"One-hundred-forty-three... one-hundred-forty-four... one-hundred-for ARGHH!" He pushed for the burn. "One-hundred-forty-five!"
Subaru collapsed onto the ground and blades of grass tickled his face. He closed his eyes and dug his forehead into the greenery, trying to wipe the sweat off his brow. His arms were too tired to do it.
"Another." A gruff voice called out.
"Just... One sec."
"Another!" It barked.
Subaru forced himself back into position, but his arms wobbled. His muscles gave out and he collapsed again. "Can't."
Halibel approached him. The beastman towered above his horizontal form. "Failure?"
Subaru rolled over and nodded. Halibel swiped a hand upwards and Subaru got up, then the beastman extended an arm and Subaru wordless pushed his hand into Halibel's.
Halibel could feel the boy shaking and his press was weak. This was satisfactory. "Muscle failure will make you strong quickly. Say it."
Subaru repeated what Halibel had just said.
"And?"
"One defeat is worth a thousand victories." Subaru repeated the mantra. He was practiced at this now.
"Let the meaning of those words sink into you Su-san." Halibel told him.
Closing his eyes, he did as he was told. If all you do is win, you never gain experience. If you've finished your training, it means you have only just begun. He repeated these zen slogans in his mind continuously. Here, during practice, I'll fail as many times as needed. When it counts, I will surely win.
Six months had passed since the 'Roswaal incident'. Six months ago, he had asked Halibel to begin training him.
"I can't make you strong Subaru, not truly, you don't have the capacity for it, so sorry. But, I can make you a soldier." Those had been Halibel's words then and Subaru had quickly begun to understand their meaning.
The martial arts, swordplay, and magic required feverish dedication from childhood if one truly desired to be a master. But Subaru didn't need to be a master. All he needed was the strength to pull himself up, the speed to run away, the endurance to keep going, even through injury. Yes. All his experiences so far had pointed him to that. He needed to become a soldier.
And so, Halibel had started him on what he described as 'Vollachian military training'. Wake up at dawn every day. Four hours of hard training, save for Sunday, where it was one hour of light exercise and another hour of proper stretching. Climbing, swimming, running, punching kicking biting pulling-pushing-stabbing-biting-clawing-ripping. Anything that might be useful, he did. This was a physical manifestation of his desperation.
Subaru opened his eyes again. The mantras had left him and his mind had begun to wander.
"That's it for today. Good job Su-san."
Subaru thanked the beastman. Halibel was a tough instructor, but Subaru was grateful. This was what he needed. He needed to be stressed physically, mentally, emotionally. Because he knew there were difficult times ahead.
The two made their way back to the villa. "I heard Emilia's meeting Yabu-sama this afternoon. Should I be there?"
"No. Ram and I should be sufficient. You stay here."
Halibel nodded. This was usual. You're quite paranoid, aren't you Su-san? As always, Halibel would be where Subaru was not. If Subaru was with the princess then he was with Rem, and vice-versa.
Yes, it seems I'm just the insurance. Halibel thought to himself. Oh well. Who am I to question orders.
Subaru left the garden and went back in the house, heading straight for the bath. On the way, he passed Emilia's office. The door was open and Subaru peered inside.
Emilia was at the big table, writing some kind of report. The princess did this kind of thing regularly, formalising her position on issues and how she would tackle them as ruler, or devising agreements that might cajole nobles to her cause. So far though, she'd had little success convincing anyone to support them.
Ram was sat at a smaller desk perpendicular to Emilia's, tackling a mountain of paperwork. Since Roswaal had left them, Ram had taken over the day-to-day management of the Mather's margraviate. Luckily, she had been helping Roswaal with this kind of thing for a while so she was already quite expert. Her position had changed too. No longer a maid, Ram was formally Emilia's 'chief attendant' and right-hand-man.
Roswaal did pop in occasionally, if only to 'recharge' Ram's mana.
"Either of you need anything?" Subaru asked them.
Ram didn't look away from her work and shook her head slightly. 'No'.
"No thank you Subaru, you don't have to do anything for us." Emilia said sweetly.
