A/N: Sorry for the wait my dudes, I had a gunnery event in the middle of no man's land known as good ol' Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. Absolutely 0 internet except for at the range so that was cool. Anyways enough excuses, here's the next chapter
"What do you mean my memories are gone? Just yesterday Father told me I was going to Yharnam. Did something happen?" Rey's voice didn't have its stoic calm and softness to it. Instead it seemed young and full of life, much more appropriate for his age. At this point, the blue haired maid was awake as well. She wasn't looking so well as tears threatened to build up in her eyes.
"Why do you both look so disturbed? I'm guessing we were close before I forgot everything?" The two shared a look before the blue haired one nodded. "We were close. You said we were the best friends you ever had. That's why we're here now. You knew this would happen."
Rey looked off at the wall behind them. "Oh... I see. I'm sorry, but I don't remember your names. Oh- mind my manners. I am Rey Faust, though I'm sure you already knew that." He smiled at them, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. The two introduced themselves again to Rey.
"I see. Those names feel familiar to me in a way." He turned to Ram. "Especially yours, Ram. I feel like I met somebody else by that name long ago. I can't remember who though." No matter how hard he dug through his mind, the memories just wouldn't show up.
The sisters tried to give him the rundown of where he was and how he got here, but all of it was completely baffling to the young man.
"So your saying I'm from another world all together? That seems a little far fetched if you ask me. We're not in the European dominion?" Ram shook her head. "We're in the Kingdom of Lugunica, at the Mather's estate." Rey ran a hand through his hair, clearly becoming destressed.
"Well what about my family? Are you saying I'm never going to see any of them again?!" Rem put a hand over his. "Please, Rey. You have to stay calm. Sister and I will have to prepare for the day, and you will have to get dressed and meet us for breakfast. Your clothes are on the desk over there." She pointed to the Crowfeather garb hanging off the desk.
"I'm sorry, but I'm having a bit of trouble staying collected here. I- What do I even do now? I'm trapped here where all of my family may as well be dead and I have no connections what so ever." Rey was about to retreat into his own mind when each maid grabbed a hand and tugged him out of bed. Ram rolled her eyes and huffed. "That's not true, idiot. You have everyone here to support you, especially Rem and I. Now hurry up and stop being miserable. Put on your armor and act like the Hunter you say you are."
A disgusted look appeared on Rey's face. "I was a Hunter? One of those superhuman freaks that try to hunt beasts? Those poor souls usually end up becoming beasts themselves. Why the hell would I make such an idiotic choice like that?" Ram frowned. "You didn't have a choice to become a hunter. You accepted your path in life with grace. But now, you're making an ass of yourself, Rey. Have some respect for the man that you were."
He looked down, ashamed. "You're right Ram. I'm sorry. Hunters did save my Father once when he went to Yharnam." There was an awkward moment of silence before Rem and Ram looked at each other before nodding. "We must get ready for the day and prepare breakfast. The dining hall is in the eastern hallway, second floor on the left." The twins started to leave. "Wait! how- I'm going to need help in this world. I don't know anything!"
Ram gave him a slightly evil grin. "Don't worry about that. I can help you after the chores are done. Of course, I'll need some help with those as well. Think of it as your payment." The door closed, leaving Rey to his own devices.
"That was slightly cold, sister." Rem had a smile on her face. Ram grinned back at her sister. "Well, he deserves it for acting like that." The two girls quickly had their smiles wiped off as they thought about how radically Rey's behavior had changed. "The Hunter's Dream really did change him, didn't it sister?" Ram nodded. "Indeed. The way he carries himself, his voice, and most of all his eyes have changed. He was right. That's not the Rey we met."
Rey made his way to the dining hall wearing the not so comfortable Crowfeather garb. "What the hell was I thinking, wearing this? Its uncomfortable and looks positively horrid." Opening the door to the dining hall revealed a few others that he didn't recognize. Most of them looked up at him in worry, but one looked up at him with a sinister smile. It was the clown at the head of the table.
The girl with silver hair abruptly stood and walked over to him. "Rey! Well, how are you feeling? The maid sisters told us what happened. If there's anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask." The young man who was sitting next to her also stood. "Yeah man, let me know if I can help you out in anyway. Losing your memories like that can't be easy."
A floating cat suddenly appeared out from behind the silver girl's hair, causing Rey to flinch back. "Wh-What is that?" He flinched again when the cat began to talk. "Oh? So its true then, you really have forgotten everything. I'm Puck, a great spirit. Nice to meet ya!" Puck held out his tiny paw for Rey to shake, which he did with slight trepidation. Everyone else in the room also reintroduced themselves. Roswaal in particular looked very interested in the events unfolding before him.
"Well now, there's no need to be scared of me. I can feel your fear you know." He floated around behind Rey's head. "Kinda weird seeing as you were so calm and collected before. You're a completely different person now."
Rey dropped his guard slightly and sat down with the others. "Well about that. Whenever I changed into this ridiculous outfit, I noticed something about myself. My body is riddled with scars of all different types and sizes. Whatever I had to go through, it must have been painful." The group awkwardly looked at each other as plates full of food were placed in front of each of them by the twins.
They all ate in relative peace, trying not to confuse Rey and explaining everything to him as needed. After the meal, Rey found himself with Subaru and the twins. "Now Barusu, you will take Rey and have him help you trim the hedges outside. I'd tell you to make sure and not cut yourself, but I know you are completely incapable of that." Subaru frowned at Ram lightly. "You always have an insult to send my way huh Ram?" He shook his head as Ram smiled up at him. "Of course, Barusu."
