Chapter 11
Painkiller, Part 2
Panic clawed at Emilia's throat, making each breath a ragged gasp. The mansion around her blurred – the opulent carpets, the flickering mana lamps, even the cold stone walls meant nothing.
Only one thought pulsed through her: Find Subaru.
"Lia! Wait—"
Puck's frantic voice echoed behind her, but she couldn't stop. She wouldn't. She burst into Subaru's bedroom, flinging the door open, but—Empty, he was gone.
The sheets were tossed in disarray, as if he'd sprung up and fled in a hurry. The air hung heavy, stale, with only the faintest whisper of his scent clinging to it like a phantom.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she spun back into the hallway, her feet carrying her without direction. "Where? Where?!"
She wasn't thinking anymore, just reacting—running from door to door, peeking inside rooms, growing more frantic by the second.
"Where? Where? Where? Where? Where? Where? Where? Where are you!?"
If Subaru wasn't in his room, if he wasn't where he was supposed to be…then where? Where had he gone? Had something already happened to him?
A sharp jolt brought her to a halt. She slammed into a solid wall – not literally, as two figures stood before her. Rem and Ram.
Her eyes flew to the blue-haired maid first, her chest tightening like a vise. Rem, who had tried to kill Subaru.
The icy grip of betrayal tightened around Emilia's chest. She glared at Rem, a flicker of pure contempt flashing across her features before she could clamp it down.
"She didn't even hesitate." The horrifying, unnerving thought seared through her mind. "Rem, Puck too! They decided Subaru was a threat and tried to kill him without a second thought."
Her grip tightened at her sides. But then Rem stepped closer, her usually reserved demeanor replaced with a strange vulnerability.
"Emilia-sama," she whispered, her voice uncharacteristically soft, laced with concern that caught Emilia off guard.
Rem leaned in, brows furrowed in quiet distress. Her fingers hovered near Emilia's arm, hesitant, yet seeking contact. Her gaze—usually guarded and distant—was now gentle, searching, as if trying to decipher the turmoil within Emilia.
Such tenderness. Such care. It was unsettling, a stark contrast to the cold efficiency Rem usually displayed.
Emilia blinked in shock, feeling utterly disarmed by the unexpected display. Beside her, Ram mirrored her bewilderment, her usual stoicism replaced by a flicker of confusion.
"Are you feeling unwell, Emilia-sama?" Rem asked softly, her voice barely a whisper. "Please, calm down. Feel free to talk to me."
Emilia stared at her, unable to speak, caught between the betrayal she felt and the perplexing concern radiating from Rem.
"The witch's scent has become stronger on Emilia-sama... I knew it! She's clearly influenced by this man!" The idea sliced through Rem's mind, laced with suspicion and hostility toward the raven-haired boy who had vanished without a trace. "I must find him as soon as possible!"
Those were the genuine thoughts of the blue-haired maid.
Soaked of compassion towards the half-elf who reeked of the witch's scent. Full of suspicion and hostility towards the raven-haired boy, who also reeked of the witch's scent.
Even as she felt the suffocating presence of the witch's influence around Emilia, a chilling familiarity tugged at her heart. She saw herself reflected in the half-elf's fear, in the way her eyes darted about as if searching for an escape route.
Paradoxically, Rem felt a strange kinship with Emilia, recognizing in her a fellow victim of the witch cultists' machinations.
Emilia stiffened. The warmth in Rem's voice, the unspoken concern in her expression—it didn't belong to someone who had nearly killed Subaru. Yet, it was real. That contradiction gnawed at her, tearing at the fabric of her anger and disbelief.
She wanted to hate Rem. She should hate Rem.
She wanted to yell at her, to lash out at the betrayal, but this unexpected tenderness left her disarmed.
Before Emilia could formulate a response, Ram's voice sliced through the tense silence.
"You're behaving exactly like Barusu this morning," she mused, tilting her head. "When I went to wake him up, he jolted up and ran off in a panic. Didn't even acknowledge me. May I ask what happened between you last night?"
Emilia's breath hitched. "Subaru ran off?"
"We were looking for him," Rem confirmed, her voice laced with worry. "He disappeared shortly after waking."
Panic clawed its way back into Emilia's throat. "No, no, no. Not again. Where—?"
Rem's expression darkened, her mind working quickly. Something was wrong with Subaru. And judging by Emilia's agitated state, she wasn't the only one who had noticed.
Her suspicions sharpened into steel.
Subaru was already too suspicious. She couldn't let him out of her sight any longer.
Ram, attuned to her sister's emotional fluctuations through their twin bond, felt a surge of unease ripple through Rem's mind. Agitation, determination, and an underlying current of fear. "Rem," she said slowly, "do you know something?"
Rem remained silent, her gaze locked on Emilia, searching for answers in the half-elf's panicked expression.
Before Ram could press further, a familiar voice cut through the tense silence.
"Calm down, Rem, Lia."
All three turned to Puck, floating towards them with an air of measured patience. His usual playful demeanor was absent, replaced by a calmness that seemed almost calculated.
He looked at Rem directly, his voice low and soothing. "You're getting worked up over nothing. Subaru is fine. He's probably already annoying Betty with questions again. I wouldn't be surprised if he's holed up in her library."
Rem's lips pressed into a thin line. Puck's tone was light, but his intention was more calculated—he wanted her to stop showing more of her boiling hostility to Subaru. To keep her useful.
She didn't trust it, not entirely convinced, but she didn't argue.
As Rem reeled herself back, she saw a flicker of something unsettling in the half-elf's eyes – a haunting awareness, a glimpse into a reality beyond their comprehension.
Emilia straightened, still breathless. She turned to Puck, and told him telepathically "We looped. I'll explain later. But first, I need to find Subaru."
Puck's ears twitched at her words "Looped, huh…?" he answered.
Emilia's agitation was palpable, but beneath the fear, Puck sensed a steely determination – her sole focus now rested on finding Subaru.
Puck sighed, then gave an easy nod that masked his own unease. "Alright, Lia. I'll wait."
Emilia barely acknowledged it. Her gaze was already flicking to the hall ahead, her feet shifting, preparing to move towards her goal, preferably before Rem.
Her mind was a single-minded laser focused on one objective: Find Subaru.
Darkness.
Cold, suffocating, wrong… A split-second eternity of nonexistence before his lungs sucked in a gasp of air. And, he woke up.
The ceiling of the mansion greeted him again, a familiar weight pressing against his chest. It took him all of three seconds to realize what had happened.
He died. Again.
His limbs moved before his mind could catch up, instinct overriding reason as he threw off the blanket and stumbled toward the door.
He barely registered Ram's startled voice, her hand reaching out to steady him as she asked why he was acting like a lunatic first thing in the morning.
He couldn't answer. He wouldn't.
He needed to be alone. To get away before something—someone—broke him further. So he ran.
Down the halls, twisting past corners, legs carrying him on pure muscle memory toward the one place in this godforsaken mansion where no one could follow.
Beatrice's library.
He flung himself inside a random door, slammed the door shut, and slid down against it, his breath escaping in ragged gasps. And by some miracle—or maybe just his insane luck—it was there, he had reached the Forbidden Library.
The silence hit him like a crashing wave.
His body shook violently, adrenaline still spiking through his veins, the memory of death clawing at the edges of his mind.
He fought to maintain control, digging his fingers into his knees, willing himself not to break. Not here. Not now.
A shaky laugh escaped him, ragged and devoid of humor. "Damn it… Damn it, damn it, damn it…"
He didn't even know who he was cursing. Puck? Rem? Himself? What was he supposed to do?
"How noisy, I suppose."
A familiar, flatly unimpressed voice broke through the storm in his head. Subaru blinked, his trembling easing just slightly at the sheer normalcy of it.
Beatrice, standing atop a stepladder beside a massive bookshelf, peered down at him with an air of detached disapproval. Her drill-like curls bounced as she tilted her head, tiny arms crossed, lips pressed into a thin, distinctly unamused line.
"Of all places in the mansion, you chose to soil Betty's library with your pathetic display, I suppose?" she huffed. "How troublesome. If you must have a breakdown, at least do it somewhere less sacred, in fact."
Subaru let out a half-choked, half-hysterical laugh. "Wow… Way to kick a man while he's down."
"Hmph." Beatrice climbed down the ladder, each step measured and deliberate. "It's your fault for collapsing in Betty's domain, in fact. You should be grateful Betty hasn't thrown you out already."
