Subaru began to breathe heavily as she sweated.
Subaru: (What the hell? How... how did I die?)
Ram: [Are you alright, madam?]
Rem: [Madam, madam, you don't seem to be feeling well. Are you alright?]
Subaru: [I... I'm fine.]
Still, she was haunted.
Subaru: (Why did I die?)
Subaru: [You don't remember me, do you?)
They both looked to her, confused.
Rem: (What does she mean by that?)
Subaru slowly got out of her bed.
Ram: [You shouldn't try to get out of bed too quickly, madam.]
Subaru got up and ran out of the room.
Rem: [Madam, wait!]
Subaru ran through the halls with tears falling from her eyes.
Subaru: (None of it happened. It's all gone.)
She tried to wipe her eyes with her sleeves.
Subaru: (Why is this happening to me?)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru opened the door to Beatrice's library.
Beatrice: [It's you again, I suppose.]
Subaru closed the door behind her and leaned against it, sinking to a sitting position.
Subaru: [Hey Beako... I'm sorry for coming in without knocking.]
Beatrice: [What's with that name, I...]
Beatrice noticed the look on Subaru's face.
Beatrice: [You seem to be down in spirits, I suppose.]
Subaru: [Could you maybe give me a hug to make me feel better?]
Beatrice: [Don't even think about it, I suppose.]
Subaru sagged a little. Beatrice offered her hand.
Beatrice: [Be grateful that Betty will do this much for you, I suppose.]
Subaru held her hand.
Subaru: [You're so kind, Beako. So lovely!]
Beatrice didn't react to this as Subaru calmed down.
Subaru: [Um, Beako. How likely is it that someone could make it into the mansion and kill me?]
Beatrice: [What a morbid thing to ask, I suppose. It's highly unlikely, in fact.]
Subaru: [And the likelihood that I'd be poisoned and die in my sleep?]
Beatrice: [That's even more unlikely, in fact. The maid and butler would never allow for you to be served poisoned food, I suppose.]
Subaru: [They would... never allow it?]
Subaru: (Right, they probably already know that I'm a Royal Candidate, even if I don't think it makes sense that I am. It's only normal that they'd do their best to prevent things like that from happening. There weren't many people in the mansion either, so it's less likely for someone to assassinate me.)
Beatrice: [What is actually an interesting question is as to how you are breaking through my Door Crossing.]
Subaru: [Maybe we're actually connected by fate?]
Beatrice: [What a dreadful thought, I suppose.]
Subaru heard this and sighed as she got up.
Beatrice: [Hm?]
Subaru: [I can just tell we're connected by fate.]
Beatrice: [Eh... wait. That look in your eyes...]
Subaru rushed over to her, hugging her as Beatrice struggled to get away.
Subaru: [Thank you for letting me stay and helping me, Beako. I love you!!!]
Beatrice: [Let go of me, I suppose!]
Beatrice cast magic, forcing Subaru off her. Subaru slowly got up, dusting off her clothes.
Subaru: [I'll see you later, Beako.]
Beatrice: [Betty would rather not see you ever again, I suppose!]
Subaru: [Oh, I know you don't mean that.]
She said this with a smirk as Beatrice looked angry. Subaru's face then turned serious.
Subaru: [But really. Thanks a lot.]
Subaru turned to open the door.
Beatrice looked surprised.
Beatrice: [You're leaving, I suppose?]
Subaru: [Yeah, I'm sure there's a certain someone that's quite worried about me right now.]
Subaru left.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru walked out into the yard to see Emilio looking around as she waved to him.
Emilio: [Subaru. Where were you? Ram and Rem were so worried because you ran out of your room all of a sudden. I was worried about you, and everyone has been looking everywhere for you.]
Subaru: [Oh yeah. Sorry about that. I got caught up talking to Beatrice.]
Emilio: [Again? Beatrice-sama didn't play any tricks on you, did she?]
Subaru: [Huh? No. She helped me calm down, so I guess that... we're even now?]
Emilio: [That's good. I'm glad you two aren't fighting.]
Subaru: [I'm glad you're okay, by the way.]
