''So...nobody stays in any of these rooms?''
The pair of silver were strolling down the long hallways of the mansion, the young boy admiring the intricate detailing littering the walls, the various ornaments and decorations scattered throughout it and the vast, uncountable number of identical white doors. Emilia was naturally walking slightly ahead, guiding the befuddled and clueless Subaru who looked frankly lost; a home of this size was absolutely alien to the child who was familiar and comfortable with his quaint village life.
Slightly overenthusiastic, Emilia fired everything she knew about the place at a dazed Subaru, every word she spoke shocking him further and further until his little brain felt like it could pop.
''Well, yeah, but that's because we don't get any guests, and we don't actually have anyone but us who lives here as a resident...it's a lonely mansion,'' Emilia admitted, much to Subaru's confusion.
''You're telling me that, despite living in a mansion with hundreds of massive rooms, you have...how many residents again?'' he quipped, gliding his hazel eyes over the various flower arrangements sat in cerulean vases.
''Hmmm...seven, including us, I think,'' Emilia said, ''But we hardly ever see Beatrice,'' she added under her breath, grasping Subaru's attention, his eyes snapping to the back of her head once again.
''Beatrice? Who is that, is she a maid like Frederica or the twins?'' he pressed, his inquisitions eliciting Emilia to turn her head, meeting Subaru's confused gaze with a mischievous smile.
''No, no silly, she would probably chop your head off if she heard you call her as such,'' Emilia giggled, the look of sheer terror on Subaru's face extremely funny at first but her heart dropped when she noticed that Subaru... had stopped in his tracks.
''Subaru,'' she timidly asked, turning and running back to the shaking boy, who was digging his fingernails into his palms. ''Nonono Subaru I'm sorry,'' she whispered, regret swelling within her entire soul.
Pulling him into a careful, considerate embrace, she gently apologised to his shaking form, deeply regretting that she had forgotten his lingering mental trauma. She knew she didn't deserve to touch him after what she had literally just said, but she knew this calmed him down before. She couldn't lose the only boy who would ever even consider thinking about being even acquainted with her over such a careless joke.
''S-Subaru, I'm sorry, Beatrice wouldn't dare hurt you, especially not with me here,'' she reassured, letting the boy cry into her shoulder, careful to let him feel her warmth, her regret, her apologies.
''Ah… I am, but,'' Subaru stuttered, Emilia biting her lip to stop herself from crying as well, her careless use of an obvious trigger word causing a very avoidable mess. Subaru had every right to be frightened, he had spent the last few hours being reassured he would be one hundred percent safe only to be told a random resident would kill him over a trivial matter. What was she thinking, to be so careless, to think for herself rather than this vulnerable boy...Emilia had messed up big time, and all she could do was give him a hug and tell him everything is going to be alright.
''Pathetic, just how pathetic can I get,'' she thought, berating herself.
''I-I don't want her to hurt me, Lia, I-I didn't mean to offend a-anyone,'' Subaru choked into her shoulder, moving his arms at his side to her back, playing with her hair, twirling it around his fingertips. Subaru genuinely was scared, his unfamiliar environment and dependence on the girl in his arms creating a painful but unavoidable sense of fear, one which was hidden by his comfort but emerged the minute he was reminded of that outside the safety of that bedroom.
''I promise you, Natsuki Subaru, Betty wouldn't hurt a fly, especially a...friend…of my Lia,'' An unfamiliar voice called out, Subaru's face jerking up from Emilia's wet shoulder to catch the culprit.
The chirpy, energetic voice took them both by surprise, but Emilia quickly realised just who it was, stroking the grey cat softly with her left hand,
''Good evening Puck, you're right, I promise it was nothing but a bad joke Subaru, I'm sure Beatrice would rather like to meet you, maybe, just a little, I think,'' she said desperately, her voice shaky, praying her spirit could stop the situation from devolving any further than it already had. ''Beatrice is just a little girl, after all.''
Through nervous breaths, Subaru stuttered, ''B-But you...you said she would, you...I,''
''Subaru, I'm so sorry...it was just a joke and I-''
''You promise you'll protect me?'' he begged, his frame still shaking in her arms, flashes of trauma poking the restless memories which wreaked havoc in his delicate mind.
''Yes, of course I promise, I'd never let a soul lay a finger on you,'' she said tenderly, pulling away, wiping the once-again-fading tears from his sharp eyes, flashing him a cheesy grin.
Emilia was sure, no certain, that Subaru was putting on a brave face, his eyes were scared, she had, for lack of a better word, screwedscrewdfucked up. Her mind searched for a distraction, unable to simply let her mistakes' consequences lay trapped within the boy's conscience.
