seeing that after the three returning people had entered the mansion, They had closed the door behind them. Giving the answer that no one else was going to enter that day.
"And Betty's son too, I suppose."
Beatrice also had to ask about her son's whereabouts. He and her brother had been the reasons why she had left her library, after all.
"The two of them are-"
"I think Subaru just abandoned us for another camp."
Puck's voice interrupted Roswaal's words. While saying the truth outright and without hesitating at all.
"W-what!?"(x2)
"Puck! Don't say it like that! He didn't abandon us!… I hope."
Emilia quickly scolds her spirit for having said those words without the proper context. Trying to calm the girls who quickly fell into shock at his words…
Although she herself felt that slight doubt in her heart to respond with the firmness she would like.
"Master Roswaal?"
Ram, Seeing Puck's strong words, And seeing Emilia's lack of strength to deny them, Can do nothing but ask directly the person she trusted most among all those present at that moment.
"Our dear Subaru-kun seems to have many friends everywheeeeere. I was surprised when he met the King of Lugunica and the rest of the candidates?"
Roswaal described without losing his tone. But even he had a slight smile of surprise at seeing how his little servant had easily filled himself with great influences.
"Friend of the King?"
"Friend of all the candidates?"
Ram and Beatrice open their eyes with surprise and disbelief. Clearly not expecting something like that.
They knew that it was likely that Subaru would see all of them in person if they were going to present themselves at the castle.
They also knew that it was very likely that there were more people Subaru could have known and forgotten in his past.
But it never occurred to them to think that he was connected to everyone in the royalty!
"H-He's not friends with all the candidates!"
Emilia responded immediately. With almost desperation in her voice. She didn't even know why, But knowing that there were too many candidates being his friends… didn't make her feel good.
"Lady Crusch doesn't seem to be his friend. They are only 3… No! 4! I'm also there, right? We are only 4!"
"Lady Crusch?"
"But… The Demi-human who came yesterday wasn't her knight? He didn't know Subaru?"
"Well… I suppose so."
Emilia could not deny that fact.
Subaru was connected by several friends in the 5 Royal Camps. There wasn't a single one where they didn't want his presence with them.
"Subaru asked for permission to be absent for a week in the mansiooooon. He wants to visit all his friends during these days."
Roswaal finished explaining to both girls.
"And Rem?"
Even so, Ram had a… bad feeling that something horrible would happen when she asked about her sister.
"Rem stayed with him at the place where we stayed. It seems she wants to take care of the household chores while Subaru goes out during these days."
"Hah!?" (x2)
And indeed, Upon hearing that confirmation, The maid and the Great spirit shout full of indignation.
"You left my Son/Sister alone in a hotel with her/him!?"
And both were clearly worried about the… chastity of their younger family members. Although Emilia didn't seem smart or mature enough to understand it.
"Uhh… Yes? We tried to convince her but it seemed she had already made her decision."
"I wish I could have stayed too."
No one paid attention to his little murmur. The two girls were just whispering among themselves.
"My beloved sissy… In a hotel… Trapped with that Barusu."
"My little son… in the same room… With that maid."
Ram and Beatrice look at each other. And both know what the other is feeling. Perhaps for that very reason, they try to calm each other down.
"I-It doesn't matter. Barusu may be a pervert, beast, degenerate and whatever… but he doesn't have the guts to do anything."
Ram exaggerated her words a bit when she described her brother. But she believed them completely. Barusu, no matter how problematic he might be, Would never be able to take advantage of a situation.
"…I agree with your words about him. But can you say the same about your sister? Can you really assure that she won't try to do anything given the opportunity?"
But Beatrice's words make her doubt again. She knew how… unsubtle the blue-haired girl was at hiding her emotions. And Beatrice even knew her bad habit of staying to spy on her son while he slept.
In the mansion, at least she could ensure that boundaries were maintained… But now with both out of her reach, she had no way to prevent them from having a night of…
"You haven't earned my blessing yet!"(x2)
Both girls thought at the same time considering the worst-case scenario. They would take care of asking their little family member when they returned.
The worst part is that right now they… Can't do anything. They'll just have to wait as long as necessary until they return.
"Haaa… Do you know when they will return, I suppose?"
