Chapter 20: Caution: Wet Floor!

Waking up to a new day, Lyra raised her head up in bed and yawned.

She quickly went to go brush her teeth in a sink, then she went back to her bedroom. Making her way over to the standing closet, Lyra changed into her work clothes, and set out to get ready for the day.

That bath really put me to sleep early...it's barely light out yet!

By now, Lyra knew where all of her work equipment was along with what she would be asked to do. It would be easy enough to just say she was "experienced enough to know where things should be kept and what needed to be done if the twin maids were to ever start feeling suspicious about how she was able to get started so quickly.

Heading down the hallway as quietly as she could, Lyra tiptoed down the stairs and reached the foyer. Making her way to the rear entrance of the mansion and reaching for the door, she realized that it was unlocked.

Lyra: That's strange. Don't the twins usually make sure everything is locked up before bedtime?

Turning the handle and pushing open the door, Lyra was surprised by who she saw standing on the back patio.

Her blue hair swayed lightly in the gentle morning breeze. Her blue nightgown also fluttered just as softly, conforming to her figure. The front half of her nightgown was pulled tightly from her morning stretch.

With her back facing Lyra and her arms extended wide mid-stretch, she let out a big yawn.

Almost dumbfounded, yet also excited to see Rem up so early, Lyra cheerfully called out to her

Lyra: Oh, hi, Rem! Good morning! You're awake early! What's up?

Dropping her arms almost immediately, Rem spun around, surprised by the sudden company she now had.

A small embarrassed blush ran across her face before she responded.

Rem: O-Oh! L-Lyra-chan! Rem is doing alright...she's j-just stretching! G-good morning to you, too! H-How are you?

Lyra: I'm doing pretty good, especially since I get to see a cutie like you!

Rem started blushing even more as she listened to Lyra.

Rem: You're so sweet ..

Lyra: You're even sweeter, you know. By the way...

Almost saying "You don't wake up this early normally." to her, Lyra caught the words before they left her mouth and instead said a more appropriate statement to Rem.

Lyra: I ...uhhh...didn't know that you woke up this early.

Wrapping her arms around herself, Rem responded in a still embarrassed state.

Rem: Rem normally doesn't. Although waking up earlier than Nee-sama is needed, as she takes a long time to wake up on her own. That's usually not for a few hours from now, though. Are you usually one to get up early, Lyra-chan?

Rem posed a question to Lyra, trying to deflect the topic of the conversation away from her irregular habit

Lyra: Not like this, to be honest. It's just that I figured the lawn would need to be trimmed today, and I'd rather do it before it gets too warm out, you know?

Scratching her chin, Lyra answered as honestly as she could.

Realizing Rem had never said what she was also doing up out of bed so early, Lyra asked Rem a question.

Lyra: So...did you just decide to wake up early too, then or did you wake up even earlier and just couldn't get back to sleep?

Folding her fingers together underneath her chest, Rem looked up and away from Lyra her blush continuing to stay. She shook her head.

Rem: Not quite. Rem was just...

Beginning to rock on her feet, heel to toe, heel to toe, Rem delayed her answer.

Rem: Rem was just... excited. Excited to work with Lyra-chan...and Subaru!

Catching a slip of her own tongue, Lyra felt the glint of a small blush of her own, as Rem was terrible at hiding such a thing once she said it.

Smiling, Lyra responded to her in a way to quell her own embattled thoughts.

Lyra: I'm excited to work with you both today, as well! Especially you!

An expression of relief, anticipation, and fervor washed over Rem, all crowned by the small smile she expressed while hearing Lyra's words.

Speaking with more confidence now, Rem added in.

Rem: Even though our tasks are not really that much related, Rem woke up so soon in part to get things done earlier, so that maybe Rem could help Lyra.

Replying with an almost equally-flushed face of emotions, Lyra scratched the back of her head and spoke.

Lyra: That was also part of my goal here too. I can imagine how both you AND your sister both work pretty hard, so I thought the least I could I could do, for the trouble that I probably am with needing to be tutored, is help you finish early and maybe get some rest-time before the daily lesson!