Subaru took Rey and started walking down the stairs to the back yard, which was more like a massive field. "Anyways Rey, you were interested in learning magic here in this world before- well you know. Do you still know any spells from your homeland?" Rey put a finger to his chin in thought. "Well, knowledge of the arcane does run in my family. But I never practiced it myself. I was going to go to a college and learn, but then I was stricken with an illness."
His newfound friend twirled a set of scissors in his hands. "Well you definitely knew some beforehand. I saw you put your hand into some sort of portal and pull out weapons and healing potions!" Rey could only smile lightly at Subaru and his endless positive energy. "Is that so? I didn't happen to explain how I did it right?"
Subaru shook his head and started trimming a small bush. "Nope. Not a word about it. No offense here, but you were kinda creepy beforehand. Now you're a lot more... I don't know, alive?"
Rey sent him a deadpan stare. "Well then. Thanks." The two continued to talk as they completed their chores for the day. When night came they were escorted by Ram up to a small study for them to learn how to read.
After a few hours, they turned to see Ram asleep on the room's single bed. "She said she was going to help me through this.. Now she's just sleeping." Rey frowned at the girl as she peacefully slept before sighing. "Though I can't stay mad at such a pretty woman for long." Subaru visibly flinched when he said that. "Woah. Now that was something I didn't expect you to say."
Rey blinked at him. "What, do you think she isn't pretty or something? Because where I come from, both of the sisters would be considered some of the fairest maidens in the land. The same goes with that girl, Emilia. Even if she isn't completely Human." Subaru flinched and flew up his arms in an 'X'. "No that's not what I'm saying at all! They're both cute, but nobody in the world is cuter than Mili!"
"If you're both done with your perverted thoughts about me, then I suggest you get ready for bed." Ram's voice snapped them out of their conversation. They both whipped their heads over to look at her, who's one visible eye was staring at them in annoyance. She was still laying on her side, and somehow was able to put out an intimidating aura. "Right- sorry about that Ram. I was just thinking out loud." Rey had the faintest dusting of pink on his cheeks as he let that slip out on accident.
"A-Anyways, you're right I'm going to head down to my room. Goodnight Ram, Subaru." The two responded in kind as he walked out of the room. Rey continued down the hallway, thinking about what just happened. His pulse quickened as he pictured her sleeping form. Calm yourself, fool! This is no time to be thinking of such things!
Rey shook his head and proceeded to his room. However, upon opening the door to his room he found himself in a library. "What? Oh, right. Subaru mentioned something along the lines of this." He looked down to see a child in a chair. Subaru had also warned him that she was no child at all. "So you must be Miss Beatrice, correct?" The girl hopped off of her chair and approached him, wordless.
She then stared up into his now confused eyes before sighing. "So its true then. You really have lost all of your memories. I might as well be looking at a different person altogether I suppose. Still, I don't care who you are now. You made a deal with Roswaal, and a promise to Betty."
Rey took a step away from her piercing eyes. "Well then, I guess I'll have to keep that promise I made. My word actually means something, and I'd rather keep it that way. As for this deal with Lord Roswaal, what is it? And what exactly is the promise, too?"
She walked back to her little reading station and plucked a book from the stack. "You were going to teach me how to read this book, from your world. As for the deal with that clown, you demanded access to Betty's forbidden library. So you have full access to any book you see here I suppose. Too bad for you, you can't read any." Rey let out an 'ahh' of understanding. "So we were teaching each other how to read, I see."
Beatrice shrugged. "Well I never taught you how to read, its always been the pink haired maid." His thoughts went back to her sleeping form before he shook his head. "Makes sense I guess... So, Beatrice. Want to help me learn too?" She huffed and turned her head to the side. "What a bother, I suppose." After frowning for a moment she looked back towards him. "Though you are helping me, so I should return the favor I suppose. Very well, we will help each other. At least you're much easier to deal with than that idiot, Subaru."
The two studied well into the night, and by the time they finished Rey could read very basic sentences. The same went for Beatrice, she was learning at an extremely rapid pace. Eventually They bid their farewells and Rey opened the door. "Oh. That's right." He turned around and opened the door he just left and found his room there instead of the library.
Not long after, he fell into a not so peaceful sleep.
"So, are you enjoying these new feelings?" His eyes snapped open to reveal a familiar sight. A fireplace, illuminating the darkness just enough to see the room around him. Stoking the fire was no one else but Oedon. Rey could remember everything, including the day he spent as that naïve little noble. "Return my memories at once, Oedon. These games you're playing are unnecessary."
The Great One laughed, and put down his fire prodding tool. "Oh but they are necessary to me. After all, I find this whole thing so interesting. Perhaps I'll return your memories to you soon. But for now, relish in the fact that you can feel emotions! Instead of just feeling anger, you can feel joy, sadness, loneliness, and even... Love, yes?" Oedon sent the emotions and memories of Rey looking at Ram's sleeping form.
Rey clenched his fists together and glared daggers at the very amused Great One. "Those are not my feelings. Those are the immature hormones of a nobleman's son who never had a woman his entire life." Oedon approached him, now only a few feet away as he stood over his chair. "Oh but you see, that which you describe is no one but yourself. In a way, you should be thanking me. This time with your emotions returned will help you regain some of your lost personality, instead of being a hollow shell."
The leather on his gloves finally relaxed as Rey's fists unclenched. "It matters not. Even if I do somehow have feelings for her, I'd never act on them. I'm far too damaged to ever try and involve myself in something like that. My time would best be spent on trying to kill beasts of this world."