''Also,'' she chirped, a sudden surge of excitement bursting through Emilia's veins, jumping on the spot as she presented the smug-looking cat now sat in her outstretched hands. ''This is Puck, my spirit partner, he's the super-duper cool Great Spirit of Fire, and he's also super soft and fluffy,''
Emilia's elated bragging drew nothing but laughter from the two boys, the tattered mess of a situation thrust into the past as Puck floated up to the surprised Subaru, whose face was adorned with a gentle smile.
''Hey Subaru, nice to meet ya!'' Puck started, gliding around the bewildered Subaru's head as he chirped his introduction. ''I'm Puck, it's a pleasant surprise to see somebody like Lia around these parts, she has never had any friends so it's a pretty welcomed change.''
Reaching out to stroke the fluffy fur of the floating spirit, Subaru repaid Puck's self-introduction:
''My mother used to talk to the spirits, nice to meet you, Pu-WAIT WHAT?!,'' he screamed as the Spirit settled into his open palms, a shocking revelation hitting the young boy.
'G-G-Great S-Spirit...Fire, Puck-sama, It's an honour,'' Subaru stuttered, the name Emilia spewed so casually sending shockwaves coursing through his body, unable to form a cohesive sentence as his entire world was flipped upside down for the seemingly hundredth time today. ''T-To think, to think I'd be able to meet such a noble being, oh if my mother were here to see this, she would be grovelling on her knees.''
Subaru's utter exuberance, sheer infatuation, and complete deference towards the chuckling spirit was met with a smug smile from the young girl, his besotted expression becoming increasingly amusing the longer he stared at the creature in his hands.
''Was your mother a user of the spiritual arts, Subaru?'' Emilia questioned, intrigued.
''U-Uh yes, she was contracted with various spirits and took me to speak with them regularly, the Great Spirits to my mother were highly important,'' Subaru said with pride, sticking his chest out with a look of cheeky satisfaction painted on his face.
''I see, well Puck did tell me you had a rather high affinity for spirits,'' she pondered, perking Subaru's interest.
''Yeah, but I'm waiting for the perfect spirit before I make a contract,'' he admitted before another grossly shocking revelation hit him head-on:
''H-he is...so...fluffy,'' he gasped, eyes wide as he ruffled the puffy tufts of white hair poking from his feline ears. ''Y-You get to...you get to stroke this every day?'' he enquired desperately to the sniggering Emilia, the entire situation far too funny for her to handle.
''Yep, I get aaall the Puck privileges,'' she grinned, delighted that Subaru was laughing, joking along...although she doubted his reaction to Puck's fur was a joke. She noted how freely he held Puck, despite his comical levels of regard for her spirit he still held such a powerful being with near-practised comfort. The prospect of his spiritual affinity being high only just now registered in her mind, his reverence and respect for the title Puck held further intriguing Emilia as he was clearly well versed and knowledgeable about the spirit.
''No fair, share some with me, pretty please,'' Subaru pouted, massaging the cat in his hands with absolute dedication, delicate movements absorbing the feeling of pure bliss on his fingertips.
''Hmmmm, if you let me plait your hair, deal,'' Emilia bargained, a smug grin plastered to her dainty features. ''It's only fair, you can't have hair like that and not let me play with it.''
''Deal, I get to play with Puck's marvellous fur and you can...wait do what with my hair?'' Subaru queried, Emilia's words only just processing in his brain.
''Plait it, you know, do the thing Puck does with my hair,'' she said, pointing to the intricate braid crowning her head, the handiwork of her spirit: ''I want to try to do it with your hair, pretty please?''
Dumbfounded, Subaru reached behind his head, pulling a gathering of silver strands in front of his face, feeling it between his fingers, ''Y-You really wan-''
''Yes, absolutely,'' Emilia laughed, deadly serious about her goal, staring at the bewildered Subaru with absolute sincerity. ''I really want to.''
Emilia's strange enthusiasm rendered both Puck and Subaru in a state of total shock, Puck never even considering that she would want to do something like this.
''L-Lia...where did this come from?'' he questioned, confused at his daughter's sudden infatuation with such a trivial matter. ''Are you getting enough sleep, you don't even know how to style a person's hair,'' he giggled, Emilia's pout showing her admittance.
''Well, I just think it would be nice, you know? You always do mine for me, so what harm does playing with Subaru's do?'' she retorted, refusing to back down, ''After all, it's very pret-''
''That's enough, I get it, I think we've wasted enough time here,'' interrupted Puck. ''Shouldn't you two be making your way to dinner?''
''Y-Yes, sorry, come along Subaru,'' Emilia stammered, taking Subaru's hand and dragging him down the hallway until they reached the grand staircase, which made Subaru slightly nauseous.
