As I approached the mansion on my newly built bicycle, the rhythmic hum of the tires rolling over the dirt path filled my ears. The grand estate loomed ahead, its elegant walls and towering windows casting long shadows in the afternoon light.
At the entrance, a carriage had just arrived. I could see figures descending from it, their movements composed and deliberate. Rem and Ram were already there, standing with their usual poise as they greeted the guests.
Something told me that this wasn't just an ordinary visit.
A flicker of light caught my attention. The spirits hovering around me, glowing softly in the air, were still visible. Not wanting to attract unnecessary attention, I whispered, "Hide," and just like that, they faded into nothingness.
Then, almost as if sensing my presence, the visitors and the twin maids turned their heads toward me.
Their eyes locked onto mine.
I squinted, sharpening my focus. The faces of the guests became clearer, and recognition struck me immediately.
With a rather tall and muscular physique which one would not expect from a man his age. Due to his age, he has long bountiful white hair which is perfectly combed back, suggesting his refinement.
Standing beside him, a demi-human with flax colored hair and yellow eyes, as well as cat ears and a tail. He wore a casual outfit that consists of a blue collar with a ribbon, primarily white dress with a light blue chest with thin white stripes as well as a light blue hem, light blue ribbons with thin white stripes attached to the waist of the dress.
"That Old man, I think he's called the demon sword, Wilhelm.. Wilhelm van Astrea. Which means the femboy with the cat ears is Felix."
Even though I already knew who he was, I still found it hard to process that someone with such delicate, feminine features was, in fact, a guy.
The two of them were staring at me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and mild confusion as they took in the strange, two-wheeled object I was riding.
I could only imagine what they were thinking.
Slowing down, I pressed my feet against the ground, letting the friction drag me to a stop. Dust swirled in the air as I dismounted, casually walking my bike toward them.
Rem stepped forward, her usual calm demeanor unwavering, though I could see the faintest hint of curiosity in her gaze.
"Tanaka-kun!" she called out. Then, her eyes drifted down to my bike. "What is this?"
I patted the handlebars with a satisfied grin. "My newest invention. Oh, and I brought the groceries too." I lifted the bags slightly to emphasize my point before shifting my attention to the guests. "By the way… are they visitors?"
"Yes," Rem nodded, her tone becoming slightly more formal. "This might involve Emilia-Sama's Royal Selection."
I glanced at Wilhelm and Felix, who were still eyeing me with interest.
Sensing the need to introduce myself, I took a step forward and placed a hand over my chest, lowering my head slightly in a polite bow.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," I said, keeping my tone steady and respectful. "My name is Kazuki Tanaka. I am a new servant at this mansion."
When I straightened my posture, I caught a flicker of surprise on the twins' faces.
Rem and Ram hadn't expected me to know proper courtesy.
Their reaction made me smirk internally, but before I could dwell on it—
A sudden presence loomed very close to my face.
"Nyaa~?"
I blinked.
…Did he just say 'Nyaa'?
Felix's cat-like grin was mere inches away from me, his golden eyes twinkling with mischief. His tail swayed lazily behind him as he reached out a hand toward me.
"Interesting," he purred. "Stay still. I want to check something."
I instinctively took a step back, raising an eyebrow.
Felix's playful expression faltered slightly. He tilted his head in confusion, ears twitching.
"Sorry," I said flatly, keeping my distance. "But I prefer maintaining minimal contact and a certain distance from guys."
The moment the words left my mouth, an awkward silence settled over the group.
Felix blinked.
Wilhelm's expression remained unreadable.
Rem, on the other hand—
"What do you mean by 'a guy,' Tanaka-kun?" she asked, tilting her head.
I looked at her, equally confused. "What do you mean, what do I mean? You didn't know?"
Felix let out a small, amused hum before dramatically placing a hand over his chest.
"I don't know what you're talking about, nyaa~" he said in a sing-song tone. "I'm not a boy. What makes you say that?"
I stared at him, deadpan.
"I can feel it… Instinctively."
That was the best way I could explain it.
Ram scoffed. "What a rude thing to say to someone you just met. Are your eyes not working properly?"
I shrugged. "Well, I'm just going to pretend that I'm sorry."
At that, Felix let out an amused chuckle, though I could see a flicker of intrigue in his eyes.
"Anyway," I continued, deciding not to push the subject further, "do you guys need my help with anything?"
Rem shook her head. "My sister and I will be attending to them. There is no need for any more servants."
"I see." I exhaled, stepping back. "Alright, I'll be in my room then. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask."
With that, I turned around, gripping my bicycle's handles as I casually made my way toward the mansion.
