Chapter 4: Heaven
With the twinkle of sunlight being felt on his closed eyelids, YN tried his best to keep them shut, lest he be blinded, but still let the curiosity of the other sensations he felt slowly wake him up.
No longer did he feel the cold, rubbled floor underneath him. He only felt the warm, comforting embrace of a bed, and a pillow under his head.
Taking a deep breath in through his nose, he used it to get an idea of where he was. Freshly washed linens, more than likely the bedsheets that were adorning him, had an acute, but still faint smell of freshly cut flowers.
Next, he wiggled his toes as simple, early morning thoughts of a groggy mind passed by his consciousness.
This is cloth. he thought. A very high quality cloth.
His arms, under the covers, began to arise too. First he felt towards his sides, which moved first to the back of the bed, and then to the edge of the covers.
Yep, this is a bed alright.
Affirmed in what he could feel, there seemed to be some kind of a mattress under the bed sheet. As his fingers went to feel the covers, he noticed how tightly they were tucked in, like a professional had dressed this bed.
It's definitely not a hospital bed. And this mattress doesn't feel like the stiff cheaper kind you find in a motel.
He started to reflect.
How did I get here? What led up to this?
YN racked his mind, replaying all the major events from yesterday. He remembered everything, but as soon as he came to the last thing he remembered, it came with a price.
Instantly, he felt his aches.
His skull throbbed on the front still from his impact with Subaru's own head.
From getting the wind knocked out of him following Reinhard gathering an exorbitant amount of mana, this caused him to have his shoulders and collarbones feel heavy from the weight they felt, as his diaphragm felt fatigued.
And finally, the continued drowsiness from his lack of sleep combined with the adrenaline kicks he had right before crashing out on the floor of the loot-house left his muscles feeling fuzzy.
To all these feelings, he was finally convinced by his condition to open his eyes.
Opening them, his vision was blurry. He wiped his eyes with his hands as he pulled them out from beneath the covers, and allowing his vision to clear up, he could see a white ceiling hung above him, ordained neatly with a luxury trim.
I don't recognize this ceiling.
YN sat up and looked at the room he had been asleep in until now.
Least to say, he couldn't believe his eyes.
The bed in which he laid in appeared to be the thing of dreams. Stark white covers and plush pillows were at his disposal. The room was classically decorated with an ornate window and curtains that the sun shined in though.
For as nice as this room was, one thing didn't seem correct, and might have been hastily changed from how it should be. YN's bed itself was pushed into a corner of this room, where it did not look as if it belonged there.
The more YN looked about though, it began to make more sense, especially considering that across the room from him, laid a bigger, even more luxurious bed on the middle of the opposite-side wall, flanked with proper end-tables holding what looked like lamps on each side of the bed.
And in that bed, laid Subaru, who was also rustling awake.
Subaru: I don't recognize this ceiling.
As he said this identical phrase, as if repeating YN's own thoughts, he moved his hand up to where he and YN had bonked heads, also feeling the same pain as YN.
YN: Hey, Subaru. How's your head?
Somewhat startled at first by his name being called so quickly upon waking up, the black-haired boy sat up to see where the voice had come. In a more weary tone, he replied.
Subaru: Painful, but better than it was, no thanks to you.
YN shrugged and closed his eyes, replying in a boastful manner.
YN: You shouldn't have been in the way. I bet I could have finished the fight with Elsa right then and there if you hadn't— Hmph!
He was cut off abruptly by a pillow thrown by Subaru, feathers going all over YN's much smaller bed and floor.
They both gave each other a guilty look over this though, and got up to clean the small mess the retaliatory action had made.
Without having to say it between each other, they each knew they had to be somewhere as right now as guests. Given they were both redressed in new clothes, in nice, neatly made beds, someone clearly had been considerate with them after they both passed out.
Going about the actual clean-up though, YN tried stuffing the loose feathers back into the pillow case that had been flung at him, while Subaru used his foot to push the ones on the floor under the bed.
As they both finished, Subaru posed the question that was the elephant in the room.
Subaru: So uhh, do you have any clue where it is we're at? Some kind of hotel, or a resort or..?
Assuming it had to be somewhere fancy, his speculation was met by another shrug of YN's.
YN: Ya know, I haven't a clue.
Subaru: What?! Really?!
Astonished to hear that, given he had definitely assumed YN would be informed, to Subaru's reaction, YN crossed his arms, and nodded while he closed his eyes.
YN: I have to admit you know, I passed out maybe not even a half-hour after you did.
Giving YN a look of disbelief, Subaru replied in a hushed tone, contemplating what this meant.
Subaru: So you have no clue where we are either.
YN: Well, I did talk to Emilia till my adrenaline ran out. If I had to guess, we're at her residence, or she handed us off to someone she trusts.
Thinking YN's speculation had to be close to the mark, Subaru walked over to the nearby window of this guest room.
Subaru: I wonder what the view of that huge city we were in is like from here—
As Subaru moved the curtain just enough to see the view himself, YN poked his head in from the opposite side of the sill, and to what they saw, they shared a moment of speechlessness before their simultaneously delayed reaction.
