AN: Well, we made it to 25 chapters and we are still going. I got some new modern world scenarios in my head, so more Rem experiencing life in Japan coming up soon. BTW, if any of you guys reading... Dont really care for this conflict on the island. Skip to chapter.. 27, thats when we will be back in Japan. I made this conflict to sort of clear my head and give me some time to think of some new stuff to do in Japan. Also I just wanted to try something new. If any of you guys got any suggestions on some cool experiences you would like to see Rem go through in Japan, feel free to tell me. I read all of the reviews, ALL of them... Even the ones that yell at me for making mistakes character wise... Cant blame them though. Anyway I like reading reviews, so feel free to leave yours. I take everyone's opinion into account, and try to apply that for further chapters. It gives me an idea of what I should do. Anyway, im talking nonsense, its late and I need to go to sleep. Enjoy the chapter.
"Shave off that goatee of yours. It looks horrible on you. Also, cut it out with all that fancy talk. It just makes you sound extremely stupid" Subaru said, marking his final words in the horrible reality he was living in.
He was determined to make things right, just like he had done before in the previous situations he had been in.
Taking one final sight of Ivan. Who stood in front of Subaru with his sword still pointed to him. The neutral expression on his face expressed one soul emotion; nothing.
There was no emotion in his face. He wasn't distraught, shocked, infuriated, or joyful. Despite being in a dire circumstance where Reinhard had killed himself and his good friend Carlos was nearly murdered.
Ivan was able to be content with the situation, and keep calm. Subaru didn't know what that man in front of him was possibly thinking in that head of his. He had never had such a big desire, to be able to read minds until now.
With no time to spare. Subaru jumped off the edge of the cliff to fall to the rocky depths below. Feeling the rapid wind collide against his body as he falls.
Subaru closed his eyes, not wanting to spend his last moments in that reality looking at the jagged rocks in the disturbed water below him.
He didn't want to think of the gore that would be caused when he eventually died on the rocks. Instead he thought about how this was all going to be worth it in the end, and that the pain he suffered from those rocks would only be seconds long.
Subaru mainly did this trying to take his mind off the pain. Since thinking about it made it hurt more. It was like getting a needle at the doctors. If he didn't think about the pain, it wouldn't be that bad.
His short thoughts were cut by the feeling of his skull being pierced by a sharp rock. The pain was unbearable, but luckily for him it only lasted milliseconds. Unlike when he bled out in the streets. The void of darkness appeared instantly, but light soon followed.
Subaru let out a scream as he thrashed around in bed for a short moment. He opened his eyes once again being greeted to the ceiling of the boat he was on.
"Subaru, are you ok?" Rem asked in a concerned voice.
Sitting up in bed Subaru saw standing in front of him, Rem looking concerned and a little scared at Subaru's odd behavior.
Subaru was again back at square one. He was back on the boat, at the start of a new day. And hopefully this reality would branch differently than the one before it.
Putting on a reassuring smile. Subaru threw the sheets off him and stood up out of bed.
"No need to worry, Rem. I'm fine, and never been better" Subaru said in a calm tone.
Hearing Subaru being calm made Rem feel calm. But she was still concerned about Subaru's behavior and why he woke up screaming and thrashing around in bed.
"Are you sure, Subaru? Why did you wake up screaming?" Rem asked.
Subaru paused for a minute, trying to think of an explanation. He knew he still couldn't tell Rem the truth. But he could tell a white lie.
"Just waking up from a horrible nightmare. I have a tendency to talk in my sleep whenever I have a nightmare. Rarely do I wake up like this, so it's nothing to worry about"
"You talk in your sleep?"
"Yeah I talk in my sleep. Can we please stop talking about it, it's kind of embarrassing to talk about," Subaru said, trying to change the topic.
Rem got close to Subaru looking up at him. Having a calm smile on her face.
"No need to feel embarrassed, Subaru. You can tell me, Rem has known people close to her who talked in there sleep and doesn't see it as a big deal"
"How many people do you know talk in their sleep?"
Rem hesitated for a minute as she debated whether she should tell Subaru that Ram talks in her sleep. She knew Ram wouldn't want Subaru knowing, but Rem didn't want Subaru to feel embarrassed and weird.