At Ram's question, Roswaal responds without stopping smiling.
"If Subaru takes each day to visit everyone… They should return in about 5 or 6 days."
"Almost a full week, In fact…" Beatrice murmured with slight sadness "Betty wanted to see her son again, I suppose."
She had mentally prepared herself during all the time in the mansion to have made her wish. The desire to choose him as her contractor.
She still didn't know if she could or should do that. But she simply hoped that upon seeing her son again… Perhaps she would have the necessary strength to ask him.
So knowing that he didn't even come after she had waited so long, disappoints her a little.
"Don't worry about that, Betty." Puck tried to cheer her up, Flying from his daughter's head naturally, And landing on his sister's small hands "I'm here, aren't I? We can play in your room, if that's what you want."
"…Yes. I suppose you're right, In fact."
It clearly wasn't the same. But Bubby was also something important to her. Despite their fights, she simply couldn't stop loving him.
Giving him small caresses with a slight smile on her face, Beatrice turns around, leaving everyone in the mansion's hall.
"We'll be in my library. Don't bother me, I suppose."
Passing through a door, It connects immediately to the Forbidden library. Before closing it and staying to play just her and her brother.
"…I think she got in a bad mood."
Even Emilia could read the tense atmosphere the spirit had just radiated. Not even she was that dumb.
"Beatrice-sama was hoping to talk with her Barusu for some reason. It's normal that she's not in a good mood after he didn't return."
Ram defended her slightly. Although she didn't know why she wanted to talk, or even about the topic, She understood the feeling she was going through. At least a little.
"Subaru-Kun will return soon, Raaaaaam. He is our dear servant and friend after all. Nothing to worry about."
"Roswaal is right! It's Subaru! My- Our friend, right!? He wouldn't abandon us for anything!"
Ram raised an eyebrow at the words… almost desperate from Emilia. Who seemed to want to calm herself more than calm Ram.
She just lets out a small sigh. She doesn't really understand why she acts like this, But it's also none of her business. Besides, She doesn't miss her little brother… That much.
Rather, she just has to accept it and keep waiting. She will return all the work she will do this week. Ha. She's already looking forward to seeing his face when that happens.
"If you'll excuse me, Ram will retire. Since she will be in charge of taking care of the mansion completely alone during the week, She will have to try three times as hard to keep it afloat."
"Y-yes… Goodbye Ram."
Giving a small bow to both, Ram heads to the kitchen, Ready to finish cleaning it and continue doing her domestic chores for the rest of the day. Arhh, She wished so much to take a break.
"Well, Emilia-sama. I have to go to my office to sort out several matters regarding the Royal Selection."
Once they were alone again, Roswaal also starts walking. This little trip had taken a small surprise that he didn't see coming. He had to consult his books to decide his next moves.
"I recommend you take a small break and then go to your room to continue studying. Now that the Royal Selection has officially started, you will have to study to be up to par."
"Yes. A small break… No. It's not necessary. I think I'll go to my room to study right away. I have to make sure I become a good Queen in the future."
Emilia declared with slight firmness, Refusing the rest that Roswaal had offered her. He is surprised for another second, But nods without stopping smiling.
"I see. See you soooooon."
"…"
Once the last person at the mansion entrance had left… Emilia is left completely alone.
"…I guess I'll go study."
Talking to herself, She slowly walks to her room. Having a goal to fulfill.
Once she enters, She sits on a small chair in front of a table, Where several different books were piled up.
She grabs one at random. Surely the top one would be the one she had to study today.
"…"
The truth was that a break was… tempting.
It wasn't that she was really exhausted after a 1-hour trip. Nor that she was really tired. She simply had the habit of taking a bath in the morning before studying. Usually, That helped her recover energy.
But today… She simply didn't want to do it. She didn't want to be left alone with her thoughts right now. She wanted to do some activity to avoid having to think about…
"Subaru…"
She didn't understand this emotion. Why did she feel so… bad?
Only a few hours had passed since she last saw her friend. So why did she miss him so much? Why did she want him to be inside the mansion right now again?
Was it because Subaru had lied to her and was hiding something about Priscilla?
Was it because she had discovered that the boy has many more friends besides her?
