New Faces
Subaru scratched his butt. It felt soft. Perhaps he had a nice sleep after so many years of his parents' death. Nah, it was pointless to ruin such a good morning thinking about stuff like that.
The bed was really soft too. But his bed was too old and rough. So why? Well, who cares? A late morning sleep after the entire night playing video games on PS7 is just what he needs. This is 2030, after all. No need to wake up so early. Besides, it's not like he has school or work.
He then shifted. Something on his chest moved. Perhaps he really was THERE. To the point where he died due to lack of sunlight and overweight. But last time he checked, he was only 60 kilos—not too much.
He grabbed his chest and pressed. Ugh. That felt good. He moaned.
He continued pressing his chest and moaning in his sleep when he heard someone say—
"Nee-sama, nee-sama, do you think Emilia-sama finally hit puberty?"
"Rem, Rem, I think Emilia-sama finally hit puberty."
Then it hit Subaru. The gender swap, species swap, isekai, and his curse of return by death...
Emilia jolted awake. She looked at the two people standing in front of her, holding hands together and sticking to each other's body symmetrically.
One had pink hair tied into a side bun and a cold, indifferent expression. Her uniform was pristine, with not a single wrinkle. Her eyes were half-lidded, giving her a perpetually sleepy or bored look.
The other had light blue hair styled similarly, with a gentle yet determined expression. She seemed more approachable, but her demeanor was equally professional. Their maid outfits were classic, with frilly aprons and skirts, exuding a kind of old-world charm that clashed hilariously with Subaru's modern sensibilities.
The first thing Emilia says is, "Wow, cute girls in maid outfits? Nice, nice." She nods. "Although I feel no rush of blood like before. Perhaps it's the gender swap?"
Both girls, completely ignoring the fact that Emilia was in front of them, began to say—
"I think Emilia-sama has finally lost it, Rem," The girl with red hair said with a deadpan expression.
"Indeed, Nee-sama. Perhaps it is the stress of the Royal Selection," Rem replied sympathetically.
"Hey, I'm right here, you know!" Emilia exclaimed, waving her hands in front of their faces.
The girl with red hair raised an eyebrow. "Did you have a good sleep, Emilia-sama?"
"Wait?! Did you see—?"
"Your… chest-grabbing performance was quite enlightening,"
Subaru's face turned beet red. "I-I was just… I thought it was a dream!"
"Emilia-sama, it's best not to grab yourself like that. It's unseemly."
Emilia sighed heavily. 'This is so confusing. Why did I end up in this girl's body? And what's with all these…?'
Emilia looked around, trying to gather her thoughts. The room they were in was lavish, with ornate furniture and intricate tapestries. The morning light filtered through the grand windows, casting a warm glow on everything.
"Okay, okay," Emilia said, rubbing her temples. "First things first. What are your names?"
Ram and Rem exchanged a look of concern.
"Emilia-sama, are you feeling well?" Rem asked gently.
Emilia quickly explained, "I've lost a lot of my memories. That includes your names too. I know it sounds strange, but please, can you tell me?"
The twins looked skeptical at first, but then Rem stepped forward. "I am Rem, and this is my sister, Ram."
Ram gave a curt nod. "We serve you here at the mansion, Emilia-sama."
"Thank you, Rem, Ram," Emilia said, trying to sound as sincere as possible. "I appreciate your help. And, um, could you assist me in getting dressed?"
The twins exchanged another look, this one filled with a mixture of disbelief and concern.
"Of course, Emilia-sama," Rem said. "Please follow us."
Emilia followed the twins to a grand dressing room filled with elegant clothes. The awkwardness of the situation was palpable.
"Alright, Emilia-sama," Ram said, picking out a dress. "Let's get you changed."
Emilia gulped. "Um, okay. But, could you… turn around or something?"
Ram raised an eyebrow. "Emilia-sama, we've done this many times before."
"Yeah, but…" Emilia stammered, "I just feel… a bit weird today."
The twins didn't budge. They waited patiently as Emilia reluctantly began to undress.
"Okay, just… make it quick," Emilia said, feeling her cheeks burn. 'But damn! Getting dressed by two cute girls…every shut-in's fantasy!'
Rem helped Emilia into the dress, her hands moving with practiced ease. "This will look lovely on you, Emilia-sama."
"No, no, just normal stuff. Not so frilly."
