Chapter XI:

Unclear Terms

It was a crisp, clear morning when Subaru finally stirred from sleep. He hadn't gotten much of it, though—his mind had been restless, replaying the events of the previous day over and over.

When Roswaal had first informed him and Rom that Reinhard had invited them to the Astrea estate to see Felt, he had been more excited than he could remember in ages. Emilia had eagerly agreed to join them, and, unsurprisingly, Rem had decided to tag along as well. Ever since the forest incident, she'd been finding any excuse to linger around him.

But none of that had prepared him for what he saw when they arrived.

Felt. In a frilly yellow dress.

For the first time, Subaru thought she looked like a girl—a pretty one at that. However, that thought was immediately replaced by sheer hilarity. Felt, of all people, dressed up like a noble lady? The sight had been too much. His reaction had earned him a sharp heel to the foot, but honestly? Worth it.

And then, of course, there was tea.

Finding out Felt was one of the five candidates for the Royal Selection had blindsided him. Never, not in a million years, would he have thought she'd be up for the throne. But, then again, strange things had become a pattern in his life lately.

Her outright refusal to participate had really thrown him, though.

He could understand not wanting that kind of responsibility. Hell, he wouldn't wish the burden of ruling a kingdom on anyone, let alone someone like Felt, who had spent her life surviving on the streets. But the way she dismissed it—like a petulant child refusing to eat her vegetables—had outright offended him.

The argument that followed had been inevitable. She had been hurt, and that had stung more than he expected. But, in the end, patching things up hadn't been hard.

Because the only way he could have truly screwed things up?

Was as if he had taken her anger seriously and sulked off to Roswaal like a wounded dog.

And if he'd done that… well, he wouldn't have blamed her for hating him.

As for that morning, it wasn't the sunlight or the sound of birds that kept Subaru awake—it was the looming confrontation ahead.

Facing Roswaal.

Hoping he'd agree to release him from his apprenticeship.

Rom had voiced concerns that the Mage might have the power to force Subaru to uphold their contract, and honestly, Subaru didn't want to think about that possibility. He couldn't—no, wouldn't—be stuck on the opposite side of his own family. He liked Emilia, respected her even, and had nothing against Roswaal's household, but they were friends.

Not family.

That distinction was everything.

As he dressed, he told himself over and over that things would work themselves out. He kept repeating it like a mantra, clinging to the hope that sheer willpower alone would be enough to make it true.

By the time he made his way to the dining hall, Felt was already seated across from a stern older woman who was watching her like a hawk. Subaru hesitated for a second, noting the way Felt carried herself—stiff, composed. It was unnatural coming from her.

"Good morning," he greeted, slipping into the seat beside her.

Felt turned her head, and for the first time in his life, Subaru heard her respond in a perfectly measured, formal tone:

"Good morning, Subaru."

His eyebrows shot up. He glanced between Felt and the older woman, sensing something was very off. "Am I missing something?"

Felt, looking like she was swallowing nails, exhaled sharply. "Where are my manners," she said through gritted teeth. Then, with visible effort, she gestured to the woman beside her. "Subaru, this is Carol. My… teacher."

"Teacher?" Subaru nearly choked. His lips twitched, but he bit down on a laugh. "So you're the one teaching Felt how to be a lady?"

"Indeed," Carol said, her tone clipped and businesslike. "And if my understanding is correct, I may soon be teaching you how to be a gentleman as well, sir."

Subaru immediately sobered. "...What now?"

Carol didn't wait for a response. "Flam, be a dear and get our guest something to eat. Tea or coffee?"

Still reeling, Subaru cleared his throat. "Uh, just coffee. Not really hungry."

"If you are sitting at the dining table, you will eat something," Carol stated flatly. There was no room for argument. "Flam, prepare a plate with eggs, bacon, and half a square of toast."

Subaru opened his mouth to protest, but before he could, Felt's foot found his under the table. The message was clear: don't push it.

"Uh… thanks," he muttered, resigned.

