Regarding the sibling issue, once it was discovered that
"Still, isn't Ram being a little heartless about this?"
"Don't say that. Ram has her own way of thinking about it. ...She's known those two longer than we have, so maybe she feels it's not our place."
Walking along the mansion corridor, Subaru pouted his lips while
"Garfiel and Frederica's relationship? Just leave them alone. They're not children... Garfiel is a brat, sure, but he's not without his own thoughts. Even if those thoughts tend to miss the mark more often than not. The two of them will work it out themselves."
Quite the merciless assessment toward Garfiel, who harbors feelings for her.
Of course, from Ram's perspective, Garfiel might be more like a younger brother. "Cute affection"—though calling his rough, passionate feelings that felt like a stretch.
Garfiel, too, had it rough, falling for someone so utterly unyielding.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"Nothing, really. I was just reflecting on how Garfiel's not the only one facing an impossibly tall wall."
"...?"
Emilia tilted her cute head to the side. Subaru found it both endearing and infuriating that there was clearly no connection being made between his gaze and the meaning of his words. But the fact that he could forgive that—that was the weakness of being love-struck.
"Still, if Ram's a dead end... who should we talk to next?"
"Hm? You're not giving up? You still want to keep trying?"
"Of course. We haven't solved anything, and giving up because we stumbled on the first step doesn't exactly scream 'manly.' You want to improve their relationship too, right, Emilia-tan?"
"That's true... but if Ram, their leader, said to leave it alone, maybe that really is the best approach?"
"Sure, time might fix things if we leave them alone, but don't forget it took those two ten years from their falling-out until now. If another ten years pass before they reconcile, I can't take that. I want to push from the outside and get them back together ASAP."
Emilia, somewhat cornered by Ram's reasoning, listened as Subaru insisted on continuing his plan. Because while he genuinely wanted those two to reconcile, he also didn't want to waste this chance to throw himself into something alongside Emilia. After all, in this particular case, no matter how Subaru behaved, it could never escalate into actual violence. When could the weight of worry ever feel so light, knowing the outcome wouldn't leave anyone dead?
"What's wrong? Why are you grinning all of a sudden?"
"No reason—I just realized how happy it is to agonize over something without risking my life. Amazing! No matter how things turn out, nobody dies, and there's not even any blood!"
"Subaru..."
Seeing him give a thumbs-up with a flash of teeth, Emilia made a deeply sympathetic face.
Wondering if he'd said something weird, Subaru replayed his own words—and then recoiled at how grim and unsettling they were, and at the insignificance of the wish behind them.
"N-no, that's not what I meant, Emilia-tan."
"It's okay. You've been through a lot. I'm sorry I can't understand better. Here, why don't you go back to your room today and rest—"
"That's the wrong response! This is what happens when you don't get it!"
Subaru raised his voice at Emilia's gently sympathetic gaze.
And just as they were going back and forth— "...I thought it was noisy. What on earth are the two of you doing?"
A sigh-laced, exasperated voice. Turning toward its source, Subaru spotted a girl in a lavish dress—
The girl who had been walking down the corridor from the far end stopped, looked at the faces of Subaru and Emilia as they exchanged words, and furrowed her adorable brows.
"It's lovely that you two get along so well. I thought your voices arguing could be heard from the opposite side of the mansion."
"What a sarcastic remark. If you're lonely about being left out, just say so. Come join us and rack your brain over our profoundly deep discussion topic."
"Who said I was lonely about being left out?! What an impertinent thing to say!"
Beatrice crossed her short arms imperiously, cheeks flushing red with indignation. That all-too-characteristic attitude made Subaru and Emilia exchange a glance and burst into laughter.
It had been about a week since Subaru and Beatrice had made their contract, partnering up as spirit mage and contracted spirit. That said, their relationship hadn't exactly undergone a dramatic transformation.
As always, Subaru teased Beatrice, and Beatrice overreacted. Their dynamic was one of endlessly repeating the same dance.
Still, now that Beatrice—who had lost the Forbidden Library—was walking around more openly, and occasionally, as if remembering something, she would take Subaru's hand and stay by his side more often.
"You say all that, but you came over because you missed me and wanted to hold my hand, right? Aww, this kid is just too precious."
"Stop projecting weird intentions onto Beatrice's actions. Beatrice touching you... touching Subaru, is born of circumstances that cannot be helped."
"You were about to say 'you' but switched to my name—That's super cute."
"Subaru."
