A/N: This chapter and the next will more then or less based off the "Rem's Ordinary Happy Day" WN short story that was TL'd by Remonwater, and also made its appearance into the Re: Zero manga. Its a very cute Rem story and I think it's best experienced in the WN form, and then read for the visuals in the manga form.

Chapter 43: Temptations

Setting into the room, Rem ever so quietly shut the door behind her. Making her way over to the bedside, she sat with her knees on the floor and rested her upper body on bed.

Moving the covers back just enough, Rem revealed the face of the one who held her heart.

It was earlier than normal when she'd go to wake him up, but after yesterday, she really couldn't get over the idea of seeing him all the time.

Rem wants to live up to YN-kun's expectations.

Patiently waiting for the sun to soon come over the horizon and dabble hues of pink onto the morning clouds from the horizon, Rem fawned over YN.

Once she saw the sun, she thought, she would crawl onto his bed, and wake him up as she usually did.

Feeling herself become more and more anxious, Rem could feel a heat building in her chest.

Why must the sun take its precious time?

Beginning to fidget, Rem re-adjusted which arm she laid on, slightly jostling the bed.

Feeling the movement, YN reacted. Seeing him rustle under the covers, Rem ducked down, below where she could be seen, just in case she had accidentally awoken him.

Waiting to hear him settle back down, Rem heard him begin to speak, groggily.

YN: ... R.. Re...m...

Her eyes going wide, Rem stared at the floor as she stayed crouched down, unsure of what to do next.

Again, YN spoke.

YN: Re...m...

Hearing her name once more, Rem was frozen still. Was she seen? No. But how then would he know?

YN: Rem...

Waiting more, what Rem heard next not only gave her relief, but also vast curiosity.

YN: They... they're so... soft...

Now completely sure he was dreaming, Rem's face turned a bright red, knowing that YN was dreaming of her.

Poking her head up once more, she confirmed that YN was, in fact, still sleeping.

Looking at him, Rem could see the half asleep, open mouth grin he had, obviously thoroughly enjoying whatever dream he was having.

Realizing what this meant, Rem felt her entire body become hot, her mind racing with an infinite amount of thoughts and ideas of what YN was specifically dreaming about.

Rem can't recall a time when YN-kun had expressed such a desire for her.

Having half a clue of what he was dreaming of with regards to herself, Rem had never thought of YN in the realistic sense of how they would "relate" to each other. Sure, she had her fantasies, but now that they had something "more," Rem knew the door to such relations were now open, and she'd get to see just exactly how YN would react.

Thinking over it more, Rem's mind raced more and more with thoughts like "Who would be the one to take initiative?" "What sort of things would he say?" "How would he react to things she wanted to do?"

With her mind fleeting with endless possibilities, new avenues of thought were burgeoning inside Rem like never before.

Putting her hands to her own face, Rem felt just how hot and red her face had become from such thoughts.

It's all Rem can do to contain herself right now.

Calming down slightly, Rem's thoughts began to rationalize as she did.

Turning to more specific ones, Rem replayed what YN had mumbled in his sleep in her mind, really trying to understand just what YN was thinking of.

'They're so soft...'

Three simple words, but they obviously meant something significant.

'They're' means there's more than one... And they must be something YN finds soft...

Trying her hardest to think of what qualified for what YN had only vaguely described, Rem searched her mind.

Rem can only remember YN-kun directly calling Rem's hands soft...

Thinking to the more recent, Rem recalled the night they had spent together.

Maybe he's thinking of Rem's lips? From when we kissed...

But how could he talk if he was imagining kissing her? Rem couldn't be sure it was that either...

Dreams are usually of things you can only imagine and desire...

Thinking it had to be something YN had yet to experience since it was in a dream, Rem thought harder of what it may be before coming to an idea.

Before YN-kun had kissed Rem... He had seen...!

Recalling the look on YN's face right before she had pulled him onto the bed with her, she remembered where he was looking.

Rem had pulled her stockings down... Showing her legs.

It was true, YN had seen practically all of Rem's thighs, and couldn't take his eyes off them.

Taking her own hands, Rem guided them up under her own dress, above where her stockings ended, and felt her own thighs, at around the same high point YN had seen them.

Realizing just how far up YN must have seen, Rem's face went hot and red once more.

But would YN-kun consider these 'soft?'

Touching her own thighs, Rem rubbed her hand across them, trying her best to judge in YN's place. Feeling where her garter attached to the stocking, it's stiff connection definitely indented into her skin, making it bulge out from the compression. The same could be said for the very top of her stockings as they hugged their way around her leg. Giving her thighs a slight grab with her hands, Rem assumed that maybe this was what YN was dreaming of...

