[AN: This assumes you are caught up on the Subaru Juukulius story up to Arc 2's conclusion. If you wish to avoid spoilers, read the main series first!]
Mere days after being officially knighted by the Royal Knight Commander, Subaru already had a knight assignment offer waiting for him. His good friend Ferris was a personal knight to Duchess Crusch Karsten, of the Karsten Noble House. He considered her to be something of a friendly acquaintance, always welcoming him in when visiting Ferris. She was the first candidate for the Royal Selection to be discovered, and was already fairly well known for having been engaged to Prince Fourier of the Lugnican Royal Family before he tragically passed away.
It was certainly a surprise to get such a fast offer from someone like Crusch Karsten. She had Ferris hand-deliver the offer, and he was overjoyed to deliver the letter to Subaru.
When Subaru greeted Ferris, the cat-boy was absolutely beaming. He exclaimed, "Subaru! My myaster wishes to have you as a knight of the Karsten House, nya! I really hyope you will accept! We can hyang out all the time, nya!"
From around the corner, they heard Julius add, "Subaru, this is absolutely incredible! You're a knight for a mere three days, and already a Royal Candidate wishes to take you into their camp! Why don't we make plans to go visit Duchess Karsten and talk to her about her offer?"
Subaru was both excited and mildly dazed. Sure, he never got any special isekai protagonist powers, but he felt so fortunate that a knight with a noble background found him, took him in, and trained him. There was absolutely no other way a possibility like this could have happened if we were dropped in under other circumstances.
He smiled widely at Julius and exclaimed, "Of course! Ferris, we'd like to meet up with your master at the next available opportunity!"
The happy cat-boy left on a mission to set up a time for Subaru to talk to Crusch Karsten. Subaru and Julius sat down in a nearby parlor to talk about what his next steps were.
Julius told Subaru, "As incredible as this offer is, we should make sure it's beneficial for you, Subaru. Don't accept anything less than being an auxiliary knight."
The two discussed several important topics related to his offer. The one common theme was that if Crusch makes at least a mediocre offer, it is worth taking for the extra status gained by an affiliation with a Royal Candidate's camp. Of course, Subaru could always hold out and meet with other candidates to see if he ends up with a better offer from another camp.
Later that evening, a messenger from House Karsten arrived and informed Subaru and Julius that they could both visit tomorrow for a luncheon and a discussion about her offer for Subaru. The two adjourned for the night, and Subaru went back to his suite, where he thought about what he would ask Crusch before deciding whether to accept.
As Subaru kicked back and relaxed in his room, Flora knocked on the door, and he called her to enter. She brought in a pitcher of lemonade and a small plate of cookies. Lemonade was popular with the entire Juukulius family since Subaru introduced it, and Flora had learned how to balance the sweet and tart flavors perfectly. Since his official knighting and acceptance into the family, she had been assigned as his personal attendant. She had mostly been attending to him anyway, so it worked out great for her.
"Su-Sir Subaru, sorry, how are you feeling? Are you nervous about your visit to the Karsten manor?"
He chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so. Also, you don't have to call me Sir just because I got knighted a few days ago. Just call me Subaru."
She smiled and shook her head. "Sir Subaru, while I appreciate the intent of your comment, it is improper for someone like me to address someone above me with such informality. I would prefer to continue to address you by your earned title. Do not think this means I think less of you; I have nothing but the utmost respect for the hard work you put in to reach this level."
"Flora, I was honestly really lucky. I mean, I not only have an affinity for yin magic, which is already super rare, but I also have an incredibly high affinity for spirits. Also, I literally ran into Julius on my first day here, and he took a liking to me. If not for that, who knows what would have happened to me!"
She laughed. "I'm certain you'd have been fine. Surely another noble would've found you and taken you in, with your kind of luck. Perhaps Duchess Karsten might have found you instead? Maybe you'd already be under her thumb."
She winked, and he blushed just a little. "Flora, don't tease me like that! I feel like this was one of the best outcomes, though. Julius and Rein trained me to fight with the sword and shield, and while I'm not exactly gifted with a sword, the shield is great when I'm using my spirit arts. I nearly had Julius with a surprise attack by using a shield bash and magic combo! He caught on before I could hit him, but even he admitted it was a really, really good try."
