Rem was aghast when she heard about what Subaru had done. Ferris admitted to her that he'd done his best to minimize the severity of what had happened when speaking with Lady Crusch. Though he spared no details when confiding in Rem, probably to return the favor for her speaking so honestly with him earlier about her argument with Subaru by the dragon carriage. It turned out that Ferris confronting Subaru about that incident had been the trigger for the attack. Any feelings of betrayal Rem might have felt about Ferris revealing the contents of their secret conversation were strongly overshadowed by guilt and shame.

It's all my fault. I shouldn't have said anything to Master Ferris about it.

Though Ferris often portrayed himself as flippant, Rem should have seen through the façade and understood that he couldn't be such an incredible healer if he didn't genuinely care about people and their wellbeing. Rem had turned to Ferris because she was certain he wouldn't do anything with the information she gave him. She'd used him as someone to vent her frustrations to and nothing more. She never could have imagined that this would be the result.

Tears streamed down her face. Anger, embarrassment, guilt, exasperation. She was a tempest of mixed emotions and none of them were positive. A much darker thought passed into her mind regarding a choice she'd made much earlier that day.

Should I have just let him do it?

Rem shook her head, disgusted with herself for even considering such a thing. Despite Subaru's deplorable behavior, it wouldn't have been right to let him take his life. She was sure that he would eventually go back to being the man she loved. For that reason, she was also glad when Ferris told her that he'd convinced Lady Crusch not to kill or otherwise harm Subaru.

All things considered, the compromise proposed by Ferris was fair and reasonable. Objectively speaking, it was far more lenient than Subaru deserved for his heinous actions. All he would need to do in order to earn this mercy was to apologize to Ferris and Lady Crusch for his behavior. It was so simple that nothing could possibly go wrong.

As for what would happen after, Rem was still trying to make her mind up. Naturally, she wanted to stay by the side of the man she loved. On the other hand, she couldn't shake the anxiety that Subaru wouldn't stop trying to force her to run away with him.

"Rem? Is everything alright, meow?"

"Oh… Yes, Master Ferris. Rem was just thinking about how to explain the situation to Subaru."

Ferris' cat ears drooped. "Ferri is sorry for making Rem have to do this. Ferri would do it but…"

Rem grimaced before putting on a polite smile. "Of course. Rem completely understands you wanting to stay away from Subaru at this point in time… Regarding the meeting, is it correct to presume that it will be just Lady Crusch, Rem, Subaru, Master Ferris, and Master Wilhelm?"

"Nyot Old Man Wil." Ferris shook his head. "At Ferri's suggestion, Lady Crusch sent Old Man Wil off to buy some supplies in the Capital. His presence during the meeting would just be intimidating and give the wrong idea, meow. Also… He seems to have a soft spot for Subawu so Ferri thought it would be kinder to just nyot tell him about any of this."

"That is truly considerate of you, Master Ferris."

"Heh heh, Ferri is almost as thoughtful as Lady Crusch… Oh, one more thing. Rem… This is rather embarrassing for Ferri to ask but… could you help clean Ferri off of Subawu's walls and furniture?"

Rem agreed, thinking that Ferris was just referring to a large quantity of blood. She wasn't prepared for the sight that awaited her in Subaru's bedroom. Not just blood but also broken teeth, tufts of hair, bits of skin and flesh, fragments of bone, and even what Rem could only describe as mangled innards. If one were to scrape all of it off and put it together, it realistically might have been enough to create a whole other Ferris.

Even as a survivor of Witch Cult atrocities, Rem was struggling not to retch. The scene in the room appalled and disgusted her to the very core. There was no way Subaru was capable of this… Of… Of brutally murdering someone several times over. She just couldn't imagine that the man she loved had taken so much satisfaction in spilling blood, snapping bones, hearing cries of pain and begging. Ferris had indeed been wrong for getting involved and totally out of line for the things he'd said to Subaru. But this… This was too much.