Emilio: [Well, it's thanks to you, of course.]
Subaru: [Me? But I didn't...]
Emilio shook his head.
Emilio: [If you hadn't called Reinhard, we'd have all died. You made a reaaally good call back then.]
Subaru: [I... did?]
Emilio nods.
Emilio: [By the way. How are you feeling?]
Subaru: [I'm fine. I just feel like I'm low on blood. My mana was drained, and I feel like someone hit my brain with a baseball bat, but otherwise I'm good.]
Emilio: [Oh, that's good... wait! That means you're hurt all over!]
Puck came out of Emilio's gem.
Puck: [Good morning, Subaru. I can't thank you enough for yesterday. Lio would have been in a lot of trouble if not for you. I have to find a way to repay you.]
Subaru: [Then let me pet your fur whenever I want.]
Emilio: [What? That's all?]
Subaru grabbed Puck and began petting him.
Subaru: [So soft and cute!!!]
Subaru then turned back to the mansion.
Subaru: [Now let's go. Our time is limited and our world is great!]
Emilio chuckled a little.
Emilio: [You say the strangest things sometimes, Subaru.]
They walked inside.
This has got to be some kind of joke. I died on my first day of becoming a Royal Candidate. I feel so embarrassed that I'm a little glad that no one can remember. No, that's not true. I really wish they could remember, but even still, I'll clear this level just like the last one.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru sat with everyone else. She was holding the Insignia in her hand.
Subaru: [So, since the insignia is glowing, I'm a Royal Candidate, right?]
Roswaal: [That is indeeeed true.]
Subaru: [I don't really get why it would choose me.]
Emilio: [You shouldn't doubt yourself. You're a reaaally kind person.]
Subaru: [Emilio-Kun is part of this Household, so I'll trust you guys.]
Emilio blushed.
Emilio: [What? But Subaru-sama...]
Subaru: [No buts. And I want you to just call me Subaru.]
Emilio: [Okay... Subaru.]
Emilio looked happy.
Roswaal: [This is truuuly wonderful. Then I fooormally extend my backing towards you, Suuubaru-sama.]
Subaru: [Um, yes. Thank you, Ros-chi.]
Roswaal: [No thank you Natsuki Subaru-saaama.]
Subaru sweated.
Subaru: (Wait... that's not what he said last time...)
She shook off the feeling.
Subaru: [One thing I have to mention. I'm not very good at reading or writing right now, and I'm sure that will be important, so could you please teach me?]
Ram: (She can't even read or write?)
Ram sighed.
Roswaal: [I hope I cann entruuust you with this Ram.]
Ram bows.
Ram: [Of course, Rsowaal-sama.]
Ram then looked to Subaru.
Ram: [Let us go find something more appropriate for you to wear, Subaru-sama.]
Subaru: [Actually, I already have a design in mind. I'll draw it up along with my measurements and send them your way, alright?]
Ram: [That is acceptable. We will get straight to teaching you reading and writing then.]
Subaru gave her a thumbs-up.
Subaru: [Got it.]
A day passed as Subaru diligently learnt from Ram.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru was in the bath, relaxing in the water.
Subaru: [Honestly, learning to read and write an entire language feels like such a hassle, but... I'm glad nee-sama is giving me the time of day to teach me.]
Ram: [Who are you calling Nee-sama all of a sudden?]
Subaru jolted up from her absent-mindedness.
Subaru: [Ram? Since when were you here?]
Ram slowly lowered herself into the water.
Subaru: (Nee-sama really has a stunning figure.)
Ram: [Ram has come here to enjoy a bath.]
Subaru: [Shouldn't you be helping your brother? I saw Rem-Kun still working hard.]
Ram: [If you wish for Ram to leave, then...]
Subaru: [No. No. It's fine.]
Ram: [Now. Tell me. Why did you refer to me as Nee-sama?]
Subaru blushed a little.
Subaru: [It's just... when I was a kid, I used to do some really dumb stuff, so I always thought about what it would be like to have an older sister that could keep me out of trouble.]
Ram: [I see. It seems you have a good sense of character if you see Ram in such a positive light; however, that attitude of wanting someone else to keep you out of trouble is a lazy one.]