Was it because she felt that if Subaru spent a lot of time with other camps he would want to leave her side?
Was it because it generated… an emotion she can't understand when she thought that he was alone with Rem?
What were these thoughts? They don't make any sense.
"It's no different than usual. Nothing bad is happening… Everything is going well, so why?"
Subaru has more friends… That's good.
She managed to give a good speech at the castle. That's good.
Over the past few weeks, She was having fun and advancing on a clear path. That was good!
So why right now did she feel so… discouraged?
"It will only be a week… I hope."
She told herself, while opening the book and forcing herself to read. Hoping that this week would be as short as possible.
“Hmm… Ngh… Huh?”
A half-elf wakes up opening her eyes with a start. Her left cheek is stuck to a small flat wooden surface, and a pink mark on her skin remains when she pulls away. A sign that she had remained in that position for a long time.
The hours had already passed. Emilia could realize that… she seemed to have fallen asleep while reading.
"Eh!? How? I have..-!?"
She quickly sits up in shock. Her back tenses immediately when she realizes her carelessness while Her eyes scan the ancient room, observing around her.
Everything is blurry and she finds it difficult to distinguish all the objects there. Perhaps because she just woke up. But that's not important.
What's important is that she had already stopped reading. Or rather, trying to read all the books that had been lent to her for today.
"I fell asleep? N-no way. I had to stay awake to read the…!"
"The new volume of the manga?"
A new voice almost makes her jump in surprise when she hears it behind her. With that half-mocking and slightly childish tone that he always used to tease her.
She turns her head so fast to see the person who just entered.
A boy her age approaches slowly with a small book in his right hand. His head slightly tilted and a joking smile. She cannot distinguish the color of his eyes or the details of his face. But it's not necessary to know who it is.
"Oh, ######!" She speaks in a slightly higher tone, due to his joy and excitement "You're here already!"
She can't help but cheer up upon seeing her first friend smile and walk until he sits in front of her, crossing his legs on the old rug beneath him.
"You fell asleep trying to read the mangas I gave you? I hope you didn't find them boring."
"No, no! It's the opposite!" She responds too quickly. Her pointed ears tinged with a faint pink "They were so good I couldn't sleep waiting for today!"
"Not sleeping at all doesn't make me believe you're any better either." The boy laughs "But I'm glad you enjoyed them, in that case."
"Yes."
In reality, both knew that she cannot read the books. It's not a language she knew after all. The never-before-seen characters made no sense to her at all.
But the drawings are still there. The characters' expressions, the artificial scenarios, the scenes in the rain. Everything was beautiful to see!
And if she wanted to follow the story, she had her friend to translate it for her. That's why she looked forward to his company day after day, every time Fort### left her alone at home.
Naturally, being with him was what she enjoyed most in those moments.
"So you want to keep reading?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, alright… Let me see where we left off."
The boy says, while beginning to open the new volume of the manga that he had already brought in his arms specifically for this occasion. He opens his eyes when he perfectly remembers the pages inside it.
"Ohhh! This is one of my favorites. It's when they go to the summer festival!"
"Summer… festival?"
"Yes! You may not understand it, but it's a very fun celebration. Ahem, listen!"
The boy begins to recount the texts that only he could read, while Emilia moves closer to his side to see the drawings.
He narrates the story with emotion and drama. Adding small childish and romantic noises when the main couple blushes or has some kind of approach. Normal in a Romance manga.
Emilia enjoys how he speaks every time something like that happens. It makes it feel as if the story could happen in real life. As if it were something special. As if it were something real. As if it were something really special.
She wonders what it would be like to experience that festival firsthand, with friends and someone special like that.
"In the end..." He narrates, with a deeper voice, as if he were a professional narrator. "When night fell and the moon rose, and the stalls began to close, the couple had moved away from everyone, sitting next to each other near a river."
Emilia looks at the scene in the book with sparkles in her eyes. She is so absorbed in the story that she cannot look away for a single second.
"The moon sure is pretty tonight" —said the boy.
"Yes, it's far beyond our reach" —said the girl.
As he narrated, he also couldn't help but smile at the generic, yet very moving scene from one of his favorite books.