Subaru cringed internally. Have you been listening at all, Emilia-san?
"Say that again."
"Oh!" Emilia seemed to have to a kind of realization. She coughed lightly. "Huh-Hummm. No." She said, more firmly. "You're not required at this moment." She examined him and the sweat shining off his head and the drops trailing around his nose. "Go make yourself decent for the meeting."
Subaru bowed politely. "I will do so at once." He straightened himself out and gave an encouraging thumbs up and smile to Emilia. He continued to the bath.
He prepared it and entered the hot water, letting it loosen his sore body. He closed his eyes and sighed. "She needs to get her act together." He said aloud.
"Emilia can I talk to you for a moment?" He recalled a conversation he had with her a while back.
"Sure. What do you want to talk about?" She was so innocent.
"It's about the way you're acting."
"The way I'm... acting?" This befuddled her somewhat.
"I'm sorry but someone has to say it: you're not acting like a queen. You're too polite, and I appreciate that- don't get me wrong! But I'm not your friend anymore. I'm an attendant, a vassal. When you talk to me, or Ram, or anyone else for that matter, you need to speak with more authority. Command us. You know how Crusch is right? I'm not saying you need to become Crusch, but you need to act more like her. A queen that speaks shyly and politely doesn't inspire confidence. Speak like you expect everyone to serve you. I think it'll show people that you're serious." He voiced his opinion, a bit guilty at forcing Emilia to change.
"You... really think so?" Emilia seemed uncertain and the teeniest bit upset.
"Yes. I really do. This is quite important to me, so please make an effort from now on. Especially when we're in public. Don't forget: You're position in this country is high, second only to the council."
"Right... I'll do my best Subaru!"
"No!" He exclaimed, feigning frustration. "You should be like..." He raised his voice higher to imitate her. "I'll consider your view on this matter, but you forget yourself. As an attendant, you are not to question the behaviour of your betters."
"But I agree with you?" Emilia said nervously.
"That's not the point!" His voice was back to normal. "You just need to show that you're holding the reigns."
"Ahhh, right." She seemed a little embarrassed. "The reigns..."
"Anyway, it's just something to think about and maybe work on, okay? You should ask Ram to help you with this. She has no problem acting like she owns the place."
Emilia laughed. "Yes, she certainly is confident. I understand what you're asking for, Subaru. I'll certainly try."
And that was how it went down. Since then, Emilia had tried to do that. It was the rule that whenever she was working she was to speak to them this way. Then during meal times or in the evenings, she could be her natural, cheery self. Still, she slipped up too often for Subaru's liking, and it bothered him. The stakes were too high for any of them to be flashing weakness.
He scrubbed himself thoroughly, getting out all of the grime he had built up in the morning. Soaking for a while he examined the now familiar 'X' tattoo on his pectoral. An ornate design, circled by tattooed thorns. Right on his heart, there it was. His vow. If Emilia didn't win he died for real. What a scary thought. He shuddered.
He got out a dried himself quickly. He exited and went to his room, towel rolled and tucked around his waist. He changed himself into formal attire, gone were the kimono days, now he- no all of us needed to present themselves with more formality and grace. What a headache.
A white shirt and black blazer, black trousers, brown dress shoes with French, flower swirl designs, and a short black tie. He ran his fingers along his scalp to the back of his head, bunching his hair with his right hand. With the other, he equipped the band that gave him a short, spiky ponytail. The hairstyle was standard among the men in Banan. It was a reminder of what he was working towards.
He looked himself up and down in the mirror. He had gotten bigger thanks to his training, and his clothes fit him snuggly and handsomely, wrapping around muscles he had worked hard to tighten and organize. He picked bits of felt off the clothes. 'Make yourself decent' he remembered.
Ain't that the truth? He chuckled to himself. He needed to look sharp for this meeting.
Once he was satisfied and presentable, he walked out of his room and went to the one next door. I don't understand you Ram. Separate rooms? What a good Christian. He knocked on the door. No answer. He opened it slowly and quietly, seeing it was still dark in there. He tippy-toed to the bed and saw her. Rem.
