A/N: Yeah so I felt bored so I'm going to attempt another story. This story takes place In a timeline where Rem didn't get erased by gluttony and the events of arc 4 didn't happen yet with Roswaal at the manor and the residents of Irlam village not being at the sanctuary. Hope you enjoy
A Demons Heartache
Rem, One of the residents at the Roswaals manor and the head maid, wakes up early every morning. In a room located on the east of the mansion wing, Rem starts to wake up from her slumber, and what she wakes up to Is dawn still left with traces of the night. As the light of dawn seeped into the window of the mansion a small glimmer of light shined onto the petite girl's still sleeping figure.
As a faint light shined onto her right eye, the blue-haired girl took notice that the day was about to start again. As she let out a small yawn In bed stretching her arms forward, she removed her bedsheets, got out of bed, put on her slippers, and readied herself to start her day once again.
Still yawning to herself she took a few steps Walking over to one of her bedside table mirrors still rubbing her asleep eye. Looking at the mirror she checked herself out seeing that her hair was ruffed up from sleeping, sighing to herself she reached Into the bedside drawer and took out a comb to brush her hair out.
Rem: "I need to wash my face and change"
Heading towards the bathroom with a towel In hand she starts organizing her thoughts and washing her face. After she wipes her face clean she goes back to her room to change Into her uniform, taking her nightgown off making It drop to the floor exposing her soft skin In the process. Her figure was very attractive and alluring which would make any man want to chase after her, However, she herself was unaware of how much she excelled In her looks. She put her maidly uniform on and finished up with her signature pink ribbon for the finishing touches.
As the head maid of the mansion, she must look proper at all times, over the course of just a few weeks she had a newfound reason to keep her looks up...
Rem: "Subaru-Kun.."
The raven-haired boy, Natsuki Subaru, even though he's only been at the mansion for such a short period of time, he has made the most impact on the girl's heart. Ever since the time In the forest where he saved her and turned her world around, she had been developing a new type of love she had never experienced, and ever since the time they both defeated the white whale her love had grown even deeper than It was before for the boy she called her hero. She would think about him at every waking moment, every second of the day he was on her mind, even though she herself thought It was too much at times, but she couldn't help It, her feelings for him.
Rem: "I should brush my hair some more, I need to keep It nice and neat for Subaru-Kun"
Picking up her comb one more time she started to brush out the ruff edges of her hair to look proper for her duty as the head maid while In reality It was so she could look cute for Subaru as she didn't want him to see her In any bad light, back then she never really paid attention to how her appearance looked but now she had a reason, for the boy who now held her heart
Rem: "I hope Subaru-Kun notices my efforts today"
Twirling around on the spot in her maid uniform Rem wore a smile on her face ready to try to get Subaru's attention again, even though the only clothes she wore were her nightgown and maid uniform she still tried her best to Impress him.
After a few more minutes of finishing up her appearance and tidying her bed, she went to go do what she always did for her daily routine after waking up. After exiting her bedroom and walking through the cold corridors of the mansion filled with the morning's breeze, she walked happily to her destination, passing a couple of rooms. She started to get closer to where she wanted to go. It wasn't her sister's room or even another guest's room but rather…
Rem: "Good morning Subaru-Kun"
Slightly nudging the door open Rem Quietly Said her everyday morning greetings to the boy as she walked towards him. His room was much like her and her sister's room, as workers of Roswaals's manor they didn't get high-quality rooms such as the guest rooms as the room of the royal candidate Emilia but rather rooms that were rather small in size but she never minded. Taking a few more steps over towards the sleeping boy, Rem getting close enough admired his figure in silence.
Rem: "Subaru-Kun really Is an oversleeper"
Every time she entered his room she would always use the excuse of Subaru oversleeping, even though she woke up early every morning when no one was awake. In the mansion, she still used that same excuse which made her even start to believe It.
Looking upon his sleeping figure some more she noticed his hair was more ruffled up than usual and the eyes that always used to be so sharp and aggressive looked more calm and relaxed In his sleep which she found very cute.
