Emilio looked to Subaru, surprised as he smiled. He bowed with his hand to his chest.
Emilio: [I thank you for looking past my weaknesses, Subaru-sama.]
Subaru: [Stop right there!]
Emilio: [Eh?]
Subaru: [I order you to call me Subaru.]
Emilio: [Eh?]
Subaru: [I don't want you to start calling me by "sama". It feels too distant for two people who have faced life and death together..]
Emilio looked surprised but smiled.
Emilio: [Of course... Subaru.]
Roswaal: [This is truuuly wonderful. Then I fooormally extend my backing towards you, Suuubaru-sama.]
Subaru: [Um, yes. Thank you, Ros-chi.]
Roswaal: [Oh... closing the distance already aaare you Subaru-sama?]
Subaru: [I guess so...]
Subaru shrugged.
Subaru: [What do I do with this Insignia by the way?]
Roswaal: [You will keep it on your person.]
Subaru: [What happens if I lose it? Do I get issued a new one?]
Roswaal: [You would be considered unfit to become the ruler of this kingdom. It's believed that one who can't even protect a tiny insignia simply can't be entrusted with the nation's rule. That would be the end of it.]
Subaru: [Yeesh, that's harsh.]
Subaru: (Difficulty level 100? More like 250.)
Roswaal: [Subaru-sama. I believe we must learn about your background and political and educational level.]
Subaru: [Hm... I have no idea about anything in this country!]
Everyone: [...]
Ram: (And she expects to rule? Foolish.)
Subaru: [I can speak the same language as you all, but I can't read.]
Everyone: [...]
Ram: (We're never winning the Royal Selection with this girl as our candidate.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru was in a dressing room as Ram was next to her.
Ram: [We'll have to make a dress tailored to you, Subaru-sama.]
Subaru: [Come on. Be a bit more casual. You don't have to be so distant with me.]
Ram: [Ram was only showing respect. It seems like this Royal Candidate is a glutton for punishment. Our kingdom is doomed.]
Subaru sulked.
Subaru: [Ram is such a harsh judge. Besides, there's no telling if I'll even be queen yet.]
Ram: [Now let Ram take your measurements.]
Subaru: [A dress, huh?]
Subaru considered it.
Subaru: [Can I make a special request?]
Ram: [Of course.]
Subaru: [Let me draw it up.]
Ram: [So we came here for nothing. You've wasted my time, Barasu-sama.]
Subaru: [Hey. You just turned my name into a binding curse, you know. And you still haven't dropped the "sama"!]
Ram: [This is as close as Ram can get while still remaining appropriate for Ram's station. Be grateful.]
Subaru sighed.
Ram: [Well, then let me give you a tour of the important places in the mansion.]
Subaru nodded.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Ram began taking Subaru around the mansion, showing her several areas until they came to a room at the end of a hallway.
Ram: [This is the lavatory.]
Subaru: [Hm. In a mansion this big, the lavatory must be huge too.]
Subaru slowly opened the door to find a library. In it was Beatrice on her bed, cuddling with Puck.
Beatrice: [You're so great, Bubby! Your fur is the best!]
Subaru: [It feels like the world is rubbing this in my face.]
Subaru sighed.
Beatrice: [Sta... stay away from Betty... I suppose.]
Subaru: [Why? Don't you like my hugs?]
Betty: [You have a natural talent for suffocating Betty, I suppose.]
Subaru: [Aw, don't be like that.]
Before she could enter the room, the door closed shut via a gust of wind from Beatrice.
Subaru: [Hey, wait!]
Subaru opened the door to see a toilet.
Ram: [That was Beatrice-sama's Door Crossing.]
Subaru: [So basically it lets her change the position of her room to any of the rooms in the mansion, right?]
Ram: [Once Beatrice-sama has eliminated her presence, there's no way to find her without trying every door in the mansion.]
Subaru picked one out, opening it.
Subaru: [She's in here!!!]
Beatrice looked shocked.
Puck: [That was impressive, Subaru!]
Beatrice: [You picked the right one again?]
Subaru: [Believe me. I've always had a talent for things like this. Who are you, by the way? Ros-chi's younger sister?]
Beatrice: [I'd never want to be his sister, I suppose! Hmph!]
Subaru: [Hm...]
Subaru: (I kind of understand that. He gives off creepy vibes.)