Exploring other possibilities, Rem moved her hands to her rear that currently sat on her heels while she still was on the floor next to YN's bed.

When we both accidentally slipped on the floor in the foyer... YN-kun had accidentally grabbed here when trying to catch Rem... Is that maybe what he's thinking of?

Thinking he was maybe dreaming of an alternative scenario, Rem could feel herself getting warm once more.

Or maybe—

Bringing her hands to her chest, Rem indented them into her endowment.

It must be these then? That would be more obvious, but—

Trying to recall a time YN had maybe touched there, Rem thought hard.

—That's right, in a time Rem hadn't experienced, but she saw it happen!

Thinking back to her experience seeing his memories, Rem recalled the time YN had saved her from falling backwards into the drained bath.

They must have squeezed up against him when that happened... And they are Rem's most... identifying feature when compared to Nee-sama.

Giving them another squeeze, Rem lamented.

Or maybe YN-kun had noticed they'd been getting bigger again...

Distinctly thinking of all the possibilities, Rem found herself getting warmer and warmer.

Part of Rem just wants to get into YN's bed and see what he reaches for first...

Feeling her own breath become more intense, and her heart beat faster, Rem stood up and grabbed the bed sheet to pull it back, but stopped.

The sun.

Poking just over the horizon, the very first seconds of daylight trickled into the room, causing Rem to stop and cool her head just long enough for more sound thoughts to come to mind.

No... Rem and YN-kun haven't even been 'more' for a full day yet... And it's almost morning time anyway...

Letting go of the sheet, Rem quietly walked to the door, and exited the room.

Feeling much cooler in the hallway, Rem fanned her still warm and red face with her hand as she let herself calm down.

Rem doesn't think she could forgive herself if she ruined what she and YN-kun have now...

Thinking more rationally now, Rem was content nonetheless.

It does make Rem's heart so happy knowing YN-kun is open to the idea of being 'more-then-more'.

Smiling, Rem knew she was sufficiently calmed.

Opening the door, the light in the room was much more than it had been when she left. Looking upon the rooms only other resident, Rem continued to smile.

But for now, Rem and YN-kun will enjoy being 'more' for now. 'More-then-more' can come later.

With her lust controlled, Rem went about her normal wake up of YN, excited for what their first day of 'more' would bring them.

Having had a mostly regular day, it was made busier by the fact the party had delayed some of the more daily tasks that needed to have been done till today.

Unfortunately, this meant Rem and YN would be left with little time, if any, to have their tutoring session that night. Convincing him to rest, Rem proposed they'd spend some time together in the morning to make up for it.

Preparing for bed, Rem was finishing up the last of her duties for the night. Having just helped Ram to bed, Rem proceeded to set up things for the master of the mansion's morning routine.

This of course meant setting out his make-ups, making sure none were empty, and preparing his next day wardrobe options.

Having done so, Rem departed to her own room, ready to change into her nightgown and rest for the night.

Passing the aforementioned master of the mansion's study on the way to her own room, Rem knew that he was more than likely working on paperwork, or doing some other sort of important task.

However, with the door slightly ajar, light peaked out into the hallway, darting across the darkness. Slowing to take a small glimpse inside, Rem was greeted by the sound of glass clinking and banter being had.

Rem recognizes that voice...

Seeing it as her "maidly" obligation to see what was going on, Rem creaked the door open further.

Stepping into the room, Rem's senses felt the immediate effect of the activities going on inside.

Alcohol...

With her senses and mind being weakened, Rem proceeded further into the room, losing any sort of anonymity she may have had from simply slowly opening the door to check on what was going on.

Roswaal: Ahh, Rem, how nice of you to join us.

Taking a drink from a glass as nearly as big as he was, his two furry paws lifted the drink above his head, as if straight from a barrel. Setting the now empty glass down, the small spirit that had laughed and joked in a way Rem had recognized flew up to her, swaying as he floated.

Puck: Hi-how-ya-doin' Rem?

Feeling her face become scarlet from the smell of booze in the air, Rem did her best to keep her professionalism.

Trying her best to bow, Rem slightly swayed as she did, but not so much she needed to step forward to regain her balance.

Rem: Roswaal-sama, Great Spirit-sama. Please forgive Rem for intruding, but do either of you require anything before Rem retires for the day?

Flying back to the desk, the tipsy little gray cat pondered dramatically, as if making some sort of huge decision before answering.

Puck: Hmmmmm, not that I can think of? I think me and Roswaal here were just talking about—

Picking up the bottle of alcohol they were pouring drinks from, Roswaal slightly shook the bottle, showing it was empty.