"Okay, Emilia-sama."
Emilia squirmed, trying not to think too much about the situation. "Thanks, Rem."
"It's Ram,"
"Oh, sorry 'bout that."
Ram adjusted the final details, smoothing out any wrinkles. "There, all done. How do you feel?"
"Like I've just survived the most awkward experience of my life," Emilia muttered.
The twins exchanged a small smile. "You look perfect, Emilia-sama," Rem said softly.
Emilia smiled. "Alright. Let's get on with the day. And, um, thanks for the help."
Subaru began to explore the mansion, marveling at its sheer size. It was gigantic yet eerily empty, the kind of place that made you feel small and insignificant. Long corridors stretched endlessly, decorated with intricate tapestries and grand chandeliers that cast a soft glow on the polished floors. She wandered from room to room, each more opulent than the last. The dressing rooms were filled with luxurious garments, the bathhouse boasted marble tubs and ornate fixtures, the storage rooms were packed with various supplies, and the study was a treasure trove of ancient tomes and elegant furniture.
Despite her growing fatigue, there was so much to explore that Subaru couldn't stop herself. Eventually, she opened a random door, only to find herself in a huge library. Shelves upon shelves of books lined the walls, reaching up to the high ceiling. In the center of the room, perched on a ladder, was a small girl with a striking appearance.
Beatrice, as Subaru would later learn, had long, curly blond hair tied with pink ribbons and wore a pink dress that contrasted with her sharp, blue eyes. She looked down at Subaru with a mix of curiosity and disdain.
"Naive girl, here to give my friend, I suppose?"
"'Naive girl'?" Subaru mused, puzzled. "So this Emilia is supposed to be an idiot or something?"
Beatrice gave her a puzzled look before asking, "What are you talking about, I wonder?"
Subaru, trying to keep her cool, asked, "What's your name?"
The girl's expression turned stern. "You should already know my name, and you should stop asking stupid questions, I suppose."
Subaru sighed. "I've lost some of my memories and—"
Beatrice cut her off, her voice cold. "Don't speak nonsense here and waste my time, or I'll throw you out of the library, I suppose."
Before Subaru could respond, Puck appeared from behind her neck and floated towards Beatrice. The girl immediately beamed and began to cuddle the flying cat.
"Pucky!" she exclaimed with genuine affection.
Puck, equally enthusiastic, replied, "Betty! Long time no see!"
Beatrice nuzzled Puck, her previously stern demeanor melting away. "Pucky, you're as fluffy as ever, I suppose."
Puck purred contentedly. "And you're as cuddly as always, Betty."
Watching this bizarrely adorable exchange, Subaru felt an odd mix of amusement and confusion. Before she could voice her thoughts, Beatrice approached her and touched her hand. Instantly, an excruciating pain surged through her body, starting from her hand and radiating outward. It felt as if her very essence was being probed and dissected. She fell to her knees, clutching her head tightly.
"What did you do?" Subaru asked furiously, her voice trembling from the pain.
Beatrice frowned, her previous warmth replaced with a clinical curiosity. "You have a smell about you, and I had a hunch, I suppose."
Subaru's vision blurred as she struggled to comprehend the sensation. "What smell? What are you talking about?"
Beatrice was about to elaborate when a voice from the hallway interrupted them. It was one of the twins, Ram, calling out, "The lord of the mansion has returned, and it's time for lunch."
Puck, still floating near Beatrice, gave Subaru a sympathetic look. "We can discuss your memory loss with Roswaal. He might know what's going on."
Subaru shuddered. She hadn't exactly lost her memories; instead, she was not Emilia at all. What if this Roswaal saw through her deception?
As they left the library, Beatrice gave Puck one last affectionate squeeze. "See you later, Pucky. Don't be a stranger, I suppose."
Puck winked at her. "Wouldn't dream of it, Betty."
With the echoes of their nicknames lingering in the air, Subaru followed the twins and Puck down the long corridors. The silence was heavy, each step echoing ominously, amplifying her anxiety. She glanced out the windows, noting the pristine gardens and the bright, sunny sky—such a stark contrast to her turbulent thoughts. The enormity of the mansion now felt more like a looming presence than an exciting adventure, a reminder of how far she was from everything she knew.
Approaching the main hall, Subaru took a deep breath. She had nothing to lose... right?
TBC