Re:Zero FF Beatrice Heart Crossing EX

Chapter 7: Easter Egg Hunt Shenanigans

The sun peeked across the horizon as rays of light scattered from beyond the curtains into the bedroom. Subaru softly exhaled from under the blankets as he remained engaged in his deep sleep. Suddenly, a loud slam echoed through the room closely followed by a mechanical clanking which caused the boy to roll from the bed and onto the floor. Landing less than gracefully on his back, he reached behind his head to inspect for injury and rubbed his scalp while he stirred from the floor. Taking a quick glance at the bed, Subaru noticed that Beatrice was nowhere to be found. This realization helped to alleviate the dwindling drowsiness and Subaru began to frantically seek out the small spirit. His question was quickly answered but created even more of a quandary as the misplaced girl was leaning against the bedroom door with a furious expression on her face. That in itself would not be cause for concern, but the current thoughts coming to his mind were exclusively in regards to her outfit. In lieu of her normal dresses, Beatrice had donned what appeared to be a white bunny suit complete with drooping ears and a plush tail. Where the rabbit's face would normally reside, the girl's head hung with a few strands of her golden hair visible. Even without the book present, Subaru knew that this had to be the work of a holiday related escapade.

Subaru: "Haah… Easter, right?"

Beatrice turned her head towards him in acknowledgement as she nodded. However, her mood seemed to remain seething which prompted Subaru to interrogate her further.

Subaru: "Beako? What is wrong?"

Beatrice: "That meddlesome maid, in fact..."

Seeing that the conversation was slowly moving nowhere, Subaru decided to seek out the head maid and get to the bottom of things. Yet, when Beatrice stepped aside and the boy reached for the door, he found it locked into place. Turning back to Beatrice with a puzzled look, Subaru continued to pry for information.

Subaru: "Beako. Did Adie lock you in here?"

Meeting his gaze with a grimace, the small spirit spat out her reply.

Beatrice: "I simply approached her about preparations for today, in fact!"

Subaru narrowed his eyes as he observed the girl turn away from his eye contact.

Subaru: "Huh… What is happening today?"

Stomping across the room in her bunny suit, Beatrice retrieved the holiday book and thrusted it into Subaru's hands as she pointed at small caricatures of various treats alongside brightly colored eggs. A familiar rabbit was displayed next to an explanation of the holiday, which Beatrice excitedly tapped with her finger.

Beatrice: "An Easter egg hunt, I suppose! I asked Adella about it yesterday, in fact!"

Subaru: "Okay, okay! I guess that explains the costume… If Adie had hidden the eggs, then why would she lock you in here… Wait."

Subaru eyed the girl suspiciously which caused Beatrice to turn a rosy hue as she pouted.

Subaru: "So you woke up early to see where Adie was going to hide the eggs so you could get as many sweets as possible, right? That's why she locked you in here."

Beatrice stomped her foot in agitation while she tried to deny the accusations.

Beatrice: "N-no! I simply approached her to provide assistance, in fact! Betty is a kind spirit, I suppose!"

Subaru: "You're a bad liar, Beako."

Beatrice: "Betty is not a liar, in fact!"

As the couple continued their squabble, the bedroom door made a clicking noise before swinging open. Adella nonchalantly strolled into the room and approached her masters with a cheerful grin before speaking.

Adella: "Good morning, Master Subaru! I assume Lady Beatrice has had time to reflect on her actions?"

Pivoting away from Beatrice, Subaru addressed Adella in an exasperated tone. The small spirit showed no signs of acknowledging the head maid.

Subaru: "I don't know about that… But, I take it that we're having an Easter egg hunt?"

Adella: "Indeed! I have hidden eggs all around the castle. I took the liberty of hand painting wooden eggs before filling them with some homemade sweets. I doubt Lady Beatrice would consume a hard boiled egg."

Subaru: "That's probably a good call. I'm sure she will be in a better mood once she gets some sweets. I'll get dressed and be down soon."

Beatrice nodded in affirmation while she continued her show of purposely ignoring Adella. Before Subaru could turn away, Adella audibly cleared her throat in an attempt to draw his attention.

Subaru: "Huh? Something wrong?"