Overwhelmed by pity and a sense of responsibility, Rem slung her arms around Ferris and hugged him close. At first, he was startled by the sudden contact but quickly melted into it. The two, feeling solidarity towards each other as fellow victims of this 'New Subaru', cried together.

By the time Rem finished mopping up the grisly crime scene, her head was pounding. Hearing the details from Ferris had been one thing but actually seeing the results in person was something else entirely. Yet again, Rem found herself doubting the one thing she'd been convinced would always be a certainty. If she couldn't believe in her love for Subaru, what could she believe in? Should she just return to being nothing more than Sister's lesser replacement?

Just calm down. No matter how bad it may seem, Rem's Subaru has to still be in there somewhere!

So Rem decided that she would defer her difficult decision until her next conversation with Subaru and possibly the aftermath of the upcoming meeting with Lady Crusch. He may have 'dismissed' her but Rem didn't have any obligation to obey such an inane command. In any case, she was Lord Roswaal's maid and it was his orders that she followed.

Rem spotted Subaru walking down the corridor, having apparently just returned from helping himself to a snack in the kitchen. She waited to see how he would react to seeing her despite believing that he'd sent her away. More importantly, she was hoping that he would show at least some remorse for what he'd done to Ferris.

"Ah, Rem!" Subaru waved to her.

At least he's not calling me 'Miss Rem' anymore.

"Y'know, back in my homeland we have this really neat concept called 'privacy'. It means that there are certain things that are kept only to the people that they concern and aren't shared with others that have nothing to do with it… Shame that it doesn't seem to have caught on in Lugunica just yet." Subaru shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

After the things you did, that's all you have to say?!

Rem was dumbfounded. Not the smallest hint of regret about his violence towards Ferris or even about his slimy tactics at the dragon carriage that had caused Rem to have a panic attack. Instead Subaru's topmost priority was to snark at her for telling Ferris what she'd gone through. As if her venting to a third party about one of the most harrowing experiences of her life was equivalent or even worse than putting her through that very experience.

That was the last straw for Rem. Fuming, she increased her pace as she strode towards Subaru.

"Whoa, Rem. You don't need to walk so fast, I'm not going anywh— OOF!"

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Rem yelled as she delivered a dizzying slap to the side of Subaru's face.

"Owwwww, I feel like that should be my line with you hitting me for no reason like that…"

Rem grit her teeth hard enough to break them. "No… reason…?" Her voice was quiet but full of vitriol.

"Yeah! I mean, I get you not liking my privacy remark or whatever but it's still no excuse to smack me!" He rubbed his cheek indignantly. "This is definitely gonna be a bruise, y'know."

"Oh… So Subaru, you're not a fan of indiscriminate violence then?" She asked rhetorically with a sardonic tone that could easily rival Subaru himself. "Whoops, tee hee, what an embarrassing misunderstanding. It's just that certain very recent events have convinced Rem that you love violence. Or is that just when you're the one perpetrating it?"

Subaru looked at Rem in confusion. "Huh?! What the hell are you talking ab— Ah, this is about that whole mess with the Furball, isn't it? He hasn't been bothering you too much, right? Because if he has, I wouldn't mind going a second round with him…" He cracked his bruised knuckles, causing him to wince in pain. "Ow, fuck! Ow, fuck! Ok, maybe not then."

"That's not funny, Subaru." Rem said with a singsong voice and sweet smile that portrayed the exact opposite of her actual emotional state.

"It wasn't meant to be a joke, Rem." Subaru replied in an imitation of that tone.

Rem sighed. This wasn't going to accomplish anything. For Subaru to understand the severity of his actions, he needed the consequences thrust directly in his face.

"Subaru, do you have any idea what you've done?! Even forgetting the inevitable damage that this could cause to the reputations of Lord Roswaal and Lady Emilia, I hope you realize that we will no longer be welcome here."

"Ah well. Guess we've got nowhere else to go then, huh?" To Rem's surprise, Subaru smiled. "You know, I hear that Banan is really lovely this time of year…"

No… He can't have… Not for this…

"Subaru…" Rem began, struggling to keep calm in light of this new potential revelation. "Did you do those things to Ferris because you were hoping that we would be expelled… So that you could force Rem to go with you to Kararagi?"