"Well... Nee-Sama talks in her sleep, and she doesn't seem bothered by it"
"Wait, Ram talks in her sleep? Does she know about it?"
Rem shook her head. "No, Rem has yet to tell her"
Subaru's curiosity started to spark. He just wanted to know some of the stuff Ram said in her sleep. Not that he wished to use it against her. He just wanted to know out of curiosity.
"What kind of stuff does she say?"
"She just mumbles stuff I can't understand"
"Alright then... Anyways, are you ready to get off this boat?" Subaru asked as he walked over to the door.
Rem gave him a nod and followed him off of the boat. Stepping onto the dock, this marked the third time he had stepped foot onto the island.
This time he was determined to make this the last time he stepped foot off the boat. He was also dead set on finally saving Carlos his job. All he needed to do was not make the horrible mistake of walking off and leaving him to succumb to his rage.
Events copied his previous loops. Ram came out to welcome only Rem, and tell Subaru to behave. Subaru again pleaded to go to the party. Rem supported his decision. Ram reluctantly agreed.
Like always, Subaru and Rem spent the day exploring. This time the sight seeing was even more stale. He just wanted to save Carlos his job and go to sleep. Subaru was also trying to figure out what else he needed to do.
There was still that altercation between Reinhard and Ram. Subaru still didn't understand what was happening between them. Reinhard didn't even seem to know. Though Subaru had a suspicion it all started with Reinhard losing his wedding ring.
How could someone lose something like their wedding ring? It didn't make sense. Though he thought Reinhard might have taken it off at some point and misplaced it.
Whatever the case. Subaru would cross that bridge once he got there. For now he was just trying to save someone there job finally.
When the night finally arrived, Subaru said his goodnights to Rem. Who like last time politely told him not to do any drinking.
Once Subaru made it outside to attend the party. He was met with a slight problem. The fight supposedly happened many hours into the party. A horrible thing to endure for Subaru's attention span. Since he had to stand out there in the midst of night bathing himself in his boredom.
Carlos was still in his original spot. Like last time he was taking in drink after drink. Getting more and more drunk as the night progressed. Still, nothing interesting was happening.
After two full hours of standing around and doing nothing. Subaru eventually sat down on the ground and waited for Roderigo to show up and start causing problems.
Time went by, and absolutely nothing was happening. Despite sitting on the rough ground, and the party being very loud by all the people attending. He felt himself lose his consciousness as his eyelids became heavy. Succumbing to the effects of pure boredom.
"You want to go against me!? I will put you through the wall!"
Hearing the familiar sound of an agitated man. Subarus' eyelids bolted open to find Carlos getting up from his chair with Roderigo directly in front of him.
"I'm not too sure about that," Roderigo said in a snobby tone.
Carlos proceeded to grow visible flames in his pupils hearing the aggravating tone of the stranger who stood in front of him.
"No, you're not going to talk to me like that! I'll put your head through a window!" Carlos shouted.
He proceeded to attempt to grab Roderigo by the shirt, but unfortunately for him. Roderigo was a skinny and fast man who avoided his grasp. Subaru bolted up from the ground and rushed over to try to defuse the situation. Managing to make it close to them before a crowd could form that blocked him.
"What's the matter, lieutenant?" Ivan asked as he walked out of the castle.
"To think this fool had the nerve to try to teach me manners! I will beat him until his bruises turn black!"
Subaru was running out of time. It would only be a matter of time until Carlos would draw his sword and start a duel. He already knew Carlos would not listen to anything he had to say. No words could extinguish the burning flame of hatred and anger he held.
"You'll beat me?"
"Who are you talking to, you villain!" Carlos shouted.
Before Carlos could get a hand on the handle of his sword. Subaru took the initiative and ran over to tackle Roderigo on the ground in a fit of depression trying to defuse the situation.
A stupid move on paper, but to Subaru it was the only thing he could do. If he were to tackle Carlos that would do anything to help the situation. In fact it would make things worse.
"What are you doing!?" Roderigo screamed as Subaru tackled him to the dirt.
"Trying to save someone's hide. Maybe you shouldn't be starting fights for no reason at all" Subaru said.
