Somewhere in the roads to Mathers domain, along it travels a carriage driven by a fat nervous merchant. Aware of his cargo's precious nature, and how it could cost him his brother's life for each minute wasted. The weather is stiff and foggy the only sound you can hear is the distant howling of Maw-Beasts in the forest's gloom.
(Jhon) - Hold in there brother, we are almost at the place.
The carriage passes by a small Village and makes its way to the road to the manor. Finally, they reach a big gate and a demi-human maid opens it. She was a tall tiger-like maid with blond hair and sharp shark-like teach and green eyes. Her name was Frederica.
(Frederica) - Welcome back dear merchant Jhon. What is the action you came here?
The fat merchant only calmly looks at her wiping his sweat from his forehead with another hand.
(Jhon) - Just basic supplies my dear. If you excuse me I need to unload this stuff to the caller.
(Frederica) - Do you need some assistance?
(Jhon) - No thanks, I will do it myself. Thanks for the offer.
he gives a maid a nervous smile and rides to the location of one of the manor's cellars outdoors. They made bows and went her own way.
(Jhon) - Dear Satella, that one was close, the last thing I need is that maid interrupting my work. Okay back to the it.
The opens two big wooden basement doors. And he starts slowly unloading the cargo to the basement. And finally he pics the unconscious Subaru and lays him down on an old mattress inside a cellar The man checks the unconscious man's wounds. And sighs.
(Jhon) - Well he's not dead, that's a good start. I need to hide him, this place will do. No one checks this place, except big sister Rem, so, for now, he is the safe hare. Suddenly his mood changes to a more nervous one.
(Jhon) - And now I need the spirit's help. This will not be pretty.
The merchant locks the door to the cellar and starts navigating to the second floor of the manor. The halls were clean and full of old armor and fancy paintings. With a big red rug that goes all the way to the hall and beyond. As he walks he spots another maid working. She was a young woman in her twenties she has short orange hair with a red bunny ear-looking ribbon on her head with a standard maid uniform. Her blue eyes spotted the fat merchant approaching. But she dismisses him and goes her way giving him a cold shoulder.
(Jhon) - Still cold I see; cursed heretic. - (the fat man murmurs to himself)
He starts climbing the stairs while seeing a hateful glare from the maid far away. Finally, the man reaches the second floor. He starts looking to the right door.
(Jhon) - If I remember correctly she was in this room. He opens the door to a huge library. It was huge and filled with all kinds of books and scrolls.
But in the middle on a stool, a young woman sits reading her book. She was medium height with average-sized breasts, she was wearing a dark red dress with white/purple accents. and colorful purple socks. She looked like she was in her 20ties too, but her deminer told a different story of a much older person. Her blond hair had two drills like pigtails. With a small crown on her head. Her beautiful butterfly eyes looked at the intruder with disgust.
(Beatrice) - What do you want cultist, I wonder?
(Jhon) - My apologies for disturbing you reading my lady. But it seems Lady Rem needs your help.
(Beatrice) - Why do I need to help the cursed Oni I suppose? your presents irate me. I will blow you away if you don't leave me at once.
(Jhon) - Please don't do that, we don't need violence, I came because Lady Rem wanted me to deliver a letter to you! If you may.
The annoyed spirit woman puts her book away and stands up and slowly walks to the fat merchant. She snatches the letter from his hands with anger. Then she turns around and starts reading. But suddenly her eyes became wide open and her hands started to shake. She puts away the letter and turns her attention to the merchant. With cold deminer.
(Beatrice) - Where is he?
(Jhon) - In the Vine cellar my lady. In need of your healing.
(Beatrice) - I will heal him I suppose, but I don't want to see your face ever again. Do I make myself clear I wonder?
(Jhon) - As you wish.
"Present Day"
Almost two hours passed and Subaru was lost in thought. It didn't help that the only company he had is water dripping from the old pipes from the sealing. And dark shade surrounded the room. To him, the unknown was the scariest thing right now. He did not know what the hell the strange maid will do to him. At one point he was grateful for her helping him, but on second thought she kidnapped him and he was a prisoner in some kind of basement. Who knows what motives she's got?
He starts thinking about the girl who helped him when he first arrived in this fantasy world, he prayed that the silver hair beauty was safe. He did not know her name, and insulting her in the middle of the street was not so good, but how he was supposed to know that her name was not Satella, he can't forget how pretty she looked, and he most likely will not see her again. This situation remained him of his hikikomori life back in japan. A little tear ran down his face.
(Subaru) - Why do I always end up in some messed up situations?
Suddenly he heads footsteps, is something coming to rescue him? or was the mad maid coming to do something to him, the thought made him shiver. He heard the clicking sound and the door slowly opened.
It was her, it was Rem her expression looked happy with a soft little smile on her round face.
(Rem) - Sorry for the wait, brother don't worry I will not hurt you.
She slowly approaches him and patted his head with a soft hand.
(Rem) - Your such a baby? I brought you something to eat.
(Subaru) - What will you do with me (with a shaky voice he asked)
(Rem) - I see you are still confused so listen carefully, people like us are not accepted in this society, so for now we need to stay low.