Oedon waved a finger in front of Rey's face. "Now now. That isn't very interesting, you see? Doing the same thing you've done for endless months now is just unbearably dull for me to watch yes?" Besides, you've never felt this way about anyone else in your entire life right?"
Rey sighed. "I've told you, those aren't my feelings. It is true that the three women staying at the Mather's estate are exceptionally beautiful. In fact, they are indeed the most beautiful women that pathetic noble has ever seen. That is why he is already falling for one of them."
The Great One's face split into an ear splitting smile. "Well then. What if I were to give that noble a push? Wouldn't that be interesting?" Rey was about to retort, but then Oedon snapped and the dream disappeared.
Confusion struck Rey as the light outside did the same. "Was I just talking to someone?"
"You were talking in your sleep, idiot." Rey flinched, and looked over to see Ram sitting next to his bed. He bolted upright. "R-Ram! What are you doing in my room while I was sleeping?!" Ram nonchalantly shrugged. "I came to wake you up for the morning chores, but I could hear you mumbling even through your door. So I came in here to see if you're even capable of working today."
Rey visibly relaxed. "O-Oh. I see. Do you know what I was saying?" Ram looked distant for a moment as she replayed what he had just said before waking up. "Ram. Rem. I'm so sorry."
Ram blinked and looked back to Rey. "You were talking about things you don't remember right now." Her eyes narrowed slightly in thought. "That hints towards your memories still being within you somewhere. So, do you still not remember anything about the dream?"
Racking his brain for memories proved fruitless. "No, nothing." Ram leaned forward, putting her elbows on her thighs and held her chin in thought. "No? What about the one called Eileen? Or the Doll?" Rey thought for a moment before he gasped, eyes widening. "The Doll..." A wave of despair and nausea hit him as a vivid memory pierced his mind. "NOOOO!"
Screaming, Rey clutched his head with both of his hands as he relived one of the most horrific moments during the dream. He had died over and over again, getting nowhere in Yharnam. Sanity was becoming scarce, and he found himself in a fetal position within the dream.
"Rey! What's wrong?" A very distant voice was unheard by Rey as he relived the deaths over and over. Ram quickly stood out of her chair, reaching to grab Rey and calm him down. However, the man latched onto her and squeezed with a death grip. "Help me. Somebody please help me. I can't die over and over anymore. I can't I can't I can't I can't!"
Emotions and memories unleashed themselves into Ram's mind as she held onto Rey. In a split second Ram's world disappeared, replaced by the Hunter's Dream. She watched from Rey's perspective as she died. Again. And again. And again. She could feel every cut, every bite, every stab and burn as if she was there herself. "Please... Somebody help me." Rey shivered in his fetal position within the dream.
His anguish was interrupted as a gentle hand rested on his shoulder. "Good Hunter, please do not despair. I am here for you now. I can make you strong. So please, take as long as you like here. I will be for you here, always." Rey sniffled as he sat up and saw the abandoned doll earlier kneeling in front of him with a hand on his shoulder. The doll was actually moving and speaking to him. Her soft voice was soothing, and her eyes held compassion and empathy. "I am a Doll, here to assist you in anyway you need Good Hunter."
Tears of relief started gathering in his eyes before he launched himself at the Doll in a hug. "Please.. For now, just hold me. Please. I don't want to die again. Not like that." The Doll complied, and returned the hug in a gentle embrace. Ram could feel the gloom slowly melt out of Rey as he was held by The Doll. After a while, the world started to fade away, along with the emotions. As the mansion started coming back into focus, both of them heard a strange disembodied voice. "How Interesting."
The two gasped and opened their eyes only to find each other mere inches away. Both of them were tearing up from the horrific experience. Ram started to pull away before Rey squeezed once again. "Wait. Please, just. Stay here for a moment." Ram said nothing. Instead she leaned back into him, head nuzzled under his chin as she shook slightly. The memories of dying repeatedly replayed in her mind once again. Finally, she shut her eyes and wrapped her arms around Rey. "I'm sorry, Rey. I saw everything. The amount of times you died..." She didn't have anymore words, instead she shivered upon thinking about a specific death where dogs ravaged Rey alive and beasts burned out his eyes with torches.
"Why... Why did all of those things happen to me? What did I do to deserve that?" He let Ram go, and she slowly pulled off of him. She averted her eyes to the ground. "I don't know, Rey. But it looked like the Doll was there to help you when you needed it most. If I were in your position, I would think about her instead of those-" She shivered. "Those horrible memories."
Rey let a big sigh loose before looking up at Ram. "You're right, Ram. Thank you for being there for me. I'm- I'm sorry you had to see that." Ram clutched an arm. "To be honest, I wish I never saw any of that. I'll definitely have night terrors about it." Rey looked down in sorrow. "But-" Ram continued. "I think I understand why you used to be so distant with that sad look in your eye. If you ever need to talk, Rey. Don't be an idiot and bottle it all up. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go prepare breakfast with Rem."
Rey watched her go before letting another sigh loose and getting ready for the morning.
As soon as Ram was sure she was alone, her calm demeanor dropped. She leaned against the hallway, letting out a few shaky breaths. That's what Rey had to live through? No wonder he was on the edge of being a psychopath earlier. Her terrifying emotions were interrupted by the thought of her being held by Rey playing back in her mind, causing her to flinch and stand up off of the wall. "Idiot."