"That shitty little cat-eared asshole had it coming anyway but I am happy with this result if that's what you're asking. Beats knocking you out and chaining you up in a box, that's for sure."

Rem didn't know whether Subaru was joking and, for her own peace of mind, she didn't even want to know. Either way, his overall attitude throughout this conversation had helped Rem make her decision.

"Master Subaru…" Rem opted to create the distance herself in order to make her choice less painful. "Rem will not be going with you to Kararagi. Nor to anywhere else, for that matter. Listen carefully as Rem tells you exactly what is going to happen now."

"Hey Rem! What's with the formality all of a sudden? Don't tell me you're still mad about me calling you 'Miss Rem' earlier and saying that I don't want to see you anymore!"

"That was of no consequence, Master Subaru. Now kindly allow Rem to explain the situation. Following the incident that occurred earlier today, Lady Crusch is inviting us to a meeting. At this meeting, Master Subaru will sincerely apologize to Master Ferris and to Lady Crusch. Then Subaru and Rem will leave this place and return to the Mansion. The excuse will be that you wished to leave in order to make amends with Lady Emilia. That way, all parties can save face and separate on relatively good terms."

"What?! No way! We can't go back to the Mansion!" Subaru shouted in Rem's face.

"Master Subaru should have thought of this before assaulting Master Ferris. Master Subaru should consider himself most fortunate that this is the extent of the punishment he will be receiving."

"No, you don't get it! Anywhere but the Mansion… If we go back to the Mansion, it's certain death!"

"Regardless of whether this remark is intended to imply negative things about Lord Roswaal, Lady Emilia, or Sister, Rem does not appreciate it. Lady Emilia would surely not kill Master Subaru, no matter her displeasure with him. Rem shall meanwhile ensure to omit any details from our stay here that could cause Sister or Lord Roswaal to desire an end to Master Subaru's job or life."

"Who the hell is even talking about any of them?!" Subaru aggressively shook Rem by the shoulders. "There's something way worse waiting for all of us there!"

"Master Subaru, please refrain from such hostile acts towards Rem." She pushed him away. "Rem can only tolerate so much of it before she will be forced to retaliate in kind."

Still using violence to make his points… He's learned nothing. I have to do this. It's the only way to convince him that he needs to change.

"And then…" Even after steeling her resolve, Rem found the words difficult to utter. She bit her lip as her confidence slowly waned. "And then once Master Subaru and Rem have arrived at the Mansion, Rem will be requesting a transfer to work at the Miload Manor instead. Alone. Rest assured, however, that Master Clind will quickly find a suitable replacement for Rem to assist Sister."

"Rem…" Subaru sounded like he was on the verge of tears. "Why are you so determined to get away from me?"

In addition to confusion, there was genuine hurt in his voice and real signs of distress all over his face. While it was refreshing to see an expression from Subaru that wasn't tainted with anger, the dejection replacing it tugged at Rem's heartstrings. For a moment, she wondered if just the threat of leaving had been enough to make Subaru reflect on his actions. But if Subaru truly understood, he wouldn't need to ask why Rem was so hesitant to remain in his company.

"Because I'm scared of you!"

She cried, her composure and poise completely dissolving within that instant. She couldn't even keep up her typical habit of referring to herself in the third person. This wasn't a message she could deliver to Subaru while adopting the persona of Lord Roswaal's demure maid. It needed to come from the heart of Rem, the girl that Subaru claimed to love. And with that deadly weapon, Rem needed to strike directly at Subaru's core, regardless of how painful that would be both for him and for her.

"Rem, what are you talking about? What could I poss—"

"I'm scared of you!" Rem reaffirmed, saltwater dripping down her face. "I'm scared of what you'll say! I'm scared of what you'll do! I'm scared of what you'll do to yourself! I'm scared of what you'll do to others! And I just… I can't do it anymore. I can't let you use me as an excuse anymore!" She leaned her head against the wall as her weeping continued, too embarrassed to show her face in this state.