Subaru: [See. This is exactly what I'd expect if I had a Nee-sama.]
Ram sighed.
Ram: [You may do as you wish. Ram will allow it, Barasu-sama.]
Subaru: (She still managed to come up with that name, huh?)
Subaru: [Can I ask. What's with Rem-Kun? I catch him staring at me sometimes. Is your little brother secretly in love with me or something?]
Ram: [Ram thinks her cute younger brother is certainly deserving of marrying into potential Royalty. In addition, your figure is quite acceptable.]
Subaru blushed.
Subaru: [Huh?!!]
Ram: [Ram will approve if her little brother feels that way. Besides that way Ram really would be your Nee-sama, correct?]
Subaru blushed.
Subaru: [Now hold on. I...]
Ram: [However, Ram doesn't think that's why he is looking at you like that.]
Subaru: [I thought so. So what's the reason?]
Ram: [Ram cannot confirm it herself, but Ram's cute little brother says that you have the『Witch's Scent』on you.]
Subaru: [『Witch's Scent』?]
Ram: [Any would find something like that concerning. Ram apologises for her cute little brother's gaze.]
Subaru felt embarrassed.
Subaru: [So basically... I smell bad?]
Ram nods.
Subaru: [How bad?]
Ram: [Ram's little brother described it like smelling mould.]
Subaru slumped from this.
Subaru: [I see.]
Ram: [Just enjoy this for now. Ram will join you in your room this night to begin your studies for the Royal Selection.]
Subaru nods.
Subaru: [I bet I don't have as much time as everyone else, so I have to learn fast, huh?]
Ram: [You're correct on that, Barasu-sama.]
Subaru: [Still. I'd like to visit the village sometime soon.]
Ram: [Very well. Ram shall give you 40 minutes to visit them.]
Subaru: [After all that bonding, and you only give me that much time?]
Ram: [I see. You were getting close to Ram to get what you want. Your scheming isn't bad, but it is distasteful, and you ruined it in the final moment.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru was at the village as the kids began dragging her around to see things. Two days had passed since she took a bath with ram. Subaru had worked hard, so Ram allowed her to visit the village as she had promised.
Subaru: (They're as energetic as last time.)
As things calmed down, Subaru saw the girls with a puppy in their arms.
Subaru: [She's so cute.]
Subaru petted the pup only for it to bite her.
Subaru: [Ow! In the same spot, too.]
Rem rushed over, putting down his shopping bags.
Rem: [Are you alright, Subaru-sama?]
Subaru: [I'm fine. This little pup just bit me.]
Rem: [I'll heal you right away.]
Rem held her hands as he began healing her. Subaru blushed at the sudden contact.
Subaru: [Um... Tha... thank you Rem-Kun.]
Rem: [Please be more careful in the future, Subaru-sama.]
Subaru: [Yeah, alright.]
They began walking back to the mansion.
Subaru: [Nee-sama told me about the smell that's coming off of me, by the way.]
Rem: [Nee-sama?]
Rem: (How dare she...)
Subaru: [I have no idea why it's on me. Sorry if it's unpleasant for you, and thanks for taking such good care of me.]
Rem: [It's... fine.]
Subaru: [I feel really lucky having you and Ram taking care of me like this. I feel like a princess.]
Rem: [You're a Royal Candidate.]
Subaru: [That sounds too stiff!]
Rem chuckled a little as Subaru pointed at him.
Subaru: [100 point smile!]
Rem's face stiffened as Subaru slumped.
Subaru: [And it's gone.]
Subaru sighed.
Subaru: [Honestly, I'd like to see you and Ram smile like that more often.]
Rem: [It would be nice if Nee-sama smiled more, but it doesn't matter when it comes to me.]
Subaru: [You two really love each other, huh?]
Rem: [Huh? What did Nee-sama say?]
Subaru: [She always refers to you as "Ram's cute little brother". It's so adorable.]
Subaru laughed a little as Rem blushed, feeling embarrassed.
Rem: [Subaru-sama. Please don't make fun of me with my Nee-sama.]