Before Beatrice could turn completely red, Emilia cut in with a warning. Subaru stuck out his tongue to apologize to Emilia and extended his hand toward Beatrice.
She gingerly touched his palm with her fingertips, then, as if steeling herself, timidly wrapped her small hand around his once more. That was Beatrice's usual gesture.
The feeling of another person's small fingers on his palm—a ticklish, slightly embarrassing sensation that was the fruit of everything Subaru had desperately sought.
But this time, that response didn't come. Beatrice only stared down at his offered palm with a troubled expression.
"What's wrong? I washed my hands after the bathroom, I swear."
"That wasn't what I was worried about at all, and now you've put that thought in my head and I feel terrible! Besides, that's not the—"
Subaru's unnecessary remark earned him a sharper glare. Beatrice cast a wary glance behind her. Puzzled by her behavior, Subaru heard the answer come from down the corridor.
"Beatrice-chan, where did you go~?"
From around the corner at the far end of the corridor came a voice searching for the girl before them. The older girl's voice carried affection and warmth.
And yet, the one being addressed—Beatrice—flinched, let out a tiny squeak, and after darting her eyes around, ducked into a nearby room. Then, poking her face out through the gap in the door at the wide-eyed Subaru and Emilia— "Beatrice will say she was never here, understand? You have my word."
"Hey—"
"You have my word."
With that final emphasis, the door closed without a sound. Subaru shrugged in bewilderment, and Emilia furrowed her brow with a confused look. Then— "Oh! Subaru!"
Turning the corner in the corridor, a girl spotted them and her face lit up as she hurried over.
Still in a freshly made maid uniform—its long hem swishing as she ran—was a girl with reddish-brown hair: Petra.
Petra, too, was one of the associates now staying at this mansion following the burning of the Roswaal estate. Subaru had told her about the danger of continuing to stay here and suggested she return to the village, but she wouldn't hear of it.
Now helping out with chores in this very mansion—just as Frederica did—Petra was wholeheartedly devoted to honing her maid skills. Subaru thought she was an earnest, put-together girl with a strong drive to improve.
As if to supplement Subaru's inner thoughts, Petra hurried up and gave Emilia a proper bow.
"Pardon me, Lady Emilia. I'm sorry for the loud voice."
—that was her demeanor.
The girlishness she had directed at Subaru just a moment ago vanished completely, replaced by the self-aware conduct of a maid. Even Emilia's eyes went round at the transformation.
"Oh, uh, it's fine. Don't worry about it. It wasn't a bother."
"Emilia-tan, 'shukuryūnai'?"
Having little experience being deferred to was, given Emilia's position, perhaps something to work on going forward.
Setting aside that heartwarming little exchange— "So, what's up, Petra? Did something happen?"
"No, it's not that... I finished my chores, so I thought I'd spend some time with Beatrice-chan. But I've been looking and I can't find her."
"Beatrice-chan, she says..."
Emilia held her breath, then covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Subaru, catching her expression out of the corner of his eye, felt his own cheeks threatening to spread into a grin. The proud, haughty Beatrice was being called "-chan" by none other than this girl named Petra.
The first time he'd witnessed their interactions, Subaru had nearly died laughing.
"Lady Emilia, is something wrong? Did I say something strange?"
"No, it's nothing. It's just... it's really, really kind of funny."
"Really, really kind of?"
Sometimes, Petra's lingering childlike side showed through. Smiling at her, Emilia glanced sideways at Subaru as if to ask, "What do we do?"
Meeting that look, Subaru pretended to think before speaking.
"Yeah. About Beatrice. She clearly loves having someone fuss over her, so Petra, maybe you enjoy looking after her?"
"Mm, yeah. Beatrice-chan is never honest at all, so she's really cute when you're with her. I don't think you should leave a girl like that all alone."
"What makes you think that?"
"Because she seems like she'd be lonely. You just can't leave her be."
Petra's smart, simple answer made Subaru nod in agreement. "Yeah, you're right."
He'd hemmed and hawed and used plenty of words, but in the end, the reason Subaru had pulled Beatrice out of the Forbidden Library was more or less the same. The child had the right of it. Or rather—Subaru and Beatrice themselves had been arguing with the same childlike logic all along.
"You too, Subaru? Why are you laughing?"
"I'm not making fun of you. I just think you're a genius, Petra."
"Really? Hehe~"
He patted the head of Petra, who didn't seem to mind the praise at all, then nodded.
After that, he grabbed the doorknob behind him and flung it open.
"Whuab?!"
