" Guest-sama?"
I look at Ram, thinking furiously. Was the mansion attacked? It's the only real explanation that makes sense to me. "I-I'm fine. Could you give me some time alone, please?" I need to figure this out. I don't even hear their reply as they leave. Getting up I move to my bag and pull out some clothes. It must have been an attack or something. I need to keep an eye out for anything. One thing's for certain. I ain't sleeping that night.
I'm sitting on the bed when the door knocks "Yeah, it's open."
Emilia enters, smiling "Good morning Takara. I am glad to see you awake and well. How do you feel?"
Confused, terrified and angry come to mind. I settle for "Not too bad. A little sore but I'll survive. You?"
It feels so strange to be having this conversation again. "I am quite well, thank you. I dread to think what would have happened yesterday if you were not there."
I force a smile "Yeah, me too." I need to move around "Wanna accompany me on a walk. I could use a guide."
She nods, smiling broadly, as I pull on my shoes and make my way outside. We talk a little, Emilia getting to know me again and me keeping the pretence of not knowing her. All the time I'm scanning the grounds for entrance points, secluded spots, anything. As we get back to the main doors Emilia excuses herself, needing to focus on some paperwork, leaving me to head back to my room. As soon as I get there I go to my case. I'm gonna keep my knife on me constantly now. I sit there and think for a while.
Another knock disturbs my train of thought. Looking at my phone I realise I've been sat here for about two hours. "Come in."
Ram opens the door "The master of the house would like you to attend lunch."
I rise, knowing my next course of action "Lead the way."
Ram looks a little uncomfortable as we head to the dining room. Guess she can feel the tension rolling off me. We arrive and I take a seat, Roswaal looking mildly interested at my presence. Emilia smiles at me and I force another in return. We go through the same conversation as last time and I make the same request, this time asking to start immediately. I wanna know this place backwards After lunch Ram leads me to the uniform closet, Rem picking out the same one. Then is the tour. Again I'm paying close attention to every possible entrance and exit. We then start to prepare dinner.
The days simultaneously drag and fly. I work mostly on auto for the week. As previously, Ram starts running me through the language on the second day, with me training for a couple hours each night. The last day arrives and I'm pretty damn paranoid but, because I need to, I carry on. We head to the village again, I entertain the kids again, that damn dog bites me again, we head back and prepare dinner again. After dinner, however, I ask Ram for a break from studies for the night, which she accepts. Then I head back to my room, change into my normal clothes and wait.
It's about midnight and nothing's happened so far. I'm gonna walk around the mansion, make sure. As I stand I'm hit by a wave of extreme nausea causing me to automatically hurl. I stagger to the door, slamming it open. I'm throwing up every couple of meters now. What the fuck is this? Was I poisoned? Why? I gotta find help. Emilia! I need to get to her! She can help. She's the other side of the mansion. I'm using the wall as a crutch now. I stagger, fall, force myself up. I need to keep going. Suddenly I hear... chains? The fuck?
I'm thrown back by a huge force hitting me. I land hard and skid along the floor, pain wracking my body. More specifically, my right arm. I look toward it to see.. nothing. That's when the real pain hits. It hurts so much I can't even scream. The chains again. I can hear footsteps now. I was right. An attack. Chains, closer this time, then black.
I awake with a scream, breathing hard. Forcing my eyes down I look to my arm, relief flooding through me when I see it there.
"Are you alright?"
My head snaps up. I forgot that the twins would be here. Forcing a grin, I reply "Yeah, I'm good. Bad dream. Sorry if I scared ya."
Ram looks relieved, Rem walking to my side "Do you require any assistance?"
Shaking my head I reply "No thanks. I would, however, like some privacy while I change. If that's ok with you both."
They exchange a quick look before they head toward the door. I sit there for a couple minutes. So. The mansion was attacked. And I was poisoned or something. The main question I have is… how? Was there something I could have done differently? If so, what? Can I do it differently this time? I don't know but I'm gonna fucking try. Once again I'm roused from my thoughts by a knock. Emilia, I'm guessing. "Come in."