Realizing what it meant for both of them, Rem put a hand to her mouth and giggled.

Rem: Hehehe, it seems we'll both finish early, thwarting each other's plans. Also, Rem doubts that you'll be any trouble at all when it comes to being tutored. She isn't sure how or why, but she has a good feeling that she will have a very good time teaching you how to read and write.

Lyra: You're too kind, Rem.

Rem: So are you, Ly-Ly!

Lyra started blushing even more than she was before.

Lyra: H-HUH?! "Ly-Ly"?

Rem giggled at Lyra's surprised and flustered reaction.

Rem: Yes. It's a new nickname that I came up with for you. Do you like it?

Lyra started off nodding her head shyly before quickly speeding up her head-nodding.

Lyra: Y-y-YES!! I l-love it!! Th-thanks!! Rem-Rem...

Rem blushed and giggled a bit.

Rem: "Rem-Rem" , huh? Is that your new nickname for Rem now? Sounds cute, just like you

Lyra: Y-you're cuter!

Time passed by as the golden-haired and azure-haired young women hung out and chatted together, occasionally making flirty comments towards each other. The sun poked its rays above the horizon, painting the morning sky in a wash of pink.

With both Rem AND Lyra noticing the change in ambiance, they turned to view the display before them, both going silent Lyra had taken a step forward off of the doormat to get a better view and was standing next to Rem.

Taking her vision away from the hues of pink that danced on the morning clouds, she stared at and appreciated the profile of Lyra's face, staring at the glint of the same hues of pink reflecting off her soft, sky-blue eyes.

Somehow, they are even more beautiful this way, Re thought.

With her hands still folded below her chest, her vision traveled down from Lyra's face to her hand, which was hanging outside of one of her apron pockets.

Unfolding her own fingers and releasing her hand, Rem slowly moved her own hand to hers. While Rem saw her hand as welcoming, she did not want to ruin the moment for Lyra. Rem hesitated.

Her hand was just ever-so-close to clasping Lyra's. Had she moved it any closer, her fingers would be in her palm and finally around her own fingers.

However, her advance was stopped. Lyra spoke up finally, breaking the silence between the two of them. This caused Rem's hand to jump away at the very last second.

Lyra: There's a saying from where I'm from. "Pink at night, sailor's delight. Pink in the morning, sailor's warning".

Having not taken her vision off of the clouds above, Lyra had not seen Rem's attempt to hold hands.

Noting Rem's silence, Lyra turned het head to look at her, a somewhat-guilty and blushing expression was on her face. Seeing Lyra's attention now being directed at her, she was instantly snapped out of whatever thought she was in, which caused her to struggle with a response.

Rem: Oh, u-uhh...yes! It's good that we are not sailors, then.

Giving a slight chuckle at Rem's rushed response, Lyra put her head down and took a step to walk off.

Lyra: Well, I guess it's time for me to get started now, then...

Nodding, Rem watched as Lyra walked her way down the stairs and towards the place where her equipment was stored.

Turning around, Lyra yelled back to Rem.

Lyra: If we get done early, I'll meet you back here!

With a hand up to her chest, Rem gave a large nod to confirm what Lyra had said.

The second day at the mansion was off to a good start at the very least.

With the sun at the apex of its travel across the sky, Lyra had finished her duties and was informed by Ram that she should be done for the day.

Returning to the patio, Lyra was expecting to meet Rem. Not seeing her there, she decided to check to see if something was holding her up.

Heading into the mansion, Lyra had found Subaru almost immediately, halfway down the foyer. He was mopping the floor in a rather expedient manner.

Seeing Lyra enter, Subaru gave her a rather-boisterous greeting, his arms flying around as he made various random poses.

Subaru: Lyra! How very good to see you! Great job on the lawn! I shall use your work as an example of what to aspire to while mopping!

With that, Subaru began to mop even more enthusiastically,

As soon as Lyra was going to greet him back, thank him for his compliment on her handiwork on the lawn, and ask if he had seen Rem, a voice called from down the staircase.