She smiled warmly. "I remember that. Later that evening, Sir Julius was up wondering how you managed to pull such a thing off. I don't think he slept very well that night. I have to say, I don't think I've even seen him get flustered over anything like that. That is something to be very proud of, Sir Subaru."
They both laughed for a bit, and then Flora excused herself for the night. The next day was going to be long, but Subaru also hoped it would be worth it.
Flora walked down the hall back to the servant's wing. Ever since she had started attending to him two years ago, she'd begun to see him like a younger brother. He was an optimistic young man with a full life of adventure awaiting him. She never vocalized it, but she was excited by the prospect of Subaru achieving such a position. She felt an overwhelming sense of pride toward him, even though she was just his attendant.
After a good night's sleep, Flora readied herself before going to wake Subaru. In anticipation that she may be asked to travel with Julius and Subaru, she put her hair up into a bun. Compared to a ponytail, buns are tricky, but she has put up a bun enough times in her life that it only took a minute. With the bun in place, she went to go wake Subaru.
As usual, he was so soundly asleep that he was drooling on the pillow. She much preferred to find him like this. There were a few times he'd be in the middle of a horrific nightmare, and she would inevitably have to hold him for a little while so he could calm down after awakening. With a spring in her step, she walked over to the bed and placed her hand on his shoulder to wake him up.
"Hngh...Five more minutes, mom...I don't wanna go to school today." She could've sworn she saw bubbles forming in his not-really-awake mouth.
"Sir Subaru, I'm not your mother. It's me, Flora. You have an important day today, remember?" She sounded annoyed, but in truth she would have a really hard time actually being annoyed with him.
His eyes shot open. "Oh geez, you're right! I gotta go to the Karsten Manor! Sorry, I gotta get ready now!"
The poor redheaded maid barely had time to shield her eyes as he threw off his nightclothes and ran into the adjacent bathroom. She sighed with an amused look on her face and prepared his new uniform. For his new brother's knighting, Julius had prepared a special badge for his upper collar, a golden N to honor his former family name. Normally, a Royal Knight only wears a badge representing their noble family's coat of arms, but after hearing about Subaru's tragic circumstances regarding his family, he felt his brother should get to honor his long-lost family as well as his new family.
Flora finished preparations, and left the room to give Subaru some privacy for when he inevitably finished in the bath. The aforementioned youth finished cleaning up and got dressed for the day. He tried to straighten the collar as best he could, hoping to avoid disappointing Julius. With a smile on his face, he stepped out of his room, directly into Julius.
"Good morning, Subaru. I see your collar is still a bit crooked. It's better than the first day, though. Flora, could you help him fix it?" The grin on his face was almost unbearable for Subaru.
He pouted as Flora straightened his collar. She teasingly reprimanded him, "Come now, Sir Subaru, what if your face freezes like that and Crusch has to meet with a pouting knight?"
He quickly wiped the pout off his face, and both her and Julius had a chuckle at his expense. As she expected, Julius requested she join the two of them in their journey, and his attendant would cover for her chores at the manor that day. She would handle the carriage and parking while they were in the company of Duchess Karsten.
In the short ride, the two knights discussed what to expect from Crusch. Julius didn't want to get his hopes up too much, but he earnestly hoped Crusch would at least offer a senior adjunct role, working with Ferris instead of under him. There was a rumor going around that she was seeking to get Wilhelm van Astrea as a personal knight as well, which could impact the chance for Subaru to get a really high position.
Flora informed the two of their arrival at the manor, and upon exiting found Crusch herself as well as Ferris awaiting them personally. Julius nudged Subaru, and they walked to the well dressed Duchess and catboy.
"Sirs Julius and Subaru, I welcome you formally to this manor of House Karsten. Thank you for accepting my invitation. If you'll follow me and my knight, Ferris, we will enjoy our luncheon before we talk further." Crusch's smile was energetic and powerful, sending a shiver down Subaru's spine.
Julius leaned over to whisper, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Subaru. Don't forget that she's the leader of her household in addition to being a Royal Candidate." He winked at his flustered young companion.
Subaru glared back at Julius, much to the latter's amusement. The elder knight couldn't stop chuckling to himself as he and the red-faced younger knight walked to the Karsten Manor.
The two composed themselves before catching back up with Crusch and Ferris. Ferris teasingly grabbed Subaru's wrist and dragged him along to the grand dining hall, while Julius and Crusch couldn't help but to smirk at the catboy's teasing. The four made their way to a very well-catered dining hall, lined with many exotic drinks and unusual foods Subaru had never seen before. He couldn't believe all these foods were here for just four people, even if those four included a Royal Candidate and three Royal Knights.
