A/N: So this will be the first time I sort of "depart" from the standard lore and mechanics of the way magic and the WoE work in Re:Zero. Taking a bit of creative license here, it's small, and potentially possible in a way. I hope you all enjoy the way the story will sort of "hop the rails" briefly here, but I promise, it won't be a departure from the series as you are familiar with.

Chapter 34: A Tourist In A Dream.

After Rem had departed for the remainder of her day off, YN had gone about reporting to Ram and assisting Subaru in the tasks and chores throughout the mansion until it was time for dinner. With Rem on break, many of the tasks took far longer than they normally took, which due to a backup, dinner was had individually in each of the residents rooms, as there was no time left to set the table. After having some of Ram's steamed tatoes, YN finally retired for the evening.

The next day was no easier for YN. Throughout the day, YN struggled with his mind constantly worrying over Rem's reaction. What made things worse, was by lunch he still hadn't seen Rem once.

I know we all didn't have breakfast or lunch again in the meal hall from being so far behind on our tasks, but I figured I would have at least seen Rem once during her other day off today. At our current rate though, dinner should happen normally tonight at least.

But it wasn't. In fact, it was held earlier than normal. This was mostly due to Roswaal having to depart right after for a business meeting, which Ram would attend as well, and Subaru had convinced Emilia to go with him to see a traveling bard that would be holding an evening show in Arlem.

Least to say, the only two who didn't have plans that evening were Rem and YN. Of course Beatrice didn't either, but outside meals, unless Subaru went and got her, she was never outside the Forbidden Library anyway.

With the early afternoon dinner starting, taking his seat at the table, YN found there were two residents of the mansion not currently at the table.

Neither Beatrice, nor Rem were in their usual seats.

After being asked about his gate and if he still hadn't noticed anything by Emilia, Ram returned from the kitchen, holding a silver platter with several plates.

Placing the plates about, all that was present on them were—

Subaru: Steamed tatoes? Again?!

Ram: Do you have a problem with Ram's signature dish?

Subaru was silent for a moment before he had remembered. Rem did all the cooking, and probably for a good reason.

Being the last to be served, Ram handed YN his plate. However, much like the last meal they all had enjoyed together, his plate held something different than everyone else.

Next to his steamed tatoes, was a small sauce cup. Inside the cup, was a familiar off-white cream.

Looking up to Ram, YN asked his question in a single word.

YN: Mayonnaise?

Nodding, Ram held the now empty platter in front of herself, folded up against her apron.

Ram: Correct. While Rem is still enjoying her day off, she insisted on making this for you. Please do not waste her kindness.

Turning to walk to her own seat, Subaru immediately spoke up.

Subaru: Hey! That's no fair! Why does YN get the mayo!? I'm the mayo fanatic here! Give me some!

Taking one of the steamed tatoes on his hand, Subaru sat forward, and reached across Emilia's plate, desperate to have some of YN's mayo.

Before he could however, Subaru's reach was smacked upward, by none other than the person he was reaching across.

Emilia: Subaru! How rude! Ram just said Rem made that specially for YN.

Putting one hand on her hip and wagging her finger at him like a misbehaving child, Emilia scolded Subaru.

Subaru: Hmmmm! Emilia-tan is just so adorable when she gets upset! E-M-T—!

Roswaal: Subaru-kun, don't you know that reeeeeeeeaching across the table is very rude? I can't have one of my staff members using such bad table manners.

Pouting now at the continued criticism, Subaru silent took a bite of steamed tatoes and chewed, keeping his same humiliated look as he did.

As Ram took her seat, YN asked the question that was the elephant in the room, or at least, lack thereof.

YN: Speaking of Rem, where is she? Beako too. Do we know?

Ram: Rem had taken it upon herself to bring Beatrice-sama her food this evening, so neither will be joining us tonight.

With Ram's answers, YN didn't know whether to be relieved that he wouldn't have to comfort Rem at the diner table, or be worried that she could potentially be avoiding him.

Having nothing else to say, the meal commenced. YN dipped his tatoe in the mayo Rem had apparently felt the need to make him.

Is this some sort of an apology? Or something else?

Not knowing what to think, YN took his first bite. While mayo did taste like mayo, there was some other faint flavor he tasted as well.

I can't quite tell what it is, but maybe Rem hadn't memorized the recipe exactly. Must be extra of something or too little of another.

