Chapter 3: Shadow of Doubt

Subaru, Beatrice, and Otto formed a plan on the spot to make sure the planned event tonight would go swimmingly. The only catch though was getting Emilia on board. In hopes of not drowning in the boiling river Otto has found himself in, he mentioned that the safest bet was to not tell Emilia the full truth about said plan. And after a few moments of formulating ideas around, with the help of Beatrice, all three noticed a half-elf girl entering the Dining Hall - the only girl Subaru has his heart set in stone for.

[Subaru] Emilia-tan! It's glad to see you at this time of hour! You look nice today and-

[Otto] Oh, can you please save the lovey-dove conversations for later? Emilia-sama-

[Emilia] I-Um-Thank you, Subaru! -Huh? Wh-What do you need, Otto-san? -Eek!

Subaru and Beatrice were naturally holding hands as Emilia came bustling through the doors with elegance. Her formalic beauty entranced Subaru to the point where he squeezed on Beatrice's hand too tightly, causing her eyes and teeth to spike. Emilia noticed this play out as she thanked Subaru whilst responding to Otto's sudden-

[Beatrice] Call everything off if you are going to let your feelings get in the way, in fact!

[Subaru] You know full well I can't ignore the feelings for the woman I cherish, right?!

Emilia offered an ephemeral smile and scanned at the merchant who was desperately trying to keep his eyelids open. Without saying a word, she walked to him.

[Otto] I need your help with something for the… event that's happening later tonight…

[Emilia] You mean the one Annerose had set up a couple of days ago? I'll help you!

[Otto] I didn't even tell you what I even needed help with…

[Emilia] It doesn't matter if it's to help a friend, right Subaru?

[Subaru] -Eh? I-I mean. Well… Emilia-tan… This might be something you-

[Beatrice] Why don't you tell her the full details of your plan, merchant boy?

Emilia obviously learned what it meant to be independent after the events of Sanctuary. From losing her contracted spirit, Puck, to conquering all three trials, Emilia found delight in knowing she has people around her that will push her to be herself. She did not need to hide anymore from the overprotected contracts she had to endure anymore. Emilia could now confidently stare into a mirror and pick parts of herself out that she always thought was from her mother. Even though Fortuna was not her biological mother, Emilia only cared about the actions she showcased and offered.

And, of course, with Subaru being a man, Emilia could see the same dominance of love in his eyes, albeit in a way she could not honestly perceive the true intentions of. Nevertheless, she could still understand that Subaru's love for her was genuine and not out of getting something in return. So, in order to return the favors she had collected in her past, Emilia decided a week ago that she would help anyone who came to her.

Otto is an ally of Subaru, and from what he told Emilia on the night after the ceremony, Emilia found a highly found respect for the merchant boy who foiled the plans of Roswall by being a chess piece that seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

After getting caught off guard from Emilia, Subaru became blinded to the plan and almost slipped words that would burn down the mansion in Otto's soul. Thankfully, his contracted spirit, Beatrice, interrupted him and drove the attention back to Otto.

[Otto] Have you ever stretched the truth before, Emilia-sama?

[Emilia] -Heh? Wh-What is the meaning of this? Did Subaru tell you something?!

[Subaru] If one person stretched the truth, it was Puck about that one thing.

Only Subaru and Emilia understood what that one thing was. Ever since Subaru heard those words on the steps to the tomb within the Sanctuary, he found a passion filled resentment for Puck. In all his years of living as a human, Subaru still could not understand how someone was that ignorant about the concept of creating life. But maybe Puck was right in a way, why would Emilia need to know about that if she was all alone in a frozen forest? One thing was for certain though, Subaru was too much of a coward to outright explain how children were truly created to the woman he loved.

[Otto] Subaru had nothing-wait what are you two talking about? ...Don't look at me like I'm crazy now! ...Tsk. Never mind that, I am trying my best to get you to help me here…

[Emilia] Well… I can only recall one time where I did stretch the truth a bit. It was wh-

[Otto] So you can help me! Phew… I'm so glad, Emilia-sama! Maybe this will all work!

Emilia wanted to continue about the time she avoided Subaru because she was tending to Puck who was expelling his mana through the Winter Season. Well, that was what Subaru kept thinking as the Great Spirit surrounded the Roswall Estate with a mighty frost. Cold… Cold… More cold surrounded the atmosphere to the point where even Ram became annoyed with the temperature. And he knew that was remarkable.

