This fanfiction was written for the Birthday of QuickShot, who personally requested a "yandere" themed story based on Priscilla. Now, I have to say that I was absolutely not versed into any of that "yandere" type of thing aside from knowing that it referred to girls being bad shit psycopaths for someone they loved in a very unhealthy manner.

Obviously, this is not my style or area of expertise so do not expect a high quality work. I just took the challenge as I wanted to try my hand at something different.

Originally posted on ArchiveOfOurOwn, I am posting the final and complete version here for those who are perhaps not familiar with both platforms.

I hope you enjoy you read.

"Prisca-sama, did you know? It is said that a woman would recognize her 'special someone' only after sharing a kiss with that person!" A little girl exclaimed while wagging her tail, stars in her eyes as she addressed her master.

"A special someone? What does that mean?"

"Her one true love, Prisca-sama!"

"Really? And how so?"

"Because when two people kiss, they share an intimate connection! And when it is that one special person, love manifests with such strength that a woman just knows it is the one! That's how people fall in love, and then may lay together!"

"Lay together?"

"So they may birth a child and perpetuates their lineage, Prisca-sama!"

"...I see."

"Elder brother, why have you not laid with a woman yet?"

The person whom she was talking to, a man significantly taller and older than her, seemed greatly surprised by such a question.

"And why would I do so, Prisca?"

He wished to know the reasons behind her sudden curiosity upon this matter before giving a proper answer. After spending so much time alongside his little sister, their subjects of conversations very rarely touched upon anything else than the result of their fate in the bloody selection they were born in.

"Do you not give importance to your legacy, elder brother?" she tilted her head, her ruby eyes reflecting a feeling of concern, "if not, after I have taken my throne, no trace of you would be left in this world. Do you not believe such a thought to be regrettable?"

"I do not fear for such an outcome," Vincent narrowed his eyes, scoffing at Prisca's subtil provocation, "there is still more than enough time ahead. And if it is just about continuing the Abellux line, the matter would be resolved in one night."

"One night?" Prisca seemed genuinely confused, "and how would you possibly manage to fall in love with your special someone and court her in such a short time?"

It was now Vincent's turn to give away his confusion, frowning at what his younger sister had just said.

"Fall in love? With a special…Someone?" He repeated in a low voice while raising a brow.

"I recognize that my elder brother possesses features that would appeal for most women's tastes," she nodded her head, "however, even with such an asset I do not believe this task to be as easy as you think."

This current discussion couldn't be more useless in the eyes of the vollachian prince.

For every man who was given the opportunity to rule over the empire, the very thought of cultivating a relationship was insignificant, absurd. If the question of a lineage should take place, it would only be relevant after sitting on the throne. After which it would only be answered with the preparation for the imperial selection.

In Vollachia, an emperor wasn't meant to sit by the side of a loving empress. Rather, the only "love" that they would provide would be by giving the many chosen women of the nobility the honor of being impregnated with the possible future ruler.

"And what would 'love' be, Prisca?" He crossed his arms, staring directly in her eyes.

"..." The little girl opened her mouth as if to answer, but no words seemed to come out of it. She felt like the answer was right at the tip of her tongue, but refused to come out.

"It is no easy task," Vincent smirked,"and it is because the definition of such a concept changes regarding who you are."

"Who i am?" She repeated, seeking more precisions.

"Listen well, Prisca," He came closer to her, making sure that she was listening attentively, "until you can figure out the answer yourself."

Usually, the young princess would not give such attention to small matters like these she would consider trivial most of the time, but now she simply didn't feel like either ignoring or discarding Vincent's words. It simply felt like the right thing to do to listen.

"For us…Love is to dominate," he spoke with a strong voice, putting minute weight on each of his words, "to have both heart and soul in our grasp, so we may control it, order it, reign over it. For it is the only way to truly protect what you wish to care for."

"Is this how you plan on preserving your lineage?" She asked.

Vincent shook his head, "I am a man. My lineage will be preserved because I do not require a 'special someone' to 'love' me for it."

"Then-"

"No." Knowing full well what she was about to say, Vincent chose to cut her off before any ideas would take place in her mind.

"You, Prisca, shall never even think about laying with a man unless he has surrendered himself to you. Unless you have chosen him to be worthy of even touching you, unless he recognizes you as the only one in his eyes…" His eyes took a dangerous glint, reflecting something akin to anger, and fear…"If not…"

Prisca widened her eyes, the words of her older brother caring themselves into her memory. The words which she would remember, and shape her future forever.

"death shall be their only abode."

"..." She opened her eyes when the sunlight's stream from her window began to warm her face.

She redressed herself and sat down on her bed, erasing the traces of sleep off her eyes and took a moment to enjoy the warm sensation of the sun greeting her this morning. Unfortunately, even the star's servitude couldn't do anything to appease her sour mood.

"...Such shameful memories," she uttered under her breath, "why would the dead bother me?"

Her voice grew darker, angrier. She felt a strong feeling of disgust rise in herself, unable to shake off the thoughts her dreams made resurface. Finally, she decided that it was best to leave the bed if she wished for these unwelcome memories to cease meddling with her mind.

Pushing her blankets aside and revealing her elegant night robe, she stepped out of her bed and while turning around to rearrange it before leaving, a glance towards her night table took her attention.

She picked it up and opened it at the page where she left it off before going to sleep last night, which was at the very last page of it, where the story of the Sword Demon came and the Sword Saint came to closure.

The Ballad Of The Sword demon. A tale of the war, where between death and desolation love bloomed still, a story which Priscilla was surprisingly interested in. So interested in fact, that it was not the first time she had read it entirely.

"What is love, mh…" She uttered, closing off the book, "so this is what caused such dreams."

Her eyes wandered to her bed, and back to the book. She was holding it tightly, and under a deadly silence her eyes narrowed…

"Priscilla-sama? Are you awake?"

She blinked as soon as she heard the young voice calling from outside of her room, rubbing her thumb on the cover where she noticed the dark cinder traces of her finger, and the smell of burnt paper.

Sighing, she rubbed her hand on the cover to remove the small particles of cinders, and put the book back where it belonged.

"I am awake, Schult." She replied, feeling like smiling as she remembered her cute servant.

"Perfect! The maids are preparing your breakfast as we speak, Priscilla-sama, if you do not need anything I shall go assist them right away!" The boy replied with glee.

"As a matter of fact, I indeed require your assistance. I have decided to take a stroll out in the city today," she decided, walking towards her wardrobe, "come in. I shall put on my dress now."

"Y-Yes! Priscilla-sama!" Schult replied immediately, and entered the room.

"So Princess, what do you feel like doing today?" Aldebaran spoke, walking side by side with Priscilla as they wandered in the busy streets of the capital.

"I am bored, bored enough to know your antics will not be sufficient today," she replied without even looking towards him, "which is why I have decided to leave the task of amusing me in the hands of the world."

"Not that I'll complain, that'd avoid me some bruises." he sarcastically replied, even though they both knew this was not a joke.

"I expect the world to abide by my command, but if it fails, the duty shall still fall unto you."

"Aw bummer." He sighed, taking a look around when he noticed the great royal castle.

"Say, ain't that always funny how every time you want to take a walk out, we always end up around that palace? It almost feels like you're attracted to it," he scoffed, "even last time, when I ended up losing sight of you aaaaaaaannnnnd she's gone."

Aldebaran looked all around him as the waves of people would walk in front and behind leaving him in a sea of people, as he realized that he once more would have to walk around the capital to find his lost princess.

Now separated from her jester-not that she minded- Priscilla was taking a comfortable stroll everywhere she felt like heading to, patiently waiting for the "world' to obey her, and provide her something worth her time, something which would fix the sickening taste left in her mouth after this morning.

"Hey, pretty girl! Want to have some fun?"

While at first it could have seemed like a sign to hear such words after knowing what she seeked in the capital today, the tone of voice rung so hideously in her ears that it was enough to earn a frown of disgust from the princess as soon as she heard them.

When looked to the side, she saw a dwarf standing with a wide smile. His hair cut like an upside down bowl over his head and big eyes that made Priscilla question whether he had a disease or not.

"You know, women like you shouldn't really walk around like that all alone, especially in such dangerous parts of the city," he began to explain as he walked closer, "perhaps I could be of…An escort, for you dear missy?"

"An escort? You?" She raised a brow, unfolding her fan to cover her mouth.

"You're a noble lady aren't ya? It's important that you come back home safe and sound! It'd hurt my gentleman's heart to know that something happened to ya in these merciless streets!" He replied, still with his creepy, distasteful smile.

"And what could half a man possibly do to protect me? With your legs so short you cannot even stand up to my gown's lower half, and your arms so small you may merely hold that dagger up your belt," She smirked maliciously, enjoying every second of seeing the little man's smile crumble, "with such a pathetic thing by my side, I would be lucky to have you perish at the first threat encountered, so I do not have to bother myself with such a hindrance as I deal with my foes."

The pain of the sudden humiliation couldn't be taken off the face of the dwarf for a few seconds. Veins of angers popping from his forehead as he couldn't even begin to process what he should answer, his mouth hanging open as rage made him tremble in place.

"Hey, the hell's happening? Why are you standing here?!" A man with clear blue hair yelled from behind, visibly becoming impatient.

"You've gotten so dumb you can't even lure a dumb lady?" Another man, much bigger and stronger cursed as he got out of the shadows as well.

Priscilla's eyes narrowed as soon as she saw his acolytes reveal themselves, a look of disdain in her eyes as soon as she noticed their apparel, looks and posture.

"And how could you three possibly entertain me?" She whispered to herself, her ruby eyes glowing dangerously. While she briefly felt amused putting down the little filth back at his place, she obviously didn't wish for more commoners to come and ruin her eyesight with such poor figures.

"Perhaps if I erase you from this earth, the satisfaction of knowing worthless pigs will not set foot in front of my castle will be enough?" She thought again, contemplating how she could slay them.

"T-That…THAT FUCKING WHO-"

"You three." She cut him off before he would say the unthinkable, and got all of their attention.

"Do you not think it is inexcusable that you would live with such impoverished faces and attires?" She spoke up, as they all widened their eyes.

"What…What the hell did she just say?" The bigger one seemed confused.

"I don't know, but it was definitely insulting!" The second one replied, already feeling the anger rising in his chest.

"YEAH?! WELL YOU DIDN'T EVEN SEE HALF OF IT!" The dwarf yelled, and before he could continue, the bigger one grabbed Priscilla by the arm and pulled her in the alleway.

"Don't screw around with us!"

"Yeah, you want us to mess up that pretty face of yours?!"

"Don't make such a racket, commoners," Priscilla smirked, already capable of foreseeing how this would end up, "Fools with no character picks fights for the most foolish reasons."

But before any of them could answer, another voice echoed from the entry of the alleyway, a waving boy wearing a suit, holding a bag of appas, "Sorry I'm late Honey!"

Priscilla narrowed her eyes, staring curiously at the boy who rushed closer to her.

After a series of tumultuous events, Subaru found himself pulling Priscilla away with her despite her reluctance, trying to run away from a mob of thieves who rallied up to take their revenge after Subaru had threatened them with the name of the sword saint.

While she felt like putting an end to this farce, a part of her seemed to whisper in her ear to let the things flow, and to see where this would lead her. So she kept to herself, and allowed the boy to pull her away. Surprisingly, as she went along with his antics Priscilla didn't feel bored at all. As a matter of fact, since he had appeared to "save" her, she felt nothing but amusement. From the wager they had put in place for the bag of appas, to their sudden runaway as she observed first handily the boy's boldness…Until he suddenly stopped, out of breath.

But before the thieves could catch up to them, they had made another encounter, of someone Subaru knew very well.

"Been a while since I've seen you. What are ya doing here?" A large, old giant spoke as he walked out of the darkness.

"Old man Rom!" Subaru smiled in hope, "Gramps is here to save the day! We can win this—!"

"You're quick to annoy someone who hasn't seen you in a while." Rom seemed deadpanned," I'm leaving you here."

"Wait, I really need your help! It's, like, the tenth crisis I've had in the last month!"

"That's too many!"

As they exchanged banter in lieu of greetings, the giant—Old Man Rom—peered at Subaru and the girl.

"What, in more trouble, are you? Causing a ruckus with a woman? Quite the adventurer you are."

However, Priscilla didn't appreciate at all the look that was just given to her by the old man.

"Do not look at me so rudely, you filthy gnarled tree."

"Hey, I'm ribbing him, too, but that's really harsh! Don't say that to the old man giving us a get-out-of-hell-free card! Don't take it personally, Old Man Rom. We've just got a little case of excessive honesty here!" He pleaded, worn out and afraid, he didn't want to waste his last chance of getting away unscathed.

