A Dance For Their Greedy Hearts

by Reactionist

After Arc 7, Subaru is back to celebrate a party of peace between the kingdoms of the world, pushed by Vollachia and Lugunica to keep the peace. But the camp he gets back to is not at peace with him it seemed. As Anastasia investigates and figures that there was a real effort by Subaru to leave his camp, or the camp itself were pushing him away from them... Charity will fix this.

A Dance For Their Greedy Hearts

(Commission)

The prompt given by the client: I want an Anastasia-centered story where Subaru is in dire need of her help.

The following is what I came up with:

Eclipsed by the grand hall, the treaty of Shudrak was finalized and signed by both the grand council of wise men in the presence of the five royal candidates and their camps, as well as, Vincent Vollachia, the recently re-crowned Emperor of the sacred Empire of his family name. A treaty for peace, between the two most prideful and stubborn nations in this broken world, coming together via efforts of one Priscilla Barielle and her camp with the help of the surprising addition of Natsuki Subaru, the commoner knight.

Instead of celebrating this grand vote for peace, no one noticed the fracturing his involvement had caused to the Emilia camp. Instead of being happy for their camp's member helping make this historic treaty possible, the Emilia camp seemed more content with staying away from him rather than talking which left him all alone as the delegates and nobles of each country danced and feasted around the ceremony. One Western candidate decides to play the charity card… and for this once, it's free of charge.

A distinct chatter filled the air inside the massive hall. Swept in golden decorations and the greatest of feasts stretching out on neatly folded tables all across the area. The sight was befitting of an event that surpassed no other. A massive fulfilling ceremony for the hundreds of present nobility throughout the hall. It was an anniversary of happiness.

"Hmm~ Such a luxurious event! This makes a gal from the west feel inadequate a bunch!" Heavily accented yet smooth as a jingle on an arbitrary bell, the musing of one purple-haired maiden could be heard from a certain place on the hall's grounds.

Dressed in the finest of fluffy clothing that assessed her Kararagian identity, the lady strutted with confidence over the grand carpet stretching across the room.

"This place is a different one from when the selection started as well, ain't it, Julius~?" She asked the young man currently hanging to her arm with a relaxed yet firm posture, as should any great knight like hers.

"Indeed, Anastasia-sama," the charming knight answered, revealing the woman's identity with courtesy and smoothness. "The delegates needed a bigger space than the royal hall to commemorate such an outstanding treaty with everyone from both sides being present. It's a historic moment for us all."

The musing westerner hummed with a raised brow toward the man hanging to her side while they walked through the room.

"Ya seem to be lovin' all of this, Julius-kun. Don't forget that this still puts my cause in jeopardy."

Hearing her warning tone, the young man silently bowed his head while walking at the same pace as his mistress. "Allow me to apologize, Anastasia-sama. I didn't forget."

"Yeah, yeah. Ye'r a history nut and all o' that," the fur-wearing royal played off with a smile. "I wouldn't expect any of the others to cast their worries away, but like me, I do believe they see how deservin' of praise this achievement is."

"You mean the other candidates, Anastasia-sama?" The knight spoke, keeping his eyes ahead of his lady's.

"Course~! They're our friendly competition, Julius-kun." The young lady held a smile filled with spirit as she continued traversing through the ceremonious crowd of lords and wives dressed in their own kingdoms' traditional clothing. "Besides, this has just opened up opportunities that we can use."

"..." He stayed silent, letting the shorter yet fiery lady hanging to his arm scan her eyes around a certain area, noticing how she made mental notes of various important merchants and rich men with her shrewd gaze.

"I wonder how much we can swindle off them."

"I doubt setting up a negotiations table in the middle of a grand party such as this is going to convince the council of your right to rule the kingd- ugh!"

"I was jokin' o' course. Stop ruining my fun."

Huffing after her swift chop to the charming youth's stomach, Anastasia continued to scan through all of the rich nobles that had come from Vollachia. A country known for being the largest and most naturally fulfilled nation in the world. Due to the empire's hostile outlook and traditions, business with the inner sectors of the country was scarce and barely even there for fear of a war breaking out and making businesses cut off from their investors and customers. It was a thorn in any merchant's side whenever the empire cut itself off because it entered into the latest border aggression.

But since this was a peace conference between the emperor of said Empire himself and the leading council of this dragon kingdom, it seems like the nations are going in a much more… 'stable' direction when it comes to trade and commerce.

And in her company comes… If she plays her cards right, she can start forming contracts and deals with various business interests in Vollachia from this very room. Kararagi isn't under a peace treaty with Vollachia but her company isn't stationed in just Kararagi. She can have a fruitful business line coming from Vollachia straight toward her home capital through Lugunica if she wishes!

"My lady, I'm afraid you won't be doing any deals tonight."

"Ah, Ye're still here?"

"Yes, I am."

If only she didn't have such an annoying knight.

With another huff, the merchant queen eclipsed her eyes narrowly and walked away from the gathered crowd of merchants making acquaintance with a certain merchant guild leader of Lugunica.

"Russel-san would've to wait for now, I guess… At least we now have various opportunities and chances to venture into my business. I honestly don't know how he's done it, but I must admit. That boy is certainly good at giving his gal what'ver she pleases. He even lived through a beating from yer charmin' self and kept on movin'."

Julius found himself cringing hard, "Please do not speak so casually of such a serious event, Anastasia-sama. It was a respectable duel."

The girl only laughed to herself, calming down a second later. "Sure~ Julius-kun. Sure."

Carrying on through the party, both, knight and mistress found themselves enclosed by huddled crowds before them. They stood still, waiting for everyone to move and finish pleasantries with each other. Surprisingly, the nobles and high lords of each country seemed endearingly calm to fester with each other. Guess that money showed them more than the common folk could.

While having that thought about the rich respecting each other in her head, the merchant voiced out another thought stuck in her mind. "Ya ever wonder how he does it?"

"I'm afraid I don't understand." Diligent to answer, Julius kept his eyes on the crowd before them while keeping his ear to his liege.

"Natsuki-kun has done more in just two years than the order of the royal knights did in a decade. Managed some extremely noble deeds all by his wit."

"Indeed." There was no other comment Julius could make. His perception about the black-haired spirit knight wasn't always so high but it's most surely not low at this moment in time. He held great respect and fondness for Subaru.

"Don't ya ever think, he had some outside help?"

"... Milady?"

"Nothin', it's nothin'." Shaking her head off the confused gaze her knight held on her, Anastasia finally found it sufficient to start walking further into the massive floor filled with noblemen.

"... You would think someone needs assistance to deal with the impossible," the knight stated with vague hints in his voice.

Anastasia stopped walking for a moment.

"Ya think Natsuki-kun is someone who can deal with the impossible without assistance, Julius-kun?" She stared at him sharply.

Julius gave her a court smile. "Though he would loath for me to say it," the knight gives his eyes to the spot where Subaru had been standing before the crowds, "Natsuki Subaru is just that special."

