Hello! Starmegalo here again!

I am STILL studying for my exam after rescheduling it but I am able to have time for writing, somewhat.

This story is more or less niche and unpopular, but regardless, I will continue until it ends. I think it will be nice to have this story stay on this site, completed for people with similar taste to read.

The previous chapter was about Meili, and perhaps overall it could've been skipped or not exists. However, with me deciding to make this story fleshed out fully and fill in as much as I can…I thought it would be really good to have her.

We won't jump to Priestella fight right away. But there will be a lot of interesting character interactions that I didn't see in any other story. I hope you won't get bored, I had so much fun writing Anastasia, Reinhard and of course, Priscilla (I fucking love writing her)

Guest : Subaru is just destroying all the curtains, voluntary or not, isn't he?

Everytime you say something bad about Tappei, I smile.

A: Yep. He does. And he will keep changing characters and situations all the time. Bringing the true self of characters he is close.

We are a minority. But it's fine. I'll continue to say what I think.

Pryd: NOOOOO. They were so close Meile and Subaru, I hope in the next chapter or so they get back together again. I was so happy reading that until it all broke down. excited for the next chapter.

A: Yeah…we will see if things will change or not. For now, it will stay as a sad ending to a precious relationship.

'Thoughts'

"Normal talking"

English words used by characters

Discord : /YxtzwbzVQh


The carriage moved swiftly thanks to the effects of Divine Protection carried by the respective ground dragons: Frufoo and Patrasche.

Currently, it was Otto, who had the leash and controlled the carriage. Inside occupied by 3 people.

Garfiel, who was their combat power and 'youngest' if one were to count it from the time of birth.

Emilia, the ruler of their political group and the candidate for becoming the 42nd King of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica.

"It will take us 10 days to get there. But there shouldn't be any problems. After all, we have no reason to hurry." Otto said with no one objecting to him. After all, he was quite knowledgeable about travel. With being a merchant and all.

"We don't need to hurry...huh. That's right! I guess there is no reason to not relax." A nice to hear voice said with a childish joy. Emilia spoke, being content with travel time. After all, she didn't travel much in her whole life.

She wore her usual dress with some changes. Her dress didn't have long sleeves with the Mathers emblem anymore. Her chest was slightly more covered, and her hair was more well-prepared than normal.

A conscious decision for her betterment only became possible thanks to Frederica. But who was in their mind while making those appearance changes? Who knows.

This wasn't included in the 'training' she had to give Emilia after being ordered to...however it was something she included anyway. Upon Emilia's own wishes.

"That's right princess. Ya be like mineself and ain't worry." Being like Garfiel might've been a bit too carefree. But Emilia smiled at his words and giggled.

"..."

That smiling face turned into a pout and a cute voice.

"..."

Both the expressive pout and cute voice disappeared. They didn't work, they were meaningless. So they disappeared. The person kept their silence.

"...We don't have any reason to not relax, right Subaru?" Emilia said once again normally, this time making her intention to get a response from him clearer. Her voice had a different sweetness this time. She was disappointed that all Subaru did was close his eyes at the start of the journey, and...that was it. But even so, Emilia felt like she couldn't just feel annoyed or feel anything negative towards him because of his unresponsiveness.

All she would do was try again and again. And she didn't feel anything wrong with that. On the contrary, she was glad that she was able to do that. After all, it could be worse.

"Hmhm." The man who wore a black plain V-neck shirt which was self-made in ways that were revolutionary to more than one world made an acknowledging voice to Emilia. He also wore black pants and good-looking black shoes.

Instead of his iconic outfit, he chose this. Without caring about any rules or a knightly attitude, he just happened to look like a noble. The materials he used for the pants and shirt were also self-made. His skills in sewing were already exceptional...but he outdid himself in this one year with studying and expanding his skills.

Otto asked why this fortunate change happened and the answer he got was "I felt like it" but Otto couldn't care less about the answer anyway. Lady luck smiled at Emilia camp's face. Subaru changed outfit... this would affect things in a much more positive way considering Subaru's reputation even with his bizarre actions and weird outfit.

That change of outfit was also received extremely well by Petra. A bit too well actually...since she was jumping out of joy and made Subaru promise that he would wear it in the mansion too...