Roswaal: Rem, would you please go to my cabinet over there and procure us another bottle?

Nodding at her masters request, Rem opened the cabinet and was given the choice of many different bottles, of all shapes and sizes of drinks and spirits.

Smelling the ambiance of the bottles as she opened the doors, another barrage of the smell that so easily intoxicated Rem washed over her.

Feeling herself become more disoriented, Rem did her best to clear her mind and look over her shoulder to clarify her master's desired choice.

Rem: W-which one would you— Roswaal-sama like?

Stepping out of the way so he could see easier, Rem almost felt her feet become tangled underneath her. Feeling how warm her face was, she had hoped Roswaal would come to a quick decision and—

Roswaal: Hmm, how about that tall orange bottle, in the back? The one I seem to remember you quite enjoyed back at the party.

Nodding her red face in confirmation, Rem moved a few of the choices out of the way to easily retrieve the desired bottle. Going to reach into the deep cabinet, Rem was forced to take in the smell of all the other bottles much more intensely.

Having retrieved the bottle in question, Rem shut the cabinet and inspected the familiar bottle, as if confirming she truly held it.

Looking down at it, the bottle swayed in her arms.

Rem is starting to see... two of them...

Realizing she needed to leave the area and clear her head, should she make a mistake in her master's presence, Rem carefully walked the bottle over to them, and set it at the table, before stepping back and bowing.

Setting his empty glass on the table, Roswaal smiled before making one more request.

Roswaal: Rem, if you also could, please pour me another—

Puck: Roswaal.

Hearing a stern change in attitude from the spirit who earlier had seemed so merry and chummy, Rem stiffened her back, albeit at a slight delay due to her current composure, she nonetheless noticed the drastic change.

Crossing his paws as he floated, Puck gave Roswaal a glare of "You know what you're doing."

Sighing in reply to his stare, Roswaal smiled and turned back to Rem.

Roswaal: On second thought Rem, that won't be necessary. You may be dismissed.

Bowing to her master's request, Rem turned to exit the room. Halfway between there and where she had just been though, Roswaal spoke to her once more.

Roswaal: Ah, one last thing before you go, Rem—

Puck: C'mon Roswaal, enough of this. Pour your drink and let's get back to talking—

Roswaal: Now now, I will not ask anything of Rem I do not think she couldn't handle, but what I intend to ask also isn't anything immediate either.

Unfolding his arms, Puck landed once more and took a sip of the glass Roswaal had poured him while explaining himself, ready to listen to whatever else he might have to say.

Looking back at the halfway intoxicated maid, Roswaal continued.

Roswaal: Your sister tells me that you and YN-kun have been spending a lot of time together...

Unsure if this was a simple observation or an accusation, Rem tried her best to keep a simple, neutral demeanor despite her current state.

Getting no reply from the maid, Roswaal poured his own drink as he continued.

Roswaal: —And I have reason to believe that your time together is most... iiiiiiintimate.

Still unsure how the rest of this would play out, Rem swallowed a lump in her throat formed from the nervousness that wasn't made any easier by the scent that permeated throughout the room every time the bottle was opened and alcohol poured.

With no response still, Roswaal sipped his glass and sighed. Easily seeing the intoxicated oni's suppressed emotions, Roswaal relaxed his tone somewhat.

Roswaal: There is no cause for concern so long as relations stay amicable when it most matters.

Seeing the tension on Rem's red face decline and the stiffness in her shoulders and knees relax, Roswaal regained some of his previous demeanor, not being one to let social capital escape him.

Roswaal: In fact, your closeness might even prove useful for what I'm about to ask.

With her mind being somewhat sluggish in reaction to the conversation, for a brief moment, Rem wondered if she was about to be posed with a question of loyalty. To YN or to her employer.

No, Roswaal-sama wouldn't do that...

Seeing the tension slightly build on her rosey face again, Roswaal rethought his words once more, knowing Puck was eyeing him with suspicion once more.

Roswaal: All I require— request is that you keep a keen eye on him. If that means being around him more often? Then so be it. All that matters is that you observe him, closely.

Thinking his words towards YN were ones in doubt to his character, Rem felt the immediate need to defend him. Speaking up for the first time in this conversation, and for the first time while still feeling intoxicated as she was, Rem croaked out her reply.

Rem: Y-YN-kun can be trusted! Rem trusts him!

Putting a hand above her mouth, Rem realized she had perhaps over-spoken.

Lifting his brows and replying with a simple "Oh?" Roswaal took another sip and gestured for her to elaborate further.

Rem obviously cannot say for the exact reason she feels this way but...