[Subaru] Maybe you should let her continue, Otto… Your plan carries a lot of shackles.

[Beatrice] I would also agree with Subaru, in fact. Emilia is way too pure for your plan.

[Emilia] Hearing Beatrice say those nice words to me is a pleasant surprise to say the-

[Beatrice] Don't get too used to it, I suppose! Betty reserves the right to compliment.

Emilia offered a wry smile as her eyes shifted to Otto who became more tense after hearing the word 'shackles'. It was not that he was ever shackled per say, but he was tied up and left for dead before a giant demi-human came to his rescue. It was the same demi-human who was following orders from a young boy, the same who said this.

[Otto] I… Emilia-sama… I am going to be honest and upfront about this so you won't hate me later. No, no… Let me finish before speaking, please. I need you to lie for me.

[Emilia] Lie?! What was the whole point of asking me to stretch the truth? I'm not a-

[Subaru] His intentions are pure for why he needs you to lie. I actually find it humbling that he requests only your direct help in fixing up his mess. Just hear it out, Emilia-tan.

Otto was quite shocked after hearing the backing words from Subaru. Maybe… just maybe his words were enough to make Emilia actually consider lying for his plan.

[Otto] I am in a dilemma involving the oil I purchased using capital from Annerose. Half an hour ago, me and these two bumped into Petra and Frederica. Frederica mentioned that Petra had accidentally used my oil as a cooking base and I came here to find the majority of what I had ruined. I somehow recovered a small portion of it, but I don't know what to do! The organized event tonight is supposed to have me sell this oil for exchange for an item that is of extreme importance! It is to be a gift to someone I know!

[Emilia] ...Would this gift make that person happy if they were to receive it tonight?

Otto's eyes lit up with passion when he heard those words and calmly exhaled.

[Otto] This gift would be greater than the basic term of happiness, that is for certain.

[Emilia] ...Then what should I do to help you, Otto-san? I-I mean how can I help you?

[Otto] I'll need you to stall Annerose for a while after we're done talking, at least to buy myself some time to see if I can… if I can substitute the oil for something else of the same quality. I… I can't believe I am about to sell something I didn't promise to offer.

[Emilia] And I can't believe I'll have to lie in order to help someone else! …But wait, if I am to only keep Annerose busy… When and where is that lie supposed to happen..?

[Otto] I'll need you to vouch that whatever will be in this jar here is what I offered to sell.

[Beatrice] And since most of the merchants are here to say congratulations from last week's event, most of them will take your word as you are a royal candidate, I suppose.

[Emilia] Are you saying you want me to lie to all the merchants arriving tonight?

[Otto] I understand how you feel, trust me. I don't like this one bit… but it must be done.

Emilia nodded her head with slight disapproval and waved to the hallway that led into the Dining Room; It was the same hallway that the core three had entered before.

[Emilia] I'll keep my friend busy for the time being. You three figure out how to do this.

[Subaru] You can count on us, Emilia-tan! I'll make sure Otto doesn't fall into the void!

[Beatrice] And if he does, I'll make sure to pull him out of it, in fact! Otto will be alright!

[Otto] Of all the times you say my name Beatrice, did it have to be making fun of me..?

A slight chuckle, a bright smile, a tightened hand grip, and a deep sigh all presented themselves at once. Emilia is honest with her words and leaves the Dining Room while Otto, Subaru, and Beatrice continue on with their plans of absolute idiocy.

Inside the Miload Estate was a group of characters that all seem to have a role tonight. But, as fate had in store for four of the additional members under Annerose's belt, plans were always something that could be bent in case a calamity had occurred.

Now, to be fair, losing precious oil isn't on the scale of a calamity, but the thought of Annerose finding out Otto had failed to secure his assets before a major deal would devastate him. This is not about Otto's ego nor his reputation inside this Estate. No, this was far from the case. The true reason nested deep in his promise to his friends that were next to him, helping him as two additional hours had accumulated.

After Emilia had left the Dining Room, the other three followed her but took an opposite direction and into the Office Room where Otto spent most of his week.

[Beatrice] I can sense more people arriving, I suppose. Are we ready for the outcome?

[Subaru] You heard her, Otto. Will this be enough to trick the merchants?