It suddenly occurred to him that Rom had likely chosen to have his breakfast in his room. Smart old man.

"So, Subaru," Felt said, her voice still measured as she sipped her tea. "When are you heading out?"

"Not long from now," Subaru answered, rubbing his neck. "Gonna stop by the Artisan District first before heading to Roswaal's place." He glanced at Flam—or Garassis? Honestly, it was easier to tell twins apart when they had different-colored hair like Rem and Ram.

"Going to see Conrad?" Felt asked.

"Yeah," Subaru sighed, feeling a twinge of guilt. "I kinda vanished on the old man. Hopefully, I didn't leave him too shorthanded." The thought of all the work orders that had likely been delayed made his stomach churn.

"Well, that's the right thing to do," Felt nodded approvingly. "Don't feel too bad, though. I'm sure he replaced you in no time."

"Hey! I'm not that easy to replace," Subaru huffed.

"Of course not, big bro," Felt teased with a cheeky grin.

Carol sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "The term 'big bro' is not very formal. We are still practicing, young lady."

Felt slumped back against her chair, rolling her eyes. "Ugh."

"I suppose I can allow casual dining for the remainder of your meal," Carol relented, standing. "At any rate, I must see to the alterations on your dress for this evening."

Felt visibly tensed. "My dress?" she repeated in horror.

"It is a statement piece," Carol said pointedly. "You must understand—it is for your benefit."

Felt scowled. "Do I have to wear that thing?"

"It is non-negotiable."

With that, Carol gave a polite bow before sweeping out of the room. A moment later, one of the twins returned with Subaru's meal.

Despite what he'd said earlier, now that the food was in front of him, Subaru realized he was fairly hungry.

"She's gone," Felt exhaled, melting into her chair like she had just been freed from a death sentence. "I swear, the second I can, I'm putting a stop to these 'lessons.' I can't stand this crap."

"If it helps get a few noble types to like you, it might be worth it," Subaru pointed out, casually biting into his bacon before washing it down with a sip of coffee. "You said it yourself—you can't go it alone. And Rom and I aren't exactly heavy hitters, y'know?"

"Sure, sure," Felt grumbled. "But it's just not me."

"You're gonna have to be a lot of different things for different people, Felt," Subaru said simply. "Being yourself is for closed doors. As bad as that sounds." He glanced up at her. "Just don't betray your morals. Proper posture isn't gonna change who you are."

Felt eyed him, looking torn. "See, this is why someone like you should be doing all this crap, not me."

"The shiny rock didn't pick me," Subaru shrugged, ruffling her hair to her loud grumbling of protest.

He pushed his empty plate forward and stood, fixing his sword to his belt. "I gotta get going. Try not to strangle anyone while I'm gone, alright?"

Felt scoffed. "No promises."

He turned to the twin beside him. "Garassis—"

"Flam," the girl corrected, raising an eyebrow.

"Right, sorry," Subaru winced. "What time's Felt leaving for the palace?"

"Four in the afternoon, sir," Flam answered smoothly.

"Good. I'll be back by three." Subaru nodded.

With that, he ruffled Felt's hair one last time for good measure—dodging her retaliatory slap with a laugh—and made his way out of the Astrea manor after clasping his sword to his belt.

"You're alive?" Conrad eyed Subaru up and down, wiping the sweat from his brow.

It was early Saturday morning, but the old man was already at the forge, his apron darkened with soot and his skin glistening with sweat. Behind him, a younger man was hammering away at a billet of steel, his strikes uneven, his form sloppy. He looked strong enough, but his lack of rhythm and finesse made it clear—either he was new, or Conrad had been desperate for extra hands. If the latter was the case, Subaru couldn't help but feel guilty.

"Yeah, I'm alive," Subaru chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Came close to dying a few times after I ran off, but, you know… still standing."

Conrad sighed, shaking his head before turning back toward the forge. Just then, the sharp clang of metal rang out—a mis-hit against the anvil instead of the billet. The older man let out a gruff groan.