Subaru: [Sorry. Sorry. But she's not making fun of you. She really loves you. She's pretty amazing too.]
Rem: [Yes. Nee-sama truly is amazing. Not like me.]
Subaru: [Your thought pattern is just depressing, you know.]
Rem: [I... I apologise.]
Subaru: [You're probably causing Ram to worry a lot with the way you're acting. You shouldn't do that, Rem-Kun. Your nee-sama loves you so much, so she obviously won't want you to think of yourself like that.]
Rem: [You're... right.]
Rem: (I've been causing Nee-sama trouble with this attitude, haven't I? But isn't that just a selfish excuse to let go of my guilt?)
Rem: [I should do my best from now on to not cause Nee-sama to worry.]
Subaru: [Jeez. Think of yourself a little. Your way of making everything about your Nee-sama is really scary. You must be demonically inspired or something.
Rem looked shocked as he turned to face Subaru.
Rem: [Demonically inspired?]
Subaru: [It's the demon version of divine inspiration. Sounds kinda cool, right?]
Rem: [Do you... like demons?]
Subaru: [Hm? Well, gods generally don't do anything, but demons will laugh along when you talk about future plans. Especially for next year and stuff. They'll laugh their heads off.]
Subaru then saw that soft smile again.
Subaru: [It's back! 200 points this time!]
Rem blushed as he sighed.
Rem: [How are your studies going, Subaru-sama?]
Subaru: [Urgh, no. Not that topic. Also, please stop adding sama to the end of my name. I don't want us to be so distant.]
Rem: [But I'm a butler. I...]
Subaru: [Honestly, I'm telling you it's fine. In fact, as your Royal Candidate, I'm ordering you not to add sama to the end of my name.]
Rem bowed.
Rem: [Very well, Subaru-chan.]
Subaru blushed profusely at the "chan".
Subaru: (Oh no... what have I created?)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru was in her room as she was studying and thinking.
Subaru: (All this Royal Selection stuff is really complicated. I feel like my head is gonna explode. There's just too much going on at once, but... I really am working hard... I am right?)
Subaru shook her head, closing the book.
Subaru: [It's getting late. I should go to sleep but...]
Subaru sat in her chair.
Subaru: (At the very least, I need to find out who killed me. I know that Beako said it's highly unlikely that someone could have infiltrated the mansion, but still...)
She looked determined.
Subaru: (If I can at least get a glimpse of them, I should be able to figure out what's going on.)
Suddenly, she started shivering.
Subaru: [What the?]
She clutched herself, shivering even more.
Subaru: [So... cold...]
She vomited onto the floor as Ram burst into the room.
Ram: [Barasu!]
Subaru: (They were keeping tabs on me? Then how? How am I dying?)
Rem then entered the room holding a morning star.
Rem: [Nee-sama, what is...]
Rem then saw Subaru lying on the ground.
Subaru: [Please help me.]
Ram: [What's happening to her? Why all of a sudden?]
Rem: [Nee-sama, she's too far gone. She's going to die.]
Ram: [She's a Royal Candidate. Roswaal-sama needs her to become Queen. We can't just.]
Rem: [Step aside, Nee-sama. I'll end it quickly for her.]
Ram stood up, looking to Subaru with guilt as Subaru writhed on the floor.
Ram: [I'm sorry, Bara... Subaru. I'm going to find out what caused this.]
Rem held his morning star and, without a shred of remorse in his eyes, swung it, striking Subaru in the head, splattering her head as her brain matter soaked the carpet.
※※※※※※ Re:Turn ※※※※※※
Subaru woke up screaming, feeling her head in her hands.
Subaru: [My head!!!]
Soon she calmed down.
Subaru: [I... went back again... more like I... made it back.]
Subaru then looked to see Rem and Ram.
Ram: [Are you alright, madam?]
Rem: [Are you alright?]
Subaru backed away into her bed at the sight of him.
Subaru: (He killed me... without a shred of sympathy.)
Subaru began hyperventilating as the twins looked concerned.
Subaru: (He was... Remorseless.)
—————————————————————————————————————
To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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