"You certainly are good at wearing a man down. Hurry and hide!"

Subaru covered Priscilla's mouth before she could spew insults again and without skipping a beat, ran behind the giant pulling the princess with him and squatted under a large sheet held up by a few sticks under which was a pile of wood ideal to conceal two people.

Pushed against the ground, Priscilla looked like she wanted to complain about the dust or the position she was in, but Subaru's hand over her mouth kept her quiet.

Grumbling all the way, Old Man Rom hid them completely behind his huge body. A mere ten seconds or so later, a commotion of footsteps came from a nearby alley.

"Shit, they're here…And there's way more than I thought!" Subaru uttered with enough voice for Priscilla to hear, while he observed the situation through a concealed hole, "aaaah in what mess did I just put myself in…"

Priscilla stared at the boy, still with his hand over her mouth. From the position she was, she could take a moment to observe his physical features, and quickly came to notice his unusual hair color. Her eyes widened, as she remembered the last person who appeared in her dreams just this morning, and her mood turned sour again.

"Why am I even playing around with this?" She thought to herself, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she took a glance to the side where the thieves stood.

"Great…This is working!" Subaru began to smiled confidently, thinking he was already out of the woods.

A whisper-like voice interrupted Subaru's thoughts, prompting him to look down. Right under him was the beautiful girl, so close they were practically breathing the same air, her mouth still covered by Subaru's palm

With a sudden movement of her head, she released herself from his hand and stared directly into his eyes with such animosity that he felt a shiver down his spine.

"No no no no…! Please! PLEASE! I'll do anything!" Subaru began to panic.

"Uh? You heard that?" One of the thieves looked up, trying to pin point where the noise was coming from.

"Oh shit…" He uttered, but felt a sudden weight going down the top of their makeshift hiding place, pushing subaru an inch closer to the princess.

"What? You're joking bout' my old age but ain't ya a number yourself?" Rom criticized as he leaned backwards, as if to send a message to the hidden ones.

"Shut up! I know I've heard something!" the thief stomped the ground.

Subaru began to control his breath, turning back towards Priscilla as he put a finger on his lips, silently begging her to stay quiet.

"No." Priscilla replied without a care in the world for her tone, making Subaru's face go pale, "I have lost interest."

Rom loudly coughed as he held his chest, waving the dust around him with his hand," yeah well can ya go and hear whatever away from me? I don't wanna deal with everything you throw around."

"Come on, you didn't hear this one?!"

"Hear what?" Another thief raised a brow.

"Stop shitting me! A woman just talked!"

"He saved us again …Come on, stop it!"

"Are you not the one betraying yourself if silence is what you seek?" Priscilla asked him, unimpressed.

"I'm trying to-" before he could finish, Subaru was pushed further down by the old man, getting sick of having to remind them to stay quiet.

And as fate would deem it to happen, his face already so close to the princess went further down, leaving both man and woman widen their eyes in shock when they felt the sensation of their lips connecting.

It was but an instant, albeit Subaru wanting to back off as soon as he could, the large body pushing him down didn't allow him to do so, while the urgency of their situation forced him to conceal his voice.

The princess however, seemed to be still processing what had just happened, staring in the eyes of the boy in a way none could describe. They remained like this for a few seconds, before Rom changed position and finally allowed them to part ways.

Subaru's face was bright red with shame, guilt, embarrassment and frustration of not being able to exteriorize any of it, while Priscilla remained stoic, glaring at him with the eyes of a judge, but didn't seem to be taking any actions just yet.

"Yeah, fine. Now, Cromwell… Did you see two brats runnin' this way?"

"I didn't see them. Do you know where my blond daughter is?"

"Beats me. You picked her up off the street, so what's the big deal? Man, goin' senile must suck."

The men waved farewell, laughing derisively as they noisily left the area. Old Man Rom watched their retreating backs, biting his lip as he held back his anger.

When the coast was clear, Rom sighed heavily and stood back up.

"Damn you two can't shut up for a second now can't ya?! We were this close from blowing everything up!"

He waited for them to come out, but didn't meet any of them even after waiting a few seconds.

"Hey! You hear me? Fell asleep in there or what?" He grumbled as he pulled off the sheet covering them, only to grimace in confusion as he saw the girl laid down on the ground under Subaru, both staring in each other's eyes with the strangest expression he had seen today.

In complete silence, Subaru stood up from his position, trembling as he held his mouth. Priscilla followed, but didn't have much of a reaction aside from shaking the dust off her dress.

She was expressionless, acting as if nothing had happened.

"What's up with you two? A second ago you wouldn't shut up!" If he knew what happened, perhaps he'd have been less upset, but regarding the situation at hand Rom really felt as if they were playing him.

"Which way is it to go back to the garrison, old man?" Priscilla demanded with her usual tone.

Confused at first, Rom then pointed the direction with his finger to the lady while glancing at the boy.

"...It happens that I CAN'T GET MARRIED ANYMORE!" He turned around and yelled as he faked a cry, "couldn't you just do something else than pushing down on us?! Aaaaah Emilia-tan! I'm sorry, I betrayed you!"

Rom grimaced, unable to find the words to describe how disturbed he was. None of what Subaru said made sense.

"Would you shut your mouth?" Priscilla spat out, "Have you not passed the age of crying for such futile things? Be a man."

"How can you be so carefree about it?! Wasn't your purity as a maiden tainted with all of this?!"

"Purity of a maiden…?" Rom repeated, trying to understand what was going on, "H-How fast do you work, you stayed less than 5 minutes under these sheets!"

"It was an accident!"

"How do you do that by accident?!"

"Nothing would have happened if you would have stayed where you were, you old withered tree."

"So it's my fault you couldn't hold yourself back?!"

"In any case, cease pestering my ears with your incessant whining. What is done is done." Priscilla concluded, walking ahead of the two confused men.

Subaru glared at her and then towards the ground, holding his head with both his hands as he tried to forget all the details of what he felt when he kissed a woman for the first time.

"Why doesn't she care more than that…?!" He whispered, still with his alarmed expression, "damn it! Are women in this world so carefree about their bodies?! First she offered me her breasts, and now a kiss is like a walk in the park?!"

"She offered her–what the hell is wrong with you youngsters these days?!"

"You're surprised too?!" He immediately turned back to Rom, who visibly couldn't take anymore of this.

"So this is what happened…" Rom sighed with a hand over his forehead, "you brats started having me worried about things Felt could've hidden about people her age."

"Hey, I'm still older than Felt!"

"You're barely able to take a drink without coughing your lungs out, sit the hell down!" He retorted, "besides, may it be you, Felt or the arrogant chick, you're all kids to me."

Subaru chuckled at Rom's comment about his own age, and kept an eye ahead on the fiery woman they followed. Even if he had calmed down since the unfortunate happen moments ago, he still couldn't shake off the mixed feelings he had about all of this.

In a way, he should be happy that he finally managed to kiss a woman, and an amazingly beautiful one on top of that. But in another, it was a perfect stranger, and most importantly, she was not Emilia.

But what seemed to pain his heart more than anything else seemed to be the woman's response to this. She didn't seem to think anything about it, nor care at all. Could this be something that happened so often to her she wouldn't care anymore? Was it nothing but a daily occurrence perhaps?

Truth is, neither he or she seemed to value this interaction initially supposed to be so special for a boy like Subaru, and as childish as it looked, it hurt him.

"Bah, get some backbone!" exasperated, Rom slapped the back of the gloomy boy in an attempt to cheer him up, "it's just a kiss, ya'll get a hundred more in your lifetime."

"It's not about the quantity but the meaning, old man…" He replied, exhaling loudly, "but yeah…I guess what's done is done…"

"Aside from the useless wailing. Do you know where Felt went off to?"

"…Haven't you heard? Reinhard took her with him," Subaru rubbed the back of his head, "or so I was told."

"Reinhard…the Sword Saint?" Rom narrowed his eyes, clenching his fist, "Why would the knight among knights take her with him?"

Apparently, this news was a bolt from out of the blue.

Subaru thought back to how things had gone down at the loot house, finally noticing the inconsistency. Old Man Rom was out cold before Reinhard had entered the fray. Rom and Reinhard hadn't interacted while Subaru was conscious.

He then went on to fill up the old man with everything he had missed or wasn't aware of, including how Reinhard appeared in the middle of their battle to save the day, and how he was sent to Roswaal's mansion afterwards, a discussion that was heard not only by Rom, but by the princess also.

"And you went through all of that just to get the name of a girl you didn't even know?" Rom scoffed, his eyes wandering elsewhere as he thought about what he was told.

"I was kinda desperate, you know…"

"And how about her?" Rom pointed out with a move of his head forward.

"Nope, don't know nothing about her."

"So you put your life on the line again for a chick you didn't know?"

"And my first kiss! MY FIRST KISS, don't forget about this one!" Subaru immediately retorted.

"You're still on that?!"

"Ugh! You're right, I gotta be strong! My body might have failed, but my heart and soul still belongs to Emilia-tan!" He clenched his fist up.

Priscilla's eyes widened as she heard the boy speak, glancing behind her.

"...Right, anyways we're here," Rom had just about enough. With a worn out expression, he pointed towards the end of the alleyway which was the first place Subaru and Priscilla met.

As he recognized the place, Subaru couldn't help but smile in relief.

"Thank you Old Rom, I don't know how this would have turned out without you."

"Yeah yeah. If you want to repay me…" He seemed hesitant for an instant, but Subaru was quick to understand.

"It's about Felt, right? If I learn anything, I'll be sure to tell you." He smiled at the old man, who smirked in gratitude.

"If you got anything, just go towards a merchant named Kadomon. He'll know where to find me."

"Kadomon, gotcha-Wait, Kadomon?"

But before he could explain the reason of his surprise, Rom was already walking away, not willing to witness any other antics of the boy for today.

Subaru grunted before turning around, when he noticed the crimson princess observing him from afar, both arms crossed under her generous bosom.

"I guess this is it then, we finally made it-"

"you." She cut him sternly, "Who is it that you serve?"

"That I-Oh yeah, I'm still wearing the butler's attire uh…" He perked up, looking at his clothes.

He glanced back towards the lady, still waiting for her answer.

"I work for Lord Roswaal L Mathers, and of course, I serve my beautiful, cutest, amazing, Emil-"

"Very well. Starting from today, you shall be serving me. I shall send forth notice to your lord that you have been relieved from your functions."

"CUT! TIME OUT!" He yelled in outrage, "What do you mean serve you?! Relieved from my functions?! I would like to tell you that I have chosen this job myself and have been performing with flying colors thanks to the unending support of my angel, and I have no plans on stopping now!"

"This was not a proposition, nor a demand." She narrowed her eyes, "you shall be working for me, may you want it or not."

"...Give me one good reason?!" He pointed his finger towards her, "even if I was looking to switch jobs, you did nothing but cause me problems since I have met you!"

"Regarding what you have told to the old man, the girl you seemingly tried to help on your first day here did not do any better," she tilted her head haughty, "she even managed to have you nearly getting killed."

"..." Subaru blinked several times as he began to think of a way to answer, but Priscilla swiftly turned her head towards the entry of the alleyway.

"Mhm. This matters little, you shall be coming back to me on your own, in the end." The princess began to walk away, leaving the boy dumbfounded behind.

Something is strange about her is what Subaru was thinking. From the moment they met to this very moment they parted ways, he noticed that she became far more…Bearable, since…

"Since we–" Subaru's eyes widened in shock.

"So it DID impact her in the end!" He didn't know if he had to be happy or not, but the fact that she seeked to hire him to work for her…Was it her way of trying to bring him closer?

"Hey arrogant chick."

"A very poor choice of words," she scoffed, slowly turning around, "perhaps I was wrong about y–"

"Catch." He gently threw an appa towards her that she caught with both her hands, looking at it with a blank expression.

"We didn't have the best experience today, but it would be ungentlemanly for me to end things on a bad note," he smiled, "so take these, as a compensation for…Well, I don't need to talk about this again. Just be careful to not wander around bad guys again, will ya?"

"...You are truly a sad man," she closed her eyes for an instant, "I do not understand that at all."

"Well what a way to ruin the mood–"

Without notice, the fiery woman grabbed the tie of the boy and forcibly brought him closer to her face. They were so close that a slight gust of wind would put them in the same situation as before, so close that Subaru's head was spinning as all he could see was the beautiful ruby colored eyes of the princess.