Dinner continued to proceed normally, and at its conclusion, Ram and Roswaal immediately departed as planned, leaving only Subaru and YN to clean up.

As Emilia and Puck left the dining hall, the two remaining on duty staff members cleared the table, and brought the dishes into the kitchen.

YN: Hey you still have that concert or whatever to go with Emilia to, don't you?

Subaru: Yeah, it starts after the sun sets, but that's still a few hours from now.

Taking the pile of plates and silverware off the cart, YN replied.

YN: Why don't you go ahead and head out a little earlier with Emilia? I've got the dishes covered.

Subaru: What?! Really?! Even after I tried stealing your mayo?!

Nodding, YN answered.

YN: I wasn't offended, don't worry. But yeah, 'really.' Go have fun with Emilia, take your time getting there, have fun.

Clapping YN on the back, Subaru shot him a thumbs up.

Subaru: Thanks a ton! I owe ya!

With that, Subaru turned and ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

YN was quick about washing the dishes, wanting to be done so he could retire early. As he dried and set the last dish in the cupboard, YN heard the door to the kitchen open. Struggling to place the dish in the crammed cupboard, YN spoke.

YN: Back so soon? Did you forget something—?

Turning his head as he finished speaking, the last thing YN saw was a brief and familiar hue of blue, before being knocked out cold.

Slowly but surely, YN began to wake. Feeling his head pounding, YN opened his eyes to see the view from his room's window. Outside was the beginning of the day's sunset, its amber-orange light began to fill the sky.

I'm in bed, huh?

Sitting up, YN tried his hardest to remember how he had gotten to where he was.

I was putting away dishes, but everything after that is fuzzy. I think Subaru came back in though?

Standing up, YN walked to the window and looked out.

That concert of theirs won't start till sundown, so Subaru and Emilia probably won't be back till late, and Ram and Roswaal both expected that business trip to be an overnighter. So right now I'm here alone, except for Beako and—

Hearing his door open, YN took a half a step turn to see who it could be.

There in the doorway, stood the blue haired maid he hadn't seen in almost two days.

YN: Rem...—

Rem stood in the doorway wearing the same short sleeved maid-dress she was in when he'd last seen her. Rem's expression was something YN couldn't understand though. Her face was flushed red, and her eyes were just so slightly puffy, as if she'd spent a considerable amount of time crying.

YN: —is everything okay?

Upon hearing his words, Rem caught herself on the frame of the door, and shut her eyes and shook her head slowly before stopping to look back at YN.

Rem: No... No it is not. Rem is...

YN: Rem what's wrong? Are you okay?

Taking a half a step more towards her, Rem brought a hand up to her chest and shook her head once more.

Rem: Rem is so sorry, YN-kun. For everything. For all that Rem has done to hurt you *hic*, Rem is so sorry!

Halfway through, Rem had begun to cry, and as she finished, her tears overwhelmed her, causing her to fall forward to her knees. A dazed and remorseful expression covered Rem's beautiful face as tears streamed out from her open eyes.

Rushing over, YN called out.

YN: Rem!

After marching up the stairs, Rem returned to her room after leaving YN on the steps of the mansion.

Putting her hands on her elbows, arms slightly crossed, Rem walked over to the window. Standing in front of the glass, the lighting caused her to see mostly a reflection of herself. She noted the blank, but still somewhat concerned expression she wore.

Why won't YN-kun say anymore to Rem about the scent on him, or of his knowledge of the Witch?

Turning around, Rem flopped backwards onto her bed, arms wide open, she silently thought as she stared upward at the ceiling. Watching specs of dust illuminated by the light coming through her window, Rem laid there, for hours, weighing her thoughts and emotions.

On one hand, she trusted YN with her life, he had nearly sacrificed himself three times for her and her sisters sake.

On the other hand, he still reeked of the Witch, a smell Rem lamented like no other. A smell only shared by the people who had killed her family and permanently scared her sister.

Rem tried thinking of more good things YN had done.

He worked hard, he was honest, and him and Subaru seemed to be genuine friends, rather than colleagues in a scheme, like one would expect from Witch Cultists.

But still, Rem's worries were taking over once more after she remembered.

Rem: Just how did YN-kun and Subaru-kun know that there was going to be trouble in the village? And how did they know to ask Beatrice-sama—

Widening her own eyes at her own words forming her thoughts. Rem was surprised she hadn't thought about it till now.