His gaze shifted between all the different foods, and his head spun as the servants attempted to explain what each dish was. For poor Subaru, it was all just too much. Never before had he attended such a posh event; While the Juukulius family held events similar to this, they were always reserved for the highest ranking members, and prior to a few days ago he was just a long term guest.
Sensing his protegé was feeling overwhelmed, Julius gently nudged Subaru toward some more recognizable food, and the two filled their plates with some especially juicy-looking steak, a variety of freshly roasted vegetables, and Subaru got rice while Julius chose a baked tato.
The table the four sat at seemed comically large compared to the group, but Subaru figured it was just because these sorts of dining halls were meant to host larger gatherings. Julius and himself had been sat far enough apart to have room for another person, Crusch sat at the head, and Ferris sat across from Subaru. He felt there was probably room for ten people at this huge table, but he just shrugged and went with it.
One hearty meal and a lot of small talk later, Subaru was shown why so much food was prepared; once the four had finished, all the servants of the manor showed up to get a share of food to eat elsewhere. He thought it was incredible that Crusch had the sort of attitude to share her prosperity with her staff, and his opinion of her rose significantly.
Crusch led Subaru, Julius, and Ferris away from the grand dining hall and to her main office. It was a bit of a walk, covering two wings and 3 flights of stairs, and upon arrival Crusch immediately invited everyone to sit down. Her office was relatively spartan compared to the grand dining hall, but it still had its charm. The walls were adorned with a lovely land and sky color pattern, and she had several small bust statues lined up on the side of her large, ornate desk.
"So, Sir Subaru, how was your lunch? Did my chefs manage to impress you?" Crusch broke the silence, looking at Subaru in anticipation.
He responded with a bit of childish excitement, "Oh, yeah, yeah! The food was really good! It's better than what I usually eat!"
She put her hand over her mouth as she chuckled, and Julius chided him, "Subaru, I hope you're not saying my family's chefs aren't any good."
The young knight stammered, "N-No, not at all! I just meant, even when the food I eat is usually very good, this was even better! I swear that's what I meant!"
An evil, yet teasing smirk crossed Julius' face as Subaru realized he'd been duped. "Hey, that's not fair! Don't just tease me like that and make it sound so serious!"
He sighed in defeat, having been bested. One day, he vowed, he would defeat Julius in a teasing match. Crusch was barely containing herself as she observed the bantering between the two. It all seemed so familiar, watching such an energetic man with a bizarre personality who never failed to make her smile.
Crusch said, "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the luncheon. I do enjoy a good excuse to have the chefs really let loose and prepare a wide variety of food. Plus, all the servants get to enjoy the selection, too."
She took a breath and continued, "Now, I think it's time we talked about the reason why I invited you here. I've known you now for about a year and a half, from the first time Ferris invited you over to see how he uses water magic. From what I've seen, you've become a knight in your own right, and you've even managed to become a spirit knight like your mentor. You will not be surprised to know I am an ambitious woman, and I would very much like to have a spirit knight at my side. Julius is already taken, but you would be no mere replacement; nay, you are a good knight with the potential to become a great knight under my banner."
After a sip of water, she finished up by saying, "Sir Subaru, it would be an honor to invite you to join me as my second personal knight."
The mood in the room rapidly changed after Crusch made her offer. As much as Subaru was ready to let his jaw drop, he tried his hardest to stay composed. Julius was practically jittering with anticipation over this development, and the look he gave Subaru was just screaming, What are you waiting for, you idiot?!
After a minute of anxiousness from Subaru, he finally responded.
"Duchess Crusch, I humbly accept your invitation to become your second personal knight."
The first to offer congratulations, shockingly, was Ferris. The energetic catboy immediately cheered and lifted Subaru out of his seat, saying, "You did it, Syubaru! Nyow you and I get to work together under Lyady Crusch! Thyis is incredible, nya~!"
Julius was naturally the next to congratulate him. "Subaru, this is one of the best offers any new Royal Knight could ever hope to achieve, much less a junior knight! I don't think I've ever been quite so proud of someone before, Subaru. Truly, this is an incredible day."