"I cannot understand it, but if the world has offered you to be that special someone , so be it," she glared in his eyes, "there is great work to do, but if I have to hammer down that shell of yours to bring a man out of it and make you worthy of living, then I shall do so."

"W–w-what a-are you–?!"

"Mhm…In a way, you are somewhat adorable," she smirked, tightening the grip on his tie, "very well. For having entertained me today, here is your reward."

She brought the confused boy's face closer to hers and met his lips once more. This time, she closed her eyes and made sure to enjoy it more than when it was accidental. Subaru looked like he wanted to protest and pull away, but the sensation he felt was so intense that his body wouldn't listen to him.

When their lips parted, Subaru seemed shell shocked. Still trying to process what just had happened, while Priscilla smiled wide as she licked her lips.

"Until we meet again, servant." She turned back to the alleyway's exit,leaving the boy alone with his own thoughts.

"...What the hell WAS THAT?!" He growled as he held his fingers to his lips, "who the hell she thinks she is?! Just because she's a noble, she can go around and kiss whatever dude she meets?! Damn her!"

It was not an incident anymore, she had deliberately become intimate with him without a care in the world, as if she owned Subaru. If it wasn't enough that his special first kiss was stolen by fate, now his pride as a man had to take another hit by the same woman.

He began to walk towards the exit as well, furiously rubbing his mouth with his sleeve, "Reward my ass! I hope I never ever see you again! Even from afar you bitch!"

"Subaru?" When he heard his name being called, he turned to his side to see a woman that finally brought a genuine smile to his face.

"Emilia-tan!" He jumped towards her, "Finally, I was so–"

"Where were you gone?! I told you to wait for me!" She immediately began to berate him, "why didn't you wait just like I told you to?!"

"Wait, Emilia-tan! There's a perfect explanation to this, let me explain!"

"Knowing you, you will just weasel your way out of this again with your weird speech, I don't know if I want to hear anything from you."

"Emilia-tan…!"

Emilia felt like she should listen to what he had to say, but another part of her thought that she had definitely been carefree with him these past few days, and how she absolutely couldn't afford him to get into further trouble in the capital right now.

"Let's just go back home for now, Subaru. You will tell me whatever you did on the way there." She grabbed his hand as she forced him to follow her.

"..." Suddenly, Subaru recalled the face of the woman he had just met, and while his eyes fell on Emilia's hand, he couldn't help but feel his heart squeeze in guilt.

"Oi, Princess! I finally found ya," Al walked closer to the crimson princess, busy observing the red fruit gifted to her by every angle she could,"where did you find that?"

"...It is a gift, by my 'special someone'." Priscilla declared.

"Your…Your what?" Al seemed confused, but his attention was taken elsewhere as he noticed a group of bandits come out of the alley with their weapons out.

Without skipping a beat, Al put himself in position right between his lady and the thieves, his single hand on his sword.

"At some point, we were bound to fall on you again, but the other brat ain't here eh…" One of them pointed out with a malicious smirk, "Fine, you'll have to do it for both of you then!"

"Oi, you guys really chose the wrong person to play your games with, you should get away while you still can…" Aldebaran tried to resonate with them, only to be met with laughter.

"Who do you think you're scarin' with that one arm of yours?!"

"Yeah, get the hell away when you still can, clown! Or we'll take that last arm of yours!"

The situation became tense, it was now an evidence for Al that it would not end without a fight. He glanced back at his lady, who didn't take her eyes off the appa, but suddenly glanced towards the criminals.

"Or you know what? When we'll be done roughing you up, and maybe have some fun…" the leader of the group laughed as he took a good look at the princess from head to toe with a lustful gaze, "we'll find him, and give him the exact same treatment, so there's no jealousy and everything's fair–"

In one swift movement, a flamboyant sword appeared in her hand, that she pointed out to the one further forward of the group. And without even letting him the time to process what appeared right before his eyes, Priscilla set him ablaze.

He burst into flames, the fire so strong he didn't even have the time to scream before it turned his throat into cinders, as every single other thief ran with their tails between their legs screaming their fear aloud.

Al coughed a bit, nodding his head pitifully as if to say "I warned you" while Priscilla stared at the burning remnants of the man, taking a bite of the appa.

"Mhm…Bittersweet," she thought aloud, "I am forced to admit, he was indeed right and didn't just dye them in red. So this is the true color of appas? I am shocked."

"...Are you alright, princess?"

"Of course, why such a question Al?" She smiled back at him.

"Usually you're in a bad mood when you…Burn down people."

"Oh no, I am in a very good mood." She scoffed as she took another bite of her appa, "can't you see? The others were spared, after all."

"Right!" Al cleared his throat, "right…"

When the fire had died out, and what's left was only a pile of ashes, Priscilla looked up towards the setting sun, and thought aloud, "body and soul…"

Her eyes fell back on the appa, as she smiled widely, "you shall belong to me…Body and soul."

"The only one who may touch you…"

"The only one who may feel you…"

"The only one who may own you…"

"Is mineself."

When she woke up, her eyes naturally moved to her side. She remained still, gazing at the empty space right next to her in such a large bed.

It felt empty, it felt wrong.

She turned her body to lay on her side facing that empty space, and she began gently stroking the bed sheets with her right hand.

It was cold, all the way up to the pillow…And it bothered the crimson princess immensely.

That was not supposed to be. It was unacceptable. Intolerable.

Someone had to be there already, as she had ordered the world. So why? Why was it taking so much time before her demands were met?

"Priscilla-sama?" A childish voice rang from behind the door of her room.

Priscilla gave no answer, her eyes still staring at the empty space at her side.

"Priscilla-sama, are you awake…?" The voice spoke once more with hesitation.

At this hour, the lady of the Barielle domain should have already been awake and ready to be dressed, yet she didn't speak nor move from her bed. It wasn't a deliberate attempt to ignore the one inquiring for her, but simply because her mind drifted into other thoughts completely.

"I serve my beautiful,cutest, amazing, Emil-"

She tightened the bedsheets as her hand turned into a fist, her red eyes glowing with ire.

"P-Priscilla-sama! It is time to wake up already, you said that oversleeping was bad for your beauty!" Shultz yelled with embarrassment as he stepped inside of her bedroom.

Priscilla blinked several times as soon as she heard the boy enter her bedroom–as if she had snapped out of her own thoughts–and slowly got up to sit on her bed.

"Priscilla-sama…?" Shultz trembled as he watched her silently get up, her eyes still glowing menacingly.

"I am awake now, Shultz. You did well," she yawned weakly, standing up from her bed as she pushed her hair back to tie them in a ponytail.

Shultz smiled brightly as he stepped closer–noticing Priscilla was moving towards her wardrobe to change–and was about to offer his assistance.

"What are you doing?" Priscilla looked towards the boy walking closer to her with a stool. Her expression showed a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"...H-hum…I will help you-"

"Oh", Priscilla perked up, suddenly remembering, "this will not be necessary. Wait in the dining room with Aldebaran, we have to depart soon for the capital with no time to waste."

Shultz stared at her with confusion, disbelief and a hint of sadness. Was this not his duty? Was he not performing it well every morning for Priscilla?

Why would she forsake him, out of a sudden?

"Shultz. I just told you to not waste time." She said once more, her tone firmer and cold.

"Y-Yes!" Priscilla was clearly becoming impatient, and Shultz's body shivered in fear as he put the stool back at its place and hurried out of the room, hiding the tears in his eyes.

But she did not notice it, nor did she care. Her mind was still focused on one thing, and one thing only.

"You are not coming, Subaru!"

"What?!"

Subaru was shocked, looking at Emilia with betrayed eyes as he stood in front of her as she prepared to head for the royal castle with Roswaal.

He wanted to be by her side, be her support. Without him, things would not go so well, but…

"No, you have to stay here and follow your treatment with Crusch-sama's knight." Emilia ordered him, her tone severe and unwavering.

"But, Emilia…I-"

"Promise me, Subaru, please…" She put a hand on his torso, stopping him from speaking any further, "I will come back as soon as I can to meet you again, alright?"

Subaru remained silent, feeling her touch against his chest as he didn't want to upset her any further. But as soon as he felt her palm against his body, a vision flashed in his mind.

"...!" Subaru abruptly backed off, taking a few steps back from a startled Emilia.

She watched him with genuine confusion, her hand still standing still in the air.

'...It's fine, I get it…" He spoke in a low voice, avoiding Emilia's gaze, "sorry, I don't feel good right now so I'll try to rest a bit…"

He walked away before she could even ask further questions, and she wished to go after him if it was not for Roswaal reminding her that the election would not allow them to be late.

"You need not to worry, Emilia-sama. Rem will look after Subaru-kun," Rem smiled, trying to reassure the elven princess, "I wish you luck for the selection."

Emilia gazed at the maid with worried eyes, but realized that there was no helping it. She nodded her head to Rem–albeit still worried of what to do–and forced herself to follow Roswaal out.

Subaru heard the door close from the couch where he was laid down on, and exhaled with sorrow. His forearm over his eyes as he refused to even meet Rem's gaze, he kept trying to stop thinking about the memory which came back to haunt him every time he remembered Emilia.

Which was, the remembrance of the kiss he had with the ginger-haired noblewoman yesterday.

He hated it. He hated everything about it. He hated how circumstances forced him to give her his first kiss, he hated how he couldn't evade her grasp the second time it had happened…And he hated how, deep inside of him-

"Damn it…!" He whispered, getting back up as he walked towards the window, "No, it's impossible that I-...No…"

But his mind couldn't lie. Nor could his feelings.

The kiss he shared with that woman, was a feeling that his body remembered too much…And he could not help but feel curiosity about feeling this kiss once more.

But how could he? Such thoughts would be a betrayal of his love for Emilia, and such a thing he could not allow.

Thus, a conflict appeared in the mind of Natsuki Subaru. One between feelings and desire, between heart and mind.

"...I need to join Emilia," Subaru turned around, walking with fastened steps towards the door.

But as his hand reached the handle of the door, a voice pulled Subaru out of his inner thoughts, "Where are you going,Subaru-kun?"

Subaru breathed out, his eyes widening as he realized that in all of his rush, he had forgotten about the maid tasked with keeping surveillance of him.

"Rem…" Subaru began to speak, slowly turning around to meet her, "I…I need to go. I need to be by Emilia's side…"

Rem looked troubled. Usually, it's with excitation or resolve that Subaru would speak these words, but now it was different. His eyes reflected fear, worry and sadness. Like a child driven away from his mother and begging to find her again.

Rem felt a tug in her heart, and taking a few steps, she turned her back to him, "I…Have to work on a new recipe for an appa pie…So I will surely be busy in the kitchen for a while…"

Subaru was surprised, but then smiled warmly. He then opened the door, and left without saying a word. Leaving a lone and vexed Rem, smiling because she knew she did the right thing to heal him–and obeyed the command of Roswaal–but saddened by the love of her life looking towards another woman.

Alas, what could be done? His heart was set, and this is something she knew.

"Get out, bring him back here. Do not think about joining us back without him." She ordered, pointing towards the exit of the carriage with her crimson fan.

"I'm sorry princess but I kind of failed to have the magic ability of just finding some random guy we met only once yesterday," Aldebaran scoffed, scratching the top of his helmet.

Priscilla frowned slightly at the petty sense of humor he was trying to take. Aldebaran was most certainly lucky–albeit he did not know–that his master was so pleased at the thought of meeting her special someone that she would not let his foolishness sully her mood.

"He should be in the market right now." She looked outside of the window, towards his would-be direction, "now go."

"...Aye." Aldebaran stepped out, and began to make his way through the crowded path of the city center's market.

Of course he wished he could complain and not do it. Not because he did not believe in the strange instinct of Priscilla but rather, he was still getting used to being her lapdog and he surely preferred to be something else than that.

But that was the only position he could ever have under her, and it was better than being doomed to live miserably in a coliseum for the entertainment of others.

"Now now lil' bro…Where are ya?" He sighed, looking around and doing his best to remember the features of the boy he met yesterday.

But it honestly didn't take as much time as he thought he would, as he noticed the said boy standing in front of the road with a hand under his chin.

"She was right again eh?" He exclaimed out loud, which prompted Subaru to look his way.

"You're…" Subaru widened his eyes as soon as he saw Aldebaran, "you're the weird guy from yesterday!"

"That's not the most polite way to describe the only one who understands the shit you go through, but yep! That's me!" He gave him a thumbs up, "the princess sent me to bring you to her!"

"WHA-" Subaru took a few steps back in shock, his mind too preoccupied to think about the rest of his sentence, "NO! I WILL NOT MEET HER AGAIN!"