Subaru's breathing was still uneven, but the weight in his chest was… lighter. Just a little.
Something about Beatrice's exasperated indifference was grounding.
Subaru let out a weak chuckle. "Man, I was gonna say something snarky, but honestly? That actually helped."
As she sat down on her stool and opened her book, she asked, "What helped, I suppose?"
"You being you," Subaru confessed.
Beatrice tilted her head, suspicious. "You're acting strangely, I suppose."
"Strange? Me? Never. I'm just basking in your normalcy." Subaru forced a grin, wiping at his eyes. "Where else can I come have a mental breakdown and get roasted at the same time? It's refreshing."
Beatrice scowled. "That sounds like an insult, I suppose."
"Nah, nah. It's a compliment. I mean it." Subaru sighed, tilting his head back against the door. "If you'd started acting all nice and gentle, I probably would've lost it for real."
Beatrice clicked her tongue but didn't argue. A long silence stretched between them, filled only by the rustle of Beatrice's turning pages and Subaru's shallow breaths.
Finally, her voice broke through the stillness, a shade softer than before.
"Are you done trembling, I suppose?"
He inhaled slowly. The tremors in his hands had mostly stopped. His chest didn't feel like it was about to cave in anymore.
"…Yeah," he murmured. "I think so."
"Alright then, leave," she ordered, waving a tiny hand dismissively. "If you're not dying, Betty has no reason to let you stay, in fact."
Subaru exhaled through his nose, a lopsided grin creeping onto his face despite everything. "Beako, you're really kicking me out? I thought we were bonding."
Beatrice scoffed. "Bonding? Ridiculous. The only thing you're bonding with is Betty's patience, and it's running thin, I suppose. And what is 'beako', I suppose?"
He laughed. Actually laughed. And it didn't feel forced.
"…Hey, Beako," he murmured.
Beatrice glanced at him from over her book, raising an eyebrow. "So that word was really meant to designate Betty, I suppose?!"
Subaru : "Curses"
"Hah?" Beatrice tilted her head, clearly bewildered by this sudden shift in his demeanor.
"Please, tell me about curses," he asked, fixing her with a serious gaze.
Beatrice's gaze sharpened. She snapped her book shut, setting it down on her lap.
"Why are you asking about something so troublesome, I suppose?"
Subaru hesitated. Because I keep dying to one. But obviously, he couldn't say that.
"Let's just say I've been wondering how they work," he said instead. "Hypothetically speaking, how would someone get cursed? And more importantly, how would you stop it? Please, that's very important."
Beatrice narrowed her eyes. After a moment of pausing, she sighed dramatically. "Very well, Betty shall educate you, I suppose."
A wooden door swung open. Empty. Another one. Empty again.
Emilia bit her lip, stepping further into the dimly lit hallway, her fingers trembling slightly as she reached for the next doorknob. They have to be somewhere…
Floating beside her, and instead of calling Beatrice telepathically, Puck watched carefully. His tail flicked as he absorbed her movements, her urgency.
She exhaled sharply, steadying herself, and asked, "Puck, please. Tell me about curses."
Puck's ears twitched. "So that's what this is about."
His gaze darkened, though his expression remained unreadable. If she was asking this now, was it because she linked this to her looping?
For a moment, he hesitated. "If I feed her convenient lies, I could control the direction of her thoughts. I could guide her away from questions I didn't want her asking." But—
"If Beatrice somehow contradicts me through Subaru, this could be bad."
His tail flicked again, and a frown crossed his face. "…Tch." Fine. He'd have to tell the truth.
"The most important thing to know," Puck said finally, "is that curses transmit through physical contact."
Subaru blinked. "Wait. Physical contact? That's how curses spread?"
Beatrice nodded matter-of-factly. "It's the absolute rule with curse spells, in fact. A curse is like a brand, an imprint left upon the victim through touch."
A cold dread gripped Subaru's heart. "So that means… someone touched me, and deliberately placed it directly on me?"
His stomach twisted into a painful knot.
The villagers. Accidental contacts with passers-by. Holding hands with random merchants—
The kids. The warm, innocent hands that had tugged at his coat, pulling him along, smiling and laughing—
"One of them cursed me."
Emilia frowned, deep in thought. "So if a curse is placed by touch… can it be stopped?"
Puck gave her a small nod. "If it hasn't been activated yet, then yes."
A wave of relief washed over Emilia. "That means we can still save Subaru!"
But Puck's tail flicked again, and his expression darkened. "Lia, listen," he said, his tone dropping slightly, more serious now. "Once a curse activates, it's over. There's no reversing it. That's why you should never underestimate them."
Emilia's body tensed. She could feel the hope draining from her, replaced by fear. She swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper. "…No way to break it?"
Puck hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "No."
Emilia's breath hitched, but she steadied herself. Her gaze hardened with determination. "Then we just have to act fast."
"But hold on," Subaru said, raising a hand. "Can curses spread? Like, y'know… infect people?"
Beatrice tilted her head, considering his question. "That depends on the type of curse, in fact. Some have a contagious nature—either by further physical contact or proximity."
She glanced at him meaningfully. "Take, for example, the case of the Emperor of the Briar, Eugard Vollachia," she said casually. "A man whose very existence inflicted pain upon those around him. His curse spread to anyone in his vicinity, forcing them to experience agony simply by standing near him."
A shiver ran down Subaru's spine. "A curse… that affects everyone nearby?" He swallowed. "Could something like that… be used on a whole village?"
Beatrice nodded. "If it was powerful enough, I suppose."
A heavy silence settled between them. Subaru clenched his fists. "Damn it."
"A curse can have an area-of-effect," Puck admitted, his voice measured. "Sometimes through further contact, sometimes by mere proximity."
Emilia's brow furrowed, her mind racing to grasp the implications. "So… could a curse affect an entire village?"
Puck glanced at her, studying her reaction before giving a slow nod. "Yes."
Emilia's breath quickened. That meant whoever placed the curse on Subaru had access to the entire village.
Her grip on the doorknob tightened. Her chest constricted with a suffocating sense of dread.
She turned to Puck, determination burning in her violet eyes. "Then we have to find who cursed him. Before it's too late."
Puck watched her carefully, his expression unreadable.
For now, he'd play along. He had to keep Emilia on this track, for the sake of the investigation – and perhaps for his own benefit as well.
But his thoughts remained elsewhere—on Beatrice, on Subaru, on what they might be discussing right now.
And whether this was the beginning of Emilia uncovering far more than he was comfortable with.
Subaru sat up straighter as Beatrice finished her explanation—how curses worked, how they were placed, how they could be removed. He absorbed the information like a man grasping onto the last lifeline keeping him afloat.
Because this time, if he wanted to survive, if he wanted to protect Emilia, he needed to find the source of the curse before it killed him again.
And with Beatrice's reluctant guidance, he finally had a starting point.
After what felt like an eternity, Beatrice waved a hand dismissively. "That's all Betty will tell you, I suppose. Now, leave."
Subaru blinked. "Huh? So soon? You're kicking me out just like that?"
Beatrice : "What more do you want, I suppose? Betty already gave you valuable knowledge, in fact. You should be grateful, I suppose."
"I am grateful!" Subaru grinned and stood up, stretching. "Which is why—" He suddenly dropped into an exaggerated bow. "—I offer my deepest thanks, oh great librarian-sama! Thank you for your infinite wisdom and patience in dealing with my dumbassery!"
"Ugh, just go already, I suppose!"
Beatrice waved a hand, and the door to the Forbidden Library flung open by itself, shoving Subaru out into the hallway.
"Wha—?! Hey! Beako, I'm trying to be sentimental here!" Subaru called as the door slammed behind him, but only silence met his plea.
Then, from inside the library, a small, muffled huff could be heard
"Hmph, in fact."
Beatrice obviously wasn't particularly happy that he was seeking her help instead of those "lesser spirit kids". Obviously.
Subaru chuckled. For the first time since waking up, he felt like he could breathe again. Then he noticed that he wasn't alone in the hallway.
The moment Emilia saw him, standing there safe and unharmed, something inside her broke.
"Subaru—!"
She barely heard the surprised gasps around her as she rushed forward, her arms wrapping tightly around him.
The warmth of him, the solidness of his body—he was here. She squeezed him, burying her face in his shoulder, the sting of tears pressing at her eyes.