?: Subaru? Why are you mopping the floor again? Didn't you already do that earlier today?

With a soft voice that rang like silver bells, Emilia stepped down off the stairs and onto the freshly-cleaned floor at its base. Completely ignoring her concerns involving the floor, Subaru ambitiously greeted Emilia.

Subaru: Emilia-tan! How wonderful it is to see you! And my, must I say you look lovely this afternoon! I'll put the elbow grease I have into making this floor reflect a shine that's just as bright and beautiful as your eyes!

Obviously oblivious to what he meant, Emilia responded weakly.

Emilia: O-oh, okay. I don't really know what you mean but I'll take that as a compliment, I guess?

Turning to see Lyra standing there in bewilderment to the entire scene playing out before herself, Emilia's composure reset. She greeted Lyra with a smile

Emilia: Hello, Lyra! How did the rest of your work go? How's your gate? Have you noticed anything different at all?

Almost slightly irked at her repeated question, yet also grateful for her kindness, she could not let any sassy attitude pass her lips to someone who had been nothing but good to her so far.

And she did mean well, even if she was sort of repetitive about it

Holding her tongue and using only the most polite, proper words she could, she responded to Emilia, slightly lowering her head in a humble bow.

Lyra: My tasks for the day are complete. As for my gate, it is the same as it was during breakfast when you last asked. No, I have not had any anomalies. Thank you for your concern, Emilia-sama

She could practically feel the "ten" and "nine and a half" being given to her by Rem and Ram for her response, addressing the residents of the mansion just how they'd instructed her to.

Puffing her cheeks up in a small pout, she stuck her chest out.

Emilia: There's no reason for you to talk so formally. You see how Subaru and I talk. You could speak a little more freely, like him, you know?

Hearing his name being mentioned, Subaru halted his mopping once more and gave Emilia an enthusiastic wave.

Sighing once he had turned back around to continue mopping, Emilia went on.

Emilia: Well, maybe not EXACTLY as he does.

Lyra felt surprised that Emilia was ALREADY asking to be addressed in a more casual sort of way considering her position as a candidate for the THRONE, of all things. She had really only felt obligated to be formal towards her because of that and how she had been instructed to talk to her by Rem.and Ram.

Lyra: O-oh! Well, then...my apologies, Emilia. I was just talking like that because I was asked to by Rem and Ram. I would be more than happy to address you in a more casual way, though!

Emilia: You're fine. I understand that my position as a royal candidate is pretty important, but I do want to be friends with you and hope that you can someday see me as more than just a royal candidate.

Lyra smiled at Emilia.

Lyra: Of course! I already see you as a friend too, Emilia!

Emilia: You're too sweet, Lyra.

?: Emilia-sama.

Stepping up to the two of them, a maid with blue hair bowed before the half elf and spoke in a very formal tone. A tone and attitude that almost suggested that something had gone wrong with Lyra earning her trust, much like the other times she had spoken like that to her.

Rem: Nee-sama has informed me that she will be bringing your mid-day tea by shortly to your room.

Nodding, Emilia responded.

Emilia: Thank you Rem. Lyra, would—"

Rem: Lyra-chan!

Stepping to face Lyra, Rem smiled widely and tilted her head to one side, letting both her shut eyes be visible through her bangs before opening them once more.

Rem: How was your first day? Nee-sama said that she was very impressed with your work.

Cutting off Emilia, Rem's cheerful and joy-filled questions overwrote Emilia's would-be tea invitation to Lyra.

Lyra: Oh, it was good! I'm glad Ram was happy with it too. So, did you finish early as well or did something else come up?

Watching the two converse, Emilia noticed the glint in Lyra's eyes and the enthusiasm in her voice that she had when speaking to Rem.

With the smile on her face returning to a more neutral expression, Rem shook her head and explained.

Rem: Unfortunately, Rem is still working. Rem was tasked by Nee-sama to supervise Subaru while he worked his first day today.

Lyra: O-oh. W-well, I'm sure he's almost done, isn't he?

Shaking her head once again, Rem continued.