"...Uh? What's that reaction?" Aldebaran seemed surprised, wondering what kind of side of her did she portray for him to react like that, "did she threaten to kill you or something?"

"No bu-...Wait, I think she did!?"

"Ah, don't worry. Unless you really piss her off–like, for example, going against her demands–she'll not really do it," Aldebaran waved his hand, "now come on, we need to hurry unless you want me to die along with you."

"No! Like I said, there's no way I'm getting close to that woman ever again! She'll just-"

"You're trying to get into the castle, right?" Aldebaran cut him, pointing towards the royal palace, "how are you going to do? It's heavily guarded and they ain't about to let any random dude step in without good reason."

"...How does that relate to you…?" He asked, slightly taken aback by how he deduced his intentions.

"We got the special pass you wish for." Aldebaran scoffed under his helmet, "now if that doesn't convince you, do it for me. If I come back without what she asked I'm set to lose another piece of me."

"..." Subaru hesitated, thinking about all the outcomes which could come out of this.

He very much despised the idea of being with her again, but what he mostly felt was fear. Would he be tempted to give in to any of her attempts once more? Would it overcome his feelings for Emilia?

If it wasn't for such a weight on his soul he certainly wouldn't hesitate, as she was granting him safe passage towards where Emilia was…

"...Alright, but at one condition." He lifted his eyes to Aldebaran, who prompted him to continue, "if ever she starts doing anything 'suspicious', do something to prevent me from giving in."

Aldebaran grunted under his helmet, but laughed afterwards, "sure, I can do that."

He then turned around, making a sign with his only arm for Subaru to follow as he showed the way back to where Priscilla was waiting. He remained still–rethinking his decision for a brief second–before he ultimately moved his feet.

The walk wasn't long at all–as Priscilla was careful to make the carriage stop too far due to her eagerness–before Subaru and Aldebaran reached her.

The first thing which came to mind was how different this carriage was from the ones Subaru was used to seeing in the streets of the capital. Colored of a flamboyant red, explicitly extravagant with engravings and golden ornaments, to the ground dragon itself being a large, powerful one.

One could think that such boldness would be a given for the nobility, but as far as Subaru was concerned from the carriages of Roswaal and from the Karsten faction he had seen previously, this was greatly exaggerated.

Aldebaran opened the door and looked back, waiting for Subaru to step in. From where he was he could already see the end of Priscilla's red dress, patiently waiting for him as well.

He glared at the entrance–gulping down once–and decided to enter the lion's den.

As soon as he stepped in, he looked to the side to meet with the fiery lady, staring at him with narrowed eyes–her fan lifted up to cover the lower half of her visage–and remained quiet.

Subaru sat down right in front of her while Aldebaran entered and closed the door behind him, sitting down next to him.

Now the situation was as strange as it could have ever been. Subaru was expecting her to speak rather immediately, to say something strange or provoking, or to engage in another physical contact…All cases that he would have to find a way to fight back.

And yet, the only thing he was met with was complete silence.

The carriage began to move once more, and the silence continued. In a way Subaru should have been glad about it, shouldn't he? His greatest fear was to interact with her, to fight back verbally or physically against whatever she would have tried to do…And yet, he couldn't help but find this silence to be unbearable. It was simply too frustrating.

What did she want? Why was she going to the castle? How did she know where he was?

Suddenly, Priscilla began to gently laugh as she closed off her fan, "how troubled you are, I wonder what exactly you were expecting when you entered mine carriage, little commoner?"

"...You tell me? You brought me here…" Subaru hesitantly replied, still unsure of the situation.

"Well, were you not looking to reach the same destination as I?" She replied, leaning slightly forward on her hand.

"H-Wait," Subaru cleared his throat, "how did you even know that?! Have you been stalking me?!"

"Stalking?" Priscilla raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"It means following someone in secret, princess." Aldebaran replied off-handily, not noticing how Subaru shot his head back at him in shock.

"Wait, if you know english-"

"I told you, didn't I? I'm the only one who can understand what you go through." Aldebaran turned his head towards him, "let's be on good terms, yeah?"

Subaru was out of words, staring at Aldebaran as if he had just seen a ghost. He certainly felt like he had a thousand questions to ask of him but didn't even know where to start.

"Another language, I suppose? It would not be the first time that mineself is hearing of it," Priscilla scoffed, looking at Subaru with eyes of interest, "Aldebaran uses such foreign expressions often."

Subaru looked back and forth between her and the helmeted man, "so…You have been summoned too?"

"About two decades ago? Maybe more, I can't really tell anymore," Aldebaran just laughed it off, "At some point it just didn't matter. I had other stuff to worry about."

Subaru glanced over to his severed arm, bearing a look of pity.

"We can't all have a lucky beginning," he grunted,lifting his right shoulder, "I've learned to get used to it now though."

"Do you know why we've been summoned here…? Or who did it?" Subaru felt compelled to ask, thinking he would finally get an answer to one of the most important questions he had since he began his journey here.

"Neither," Aldebaran shook his head, "I was way too focused on surviving pal. At the end of the day, these answers seemed to require going through hell to have, so I decided to brush it off and try to live."

"..." Subaru looked down, visibly disappointed. But he couldn't blame the man either for wanting to live in such a dangerous world.

"I have to thank you though," Aldebaran continued, his tone a bit more cheerful, "when I understood that you were like me, I had the relief to know that I wasn't a madman making up an entire past out of nowhere."

"So just like Aldebaran, you come from beyond the great waterfall…How intriguing." Priscilla couldn't help but smirk, "perhaps that despite sulling the dignity of mine carriage with such trivial memories, you could entertain me with your origins?"

"Don't call a man's talk 'trivial', that's needlessly mean!" Subaru shot back at her with outrage, "but…You just said."

Priscilla raised an eyebrow, "the great waterfall? You do not know of it?"

Subaru slowly shook his head, to which Priscilla was prompted to reply,"At the four corners of the world, the land cuts off and there exists a torrent of water that washes everything away. In other words, the great waterfall. Sometimes people claim to be from beyond there. They're generally just lies"

She stopped to lean back on her seat, smiling as she focused on Subaru's eyes, "However, Al is different. And so are you."

"So I take that…You believe me? I mean, believe us…" Subaru inquired, to which Priscilla closed her eyes with a huff.

"If not, perhaps the world would not deem you to be of interest to mineself?" She looked by the window of the carriage, "this world is meant to work for me, after all. It would be a given that what is unique to it is brought to mine feet for my own entertainment."

Subaru felt like replying, but quickly decided to keep his mouth shut by the fear of igniting a sleeping battle with the fiery lady. It was already quite the miracle that the conversations he had so far with her weren't prone to turn into yet another unbearable fiasco. His one and only goal was to get to Emilia, and he had to work it up so that little to not obstacles would stand in his way until he at least reaches the inside of the castle.

"Wait," Subaru perked up, looking back to her, "why are you even going to the castle?"

Priscilla remained silent, slowly frowning in distaste as she realized Subaru was serious with the question he had just asked. Leaning forward once more, she tilted her head, "I already understood that steep roads were ahead of mineself when it came to shape you into something which is fitting to stand alongside mineself, but would you really disappoint me this much, and this early on?"

"What in the…-" he blurted out in confusion.

"Let us see," Priscilla cut him with a severe voice, "to give you one last chance to prove me wrong, I shall be magnanimous. But only because of your special title, commoner. Why would I be making my way to the royal castle on this day?"

Subaru was taken aback, but as he looked at her properly for a moment–along with the frivolous appearance of her carriage and her noble behavior–he suddenly realized how obvious was the answer.

"You are a royal candidate for the throne of Lugunica…" He spoke out, to which Priscilla smiled in satisfaction.

"You see me relieved. I shall believe that your mind was too preoccupied with yet useless matters to properly assess it."

Subaru then turned towards Aldebaran, "so are you her knight?"

"Uh?" he perked up, scratching the side of his helmet, "nah, don't think so. That title is a bit too official for me."

"Al is merely a tool to entertain my daily routine," Priscilla leaned against her fist, "in other words, he is but a mere jester in my court."

Subaru winced as he glanced back at him, as if to sympathize with his situation, "so this is how you treat all your underlings? It's a wonder how they remain loyal to you."

"Smart dogs remain loyal to a competent master," she simply replied, "if such a thing is simple to understand even for mere animals, then should it not be for those who consider themselves superior? But fret not, your position shall be different."

"My position?" Subaru repeated, feeling like the moment he dreaded finally came to be, "don't get too ahead of yourself. I'm not really into getting treated like a doormat, even if more politely."

Surprisingly, Priscilla only smirked more, entertained by this conversation, "For one to have such pride, legitimacy must come along. But this is good, for a moment I believed you to be unsalvageable."

Now, he was upset. No matter who that person was Subaru remained someone who didn't so easily take to be insulted or mocked, but he also understood what was at stake. To offend that woman was to lose his ticket towards Emilia.

So he kept his mouth shut, and engaged into a staring battle with her to try and make his contempt felt…But it only amused the lady in red.

Soon enough, the carriage began to slow down as the walls of the great royal castle could be seen through the windows. Al got up to go out and sit next to Schultz–who had been driving all along–so the guards could let them in without much issues.

It took a moment for Subaru to realize that he was, in fact, alone with Priscilla from here on out. And when he did, his guard immediately went up, which surprised the fiery princess who wondered why he suddenly flinched like that.

"What could you be getting all worked up for?" she off-handily commented, "mind yourself. I do not wish for you to insult mine image as we reach mine palace."

"...Already calling it your palace? I already knew you were overconfident, but this i-"

Before Subaru could speak any further, he found himself slammed on his back, staring up to the ruby irises of the princess who was but a few inches of his face, visibly irritated. Words were cut out of his throat as he could barely breathe, feeling the overwhelming aura pushing him down on his seat.

Without saying a word, Priscilla moved her hand closer to his cheek, and then slowly went down to where his heart was. Her eyes then narrowed as she pushed her palm against his torso.

Her perfume was soon the only thing he could smell from how close she was, and he didn't know if it was clouding his mind or not, but something of her making was definitely the reason why he couldn't react.

Between pushing her away or indulging in this closeness, his heart beat faster and faster as he felt himself drifting closer to a point of non-return. Something had to be done, anything, but his body simply wouldn't budge.

"Mhm." She scoffed, moving back to her seat with a visibly satisfied expression on her face, "this shall suit you must better."

He didn't say a word. He only kept staring at her with utmost confusion written all over his face as he tried to calm his breathing. What was that for? What did she even mean?

He wanted to voice his rage and offense to her, but just as he was about to–as if to remind him of his purpose–Aldebaran opened the door of the carriage.

"We have arrived, princess. Time to head to the throne room, we're already late apparently…"

"How can we be late when the event is solely dedicated to our presence, Al?" Priscilla replied nonchalantly as she stepped out of the carriage, followed by Subaru.

Making their way to the throne room he was careful to take proper distances with her, may it be for her image or his own sanity, he felt like getting any closer would have him unable hold back on expressing his outrage.

Alongside her he had reached the castle already, he could not falter now.

When they entered a long corridor leading to a great door guarded by knights in heavy armor, Subaru understood that they had arrived at their destination. As soon as they got closer, the knights crossed the entry of the door with their spears, and demanded of them to speak their purpose.

"I, Priscilla Barielle, have come to take my throne." she proudly stated, at first without an utmost serious voice.

"We indeed recognize you, Priscilla-sama. And these two?" one of the knight pointed out.

"This one serves as my jester and bodyguard, the other, as my personal apple handler."

Quite everyone else–especially Subaru–were utterly confused by such a title. The knights glanced at each other, and one of them began to scrutinize Subaru from head to toe.

"Your…Apple handler?" He asked one more time.

"Indeed. His sole purpose is to always remain at my side, and provide me with apples as soon as I shall crave for it." She replied with the utmost confidence in her words, to which the guards couldn't really argue against.

"Please make haste, Priscilla-sama. They are waiting for you." They both stepped aside, letting the doors be opened so she could enter.

"It is my privilege as their superior to keep the masses waiting."

When they stepped in, all eyes from the rows of knights to those of the nobility turned to the heavy sound of the door stretching open to make way for the princess and her followers to step in.

And right at the end of the red carpet leading to the throne of the King, was Emilia–eyes widened in betrayal–staring at Subaru among the newcomers.

Without wasting a second she walked towards them, and Subaru already understood that he was in deep trouble.

"Subaru, what are you doing here…?" She spoke with a voice filled with hurt and anger, "didn't I tell you to wait…? Didn't you promise me to be good and stay with Rem?"

