Chapter 4: Heaven
Lyra started to wake as she felt the twinkle of sunlight on her eyelids. Choosing to keep her eyes shut, she decided to let the curiosity of her sensations wake her rather then be blinded.
No longer did she feel the cold, rubbled floor underneath her. She only felt the warm, comforting embrace of a bed, and a pillow under her head.
Lyra took a deep breath in though her nose, using it to tell herself where she was. She smelled the freshly washed covers that were adorning her, and the acute, but still faint, smell of freshly cut flowers.
She wiggled her toes.
This is cloth, she thought. A very high quality cloth.
Her arms, under the covers began to arise too. She first felt her sides, which moved back to the bed, and then to the edge of the covers.
Yep, this is a bed alright.
Lyra started to feel the mattress under the bed sheet, and then went to feel the covers, and how they were tucked.
It's definitely not a hospital bed. And this mattress doesn't feel like the stiff cheaper kind you find in a motel.
She started to reflect. How did I get here? What led up to this?
Lyra racked her mind, replaying all the major events from yesterday. She remembered everything, but as soon as she came to the last thing she remembered, it came with a price.
Instantly she felt her aches. Her head throbbed still from her mpact with Subaru, the weight on her shoulders and collar bones from the getting the wind knocked out of herself, and the feel of fatigue from her lack of sleep combined with the adrenaline kicks she had right before crashing out on the floor of the loot house.
Lyra was finally convinced by her condition to open her eyes.
Opening her eyes, her vision was blurry. Lyra wiped her eyes with her hand as she pulled them out from beneath the covers. Her vision clearing up, she could see a white ceiling ordained with luxury trim.
Lyra: I don't recognize this ceiling.
Lyra sat up and looked at the room that she had been asleep in until now.
She couldn't believe her eyes. The bed in which she laid in appeared to be the thing of dreams. Stark white covers and plush pillows. The room was classically decorated with an ornate window and curtains that the sun shined in though. Lyra's bed was pushed into a corner the room though, where it did not look as if it belonged there. Especially considering that across the room laid a bigger, even more luxurious bed on the middle of the opposite side wall of the room, flanked with night stands holding what looked like lamps on each side of the bed.
And in that bed, laid Subaru, who was also rustling awake.
Subaru: I don't recognize this ceiling.
As he said this, he moved his hand up to where him and Lyra had bonked heads, also feeling the same pain as Lyra.
Lyra: Mornin' Subaru. How's your head?
Subaru: Painful, but better then it was, no thanks to you.
Lyra shrugged and closed his eyes, replying in a boastful manner.
Lyra: You shouldn't have been in the way. I bet I coulda' clonked Elsa something fierce if I had— Hmph!
She was cut off abruptly by a pillow thrown by Subaru, feathers going all over Lyra 's much smaller bed and floor.
Lyra: *giggles* C'mon, I was just messing with you! We should probably clean up those feathers now, though...
Subaru: Yeah...you're probably right.
They both gave each other a guilty look and got up to clean the small mess. Lyra tried stuffing the loose feathers back into the case while Subaru used his foot to push the ones on the floor under the bed.
As they both finished, Subaru posed the question that was the elephant in the room.
Subaru: So uhh, Lyra, do you know where we are?
Lyra: No...I don't have a clue...
Subaru: What?! Really?!
Lyra crossed her arms and nodded with her eyes shut before opening them back up and declaring with a single finger:
Lyra: I'll have you know I passed out no later then a half hour after you did!
Giving Lyra a look of disbelief, Subaru replied.
Subaru: So you have no clue where we are either.
Lyra: Well, I did talk to Emilia till my adrenaline ran out. If I had to guess, we're at her residence.
Subaru walked over to the window.
Subaru: I wonder what the view of the capital is like from here—
Subaru moved the curtain just enough to see the view himself, with Lyra poking her head in from the opposite side.
Lyra Subaru: Holy crap.
They both took in the scenery, a massive garden with a fountain, trees for miles and miles, and mountains far in the distance.
Lyra: How did we get here… Who owns all this...
Subaru put a hand to his chin, eyes closed and declared.
Subaru: Emilia's. It has to be.