Interestingly enough. Emilia also liked it a lot. Even with her dead sense of style which also included outfits. She took a liking to the material and would touch it from time to time. She also wouldn't forget to praise Subaru for being good at sewing. Subaru made sure he didn't misunderstand why she kept touching him. She just liked the feeling of the texture. That was all there was. Which was disappointing even in the absence of any expectations. Being a man, you just couldn't help it when a beauty touched you like that. Emilia was cruel in that regard with her ignorance.

Roswaal also got excited by the Subaru's look because of reasons similar to Otto. He also joked about how Subaru changed his supposedly sentimental outfit in one go without batting an eye. Comment failed to get a reaction out of Subaru but he successfully got a glare from Beatrice.

Beatrice and Garfiel liked it because, to them, Subaru was shoving off.

Subaru's outfit didn't get any wrinkles too. It had rather convenient uses which made Beatrice proud.

"You talk about relaxing when Subaru is resting peacefully I suppose. Could it be that you are trying to be the reason to not let relax for him, in fact?" Beatrice questioned with fair logic. She was aware that Emilia's attempt was nothing more than to get Subaru into the discussion. While he was simply resting.

But Beatrice was more mature and she didn't feel any need to constantly interact with him. Beatrice understood the preciousness of spending silent time with someone. So she couldn't empathize with or respect Emilia's attempts to interact with him.

"Beatrice..." Emilia had a struggling expression on her face. She was trying to hold something back. Doing so would be a mistake. Perhaps normally she wouldn't hesitate but she recalled what happened that day. Subaru and Beatrice were too close.

However, she couldn't hold back after seeing her smug face.

"Subaru, Beatrice is being nasty to me!"

"Hmmm." Subaru hummed to Emilia with his eyes still being close, he was using his one hand as a pillow to the back of his head. So with the remaining hand, he just petted Beatrice.

"That's not what I WANTED!" Emilia uncontrollably shouted with a big pout and Beatrice's smugness grew to impossible levels. Garfiel was just laughing at the interaction.

'Princess became rather hardworkin' for the Cap'n for a while. He at least accepts her attempt to have fun together alone.'

Their trip to Priestella was delayed for a month. In that month Emilia and Subaru spent a considerable amount of time together. From Garfiel's 'inspection' of their time alone until Subaru had it enough and said he knew he was spying... from his observations Garfiel thought things were changing between them. He didn't know if it was for the good or bad.

As his Cap'n said once "Opportunity for renewal after the catastrophe".

Emilia did acknowledge her lacking self. And honestly tried to fix things. While it was up to debate how good she was. She matured so slightly and became more conscious than after what happened in the sanctuary.

Since this was Emilia, Subaru had doubts and suspicion about if she is even trying anything for him or if she understands nothing. However, that's where other members assured him that he wasn't having an 'Emilia' moment. Before that intervention, Emilia was getting hopeless and depressed that Subaru was literally 'going away'. So her attempts to get close were genuine.

To be frank. No one in Emilia camp wanted to give Subaru any hope that Emilia was in fact, giving some effort for that type of relationship or even to explore anything about Subaru. Since even they had their doubts about her actions because of how many times Emilia made Subaru misunderstood in the past, it was a sad sight for the man. However, their doubts cleared up when she was crying in her room with no sleep after he didn't want to go on a date once. Whether she came to have feelings or not, she was invested in Subaru.

Garfiel was sure that Subaru acknowledged her attempts thanks to that. If not for the push from others Subaru wouldn't trust that Emilia wasn't going to disappoint him by making him misunderstand her intentions. He would probably assume she didn't know what she was doing and she wasn't doing anything at all. There was no attempt to get closer or anything. So others intervened with Emilia being helpless.

Basically, she was using everything at her disposal so that Subaru wouldn't look away. It was working in a way, Subaru didn't mind spending time with Emilia and enjoyed it too. It was a good feeling that a girl wanted to spend time with him without him going through near death experiences or pressing for it.

Garfiel was glad that Subaru was receiving what he deserved all this time. No matter how much he looked up to his Captain. The one-sided effort didn't look good on Subaru.

Of course, Emilia could reject Subaru. However, that didn't mean Subaru didn't deserve someone that gave an effort to him. So Garfiel didn't like how things were going between them.

Garfiel's attempts on matching Subaru with noble women also ended in failure, because for some reason all of them were assassins set to kill Subaru even though they all liked him at the end...

It was weird. Subaru DID get along with them...even though he said he knew from the beginning that they were there to kill him…

How did he know it? Why did he get along with them while knowing they were there to kill him? Sometimes Garfiel wondered if there was a problem in his head. Perhaps being desperate for women does this to a man…regardless how great they might be.