"Dragon above, find a rhythm, boy!" he barked at his apprentice before turning back to Subaru with a wry smirk. "Don't tell me you're here to beg for your job back after disappearing off the face of the world for a month."

Subaru grinned. "Nah, still employed. Currently in the service of Roswaal L. Mathers… at least for now."

Conrad paused mid-motion, turning to look at him more closely. "Mathers? The Court Mage?" He frowned, running a hand through his beard. "What in blazes are you doing working for a noble out near Arlam?"

"Long story," Subaru sighed, watching as Conrad picked up a sword and began running it over a wet stone. "I sort of… stumbled into it after that night. A lot happened, and I can't go into the details."

Conrad grunted but didn't press.

"I just got back to the capital yesterday," Subaru continued. "Figured I owed you an apology for vanishing like that. I know you took me in when I had nowhere else to go, and I just up and left without a word. That wasn't right."

The forge master studied him for a long moment, then let out a deep chuckle. "Don't apologize to me for improving your lot in life, boy. I ain't the type to hold a youth like yourself back for my own selfish reasons." He set the sword down and crossed his arms. "But tell me—what happened to that sister of yours? You said she was in trouble that day. When a week passed with no sign of either of you, I figured the worst had happened."

Subaru exhaled slowly. "She's safe," he confirmed, meeting the old man's gaze. "And, regardless of what you think, I will make things up to you."

Conrad scoffed, clapping a heavy hand on Subaru's shoulder. "Nothing to make up, son." Then, with a smirk, he motioned toward the rows of weapons and tools lining the shop. "Now, unless you're here to buy something, let me get back to work."

Subaru smirked back, shaking the man's hand firmly before heading off.

The walk back to the Noble District felt strange. Subaru wasn't used to heading there from the Artisan District, and more than once, he almost instinctively turned toward the slums out of habit. The familiarity of that old path tugged at him, a stark contrast to the weight settling in his stomach—like one of Conrad's anvils.

Still, he pressed on.

When he arrived at the three-story building Roswaal used as his residence in the capital, Subaru hesitated for only a moment before knocking. The door flung open almost instantly.

"Oh! There you are, Subaru!" Rem greeted him with a warm smile. "Have you had breakfast yet? I could make you something if you'd like."

"N-No, thanks, though," Subaru managed, forcing a small smile.

He was glad for Rem's change in attitude toward him, but lately, he couldn't shake the feeling that his original suspicion had been right—she had developed a crush on him. It was a hard thought to reconcile with the memory of her brutally murdering Rom and himself in another loop. He tried not to hold those feelings against her, but the memory still lingered at the back of his mind like a shadow he couldn't quite shake.

"Is Roswaal here?" Subaru asked, pushing the thought away.

"He's in his office with Lady Emilia and my sister at the moment," Rem confirmed with a nod.

Subaru climbed the stairs to the third floor, pausing just outside the mage's office. His hand hovered over the door for a second before it swung open, and Emilia stepped out. She smiled when she saw him.

"Oh, Subaru! You're back," she said, walking over. "I hope your meeting with Felt went well. I still don't understand why she's staying with Reinhard. He just told me I'd 'understand later,' whatever that means."

Subaru smiled but said nothing. It seemed Reinhard was still keeping the details of Felt's situation under wraps—for now. That would change by the end of the evening, but it wasn't his place to spill the truth.

"Yeah, the meeting went… well, a little tense, but nothing major. I'm just glad she's safe," he offered. It felt wrong not being fully transparent with Emilia, but it couldn't be helped. "Anyway, is Roswaal free?"

"Yeah, we just finished discussing a few things about the Royal Selection," she said.

"Nervous?"

"A little," Emilia admitted with a small chuckle, rubbing her elbow. "But I'll have Puck with me, so it'll work itself out!"

Subaru smiled at her optimism, then took a deep breath. "Let's chat later. I need to take care of a few things with Roswaal first, okay?"