Sitting up, Rem patted her dress and walked to the door. Placing her hand on the knob, it did not have the exact same familiar feeling as always.

While normally anyone else would have never noticed, Rem was very accustomed to the usual feeling of her door and how the door's internal mechanisms always felt.

This time, they were slightly different, as if less broken in, and more stiff with lack of usage. Twisting the knob more, Rem spoke softly to herself.

Rem: Great Spirit-sama, I know you heard Rem think aloud...

Now fully opening the door, the smell of old books and parchment wafted into Rem's own bedroom. She had only seen this place a handful of times, but it's smell, floor patterns and shelves overflowing with books were unforgettable.

Taking a step in, Rem entered the Forbidden Library.

Before her, sat the Great Spirit in question. Clapping her book shut, Beatrice acknowledged the visitor she had in reality invited to her domain.

Beatrice: What pleasure do I owe this visit, younger maid sister?

Bowing before she spoke, Rem made her intentions clear.

Rem: Great Spirit-sama, Rem comes seeking a solution to a question that may determine if the mansion is in continued risk since the mabeast incident.

Beatrice: And that question is related to our two newest servants, I suppose?

Rem: — — Yes.

Setting the book she held onto the small table beside her, Beatrice stood up, and walked to another bookshelf.

Beatrice: And that would be a question of trust, is it not?

Rem hesitated before answering, prompting Beatrice to look back to the blue haired maid, who simply nodded in reply. Turning back to reach up for a book, Beatrice continued.

Beatrice: But the younger maid sister's question of trust only involves one of the new servants, doesn't it?

Rem was silent to this question as well. It felt like betrayal on her part to question her hero.

Grabbing a new book, Beatrice returned and sat down once more, propping her head up with her fist as she leaned her arm on her chair.

Beatrice: While Betty does not trust either of them I suppose, the grounds keeper is by far the most suspicious.

Rem continued to be silent as she listened to the Great Spirit let her thoughts spill out.

Beatrice: You have also smelled it on them too I suppose? They both reek of the Witch, and while the butler may be able to find Betty's forbidden library at a whim, it was the grounds keeper who has always carried a much more 'put together' demeanor between the two, hasn't he?

Opening her books and flipping to a page, Beatrice continued.

Beatrice: When the butler had asked to search for curses, Betty of course asked what had brought him to such a conclusion. Do you know what he said to Betty?

Shaking her head, part of Rem feared the answer, knowing if she were correct, it would darken the stain YN currently had on her soul.

Beatrice: 'YN suggested it.' Tell Betty, how could someone who had never known their gate attribute, or even tried casting magic, have known what a curse was?

Rem felt as if a bombshell had been dropped on her.

The reasons to not trust YN-kun grow more and more, but something... deep inside Rem is telling her to believe in him.

Rem: Beatrice-sama, what about all the selfless things YN-kun had done though? Saving the village children, saving Rem, defeating the mabeast... He has done many things for us to trust him.

Beatrice: What he has done or hasn't done, what he smells like, and even if Bubby himself had said he had never once felt a bit of malice from either of them, it does not matter to Betty. As long as the grounds keeper continues to be an anomaly, Betty will not trust him for any other reason other than that.

Hearing Beatrice's words, Rem was slightly taken aback. While she thought her own suspicions were somewhat grounded in a conflict of rational arguments in her own head, Beatrice had been very blunt with only her own feelings on the matter, which were entirely based on something Rem did not understand.

About to ask why Beatrice felt this way, Rem was cut off before she could begin.

Beatrice: —And no, Betty will not be sharing her thoughts on that any more I suppose. But what Betty will share, is her mutual curiosity on what the grounds keeper's reasoning has been for all of his actions.

Rem continued to stand, resolute in what the spirit had to say on the matter.

Beatrice: He must have done something to drive the younger maid sister into seeking out Betty's council on the matter I suppose?

Rem: Yes. YN-kun had promised to tell Rem everything he knew about why he had the Witches scent, what he knew of it, where it came from... But—

Beatrice clapped her book shut once more, this time giving Rem a much more stern and serious tone.

Beatrice: Oh? So he himself knew about the scent and something on its origins. Interesting, I suppose.

Rem: But, YN-kun simply said he could not say. He said he wished he could tell Rem but he could not. YN-kun could have chosen to lie to Rem, but he never did.