"This is me defending Ram honor. Carlos is a married man and he is kissing the hand of another woman!" Roderigo said as he struggled to get out of Subarus' hold on him.
"Please be real, Ram will never love you. She's married to you know" Subaru said.
Roderigo became enraged by what Subaru had said. So much so his focus was now set to fight Subaru instead of Carlos like Ivan had told him.
What followed next was a full on wrestling match in the dirt between Roderigo and Subaru. This was an even fight since they were both weaklings with no fighting experience.
Though Subaru had some experience through his fathers wrestling match. This experience alone gave him the upper hand, and to the surprise to himself especially. He was actually winning against him.
People watching were beginning to laugh seeing two weak looking people wrestle each other on the ground. Rolling in the dirt, making a slight dust cloud.
"Barusu!"
Subarus' heart sank to the deepest parts of his stomach hearing the familiar voice and nickname that had been labeled on him by a certain someone.
The wrestling match he was having froze, and Subaru slowly got up and looked over to find the dreaded sight of Ram standing there with her face extremely scrunched up and flames in her pupils that were ten times bigger then what Carlos had in his.
If looks could kill, this would most definitely be one that could. Her expression alone screamed the loudest noise Subaru had ever heard in his life, and she hadn't even opened her mouth.
"... Hi Ram," Subaru said in a nervous and oblivious tone.
Ram began to storm up to Subaru still holding the scariest expression Subaru had ever seen on a person. His body froze up completely. If he were to run away it would most certainly result in his life being taken.
He could only stand and prepare himself for the storm of words that were to most definitely take the form of insults and be delivered in a high pitched scream. A scream so loud Rams vocal cords might be completely ruined by the end of it.
"I told you to behave! You told me that you would behave! Instead you decided to get in a fight with a local! What do you have to say for yourself?" Ram said.
Subaru began shaking, hearing the burning anger in Ram's voice. He knew one stupid answer or response would result in the worst punishment imaginable.
"I..I'm sorry Ram. Here's what happened-"
"I don't want to hear it, Barusu! I've already seen everything that I need to know! Now, what I want you to do is go back to the capital! You obviously will never learn" Ram said, interrupting Subaru.
He had really done it now. Subaru might have accidentally shot himself in the foot to save Carlos his job. Ram now wanted him off the island. Meaning that he would be unable to stop the other events from unraveling.
"You... Want me to leave?"
"Yes! I want you to leave! The next boat leaving for the capital will be here tomorrow evening. Until it gets here you are not to leave the castle or talk to anybody. Go back to your room and you better not cause anymore disturbances!"
Ram turned away from Subaru and was about to head back indoors. Until her sight fell upon Carlos, who she also had a few words to tell him.
She went up to him still looking agitated. Just like Subaru he stood still being intimidated by Rams outburst.
"I would expect from you to at least try and put some effort into solving conflicts that come about. You instead stand here obviously drunk. I can smell the wine in your breath. I better not hear about another incident tonight, if I do, you will be instantly fired!" Ram said.
Carlos gave her a nod. Ram walked back indoors. Leaving Subaru stuck on what he should do next. He just replaced one issue with another. Managing to save Carlos his job came with some unintended consequences.
"What am I going to tell Rem?"
Rem wasnt going to be to happy when she found out that Subaru had gotten into trouble at the party he was told many times to behave at. Then again, Subaru could be wrong. Rem had patience with him.
As the crowd was dispersing Subaru could still overhear people laughing over the wrestling match between Roderigo and himself. Ivan soon walked up to Subaru and shook his shoulder to get his attention.
"Can I help you?" Subaru asked as he turned to face him.
"Is your name Barusu?"
"No, its Subaru"
"Well alright then Subaru. I just wanted to say that the situation you got in was quite dangerous. You could have gotten yourself killed. Next time I would recommend not getting involved. Last thing either of us would want is you getting killed" Ivan said.
Subaru took into account Ivan's tone and expression on his face. His tone made Subaru feel like he was getting slightly scolded. Like a child from their parents.
"I was trying to help Carlos not lose his job. He would have gotten fired if someone had not stepped in"
Ivan let out a giant scoff. "Nonsense! Carlos is a professional who can handle his own battles. He doesn't need someone like you following him around. He is more than capable of taking care of himself"
Ivan's tone grew more frustrated as he talked. Subaru knew he was being scolded, but didn't know if Ivan was genuinely upset at what Subaru had done.