[Otto] I-I have no clue if it will work or not. We will have to pray that Emilia-sama does her part in using her position of power to sway them to not check it for quality control.

A sudden crack opens into the outside of the brightly lit Office Room.

[?] Ah, so it seems that you are up to no good, Barusu. How unsightly of a view.

[Subaru] Huh?! Wha-Wait, don't tell me that you know already, Ram!

[Ram] What should I know from a despicial degenerate such as yourself? Heh.

[Beatrice] ...I now understand what you meant about Ram disliking you, I suppose.

[Ram] What did you say, Beatrice-sama? I couldn't hear you good from over there.

[Beatrice] It was nothing of importance, in fact. Betty was just mumbling like Subaru.

[Ram] Hah! So you're inhuman ticks do leech on other people, Barusu! You are evil.

[Otto] Alright, alright. Let's cut the friendly banter out now. Is everything prepared for our entrance, Ram-sama? You know I don't want to keep our honored guests waiting, right?

[Ram] For once you said something that was warranted of my response. They're ready.

Otto took a few deep breaths as he carried the jar of oil in his arms. With one foot confidently in front of the other, he leads the other three out of the Office Room and into a hallway that had a few people the four never seen before. Without hesitation, he gave Subaru the jar as he flipped through his coat's pockets to find the small object that will-

[Otto] Got it! Alright, give me a moment to lock this door. I don't want anyone snooping.

[Ram] Another smart decision coming from the merchant it seems. You are now wise.

[Otto] So are you telling me I was never wise in the first place?! Gesh, you sure are-

[Ram] Hush. We don't want our guests thinking you are someone not wise, do you not?

[Otto] -Tsk! Alright, fine, you win this time. Okay, I'm done. Let me see that jar, please.

[Subaru] Su-Sure… Here you go. Don't drop it now.

[Beatrice] If you surely did that you might as well build yourself a grave, I suppose.

[Ram] I'll help you by making Barusu do all the work. That oil is the reason for tonight.

[Otto] The oil… Yes, the oil.

Subaru, Otto, Beatrice, and Ram encountered a group of three merchants all wearing attire that reminded Subaru of old timey fashion ware from Japan, or maybe it looked to be the royalty padding that did it for him? Either the case, all of them knew these merchants were a slice to what they were about to encounter soon enough.

[? #1] Why, hello there you four. I noticed you were the merchant to host for tonight?

One of the merchants made the first move. A hastily built man with facial hair spoke to him with elegance as his tone could pierce shields from its complete clarity. He noticed the young man dressed in mercantile uniform and lowered his eyes to the magnum opus of the whole reason he and the other two by his side traveled over for.

[Otto] I am the one and only. If by chance, do you know how many arrived with you?

[? #2] Hmm… From the last head count that I did, there should be around twenty?

[? #3] Nah, it was more than twenty if you count Anastasia's company that arrived.

Hearing a familiar word being spoken without confusion made Subaru speak.

[Subaru] Wait, are you telling me Anastasia had arrived with your group tonight?!

[? #1] Ah, you must be the Lolimancer, Subaru. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir.

[? #3] Wait, he's the knight that swore to protect Emilia-sama's right to the throne?

[? #2] Well, he does seem to be properly-I do not have to remind you two that he did remove the White Whale and the Sin Archbishop of Sloth, do I not? I say he is capable.

All three of the merchants fell into a banter about if Subaru was a proper individual to have sworn allegiance to Emilia. But after being ignored, Subaru again-

[Subaru] Is Anastasia here or not? And for the… Why does everyone call me that now?

[Beatrice] You can just ignore them, I suppose. You know Betty is too great and powerful to be anything other than appearing to look as a child, in fact.

[? #3] I actually have no clue if Anastasia is included in the head co-

[Ram] Can we get a move on all of you? We have jobs that need to be done now.

[? #1/2/3] Ah, sorry!

Having all of them respond in unison gave Ram a terrifyingly deep ego boost. However, as the merchants moved out of the hallway and allowed the others to pass, they closed the gaps and followed them. Otto noticed this and did not want to call them out for it could backfire. But there was a chance that these merchants were asked to spy on him or to get a glimpse of the Office Room where the most important documents of the Miload Estate were kept in safe keeping. Nevertheless, all seven of them made their way into the Dining Hall. Many familiar and unfamiliar faces donned the location.