Beatrice was silent before answering the maid, putting a hand to her chin, she closed her eyes and thought for a moment.

Beatrice: Perhaps he is telling the truth. Perhaps he cannot say, either by force of contract, or by curse.

Rem's eyes widened slightly at the idea.

YN-kun might not be avoiding having to lie, but rather he physically cannot say.

Beatrice: If it is certain he has not lied at all, you must still recognize that the potential of having something like a curse or contract where the Witch's scent is involved is all the same, dangerous to this mansion, even if he is honest in his doings.

Noting the less trusting thoughts and feelings in her mind, Rem knew there was no arguing with Beatrice. It was vital they find out why YN could not elaborate more than he had.

Taking her hand off her chin, Beatrice stepped toward Rem.

Beatrice: It is within the mansion's best interest for us to get to the bottom of this, I suppose. Betty has a plan, however it involves things the younger maid sister may object to, magic that only Betty and few others are capable of performing, and—

Offering out a hand to Rem, Beatrice finished.

Beatrice:—all of your mana today, and whatever else you will have tomorrow by dinner time I suppose.

Knowing this was her only avenue for hoping to understand YN's reluctance, Rem graciously accepted the terms and let the Great Spirit relinquish her of her mana.

Growing somewhat weak and tired, Rem began to feel drowsy.

Beatrice: Now, return here before dinner preparations tomorrow, Betty will inform the younger maid sister of the finer details of the plan then.

Turning to leave, the drowsy Rem stumbled toward the exit, extremely exhausted from having her mana deposited to Beatrice.

Opening the door to the exit, Rem could once again recognize the familiar characteristics of the door mechanisms to her own room. Twisting the handle and entering, Rem immediately headed for bed.

With Ram in the dark in regards to Beatrice and Rem's plan and agreement, she had assumed Rem had simply gone to bed early. Wishing not to disturb her on her final day off, Rem slept well into the afternoon due to her mana loss.

Finally waking up, Rem arose to a mid-day sun shining in her room. Rubbing her eyes, Rem wiped the smallest amount of drool off her cheek.

Noting the time, a flurry of still drowsy thoughts swam into Rem's mind as it tried to continue to wake itself up.

Slowly, Rem sorted everything in her head, and as she did, she also remembered—

Rem: Dinner preparations are going to be done early today... That's right.

Rolling over and sitting up, Rem smoothed her dress out, this time unable to get rid of all the wrinkles, and headed out her bedroom door. She had to be quick if she was to meet the Spirit's deadline of meeting with her 'before dinner preparations.'

Stepping into the hallway, Rem looked around. No one was in sight, but there was another problem as well.

How is Rem going to find Beatrice-sama and her library?

Rem knew what she had to do though, she had been informed if she had ever needed to absolutely get in touch with the spirit in contract to watch over the mansion's forbidden library, she must keep opening doors till she found it.

Beginning with all the doors on the current floor, Rem opened them one by one, until there was only one room left.

YN's room.

Placing her hand on the handle, Rem slowly twisted the knob until she cracked the door open. Smelling the air from the opening, Rem confirmed it.

Old books, stationary, and dust filled Rem's nose as she sniffed.

Pushing the door open, Beatrice once again acknowledged her visitor by clapping her book shut.

Beatrice: Did you have much trouble finding Betty?

Shaking her head, Rem began to feel anxious. This would be the beginning to Beatrice's plan to help her get the truth from YN.

Beatrice: Good. Have the dinner preparations begun already then?

Rem: Nee-sama should be starting right around now.

Beatrice: Then go accompany her. In order for this plan to work correctly, you will need to make a specific food item for the groundskeeper, I suppose.

Rem: A 'specific food item?'

Tilting her head in question to Beatrice, she responded to the maid.

Beatrice: Yes. You'll need to make something and include this in it.

Getting up, Beatrice placed her closed palm in Rem's awaiting grasp. Letting go what she held into the maid's hand, Beatrice asked a question.

Beatrice: Do you know what kind of fruit that is, I suppose?

Rem stared at the familiar fruit, knowing exactly what it was.

Rem: Fannel fruit... Rem doesn't understand. Was this Beatrice-sama's plan?

Rem was entirely privy to what a powdered Fannel fruit was capable of when ingested.

Usually, when one would eat a powdered Fannel fruit, the first sensation is that of an all over body heat, followed by it's main property, change in behavior.