''Woah, Emilia calm down, you nearly pulled my arm off,'' Subaru shouted, snapping Emilia out of her frenzy and back into reality.
''They'll be waiting, it's just down this staircase, remember to address Roswaal politely and eat your greens, mister,'' Emilia instructed, before turning to face Subaru, her tone much softer, ''And Subaru, if he asks you anything you don't want to answer, then you do not answer it, just listen to what he has to say, okay?''
''Um, yes, okie,'' he nodded back, smiling at her grace and sincerity. ''Emilia...I'm nervous.''
With a light hum, Emilia grasped his empty hands and stared into his hazel eyes, her amethyst orbs conveying infinite amounts of emotion.
''Subaru, I promise this will be the best news you have ever heard, just listen to Roswaal, enjoy your meal, I'll be next to you,'' she reassured, before turning and leading him down the staircase, careful not to slip on the crimson carpet slithering down the stairs, something she had done before.
Subaru couldn't help but let his eyes wander around the room once again, the grand foyer of the mansion so fantastically spectacular that his humble mind once more struggled to truly grasp the true beauty of the labyrinthine detailing of gold and white scattered over the monstrous, towering walls.
''It's ridiculous, I know,'' Emilia uttered, ''it still makes me uncomfortable being in such a lavish home, and I've been here for a few weeks now.''
''Yeah, I think your bedroom is bigger than my entire house was,'' Subaru chuckled back,
''You should have seen mine back in the forest,'' Emilia sighed, the thought of her short time with Puck in the forest thrusting her into the depths of memory before Subaru's confused sigh snapped her back into reality.
''I've heard you mention a forest a few times, but you never told me anything about it,'' he complained, making Emilia smile thoughtfully,
''Elior forest was my home, it's a pretty long story but I'd be happy to tell you over dinner,'' she said with a grin, nodding her head towards the two large mahogany doors they were strolling towards, Emilia untangling her hand from his to adjust the hairpin she adorned.
''You know pretty much everything about my home,'' Subaru chuckled, ''You're gonna have to spill the beans, Emilia!''
''It was pretty boring, I hope you like hearing about cashew nuts,'' admitted Emilia, taking a deep breath before gripping the aureate door handles in her lissom hands, signalling for Subaru to step inside with her, breaking the seal of the ballroom-sized dining room.
Four identical rectangular windows painted the wall opposite the door, streaks of fading sunlight grasping on for hope as they pierced the vast panes of glass.
An extensive dining table, coated in an ivory-toned tablecloth graced with snaking golden embroidery, sat comfortably in the centre of the grand room - thirty-two identical chairs spaced evenly underneath, two occupied.
At the head of the table, resting his chin on his slender hands, staring cunningly at the pair of half-elves emerging from the once-closed door, sat Roswaal L. Mathers, his clownlike demeanour striking Emilia, Subaru and Puck with an uncomfortable sense of unease.
He eyed them carefully, wandering into their eyes, defiling their very souls with his crushing gaze, his firm smile etched onto his face driving the discomfort up further. His heterochromatic eyes were drowned in a cat-like slyness, his deviant plots hidden behind his indecipherable expression.
He remained seated as they sauntered into the room, avoiding the probing eyes of the mage, Emilia resuming her usual seat just by the door, inviting Subaru to take his next to her. Puck settled on Emilia's shoulder, passing Roswaal a glare, as to warn him to back off, to calm his plotting, to treat them like children, not tools.
Subaru settled into his seat, running his eyes past the caparisoned Roswaal, but also the uncomfortable, irritated-looking young girl planted in the seat opposite his, her striking blue eyes graced with unique butterfly-shaped pupils carefully observing him. Her gaze was not harsh and obnoxious like the clown's but cautious, contemplative, perhaps a little surprised...but it was not a negative glare.
His eyes met hers momentarily before they both averted their gazes, the girl noticing the grey spirit perched on Emilia's shoulder, a wide childish smile forming on her cute face as he floated over to her.
''Hey Betty, fancy seeing you here,'' Puck chirped, falling into the girl's open clutches. ''I wonder what brought you out of the library?''
With a pout and a stout 'hmph', she stroked his ears with practised precision, ''Why should that matter, I suppose. Betty just wanted to come see Bubby, in fact,'' she declared.
''Who is that, Emilia?'' Subaru whispered to a smiling Emilia, finding the interaction between her spirit and the girl adorable.
''That's Beatrice, the girl I told you about before, she's Puck's sister,'' Emilia explained.
''Sister? Isn't she a human though?'' he inquired, confused as to why the very human-looking Beatrice could be called the sister of a spirit like Puck.
''No, Beatrice is an artificial spirit, created by the same person as Puck,'' she corrected.