YN & Subaru: Holy crap.
Looking all about from the vantage point this window offered, they took it all in.
A massive garden, centered with water features and fountain in the middle, and beyond those well manicured hedges and laws that went on and on, was a dense, almost boreal looking forest of dark green trees that continued on into the hills and mountains beyond their gaze.
Softly, it was YN who finally spoke back up.
YN: How did we get here..? Who owns all this..?
Subaru, in thought, put a hand to his chin, eyes closed, and declared an answer.
Subaru: Emilia's. It has to be.
Thinking over that prospect, YN entertained it as his gaze focused in on the large fountain below, bellowing out water.
YN: Now that I can recall, she did say she wanted to ask us all about what happened leading up to us helping her… She could only get that answer if she was nearby after we woke back up, meaning there's a pretty high probability of this place belonging to her, or maybe she lives here?
Speculating this outloud, his voice went lower, but was still audible by Subaru.
YN: There's a chance Emilia could possibly own all this… Maybe it belongs to her family?
Subaru: You really think so?! Not only is she adorably cute, but she's rich too?!
At his own exclaimed words, Subaru shook his head.
Subaru: I've got my work cut out for me then.
YN: Subaru.
Subaru turned his head, eyebrows raised as to acknowledge YN's change of the subject.
YN: We should probably do some searching, right? We still have no actual idea where we're at.
Suggesting this, he pointed at the one door that more than likely led out of the room.
Despite both being adorned in robes still, they set out into the hallway of this place, which appeared to be some sort of sizable villa, or perhaps an entire mansion.
Walking and walking, after a while it began to feel like they were going in what seemed like circles this entire time. To that theory, YN confirmed Subaru's own thoughts on the matter, given they each recognized having gone past the same sets of paintings on the wall three separate times at the very least.
YN: Since we know magic exists in this world, I think it's safe to say that we're in some sort of trap to prevent us from leaving the room and getting out to elsewhere.
A hand waved to his concern though, Subaru took a step ahead of him.
Subaru: That's just what they want you to think. I bet that they wanted us to leave and get trapped, but what they didn't realize is that someone of our own unique origin could see right through this puzzle on the first try!
While he spoke this, Subaru approached the very same door they had departed out of to enter the hallway in the first place, denoted keenly by the distinct painting to its right.
Subaru: —It's always the same door you entered from!
Firmly, Subaru grasped the doorknob of what should be their ornate guest room they had woken up in, and swung the familiar door wide open.
No sooner than Subaru did, a new collection of previously unexpected sights, sounds, and smells rushed past them in the entryway of this newfound space their psyche's told them shouldn't be here if this truly was the guest-room's door.
Looking at each other first, Subaru entered with YN in tow.
Upon stepping Inside, they were greeted by a large room, multiple levels in height. All along the walls, and with cases jammed in the space creating many aisles, were books, tomes, and all sorts of bound parchments.
At the center of it all though, sat one little girl.
Holding a book with one hand on her lap, and the other supporting her cheek as if bored, her eyes that had irises shaped like butterflies seemed to stare at them with discontent. Shutting her book with a sigh, she stood from her chair, and patted smooth her long, frilled dress, and shook her two locks of blonde, twin-drilled hair.
Too mesmerized by the books and the scale of library, YN tried to fathom how this space could occupy what was once the guest-room they had been in. In the meantime, Subaru had gone back and forth with his girl, increasingly antagonizing her.
Having enough of her visitors though, it was her stern voice, also directed at YN, marking him guilty by association, that brought him back into the conversation. Threatening them with force, YN figured it was best to avoid confrontation here and now.
YN: S-Subaru, don't you think you should be a bit more reserved? She's obviously an inhabitant of this household we were brought to.
With a pleading tone in his voice, YN turned to this drill-haired girl, trying to beg forgiveness.
YN: Although I'm sure patience has run thin, please show my friend here some leniency. He nearly died last night from some pretty bad injuries.
Putting a hand on Subaru's back, YN bowed, and went to make Subaru bow alongside him.
YN: Please, excuse our—
But, before he could finish, Subaru pushed himself to stand straight again, fist raised at YN
Subaru: Hey what's the big idea!? Who said you could speak for—
*THUNK*
The sound of a large book, clapping shut, cut off Subaru's rebuke.
Girl: These antics have gone on long enough, I suppose.
Setting the book aside, the girl approached them both and held out her hand, palm forward, right in front of Subaru's abdomen.
After a slight flash, the black-haired boy collapsed to the ground.
Looking down at him, while YN couldn't see it, the look of discontent upon this girl's face was apparent by the tone she spoke to Subaru in.
Girl: Your mana has been taken as payment for this disruption.
As Subaru struggled to stay conscious, YN stood frozen, unsure if his fellow wayward travling companion had just been gravely wounded or just put in his place.
Subaru: Y-You… You're not human, a-are you?
Snorting and turning her head upward, this girl all but confirmed that accusation.
Girl: Don't ever lump one such as myself in with those other foul creatures, I suppose. Betty is much more refined.
Before Subaru passed out, he croaked out his final few words of conscious memory.