Puck: [Betty is the librarian who oversees the Roswaal mansion's forbidden library.]
Ram: [Roswaal-sama is the greatest magic user in the kingdom. He has many books that mustn't be seen by others. Beatrice-sama is contracted to protect them.]
Beatrice: [If you get it now, then go away.]
She closed the door on them.
Subaru: [Magic, huh? I got to get Ros-chi to teach me.]
Ram: [Don't you have enough to learn, Barasu-sama?]
Subaru slumped.
Subaru: (She's right.)
Ram then finished the tour.
Subaru: [Well, thank you for the tour, Ram.]
Ram: [Please give us your request quickly, Barasu-sama.]
Subaru sighed.
Subaru: [Oookay.]
Subaru went to her room.
Subaru: (Now I understand why they gave me such a fancy room. This all feels so... overwhelming... would I... even be cut out to be a ruler? Wait, no. This is the main plot of the story. I have to follow it.)
Subaru sat down in a seat as he began designing her request with a quill and paper. It was really more of a suit than a dress. Subaru, of course, being an avid crossdresser, would of course prefer something like that.
Subaru: (It looks nice, and it's easy to move in. I think this is good.)
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Subaru handed the paper to Ram.
Ram: [Hm... at least you have good taste in terms of fashion, but you do realise this is a suit and not a dress, right?]
Subaru: [I'd rather not have a difficult time moving around or putting on something I have to wear all the time.]
Ram: [How lazy, Barasu-sama.]
Subaru: [That's what you took from that?]
Ram: [That's how critical the nobles will be of you if you ascend to the throne.]
Subaru slumped.
Subaru: [You're right on that, too.]
Ram: [Now. Let's head inside so I can make sure you're literate. Being unable to read will cause Roswaal-sama trouble.]
Subaru: [Hai. Hai. Nee-sama.]
Ram: [Hm?]
Subaru blushed for a second.
Subaru: [It's just... I've never really been able to get along with other girls my age, or anyone else really, so...]
Ram: [It seems you've noticed how worthy of respect Ram is.]
Subaru: [Sorry for bothering you, though.]
Ram: [Ram is a maid. Unsettling as it is for Ram, it is Ram's job to deal with you bothering Ram.]
Subaru smiled as she followed Ram into a room and sat down, ready for Ram to teach her to read and write. After a long time, Subaru lay on the desk in exhaustion.
Ram: [Not bad. You, at the very least, aren't hopeless in this.]
Subaru: [Nee-sama's opinion of me is becoming better. I'm so happy.]
Ram: [Your skill level is still pathetic, but at least you're showing strong signs of improvement.]
Subaru's energy slumped away from that comment.
Subaru: [By the way. Is it okay if I visit the village sometime?]
Ram: [You should focus on your studies for now, Barasu-sama. Don't cause trouble for Roswaal-sama.]
Subaru: [I'll only be there for a bit. I promise to work hard if you agree.]
Ram sighed.
Ram: [Very well, Barasu-sama. You may visit the village for 30 minutes.]
Subaru: [Eh?!! Just 30 minutes?]
Ram: [Are you implying that I'm being unfair?]
Subaru shook her head and smiled.
Subaru: [It's alright. I get it.]
Three days passed as Subaru worked hard on learning to write properly and visited the village.
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Ram met with Roswaal, sitting on his lap by the window.
Roswaal: [So, how is our new Royal Candidate?]
Ram: [She's completely hopeless. She has no ability to read or write. However... at the very least her sense of fashion was not bad.]
Roswaal: [Ah, yes. There is, I presume, potential for her to be a royal that just stands there and looks pretty.]
Ram nods.
Roswaal: [Have you noticed any special qualities in her?]
Ram: [None so far.]
Roswaal: [Well, there is no choice as she is the only Candidate unattended by a household or knight.]
They watched Subaru watching Emilio train.
Roswaal: [She's grown quiiite attached to Emilio-Kun.]
Ram: [He is the one who will be her knight when everything is made official.]
Roswaal: [I thiiink it's quite clear about her feelings towaaards him. I fiiind that a bit probleeematic.]
Ram: [They are still only children... Even if we leave them be, nothing will happen.]
Roswaal nods.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru watched as Emilio trained, swinging his sword.
Subaru: [You're really giving it your all, Emilio-Kun.]
Emilio: [Yes. I'm a knight. I have to work hard.]
