Warning: I'm an Anime only so most of the lore may be wrong or changed in this story(maybe ı would even forget lore given by anime too sometimes ıdk). So ı'm sorry for those. (But ı also started reading novels and looking at extra lore so you can see them here as well)
And thanks for the amazing helps from my new beta reader "The_Appa_Man" His help improved the writing in this a lot. All the differences in the writing style and fixes is his work.
Part 8: Her Turn
A new day was born.
"I will protect your smiles"
"I will protect your smiles"
"I will protect your smiles"
Emilia's last words echoed in her mind over and over again. Her soul was moving around in nothingness until she finally started to feel again. She didn't know if the pain in her chest was real or not but it hurt. It hurt a lot. That single second of pain didn't make her scream; it made her uncontrollably cry. But after that, she finally felt her body truly once more. Again in a bed with Subaru.
Subaru felt the same. Same pain, same reunion with life.
He lost again. After his promise to Emilia he failed to keep that promise. She trusted him and this time everything got worse. He wanted her to scream at him, get angry at him. How could he do that to her? She trusted him. She needed to punish him by giving him more pain.
But it didn't happen. Like the last time, what he got was a comforting hug. But this time there wasn't a cry.
"Are you alright?", Emilia said with a comforting voice while patting his hair.
Subaru was taken aback by how Emilia acted.
"Emilia are you alright?", Subaru wanted to know if she was fine after what happened.
"I-I am, I suppose…", Emilia said.
Emilia looked at Subaru's face. She saw his fear and sadness. Tears came from his eyes without a halt, landing in the bed's duvet. She didn't want to see that anymore. Emilia looked at the door. And started to walk towards it.
"Huh… Emilia?", Subaru said.
Emilia stopped. Her sweat was stuck to her chin while she was trying to hold her emotions. She quickly turned to Subaru.
"I will handle this. Don't worry Subaru", she said with a mix of fear and guilt even though she wanted to sound calm and happy.
Even though she wanted to protect everyone, her reliance over Subaru and knowing the possibility of how many times Subaru was the one who was saving them made her feel untrustworthy of herself and her skills. But she didn't want Subaru to handle this with how much pain he had to go through.
Subaru didn't know how to answer her.
"Wh-What are you going to do?", Subaru asked.
"I will just go to the village and find those Assassins.", Emilia said while opening the door. Right before she opened it, her arm was grabbed by Subaru.
"Emilia no!", Subaru said. He couldn't let her do this.
"I can handle them. Just let me go!", Emilia said, emotions she tried to bury came out of her mouth just as she said that and accidently she pushed Subaru to the bed. And Subaru hit his head.
"Su-Subaru!", Emilia quickly ran to him.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!", Emilia screamed involuntarily while using her healing magic on Subaru even though he didn't need it.
"I-I'm alright Emilia-tan…", Subaru said, trying to sound much better for her sake.
He held her hand.
"Please don't. I will handle it. I promise", he said.
"No. You will stay here. I will do it.", Emilia prompted.
Subaru held her hand tight.
"Emilia listen."
While he still couldn't let himself just tell his feelings.
"What if the villagers attack you because…", Subaru stopped himself before saying the reason.
Emilia seemed to think about it while looking sad upon hearing Subaru's words, but she quickly threw them aside.
"They won't… They will probably hide…", Emilia said, showing her experience to Subaru.
"It doesn't matter as long as I can protect you and others", Emilia said, trying to dismiss Subaru's point.
She got up and again walked to the door, not looking back this time.
"Emilia!", Subaru yelled in desperation.
Emilia didn't listen; she wanted to leave the room as quickly as possible.
"As-Assassins are probably not in the village!", Subaru said, trying to use his last chance.
Emilia stopped in her place. Seeing he got the chance, Subaru continued.
"Probably they will be here on the fourth day. It's pointless for you to go now!", Subaru said.
Emilia was still standing.
"A-And you know until that time comes. We can plan out what we need to do. Ri-Right Emilia-tan?", Subaru quickly put this sentence out.