As for Subaru's answer when Garfiel asked how he knew they were faking it…He was troubled by the answer.

"No one likes me from the start, so I knew they were faking it" Subaru responded as if that was the most basic math question.

In the end. Things ended with the women group never attempting to kill Subaru since he was too "lovely". If His Captain used of the charisma he used that day on Emilia he would've had her. But he didn't know why he never did that.

While Garfiel was thinking about Subaru's romantic life... Otto and Emilia were talking about politics.

"What do you mean things have changed?" Emilia asked Otto.

"Well, of course, I am talking about the candidates' stance in the election." As he said that, Subaru got up suddenly and asked Otto to change places. Beatrice followed Subaru.

Otto understood that this was done so that he could talk with Emilia without any divide in concentration. It was surprising how thoughtful Subaru could be...

Subaru also tells Garfiel to run with the carriage instead of sitting there all day... he happily jumps out of the carriage.

Now Otto and Emilia were alone inside.

"Well...first I need to talk about how things started after the announcement and first meeting. All declarations and everything that happened there quickly got into everyone's ear in the country...starting from the Capital."

"Declaration..." Emilia mutters. She remembers everything that happened in Royal Castle. Something inside of her hurts from recalling those memories. But it wasn't because of embarrassment or disappointment coming from Subaru's actions like before.

It was regret. If she were to support Subaru at that time... how strong would their bond be?

"To be frank. Only Anastasia and the Crusch camp were seen as potential winners. The other three candidates are seen as placeholders. And truthfully, declarations themselves didn't give anyone an edge or advantage, all in all, it didn't have much effect.."

"That is wrong." Surprisingly Subaru rejects Otto's words from outside of the carriage where he holds the reins.

Otto is the most knowledgeable on how things were going outside. He even used all the connections Roswaal had. However, since the one who refused his claims was Subaru, there wasn't even a single bit of hesitation in Emilia's heart that Subaru should be seeing something Otto couldn't.

A heart with no hesitation. Utmost support. That's how that girl would act, right?

Even if she forgets, or the world forgets. Subaru would not. And Subaru would talk a lot about Rem. Until that day, a month ago, she felt Subaru getting away from her, she didn't pay so much mind even if she wanted to. After all, she couldn't remember Rem. So she acted like she was listening to Subaru to the fullest when she talked about Rem. In fact, there was a chance Subaru realized Emilia wasn't invested, so he stopped talking about Rem to Emilia a few months after sanctuary. He wouldn't talk about Rem to anyone anymore, unless they ask about it.

However, everything changed after Emilia woke up. She saw how behind she was. That's why she listened eagerly as Subaru talked about how awesome Rem was, lots of times for an entire month. It was a torture for Emilia because how strong Subaru's feelings was for Rem…but it was necessary. She learned a lot about Subaru and Rem.

Subaru trusted Rem with everything. He talked about how she knew all his weaknesses.

Subaru's weaknesses.

That's what Emilia desires so much...to see him vulnerable and save him.

That's why-

"Subaru, what do you mean?" There can be no doubts.

Subaru could do everything. That's what Emilia always believed, yet she couldn't accept it. No more.

But then what could she do? She could be with Subaru. Support Subaru when he doubts. Just like Rem.

Rem wasn't here so she has to do it it couldn't be helped~

Her nasty heart liked that. But she couldn't help it.

"Remember Priscilla's speech?"

"Eh..." Yes, she already failed about 'having no doubts'. But not yet!

"I don't...understand," Emilia said hesitantly but she asked without showing her unbelief. It was fine having little hesitation and doubts...it's just that she couldn't let Subaru know that.

"Priscilla understood very well that normal folk cannot comprehend great ideologies or any kind of determination someone with power can have. That's why she said all the outrageous stuff without holding back."

This time Otto had enough. "That makes zero sense." He says while sighing.

However, Subaru wasn't joking.

"Merit is everything. That's why Priscilla knew that what is said there would be meaningless compared to actions. If the speech was made to convince nobles, speech could be more important. But the speech was a declaration to the whole Kingdom. That's why you can't gain any edge by what you say alone in the short term." Subaru explained the base reasoning and then explained it fully.

"Priscilla had confidence that she could not possibly fail to rule the place that was left for her by Leip Barielle after his suspicious demise. That and knowing how pointless the whole declaration combined. She didn't hold back on her speech. People ignored it obviously and the little superficial support she gained from her looks and status was lost when people branded her words as 'madness' with how prideful and outrageous the speech was." Subaru let that sink in and then continued.

