Subaru's sudden action of grabbing Rem's shoulders startled the blue-haired maid slightly, but she quickly regained her usual expressionless face. "What does Subaru-sama need Rem to do?"
"Please teach me how to read. I'm begging you."
Rem widened her eyes in a rare show of surprise and questioned Subaru, "Subaru-sama can speak so fluently, why is it that you cannot read?"
"Well, about that..."
Subaru scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Being able to speak is probably the effect of some special magic but as for writing, I'm completely hopeless."
Rem nodded thoughtfully.
Only she knew how much of that she actually believed.
"Although Rem would like to start teaching Subaru-sama right now, there is still much work to be done. If the work is delayed, Ram will scold me, so I can only teach you in the evening."
"I see."
Subaru expressed her understanding, but immediately suggested, "Do you need my help? I'm actually quite good at housework. Besides, I'm bored out of my mind right now."
These words immediately drew a protest from Tsukasa. "Hey, we clearly have so many things we could be doing, why waste time on housework?"
Tsukasa's protest clearly didn't work. Subaru smiled and explained to him, 'After that performance at the dining table, Roswaal will definitely have Ram and Rem continue to monitor us. In that case, it's actually more comfortable to stay right under their noses.'
Tsukasa shrugged indifferently. In his view, Roswaal didn't require any effort to scheme against—an opponent of that level wasn't worth him using any strategy.
However, since this could train Subaru's social skills, there was no harm in going along with her wishes.
"Do as you say, then. But..."
Before Tsukasa could finish, Subaru winked playfully and cut in, 'I know, I'll make time to practice Mana Coverage.'
It seemed this girl understood quite well that strength was the fundamental guarantee.
Tsukasa nodded with satisfaction.
"Then... Rem-senpai, I'm in your care."
Hearing the title "senpai," Rem froze for a moment, but she soon returned to her expressionless state.
"It is Rem's honor that Subaru-sama is willing to help, there is no need for a title like 'senpai'."
As she spoke, she gestured for Subaru to follow, her gaze lingering for a moment on Subaru's dust-covered clothes.
Only then did Subaru remember that her clothes had gotten dirty during the sparring session with Puck. She smiled sheepishly and quickly followed Rem's lead.
Rem led Subaru through several corridors to the maids' changing room on the west side of the mansion. The room was spacious and tidy, with wardrobes lined up against the walls, and the air was filled with a faint scent of lavender.
"Please wait a moment, Subaru-sama."
As Rem spoke, she began searching through the wardrobes, her fingers carefully brushing over each neatly folded uniform.
Subaru leaned against the door boredly, then suddenly remembered something and asked, 'By the way, Tsukasa, if you and Reinhard had really fought with everything back then, could you have won?'
(Note: Subaru and MC can talk in the Consciousness Space, making it so that Rem doesn't know their conversation.)
Tsukasa floated in mid-air, his brow furrowed slightly under his black blindfold. He recalled the clash with that red-haired swordsman—the opponent had clearly held back out of concern for the capital's safety, but that unfathomable aura still left a deep impression on him.
Without Hollow Purple and Domain Expansion, the outcome would be hard to predict. However, the corners of his lips still curled into a confident arc.
"I'd win."
Just as Subaru was about to ask further, Rem turned around holding a stack of clothes, looking troubled.
"I am very sorry, Subaru-sama. I cannot find a uniform in the mansion that fits your size, and even the casual clothes are too small."
Subaru looked down at what she was wearing—it was only because the shop had accidentally made it too large when Emilia ordered it that it barely fit.
She had a sudden inspiration. "Rem, is there a needle and thread here? I have a plan."
"Needle and thread?"
Rem nodded slightly, "Please wait a moment."
She walked out of the changing room, her skirt drawing a sharp arc in the air.
Tsukasa asked, raising an eyebrow, "You know how to sew?"
Subaru winked proudly. "Naturally. Who do you think I am?"
Looking at her playful appearance, Tsukasa couldn't help but be secretly amazed.
Skilled in combat, knowledgeable in strategy, excellent at cooking, and now even proficient in needlework. Was this girl a jack-of-all-trades?
At that moment, the changing room door was gently pushed open. Rem had returned, followed by the pink-haired Ram. Both were carrying sewing boxes and various fabrics.
Subaru was surprised. "Oh? Ram came too?"
Ram explained flatly, placing the sewing box on the table, "Because I was worried Subaru-sama might accidentally hurt herself. Ram, who knows a bit of needlework, had no choice but to come and supervise."
Tsukasa keenly noticed that when Ram spoke, the gaze Rem directed at her sister was a mix of admiration, attachment, and a faint, lingering sense of guilt.
'She's a hardcore sis-con.' He silently noted this discovery in his mind.
Meanwhile, Subaru had already begun her performance. The silver needle flew between her fingers, and the thread moved through the fabric as if enchanted.
Ram and Rem both widened their eyes in unison, quickly regaining their composure, but their gazes never left those nimble hands.
In less than ten minutes, an exquisitely crafted maid outfit had taken shape.
Rem couldn't help but praise, "This is even more beautiful than the ones we usually wear."
"Wait..." Tsukasa looked at the suddenly appearing maid outfit with a strange expression. "Why a maid outfit?"
Subaru's cheeks immediately flushed crimson, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes. "B-because I need to save my other clothes... and a maid outfit is the most convenient for working. I..."
Her voice grew smaller as she spoke, finally turning into a mumble.
Tsukasa still looked puzzled, only thinking that the girl was being quite considerate. He completely failed to notice that Subaru was inwardly cursing this dense block of wood.
After tidying up the brand-new maid outfit, Subaru stood before the full-length mirror in the changing room, lost in thought for a moment.
The girl in the mirror was dressed in a black-and-white maid dress, the ribbon at her waist outlining a slender curve, the skirt swaying gently as she turned.
"Actually, Subaru-sama doesn't have to wear the same uniform as us." Rem said softly, seeing Subaru dazed and thinking she didn't like it.
Subaru shook her head, a sly arc curling her lips. "Actually, I've wanted to try a maid outfit for a long time. And while I'm at it, I'll give a certain fake monk some fan service."
"Pfft!"
Tsukasa, who was floating on the sofa with his legs crossed, stumbled and almost fell out of the air.
Seeing his rare moment of embarrassment, Subaru couldn't help but burst into laughter.
After finishing all this, she turned to Ram, her expression gradually becoming serious. "Ram should have a lot of work to handle, right? Once I finish helping Rem here, I'll go over and help you."
Ram curtsied gracefully. "I am most grateful, Subaru-sama. Ram shall take her leave first."
With Ram's departure, Subaru stood before the mirror with her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing with a determined light.
Subaru's path of a knight and her life in the wealthy mansion officially began now.