She was on her back, still sleeping peacefully, tucked under a light sheet. The sheet bulged and enveloped a large swell on her body. Rem was heavily pregnant. Up until a few weeks ago she had continued as a caretaker of the house, cooking, cleaning, providing assistance wherever it was asked of her. It was her mission to take care of all the day-to-day and menial stuff so the others could work efficiently. Then the pregnancy became too much. She was tired and hungry always, and too sore and too stiff to work quickly. At that point they had all asked her to take a vacation. She could return when she was unencumbered. Subaru was glad. Right now, she should be relaxing and taking care of herself, not working herself to death.
His presence seemed to stir her. Her eyes fluttered opened and she soundlessly stared at Subaru. He offered her his hand and she took it. She let herself feel his warmth for a moment. She noticed the skin on his hands, once so soft, had become calloused and dry after Halibel's training. Subaru slowly pulled her out of bed and helped her on her feet. 'Thanks'. It was barely audible.
The pregnancy was... difficult. Not in a horrible way, Subaru reflected. Rem was in good health, and the occasional visit to the doctor confirmed that the baby was too. No, that wasn't the problem. The problem was the size. Subaru didn't know if he'd ever seen such a swelling before. Her stomach was large, larger than your average pregnancy. This caused problems. Rem couldn't bend or stretch or lie flat on her stomach. In the past few days she had even needed Subaru's help sitting up and...
This is too embarrassing. She thought to herself.
Subaru helped her to undress and helped her change. She tried to remember what Subaru had told her the first time they had done this. "It's just your body Rem. Everyone had a body, it's natural. Nothing to be embarrassed about." He had said that and yet...
"Jeez, don't blush so much or I'll get ideas." Subaru joked.
"Whatever ideas you get, Rem isn't in a suitable state to act them out at the moment." She said, almost apologetically.
"I know right? If I stuck a pin in you, you'd probably pop!"
"Hey!" She didn't like this. "Are you calling Rem fat?"
"You know I'm not." He said.
There was brief silence as he finished helping her.
"How many days now?" She whispered.
"Um... Thursday... So that would be three days. And then the big day! I'm really excited Rem, I can't wait!"
"Rem can't wait either. Your popping joke is starting to feel like reality."
They had already pushed the wedding back once, because of business. But, as Ram had hammered into them, it was important that they tie the knot before the child was born. Subaru was shocked when Ram of all people had insisted on their marriage.
To be born a bastard was a no-no in high society. And at the moment, Subaru and Rem had to comply with everything society demanded of them, lest they make Emilia look bad. Both Rem and Subaru knew that the birth would be any day now, but Thursday was the only day that worked. Rem prayed. Get married and then come out quickly, you! Rem's had enough of feeling like a cow!
"Good ol' shotgun marriage!" Subaru grinned dumbly. "Don't worry, if she's born before, we'll just forge the documents. You haven't seen my skills in photoshop!" Subaru said.
"Saying those strange things again. Why are you assuming it's going to be a girl?" Rem questioned him.
"That was the least strange thing I said!" Subaru retorted. "And why I used 'she'... I guess I just have a hunch."
"Perhaps you've done this before? You know it's a girl, but you're sacrificing yourself over and over just so that you can dress me." Rem teased him.
"What!? Do you really think I'm that much of a pervert?" Subaru asked her.
"Yes. Rem knows what kind of man you are. You like me best when Rem is totally helpless and you get to be her knight."
"Well... You're so strong and so smart and sooooo beautiful." Subaru said, very much teasing her. "I don't get very many chances to feel like I'm the one taking care of you."
"Well. I'm glad you feel that way now. Because it's true." Irony and humor gave way to sincerity, and Subaru held her hand.
"This is pretty happy, huh?"
She didn't say anything. She didn't need to.
*Scene break*
"So you see. There's really not much to be done. My people simply wouldn't accept my association with you Emilia-sama. It's unfortunate they are so superstitious."
Emilia fell silent. She looked at the person across from her.
Yabu was a 20-something, but his sickly demeanor made him look older. He had pale skin and greasy, black hair. A duke like Crusch, he was famous for his obsession with coin. Emilia hoped his lust for money might override the prejudice he (along with everyone else) held towards her.