Subaru: 'Betty…' C-Cute name…
Beatrice: You may only refer to me as 'Beatrice,' louse.
With that, Beatrice turned towards YN, hand in the same fashion as when she approached Subaru.
Taking a step back, YN held up his hands defensive, trying to show he meant no hard, and thus didn't deserve the same treatment.
YN: Woah, woah! Easy, easy! L-Lemme just grab my friend here, a-and we'll be out of your hair. Y-You won't have to worry about us coming back!
Beatrice: *sigh* While Betty appreciates your offer, that was also to check his intentions, I suppose.
Lowing his hands as she used a slightly less hostile tone towards his compliance, he raised a brow at the same time.
YN: 'Intentions?'
Beatrice: Yes. If he intended to harm anyone or anything in this mansion, I would have been able to tell from that, yet, Betty sensed nothing from him. Now, it is your turn to be inspected.
With his back against the wall, Beatrice approached YN, hand still held out.
Beatrice: Since you seem to possess some sense of humility, this shall be far less painful for you, I suppose.
With that, Beatrice closed in, and was about to 'zap' YN of his mana like she had with Subaru, but as her hand hovered just before his abdomen, she paused as a small look of confusion crossed her face, her brows furrowing upward on her forehead.
Beatrice: Strange…
Beatrice's expression softened for a moment, but as YN was about to build up the nerve to ask what was wrong, he felt it.
YN: —Geh…
With what felt like his energy, or rather, his mana spilling out of his body like he had an open wound, YN began to collapse much like Subaru had, yet, unlike Subaru, it took YN a few a seconds before his knees buckled out from underneath him, and he collapsed backwards onto the wall behind him. Sliding down it, Beatrice stepped aside gracefully as he landed on the floor.
Beatrice: I wonder if he knows, I suppose...
Spoken like her words weren't necessarily directed to him by that statement alone, YN began to pass out from exhaustion. As his eyes faded shut, he could only hear the girl speak still, as if simply monologuing to herself as she looked down at her own hand.
Beatrice: Had you only made yourself known, Betty would not have taken so much, I suppose.
Before long, YN began to come back to his senses once more, just like he just had only several short minutes ago.
It started with him feeling the light on his closed eyes, his hands reaching about at the bed, and ended with him taking deep breath in through his nose.
Again, he smelled fresh laundered covers, the same as before.
Yet, this time, the flowery smell from before was much stronger. Enjoying the aroma, he took another deep breath to savor it.
That smell… It's almost intoxicatingly nice…
While he wanted to just lay there and let the flowery smell lull him away to another deep sleep, memories of his last wake-up came back to him.
I remember having my mana drained. I know it was because I can feel how depleted I am now… I could go right back asleep until the next day it feels like… But how did I arrive back in bed?
Laying here, YN heard the door open before he could muster the strength to open his own eyes.
Would that be Subaru? Or someone else…
Silent outside of their own footsteps, YN could focus his hearing on what sounded like a single pair of footsteps walking across the floor to somewhere over by where Subaru's bed was.
I wonder if Subaru has gotten back up before I have? Is he going back to bed?
While it would only make sense since Subaru technically was knocked out before he was, that theory itself was put to bed by a pair voices that now spoke out in a not-so-hushed tone.
?: Nee-sama Nee-sama, our guest sleep well into the late morning.
?: Rem Rem, our guest appears to be a deadbeat who sleeps in till noon.
Hearing these voices, belonging to unknown people, YN almost reflexively opened his eyes at them.
Yet—
—That first voice…
Something about it, had shook him to his core.
He wasn't quite sure why, but he felt nearly entranced by it.
Sure, both these voices sounded similar in way, they were both distinctly feminine, but the first one had something YN couldn't describe to it.
In pure desire to hear her speak more, he kept himself as still as he could, and tried to calm his breathing to give off the illusion he remained asleep.
Rem(?): Nee-sama Nee-sama, it would appear so. While that one is checked on, Rem will tend to our other guest.
Rem… That's her name, is it?
Indescribable, something about her name seemed to echo about in YN's mind endlessly.
?: Rem Rem, do try and be quick, this is quite the despicable man to be left alone with.
Rem(?): Rem will only be over here, Nee-sama.
Hearing their quirky exchange, YN heard a pair footsteps lightly tread across the floor over towards his own bed and stop.
She's coming over to me now…
YN's heart began to beat at a more rapid pace as he knew the owner of this voice he had suddenly been entranced with must be looming over him. As her profile must have come between him and the window, reflexively, his eyes reacted to the change in brightness despite being closed, making his brow furrow ever so slightly, and this was not missed by girl.
Rem(?): Nee-sama, it would appear as though our other guest is already half awake.
?: Good, please wake him the rest of the way.
YN could feel the presence leaning over him now.
To this, he knew pretending to be asleep wouldn't do him any good any longer.
Slowly, and carefully, YN opened his eyes.
First a silhouette was seen, —a result of the bright light behind her, but as soon as his eyes adjusted, his heart began to pound and for just a second, his breath was caught in his throat.
YN: — — —
Crowning her head, was a hairband, itself adorned with several flowers, which, their black and white motif complimented the outfit that this girl wore, that of a maid.
