A/N: Hello everyone. Here's this weeks chapters. Big set up for events! Big thanks again to tobychevy and Haseo8 for finding the spelling errors as always!

Chapter 46: Window Shopping

Knowing it was midday, YN met Ram at the top of the steps leading to the mansion's main entrance.

Ram: Are you ready?

YN: Yeah. Think so.

Patting all his pockets, YN felt his phone, his wallet, and his pouch of coins.

That's everything.

While his phone had limited usage in this world, he was still unsure why he carried his wallet. Perhaps only out of habit.

Walking down towards the village, YN attempted to make small talk with the pink haired maid.

YN: So, what did you tell Rem to cover our tracks?

Looking at him as if confused, Ram tilted her head.

Ram: What do you mean?

YN: I mean, what did you tell Rem to hide the fact that we're going down to the village? That way if she asks, I can play along with the story.

Ram: Ram told her nothing of the sorts.

Responding as flatly as she could, YN slumped his shoulders.

YN: But isn't that going to sound weird? If she finds out we went to the village, that's one thing, but if we don't come back with groceries? That's going to raise some red flags.

Ram: Oh, you mean a cover story. No. Ram did not use one. I told Rem exactly what we're doing.

Putting his hands on his head, YN couldn't believe what Ram said.

YN: What? Why would you tell her?!

Ram: With as much as Rem watches you, do you think it's possible to keep a secret from her?

YN: Wait, what?

Ram: You already know she watches you sleep every morning, do you really not think she's watching your every move? She even followed us all the way to the edge of the mansion.

YN: Huh? How could you—?

Ram: You forget that we can sense each other.

Turning around and looking at the tree line behind them, YN did his best to try and see if he could see a spec of Rem's blue hair.

Ram: Don't be alarmed, Rem didn't follow us past the gate.

Thinking to himself, YN was almost flattered by the notion more than "alarmed."

That's actually kind of cute really... Almost like having my own guardian angel.

Seeing YN had no opposition to the idea of Rem constantly watching, Ram sighed.

Ram: It seems the two of you are perfect for each other in every way.

The two continued walking until they reached the village, and upon arrival at the marketplace, Ram split from YN, allowing him to look for a gift for Rem on his own.

Waking around the market square, YN went from stall to stall, trying to find something he thought Rem might like.

I can't help but shake the feeling that most of this stuff from the vendors is the same tourist-trap tier things you find in almost every souvenir store in a resort town or something.

Occasionally, YN was getting heckled by some of the more pushy merchants.

Merchant: Trinkets! Odds and ends! 'That sort of thing!' I've got everything you need!

Only able to awkwardly wave his hand as if he were uninterested, YN circled the market square it seemed for close to an hour, beginning to slowly lose more and more hope as he did.

While there are merchants here, the selection is rather... Limited to say the least. But I guess that's what happens when you're in a small village like this.

After walking around for a while longer and feeling like he'd lost all hope, Ram finally met back up with YN.

Ram: You look rather empty handed for someone who has a pocket full of coin.

Hanging his head, YN admitted his failure to Ram.

YN: I just couldn't find anything that looked meaningful...

Expecting a reprimand from the pink haired maid, YN braced himself, but was surprised to hear something entirely unexpected.

Ram: Ram hoped you would be tight fisted when it came to that coin. Here, follow me.

Walking off in the other direction, YN caught up to her, asking her where they were headed.

Ram: It's not entirely unexpected you would struggle to find something in this village without the knowledge that comes from being familiar with it.

Taking a turn down a small, dimly lit alley just off the market square area, YN stopped and asked Ram where she was heading.

Only turning and stopping halfway down the alley, next to a stoop of stairs that lead into one of the buildings, Ram gave him a look that said "right here." Walking up to the maid, a figure caught YN's eye, low and on the ground.

Sheltered from the view of the market square, a lone hooded person sat behind the stairs of the aforementioned building.

Somewhat startled by their hooded appearance, YN took a half step back before the individual lowered their hood.

Revealing their face, they were a demi-human, with emphasis on the "demi" half. A face like that of a cat, and ears as well, adorned with several golden piercings. Where they sat, they held a single wooden box on their lap. Their hands, also covered with the same fur as their face, were closely guarding it.

Looking to Ram for some sort of queue, she simply nodded as if this were business as usual. Trusting the maids' calm demeanor, YN also relaxed.

Looking down at the demi-human once more, they smiled, and opened the box they held. Almost as if radiating light of its own, YN was caught off guard from the glare that seemed to radiate from it.

With his eyes readjusting from the dark alleyway, the demi-human finally broke the silence, speaking in a very thick accent.