"Emilia, I-"

"Is there a reason why you are looking at my man-servant, half-wit?" Priscilla stepped forward in between them, her face slightly twisting in anger.

Taken aback, Emilia gazed at the fiery lady with confusion, unable to understand what she said or why she even stepped in between her and Subaru.

'Hey, what are you even saying to her-" Subaru tried to intervene, but Roswall had beaten him to it.

"Why, how generous of you Priscilla-sama~" Roswaal was then the one to take initiative, noticing the peculiar situation, "thank you for guiding my dear staff to us!"

Priscilla slightly turned her eyes at the Margrave, not showing any change in her expression, staring at him with as much disgust as she did to Emilia.

Then, she stepped closer to him–enough for it to be but two steps in between them–and narrowed her eyes.

"I will give you a chance today to avoid the shame of groveling at mine feet, you wretched shell of a man," she spoke in a low, threatening voice, "you will give him to me. Forsake his title under you, care for the scum you decided to support in this pointless fight."

Roswaal's smile vanished from his face, his eyes reflecting a sudden ire of anger. What possibly happened for the lady of the Barielle house to be seeking Subaru at her side? What did she know?

Nothing ever hinted or prepared Roswaal for such an obstacle in his way.

"Are you threatening me, Priscilla-sama?" Roswaal spoke without an accent, uncaring as he knew that this lady had already somehow seen through him, "and why would someone like you be willing to go this far for Natsuki Subaru?"

She didn't react much, raising an eyebrow as if the question was too obvious to be even asked, "because he is mine."

Roswaal didn't understand, it certainly was not the answer he expected coming from Priscilla but it was relatively obvious that she had set her eyes on him as a woman would look at a man.

The margrave was left to wonder what could have possibly happened when he was not looking for such a development to take place. Wasn't it only the second day since they traveled to the capital? When, and how did Priscilla Barielle was seduced by him?

Meanwhile Subaru kept looking at them, unable to hear what they were saying and yet feeling like it was too important to be ignored. But he was quickly pulled out of his own thoughts by noticing the eyes of Emilia still staring daggers at him.

"Why did you come here…?" Emilia repeated once more, her eyes reflecting her pain, "why did you break your promise…?"

Subaru wanted to speak, but felt like something was stuck in his throat preventing him from going any further. Of course, the reason was as simple as him not having any proper justification for his actions, but saying something so trivial as wanting to be with her would not have been enough.

"Emilia, I-"

"The council of wise men shall now enter!" a knight shouted from his position next to the throne, as the doors of the hall opened once more.

"Seems like it is time to take place," Aldebaran sighed and pointed to where the royal knights were standing, "I think we should just wait over there with the others."

"..." Subaru looked at the row of knights, then at Roswaal, "can I even go there?"

Both Roswaal and Priscilla turned towards him.

Roswaal smiled, "It sounds interesting, so you may-"

"You may go forth. Stick to Aldebaran, and wait for us to finish." Priscilla cut him, before she walked towards the throne.

"..." Subaru frowned, and noticed Roswaal's eye twitching before he forced a smile and looked back at Subaru.

"You may do so."

"Roswaal, wait! If Subaru stays here he will-"

"They are waiting for you, Emilia-sama. Step up please." Roswaal cut her, guiding her towards where the rest of the candidates were.

As she was walking away, Emilia turned to Subaru one last time. She was upset–and scared–and let him know by glaring at him with contempt.

"You will explain this to me when we are done here."

Subaru exhaled. Tired and guilty, he decided to swallow up the sorrow of knowing he just made yet another mistake and walked next to Aldebaran.

There he was greeted by Reinhard, Felix–and that purple-haired playboy he already hated–who were also part of this ceremony.

As the election began, the candidates for the throne began to introduce themselves as five, even though only four stood before the council at the moment.

This is when–out of the grand door under Reinhard's calling–another familiar face stepped inside of the throne room wearing an elegant yellow gown.

Subaru widened his eyes in sheer shock when he saw her one more time; Felt, the thief of the slums.

When she noticed Subaru, Felt came to greet him in a harsh yet friendly manner, before she was called upon the council with Reinhard to introduce her.

It appeared that she was indeed making the dragon insignia react–the sign of the dragon maiden–and thus was eligible for the throne. As the order and prophecy was fulfilled, five candidates were now ready to compete for Farsale Lugunica's legacy.

As it was time to choose, the candidates were invited to deliver a speech of their plans and vision for the kingdom.

First was Crusch Karsten of the Karsten house, speaking of her will to give the kingdom back to the people of Lugunica rather than relying on a dragon.

Then, Priscilla Barielle herself of the Barielle barony. Her speech was all about how her victory was inevitable, and siding with her was simply the right thing to do if anyone wished to be on the winning side of this election.

Anastasia Hoshin, voiced her interest in this race only because of her greed, the insatiable will of hers to own everything and improve it to its best possible shape.

Emilia–being a silver haired half-elf in a world that hates them–stated her wish for an equal system. A kingdom where all would be treated the same way regardless of race or social standing.

And finally Felt, who was all but willing to take part in this selection.

Her presence and origin coming from the slums of the capital did nothing but enrage the nobles of the court–and some of the council members–who thought it inappropriate and outrageous that such a person was even allowed to set foot in the hall.

As a matter of fact, one of the councilmen went even further and pointed out how ridiculous it was for a commoner and a silver-haired half elf to be both standing for the position of ruler, as if he was personally insulted by their presence.

But this was the last straw.

Such comments only urged Subaru to step forward and defend the one he loved…Unknowing that it was exactly the reason why Emilia insisted so much for him to stay away today.

"And who might you be?" The head of the council asked him, curious to know who would have the boldness to intervene against a councilman.

"Forgive me for interrupting you this way," Subaru slightly bowed while looking towards the councilman. "I am but a servant under Lord Roswaal L. Mathers."

Then, Subaru put his finger up, and shouted with all of his might.

"I am Emilia's knight!"

While the reactions were varied from the people in the room, from the confused nobles to the outraged knights, to surprised councilmen to the candidates–most of them indifferent to this information–aside from Emilia, shocked and hurt beyond comparison…

And Priscilla, her body still as she stared at Subaru, her eyes were wide, glowing with anger.

She was silent.

Since they had gotten back from the palace–after she saw Subaru being beaten and humiliated by Julius after his bold and reckless proclamation in front of the council–she didn't say a word.

She still remembered the hits he was taking. The yelps of pain, the blood spilling and the suffering he was going through. None of this brought her amusement or satisfaction like her knight would suppose such a sight would bring her, no.

It simply fueled her anger, like charcoal under a blazing fire. But for one of the rare times in her life, she did not have an answer to this frustration.

So she didn't react to it, she didn't speak of it. And without a care for the candidates meeting that had to be upheld, she simply left the castle early on.

As a matter of fact, even Aldebaran who is most of the time used to being mocked or even scolded by her in a harsh way, felt like things were way too calm. He didn't ask her what was wrong, he didn't even dare. For this situation could only mean something like the calm before the storm if he ever unleashed it.

When they came back home, she didn't even wait for neither Aldebaran nor Shultz to come down. She didn't even ask for her servants to prepare her food or snacks, she didn't utter a word.

All she did was to walk towards her own throne, sit down, and open a book to read.

"...W-what is happening with Priscilla-sama…?" Schultz asked in a low voice, shivering at the sight of the princess reading in silence.

"I think lil' bro fucked up." Aldebaran sighed under his helmet.

"Who…?" Shultz asked in confusion.

"The guy that princess loves."

Shultz's breathing hitched, eyes wide as he felt an uneasy feeling rising in his stomach. Did he hear Al correctly? Did the princess love someone?

Is this why she seemed to have discarded his morning duties? Is this why she seemed to be more cold and distant?

The boy couldn't take it anymore. The pain of not knowing the truth was too much, eating him from the inside out. So to have his answers, he decided to step forth.

Walking until he reached Priscilla, he strengthened himself, and looked up to her.

"Priscilla-sama…Do you love someone?"

His question was simple and straightforward–so straightforward that Al was left speechless in the back–and had Priscilla lift her eyes to him briefly.

"I wonder, Shultz. As of now, I certainly feel like I do not," she clicked her tongue in anger, remembering what he proclaimed before all to see earlier today, "or perhaps…"

"P-Priscilla-sama…?" Shultz was left confused. Her answer wasn't clear enough, but for now he still had a glimmer of hope left.

"For us…Love is to dominate,"

Priscilla's eyes began to widen, as if she slowly came to a realization.

"Perhaps I did not love him enough…?" She uttered, before she began to frown, "it seems like I have been too lenient."

She stood up, and left for her room. Without caring for her young butler who was still standing in confusion, and Aldebaran who watched from afar.

The helmeted man then walked closer to the boy, and put his only hand over his shoulder, "I know what you feel Shultz, but it's better to let it go now. Deep down you always knew this wasn't how she looked at you."

"...B-But then…Will she…A-abandon me…?" Shultz's eyes began to tear up.

"Nah, she won't do that," Aldebaran squeezed his shoulder to cheer him up, "I said she didn't see you like that but it doesn't mean she doesn't care for you."

"Really…?" Shultz sniffled.

"Yeah, trust me. You know her enough by now, she ain't cruel." He tapped his shoulder once more, and looked to the direction of where she had left, "but…exceptionally whatever she has in mind right now, seems that's not too far from it…"

Somehow, Aldebaran had a very bad feeling about what would come next.

When she came back to her room, Priscilla removed her hair ribbon and prepared to change her clothes, until her eyes caught the attention of the book on her night table.

She kept gazing upon the book as she began to remember the events of the story told, how one became stronger to earn his soulmate's love, and how this love was repaid in the end.

To fight in the name of love.

And at the same time, like an echo calling for another, the voice of her older brother was heard on top of it all, as if to compose the end note of her trail of thoughts.

"For it is the only way to truly protect what you wish to care for."

And a decision was made.

"Aldebaran." going out of her room with steady and decisive steps, she called upon her servant to follow, "we are going back to the royal castle."

"Uh?" Aldebaran followed up immediately, "why though?"

"To teach worthless dogs their place."

For a moment equalling a second, Aldebaran could feel his heart stopping. Never before had he heard Priscilla speak with such a bone chilling tone.

"I swear, Julius, your good nature is going to waste, playing the villain for someone like him," Felix sighed with disappointment. His ears shuffled in distaste.

Both were sitting in the upper part of the royal castle, towering over the guards barracks and coliseum where Subaru had been previously beaten up. As their respective ladies were still in the meeting room, they were waiting for them to finish.

"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about." Julius replied, still staring down to the empty coliseum.

"How could you get yourself punished trying to protect a guy like that?" Felix asked once more, this time way more straightforwardly.

"I only acted as I wished true to my own nature." Julius simply replied, turning towards his friend, "Righteously, in my own way, and without shame, as I wished."

Before Felix could say anything else, both turned their heads towards the footsteps they could hear coming closer from the door. When it opened up, their surprise couldn't be greater when they realized that it was not another royal guard like they expected, but…

"...Priscilla-sama-" Julius's words were cut short, as the room turned into a sea of flames, a blade of red iron–which felt as hot as the fire of the sun–was pointed towards him.

Julius instinctively backed away, while Felix–not so much of a fighter– frantically ran behind him to take cover.

"What is the meaning of this, Priscilla-sama?!" Julius shouted out of fear and confusion.

They knew little of the crimson baroness aside from her pride and arrogance oblivious to all, and for her to be anything close to a fighter was not in their expectations at all.

However, both Julius and Felix felt the fear rising in their hearts. Not necessarily for the great display of magic and power that they had just witnessed, but for the expression on her face.

She was not only angry, but enraged. The hate could be seen in her eyes, the killing intent could be smelled in the air.

"You worthless, pathetic excuse of a knight…" she cursed aloud, the fire around her growing stronger, "You have dared to spill the blood of what is mine."

"Priscilla-sama?!" Julius was confused. When did he harm anyone in her camp?

"Has she gone crazy nya?!" Felix shouted back, still hiding behind his friend.

Julius hesitated to pull out his own sword. She was a candidate for the throne and he was a knight of the kingdom, surely harming her would have grave consequences.

But this was a situation of life and death–both for him and Felix–so what choice did he have left?

"I beg of you to explain, Priscilla-sama! I do not know what I have done to anger you, but if you allow me to express my apologies…!"

Priscilla's mind was filled with anger, but yet she hadn't let it overtake her. Thus, she still had enough reason to not succumb to the immediate death penalty.

"The boy you have beaten, the blood you have spilled…" She spoke with a grave, threatening voice, "are mine. Do you understand?"