What caught YN's eyes next, was the sleek, shiny, azure-blue hair that adorned a face that was shaped by two adorable round cheeks. To the side of her head, at the end of her flowered headband, was a pink bow, itself tied in the shape of a flower.
Her hair, bob-cut and short as it was, left bangs that were long enough to cover both her eyes, but matching the same pink as her bow, was an "X" shaped hair-clip that pinned it away on that very same side only.
YN: — — —
What made YN speechless now though, was the single eye of hers that was left visible by that hair-clip, and the reflection it let him have of himself in hue of blue that was nearly identical that of her hair.
Needless to say, he was entirely taken by her appearance alone; she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
Rem: —?
As he gazed upon her, it took the maid tilting her own head in question to his continued silence for him to finally snap his consciousness back to the present.
With his realization that he was just staring at her with nowhere else to look, YN, with his hands still under the covers, sheepishly pulled the sheets up to cover his face, hopefully concealing his blush, but stopped just below his eyes, still unable to take his eyes off her.
After another moment of silence, she spoke her very first words directly to him.
Rem: Is Guest-sama aware of where he is?
Despite them echoing about hundreds of times over, YN's mind was unable to capture the surrealness of the sensation her words brought to him again from memory alone. With so much kindness and concern in her beautiful voice, he couldn't dream of being able to replicate that in his feeble head. —Even the clearest of memories would be insufficient at containing an accurate reproduction of it.
Because of it all, YN could only buckle out an unthoughtful response to the maid's inquiry.
YN: H-Heaven…
Delayed at first whilst she processed what he said, Rem ultimately opened her one visible wider in first response.
Quickly though, before YN could rationalize his own blunder of an answer, the maid smiled, and her round face blushed up with a hue of pink, which contrasted adorably against her blue hair and eyes, but matched fantastically with her bow and hair-clip.
A moment later, she finally leaned back from her bent over posture slightly, and folded her hands in front of herself, over her apron, still somewhat surprised by the answer she received.
Rem: Nee-sama, Guest-In-The-Corner-sama is awake.
Well, that's one thing to call me.
As his mind replayed the last two minutes of his life over and over again, YN's couldn't comprehend what it was about this girl that had let him become so tongue-tied a moment ago.
I don't know what it is, but I'm completely taken by her. She's so insanely cute.
Looking over, YN caught a glimpse of the other girl, —another maid, who remained over at Subaru's bedside. Striking an almost mirror image of Rem, the only exception that immediately stood out was their contrasting hair and eye colors. To say the least; YN could instantly tell these two were twins.
She's pretty cute too, but something about Rem is just so… Alluring? Intriguing?
In the meantime, Rem turned around to see her sister and Subaru having a disagreement about the morality of waking up so late in the morning, and only about a minute after that, Emilia also entered the room now. She greeted everyone inside, and in turn, the maids greeted her with the utmost formality, even more so than they had shown Subaru and YN.
Her hands on her hips though, after some more back and forth, Emilia in the most lenient stern voice, spoke to the maids.
Emilia: Would you two stop teasing them? I don't want them thinking I brought them back here just to be entertainment, and that I don't reeeeeeally appreciate all that they did for me back in the Capitol.
Immediately, the twins bowed in perfect synchronicity, and keeping that shtick up, their voices and words also paired up perfectly for their apology.
In a knee-jerk response, YN thought that because of him and Subaru's own disposition, that the maids could possibly be later reprimanded for something so innocent. To this, he quickly sat up in bed, and waved one his hands about.
YN: Oh-you-don't-need-to-apologise-for—!
Halting his hurried words, YN noticed that all the eyes in the room had suddenly fallen on him, and in conjunction with that, seemed to be silently questioning the reason for his sharp, unanticipated outburst.
That couldn't have been more horribly timed.
Turning his own gaze back and away, and then down to the floor itself, YN cleared his throat with a small cough, and let Emilia take back control of the conversation with a smile and a small clap of her hands.
Emilia: Good morning you two, how are you both feeling? Any pain? Subaru, can you stand? YN, did you get enough rest?
Looking to each other briefly to see if either had any real objections or concerns, given they didn't, Subaru spoke on his and YN's behalf.
Subaru: I think we're both okay. YN?
YN lifted his head back up, shaking off his momentary embarrassment to answer.
YN: My head hurt a little still when I woke up, but the pain is gone now. But uhh—
Giving Subaru a side-glance as he recalled their first time waking up, it prompted Subaru to voice that too.
Subaru: We uhh, came across this little girl with drill-hair. She got mad at us for going into her study or whatever, and took our mana from us.
At this mention, Emilia gave a surprised look.
Emilia: D-Did you actually manage to run across Beatrice?! She should know to be more kind to guests…
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Emilia turned her attention to YN from Subaru, and spoke with a worried concern.
Emilia: W-Wait, if you both got your mana drained, yours got drained too?! —I-In such a short time too! A-Are you okay? She didn't hit your Od, did she?
Confused on the new terminology, YN answered as vaguely, but honestly as he could.