Merchant: I have wares, if you have coin.

Inside the box was a bouquet of fine jewelry, unlike any of the simpler, trinket-like ones he'd seen in the market square proper.

Kneeling down to get a better look, YN inspected the goods the merchant presented in their box. Carefully, YN's eyes scanned the tray fine stones and metals. Earrings, rings, necklaces, even some pearls were abundantly laid out and organized inside the box.

Looking at the lid of the box, several necklaces were strung, hung from the inside to maximize the seller's available space.

Catching his eye was one of these particular necklaces. At its center, was a gemstone, sporting a familiar shade of blue.

Wow, that's almost exactly the same color as Rem's eyes...

But what perplexed YN, was that it seemed the single necklace had two strings.

Going to reach out to it, YN stopped himself.

YN: May I?

Hearing his request, the merchant only turned their eyes upward to Ram, as if confirming he was a serious buyer or not. With Ram replying only with a simple nod, the merchant did the same for YN.

Unhooking both the strings, YN more closely examined the necklace in his hands.

While it held the blue gemstone it it's center, the simple, yet decorated pewter metal that encased it formed a smaller ring around the gems perimeter, where both sets of strings tied into.

Still confused as to why it had two strings, YN noticed that the pewter was segmented on the right around the center, with one half holding the gemstone, and the half completing the circle.

Feeling a bit of play in the two halves, YN took a risk and lightly applied pressure to the ends of the outer circle, pulling them away from each other on their segmented sections.

Feeling the pewter unclasp, the singular necklace was now two. One half sporting a smaller half of the circle, but also the gemstone, the other being just the pewter, but the majority of the outside circle.

Making sure he hadn't broken anything, YN re-clasped the necklace, returning it to its original shape.

Admiring the gemstones' uncanny resemblance to Rem's eyes, Ram spoke up.

Ram: Is that the one?

YN: Yeah, I think it is.

Holding her hand out, Ram gestured to be handed something. Knowing she didn't want the necklace, YN correctly inferred that she meant his coin pouch.

Handing off the pouch, the clink of coins was easily heard.

Opening it, Ram counted the coins inside for a moment before simply pulling the string tight again, handing the entire pouch to the merchant.

Closing their eyes and feeling the weight of the pouch, the merchant silently judged the proposed sum, shaking it gently in their paw.

Pulling the pouch inside their cloak, the merchant shut the box, and simply nodded.

With the successful transaction, YN stood back up.

YN: Uh, good doing business with you.

Catching the small glimpse of a smile before the merchant re-adorned their hood, YN turned to follow Ram back out into the market square.

Catching up, YN put the necklace in his pocket, making sure it was secure.

YN: Uhh, thanks for finding that merchant, I don't know what I would have done without your help.

Ram: You should thank the mansion's reputation as buyers more than you should thank Ram, for anyone else, that wouldn't have been enough coin.

Feeling the necklace in his pocket once more, the realization that YN had just spent all of his money on a single thing finally hit him.

Thinking more on what Ram said, YN elaborated.

YN: You mean kind of like how the mansion needs a reputation with sellers right? 'An eye for quality and the reputation for paying a fair price?'

Trying to loosely quote what Rem had told him once in a not-so-forgotten loop, YN tried to confirm this notion to Ram.

Somewhat surprised to hear his understanding, Ram nodded in confirmation.

Ram: Yes, precisely. Perhaps Ram should let YN head to the village alone in the future if we're in need of something from the market.

Somewhat happy to have Ram think higher of him now, the two exited the market square, and headed up the road, back to the mansion.

Halfway, a pondering thought had come across YN's mind. Deciding to satisfy his curiosity, YN asked Ram.

YN: What did you end up buying for Rem?

Stopping and setting the bag she carried down, Ram reached in and pulled out the gift she'd gotten her sister.

Letting the item unfold to its full length, Ram revealed a rather simple, but cute, shoulderless black dress with a checkered waist belt.

YN: Oh! Wow, it looks good.

Folding back up the dress without a word, Ram placed it back into the bag and carried on once more.

YN: That's a pretty good choice considering how… limited Rem's choice of wardrobe is. Even on her day off, she still wore what was basically a more reserved maid uniform.

Nodding in agreement, Ram was short in reply to YN.

Ram: Yes. Ram will deliver the gift to her early so she can wear it to the dinner you'll be making her.

Well, I suppose that'll be a treat for me too.

Walking further, Ram had remained silent, somewhat despondent to anything YN really had to say.

Finally seeking the reason, YN asked her considering he felt they were friendly enough now to do so.