With a hard sound, the little eavesdropper on the other side went flying. The loli sat up with tears in her eyes, her forehead bright red from where the door had hit her.
"What were you doing?"
"You're one to talk! What do you think you just did?! It hurts! It really, really hurts! Not only does it hurt, but you broke your promise too—"
"I never made that promise, and I never said I'd leave it to you. I thought it over carefully and decided it'd be more fun to take Petra's side—"
"You just said 'fun'! You said it's fun! That's the worst!"
As Beatrice rubbed her forehead and protested, Subaru plugged his ears and pretended not to hear. At that moment, a girl slipped neatly into the middle of their exchange. Petra and Beatrice locked eyes, and Beatrice opened her mouth, her twin drills trembling.
"A-ah, w-well, this is different... It's not like I was hiding or—"
"Oh, Beatrice-chan, that's no good. If you play hide-and-seek in someone else's mansion, you'll get in trouble! I know you're at the age where you want to play, and I understand how you feel, but—"
"Wh—?! How dare you treat Betty like a child! For one thing, Betty is, despite appearances, properly... that is, properly—"
"Properly?"
"...Never mind."
When Petra pressed further, Beatrice's voice trailed off and she practically surrendered. This left Emilia looking surprised, and even Subaru squinted at the unfamiliar sight.
What was interesting about the dynamic between Beatrice and Petra was the mystery of Petra's inexplicable superiority.
Beatrice, who with nearly everyone maintained her bold and imperious demeanor. Her exceptions had been Pack and, recently, Subaru—but Petra had charged in with gusto.
For some reason, Beatrice simply could not treat Petra the way she treated everyone else. Even she didn't seem to know why, and Subaru had seen her multiple times wearing a dissatisfied expression as Petra took her hand.
Setting aside Beatrice's inner feelings, to an outside observer here were two young girls—two girls who showed the promise of being beauties—holding hands and walking together. It was a heartwarming sight.
Petra did look subtly older, which might be why she played the big sister role—and why Beatrice struggled to handle it.
"Come on, let's go. We shouldn't bother Lady Emilia and Subaru's work. Besides, Klint-onii-sama prepared some sweets, so let's eat them together, Beatrice-chan. We can eat in the dining hall."
"V-very well... there's no need to drag me, you know."
Beatrice's face was a picture of helpless resignation as Petra pulled her out of the room, but Subaru heartlessly answered with a thumbs-up. Emilia, beside him, gave a small wave. Beatrice stuck her tongue out in anger as Petra led her away.
Her unavoidable physical contact with Subaru would have to wait.
Watching the girl who was dragging and the girl who was being dragged with an affectionate smile, Emilia pressed a finger to her lips.
"That was... really surprising. I never thought Beatrice would be weak against Petra."
"Right? I was dumbfounded at first too. It's adorable to watch, so I don't say anything. Besides, I think Petra's way of thinking is absolutely right."
"If left alone, she'd get lonely?"
"I could fuss over her twenty-four seven, but then what was the point of her leaving the Forbidden Library? When it comes to making memories, the more people in the photo album, the better."
After all, she needed to fill four hundred years' worth of blank pages. Subaru filling the album all by himself would be funny in its own way, but it'd be a one-joke act.
All kinds of people, wearing all kinds of expressions, should be burned into her memories. Subaru wanted to be there, sometimes as a subject and sometimes getting cut off at the edge of the frame, standing beside Beatrice as she pressed the shutter.
"Subaru... I think there are times when you're really, really cool."
"Huh? What? Seriously? What just happened? Did you just get a jackpot or something?!"
"I said 'sometimes,' you know."
At Emilia's knowing laugh, Subaru scratched his cheek and replied with a "Come on~." But despite the teasing tone, he couldn't exactly suppress the boost in mood from Emilia's compliment. He wanted to hold on to this feeling, to remember it every time he teased Beatrice. And for that, he had to keep teasing.
"The ends and means have gotten a bit mixed up, I think, but that's how it goes sometimes. Anyway, we've seen something heartwarming, so for now—"
"Yes, it was quite the heartwarming sight. Two adorable girls, hand in hand, walking together and laughing... What a beautiful sight. A feast for the eyes."
"Eek?!"
The voice that reached them as they stepped forward to move on made Emilia let out a small scream. The sudden appearance of its owner was that unexpected.
And if the appearance was unexpected, so was the location. That person stood directly behind Subaru—close enough that she could have been breathing on the back of his neck—and had joined the conversation with a perfectly composed expression.