Rem: "Subaru-Kun Is so cute In his sleep"
Deciding to stay for a bit longer she gazed upon him with delight on her face even though she knew that was a bad thing, especially for her as every time she would stare at him long enough, her cheeks and ears would overheat and turn red from excitement. Thinking this was about enough she decided to leave the room...until
Rem: "Rem Is such a bad girl, but I can't help It, I should leave to go wake up Nee-sama now" she whispered to herself
Almost about to leave his room turning the doorknob to leave, she heard a faint noise, coming from his mouth, "Was he awake" "Did he spot me" she thought to herself, Turning around slowly In worry she readied herself to get a scolding from him for entering his room without permission, but to her surprise, It never came, Instead, It seemed like he was talking to himself, In his sleep.
Rem: "Subaru-Kun must be having a dream"
Getting a bit curious as to what he was dreaming about she decided It must be fine to stay a little while longer just to see what he was dreaming about which she used as another excuse just to spend more time in his room. Walking over to him and looking down at him once more It seemed he was having a happy dream, he had a smile On his face and was moving around In his bedsheets.
Rem: "I wonder what he's dreaming about" she tilted her head
Subaru: "Mhmmh, Emilia-tan"
As these words were said from the boy's mouth Rem could feel a slight pinch to her heart. It ached, Of course, she knew Subaru had feelings for Emilia, he even said He loved her towards Rem when she confessed her feelings, It still hurt her nonetheless. Even though It hurt her Subaru had a smile on his face and looked pretty cute In his sleep so that made up for It. In the end, she finally decided to leave his room, still with a slight pain in her heart.
Rem: "Subaru-Kun truly Is a sinful man, thinking about other women when another one is around, but since It's Subaru-Kun I'll forgive It just this once"
Of course, if Subaru was awake he would deny all these allegations against him but nonetheless, he couldn't fight back since he was dead asleep.
Rem: "Well It's about time to go wake up Nee-sama"
Leaving her thoughts of Subaru for later she decided It was about time to go wake up her sister for work which was also a part of her daily routine. Walking through the still cold corridors of the mansion a few blocks down from Subaru's room she finally reached her sister's room. Knocking a few times she entered.
Rem: "Good morning"
Walking Into the dimly lit room, Rem walked over to her still asleep sister who was face first In her pillows, trying to wake her up Rem slightly nudged her In her sleep getting a few small groans In return.
Rem: "Nee-sama, It's time to wake up"
Ram: "..."
Rem: "Nee-sama, It's time to wake up"
Ram: "..."
Nudging her lightly again Rem tried to wake her up but got No response
Rem: "Nee-sama, As much as I would like for you to sleep to your heart's content, you know It wouldn't set a good example for Subaru-Kun who's still an apprentice worker here."
Ram: "Grrr"
Rem: "Nee-sama?"
When Rem nudged Ram again a small rumble could be heard from underneath the bedsheets, bringing her face up to meet with Rem's, Ram's eyes were baggy with her hair being ruffled up.
This was the cause of not getting that much sleep as both Rem and Ram had to spend most of Their time In the kitchen yesterday cleaning up messes...which were mostly caused by Subaru's lack of experience as a butler so Ram was out of It for the whole day, mostly from yelling at Subaru's incompetence. But at the words Rem spoke Ram couldn't help but be awoken.
Giving Rem a look of disgust at what she said, Ram took the opportunity to pull the bedsheets back over her head.
Rem: "Nee-sama, please" Rem pleaded
Ram: "your more worried about Barusu than your own sister so I don't want to get out of bed"
Rem: "Nee-sama, don't say something like that...well If you don't want to get out of bed I guess me and Subaru-Kun will do all the work together so I guess you can sleep In" Rem teased
Ram: "you know what, I don't feel so tired anymore, can you help me change Rem?"
Rem: "Wonderful!, I'll go get your hairbrush, you have quite the bed head Nee-sama"
Glad to see her trick worked against her sister, Rem happily went over to Ram's bedside drawer and pulled out one of her Pink hair brushes. Seeing that Ram was already sitting down In front of her mirror, Rem went up behind her and started brushing out all the ruff edges of her pink hair to get It ready for the day. After a few more minutes of doing the finishing touches of her hair and finishing It off with her signature purple bow, Rem noticed something.
Running her fingers through her sister's hair Rem noticed just how short both of their hairstyles were. "I wonder If Subaru-Kun would like It If I grew my hair out," she thought
Rem: "Nee-sama"
Ram: "yes Rem?"
Rem: "Would you think I would look cute with long hair?"