YN: You're being awfully quiet... Are you tired? If so I can carry that for you—

Ram: —No, that's not it all.

Somewhat caught off guard by how Ram responded, YN let Ram continue.

Ram: It's just that...

Looking away from YN, he had sworn he'd seen a hint of red on her face as she did.

Ram: Ram is just a tad concerned.

YN: About?

Ram: After Rem explained what a 'date' was to YN, Ram is just confused.

Turning her head just enough for YN to barely get a look at her, Ram finished her explanation.

Ram: Would this not qualify as 'date?'

YN: —Hk!

Caught off guard by what Ram had concluded, YN stuttered over his reply.

YN: I—I mean, no? U-usually both parties know in advance that it's to be a date.

Scratching the back of his head, he regained some of his composure.

YN: —That and buying gifts for someone else while on one? What a lousy date that would be. You'd be liable to have your foot stomped on, or worse.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Ram seemed to have a weight taken off her shoulders.

Ram: That is a reasonable rationale. Ram doesn't know how she would break the news to Rem if she had swindled you away from her.

I— that's not what I meant, but alright.

Ram: Besides, the only person YN should go on dates with is Rem.

YN: I won't disagree with you there, Rem is the only one for me.

Looking over at YN with a mix of curiosity and intrigue, Ram posed a defining question to YN.

Ram: What would YN do if Emilia-sama had ordered him on a date?

Perplexed by her sudden and unexpected question, YN tried to understand why she had asked it.

YN: Is this a game of truth or dare now?

Ram: It is a simple enough question.

Unsure how Ram was gauging his loyalty, he simply answered as truthfully as he could.

YN: I'd have to refuse her.

Ram: Even though it's an order from Emilia-sama?

YN: I mean, yeah. I wouldn't— no, I couldn't do that to Rem.

Closing her eyes, Ram passed her judgment on his answer.

Ram: On the half of Ram who is a maid for the mansion of Roswaal-sama and the sponsor Emilia-sama, Ram must say she's disappointed in your answer.

Feeling like he'd just picked the wrong response in a virtual novel, YN realized he had no ability to save scum his way out of this.

Ram: But—

Turning to YN with a slight smile and her eyes open once more, Ram continued.

Ram: On the half of Ram that is Rem's Nee-sama, she is very relieved to hear that, and is once again assured of her decision to place her hopes for Rem on this man.

Feeling a weight come off his shoulders now, YN sighed out the momentary tension that had grown inside him.

YN: Well, not only that, but I also couldn't do that to Subaru. He's way too into Emilia, that'd be cruel.

Shrugging when it came to Subaru being brought up, Ram responded.

Ram: With as much as Emilia-sama seems to fawn over you, I'm surprised Rem hasn't reacted at all. Either by putting Barasu in the way of Emilia-sama, or by being more assertive towards YN on the issue.

YN: Since when does Emilia 'fawn over me?' Sometimes she might be a little over-concerned about my gate, but that's just the kind of person she is though.

Snorting at YN's conclusions and what Ram perceived as obliviousness, the two had reached the main entry gate to the mansion.

Ram: Ha. Perhaps it's better you maintain your ignorance then. It's small to say, but Barasu wouldn't shut up about it if Emilia-sama gave that attention to anyone else other than you, knowing how you feel for Rem.

Still unsure of how Ram could reach such a conclusion, the two were finally back at the mansion, and the sun was beginning to set.

Oh well, all I know is that Rem is my number one, and nothing will change that.

After having dinner, it was a rare occasion for YN. With Rem still busy with things that could only be entrusted to her, YN was left with nothing to do, having completed anything he'd needed to have done the day before and before he left with Ram.

Also finding himself short on work now was Subaru.

Seeing no real reason not to, the two walked around the mansion's garden perimeters like they had before the mabeast crisis.

Subaru: It's been a while since we've been able to do this.

YN: Yeah, I'll say.

As the sun was just beginning to set, a hue of orange began to descend across the sky. With both their hands in their pockets, the two scuffed the stone paved pathway as they made their way around the gardens.

Perking up, Subaru seemed to remember something.

Subaru: Oh hey, that reminds me. Have you heard some traveling chef is coming by?

YN: Yeah I did. Something about only cooking for women though, right?

Subaru: Supposedly he's some sort of character... So who told you about him?

YN: Roswaal.

Subaru: You know he left on business, right?

YN: Is that why he wasn't at dinner tonight?

Nodding in confirmation, Subaru answered.

Subaru: Yeah, he left right after dinner last night.

Maybe those stacks of documents had something to do with it...