"Subaru-kyun…?!" Felix blurted out in shock.

"...Natsuki Subaru?" Julius repeated in confusion, "Priscilla-sama, isn't he part of the Roswaal domain, under Emilia-sama?"

"I see now," Priscilla smiled, slowly stepping closer to them, "surely it must have been reassuring to you, thinking that he was under the care of such a weak, disgusting master. One who does not know how to stand or think for herself."

Julius's heart began to beat faster, his hand coming closer to the hilt of his sword.

"you thought that your actions would be met with little to no consequences, aside from perhaps your reputation of harming a weak thing," and as soon as she got close enough, her smile vanished.

"But he. Belongs. To me."

She slammed the ground with the tip of her sword, "kneel."

"..." Julius's breathing went faster, staring at the baroness as his hands trembled.

"J-Julius-kyun, m-maybe we shoul-"

"No," Julius interrupted his friend, "it is my responsibility…"

Even if he wished to fight back, what could be done? He had visibly angered a candidate. His title of knight didn't allow him to take any forceful actions.

And even then, Julius was no fool. He was a seasoned fighter who learned extensively from the art of war, including how to gauge a fight and the enemy that stood in front of him.

And right now…He didn't feel like he had any chances of survival.

So he put a knee down, and lowered his head in front of Priscilla.

"Lower." She ordered in a bitter, cold tone.

Julius flinched, and lowered his head until it reached the ground. And right as it did, Priscilla's heel slammed his face against the ground, while she planted her sword a millimeter away from turning his hair into crisp.

"If you dare to touch him again, if you dare to think about him, let alone look towards his direction," Priscilla spoke yet again with her bone chilling voice, one of pure anger.

"I shall burn your world to the ground, and have you watch eyes wide in agony as your feeble master loses everything."

And she lifted her foot, the fire around her finally dying out as the sword in her hand vanished. But right before she was about to walk out of the room, she stopped in her tracks, glancing behind to see Felix back against the ground, watching her with teary eyes.

When caught sight of her eyes, he yelped in fear as he crawled backwards until he met the wall, his heart beating faster than it ever did.

"J-julius only helped Subaru!" Felix blurted out, his voice trembling, "if he didn't do it the-"

"Did I leave the impression that I ever cared for his reasons, you half-blooded bastard?"

Felix gasped in fear, trying to avoid her gaze in fear that it would only make him a target of hers but he simply could not. He was paralyzed by fear.

But he wasn't worth her time. Priscilla simply turned back, and walked out of the room leaving the two knights marked until the end of days with a warning which held their lives on a short string, as if death was looming over their heads from here on out.

She met back with Al who was waiting in the hallway as per her orders. As soon as he noticed the expression of her face having softened a bit, he concluded that whatever she was doing bore fruit for her satisfaction.

"So, that's all you wanted to do princess?" Aldebaran asked, his voice casual as always.

"...No. We have more important matters now," Priscilla replied, her eyes turning towards the setting sun out of the window, "Aldebaran."

"Yes?"

Priscilla frowned, a feeling of dissatisfaction suddenly rising within her heart. She stopped in her tracks, taking a second to collect her thoughts before tightening her fist.

"Go and assemble the army of the barony. Now."

Following an extensive journey, Rem halted the dragon carriage to set up camp for the night. Lost in contemplation, she stared into the flickering flames as her hand tenderly caressed the scales of the dragon, which slumbered peacefully by her side.

She had just left the Karsten domain for Roswaal's mansion after something had happened to Subaru–since he grabbed her in the market district–and fell into a catatonic state.

Felix, although he seemed a bit distraught at the idea of coming near Subaru for a reason that even Crusch couldn't discern, accepted to take a look at him and even a healer like him holding the title of blue for his prowess in water magic, couldn't heal or figure out what happened to him.

Since Subaru–even if his strange state–seemed to utter her name, her sister's name and Emilia's name occasionally, she thought that it would be best to bring him back where to them since according to Crusch herself, if Felix was of no help then no one in the capital could do anything for him.

Rem was troubled and worried. But the fact that Subaru was still alive and able to sleep soundly gave her enough to think there was still hope for him to recover.

"I know I mustn't let my personal feelings interfere, but… I felt a little bit happy to have you to myself at Crusch-sama's house. I can't do that at the mansion. Even though I knew something was troubling you… I'm sorry." Rem uttered in a soft voice, looking over to Subaru who was sound asleep, "Even though I heard that you had quarreled with Emilia-sama… I'm sorry."

She smiled warmly, as she indulged in the sight of the one she loved, "I know you'll be alright, Subaru-kun. Because you're always… Demonically inspired. And you're a remarkable person."

When the morning came, Rem set the carriage to go as soon as the sun began to rise. She looked around during the ride, frowning as she had a bad feeling about how quiet it felt. But a sudden invisible force slammed into her, a feeling rooting from her blood-given ability as an Oni.

"This…This was sister!" She clutched her chest, the feeling of worry overtaking her, "I have to get back quickly!"

But before she could order her ground dragon to go faster, it's head flew over in the blink of an eye, leaving Rem in shock as its blood spilled over her face. The decapitated body of the ground dragon kept moving for about two seconds before it fell rigid on the ground, putting an abrupt halt on the carriage itself, which stumbled and flew over the body of the beast upside down.

In the same motion, Subaru was thrown out of the carriage, rolling over the dirt as he didn't even realize what was happening.

When he opened his eyes and raised his head up, he was met with a group of hooded figures encircling him, staring down at him with daggers in their hands.

One of them stepped closer as he tried to touch Subaru–who still wasn't in enough of a sane state of mind to react in a proper way–and just gasped in pain like a scared animal.

Before his hand could reach him however, a flying morningstar smashed against the cultist's head, blowing it open.

The star then pulled back towards Rem with its chain, who glared hatefully at the hooded men with her Oni horn glowing out of her forehead, standing on top of the broken carriage.

"DO NOT TOUCH SUBARU-KUN!" She yelled in rage, her horn glowing stronger.

Immediately after that, the cultists threw three daggers in a straight line right at her, to which Rem managed to counter by kicking up a wheel of the carriage and having it block all the blades mid air. She then kicked that same wheel while it still stood in front of her, and kicked it flying towards one of the cultist's who died on the spot.

The others couldn't react in time as she sent her morningstar flying once more in the same motion, butchering everything in its way.

She came down from the carriage by smashing her heel into another one, using him as a push to get closer to Subaru. But another cultist used her moment of inattention to stab her in the shoulder.

She stopped–holding her bleeding arm–and growled in anger towards the hooded men encircling her.

"Witch cultists!" She roared, as she saw one of them shoot a fireball towards her.

Before it could reach her, Rem extended her arm and performed a water shield spell absorbing the flames, but it wasn't fast enough to completely kill off the fire spell as it managed to reach her and burn her forearm.

When she prepared to fight back, she noticed from the side that one of the cultists was running away, holding Subaru on top of his shoulder.

"Subaru-kun!" She yelled, before many other cultists stood in her way,"You bastards… You stole my sister's horn and stole my reason to live, but that wasn't enough? Now you have come here and stolen my reason to die, too?!"

The cultists readied their blades–ready to die in order to fight off the bloodthirsty Oni–so they could give time for the runner to reach his destination.

But right before Rem rushed into battle again…A spear pierced right through one of the cultist's chest. Then another.

Everybody–including Rem–stood in surprise as they turned their heads to the side of the road, where a group of knights were charging in with their swords and spears drawn forward.

"The guards…?" Rem uttered in disbelief.

The cutlists were quickly overwhelmed, the knights seemingly way more powerful than they were. But most importantly they seemed distraught–scattering around and trying to fight back with spells–as they didn't expect any response from the kingdom in such a far away place.

One of the cultist's heads flew over to Rem's feet by a swift cut, and Rem's eyes widened with shock as she saw a one-armed helmeted man waving at her.

"Hey there lil' missy, I hope we're not too late to the party?" Aldebaran scoffed, "where is pal?"

"...Pal? Subaru-kun!" Rem quickly came back to her senses, and rushed towards the woods before more cultists showed up.

"Hey-!" Aldebaran clicked his tongue, "You could at least answer me?!"

"He was taken away by the cultists! I must go this way!" She yelled as she pointed forward.

"Taken by the cul-Fucking hell!" He readied his sword as he followed Rem.

When he opened his eyes, Subaru couldn't really perceive anything. His vision blurred as he slowly blinked to stabilize his sight, until he finally saw the one ready to greet him.

Cloaked in the shadows, a man with wide eyes reddened with blood, and a thin, greenish skin. He began to lean down closer to Subaru's face, showing the insanity driven expression of a man who looked way more dead than alive.

"I see, this is certainly interesting." his voice filled the emptiness of the cave, as Subaru still tried to process what was happening.

"You wouldn't happen to be pride, would you?"

His voice was straight out of one's worst nightmare. A broken mix of forced euphoria and sorrow of a rotten soul.

When Subaru could finally see clearer, he saw the man lift his slim to the bone arm towards his mouth, and put it in his mouth just in between his teeth. He suddenly began to bit it, streams of blood splashing all over the ground as he didn't seem like holding back at all with the strength of his jaw.

He stood still, a hand in his mouth, the blood dripping on the soil, and his eyes–his insane, unblinking eyes–staring at Subaru as if he gazed upon his very soul.

"I suppose you're not going to answer me!" He walked away as his moved his hand behind his back, before he began to laugh, "Ah, right! I haven't introduced myself yet."

Like a child jumping towards his playmates, he moved towards a group of hooded people kneeling before him, and turned around to face Subaru.

Staring at the boy with glee, he bowed his head as if to show a form of noble etiquette, "I am the Sin Archbishop of the witch cult, representing Sloth!"

His head rose again, and his neck abruptly cracked to the side as he stared at Subaru, "Betelgeuse Romanee-Conti TES!"

It is only until then that Subaru's senses perked up, and finally realized the situation he was in. The Witch Cult, this insane man proclaiming himself as a Sin Archbishop, his figure close to an abomination.

And he found himself chained up in a cave, alone with him and his fanatical cultists.

His breathing began to fasten as he yelped and whimpered in fear, and Betelgueuse couldn't be happier about it, as if he enjoyed the state of utter fear of the young boy.

"Ah, how comical… What a very, very, very, very, very entertaining sight! Truly, truly, truly! My brain trembles…" He was dancing frantically, laughing sadistically as he held his head.

It was like a gross theatrical play, as if he tried to show grace or nobility in his movements. But it was nothing short of morbid.

Suddenly, he stopped all of his movements–even his facial expression turning flat–and with his hands crossed behind him, he stood straight in front of the boy.

"Now. What has brought him here?"

A member of the group immediately moved forward to the Archbishop's ear, and began to whisper.

"Dragon…Carriage." Beltegeuse repeated with nods of his head.

"A dragon-drawn carriage! Ah, aren't ground dragons great? They obey diligently, work diligently, and play their roles as species diligently! They're just fantastic" He stepped back to shake his body around, before he came back to his initial position to listen, "Killed?"

"Of course!" He nodded his head and folded his hands behind his back, "Of course! Your diligence brought the ground dragon, diligence itself, to the ground! Ah, my brain trembles, trembles, trembles!"

He began to scream as he pulled his hair with great strength, and came back–once more–to his initial position in an instant.

"But a dead ground dragon is the very definition of sloth. Clean the place instantly. With the day of the Ordeal upon us, we mustn't allow our existence to be discovered."

Then, after another one of his morbid moves, Betelgeuse leaned down towards his subordinate once more, "and what of his friend?"

"Unknown…" The Archbishop nodded his head slowly.

"It is unknown if the girl is alive or dead?" He turned to the cultist face to face, "Unknow if she's alive or dead, eh?"

But before Betelgueuse could do anything, the hooded man leaned in closer, and whispered in his ear again.

"...What?" He went rigid, his eyes moving from the boy to the cultist.

"What?" He paused for a moment, "What? What, what what?! WHAT?!"

He stood up with a jolt, tearing up his hair with so much strength that even the skin of his scalp would begin to peel off, as he slammed the ground with his foot.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN AN ARMY?!" He yelled up in the cave, "KNIGHTS?! KNIGHTS OF THE KINGDOM?! HERE?! SO CLOSE TO THE ORDEAL?!"

He abruptly slammed the head of the cultist he was speaking to on the ground, "No! NO NO! YOU! YOU ARE SLOTHFUL!".

He kept slamming him, smashing and punching him on the ground as if to vent his sudden rising anger. "Ah! This is sloth! Sloth! Sloth! Sloth!"