Though his tone was one of confidence and honesty, Anastasia didn't need to hear those words to understand what her knight was feeling. That look of respect and adoration in Julius' eyes would suffice to make her understand just how much faith Subaru owned from the greatest knight.

It was clear that her knight's trip into Pleiades Watchtower with Subaru strengthened a number of beliefs and bonds than she could have anticipated.

"I do wonder though…" Anastasia gained his attention after a few seconds of staring at him.

He waited for her to finish, her tone wasn't at all conspiring or shrewd, more thoughtful and curious really.

"... Why did that boy have to look so … Sad?"

He was made only more curious by the lady's musing.

"Sad? What do you mean, my lady?"

The merchant queen he served stared at him with a raised brow for a moment.

"Don'tcha remember how he looked?"

"Ah…" The knight's eyes widened as his entire body flinched in remembrance. "You mean when he was standing before the council just now?"

"Mhm."

"But that's just… his nerves?" Julius seemed indecisive as he recalled the strange sight. "It's a suffocating effect to be standing before so many important people-"

"That's not what he looked like, and you know it, Julius~"

"... I… Don't get what you mean." Julius paused, glancing back at the place where Subaru had been standing mere minutes ago.

"... I dunno," She sighed in a bored tone of indifference, "I just thought he'd be lookin' more amusin' than a sad pup is all."

"My lady," speaking in a sudden stiff tone, Julius called to her with a gentle squeeze, "You haven't taken an interest in Natsuki Subaru… Have you?"

"Oh~~ I love it when ye're jealous of men ova' me, Julius." She burst into giggles before the knight's face had colored itself red. And the fact that this is what followed soon after her giggles made her turn to laugh her stomach churned away.

"I hope that you won't ignore my question," Julius pressed, this time much less provocative since his face was burning.

Anastasia gathered her bearings and looked at him with a grin, "So what if I have? Gonna beat 'em again fer me?"

"Please just answer my question, my lady."

Seeing that the knight had enough teasing for one day, the merchant queen tilted her head like an adorable kitten before flicking his nose, "I'm jokin' ya goof! Jeez, never took ya for a romantic. Maybe ye're his long lost brother 'r somethin'?"

Under the fake suspicious gaze, the knight could only resist rolling his eyes out of respect. "I'm just… Reasonably concerned."

Anastasia took full advantage that she wasn't a knight bound by rules of respect for a public appearance and rolled her eyes at her knight.

"...Not like I have time for that anyway."

With a huff, the lady began walking toward an encircled group of people. Julius stayed silent, unable to process her exact wording until it was too late and she was on the move. He bit his lip in frustration, calling himself names inside of his head and bringing her closer to him unconsciously.

"I didn't mean to remind you of-" When he tried to display regret over what he reminded her of, he was cut off by a callus wave.

"It's fine." Her voice was curt yet cheerfully confident. It eased his heart.

Moving through the crowds, Julius noticed that he was actively being dragged by the purple-haired lady latching his arm.

"Ah… Anastasia-sama?"

He didn't get a reply as the crowds around him became denser to the point where the grip she had on his arm began to weaken out of necessity for moving through the sea of nobles.

"What on the Od's name are these people huddling over?!" Julius tried to get a harder grip on his lady's arm, gripping his teeth as many suits and dresses bumped into him endlessly.

It was in a single moment that he realized what had really just happened.

"It's a trap!" The knight immediately understood the extensive grudge his lady had upon him as she let go of his arm purposely once he'd been taken by the wave of men and women.

She'd escaped from his company to go off on her own!

"Damn!" He cursed as he pushed around the people, looking around to find the purple hair signified by his lady.

Why did he have to be the knight of the most shrewd candidate…

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Clapping her gloved hands in satisfaction, Anastasia adjusted her hat and winked at an on-looking duke who blushed at the attention. Before turning around, she gave an apologetic smile towards the wave of huddling crowds where she had trapped her knight.

"That wasn't nice of you, I suppose."

Before long, Anastasia's purpose to lose her knight had revealed itself without any effort made on her part.

She turned around and faced a most elegant little girl with blonde drill-styled hair and a beautiful oriental dress that showed up over the lavish dresses in the room. The reason for this entire huddled circle of greedy politicians and curious scholars.

The great spirit that had taken over this specific corner of the hall to sit by herself alone.

"Hmmm, I wouldn't say he didn't deserve it." Anastasia winked sheepishly and strode forward with confidence towards the cross-legged spirit girl.

"I would say that shouldn't warrant such an extreme way of punishing him."

"I argue that a lady has to have fun sometimes," Anastasia closed the subject with a small victorious grin and a snobbish raise of the nose.

That earned a small smirk from the elegant spirit, "Betty wouldn't say she cares much. I'm happy to see you haven't changed since our return from the tower, in fact."

"Pleiades, I still can't believe Echidna did all tha' without me."

"... Yes." Beatrice skidded to the side on her chair, giving the candidate ample space to take a seat on one of the two chairs in the room.

Loving the attention from the crowd, Anastasia took the seat next to the spirit and lavished the glares from many sides.

"Apologies for the heavy attention, in fact. I can't control these animals, I suppose." Beatrice held her cheek on a knuckle as she looked bored around the circle of humans that couldn't take their eyes off of her.

Anastasia noticed how demeaning this attention was and chose to chuckle at the little one beside her, "I can't help but see ya in a different light with all this attention on ya! I may have gotten scammed by having my spirit and not you~."

"... Betty has only one contractor."

"Giving in to impulses now, aren't we lil' miss?" Anastasia gave nothing but an amused smile at the spirit's wrathful gaze.

"Why is it you've come here, I wonder?" Beatrice is more content with drinking from the tea that was fetched to her by a servant than looking at the shrewd character of Anastasia.

"Sorry to sour yer mood like that, Spirit-san," the candidate gestured for a servant to get her a glass as she began talking orderly to the little girl.

"You're not sorry at all, merchant girl. Just get on with it, in fact." Beatrice growled and swung a leg to kick the table's edge out of frustration.

"Hm," Anastasia sneaked a look of interest at Beatrice, "Yer a bit on edge it seems, ain't ya?"

The blonde breathed in an attempt to calm herself, "I don't have anything to say to you unless you are clear, got that?"

"Mhm, mhm! Then I'mma just be clear with ya, here we go!"

Rolling her eyes, Beatrice did not seem keen on hearing the western lady with cordial respect as she snidely snorted while drinking a sip of her tea.

Right when Anastasia laid it all out for her.

"What's this I hear about Natsuki-kun breaking off his contract with ya, hm?"

The smirk on her face did not suffice or do justice to the feeling of victory the candidate had brimmed with as soon as Beatrice lost all of her elegance and spattered the tea she had choked on.

"H-How did you…"

"Network, my dear. I have eyes and ears everywhere and I only needed a confirmation from the lady 'erself to make sure I was on the right path."