"However, she showed great competence in ruling her land. People went back to those words they branded as 'madness', everyone considered it once again, some even accepted it as it is. Conclusion? Now they worship her. "

Both Otto and Emilia's jaws dropped.

"No...no. No way that's true...I met her once and that girl literally believes the world works for her! She thinks she doesn't need to do anything to win!" Otto said frantically as he remembered everyone was running away from her to not dance with her at a party.

"She does that, yet she is calculative as well, it's a contradiction. Do not underestimate her." Subaru remembers how Priscilla commented on his personality. It was lacking, yet it was a far better observation compared to everyone if you exclude Beatrice.

"You don't bother to use your mind if you believe you will have everything regardless. Priscilla uses hers all the time."

"So you say she is lying?"

"She doesn't. She is actually conscious of how blessed she is. This world isn't fair. Some people are luckier. Some of them are strong from birth and need no training at all while others need to study and practice with focus." Subaru says as he looks at Emilia.

'That's right.' Emilia acknowledges in her mind without adding any unthoughtful disrespecting remarks as she would do in the past.

She comes to understand that she could move efficiently without training, use magic, albeit more costly, without training, and have natural strength above normal elves, according to what Roswaal said.

If she were to say she was normal in those regards. It would be a disrespect to Subaru, who was training harder than anyone.

As she thought about that...she saw Subaru smiling at her.

She evaded her eyes to below her hands, which grasped her skirt while her cheeks were adorned with redness.

'Did he praise me or something?' It was really weird to think that Subaru understood the little growth she had. She wasn't doing it to get praise from Subaru. She was doing it so that she could be with Subaru. So it was a long-term action.

But she couldn't help but think that he understood and smiled because of that.

'I am turning silly when Subaru looks at me like that.'

And she could never teach herself to not react when he looks at her...like that!

"I wonder..." Otto mutters.

Emilia speaks as she sees Otto as thoughtful. "What Subaru says must be true right? Otherwise, it would be like Priscilla doing everything randomly and getting it right anyway. I don't think anyone would respect her if all she has is luck."

"...It's hard to admit...but everything he says makes perfect sense. After all, I heard about her speech in the Castle from people..." Otto was feeling tired from thinking about it alone.

Emilia nodded at Otto. She listened to Priscilla after all.

"Now. As for Anastasia-camp. They do not have any base in Kararagi. However, Anastasia herself doesn't feel any hesitation to use Juukulius connections or family itself. Her knight also has no problem with it."

As Julius himself mentioned Emilia's instantly shot towards Subaru. Waiting for his incoming reaction filled with distaste.

...Nothing happens.

Subaru does not make a comment about Julius, his expression doesn't become ugly as Emilia expects nor he even reacts to it.

'That's...weird' Of course in Emilia's mind, Subaru would always react to Julius. Before she was thinking that they were actually friends and Subaru couldn't accept it. But such childish statements weren't something she could afford to make anymore.

Emilia did not know but the reason Subaru didn't react to it was simply that there were no conflicting feelings in him about Julius anymore.

He felt no inferiority, he felt no reason to catch up to him as a knight or anything. He didn't want to be like Julius nor take any way of acting from Julius. All the conflict Subaru had himself about Julius was so trivial compared to his other problems that it disappeared instantly.

Whether it be their shared title 'Spirit Knight' or Julius's interest in Emilia for her beauty. Subaru just did not care.

He already concluded all conflict inside of him, and he decided:

Spirit Knight wasn't something he was trying to get better at. Neither being a spirit art user as other people know it nor a 'Knight' was something Subaru was interested in. Subaru was a determinator who would reach the ending he wished to see. That was all he was. And all he needed was not to give up and give his all without any distractions.

And when it comes to Emilia...Subaru already did what Subaru could do. He was rather content with the things he did for that girl, he gave a lot for her. If all this wasn't enough to match with someone who is more blessed and handsome. It couldn't be helped really. Julius getting better of him in that regard would only cause his remaining love to fade. He wouldn't particularly feel hostile to Julius or Emilia in a scenario like that.

And he never hated Julius. If he hated Julius. He would simply not use him back then. Julius failed at performing a quick technique on Petelguese that would kill him instantly and because of his 'knightly rules', they had to fight Petelguese head-on. Unlike the other loop where Wilhelm just cut the madman from behind. Julius was pretty useless to someone like him actually.