(Rem) - I can't keep you in the cellar for too long or my colleagues will be suspicious of me, so the plan is simple you will work here as a butler.
(Subaru) - Butler?
Suddenly she became really scary looking and she slowly repeated her words.
(Rem) - And don't tell the living soul that you are from a Witch cult or that I brought you here.
(Subaru) - Yesss mam.
(Rem) - Good boy, now I will be introducing you as a new butler to Lord Roswall in an hour or so, so eat up and wait for me here. I will tell you what to say and don't even try to escape, As an Oni, I can catch you quickly.
(Subaru) - Wait, an Oni, I promise, please don't hurt me.
(Rem) - Don't worry brother, as long as you listen to me, nothing will happen to you.
Then she left the plate on the floor with some food and slowly left the cellar shutting the door shut.
Subaru looked at the plate of food in the poor illumination by the window on the door. to him, it looked appetizing some kind of meat with vegetables with some kind of sauce. Subaru was hungry at first he was hesitant to start eating, but the hunger beat him, and he slowly started to eat. The first bite he took was so rich with flavor. This dish was really good, he ate it in a minute. Maybe this will not be so bad, but this made was scared and acts strange, calling him brother for some reason, he was too afraid to ask her why he did not have any brothers or sisters. But maybe if he does what she wants she will not hurt him, she's an Oni not human so who knows how strong she is?
(Meanwhile in the mansion)
A demon maid was talking to the tall blond beast-woman.
(Fredrica) - And where were you? I went to check hows cooking doing and you were gone.
(Rem) - I was in the wine cellar to grab some drinks, for the lord.
(Fredrica) - Drink? For what reason today is not some kind of special occasion, don't matter I need you in the kitchen now, the Lord is returning and you need to finish cooking.
(Rem) - As you wish head maid.
Rem started to go to the kitchen.
(Rem) - That tiger woman getting on my nerves. So the Lord is coming much sooner than expected, I need to think of something fast. But first, I need to finish this food.
She went to the kitchen and finish today's meal.
(one hour later, next to the gates of the mansion)
Subaru was outside now with an oni maid next to him, he was a bit nervous because the maid was instructing him what to say to her lord.
(Subaru) - And you want me to say to him I found you in the capital and beg you for work? And that you accepted my wishes and told me to show up today for my job interview?
(Rem) - Yes and please do your best to not slip, Master Roswall is a respectable lord and if you are not convincing enough he will not accept you, so work hard!
Suddenly a gate opens and a fancy-looking carriage dragged by two ground dragons shows up. It goes around the big fountain. The carriage was driven by a strange-looking woman. She was medium height, with long black hair, wearing the basic maid uniform, but what made her strange was doll-like joints and dead green eyes, she jumped from the driver seat and went to the carriage door. She slowly opened it. From it, a tall man emerged. He was wearing a jester-looking attire and had makeup on his face. The strange puppet-like maid bowed and he spotted his maid and the unknown man.
(Subaru) - Do you guys hire a clown or something?
(his question was met with a soft elbow hit from Rem)
(Rem) - No silly, this is the lord of the Manor, please behave and lover your head.
(Subaru) - Oh ... sorry
(Rem) - Welcome back Master Rosewall and Laura.
(Roswall) - Ooo, it's nice to see you my dear~ Rem. But who is this man right beside you?
(Rem) - Pardon me master, but this man came here in search of employment, He informed me he wishes to work here as a butler.
(Roswall) - Is that soo? How interesting~. Is this the true boy?
(Subaru) - Yes Sir, I seek to work here.
(Roswall) - What do you think my dear Rem?
(Rem) - It's a bit selfish of me, but if you may, I wish to ask you to hire him, He doesn't seem to have ill intent and more hands can help.
(Roswall) - I see, okay my dear~ servant I entrust you to teach~ him the basics!
(Rem) - As you wish Master.
The maid opens the mansion doors and lets in her Lord. Subaru was a bit uneasy with how the puppet-like maid when passed him, she even looked at him for a sec, with no blinking, and then went with Roswall.
(Roswell) - Is the dinner ready?
(Rem) - yes, it is. Miss Emilia and Lady Beatrice are waiting for you.
(Roswall) - It is so nice~ for Beatrice to join us.
Subaru whispers to Rem
(Subaru) - So who is this Emila and Beatrice
(Rem) - Emilia is the lady and next candidate for the Quen of Lugunica, and Beatrice is the Librarian; please behave, Subaru.
As they went to the dining hall Subaru felt sweat forming, This was his first time meeting Royalty, and he did not know what to say. Finally, they approach the big doors. And Rem let them all in. The dining hall was huge with a big long white table and with a lot of delicious-looking food, but his eyes spotted a person he did not expect to see. There she was sitting next to the table her silver hair and purple eyes looking at them. Subaru was shocked and confused, but the only words he whispered were.
(Subaru) - So her name is Emilia.
Thanks for reading my newest chapter. I don't like loli characters too much so I made Petra / Beatrice into adults. Thanks for the comments on my last chapter. And if you feel like it leave a comment, I read them all. Have a good day/night. Big thanks to RozenKnight for proofreading.