Chapter 3

The day of the trip had finally arrived. Subaru accompanied by Beatrice, Meili, Garfiel, Rem and Spica were all going to the Crusch manor in hopes that they might be able to help Shaula regain her human form.

Subaru felt a little nervous about the journey ahead, and the possibility that Felix may not be able to do anything for Shaula and that all of his efforts were for nothing. But he tried not to think about the road ahead. He decided to cross that bridge if he came to it.

Otto: "Good luck on your trip Natsuki-san. I'll see you when you get back."

Subaru: "Yeah. See you soon Otto."

Subaru held his hand out and gave Otto a firm handshake.

Petra: "Please be careful Subaru-sama. Don't do anything stupid."

Subaru petted Petra on the head and smiled reassuringly.

Subaru: "Don't worry Petra. We're not doing anything reckless. There's no need to worry about anything."

Meili: "Come on onii-san! Let's get moving already!"

Rem: "She's right you know. Crusch-sama is waiting for us. We shouldn't be wasting time."

Subaru: "Yeah sure. I'll be right there."

Subaru turned to Garfiel.

Garfiel: "'Ave fun Cap'n! Don' do anythin' dumb"

Subaru: "Yeah well, you just make sure you treat Mimi nicely when she gets here okay? The last thing you want is to incur the wrath of her brothers, or worse Ricardo."

Garfiel laughed out loud.

Garfiel: "Ahahaha! Don' worry Cap'n! I love Mimi-chan, so there's no need ta worry 'bout me hurtin' 'er."

Subaru: "I guess you're right."

Garfiel: "Besides, Tivey-chan and Hetaro-chan 'r a couple o' softies and 'Cardo ain't that intimidating."

Subaru snorted to himself at Garfiel's attitude.

Subaru: "Oof! Don't let Mimi hear you say that."

?: "Nah! Tivey and Hetaro are softies. And Ricardo's a big old puppy!"

A voice sounded from behind Subaru. Subaru and Garfiel turned around to see Mimi Pearlbaton standing in front of the two with a cute smile on her face.

Garfiel: "Mimi-chan! You're early! I wasn't expectin' ya fer another day 'r so!"

Mimi beamed a big smile, throwing her arms in the air as she leapt towards Garfiel.

Mimi: "Nah it's fine. I finished all my work early so my lady said I could come see Garf whenever I wa~nt."

Garfiel hugged the small orange-haired cat in his arms. Mimi responded by kissing him on the cheek.

Garfiel: "That's fine! I missed ya Mimi-chan!"

Subaru: "Long time no see Mimi. Glad to see you again."

Mimi: "Huh? Whaddya mean long time? We saw each other a couple o' weeks ago~!"

Subaru got flustered and rubbed the back of his head, laughing sheepishly

Subaru: "O-oh yeah! Sorry, I forget sometimes."

Ever since Garfiel and Mimi had fallen in love, Garfiel and Mimi had come and gone to each other's respective camps to spend time together. In the beginning, both Emilia and Anastasia were sceptical about their powerful followers being in a relationship.

Anastasia had come to a compromise that she would allow one of her private army's vice-captains to be with Garfiel as long as it didn't affect her position in the Royal Selection.

And Mimi's brothers had given Garfiel warnings not to hurt their sister and there wouldn't be any problems. But Garfiel wasn't intimidated.

Subaru: "Well, I guess I should leave you two lovebirds alone."

Mimi: "Okay! I'll see ya' soon Subaru!"

Garfiel: "Yea' sure thing Cap'n! See ya when you get back."

With that, Subaru walked away to give the two cats some alone time.

He went to the front of the carriage to check on Patrasche and Frufoo, while Rem climbed onto the driver's seat. Ram stopped her by grabbing her shoulder. Rem turned around and was surprised by Ram hugging her.

Ram: "Take care of yourself, Rem."

Rem smiled and returned her hug.

Rem: "I will. Thank you, Nee-sama,"

Ram: "Also, make sure to keep your wits about you. For I fear the lecherous things Barusu may subject my precious sister to while she is on this trip."

Subaru retorted to Ram's teasing.

Subaru: "Please could you not make your sister think I'm some kind of deviant?"