Subaru stiffened instantly. "W-Whoa, hey, Emilia-tan?!" His face burned—not only from embarrassment, but from sheer disbelief. His arms hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure whether he should return the hug or not. The maids—Rem and Ram—watched in silence.
Rem's expression darkened into something unreadable.
The moment Emilia crashed into Subaru's arms, Puck muttered to himself, "She's really not holding back this time, huh?"
His second thought? "Ah well. It's been two loops, that might explain it…"
He let out an imperceptible sigh. He had asked Emilia earlier, and she had answered without hesitation: two loops. Which meant he was already a step behind in this whole mess. Not ideal.
"Subaru," Emilia whispered, her voice wavering with emotion, "You're okay… I'm sooo glad… Thanks for having looped! Thanks!"
Subaru swallowed hard. "Crap. This is too much. She's too close. This is dangerous."
He forced a laugh, gently placing his hands on her shoulders to push her back just enough to look at her face. "Come on, Emilia-tan, don't get so worked up! I'm totally fine. Not a scratch on me!" He grinned, flashing his usual overconfident smile. "See?"
Emilia hesitated, her amethyst eyes searching his face for something—anything—that could tell her he wasn't just saying that. Her brow furrowed slightly, as if trying to decipher the truth behind his forced cheerfulness.
A few tense beats passed. Then, she turned to the maids. "I'm sorry, Rem, Ram," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I need to borrow Subaru for a bit."
Ram raised an eyebrow but simply nodded, while Rem—still watching—gave a slow, mechanical bow.
Emilia took Subaru's hand before he could protest, pulling him toward the far end of the hall, away from the lingering gazes of the others.
The moment they were alone, Emilia let out a breath and turned to face him. "Subaru… I want to talk about the curse."
Subaru scratched his cheek. "Oh, right, that thing. Yeah, it's a real pain in the—"
"When we find the person responsible," Emilia interrupted, her expression hardening into steel. "We'll stop them. No matter what."
Her grip on his sleeve tightened, and Subaru blinked at the intensity burning in her violet eyes. The casual air he had tried to cultivate evaporated instantly. She was serious. Dead serious.
"Y-Yeah," he said quickly, trying to sound reassuring. "Of course. We'll deal with it, no problem."
A brief silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words and anxieties.
Then—Emilia hesitated. Her lips parted, then closed again, like she was debating something.
He saw it coming – the vulnerability in her hesitation, the struggle to articulate what she truly felt. Before she could continue, Subaru cut in, his tone abruptly lighthearted.
"And you don't have to worry about Puck and Rem, okay? They just did what they thought was right. No hard feelings, right?"
Emilia's body stiffened.
Puck's eyes widened with surprise. "What does he mean by that?!"
Subaru gave a forced chuckle. "They just did what they thought was right. No hard feelings, okay?"
Emilia stared at him.
For a moment, she looked like she wanted to argue—like she wanted to say something else. But her eyes flicked to the side, towards her cat spirit, and she swallowed back her words. "…Fine," she whispered. But her heart clenched.
Puck's tail twitched. "Lia… what's wrong?" he asked, but was met with silence.
Her feelings weren't outright hatred, no, but he could feel it—the smallest prick of lingering resentment. A frustration she hadn't fully voiced yet. It was faint, subtle, maybe even unintentional… but it was there.
"That stings," Puck admitted to himself, but he let it go. For now.
"Emilia-tan," Subaru began, in an understanding tone, "you know that I can't tell him myself. Remember what happened at the capital..."
Since Emilia wouldn't add more, Subaru turned his attention to the floating cat spirit. "A–Anyway, you and Rem acted rationally, but went against Emilia-tan's wishes," he added playfully, a forced cheerfulness in his tone. "Don't pout, Emilia-tan! You know they weren't wrong, right?"
Emilia sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I understand! But, it was too unfair…"
From the meager data he managed to gather by listening to them and monitoring their mental state, Puck could deduce three key facts.
First, a curse nearly killed Subaru.
Second, he himself, and probably Rem, had attacked Subaru in the last loop, and Lia definitely witnessed it.
Last, Subaru didn't seem to resent him for it—because Subaru himself believed it was necessary.
That was fine. Puck could work with that.
Now, Emilia and Subaru would actively hunt a curse user. Meaning he had to decide. Should he cooperate fully? Or… should he use this as a distraction?
An elaborate plan began to take shape, his thoughts turning to Rem.
She was already spiraling into her own paranoia about Subaru. Why not push that a little further?
If he could steer her in the right direction—just enough—he could redirect her aggression into something useful. A minor push, and Rem would focus entirely on Subaru, giving Puck the space to keep Emilia far from any actual danger.
Yes. That would do. For now, he simply remained silent, observing. But—
"So… whatever I did to them in the last loop, he really doesn't hold a grudge?" He thought.
He couldn't detect the slightest trace of resentment in him, unlike in Emilia. Subaru's forgiving nature stirred something within him — a mixture of unsettling curiosity, fear, and a tinge of…admiration?
Emilia exhaled, trying to calm the storm brewing within her. But the feeling echoing in her gut wouldn't go away. "Something happened. Something worse than what Subaru is saying."
She knew it. She felt it. But she couldn't ask the real question.
She couldn't bring herself to say: "Did you die?"
Instead, she softened her voice, hoping to coax the truth out of him. "Subaru… at the end… what happened?"
Subaru froze. For just a second, a flash of panic crossed his face. Too quick for most people to notice. But the Great Spirit of Fire and his contractor did not miss it.
Then, as quickly as it appeared, the mask was back in place. "Ahh, that! Yeah, uh—things got dicey, but I managed to slip away just in time. Seriously, it was a close call, you wouldn't believe it!"
His laughter was light, playful. But it rang hollow. It was the same kind of laugh he gave when he was hiding something.
Emilia's stomach twisted with unease. Something in her mind shifted, and almost subconsciously, without meaning to, she let the words slip. "I noticed a spike of mana at that moment."
Subaru blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Huh?"
"Was that you?" she continued, keeping her voice casual, but her heart pounded in her chest.. "For when you used your power to escape?"
Puck, watching from beside Emilia, tilted his head. He could easily detect lies, even more so from his daughter. Her rare lapses into deception were always intriguing.
"What's the matter, Lia? You rarely tell lies," he mused to himself, "And from my point of view, you're never lied to Subaru since the moment they met."
Subaru stared at her, his expression flickering for a split second. Confusion crossed his face—a flash as quick as lightning before it was replaced by relief.
"Oh! Uh—yeah, that's probably what happened," he blurted out, his voice laced with feigned nonchalance. "Didn't even notice it myself, haha! Guess I'm full of surprises, huh?"
Puck sighed internally. Shame. Subaru had taken the bait far too easily.
Emilia felt her breath catch. He took the bait. He lied to her.
And she let him. She gave him that lie.
She forced herself to smile, a thin veil hiding the turmoil within. "Yeah… I guess so. That's impressive, Subaru."
Now, Puck had another problem. It was, to say the least, unexpected.
Subaru had lied about his ability. Emilia seems to have noticed something, tricked him in revealing the truth, but she stopped herself, choosing not to push him.
Puck's thoughts raced. If Emilia had even the smallest hint of what Subaru's power really was, she might be withholding information just like Subaru was.
"How much does she know?" That was a question Puck would need to answer—carefully.
If he pushed too hard, she'd notice. If he was too subtle, she might slip right through his grasp. A delicate balance.
Still, it didn't change the fact that Emilia had just tricked Subaru into a dead-end.
A faint smile curled at the edge of Puck's lips. She was learning. And one day, he knew, the truth would come out.
"How disgusting."
"How shameful."
"How much of a witch I truly am."
My mind was a storm of accusations, each one aimed at myself. "I am a witch."
I should confront my sins. I should let myself be punished for them forever. So why am I running away?
Subaru's excuses felt flimsy even to me. I had given him a dead-end, just as Puck would sometimes do when he sensed I was hiding something. And yet, Subaru still chose the easiest way out.
I'm hopeless. I hurt him. Just by being near him, just like before—like Mother Fortuna, like Geuse, like Archi, like the frozen people…
If I wanted the truth, I could push him. I could make him tell me everything.
Hm? But what truth?
Wait. What truth am I even thinking about?
"Subaru is fine, isn't he?"
He's standing here, smiling, breathing, laughing. There's nothing else to add. Nothing else I need to question.
"I didn't hurt him."