She had offered to open up trade between their two domains, and temporarily peg the price of grain in her territory. Yabu had had bad harvest this year, and she was willing to help him out in exchange for his support in the selection.
However, to Yabu, Emilia was more trouble than she was worth.
He'd just recently cracked down on the peasants under him, increasing taxes. Now, unsavoury rumors of treason and uprising were brewing in his domain. Endorsing a devil like Emilia would always be outrageous, but at a time like this, it risked sparking a revolt.
"I find this unfortunate." Emilia said properly. "My sources tell me your domain is close to famine. As I'm sure you know, the Mathers margraviate is the single largest producer of grain in the Kingdom. Whatever you think of me personally, the deal in itself proves that I mean no ill-will. This discussion shouldn't be about me. It's about food."
You go Emilia! You sound like a boss! Subaru stood at the back of the room with Ram, looking over the meeting.
"These are peasants, Emilia-sama, they live and die by the seasons. Maybe famine this year, and maybe next year too. But at some point the good times will come, as they always do, and we'll go back to having plenty. I'm sure you understand." Unfortunately, Emilia did understand.
"You offer to help my duchy, I thank you for that." He bowed to her coldly. "But a good duchy needs a strong duke, and I'm afraid this deal is simply not to my benefit in the long-run."
"Please think seriously about this, Yabu-sama." Emilia hammered back. "There is no cost to you. This is an act of charity."
Yabu shook his head. There absolutely was a cost. Endorsing a half-devil was a huge political cost. It was not worth isolating himself from all the other territories in the kingdom, and exposing his neck to the peasants, just to band-aid one year of crop failure.
"This meeting is adjourned. Excuse my rudeness." He turned to his assistant. "Please file the written transcript in with the others."
Emilia looked downcast. Subaru and Ram went to the conference table and started to pack up.
"It's a shame." Yabu said as they collected their belongings. "Terrible, the world we live in, ay?"
Emilia didn't answer him. She looked to her own attendants. "Prepare the dragon carriage." Ram and Subaru silently marched off to fulfill her order.
The three of them left and were back on the carriage. "I'm sorry Subaru." Emilia apologized to him.
"It's fine, you did good. Yabu-sama's evil, no? Starving his own people."
It was Ram who answered him. "It's distasteful but not suprising. Give them a ten-foot pole, and there still wouldn't be a noble in this kingdom who would touch Emilia."
Subaru and Emilia were shocked, but not angry, at the brutal honesty. It seemed Ram was just as frustrated as the rest of them, and what she had said was true.
Too unpopular, too suspicious, too maligned. Emilia, as a candidate, was persona-non-grata. Subaru was starting to understand what Roswaal meant when he said it was impossible. No, I'm not giving up. There's still two years left - that's a long time. It didn't matter what he told himself though, Subaru was feeling increasingly uneasy. Already they had used up six months, and had made almost no progress. Emilia was starting to get down on herself too. Even with her optimism, it was hard to take rejection after rejection after rejection.
Everyone needed a reversal of fortunes, and soon.
As they rode up back to the villa, Subaru was surprised to see they had guests. Halibel and Rem were at the entrance, speaking to two men in knight uniforms.
Subaru quickly recognized the red-head as Reinhard, but the other man was unfamiliar to him. He had purple hair, and seemed to be holding an envelope.
The three got out of the carriage and joined them.
"Reinhard, Julius! We haven't spoken in too long! What brings you here?" Emilia said with expected friendliness.
"Emilia-sama." The two of them bowed to her. "The council has asked us to deliver this to you. It's a royal summons. You are to come to the palace tomorrow."
"Ehhhh? Really?" Subaru nudged an elbow into her. "I mean- Thank you. You've done me a great honor delivering this to me personally, Sword Saint."
Reinhard smiled, seemingly perfectly understanding of the situation. "Please, I'm not worthy of such praise. Julius."
Julius handed the envelope to Emilia. She unfurled it and read it.
Her eyes were steady for a moment and then they widened. She didn't break the facade though. She showed seriousness as she finished reading, repackaged the envelope and handed it to Ram.