But that wasn't a reason for Subaru to hate Julius. He would just think about his character more if they ever stand against a foe together. Or communicate with Julius so that he can compromise his rules a little bit for the greater good.

And if Julius becomes an enemy to him for a stupid thing as Royal Selection. Then there isn't much thinking that needs to be done on Subaru's part. Just erase him.

Saving people, getting along with them, bothering to make them trust you. It's all way harder than just killing them. It was a dark idea, but sometimes Subaru would think about how he would fare against people he considers friends and allies.

'Ironic. Some people are just easier to handle as enemies... unfortunately, this is true with nearly anyone that considers me an ally.' This was a fact that he wouldn't be able to admit before. But now he did it with ease.

But while doing that...a name appeared in his head.

Reinhard.

'Reinhard is different...' A presence that screamed they were chosen by god, the young hero would not be overpowered, ever.

However...upon further thought. Subaru concluded that the reason Reinhard would be a troublesome enemy wasn't that he was infinitely stronger than Subaru. That was something he handled with all enemies. There is always a way to bring that power down, counter it, or erase it. He doubted Reinhard was an exception. No one was.

No, the reason Subaru cannot think of himself 'beating' Reinhard wasn't his power. It was who he was.

There was simply not a scenario where Reinhard falters from who he was. Subaru couldn't trust pretty much anyone to stay the same. Beatrice was slowly coming there but perhaps it would never happen.

But Reinhard? Subaru trusted Reinhard in a different way.

That's why they wouldn't be enemies for something trivial as the royal selection. It was impossible.

They wouldn't be enemies if his affinity for Witch Factors becomes public knowledge. Regardless of the probability of danger, one might possess it in the future. Reinhard would not treat them like a ticking time bomb.

That's why someone like Puck could act as he wished... So it wasn't something Subaru accepted fully but he could understand Reinhard and his choices. He could respect him as well.

In any case, this was the reason that Reinhard wouldn't be an enemy because some Lugunican higher-ups were scared of him for any reason.

However, by all means, it wasn't impossible at all that they would stand against each other.

It was all-natural, that they had different beliefs and things they could accept or not.

Reinhard had taken the role to preserve this world. Nothing could destroy this world. But he would also act like a Sword of Justice if someone did something bad.

He wasn't Reinhard. His sole goal in truth was reaching his own ending. This just happened to include good things like saving people in times and forgiving them.

But Subaru himself realized his forgiveness and friendship weren't limited to 'good' people.

It was likely that one day, someone who is rejected by the world could invoke feelings of friendship in Subaru. What if that someone needs to be stopped?

That would be a scenario where Reinhard and Subaru would need to go against each other even though they would understand each other perfectly.

And even though Subaru could win. What about his own nature?

Reinhard wasn't like anyone else he ever met. He could not just force a reality where he wins into Reinhard.

Reinhard was someone that did absolutely no wrong to Subaru. And he was one and only in that regard. He was also the only person who Subaru believes he can't make an excuse to fight against.

No one else acted consciously good to Subaru in the first meeting.

Even Emilia did save him reluctantly, of course, he was glad. But now he knew Emilia.

Emilia's nature was simply 'kind'. That kindness was for everyone. So Subaru just happened to receive it.

And their progression of getting to know each other was bumpy as well. Emilia didn't trust him whatsoever until that day when he told her that he loved her.

The first week Emilia was the one who made Puck peek into his mind without asking him.

Emilia suspected he was a spy when she saw him with Priscilla.

He left behind not so long after that situation.

Natsuki Subaru, for some reason. Was unable to have a good beginning with anyone. Something in their nature just stopped them from accepting him normally. There wasn't a single person who didn't have a negative view of Subaru from the start...

Except for Reinhard.

Undeniably Reinhard's own powers and nature warned him against Subaru. Yet he was saved.

One can simply say that Reinhard would save anyone that calls for help. However then any thug who gets killed in a slum wouldn't die...since everyone calls for help while they are about to die. Even though it's in vain. And Reinhard would instantly appear and save them. However, Subaru learned that wasn't the case.

That means that a superhuman who could hear many cries and get used to shutting them off for understandable reasons still came to help Subaru.

Preciousness of that was something Subaru came to appreciate as time passed. That time he ignored that goodness just to pursue Emilia, for his own satisfaction. But he wanted to be a better person. So he hoped that he could show his appreciation to Reinhard.