YN: Uhh, yeah I guess I feel fine. I-I'm feeling a little lethargic from it, that's all. —Well, it's either that or just that I slept for what must have been an eternity.
The twins, standing idly by the door, looked at each other from the corner of their eyes, with suspicious expressions on their faces.
YN couldn't help but notice this, as he tried to keep the blue-haired girl in his peripheral vision just so he could. While he noticed their exchanged look, he disregarded what was maybe meant by it, instead choosing to ask Emilia a question about she had just said, truly curious about it.
YN: Hey but what's an Od—
Rem: —Pardon, Emilia-sama. Guest-sama?
Interrupting the conversation and speaking over YN, he silenced his own voice to prioritize hers, not wishing to leave a bad impression on the least.
YN: Y-Yes?
Rem: Between last night and this morning, how was it that Guest-sama was able to regain his previously expent mana so soon?
Definitely detecting suspicion of somekind, YN couldn't bring himself to look the blue-haired girl in the eye while trying to dodge her question out of uncertainty, and could only scratch his head and stare just off onto the edge of the bed.
YN: Well uhh, ya know… It's like, those kinds of things reset after a good long nap. Right?
The twins stole suspicious looks from another like they had before at his reply.
Rem: Hmm. Please, forgive Rem's intrusiveness.
Rem apologized, bowing, trying her best to hide her insincere face.
YN: Oh! It's nothing, I just—
Somehow, the way she replied with a disappointed or dissatisfied tone caused YN to panic-reply like he had before, the situation entirely getting the better of him. Yet, before he could try and voice it, Emilia stepped forward and cut him off in an almost scolding like sound to her voice.
Emilia: —Hey, it's reeeeeally not good to trash your Gate like that. Doing so might really affect your health, okay?
Emilia's expression softened as she went on.
Emilia: Just take it easy, okay?
YN nodded his head to her words as in the midst of her criticism, the twin maids had left.
YN: I-I understand. Don't worry, I'll make sure not to… 'trash my Gate'.
Repeating just as she said, YN contemplated what it meant.
Is that some sort of expression for using mana recklessly?
Taking his opportunity in the conversation, Subaru jumped up and out of bed with an air of determination in him.
Subaru: Well, without further delay… It's time to start a new day!
YN and Emilia accompanied Subaru as he dashed outside after getting dressed, determined to get some fresh air.
Taking it upon himself, Subaru impromptu-ly taught Emilia some radio calisthenics, all whilst YN was determined to lay in the expansive grass lawn of the Mansion and admire its architecture and massive scale. Afterwards, becoming further occupied with petting Puck, Subaru had left YN to his own devices laying out in the lawn, and as such, he used this opportunity for some intelligence gathering, not only of this new world, but the things right in front of him, like Emilia, the Mansion, and where they were.
Sitting up from his lying position, he struck up a conversation with Emilia who was just watching Subaru dote on Puck.
YN: This is quite the house you get to live in… There must be a lot of servants and others people here too..?
To his inquiry, trying to be worded as innocently as he could, least he hit upon a touchy subject or infer something incorrectly, Emilia only gave him a weak smile and shook her head 'no.'
Emilia: You've met everyone already that's here. —Well, almost.
Thinking he had half a clue, YN went ahead with finding out more.
YN: Another servant?
Emilia: No, —although we had one more until only a little while ago, but the person I'm speaking of is the owner of this Mansion, —the Margrave, Roswaal L. Mathers.
YN: I see…
Unsure what the magnitude of that meant, YN looked down at the grass, deep in thought at what he'd just heard.
'Margrave' huh? That's a very specific term. That's medieval in origin, a term for a lord who controlled and was responsible for border regions in more remote locations of a kingdom or empire. They're usually tasked directly by the ruling monarchs, and most of the time they're given higher status than even local provincial nobility. We must be far from the Capitol, and this guy must have a sizable standing levy.
YN had read up on the topic of noble terminology just recently in the educational app that was on his phone, which was the key reason he was familiar with the information he had currently.
From the view he had earlier, YN figured they were out in the foothill based upon the mountain view, coupled with the large, expansive forest that was out beyond the well-manicured gardens of this estate.
Not wanting to waste the opportunity to keep gathering information,YN pined for more.
YN: Say uhhh, how far from the Capitol are we? And where are we, exactly?
Looking at YN as if confused by why he'd ask such rudimentary questions, Emilia answered.
Emilia: What a strange question. We're far from the Capitol though, near the edge of the wild areas covered in mountains and forest, commonly known as the Mathers Domain.
YN: So 'Margrave' is a hereditary title to you I take it?
Emilia: Yes, that's correct? He is from a long line of them.
YN: So does he keep a large standing levy of troops then?
Emilia frowned and put her hands on her hips.
Emilia: That's a lot of rather specific questions to be asking. What are you trying to find out?
More so as if the silver-haired girl wanted to help YN figure out exactly what his question was he was getting at, he himself took it as an accusation that he was prying for knowledge to use for less-than-moral purposes.
YN: I-I come from a pretty far away is all! I'm just curious how similar these lands are to home is all.
Trying to not have a nervous sweat, he gestured with an upward pointed figure and began to explain himself.