Even though she didn't care about the fourth day, Subaru's cries got to her and she halted for now. She slowly came back to Subaru. Her face seemed tired but she tried to keep smiling.
"Alright, Subaru", she said, trying to not let her feelings out.
She looked at him while kneeling down to Subaru one last time.
"I'm sorry", Emilia said, looking worried if his fall still hurted.
"I-I'm alright Emilia-tan! Don't worry abou-", Subaru's sentence was cut with a hug from Emilia.
She hugged him tight. She wasn't letting herself cry but instead of crying her emotions came from her hug. Subaru did the same.
Emilia was not going to stop until she saved them. She was going to wait until the fourth day and finish it herself.
Subaru knew she was waiting. He now had to find a way to stop Emilia and handle it himself. His time was even shorter than last time.
While they were hugging each other the door opened and two small maid's came in.
"Mieria! Barusu! It's time to-", Ram stopped upon seeing the view.
Subaru and Emilia quickly separated each other.
"H-Hey kids!", Subaru said.
Sisters looked at them very confused but after a few seconds they continued. Subaru and Emilia again went to change their outfit with Subaru waiting for Rem to look at his body height.
While Rem was doing her job, Subaru was thinking about Emilia. He didn't want her to be in this but she was forcing herself to be in it. He wanted to speak with her one last time about this.
When Emilia went back with her maid outfit, Subaru didn't wait a second.
"Emilia-tan can we talk?", Subaru said but Ram cut their talk.
"It's time for you two to work, not talk. Take off Lord Roswaal's outfit Barusu. I will show you what you two must do.", Ram said.
Subaru wanted to get some time but Emilia joined with Ram.
"Yeah! Let's show us around boss!", Emilia said with a fake excitement. A fake excitement that Subaru can easily detect.
"E-Emi-"Subaru was again cut down with how fast Emilia talked.
"I'm ready for it!"
"I… You don't have to irritate me to start your job Mieria.", Ram said.
With hearing that Emilia shut herself. Her fake excitement slowly crumbled with small fake laughs.
"Ye-Yes Boss…"
Both of them quickly went to their jobs.
Subaru was in the backyard cutting the grass. While doing that he was watching Emilia. He wanted to talk to her.
"Why doesn't she listen to me?", Subaru thought. He was frustrated and scared of what he might have caused. Why was she acting like that?
Emilia was much more quick in her job. She started to clean the corridors much faster than before. While cleaning Frederica showed up at her back.
"How is the cleaning going ne-", She got water thrown at her before finishing the sentence.
Emilia got scared at her sudden arrival. She thought it was an assassin appearing again. Her hands were shaking.
"Huh? Are you alright Emilia?", Frederica asked, worried about her new friend.
Emilia quickly put her hands behind her back.
"Of course! Yo-You just scared me goofball!", Emilia said with a smile.
"Goofball? Wow I thought I would never hear such an old word hehe.", Frederica said with a chuckle.
Emilia quickly looked at Frederica's outfit. All of it was wet.
"I-I'm sorry! I will quickly get you another one!", Emilia quickly ran to the wardrobe.
"Emilia you don't have to!", Frederica yelled, yet her voice couldn't reach Emilia or she didn't really care.
Subaru looked at her and felt the same as Emilia. Did he ever do the same things as she did? Subaru was lost in his thoughts.
Frederica saw Subaru in the window.
"Subaru?", She called out.
Subaru looked at her.
"What's up?", Subaru asked.
Frederica was worried about Emilia's behavior.
"Did something happen to Emilia?", She said.
"I… I don't know, did something happen?", Subaru said.
Frederica explained the situation from her point of view.
Hearing that, Subaru looked into his memory yet again. How Emilia is acting was how he acted once. His eyes were wide open upon realizing that. He was so worried about his problems that he forgot to check on her. He wanted her to stay out of this as it was a mistake.
"I-I see…", Subaru said.
"Is it because…. Um… how she looks?", Frederica said while hesitating a bit.
He looked at Frederica with a smile.
"Don't worry, I know what to do now!", Subaru said.