Lyra's eyes drew down to the fountain in the court yard.
Lyra: Come to think of it, she did say that she was going to take us back to her residence...
Lyra said this while thinking hard. Emilia couldn't possibly own all this. Is it her family's?
Subaru: Emilia's huh? She's pretty and rich?!
Subaru shook his head.
Subaru: I've got my work cut out for me then.
Lyra: I see...hey, Subaru?
Subaru turned his head, eyebrow raised as to acknowledge Lyra
Lyra: We should probably do some recon work, don't you think?
She suggested, pointing at the one door leading out of the room.
With Subaru adorned in robes and Lyra adorned in a simple nightgown, they set out into the hallway of the mansion. After what seemed like going in circles at least three times, Lyra confirmed Subaru's thoughts on the matter.
Lyra: I think it's safe to say that we're in some sort of trap to prevent us from leaving the room.
Subaru: That's just what they want you to think. I bet that they wanted us to leave, but don't realize that I could solve this puzzle on the first try.
He approached the very same door they had departed from to enter the hallway in the first place, denoted by the distinct painting to it's right.
Subaru: It's always the same door you entered from!
With the door swinging open, the smell of books, print, and dust came wafting out.
Looking at each other first, Subaru entered with Lyra in tow. Upon stepping in, they came upon a small girl, dressed in pink and black stripes, and yellow drills for hair.
After some antagonizing back and forth between the girl and Subaru, the girl had decided she had had enough from her visitors.
Lyra: Subaru, don't you think you should be a bit more, reserved? She's obviously an inhabitant of this household.
Lyra turned to the girl waving in innocence, smiling nervously.
Lyra: Please forgive my friend, he means well and we are truly appreciative of your hospitality.
Lyra bowed and put a hand to Subaru's back to get him to bow as well.
Lyra: Please excuse us host-sama—
Subaru shot back up, fist raised in argument.
Subaru: Hey what's the big idea!? Who said you could speak for—
The sound of a large book clapping shut cut off Subaru's rebuke.
Girl: I have had enough with the antics, I suppose.
Setting the book aside, the girl approached Subaru and held out her hand, palm forward, right in front of Subaru's abdomen.
When a slight flash, Subaru collapsed to the ground.
Lyra: S-Subaru! What happened?! What did you do to him?!
Girl: I have taken his mana as payment for this disruption.
Subaru: Y-y-you're not human, are you?
Girl: Don't ever lump me in with those other foul creatures, I suppose. Betty is much more refined.
With that, this "Beatrice" turned towards Lyra, her hand being held out towards her in the same fashion as when she approached Subaru.
Lyra: Woah woah! Easy easy! I'll grab him and leave! You won't have to worry about us coming back!
Beatrice: *sigh* While Betty appreciate your offer, that was also to check his intentions, if he intended to harm anyone or anything in this house, I suppose. I sensed nothing from him. Now it is your turn for Betty to inspect.
With her back against the wall, Beatrice approached Lyra, hand still held out.
Beatrice: I will make it far less painful for you, I suppose.
With that, Beatrice closed in and was about to zap Lyra of her mana, but she paused briefly, with a look of confusion, followed by a soft expression going across her face. Just as Lyra was to ask what she was waiting for, he felt it.
Beatrice: I wonder if she knows, I suppose...
Lyra could only get the feeling that she was only indirectly talking to her with that statement.
With the energy falling out of her body to the girl's outstretched hand, she began to collapse much like Subaru had, but it had taken a few seconds longer of mana zapping then it had taken Subaru.
Lyra lay on the floor next to Subaru, beginning to pass out from exhaustion, and as her eyes faded shut, she could only hear a simple monologue.
Beatrice: This one has a much more significant mana stockpile…
Lyra began to come back to her senses once more, like she just had only several short minutes ago.
It started with her feeling the light on her closed eyes. Lyra took a deep breath in through her nose.
She smelled fresh laundered covers, the same as before. But only this time the flowery smell from before was much stronger. Lyra greatly enjoyed the aroma and took another deep sated breath to enjoy it.
She sepeated her same movements with her toes and fingers, confirming this was the same bed as earlier.