Silent while in thought, Subaru brought the topic back up.

Subaru: So you hadn't heard anything else about the chef from anyone else?

Asking as if he were greatly confused by YN's lack of prerequisite knowledge, YN tilted his head in reply.

YN: No? What did anyone else tell you?

Putting a hand to his chin, Subaru went into thought.

Subaru: Well, for starters, I heard it first from Emilia-tan. She said he was some sort of 'Wandering Genius Chef,' saying he's well traveled and goes to a lot of different places, making food for many important people.

YN: I see.

Subaru: But then you and Ram were gone, Rem brought him up saying he was the "Chef That Can Make the Dragon Howl."

YN: Kinda sounds like this guy has a formidable nature.

Subaru: Well, according to Rem he's extremely strict on table manners. If you misbehave, he'll do worse than just take the food away. She apparently really looks up to him as someone who also strives to be a good cook.

YN: So he's a hard-ass?

Nodding, Subaru continued.

Subaru: After you got back with Ram, I spoke to her too, and she said he was the 'Lustful and Womanizing but Legendary Chef.'

YN: Maybe that has to do with what Roswaal told me then? That he only serves women?

Subaru: Maybe, but what worries me the most is what Beako told me before I came out here with you.

YN: Oh? What did she say?

Subaru: She called him the 'Decapitating Cook.'

Only being able to blink twice at what Subaru said, he went on with his next point.

Subaru: Point is, the more I think about it, the more it worries me. I can't let someone like that around my poor Emilia-tan, it's all part of Roswaal's plan...

Caught on the last part of Subaru's sentence, YN was dumbstruck.

YN: Say that last part again?

Subaru: Well... it's obvious this is all part of Roswaal's plan to corrupt Emilia-tan! You know how he is! He dresses in his weird clown costume like it's some sort of fetish.

YN: I'm afraid I don't follow.

Subaru: Think about it this way.

Putting a fist up, Subaru first extended out his thumb, making his first point.

Subaru: Emilia-tan called him the 'Wandering Genius Cook'.

Extending out his index finger in addition too now, Subaru made his second point.

Subaru: Rem called him the 'Chef That Can Make the Dragon Howl'

Next came his middle finger.

Subaru: Ram's called him the 'Lustful and Womanizing but Legendary chef".

And finally, his ring finger.

Subaru: And Beako called him the' Decapitating Cook'. Isn't it obvious?

With YN shaking his head at Subaru, he took his same hand and facepalmed.

As the two rounded the far corner of the gardens, they were now on the stretch back towards the mansion.

Subaru: Roswaal is clearly inviting this chef to tempt Emilia-tan with delicious food so he can evaluate her manors. If she fails, from the sound of things, he'll ridicule her and curse her to failure ever more!

Not being fully sold on Subaru's rationale, YN put the brakes on.

YN: Listen, I can sympathize with you not wanting this guy around Emilia, I certainly don't think it would be good to have Rem around him, let alone looking up to someone like that. But Roswaal inviting this person just to mess with Emilia? What incentive does he have to do that?

Subaru: How can you not see it?! We're talking about someone who wears clown makeup everyday. Now, I think I've got a plan, if you're on board, we can—

YN: I'll be honest, Subaru. I don't want in on any plan you've got brewing here. Your reasoning is just a bit far-fetched for me. I'm going to have to pass.

Arriving back up onto the steps of the mansion, YN and Subaru made their closing statements to each other.

Subaru: If you won't, I'll have to enlist help from elsewhere.

YN: Well don't think about asking Rem, I'll be sure to tell her about how crazy it is if you do.

Slumping his shoulders at YN preemptively killing his only other option, Subaru quickly perked back up, thinking of a better solution.

Subaru: Hmmm not a bad idea... Ya know what? I won't be needing your assistance in this matter.

Grabbing the door handle to the mansion, Subaru opened the door before turning to face YN, pointing his finger straight to the sky and doing an odd pose.

Subaru: I, Natsuki Subaru, will prove you wrong!

Slamming the door shut behind him, YN only sighed.

I take it back, it wasn't his intellect that solved the mabeast debacle, it was a stroke of pure luck and a divine miracle.

Opening the door for his own entry now, YN smiled to himself though.

Oh well, I wish him the best.

Looking up at the stairs upon entry, YN found the reason for his smile.

As if patiently waiting for him, the maid that held his heart stood at the top of the stairs, holding a small stack of books, ready to try her best and continue to tutor him as best as she could.

Ready to start his favorite time of the day, YN walked up to and greeted the blue haired girl.

YN: Here, at least let me carry those.