The entire day Subaru tried to find Emilia and talk to her. She was always running away from him with some excuse. With how she acted all day Subaru was sure of her thought process.
Dinner was the final point for him to understand.
"I'm really hungry", Subaru said.
"Thank you for everything you gave us. I wish I could do more", Emilia said, not looking at Roswaal.
"Frooom what I heard. You have doooone some incredible work for toooday Emilia. It seems youuu are a really hard worker", Roswaal complimented.
"Thank you sir…", Emilia said, still not looking at him.
Ram and Rem came with the food.
"Let's see how many amazing dishes you made for us, Rem!",Frederica smiled while clapping her hands.
"Emilia helped me with the food. Thank you again", Rem said with calm behaviour.
"Hehe… It was nothing Rem. I don't even think my part was as important to mention as you think.", Emilia said with a fake smile.
"In the end Rem probably still made an amazing dinner for us even after your incapable hands", Ram said, wanting to focus the topic onto Rem.
"Y-Yeah you are right Boss!", Emilia said.
With her saying that the entire atmosphere of the dinner was changed. At least for Subaru.
"E-Emilia-tan…", Subaru said.
"Yes Subaru!" Emilia said.
"Thanks for the food…" Subaru said, wanting to praise her a bit.
"I'm so happy to make you happ-", Emilia wasn't able to finish her sentence. She started to feel sick.
"Can…. I… go to the bathroom?", Emilia said, her words started to hurt her.
Saying that, Emilia left the dinner without eating a lot.
She went to the bathroom and stayed there for a while.
Subaru went to check on her. When he went near the door he heard the painful sobs coming from near the door. He was now sure of what was happening. Subaru went away without making Emilia realize that he was even there.
"I looked terrible… I was supposed to make them not worry but now… I don't even know if I can show my face to them… Especially to…", Emilia thought while letting water in her mouth to feel better.
"Come on… I need to be stronger than this… It's just a simple work day… What would I do if the fourth day was tomorrow…", Emilia said frustrated by herself.
After that Emilia left the bathroom and went to Frederica.
"Oh Emilia. Are you okay?", Frederica said with worry.
"Yeah yeah. Don't worry about me, I'm fine!", Emilia said again with a smile to hide herself.
"Can I ask for a favor?", Emilia asked.
Emilia wanted Frederica to give her a new room. She wasn't able to show her face to Subaru. She didn't want to speak to him or see him. Because she didn't want to make him worry about a worthless being like her and she knew he would.
"Thanks for giving me a new room. I'm sorry if I gave you any trouble", Emilia said.
"Nah. Don't worry about it. I would gladly help a friend", Frederica said.
"I… I don't even know how I deserved to be your friend in this short amount of time.", Emilia said, quite confused about how Frederica was already calling her a friend.
"Huh….? Shouldn't you be? I mean finally there is someone close to my age and from what I see you are a really good and caring person.", Frederica said.
"But… I didn't even do that much to show you that?"
"Come on! I just want us to be friends! Is it that hard?", Frederica said. She was quite frustrated with Emilia.
"Okay Okay… Thanks Frederica hehe.", Emilia said with a small chuckle.
She was feeling tired and sick after today. She worked so much for four to five days with little breaks. As much as her body felt new her mind was not able to process this much work.
"Friends are for these types of days by the way, don't forget about that.", Frederica said while opening the door for Emilia's room.
"Huh… What do you mea-", Emilia was going to ask Frederica until she saw who was waiting in the room.
Frederica quickly closed the door.
"Su-Subaru?", Emilia asked.
"Yes Emilia-tan.", Subaru said with a small smile.
Frederica and Subaru played with Emilia. Frederica left those two alone.
Both stood silent for a while.
Emilia took a deep breath.
"Subaru… I know I didn't tell you about me being in a different room. Bu-But it was because… Um… If you want alone time… Um… Also you and Fredecia played with me. This is a bad move Subaru. I really didn't think you would d-"
"Emilia-tan can you come near me?", Subaru said with a calm voice.