"...Tck! Such a dirty rat's tactic, in fact."

The company leader gave the little girl a smile of sympathy before drinking her beverage while enjoying Beatrice's bluish eyes glaring right at her.

"Now," after she finished drinking, Anastasia decided to take full control of the conversation and let Beatrice know who owned her flow, "I already know my fair share 'bout this situation. The boy was in dire need of yer help but ya were with us at the tower while he was in the Land of the Wolves."

Anastasia's eyes squinted as she noted Beatrice flinching in on herself.

"Y-Yes… Subaru needed to make a choice, I suppose…"

"Hm," Anastasia took another sip, "Ya don't seem any more happy with 'em for this decision."

At the offhand comment, Beatrice completely became unaware of her anger towards the merchant that had cornered and dismantled her like this. Instead, a broken little girl replaced the proud elegant spirit that had been sitting on the chair before Anastasia.

The merchant queen barely looked interested as she mixed her beverage with a sweet from the table before her.

"S-Subaru… He um…"

"Ya seem to be having trouble there, Spirit-san."

"... What do you want from Betty, I suppose?" Beatrice sighed and cleaned up her dress.

Anastasia simply nods and puts her glass on the table to fold her fingers together into a knot and rest her chin on them.

A predatory-like stance if Beatrice had ever seen one.

"What's with you and this outline, I suppose? You weren't this brash during our trip from the tower-"

"Haha, yes! Our 'trip' from the tower was crazy ain't it?" Interrupting the great spirit with a laugh, the merchant queen held a mysterious air around her even when she was friendly when speaking to Beatrice. "I mean, wouldn't 't be hella convenient that a gal that wanted to know everything that happened during her time sleepin' in her own body, to be left outta many of the important deets of this mission… Wouldn't it?"

Seeing the adorable puppy eyes honed and striking on her, Beatrice couldn't help but feel like she was prey for this petite woman.

"What are you.."

"Spirit-sama, I think we both know what I'm about to ask of you, and I really wish you would give me my due truth since I'm just as invested in all of this as any of you or Natsuki-kun's friends." Anastasia held a tone that turned the spirit's non-existent blood cold.

"... Just say it, I suppose," Beatrice mumbled in a tone of defeat. Her fingers moved to toy with her teacup.

Anastasia nodded her head with pleasure as she glared at the spirit girl down. "Right… Tell me why you refused to contract with Natsuki-kun after his return," the merchant showed no remorse or signs of worry to the little girl who just had her entire face frozen.

Instead, Beatrice's eyes filled up with tears that she had to wipe by her sleeve.

Without knowing what to do, Anastasia watched as the little blonde moved out of her seat and began walking away into the on-looking crowd.

"I can't… I suppose." Is all the spirit said as she walked away from Anastasia.

"Hm. Interesting." The shrewd candidate left her glass on the table and moved in the opposite direction of where Beatrice was headed. "This'll be a real hands-on mystery hunt, I see."

Following this ominous statement, Anastasia gave a wave to the crowd and walked towards another area of the hall with a smile on her face. She was like a predator that had finished a hit job on one prey and was moving on to the other. At least that's how the people who watched the spirit run off with tears in her eyes thought of the purple-haired lady.

"They ain't wron' in a sense," muttered to herself, Anastasia stopped her walk and navigated through the second huddled group of people standing before her.

"How am I supposed t' get past this shit now?" she pouts, scanning the crowd before her and looking for a way inside the tent of human bodies that was the area these people were huddling over and around.

Looking from the outside in, Anastasia couldn't place a single weakness in the human circle so she had no way to see what these people were seeing.

"It's too bad I can't really push or use my authority on 'em," the candidate spoke in a tragic voice as she looked around with a concentrated look.

Her eyes widened, "Or… I might not have t' do any work after all!" she giggled to herself ominously before walking towards a different area from the one she wanted to get in.

An area with a golden-haired tiger of a boy who was evidently fed up with this entire event.

"Man… These clothes are a goddamn killing trap!" The razor-toothed blonde grumbled in a garbled accent that showed a clear muddy origin in the hierarchy.

"This is so damn annoyin'!" He fumbled with his crude black suit and continued to grumble in fury. The people sitting around his table were slowly leaning back, a few girls seemed annoyed at the uncouth display.

"How charmin' ya're, tiger-boy~," Anastasia crept behind him with a smile of innocence and composure.

She knew exactly what would happen. For as soon as she came up behind and spoke in his ear, the tiger warrior in a suit had jumped on his feet and turned with a dangerous glare.

"Ya should be careful there royal lady! Mine amazin' selfs could've been rash and hurt ya! 'T would ruin the image of the strongest shield!"

However, Anastasia met his glare of readiness for a fight with a simple snort, "Like I said, charmin'. I'm sure yer lady won't have t' worry 'bout none of these losers in suits, hm?"

"'Course!" Not taking the teasing tone in her tone for what it was, the boy puffed his chest in pride, "My amazin' selfs is enough to keep Ra- I mean my girl protected! Such is the power of being the greatest shield."

"Mhm, mhm… Now where is that lucky lass, I wonder?"

"..."

Anastasia couldn't help but laugh at the red shade the confident blonde had taken.

"I can kill ya in six different ways with mine amazing selfs hands alone! Stop laughin'!" The boy shrieked while holding a hand to point at her.

"'Kay, 'kay! I'm sincerely apologetic… pffft!"

"Lady… DO YOU WANNA DIE?!"

"Sorry…." Anastasia chuckles as the boy in the suit recovers from his rage and embarrassment. "Ya shouldn't look so embarrassed when yer infront of a royal candidate. Don't ya know some manners?"

"The only princess I follow is the one my Cap'n does. It sure as hell ain't ya." Garfiel snorts while wiping his jacket.

Anastasia had to give him a little smile of sympathy even though he was being rude to her. That suit looked uncomfortable for him.

"How would yer gal take it if I went up to her and explained yer lack of etiquette with a royal candidate?"

"Go right ahead. Ram wouldn't give ya a minute of thinkin'!" Garfiel grumbled while looking away from her, giving Anastasia a great deal of information than he realized.

"Ahhhhh… Because yer gal wouldn't care about the situation involving ya? Or is it 'cuz she wouldn't care about admonishin' ya?"

Garfiel looked at her with thin lips. "More like she already expects me t' screw up."

"..."

"..."

"Ouch."

Anastasia had to give the boy a sympathetic glance after that line. Something unappreciated by the proud fighter.

"Don't need no pity from ya, lady. I've got nothin' t' be ashamed 'bout." He went to eat some of the fruits he'd accumulated upon his table. "Bein' 'ere is a gesture my Cap'n begged me fer. I don't need ya to care about what'ver I'm doin' at this party."

Out of respect for her, he gave a simple nod before drawing a fruit forward to his mouth.

Anastasia didn't remove herself from his presence like the blonde hoped she would. Resolving to stay and stare at the boy while he munched on his food.