"So that's it, huh?" Subaru was once again using that eerily calm voice that he had at the weapon stall. Rem could already tell that events were about to repeat themselves—

"…"

"Then I guess we're done he— OW! Ow ow ow ow ow ow!"

—This time, however, Rem was ready for it and was on Subaru in an instant, grabbing his wrist and upper arm with enough pressure to dislocate both. The pain was enough to make Subaru's fingers loosen their grip from the dagger's hilt and drop it back into his pocket. She'd expected that he might try to take advantage of her moment of weakness to do something drastic and had unfortunately been proven right.

"If you ever try that again, I'll break your fucking arm." Rem's voice was cold enough to make the tears on her face freeze solid. And she meant every word.

"…"

"You'd never even think of doing something like that to Lady Emilia…"

She couldn't disguise the envy she felt towards her romantic rival. Before their argument, Subaru had given every ounce of his affection to Lady Emilia. Rem meanwhile had been treated as just a friend. But Rem had not minded too much. She had been fine suffering in silence, keeping her feelings for Subaru a secret and watching painfully and longingly as he continued pursuing the woman of his dreams. Somehow, Subaru had caught on to Rem's love for him and hadn't stopped using it against her ever since. It made Rem miss the way things had been before. And if she couldn't even have that, she was better off getting as far away from Subaru as possible.

"Master Subaru…" Rem recomposed herself, acting as if she'd never broken character to begin with. "Kindly refrain from threatening harm to yourself or to others. If Rem believes Master Subaru to be a danger to either, Rem will not hesitate to restrain him."

"Damn it, Rem! Seems I really can't get anything past you anymore."

"Rem will take that as a compliment with regards to her diligence." She puffed out her chest in a fake display of pride.

Convinced that Subaru had realized the futility of his suicidal actions, Rem released him from her grip. The two stood alone in awkward silence.

"So… You're really going to leave then?" Subaru said at last with that familiar sound of misery emanating from his every word. Rem couldn't help but feel sorry for him, even though she really knew she shouldn't. Every time that she'd shown him any emotional vulnerability, he'd taken advantage of it.

But it hurts so much seeing him like this.

"Rem is afraid so, Subaru." Rem spoke in her softest, kindest voice. "Please do not despair, however. Rem… does not wish for this to be a permanent end to our relationship. It is merely intended to be a period away from Subaru so that Subaru may reflect on his actions of today and ensure to never repeat any of them."

"For how long?"

"For as long as it takes."

"Then… Can I at least give you a proper goodbye? Something for you to remember me by?"

Rem hesitated. Not long before, Subaru had presumably intended to slit his own throat.

Should be alright if I just keep watching his hands.

"Very well then, Rem will not object to your requ—MMMMMM?!"

While keeping her eye firmly planted on Subaru's arms, something warm and moist touched Rem's lips, taking her completely by surprise. She quickly realized that these were Subaru's own lips and that he had decided, without warning, let alone consent, to kiss her.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Blood rushed to her cheeks.

Her breathing quickened.

Her heart pounded like a drum.

Her entire body burned hot as if struck with fever.

It was Rem's first kiss and, as far as she knew, also Subaru's. She could never have expected something like this because she'd been so sure Subaru was saving it for his true love, Lady Emilia. And yet… Here he was giving it to her. Once again, Rem was receiving exactly what she wanted in the worst possible way.

I really should stop this. It isn't right. But…

Unable to resist this fulfilment of her desire, Rem gave in and closed her eyes, melting into the kiss. For his first time, Subaru was surprisingly good at it. He seemed to instinctively know exactly what to do to make the experience as pleasurable for Rem as possible. She should have found that to be unsettling but was too busy enjoying every moment.

Finally, Subaru pulled back and the kiss ended. To her great shame, Rem felt disappointment at it being over.

"Not bad, huh?" Subaru grinned.

