A slight deviation from Arc 6 wherein Subaru manages to save Shaula, preventing her to transform into a giant scorpion and thus, her not getting killed. She ends up joining the Emilia Camp but still guards the watchtower, protecting it and preventing the Witch Cult to release the Witch of Envy for her seal. As a compromise, Subaru was given a crystal that opens a door where only he can travel towards the Pleiades Watchtower to keep her company.

Subaru was busy eating the lunch he helped prepared as his eyes wandered to the figure in front of him. Green eyes, with three tiny dots on each eye, blackish-brown hair braided like a scorpion's tail, and a lack of decency as she's only wearing a bikini bra, a cloak, and hot pants. If he wasn't madly in love with Emilia, maybe she may have a chance. He shakes this thought as he keeps his heart set to his liege and her alone.

But it doesn't mean that he can't helped being concerned with Shaula, who at the moment was also engrossed in eating with him. After Emilia succeeded in passing all the trials, there was the question of what happens next. As much as Shaula wants to go with them, it would leave the watchtower vulnerable to the attacks from the Witch Cult. Therefore, Anastasia proposed a compromise: no one will divulge the happenings at the watchtower and the identity of Shaula. They would have to lie that the Sage was dead but the tower was still heavily guarded and that they succeed in obtaining the dragon's blood.

In return, Emilia, Beatrice, and Julius constructed an orange crystal laced with Subaru's mana and Beatrice's knowledge in door crossing. To appease Shaula, Emilia reluctantly agrees that Subaru will visit her at the Pleiades watchtower for a week every month. As much as she was uncomfortable she was seeing HER knight being in the arms of another woman, she can't deny that the Starkeeper helped them retrieved the dragon's blood so that they can save the poor souls at Pristella from Capella's curse.

Hence, the current situation.

As his memory serves him right, Subaru read from Beatrice's lost books at the Forbidden Library, which he now regrets burning down, the name of the Sage was Flugel and that he and him have some vaguely similar features. He laughed at that thought, surely, someone as great and powerful as the Sage is nothing compared to him; useless and incompatible in combat. Which was it was so surprising that Shaula repeatedly calls him "Master". As much as his poor heart can't contain her sheer excitement and glee as she hugs him tightly, the subtle coldness he felt on his spine as razor amethyst eyes are glaring at him, sending chills to his soul.

And a couple of times Beatrice is subjected to being sandwiched between him and Shaula's "hug".

He didn't realize that he was staring at Shaula too much that he was startled and yelped as she looked up at him.

"Master, you're staring too much it's making me blush. Has master finally have noticed his feelings for me?" Shaula exclaimed with stars in her eyes, hoping that the day has finally come for him to reciprocate her feelings.

"Yeah, no. I still love Emilia-tan." Subaru immediately shot her down as he regains his senses back from the initial shock. Seriously, despite having a great body and beauty, Shaula lacks common sense and decency. He begins to wonder how would she integrate into Lugunican society if she leaves the tower and be with them. "Glad Anastasia-san proposed that deal, I guess." he mumbled to himself as Shaula was overdramatically clenching her chest.

"How cruel are you master, breaking my poor fragile heart." Shaula agonized as she dramatically melts herself toward the ground, her face on the floor giggling at herself. Subaru laughs as well, feeling a sense of deja vu.

He admits, despite her being ditzy and at times a bit of a push-over, she's hard-working to a fault and her loyalty is both commendable and admirable. Despite many times he explain to her that he's not Flugel the Sage but Subaru Natsuki, Shaula always insists that he's him and always follows him and be by his side. The familiarity reminds him of his time with Rem, who, even though Gluttony was defeated, had forgotten her memories and was someone else; distant and unfamiliar to him.

Although it breaks his heart that her memories of him are seemingly either erased or misplaced, his love for Rem remains, and decided to let her choose her path while aiding her however he can. As much as he wanted the old Rem to come back, it would be selfish for him to hinder both of them to grow and find their path.

So he promises himself, that no matter what, he'll try his earnest to cherish and help those he care for and love.

Thus, knowing the fragments about Shaula's past, being left by Flugel to guard and protect the Pleiades watchtower, an idea crossed his mind. A similar experience happened to him a few years back. Working too much that it made him sick and nauseous culminating in one of the most precious memories he had experienced.

He hopes that the same result would occur to Shaula. Now that he thinks about it, she and him have some eerie similarities: working hard for someone they love, being loyal to them, and a burning desire to be with them. Subaru doesn't know to be impressed about it or be weird-out.

Shaking that thought away, he decides to enact his plan to the Sage's assistant.

"Hey Shaula, let's go somewhere. I want to talk to you about something." Subaru stood up and reached his hand towards her as she was still on the floor.

"Fufufu, is master interested in me? Have my womanly charms pierced his cold heart?" Shaula jested as she reached and took his hand, standing up as well.

"You wish" Subaru batted while rolling his eyes and a slight chuckle." Come on, let's go." He holds her hand, earning a slight blush from the dark-brown-haired lady, and leads the way.