"Could'ya knock it 'ff? 'Tis is creepy…" Garfiel mutters while putting his fruit down, half-eaten.

"Hmmmm… How's 'bout I teach ya somethin' that might be helpful for ya lady to notice yer feelin's? I wouldn't suppose the famous "Sheild" of the half-elf camp is scared of a little advice from an honest hardworking gal?"

Garfiel looked at her contemplatively for a few seconds, something told the merchant that he was probably wondering if it was worth leaving his food behind or not.

"... Uh… Can't pay ya for 'tis…"

"Ah come on," Anastasia smirked at the hesitant blonde. "Since when has true love required payment t' be achieved? I simply won't stand by and allow a future where someone can be happy t' pass me by without lending a hand!"

The blonde boy stared at her for a few more seconds before shrugging his shoulders in his tight jacket.

"Wha'ever… Beats 'tis loneliness anyway…" Garfiel sighed as he placed his glass down on the table and stood up to walk away from it.

Anastasia's eyes widened at the way he said those words to the point her reaction was easily readable for the warrior.

"What's got ya slack-jawed?" Garfiel asked while moving his arms around to negate the uncomfortable pressing of his jacket. " 't's annoyin' frankly."

"Nothin'," Anastasia giggled, "Just figured ya wouldn't be so careless when yer camp's in such a dire situation as it is right now…"

Garfiel met the glints within her eyes with a glare of annoyance himself, bringing a hand to his neatly combed hair so he could rough it.

"I don't 'now what yer referrin' to, lady. But ya shouldn't dip into other people's business like that. It's unladylike." His glare was sharper than the tone he tried to uphold through his sharp teeth. Unironically, seeing him this calm and serious, Anastasia understood why she preferred the dumb more animated version of the demi-human before her.

This Garfiel was a lot more professional in the way he opted to tell her off from trying to gain information. Her sources extensively described him as someone incompetent in this area of social interaction and so this led her to one single thought.

"He taught ya well." Anastasia gave a bigger smirk than the first, bringing her hand to link up with his.

"Otto-bro? Yeah, he's not as amazin' as I am 'n fist fightin' but he's gotta brain that rivals the great Sage herself!" The blonde boy didn't seem flustered with how close he was to her, a welcome pace as she also opted to ignore her early curiosity with grace.

"Well, I'll be sure not to try anythin' that might trigger his teachin's in ya then. How 'bout we get started on how this Ram gal shall fall in love with ya?" Winking at him to make sure he was at least a blushy mess beneath that confident exterior, Anastasia giggled while she pulled the tiger boy to another table serving drinks without letting him respond properly.

Not like he was going to give her anything she actually needed. For all his hot-headedness and arrogance, the blonde boy was as stubborn as a stone when it came to his values and morals. She would be sculpting a statue of marble with a needle and a glass bottle.

She won't get anything from the so-called "Sheild".

So she started her second plan.

"Ya ever thought about the way ya present a drink to the lady ya fancy?"

Garfiel stared at her with bewilderment for a few seconds. "Huh? Drinks have different ways t' be given? Why can't I just give 'er the drink and be done?"

Anastasia had to roll her eyes this time. "Ok… Yeah… Gonna have to help ya 'ere. Come." She pulled on his arm towards the drinks table and side-eyed him to make him feel a bit shamed for his lack of common etiquette when it came to girls.

This would all grow fruitful in the end… This will lead to the bigger fish she's been looking for all night long.

The crowd of nobles could not believe their eyes as another chip fell upon the table from the kingmaker. Everyone was looking nervously between the lines of fortune on each side of the board. Between the wizened-looking blonde and the gray-haired young man, the battle for their bets seemed unending as both pulled out the same symbols on their chips and completed their game in a draw.

Amongst the sighs of disappointment and exhales of relief, Otto Swuen, the Head Interior of Emilia's camp, slumped in his chair with exhaustion coloring his face.

"That was too close! I could've done better with a drink on hand, Russell-san."

"Ah, I wouldn't want you to think that I'm underhanded enough to take advantage of how you handle your liquor, Otto-san." The blonde man sat across from Otto in an impressionable decorated suit that showed off the man's wealth.

Otto, who was dressed in a bland unimpressive black suit, looked as sweaty as a marathon runner while sitting on the opposite side of the blonde man.

"I hope that game was not too much on you, Honored Interior Head. I wouldn't want to have scared you away." Russel gave a pleasant grin to the boy who refused to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Otto focused on the eyes of the man before him and gulped nervously. "I recognize this atmosphere really well, Russell-san. I thank you for the experience that was our match, but I'm not scared to carry on this business."

"You believe I would ask you to play with me with an ulterior motive in mind?" Russell's eyes twinkled as his teeth showed in a smile of delight.

"Of course you would. One must always be that way if they are the head of Lugunica's Merchant Guild, Russell Fellow-san."

Russell perked at the young man's sincere voice. "Ah, so you don't find me underhanded? You seem so accepting of this all."

"It's the way a merchant does things, I suppose. And I wouldn't be in my position if I don't accept pretty shady circumstances such as this one, Russell-san."

The charming man bellowed a laugh. "I wouldn't say we are in such a situation… But I have taken you away from your camp leader to talk alone. Apologies for not putting it in the fine print before I asked you for a match in this game."

Otto gave him a court nod and watched the kingmaker take away all of the game chips and pieces off of the table.

"So what's the deal, Russell-san?"

"See, I'm a very opportunistic man." Russel started, leaving Otto to listen nervously. "I see a chance for business and I take it, no matter the glass that breaks. That's how I got where I am."

"Of course. The esteemed head of the merchant guild." Otto bit his lip, stopping himself from saying anymore.

"...Yes. That's the extent of my power in the kingdom today." Russell and Otto faced each other with looks that held a secret conversation between them.

They both knew that Russell was not telling his full extent of power and Otto had no intention of pressing him to do so.

"And… Why do I need to know such a thing, Russell-san?" Otto asks, straightening his sweaty back to look less pressured by this eccentric person sitting before him.

"I have enough influence to get you a replacement for Natsuki Subaru."

"..."

"..."

"No." Otto didn't hesitate to deny the man.

"You're a smart boy, Otto Swen. You can realize the threat of not having someone as competent as Subaru-sama on your side. I only wish to give Emilia-sama one of the best men in the Kingdom to keep her safe."

Otto squints at the man, his arms already gripping the table. "And what do I assume your payment will be? Don't tell me the merchant guild suddenly backs the Emilia camp for the kindness of their hearts?"

Russell chortles once again with a bit more ease on his expression than before. "I merely wish for the man I send to make a name for himself, the Emilia camp is known for its wild adventures and I think it would be best if my acquaintance takes advantage of it."

"Ah. So this is about you fulfilling someone else's request to get a job instead of worrying about Emilia-sama's safety."

Russell gives a smile to Otto's judgmental look.

"I think he would be a useful asset. Not only is he competent and knightly, but he also has ties into my very own merchant network. You would find information that could make the difference in wars with him by your side."