Ram: "What's with this all of a sudden? I thought you liked having the same haircut as me?"
While It's true ever since she was a kid she always had short hair not because she particularly liked It but because her sister always had short hair so she wanted to be as similar to her as possible but now she thought It might have been childish of her, besides she had a new reason to change her hair.
Ever since the mabeast Incident In which Rem started developing her feelings for the boy who saved her, Natsuki Subaru, she's been observing all his tastes and personality traits he likes In a woman to get his attention and from her observation she noticed from all the Interactions he had with Emilia, that he must have had a thing for women with long hair since he kept staring at It all day so she wanted to get her sisters opinion on the matter to see if she should grow out her hair.
Rem: "Yes, while I do love having the same haircut as Nee-sama I was just wondering...If you think Subaru-Kun would notice It and think It's cute...or do you think Subaru-Kun might think It's weird?"
Ram: "Why do you care If he thinks It looks weird? Rem If Barusu Is making you feel uncomfortable about your looks, just say the word and I'll go deal with him"
Rem: "No!, It's not like that...I just want to know If you think...Subaru-Kun might like It.."
Ram:" Oh so that's what this Is about...Rem, If you want my honest opinion, I think you would look cute with any hairstyle you choose. I have no problem with you changing your haircut from mine, It's about time you become your own person and move away from your Nee-sama, and If you grow out your hair and Barusu doesn't notice he must be blind to beauty"
At her Sisters words, Rem couldn't help but smile
Rem: "umm...Do you think I can get Subaru's attention by doing that?"
Ram: "Rem like I said he would have to be blind not to notice you. You're more beautiful than most so you could get any man you want. Even though I don't approve of you doing all this just to get Barusu's attention but If you really want to get his attention It will take a lot more than just growing your hair out, you must be more aggressive about It, take the lead and pull him away so most of his attention Is on you"
For most of her life Rem, he's always had an inferiority complex which In turn made her have a very low opinion of herself and low confidence as well so when Ram told her this advice she couldn't help but feel a bit skeptical.
Rem: "Ummm. you think that would work?"
Ram: "I know so"
Rem: "Oh...ok Nee-sama, thank you for telling me this, I'll make sure to try It!"
Rem said, with a happy smile, as she finished brushing Ram's hair. She was now humming, as if seemingly in a good mood. After finishing up, the two dawned their new, clean, housemaid uniforms and headed to the kitchen, as they always started their mornings by preparing breakfast for the mansion's residents.
In the kitchen prepping the food, Rem decided she would make something special for Subaru that might get his attention, she decided she would make him pancakes. Getting to work on what she planned to make for Subaru, she put extra effort Into making It and when she was finished plating It she drizzled a heart shape of maple syrup on top for the finishing touches.
Ram: "Rem while I go deliver the meal to Roswaal-sama's quarters, I want you to set the food on the table, I'll alert everyone that the food Is ready"
Rem: "Alright Nee-sama"
Setting the breakfast on the table, Rem waited for everyone's arrival. Waiting for a few minutes Subaru and everyone else arrived at the table, while Beatrice sat at the opposite side of the table playing with puck In hand, Emilia sat on the right side of Subaru eating her own meal.
While Subaru sat down he looked down at his meal In awe as his meal obviously looked much better than everyone else's meal, which could only mean one thing…
Rem: "Subaru-Kun" a voice called from beside him
Subaru: "Oh..good morning Rem"
Rem: "I see Subaru-Kun hasn't touched his food yet, Is something wrong?"
Subaru: "Oh nothing Is wrong, It looks great actually…not that I mind but I was just wondering If you made this?"
Rem: "Yes, Rem made It especially just for Subaru-kun! Do you mind If I sit here?"
Before he could answer Rem took the opportunity to sit down on the left side of him. Looking at him with a bright smile, as she waited with bated breath for him to take the first bite. Noticing Rem was going to watch him eat Subaru sighed to himself and went for a bite until.
Rem: "Oh wait Subaru-kun!"
Subaru: "Yes Rem?"
Rem: "Umm...do you mind If... I might feed you?"
Seemingly turning Into a dog and wagging her tail with excitement, Rem waited patiently for his answer. Seeing that she probably won't take no for an answer Subaru gave In to his own weakness and allowed Rem to take the fork from his hands.