Emilia nodded. "Sure. I think I'll finally grab some lunch. I was too antsy to eat this morning, but I'm feeling better now. Take care, Subaru!"

He waved as she headed downstairs, then steeled himself before knocking on the office door and stepping inside.

The room was more subdued than he had expected. Dark green wallpaper covered the walls, the desk was plain but elegant, and a small bookcase behind Roswaal contained tomes on Lugunican law and political regulations.

Ram was just finishing tidying up a tea set when he entered.

"Ram, it would please me if you assisted your sister for the time being," Roswaal said smoothly.

The pink-haired maid gave a polite bow before sweeping out of the room, closing the door firmly behind her.

Now, it was just Subaru and Roswaal.

"I have a request," Subaru said after a long moment, his voice steady despite the tension knotting in his chest.

"A request? Oh, do tell," Roswaal leaned forward, a knowing smile curling his lips. He looked amused—too amused—and it made Subaru's stomach churn with unease.

Taking a deep breath, Subaru met the mage's gaze. "I want to be released from my position as your apprentice."

Roswaal's smirk didn't waver, but something in his expression shifted. "Really now?" he mused, tapping his fingers against the desk. "How interesting. What would compel someone like yourself to make such a request? It is, after all, a rather prestigious position you hold. And so suddenly, too—you had been working quite hard. Did something happen during your meeting with Lady Felt?"

Subaru's mouth opened to respond, but he stopped short. "Lady Felt?"

Roswaal's smirk widened.

"You knew," Subaru realized, his jaw going slack. "You knew she was a Royal Candidate?"

"My dear boy, I am the Court Mage," Roswaal chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "I was informed that Reinhard had found the final candidate for the Selection and that he had taken your sister in as a guest. It was hardly a difficult deduction. Who else could it have been?"

Subaru clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms.

"How long have you known?" he demanded, narrowing his eyes.

"Since just after the incident in the forest," Roswaal admitted smoothly. "I considered telling you, buuuuut…" He waved a lazy hand in the air. "It would have only caused unnecessary strife in my household. Emilia already had sooo much on her mind. Informing you would have been a pointless gesture."

Subaru ground his teeth. He knew. This whole time, Roswaal had known about Felt—about everything—and had simply chosen to keep it from him.

"I suppose that makes sense," Subaru said, though a deep sense of annoyance gnawed at him. He couldn't exactly blame Roswaal—the man was looking after his own interests, as well as Emilia's. But that very fact made Subaru uneasy about how this conversation would end.

"So," Subaru continued, watching Roswaal carefully. "Where does that leave us?"

Roswaal's smirk remained firmly in place. "I could let you go," he mused, tapping a single finger against his temple. "However, magical contracts are not so easily broken. I could also force you to remain in my service."

Subaru's jaw tightened. "Will you?"

Roswaal waved a hand dismissively. "I think you should attend the Royal Selection," he said instead, dodging the question. "I have a few small favors I'd like my apprentice to fulfill before I allow him to officially leave my service."

Subaru's eyes narrowed. "If you're about to ask me to do anything against Felt—"

"Noooothing of the sort!" Roswaal assured him with a chuckle, raising his hands as if to show innocence. "It would be most beneficial to Lady Emilia if she were on good terms with a few of the other candidates. To cause such strife so early… whhhhat possible benefit would that have?"

Subaru wasn't convinced. "I don't know if I can trust that unless you tell me exactly what you're asking."

Roswaal's expression remained unreadable. "Oh, but that would beeee telling, Subaru." He winked playfully. "Suffice to say, my favor will not affect Lady Felt's candidacy. I promise you that."

Subaru frowned. "So, how long are you planning to keep me, exactly?"

"That, dear Subaru…" Roswaal chuckled, his heterochromatic eyes gleaming with amusement. "Depends entirely on you."

"That's not an answer," Subaru shot back.

"Isn't it?" Roswaal shrugged, entirely unfazed. "You'll understand when the time is right. For now, I have nothing requiring your attention." He leaned back, hands folded neatly. "You may remain return to the Astrea residence. All I require of you today… is your presence at the Royal Selection."