Rem knew that Flannel fruit was used covertly, laced in foods to make the consumer more honest with themselves and others. While not exactly a "truth drug," it does make those who have ingested it act more to their true selves, and be more open or willing to let things slip.

Looking back to Beatrice, Rem expected an answer to explain.

Beatrice: Betty is fully aware that there is the possibility that he cannot physically say what he knows about the Witch and her scent, making this fruit seem useless.

Pointing upward to make a point though, Beatrice continued.

Beatrice: The Fannel fruit is only half of the plan. The other is an exclusive and very rare Yin magic cast by Betty herself.

Turning and taking her seat once more, Beatrice continued.

Beatrice: Once you've gotten him to somehow eat it, you will need to find a way to bring him here. Unconscious. The sooner, the better.

Rem stared back down at the small fruit in her hand, unable to think how she could accomplish both goals without raising suspicions, even if most of the mansion would be away.

Taking a deep breath, Rem steadied herself. Closing her hand around the fruit and placing it in her pocket

Turning, Rem exited the Forbidden Library, determined to do what she needed.

Rem slowly peered into the dinning hall, and let out a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, none of the mansion's other residents have arrived yet.

Making her way across the hall, Rem opened the door to the kitchen, where she was met by her pink haired counterpart.

Rem: Nee-sama.

Turning around to face her younger sister, Ram took her attention off the boiling pot of water in front of her.

Ram: Rem, might Ram ask what you're doing in here? The kitchen is no place for someone who should be on their day off.

Walking up to her older sister, Rem smelled the steam coming out from the pot Ram was watching over.

Rem: Hmmm, it seems everyone will get to enjoy another of Nee-sama's special steamed tatoes.

Proudly putting her hands on her hip, Ram boasted in reply.

Ram: That is correct. This will be the last time in awhile Ram will be in charge of making dinner, so she's going all out tonight.

Smiling softly, Rem replied.

Rem: Nee-sama truly is amazing.

Putting away her boastfulness, Ram changed the subject.

Ram: Everything is under control though. Dinner preparations will be done shortly, so there's no point in trying to help, understand? It's your day off Rem, please act like it.

With Ram's wholehearted refusal to let Rem do anything in the kitchen, a bead of sweat ran down Rem's forehead, as she held the fruit in her hand, hidden in her pocket.

Rem needs to slip this pounder into YN's food only, but Nee-sama has now become an obstacle to this...

Ram: Rem, please understand. It was also Roswaal-sama's wish that you take the day—!

Cutting off Ram, the pot's lid from the expansion of boiling water began to rattle loudly.

Taking action, Ram grabbed a rag and lifted the lid to the pot, and began stirring it to get the boiling back down.

Using this golden opportunity, Rem also sprang into action. Looking around, she rapidly thought of an idea.

Rem needs something she can make to go with Nee-sama's tatoes, something she can make extra quick, just for YN that Rem can put the powdered Flannel fruit into.

A few items caught Rem's eye. Cracked open eggs shells sitting in the garbage, a few of Ram's unused Tatoes, a vase of oil, a bowl Lemomus, and a jar of vingie.

Rem's mind rapidly pieced together everything she could make quickly with what was out.

Suddenly, Rem remembered.

Rem: May-o-naze...

Turning around as well and taking action, Rem set out making the creamy white concoction she had seen only a few days prior. Hearing her sister begin to make something, but still occupied with her over boiling pot, Ram called out.

Ram: Rem! Please. Do not worry, your Nee-sama has everything under control.

Without hearing a response either way, the continued sound of rapid clanging of pots, bottles being opened, and other assorted cooking sounds came from where Rem was.

This had been one of the few times Rem had been thankful for her sister's shortcomings. Having been distracted, Ram was trying to bring the boil down by simply stirring, but had neglected to take the pot off its fire.

Ram: Rem. You are actively going against Roswaal-sama's wishes by cooking. Please stop immediately and wait in the dining hall!

Still with no response other than the clacking sound of mixing and stirring, Ram had finally moved the pot off its heat in an effort to quickly get the over-boiling under control to prevent her younger sister from working anymore.

Finally controlling the pot, Ram spun right around to stop Rem, but to her surprise—

Ram: — — ?! Rem? Weren't you just—?

Turning to meet only her guiltily smiling sister, Ram was surprised to see the kitchen exactly as it had been, as if Rem had not been making anything at all.