"I do apologize for startling you. However, the impulse to provide a surprise in service of you simply could not be contained. It went off on its own."
"K-Klint?"
"Yes, Klint. I hope I haven't offended your sensibilities. How do you feel? Apologies."
He spoke while bowing at a perfect angle—a slender, tall young man of striking beauty.
His blue hair was trimmed to brow length, and he wore a monocle over his left eye. The crisply starched black butler's uniform seemed to relish being worn by him, its quality performing flawlessly, and the refined elegance of each gesture made one instinctively straighten their posture.
Wilhelm was the sort of presence that alone compelled one to stand at attention, but Klint's was a different aura entirely from the Sword Devil's.
If Wilhelm's presence evoked a honed blade, then standing before Klint was like facing the flow of crystal-clear water. Physical beauty and aesthetic beauty were different things—even if both equally brought tranquility to the heart.
"Standing behind people like that out of nowhere, Klint... you've got a mean streak too. I nearly had a heart attack."
"In such an event, I would do everything in my power to resuscitate you, Mr. Natsuki. Please, rest assured. At the moment of your passing."
"Huh?! I don't survive, do I?!"
Klint's manners didn't slip for an instant, but his responses went entirely off the rails.
Still, that little display wasn't reflective of his true character or abilities. As his bearing made clear, Klint was an exceptionally capable servant—head butler of the Miload household, responsible for overseeing all the staff.
Despite his youth, he carried himself with the dignity of someone who commanded a great household.
And not only that—it was said that he could pick up a sword and fight when the need arose. His skill had been impressive enough that Garfiel had flared his nostrils and challenged him upon their first meeting, growling, "You're pretty damn capable, aren't you, bastard..." The sparring invitation had been brushed aside, of course.
Yet for all his extraordinary ability, Klint had a few notable flaws. One was the mild mischief displayed just now. And then— "Petra isn't causing Klint any trouble, is she? She's been pushing herself into helping with work, and I've been a little worried about that."
"There is no cause for concern. For a girl her age, Petra is outstandingly capable. Her ability and beauty alike... I can hardly wait to see what the future holds. I'm envious."
"Oh, that's good to hear—"
"But as the years pass, Petra too will grow tall and become an adult... That is an extraordinarily regrettable thought. Heartbreaking."
Klint rubbed between his brows and spoke with an expression of genuine sorrow.
This was his other flaw—and his greatest one.
Klint harbored a strong interest in young girls like Beatrice and Petra.
To put it bluntly: a girl enthusiast—or one might simply say, a lolicon.
"What's wrong, Mr. Natsuki? You're looking at me as if I were a criminal or a potential one. Did I say something inappropriate? Checking."
"The fact that you can state that so directly suggests you're aware, doesn't it? I'm not really into the younger archetype, so I'm a bit iffy, but even I have to wonder about that age group..."
"I think you have a profound misunderstanding about me, Mr. Natsuki. Wry smile."
He said "wry smile" but didn't so much as crack a grin. Klint clouded his perfectly sculpted features with a look of wistful melancholy, adjusted his monocle, and turned to face Subaru directly.
"May I speak? My admiration for Miss Annerose, Petra, and Lady Beatrice is not because they are young. It is because I am drawn to the youthfulness of their souls and their potential. It is only natural to be captivated by pure, innocent souls. And such souls happen to be found most often in those of a young age. Thus, a misunderstanding."
"Oh... is that so."
Klint's lengthy rebuttal was met with Subaru's half-hearted dismissal. But that attitude was swept away by what Klint said next.
He glanced at Emilia standing beside Subaru and, prefacing with "For example," said: "My eyes perceive in Lady Emilia the same richness of soul as the young ladies I just mentioned. Refreshing."
"Me?"
"Klint, you're incredible?!"
Emilia tilted her head in confusion, but Subaru was simply floored by Klint's perception.
That Emilia's mind was far younger than her appearance—something one wouldn't realize unless one knew her lineage and upbringing—was a fact that Klint's eyes had seen straight through. He had perceived that Emilia was, mentally, a loli.
That the lolicon's nose was to be feared, Subaru could only sit in stunned silence.
"So then, someone like Ryuzu-san is—"
"Her exterior is certainly adorable, but her soul is fully matured. To lecture someone who has so clearly defined her way of living about 'potential' would be... an overstep for a junior like me. An outrage."
"Damn..."
Subaru offered his genuine admiration for Klint's ability to see through even the lolibabas.
Meanwhile, Emilia—who had been watching this entire exchange—showed remarkably little interest in Klint's rather... specific predilection.