He couldn't see any offense done to him by Reinhard.

That is why...Subaru doesn't think he could use his ability to defeat him.

Let's say Reinhard was beaten by Subaru. Even worse...killed.

Subaru himself was unable to think of himself continuing in such a future.

Hence it was impossible. If Return by Death is random, and it could lock Subaru into a future he didn't want...what was the point of Return by Death? This was simply why it was impossible for his ability to work like that.

It was working for his wish. Hence why Reinhard couldn't be beaten, he was included in the future Subaru wanted.

That wish changed all the time too, despite that his red haired friend was a constant to this day.

At first, he made Emilia the focus of everything he wanted to do. Hence why the ability itself couldn't let her react to Return By Death. That caused Subaru so many problems later...however, it's not like Return By Death or Subaru himself cared for his convenience or self-preservation.

So perhaps…if he truly wanted, he could tell her about his ability. What about that idea?

Then it was Rem. The wish got even more incomprehensible and stronger. Now he didn't want to see her suffer let alone die. But regardless of incomprehensibility, it happened. Yet it wasn't something Subaru consciously comprehend for a while, the reason why Rem was sleeping and why he couldn't prevent it. Because it was his wish. Once again his suffering wasn't taken into consideration by Subaru himself, hence RbD wouldn't do that.

Unless Subaru give a fuck about himself, nothing inside of him would do that.

Echidna was where things broke down. Her way of continuing wouldn't work... even if Subaru agreed and decided he wouldn't suffer because of deaths anymore. He would lose immersion in everything...and his wish would change. A falling apart with her was obvious.

The best option would be Subaru taking the initiative with Echidna for his own path. However, Subaru's wish didn't change with 'Echidna'. Rem was still there. Rem was still the focus of everything.

Unlike how Rem overwrites Subaru's 'Emilia' goal. Echidna couldn't do that against Rem...she wasn't pushy enough and their start wasn't good.

Things could've been so much different if they met without Roswaal's intervention. Echidna said 'he was early' so...he can't help but wonder what would happen if they met normally.

In any case. Subaru didn't have any specific 'wish' now. And no longer was he willing to gain his satisfaction, at the end by making one single woman focus. He would not make the same mistake.

He didn't know about the specifics of how things would end when Subaru allowed himself to die once and for all. However, he knew one thing...

He wanted Beatrice to be well.

"Hmgghm~ what is with you out of nowhere I suppose?" Beatrice asked as Subaru petted her. However, no matter how sudden it was, Subaru's head pats were so good that she couldn't even act like she was bothered by his assertiveness.

"It's just that I realized you are so cute."

"Hmphm! How many times do you have to realize that in fact!? Learn it already!"

As Beatrice and Subaru had their sweet interaction...Subaru was continuing to listen to the conversation between Emilia and Otto. Which progressed quite a bit. They were already about to finish talking about the candidates.

"Hmm. Thank you, Otto. I don't think I would be able to understand it if not for your simple explanations." Emilia said as once again, she acknowledged her weaknesses.

But she also wondered what she could do as a leader when she had so many things to think and ponder about at the same time.

"You don't need to agonize over it by yourself," Otto says as if he could read the thoughts going through Emilia's silver head.

Emilia looks at Otto as he talks.

"You may be the central figure, but that doesn't mean that you have to do everything yourself. You have this whole carriage with you." Otto says. Subaru listens as he more or less knows how his words will continue. But it was nothing but an inability to observe the true dynamics behind the farce put by the people like Ram, Roswaal, and himself.

"This whole carriage?" Emilia asked questioningly. This was the Emilia Subaru knew...for a while, it seemed as if Emilia got smarter instantly. He appreciated the effort but all she did was take the shortcut. He wondered if Emilia was trying to get better or just wanted HIM to think she was smarter and all better.

But as she was talking with Otto. She didn't hold her guard up. Hence why she was asking for something so obvious instead of thinking about it and understanding by herself. Either that or she wanted to get lifted up by Otto after losing a bit of motivation because of all the talk about selection. Actually, his comments about Priscilla might be the cause of that.

Perhaps both reasons were true at the same time. Either way...Emilia did not magically change and had a transformation. All she could have was the illusion of that because she took a shortcut. However, Subaru wasn't blind.

"Natsuki-san is at the reins. Beatrice-chan is on guard to make sure he doesn't slack off. Garfiel is keeping a lookout atop the carriage, and I am the one who planned our itinerary. What you do is thank all of us for our work, and we'll bumble our way to Pristella." Otto explained casually.