Emilio: (Working hard is the only reason I've made it this far.)
Emilio: [It can't be fun just watching me train, right?]
Subaru: [I get drawn into everything you do, Emilio-Kun.]
Emilio: [Even if you're only flattering me, it makes me happy to hear you say that.]
Emilio: (Others work a lot harder, like Julius.)
Emilio then spotted a Band-Aid on Subaru's hand.
Emilio: [Eh? Are you okay, Subaru?]
Subaru: [It's nothing. I went down to the village before and saw the kids playing around. They dragged me all over the place trying to show me things. Sweet kids. That dog they had with them, though, is a mean one. She bit me.]
Emilio: [Do you want me to use healing magic?]
Subaru: [It'd be a waste to use something as amazing as magic on something like this.]
Emilio: [Huh? I don't think so at all.]
Subaru: [It's fine. Don't worry.]
Emilio: [Well, okay...]
Subaru: [Well, I'm so happy you care about me so much.]
Emilio: [Of course! I'm a knight. It's my duty to save you, Subaru.]
Subaru swooned a little.
Subaru: [EMK.]
Emilio: [EMK?]
Subaru: [Emilio-Kun Manly Knight!]
Emilio: [You're teasing me all of a sudden.]
Subaru smiled a little.
Emilio: [Either way, I know how strict Ram can be, so I'm sure you're working hard studying.]
Subaru: [You should come to the village with me.]
Emilio: [I... think I'd just end up causing you trouble if I did.]
Subaru: [Even still, I want you to come with me.]
Emilio: [Subaru... alright. I'll come with you.]
Subaru smiled.
Subaru: (Emilio-Kun is the innocent type, so I'll have to be the one to make the first move.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru walked through the halls as she opened a door.
Subaru: [Hey, Beako-chan.]
Beatrice: [Stay away from Betty, I suppose. And what is with that name, I suppose?]
Subaru: [A fun little nickname.]
Beatrice: [Betty doesn't know why you think Betty and you are that close, I suppose.]
Subaru saw her playing with her twin drill hair.
Subaru: [Can I as well?]
Beatrice: [Only Bubby can touch Betty, I suppose.]
Subaru slumped a little at this answer.
Subaru: [You're so mean, Beako-Chan.]
Beatrice: [Hmph!]
Subaru saw this reaction and found it positively adorable.
Subaru: [You're so cute I could just eat you.]
Beatrice paled for a second, backing away.
Beatrice: [Betty is... Betty is not for eating, in fact! You... wouldn't dare... I suppose...]
Subaru: [But, I just came here to say good night.]
Subaru turned to leave.
Beatrice: [You're not going to eat Betty, right?]
Subaru smiled, turned her head slightly.
Subaru: [Not yet.]
She made a chomping motion and then left the room as Beatrice paled again.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru walked into her room.
Subaru: [It's big but... It's kinda lonely.]
She got into bed as she began thinking of everything that had happened.
Subaru: [I really want things to go well tomorrow as well. I promised Ram I'd work hard. I think... for once... I'm actually getting along with everyone.]
Subaru had a soft smile on her face, thinking about it.
Subaru: (Things have been nice so far.)
Subaru: [Well, sleeping isn't going to be easy if things are going to be like this.]
She sweatdropped a little.
Subaru: [I really want to go to the village and spend time with Emilio-Kun. Those kids are so adorable, too. Ugh! How am I going to sleep like this?]
Then realisation suddenly hit her.
Subaru: [That's it!]
Subaru began imagining several Pucks jumping over a fence.
Subaru: [One Puck. Two Pucks... Three Pucks... Four Pucks... Five...Pucks... .... one hundred and fi....ve... Pu...cks...]
She slowly fell asleep.
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Slowly, Subaru opened her eyes and stood on her bed.
Subaru: [A new day has begun! Natsuki Subaru is ready for the day!]
She then saw Rem and Ram standing there as she hid underneath her cover.
Subaru: [You two were here? You should knock first! I'm so embarrassed.]
Rem: [Onee-sama. Onee-sama. Our guest seemed quite confused.]
Ram: [Yes, Rem. Are we sure she's the one?]
Subaru: [That's very funny, Nee-sama. Why are you questioning that after seeing...]
Subaru looked down at her hand. The bite mark was gone. No Band-Aid either. She started to sweat as she made a terrified face.
Subaru: (The bite mark... is gone!)
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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