With stars In her eyes Rem gladly took the fork from Subaru's hands and cut a piece of the pancake she made for him, putting It In front of his face.
Rem: "Say ahh Subaru-kun"
Allowing Rem to feed him, Subaru looked around and noticed everyone was looking at him. Beatrice gave him a look of disgust, Emilia looked on with a smile, and Roswaal looked at him with intrigue. As all eyes were on him Subaru couldn't help but get a blush of embarrassment on his face from being fed by Rem.
Rem: "Was that good Subaru-Kun?"
Subaru: "Yeah It was actually pretty good, your such an amazing cook Rem"
Rem: "mhmm, Subaru-Kun, don't say such things to Rem or she might blush"
Subaru: "Hey I'm just saying the truth, you're much better than Nee-sama In that regard"
Receiving all these compliments from Subaru, Rem couldn't help but blush which she tried to hide with her hands covering her face.
Rem: "Well If you liked It so much then feel free to praise Rem!"
Putting her head down, Rem awaited for Subaru to get the hint. As she put her head down Subaru obliged and patted her smooth sky blue hair. As Subaru continued, Rem started to purr under his touch like a cat.
Rem: "Mmm, Subaru-Kun spoils Rem too much"
Subaru: "...you seem like you're enjoying this way too much"
Ram: "Rem" A voice called from a distance
Rem: "Yes Nee-sama?"
Ram: "When you're done with Barusu I need you to help me clean some of the dishes In the kitchen"
Rem: "Alright, I'll be there soon Nee-sama"
Subaru: "Well Rem thanks for the meal...now then, I need to go see where Emilia-tan ran off to!"
Rem: "Oh...ok Subaru-Kun, I guess I'll see you later today," She said with a fake smile
As Subaru ran off to go find Emilia and was out of distance Rem put one of her hands up to her chest and pinched the top of her maid uniform
There It Is again
The pain In her heart, this feeling only happened a couple of times but she couldn't pinpoint what It was, It was a new feeling to her. But whatever It was, she didn't like It.
Rem: "Subaru-Kun...you're such a sinful man, you really do know how to toy with a woman's heart"
Again he would deny these accusations
Rem: "Well for now It's ok, I better go see what Nee-sama wants"
Entering the kitchen Rem saw the sight before her, the kitchen was a complete mess with Ram struggling to wash dishes.
Ram: "Rem, thank goodness you're here, I need your help cleaning"
Rem: "Alright Nee-sama"
Helping Ram clean up with the dishes Rem contemplated on how she would get Subaru to see her In a "more than friend" light, "maybe I can cook something he likes?" or maybe I can grow my hair out as I suggested earlier?" she thought
Getting lost In thought Rem got out of her trance when she heard her name being called out
Ram: "Rem!"
Rem: "Hmm, yes Nee-sama"
Ram: "Rem, I called your name out a few times already and you didn't respond, Is something the matter?"
Rem: "Oh, It's nothing Nee-sama"
Ram: "Are you sure? you've been acting strangely for the past week now"
Rem: "Well...I was just thinking about Subaru-Kun, and what I should do to get him to notice me…"
Ram: "So you're really serious about getting Barusu's attention? I thought you were just joking back there"
When Rem talked with Ram that morning she was not yet fully awake to process what Rem was telling her, especially about Subaru so she didn't pay that much attention but judging from the blush that was on Rem's face Ram was now sure she was being serious.
Rem: "..."
Sighing to herself Ram went over to the now blushing Rem and put her hand on her shoulder making Rem look up at her.
Ram: "Rem...Is this what you really want?"
Rem: "Nee-sama Isn't upset?"
Ram: "...no I'm not upset, Rem, even though I don't approve of your taste In men If you really want to go after Barusu then go for It, I won't stop you"
Rem: "So you're fine with me trying to get Subaru's attention?"
Ram: "Yes Rem, and like I said before earlier today...even though I didn't think you were being serious, If you really want to get his attention you'll need to do more than just grow out your hair, you'll have to be more aggressive about It and pull him away so most of his attention will be on you, you take the lead.
Rem: "Oh..ok Nee-sama, I'll do my best!"
Ram: "Good, now then will you help me finish up cleaning the kitchen?"
Rem: "On It!"