Ram: "I'm just being a good older sister Barusu. Otto-san and Garf-san have lovers so I would trust them not to try anything with my sister. But you on the other hand…"

Subaru: "So just because I'm single you think I might try something"

Rem: "Subaru"

Subaru turned to Rem who had been staying quiet throughout the whole conversation.

Rem: "You want to help Shaula-san right? Then we should set off now if we're going to arrive on time."

Subaru then went to climb up onto the driver's seat, when he heard a voice call his name.

Emilia: "Subaru!"

He turned his head to see Emilia running up to the carriage. She stopped in front of him as he was about to climb up onto the driver's seat.

Subaru: "Oh hey Emilia-tan. Is something wrong?"

Emilia: "W-w-what? No, nothing's wrong."

She waved her hands in dismissal

Emilia: "I just wanted to see you off. I'm sorry. I have a meeting later today and I'm reeeeeally nervous about meeting with the Lords there."

Subaru: "It's fine Emilia. You don't need to explain yourself. I'm glad you came to see me off."

Emilia smiled.

Emilia: "Okey-dokey! Just be safe, and promise me you won't do anything reckless."

Subaru: "Alright, I won't do anything stupid. Just take it easy. Don't get yourself worked up before your meeting. Okay?"

Emilia after hearing Subaru's words calmed herself down.

Emilia: "Oh, of course. That was rather silly, getting all perturbed about you going away."

Subaru: "Who says 'perturbed' these days?"

The carriage door opened and three lolis called out to him, pouting.

Beatrice: "Subaru what are you doing I suppose? Stop messing around let's get going!"

Spica: "Uwaaahh! Waa, waa, waaah!"

Meili: "Yeah onii-san! You wanted to help naked onee-san right? Then hurry up!"

Subaru sighed at the three girls impatience.

Rem: "Yes. We should get moving right away Subaru. We don't want to keep Crusch-sama waiting."

She said as Subaru climbed up. Subaru offered his hand to the blue-haired Oni who took it as Subaru helped her up onto the driver's seat next to him. Subaru turned his attention back to Emilia.

Subaru: "Well, we'd better get going."

Emilia: "Of course. I'll see you soon Subaru, good luck in bringing Shaula back!"

Subaru: "Thanks. Good luck with your meeting!"

And with that, the carriage roared to life. The black and green ground dragons pulled the carriage forward. Subaru waved to everyone waving back at him as they got smaller and smaller, until the mansion became impossible to see.

After Subaru had left, everyone went inside to do their work. On her way in, that strange feeling of discomfort that just wouldn't go away.

Why was she feeling this way?

Was it because Subaru had left for an unforeseeable amount of time and she didn't know when he might come back? No. Was it because he was trying to bring Shaula back?

She didn't know.

She had a thought, but she brushed it off because Subaru had said that he loved her. She remembered how Shaula's forceful advances would make him feel uncomfortable, so those uncomfortable feelings invading her heart couldn't be true. So why? Why was she feeling this way? Why was she so uncomfortable with Subaru's interest in bringing Shaula back?

She had remembered hearing him cry when Shaula had reverted into that small scorpion. So he clearly would want to do something to help her. Which she thought was honourable. But for some reason, a sense of uneasiness about the situation had lodged itself in her heart. And for whatever reason, it wouldn't go away, no matter how hard she tried to brush off these feelings.

Frederica: "Emilia-sama, are you alright?"

Emilia was snapped out of her thoughts by Frederica gently placing her hand on her shoulder.

Emilia: "N-n-no, it's nothing."

Emilia smiled bitterly

Emilia: "I'm just reeeeally nervous about my meeting this afternoon."

Frederica: "Of course. Please do not worry about what may happen. Subaru-sama said not to stress yourself out before the meeting. So just stay calm."

Emilia: "Thank you Frederica. I should go and study for the Royal Selection and get ready."

With that Emilia, walked away. But even though she said she was alright, Frederica could tell that she felt uncomfortable about something.

On the road after a few hours of travelling

The group had stopped after travelling the whole day. The sky was dark and everyone except Subaru and Rem were asleep.

Subaru: "So at this rate, we should arrive at Crusch-san's manor in about three days."

Rem: "Of course. It's strange, I feel like we've travelled this way before, but I just can't seem to recall why."

Subaru: "That's alright Rem. You don't need to force yourself."