Ivan does seem like someone who cares for others, so maybe this was just him worrying over Subaru and what dangerous situations he could get into down the road. If he were to continue his policy of interventionism.
Subaru went back inside to tell Rem the dreadful news. He was hoping she could convince Ram to let him stay on the island. The chances may be small, but there was a chance she could succeed. Ram always listens to her sister, and would do anything for her.
After much of the crowd has dispersed. Roderigo and Ivan were left alone. Roderigo was still on the ground trying to catch his breath from the fight he got in with Subaru.
Ivan on the other hand was enraged with Subaru for interfering with his plan. Carlos kept his job, and his position was now not up for the taking.
"I'm totally worn out. My chase is too much for me. I've given most of my money to you, and have gotten beaten up tonight. The upshot is I have gotten a little more experience. So with no money, but a little more wisdom. I'm going back to the capital" Roderigo said in a sad tone.
Turning his head to look at Roderigo on the ground. Ivan could tell by just looking in his eyes that defeat was what Roderigo succumbed to. If he were to return to the capital, that would be one less pawn in Ivan's grand scheme.
"You're a poor man if you're this impatient! If you get hurt does your wound heal immediately? No, it heals gradually. We achieve things with our intelligence, not by magic, and intelligent planning takes time. Aren't things going well? Subaru beat you up, but with that tiny sacrifice on your part, you got Subaru removed from the island! He seemed like he would interfere with things, and now he's gone! If we're patient, we'll be rewarded with the fruits of our labors"
"I guess, but... I don't know how much of this I can take. But I will stand by you, just as long as I get Ram soon"
Ivan reached into his pocket to grab his watch. "How many times do I have to tell you to have faith? Oh my, it's growing quite late. All this excitement has made the time fly by. Go back to where you're staying and go to sleep. Go on, I'm telling you. You'll understand better later. Go" Ivan said.
Roderigo gave him a nod, and got up to go to bed for the night. Ivan on the other hand still had one more thing he needed to do that night. This action would bring together the result he craved in his grand scheme.
Walking into the castle. He slowly made his way through the halls. Making sure to silence even the tiniest of sounds like his footsteps on the rug.
He came close to Reinhard and Ram's room. Slowly opening the door, he found to his delight both of them fast asleep. Completely unaware of his presence.
Ivan slowly entered the room and made slight movement up to the side of their bed. He even suppressed the noise of his joints cracking in his knees. Luckily the sound of the water and crickets outside made excellent white noise to muffle his movement.
A creepy smile came to his face, when he found Reinhard's hand laying on top of Ram's forehead. The position he had it in made it all the more easier to slide his wedding ring straight off his finger.
Gently raising his hand. Ivan leaned over and gripped the ring with two of his fingers. Slowly he started to slide it off. Praying in his mind that Reinhard wouldn't wake up and discover what he was doing.
Just as he finally slid the ring off, did Reinhard finally wake up. Slowly opening his eyes to find Ivan standing over him.
"Ivan... Is that you?" Reinhard asked in a drowsy voice.
"Indeed it is me, my lord. I've just come here to check up on Miss Ram. She seemed quite upset outside. I just couldn't fall asleep until I found out that she was doing well, '' Ivan whispered, telling a lie. Making sure to keep his voice calm so as to not raise suspicion.
While talking to Reinhard he slowly slid the ring into his pocket hiding it from view. Fortunately for Ivan, Reinhard was either too drowsy to question his explanation. Or that his reputation of being an honest man was enough to convince him.
"Why thank you Ivan. You are a good man, but I tell you now that Ram is fine. No need to worry" Reinhard said in a whisper.
"Good to hear, my lord. I shall be going now, goodnight and be well"
"See you in the morning, Ivan"
With Reinhard's ring secured in his pocket. Ivan walked out of the bedroom. Slowly closing the door on his way out.
Subaru was returning to his bedroom to check in for the night. When he arrived at the door. He could only stand there and hesitate. Having no idea what Rems response would be to his actions outside.