YN: You see, 'Margrave' is a term that exists where we're from, —Subaru and I. But, it's a very antiquated term, and rarely used. It used to be an assigned title, like one that didn't get passed down, way back when it was first thought up and used, but it turned hereditary over time.
Emilia: I see. Although, I didn't mean to suspect you of anything nefarious, even after Puck said he didn't sense anything from you. But yes, the Margrave title has been held in the Mathers name for over four-hundred years.
His eyes going wide at that response, it gave him a better idea of what kind of generation wealth and prestige this 'margrave' had.
YN: Four-hundred years huh? Must be a pretty stable lineage.
Speaking of just this man, a second later, the maid made their way out to the lawn where everyone else was, and informed them all that the owner of the Mansion had returned to his estate.
Ushered inside, all the inhabitants of the Mansion were in attendance for a meal.
Upon entering the foyer, Puck had departed with Beatrice, but not before a man in full clown makeup and costume had arrived into the room. After making a scornful comment, Beatrice left with Puck in tow.
Subaru had taken the unfortunate opportunity to make an ass out of himself though, mistaking the owner of the house and the Margrave for who he had thought was the court jester.
Roswaal: Allow me to introduce myself! I am Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers, ooooooowner of this Mansion, its surrounding lands, and charged in stewardship of this domain within the Kingdom of Lugnica!
Turning to Subaru, he quieted his voice.
Roswaal: Aaaaand you must be Natsuki Subaru?
To this clown-make-up'd man, Subaru nervously responded to him, sat right at his flank upon this long, foreboding table in this dinner-hall.
Subaru: Y–Y-Yeah… That's me.
Upon that confirmation, Roswaal turned to face YN, who, had sat at the opposite side of the table as Subaru, but still flanked one side of the table of the Margrave. While he could have sat next to his fellow wayward traveling companion, he sat here simply in case the clown comments from earlier would earn him any ire from him by association.
Roswaal: And you…
Not guessing at his name like had done with Subaru, the Margrave shut one of his heterochromic eyes, —his blue one, and looked upon YN with only his yellow one as he went on.
Roswaal: You, are an anomaly.
For a moment, YN couldn't think of what he should say in response.
YN: Uhhh—
Between not wanting to make a bad impression, just in case, and this blue-haired girl watching him, standing not far off, the pressure he felt was mounting. Steeling his resolve though, YN brushed off the oddness the given attribute had made him feel, and extended his hand to the Margrave.
YN: My name is YN.
Roswaal, to his gesture, kept his glare a few moments longer, before dropping it himself and meeting YNs handshake.
Roswaal: Ahhhh, a pleasure!
With the exchange, the twins walked up Roswaal's direct flanks, and bowed.
Rem & Ram: Everyone, today's lunch is now to be served.
Having his plate, cutlery, and napkin set before him, YN suddenly realized he didn't know what to expect. Not yet in this world, had he eaten anything.
What was set before him though was definitely western looking, so if anyone might feel the most out of their element here, it might be Subaru. Looking closer though, YN didn't recognize what any of the food on his plate could possibly be. To this, he hesitated, and let Subaru be an unsuspecting tester for him before going after the food himself.
Watching the black-haired boy take a bite, he awaited his reaction.
Immediately, Subaru's eyes lit up it seemed, and he chewed his bite more ravenously, as if he himself hadn't expected this either.
Subaru: Wow this is pretty good! Way better than the food back home! Who made this? Is there a cook or chef I can send my regards to?!
Stepping forward one pace, Rem presented herself as the person whom Subaru spoke of.
Rem: Guest-sama's words of praise have been received.
Without a second to spare, YN stabbed the closest thing to his fork on the plate and shoved it into his mouth, trying to not seem rude by not eating something Rem herself had made.
Halfway though his bite, chewing, he stopped.
YN: —!
Putting a hand to his cheek, full of food, he almost couldn't believe how good it was.
With a full mouth, YN turned to Rem.
YN: Dis isd te bess fbood I'be eber hab.
Her eyes opening wide to the labored statement, it seemed as if Rem didn't at first expect such a sudden and potent compliment to her efforts.
As one sister was surprised, the other lamented from these words.
Ram: …Is it not rude for the two of them to talk with mouths full of food from where they're from?
Heeding the pink-haired maid's words, YN swallowed his half-chewed food and repeated his compliment to Rem on her cooking.
Cracking an ever-so-slight smile, she replied in a tone that liked the cold formality she had been speaking in until now.
Rem: Rem is honored by Guest-sama's praise.
Roswaal, sat between these two maid and food-eaters, found the entire display and exchange rather amusing.
Roswaal: My, what an especially iiiiiiiinteresting pair you both are.
The conversation quickly changed topics into what each maid was good at, only to have Subaru question Ram's necessity when Rem was there to basically be good at everything she had to do.
From there, the topics changed from the current state of the kingdom, to Emilia's involvement and Candidacy for the Throne, and finally to the topic of yesterday's deeds in assisting Emilia. All the while, YN couldn't help but imagining what Rem's life must be like, running around this huge Mansion, cleaning and taking care of things whilst also handling the cooking like she had been.