'Well, thanking others for their work hardly matters compared to giving them appropriate tasks yourself and leading them.' Subaru thought he wasn't fond of how Otto explained that depending on others alone is enough. A leader was necessary to divide the tasks as an example. So Subaru disagreed and disliked the way he said it.

Other reason for his displeasure was-

"Otto-kun. You sounded so much like Subaru." Emilia says as she giggles. Answering Subaru's thoughts.

Subaru didn't like how he just comforted Emilia constantly in the past even when she should've confronted her weaknesses...

However, at the very least...

"Being bothered by it instead of ignoring it, means I am changing, aren't I?" He mutters softly while sighing. He stops listening to the conversation between Otto and Emilia. He is no longer interested in it.

"What are you talking about I suppose...talking to yourself while I am here isn't good manners in fact."

"I just got a bit angry at my past self and that's it."

"Well...Keep it to an acceptable level, I don't like seeing Subaru being angry at himself." Beatrice said bluntly. This was a perk of their leveled-up bond.

Beatrice also realized even though Subaru wouldn't change for himself in regards to being kinder to himself. He still at least tried to be more gentle to himself for her sake.

That's why she understood that voicing any problem she had was crucial.

"I'll keep it in mind." Subaru blushes at the unexpected directness and Beatrice was smug at Subaru's reaction.

'Ugh...Maybe I'll just have some sweets.' Beatrice thought.

...

"Here. Let's not eat too much...no actually it's fine if we just eat this box." Subaru put the chocolate box on Beatrice's lap. "Feed me as I keep the reins!" Subaru says jokingly.

Normally people would feed the children in their laps. So it was quite hilarious for him to be fed by Beatrice in his lap.

Beatrice hums happily and opens the Subaru-made chocolates from the Subaru-made box.

"Hmmmm~ Yummy, I suppose...I-I mean it's not bad for a rookie!"

"Yummy huh~?-Blahhhh" As Subaru was about to tease her. She stuffs his mouth with chocolate. Shutting him up effectively.

Well. Beatrice preferred that they could happily chat together as they ate chocolate. It was better than Subaru talking with her instead of listening to others and getting pissed. Subaru was quite grumpy and he is in his quick-to-temper-Subaru mode after all.

...

"Wait a minute Subaru..." Something confused Beatrice as she happily tasted chocolate inside her mouth.

"What happened? You don't want anymore?"

"I am never full when it comes to sweets. But that's not it! It's just...when did you get the box?" Beatrice asks Subaru as he holds the reins.

"I just happened to bring it with me?" He said as if he was asking himself.

"But...I never saw it? I swear the last time I saw the box was when you loaded it with other items…"

"It must be that your eyes were deceiving you, since you are such a glutton when it comes to sweets."

"Hmhp! So what if I like sweets! Subaru shouldn't bully me for that, I don't gain any weight after all!" She said with a pouting face. It seemed like Subaru joked around with her love of sugar a bit too much. Either way, her question remained without an answer. Beatrice just assumed that perhaps Subaru acted sneaky and took back the box when she wasn't looking…

"Here, here...Sorry. Let's eat the next box when we stop." Beatrice tried very hard to stay silent and Subaru was indulging in her cuteness.

'Well...even though I am getting teased to death. Subaru's chocolates and head-pats are god-tier so it's a suffering I must endure in fact!' Beatrice thinks while feeling his rough but kind hand on her head.

As Beatrice closed her eyes while Subaru was holding the reins, she relaxed as she focused on the feeling of his hand and recalled the time she spent with Subaru...

It was a long year that felt both long and short at the same time…

The feelings that appeared inside of her as she laughed, cried, argued and cuddled with Subaru…she never felt them before. No one could manage to invoke such warmth inside of her.

Subaru was a magical person. Unlike any other. He was like the beginning of the story, the character that starts the journey. But even though she had read thousands of books, he was unique.

When you read a book. You think about…what if's, the questions that you would ask if you could meet with the protagonist. Subaru could invoke that feeling in reality. Yet she wasn't bold enough to ask them.

Subaru was such a protagonist that not everything he knew was revealed to the reader. How much did Subaru know? How much Subaru was aware of things? What Subaru thought about certain things? How would he react?

Beatrice was greedy, as the daughter of her mother. That was understandable.

But ever since Subaru opened that door after breaking through her little game… Her Greed and curiosity was focused on one single person and nothing else: Subaru.