"But I-"
"Please…", Subaru said.
Emilia slowly approached Subaru.
"Please sit", Subaru said.
"On the… Floor?", Emilia said, confused.
Subaru smiled.
"Don't act like you never did that Emilia-tan."
Emilia silently sat on the floor. After that Subaru did the same and sat next to her.
Both stood silent for a few seconds.
"Are you unsure about yourself?", Subaru asked.
"Huh… What do you mean?", Emilia asked.
Subaru smiled at her again. Looking at her face.
"Do you remember when I first came to the mansion?",
"I…"
"Do you think it was my first time being here?"
Emilia looked at Subaru a bit.
"N-No…"
"Yeah… It wasn't... You got that right. Something similar to the situation we are having right now happened. Mabeasts… dying…. All that stuff…", Subaru said with a sad chuckle.
"I thought nothing I did was working. I was dying over and over again leaving people I loved in pain… In one of the loops before I died. I thought I finally found my… well… purpose… It still is the same.", Subaru said.
"What is it?", Emilia asked.
"Well… Protecting you, Rem, Ram, everyone I care and love.", Subaru said. After he said that, his smile turned into a sad one.
"But… well… My idea of it was childish. I overworked myself. I tried to find different ways of handling the situation while trying my hardest to do all the mansion's work and getting on the good side of everyone. And while doing that I put on an act. A version of me… Who always screams, is always happy, always working, always doing something… While fear and frustration of everything made me sick."
Emilia looked at him. She saw his pain more and more. She wanted to blame herself for all of this. Why did he go through all that pain? And she just let him continu-
"But there was someone who stopped me from that. Someone who saw the real me even though I tried to hide it so much. Even from myself.", Subaru said while he was looking at Emilia as well.
Both looked at each other.
"Do you want to know what she did?", Subaru asked with a smile.
Emilia stood silently, looking at him.
Subaru gently held her head with his hand. And slowly pushed it into his lap.
"Eh…?", Emilia was confused.
"Wow this position is really weird. But it doesn't really tickle as I expected.", Subaru said.
"Subaru what are you doing?", Emilia said while blushing.
"Though it really is embarrassing…", Subaru said while blushing as well.
"To be honest, even looking at you makes me nervous with how cute you look.", Subaru said.
"You are really goofy Subaru but… What are you trying to do?", Emilia said, confused about her situation.
"A bedtime story, let's say."
"A… bedtime story?"
"Yeah… So let me continue that story."
Subaru put his hand onto Emilia's hair slowly patting her.
"That angel put her hand onto my hair like this. Her words were comforting and kind. She made that day so special to me even though it was only my second day here. She probably didn't even know who I was or why I was here. She just came to me and helped me without wanting anything", Subaru said.
Emilia continued listening to him. She started to remember that day.
"Now that angel is also overwhelmed, huh?", Subaru said, directing the question at Emilia.
"I… No… Of course not! I-I'm fine!", Emilia said with a fake chuckle.
"I know this life… isn't easy… And I don't know what you have been through… But for now this is all I can do", Subaru said while Emilia looked at his gentle smile.
Emilia stood silent while couldn't find a word. She turned her face to not be seen by Subaru.
"Subaru… I… I'm fine… You don't have to worry about me…", Emilia said while her tears made each word harder to say.
"I'm sure you are tired and probably hiding something from not just me but even yourself to feel less pain. Even though it never worked", Subaru said.
Emilia stood silent while trying not to tear up more.
"And all of it was… rough hasn't it?", Subaru said while getting near Emilia's ear.
"I… I…", These were Emilia's last words before she let herself.
Her tears were uncontrollably going down onto Subaru's pants.
"I… It was rough… Seeing you…. Seeing Ram… like that… It was painful… I wanted… I wanted all of you to be happy… But I… I was scared to even move… And... then it happened anyway… Because of me…", Emilia said while crying.
"I was scared of it happening… again… It hurt… It hurt more than death… fear of losing everyone… Fear of letting everyone down…", Emilia said.