Without delay, she headed into the kitchen to find Rem already there. Her blue haired sister looked up from where she was cutting vegetables. "Good morning Sister. I was just-" Concern suddenly adorned her face. "Are you okay? You look like you were crying." Ram shook her head. "Its nothing, Rem. I'll get started on the tatoes." As Ram reached for the knife, Rem put her hand over hers.
"What did you see, sister? Rey showed you something, didn't he?" Ram's eyes widened in shock. It was rare for Rem to be this assertive towards her. "H-How would you have known about that?" Internally, she was really hoping Rem didn't see her in that vulnerable state earlier when Rey held her. "Rey showed me a portion of his memories on that first night, just before I- I attacked him."
Now Ram was livid. "He showed you those horrible things that night?!" Rem waved her hands in a near panic. "No, no sister! I don't know what you saw, but what Rey showed me was not unpleasant. It was that city, Yharnam. He showed me a moment where he met a friend."
Ram calmed down a bit. "Oh.. I see. As for what I saw, I don't think Rey meant to show it. I went to wake the lazy spoiled brat up earlier, and I could hear him whispering our names in his sleep. He was apologizing over and over to us in his sleep, Rem." Her sister's eyes had a glint of hope in them. "So does that mean his memories?..." With a shake of her head, Ram continued. "No, they're still gone. I mentioned the Doll to him, and he just lost it. When I grabbed his hand, I found myself...Dying. Over, and over again. I saw everything from Rey's perspective. It was awful. The amount of times I-" Ram clutched her arm and shivered in fear.
Rem hugged her sister tightly as Ram calmed down. With a sigh, Ram turned back towards the vegetables. "His memories are still in there. But, what's to say he needs them back? You saw how utterly broken he was in that state. At least now, he seems like he's alive."
Ram turned back to her sister after a long moment of silence. Rem's face was turned into a deep frown. "How could you say something like that, sister? Does that mean all of what he went through should just mean nothing!?" The absolute shock on Ram's face was clear. Rem never talked back to her like that before. And here she was, fiercely apposing her. It was enough for Ram to flip her thoughts after a moment.
"You're right, Rem... We should try and help him regain his memories in any way we can. But for now, we need to help with breakfast." Rem agreed, and the twins resumed the preparations.
The rest of the day was business as usual. Rey and Subaru went about the mansion, doing chore after chore. Every once in a while Rem would see if Rey was doing alright and if there was anything he needed. After the daily chores, Rey visited Beatrice and helped her learn how to read. By the time he left, Beatrice was confident she could read the book's basic sentences. In just three days, the brilliant spirit had learned the English alphabet and trivial sentence structure.
Things were slightly awkward between Ram and Rey as she taught the two boys Lugunica's written language. Every once in a while, their eyes would meet and they quickly looked away from each other. Despite how oblivious Subaru appeared to be, he didn't miss the clear queues the two kept giving him. There was a glint of mischief about him as he suddenly stood up from his desk.
"You know what? I think I'm gonna turn in early tonight. You two should wrap up that lesson without me though." With a smile, Subaru quickly walked out of the door before the two could formulate a response. "Lazy idiot. Barusu truly is a useless one." Rey tried to throw in his two cents without adding to the awkwardness. "Well you should give him credit where it's due. He surely tries hard at what he does."
Ram sighed. "The man sure does have good timing, showing up here and 'saving' Emilia like this." He shook his head, putting a hand to his forehead. That wasn't exactly what I meant, but at least it was positive.
After a moment of silence, the two looked at each other and started talking simultaneously. "Look about-" "Ram I-"
Ram frowned slightly. "As inept in social situations as always, Rey." Rey just folded his arms and shook his head. "You know. You always have an insult on your tongue, but you don't mean any of them." The pink haired demon gave him a cocky smile. "That's for you to decide. In my eyes, I'm just being honest. I consider that my best trait."
Rey just gave her a deadpan. "Honesty is a double edged sword you know..." He couldn't stop the small flutter in his chest as Ram sat down next to him. "Rey. About this morning-"
That feeling was crushed as the memories came rushing back. "I'm sorry Ram. You didn't need to see those things. Someone like you shouldn't have to see sights such as that." Ram clenched her hands together. "I'm afraid its too late for that." She parted her hair, revealing a scar on her forehead. "You probably don't know, but Rem and I aren't humans. In fact, we're demons. Before you ask, Demons are another race that inhabit this world."
She traced the scar with a finger. "This scar marks where my horn used to be. I lost it the day our family and clan were slaughtered by witch cultists. As far as I know Rem and I are the last of the demon clan to exist. So you see, I've been surrounded by death since I was a little girl. So what you showed me could've been a lot worse if I hadn't ever seen horrors like that before." This all came as a shock to Rey. These two looked exactly like regular girls to him. And yet here one of them was claiming she is a demon.
"I- Don't know what to say Ram. I'm sorry." A moment of silence passed between the two before Rey broke it. "I have to ask you something Ram. Why are you and Rem trying to help me? Earlier today Subaru told me that Rem and I tried to kill each other when we first met. How did we become friends so fast?"
Ram looked passed Rey, thinking for a small moment. "Well. My sister has grown attached to you. You see, she's never really had any friends. That's... Mostly my own fault." She looked down for a moment, clenching her fists before looking back to Rey. "I think she is amazed at your ability to forgive her, and to try and be her friend. I can tell she's quite fond of you already. And in turn, that makes me happy as well. So I want to help you, idiot." She paused, and looked off towards the ground. "Rem deserves to be happy, instead of hating herself..."
