Chapter 89: Crusch's Candlelight Dinner
"Thank you for your guidance. If possible, could you teach me here again at this same time tomorrow? Ah—if you're busy, then don't worry about it."
"Then let's meet again at this time tomorrow."
"Alright!"
Wilhelm watched as Natsuki Subaru, supported by Rem, walked toward the house.
After Subaru's figure completely disappeared from his sight, Wilhelm lowered his gaze to the wooden sword in his hands.
Time had unknowingly passed for quite a while now.
The years had left many traces on his face. Although his body was still relatively strong, how much longer could this robust body be maintained?
But it was still not too late.
For someone who was already half a foot in the coffin, being able to fulfill a lifelong wish before death was more than enough.
Before heading to fulfill that wish, meeting someone worthy was a good thing—passing on all his martial skills to that person was also a satisfying matter.
.
.
.
"Here, these are the books you wanted, but I honestly don't know what kinds of books you like, so I just took a little bit of everything."
After Natsuki Subaru and Rem glanced at the pile of books stacked on the desk, their eyes focused on Felix, who had carried the books in.
He smiled and pointed at the books on the desk as he spoke:
"There are some plays, stories, autobiographies, and legends. I thought this variety should be enough for you."
"This isn't even about whether it's enough or not, Felix. I'm only staying here for a while.
Once my body heals, I'm leaving. There's no way I could finish all these books even in a week!"
Subaru, making a teasing complaint, walked to the desk, reached out and took one book, looking at the title: Complete Guide to Plants.
"That's okay. If you can't finish in one week, then finish in two. If you still can't finish, then just finish them before you leave."
Hearing that, Subaru gave Felix a deadpan look, utterly baffled by Felix's completely unhidden intention.
"Your intentions are pretty obvious. Whatever, I appreciate it. I'll try to read these books as much as I can since many of them are new to me." Subaru waved the book in his hand at Felix and continued:
"Oh, and don't you dare purposely drag out the treatment. If I find anything suspicious, I'll leave immediately. In my own understanding, my body is very healthy."
"Hmph, what do you take me for? I'm not going to do something like that during treatment!" Felix rolled his eyes at Subaru and shrugged.
"But if you ever make me angry, I might just add something extra during treatment—like making it so painful you want to die."
"Is that how a doctor is supposed to behave?!"
"Hmph, I'm a petty guy. So Subaru, don't make me angry, okay~"
Subaru looked at Felix's mischievous grin with helpless sigh, picked up a book, took off his shirt, and sat on the bed.
"Alright, don't waste time, or you'll miss dinner. I'm counting on you, Lord Felix."
"Hm, good attitude. Leave the rescue to me!" Felix replied.
Rem, standing nearby, watched the two sitting on the bed.
Subaru was focused on reading, ignoring Felix who was completely leaning on his back. Although Felix had said he was male, Subaru saw no sign of masculinity on him. So he couldn't really see him as a man!
With that thought, Rem silently climbed onto the bed.
Her movement was noticed by both Subaru and Felix, and their eyes focused on Rem's expressionless face. Just as Subaru was about to ask why she climbed onto the bed—
Rem simply sat beside him and reached out to hold his arm.
"Hmmm~~~ This is a battlefield~~~"
"No matter how you look at it, this has nothing to do with a battlefield! Focus on the treatment."
"I'm always focusing on treatment. After all, this is a very simple matter for me."
"I really don't want someone's distraction to worsen my illness."
After saying that, Subaru looked toward Rem beside him, about to say something, but in the end, he didn't say a word.
He silently shifted the book a little closer toward Rem, ensuring she could see the content.
He wasn't sure if Rem liked this kind of book, but it didn't really matter.
The room quieted down and remained so until the treatment ended. Then the atmosphere livelier: Felix said goodbye first.
After dinner, Rem and Subaru took a stroll around the mansion's lawn, talked a bit, then each returned to their rooms to rest.
Subaru's day in the Royal Capital was fully scheduled: morning exercises with Rem, a whole morning exploring the capital, lunch at the mansion, afternoon training with Wilhelm, treatment with Felix, then dinner, a walk and chat, some reading, and finally rest.
Even during the long holiday, life remained this fulfilling.
Three days later, after an evening walk with Rem, Subaru returned to his room intending to read a little. But a maid knocked on his door.
Opening it, he heard that Crusch wanted to talk to him.
After tidying up, Subaru went to the appointment.
Led by the maid, Subaru met Crusch. Tonight, Crusch looked somewhat different than usual.
No— not just somewhat different — completely different!
"Um, did you want to see me for something?" Subaru asked, looking at Crusch sitting at the table.
Tonight she wasn't wearing her usual dignified outfit but a rather feminine one.
"Since you've come, isn't that reason enough? But I really do have something to discuss, so sit down and let's talk."
Crusch gestured to the empty seat across from her. There were only two seats: she sat in one, so Subaru had no choice but to sit opposite her.
Unsure why Crusch had summoned him, Subaru sat down, observing her and the surroundings, and also the dishes and wine on the table.
Crusch looked very feminine, something completely hidden by her usual tight and formal attire... ahem... As for the surroundings, it was just the two of them.
Candles, some food, and red wine were set on the table.
No matter how Subaru looked at it, the atmosphere felt completely off! The words "candlelight dinner" floated in his mind.