Adella: "I went through the trouble of preparing Lady Beatrice's outfit. I was hoping you would wear one as well."

Subaru: "You don't mean…"

Deftly moving into the hallway, Adella reappeared holding another bunny costume that was similar to Beatrice's. Subaru thought to balk at the offering but the dangerous aura emanating from the head maid informed him that his attempt would be in vain. After putting her machinations into motion, Adella herded the two bunnies downstairs and the group reconvened in the foyer as the head maid explained the rules.

Adella: "You both look adorable! This will be quite fun. As I stated earlier, I have hidden eggs all about the castle on this floor. You two are to gather as many as you can."

Her attention snared by the temptation of sweets, Beatrice began to consider ways that she could collect all the eggs in the least amount of time. The idea dawned on her to utilize her mana, which caused her to snicker under her breath. As if privy to her thoughts, Adella spoke in a stern voice.

Adella: "Lady Beatrice, could you please disable magic use in the building?"

Beatrice: "Irk!? W-why… yes, of course, I suppose…"

The small spirit felt a tinge of guilt as she snapped her fingers and her mana disappeared from the castle. Visibly excited, Adella continued her explanation.

Adella: "Wonderful! Now, I believe a small contest is in order. I have hidden an odd number of eggs. Whoever brings back the most eggs, will receive a special treat!"

In spite of her previous embarrassment, Beatrice's eyes brightened at the new information as visions of cakes and candies passed through her head. Adella, however, was more concerned with a certain boy who was standing silently with his arms crossed.

Adella: "Master Subaru? Is there something you do not understand?"

Subaru: "Adie. Why do I have to do this? It's kinda… childish…"

Adella: "Nonsense! Think of it as a bonding experience!"

Subaru sighed as he relented in the face of the cheery head maid and his drooling girlfriend.

Adella: "Now, with no further questions! Take a basket and begin!"

And so, the two hunters took their baskets from Adella and began their search. The hiding spots proved to be mundane, yet Subaru collected them nonetheless. As he approached the tea room, he saw the pastel colors of a hand painted shell visible from beneath the couch. Bending over to collect the prize, he was interrupted by a familiar giggle as Beatrice darted between his legs and eagerly tossed the egg into her basket.

Subaru: "Hey! That one was mine!"

Paying him no mind, Beatrice moved along with a dazzling smile that left Subaru dumbstruck. Perhaps there was merit to this exercise after all? Putting on a determined smile, Subaru chased after Beatrice as the two dove past each other in an attempt to gather eggs. The small spirit reached out to retrieve an egg from the tea set when Subaru gently brushed against her hand with his, causing her to retract it.

Subaru: "This is no time to be embarrassed, Beako!"

Beatrice: "S-such a crude animal, in fact!"

The boy stuck out his tongue, as he took advantage of Beatrice's bashfulness and placed the egg she had targeted into his basket. Directing a glare in his direction, the girl proceeded to give chase. Despite their heated competition, the couple shared laughs while tumbling around the castle. Before long, their baskets had become heavy and the couple sat and began to count their trophies. Subaru was the first to announce his results.

Subaru: "20! Can you beat that?"

Shuffling her eggs around, Beatrice looked at Subaru with fiery eyes.

Beatrice: "Betty also has 20, I suppose."

Meeting each other with furrowed brows, they each jumped from the floor and began to run through the castle once again. After reconfirming that they had cleared all the rooms, the hunters returned to the foyer to inquire with Adella. However, the head maid was nowhere to be found. As Subaru scratched his head in confusion, Beatrice noticed something odd about the front door.

Beatrice: "Ah!"

Quickly covering her mouth, Beatrice noticed that a solitary golden egg sat atop the threshold. Seeing that Subaru was otherwise distracted by the head maid's absence, the girl sneakily approached the door. However, given the height of the large castle doors, Beatrice could not hope to reach the egg in question. She began to consider the possibility of climbing, when Subaru's voice rang out from behind her.

Subaru: "Huh, so that's where it is!"

Jumping from the floor, Subaru swiped his arm at the egg to no avail. It's placement proved to be inaccessible, even with his height advantage. Before he could formulate an alternative plan, he felt a weight impact his back and a pair of hands claw at his shoulders. In her excitement, Beatrice had jumped on his back and was trying to use him as a makeshift ladder. With no other options available, Subaru backed away from the door and called out to his passenger.