"The Emilia camp isn't looking for wars."

"But you are looking for stability."

"Russell-san." Otto stops the man with a calm and collected tone. "I apologize. But the Emilia camp declines this generous offer."

"... That is a shame," Russell concluded with a nod of acceptance. "I appreciate the time, Head Minister."

Otto gave a look of distrust as the man gave him a polite bow and moved out of his seat.

"Emilia-sama sure is lucky to have you around. You are a sharp one." Russell gives Otto a smirk that churns the boy's stomach in place.

"His compliments are so twisted they sicken me." Otto lurched once the coast was clear from the man.

The area around him began to seclude from other people now that his match was done. The excitement on people's faces was gone after the draw and people began losing interest in him pretty quickly once Russell had walked away.

"Good riddance!" Otto glared at the fallen chips on the table, "figured this meeting wasn't one for congratulations and getting to know me personally… sleazeball."

The merchant's gaze softened on the chips, rethinking this entire interaction. "This is undoubtedly a merchant meeting though… Natsuki-san… Just how many are willing to take advantage of our situation?"

As the young man lamented in his loneliness, he couldn't see a muscled forearm and hand sneak above his shoulder blades.

"Huh?" he turns to look at the suspect interjector to find a familiar face. "Garfiel-san?"

"Ya been playin' fer a while… Did ya lose?" Garfiel flashed him a toothy grin that made Otto feel some relief.

"Why would that be your first inclination about me?! I'm perfectly capable of beating someone as masterful as the Merchant Guild's Head at this game."

Otto noticed a weird look on his fellow camp brother's face as the blonde put his arm forward to offer a glass of wine.

"'Ere…" Garfiel looked at everything but Otto as he made his offer and sunk the tension deep into an awkward flavor.

"Uh… Thank you?" Otto raised a brow at the whole atmosphere his friend carried with him. Taking the glass was easier than trying to find a way to continue the conversation, and so was drinking what was inside of that glass.

"Tastes kind of weird… This wine really is a good fit for royalty such as the guests of this event." Otto nodded his head and put the glass down. "Thank you again for bringing me such a refreshing drink, Garfiel-san."

"No problem," Garfiel smirked wide at him, which made Otto feel kind of weird because the blonde seemed proud of giving him that drink for some reason.

He then heard the soft clapping beside him which turned his attention over to a happy Anastasia Hoshin, suddenly appearing beside Otto and beaming towards the blonde tiger with a proud grin.

"Bravo! Ya got it right the tenth time 'round! Told ya 'twas easier than throwin' boulders at a ground dragon."

"I'm sorry… What's happening?" Otto seemed immediately put on alarm at the lady's presence, finding himself panicked at the mere thought that Garfiel had been in acquaintance of her for a decent amount of time. "Tenth time? What have you been up to with him?"

"No need to be so suspicious, boyo," Anatasia giggled while giving Garfiel another glass. "My generous self simply was teachin' this wonderful stud how to bring a beverage to a lady in the most charmin' way possible. He's impressed ovah six of the nine gals he's approached tonight! Real talent."

"You said that this was number ten…" Otto looked at the empty glass that was handed to him by his blonde friend for a second… before glaring at the woman.

"Hm? Oh… I guess we have six gals and your heart to be added to that list. Sorry to play games with it but he's trainin' for 'nother lady." Anastasia hummed playfully while Garfiel snickered beside him and patted Otto's shoulder.

"Nah, ya needed the drink, man. She had me come over 'ere and give ya some 'cuz tha' game looked ruthless."

Otto squinted at his friend for a second, before nodding his head and sighing. "Thank you, Garfiel-san…"

"No problem Otto-bro!"

While the blonde seemed extremely pleased with himself, Anastasia brought herself between them with her glass raised. "Ready fer 'nother go?"

Before Otto could even intervene, the tiger boy was already holding the glass with a confidence boost that could best be described as divinely given exuding from his smile. "'Course I am! My amazin' selfs got 'tis!"

"Alrighty! Let's see ya have at 't then."

With that, Anastasia and Otto watched the tiger boy disappear into the crowds, scouring the hall for another woman to impress.

"He's been trainin' so hard… I wish him nothin' but happiness with that gal he's after." Anastasia spoke sincerely without looking back toward the merchant next to her.

It was Otto that had to break the facade, even though he believed she wished his friend happiness from her depth, he knew why she was really standing beside him.

"What do you need from me, Hoshin-sama?"

His glance was stern, equally as nervous as he was trying to intimidate the woman who's been wreaking havoc within his merchant circles for the past three months since Subaru's return.

"Hm?" Anastasia choose to meet his standoffish behavior with a small smile of kindness. "Ya gotta learn how t' live in the moment, minister-kun. I wouldn't want the person who's evaded me and my network fer so long t' be awkward and tense when I'm finally face t' face with 'em."

"I wouldn't call it evading if I had beaten all your correspondents from trapping my friends and allies into deals that were marking them for more future visits that could hinder my relationship with them." Otto remained professional as he sat back down, with the lady taking her seat opposite to him. Another master merchant like Russel Fellow was facing him in that same seat twice in one night, he would need a good drink after this.

"Me? I would simply demand yer tongue for that slander, minister-kun." Anastasia didn't look as outraged or bothered by his claims.

Otto glared at her before sighing and letting his hand fall on another glass he couldn't finish. "And I would like to demand that you stop trying to buy off the merchant network closest to me and the Margrave-san just to spy on us. It's been a tiring time getting everyone to remain loyal to us while also making sure they knew little enough to not be a problem in case they turn."

"That's just my way of sayin' I recognize Emilia-sama's camp as a legitimate threat! Ya should be proud of yerself more than anythin'." Anastasia didn't look interested in replying to his plea at all. She allowed a fun chuckle to escape her as she drank more wine out of her glass.

Otto sighed once more, drinking with a solemn look covering his features. "Guessed not. I suppose my efforts have been working if you're here to talk to me in the end, Hoshin-sama."

"Yer a smart boy, too smart fer where fate has put ya, all ye've been doin' is be a pain in my behind and yet ye're wastin' all that effort fightin' the wrong person."

"Wrong person? Are you saying that I shouldn't have stopped your attempts on us?" Otto looked at her with a raised brow. "I'm sorry to say this but… Me protecting my camp from infiltration and spies is not some exclusive party list where I allow some spies in and disallow others based on a level or association."

"Nah, that's a reason fer me t' give ya massive respects, minister-kun. I applauded yer moves many times with every frustrating failure my men returned with from yer defenses." Anastasia gave him a slow clap with a fluffy smile that showed some good sportsmanship running through the lady's composed attitude.

It filled him with pride, to be given this amount of praise from someone who's a master in his field. Even though he had nothing to do with espionage, the trickery in making deals and negotiations were too closely connected to that aspect of his job. His being the best one out of his camp in these fields naturally placed him at the head of everything related to this side of the fight for the throne.