I remember having my mana drained. I know it was because I can feel how depleted I am now. But how did I arrive back in bed?, Lyra thought.
Still without having opened her eyes, she heard the door open.
Subaru? Or someone else...
Lyra could focus on two sets of feet of walking across the floor, and over to Subaru's bed.
?: Nee-sama Nee-sama, our guest sleeps well into the late morning.
?: Rem Rem, our guest appears to be a deadbeat who sleeps in till noon.
Rem(?): Nee-sama Nee-sama, it would appear so. While he is checked on, Rem will tend to our other guest.
?: Rem Rem, please do not leave me alone around such a despicable man.
Rem(?): Rem will only be over here, Nee-sama.
After hearing the quirky exchange, Lyra heard a pair of footsteps approach her bed and stop. Her heart began to pick up in speed and her eyes unexpectedly reacted when the figure covered up the light from the window on Lyra's closed eyes.
Rem(?): Nee-sama, it would appear as though our other guest is already half awake.
?: Good, please wake her up the rest of the way.
Lyra could feel the presence leaning over her now.
Slowly, and carefully, Lyra opened her eyes.
First a silhouette was seen, a result of the bright light behind her, but as soon as her eyes adjusted, her heart began to pound and her blood pressure spiked up so hard she could feel it in the vessel of her neck.
She gazed upon sleek, shiny blue hair, adorned with a pink hair clip and a black band of white flowers, designed to complement the maid uniform she wore. Her hair was short, but long enough to cover one of her eyes. But what made Lyra speechless was her reflection in that single eye she could see, a similar hue of blue like her hair. She had never seen anything as beautiful as her.
Lyra, after taking in her morning view, snapped to after she tilted her head in question to her silence.
With realization that she was just staring at her with no where else to look, Lyra pulled her covers up to conceal her face below his eyes, hopefully hiding her blush.
Rem: Guest-sama, do you know where you are?
With the first word's the girl had ever spoken directly to her echoing hundred's of times in her mind, it was unable to capture the surrealness of the entire situation and how she spoke with such kindness and concern in her voice. Because of it all, Lyra could only buckle out an unthoughtful response.
Lyra: H-h-heaven.
Rem gave a surprised look. Instantly, her round face blushed to a hue of pink, contrasting adorably against her blue eyes and hair. A moment later she leaned back from her bent over posture slightly, still surprised by the answer she received.
Rem: Nee-sama, guest-in-the-corner-sama is awake.
Well, that's one thing to call me. Lyra could only help but think. I don't know what it is, but I'm completely taken by her. She's so insanely cute.
Looking over, Lyra caught a glimpse of the girl who remained over at Subaru's bedside. Striking an almost mirror image of Rem with exception of hair color, Lyra could instantly tell these two were twins.
She's pretty cute too, but something about Rem is just so… alluring? Intriguing?
Rem turned around to see her sister and Subaru having a disagreement about the morality or waking up so late, and at about the same time, Emilia also entered the room.
Emilia: Would you two stop teasing them?
The twins apologized for each other in a very formal fashion.
Lyra sat up quickly with a hand outstretched.
Lyra Oh-you-don't-need-to-apologise-for—
She stopped her quick reply, noticing all eyes in the room were on her, silently questioning the reason for her outburst.
That couldn't have been more horribly timed, she thought.
Lyra bowed her head a little with a cough, letting Emilia take the conversation with a smile and small clap of her hands.
Emilia: Good morning you two, how are you both feeling? Any pain? Subaru, can you stand? Lyra, did you get enough rest?
Subaru: I think we're both okay.
Lyra lifted her head back up, shaking off her momentary embarrassment, to answer.
Lyra: Yeah, my head hurts a little still when I woke up but it's better now. But uhh—
Subaru: We ran into this drill haired girl who took both of our mana though.
Emilia gave a surprised look.
Emilia: Did you run into Beatrice?! She should know to be more kind to guests...
Emilia then spun from facing Subaru to Lyra with a worried expression.
Emilia: You got your mana drained again?! In such a short time?! Are you okay? Did she hit your Od?
Lyra: Uhh, yeah I guess I feel fine, I'm feeling a little lethargic from it, but I can't tell if it's that or just that I slept for what must have been an eternity.