Subaru looked at her. He was tearing up as well. He had felt everything she was going through. Everything she said was like him talking to himself.
"And I wanted… I wanted to finish it myself… I wanted to fix my mistake… I…", Emilia said while Subaru's emotional response cut her words.
He continued patting Emilia's hair while trying to find the right words.
"I know... I should have known… And help you right away… Unlike this where I let you be sad…", Subaru said while starting to tear up.
Emilia, hearing those words, looked at Subaru. She had one question.
"Why… Why are you thinking so lowly of yourself?", Emilia asked.
"Huh…?"
"You… always helped me… You are still standing even after all that happened… You are still protecting everyone… You are still trying to give everyone a happy ending…", Emilia said.
"Emilia-tan I…", Subaru said, not expecting this comeback.
"Even now… You are still doing it… And… I want to do the same…", Emilia said.
Emilia got off from Subaru's lap and smiled at him with her tears.
"I want to give everyone a happy ending too. Including you", Emilia said.
Subaru looked at her. Her determined eyes to her words. He wanted to keep Emilia away from danger but now he fully accepted it. Accepted her into his world.
He wiped his tears.
"Alright then Emilia-tan!", Subaru said with his energetic behaviour returned.
Subaru put his hand to the front.
Emilia was first confused about his hand but then she clapped and shook his hand.
"Let's do this together, partner!", Subaru said with an excited look.
Emilia looked at him. Her eyes of fear and desperation were turned into a sigh of relief and hope.
"I… I'm sorry Subaru for trying to… avoid you…", Emilia said, feeling guilty for her actions.
"I have been there before Emilia-tan. I understand your worries... But hey… Didn't you say once that a "thank you" is much better than tons of "sorry"s?", Subaru said with a comforting chuckle.
Emilia chuckled as well relaxed about her situation. She had a genuine smile on her face.
"Thank you, partner", she said while holding his hand with her two hands while smiling at him.
Subaru was relieved to see Emilia in this way. Finally accepting her fully as his partner and friend in this new journey.
After the talk they left the room and walked to Frederica.
"I guess it's done?", Frederica asked.
"Frederica that was dirty…", Emilia said with a frustrated look.
"I… Well you see-", Frederica's sentence was cut before she found an excuse.
"Thank you, my best friend!", Emilia said.
"Huh…? O-Of course! I will always help my bestie!", Frederica said, and didn't know what to say other than that.
"Wow Emilia-tan you are gonna make me jealous", Subaru said with a playful attitude.
"Huh…? Hehe idiot.", Emilia said with a chuckle.
"So do you want to separate your room Emilia?", Frederica asked one last time.
"No… I… I'm good.", Emilia said while blushing.
Frederica looked at her with a smug smile.
"Wh-What?", Emilia asked.
Later Subaru and Emilia walked to the room together.
"Well… I hoped you would sleep under my lap Emilia-tan. That was quite disappointing.", Subaru said.
"Huh?",
"I mean I was hoping to see your cute sleepy face."
"Don't we sleep together now?", Emilia was confused.
"But it would be much cuter! Was my lap uncomfortable?", Subaru asked.
"Huh… No no! It was great!", Emilia said. She thought Subaru was serious so she didn't want him to be sad. And she started to blush.
Her response made both of them feel really awkward so they stopped talking about it.
Emilia started to think while walking.
"So… Subaru?",
"Yes Emilia-tan?", Subaru said.
"What are we going to do now?", Emilia said with a worried voice.
"Well… First let's calm down tonight and sleep. Hmm… Tomorrow we will just do what we did normally", Subaru said.
"But fourth day?", Emilia said, not satisfied with his explanation.
"We can handle that on the fourth day. I start to think about a plan but I need to be sure. While I do that. Let's focus on others and the mansion, yeah?", Subaru asked.
Emilia, after he said that, started to think about Ram. After the things that happened, she wanted to help her with whatever her situation is.
"I see. You are right.", Emilia said.
After that, the day was over with Emilia and Subaru being ready for the next.
It was another day. Like before the two partners were in their familiar spots.
