DISCLAIMER

The following is a fan-based

FICTION

Re:Zero and other products related to the this series are all owned by Tappei Nagatsuki.

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Interlude 2: Something Good, Something Bad

Out of all potential supporters of Emilia's current affection for Subaru, Puck was perhaps the most loyal to this situation.

One would be confused by the notion that someone that had long established a fatherly relationship with the half-elf would be keen to see their 'daughter' get this close to a boy, but Subaru was no normal boy. And Emilia was not a little child. Mentally, she still held some fragments of her past innocence due to the trauma that came from her icy imprisonment, but the girl was turning into a woman, and she was smitten to Subaru to the very core.

That's not to say that Puck had no issues with the young man due to the questions the spirit held over him. To make it simple: Puck trusted Subaru when he said he knew nothing on how he got here and that he meant it all when he say that he wants to help people with the same eagerness as Emilia, but that wasn't the issue for Puck- it was the fact that what had brought him here was still keeping watch of him. The familiar Witch scent, the feeling of something watching them when some topics were brought up...

Puck wasn't sure who it was, but it all reminded him too much of Echidna. The Witch of Greed would have been less subtle about it and she wouldn't have brought Subaru if she had a choice- not because she would have disliked the boy (in fact, he was really worried if she somehow came back from the death and learned of him) but because she wanted a prime example of intelligence with enough knowledge to make her entertained... and craving for more.

So, it was not Echidna, which meant that Puck had no viable option that he could correlate. Despite having heard close to nothing about the witches, Echidna herself always pressed on a particular detail about it: none of the witches beside her could get this cunning. Some were close enough, but none would go as far as use some power to bring an 'outlander' in this realm. And thus Puck was back to square one.

Did it make him feel bad about it? No, he knew that the current issue was quite passive and thus forgettable for the time being. After all, it seemed quite neutral over the circumstances which tied Subaru to other women. Could it be that it wasn't a malicious watcher but something more... light-hearted? How? Another spirit? If that was the case, then why couldn't he catch any presence beyond a lingering one?

It didn't make Puck feel any calmer that his daughter was being watched by a mysterious entity, but he was glad that she was growing more confident about herself and... mature about it. Subaru was clearly aware of the strong attachment Emilia had towards him, but he also spotted the fact the half-elf had no filter. That's not to say that Emilia wasn't trying to not be too blunt about it, but she was so driven by positive emotions that she hardly gave it too much of a thought if an extreme action made her feel happy.

While one could easily mistake her as a mere shy girl, the truth stemmed into something deeper. Puck may not be a mind-healer, but he knew enough to see when someone was desperate for affection from everything- the stronger the better. She accepted him as her surrogate father, then made steps to try and get well with the maids, and she ultimately got infatuated with Subaru because he showed her care despite having no reason to gain from it. He was a pillar of light to her, and that's why Puck believed it was best for them to get together.

Other girls were after him? Puck was tempted to say that Emilia was not going to mind if those were nice enough to keep. Mistresses? Not that unexpected of a move from a man and his main lover trying to not break any heart or get sued by any heart-broken women trying to get back at them at any chance of refusal.

So, when Puck saw Rem plotting something that revolved around revealing lingerie, smuttery of the highest rank and potential sex- well, he was keen to believe that this wouldn't be bad if Emilia was somewhat aware and consenting of this. Of course, Barusu had to be accepting of this before anything happened. Would be wrong for the spirit to impose things by his daughter's command and... he just watched, took notes and wrote a letter to Beatrice about it.

"So, do you think the maid is in love with Barusu?"

The question made the spirit half-jump, with his green eyes aimed at-

"Hm, Elsa? You mean if Rem is doing this out of love?"

The assassin nodded, hips moving in an unconsciously sensual manner, but the point was clear. Was she curious about Rem's commitment?

"Yes. I don't want to make it hard on her or the half-elf. After all, both seem to be quite interested in him."

"Just like you are?" Puck rebuked, causing the woman to frown at him.

"Me?"

"I mean, you are always keeping a glass of water ready for him to drink. Normal water-"

"And?"

"It's always," He pressed on, giving her a dry look. "It would make it less conspicuous if you were not this eager to prove your worth to him."

That comment actually drew a stiff posture out of Elsa. Did he hit the right topic? It seemed to be the case from a quick look.

"I am not- I don't have anything to prove to anyone."

Defensive much?

"Then I suppose you should lessen the attempts that may be confused at that."

She merely snorted at this, and looked ready to leave-

"Also, I believe Rem is quite confused. She may be interested, but not as intensely as her sister is about Barusu," The response was all Elsa wanted and her mood seemed to lift up as soon as she heard that.

Puck merely sighed as she left, looking back at the letter and resuming his work on it. But as he did that, he paused once again as he felt something blur near the closest window. Like a ghost made by white sheets, something moved within Hanumas.

Her purpose, most malicious and quite teasing.

AN

Barusu finds his 'match' next time, and this one may actually lead to two deaths.

P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c