After an hour of cleaning had passed, Rem went on with the rest of her day and decided to go see what Subaru was doing. Walking out to the courtyard Rem saw a particular drilled haired girl sitting outside
Rem: "Oh Beatrice-sama, It's a surprise to see you outside at this time"
Beatrice: "What can I not walk around to where I please, I suppose?"
Rem: "No, not at all, I actually think a little girl such as yourself should go outside more and get more sun"
Beatrice: "I don't know if I should take that as an insult or what"
Rem: "No, not at all, Beatrice-sama Is actually quite cute out In the open where you can see her...just not as cute as Nee-sama maybe"
Beatrice: "Can you not give one proper compliment, I suppose!, that guy over there has really changed you"
Beatrice said pointing over to Subaru and Emilia doing their daily morning exercises
Rem: "Yes. Isn't he amazing?"
Beatrice: tch... he isn't that special, well I'm going back inside I suppose, I don't need all this noise anyways"
Watching as the petite spirit walked away back into the mansion Rem looked on as Subaru flirted with Emilia
Subaru: "Emilia-tan you look really cute today In that dress your wearing, you should wear It more often"
Emilia: "There you go again saying weird things, you say that all the time"
Subaru: "Hey, I'm just telling the truth, E.M.T!"
As the two laughed and talked with each other Rem felt It again, the pain In her chest
Why do I feel this way?
Watching as the two continued to flirt with each other (mostly Subaru) Rem put a hand up to her chest again and squeezed even tighter than before. The feeling In her chest, It hurt, yet she didn't know why.
With a bittersweet smile, Rem decided she would go back Inside do some more of her other chores around the manor until the sun started to set again.
Seeing that the day was about to end again, Rem decided It was time to retire for the day. Entering her room and putting on her light blue nightgown, Rem lied down In bed trying to sleep, but she couldn't. She tossed and turned In the bedsheets but just couldn't sleep, and there was a reason for this. Holding a hand up to her nightgown Rem pinched the top of It up to her chest to where her heart was, It was the same pain from before.
"What was this feeling?" "Why did she feel this way?" "Why did it hurt so much?" all these questions swirled around in Rem's head. The only time Rem felt this pain was when Subaru interacted with Emilia, of course, she knew Subaru had feelings for Emilia, he even told her straight to her face after she confessed that he loved Emilia, rejecting her, but yet she still couldn't get over the burning sensation In her chest every time they interacted, "Didn't Subaru-Kun already turn down my feelings? Why am still trying so hard to get his attention?" she thought
Rem: "If Subaru-Kun Is happy...shouldn't I be as well?"
Thinking back to how happy Subaru looked around Emilia, she thought to herself
Rem: "I-I can't be selfish, I shouldn't put my feelings first...It's not right, Is It?"
As Rem's emotions fought with her logic to always put her feelings last Rem thought again.
Rem: "Is It really that bad to put myself first for once?, every time I see Subaru-Kun with Emilia-sama it makes me hurt...so much"
Continuing to lay down In bed Rem tried to figure out what this new emotion was, for most of her life the only love she ever held for a person was for her sister Ram, so she never experienced Romantic love before, So seeing the first man she ever loved interact with another woman hurt her...and that feeling was jealousy.
"Be more aggressive about It, and pull him away so most of his attention will be on you"
Remembering the words her older sister had told her that day, her emotions finally settled, and with a newfound resolve, Rem decided what she wanted to do, from now on she would do whatever It takes for Subaru to notice her. She planned to pull Subaru away from Emilia, to get his love. even though she knew It was selfish of her to put her feelings first, she knew If she let him go now, she would regret It, she loved him that much, So Rem decided, she would challenge Emilia for the man she loved.
Rem: "Thank you Nee-sama...even If this Is selfish of me to do... I've decided, From now on Rem will do anything and everything to get Subaru for herself, I won't lose, not even to Emilia-sama"
With this newfound goal In mind Rem finally closed her eyes and fell asleep, awaiting to put her plan In motion.
While the sun started to rise again, In the east wing of the mansion a petite blue-haired girl lied In bed. Taking note of the early sunrise Rem readied herself and started her daily routine all over again, this time with newfound confidence.
After finishing up her routine Ram, Subaru, and herself went over to the kitchen to start cooking for the residents of the manor. As they continued to cook Rem looked up at Subaru a few times sneaking a few glances at him.