"I didn't hurt him. I didn't hurt him. I didn't hurt him. I didn't hurt him. I didn't hurt him. I didn't hurt him. I didn't hurt him."
"-It wasn't me."
"It was Elsa."
"It was Rem and Puck."
No…
"No. It was the curse."
…Yes. That's it. It was the curse. The obvious answer came crashing down like a revelation.
Puck and Rem weren't wrong. They were trying to protect me. Rem was kind to me today. She looked at me with warmth. She held me gently. She cared.
If it wasn't for that stupid curse, everything would've been fine!
"Puck is my family. He wouldn't do something evil. So I'll believe in them. And if I find whoever cursed Subaru, everything will go back to normal."
Everything will be okay again. It has to be. All I have to do…
Is to find the curse user.
The aroma of fresh-baked bread and warm broth hung heavy in the air, a comforting contrast to the tension simmering beneath the surface. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the long dining table in a soft glow.
Plates piled high with steaming food lined its length, yet Subaru barely touched his breakfast.
His mind was racing—about the loops, the curse, the village. They needed to move, to strategize, to find answers.
Then, as if sensing the perfect moment to drop something on him—
"I'm going to Arlam village today," Emilia said suddenly, setting her fork down neatly.
Subaru, mid-bite, nearly choked on his toast. "Huh?"
The conversation at the table stilled.
Emilia cleared her throat. "I've decided," she announced, her voice carrying an unusual firmness, "I'll be patrolling Arlam Village for a few hours each day this week."
Roswaal arched an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his mismatched eyes. "Oh my, my, my~ A rather suddeeeen decision, Emilia-sama. And what, may I aaask, prompted this resoluuution?"
She hesitated for the briefest moment before continuing, "There might be an issue in the village. Something linked to curses or shamans." She folded her hands on the table, trying to appear as composed as possible. "I can't say for sure, but—"
Roswaal finished smoothly, his tone laced with gentle teasing. "But you don't have evidence."
Emilia's fingers curled slightly. "No, I don't," she admitted, "but I still think we should check, just in case."
Puck, sitting on Emilia's shoulder, stretched languidly. "We're just being extra careful."
A beat of silence hung in the air before Roswaal let out a light chuckle. "Weeeell, I do admire your diligence, Emilia-sama. However, without conclusive eeevidence, I caaaan't justify an official investigation."
"Then I'll go myself," Emilia countered quickly. "I'll only patrol for a few hours each day. Just this week. That's my compromise."
Roswaal : "Ohhh my, such diligence, Emilia-samaaa."
Ram : "How unusually proactive of you, Emilia-sama."
Roswaal tapped his fingers against his cheek, his ever-present smirk widening. "Hooow interesting~ You do have a streak of stubbornness in you." He let the silence stretch, as if savoring the tension, before finally shrugging. "Very weeeell, if you insist."
Subaru, who had been trying to process the conversation, finally snapped to attention.
"Alright then, guess I'll come too," he said, casually pushing his plate aside.
But Emilia shook her head. "No, Subaru"
His expression faltered, confusion clouding his features. "Uh... What? Why not?"
Emilia, still calm, took a small sip of tea before answering. "I want you to stay here at the mansion."
Subaru's eyes twitched. "Wait—what? No, hold on, why?"
"You need to stay at the mansion," she said with quiet firmness. "I'll go alone."
Subaru frowned. "Emilia-tan, I don't know what's got you so worried, but isn't it more dangerous for you to go alone? I mean, what if—"
"I'll be fine," she cut him off mid-sentence, her voice carrying an unusual sharpness. "And I won't be alone. I have Puck."
Puck, nestled comfortably on her shoulder, let out a lazy yawn. "Mmm? Oh, yes, of course, Lia~! I can sniff out any nasty magic users long before they get close!"
They both couldn't say it outright—not in front of Roswaal, Ram, and Rem—but the loops had taught Emilia and Subaru something crucial. Every single time, Subaru had been the only victim of the curse.
If there was a shaman in the village, they were after him, not random victims.
Which meant—if she wasn't taking appropriate actions to protect him, then no matter how many times they tried, he might d—get hurt again.
No. She wouldn't let that happen.
Emilia softened her expression slightly, masking the fear that gnawed at her. "I think it's safer if you stay here."
Subaru scoffed. "Yeah, and I think it's safer if we go together." He leaned forward, his tone taking on a new urgency. "Emilia-tan, you know something's up. And I'm already involved. I should be out there helping, not sitting around waiting for you to—"
"Subaru," Emilia interrupted gently, her hand reaching out to touch his arm, a plea for understanding in her eyes. "Please, trust me on this."
That struck a nerve. Subaru opened his mouth, then closed it again with a frustrated grit.
He hated this feeling—this gnawing helplessness whenever Emilia took charge like this, leaving him behind. Like at the loot house. Like in that carriage that day.
Roswaal leaned back in his chair, watching her with unreadable amusement. "Very weeeell, Emilia-sama. If you have made up your mind, then I shall suppooort your decision."
Emilia turned to Ram and Rem. "Please make sure that Subaru stays at the mansion. No matter what. Understood?" she commanded, her voice carrying an unexpected authority that even Ram found noteworthy.
Ram smirked. "Ara, does that mean I'm allowed to discipline Barusu if he tries sneaking off?"
"...Preferably without hurting him," Emilia sighed.
Subaru shot up from his seat, his jaw nearly dropping. "Whoa, whoa—seriously?! You're siccing them on me?!"
"I won't take any risks," Emilia said, offering him a small, almost apologetic smile. "So please, just stay here."
"But—" Subaru began, only to be cut off by Emilia's steely gaze.
"It's not up for debate."
Her voice was solid now, devoid of the warmth and gentleness he was accustomed to. It wasn't a suggestion anymore.
It was an order.
Roswaal, still swirling his spoon, chuckled. "Oho… how unusual, Emilia-samaaa."
Subaru, still trying to process this blatant power move, turned to Roswaal. "You're seriously okay with this?"
Roswaal smiled lazily. "Weeell, if Emilia-sama insists, then I see no reaaason to object, yes?"
Subaru gritted his teeth. He turned to the twins, their expressions impassive masks behind which lurked unknown intentions. "What about you guys? You really just gonna let me get locked up here?"
Ram, ever composed, answered. "Roswaal-sama has spoken. I see no issue."
Rem hesitated for a fraction of a second.
She was still wary of Subaru. Even if her expression was calm, she wasn't exactly on his side yet.
"...It would be best if Subaru-kun stayed here," she finally said, bowing slightly.
Subaru felt a surge of anger welling up inside him, fists clenching under the table. "This isn't happening." he thought bitterly. "This is complete bullshit."
Emilia nodded with satisfaction. "Well then, I'll leave right after breakfast."
"Now then," Roswaal mused inwardly, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Let's see how you handle this little problem, Subaru-kun."
The moment breakfast ended, Emilia wasted no time. She pulled on a traveling cloak, Puck floating beside her like a miniature, ethereal companion.
It wasn't the new concealing cloak Roswaal had been diligently crafting - that wouldn't be ready for days - but this one wouldn't hinder her in the least.
"That was harsh, Lia," Puck muttered, stretching.
Emilia exhaled slowly, adjusting the clasp of her cloak. "I know. But I had to make him stay."
Puck glanced at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "...You think there is a curse user after him, don't you?"
Emilia's fingers tightened around the fabric of her cloak. "...I think there's a pattern," she admitted.
Puck's tail flicked thoughtfully. "So you're planning on using me as a radar, huh?"
She nodded. "If I focus your mana on sensing for something unusual, traces of magic, maybe lingering curse residue, we might get a lead."
Puck yawned dramatically. "Haaah… sounds like work."
"Then don't help," Emilia said lightly, offering him a small smirk.
Puck grinned. "Oh no, I'm definitely helping. Just saying, you owe me fur grooming later."
Emilia shook her head, but the corner of her lips twitched upwards in a fond smile. Then, she turned toward the door, stepping out into the bright midday air.
The wind was crisp as Emilia stepped onto the dirt path leading into Arlam Village, her cloak pulled tightly around her shoulders.
It wasn't Roswaal's special concealment cloak—that one was still being reinforced. Instead, she wore a simple one, nondescript, blending her into the morning crowd. But it was better than nothing, a fragile barrier against prying eyes.
Puck's voice resonated from the emerald crystal. "Alright, Lia, let's start looking."