"By the way, I wanted to ask Klint something—"
"Of course. Please, ask me anything."
"Frederica worked here before she went to work at Roswaal's mansion, right?"
"...Yes. Affirmed."
For a brief moment, it seemed as though Klint had hesitated, and Subaru narrowed his eyes.
Emilia noticed that pause too but pressed on.
"Then, have you and Frederica known each other a long time?"
"Frederica and I have known each other for ten years—when she was brought to the Miload household by the Border Count, I had only just begun working here as a junior servant. That was the start of our acquaintance. Old friends."
"I knew it! Then, I'd like to ask you a little about Frederica—what she likes, what she doesn't like. I want to help find a way for her and Garfiel to reconcile."
"A way to reconcile, you say. Deliberating."
Klint placed a hand on his chin and sank into thought. Even that pensive pose looked like a painting, and Subaru fidgeted with the zipper on his tracksuit, lamenting the disparity in aesthetic appeal: "Lolicons are forgiven if they're hot enough..."
After a full minute of contemplation, Klint nodded, let out a small sigh, and said: "For Annerose's next monthly birthday dinner, I shall prepare a chicken-based main course. Planning."
"What about Frederica?!"
"...Ah, my apologies. When I try to think about her, my brain invariably refuses to cooperate. This is beyond my control. Please forgive me."
"Klint... you and Frederica don't get along very well, do you?"
"Not at all. Denied."
With a concerned look, Emilia had asked, but Klint shook his head in denial.
"She is a reliable and efficient maid who is prompt in her work and considerate in her manner. If not for the single fact that she ruins the very essence of what a maid—adorning and beautifying a woman—should be, with that appearance of hers, I have no complaints whatsoever. None."
"Um... I feel like I just heard something incredibly prejudiced, but was I imagining it? Right, Subaru?"
"No, it's not your imagination—it's entirely Klint's fault."
Klint's merciless prejudice apparently stemmed from Frederica's appearance. Granted, Subaru had been startled by the first impression too, but Frederica was diligent, and her personality was more than feminine enough. Outside of her appearance, Subaru had never sensed a problem.
"I see that Mr. Natsuki has arrived at the same conclusion as I have. Seen through."
"Oh? Subaru?"
"I'm in the middle of recommitting to stopping the habit of looking for faults in other people, so please stop doing that!? Emilia-tan's appearance is my absolute weak spot!"
"That's not what we were talking about, honestly. ...But, thank you."
Emilia's cheeks flushed faintly as she thanked him for the compliment about her appearance. Compliments that had once had zero effect now seemed to carry at least a little weight for Emilia, who had returned from her "trial." It was refreshing.
Without Pack's fashion checks, Emilia had taken to handling her own outfit selection as a matter of course, and she'd apparently been experimenting with different styles.
There had been that one time she'd seriously considered chopping off all her long silver hair, and when word got out, everyone had banded together to stop her.
But anyway—it didn't seem like they were going to get any useful insight about Frederica from Klint. Was this a dead end already? Subaru and Emilia both sighed deeply.
Klint, who had been observing them, said, "If I may..." and continued: "Judging from our earlier conversation, it seems you wish to improve the sibling relationship between Frederica and Lord Garfiel. Inferring."
"Yes, that's right. But neither Subaru nor I have siblings, so we're not sure what to do. We've been asking around, but..."
"With the exception of her appearance, Frederica has no issues. My opinion is that any problem not related to her looks would resolve itself if left alone—but I suspect that won't satisfy you. So, I have one thing to offer. A suggestion."
"A suggestion?"
Subaru and Emilia tilted their heads in unison at Klint's raised finger.
Seeing them mirror each other's gesture, Klint's lips curved into a smile—the first genuine one of the day.
"If you are concerned about their relationship, then perhaps the most fitting person to consult would be the one closest to both of them. The person most in their confidence is not Ram—is it not rather someone else? My opinion."
"The person closest... oh!"
Emilia clapped her hands as the belated realization hit her. Subaru had reached the same conclusion, but something else nagged at him even more.
It was: "You mentioned Ram being the 'person closest.' That was a while ago. Klint... how long have you been eavesdropping on our conversation?"
"As the head butler charged with the well-being and peace of this Miload household, I—"
Whether that constituted an answer or not, Subaru couldn't say. And before he could press further, Klint bowed with a perfect, deep courtesy—a display of flawless servant's etiquette that left its viewer overwhelmed.
Struck speechless, Subaru could only make a sour face.