"Scared you, didn't it, Subaru? Beatrice always gets like this whenever she sees Puck." Emilia said with a mischievous smile, walking over to Subaru, who was still in shock.
"It must be tough for you in this house, Lia." Subaru exclaimed, genuinely impressed.
Emilia, standing nearby, curiously eyed Subaru's seat. "But it's quite surprising that you're sitting here."
Hearing this, Subaru's heart skipped a beat. 'Did that loli trick me?'
She was about to ask Emilia, but was interrupted by the clown-dressed master of the house, Roswaal.
"Oh my~ This seat..."
Roswaal said in his characteristic melodious tone, "Beatrice usually never lets anyone sit here~ But since she let you~ feel at ease and sit."
Watching the exaggerated clown, Tsukasa was laughing so hard he was bent over. "Is this guy serious? Could he really be a professional comedian?"
Although Subaru also wanted to laugh, she maintained basic etiquette, bowing slightly. "Nice to meet you, Roswaal-sama. My name is Subaru Natsuki."
Roswaal returned the bow with equally elegant posture. "Oh my~ No need to add 'sama'~ I've already heard that you saved Emilia, so I know~ quite a bit about you~ Just call me Roswaal, my full name is Roswaal L. Mathers~"
Before Subaru could respond, Roswaal dramatically waved his hand. "Now then~ Everyone, please begin enjoying breakfast."
Everyone took their seats at Roswaal's signal and began to enjoy the mouth-watering breakfast.
"Mmm. It's really delicious."
Subaru carefully savored the salad and thick soup in front of her. Although her movements weren't elegant, she maintained basic dining etiquette.
"Hehe. Right?" Roswaal swayed his head proudly. "Rem's cooking is both delicious and economical~"
Subaru looked at Rem, who was standing beside her, and saw the blue-haired maid subtly give her a gesture with her index finger and pinky finger raised.
Although she didn't quite understand the meaning of the gesture, Subaru guessed it was probably similar to a 'V' for victory.
Just then, Roswaal changed the topic, asking a question that made Subaru shiver, "So... I wonder if Tsukasa-san can also taste this delicious food?"
Subaru's heart jumped, and she instinctively glanced at Emilia out of the corner of her eye.
Emilia also showed a surprised expression. Clearly, only the two of them knew about this.
'It seems he found out through surveillance or magic. But it's understandable. It's normal to take precautions when such a powerful stranger suddenly appears in the mansion.'
Subaru's gaze subtly shifted to the empty seat on her left—in a place invisible to ordinary people, Tsukasa was leisurely propping his legs on the dining table. He wasn't at all surprised by Roswaal's question, having long since detected the presence of surveillance.
Feeling Subaru's gaze, Tsukasa lazily responded, "Although I can't taste it, Rem's cooking is indeed appetizing. But if I had to say, Ram's cream vegetable soup is also quite good."
Hearing this, Subaru immediately felt relieved. Since Tsukasa didn't care about being exposed, it meant he had absolute confidence in his strength. So she composed herself and relayed Tsukasa's evaluation verbatim.
"!"
Rem trembled slightly at the words, and Ram couldn't help but turn her gaze to Subaru.
Beatrice, who had initially been confused, understood after Puck's explanation. "That mere idiot's spirit can contend with Reinhard? Unheard of."
"It's not a spirit." Subaru immediately retorted.
Unlike the others' reactions, Roswaal narrowed his eyes slightly during the meal, reading between the lines of Tsukasa's response: I knew you were watching, but I don't care at all.
This arrogance confirmed the other party's strength. At least, it could be confirmed that this mysterious presence was not an enemy.
At this moment, Subaru curiously turned to the twins standing by. "Ram and Rem should have similar skills, right? Or is the older sister more skilled?"
Rem answered without hesitation, "Yes, guest. Rem is better at cleaning, Rem is better at cooking, and Rem is also better at washing."
"I see."
Subaru smiled at Ram. "But I think Ram must be just as good as Rem."
After hearing both Subaru and Tsukasa affirm her older sister, even Rem couldn't help but look sideways.
Emilia gently patted her hand. "Subaru, focus on enjoying breakfast first."
Reminded, Subaru remembered the etiquette of not talking much during meals and quickly quieted down to continue eating.
As breakfast neared its end, Subaru put down her utensils and curiously looked at the head of the dining table.
"Roswaal, this mansion is so big. If only Ram and Rem were to take care of it, let alone guaranteeing quality, just completing daily cleaning would exhaust them, wouldn't it?"
Facing this question, Roswaal fell silent, clasping his hands on the table. The exaggerated smile on his face noticeably receded, and his tone became serious.
"You truly are an incredible person. Coming to the Mathers Margrave's mansion in the Kingdom of Lugunica, yet not knowing what happened here. It makes one curious, how did you pass the kingdom's entry inspection?"
Subaru playfully blinked. "Entry inspection? Probably because I'm so cute, the guards just let me through?"
"Subaru." Emilia quickly pulled her sleeve, her eyes full of worry, "You shouldn't joke about things like that."
"I know." Subaru quickly patted Emilia's hand reassuringly. "But I really don't know how I got here."
From the moment Subaru asked the question, Roswaal's gaze had never left her.
He spoke again, his tone probing, "Then, does Tsukasa-san know the reason why?"
Subaru was about to turn and ask when Tsukasa's lazy yet arrogant voice sounded in her mind. "Tell him, I forced my way in."
Hearing Tsukasa's arrogant and unrestrained response in her mind, Subaru was instantly flustered. If she relayed those words verbatim, it would not only seem too rude but also potentially cause unnecessary conflict.
As she hesitated, Roswaal seemed to see through her concerns, and his characteristic exaggerated smile reappeared on his face.
"It's alright, Subaru~ You can speak freely here, after all, no one present is an outsider."
Subaru gulped, carefully choosing her words, trying to convey Tsukasa's attitude while remaining polite:
"Um... Tsukasa said, 'What does it matter if I forced my way in, or walked in? At least now, I am standing here.'"
She deliberately softened the sharpness in her tone, but the unquestionable confidence in her words was still clearly discernible.
However, after speaking, Subaru regretted it. It somehow sounded even more arrogant.
(End of Chapter)
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