''I guess that isn't the most peculiar thing I've heard today, she seems to really like Puck though,'' Subaru chortled,
''Hmn, she only really comes out of the Forbidden Library to see him, it's cute,'' Emilia said, glowing Subaru a smile before a strange man finally spoke up, catching the attention of both elven kids.
''It's nice to seeeee you again, Subaru-samaaaa, I do hope you're well?'' Roswaal started, buying a small, nervous smile from Subaru.
''I'm sure you're awaaaare, but I have some veeeery important news to tell you,'' Roswaal said, a serious look forming on his painted face, ''It regards youuuur future, so listen closely.''
At the sound of his future being mentioned, Subaru's heart dropped, the serious looks of his peers only driving his paranoia up further. Future. Subaru was rescued by a nobleman...his time was money, and he had wasted a lot of his time and resources by simply existing within his mansion, never mind the entire day he wasted by occupying Roswaal's maids.
Subaru gulped subconsciously, fear plastered on his face, his mind racing. He had debt...he hadn't once considered that he was fully at the mercy of the mage, but now he was sat there, preparing to hear the words he expected, the words that would give him what he truly deserved…
Hard labour. Used for experimentation. Sold to slavery. Roswaal had many, many potential ways for Subaru to repay his debt, and each and every one of them flowed through his mind as he sat in silence, hands folded in his lap, eyes fixed to the table. He clenched his jaw, trying his best to remain calm, unwilling to break down here. That would only irritate Roswaal. He clenched his fists when the echo of Roswaal's throat suddenly being cleared rung out in the room, his pierrot-like voice grinding through Subaru's eardrums:
''Subaru-samaaaa, as Margrave of the Mathers domain and Rooooyal Court Mage of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugnica,'' he announced, locking eyes with the intimidated Subaru, tone steady and commanding, ''My wish is to have you knighted uuuunder the service of the Roooyal Guard of Lugnica, and I sweaaaar to use my every resource to make that a reality.''
Silence. The room was silent, aside from one little girl, bubbling with sheer untouched pride. Subaru's jaw was hung open, Roswaal's plan so ridiculously obscene that Subaru refused to take him seriously for even a moment.
He was a foreigner. He was an elf. He was a half-elf. He had no contracted spirits, nor did he know any offensive magic. His hair was of silver, his blood tainted and impure. He was sheltered in the throes of the mountains for his entire life, and Roswaal had known him for no less than a day.
What in the Dragon's name the fuck was he on about?!
Subaru couldn't even force a smile. He was being fucked with one hundred percent. No sane man would take in five demihumans, two of them hated by the entire world, and then strive to make the same two beings cursed by fate itself people of political and social significance.
Knight? Fuck off, old man. It was common knowledge Lugnica was the most discriminatory country in the world, him simply being within its borders was spectacularly terrifying, beyond the usual limits of 'scared' or 'nervous'. Roswaal...wanted to knight him. He could give him a decade and he would never get close.
''Are you kidding me?'' Subaru deadpanned, unamused at Roswaals...clowning.
''Why woooould I joke about such an impooortant matter, Subaru-sama?'' replied Roswaal, his face remaining serious, stern.
''With all due respect, my lord,'' he mocked, ''you must be rubbing it in, the fact that I'm a demi-human, no? Because I'm not even from here and I know there isn't a chance in hell I could ever dream of becoming a knight of the state,'' he growled, his irritation clear as day, a mortified Emilia now still in her seat.
He roughly grabbed a lock of his long silver hair, pointing to it with his free hand, ''you see this? They'll have my head if they see me, like my parents, like my friends!'' he shouted to the Margrave, who hadn't moved an inch, his untouchable, firm expression holding firm.
''Roswaal do you even understand what you just sa-''
''Subaru-samaaaa, I assure you my word is genuine and truuuuuue, making you a kingdom knight would be mutually beneficial for the pair of uuuuus,'' Roswaal said, cutting Subaru off, ''we have neeeearly seven years, you have my absoluuute faaaaith.''
''A-And mine too!'' Emilia chirped, a desperate smile on her face. ''Subaru, imagine how incredible...how amazing it would be for a half-elf to hold such an incredible title,'' she beamed, Subaru's downtrodden expression not shifting.
''Faith or not, people still hate us, there is no way I'd be accepted, I'd be training for nothing, training to be laughed at, beaten and probably killed…'' he muttered, tears forming at the corners of his sharp hazel eyes.
Emilia had no words, for he was right, but the clown heading the table was still unmoved, a smirk edging onto his mouth, his demeanour the definition of calm. Roswaal reached his hand into his elaborate garments, fishing something out before hiding it under the table. With practised ease, he swiftly uprooted from his seat, his gait confident and sanguine as he strolled to where Subaru sat, sliding something before him before swiftly returning to his seat, allowing the children to observe his gift uninterrupted.