"What frustrates me more than anythin'... Is that ya seem t' continue fightin' my curiosity even though I've already come close enough t' figure what yer lady is hidin'."

Otto looked at her with nervousness creeping into his spine.

It wasn't a shock to him. When he was faced with one of the best in the field of information trading, he shouldn't be surprised by what she said next. He couldn't possibly think that they hid everything well enough for Anastasia's spies and informants not to find anything.

Yet when Anastasia gave him a smirk, he couldn't but feel helpless as his work to stop her network became null and void after she told him what she knew.

"I wouldn't wanna waste yer time, minister-kun. So why don't ya respect me the same way please?" She took a couple of seconds to rub her scarf and glanced at him. "Would ya kindly tell me why Natsuki Subaru-kun decided t' leave the Emilia camp officially, as well as him leaving his knighthood and oath behind?"

Otto would've wanted to shatter the glass in his palm if he had the strength to do so.

"Ah, please… That reaction is a little insultin' to a gal like me. I take great pride in the work my network does, even if ya were a pretty decent opponent fer a while." She was giving him a smug smirk for all the effort he had wasted, trying to stop her was left to the wind. It was clear as day the imbalance in confidence both of them had, to the point that Otto was outright sweating in his seat due to a growing pain in his chest.

He assumed it was the shock, but really, he should've expected things to be exposed faster than this.

"I wouldn't want you to assume any insult from my end, Hoshin-sama. There comes a time when all of us must do our best to help our friends. Blocking your path, or at least trying to do so, from learning about this was the only way forward for me."

Otto's heart wouldn't have been beating at this moment had he not caught the armrest in a tight hold. There comes a time when you need your mouth shut for a multitude of reasons that surpass the need for you to speak and ruin things. This was one of those times. He shouldn't be talking right now, let alone talk so openly to a cunning enemy rival like Anastasia fucking Hoshin.

Yet, his lips moved on their own…

What… is going on…

"Otto-kun?"

"Yes?" His lips answered her, on their own without any purpose from him.

"Please," Anastasia didn't at all look as pleading as her tone suggested, simply leaning back and smiling sweetly at the opponent she faced. "Answer the question I've asked. It's been a tiring time gettin' ya to drink that serum o' mine."

Drink… Otto's pupils went smaller and smaller in derangement as he realized… Garfiel's wine glass… it was—

"I'm not a bad gal… But I must know about yer friend's well bein' for both our sakes, Otto-kun."

The minister of the Emilia looked at the cunning woman before him with the best look of hatred he could muster. Unable to speak except for the emotions clearly burning on his face.

Anastasia looked sympathetic but a little sheepish.

"At least consider this yer win. I pride myself on earnin' everythin' through my own words and moves ya know… This… It's me bein' desperate because ya were such a strong opponent."

No matter how many words she speaks, Otto can never feel better about this trap and how she's just sitting there with the calmest expression, explaining how he shouldn't feel bad about being tricked into her trap!

The gall… This girl is fucking arrogant…

"Please don't delay me further, Otto-kun…"

Damn it! Stop! No!

Otto's strength waned and her drug overpowered him. The lips began moving with no care about their owner's command to stop.

"N-Natsuki-san… He didn't…"

Anastasia glared at her hands while listening in… She showed a great deal of bother at how the boy was struggling against her truth serum. It was a move she despised with passion and sitting through the struggle of her victim wasn't helping her blood boil less.

To keep appearances between them and the party surrounding them, Anastasia refused to look him in the eye as he was beaten by the power of the drug before her.

She doesn't want this to be humiliating… Just get what she needs.

"He never left…" Anastasia nodded her head, waiting for her drug to continue giving her more information about the boy. "Emilia-sama… S-She was the one that… She forced him out of our camp… It was her wish."

"Hm… That naive gal kicked her own knight away? The same guy who's been givin' 'er the popularity boosts she needs t' be accepted by the populace? Interesting… Why?"

Otto had already given up the fight and let his mouth move on its own.

Goodman it…

"Natsuki-san's the only one who knows. Even the margrave doesn't know why Emilia-sama decided to do this."

Anastasia's eyes went narrow as she kept staring at her side of the table. "Why would she… No." She shook her head with a thoughtful expression. "Considering the serum is the one talkin' t' me. You must not know more than this… Ok." She's going to be in need of some more ways to get further into this mystery.

"Why would the spirit of Natsuki-kun leave him without a call for recontractin' then? Why haven't any of ya been standin' near 'em when the congratulations were given at the ceremony?" I don't need t' mention all of the other ways this camp has treated Natsuki-kun like an outcast the past few months.

"My sources are not as incompetent as ya believe, Otto-kun."

The boy's expression was tired for the first time, as if he just wanted this to be over and her question spread a fire of emotion inside of him.

"It wasn't us." The serum's answer came through Otto's lips, which Anastasia had to look upwards to him for. "Natsuki-san promised to never come near us after Emilia-sama made her demand of him and explained everything in secret."

"What? What do ya mean?" Anastasia looked startled. "He's been doin' this to 'emself on purpose?"

Otto gave the closest inclination of a tired nod, she really couldn't tell if it was the drug or Otto that was giving her the answer now. Maybe it was both.

"The holy spirit-sama and us… We want to be closer to Natsuki-san more than ever since he's come back to us after everything that happened in The Watergate City, or the sand dunes, or Vollachia… He… He was asked to stay away from us by whatever was bothering Emilia-sama and so he took it upon himself to stay away from us… Like an idiot that never learns…"

"Hm… Definitely not the drug talkin' alone… Ya really care fer 'em this much…" Anastasia nodded her head and looked back down at her gloves with a tiny bit of shame showing in her eyes. "Let's not dwell here for long… I'm gonna leave ya to yer night in peace. Please be sure to never drink unsuspecting drinks in places like these again, Otto-kun. I hate that I had to cheat to finally beat ya."

Anastasia moves in order to leave the table. Knowing that the young man won't be able to speak to her until her serum stops working it's effect on him. "It should be a few minutes from now… Sorry 'gain."

You never said it in the first place. Otto wanted to growl but he was content with watching her walk away as he seethed in place. At least I don't have to worry about her not knowing… Now I know for sure she will be making a move against us. Shit. All of this work… All of those wins against her crew… To be cheated like this…

"Cheer up." Anastasia sighed and patted his shoulder. "Just the cost of being in a business like this, minister-kun. Yer one of the best."

Before she was about to leave him be, Anastasia wanted to look at him one last time. For hope that he wasn't going to glare at her this time, just to be sure how he was mentally.

Her knight intervened at the exact second where her focus was needed.

"Milday!"

"Julius? What's up with ya? Why runnin' toward me with such a worried look?" Anastasia glared at her knight with a hint of annoyance showing as he interrupted her work. "Seriously? I merely left ya for a few minutes and ya look like an addict deprived of—"

"I'm sincerely sorry for cutting you off, but now's not the time, Anastasia-sama. There's something dire for you to know." The charming knight gave her a look hot with anger as he reported.