He knew he had to tell her. It would make the situation worse if he did not. Subaru told Rem everything, and she definitely wouldn't appreciate not being informed by him on what happened outside.
Taking a deep breath in, Subaru slowly opened the door to find Rem asleep in bed. Slowly walking to his side. He climbed in, and again fell hesitant. Debating whether he should wake her now, or wait until the next morning.
The next morning seemed like the obvious approach. That's the approach Subaru tried to go with, but he could not sleep. Being afraid of how Rem would react when he told her the next morning. Unsure if she would be upset with him at what he had done.
He just wanted to get it over with. So he shook Rem's shoulder, which woke her from the sleep she was having.
Rem rolled over to look at Subaru curious as to why he woke her up this late at night. "Hi Subaru, do you need something?" Rem asked.
"Y-Yeah, uh... Something happened outside, and... Rams upset with me over it"
To Subaru's small relief, he didn't see Rem's face scrunch up even in the slightest. "Nee-Samas upset with you? Over what?"
"I kinda got into a fight with somebody-"
"You got into a fight!?" Rem said, interrupting Subaru.
"Hold on, let me finish. I saw this guy causing problems. He was provoking Rams lieutenant. Insulting him and making him angry. So much so her lieutenant was about to lose control and possibly kill the guy who provoked him. I couldn't let that happen so I intervened"
"Are you hurt!?" Rem asked in a concerned and worried voice.
"No, I'm fine"
Subaru was glad to see that Rem was more worried about Subaru's well-being than about the consequences of the fight he got in.
"Well Subaru, that's... Be careful" Rem said, lacking words to tell Subaru.
"Rem, I just wanted you to know that... Ram is sending me back to the capital tomorrow" Subaru said in a nervous voice. Worried about Rem's reaction.
"If that's what Nee-Sama wishes, then... Rem has no choice but to accept it" Rem said.
Subaru felt the slight feeling of relief knowing Rem wasn't mad at him for getting into the fight with Roderigo. But he still had a problem, since he now had to convince Rem to convince Ram to let him stay in order to stop other events from transpiring.
"Huh? So you're telling me you aren't going to try and stop her from sending me back?"
Rem let out a sigh. "Subaru, Nee-Sama has made her decision. Rem thinks that there is little that she could do to change her mind now that you have gotten into a situation like this"
"Come on, can you at least try something?" Subaru asked.
"... Rem is too tired, we will talk about it tomorrow. Please go to sleep and rest well"
That conversation was going to have to do for now. Subaru was happy to know Rem wasn't mad at him. But then again, Rem never got mad at him. The closest she would get to being mad with him was when she got agitated. Which was already an extremely rare occurrence.
Rem loved Subaru, and was a little sad to hear that her sister was sending him back. She wanted him to stay, but she didn't want to challenge her sister's decision. She had already fought hard and long to get Ram to let Subaru come here to begin with.
She didn't think Ram would be willing to let Subaru stay anymore. Not to mention, she felt slightly embarrassed over the situation. Even though she had no part in it. She was the one who told her sister constantly that Subaru would be on his best behavior.
Rem also didn't want to put up with the "I told you so" talk when she went up to talk to Ram. This problem clouded Rem's thoughts as she drifted off to sleep for the night.
When the next morning came around. Rem woke back up. She felt a deep feeling of sadness hit her stomach when she remembered that Subaru would be leaving her that day.
Rem got out of bed and stretched. As the atoms in her body started to wake up throughout her body. She felt herself being quite hungry, since she didn't have the chance to eat dinner last night because of the party.
Opening the door. Rem saw someone leaning on the doorframe out in the hallway topped off with a welcoming smile on his face. The sight of him made Rem jump out of her skin. Clearly not expecting someone to be standing by the door when she walked out.
"And who may you be, mistress?" Ivan asked.
Rem examined the man who stood right beside her. Trying to figure out if she knew him or not. She didn't think she had never met him before, but assumed he may be a member of Rams camp.
"My name is Rem," Rem said.
Ivan took into account the slight tone of sadness in Rem's voice. Clearly there was something bothering her.
"Well Rem. It would seem to me by the tone in your voice that something seems to be bothering you. Are you alright?"