Befuddled, Subaru and Emilia could only stare in confusion, first at Roswaal's sudden and inexplicable movement but then at the small object he slipped in front of the boy.
A singular, palm-sized book, no more than two inches thick, its leather covers a deep cardinal red. Threads of gold broke the purity of the solid red, snaking in tangled patterns, forming a rectangular border of gorgeous, eye-catching detail.
Subaru gingerly ran his slender fingers over the embossed detailing, feeling the soft grain of the expensive leather, it's cold firmness confirming to Subaru that it was genuine. He cast his mind back to the grand encyclopaedia his father owned, one encompassing the entirety of Elven history within its pages, the leather cover not too dissimilar to the alien book sat in front of him, ambiguous in the flesh.
When his father placed said book of knowledge in front of him many moons ago, his confusion was akin to his current bewilderment, a stark lack of explanation about anything leaving Subaru sat staring blankly at the man, begging for him to speak, to explain his peculiar behaviours.
Staring at Roswaal with an impatient questioning, he took the book up in his left hand, muttering:
''Roswaal...what does this have to do with anything. How will this make me a Knight, make me slightly less hated by literally the entire world?'' he begged, desperately wanting an explanation, a reason for the mage's unamusing joking.
''My Subaru-samaaaaa, please have some faith in meeeee,'' Roswaal grinned, much to Subaru's increasing displeasure. ''The book, open it.''
With a sigh, Subaru placed the book between himself and Emilia, sweeping his palm over the cover as to brush imaginary dust away, before carefully flipping the cover, revealing the first of many thin cream pages, littered with sprawling black characters.
Both Subaru and Emilia took a short moment to register the text, before once again eyeballing the man heading the table, awaiting his explanation, Subaru's patience slowly reaching its boiling point once again, the words gracing the first page telling them both a whole lot more about the book than they had anticipated.
''Roswaal-sama, this is...isn't this...how do you have this?'' Emilia inquired, unsure as to why and how Roswaal had such a book in his possession.
The red book, something which could fit inside one's breast pocket, contained words which blew Emilia away, and almost winded Subaru. But the one person in the room who was most surprised was none other than a petite, twin-drilled little girl, who had ceased cuddling with the grey kitten spirit and simply sat, utterly flabbergasted at the sight of the red tome before the children.
With a firm and commanding voice, Beatrice directed her words towards a smiling Roswaal: ''Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers, if my eyes do not deceive me, you have a lot of explaining to do, I suppose. That book has not been seen in three hundred and eighty years, in fact.'' she growled, face twisted in a sudden amalgamation of fear, confusion, and sheer anger.
''Roswaal...Is this real?'' Subaru added, the sheer audacity of Roswaal now becoming comical.
''I assuuuure you, that book is exactly what you think it is,'' Roswaal assured, much to the horror of Beatrice, who stood up, slamming her small fists on the table, disrupting the pristine table cloth.
''Roswaal, how did you get this?! Do you understand that this has been sought by the elves and humans since it was supposedly lost in the fire of the great Gustekan archive? How, just how long have you had this, I suppose?'' Beatrice demanded, to which an abused Roswaal merely chuckled, his answer simple,
''I have been seeeeking one of the tomes for many years, and I simply encouuuuntered upon one of greater rarity,''
''That doesn't answer my question, in fact!'' Beatrice replied, ''You know damn well that there is only a single copy of that book, how and where did you find it,''
At the mage and the spirit's heated argument, Subaru and Emilia could only sit and stare in shock, Emilia gently shutting the book in front of them, pushing it further onto the table. Puck hadn't told her much, but the fourteen tomes of greater magic was a subject she eagerly consumed, each of her magical textbooks always containing at least one lesson on their history.
''Aaaaas you said, it was in Gusteko. I happened to find it wheeeeen I was there on business a matter of weeks agooooo,'' Roswaal explained, earning a 'tch' from Beatrice and a look of disapproval.
''You found a book of legend by chance, and I'm supposed to believe that, I suppose?'' Beatrice scorned, ''Roswaal you're a clever man but everything has fallen into place much too nicely, in fact.''
''Maaaaany of my recent encouuuunters have been by chance, eeeeveryone but Emilia-sama is here by the haaaands of fate,'' Roswaal said, ''In my seaaaarch for a tooooome, I encouuuuntered the maids, and when I found my prize, Suuuuubaru-sama fell to me.''
''Why did you even want a tome, in fact?'' Beatrice questioned,
''I aaaaam a greeeedy man, and possessing such a valuable book wouuuuld only be a positive,'' he replied, ''I may not be aaaable to read past the cover, but I have gooood reason to believe someone here, namely Subaru-sama, could,'' he continued, turning his gaze to Subaru, who returned it with disgust.