Bang on! "Good morning Takara. I am glad to see you awake and well. How do you feel?"
This feels like fucking Groundhog Day. "I'm pretty good, to be honest. I think the rest did me well."
I do actually feel great. I don't feel as fucked up as the first time I was in this bed.
She smiles "That is good. I must thank you again for yesterday. I dread to think what would have happened had you not been there."
I grin "No worries, sweetheart." I think I'm gonna try to get to know Emilia better this time round. And Ram, of course.
"Hey, you fancy taking a walk with me? Just around the grounds?"
She nods "Of course. I shall let you change." As she lets herself out I pull on some jeans and throw on a shirt. I will succeed this time.
The walk was the same as last time, Emilia excusing herself after, then I waited for Ram to announce lunch. I sat through the same speech from Roswaal before he got to the part about a reward. "I got two small requests."
He looks at me with an eyebrow raised "Aaaaaaand what would they be?"
Time to do something different "If I may, I would like to stay here as a guest for a short while. I would also like some reading materials. I can speak this language but I'm still learning how to read it."
He ponders for a moment "I see no proooooblem with that. l shall have Ram assist you with that, if you wish."
Sweet! I didn't think he'd be cool with it. "That would be a great help. I thank you."
Lunch passes with a few questions about me, how I got here, what are my plans. I tell him that I plan to find work as soon as I can understand everything properly. Not entirely a lie. I then retire to my room and relax.
Not a huge amount of time has passed before Ram appears with a few books. She doesn't look entirely happy about this "I have some books of stories and some about the kingdom. I hope these will help."
Taking them from her I nod "Absolutely. Do you… wanna join me? I like to chat and I'd love to get to know you."
She frowns for a moment before answering "I apologise but I have duties I must attend."
I grin "No worries. I'll see you later.
Ahh, my little tsundere! I put some music on as I start reading. The stories are actually pretty good. Similar to the ones from home, in a way. Princesses in castles, monsters and adventure. I read and study for hours, only breaking at dinner. As night hits I head outside and train, pushing myself harder. I can't shake a feeling of being watched the whole time.
The next day is uneventful. Just studying, really but still that feeling. I actually convince Ram to spend some time with me, to get to know each other, which leads to... well... a very awkward atmosphere. I just continue to read and learn. The following days are the same and I spend a lot of time talking with Emilia and Puck, getting to know each other. By the end of it I feel like I'm gonna go insane. The final day arrives and I force myself to relax entirely. I have to. Lunch rolls round.
As we take our places Emilia smiles at me. Roswaal suddenly speaks "How aaaaare your studies coming along, Takara?"
I look over at him "Pretty well. I think I know all I need to."
He smiles "That is good. What are yooooour plans now?"
Time for phase two. "I think it's time I left. Went out to make something of myself, y'know."
Emilia gasps "So soon?"
I grin at her "Yeah! Don't worry, though. As soon as I get settled I'll let ya know where I am." I gotta admit, I've grown fond of her. She's someone I can call a friend, which don't happen often with me.
She pouts for a moment "You are right. As you say, you need to make your own way. I shall miss you though."
Adorable. "Hey, I'll miss you too. Gotta do what ya gotta do though." There's a slightly... off atmosphere after that. Luckily lunch ends soon.
Afterwards I go get my stuff together. I'm heading to the main doors when Roswaal approaches me "I must offer you a giiiiift. Please, take this as a thank you for saving Emilia-sama."
He hands me a bag. Looking inside I see a crapload of coins "You sure?"
He nods "The leeeeeast I can do." I put the bag into mine, realising it's probably a bribe to keep my mouth shut. He follows me to the doors where Emilia is waiting.
She rushes over to me "I do hope you find your way back home soon, Takara. And I know I said this earlier but I shall miss you."