It started right after their meeting.

"How can you find the library so easily?"

"How can you interact with me so casually?"

"Why don't you fear me?"

"Do you fear death?"

"Are you that person?"

When he continued to survive and save others. Yet he still tried to get her outside.

"Why do you try to get me out? You are not interested in my power, in my knowledge…or are you interested in me at all? Or is it just pity?"

"What would happen if you were with me when I just opened my eyes for the first time?"

"What would happen if you had met with mother, instead of that elven girl?"

"How can you not fear death to this extent?"

"What if you were there 400 years ago… would you be able to stop the Calamity?"

"What would happen if you and Roswaal met when he was younger?"

"What do you think about witches?"

"What is your authority?"

"How can you have two authorities? That's impossible."

So many unanswered questions, so many mysterious answers, memories hit her consciousness like droplets of rain. Her cruelty upon meeting him, unintentionally feeling closeness, the times where she felt betrayed just because he didn't visit her one day even though she would act bothered by him, the feeling of world changing each time he took her outside…

All of them, all memories ever since she heard someone brought by that elven girl needed healing. All of them together brought forth one answer:

It was a year worth more than 400 years she spent without him.

As she slowly fell asleep. A single tear of happiness fell from her eye. Yet, it was wiped away instantly as Subaru's hand appeared right under her cheek.

Subaru continued to caress her head with love as he held the reins.


Yep, I hope you liked the chapter.

—As you can see, one month passed and no, that doesn't mean Priestella is destroyed, it's just I gave one month to Emilia camp. Which was mostly beneficial to Emilia, who put some effort and made her relationship with Subaru better. There are still misunderstandings and communication issues that are caused by her way of doing things and it's hard to break that but she tried quite hard. At the very least there is a positive tension between Subaru and Emilia.

In that month, Beatrice and Subaru also got even closer.

—I left 2 foreshadowings with Subaru, one is quite obvious, the other is less obvious.

—I thought it would be fitting that Beatrice also imagines Subaru as this main character who changed her life. And then there are mysteries with him. Her Greed also focuses on Subaru just like her mother's but she is just far more healthy and isn't obsessed with Subaru as Echidna. Despite how lovely Beatrice is, I don't think she wins a "Who loves Subaru more?" battle against Echidna. That's how I view Echidna. All her inconsistencies, out of character uncontrolled actions and overall emotional self(which isn't usual) is because of Subaru. Adding the fact that Tappei said a lot of times she loves him in QA's in the past, it is how it is. (Though later he kind of changed his mind and said Echidna sees him as someone to fuck with but who fucking cares about his retcons)

—Further into Beatrice's questions…As you can see there is one where she says having two authorities is impossible. The way things are established shows that PERHAPS, Sages and Sage Candidates can hold more than one witch factor. But nothing on them holding multiple authorities. So I decided that in my stories that is a Subaru special. Because I think Subaru has to be far more special with how Witch Factors stay inside of him after death(Pride IF Subaru has a body) unlike Flugel we know he definitely lost a WF. (Not saying he isn't Subaru or is Subaru, he can simply be Subaru or not with Tappei putting a middle finger. He is ruthless when it comes to consistency, he gives 0 fuck.)

And some fantasies of her about Subaru meeting Echidna 400 years ago and him living in that era. Can just make a fic about this, seriously interesting shit.

"What's your authority?" Basically questioning Return By Death. Beatrice knows Roswaal is obsessed with Subaru, that Subaru must've had an authority before Sloth. So she has opinions on that matter.(She knows about Sloth because Subaru told her which is why she asked how he can have two authorities)

—And as you can see Subaru uses common sense on politics and has thoughts on Priscilla, she will be really important in this fic, definitely not some side character I ignore because she is hard to write. I made Subaru comment on this political stuff and with that excuse show that there is some tension between him and Otto. They just aren't that similar really, still 'friends' but you will see that there are obvious reasons why things are problematic.

—Subaru finally decides it's enough that he chooses one female and shapes his future according to that. As you can see he has doubts about the future since now he can't delude himself or blind himself with one woman .All he knows is that he will keep Beatrice safe.

That's it from me.

You can expect new fics soon. This one will be steady and a journey like I always said. Next chapter of Stars Change will be published in FFN and AO3 on June 8.

And if you are in my discord you get to see 1 day before. Some changes/grammar corrections are bound to happen though. But nothing major.

Have a good day.

Discord : /YxtzwbzVQh