''Why would I be able to read one of the books which contain spells powerful enough to be forbidden,'' Subaru scowled, like everyone else in the room, aside from Roswaal and Puck, he was extraordinarily suspicious. Roswaal seemed to know exactly how his stars would align, and it made Subaru feel nauseous.
''It's not guaranteeeeed, but suuuuurely a half-elf who possesses the rare affinity for yin magic would have a chaaaaaance, no?'' Roswaal reasoned, ''I dooooo admit Subaru-sama, I probably wouldn't have saaaaved you in the snow if you weren't a child of such untaaaaaped potential,'' he admitted, feigning a look of guilt.
Emilia shot the mage a scowl, his brutal honesty sending pangs of disgust down Emilia's spine, Roswaal's words unsettling her, demonstrating his killer dedication and focus. A dedication sharp enough that he would let a boy die, had he not been the perfect candidate.
Choosing to ignore Roswaal's admittance that he wouldn't have saved him had he been anyone else, Subaru glanced over to Beatrice,
''I know we haven't spoken before, but you seem to know a lot more about this book than is common knowledge, do you not?''
''Aside from the fact that I know a single Tome of Fire, a single tome of Water and a pair of Earth Tomes are in the library of the Royal Palace, and that the last man to hold the Yin Tome died in Gusteko nearly four hundred years ago, I know just as much as you do, in fact.''
'' This very tome was something my father spoke about like it was a religious text, Roswaal is this really the genuine one?'' Subaru asked, slowly calming down, realising that, however unlikely, Roswaal probably did stumble upon it by chance.
'Yes, one hundreeeed percent real,'' Roswaal smiled.
Subaru may have been calmer, but Emilia was slowly realising just what Roswaal had brought in front of them. Simultaneously, Subaru also realised just what Roswaal intended to do with the tome, assuming Subaru could read it.
Roswaal was so confident that he could make Suabru a knight, because he had access to one of the greatest magical texts in existence. A text forged In a deep and distant history, part of the quest to scribe the world's magical knowledge, one of fourteen books: three of fire, three of water, three of earth, three of wind and then one each of yin and yang that was written, imbued with the magic of their contents, detailing even the most advanced, powerful, and dangerous of magics.
''And if the child can read it, you expect him to use it, in fact?'' Beatrice scowled,
''Of couuuuurse, it would be waaaaasted potential, should I refuse him the knowledge inside that boooook,'' Roswaal retorted, his voice dancing giddily, the potential the book held in Subaru's hands was great.
''B-But it's a book containing some of the most powerful yin spells in existence,'' Beatrice shouted, startling the youthful pair opposite her, ''the boy, Subaru you called him, he probably doesn't even know his magical affinity is yin anyway, in fact!''
''Personaaaally, I think it's up to Subaru himself, no? Should he wish to taaaake the book, it would provide him magical knowledge, but no physical beeeenefit,'' Roswaal explained. ''His journey would simply become mooooore defined, he would staaaand a chance.''
''And anyway Beatrice, you know full well the spells she created were never scribed,'' Roswaal whispered, all traces of his vocal quirk gone, his sternness instructing Beatrice to keep quiet herself.
''I think Subaru should have his own say, it's not fair to make him do things he doesn't want to,'' Emilia interjected, softly glancing at Subaru who had a look of worry and intimidation plastered on his face. ''Subaru has earned his say in the matter, i understand your worry Lady Beatrice but this book is one of legend, and a similar book has been used to crown ourt king for generations, so what's the bother?''
Dejectedly, Beatrice shook her head, a slight smile turning on her face ''well, shall he choose to and be of the ability to read such a sacred text, why not, I suppose?'' Beatrice admitted, ''what do you say Bubby?''
The great spirit had remained quiet and docile throughout the entirety of the debate, but he had been eyeing the man he distrusted so heavily with admiration, swiftly agreeing with Beatrice ''whatever Lia wants I want...if she believes Subaru should choose his fate then why not, I say?''
At her spirit's words, Emilia's face bursted in giddy delight, the general opinion of the room falling equal to hers, Subaru's personal choice would be respected, honoured no matter what it may be.
Subaru sighed, the eyes of the others falling firmly on his figure once again, pressuring him to decide, to tell them what he wanted to do.
Knight. The title of heroes. The name of legends. A representation of might and courage.
To be presented with the opportunity to earn such a title for himself, as a half-elf...it was surreal. He had been given his cards in order, the people around him as well as the magical book of legend before him all readily available to assist him in his goal.
A light shuffle emmenated around the room, the disturbed table cloth gently smoothed by the nasty eyed boy as he resumed the book within his grasp. He flipped one page, absorbing the words within his mind. They were words readable by everyone, and simply stated 'yin' in perfect lettering.