Rem: YN-kun has shown his aptitude and loyalty to the mansion in his dealings with the village, both in his interactions with the villagers, and his efforts to defend them during the mabeast attack.

Feeling full of conviction, it took every ounce of Rem's willpower to not stammer or even slur her words.

Roswaal: It's rather unlike you to trust someone so quickly... Especially given what occurred on your day off.

Rem: —Hk.

Stunned at what she heard Roswaal mention, Rem quickly rationalized in her mind, it was impossible for him to know what truly went on.

Roswaal: I know you don't doubt my ability to know what goes on in the walls of my own mansions, isn't that right?

Rem knows this is a bluff, but Rem also knows this is only the natural progression of a dealing like this. Roswaal-sama is experienced in these matters, that's why he holds the position he does.

It wasn't Rem doubting Roswaal's skill, but rather she simply knew there was no possible way to know what went on, it was so outlandish. It was obvious there was a problem at one point, but to what extent, that was another thing entirely.

Leaning back in his chair and taking another sip, Roswaal did his best to relax his attitude again.

Roswaal: Buuuuuuut I'm sure it was nothing, since he has both yours, and your sisters approval, I do not doubt his character—

Rem: —No.

Shaking her head, Rem saw the room spin for a moment before continuing.

Rem: Rem was foolish, and made assumptions like many seem to make against YN-kun... But he proved Rem wrong, and helped Rem to be better to herself, so YN-kun has Rem's trust.

Somewhat surprised to hear such an answer from the maid, he raised his brows once more.

Leaning back in, Roswaal set his drink down and placed his elbows on the table, resting his now serious face on his folded fingers.

Roswaal: The only problem is that our dear YN-kun remains an anomaly. And thus, should be kept an eye on. It's nothing out of suspicion, simply caution. And for his well-being too.

Remembering having heard YN referred to as such before, Rem hoped that maybe this would be elaborated on further this time. Looking at the gray cat spirit that floated next to him, Puck only crossed his arms and nodded in agreement with Roswaal's words.

Seeing the spirit have no issue with the words used to describe YN, Rem thought it best to not worry about it either.

Bowing to her master's orders, Rem complied.

Rem: As you request, Roswaal-sama.

Turning and stepping out the door, Rem was halted once more.

Roswaal: Remember, by any means.

Nodding and shutting the door, Rem let loose a great sigh of relief.

Rem: Rem doesn't know how much longer she could have held out...

Having used all of her self control given the state she found herself in, Rem's mind was finally able to relax, free from the pressure she had put upon herself.

As she slowly walked down the dark hallway, Rem's mind replayed the conversation again and again, making sure she hadn't made a slip up.

Walking as she did towards her room, the words "By any means" echoed in her mind.

Is this approval for us then? Or permittance for more time with YN-kun without the fear that Rem is neglecting her duties…?

Thinking hard on the matter, Rem was stopped by a familiar door on the way back to her own.

YN-kun's door...

Thinking more on what she believed to be permitted now, Rem rationed her desires in her still intoxicated mind.

It isn't as late as some times that Rem and YN-kun have stayed up till together... and Rem was asked to spend time with him...

Tempted with the idea of seeing if YN was still awake, Rem placed her hand on the door knob, prompting her to recall the last time she had done so.

This morning... When Rem could barely control herself...

Remembering how she had been in that moment, her intoxicated mind now played to her weaknesses.

During the party, if Rem hadn't been as she is now... Rem would have never had the confidence to do what she did...

Knowing she would more than likely have had the confidence to go through with "more-than-more" if it had occurred now, Rem could hardly fathom the thought.

Having spent so long trying to police her words and demeanor in the study, Rem had no desire to curb her desires now...

Hearing the words "by any means" continue to echo in her mind, they began to take on a new definition.

If Rem really did...

Slowly, her hand twisted the doorknob more and more.

Rem would only be following her instructions...

Feeling her breathing get more anxious and her face get hotter, Rem was close to losing all self restraint.

Rem wouldn't have to feel guilty about it later.

Opening the door, the room was dark, but with the shimmer of the moon's light entering into the room from the window, Rem could see his face.

With an immense heat growing her chest, radiating throughout her entire body, Rem, through her intoxication, gave into her lust.

Shutting the door behind her, Rem gave in, and decided to do as she pleased.

A/N: Thank you everyone for the continued support and the king comments you all leave on these chapters. I have a few more pre-arc-three ideas I want to continue with so expect more content still! I hope you enjoyed, and I hope you look forward to next week's exciting conclusion to this chapter, as well as the art I have commissioned to go with it. (Which unfortunately isn't viewable on here, but on the other sites, it is.)