"I understand Reinhard. I thank you once again for this correspondence."
"You honor me." Reinhard turned to leave and made brief eye contact with Subaru. The black-haired boy didn't know why, but he suddenly felt a chill. Reinhard's eyes seemed ice-cold.
The two knights left.
"What was it?" Ram asked Emilia. Something had shocked Emilia when she read the letter.
"It's Subaru." She answered and turned to him. "You're expected to come to the meeting as well. You were specifically named."
"Is that so suprising?" Subaru asked her. "I am in your camp after all."
"No, it's highly unusual." Emilia said, still a bit shocked. "Only knights, nobles, or candidates are allowed to enter the palace, on punishment of death. For a... How do I say this... Plebeian to be summoned is unheard of."
Subaru couldn't tell whether this was good news or not. I helped take down Sloth and Lust... But Lust was just a rumor - no one but us actually saw Capella, and obviously there's no trace of her. Are they going to question me about it?
He couldn't help but feel a little nervous. He asked to see the letter and there it was. His name. Natsuki Subaru.
Weird.
Rem also thought it was weird. She thought about what Emilia had said. On punishment of death. It was probably nothing, but she couldn't shake the feeling. Fishy fishy fishy. She couldn't put her finger on why, but Rem smelt a trap.
"Does he have to go?" Rem asked Emilia.
"Yes. It's a royal summons. It would be unthinkable not to." Emilia didn't expect the question. "Why do you ask?"
"I don't know... Rem feels it's dubious."
"I agree with Rem-chan." Halibel backed her up. "If this is about Sloth or Lust, he would have been called sooner. It happening now seems illogical."
"The letter doesn't specify the reason for him being there." Emilia clarified. "It's a meeting between all the candidates, I've been to a few of these, fairly routine. There doesn't seem to be anything sinister about it."
Halibel crossed his arms. It made him uncomfortable. Just like Rem, something wasn't adding up.
"Why would they send Reinhard then?"
Everyone's attention went to Ram, who's question pierced them all.
"What do you mean-" Subaru stopped himself. Why would they send Reinhard? Surely the Sword Saint had better things to do than be a post-boy. No, Reinhard hadn't come to deliver a message. Reinhard was the message.
It was clear now. They had no choice but to go.
Uneasy glances were exchanged between them. They all understood the implication of Ram's question.
"Subaru." Emilia turned to him again. "Have you done anything... well... Bad recently? Anything that would get you in enough trouble to be summoned?"
Subaru strained his brain. Anything bad anything bad. I've been pretty good haven't I? The thought of Elsa popped into his head. Perhaps he had been seen fraternising with the enemy. That was unlikely though. Elsa hid herself well, that was how she had survived in the capital for so long even with monsters like Reinhard around. The Guthunter would never have met them in an unsecure location.
Plus he hadn't seen Elsa since that day in the restaurant. Presumably she was still off finding Gluttony for him.
"No. I can't think of anything." Subaru told her. "I'm a good guy after all."
"Right?" Emilia nodded. "Ergo, you have nothing to worry about."
It was settled. He would be going to the palace with Emilia tommorow. After all, she was correct: to turn down a royal summons was unthinkable.
Speaking of Elsa though, today was Monday. Subaru had to be at the bookstore at 5.
"Crap I gotta go. Emilia, I'm borrowing the ground dragon okay? I have to go meet Meili's sister." He didn't lie. They were just uninformed.
Emilia agreed and he made haste. Rem asked to come meet her but Subaru gave her another excuse. He'd had to do this a few times. Still, the fewer people involved with the Guthunter, the better. Just Mondays at 5pm please. In the name of God keep her quarantined from the rest of my life.
"She's really crazy Rem. And difficult to deal with. You wouldn't like her."
"Crazy and difficult. Sounds a bit like Meili-chan."
"No. Definitely worse than Meili."
"If you say so..." Rem seemed a little dejected. Subaru cringed, but he mounted the lizard and made haste.
For the first time, he prayed that Elsa would be there. Please. He begged. I need some good news.
Behind him Rem watched him go.
Be careful Subaru-kun.