Subaru today got early in the bathroom to be not seen by Roswaal. He was just gonna clean it quickly and leave.
"Third time's the charm. I hope I won't see that bastard agai-", Just as he said that he heard the door open behind him.
When he turned back with frustration he saw Roswaal again with his chest open.
"Isn't this a bit early for a bath… Sir?", Subaru said with a small frustration seen in his face.
"Noooot at all.", Roswaal said with a smug smile.
Subaru looked at the curse again. With it Roswaal again started to talk.
"I guess yoooooou are wondering what is this cuuuuurse ı have.", Roswaal smiled.
Subaru got weirded out by this conversation happening again.
"This thing appeared suddenly. I know that it's a curse that I created with an oath. But I'm not sure what that is. Maybe the future will teeell me?", he explained and winked.
"Is he trying something right now?", Subaru said, confused about his situation.
"Hmm what's this face you are making Suuuuuubaru?", Roswaal asked in amusement.
"Nothing! I will finish this place quickly and will tell you. Alright?", Subaru said.
"Aaaalright."
Emilia was peeling out potatoes with Rem and Ram.
She got better at it unlike before. She was taking it slowly.
"Emilia, aren't you going a bit slow?", Rem asked.
"Yes Miarie we have a lot more things to do. Stop wasting time.", Ram said.
"Oh… I'm sorry. I'm not good at it yet. So I want to make it a bit slow to do it better", Emilia said.
Ram looked at the potatoes.
"Yeah you are doing it quite alright. But you can do it faster. And you should do it faster", Ram said.
"I… Um… I will try my best.", Emilia said.
With it she started to get faster but tried to focus on peeling out patatos much better than her last attempts. And she started to get better.
She put all the peeled potatoes in a bowl with a proud smile.
But her smile was over when she saw Ram started to hide her face.
"I need to go for a while. Take care of all the other things Rem", Ram said.
"Are you alright, Boss?", Emilia said, still worried even though she knew this was going to happen.
"I am. Just focus on your job.", Ram said, trying to avoid the talk.
"Ram something clearly happened. Please tell me.", Emilia said with a serious look on her face.
"I said I AM FINE! Do your job!", Ram said and quickly ran away.
Both Rem and Emilia looked at her quite shocked.
Ram ran to the stairs and looked at her forehead.
"I overworked myself again…", Ram said with frustration.
Subaru after his cleaning in the bathroom walked through a corridor. In there he felt a familiar feeling through one of the doors.
He knew she was there but should he go there?
He held his breath. And opened it.
"Hi Beako!", Subaru said.
Beatrice was there reading her book.
"How did you find me? This place can't be discovered so easily, I suppo- Wait what did you call me?", Beatrice said with her voice turned calm to extremely confused.
"I thought it would make our bonds stronger. Did you like it?", Subaru said.
"Betty does not need a hideous name like this, I suppose. Especially coming from someone who is not trustworthy like you, in fact.", Beatrice said.
"Come on. You hurt my feelings, Beako", Subaru said.
"Stop with this nickname, in fact! I'm sure you want something from me. Tell me and leave, I suppose", Beatrice said, frustrated by Subaru.
Subaru stopped upon hearing that. He stood there for a while.
"Hey!"
"HEY!", Beatrice yelled since Subaru didn't seem to respond to her.
"No…", Subaru said.
"No? What do you mean by that, I suppose?", Beatrice said, confused about Subaru's behaviour.
"I… I don't want something from you…", Subaru said.
"Then leave, I suppo-"
"I want to help you.", Subaru said in a calm voice.
"Huh…"
"Please, give me a chance.", Subaru said, begging for Betty to come back.
...
Beatrice stopped for a while. She closed her book.
"Chance is given, I suppose. I'm waiting for you to do what you need, I suppose.", Beatrice said.
"Really!", Subaru said in excitement.
"You are amazing Beak-", Subaru was going for a hug but Beatrice stopped him with her hand.
"Don't even try, in fact.", Beatrice said, ready to throw him away from the room.