Crusch smiled as Ferris and Julius buttered Subaru up with compliments and congratulations. She was just as happy to have him around; he was a spirit knight, so he would undoubtedly become a valuable member of the camp quickly. Ferris may be one of the best healers in the country, if not the best, but she was going to need some very strong personal knights by her side for the journeys she wished to embark on as a Royal Candidate.
As the trio of knights calmed down, Crusch invited them to sit once more so she could go over details with him.
"So, Sir Subaru, as my personal knight, you will be afforded certain privileges and benefits in addition to your salary. You will be paid as a full Royal Knight from my household instead of being paid as a Junior knight by the Royal Treasury, for one. Also, you will be given a permanent lodging inside one of my manor's staterooms to serve as both your office and private space as needed. You will also get an attendant allowance since I've been informed you currently have an attendant as a full member of the Juukulius household. We will go over all the other details at a later time. For now, my servants have already prepared a stateroom in anticipation you would accept my offer."
Subaru and Julius followed Crusch and Ferris as they led them to the young knight's new quarters. Thankfully, it was located only a few rooms away on the luxurious top floor of the manor. Upon entering the new room, Subaru was astonished by the size and shape of the room, not to mention its decorations. Unlike Crusch's office, the walls were carved with finely finished wood patterns, complemented by an ornate green and yellow patterned carpet lining the floor.
Crusch nudged Subaru as she asked, "So, how do you like it? Is it at least as good as your other arrangements?"
In an effort to avoid teasing from Julius, he answered, "Yeah, this is up to the standards I'm used to. Thanks, Duchess Crusch, this will be great!"
Ferris exclaimed, "C'mon, Syubaru, aren't you going to tell Lady Crusch that it's even better than what you got with Julius? Surely she-nya!"
He winced in pain as Crusch pulled his comically-large ear. "Ferris! Don't tease him so harshly. I'm certain what he meant is that he likes his accommodations, so I'm happy. I also would have been interested to know if somehow there were better accommodations at the Juukulius manor." She winked at Subaru and Julius with her last remark.
The ever-pleasant purple-haired knight responded, "I fear the only rooms better than a room like this back home would be the ones belonging to the heads of the family. This is a well-equipped room for a noble, and a Royal Knight."
She smiled. "Well, with Sir Julius' seal of approval, I can rest easy. I would've hated to disappoint you. Sir Subaru, should we make arrangements to receive anything for your new lodging?"
Subaru shook his head. "No, I don't really have anything besides some clothes and my other uniforms."
Julius interjected, "Subaru, if there's anything you would prefer to store at the Juukulius Manor, you can leave it there. Your room is a noble's room, so it will always be yours so long as you're a member of the family."
He then looked to Crusch and asked, "Duchess, would it be alright if I had a quick discussion with Subaru in private before I take my leave?"
She nodded, and gently dragged Ferris out with her, still grabbing his ear. Subaru and Julius chuckled at Ferris' predicament for a moment before they talked.
"Now, Subaru, you don't need me to tell you that this is one of the best outcomes for you. While this means we are now in rival camps, our connection means that perhaps my lady and Duchess Crusch could lay the groundwork for an alliance down the road. Also, Subaru, she will be counting on you. This isn't to say that you have to be perfect, and can't make a single mistake, it means you have to try your hardest for her. Mistakes are forgivable, inaction is not."
The two continued talking for a while longer about various topics related to being a personal knight until Julius realized he was starting to say the same thing over and over again. He realized that Subaru just needed to get some experience as a personal knight so he can put the skills he has learned to the test, and a student of his should have no trouble doing so. He only feared that Subaru may end up in an unprecedented situation very early on and not know what to do in a critical situation, since that sort of knowledge is gained through experience.
Having wrapped up their discussion, the two knights rejoined Crusch and Ferris. Julius once more congratulated Subaru on his new position, and Ferris offered to get Julius some transportation back home, now that Flora would be otherwise occupied. In the meantime, Crusch asked Subaru to join her once more in her office. The two walked the short distance back in a slightly anxious silence.
Upon entering the office, Crusch gestured for Subaru to sit down once more. "So, Sir Subaru, as my newest personal knight, I think it's time I started bringing you up to date on our plans as a camp. Before I do that, I would like to address something."
He tilted his head in curiosity. "Of course, Duchess, what is it?"