"Under the night… The boy changed his expression, fearing that his next question could change everything in their relationship."
When he adds a more dramatic tone, Emilia briefly tenses with emotion. Here it comes. The dose of deep story that captures her in every volume. The climax of the night.
She is ready for anything.
"Gently, the boy turned around to face the girl he loved. Looking her straight in the eyes. There wasn't that doubt that usually existed when being so close to her. Not this time."
Emilia doesn't take her eyes off the manga. She doesn't lose the expression that the boy and the girl have printed on those pages.
"And finally… he spoke. He brought out the question he had kept to himself all day, waiting for that moment. And from his mouth came… 'Emily…?'"
"Yes?"
She responds without thinking. Even if the question wasn't for her, she was so immersed that she couldn't help but instinctively respond to his words. She waits for the question that he…
"Why did you forget me?"
"…Huh?"
The change in tone is drastic. Direct. Without any subtlety.
For the first time, Emilia stops looking at the book on the table and looks at ######'s face.
"Why did you forget me?"
"Huh? What… you are…?"
Her voice breaks when her friend suddenly starts to scare her. She tries to focus her eyes on his face, but something fails. The edges of his figure lose all shape, as if the air around him were trembling.
"You forgot me?" He insists again and now his voice sounds distant, hollow "Don't you remember me?"
"W-what are you talking about!" She feels a shiver run down her back "Of course I remember you! You're ######! You're ######!"
But even as she screams, scared, she cannot understand her own words. The name that comes from her lips sounds empty, as if her body is trying to cling to something her mind doesn't understand.
"You forgot me" His face begins to darken, You could no longer see if he was even a human or just a shadow "Was I not important?"
"No! Of course you're important! —Emilia feels tears burning in her eyes—. You are…! You are…!"
She goes blank.
The name crumbles on her tongue before it leaves her lips.
"…I see."
He smiles. But it's no longer a kind smile. It's sad, as if accepting a Reality.
"I see. You forgot me too."
"No, wait, please…!"
Emilia reaches out her hand to touch him, but her fingers pass through the air where he should be. The room goes dark. The walls cease to exist. Her mind begins to fade.
"######!"
And a shout full of strength and at the same time empty was the only thing that came out before waking up.
"######!"
Emilia wakes up in her bed with a choked scream.
Cold sweat soaks her forehead and her entire body in general. Her heavy breathing makes her pajama stick to her chest. Her fingers cling to the sheets so tightly that her knuckles hurt. The tears in her eyes begin to fall down her cheeks until they fall onto the bed.
"I-I'm… in my room…"
She confirms between heavy breaths, And blurry vision. But not anymore due to her dreams. But due to her moist eyes.
The ceiling of her room was that of the mansion. The dim light of dawn filtering through the curtains. The familiar feel of the pillow under her cheek.
This… was her room and not a false memory.
No book. No threadbare rug. No boy.
Emilia slowly sits up, trembling. She brings a hand to her chest and feels her accelerated heartbeat.
"Just a dream… A… Dream"
But no matter how much she tries to remember the face of the one who smiled while reading for her, she only finds a warm void.
Emilia hugs herself and closes her eyes tightly…
"…It's still dawn… the sun hasn't risen but… I don't want to sleep."
The fear was still inside her. And she didn't have enough energy to try to calm down and sleep.
"…"
Forcing her legs to stand up, She doesn't even change the pink pajamas she was wearing, She just headed out of her room. In search of a particular room.
Without having to go far, She quickly reaches the room of the boy from another world. Subaru's room… However, That wasn't really her destination.
"Please let it be this one."
She prayed to herself as she slowly grabbed the doorknob and opened it slowly… Revealing…
"What are you doing here at this hour of the night, I suppose?"
Notes:
Okay. The idea was to make a single chapter that would cover the ENTIRE week at the mansion. But…it was just too long, and it wasn't worth making you wait too long. Reading it all the way through might have ended up being more tiring than enjoyable.
So, well, here's part 1 of…3? I think? I don't know. I wonder if it'll be boring to read all this before going back to Subaru's POV. Anyway, I hope you liked it, and I'll see you in the next chapter.
I want to bring you a bonus beforehand. Any suggestions? See you!