I pull her into a hug "Again, I'll miss you too darlin'. Now though, it's time for me to leave. Roswaal, I thank you for letting me stay here." I turn and head out.
As soon as I'm out of view I turn off the road. Of course my plan wasn't to leave! My plan is to find a good view of the mansion and wait. With any luck I'll be able to see whoever it is that attacks. I climb up a hill and search for a good spot. It takes a while but I find one. The only problem is it's by a drop. Luckily I have a solution! I sit and go through my bag, taking out the rope I... liberated from one of the storerooms. I tie one end to a tree and hold the other, then sit and wait.
As the sun starts to set I grab my knife and get ready. I hear rustling behind me. Without turning I focus on it. Doesn't sound natural. MOVE! I jump left, narrowly avoiding being hit by a massive spiked ball. Here they are!
Ok, here goes nothin'. I grab the rope and leap over the edge, hoping it does it's job. It holds, barely, and leaves me hanging a few feet above the ground. Fuck, that was lucky! Suddenly I hear more movement, behind me again. More than one? Gods fucking damnit! I need to deal with this one and get to the mansion, fast. Chains! The same one from my last loop? Time for some payback! I turn and step to the side, luckily avoiding a blow.
I quickly grab the chain and dig my heels in, not letting go. "WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU? GET OUT HERE!" A chuckle is my reply before I see her.
Rem.
What? Why? In my shock I drop the chain "What are you doing?"
Instead of an answer she pulls back the ball, it landing at her feet. This can't be happening. Rem killed me? But why? She swings the ball at me again, me only just getting out of the way in time.
"Why're you doing this?" I need to get outta here and fast. Another swing. I'm ready for it this time, dashing forward as she reaches the end of her arc. I throw a punch which catches her flat on the jaw, stunning her for a second, and run.
I'm ducking and jumping branches as best I can til I get caught on one. I go down hard, my knife flying out of my hand. Fuck! I don't have time to retrieve it. Scrambling back to my feet I hear her behind me, closer than I'd like.
I'm sprinting through a clearing when my legs get taken out from beneath me. The pain hits instantly and I know exactly what's happened. I scream, almost tearing my throat to pieces. Then she arrives. She doesn't say anything at first, just walks up to my dismembered leg and uses magic on it. Is she... healing me?
I force myself to speak "W-what do y-you want?"
She turns to me, eyes full of hate "Answers."
Answers? "What do you..."
Agony and screams as she slams the ball into me. "You will answer. I will ask, you damn traitor!"
I make myself quiet, pain wracking my entire body. Her glare hardens "Who are you and why are you here?"
Trying to keep my voice level I answer "Y-you know who I am. I don't k-know why I-I'm here."
Another slam, another scream. "DON'T LIE TO ME! YOU SMELL LIKE THEM! WHY ARE YOU HERE?"
It takes me longer this time "I-I told you. I d-don't know!"
She growls, getting more furious "WHY WERE YOU WATCHING THE MANSION? WHAT WERE YOU PLANNING?"
I answer honestly "I w-was trying t-to keep you all s-safe! I thought t-there was going to be an at-tack!"
Slam. "AND WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?" Slam.
I scream the words out through the agony "BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT YOU! ALL OF YOU! I LOVE THIS PLACE! AND I'M IN LOVE WITH YOUR FUCKING SIS..."
There's a blast of air, a gush of blood, and I suddenly can't speak. I feel warmth rolling down my neck and see blood spattered on Rems face.
I hear her speak one last time before the darkness overtakes me "My sister is too kind."
I scream myself awake, a hand at my throat, bolting upright. It was Rem all along! She's my killer. But why? She mentioned something about a smell? I look up to see them both, huddled together, as far away from me as they could get whilst being in the same room. For a moment I lock eyes with Rem. I'm gonna sort this shit out if I have to die over and over!
Feedback, criticisms and suggestions are welcome, as always. See y'all next time.