She sighed, though she smiled through it. "That's exactly what I want to talk about. You're part of my camp now, so no more of this 'Duchess' nonsense. I don't really care for that title, even if I am the leader of my house. I would much prefer you address me either by my name, or as 'My Lady'. We will reserve my formal title only for major events, like Royal Selection events or banquets with the other nobles under House Karsten. Do you understand?"
He was surprised by her forwardness, demanding such casualness from a knight like him. However, it greatly endeared her to him, since as an original denizen of Earth, he didn't much care for titles either.
"Of course, Lady Crusch. Or, is just Crusch what you want me to say?" He smiled, waiting for her answer.
She returned it, answering, "Just Crusch would be great. Thank you, Sir Subaru. Having you be casual with me is a breath of fresh air from the stuffiness of other knights and nobles. I can't even get Ferris to drop the 'Lady' title. Speaking of titles, I don't suppose you've already gotten sick of your new title?"
He chuckled. "Flora, my attendant, insists on calling me by my new title even though she's known me for two years now! I don't dislike it, but I think I'd enjoy not having to be called 'Sir' by every other person."
She laughed at his small tirade and said, "Ha, certainly, Subaru. I can see that our new relationship is already starting off on the right foot. Now, I believe we have more pressing matters to discuss, especially concerning my position in the Royal Selection."
She explained the many facets of her position, and the goals she had in mind should she win the selection. More than anything, she wanted to end the covenant with the Dragon, as she saw the contract as one sided, and Volcanica has not been holding up their end of the deal. She believes the Dragon could have intervened in the curse killing the Royal Family, in particular her late fiance. She did have one important item on her upcoming agenda, however, she wanted Subaru to be aware of.
"Subaru, in about a week, I intend to travel out of the capital to recruit the Sword Demon, Wilhelm van Astrea. I believe I have the necessary arguments that would convince him to support my cause and become my third personal knight. As it would happen, I know exactly what he is after, and it's something that I want to address as a Royal Candidate anyway."
After a brief pause, she asked, "So, Subaru, will you join Ferris and I as we travel to recruit Wilhelm van Astrea? I think there's a good chance he'd like you. You may remind him of when he was a young knight brimming with energy!"
Subaru couldn't help but smile along at her smirk. He was used to being complimented and teased by Julius, Ferris, and Reinhard, but hearing it so enthusiastically from a beautiful woman like Crusch was mind-boggling. Even in her masculine uniform, she still looked lovely. For a second, he could've sworn he saw something different going through her eyes, but he dismissed it as just him seeing things.
He answered after a short pause. "Of course! I'd be excited to join you two on a journey to recruit the legendary Sword Demon. When the day comes, I'll be as ready as I can be."
"Thanks, Subaru," she warmly replied. "I know deep down that I can count on you. Having Wilhelm around means having two incredible knights in addition to the best healer in the country. Wilhelm's support for our camp will no doubt increase our standing in the selection. You know, a thought occurred to me. Subaru, are you familiar with the White Whale?"
He perked up at the sudden question. "The White Whale? Yeah, known for attacking mostly travelling merchants along the road, and it's absolutely devastating in power. That's about the extent that I know."
Her face turned serious. "You see, Subaru, we're going to tell Wilhelm that we plan to fight the White Whale. That is what he wants more than anything."
He couldn't hide the shock on his face. They were willingly going to go up against one of the most terrifying threats in the known world, mostly to recruit the Sword Demon. Sure, Crusch and her camp annihilating the White Whale would also seriously advance her position, but it's still incredibly dangerous. The fact she had such a huge goal gave him pause, but he was determined to show her that he was up for anything she would throw his way.
"He was married to the previous Sword Saint, right? She fell fighting the Whale, so that would make sense." It was only by coincidence that Subaru learned that fact. He had asked Julius one day why Reinhard looked sad when he couldn't see anyone watching him, and he learned all about what happened all those years ago.
Crusch nodded. "Precisely. We will defeat the White Whale, and with the sponsorship of the Sword Demon, we should be in a particularly strong position. My chances of winning the selection should increase dramatically. Also, Subaru, since you'll be helping me lead the battle as my personal knight, it should prove a significant boost in your reputation."
She had a look of determination and willingness, and Subaru was beyond convinced. "Well, Crusch, it sounds to me like we should begin recruiting the soldiers we need to take on the White Whale!"
For the first time, he extended her hand to her. She enthusiastically extended her own, and the two shook on the plan. He felt her firm grip in his hand, and felt an unshakable resolve emanating from her.