Subaru hesitated as he pinched the corner of the next page in between his fingertips, breathing a nervous breath as to prepare himself.
''Go on, you can do it, Subaru.'' a silver bell rung out, instantly soothing his fears, his worries.
With renewed determination, Subaru carefully flipped the page, familiar characters appearing within his gaze as he read the fresh page's contents, absorbing the information with vigour and determination.
Emilia meekly peeked over his shoulder, confused as to what language the book was written in, Subaru's seemingly understanding expression and careful focus forcing Emilia into a sense of doubt. Was this some form of ancient elvish?
''Emilia-samaaaa, dooooo not fret, for the book ooooonly lets those it desires engageeeee in its contents''' Roswaal explained, overjoyed as he stared at Subaru, who was buried within the depths of the first pages.
''I...I can read it, it's in perfectly legible language…'' Subaru said, peeking out from the pages of the book.
''Aaaaand what does it say, Subaru-sama,''
''It's just basic yin spells, the first pair of pages anyway. Are you sure this is the book?'' Subaru inquired,
''This is the book on yin maaagic, noooot just the powerful spells,'' Roswaal explained, ''You will neeeed to leaaaarn the basics first, if I was to be hoooonest with you, even a human child could beat you in a fight as you are!''
''Of course, you will also be taaaaaaught standard combat, yin magic isn't exactly the most useful offensiveeeeely,'' Roswaal continued, Subaru nodding his head along in agreement, the mage's words becoming more and more reasonable as he carried on.
''Shoooould you accept my offer to train under my hooooousehold, your studies and training wouuuuld begin, effective immediately in the moooorning,''
''Subaru...I reeeeeally think you should take Roswaal-sama's offer, it's soooooo cool,'' Emilia beamed, but Subaru had already made his mind up. Her words were just music to his ears now.
Natsuki Subaru, the half-elf boy from the mountainous regions of Gusteko, burst from his seat with vigour, striking a peculiar and enthusiastic pose, his right index finger poking a figurative hole through Roswaal.
''Ros-chi, please teach me well!''
''I assuuuume this is your declaration of intent?''
''I, Natsuki Subaru, wish to become a Knight of the Kingdom of Lugnica. Please help me achieve my goal!'' he emphasised, looking down and beaming a wonderful smile to his female companion, one who had done nothing but support him since he had woken up in sheer terror merely hours ago.
''Wooooonderful,'' Roswaal chimed, ''Fredericaaaaa, you may begin.''
At Roswaals sudden calling, the dining room doors creaked open, a mess of gold, pink and blue wheeling several carts of divine cuisine into the magnificent hall. With expert precision, a banquet fit for royalty emerged gradually in front of those seated, various joints of meat, salads of freshly picked ingredients, fine-aged cheeses and various potato goods piled onto silver serving trays at the center of the rectangular table.
A maid of pink swiftly set the table ready, plates, cutlery and glasses displayed before the perplexed Subaru and less-perplexed others, the practiced precision and sudden emergence of a godly amount of food previously unseen to the eyes of the boy. Subaru had never seen an entire cooked chicken on one plate before, so five of them just seemed absolutely outrageous by all degrees.
Without missing a beat, the serving carts were removed, the Oni twins resumed their positions by their Lord Roswaal whilst Frederica expertly poured each dining resident a glass of obscenely expensive wine. Well, everyone but Emilia, who had been strictly banned from consuming alcoholic goods by Puck, and today's celebration was no different.
Subaru sat gawking at the various articles of food before him as the others piled cuts of meat, intricate sauces, thick bread and other fantastically tasty delicacies onto their own plates. Emilia stared at him inquisitively, wondering why he wasn't moving,
''Subaru, this is yours to celebrate, dig in!'' Emilia giggled, ''don't tell me you're a picky eater mister, it's...all delicious.''
''Emilia, with all due respect, this is probably the most food I have ever seen in my entire life,'' Subaru said, scratching his head embarrassed.
''You get over the shock when you try Ram's steamed yams, come on young man, it's gonna go cold if you don't tuck in soon!'' Emilia ordered, reaching over and piling various meats, potatoes and cheeses on his plate...as well as the entire bowl of raw peppirs.
''Um, Lia, why have you given me all the peppirs?'' Subaru questioned, confusedly starting at the red-faced Emilia.
''Because...they're good for you! So you should eat them all up, mister Knight-in-training!'' Emilia spat hurriedly, desperately excusing why she had given Subaru around a dozen green peppirs, including all of her own which Puck had placed on her plate.