*Scene Break*
Rolled down metal shutters showed it was shut. 'Weekly magazine sold here', 'We sell paper and hardback', 'Closed'. Posters attached to the side showed he was at the right place.
Subaru ducked around the back of the building, getting to a hidden entrance. He couldn't know the exact time, but he reckoned he was here a little early. He knocked on the door.
Just like every time before, he waited patiently. He hoped Elsa would open up for him, but accepted that she was probably still working and away.
20 seconds passed.
Creeeeeeak...
His heart skipped a beat as the door slowly opened. A voluptuous, black-haired woman smiled at him. Elsa. He felt the hairs on the back of neck stand up.
The Guthunter was happy that he was here and that he was punctual. "Hello Subaru-san, good to see you again."
"Please, come in." Like any siren, her voice tried to tempt him inside.
Subaru let out a quiet 'yes', and walked in. She closed the door behind him.
It was dark and dusty in the bookstore. Rag papers lined mostly empty shelves. Subaru ran his index along a one of these, and looked at his now gray, sooted finger.
Good place. He thought. This store was long abandoned - no one would bother them or catch them here.
Elsa brought him valuable information, so he was glad to see her. He didn't let that show on his face though.
"How is it going? You're well, I assume?"
"I'm fine."
"And Meili-chan?"
"She's doing well. Got her in school and everything now." For a moment he forgot himself and started boasting.
"That's good. And you must love playing daddy then, Subaru-san?" Elsa tested him.
The question annoyed Subaru. "Enough pleasantries. You have news for me?" Subaru was antsy to get on with it.
"Yes that's right. But first-" Elsa brought out a small card made of stiff paper. '60' was the number written on it. "Payment."
"60 holy coins? You charge a steep price Elsa-san." Let's see... 60x250... that's 60x200 + 60x50... 12000+3000... about 15,000 dollars in my world.
Subaru had previously worked out the conversion rate. One equals two-fifty he reminded himself.
"I do good work. The best." She justified. "My employers all recognize this."
"Capella kept you well fed huh?"
Elsa smirked. Subaru had a sharp tongue. "Yes. Shame you took her out, but I suppose it's alright. This work is interesting in it's own way."
"Alright. I can guarantee your payment, you have my word. Give me a time and place and I'll bring you the coin. But right now, tell me about Gluttony."
"Ahhh yes, Batenkaitos. I've managed to track him down with fair accuracy."
Subaru gave her a hard look. It screamed 'Tell me'.
So easy to read Subaru-san, really. She took a delight in her power over him.
"Gluttony was last spotted near the Augria sand dunes. That was four days ago. Witnesses saw him steal food and carriage before making his way out into the desert. I think he's trying to reach the Watchtower."
Subaru took detailed mental notes, desperately memorizing the message. Augria. Desert. Watchtower... Good.
"What's the significance of the Watchtower? Any idea why he's going there?" Subaru asked.
Elsa's eyes widened. It was hard to believe he didn't already know about these things. "You don't know?" She questioned him.
"I'm not familiar, no."
She licked her lips. This was so much fun. Emilia's attendant was like a lost child, not knowing anything of this world. "It's said that the Sage Shaula resides in the tower. According to legend the Sage has great wisdom, holding the answer to any question."
"I see..." Subaru's eyes closed tightly. He processed the info. It's not a stretch to imagine that the cult would want that knowledge for themselves. If they got it... It'd be bad to say the least.
Subaru continued. "You say legend. Is there any proof of this supposed Sage?"
"No. Just myth."
That might be so... But if Gluttony's trying to reach the tower, it must be important somehow. Subaru reasoned.
"Right. I have to admit you've done a good job Elsa." Subaru voice became lighter. The tone of the conversation became a little easier, now that the tough questions were out of the way.
"I wanna ask you something." Subaru took a breath. "I may need your assistance again in the future. Where can I find you?"
Elsa took the chance to toy with him. "Ehhh? A continued partnership? You seemed so rejecting of me last time Subaru-san." She got closer to him, and put a hand on his chest. She rubbed his shirt lightly. "What changed? Are you finally seeing me as a woman?"