Subaru stared at him, weighing his options. He didn't like the vague half-answers. But for now, there was nothing else to do except play along.

Turning on his heel, Subaru left the room without another word.

This was not how he wanted things to play out. Roswaal had plans for him—what they were, he couldn't say. For now, he was stuck in limbo.

For a fleeting moment, he considered going to Emilia, pleading his case to her. It wouldn't be difficult—he could just tell her outright that he had no desire to remain in Roswaal's service. If she didn't want him around, maybe Roswaal would be forced to release him.

Alternatively, the mage could use the contract against him out of spite, but Emilia wasn't a cruel person. She wouldn't allow that.

Still, dragging her into this… it didn't feel right. This wasn't her battle, and as much as Roswaal was playing some kind of long game, he hadn't asked anything of Subaru that would warrant taking such drastic measures. Not yet.

Lost in thought, Subaru barely registered the voice calling his name.

"Subaru."

Looking up, he saw Emilia, seated at a small table in the second-floor dining area, a cup of tea resting between her hands.

"You said you wanted to talk after you met with Roswaal?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Subaru blinked. Right. He had planned to use this conversation to tell her he was leaving Roswaal's service. But now? That wasn't exactly true anymore.

"Oh, um…" he hesitated, scrambling for something else to say. "I'm going back over to see Felt later."

Emilia nodded, setting her tea down. "When are you leaving?"

"In a bit," Subaru answered quickly. Then, realizing he should at least pretend to be interested in the bigger picture, he added, "When are you heading to the Palace?"

"A few hours, I think…" Emilia trailed off, looking to Ram for confirmation.

Ram gave a curt nod.

Subaru frowned slightly. That was odd. Emilia wasn't the type to be uncertain about something as simple as her own departure time. Was she nervous? Distracted?

"Just you and Roswaal?" he asked.

"Huh?" Emilia blinked as if pulled from her thoughts.

"I mean, for the Palace visit," Subaru clarified.

"Oh! Yeah, just us," she chuckled lightly, brushing a stray silver strand behind her ear. Then, shifting in her seat, she muttered, "I think I need more tea. Rem, more tea?"

Subaru watched as Rem—who had been standing silently nearby—moved smoothly to refill Emilia's cup.

It was subtle, but Subaru noticed it now—Emilia was anxious.

Maybe the Royal Selection was weighing on her more than she let on.

Subaru forced a smile, though inside, his thoughts were a tangled mess.

"Subaru, if you are not staying, I would suggest you do not distract Lady Emilia," Ram said, her tone firm as ever.

Before he could respond, Emilia jumped in quickly, shaking her head. "He's no trouble, really!"

Subaru chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "No, it's alright. You should focus." He flashed a thumbs-up. "You'll do great!"

Emilia gave him a warm smile in return, but there was still that slight edge of tension in her expression.

Rem nodded in agreement, ever the supportive presence, while Ram simply sighed, clearly exasperated with the entire exchange.

With a final glance at Emilia, Subaru turned on his heel, heading for the stairs.

All he could think was that this whole situation was turning into a complete mess.

A/N: Another chapter in! Little shorter, next chapter is the royal selection, I had them as one big chapter originally, but it was getting a little too long winded, so I broke them apart into two smaller sections. Next Chapter is 2/26/25.

Onto Reviews:

XxXxX

Angel lara451: For some reason I imagine them with a Brooklyn accent

I'm not from NY so I never even thought of them like that. If that's what you think though!

Boredgoose25: Great chapter I wanna see how roswal will try to keep Subaru in his camp and what punishment he set for the contract.

Not if things are going... just... as... planned.

Anon: Oh wow this is super super good, maybe we could see Subaru suffering now hmmm? after all it isn't rezero if Subaru is happy for more than 5 chapters.

Subaru's death loops are coming. He's not going to avoid them forever, it's just not natural for the poor boy!

XxXxX

See you Wednesday!