"So-Sorry…", Subaru said.
It was night time for the mansion. Both Subaru and Emilia were in sleep with Subaru being extremely happy about it. Emilia on the other hand wanted to help Ram no matter what.
But while they were sleeping there were still two people who were not.
"Lord Roswaal..."
"Cooome here Ram. It seems you worked too much toooday", Roswaal signaled her to come near him.
"I understand Lord Roswaal", she bowed.
Third day began with Subaru entering the library.
"It's early for a human to be here, I suppose", Betty said.
"You know, I just want to always be with you", Subaru said.
"Stop being weird, I suppose. Don't you need to help that Half elf girl anyway, I suppose?"
"Emilia-tan is wearing her outfit. Since I have some time, I want to talk to you", Subaru said.
Beatrice looked at him and continued reading her book.
"I forgot how much of a tsundere you are…", Subaru said with a disappointed face.
"I don't know what's tsundere but it bugs me a lot, in fact", Betty said, still looking at her book.
"Subaru! Ram says Roswaal wants us", Emilia called out.
"I guess my queen calls me!", Subaru said while looking at Beatrice.
"Finally you will be gone, I suppose."
"Heh… Don't think you will have to wait for me for a long time", Subaru said with a smirk.
"Also…", Subaru said while looking at Beatrice.
"I want to talk to you after tomorrow. About… the thing… You want to hear…", Subaru said looking at Beatrice.
Beatrice looked at him upon hearing his words. Seeing her eyes makes him feel uncomfortable. Because he knows what those eyes tell.
"No I won't kill you…", Subaru thought for himself and couldn't bring himself to tell Beatrice.
"Wish me, Luck!", Subaru said with a smile and left the library.
Later Subaru, Emilia and the other maids went to see Roswaal. After Roswaal explained all the things he wanted to tell them, Subaru asked him the same questions he asked before. And then he went away from the mansion.
After this, the mansion was mostly silent with everyone doing their jobs. Except Emilia.
She looked for Ram. She was in the backyard.
"That Barusu didn't cut them right. I should've been more careful…", Ram said, disappointed by Subaru's work.
"Hey Boss.", Emilia said.
"Huh? It's good that you are here Miarie. Call Barusu here so I can talk about his absurd job here", Ram said.
"Of course but… Um… I want to ask something to you…", Emilia said, ready for what's going to happen.
"I hope it won't waste my time… Seriously Barusu needs to get better at this…", Ram said, still focused on Subaru's flaws.
"Um… Were you alright when we peel potatoes?", Emilia asked.
Ram's attention turned to Emilia once more.
"I said I'm fine there. Stop asking stupid ques-", Ram's words are stopped by Emilia.
"Ram, blood was coming out of your head and you seemed tired. Talk to me", Emilia said leaving no choice for Ram.
Ram pushed her aside.
"I will look for Barusu myself", She said and ran away.
Emilia was not letting go of this. She knew where she was going and she was going to help Ram.
Emilia quickly went to Ram's room. She looked at her closet again.
She silently went to it and opened it. She saw so many maid outfits with a little pink hair coming out of it.
She smiled at seeing her like that again. It reminded her of the old times where she was with Mother Fortuna and Guese.
She slowly touched the maid outfits.
"Eek", A small oni's noise came out of it.
She took out a few of the clothes.
"Hi Boss", Emilia said with a small smile.
"You are not supposed to be here Mieria", Ram pouted.
Before Ram could say more Emilia patted her head.
"Yeah, I wanted to be here.", Emilia said with a warm smile.
"I don't!", Ram said, trying to sound angry but she didn't even take Emilia's hand away from her head.
Emilia kneeled down again with her smile.
"Do you need something? Did you injure your head? I can help you.", Emilia said.
Ram looked at her for a while.
"I… I'm alright…", Ram said.
Emilia continued patting Ram.
"Well… When you need me I will always be here.", Emilia said.
Emilia stood up and turned back with a hand she knew was coming to hold her.
"Miarie…", the little girl called out.
Emilia turned back. "Yes Boss?"