"I don't even see you as a human, let alone a woman." His voice was without emotion. "You're useful to me and I pay well - don't get funny ideas - this is just an arrangement."
Her nails dug into him and he winced at the pain. He didn't back down though. "So cold. You hurt my feelings."
"Please. We both know you don't have those." He said with sarcasm.
Elsa smiled. Subaru wasn't wrong.
"Alright." Elsa let go of him. "Here."
She brought out another business card and handed it to him. "Read it. Remember it. Then give it back to me."
Subaru read the card, memorizing the address on it. This was the trouble with assassins, always operating in secrecy, changing locations and covering their asses. No such thing as a papertrail in their industry. He returned it to her.
"I got it."
"That's where I'm staying, for now at least. You need my help, you try finding me there."
All the sudden Elsa's gaze became cold and ruthless. She reached for her kukri, pulling it out in a flash and holding it to his stomach. "Subaru-san."
"Yes?" He asked nervously. He wanted to run but he held his ground.
"You tell anyone where I am. You'll die. Meili will die." Elsa licked her lips. "Rem-Rem will die."
His body temperature dropped a degree. Elsa observed the slight panic in his face. "That's right. Meili told me all about you two."
Shit! This was a serious miscalculation. Subaru had made efforts to keep this separate from the rest of his life, but now he'd failed.
"Is that so? Well... It won't come to that: my lips are sealed." He nervously shifted his weight from one leg to the other, blade pressed to his abdomen all the while.
"I should hope so." Elsa put her face closer to his, they were just an inch apart. She stared deep into his eyes, trying to judge his true nature. "Of course, same goes if you miss my payment. I expect you to be at my residence tomorrow. Same time."
"Can't-"
Elsa applied even more pressure to the blade. Any change in angle, or a slight push perhaps, and it would dig into his gut. "Why?" She said menacingly. her aura was overwhelming.
"Royal summons." He explained breathlessly, trying to keep his cool. "I'm expected at the palace - don't know how long I'll be there for. I can get your money to you the next day."
I'm speaking too fast dammit! Can't show her I'm scared! Get it together Subaru! He berated himself internally, trying to hide his fear.
Elsa narrowed her eyes. She didn't like deadbeats, and she hated being played for a sucker. She'd worked hard for this boy, and now he'd better pay up. Is he being truthful?
"You've received a Royal Summons, really?" At first she had been angry, but that was gone. This was might be a valuable nugget of information. "Why?"
"Don't know. I can only imagine it has to do with my slaying Capella. They didn't give me a reason." Subaru answered quickly, trying to put himself out of danger.
Elsa considered his answer. Nothing more to be said, she figured. Subaru seemed to be honest.
"Fine. Wednesday then. You don't show, I'll kill you and your generations." She pulled her knife away from his stomach and sheathed it back in it's place.
"I understand. I'll be there." Subaru rubbed at where the knife had just been, double checking he hadn't been cut.
"Yes. I expect you will." Elsa made her way to the door. "Wednesday, Subaru-san."
She left.
Relief spilled out of his body, and Subaru collapsed into the nearest chair. Honestly, that was too close, he half expected Elsa to have gutted him there. Still he hadn't really solved anything. In fact, he just had more problems to deal with. A triggered Elsa was bad news. Everything started to feel overwhelming.
"Jesus." He said to himself. "Emilia, Reinhard, Elsa, the nobles... I'm meant to be having a kid... why does it feel like everything's falling apart?"
It was getting stressful now. His situation was precarious. The more he thought about it, the worse he felt.
Now his hands were trembling. Cortisol flooded his brain. His vision fuzzed and waned and refocused. His head hurt and his heart pulsed.
Subaru held a hand to his chest, trying to contain the pounding he was experiencing.
1, 2, 3... He began counting in his head. An attempt to distract himself from mounting problems.
He was trying not to think about the Emilia's lack of tact, or the rejection by Yabu this afternoon, and the plethora of meetings that had gone the same way. Trying not to think about the baby and the witch cult and Rem and the Guthunter and Return by Death. Trying not to think about his fate, a picture of himself that was hurtling towards a bonfire - towards his own death - with Roswaal laughing at him all the while. Everything he'd worked so hard for, his own life gone gone gone-gone-GONE!