The twins, standing idly by the door looked at each other from the corner of their eyes, with suspicious expressions on their faces.
Lyra gave a confused look having noticed their exchange but instead disregarded what was maybe meant by it, instead choosing to ask Emilia a question about what she had just said.
Lyra: Hey, Emilia? What's an Od—
Rem: —Pardon, Emilia-sama. Guest-sama, just how did you get your mana depleted last night? And how did you get it all back by this morning?
Lyra couldn't bring herself to look the blue haired girl in the eyes while trying to dodge her question, and could only scratch her head and stare just off edge of the bed.
Lyra: Well uhh, you know, it's like, those kind of things reset after a good long nap. Right?
The twins stole suspicious looks from another like they had before.
Rem: Hmm. Please, forgive Rem's intrusiveness.
Rem apologized, bowing, trying her best to hide her insincere face.
Lyra: Oh! It's nothing, I just—
Emilia: Hey, it's reeealy not good to trash your Gate like that. It's not like you might need to cast that much magic so soon, right?
Emilia's expression softened as she went on.
Emilia: Just take it easy now, okay?
Lyra nodded her head.
Lyra: Don't worry, I'll make sure not to 'trash my Gate'.
Is that some sort of expression here for using mana recklessly?, she thought.
Taking his opportunity in the conversation, Subaru jumped up and out of bed with an air of determination in him.
Subaru: Well, time to start a new day!
Lyra and Emilia accompanied Subaru as he dashed outside after getting dressed, determined to get some fresh air.
Taking it upon himself, Subaru impromptuly taught Emilia and Lyra some radio calisthenics, with Lyra choosing to lay in the big grass lawn of the mansion and admire it's architecture shortly afterwards. Becoming further occupied with petting Puck, Subaru had then left Lyra to her own devices. Laying out in the lawn, she used this opportunity for intelligence gathering.
Sitting up from her laying position, she struck up a conversation with Emilia.
Lyra: That's quite the house you live in. Must be a lot more people here huh?
Emilia shook her head "no".
Emilia: You've met everyone already, well almost.
Lyra: Another servant?
Emilia: No, the lord of this mansion, the Margrave, Roswaal L. Mathers.
Lyra looked down at the grass, deep in thought at what she'd just heard.
'Margrave' huh? That's a very specific term. That's medieval in origin, a term for a lord who controlled and was responsible for boarder regions in more remote locations, usually instructed by the ruling monarchs, and most of the time given higher status then even local provincial lords. We must be far from the Capitol, and this guy must have a sizable standing levy.
Lyra had read up on the topic of noble terminology just recently too in the educational app that was on her phone. Not wanting to waste the opportunity to keep gathering information, Lyra decided to drop any thoughts on if her app was related to arriving in this strange new world or not.
Lyra: Say uhhh, how far from the Capitol are we? And where are we, exactly?
Looking at Lyra as if greatly confused, Emilia answered.
Emilia: What a strange question. We're far from the Capitol now, near the edge of the wild areas covered in mountains and forest, commonly known as the Mathers Domain.
Lyra: So 'Margrave' is a hereditary title to you I take it?
Emilia: Yes, that's correct.
Lyra: So does he keep a large standing levy of troops then?
Emilia frowned and put her hands on her hips.
Emilia: That's a lot of rather specific questions to be asking. What are you trying to find out?
Lyra put her hands up in defense.
Lyra: No no! I'm just curious is all!
She put a finger up and began to explain.
Lyra: You see, 'Margrave' is a term that exists where we're from, me and Subaru, but it's a very antiquated term, rarely used. It used to be an assigned title way back when it was first invented, but it turned hereditary over time.
Emilia: I see, I didn't mean to suspect you of anything nefarious, even after Puck said he didn't sense anything from you. But yes, the Margrave title has been held in the Mathers name for over four hundred years.
Lyra whistled in response.
Lyra: Four hundred years huh? Must be a pretty stable lineage.
With that, the twin maids made their way outside to inform everyone that the lord of the house had returned.
All the members of the mansion were in attendance for the meal.