(Scene Change)

They are now at the balcony, looking above the view under them, despite mostly covered by sand further ahead were some green pastures and mountains. It was getting late as the sun starts to set down. As Subaru was marveling at such sight, a slight tug broke him from his trance.

"So master, what is it you want you to talk about?" Shaula asked with gleeful eyes and eagerness similar to that of a little puppy. Again, those eyes can melt anyone's heart, if not for his love for Emilia, that is.

Right. Here goes nothing. Worse case would be a hugging-"grappling" session with her. "Well, beat being snipped." He morbidly thought. The nasty-eyed boy pointed to a side of the floor where a perfect shade is emitted. "Please sit there." He said with a slight commanding voice.

"Weird" Shaula thought but obliged. As soon she sat down on the floor, Subaru sat next to her and immediately but gently placed her head on his lap, her eyes facing the balcony.

"Huh?! Is master giving me a lap pillow?!" Shaula exclaimed as she started to piece up all the information. "Wait, is it not the girl who gives the lap pillow, not the way around?!" She added, facing Subaru who was slightly flustered but chuckling at her.

"D-don't look up! And also, faced that way." Subaru stuttered, trying to compose himself and desperately shut off any perverse thoughts on his mind. "This is for her sake goddamnit! Keep it together Subaru!" He pokes Shaula's cheek to guide her to face the balcony and then pumps himself up and begins to soothe his racing heart.

After a few awkward and silent moments, Subaru initiates the conversation.

"So Shaula, how long did you stayed in this tower?" he asked while looking down on her by his lap.

"Mmm..." Shaula pondered for a long time after finally "I don't know Master. I lost count how long I've guarded this place." She was so surprised she answered it seriously and not in her usual cheerful aura.

"It's been 400 years now," Subaru responded to her and decided to indulge her for once. "You have been waiting for me for 400 years, Shaula."

Shaula widens her eyes "You're so smart, master. Of course, you know everything that Shaula does not." She praised, thinking that he will praise her back. So, the following response was something that she didn't expect.

"Were you sad that I left you?" Subaru pressed further as he started patting her hair, moving his hand gently to and fro.

"What do you mean Master? I'm always happy to follow your orders." Shaula immediately answered as something started to bubble up within her, making her anxious and scared.

"Were you lonely and scared being by yourself?" he continued, not letting her out of his sight, caressing a bit of her side hair to the back of her ear.

"No, not at all. Master is always in my heart. I wasn't lonely at all." She replied as the bubbling grew more and more within, making her heart hurt. "What is it?" she contemplated.

"Were you mad at me?" Subaru looked at the apprentice with sweet and kind eyes.

"No. How could I?! I know that master has his reasons and would return to me." Shaula desperately voiced out as the aching of her heart grew even more. She didn't like this at all and wanted to change the subject.

Subaru lowers himself and whispered her by her ear.

"It's been rough, hasn't it?"

Tears started to fell at the scorpion-lady's eyes.

"It was rough."

"It was painful."

"I was scared. So scared"

"I was sad. So sad"

"I was so lonely that I cried myself to sleep sometimes."

"It hurts so much that I thought that I could die from it."

" I was mad. Angry. Furious."

I thought that you hated me."

"I thought you had forgotten about me."

" I thought that you left me behind."

"I tried so hard. So hard to come up with excuses that it was not the case."

"But the more I think about it, the more desperate I was to see you again."

"So desperate to scream all of it."

"Master..."

"Please, don't leave me behind again."

"I promise to be a good girl."

"I promise to be more obedient."

"I promise to never complain again."

"I promise to not make you angry again."

"So, please..."

"Please..."

"Please..."

"P-please..."

"Please don't ever leave me again!"

Shaula bawled her eyes out at Subaru's lap while screaming her heart out. She wrapped her arms around her as tears continuously flow down her eyes, crying her heart out. Meanwhile, Subaru wipes his tears as well while continuing rubbing her hair and listening to her pleas. He was so proud of himself that he managed to save her and now promises himself to add her to the people he wishes to protect.

"Okay, Shaula. I promise. I will not leave you again." He gently uttered to Shaula. As much as it was obvious that he's not the person Shaula thought he is, his promise to her is still true and pure.

As soon as she heard that, she immediately raised herself and hugged Subaru, crying even louder at his shoulder and gripping him tightly. Though being a little surprised, Subaru gently rubbed her back, making circles on it as she continued soaking her tears on his jacket.

This moment continued until after such time it was night time. Shaula stopped crying and was carried bridal-style by Subaru towards her resting quarters. He gently laid her down and covered her with her blanket. As he was about to leave, Shaula unconsciously grabbed his hand. Seeing this, Subaru dragged a chair at the side of her bed and sit beside her, holding her hand as a small smile formed on Shaula's sleeping face. "Well, I guess I'm staying for the night. Hope Beako won't be too lonely." He smirked to himself and continued to look over the sleeping Shaula, who was smiling, internally wishing her a good night's sleep.

Author's note: I hope you enjoy this. Was interested in the thought of Shaula expressing herself from all 400 years of isolation. Please leave a comment and hope you have a good day.