Ram: Rem.

Rem: Yes, Nee-sama?

Ram: What were you doing?

Bringing it up to show her, Rem presented the result of her incredibly fast actions.

Looking at what Rem held, Ram immediately recognized it's familiarity.

A single, small, dip cup, filled with the same white creamy egg and oil mixture that Subaru had told them about a few days ago.

Realizing Rem had obviously not made enough for everyone, Ram replied to her sister's actions.

Ram: If Rem wanted more of that... may-o-naze, then she could have just asked—

Shaking her head, Rem cut off her sister.

Rem: This is made specially for YN-kun.

Relaxing her expression, Ram sighed.

Ram: I suppose if it's only for him it doesn't count as work technically. But now then, Rem. Please go be seated in the hall, Ram will but plating up the food momentarily.

Rem looked around the kitchen for another excuse, desperate to find a reason now to avoid staying in the dining hall. She watched as Ram plated up the steamed tatoes and placed them on the silver serving platter, six total plates in all.

Immediately this caught Rem's attention. Stepping forward, Rem asked why this was.

Rem: Nee-sama, will someone not be joining us for dinner?

Ram: Barasu had been unable to get Beatrice-sama to take any food brought upstairs during the past rushed meals, so Ram would like to avoid wasting any more of the mansion's stock on someone who refuses to eat it.

Knowing this was her ticket, Rem hastily grabbed another plate and set a steamed tatoe on it.

Rem: Rem will take this up to Beatrice-sama!

As she turned and headed to the door, Ram called out to her younger sister.

Ram: Rem, there's no need, she won't come downstairs to eat unless Barasu—

Rem: Please give YN-kun his gift if Rem doesn't return in time.

With that, Rem headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs with the uncalled-for delivery. Having returned in a roundabout way, Rem navigated around the halls to avoid any confrontation with anyone headed down to the dinning hall.

Finally reaching her own room, Rem opened and closed the door, and set the plate on her dresser. Sighing a sigh of relief, Rem had narrowly managed to avoid any dinner table confrontations. However, she wasn't in the clear yet.

Rem: Rem will need to trust that Nee-sama delivered the 'gift' to YN-kun.

While in the hurried jumble of creating the side "gift" for YN, Rem had found the time to put the needed amount of Flannel fruit powder into the small cup of mayonnaise.

Rem: Given how we departed, Rem hopes that YN-kun would be willing to eat something Rem made for him.

Now all there was to do was wait. Wait for Roswaal and Ram to leave for their business trip, and wait for Emilia and Subaru to depart for Arlem.

Rem sat on her bedside, watching the sun fall lower and lower on the horizon. Next to her was a now empty plate, having eaten the tatoe supposedly meant for Beatrice.

Looking out the window, She had seen Roswaal and her sister depart earlier, and just as she let out a yawn, the small figures of Emilia and Subaru became apparent, walking down to the mansion's main gate, and onward to the city.

This meant for anyone else other than Beatrice, Rem and YN were the only residents of the mansion currently still there.

Knowing now that she must act quickly, Ram departed for YN's room.

Reaching his door, Rem slowly opened the handle without a knock or even an announcement.

To her surprise, YN was not in his room. A tiny panic began to arise in Rem.

Why isn't YN-kun in here? He normally would come up here to study by himself after dinner if there weren't any other task for him to do.

Calming herself down, Rem knew that he couldn't have gone far.

Descending down the stairs, Rem entered the dining hall, looking for any sign of YN.

Rem had been about to begin looking elsewhere until she heard the faint sound of clanging dishware coming from the kitchen.

YN-kun must have taken responsibility for the dishes so Subaru-kun could leave with Emilia-sama.

Thankfully for Rem, the door to the kitchen wasn't fully closed, allowing her to quietly open it to peer inwards.

With his back to her at the sink, Rem saw YN for the first time in a few days. Instantly, a mix of emotions boiled in her. Many were of suspicion, many were also of longing and desire. But their pooled result only made determination. Determination to find the truth, one way or another.

Rem silently stepped in, her footsteps being overshadowed by the sound of running water and the scraping and setting of the dishes YN was working on.

Letting go of the doorknob, Rem took a few more silent footsteps until—

*Creeeek*

Having let go of the door handle, the door had begun to naturally open more, as if from a draft or tilted hinges. Either way, Rem had been exposed due to the carelessness caused by her emotions.

