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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Chapter 29: (Best Waifu Arrives) The Path to Sanctuary

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If someone asked Frederica Baumann what she thought of being a maid, the answer would be... quite simple.

She loved being helpful.

Perhaps it was the nature of being kind coming from her mother's own teachings that made her so soft within, but the fact that she had to bear most of the burden that was taking care of her younger brother also aided her in developing an understanding mindset.

Sure, she was strict and had been taught how to be a proper maid by working both under the Mathers Family and the Miload Family... but that didn't stop Frederica from feeling sympathy for many people. But, for as many would say her kindness was boundless, her introduction to Natsuki Subaru created... confusion.

She wouldn't say dislike or hate- the blonde would even go as far as to say that Subaru was a pleasant fellow to interact with. No, it was the way he moved around interactions and his perplexing reactions that left poor Frederica in a bit of a shock from time to time.

To make it simple for many that yet didn't know her... Frederica loved to fantasize situations. Of course, those were mostly tame occasions as she hardly cared for deep intimacy in her stories, but Subaru was pretty much what she would expect out of a fictional story. How? Well, Frederica had gotten years on how many 'clever men' behaved, but Subaru was quite unusual if not outright wonderful in his actions.

Caring, compassionate but also careful and worried. He was a whirlwind of emotions at times and a pure stoic mask in others. He was... ever-changing, a never-ending flow of discovery that had her instantly hooked to him. Not romantically or sexually, that right she knew by glance and smell was owned by Lady Emilia and Ram- Rem too if she was right with some of the blue-haired girl's looks at the young man and... the assassin one was tedious to decipher, but there was a driven compulsion in her steps which would suggest something was cooking within Elsa's mind.

From romantic and perhaps deeply depraved to the soft tones of wholesome, Frederica's attention was also taken by the 'little maids' that followed Subaru. Part of her wanted to teach them right, to let them know that being this cute may not be the best option as proper maids but, as Ram was keen to remind her, they weren't exactly working as Roswaal's maid and it was Subaru's own indiscretion that dictated that sort of matter.

In layman's terms, Frederica was annoyed she couldn't make things 'right', but she was also glad that it was the case as she found the trio to be worthy of many many ideas with her dolls.

...Oh right, Frederica was not exactly a 'writer', but a situational player. One that used dolls to mimic circumstances while also fostering her passion for dress-tailoring.

So, one can imagine how big her heart got when Ram said that the trio would definitely 'love' to be her test subjects for some cute dresses. That was almost enough to make, on its own, a good enough reason to just leave retirement altogether. Still, it didn't replace the fact that Roswaal called upon one of the last favors she owned to him for the sake of 'guarantee them a safe entry to Sanctuary'.

Sanctuary- it's been so long since she visited 'home'. It's been too long and yet it was also too early for her to find out what happened to Garfiel. Her brother was her siblings, sure, but he was not going to like she was back. It was his stubbornness in believing that everyone and everything that left had to be hating on him- that he was alone and that he had to be a loner.

That stupid brother of hers! Already getting her so irked at the kind of interaction she was meant to have with him. He was going to shout a lot, demand a spar and even ignore her request to do it at another time since she didn't want to ruin her maid dress. She had five more of those outfits, but that didn't mean she was willing to part with any of them out of wanting to spar with her dumb brother.

Which left her to a severe impasse she had to handle before that encounter.

Brilliantly so, she had a bright idea which regarded the one she wanted to seek advice from. Not Roswaal, not the twins or even Emilia.

Rather, she asked Subaru a very simple question. Perhaps too simple.

"If you had a sibling that tended to fight a lot and wants to spar you regardless of your wishes, how would you deal with him?"

Beyond a very confused and intrigued Subaru as he made it clear that the question was quite 'specific', the response left her to think a lot as it was very open but a valid one nonetheless. On the day that they left the manor to reach Sanctuary, Frederica readied herself for that long-fated meeting and, as the journey took them to their destination, here she met him.

It was quite gritty as a sight. Her brother allowing the carriages to pass through, but the short-haired blond just stood between the group and Sanctuary itself. Eyes aimed mostly to her as her brother spotted Ram.

Ah yes, that's going to be awkward to explain to him. After all, he did tell me of his crush for her...

Still, the thought didn't deter her from going through what she had planned for this.

"So, are you finally ready to spar with me?"

"Yes," Frederica flatly replied, giving him a serious look that actually surprised him. "But it will not be just a mere fight. It will be a test."

For a moment, confusion flashed from Garfiel's eyes but he managed to recover fast as he knew that, for the first time ever, he would get a proper challenge.

"Oh? And that is?!"

Frederica calmly set down a small table, two short chairs and a chessboard. "A chess game."

...

...

"Are you mocking me?! You said a spar!"

"Yes, a spar is more than just being a dumbass and punching your way in and out of things."

"Why the hell would I want to play Chess?"

Frederica thought back of what Subaru said about this.

"Let him fight by your terms and, if he starts fighting that off then you should-"

"Well, if you don't want to spar with me, just say it. I am not playing any silly games where only you decide how we do this. Of course, you can back off if you are a chicken."

"I am no chicken!"

Hook, line and sinker.

The huffing brother of hers took a seat and proceeded to get brutally decimated in some chess games. It was a good way to allow the others to move into Sanctuary, one that made her unable to guide them around but... if this helped in avoiding any other antagonistic issues with her brother, then that was more than worth it.

Especially when her brother, softened by some silly hits to his silly pride, opened up to accept some advice and, by coaxing him under the idea that 'girls liked smart and strong guys', ended up learning something new for once. In the end, this was a nice way to open up the way back to work and with his family but... all good things come to an end.

Even more when you are a loving sister with a stupid brother.

Garfiel never showed any interest as a reader of books, but when Frederica spotted a book shifting out of his small jacket while he was celebrating his second victory against her, she gave the book a look and-

Naughty Tales of a Useless Goddess: How to catch a Maid (Adults-only)

The scene from loving shifted into one that best fit with her current state of mind.

"S-Sis, I was- this is not a book of mine. I-I swear!"

But she held the book away from her foolish brother, a hand grasping and squeezing the top of his head to keep him away from the naughty book.

It was clear that some proper sisterly-bossing was needed to fix her dumb brother of hers!

AN

I have a confession to make. Out of all Waifus this series has to offer, I actually like Frederica the most.