Upon entering the foyer, Puck had departed with Beatrice, but not before a man in full clown makeup and costume had arrived into the room. After making a scornful comment, Beatrice left with Puck in tow.
Subaru had taken the opportunity to make an ass out of himself, mistaking the lord of the house for the court jester.
Roswaal: Allow me to introduce myself! I am Roswaal L. Mathers, loooooooord of this mansion and it's surrounding lands in the Kingdom of Lugnica!
Turning to Subaru, he quieted his voice.
Roswaal: Aaaaand you must be Natsuki Subaru.
He responded awkwardly.
Subaru: Y-y-yep, that's me...
Roswaal turned to face Lyra, who had decided to distance herself from Subaru in case his clown comments had earned him anything more then a warm welcoming.
Roswaal: And you...
Closing one of of his eyes, his blue one, Roswaal only stared at Lyra with his yellow one.
Roswaal: ...you are an anomaly.
Lyra gave the man back a skeptical look of her own before shaking it off.
Lyra: Uhhh—
She shook her head, put on a more pleasant face and extended her hand.
Lyra: My name is Lyra. Lyra Anderson.
Roswaal kept his glare a few more moments, before dropping it himself and meeting Lyra's handshake.
Roswaal: Ahhhh a pleasure!
With the exchange, the twins walked up to group and bowed.
Rem Ram: Everyone, the meal in the dinning hall is now ready. Please come take your seats.
With that, the group made their way for the dining hall.
Lyra took his seat across from Subaru, who was sitting next to Emilia, while the maids stood at attention next to Roswaal.
Lyra stared down at her plate, not recognizing any of the food on it. Letting Subaru be an unsuspecting tester for her before going after the plate herself, Lyra watched him take a bite of food and wait for his reaction.
Subaru: Wow this is better then normal food! Did you cook this food Rem?
Rem nodded and answered.
Rem: Yes.
Without a second to spare, Lyra stabbed the closest thing to her fork on the plate and shoved it into her mouth, trying to not seem rude by not eating her cooking.
Lyra chewed and then stopped. Putting a hand to her cheek full of food, she could not believe how good it was.
Lyra turned to Rem, food still in her mouth.
Lyra: Dis isd te bess fbood I'be eber hab.
Ram: Is it not rude to talk with your mouth full from where you two are from?
Lyra swallowed her half chewed food, apologized, and repeated her compliment to Rem.
Breaking the cold formal maid tone and attitude ever so slightly, she replied.
Rem: Thank you very much.
Roswaal: My what an especially iiiiiiiinteresting pair you both are.
The conversation quickly changed topics into what each maid was good at, only to have Subaru question Ram's necessity when there Rem was there.
From there the topics changed from the current state of the kingdom, to Emilia's involvement and candidacy for the throne, and finally to the topic of yesterday's deeds in assisting Emilia.
Roswaal: Sooooo ask for anything you'd like!
Taking the opportunity immediately, Subaru stood up and declared his wish.
Subaru: I like it here! Hire me as a butler!
Following the unexpected outburst was an awkward silence across the table, only to be broken by Ram sneezing.
Roswaal: Accepted.
Turning to face Lyra, Roswaal gestured with his hand toward Lyra.
Roswaal: And you?
Lyra thought for a moment. Subaru had thankfully just set an important bar for her, as to what "anything you'd like" actually meant, or might hope to mean.
There were a few basic thoughts that ran though Lyra's head.
She had no resources.
Meaning she had no money, no property, and e didn't even understand this world's currency, values, or even the written language.
With a few brief seconds of thinking,s he knew the things she needed; money, or at least something of value, shelter, to protect himself and her 'something of value', and education, in the form of this world's basics and street knowledge.
But in what order should I prioritize those things? I can only ask for one thing... She thought.
Money could buy her a tutor and shelter, but she risked losing it before having shelter or being swindled out of it.
Shelter might be too high of an order from Roswaal, at least permanent shelter. Land maybe? No, there might be legal things she doesn't know.
Now knowledge on the other hand...
Lyra stood up, much like Subaru had.
Lyra: I have something to declare!
Everyone seemed to nod, as if acknowledging his statement.