Subaru: "Beako…"

With crimson cheeks, Beatrice meekly answered from her position on his back.

Beatrice: "W-what…"

Subaru: "I think… we have to… work together."

Beatrice looked at the egg and back to Subaru a few times before responding.

Beatrice: "Indeed… Betty hates to admit it, but she may need your assistance, I suppose."

Nodding in response, Subaru walked to a spot directly under the egg and gave his instructions to Beatrice.

Subaru: "Climb up to my shoulders, I'll support you."

Subaru used his hands to stabilize Beatrice as she clambered up to his shoulders. The girl extended her hand and found the egg within her grasp. Subaru held her ankles as she made the final push to grab the egg.

Beatrice: "Almost, got it… There! AHH!"

With the egg in her hands, Beatrice awkwardly teetered forward as her balance gave way. In the same moment that her body slipped from his shoulders, Subaru leaned backwards and swiftly caught Beatrice by her waist. The light weight of her small frame caused Subaru to blush as he lowered Beatrice to the floor as he spoke.

Subaru: "Whew… You gave me a scare there, Beako."

Beatrice remained still as her face filled with heat and her heart started to race. Yet this was no time to be flustered, she thought. Turning to face Subaru, she blurted her reply.

Beatrice: "I have to assume this was all part of that maid's plan, in fact. Even so… Thank you, I suppose…"

Subaru: "Beako-"

Beatrice: "T-time to reveal the special prize, in fact!"

Shaking her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts, she excitedly broke the egg apart to reveal a small slip of paper. Taking it in her hands, Beatrice read its message aloud.

Beatrice: "It seems you found the real prize, working together and having fun!"

The room went silent as the couple looked at each other with blank stares.

Subaru: "That's a load of…"

Beatrice: "Nonsense, in fact!"

Grabbing their baskets, the couple dashed up the stairs to confront Adella about her lackluster prize. Not finding her in her chambers, they returned to their bedroom. As they opened the door, the scene stopped them in their tracks. Sitting on the bed were two large stuffed rabbits and a tray of small cakes with another note. Beatrice immediately began to peruse the cakes with wide eyes as Subaru picked up the note and began to read it.

Subaru: "Your distrust has paid off! I have ventured to the village to hide eggs for the children. My final gift to you is a quiet morning to enjoy your rewards. Happy Easter!"

Subaru was unable to hide his smile as he made a promise to thank Adella upon her return. They had been dancing in the palm of her hand the entire morning, but her heartfelt surprise was touching nonetheless. Beatrice seemed to share Subaru's sentiment as she looked at him with pleading eyes while restraining herself from indulging in the treats. Subaru rolled his eyes as he smiled at her and spoke.

Subaru: "No need to wait, Adie wanted us to enjoy ourselves."

Beatrice: "But… Betty was quite rude to her, I suppose…"

Subaru: "I don't think she minds… If anything, she loves watching your reactions. But if you still feel bad, how about we clean up the castle before she gets back? We did run all over the place earlier…"

Beatrice: "Indeed. We shall clean the entire building, in fact! Then Betty will not be indebted, I suppose!"

With that, Subaru and Beatrice shared warm smiles before opening their eggs and partaking of the bounty within. They ate candies and cakes until their stomachs were full and then proceeded to tidy up the castle. As they worked together in their bunny costumes they looked back fondly on the events of the morning. Happy that they had new memories to share with one another and thankful for a faithful steward that continued to support them.

Chapter 7 End

Happy Easter!

A short word from the author:

Hello again! I finished posting the final chapters of the main series today. Wow. It has been a fulfilling 24 weeks since I began writing this fic and I want to thank everyone who took the time to read. My beta readers, the reviewers, the current followers, continuing readers, and brand new readers. All of you were an integral part of molding this story and made it all worth the effort. As I switch this story to the "complete" status, I am filled with pride and some sadness. Even though this Beatrice story is over, I will continue to write. I plan to focus on building some original work via my wattpad under the same author name. Hopefully, in the future, I can circle back and add some more fics to this site as well. I appreciate all your support.

As always, thanks for reading.

-mangocannon