As he let go of the dead hooded man, Betelgeuse fell on his knees and began to scream from atop of his lungs, "Please forgive us the sloth that has led us to betray you goodwill! love! We must repay love with love!"

Tears began to stream down from his eyes. He remained still looking at nothing, eyes upwards in the cave. The men who remained kneeling were looking at each other–as if even to them, this behavior was strange coming from Sloth–and back at their leader.

"SET OUT! THE GIRL! KILL HER!" He ordered with a scream, "AND THE ARMY! KILL THEM! ALL OF THEM! ALL OF THEM! BRING ME THEIR HEADS! LOVE! WE MUST REPAY LOVE WITH LOVE!"

In a blink of an eye, they all disappeared. Aside from the dead one on the floor, every single cultist had vanished from the cave.

"Now…" Betelgeusue slowly turned around, his eyes staring back at the boy, "now, now, now, now…"

He grabbed Subaru's chains and lifted him up so he could be at his level, "you will look into my eyes…"

"Answer me. Answer me carefully. Why does such dense love hang so abundantly upon your person?"

His voice was filled with curiosity, and expectations. From Subaru's lack of answer, he used his free hand to pull out a black-leathered book from his robes, "do you not own a copy of the gospel?"

"It saddens me to be ignored! I'm treating you so kindly, and yet, and yet, and yet, and yet, and yet, yet, yet, yet, yet!" The archbishop let Subaru drop on the ground as he turned around and began to scream in frustration.

Betelgueuse then leaned closer to the boy. "In that case, I will change the order of my questions."

"Let me ask you this…"He grabbed Subaru by his hair, lifting him up once more before he paused, and swept his long, disgusting tongue all over his cheek and right eye, leaving a trail of slobber behind.

But before he could continue any more of his deranged schemes, a loud metallic sound echoed through the cave, as a group of cultists immediately appeared and huddled together around Sloth, who was confused by the situation.

"I found you!" Rem growled in rage, stepping inside of the cave with her bloodied morningstar–much like her dress–her horn glowing in the darkness of the cave.

"Subaru-kun!" She shouted as soon as she noticed him, chained up and still held by the Archbishop.

"HAHAHAHA! How fantastic this is! A girl, a lone girl! Without any of those knights! She is so badly injured, yet she presses on!" Betelgueuse exclaimed, as if impressed.

"Enough of your nonsense, witch cultist! You are fools to carry out your insubordinate acts in Roswaal-sama's domain without his permission. In my absent master's stead, I, Rem, will bring the death penalty upon you!" She shouted back, holding her weapon firmly.

"In your battered state? You only came here to retrieve this boy. You should stop saying things that only sound attractive." Betelguese taunted the maid, moving Subaru's head around like a doll.

"Don't touch him…!" Rem tightened her morningstar.

"Eh, what was that?" Betelgueuse talked like a child, holding a hand to his ear from across the cave.

"DON'T YOU TOUCH HIM!" She shouted as she sent her star flying in the cave, smashing the cultists around in spurts of blood.

"That shout was great!" Betelguese was smiling, unfazed by the vision of his followers being massacred right in front of him. "Why does a believer in love such as yourself adhere to someone like him?"

"You know nothing about Subaru-kun!" She yelled mid fight, holding her hand forward to cast another spell.

"Fantastic! That was fantastic!" He tore through his finger's flesh once more, the battle visibly exciting him.

But as the battle raged, a cultist managed to stab the already battered Rem in the shoulder, causing her to fall on the ground.

Subaru's eye twitched as his jaw trembled, uttering her name.

As if she had heard his whisper, Rem looked up to him, smiling as she locked eyes with Subaru, who was slowly regaining consciousness.

"My brain trembles…!" Betelguese held his head in both his hands, whispering as he looked towards Rem falling.

And just before she hit the ground, Rem was held up in the air by her arms and legs, slowly being raised up by an invisible force.

Subaru's eyes widened, fear rising in his heart as he began to understand what was happening.

Betelgeuse began to smile, pointing at Rem with his finger, "Authority of Sloth…Unseen hands."

Subaru began to frantically move his arms, to move forward, but the chains kept him locked to the wall.

"Look. You must look. That is the result of your actions. By doing nothing, you practiced sloth. And because of that, the girl is dead! You killed her! How awful! How awful!"

Betelgueuse began to laugh, "You! With my arms, with my fingers…You, you, you, YOU!"

He looked back at Subaru with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face, "YOU KILLED HER!"

"...op it.." Subaru's voice was heard loudly for the first time.

Sloth began to move his unseen hands, playing with Rem's body as if she was a lifeless doll. He began to bend her limbs backwards, twisting them and breaking them as her blood fell on the floor.

"It hurts! It hurts!" with a sadistic voice, he began to mock the girl who was being tortured by him, moving her hands and feets, her fingers cracking.

Subaru kept watching in horror, gasping and whimpering as he pulled forward, so much that his wrists began to bleed, over and over.

"Rem! REM!" He screamed atop of his lungs, meeting the eyes of the maid who still smiled at him, "STOOOOOOP!"

Fire erupted, smashing through the cave and slamming the Sin Archbishop directly. He was so immersed in his perverting antics that he could not avoid it, and fell to the ground as his robes were burning.

Rem fell off on the ground, hardly breathing but still alive, and silence fell into the cave as the only thing which could be heard was the sound of high-heels hitting the stone on the ground.

Subaru watched with eyes wide as the figure came closer and closer with each step.

"What?! What is this!? HOW DARE?! WHO DARE INTERRUPT US?! TO INTERRUPT US AS WE GIVE LOVE!" Betelgueuse stood up, trying to extinguish the flames off his clothes in a ridiculous way by flapping his hands over them.

"P-Priscilla…" Subaru finally recognized her as she came close enough for her face to be seen. Her crimson dress was dirtied, torn and covered in blood which was not hers.

Her eyes hinted at a sudden rise of anger as she saw the state in which Subaru was in. Bleeding, shell shocked…He was tortured.

She began to grit her teeth, summoning her sword once more as she slashed through the air, burning up the invisible hands–whom the silhouettes could be seen with the flames–launched by the Archbishop.

"Uh? You know?! YOU KNOW?! HOW DO YOU KNOW?! HOW CAN YOU SEE?!" He began to shout in outrage, "YOU WHO ARE NOT LOVED! HOW DAR-"

His monologue was interrupted by Priscilla's blade slashing towards him again, slamming him against the wall as he fell down at her feet with the force of the hit.

"My brain trembles…!" He tried to stand up, "how da-"

And was interrupted yet again by Priscilla's foot slamming through his head, "you touched him."

"You-" Sloth tried to speak.

"You dared to touch him." she stomped his head down again.

"slothful! SLOTHFUL-"

Again.

She kept stomping him, with as much strength as she could. The sound of his cracking facial bones echoing through the cave, his skull breaking, blood spurting all around.

She kept crushing him over the ground until nothing but a disgusting lump of flesh was left sticking at the end of her heel, but she did not care, and kept stomping him.

Her eyes were glowing with the fires of hell, the strength of her foot making the cave itself shake.

And when not a single sound was coming out of him, when his body was left inert on the ground, only then did she stop.

But right before she could turn towards Subaru, her facial expression turned wrathful once more as she pulled out her sword and set the body ablaze, a ghost-like figure of the Archbishop's soul appearing on fire.

"Have I not made myself clear enough, you filth?" She growled as she stared at the burning silhouette of the Archbishop.

"His body, his soul…" She whispered as she tightened the grip of her sword, "Only belongs to ME!"

She amplified her flames, and in a last scream of anguish and pain, Betelgueuse Romane-conti burned up until nothing remained but ashes floating in the air.

Right at this instant, a group of guards entered the cave, they were all covered in blood and scratches.

"Bring a healer for the maid." Priscilla ordered as the knights nodded their heads, and she walked closer to Subaru, putting a hand on his cheek.

"What has he done to you?" She whispered in worry, breaking the chains off his wrists with her raw strength.

Subaru remained inert, his arms falling off to his body's sides as he kept staring at Priscilla with tears in his eyes…And then let himself fall into her bosom, whimpering as he hugged her close.

Surprised at first, Priscilla snorted and began to smile, holding the boy closer as she ruffled his hair, "it is over now. I have come for you."

He felt safe alongside her. He had regained proper reason, and remembered why he was in this state in the first place after what he saw in the first loop.

He remembered how Crusch Karsten discarded him, how Rem left him at the inn before she went to the mansion alone.

He remembered how he was greeted with the dead bodies of all those he cared about before he died freezing to death.

And now, while he was at the edge of the breaking point, left alone with a maniac torturing Rem…The one who came to his rescue was Priscilla Barielle.

"...Rem…!" He breathed out loudly, looking behind the princess to see the maid being treated by a healer.

"The maid will live," Priscilla reassured him, "any more than that and her life would have been lost, but it seems like I reached you in time."

"So you saved me…And Rem…" Subaru looked up to her with something greater than gratitude in his eyes, "but how did you…"

"Have I not told you, already?" Priscilla smiled at him, "I ordered the world to make you mine. As long as this bond exists, how could I let anything happen to what belongs to me?"

Her extravagant explanations didn't matter to him. When all hope seemed lost, Priscilla Barielle was the one who heard his silent plea of help, with nothing but her instincts.

Right now, she was nothing short but an angel in his eyes.

He bowed his head, and held tight to her arms as he began to cry his eyes out, "thank you…Thank you! Thank you so much!"

She smiled again, and brought him closer, soothing him like a mother would a child, letting him know that from here on out…

This nightmare was over.

When the healer finished stabilizing Rem, she was already able to stand up. Subaru hurried to her as soon as he could, hugging her close as he couldn't believe that she had survived this loop.

Priscilla didn't give his actions must thought, knowing there was no challenging love behind his closeness with the maid, and walked forward to meet with her knights.

"What is the situation?" She asked one of them.

"The area is secured, Priscilla-sama. The remaining cultists ran away and the village is safe," one of them replied to her, "Aldebaran is waiting for you at the mansion with the head of the domain."

"The head of the domain…?" Subaru uttered, "Is Roswaal here?"

"No sir, it's uh…A silver-haired half elf." The guard replied to Subaru.

"Emilia…" His eyes widened, "Emilia is alive?!"

Priscilla snorted as she rolled her eyes, "how great, these cultists really are worthless."

Not understanding what she meant really–and thinking she was more implying such incompetence from the witch cultists than anything else–Subaru turned towards her.

"I can't believe it…You managed to save everyone…!" Subaru had no words, "even the village…Even Emilia…."

"Failure is not an option when it comes to my actions, commoner. You best keep that in mind." She snorted with a haughty smile.

"Priscilla-sama," Rem bowed her head, "I do not know how you managed to know about this attack…But in the name of Lord Roswaal Mathers, allow me to express my sincere gratitude towards you."

Priscilla looked down upon the bowing maid, and glanced towards the boy at her side, before she closed her eyes and sighed, "your gratitude is natural. But you should keep in mind that this shall not be of any good to your master."

"W-what? What do you mean?" Subaru inquired, looking back and forth between Rem and Priscilla.

"A lord of such a large domain unable to protect his people, let alone prepare for such an outcome knowing that he would make his sponsorship of a being of the same likeness than the accursed witch of envy," Priscilla spoke as she began ordered her men to lead the way back to the village, "this is nothing but a testament of incompetence."

Subaru perked up, realizing–thanks to the symbol on their armor which was identical to the one he remembered on Priscilla's carriage–the number of guards that were around them were not royal knights of the kingdom, but guards of Priscilla Barielle's barony.

A defense force which he supposed any noble should have…And Roswaal did not.

Rem nodded her head, "I do understand, Priscilla-sama. But it is better than having Subaru-kun, or any of the villagers dead."

"We may agree on that." The baroness simply replied.

After they marched for a few minutes, they reached the village where the guards were making sure that everyone was alright. Unfortunately, Subaru could see that some villagers fell victim to the cult, and closed his eyes in pain of not being able to save them.

But at this point, for him there couldn't be any better outcome.

They kept walking up to the mansion, where Aldebaran was waiting along Ram…And Emilia.

"Ah, there they are!" Aldebaran laughed, reassured to see Subaru in one piece alongside Priscilla, "though it took some time!"

"Didn't Priscilla-sama set out immediately to search for him? I thought he'd be saved first." One of the guards wondered in a low voice.

"yeah me too…" Another one replied, "But her dress is messed up, she probably met some resistance on the way there."

Rem rushed to hug her sister as soon as she caught sight of her, while Ram–while reciprocating her hug–worriedly looked over her battle-bruised little sister.

Emilia however, stared at Subaru…With yet again a glimpse of hurt in her eyes.