"C-c-c-certainly." Rem heaved as she recovered from what, in any other circumstances, would have been the best moment of her life. Her entire face was bright red and her head was spinning.

"Knowing you though… There's no way that was enough." Subaru caressed her cheek. "So why don't we do take this further?"

"F-further…?" Rem whimpered, still unable to think straight.

He can't mean what I think he does!

"Probably easier for me to just show you."

Subaru's lips met hers again, briefly, before moving to her neck. He gently kissed it up and down. Rem couldn't understand why it made her feel so good, nor how Subaru knew that it would, but it just did.

"Ahnnn… Subaru… Haaa haaa… what… nnng… is this?"

"The gateway to a whole new world of pleasure, Rem."

"H-h-huh?!"

His hands softly massaged her hips as he continued passionately kissing the side of her neck. Rem's mind went blank from ecstasy.

"Ahnnn… Ahhhhh…"

Then she felt one of Subaru's hands fall below her skirt, sensually stroking her thigh. It kept moving precariously close to a certain part of her body that she didn't want touched yet.

Too much. Not now… Not like this…

"Su-Suba-Subaru!" Rem yelped. "Wh-wh-what are you… nnnnnn… d-doing?"

"Getting you ready for me, my love."

"Wha— Aaahhhhh… But-but-but… Rem is— Haaaaaaaa! R-Rem is not… hnnng… interested in that right n-n-now!"

"Oh? You sure about that?" Subaru raised an eyebrow. "Those reactions from your body are telling me something else."

"Su… ba… ru… Plea— AAAHHHHH! Please… haaaa… stop! This is making R-R-Rem very un-un-uncomfortable."

"Shhh shhh shhh. Don't worry." Subaru didn't pause for a second. "You'll be feeling real good very soon."

His other hand came up behind Rem's head while he kissed her lips a few more times. Each time for longer than the last.

"Wait! Subaru! MMMMMMM! I'm not—MMMMMM! Haaaaa… Ready for this!"

"Nah nah, I get it. You're kinda scared cause it's your first time. But it's all ok… I'll be gentle."

"Subaru… Please… Ahnnnn… No… more…" She started weakly pushing against him, hoping that he would finally get the message.

"You're right. That's enough warmup. Let's get on to the main eve—OOF!"

"I! SAID! NO!"

With her Oni horn crackling and rage fueling her, Rem's palm struck the side of Subaru's face hard enough to send him crashing into the opposite wall. His body crumpled to the ground. Despite her ire towards him, Rem's first instinct was to worry that she'd seriously injured or killed Subaru by using too much of her strength. Her concerns abated once she saw him crawl across the floor and pick himself back up. He had a black eye, his nose and lips were bleeding, and several of his teeth were missing. Not wanting Lady Crusch or Ferris to understand that another fight had broken out between her and Subaru, Rem quickly set about healing the injuries.

"Bastard…" Rem cursed Subaru, still fuming while channeling her Water Magic into his wounds. "Rem isn't some fucking doll for you to play with as you please!" Her eyes stung as she fought back tears. "Is this what it's all been about then?! You thought you could just use Rem for all the things that Lady Emilia wouldn't let you do to her?!" She buried her face into the back of her arm. "I'm so stupid… For a moment, I actually believed it when you said that you loved me…"

"But Rem…" Subaru pleaded. "I really do love you!"

"SHUT UP!" Rem's entire body shook as she screamed. It wasn't just anger. It was exasperation. It was hopelessness. "When will it finally be enough for you, Subaru? How many times… How many times do you need to break Rem's heart?!"

"…"

"We've kept Lady Crusch waiting for long enough. Let's go." Rem stomped towards the meeting room, her hand grabbing Subaru's wrist and dragging him along. A total reversal of roles from what had occurred earlier that day. "When this is over…" Tears pricked her eyes again. "When this is over, I never want to see you again."

"Don't worry…"

That chilling voice of Subaru's came from behind her and Rem realized she might have just made a serious mistake. One that was too late to fix.

"You won't."