"Tell me," Anastasia commanded with a serious expression, immediately trusting him to not waste her time, and leaning closer to Otto a bit, figuring he must hear what was about to be given as well.

Does this have anything to do with Natsuki-san? Otto himself wondered, feeling a bit surprised Anastasia was willing to let him listen in with whatever was bothering her knight. What is going on in that lady's head? Does she want to use me somehow?

"Subaru Natsuki… He… Was just officially replaced via contractual obligation by Emilia-sama a few seconds ago in the royal hall." Julius reported with a look justifying a thousand murders to his camp leader and candidate.

What…

"Explain." Anastasia didn't want to waste any time, greedily commanding more details out of the great knight.

"I was looking for Milady through the royal hall and I noticed that a group of cloaked men were following Russel Fellow into the hall, they were walking right towards the area where Emilia-sama was conversing with nobles from the Vollachian royalty, as you should've been doing."

Anastasia waved him off and looked at him with a serious glare. "Russel Fellow was just playing a game with Otto-kun here… It hasn't been that long ago…"

"That's the thing… He entered a few minutes ago… the men were already waiting at the gate of the royal hall. There appeared to be another group of them that had been conversing with Emilia-sama while she was alone for the whole night as well." Julius replied with gritted teeth.

Anastasia's eyes widened. "No…"

Beside the both of them, Otto realized it immediately. "He used this game to corner Emilia-sama while I was away and busy with him!"

"Otto-kun was tricked…" Anastasia looked at the shocked boy beside her with a frown of pity.

Julis nodded his head in confirmation and anger. "I'd say that they've been convincing Emilia-sama to do this for the whole night, perhaps as soon as her head minister moved out of the hall with Russel Fellow… I don't understand why Emilia-sama would listen to any of them… How could she replace him…"

"How could I make such a stupid mistake… No…"

"Quite a bit, Otto-kun. We will figure this out." Anastasia firmly confirmed to the merchant beside her that he finally gained control of his body enough to speak his thoughts out loud. She moved to her knight and patted his shoulder.

"Julius please take Otto-kun to a washin' space so he can have some cold water on his face. It will help him feel better after drinkin' some harsh wine."

"Where are you going, Anastasia-sama?" Julius looked alarmed as soon as she left his side.

"Trust me, my knight. For all the trouble I caused ya tonight, just let a gal do what she needs."

With that, she trusted him to not follow after her as she quickly dispatched from the two young men towards the royal hall where the ceremonies were taking their last ambers.

She scans the room, now a bit emptier than when the entire two kingdoms were present inside of it, as partygoers went in and out of the hall towards the food stands and the grand dance floors in the other areas of the castle. One could easily see the person of choice if they had exactly what they were wearing in such a crowd.

Could easily find a certain half-elf with silver hair and a white dress immediately. Especially with the entourage of cloaked men surrounding said half-elf.

Bringing herself to focus on the paper Emilia was signing, Anastasia recognized a smug smile on the face of the man holding the paper for her to sign. The smile was filled with malice and no good intentions could be mistaken from it.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Emilia-sama. Finally, we can start this relationship without any more complications for our shared goal."

Saying this in his usual, sickening, sweet tone, Anastasia watched the Head of the Merchant Guild in Lugunica move out of the hall, contract clutched in hand with an air of victory about him.

He'd won everything he needed from tonight's celebrations.

Anastasia was too late to do anything about it.

"So… Ya sold 'em off? Replaced 'em with a better alternative? 'R ya got greedy with somethin' relatin' to yer spirit?"

"Huh?"

Emilia, who had focused on nothing but the floor at her boot flinched as Anastasia walked up to her and seemed like she was about to shoot the elven princess with a Jiwald.

"Oh… Hello, Anastasia-san. What do you mean by all of t-that?"

"Was Natsuki-kun a bit too clingy fer ya? I just wanna understand his major sin for ya to humiliate him like this." Anastasia was as biting as Ricardo when he was hungry for some after-training meat, but she couldn't care less. "What prompted ya to do somethin' so stupid?"

Emilia didn't show any sign of guilt or shame. The half-elf simply shook her head and stared at Anastasia with… determination?

"Please don't concern yourself with this. It's my business, Anastasia-san. You don't need to butt in."

"Butt in? Ya think this is some kind of camp-to-camp thing going on?"

Emilia raised a brow at this. "It's not for you? Aren't you always the one Subaru calls 'cunning' and 'underhanded'?"

Anastasia rolled her eyes at the half-elf's innocent look, genuinely surprised how the half-elf managed to insult her even though she clearly didn't mean to do so. "I'll have t' talk to Natsuki-kun about what not to say about me infront 'o other people later. But ya shouldn't ignore the fact that this will tear your people apart."

"I don't understand what you mean." Emilia looked at her with a stony expression. It angered Anastasia to a greater degree than she had realized.

This naive little girl has been moving into the enemy's bed without care or realization of what it was doing to the people under her responsibility. She was destroying everything Subaru had been accomplishing so far for the kingdom and for his friends.

Just a naive innocent girl who was too stupid to realize how out of place she was in this game for the throne.

A really stupid girl… and a very bad friend.

"I have nothin' else t' say to ya."

*Splash…*

A litter of gasps filled the room as Anastasia walked out of the vicinity of the drenched half-elf, leaving a group of butlers who had been lurking around with glasses of wine for everyone to enjoy to come to Emilia's aid.

Anastasia gave one of them her own glass, now freshly emptied of content.

"Thank ya very much."

With that, Anastasia walked out of the hall towards the exact spot where she had stayed away deliberately the whole night. Every single camp member from Emilia and her camp stayed in different areas across the three royal halls designated for the evening's celebrations. One place where they all had appeared forbidden to come near was right where Anastasia is standing now.

Presently, she found herself overlooking the capital city from the high balcony ledge. It was a majestic view with no competitor for Anastasia. A world owned by the castle she trod upon. It felt dangerous and thrilling at the same time.

But what brought her even more of a thrill was the fact that her hunch was correct.

The balcony garden had someone sitting in it for the entire time the celebrations had taken place tonight. That person she can't mistake in any crowd because of how many eyes followed him ever since he showed himself briefly to the nobility of every kingdom concerned with this treaty.

Interesting how far away Subaru always seemed to be even when the world itself placed him at the center of it's attention.

"Ya always gonna be forgettable if ya don't change that hair o' yours, kiddo." Anastasia cheerfully teased from behind him, undoubtedly hazing his introspecting alone.

Subaru turned his head to look back at her. "Oh… Anastasia-san… H-Hi…"

"I can see them tears, Natsuki-kun… I heard what happened."

Without showing her his blush, the young man wiped his cheek and coughed into a fist before turning to face her fully. She inspected his cold, tired eyes. Seeing the bags beneath him and the swelling of his cheeks from the tears.

"When's the last time ya slept?"