Rem let out a little sigh. "Rem is just a little sad. My partner got into a fight last night and now Nee-Samas is making him leave the island. I promised her that he would behave, but... I feel like I lied to her..." Rem said.
"Subarus your partner?"
Rem gave him a nod. She would have gotten slightly flustered if she wasn't feeling so sad.
"Let me tell you something. Subaru is lucky to leave that altercation seemingly unharmed. His physical health matters more than an innocent broken promise. We are lucky that nobody has gotten seriously hurt. There are lots of ways to get on Ram's good side. She is sending Subaru back for policy reasons, not because she hates him. You are her beloved twin sister. Go up to her and petition his cause"
Rem's face dropped further. "I can't do that. Nee-Sama wont let him stay. She is a little stubborn. No matter what Rem says she will continue to keep her stance. Nee-Sama is very professional. Rem also feels personally responsible for what happened"
"Come on, you are not to blame. I wished none of this had ever happened. But this is a personal matter that concerns both your twin sister and your partner. For that reason alone I would do everything I could to fix things up between them"
"Like I said, Nee-Sama is professional. Her word is final. Rem had to do a lot to try and convince her to let Subaru come with us. But now that he has done this Rem is afraid there is nothing that she could do"
"There is always something you could do. Listen to me closely. I've got a good piece of advice for you"
"Rems listening"
"Reinhard has a lot of influence over Ram now. She's completely devoted to him. Go open your heart to him. Ask Reinhard to help convince Ram to let Subaru stay. He is so generous, kind, and ready to help that he thinks it's wrong not to do everything he can, even more than he is asked to do. Ask him to help you heal the rift between your sister and Subaru. I'd bet my lucky stars the problem will be forgotten, and there relationship will be stronger than ever"
Rem's face lifted upon hearing the wonderful advice provided to her. She thought it was perfect. Surely with Reinhard's help, Ram's opinion could be swayed in the other direction. Especially since she had the entire night to calm herself down.
"That's good advice. Thank you" Rem said in a happy voice.
"Im helping you because I like and respect you"
"I believe it completely. Rem is going to go to Nee-Sama's husband and try to work things out"
"You're doing the right thing. Please meet me outside sometime after lunch to discuss how it went. Goodbye"
"Rem will be there" Rem said as she went off to find Reinhard.
After Rem was out of sight. Ivan turned his attention to the bedroom door she came out of. Slowly opening it, he found Subaru still asleep in bed.
He slowly made his way to Rems nightstand, and reached in his pocket. Pulling out Reinhard's wedding ring then proceeded to plant it on the nightstand.
Rem made her way into the dinning room to find Reinhard eating breakfast by himself. She hesitated going up to him and asking for help. But her hesitations stopped, when Reinhard had noticed her in the corner of his eye.
"Hello Rem" Reinhard greeted.
"H-Hi, um... Rem has something she needs to talk to you about"
"Take a seat, tell me what's on your mind"
Rem walked over to take a seat next to Reinhard. She looked at him with a nervous look in her eye. She really wanted to solve this problem between her sister and Subaru.
"Do you know about the altercation Subaru got himself in last night?"
Reinhard nodded. "Yes I am aware of that situation. Ram told me last night. She also brought to my attention that she would be sending Subaru back off to the capital this evening"
"Rem was just wondering... If you could help convince her to let him stay"
"I'll do everything I can for you Rem"
"Please do. I'm really upset over this situation, that I consider it my own"
"Don't worry, Rem. I'm sure Subaru and Ram will be back on good terms by the end of the day. I assure you she is only sending him away for reasons concerning politics"
"Thank you. But Rem still worries that Nee-Sama will retain her stance. She is very professional, and takes her work seriously"
"Like I said, there is nothing to worry about Rem. I promise to help work things out between Ram and Subaru. And if I promise to help someone, I do everything I can. Ram will never get a moment's rest. I will be in her ear all day talking about you. So cheer up, I'm your advocate, and I would rather die than give up on you"
Ivan suddenly walked into the dinning room and sat down at the dinner table to eat his breakfast.
"Well it seems to me everyone is coming in for breakfast. Ram should be here soon" Reinhard said.
Knowing that her sister would soon be in the dining room. Rem thought it was best to clear out. She still felt a little embarrassed for Subaru, and she was afraid that her sister was mad at her for convincing her to let Subaru come along.