Rem: Subaru has been... quite the handful. He's very motivated for sure, but Rem is afraid that's just the problem. Subaru's air of confidence and motivation is making him become rather clumsy.

Realizing that she was involved in this conversation and thus, could not contribute to it, Emilia turned back to head up the stairs to her own room, unable to ask Lyra what she had hoped to.

Rem: So far, Subaru has broken TWO vases and cut his fingers doing various tasks in ways that Rem had no idea one could.

Realizing that Subaru was OBVIOUSLY going in WAY over his head during this loop, Lyra sighed upon hearing Rem's report.

Rem: Is Subaru usually like this?

Lyra: Not from what I can tell, but I don't know for sure. I haven't exactly known him for much longer than you have, you see..

While not exactly a lie, in the context of this loop, Lyra wasn't being untruthful.

Now halfway up the steps, Emilia looked back at Lyra and Rem, who were both conversing with near-perfect chemistry. Stopping only for that single moment, the half-elf continued up the steps, a feeling in her she did not understand beginning to grow. It made her almost dislike seeing the two interact so much the way that they were.

Silently observing Subaru, Rem looked on, not sure what to do. Lyra spoke up once more.

Lyra: Say, why don't we let Subaru just keep doing THIS for the time being? Me and you can work on stuff further ahead for him! What do you think of that?

Putting a hand to her chin in consideration as to what Lyra suggested, Rem listened to Lyra continue on as she shrugged.

Lyra: Now's probably the best time, while he's distracted by mopping.

Realizing that Lyra was probably right when she said that, Rem nodded to her, The two walked off in silence as to not draw attention from the workaholic Subaru. Rem and Lyra left to accomplish other tasks in lieu of a distracted Subaru, taking advantage of that in hope that he would straighten himself out at some point.

After cleaning and scrubbing the washroom's bathing tub, Rem and Lyra returned to the foyer, where Subaru was nowhere to be found.

Rem: At least he is not mopping it for a third time.

Lyra: Well, we should probably go find him then, right?

Nodding in agreement, Rem replied.

Rem: Usually Nee-sama will begin dusting the upstairs hallways at this time. Perhaps Subaru is with her at the moment

With that, the two walked across the shiny foyer floor toward the staircase, until—

Lyra: —Woah!

Stepping on a spot that Subaru had failed to let dry, Lyra's legs spread apart mid-step, surprising her so badly that she didn't even have the smallest chance to catch her own balance.

Keen to not let her fall, Rem quickly grabbed Lyra's hand and arm. With her new-found support, Lyra felt herself be instantly balanced...only to then have Rem begin to lose her balance as well, stepping onto the same wet spot as Lyra had in the confusing tango of balance that the two were having at the moment.

Having tried to take a step forward to balance herself and putting her weight on her back foot, her leg escaped out from under her., forcing her other leg back down suddenly, which was also now slipping at the sudden and unprepared movement.

Not about to let Rem fall due to her own carelessness, Lyra reached for her arm to get a hold of her, again losing her own balance in the confusion.

With both of them about to fall forward but away from each other, Lyra threw her own arm out, wrapping it around Rem's waist.

Working in the only direction she could in order to stabilize not only Lyra, but also herself as well, Rem also reached and wrapped her arm around Lyra's upper torso, the closest part she could.

Both now using each other as an anchor, they pulled each other in, intent on using each other's fall direction to cancel their own.

Unbeknownst to them, at that moment, that meant they would end up—

Rem Lyra: Oh!

In each other's embrace, the sliding and tripping had stopped, as the two stood more as one, together.

With her face buried in Lyra's chest, Rem could feel her chest press up against Lyra. Lyra and Rem both blushed profusely due to the visibly lewd position that they were now suddenly in.

Rem could feel how hard she currently had her arms wrapped around Lyra's shoulders and upper back,. As such, she loosened her hold.

At the very same moment, Lyra's arms were wrapped around Rem in a very similar fashion with her lower back. With her hands meeting behind her, she could feel where they rested. Quickly realizing where they were, she moved them upward off of her dress and to the small of her back, away from the soft round bump that they probably should NOT have been on.