Emilia nodded, scanning the streets. "If there really is a curse user here, they must have left behind some kind of trace…"
Puck extended his mana into the air like an ethereal net. The space around them shimmered faintly, as if a mist had passed through it.
A pause. Then—"…There's nothing, Lia," Puck declared through their shared link.
Emilia's fingers clenched slightly. "...Are you sure?"
Puck: "I would've noticed if something was wrong."
But Emilia's fingers landed softly on the green crystal. Something about this felt wrong.
If the curse user was hiding in the village, Puck should have felt something—even faintly. But there was nothing. Maybe the shaman isn't here yet? Maybe he's here, but hasn't used his cursed techniques yet?
Emilia exhaled sharply. She didn't believe him. Not fully.
"Are you really not sensing anything? Or are you just keeping it from me?" she wondered.
Far behind her, beyond houses, marketplaces and children running through the streets—a pair of small, cautious eyes watched Emilia carefully.
Meili. She had noticed Emilia immediately.
A hooded figure, moving through the market—too careful, too quiet.
She watched, her fingers toying idly with the hem of her dress. Whoever it was, they had gone through the effort of wearing a plain cloak, not drawing attention.
But that wasn't enough to fool Meili. She narrowed her eyes, tracking the figure's every movement. She recognized her.
Not from the cloak. Not from the clothes. From everything else.
The way she walked—graceful, deliberate, a little too poised for a common villager.
The way she moved through the crowd—not quite used to slipping between people in tight spaces, even when she tried.
The shape of her silhouette beneath the fabric—tall, slender, light-footed.
The greyish strands of her that would sometimes slip out of the hood—It was her.
"The half-elf-nee-chan! What's she doing here alone?" Meili's lips pursed slightly.
If this had been anyone else, she might've already called for her pup. It would've been easy. But this was different.
"Is she looking for… me?" That thought made Meili's grip on her dress tighten slightly. Her instincts screamed at her to stay low, stay quiet.
She let Emilia pass, barely even breathing until the half-elf's footsteps faded down the street.
No puppies today. No rash moves. For now, she'd just watch.
And if Emilia kept poking around where she wasn't supposed to… Well. Meili would just have to make sure she didn't find anything.
The night breeze caressed Emilia's skin as she made her way to the gazebo, its delicate frame bathed in soft moonlight. The mansion grounds were silent at this hour, save for the faint rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl.
Subaru was already there, sprawled on the grassy floor with his arms stretched out behind him. He turned to her with a theatrical grin. "Ah, my beautiful guardian angel returns! And here I was, waiting all alone, a prince abandoned in the night—"
Emilia blinked, then pouted. "Subaru," she sighed. "I was only gone for a few hours. You're sooo dramatic."
"You say that, but time moves slower when we're apart, Emilia-tan," Subaru replied with exaggerated sadness, shaking his head. "I have practically aged ten years waiting for you."
"Hm? But you don't look any older," she said, tilting her head.
Subaru paused, then a wide grin spread across his face. "Wow. I love that you seriously checked."
Emilia crossed her arms. "Well, you do say weird things all the time."
Subaru placed a hand over his heart, feigning woundedness. "Weird?! You wound me, Emilia-tan."
Emilia rolled her eyes. "Anyway. I'm back, and I'm fine. So, what did you do today?" she asked.
Subaru stretched his legs out. "Oh, y'know, the usual. Sweeping, polishing, getting bullied by Ram—Hrmm—learning valuable life lessons from Ram," he corrected smoothly, smirking.
Emilia : "Life lessons?"
"Well, today she made me read some kids' tales out loud. Apparently, I have the reading ability of a particularly slow six-year-old."
A smile tugged at Emilia's lips as she stifled a laugh.
"Hey, hey, don't laugh!" Subaru protested, pointing a finger at her. "You wouldn't believe how deep some of these stories are! Like, one of them was about a hero who got forgotten, and the whole kingdom turned their backs on him. Pretty dark for a kids' book, huh?"
Emilia paused, her fingers curling slightly at her sides. "That… sounds sad."
Subaru nodded in agreement. "Yeah. But there's always a lesson, y'know?" he said with a reassuring smile.
Emilia hummed softly. "And what was the lesson?"
"That even if people abandon you, there's always someone out there willing to help you," Subaru answered, his eyes sparkling with warmth.
For a moment, Emilia felt… something strange. Like a warmth in her chest, but also a weight.
"I wonder…"
She shook the thought away. "That's a nice lesson."
Subaru stretched his arms behind his head. "Right? So yeah, my day was eventful. Meanwhile, you were out being a secret detective."
Emilia sighed. "I wasn't sneaking around, Subaru."
"But you were investigating," he pointed out. "Which is honestly kinda cool. Can't even be mad about that."
A small smile touched Emilia's lips. "Thank you."
Subaru shifted slightly, his expression turning thoughtful. "You're sure you weren't cursed?"
"I'm sure," Emilia answered patiently.
He didn't look convinced. "You checked?" he pressed, a hint of concern in his voice. "Double-checked?"
"Yes, Subaru."
A long pause hung in the air. Finally, Subaru let out a small, defeated sigh, ruffling his own hair. "...Yeah, okay. I figured."
He leaned back against the gazebo post, gazing up at the star-strewn sky with half-lidded eyes. "I still don't like it, though," he mumbled.
Emilia's smile faded.
"But," Subaru continued, his voice softer, "I get it. You're doing this for my sake, right?"
Emilia felt something tighten in her chest.
He wasn't fighting her. He wasn't arguing. He was... accepting it.
And yet, for some reason, that felt worse than any protest could have been.
"Just be safe, okay?" he muttered.
She nodded. "I will."
Another silence stretched between them, broken only by rustling leaves and distant chirping of crickets. Then, Subaru forced a smile, as if trying to banish the darkness that had settled around them.
"Alright, then! Let's pretend I didn't just kill the mood," he said, his voice regaining its usual cheerfulness. "You know, Emilia-tan, if you're really dedicated to this 'protecting me' thing, maybe you should make it official? Like, an oath of eternal devotion—"
"Subaru," Emilia groaned, rolling her eyes playfully. She couldn't help but find his attempts at levity endearing, even in this serious moment.
"I'm just saying," he smirked, leaning in slightly, "if you're that determined to keep me all to yourself, we might as well make it romantic."
Emilia puffed up her cheeks. "That's not—!" she began to protest, but Subaru cut her off with a theatrical flourish.
Subaru : "Not a no, noted!"
Emilia giggled. "Subaru! Can you be serious for once!"
She sighed, shaking her head. But despite herself, she smiled. Even when she was frustrating him, even when he hated this situation—he still wanted to make her laugh.
And for a moment, everything felt normal.
The warmth of Subaru's words still lingered when she slipped into bed that night.
She lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to the soft hum of the wind outside.
But sleep wouldn't come. Her mind was a whirlwind, circling one unsettling thought.
"Does Subaru resent me?"
He said he understood. He even made jokes about it, attempting to lighten the mood. But…
There were those fleeting moments when his smile didn't quite reach his eyes, the slight frustration in his voice when she insisted on being cautious.
The way he looked at her sometimes, a mix of gratitude and something else... something that sent shivers down her spine.
"What if he's just pretending?"
The thought gnawed at her, growing with each passing moment.
"Even if he understands, even if I'm doing this for his own good… what if he still hates it?" she whispered into the darkness. "What if he hates me for it?"
Emilia exhaled quietly, pulling the blankets tighter around herself.
"Am I… controlling him?" she wondered, the word tasting like ash on her tongue.
She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the intrusive thoughts. She didn't like this feeling, this uncertainty poisoning even the best of intentions.
"No… I'm doing the right thing."
"Even if it makes him upset, even if it makes him feel trapped… it's better than…"
"I can't let him—getting hurt… again."
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to bury the fear that threatened to engulf her.
"It doesn't matter if he resents me. It's better than the alternative."
The second day of Emilia's patrol started just like the first—with hope, determination, and Puck's careful scanning.
And it ended just like the first—with nothing.
No signs of a curse user. No unusual traces of mana. Not even a faint whisper of danger.
The frustration simmered underneath her skin, quiet but growing.
She had spent hours walking the village, keeping her movements casual, occasionally pausing to observe the marketplace, the well, the children playing in the streets.
And yet, nothing.
Puck had expanded his range, stretching his senses as far as he could, but he only met Emilia's anxious gaze and shook his head.
She was starting to feel like a fool.