"In that case Rem better clear off now" Rem said as she got up from her chair.
"Why not stay and hear me talk to her?" Reinhard asked.
"Rem is a little uncomfortable talking about the situation. She doesnt think it will help her case"
"Well do whatever you think is best"
Rem exited the dining room and caught a glimpse of her sister not too far down the hall. Rem took off in the other direction looking guilty and embarrassed. Something Ram took notice of.
Ram wanted to know what could have caused her own sister to run away from her. Ram loved her sister dearly, and never wanted Rem to feel scared of her.
Walking into the dining room she found Reinhard on one end of the table. She went over to sit next to him. The silence between them didn't even last nine seconds until Reinhard broke it.
"Good morning, dearest. I just got done talking to a petitioner, someone who seems to be suffering from your anger" Reinhard said.
Ram's face grew slightly confused. "Who do you mean?"
"Your sister, Rem. If I have any influence over you at all, please patch things up with her partner Subaru. In my judgement Subaru is an honest friend of ours. Your sister really wants him to stay. So please for her sake at least have a talk with him"
"... I will have a talk with him, but not now"
"Will it be soon?"
"Yes, very soon. Only because you and my sister want me to"
"Perhaps maybe at lunch this afternoon?"
"No, not this afternoon"
"Doesn't the next boat to the capital leave this evening?"
"Yes, but I will talk to him before then"
"Please just name a time. I wouldn't leave it until the last minute. I am sure he's very sorry. Lets not forget the wishes of your dear sister. I doubt Subarus' mistake was worth punishing in the first place. Not that I wish to question your decision making. It's just that your sister really wants him to stay-"
"Please no more. Subaru can come to me whenever he wants. I will never refuse you or my sister anything"
"No need to act like you are doing me a favor. This is like if I asked you to wear your gloves when it's cold outside, or eat nutritious food, or do something that's good for you. If I ever have to ask you for something that will put your luck to the test, it'll be something difficult and terrible"
"Like I said, I won't deny you or my sister anything. But in return, please, do one small thing for me: leave me alone for a little while"
Reinhard put on a smile as he stood up from his chair. "And I would never deny you anything. Goodbye for now"
"I will come see you after breakfast"
Ram watched as Reinhard walked out of the dining room. She felt so lucky to be married to someone who obeyed her wishes. Most wives in Lugnica didn't have that privilege.
"My noble lady,'' Ivan called out from one end of the dinner table.
"What is it Ivan?" Ram asked.
"When you were finding your place in Reinhard's heart, did your sister know about it?"
"Yes, she knew the whole time. Why do you ask?"
"I was just curious. No reason" Ivan said as he looked back down to his food.
Ram attempted to go back to eating her food, but she wanted to know why Ivan was curious about Rem knowing about her relationship with Reinhard. It seemed like a pretty weird thing to want to know about.
"Why are you curious Ivan?" Ram asked.
"I didn't realize she knew him,'' Ivan said, not looking up from his plate in front of him.
"She did know. She was the one who prepared dinner for us one we first met each other"
"Oh, really?"
"Oh, really? Yes, really. Do you see something wrong with that? My sister is an honest woman"
"Honest, my lady?"
"Honest, yes, honest"
"As far as I know, my lady"
"What are you thinking?"
"Thinking, my lady?"
"Thinking, my lady?" You keep repeating everything I say as if you were thinking something too horrible to say out loud. You're thinking something. When I told you she was involved the whole time I was with Reinhard, you were like, "Oh, really?" And then you frowned and wrinkled up your forehead as if you were imagining something horrible. If you're my loyal ensign, tell me what you're thinking"
"Please don't make me do that, my lady. I have to obey all your orders, but surely I'm not obligated to reveal my deepest thoughts, even slaves aren't expected to do that. You want me to say what I'm thinking? What if my thoughts are disgusting and wrong? Even good people think horrible things sometimes. Who is so pure that they never think a bad thought?"
Ram grew a frown on her face and began to shake her head. " You aren't being very loyal to me Ivan. Even if you think that your royal candidate has been wronged, don't you think you're obliged to tell me about it?"