Lyra: I am woefully bankrupt and illiterate!
Another, longer, much more painful awkward silence descended upon the table.
Lyra sat back down and continued his request.
Lyra: I-is there a way I can request to have my issues addressed?
Roswaal continued his smile from before, staying silent, as if waiting for Lyra to continue taking.
Lyra: Like maybe uhhhh... being a maid? Only part time though! So I can study!
Roswaal shook his head and his face turned glum.
Roswaal: Unfortunately, Mr. Natsuuuuuki has taken the last open servant position open here. I do hope you understand.
Lyra was slightly dumbfounded.
THIS big of a mansion and THREE people is all you need? Get out.
Roswaal continued however.
Roswaal: Buuuuuuuut I would have need for a part time groundskeeper though.
Lyra: I'll take it!
Roswaal: Good!
He announced giving a single clap.
Roswaal: Now for your education... Rem?
Rem: Yes, Roswaal-sama.
Roswaal: Would you please find the time at some point during these days to tutor our newest groundskeeper when he's not working?
Rem almost had a slight smile to her face when she nodded in agreement before finishing with a bow and an agreement to fulfill Roswaal's request.
Lyra: Oh! Also, I wanted to ask something else as well if at all possible.
Roswaal: But of couuuurse!
Lyra: I had this uhh, big metal box on wheels in the capitol with me and Subaru. Would there be any way to retrieve it by chance?
Emilia spoke up, waving her hand as if to wipe away any sense of doubt.
Emilia: Oh! Your 'khar'? I already took care of that.
Lyra: I see, thanks. Wait! I-is it here?
Did they tow it? I hope they didn't drag it here...
Emilia: No, the old man who ran the loot house is looking after it. He was able to pick it up and move it to a store house of his. We're basically just paying him to hold onto it and not sell it.
She then frowned and gave a look of thought.
Emilia: For something with wheels it didn't want to roll, and it was waaaay too heavy to put on a carriage. I didn't think it was possible for us to get it here.
Lyra: I appreciate it nonetheless. I'm just glad it's safe, as it has a lot of my belongings in it. Roswaal, if we plan to go to the capitol any time I'll make sure to grab it so the household doesn't need to pay for storage indefinitely.
Roswaal: Ohh it is of no bother!
Rem stepped forward with a puzzled look on her face.
Rem: If this giant of a man had to pick it up to move even though it had wheels, how were you and Subaru able to move it before saving Emilia-sama?
Lyra scratched the back of her head and wore a slightly embarrassed face to try and simply explain as best be could.
Lyra: Well you see, it just, well, it uhhh, moves. Itself in a way.
She sat with the eyes of everyone but Subaru trying to understand how that was possible.
Rem: It was explained to us by Emilia-sama it was a like a small carriage but with windows and no seat for a driver or a ground dragon.
Lyra nodded to Emilia, as to confirm her description.
Lyra: Yes. In some old regards, it wasn't always called a 'car' but a 'horseless-carriage' at first.
Roswaal: Ahhhh, so its purpose is like a carriage, it moves and transports goooooods and people.
Lyra: Yes. It possesses the power to propel itself across the ground without a ground dragon.
She said with a finger pointed upwards, proudly proclaiming. Lyra again sat in front of confused faces full of doubt.
Ram: Do you honestly expect us to believe such a thing exists?
Lyra pointed a finger gun at Ram and smiled.
Lyra: I will personally give you a ride to prove it.
Ram turned her head upward and away
Ram: I refuse.
Lyra: O-oh...okay then. Well...
Lyra turned her finger gun over to Rem.
Lyra: ...How about you Rem? I promise you'll have a blast.
Rem moved a hand slowly to her chest and looked slightly down at the table in front of Lyra, and at first spoke softly.
Rem: Lyra 'promises?
Lyra: I do. Absolutely.
Perking up and lowering her hand she again spoke.
Rem: Provided Lyra-chan's claims are true and there is time, Rem will join you.
Lyra nodded in acknowledgment.
Lyra: Thank you very much!
I don't know why, but I can't wait to show her that old thing.
Ram: Now, if you two will finish up, we'll fit you for your uniforms and give you a proper tour of the mansion.