By the time she returned to the mansion, she was tired, cold, and restless. But the one thing that lifted her spirits—even a little—was knowing that, at least, Subaru would be waiting for her.
The air was crisp as Emilia stepped into the garden, the cool night breeze brushing against her skin. A single lantern cast a warm glow around the familiar belvedere, where Subaru was already waiting, stretching his arms lazily.
A smile spread across his face as he saw her. "Yo, welcome back, Emilia-tan. Still in one piece, huh?"
"Of course I am." Emilia smiled, feeling a bit of the day's weight ease off her shoulders.
Subaru rested his chin on his palm, studying her. "Hmm… You don't look cursed, but who knows? Maybe you got hit by a 'delayed-effect' type."
Emilia rolled her eyes. "You're just making things up now."
Subaru smirked. "Hey, you never know. Maybe in a few hours, you'll turn into a toad or something."
She let out a small, tired laugh. "Then I hope you'd still look after me."
He leaned back dramatically. "Of course! I'd be the best frog-sitter ever. I'd feed you only the finest bugs."
Emilia giggled, covering her mouth with a hand as she imagined his absurd dedication to her amphibian transformation. The ridiculousness of the image melted some of her tension.
Subaru, slumping on the grass, stretched his arms dramatically. "Anyway, while you were out being all mysterious and cool, I was stuck here all day."
Emilia smiled softly. "Oh? You sound bored."
"Nah," Subaru waved. "Actually, today was kinda interesting. I spent some time with Rem."
That caught Emilia's attention. Her head tilted slightly. "With… Rem?"
"Yep," Subaru said, stretching again, genuine warmth in his voice. "She was surprisingly nice to me today."
Emilia blinked. "Oh?" She wasn't sure why that made her feel… weird.
A strange, unfamiliar tightness bloomed in her chest—like something twisting, but she couldn't put a name to it.
Emilia had noticed how Rem had been watching Subaru closely since the start. And she was still wary of her, still remembering Rem's unsettling behavior during the last loop. But now…?
"...You two are getting along?"
Subaru nodded again, his gaze distant for a moment. "Yeah…I guess… I think she's starting to tolerate me."
Emilia tilted her head, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "That's good, isn't it?"
Something small and sharp twisted in Emilia's chest. She didn't understand it, but she didn't like it.
Subaru : "What, you sound surprised. Did you think I couldn't win her over?"
Emilia opened her mouth, then closed it. "Why do I feel strange about this?", she asked herself.
Subaru's smirk deepened. "Wait a second…" He leaned in slightly, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Are you jealous, Emilia-tan?"
Emilia jerked back. "Wha—? No! What?"
Subaru feigned hurt dramatically. "That was way too quick of a denial!" he exclaimed, then added smugly, "Very suspicious…"
"It's because it's not true!" she sputtered, crossing her arms. "Why would I be jealous? That doesn't even make sense."
Subaru laughed. "I dunno, you tell me. You're all stiff now."
Emilia pouted, cheeks puffing slightly. "That's just because I was surprised!"
She didn't know why, but for some reason, she really didn't want to talk about Rem anymore.
All she knew was that she didn't like the idea of Subaru getting closer to Rem.
But that was silly, wasn't it? It wasn't as if she…
She shook her head vehemently, trying to dismiss the unknown feeling as foolish. "You're just imagining things, Subaru."
Subaru leaned back, still grinning, but didn't push further. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Jealousia-tan."
Emilia groaned. "That's not even a name!"
But despite herself… She giggled after Subaru's contagious laughter.
As the laughter faded, a quiet moment settled between them. Subaru noticed the shift in her expression—her smile had dimmed, and there was a pensive weight in her eyes.
"...Hey," he said, tilting his head. "You okay?"
Emilia sighed, her fingers tugging absently at the hem of her sleeve. Her gaze drifted to the grass beneath them, avoiding Subaru's concerned eyes.
"...I don't know," she admitted.
Subaru blinked, taken aback by her hesitancy. He leaned forward slightly, urging her to continue.
She let out a slow breath. "I just… I'm disappointed."
Subaru straightened slightly. "About what?" he asked gently.
Emilia exhaled, her eyes still fixed on the ground. "I feel… useless."
Subaru's eyes widened. "Whoa, hold up—what?"
She shook her head, staring down at her lap. "I've been looking all over the village, but I haven't found anything," she confessed. "No clues, no signs of magic—nothing. Puck's trying, but even he doesn't sense anything. It's like I'm just… walking in circles, doing nothing."
Subaru watched her carefully, his gaze filled with understanding. This wasn't just about not finding the shaman. This was about her feeling like she wasn't doing enough to protect him.
Emilia sighed. "It feels like I should be doing more. Like maybe I should change my approach, or…"
He shook his head firmly. "No. Hey," he said, meeting her gaze with unwavering conviction. "It's not a bad plan."
Emilia looked up, surprised by the firmness in his tone.
"I mean, yeah," Subaru said with a shrug, "I hate that you're out there alone. But honestly? If it were me, I'd probably be doing the exact same thing."
Emilia blinked. "...Really?"
Subaru smirked. "Yeah. I mean, sneaking around, gathering intel? That's a total protagonist move, right?"
Emilia : "You really think like that?"
"Absolutely." He shot her a thumbs-up. "You just need to be careful. Don't get yourself cursed."
Her smile softened, genuine and heartfelt. "I promise," she murmured, meeting his gaze with sincere gratitude. "Thank you, Subaru."
He waved a dismissive hand, though the slight blush on his cheeks betrayed his feigned indifference. "Eh, don't mention it."
Emilia felt… lighter. Even without fully understanding or agreeing with her plan, Subaru's belief in her lifted a weight from her shoulders.
It wasn't just his words; it was the conviction in his eyes, the way he made her feel seen and understood. And that meant something. A lot.
Emilia stormed through the village, her boots pressing against the dirt roads with more force than necessary. Her cloak billowed slightly with each movement, a quiet reflection of the storm building inside her.
Three days. Three whole days of investigation turned useless. And nothing.
No signs of the shaman. No traces of a curse. No lingering malice in the air. Nothing.
It mocked reason.
She was certain the shaman had to be here—somewhere in the village. They had always been here in the past loops. So why—why—couldn't they find them?
Puck, tucked away in his protective crystal home, remained uncharacteristically silent. His usual jovial air was absent, replaced by a cautious stillness that gnawed at Emilia's already frayed nerves.
"You're not even trying anymore," she declared through their shared link, her voice tight with accusation.
A gasp echoed within Puck's mind. "Huh?"
"You!" Emilia continued, her tone sharp as broken glass. "You're just laying down in the crystal, acting like there's nothing to find!"
"Lia, that's not—" Puck started, but she cut him off before he could finish.
"Then why aren't you finding anything?!" she demanded, voicing her frustration out loud, ignoring their shared mental connection for once.
Her words trembled with a mixture of anger, exhaustion, and something deeper she didn't want to name.
Puck : "Lia…"
"You told me you'd help!" Emilia exclaimed, her hands clenching into fists. "But you're not helping! You're—" She faltered, the words catching in her throat. She almost said it – you're lying to me – but the accusation died before it could leave her lips.
Before she could continue, Puck abruptly exited his emerald crystal home, disregarding the surroundings.
"What are you doing?!" Emilia exclaimed, her voice laced with alarm. "Enter the stone, quickly!"
Puck ignored her plea, letting out a long, exaggerated sigh that spoke volumes of his own frustration. "Alright, Lia," he said finally, his tone weary but resolute. "It's time we talk about it."
His expression softened, and he lowered himself until they were eye to eye.. "Lia, this isn't about the shaman, is it?"
Emilia froze, her gaze fixed on a point beyond Puck's shoulder.
He paused, observing her carefully. "You've been mad at me since that day," he continued quietly. "Since we talked about Subaru after you looped."
Her throat constricted, the words a painful echo in her mind.
"I can tell," Puck continued, his tone gentle but firm. "It's not just frustration about the search. It's me. You're angry with me."
The words hit too close to home. Emilia looked away, shame twisting in her stomach. "I don't want to talk about it," she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.
But Puck didn't move, his unwavering gaze holding hers captive. "Then why are we fighting?"
Emilia's breath caught in her throat. For a moment, she almost brushed past him, almost fleeing this confrontation.
But the anger, the guilt, the helplessness – it was all too much. She needed to say something, anything.
So she let it spill out, words laced with pain and resentment. "You were cruel to Subaru."