Rey looked towards Ram, who was now finding the floor very interesting to look at. "Ram... I- Well if you don't mind, could I ask why Rem hates herself?" Her eyes snapped up towards Rey. "That's not for me to tell. If Rem wishes to tell you, then by all means please help my sister. For now though, all I can say is that it is my fault."
She stood up from the table. "I don't wish to speak of this subject anymore. I suppose we'll end your lessons where Barusu stopped as well." Rey was watching her leave when something from within his mind urged him to say something. "Wait!" Ram looked over her shoulder as she was walking out the door. "What?" She asked with slight annoyance.
Hesitation struck Rey for a small moment before he steeled himself. "Would you like to have some tea and just talk for a while, Ram?" The maid blinked at him before letting a small smile slip onto her face. "Perhaps, Rey. However, I think you should speak to Rem first. Now goodnight, and don't do anything too idiotic. Though that's a near impossible feat for you, Rey."
Without another word, she shut the door and walked down the hallway towards her room. Rey wasn't tired yet, and continued to go over a few more I-glyphs for another half hour before he too left the room.
Yawning, Rey went around a corner and bumped into something. Or rather, someone. It was a certain blue haired maid. Only, she didn't look anything like a maid at the moment. She was in her sleepwear, which was basically just an oversized shirt. Like a true gentleman, Rey quickly adverted his eyes. "Rem! Forgive me for bumping into you. And... Seeing you like this."
Rem rubbed the spot on her forehead that Rey had come into contact with. When she removed her hand, there was a red mark in the shape of a silver button from Rey's coat. "Its no trouble, Rey. I should've been more careful, its my fault." Those words made Rey's eyes snap back to the shorter woman in front of him. "Nonsense Rem, I insist that you accept my apology." He gave her his best smile. In the back of his mind he was trying to copy how Subaru usually smiled.
It seemed to have worked, and Rem had a small smile of her own even if it was a sad one. "You know, its pretty easy to tell that you're trying to copy Subaru right now." Or not. Rey flinched. "It's that obvious?" The demon maid nodded. "Yes. Not once have I ever seen your smile reach your eyes. And closing them like Subaru does regularly is a dead giveaway." A small moment of silence permeated the air between them before Rey broke it. "Rem, may I ask what it is you're doing up this late at night while dressed so...Vulnerably?"
She nodded towards the kitchen. "I was going to get some water before returning to my room. For some reason, I cannot sleep tonight. Though do not let that cause a perverted thought to go through your head, Rey." The sheltered noble boy visibly blushed. "Rem, don't be foolish now. I'd like to consider myself a gentleman..."
A light dusting of pink showed on Rem's own cheeks. "You know, I like it when you're like this. If only you weren't-" She stiffened. "I'm sorry. I must be going to bed now, its getting late." Rey was left alone in the hallway, confused as to why tears were gathering in the corners of Rem's eyes as she quickly walked away.
The next day it was decided that Rem was to go to the nearby village of Arlam, along with Subaru. Though before the pair left, Rey decided he wanted to go with them. "It will be good for me to get out of the mansion and see what this world is all about. So far, I've seen nothing but these grounds." Roswaal was waiting for them at the main door of the mansion when Rey presented his request. "Hmmmmmmm. Annnnd what do youuuu think of this Ram?"
The pink haired maid huffed. "As if I should care where he goes. However, going to the village will benefit my sister, as she will not have to carry as many things. That and his productivity may go up when assisting me with tasks in the village so if I were forced to care, I would say he should go with Rem and Barusu."
The group just stared at her for a moment. "Well that's one way to put it Ram. Whatever though, if Rey wants to come with us then I say what're we waiting for? I wanna see the village!" Subaru, as always, had a cheerful reply.
Rem, Rey, and Subaru bid their farewells and walked away from the mansion. It was a decently long walk, so there was time to kill. "So Rem, did you manage to get to sleep last night?" Rey started. She turned and looked up at the taller man. "Yes. After I bumped into you in the hallway, I managed to get to sleep just fine afterwards." A sigh escaped Rey. "Rem, we both know it was I who bumped into you. Don't make yourself out to be less than you are."
She shook her head, disagreeing. "It is true though. In most situations, I typically fall short of what's expected of me." Rey didn't know what to say, so he went with his gut. "That's not true Rem. I've seen your work compared to Ram's, and the difference is night and day. No offense to Ram, but I don't think she could cook a single meal without burning half of the mansion down."
Subaru laughed at that and decided to throw in his own two cents. "Yeah that's Ram for you! Besides have you seen the way she trims the bushes? I'm already better than her and I've only been here for a few days! Still, Rem you're always coming along behind me and making my work look worthless by the time your done."
A smile smile appeared on Rem's face. "I know you two are just trying to flatter me. Unfortunately, It's working." Subaru was beaming at her. "See? That's all it took to cheer you up Rem! You know you look so much prettier with a smile on your face." The smile on Rem's face became wider. "I'm telling Miss Emilia." The look on Subaru's face was priceless. Both Rem and Rey laughed at him while Subaru blushed in embarrassment. "Come on I wasn't hitting on you or anything Rem! Don't tell Emilia!"
"Despite the clear threats Rem, he is right. You do look much better smiling rather than being overly stoic." Rem's face went back to being neutral. "Servants have to keep up a good image for lord Roswaal. Unfortunately, that will be more difficult now that Subaru is here."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" Subaru growled and held a shaking fist up at Rem while Rey laughed. "I think Ram would be proud of that one Rem. I'll make sure to tell her later."
