I found myself before Roswaal in his office. His posture was relaxed, leaning back into his chair like he had not a care in the world. Ram dutifully stood to attention beside him, arms delicately folded before her.

"Sooo~ Emilia-sama, why the chaaange~ of heart?" His jovial attitude did nothing but irritate me.

"To be perfectly candid, Roswaal, I've not had a change of heart for over a century. This judgement is merely what I believe to be the optimal path forward. Inducing compliance in a subject is something I am quite well-versed in."

"Emilia-sama," Roswaal motioned, "I am curiooous~ as to what this boy showed you during the time you've spent with him. I recall you stating that feaaar~ is the best method of control."

"Originally, I had assumed he was some sort of spy. I was going to pry the information from him one way or another." I let the thought hang in the air. "Now though…I am afraid that fear will not be an effective motivator in his case. From what little I've seen, his ability can somewhat negate that."

I think back to our meeting in the dungeons. As the first person he'd meet down there, I'd expected an unfavourable reaction. He didn't seem phased.

"Fear works when the body contests the mind. It works when you dread the result of something; The inability to safeguard against repercussions. How can one fear something they'd intimately comprehend?"

"Hoooh~?" Roswaal pressed.

Violence requires purpose. If not, then why did I suffer? It must represent something. Violence is a means to an end. Whether it be to entertain, to kill, to cause suffering… or to feel in control.

I would not let my years of isolation be reduced to such meaninglessness.

"I hate mindless brutality. Not only is it contemptible, but it will not work here. Subaru will be a long-term project of mine. Rule by fear only works for the first few months-or-so until the subjects decide to off themselves."

If I am to exploit his power over the course of several years, I must instil a sense of duty towards me. He must tell me things of his own volition. While Puck could detect lies, he is not omnipotent. If Subaru omits something, I wouldn't know.

"He knows that I healed him back in Lugnica. I have also just saved him from Rem's little outburst. His single afternoon in the dungeons should be quickly forgotten."

My smile oozes with ecstasy.

"Allowing him to live in this mansion should make him indebted to me thrice over. Is it not clear to see how much more constructive this approach is to my agenda? Subjugating him with fear at this point would be utterly foolish."

Roswaal leans forward, both elbows resting atop the desk.

"Emilia-sama, one word of advice from your loyaaal~ supporter." His eyes meet mine. "This boy will travel great lengths to resist your… kindness."

What?

He broke off his gaze and turned to his right.

"Ram."

"Yes, Roswaal-sama?"

"As per Emilia-sama's requeeest~, transport Subaru to a guest room. From this moment forward, you shaaall~ be acting as his caretaker." She bowed.

"Yes, Roswaal-sama."

I was led out of the bedroom and escorted down the winding corridors by Ram. Apparently, it was time for breakfast.

I struggled to keep my mouth from watering. The very thought of food excited me. While my body wasn't too hungry, my mind was starving. When was the last time I had eaten something?

It must've been on the scale of weeks.

Ram quietly continued down the hallways, turning at seemingly random points.

Eventually, we came upon a set of large, heavy oak doors. She swung them open, and my stomach dropped.

I was met by four sets of gazes. The atmosphere was as tense as it was awkward.

Emilia.

Rem.

A blonde girl who was playing with Puck.

And a figure dressed like a jester.

A long dining table stretched the length of the room. Extravagant and detailed paintings of landscapes plastered the walls.

Ram set herself behind the jester who sat at the head of the table; I can assume he's someone important. Is he the 'Roswaal' that she mentioned?

"My, my… It's so nice of you to join us, Subaru. Come sit; The food is getting cold." Emilia's sickly-sweet words coiled around me like a snake causing my appetite to vanish immediately. She patted the seat beside her, beckoning me over.

What was she playing at?

Standing here would do nothing productive. Hopefully, my save point updated. I could consider this an information-gathering loop. I was in new territory and was planning to leave no stone unturned.

I reluctantly walked over to Emilia and plopped myself down on the seat beside her. I couldn't pin down the eerie aura that surrounded her.

"Subaru. Eat."

I looked down at the soup laid out before me. I had to admit, it smelt delicious. I cautiously picked up the spoon and scooped up the liquid.

I brought the spoon close to my lips and blew gently. Out the corner of my eye, I noticed that Rem was watching me with considerable attention. Ram looked mildly interested.

Gulping down the broth, I note the savoury yet tangy taste slide down my mouth. It was exotic. Was this the cuisine of another world? My indulgence was met with wide eyes and a troubled look from Emilia. The room falls silent.

…

"Well, Emilia-sama, it seems your bet has alreaaady~ ended." the jester speaks up.

I looked to my left and saw Emilia staring down blankly.

"No. That's impossible." She whispers to herself. She turns to me and grabs my mouth, prying it open and peering inside.