Jeez… I sorta feel bad since she's now got two more people she has to worry about…
Roswaal: —Sooooo, ask for anything you'd like!
His arms stretched out wide, the Margrave was making good on Subaru and YN's decision to have kept Emilia's theft of that all-too-important insignia from coming to fruition. Before YN could even get half a thought of what he could reasonably ask her, Subaru immediately stood up, and declared his wish with a loud, confident voice.
Subaru: I like it here! Hire me as a butler!
Following the unexpected outburst was an awkward silence across the table, only to be broken by Ram sneezing.
Roswaal: Accepted.
Bluntly, as if he had somehow expected this, Roswaal nodded to Subaru. With self-fist pump, Subaru sat back down, and got back into his food.
Turning to face YN though now, the last to name a request, the man with clown makeup gestured with his hand toward him, as if imploring him to answer.
Roswaal: And you?
While Subaru had at least set a president of roughly what "anything you'd like" could actually mean, —or just hope to mean, YN had to think for a brief second before he could reasonably answer.
Letting his mind race, only a few basic thoughts ultimately ran through his head.
I don't have any resources in this world of any kind…
He had no belongings or property, no real way to leverage his otherworld knowledge, no special sort of strength, abilities, or power he could call upon, nor any connections he could count on. As for anything of value, he had yet to understand this Kingdom's currency values, and at that, couldn't even read or write the local language.
Thinking on, he listed off a few things he sorely needed right away in his head.
I need money, or at least something of value, or a means of procuring money, like a skill…
In addition to that, he made a mental note of his next part.
I also need a way to secure any of those things once I have them. 'Shelter' at its most basic concept.
And finally, the last part of his current needs.
I have to get acclimated to the workings of this world. Language, money… Education.
Mulling over these three distinct things, he had a hand to his chin as he contemplated more.
But in what order should I prioritize those things? I can only ask for one thing… If I don't think this through, I could be in heaps of trouble and basically shit out of luck.
Money could buy him a tutor and shelter, but he risked losing it before having shelter or being swindled out of it.
Shelter might be too much of a request from Roswaal, —at least permanent shelter. Land maybe? No, there might be legal things in this Kingdom regarding that I don't know anything of.
Exhausting the possibility of asking for either of those, he mulled on the final option he had.
Knowledge on the other hand though…
After rubbing his chin in thought, YN, coming to a conclusion, stood, much like Subaru.
YN: I uhh, have something to admit regarding myself and this request.
Without any judgement it would seem, everyone at and around the table seemed to nod, as if acknowledging his statement. Clearing his throat, YN went on.
YN: I am woefully bankrupt, and illiterate beyond comprehension.
Everyone: — — —
Compared to the painful, awkwards silence Subaru's declaration of desired employment had, this one before them all was much longer.
Half-way expecting someone to speak up regarding him saying that, in this silence, YN sat back down, and as the silence continued, he spoke again.
YN: I-Is there a way I can request to have my issues addressed?
Continuing to smile on as he had been, Roswaal stayed silent, but his expression and the way he did so seemed to be as if he were waiting for YN to continue on talking.
YN: M-Maybe in addition to being a butler alongside Subaru too, I can be just part-time instead? So I can study and rectify those things.
To YN, this split-second compromise checked all the boxes he realized.
This way I won't be a complete free-loader, and maybe it'll give me some hands on, practical experience with this world. —And I mean too, if it lets me maybe get to know Rem better… Isn't that a victory too?
At the hope YN seemed to have though, Roswaal's clown face turned glum, and he shoot his head.
Roswaal: Unfortunately, our very last open position for a butler just closed. I do hope you undestaaaaaaaaaaand.
Hearing this, YN felt dumbfounded that this would be the case.
Is he seriously trying to tell me a Mansion this big only needs three people taking care of it?! I don't buy that for a second!
Unsure if he should challenge the logic on that choice, Roswaal continued on.
Roswaal: Hoooooooowever, if you would be interested in a part-time groundskeeper position…
YN: —I'll take it!
Roswaal: Good! Now, about your education…
Announcing his acceptance with a single clap of his gloved hands, Roswaal turned his head over shoulder.
Roswaal: —Rem?
Rem: Yes, Roswaal-sama.
While no one had noticed it, immediately, YN's eyes lit up at the prospect he thought was beginning to unfold before him.
Roswaal: Would you please find the time at some point during these days to tutor our newest groundskeeper when he's not working? Perhaps in the evening before turn-in?
Without any sort of distinguishing way to tell if she was annoyed or even happily anticipating this added on duty, Rem nodded, accepting Roswaal's request of her without any sort of argument or further comment, bowing as she did.
Before any other topic or point could be spoken on though, one last loose end reminded itself to YN.
YN: —O-Oh! Also, I… I have one last problem that I'd like to maybe ask for some help in regards to.
Roswaal: But of couuuurse!
Without any sort of annoyance or troubled demeanor to his reply to what would essentially be YN's second request here, to which he did feel greedy asking for, he felt the importance of this topic justified himself doing so.
YN: I had this uhh, big metal box on wheels in the capitol with me and Subaru. Would there be any way to retrieve it by chance? Emilia should be familiar with it?