The three kept peacefully talking as they walked along the road. When entering the village, Subaru immediately split off and started to mingle with the locals while Rey and Rem set out to do what they needed to do.
"Allow me to carry that, Rem." He pointed to a rather heavy looking bag full of supplies. The demon maid looked up at him. "Well now, I guess you weren't lying when you said you were a gentleman." He grinned in return. "Anything to please a fair maiden such as yourself." A light blush covered Rem's face as he picked up the bag. "You're too kind, Rey. Such nice words are wasted on me." Again those words struck a chord within Rey as he thought back to what Ram had told him.
They left the shop with Rey carrying the supplies. Seeing nobody was within eavesdropping distance, Rey decided to take the leap of faith with Rem. "Hey, Rem... Do- Do you hate yourself?" He certainly didn't beat around the bush. Rem looked back at him with a knowing, sad face. "Yes," was all she said in return. Such a direct response threw Rey off his mental balance. "But- I know its not my place to ask, but why Rem? You're a wonderful person. There's no reason for you to hate yourself!"
Rem continued to look directly at him as she responded. "Nothing will make amends for what I felt that night. I deserve everything that has happened and everything in the future that will happen to me. All of it." A strange feeling itched throughout Rey's mind. The feeling was undeniably foreign, and made him want to press the issue when he'd normally have dropped it by now.
"Rem, I don't understand and you don't have to tell me why. But whatever happened in the past is no reason to hate yourself now. Why would you continue to live in a time that's already gone when you can work towards having a better future? This is how you will make amends! Not by looking back in hindsight or doubt, but by pressing forward and doing the best you can! If you live your life trapped in the past, then how will you ever learn how to fix your mistakes?!"
He held out his hand for her to take. "The time is now, Rem. Live your life. Join me, and together we'll both start living again. I've lost everything. I have no family, no possessions, and no money. I have nothing. We can both start from our lowest points and crawl out from the holes we've been buried in." By this point Rem was tearing up as she stared at the ground, and villagers were beginning to look at them.
"Why?" She asked. Rey tilted his head in confusion. "Pardon?" Tears were now actively flowing out of Rem's eyes. "Why do you even care about me? When we first met I- I-" She lowered her voice to a near whisper. "I tried to kill you... And then, you just forgave me as if it was nothing out of the ordinary. Nobody does that. Then, you forget everything!" She looked back up at him, looking him directly in the eye. "I need you to tell me why you care."
Rey hesitated for a moment before that foreign feeling in his head doubled and he steeled himself. "Because Rem. You are very important to me. We've only known each other for a short time, and yet you and Ram have helped me tremendously when I woke up with no memory of how I got here. Emilia, Lord Roswaal, Subaru, and Puck are all important to me as well. You could say that you're my entire life now. Therefore, I want to help you in anyway that I can. So Rem. Smile, please. Learn to love yourself."
For a moment, Rem was still. Then she reached up and took Rey's hand. "I'll- I'll try Rey. Please, can we talk about this more later? People are starting to watch." He looked up from Rem and saw the various villagers now staring. "Right. This is a private matter after all. Let's go catch up to Subaru."
The two walked up to the bubbly teenager who was playing with some village children. A young girl with dark blue hair was holding a strange looking dog, and all the kids were petting it. For some reason, the dog caused something to stir deep within Rey. His instincts were screaming at him that this innocent little dog was anything but. The feeling was so strong that when Subaru went to pet the dog, Rey instinctively went to pull his hand away.
That's when the dog chomped on both of their hands at once with Subaru getting the lower jaw and Rey receiving the upper jaw. "Agh! Come on! I just wanted to pet you, you little soft furry demon!" Rem tilted her head curiously. "Demon?" Subaru rubbed the small wound on his hand, Rey doing the same. The tiny wound sent shivers up Rey's spine. It felt completely unnatural to him, and yet strangely familiar.
He couldn't ignore it. "Tell me, little girl. Where did you find that little dog?" The child blinked and gave him a bright innocent smile. A smile such as that should've been pleasing to the eyes. But to Rey, all it did was send a warning signal in his mind. "I found this little girl in the forest! Isn't she just adorable?" Rem stepped up to the boys. "Come on you two. We must be going now, it will get dark soon."
Hesitantly, Rey followed Rem while Subaru waved one last goodbye to the children. The tingling in Rey's hand never faded as they walked out of the village. The nobleman lagged behind Subaru and Rem as Subaru struck up a conversation with ease as always. That dog. Something isn't right. He shook his head vigorously. Come on, it's just a little puppy! What's gotten to me all of a sudden?
"So, do you like demons?" He saw Rem and Subaru at a critical point in their conversation, and had stopped walking. A question like that was sure to stir the pot, and Rey looked at the next few moments with great trepidation.
Subaru shrugged in response. "Well, gods are never really there you know? Demons on the other hand always like to laugh along whenever you talk about future plans, especially for next year and things like that you know?" To Rey's surprise, Rem had a beautiful smile on her face in response to Subaru. "Breathtaking.." Rey whispered to himself. Though not quiet enough, as both of his newfound friends turned towards him.
The socially inept noble blushed as the two pairs of eyes landed on him. Subaru just grinned, evil adorning his features. "What was that Rey? Did I just hear something lewd come out of your mouth?" Rey blushed deeper. "N-No! I was merely making an observation that even the most blind of moles could point out!" Now even Rem had a small blush on her face, though her eyes were set in sadness like before. "Either way, what I said in the village still stands Rey."