"Stop!" He cried out in vain. No one heard him.
There, in a dank, abandoned bookstore in the slums. Subaru was weak and alone.
He couldn't stop the panic attack.
*Scene Break*
When he got home, he was greeted by Meili. "Su-su!" She ran up to him.
"Hey!" He said with forced enthusiasm. "How was school? Good day?"
"No! Bad! I don't like the girls there. So full of themselves, they've never worked a day in their lives!" Meili complained.
They had enrolled her a few months back but the adjustment had been hard for Meili. Difficult to go from wild killer to obedient school girl he supposed. Still, she was doing well enough. Rem was especially proud of the young beast-tamer.
She whined to him about how stuck up her classmates were. How they were rich and fat and smelly, and none of the teachers knew the kinds of things she knew, and how the noble kids boasted about their noble parents. "They're so annoying!"
"Just bear it, for now. It's a good school."
"But I hate it! I want Rem-Rem back!" Rem had been a teacher in Banan, teaching Meili for a while.
"Stop it!" Subaru snapped uncharacteristically. Today had tired him. "You WILL be good and you WILL keep going to school. Enough!"
Meili stiffened at the outburst. "But Su-su... Hmpff-" Great. Now she was crying. "You're so mean! I hate you!" She ran away from him and back upstairs.
Subaru let out a sigh. Annoyed at Meili for being difficult and annoyed at himself for getting so worked up. I'm battered though... Need food. And sleep. He felt exhausted.
He went to the kitchen and saw Ram cooking. Boiled 'tatoes. His bad mood soured even further. As far as cooking went, the pink-haired girl wasn't in the same league as her sister.
Ram pretended he wasn't there. Continuing to stir silently.
"Need any help?"
"None from a Barusu." Her eyes didn't veer from the pot in front of her.
Subaru knew she wasn't trying to be rude. He knew that and still...
He went upstairs to his room, and got changed out of his work clothes. On his way out, he passed Meili's room and saw Rem helping her with homework. It seemed Rem had managed to calm her down and even get her to study. Finally, something pleasing. Subaru steeled his resolve and walked in.
"How's it going?" He said quietly.
Rem gave him a thumbs up. She didn't want to talk and distract Meili.
"Meili?" The young girl didn't respond to him. *The silent treatment, huh?*
"I'm sorry I got so mad. Please keep trying your best." He walked up to them and ruffled Meili's hair.
Meili shot him an angry look, still upset at him.
"I saw your sister today. She asked about you. I told her you were working hard."
"Elsa-nee?"
"Yup. She say's she's reeeeeally proud of you." He lied. "And so am I."
He squatted down to her height. "I'm real sorry yeah? Didn't mean to get so mad."
"..." Meili considered his words. "...S'okay. I'll try and get along better with the others. I'm a big girl now, can't always be calling for Rem-Rem." Her eyes softened. The hard feelings dissolved.
"To big for a hug?" Rem went for the suprise attack and glomped Meili.
"Yes! Too big!" Meili struggled to break free from the embrace.
Subaru laughed heartily at gesture. It seemed Rem was quite happy with Meili.
Subaru left.
Soon it was dinner, and then bedtime.
Subaru laid in his bed reflecting on the events of the day. Things weren't going great, he probably had little time left.
Two years. Better make the most of it. He reflected. Now, what to do about Gluttony?
Subaru thought about it. I'll capture him. And I'll trade him to Crusch. Ask her to step down... Ask her to endorse Emilia... that way... He was drifting off now.
Too tired to finish that thought, Subaru fell asleep.
Kind of an intro chapter before Arc 5 really kicks into gear. Hoped you liked it still.
Silver: Subaru x Emilia? Yeah, probably not sorry. Maybe in the next fic. Hope you still like this one though! :0
SentinalSlice: I'm tryna stick to the canon restrictions, so Subaru probably won't learn anymore magic. Don't worry though, we'll be getting plenty of ninja magic from Halibel. (wolf emoji)
Thank you for your reviews and thanks for reading!