Subaru walked forward to her–unable to see her contempt–and smiled in joy to see her alive, "Emilia…!"

But as he came closer and closer, he could see that Emilia wasn't sharing his happiness at all.

Albeit slightly worried of the worn out state he was in, the first and foremost emotion which could be perceived from her was…Betrayal.

"Subaru…What are you doing here?" She spoke out, to which Subaru could only widen his eyes in shock and confusion.

"What do you mean…? T-The attack! The witch cult!" Subaru blurted out, "I-I came to save you!"

"To save me…?" Emilia began to understand, but was still confused,"but…Subaru, how did you know about the attack?"

"How did I…" Subaru's breathing hitched, which only aroused suspicions.

"Is there something you're hiding, Subaru?" Puck appeared out of Emilia's crystal, floating over her head as he stared down at the boy.

"We didn't know, Emilia-sama!" Rem intervened as she was listening to the conversation, "Subaru was…In a strange state, that even Felix-sama couldn't heal! So I thought that bringing him back here could perhaps help him! It was my decision!"

"So it's you who disobeyed Lia, Rem?" Puck inquired, floating closer to the maids.

"My sister felt the danger in between our shared link, Puck-sama," Ram explained to defend her sister's actions, "she immediately decided to act in order to assure the safety of this domain."

"H-hey! We didn't have a choice! The cult would-"

"It doesn't matter at all, Subaru," Puck cut him off, "in the end, you still broke your promise to Lia…And even brought one of her rivals here."

"I didn't…"

"I was not brought by him," Priscilla crossed her arms, speaking out of boredom of this situation, "I came here after I learned of the witch cult's attack."

"How…Did you know?" Emilia looked at her with a troubled expression.

"A half-elf is suddenly elected as one of the five candidates of the throne, and she reveals to the world how she is sponsored by a Margrave who lives recluse in the north of the capital," Priscilla explained with surprise at how clueless could the half elf be, "how come you happen to not be able to figure this out at all?"

"H-how could I know about that?!" Emilia shouted back at Priscilla, unable to think of anything else to do.

"I mean, that's…" One of the guards cleared his throat.

"You'd think that you out of everyone would know, Emilia-sama…" Another guard continued.

"It's a bit related to your situation…." Aldebaran concluded for everyone.

"All of you are really starting to irritate me. If I didn't know better, I'd say you are putting my lovely daughter on trial." Puck began to speak with a menacing voice, which prompted Priscilla to narrow her eyes dangerously.

"No one is doing anything of the sort!" Subaru walked up in between Emilia and Priscilla's side, "Priscilla was kind enough to intervene here and save us all from a certain death! Why are you all acting like it's a problem?!"

"P-Priscilla…" Emilia uttered, eyes wide. She didn't understand why Subaru seemed to speak about her in such a familiar way.

"Are you foolish enough to think this will serve my daughter in any way, Subaru?" Puck spoke with a serious, menacing tone, "this have done nothing but publicly humiliate her into an incompetent person who cannot even protect her domain."

Subaru looked at Puck in absolute disbelief, "who cares about her reputation if she is killed by the cult?!"

"What makes you think that?" Emilia spoke out, her fists tightened.

"Uh?"

Priscilla rolled her eyes with a sigh.

"What makes you think that things would have gotten as bad as you say, Subaru?" Emilia looked at him with a painful glare, "do…Do you think I can't even protect myself?"

"T-that's not what I said! But-"

"It's the same! It's the same as before!" Emilia shouted, "why? Why do you always act like that! Why do you always act as if I need to be protected?! As if I need to be looked after?!"

"BECAUSE YOU CAN'T! IF IT WAS NOT FOR M-"He stopped in his tracks,"For Priscilla, you would already be dead!"

"How do you know?!" She shouted back at him, "How do you know?!"

Subaru was out of words. What could he possibly say? He cannot speak about the loops, nor reveal his power which would prove his words to be true…

"You'd be damned to think I would let anyone hurt Lia, Subaru," Puck shook his head in disappointment, "in the end, you have to admit it. You discarded my daughter's feelings, and acted on your own again thinking you would do her good. But in the end, you were only thinking about yourself."

"Puck-sama!" Rem wished to intervene, outraged by that statement–as was Ram, albeit she wasn't voicing it–but was only met with a cold look from the spirit.

Priscilla raised her hand to Subaru's shoulder–who was only staring down to his feet in disbelief of what was happening–who turned towards her with a haunted look written all over his face.

The baroness shook her head, "it is commendable to remain loyal to your feelings, but you must learn to cease striving towards what prevents you from walking forward."

Subaru's eyes widened as he listened to every single word of hers.

"Willpower is not desire," she concluded her thoughts, "if you keep pushing towards something which only pushes you back, are you not condemning yourself to a life full of hardships and suffering?"

Ram stared at the baroness with suspicion, she didn't feel like this is how this woman would normally interact with people.

She had something in mind.

"I think this is enough." Puck spoke once more, turning all eyes on him.

Subaru also turned around, and looked at Emilia, whose eyes couldn't be seen as she looked down, her fists trembling.

"Subaru." He looked up to Puck's calling.

"Never come back here."

"..."

"What?!" Rem shouted in outrage.

"Puck-sama!" Ram continued after her sister.

"I will not allow someone who brings nothing but pain to my daughter to remain at her side."

"This is not your decision to make!" Ram's voice rose up,"this domain belongs to Roswaal-sama! We shall wait for his arrival and see this matter with him."

"Very well, Roswaal will then have to choose between either Lia or him."

Ram and Rem couldn't believe the words spoken by the spirit. They both turned their gazes towards Emilia, expecting her to say something, anything, which could convince Puck to settle down…But she didn't say a thing.

And right before the twin sisters could speak again.

"Enough."

All eyes turned towards Subaru, shaking head slowly as he felt way too worn out to even cry anymore.

"We're done here." He turned around, to Rem, Ram and even Emilia's sudden dismay.

Before he walked away, he remembered who stood right behind him and raised his eyes to meet hers.

Priscilla's face remained neutral, and after a brief second, she raised her hand towards him.

Subaru looked at her hand, and back at her. He hesitantly raised his hand…And ultimately took a hold of hers.

Emilia's eyes widened in horror, wanting to speak but finding no strength to do so.

Ram was in complete disbelief, gritting her teeth as she glared with great anger towards the cat spirit.

And Rem…Began to cry, not believing anything of what was happening before her eyes.

Priscilla however, smiled as she nodded her head in satisfaction, "we are finished here."

The knights all turned around, following the baroness as they all prepared to come back to their ground dragons.

"Subaru-kun!" Rem yelled as she dashed forward to him, "Don't go! Please, don't! Wait for Roswaal-sama to come back! He'll find a solution, he'll make things right!"

Subaru gritted his teeth as he hugged her again, "I'm…Sorry Rem…But I can't. Not after that, I just can't."

"Fret not," Priscilla came forward to them, looking at Rem.

"I recognize the hardships you went through to protect my manservant. Whenever you wish, the doors of mine domain shall be open to you," Priscilla smiled at the maid…It was a smile of comfort.

"P-Priscilla-sama…? B-but no! Subaru-kun belongs here! Alongside us!" Rem tried to contest, but Priscilla didn't even need to argue with her.

"It does not seem like your lord agrees, little maid," Priscilla raised her eyebrows, "and…Subaru, has already taken his decision, at least for now. And I saw the care he holds for you and you for him, I shall not be cruel enough to break what you hold so close to your heart."

Rem's lips trembled, as she closed her eyes and bowed her head in respect, "then I truly thank you for your kindness, Priscilla-sama. Do know that I shall not shy away from visiting Subaru-kun as often as I can"

"Very well." Priscilla nodded her head, and glanced one last time at Emilia before she turned around.

They both looked into each other's eyes…And for one brief instant, Emilia could see it…

The eyes of the baroness twinkling with malice and dominance. As if she had planned for all of this, the eyes of Priscilla reflected triumph.

It sent a shiver down her spine, but she couldn't help but feel frustration rising in her chest.

Emilia knew, it was her doing. Some way, somehow.

But it was too late.

He didn't take a look back to Emilia, he wouldn't, not anymore. The pain he felt and the broken heart he carried was insufferable. His inner thoughts screamed at him over and over to take his own life already and do it all over again, but he forced himself to seal them shut.

Priscilla's words made him understand–as difficult as it was–that sometimes a man must do what he needs, not what he wants.

If even after going through so much, Emilia could not accept his struggles for her sake, then he simply had to let go, for his own sake.

As he reached the dragon carriages, Priscilla ordered to come and sit alone with hers in her personal one, as Subaru turned his eyes one last time towards the domain–and Arlam village–as they took off for the capital.

"Subaru." He turned forward to the woman who called his name.

Her expression was neutral, her eyes gazing in his, "how do you feel."

"Horrible…" He whispered, "but…It feels like a necessary pain. Something…I had to go through."

"You understand quickly, that is most satisfying." Priscilla smiled, "this shall be the first step towards a greater future, you best believe it."

"..." Subaru didn't reply, but Priscilla could see what he was thinking of.

"Have I not told you? Even if I have to hammer down that shell of yours to make you into a worthy man, I shall do it."

"I guess I couldn't see how true that was until now uh…" He sighed, joining his hands against his knees as he thought back about all of what happened.

"For Rem…Thank you," he did his best to not cry, "I-I still don't know why you seem to care for me so much, but she…Is very important to me."

"I could see that, which is why I did not want to break off your bond with her," Priscilla commented as she began to fan herself, "Who knows? If she wishes so, I would accept her as part of my domain as well.

Subaru chuckled at the prospect, but didn't believe she would leave Roswaal or Ram's side, ever.

"Besides," Priscilla gazed at him with pity, "you went through enough loss today."

Subaru painfully nodded his head, and uttered "thank you." one more time.

Then, he heard Priscilla standing up from her seat, and lifted his eyes towards her, before he was gently pushed back against his seat as Priscilla kissed him, sitting down on his lap.

Her hands at the back of his neck, while he grabbed her waist with an hesitant touch–before he understood that he was fully allowed to have a hold of her–and brought her close as he decided to forget about everything else and indulge in this warmth.

This was sudden, unexpected. But Subaru didn't feel like rejecting it, not in his current state.

They only broke off for a few seconds to catch their breath, and then continued.

This lasted for about five minutes before they broke their kiss for the last time.

Priscilla licked her lips, gently caressing his cheek" but remember that from here on out…You are mine. Mine, and mine alone."

Subaru looked up to her, his cheeks reddened because of the heat, his breathing heavy, and nodded his head.

"Good boy~" she smiled warmly, hugging him close.

Smiling with satisfaction, her red eyes glowing with passion. Subaru felt safe alongside her, he felt loved.

She could hear the sound of his beating heart…Her heart.

She could feel his breath against her bosom…Her breath.

This body which belonged to her, this soul which belonged to her.

She would indulge in it, every night, today and forever…

Once again, Priscilla had ordered the world, and the world obliged.

Fin

I couldn't be asked to go through the royal fuck up again, so you'll excuse me if I decided to skip several parts.

This chapter was originally supposed to be 6 000 words but now it's double that size, don't ask me how. I'm amazed at myself for writing 14 000 words in one sitting. With the recent Anastasia work, I would have written around 30 000 words in the spawn of 2 weeks.

I really wanted to make something original with the idea of "yandere" when it comes to a character as complex as Priscilla. She's someone that is way smarter than average, so just going "mindless killing instinct" like the typical stereotype goes could not work well with her, at least in my eyes. Don't hesitate to tell me what you thought of this chapter, I read all of your reviews and take your criticism into account, always.

Now, for another kind of afterword.

I know a lot of people are either confused or wondering what's going on with me and not writing my other fics, especially the more popular ones. I had taken a break because I hated my writing and wanted to be better so I could deliver higher quality stories. But work, studies, and lot of other stuff happening one after the other kind of piled up, I just lost sight of the writing game and before I realized it so much time flew by...

But I digress. I have not given up on writing, not at all. Granted, Re:zero turned into a cluster fuck and I absolutely hate where the series is going right now so much that I've contemplated leaving it be several times, but above my care for Re:zero is my care for this community and people who still, somehow, read my stories.

So I've decided to commit to writing again, setting goals to have couple thousand words written a bit every day so I can keep up for my long leave.

(I've noticed a recent surge of...Questionnable works when it comes to fanfics of Re:zero these past few weeks. I really hope this is not turning into a cesspool like the MHA fandom.)

In any case, I hope you enjoyed your read. This story is now over, on to the next one.

(فلسطين حرة)