Without looking back, YN called out, as if intending to speak to someone else.

YN: Back so soon?

Rem knew it was now or never as Beatrice's words echoed in her mind.

Beatrice: —you will need to find a way to bring here. Unconscious. The sooner, the better.

Crossing the gap between her and YN, Rem steadied her hand. Too much force, and she'd hurt him, too little, he'd remain conscious.

YN: Did you forget something—

With a quick "chop" to the back of his head, YN was out like a light.

Catching him before he fell, Rem grabbed YN by the shoulder and brought him down to his knees. Gently setting him on his side, Rem stood up and took a step back from YN.

Rem can't believe she just did that...

Her hands slightly began to tremble as she looked down on them.

She had hurt YN. She had hurt her hero.

Not about to let her emotions take control, Rem shook off the feeling for now.

Picking up YN, she bridal carried his unconscious body all the way up to the awaiting door that led to the Forbidden Library.

Stepping inside, Rem was greeted by a slightly different layout then she had seen before in the Library.

Beatrice's chair, side table, and ladder were all moved to the side, as well as the pile of books, leaving a rather open area right inside the Library's opening.

As if waiting, Beatrice gestured to the maid to have her set YN in the middle of the floor. Complying with her instruction, Rem placed YN's body on the tiled floor of the library.

Standing back straight, the blue haired maid questioned the Great Spirit on the exact details of everything.

Rem: What is next, Beatrice-sama?

Beatrice: Betty will begin casting her magic, I suppose. It is powerful Yin magic, related to Al Shamak. The magic will allow the younger maid sister to peer into YN's memories of almost a month in age.

Rem was shocked to hear of such magic. Widening her eyes, Rem replied.

Rem: Memory viewing? That sounds incredibly powerful. And potentially abused.

Shaking her head, Beatrice answered.

Beatrice: Not entirely, it has its drawbacks. For one, the only memories that are visible are ones the host is willing to share. His mind will know it is you that is viewing them, but not his conscious self.

Rem: It is not a good interrogation method then?

Beatrice nodded and responded.

Beatrice: Precisely. Unless someone was willing to already admit to a wrongdoing, the magic would have no effect other than that.

Rem: Then if YN-kun truly can't say certain things, but in his heart, truly wishes to tell Rem, then it's possible for him to through this method.

Beatrice: And if he isn't honest about that, the fruit will help you further investigate by changing his behavior, allowing you to view other, potentially clue having memories. The fruit could potentially prompt him to share these memories with you in the first place, as if they were a confession.

Raising a hand, Beatrice closed her eyes and pointed her palm to YN who remained in the ground. Slowly, herself and YN began to glow, although faint. The two's hair also began to wave, as if a breeze was flowing through the Library localized to only them.

Opening her eyes once more, Beatrice nodded to Rem.

Beatrice: It is ready, I suppose. Please take Betty's hand and then lie down to next YN.

Taking the great spirits hand, Rem laid down on the floor next to YN with an arm still reached up to the standing Beatrice.

Beatrice: You will feel a sensation as if you are a free floating entity while observing YN's memory dreamscape. When viewing a memory, you should have the control to see ones he is willing to share in chronological order as he remembers them. You will not have that much time to look, so it is important you don't spend too long in any single memory, I suppose. Part of the control you will have in the dreamscape is to move about the memories like pages on a book, in other words, skip to the page you need.

Taking in all this information as best as she could, Rem nodded to the spirit still holding her hand as Beatrice seemed to tower above her.

Beatrice: If you have no more questions, then you may proceed to the final step I suppose. Now, fall asleep.

Closing her eyes, Rem immediately tried to protest.

Rem: Beatrice-sama, Rem doesn't know how long it could take her to fall— oh.

With the held hand she still had, Beatrice took Rem's mana, softly depleting it and making Rem exhausted, just as she was last time.

Having most of her mana depleted, Rem began to feel immensely drowsy, and her grip was gently let go of.

Turning her closing eyes to YN, Rem smiled as she saw the innocence in YN's sleeping face, breathing softly as he rested.

Rem will find the truth for you, YN-kun.

A/N: Well, there's this weeks chapters. I hope you are all excited for next weeks chapters, as chapter 36 was my absolute favorite to write, and I hope it will be your absolute favorite to read. Till then, cao cao.