"And if I refuse to believe that?" Rey wasn't having any of it. Rem was worth a damn in his eyes, and the words weren't wasted on her. She looked back up at him. "Then you are delusional." Without hesitation, Rey shrugged. "Then I guess I'm delusional then, aren't I Rem?" Subaru was extremely confused by this point. "Uhhh did I miss something while I was playing with the village kids?"
Rey shrugged. "Don't worry about it Subaru. Some demons around here just don't have very much self worth, and we're going to change that." Rem pleaded with her eyes for him to stop talking, but he ignored her. Taking her hand with a blush on his face, he refused to look at Rem and her shocked face. "Looks like a delusional person wouldn't know what social boundaries are, therefore I'm doing this."
Subaru gave him a discreet thumbs up and a wink. "Smooth!" He whispered under his breath. Rem didn't know what to do at this point, so she just remained silent and concentrated on walking. After a while, Rey bravely broke the silence. "See Rem? Delusional indeed aren't I?" She squeezed the hand a little tighter. "Yes." What she was experiencing was a cyclone of emotions threatening to burst from within.
On one hand she loved that someone was holding her hand, and that someone was Rey whom she deeply respected and felt her heart surge whenever he decided to take her hand. However, she also knew what Rey truly wanted. It was fairly obvious to her. Every once in a while she would catch Rey looking at her sister affectionately, which wasn't surprising to Rem. Her sister was perfect, and she was just the barely functional replacement. She was destined to always cause trouble. To always be put on the back burner and ignored. And she deserved a lifetime of it all because of those few short moments on that fiery night. In her reality, she was utterly expendable.
As if he could feel Rem's self destructive thoughts, Rey squeezed her hand tighter as they walked. She just kept putting one foot in front of the other as they got closer to the mansion. It was all she could do to stop herself from bursting into tears. As Rey held her hand, he suddenly felt guilt run through his mind. He couldn't pin down why exactly he was feeling the guilt, and that's when a strange audible 'pop' went off from within his head. Oh gods... No, it can't be. I have feelings for both of these demon maids? Wh- What's wrong with me?! Such lustful thoughts are unbecoming of a nobl- no. They were the first two I saw whenever I awoke to this strange world. Perhaps these feelings will just subside with time. Though... Being around three beautiful women all of the time is just so obviously tempting sin.
He smiled to himself guiltily and looked down at the blue hair next to him. A blush rose to his face, and a final thought ran through his mind. It's true then. I am just the worst type of lustful human, aren't I? Craving the love of two people at the same time... Such a sinful existence. Pitiful. Unfair to them. And most of all, selfish. The smile quickly disappeared off of his face, though he didn't let go of her hand.
The rest of the walk was spent in a strange silence. It wasn't comfortable, yet it wasn't awkward either. It just existed. The front door to the mansion was opened, revealing Ram standing in the massive room. Rey's mind was far beyond, as it had been for the past ten minutes as they walked. He failed to let go of Rem's hand even when they walked into the mansion.
"Yo Ram! We're back with the mission complete!" Subaru was quick to give Ram a mock salute and a wide grin. The pink haired maid just huffed in response. "As if the mission could fail with Rem being in charge of it Barusu." Her eyes flicked down to Rey and her sister's hands being intertwined. Conflicting feelings swirled around her heart as she took in the sight. On one hand, she was happy for Rem. On the other, she was absolutely pissed to see a man holding her dear sister's hand. She decided to play it safe and act accordingly. "Just what do you think you're doing, violating my dear Rem like that?"
Rey seemed to have finally snapped out of it, and released Rem's hand as if it were coated in acid. "Ram! I- I- Would never even think about violating a woman! Especially when it comes to Rem!" Sweat suddenly started gathering at the corners of his brow as Ram marched up to him in anger. However before she could speak, Rem spoke for her. "Sister, please do not worry about me. I would not dare to intrude upon you two. After all, it is only right that you deserve to be happy." Now it was Ram's turn to flinch in surprise. "R-Rem, that is quite an inappropriate joke." It was the first time Rey had ever heard Ram trip over her words.
Shaking her head, Rem started up the stairs. "It was not a joke, sister." That was all she said before disappearing around a corner, leaving Subaru, Rey, and Ram all frozen where they stood. Ram looked over at Rey, livid. "Just what have you done to Rem?!" Rey put his hands up in defense. "Ram I just-" He looked over at Subaru before deciding to disguise his words. "I just tried to talk to her about what we spoke about earlier. And well- as you can tell I have failed miserably."
However, Subaru took this the wrong way. "No way! This is some kind of love triangle isn't it?! I knew it!" He pointed at Ram. "You love Rey don't you? Yet Rem also loves him, and he can only have one of you!" He started hugging himself in a weird fashion. "Oh to be part of a harem like back in those ecchi ecchi games!" Ram just punched Subaru in the chest, knocking the wind out of him. "You idiot, Barusu. Nothing in this world is as filthy as your presence."
As Subaru bent over in agony, he stared back up at Ram with a smile. "Yup... Tough.. Love as always...Ram!" Ram just glared at him even fiercer. "Leave Barusu. This has nothing to do with you." The wounded Subaru did just that, limping up the stairs in agony. She waited until his form disappeared around the corner before confronting Rey. "What did you say to Rem?" It wasn't a question, more of a demand.