"That's irrelevant now, Anastasia-san. Please don't let anyone else know about my circumstances."

"Ya already accepted Otto-kun would lose t' me." Anastasia crossed her arms and looked at the mystery of a boy with great interest. "Is that why ya allowed him so much control over the effort to stop my people?"

"Otto's good at what he does. I wouldn't deny him that. But I know you're better when you get dirty." Subaru had a tired sigh come out of him as he admitted defeat for him and his camp. "I'll take it you'll leverage this information to get me to do something for you or use it against Emilia-tan somehow—"

"How are ya not mad at that girl after all of this?" She cut him off.

"Anastasia-san… please…" Subaru shakes his head and leans into the bench placed in the garden. "Let it be. We can't coordinate this well enough… I just need more time…"

"What are ya…" Anastasia looked at the boy with a sudden click being heard across her mindspace. "No…"

Subaru sighed and looked from her to the door of the balcony that led to the party area.

"It's been a bit of a tiring few months, please be specific to what you've figured out." He said this in acceptance, too exhausted to fight her off.

Which was good enough for her to immediately question him.

"Is this a part of a plan of yers, Natsuki-kun?" Anastasia asked this with shock.

Subaru stayed silent, closing his eyes and leaning backward to enjoy more fresh air.

=======================================================================::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"I-It's alright, thank you so much for the help. I'll be okay." Emilia brought a grateful smile out of her tired soul to repay the panicking crowd of butlers and maids who descended upon her to clean her dress from the beverage that Anastasia had spilled on her.

After she was able to walk away from the group of servants trying to save her public image, she realized that the shocked crowds of nobles surrounding her never stopped staring, never stopped whispering and murmuring towards or at her.

"So annoying… So frustrating…"

Emilia tried to walk away, but she realized that a man with blonde hair was blocking her exit.

"Hello, Emilia-sama. Please allow me to help bring that woman to justice." The boy looked to be charming and witty as he placed a kiss on her knuckle. Before she could inquire who he was, the identity was quickly given to her out in a most captivating manner. "I am your newest knight, It's a pleasure to meet you finally after so many empty promises for both of us to meet."

Oh. Her new….

She pulled her hand to her chest, feeling that it had been dirtied.

"Emilia-sama? I guess the incident was a lot more bothersome to you. Please rest assured that I'll make anyone who speaks of this night pay!"

"I-It's fine. It's ok… Just… Allow me a moment please."

Emilia walked away from him, feeling dirty and more ashamed the longer she heard him speak or was close to his aura itself.

She was disgusted. She was hateful for the very first time in a long long time.

While she tried to gain some peace to stop her thumbing heart and trembling hands, she noticed a man from the corner of her eye.

A man who was clapping and cheering with some of his cloaked buddies, thinking they were far away from everyone to show off their happiness for the first time in a while.

Emilia couldn't help but bite her lip from the unfairness and dirtiness she had grown accustomed to because of this man.

Russel Fellow was celebrating closing the deal that he forced on her with his people right after she signed off on replacing Subaru with one of his loyal men.

That man she met… no matter how charming or polite he was… He wasn't like Subaru… He would never ever be like her knight.

Emilia's tears wouldn't stop from falling… She's been keeping them inside for so long that it became hard to know when she would stop them from going down.

"I don't know how much of this I can take… Please…" Emilia whispered her pleas while trying to wipe away her tears. "Please do what you have to do, S-Subaru… I can't keep doing this alone… All the others too… Rem is still waiting for you… Please come back…"

She sobbed unwittingly and started running out of the entire hall space.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

By this time, his tears were descending at greater length than when she had strolled behind him. The boy's retelling of everything that happened to him was missing a lot of key points.

"How did ya come across such information?" Anastasia asked him with skeptical glares aimed between him and the balcony door.

"... I can't say…" He sighed, appearing to have given up on attempting to share this particular piece with anyone. "It's… Not going to matter if you don't believe the rest of it…"

"No. I believe ya." Anastasia surprises herself before she does him. "Ya're the type of person to do somethin' so selfish anyways."

"Selfish?" Subaru's red eyes turned to glare at her. "Selfish?! I've tried so hard to save them from his assassins, sacrificed everything to make him happy enough to stop sending them—"

"Ya left that girl alone and let yer spirit cry alone at night. My own network of spies could've caught anyone tryin' t' harm yer camp—"

"You're a rival camp with a lot of space to make up for after the mess at the tower. Or did you forget what Echidna told me when she was in control, Anastasia-san?" Subaru had wiped his tears away and started glaring at her.

"That's cute… Since when are ya above negotiatin' fer help?" Anastasia snorts, giving him a look of distaste as he came to stand up and face her. "I didn't take ya as the type t' self-sacrifice all of that time so uselessly. The Natsuki-kun I know and Julius fell in love with is an efficient and surprising man. Not some self-abusing animal."

"First off, ew," Subaru shook his head physically showing pain at her statement about Julius, and glared back at her. "I don't want to get anyone else involved in this. I'm trying to find a way out myself. It's not like I can expect him to keep his eyes on me forever… Right?"

Anastasia looked at this boy in reluctant consideration. She seemed both angry at him yet impressed at the same time.

She sighed. Bringing her hand in his and pulling him away from the edge.

"Huh?"

Anastasia's look was deadpanned as she leaned against him and started to suddenly sway from side to side with him. Subaru didn't take long to put Rem's lessons into practice and allocate his feet alongside the petite woman in a slow but smooth dance.

"I've been on my feet the whole night tryna help understand yer mess of a plan, let me enjoy a moment on this balcony while I think and we can figure somethin' out. A better way than yer dumbass could come up with alone."

Subaru held on to her in a respectful manner while keeping his dance going. She can feel his muscles grow less tense.

"This feels like a deja vu…" He whispered to himself something she couldn't understand. "Why are you helping me? What are you going to get out of this?"

Anastasia chuckled to herself. Remembering a lot of the stories Echidna told her after the trip to the Watch tower had concluded with Subaru being thrown half a continent away in order to safe her life.

"Maybe I'm just into charity now, Natsuki-kun? A gal's gotta keep up a good moral character."

He kept his suspicious look, which honestly didn't hurt her as it should've. She found it flattering that her mindset was so worrisome to even someone as careful and unique as he was.

What else could you call a man who's beaten the world's worst monsters on his own?

"Thanks anyway… Uh… Hope you don't feel weird about this?" Subaru flushed a bit as she giggled at the shyness he showed while holding her.

"On the contrary," Anastasia stopped to take a breath. "I feel curious. Do ya think Julius would be jealous of you holdin' me so close because I'm his lady dancing with 'nother man or would he hate the fact that he's not dancin' with ya instead of me?"

It was Subaru's turn to look at her in deadpan.

Anastasia laughed wholeheartedly, bringing some joy into the boy's life for the first time in months.

And setting in stone the fact that she's not going to go away until this situation with the Emilia camp is fixed.