"Please don't ask me to tell you. I might be completely wrong. I have a bad tendency to be suspicious of people and to look too closely into what they're doing. Often I imagine crimes that aren't really there. You would be wise to ignore my weak guesses and imaginary suspicions, and don't worry yourself about the meaningless things I've noticed. For me to tell you my thoughts would only destroy your peace of mind, and it wouldn't be wise, honest, or responsible for me to tell them"
Letting out a heavy sigh, Ram looked down at her plate and took another bite of food. Her patience with Ivan was beginning to run very thin.
"What are you talking about? I'm going to find out what you're thinking. You're hiding something from me, and I am going to find out what it is"
"You can't find that out, even if you held my heart in your hand you couldn't make me tell you. And as long my heart's inside my body, you never will"
Ram threw her utensil down onto the plate in a fit of frustration. "What do you mean!?"
"Beware of your husband, my lady. I have observed his behaviors towards your sister, and I can be the first to tell you that his actions warrant the suspicions of him being unfaithful towards you"
If Ivan were not to have his honest reputation. Ram would have immediately fired and arrested him. Even if he just suspected that it was happening. Ram would not tolerate slander towards her sister or husband.
She couldn't help but feel a growing sense of anger towards Ivan. For even putting the thought in her of Reinhard and Rem having an affair. She didn't think it was possible, but she couldn't stop thinking about it.
"Get lost! You have tortured me with these false thoughts. Please DESCRIBE how Reinhard and Rem could possibly be having an affair. Rem especially would NEVER do that to me!"
"What is with you, my lady? No need to take my suspicions so seriously. They are only thoughts of what I have seen so far"
Ram slammed her fist onto the table. She needed to get closure on this topic.
"You villain, you better be able to prove Rem and Reinhard's supposed affair. I want you to prove it! I don't believe this one bit"
"Has it really come to this?"
"Show me, and prove the things you are saying. Rem is my sister, and I will not tolerate her name being ruined by someone like you!"
"My noble lady-"
"If you're slandering her just to torture me, then it'll be no use to pray for mercy or say you're sorry. You might as well go ahead and commit every unspeakable crime you can think of, because there's nothing you could do that would top what you've already done!"
"Aren't you a rational person? Don't you have any sense at all? Goodbye. I resign my official position. I'm such an idiot for always telling the truth! What a horrible world we live in! I guess It's not safe to be straightforward and honest. I'm glad you've taught me this valuable lesson. From now on, I'll never try to help a friend when it hurts her so much to hear the truth" Ivan said in a sarcastic tone as he got up from his chair.
"Stop! I know what you're doing! Prove your allegations now, or I will have you arrested!" Ram demanded.
"I see you're all eaten up with emotion. I'm sorry I said anything. You want proof?"
"Yes! Prove it! I am almost hundred percent sure you will come up with no evidence, and will leave this island in chains"
Ivan let out a sigh. "How do you want me to prove it? Do you want me to somehow arrange for them to have sex and have you hide in the closet? That would be very hard for me to somehow accomplish. So what can I do? What can I say? What proof is there? It'd be impossible for you to watch them, even if they were as horny as animals in heat and as stupid as drunks. But if you would be willing to accept circumstantial evidence as proof, I can get that"
"Just give me some sort of proof that Reinhard is cheating on me"
"Tell me my lady. Do you think your husband will cherish his wedding ring?"
Ram let out a scoff. "Of course he will cherish his wedding ring. I cherish mine. For that reason alone he will cherish his"
"I'm not too sure of that. Just yesterday I could have sworn I saw Rem wearing it. The second I saw that ring on her finger, I was certain it was Reinhard's"
Ram shot up from the table. Her face became even more scrunched up. "He would NEVER give his ring away! I know he wouldn't! I'm going to check right now"
Ram began walking out of the dining room intending on finding Reinhard. She was confident Ivan's suspicions were false and made up. It just didn't make any sense. Why would Reinhard want an affair with her sister?
Then again. There was always that fact of Ivan being an extremely honest man that never once told a lie. Ram knew him as an honest person ever since the first day she met him months ago. It would be hard for her to see him as anything else but honest.
If he were not honest, he was not Ivan. Instead an evil monster taking the form of a person.