"Can you stay… for a while?", she asked, holding Emilia's hand.
Emilia smiled.
"Always."
Emilia and Ram sat down on a bed.
Both stayed silent for a while. Emilia looked at Ram much more clearly. It was obvious Ram felt uncomfortable but she still wanted to stay. Ram started to get closer to Emilia. Her face started to turn red.
Ram hugged her and that hug quickly followed by a hug came from Emilia.
"I'm going to be with you.", Emilia said, her thoughts unintentionally became words.
With those words the little girl started to cry. Her tears were dropping to Emilia's legs and a noise coming out of the oni.
Ram again slowly lay down on Emilia's lap. Emilia finally felt right once again.
And for Ram, so many emotions and memories came from Emilia's love. She looked at her in a way she never did to anyone. She wanted her to stay with her. She wanted to protect her no matter what.
And then she slept calmly.
Emilia looked at her cute face for a while. She continued patting her hair.
She was uncontrollably looking at her stomach while this was happening. She was still traumatized by the events but both Subaru and Ram were enough to make her feel better.
While they stayed there for a while Rem suddenly came into the room.
She never saw her sister like this. She quickly took a stance thinking Emilia did something bad to Ram. She looked like the witch after all.
Emilia was scared by her look. She seemed angry at her and she didn't even know why. But then Rem again looked at her sister.
She slowly approached both of them.
"Sister?", Rem asked, confused by her position.
"Shhh! She is sleeping", Emilia said.
Rem was still confused by this turn of events.
"What happened?", Rem asked.
"We both had a talk that… I guess we both needed", Emilia said with a smile.
After looking at Emilia, Rem's face turned to Ram.
"I never saw her like that", Rem said with a smile.
"She is worried about you, you know", Emilia said.
"Huh?", Rem was confused about what Emilia said.
"She wants you to have a life where you could be happy more than anything."
Rem changed her attitude to be more serious.
"Of course, my sister is always a caring and good individual.", Rem said.
Emilia didn't know how to give her a different answer from this.
She just gave her a head pat.
"I think you are too", Emilia said with a warm smile as well.
"Thank you, Emilia", Rem said with a cold yet still happy smile.
After a few minutes, Rem went to the bathroom. It was night time after all.
"I guess it's time for me to sleep as well", Emilia said.
She slowly held Ram with her arms and put her to her bed. When she tried to leave, Ram gripped her arm with her two hands.
"Um…", Emilia was stuck.
When Rem came back, she saw the situation. She quickly goes to Ram.
"Sister?", Rem said while touching her cheeks.
"Sister, you are holding Emilia's arm."
Ram slowly opened her eyes.
"Huh…?"
"Sister it's night time", Rem said with a worry in her voice.
Realizing that, Ram quickly leaves Emilia's hand.
…
"Sorry…", Ram said, but didn't know what else to say.
"No, don't worry. I'm happy about it. If you want it, you can always ask me to help you", Emilia said.
Ram looked at her silently.
"Good night… um… Em… Miarie", Ram said.
Emilia, seeing her face, smiled at her.
"Good night as well.", Emilia said.
Later Emilia joined Subaru.
"Wow, where were you Emilia-tan?", Subaru asked.
"I was with Ram."
"That long! She must have given you a really long list of works.", Subaru said with a funny tone.
"Hehe, no. Just her and I, having a fun talk with each other.", Emilia said with her happiness coming from everywhere.
"Fun talk with Ram? Is it even possible?", Subaru said.
"Well she is much more than you think", Emilia said.
"I see… Can I see that Ram?", Subaru said.
"Maybe one day", Emilia said with a tease.
Both laughed it off. Emilia felt a huge weight was off her.
But then she remembered that weight's reason.
"Subaru…", Emilia said.
"Yes Emilia-tan. I know what to do", Subaru said, already knowing the question.
"We will finish this once and for all", Subaru said with confidence.
Emilia remembered her time with Ram one last time. She squeezed her hand and put on a determined face.
"Yes, let's finish this"
-To be continued.