Puck's ears twitched, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. Emilia lifted her gaze, her eyes burning with unshed tears.
The hurt in her expression mirrored the pain that had been festering within her for days, waiting to be acknowledged.
"You were cold," Emilia whispered, her voice trembling as she tried to steady herself. "I know you were trying to protect me. I know. But… Even though the curse had already activated. Even though it might've been contagious. You still could've—"
Her voice broke, the dam of emotion threatening to burst. "You still could've been gentler."
The Great Spirit stilled, with a look of profound introspection.
Emilia inhaled, forcing herself to keep going. "He was scared. He was hurt. And you didn't care."
She looked away, her stomach twisting. "Subaru was scared, Puck..."
Puck sighed, rubbing his forehead. "...I don't remember it, Lia."
"Kgh!" Emilia's eyes snapped to him.
"But," he continued firmly, looking at her seriously, "I won't pretend I wouldn't have done the same thing."
The words struck Emilia like a physical blow.
Puck drifted closer, his presence both comforting and unsettling. "You know why, don't you?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Emilia shook her head vehemently, tears welling up in her eyes. "That's not the point!" she exclaimed, the frustration spilling over.
"It is," Puck said, voice softer now, laced with a hint of sadness. "Because Subaru would've agreed with me."
Emilia flinched at those words, her heart clenching in agony.
"He wouldn't have cared about his own fear," Puck continued. "He wouldn't have cared about the unfairness of it. He just would've wanted you to be safe."
Emilia's hands were clenched into fists. Her chest tightened with a suffocating pressure, each word a fresh jab at her already raw emotions.
She didn't want to be mad at Puck, or even at Rem. She didn't understand why Subaru wouldn't be mad at them.
She fought the urge to lash out, to scream in frustration and disbelief. She didn't want to be mad at Puck, or even at Rem. But how could she not? She couldn't understand why Subaru wouldn't be mad at them.
That night had changed something. It made everything feel wrong.
The memory of that night – Subaru's desperate pleas, his pained whimpers echoing through her nightmares - haunted her. It felt like a piece of her soul had been ripped away, leaving behind a gaping wound that refused to heal.
No matter how deeply she tried to rationalize their actions, the truth remained: Subaru had suffered, and they had chosen a cold and cruel safety over compassion.
The fatidic night loomed closer, a stark reminder of the darkness that threatened to engulf them all. Still, she couldn't find and punish the true responsible of this whole mess, the mysterious curse user.
And with it came a simmering rage she desperately tried to suppress, but which bubbled beneath the surface like steam trapped in a kettle.
"That doesn't mean I have to like it," she finally whispered, her voice laced with bitterness.
Puck's gaze softened slightly. "I know."
Emilia looked away, unable to meet his gaze. She felt adrift in a sea of conflicting emotions – anger, grief, guilt, and a suffocating sense of helplessness.
"... I'm sorry, Lia," Puck said, his voice tinged with remorse.
She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. "...I don't want you to say sorry. Be useful."
Puck blinked, clearly taken aback by her sudden shift. "Huh?"
"If you're going to justify everything with my safety," she said, biting back a sharp retort, "then start finding something!"
Puck gave a small, defeated chuckle. "Lia, I'm really trying—"
"Try harder, Puck." Emilia bit her lip. Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken accusations and simmering resentment.
Puck didn't argue as he dissolved back into his emerald stone.
They returned to their fruitless search, the silence between them a stark testament to the chasm that had opened between them.
And then, again, they found nothing.
The small magic-powered night-light flickered, casting long shadows along the walls of Emilia's bedroom. The air was quiet—too quiet, the kind that made every small sound seem amplified.
The night had arrived. And nothing had happened. Not yet.
Emilia sat on the edge of her bed, her hands folded tightly in her lap. Her heart pounded too loudly in her ears, drowning out the steady rhythm of her breathing.
Across from her, Subaru tried to maintain a facade of nonchalance, slouching back on the small couch near the table. His arms were crossed, legs stretched out, but his tense posture betrayed his attempt at casualness.
"Well, would you look at that?" Subaru quipped, forcing a smirk. "Still alive. I think that's progress, don't you?"
Emilia remained silent, her face impassive.
Subaru blinked, then glanced at her again. "That was the part where you say, 'Yes, Subaru, you're so smart and handsome, we're totally safe now!'" He said with a comically off imitation.
Still, Emilia offered no response.
She just sat there, unmoving, her gaze fixed on her hands as if she couldn't bear to look at anything else.
Subaru's smirk faltered slightly. "...Emilia-tan?"
He straightened up a bit, tilting his head. "Hey, what's with that face? We're in the clear, right? No curse, no problem. We beat the system!"
Emilia's fingers curled against her nightgown.
She didn't respond because she couldn't. Because she wasn't sure if he was right.
Because something inside her was screaming that it wasn't over yet.
Because the only thing she knew for sure was that she had failed.
Subaru watched Emilia for a moment, his teasing demeanor fading into something softer, more concerned.
"...Hey," he murmured, leaning forward. "Look, I get it. You're worried because we didn't find the shaman. But that's not a complete failure, right?"
Emilia tensed, her shoulders hunching in on themselves.
"Think about it," he continued, voice gentler now, laced with sincerity. "Since I stayed at the mansion the whole time, I never even went to the village. That means I never got the curse in the first place. And Puck checked me, right? He thoroughly examined me—"
"—You're not cursed," Emilia whispered.
"Exactly!" Subaru gave her a reassuring grin, though it faltered slightly as he met her gaze. "So, this time, nothing bad is gonna happen. We did it."
Did we? The question echoed in Emilia's mind. She wanted to believe him, to let out a sigh of relief and finally succumb to the feeling of safety she craved.
But she couldn't shake the feeling deep in her chest. The one that told her this wasn't over.
Then, he moved. Subaru shifted from the couch, his movements fluid yet hesitant, and knelt in front of her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder.
The contact made her flinch ever so slightly, her breath catching. Subaru noticed—but didn't pull away.
Instead, his thumb brushed lightly against the skin of her exposed shoulder. "Hey," he said softly, his voice laced with concern. "You're really scared, huh? You don't have to. Everything will be ok."
Emilia swallowed, forcing herself to meet his gaze. And then – she felt it.
A tremor running through Subaru's fingers, a subtle vibration that spoke volumes. His facade of calmness was fragile, barely holding together.
Subaru was trembling, too.
Even though he was smiling, even though he was trying to keep her from feeling afraid, even though everything seemed outwardly fine.
He was just as scared as she was. And he was hiding it.
Just like before. Just like that night. Just like when he had broken down in front of her and asked her to stay with him—because he had been terrified of dying alone.
A wave of shame washed over Emilia, realizing how consumed by her own fears she had become, how oblivious she'd been to Subaru's silent struggle.
Subaru had been the target all along. The one at risk, the one carrying the weight of this terror on his shoulders.
If she was scared, then he had been drowning in it. And yet, he had never let it show, always putting her needs before his own.
She lifted a hand, hesitated for a heartbeat, then, slowly, wrapped her arms around him.
"Emilia-tan?"
Subaru stiffened in surprise, his whole body tensing as if he hadn't expected the gesture. But Emilia didn't speak.
She didn't tell him it was okay. She didn't tell him to be strong. No reassurance, no words of comfort. Just the quiet weight of her embrace.
For a second, he was rigid and motionless. Then, with a shaky exhale, he relaxed into her arms.
His arms came up hesitantly at first, then circled around her in return, his forehead resting lightly against her shoulder. His breath hitched, a ragged, uneven sigh escaping his lips as the tension seemed to drain from him.
They stood like that for what felt like an eternity, the silence broken only by their shared breaths.
Minutes stretched into dozens, each tick of time marked by the slowing rhythm of Subaru's breathing, the gradual easing of his tense muscles.
And then, a miracle. He stopped trembling. The tremors that had haunted him, the constant flicker of anxiety just beneath the surface, finally subsided.
A small gasp escaped her lips as she felt his weight settle against her.
She pulled back slightly, just enough to see his peaceful, sleeping expression.
His features, so often etched with reckless energy, forced grins, and teasing remarks, were now completely at ease. The lines of tension had melted away, replaced by a serene calm that tugged at her heartstrings.
He had trusted her enough to let go, to surrender to sleep in her arms. To relinquish the burden he carried so fiercely, allowing himself to be vulnerable, open and unguarded.
