R2. Reinhild's Several Days
The Snow Festival—this was an event Subaru suddenly proposed to help everyone regain their smiles.
Reinhild listened to Subaru's explanation, thought it through, and agreed to hold the event. She even decided that the two of them would prepare the materials together.
"Just the two of us?"
"This kind of physical labor I can handle alone, enough to replace the entire mansion's workforce. But pacifying the citizens is not something I can do by myself," Reinhild explained.
Subaru hurriedly began preparing to go out.
"Here," Subaru said, handing her a pair of gloves.
Reinhild looked at them in puzzlement.
"Since we're going to be carrying ice, wearing gloves will help prevent frostbite."
Reinhild didn't really need them—her hands wouldn't freeze even if struck directly by the ice magic of the Beast of the End.
But seeing the concern in Subaru's eyes, she instinctively accepted and put on the gloves.
The gloves were quite ordinary, without any enchantment, and were even a bit drafty due to their size.
But strangely, they felt very warm.
"I made these during some downtime the past two days for myself. Since I was in a rush, they're kind of rough. What do you think?"
"They're very well made."
"Really? I've always been confident in my tailoring skills. Ah, don't worry—these are new, I haven't used them."
"Even if you had, it wouldn't matter. Let's go. Time is short."
Many things happened afterward—making simple snowmen with Subaru, laughing together when they broke, admiring the bizarre and wonderful sculptures made by others, and hosting a bonfire party.
"It was such a happy day," Reinhild thought as she looked at her sleeping mother.
Her mother wouldn't respond, but even so, Reinhild's heart was full of joy.
"Goodnight, Mother," Reinhild said, leaving the room.
She took off the gloves Subaru had given her and pulled out a box—a collection of Reinhild's cherished memories.
She gently placed the gloves inside and slowly drifted off to sleep.
It was a rare, warm, and pleasant dream.
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Some people are truly followed by bad luck.
Reinhild confirmed this after meeting Otto, and so she was very concerned for Subaru, who was living his knightly life in the capital.
Subaru seemed to be that kind of person too.
Unlike Otto, Subaru also had a habit of pushing himself too hard.
Four days after the Snow Festival (on the 29th), Reinhild finally returned to the royal capital.
She could feel the eyes monitoring her, but she understood the tension among the influential people there.
Honestly, if the capital didn't need the protection of a Sword Saint, Reinhild would've fully committed herself to repairing her domain.
Still, for Reinhild, personal matters must never outweigh public duty.
Despite being deeply worried about Subaru, she waited until her domain was stabilized before heading to the capital.
This time, Reinhild did not come alone.
In addition to checking on Subaru's situation, she planned to hold a birthday celebration from his homeland for him.
Several mansion staff who were close to Subaru also came along.
After spending one day on official matters, Reinhild finally had time the next day to visit the Royal Guard's base.
She knocked on the office door of Marcos, the green-haired captain, who sat sternly in his chair.
"Excuse me. May I ask how Subaru is doing?"
"Thanks to you, no one's laid a hand on him yet.
He works hard, I'll give him that, but he still hasn't integrated into the Royal Guard, let alone the Kingdom's knights," Marcos said.
Reinhild was a bit surprised.
Even someone like Felix—an androgynous demi-human with zero combat power—had successfully integrated thanks to Marcos' help.
"Felix has powerful healing magic—something that can be clearly demonstrated.
You said Subaru has great intelligence, but that's not something I can display to others.
I'm thinking of assigning him a more dangerous mission to let him prove himself.
Otherwise, even with your protection, trouble may still arise."
Reinhild fell silent.
She understood her fellow countrymen had high pride and sword skills, and as young people, they also had a tendency to compare themselves to others.
"May I check on Subaru's situation first?"
"Better hurry. Before someone who's got a loose screw makes the first move."
"Understood. Then please leave Subaru to me today."
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Reinhild found Subaru at the Royal Guard's training ground.
His sword form was far from ideal, but his sweaty, determined figure captured her attention.
She remembered the wish Subaru had shared that night.
She saw the effort he put into achieving it.
"Your stance is a bit messy," she commented as she walked over.
Reinhild decided to help him.
Subaru's potential turned out to be much better than she'd expected.
Even though she tried to tone down the training, given that he'd only trained with the Royal Guard and her own personal guard, Subaru still collapsed from exhaustion.
—Right, maybe I should help him get more familiar with the capital.
Realizing that Subaru's body couldn't take more training that day, Reinhild suggested a city tour.
This way, she could also get to know Subaru's preferences.
He didn't object.
Reinhild noticed Subaru wearing the same clothes from the day they first met.
After learning more about his situation, she decided to help him buy some new clothes.
What surprised her was how familiar Subaru was with the shop she picked.
He even picked out several outfits that fit her own aesthetic preferences.
Feeling a mix of guilt for not noticing his situation earlier and appreciation, Reinhild paid for the clothes.
"Sorry. I'll pay you back later," Subaru said.
"Alright."
Reinhild agreed, looking into Subaru's eyes.
She then turned her attention to the ground dragon before them.
Diana's breed of ground dragon was very high-quality, but they usually had proud temperaments.
However, the one before them got along very well with Subaru.
Considering his status as a knight and his poor riding skills, she figured this dragon might be the perfect birthday gift for him.
"…Looks like it's a female. Does Subaru really like her?"
"I don't know why, but she feels like a lifesaver to me."
Seeing how fond Subaru was of the dragon, Reinhild made up her mind.
But to preserve the surprise, she quietly asked the merchant to hold it for her.
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They spent the rest of the day wandering the city.
At one point, Reinhild was puzzled by Subaru's odd look after she chatted with a fruit vendor.
She also had fun sharing food with him.
The two walked around until nightfall.
"Do you need me to walk you back?"
"No need. Get some rest, Subaru."
Reinhild was a little surprised by his offer, then smiled and declined.
She could feel how tired he was, and besides—she had to go speak with her father next.
For some reason, she didn't want Subaru to meet her father in his current state.
"Alright. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."