As he turned to her in hopes that she remembered the foreign object well enough she could vouch for its existence and location, the silver-haired girl waved her hand about before speaking up, as if to wipe away any sense of doubt or worry YN or anyone else might in regards to this inquiry.
Emilia: The 'khar,' right? I already took care of that.
Surprised she had been so diligent on that matter of such a strange object, YN blinked twice, welcoming the good news.
YN: I-I see. I-It's not here at this Mansion, is it?
Did they tow it? I hope they didn't drag it here…
Halfway hopeful and relieved, but also halfway worried, Emilia shook her head to his optimistic assumption.
Emilia: No, the old man who ran the loot-house is looking after it. He was able to pick it up and move it to a storehouse of his. We're basically just paying him to hold onto it and not sell it.
She then frowned and gave a look of thought, crossing her arms as she looked upward.
Emilia: For something with wheels, it sure didn't want to roll. It definitely was waaaay too heavy for a single ground dragon to pull back here too, and we only had one with our borrowed carriage to get back in.
At the update, YN at least could be at ease.
YN: I appreciate it nonetheless. I'm just glad it's safe, as it has a lot of my belongings in it. Roswaal, if we plan to go to the capitol any time I'll make sure to grab it so the Mansion doesn't need to pay for storage indefinitely.
Roswaal: Ohh, it is of no bother at all!
Remaining jovial in regard to his charity, Roswaal had Rem step forward, out from his flank again, a puzzled expression on her face as she looked to YN.
Rem: This object, though it had wheels, —heavy enough that a giant was needed to move it… How was it possible for either of them to move it on their own before saving Emilia-sama?
Spoken in the same critical way she had asked about how YN had regained his mana so quickly, he could only scratched back of his head as he wore a slightly embarrassed expression, as he knew he had to try and explain this as best as he could, knowing it would be perceived as farfetched to them.
YN: It might sound strange, but you see, it just uhh, has the power to move. —On its own, I mean.
Well aware his explanation sounded improbable, he sat in his chair, knowing a room full of eyes, sparing perhaps only Subaru, could only look upon him with doubt to such an outlandish claim.
Yet, despite that feeling, an advocate in someone he hadn't expected spoke up.
Rem: It was explained to us by Emilia-sama there was a small carriage-like apparatus adorned with many windows, but had no seat for a driver, or reins and a yoke for a ground dragon. That is what is being spoken of, correct?
YN nodded to Rem, as to confirm her description.
YN: Yes. Although too, to be fair, in older times, it wasn't always called a 'car' but a 'horseless-carriage' at first.
Roswaal: Ahhhh, so its purpose is like a carriage, it moves and transports goooooods and people.
Surprised, YN was unsure why that had gone as well as it did. He wasn't so sure as it was them trusting him, or that the idea wasn't that outlandish after all. Answering the Margrave's question though, nodded with an increased excitement.
YN: Yes. It possesses the power to propel itself across the ground without a ground dragon, or anything else pulling it.
With a finger pointed upwards, proudly proclaiming. YN thought that perhaps modern concepts wouldn't be such hurdle to overcome in this world, yet, just as he felt comfortable with that—
Ram: —Are we honestly expected to believe such a thing exists?
Casting doubt upon the idea of it, YN felt a hint of harm come to his integrity, and thus, sought to rectify that. Doing his best to keep a calm resolve, YN looked at the pink-haired maid directly in the eye.
YN: I will personally drive you around the Capitol to prove it can..
Not expecting her doubt to be challenged so boldly, and with a confidence that couldn't be a simple bluff, Ram turned her gaze away from YN, crossing her as she did.
Ram: Ram refuses.
To her sister's response, Rem didn't perhaps share the same skepticism.
Rem: Nee-sama… Emilia-sama has corroborated its existence.
To Rem's worried voice though, YN offered the same to her as he had offered to Ram.
YN: H-How about you Rem? I promise it'll be fun.
Stuttering at first for some reason, YN still couldn't find out why it was he felt so towards this maid, but he hoped that hadn't hurt his chances regarding that offer.
Somewhat startled to be offered the same thing that Ram had turned down, Rem slowly held one of her hands to her chest, and cast her gaze downward at the table in front of YN.
At first, he couldn't tell what her body language seemed to symbolize, was she finding a way to turn him down gently? Was she thinking of an excuse?
Finally though, and softly, Rem spoke as her single visible eye turned back upward to meet YN's.
Rem: YN… 'promise's?
As YN's own eyes went wide, hearing that she wasn't opposed to the idea like her sister was, their eye contact got the maid to straighten her posture, and she lowered her hand from her chest as she went on.
Rem: Provided YN's claims are true and there is time, Rem will graciously accept his invitation.
YN nodded in acknowledgment, excited that she had actually agreed.
I don't know why, but I can't wait to show her that old thing.
With YN excited at this prospective future prospect, it was Ram who moved the conversation along.
Ram: If our newest of attendants would please conclude their idle pleasantries, Rem and myself shall fit them for their uniforms, and then there shall be a proper tour of the Mansion for the sake of familiarization.