And as she looked down at him, Emilia's heart squeezed, an odd warmth filling her chest.
Slowly, she laid Subaru down on her bed, carefully adjusting the blankets over him like a precious treasure.
She should have felt relieved. But then—Her fingers brushed her own arm, and she realized with a jolt; she was trembling.
The same way Subaru had been just moments ago.
"Why…?" Her breath caught in her throat.
The fear was still inside her.
She'd been so consumed with comforting him, with shielding him from the terror that threatened to consume them both, that she had momentarily forgotten the icy grip of fear tightening around her own heart.
Her breath hitched. Her body wouldn't stop trembling. She wanted to deny it, push down the panic that clawed at her edges, but it was there. A relentless tide threatening to pull her under.
But as she gazed at him now, his face peaceful and serene in sleep, a strange sense of calm settled over her. His warmth, even in slumber, radiated outwards, a comforting beacon against the encroaching darkness.
Maybe, just maybe, she could borrow a sliver of that peace—just for a little while.
Hesitantly, before she could talk herself out of it, she climbed onto the bed beside him, her movement slow and deliberate as if testing the waters before diving into their shared vulnerability.
Slowly, she slid back into his warmth.
And as she curled slightly against him, feeling the slow, steady rise and fall of his breathing—
The trembling stopped. The heat of him chased away the cold in her chest. His slow, rhythmic breathing matched hers. A fragile sanctuary in a world gone mad.
For the first time that night—Emilia felt safe.
The fear didn't vanish entirely, but it retreated to the shadows, eclipsed by the warmth radiating from Subaru and the quiet rhythm of his sleep.
Her eyelids fluttered shut, finally surrendering to exhaustion.
And for the first time since this loop began—Emilia let herself truly rest.
The air in Arlam Village was crisp and cool, the scent of fresh bread drifting from market stalls as early shoppers filled the streets. Above, the sky stretched limitless and blue, a canvas devoid of even a single cloud.
For the first time in days, Emilia felt… light.
There was no crushing tension in her chest. No creeping sense of impending disaster.
She smiled slightly, watching as children ran past, their laughter echoing between the houses.
"We did it."
She and Subaru had weathered the storm. They'd made it through the night, breaking the loop. No curse. No death.
And yet— "I never found the shaman." That small, lingering doubt kept her moving.
She wasn't worried, not really. The village was peaceful. Subaru was safe back at the mansion.
But… for her own ease of mind, she'd do one last patrol. Just in case.
"Tsk." A small, disgruntled sound came from the green crystal nestled on her chest.
From inside the stone, Emilia could feel the cat's irritation. She blinked at him, amused. "What's wrong, Puck?", she asked telepathically.
Puck huffed. "I'm just thinking, who was the genius who let Subaru sleep in your arms last night?"
Emilia stumbled slightly mid-step. "Wh—?!"
"Ohhh no, don't you 'wh-what' me, young lady." Puck's voice resonated in her head. "You're way too casual about this!"
Emilia flushed. "It—It wasn't like that! He was scared, and I—"
"And then you went back to bed and snuggled up with him," Puck finished flatly.
Emilia's face turned red.
"It wasn't—!" She groaned through their shared link, covering her face. "Puck, stop it!"
Puck let out an exaggerated sigh. "Look, Lia, I get it. You're sweet, and Subaru's got puppy eyes that could make a dragon cry. But I swear, if I don't give you the overprotective dad talk, what kind of guardian spirit am I?"
Emilia let out an exasperated laugh. "You're unbelievable."
"I'm just saying." Puck said, still sulking. "That boy better be grateful. Real grateful."
Emilia shook her head, composing herself. "Anyway, that's not what I wanted to talk about."
Puck : "Oh?"
"Subaru was upset when I left today," she admitted.
The emerald stone shined discreetly. "Indeed. He's been pacing around all morning like a restless wolf pup."
Emilia frowned slightly. "But… we already made it past the dangerous night."
"Yeah, you think so," Puck muttered. "He clearly doesn't."
Silence settled between them as Emilia considered Puck's words. The familiar knot of worry tightened in her chest.
"He wanted to come with me," she said, brushing her fingers against the hem of her cloak. "But… I wanted him to stay home."
Puck : "Because you're still worried about him?"
Emilia nodded slowly. "...Yes."
Puck was quiet for a moment before letting out a slow sigh. "Well. I don't blame you."
"At least this way," Emilia continued, looking up at the blue sky, "I know for sure he's safe from the curse threat"
Puck still looked unconvinced, but he didn't argue.
"...You're really not giving up on finding the shaman, huh?" Puck asked softly, his tone laced with a hint of resignation.
Emilia : "Not until I'm sure."
The sun climbed higher in the sky.
Emilia walked every familiar path.
She stopped by the village well, lingered near the markets, even observed the children playing. One could easily say she knew this village better than the grand manor where she had spent months residing.
Every now and then, she felt a faint prickle on the back of her neck. Like… she was being watched.
But when she turned— Nothing.
It was the same as before. No suspicious mana. No clear targets. No shaman.
And finally, after hours of searching, Emilia let out a long breath. "...Maybe they really did leave."
Puck confirmed. "Told you, Lia. If we haven't found them by now, they're probably gone."
Emilia closed her eyes, willing herself to believe Puck's words. She wanted to believe that, with all her heart.
She would believe that. They had won this time. It was over.
Emilia inhaled deeply—then exhaled, feeling at peace. A soft smile touched her lips as relief settled over her.
"Let's go home," she whispered, turning towards the familiar path leading back to the manor.
"You're quiet," Puck noted, floating beside Emilia as they walked, his tail flicking lazily against her side.
Emilia blinked, a soft smile curving her lips. "Just thinking."
"About how much you doubted me, I suppose?" Puck teased, giving her an exaggerated frown.
Emilia let out a small, relieved laugh. "Maybe a little."
Puck pouted dramatically. "Hmph. You wound me, Lia. Also, I told you neither of you were cursed."
"I know," she said softly, meeting his gaze. "And I'm really, reeeally glad you were right."
A comfortable silence settled between them as they continued their walk. The sun cast long shadows, painting the path ahead in hues of gold and amber. Puck stretched, floating up onto her shoulder with a contented sigh.
"So, are you finally gonna stop patrolling now?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
Emilia hesitated, glancing back at the village behind her.
"...Maybe one more day," she admitted.
Puck sighed dramatically. "Liaaaa."
"It's just to be sure," she reasoned, adjusting her cloak. "I still never found the curse user, so—"
"Lia."
She turned to him, blinking at the shift in his tone.
Puck looked at her carefully, studying her. Then he sighed again, this time softer. "...Never mind. You'll just do what you want anyway."
She smiled at that. "Hehe… As per usual, I'm counting on you, Puck!"
Puck : "Of course, Lia! Always here for you!"
They were almost home.
Then—
She blinked.
Something was wrong. Her body felt—lighter?
Like she had just been lifted from something.
The scent of morning dew filled her nose. Warmth surrounded her.
Before she even opened her eyes—she knew.
Her heart stopped.
"No." The word escaped her lips as a strangled whisper.
"No, no, no—"
Her eyes snapped open. A wall, no, her bedroom ceiling greeted her.
The morning sun filtered through the curtains. The blankets were wrapped around her.
Her hands gripped the sheets. Her breathing stopped.
This wasn't the mansion she had just left. This wasn't the afternoon she was walking through just moments ago. This was the past.
She felt it. The cruel, suffocating sense of reversion.
She heard it. The undeniable, carillon-sounding collapse of time.
They had returned.
=== END OF CHAPTER 11 ===
Author's Notes:
Aww…they're so cuuute~ (RBD intensifies)
They have their wholesome moments, but Emilia starts to become overprotective…Careful Lia, that's a dangerous path…the Yandere Route, they call it.
Like father, like daughter, they say—I'ma stop.
Curious idea – Subaru's RBD SFX is that eerie voice "Haaa~~!", right?
Well, let's say that Emilia's immunity SFX is a silver bell, or maybe a double-bell alarm clock, ringing for microseconds. "Driiiinng~~!" LMAO. (One unnecessary detail successfully delivered!)
Anyway… I found this chapter pretty fun to write, even though they were not suffering physically (That's the proof I don't have sadistic tendencies)
Next : Painkiller Part 3 (I mean that's kinda obvious lol).
I don't need sleep, I need
DISCLAIMER : I don't own Re:Zero, it belongs to Tappei Nagatsuki.