Rey put up his hands in defense. "I- I just told her she's a wonderful person and she shouldn't hate herself. I said a lot more, but she insisted she was a horrible person because of what she felt on a certain night. She wouldn't elaborate further, but-"
"I know what she's talking about Rey. Rem will always be guilt ridden for what happened..." Ram interrupted, and now all of the rage had disappeared from her eyes. They stayed there in silence for a moment before Rey had to ask. "Just what did happen? Why does she hate herself Ram?" The pink haired demon frowned, and looked back up at Rey. "All you need to know is that our entire family was slaughtered by the witch cultists. And... I lost my horn that night while Rem watched.. She had a smile on her face whenever my horn was broken off." Tears threatened to fall out of her eyes as she continued.
"Throughout all of our life, Rem was belittled because of me. When twins are born in the demon society, they are usually killed as infants.." She walked over to the banister and leaned against it with a morbid look on her face. "Though I was a prodigy of our kind, destined to be one of the most powerful demons ever to exist. I saved our lives... Everyone expected Rem to be like me, and because of that she was constantly compared to me and expected to do things she just couldn't do. The constant pressure and belittling of her by our clan caused her to become reserved, and rarely show emotion other than sadness. Often times I know she would think that things would've been better off if she weren't born so I could have two horns... Or that it should've been her to lose her horn. But instead, her childhood was filled with nothing but everyone looking down on her while praising me. So when- When the source of her pain was finally removed she was happy, if only for a moment. However, once that moment was over she fell back into her pit of despair even deeper than last time. Rem has been trapped in that pit ever since."
She looked back up at Rey and leaned off of the banister, taking a few steps towards him. "That is until you showed up. After your... Incident with Rem, I could tell she changed once you two forgave each other. There was a certain spark to her eyes that I haven't seen in many years." A cold chill went throughout Rey's body. "Are you saying that- That she-"
"She's in love with you, idiot." Ram glared at him. "And yet you're so infatuated with me." Rey paled in horror. "You knew?" With a sigh, Ram folded her arms and shifted her weight to one side. "Of course I knew, idiot. You're about as readable as a child's fairy tale. At least, now you are. Before though-"
She shook her head. "Listen, I will never be with you. Not if it hurts Rem. I'd rather die than hurt Rem after her lifetime of pain. So hurry up and get your memories back." Without another word, Ram turned and went down a hallway on the ground floor.
Rey just stood there for a long moment in thought. God dammit... Why can't I remember anything?! I was a hunter god dammit! Frustration took root, and he stomped his way back up to his room. Trying to read was definitely not on his to do list tonight, so he just sat in his room brooding. A few hours passed as Rey just laid in his bed, furious at himself. I'm just causing trouble for Rem and Ram. Maybe I should just do my best to try and ignore my feelings for either of them..I truly am the lowest of the low, aren't I? A pampered noble boy who's had the easiest life imaginable. Now here I am, lusting over multiple women. Disgusting. Perhaps I should just go apologize to Rem and admit my sins. That way she should hate me instead of loving someone who doesn't deserve it.
It was decided. He sat up from his bed, intent on going to Rem's room which was halfway across the mansion. However as he stepped into the hallway, a voice filled his head. "Your fate has been decided then." An instant later, his body violently revolted against him. Pain and nausea overtook his every feeling, and he vomited on the floor. "Wh- What is going on?" With immense pain, Rey stumbled down the hallway towards Rem's room before vomiting again.
A stabbing feeling suddenly shot down his entire body, and he collapsed into his own vomit.
Memories surged through his mind, and once again Rey Faust took up the title of a Paleblood Hunter. "I- I remember... Everything. How fitting." He morbidly chuckled to himself as he managed to get to his feet and walk calmly down the hallway. Pain and fatigue plagued his every step, though that wasn't anything new to him. He coughed into his sleeve, unsurprised when it was coated in copious amounts of blood. "It won't be long now.."
The thoughts of his past few days drifted past his mind, thinking of all the naïve and foolish actions. "What an idiot. To be consumed by lust. Rey Faust, the nobleman truly is despicable. But still. He set out to do a job, and I will complete it as my final task." Less than a minute later, he reached his objective. He knocked on Rem's door, hacking and coughing into his sleeve once again. I sound just like Gilbert now.. Poor soul.
He could hear the pitter patter of bare feet running up to the door before it swung open, revealing a blue haired girl staring up at him in terror. Even with a horrific look on her face, he thought she was beautiful. I guess that useless noble really is me... He smiled at Rem, revealing a trail of blood emptying from his mouth. "I'm back- Rem." At that moment, his strength failed him. Rem gasped as he collapsed into her. With demonic strength, she was able to easily catch the taller man and gently lower him to the ground in her lap.
"R-Rey! What's wrong? What's happening?!" He smiled up at the blue beauty. "I've been cursed Rem. And I've remembered everything. Just in time- to die." He reached up and cupped her cheek affectionately. "Please Rem... Don't hate yourself anymore. You're a very gentle and kind soul... Just, think a little instead of acting on impulse for me, okay?" He let out a little laugh at that. Now tears were actively flowing out of Rem's eyes as she put her hand over the one cupping her cheek. "Please don't leave me Rey. For the first time in my life, something made me happy... And that something was you, even if you did love Sister."
"You're wrong."
Rem flinched from those words. "You're wrong, Rem. Rey Faust, the foolish noble may have loved Ram. But Rey Faust the hunter is different." Another cough, this time however Rey could feel he was on the edge of death's door. "Rem... It won't be long now. I don't dream anymore, so this time I'll stay dead... I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you in the future. But please... Live your life... To the fullest."
The very act of taking a breath was nearly impossible, and his vision started to fade. "I will, Rey. For you. I'll try to be happy! I'll live out my life without hating myself.." The last thing Rey felt was another person's lips on his before everything went black.