Crusch explained other key tenants of her candidacy. For instance, she wanted to increase military presence within Lugnica and fortify the three national borders. She would oversee a huge increase in the general soldier population through recruiting, and she also wished to bring an end to anti-demihuman sentiments in order to make Lugnica a stronger country as a whole. She also wished to increase the recruiting for Royal Knights, based on Subaru's example. In her mind, had Julius not happened upon Subaru, he never would've become knight, and Lugnica would be worse for it.
After explaining the rest of her goals, she dismissed him to enjoy his first evening in the Crusch Camp. He took the opportunity to explore the manor, and eventually he caught up with Flora. She had been made aware of everything, and congratulated him on his new position. She confided in him, "I look forward to introducing lemonade and mayo to this household! I hope they like it as much as the Juukulius household did."
He soon met up with Ferris, who was more than eager to show him where the main dining hall was that they normally ate in. The catboy was practically starving, or at least that's how he made it sound. Subaru knew well that Ferris had a penchant for exaggerating about these sorts of things. Regardless of that, the junior knight was quite hungry after dealing with the stresses of a job interview he'd never imagined having.
Shortly after the two knights sat down, Crusch arrived to take her place at the head of the table. After all the discussions she and Subaru had gone through, she was content with simple small talk at the table, which he happily obliged. He took note that the food prepared here had a slightly different flavor to it, but it was still quite good. Flora soon came out with her first pitcher of lemonade, since they conveniently had the right ingredients on hand.
"Wow!" exclaimed Crusch. "This is incredible. I never realized you could use lemons to make a drink like this. Flora, where did you learn to make this?"
The redheaded maid smiled and gestured towards Subaru. "Oh, it was really his idea, Lady Crusch. He said it was a popular drink from where he was from. He taught me to make a sauce as well, but I'll need to purchase those ingredients first. I'm pleased you like the lemonade!"
Both Crusch and Ferris looked surprised as they gazed at Subaru. He flashed a toothy grin with a flush on his face, and said, "Lemonade is what we called it back at home. It's actually easy to make, my mom taught me how. As for the other thing, it's called mayonnaise, and it's a flavorful sauce that goes well with meat. That one took me a little while to get right with Flora."
Ferris chuckled and remarked, "It's only nyatural that a knyight as odd as you would have some strange foods and drinks for us to try, nya~! It better be good!"
The rest of dinner went by, and concluded when Ferris complained about eating too much. Crusch and Subaru teased him, and the three left to conduct the evening affairs. Ferris excused himself to check up on a servant who fell ill recently, leaving Crusch and Subaru to walk around.
"Say, Subaru, why don't you join me in a less formal setting? In all the time I've known you, we've rarely had a normal conversation." She smiled as she waited.
He smiled and nodded. "Sure, what did you have in mind?"
"Come to my room in thirty minutes," she replied. "It's just three rooms down from your own, on the same side. We can chat over drinks and a light snack."
He felt a drip of sweat on the back of his neck. "Yeah, sounds good! I'll just, um, wait in my new room for a little while."
She chuckled. "Don't be late!" She walked off to her room, and Subaru walked to his room to cool off.
He thought, Remember what Julius said. She's a Royal Candidate, and the head of her noble house. I'm just imagining things. He shook his head and leaned back on his new sofa. He sat back and thought about how things would change for him. The tired knight could only think of one thing at first.
"Nobody makes leather sofas in the world, do they?" He couldn't help but laugh at his silly statement. He knew leather was a popular choice back on Earth for its cool, hard surface that could become supremely soft with the right padding and upholstery. The cloth sofas of this world were well and comfortable, but nothing yet could quite match the comfort of his parent's sofa from a couple years back. How can these incredibly wealthy nobles not even compare to a middle class Japanese family in this way?
He shook his head. Surely the reason there aren't leather sofas is because all the leather is used for banding armor together. He looked up at a clock, and saw the color had shifted enough that it was nearly the thirty minute mark. Subaru is nothing if not an expert in getting lost in his thoughts. After getting off the sofa, he made his way out and over to Crusch's room.
After leaving his room, he happened upon Flora, who was coming to check in with him.
"Sir Subaru, is everything as you expect it? Do I need to make any changes to your room?"
He smiled and shook his head. "No, that'll be fine, Flora. I guess the usual morning wake up call is all I need."