Rem smiled at Subaru's kindness. She recalled how she had first met him in Vollachia. He had seen acting coldly towards Spica in the Buddheim Jungle, then start acting kind towards her, saying he was her hero. His initial actions had led her to distrust him, his foul smell that came off him also made her suspicious. But after everything that had happened, and being transformed into a child and fighting a war with the undead, she had learned to trust him. His attitude towards Spica had also changed. In the beginning, he clearly showed distrust and resentment towards Spica. But after she had saved his life and protected him on multiple occasions, Subaru had come to cherish her just as much as he cherished the other members of the Emilia camp that she had met.

Rem: "Subaru."

Rem called out to Subaru, who turned around to see her.

Subaru: "What is it Rem?"

Rem: "Are you sure that your plan for that scorpion will work? Because you're basing it all on whether this Felix person has any of this dragon blood left. It seems rather foolish to be betting your plan on pure chance."

Subaru sighed. She was right. It was stupid to base his plan to save Shaula entirely on the chance that Felix still had some of the dragon blood left. But…

Subaru: "I just want to help her Rem. I know my plan's stupid, but I just want to help Shaula."

Rem looked at him with a hint of pity in her eyes

Rem: "You really care about this Shaula don't you."

Subaru: "Yeah. I really do. This may sound kind of weird but, I'd say that Shaula is just as important to me as you and Emilia. In the top 3 if you want me to be frank"

Rem blushed slightly at his words

Rem: "Well, I'm flattered by your honesty Subaru."

Rem then stood up and stretched her arms out.

Rem: "I'm going to sleep now. Don't even think of trying anything. I will tell nee-sama if you do"

Subaru: "I'm not going to. Ugh, you're just like your sister you know that?"

Rem smiled. Then both of them laughed. He knew Rem was just teasing him and he enjoyed getting to talk to her, alone for a bit.

Subaru: "Yeah, it's late. We should probably get to sleep so we can get going in the morning."

Subaru stood up and stretched out

Rem: "Of course. But I'm fine with you staying up a little longer, if you want to sleep on the journey tomorrow."

Subaru: "No. That's a really selfish thing to do. Besides, I'm tired anyway."

Rem: "Very well. If that is what you wish."

Subaru: "Good night Rem."

Rem: "Good night Subaru."

Rem laid down next to the fire, and slowly fell asleep. Once Rem was sound asleep, Subaru walked up to the carriage and opened the door as silently as possible, as to not wake Beatrice, Meili or Spica. He slowly climbed up into the carriage and his eyes fell upon a glass box with a black lid. Inside that box was the Crimson Scorpion, the Stars Keeper, the Sage's Apprentice, Shaula.

Subaru lifted the lid off the box and put his hand inside, to pick her up. Once Shaula crawled onto his hand, Subaru pulled her out and then put the lid back down. He sat down on the seat next to a sleeping Spica, being careful not to disturb her. He petted Shaula on the head, as Shaula pushed her head against his hand. Even though Meili had said that Shaula had lost her humanity after she had transformed, she still showed small signs of fondness towards Subaru.

Subaru felt his eyes welling up. He stopped petting Shaula on the head to wipe his eyes.

He remembered when he died, to save Shaula in the Watchtower. The rules had been broken and she was being forced to transform against her will. Out of fear that she might hurt him, Shaula asked Subaru to tell her to die.

But Subaru looking at the scorpion in his hand, repeated the same words he said to Shaula when she asked him to die.

Subaru: "I swear upon the stars. I will save you Shaula."

Subaru was determined to bring Shaula back, no matter how hard it got. Even if Felix didn't have any blood, he was determined to travel all the way back to the Watchtower to get more. And if the blood didn't work, he'd find another way. He'd already lost the Rem he once knew when Lye Batenkaitos ate her name and memories. He sure as hell wasn't going to lose Shaula as well.

With that, Subaru put Shaula back into her box and put the box back next to Meili, being careful not to wake her. He then made his way back outside the carriage and laid down in front of the fire. He dreamt about when he met Shaula. Her clinginess. Her airheadedness. And how oblivious she was. But he also remembered her kindness and her comforting smile and how crazy energetic she was.

She reminded him of himself.

He wanted to see Shaula smile.

To see her crazy energy again.

Even if her clinginess was annoying, he wanted to help her overcome it.

To help her gain independence.

To help her find a life outisde the Watchtower.

He wanted to save her.

That was his wish.

To save Shaula from her cruel fate.