Ram: "Tch, Rem, Barusu, were out of some supplies for today's meal, I need you both to go down to the village to refill the stock"
When Ram said this Subaru turned to Rem who was still sneaking glances at him. As he turned to look at her, she quickly evaded his gaze to make sure he didn't see her sneaking glances at him.
Subaru: "Well you heard Nee-sama, let's go down and pick up those ingredients"
Rem: "Alright!"
she said with a happy smile following behind Subaru as he held her hand guiding her outside the mansion towards the village. When they arrived at the village Rem and Subaru looked around some of the merchant stalls for the ingredients they needed.
Merchant: "Trinkets, Odds and ends, that sort of thing, whatever you need I got"
A/N: good on you If you got the reference
Subaru: "Hmm, this looks like what we need, what do you think Rem?"
Rem: "I think It matches the description of what Nee-sama asked for, how much will this cost?"
Merchant: "2 silvers"
Reaching for a pouch of coins In her maid outfit Rem handed the man the required amount of coin for the ingredients. As they got the necessary ingredients for today's meal Rem and Subaru continued to walk through the village to get back to the mansion but were stopped by some of the village kids.
Cain: "Oh Subaru I didn't realize you were here, come play with us!"
Lucas: "Yeah Subaruuu, come with us"
Subaru: "Not right now, I have to do something right now, maybe next ti-"
Trying to walk away, Both of the boys grabbed onto each of Subaru's arms pulling him down to the ground. Seeing Subaru play around with the two boys Rem couldn't help but giggle to herself a bit.
Subaru: "You brats, don't you see I'm doing something Important right now?"
Lucas: "Come on Subaru, don't be like that, just play with us a little longe- ahh!"
In an Instant, Both of the boys got hit In the back of the head by a small girl with orange hair.
Petra: "What do you guys think you're doing? Don't you see Subaru has to do something right now?"
Cain: "come on Petra, I know you want to play with Subaru too"
Petra: "While I do want to play with Subaru, he does have a job to do, so we'll just have to wait"
As Petra told them that both the boys said Ok In sink as they walked away to do something else. When Subaru got back up he thanked Petra and waved her goodbye.
Subaru: "Heh those brats have too much energy for their own good, well we might as well get the supplies back to the mansion"
"..."
Subaru: "Huh, Is something wrong Rem?"
Rem: "Umm, Subaru-Kun..you're kinda covered In mud…"
Looking down at his butler attire, It was now completely covered In dirt and mud
Subaru: "Those damn kids"
Rem: "Don't worry Subaru-Kun Rem will clean you up, there's a bench over there, we can sit down there and I can clean you up there"
Walking over to the bench and sitting down, Rem patted down Subaru to get all the dirt off him.
Subaru: "Thanks Rem, what would I do without you?"
Rem: "Hmm, I don't know but I ask myself that same question to myself about you"
Subaru: "Heh well like we promised back then, we can rely on each other right?"
Rem: "Of course"
Sitting down In silence for a while Rem kept trying to sneak glances at Subaru and every time he would look at her she would quickly look away.
"Take the lead"
Remembering the words her sister had told her, newfound confidence built up In Rem, and with one final push, she leaned up towards his cheek and planted her lips directly on them, giving him a quick kiss.
Subaru: "Re-m, Rem...what was that for?" Subaru said with a blush now on his face as he held his cheek that had been kissed
Rem: "Just giving Subaru-Kun a thank you gift, for everything, He's done for Rem so far"
Subaru: "Oh...If It's for that then your welcome"
Subaru said as he turned his face away from Rem trying to hide his blush, at this Rem just gave Subaru a smile.
Rem: "Well...It looks like It's time for us to get going, don't want to get Nee-sama mad now"
Subaru: "Yeah….your right, let's get going, Rem"
Rem: "Alright!"
As they walked back to the manor Rem contemplated.
Rem: "Today, Rem has finally decided to put her feelings first, no hard feelings but from now on Emilia-sama, I will not hold back In getting Subaru-Kun's affection, from this day forth, we will be love rivals"
Rem said In her head as they both walked back to Roswaals mansion.
A/N: Well, what do you guys think? This is something I just wanted to try out for some reason. It was only meant to be a one-chapter thing but if you guys want more I'll gladly write more. Also, I hope I got the characters and emotions right In this story. And with that being said, thanks for reading! I'll see you In the possible next chapters to come!