She smiled and nodded. "Certainly. I will head back to my new quarters for the evening so I can get acquainted with it. Have a good night, and congratulations on becoming Lady Crusch's newest personal knight." She performed a curtsey and left Subaru to continue onward to Crusch's room.
The young knight knocked on the door of his new employer's private room. As it opened, he saw Crusch wearing a beautiful, shiny green dress that perfectly complemented her hair. He had to stop himself from letting his jaw drop to the floor as she waved him in.
"Subaru! You're just in time. I'm glad you could join me! This is the first time you've seen me in the dress, isn't it? I occasionally spend the evening enjoying a drink by the balcony, and I feel like a dress is a perfect pairing for it. Today is a special day, and I have the perfect drink for it. Now, Subaru, sit down, and relax a little! You look so stiff!" She giggled a little as her new red-faced knight slowly sat down across a small table from her.
Her teasing finished, she opened up a bottle of alcohol. Subaru could see it was clear like sake, though he doubted the drink existed in this world. He used to be adamantly against drinking, but Julius convinced him to drink it at least in a social setting. He still refuses to drink it alone, but for the sake of his noble background he would drink it around other nobles if the occasion demanded it.
Crusch began to pour his drink, and she explained, "This is a particularly special drink made in my house's lands. There are a few wineries in the southern portions of my holdings, but one of them has a small patch dedicated to growing a rare fruit. By itself, the fruit is quite sour and unappetizing, but with some fermentation and distillation, it produces a slightly sweet flavor. The process takes a year and produces a single barrel, and I always receive one bottle of that barrel. It's highly sought after and each bottle sells for 2 holy coins, making it one of the most expensive drinks money can buy. I hope that tells you exactly how excited I am to have you here, Subaru."
He was astonished, but he also had a big smile on his face. "W-Well, thank you! I'm glad to be here, too. I can't say I've ever been able to try anything like this before!"
He brought the glass up to his lip and took a strong sniff. The scent reminded him of a sweet apple, and it was also quite floral. The liquid entered his mouth, and along with the distinct burning sensation of strong alcohol, he could taste that sweet flavor she was mentioning. As the warming sensation took over, he found himself gazing at her as she closed her eyes and took a drink. She gave a sigh of enjoyment as she set her glass down, and looked to see Subaru staring into space in her direction.
She waved at him and asked, "Subaru, are you still there? Don't tell me the alcohol is too much for you?"
He shook his head, embarrassed at his faux-pas. "Ah, I'm s-sorry. I, uh, just got a little unfocused. I guess I'm still in awe that you brought me into your camp as a personal knight."
Her face turned a light shade of red, and she smiled. "Well, I'm happy to hear you're happy. I hope you'll be staying with me until the end, and maybe even longer than that. Should I become the new Queen, I'm certain I'd have a place for you by my side."
His face turned red once more, and Crusch winked as she finished her thoughts. "For now, though, I just want to see how much you are truly capable of."
For a moment, she gazed into his eyes. As she did that, he swore once again he saw more than just her looking at him. She closed her eyes for a moment and said, "Well, Subaru, thank you for joining me. I meant to have more of a casual conversation, but I guess we really are used to talking about our business. Unfortunately, I must go to sleep soon. I'll see you again in the morning."
He smiled and nodded, and got up to leave. Arriving at her door, suddenly he felt her hand on his shoulder. She leaned ever so slightly on him and whispered, "Subaru, I really am grateful you accepted my offer. I'd have really felt down if another candidate managed to get you instead. Good night."
She let go, and he turned to find her face was quite red after her admission. She hurriedly covered her face, and teasingly whispered, "Oh, get out already! Get some rest!" She hurriedly closed her door as soon as she'd pushed him out, managing to not slam the door. As he walked away, swore he heard giggling on the other side.
Subaru, nervous as ever, was unsure what to make of what just happened. All he could do was shake his head and walk back to his room. He was so distracted that he nearly forgot to change into his night clothes before getting in bed. Laying on his bed and staring at the ceiling, he let his thoughts slowly recede into the back of his mind before falling asleep for the first time in his new room.
Hey guys! So this is a side story mini-series, it will release about once a month while I work on Arc 3. This is not the 'canon' route, but it's an imagination of what could have been. I think this will be about 4-5 parts, and I hope that everyone enjoys this side story. Keep your eyes out for updates!