"You really swallowed it." She loosened her grip and released me. I lost my balance, falling backwards landing on the floor. My head slammed against the wooden floorboards.

W-What?

I bring my hand up in front of me and it was shaking violently. Since when did I feel so sick? I tried standing up but couldn't move my legs. I was short of breath.

The sudden urge to puke mounted.

I covered my mouth but couldn't stop it. I felt the warm substance creep down along my neck and settle in a puddle just before me, a putrid smell invading my nostrils.

I couldn't tell up from down; The world was spinning around me. I lay paralyzed on the ground, heaving my stomach. My vision was fading in and out repeatedly.

A darkened figure hung over me.

"This doesn't make any sense."

Emilia?

I lose all control over my body, both arms falling limp. My eyes roll into the back of my head as I begin twitching, random limbs contracting and relaxing.

I felt two firm hands grasp my shoulders.

"What a spectacle. Subaru, you've managed to upend my expectations at every turn."

Don't touch me. I tried to speak, but the only thing that came out of my mouth was blood. I hacked and coughed up my guts in front of her. An empty, dry feeling settled in my chest. The world was growing dark.

"However, it seems that this is the end. Your ability is nothing more than plain fantasy." Her expression turned grim. "To brandish such hope only to steal it away… How could you have deceived me?"

I couldn't process what I was looking at anymore. My mind was growing hazy, and only a dull throbbing sensation was left.

"Subaru, didn't you say it's selfish of you to die here?" I felt her icy hands curl around my throat. "For such a transgression, I will not grant you an easy death. Please, suffer."

I felt her palms squeeze against my jugular, fingers digging into my larynx. Instantly, my breathing was halted, my lungs struggling against the blockage to no avail. She was strangling me. Her nails bore into my skin, drawing blood.

"Die. Die. Die. Die. Die."

She pressed harder, and I felt my neck deforming under the pressure. A strained wheeze escaped my mouth. I couldn't move my arms; I couldn't resist.

This was too much.

"Beatrice, pleeease~ remove him from this room."

"Roswaal!" Emilia's eyes were filled with fury. "Subaru is mine. He will die by my hands. Do not interfere."

"Beatrice-sama, please follow Roswaal-sama's instructions."

"For Betty's powers to be used like this is disgraceful, I suppose."

Emilia was pulled away by something and darkness engulfed me.

Then, I saw nothing.

The poison was fast-acting. When dissolved, if one were to drink it, they'd be dead on the ground in minutes. It had taken some trial and error to get the recipe correct; Years of refinement and experimentation.

Many of the necessary ingredients came from the Elior forest. I always kept a pouch hidden on my person just in case. I had a limited supply but deemed this as a worthwhile usage.

It would be the first step in cultivating Subaru's power.

Everybody in this room was aware of the poison blended in the bowl. If Subaru could read thoughts, he would know.

While his interactions with me indicated such a possibility, his warning about Rem hinted otherwise. The two instances utilised knowledge in some form but were completely different in nature.

In one, he navigated dialogue with finesse.

In the other, he predicted he would be attacked by Rem.

What does it entail?

If it were mind-reading, the situation with Rem went unexplained. If it were foresight, how could he have spoken so eloquently?

Obviously, I was missing something. I have no idea how the ability operates and intend to find out.

Hence, the life-threatening poison would be presented before him today.

I like to test my tools before I use them. It would not do to have it snap on the first usage. Subaru must prove to me that he could survive such a dull attempt on his life.

If the assassin was anything to go by, I was being targeted. If Subaru could anticipate attempts against my life in advance, it would be one more factor under my control.

And, if by some miracle he could anticipate more than just that?

I could barely contain my exhilaration at such a thought. Imagine that. Puppeteering fate. Would I not be untouchable? Would I not be the strongest?

Ah, what an odd feeling.

For the first time in a century, I looked forward to the future.

I watched as the oak doors swung open and Ram strode into the room, Subaru following closely behind. He was sweating.

There it was again.

An unexpected expression on his face. A look of conviction, a hint of hesitation… Fear. A thrilling concoction of emotions was laid out before me. Only one question dominated my mind.

Did he know?

I waited for Ram to station herself behind Roswaal before beginning.

"My, my… It's so nice of you to join us, Subaru. Come sit; The food is getting cold."

He remained by the door; Not daring to take a step closer.

Slowly, he lifted his arm up and pointed at the table.

"What the hell is in that soup?"

…

I couldn't hide the predatory smile that split my face.

AN: Poor Subaru, he hasn't escaped the cycle yet. Emilia's own poison looks rather effective. If the point of the poison is to kill somebody, why the need for extra side-effects?

In any case, Emilia's gamble has paid off and Subaru's hand has been revealed. Will he survive this loop or is more suffering required first? Feel free to comment any suggestions. Thanks for reading, please review!