''Hmmmm, if they're so good for you, surely you should munch on some too, no?'' Subaru teased
''E-Eh...no, I'm fine, I promise,'' Emilia squealed, making everyone laugh. At Emilia's desperate attempts to avoid eating her greens, Subaru made a show of placing exactly half the bowl back on her plate, winking at the grey cat as he did so.
''Say, Subaru you never did introduce yourself properly to Beatrice, did you?'' Puck perked up, catching the attention of the room which was engaged in the depths of small talk.
''I suppose he didn't, I guess it wouldn't be of harm to go first, in fact'' Beatrice uttered, ''I am Beatrice, great spirit and keeper of the Forbidden Library, in fact,''
Sticking her chest out with adorable pride, Beatrice graced Subaru with her self introduction, so naturally, he responded with one of his own:
''My name is Natsuki Subaru, I have no idea what I'm doing and I'm completely relying on the charity of others, nice to meet ya, Beako!''
''I shall choose to ignore the word you tacked onto the end there and hope you pick yourself up from your dire situation, that's if you want to earn the title of Knight, at least.'' Beatrice frowned, eliciting a gentle laugh from the room, which quietly settled as the room fell back into the depths of small talk, the food gradually disappearing as the group tucked into the marvellous meal.
Before long, everyone was stuffed full, their bellies packed with food, their minds calm and easy. The blue-haired oni maid broke the gentle silence which momentarily fell upon the room, directing her words towards Subaru:
''Subaru-sama, your official boarding has been prepared for you when you desire, which I imagine is rather soon. Should you require a bath, please inform us,''
Subaru smiled, his mind tired and full, a hectic day graced with many ups and downs wearing him down. He stood up, ensuring his empty plate was orderly before pushing his chair under the table, bowing to the room:
''Thank you very much, not only for the meal but for the opportunity. I hope I can live up to all of your expectations,'' he spoke clearly, as Emilia stood up alongside him, her intention the same as his - to retire for the night.
''Youuuu're most welcome, I assume you have the tooooome with you, please keep it saaaaaafe,'' Roswaal chimed, Subaru patting his breast pocket to prove his prized book was buried within, secure and protected.
''Absolutely, goodnight everyone, Rem, Emilia, lead the way,''
''I'll take the liberty of guiding you, Subaru-sama,'' Frederica chirped up, standing patiently by the door, a gentle, gracious smile adorning her face.
''Come along, Subaru'' Emilia smiled.
Following the girls of gold and silver through the double doors, Subaru smiled, shoving his hands in his pockets, strolling along as the pair guided him to his bedroom.
''I need some good rest if I start tomorrow,'' he muttered, praying his room was as luxurious as Emilia's.
''Hey Freddie, where is my room, anyway?'' Subaru asked, unsure as to where he was following the girls to, the mansion's layout still completely alien to him.
''We have the room opposite Emilia-sama's prepared, if you wish to change it, that won't be an issue,'' Frederica smiled, her words instilling sheer delight in Subaru.
''That's perfect, thank you as always,'' he replied, satisfied with his future living arrangements.
As the pair reached the part of the long hallway which separated their respective doors, Emilia asked a very very embarrassing question, one which she struggled to say but eventually did despite her massive blush:
''Um Frederica...c-couldn't S-Subaru...couldn't stay with me tonight, you k-know,''
''Absolutely not, Emilia-sama. A maiden such as yourself should have no such boy in one's room overnight, I simply refuse. Have a wonderful night, you two,'' Frederica chuckled, shooting down Emilia's request before scurrying away, leaving the embarrassed elves to themselves for one final time that night.
''It was worth a shot, I guess,'' Subaru laughed, easing Emilia's rapid heartbeat slightly, to which she simply nodded before smiling widely.
''I'm reaaaaally proud of you, Subaru. I just know you're gonna do wonderful, I just absolutely know it,'' she grinned '' now, it's time for you to retire, i shall see you in the morning, I need to wait for Puck to return.''
''Well, okay Lia, I...it's going to be fun, I bet it. Goodnight.'' Subaru smiled, scratching his neck awkwardly.
''Yeah, night night, Subaru,'' Emilia hummed, to which Subaru turned on his heel, pushing into the white door behind him, greeted by the soft flicker of yellow candlelight, pushing the door closed with a satisfying click.
The room indeed was identical to Emilia's, simply mirrored, a set of neatly folded pyjamas laid out on the bed. Hurriedly changing into the lavish nightwear, he performed a series of light stretches before pulling his socks off and slipping underneath the heavy white duvet, blowing the candle out on his bedside table before drifting into the throes of peaceful sleep.
Hey, thank you for reading.
Sorry for the delay, life got in the way, I play basketball so I had to take a short break and stuff.
Massive thanks to Purple and Caleb, your input and help is invaluable.
discord link: /HNypva7v