Both standing still for a moment to make sure that their slipping and sliding session had ended, Rem unburied her face from Lyra's chest. Both women apologized profusely for their sudden and unintentional hand and face placements.

Looking up at Lyra, Rem's face was flushed-pink from embarrassment. The same could also be said for Lyra

Having now been caught by each other's gaze, Lyra was finally the one to croak out a response.

Lyra: Y-you okay?

With a quick nod from Rem, they released each other and walked a few more paces over to the staircase, their faces still red. Nonetheless, guilty and embarrassed smiles appeared on both of their faces

Reaching the top of the stairs, they looked down each direction of the hallway, stopping to decide which way to check first. Right as Lyra was going to let Rem know of her decision, Rem had made up her mind, choosing a direction and walking. She turned her head slightly back to Lyra and mouthed the words "This way." at her. Lyra followed her.

Walking down the hallway, the two came to a corner that led to one of the main hallways which ran along the outside of the mansion.

Lyra So I take it you can just kinda tell where Ram is—

Just before rounding the corner, Rem raised a hand for Lyra to stop behind her, cutting off what she had to say. Leaning forward and poking her head just around the corner to observe, Rem leaned back and turned to face Lyra with a whisper.

Rem: Nee-sama and Subaru are dusting some things down the hallway.

Confused as to the reason for her actions, Lyra questioned Rem, also whispering herself.

Lyra: Why are we whispering?

Rem: Because Rem can tell that Nee-sama is having a difficult time—

Clink-Crash*

The sound of another vase falling victim to Subaru's clumsiness echoed throughout the hallway.

Shutting her eyes and cringing at the sound, Lyra opened one eye to find Rem doing the same.

Lyra: That's the THIRD one he's broken now, isn't it?

With a nod of "yes" from Rem, they both moved to poke their heads around the corner of the hallway and to watch what was going to happen next.

Subaru: Oh, clumsy me! Don't worry, Nee-sama! I will clean this up right away and fetch a replacement!

Sighing, Ram scolded Subaru.

Ram: Just HOW MANY vases are you going to break today? This mansion will run out of replacements before the day is even CLOSE to over at this rate...

As Subaru began to pick up the pieces of broken vase glass, Rem made her way around the corner.

Rem: Nee-sama, Nee-sama. Is our new helper causing trouble?

Ram: Rem, Rem. Barusu seems to have a grudge against all the vases in the mansion.

Skulking at the twin's remarks as they teased him, Subaru continued to pick up the pieces of broken case glass.

Lyra now also came around the corner.

Ram: By the way, Rem, where were you and Lyra?

Rem: Lyra-chan assisted Rem with scrubbing the bathing room floor.

While the twins conversed between themselves, Subaru had looked up at Lyra. A disheveled look was on his face, almost as if he was going to be sick. He lowered his head back down when Ram began to speak to Lyra.

Ram: It seems that Barusu is making work for everyone in the mansion today, even after Ram tells them that they are done for the day.

Turning her gaze down to Subaru, she snorted.

Lyra could see the cold sweat accumulating on Subaru's brow as he gave an ever-so-quiet wheeze that was only heard by himself.

Looking back at the twins, Lyra spoke up, defending Subaru.

Lyra: Hey, why don't we let him take a break for right now? Give him some fresh air?

The twins looked at each other and nodded.

Standing up, Subaru protested.

Subaru: I-I'm fine! Really! I can keep working—

Subaru's protesting was cut short by Lyra's forceful hand on his shoulder. Lyra spoke up, cutting off the raven-haired young man.

Lyra: I'll make sure he takes a break and gets right back to work when he's done. Hey, Rem?

Tilting her head, Rem replied with a "Hmm?"

Lyra: I hate to ask, but could you be the one to get the replacement vase for Subaru? I can try to make sure that he doesn't break any more from here on out. Okay?

Nodding her head in agreement, Rem tilted her head the other way and smiled.

Rem: Of course. Rem would be delighted to.

Leaving the presence of the bright beam of sunshine that was Rem, Lyra walked Subaru down to the back lawn to get some rest and fresh air.