…Though, even as I walked away, I could feel Wilhelm's curious gaze still lingering on me.
***************************************************************************************
I climbed the grand staircase, my footsteps echoing through the otherwise quiet halls. Up to the third floor, down the long corridor, until I finally reached my room.
As I stepped inside, I exhaled deeply, letting my body relax for the first time since returning. The air here was still, calm—untouched by the outside world.
Walking toward the window, I pushed aside the curtains and peered outside.
Below, Wilhelm stood by the carriage, methodically wiping its surface with a cloth. The old knight's posture was disciplined, his movements precise. But the moment my gaze fell on him—
He stopped.
Then, as if sensing my stare, he slowly lifted his head.
His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine.
I felt my fingers unconsciously tighten around the curtain.
"Why is that old man staring at me?"
It was the same look he had given me earlier, like he was trying to decipher something. Even standing in front of the mansion, with all the activity around him, his focus was fixed solely on me.
But I refused to let his gaze intimidate me. Without hesitation, I averted my eyes first.
"Well… whatever."
I let the curtain fall back into place and turned away.
I moved to my desk, where my remaining gadgets were neatly arranged. With everything that had been happening, I had barely found time to maintain them. Now seemed as good a time as any.
Pulling out a screwdriver, I carefully began disassembling my laptop, my mind slipping into the familiar comfort of precision work. Each screw, each component, required focus.
I barely noticed the passage of time until movement outside caught my eye.
Glancing up, I saw two figures entering the mansion's gate.
Emilia and Subaru.
Wilhelm greeted them at the entrance with a smile.
I let out a quiet sigh.
"I have a vague idea as to why they're here at a time like this."
An emissary from another camp making a visit—just one week before the start of the Royal Selection.
An alliance, asking a favor or perhaps even wishing their adversary good luck before they embark on their campaign.
It was hard to believe Emilia was one of the candidates. I had time to chat with her on multiple occasions whenever the spirits dragged me along, and she was undeniably a good person. Kind, compassionate, and gentle.
But governing an entire country required more than just being good.
"She said she has her reasons… and honestly, it has nothing to do with me."
With that, I dismissed the thought and returned to my work, appreciating the quiet atmosphere.
That peace lasted for all of five seconds.
Because suddenly—
BANG!
The door to my room flew open.
"Dammit, this sucks!"
I sighed.
There went the quiet atmosphere.
Standing in the doorway, looking as dramatic as ever, was none other than Subaru. His expression was twisted in frustration, his shoulders slumped.
"I've been left behind—both physically and mentally," he groaned, dragging himself into my room.
I ignored him.
Not that it mattered. He continued talking anyway.
It had been a month since Subaru arrived at the mansion. In that time, he had picked up the bare minimum of household chores, learned to read and write at a basic level, and… well, that was about it. His skillset was no better than the village kids helping out at home.
"Well, yeah, I get it," he grumbled, pacing back and forth. "What good would I even be in a discussion between nobles? Let alone one that decides the ruler of an entire country."
"Then if you get it, you should calm down," I muttered, not looking up from my work. "Don't worry. I was sent to my room too."
If he followed Emilia and Rem's wishes, he'd go back to his room to either take a nap or review the writing exercises from last night. As a second-best option, he could go find the shut-in girl hiding somewhere in the mansion to vent his complaints. But since Beatrice was hiding well these days, he had to go with his third and last option.
I stayed silent, still taking the screws off my computer, in order to get it cleaned from the inside.
Subaru frowned.
"Aren't you even a little curious about what's going on?"
"Nope," I said flatly. "Not even a bit. And that should be the case for you, too."
"Come on! It involves Emilia! There's no way I can't be interested!"
I sighed, keeping my hands steady as I dusted off the internal components.
"The last thing in this world—or even in our world—that I want to get involved in is politics."
"That's lame.." Subaru shrugged, finally showing signs of giving up. However, as he noticed something, a mischievous grin appeared on his face that I didn't notice, "Ah! I'm bored, I guess I'm going to the kitchen and make a snack."
"Sure, sure." I barely registered his words, already absorbed back in my work.
A few minutes passed.
I barely noticed Subaru leaving until I heard footsteps outside.
Glancing up, I looked out the window.
Subaru was walking across the mansion grounds, holding a plate, a teapot, and two cups.
I sighed.
"He doesn't listen."
Shaking my head, I turned back to my desk—
And immediately froze.
Something was missing.
My cigarette pack.
My eye twitched.
"That fucker…"
***************************************************************************************
"Waiting outside this whole time must be boring. How about a smoke break?"
The deep voice carried a hint of amusement as Subaru approached, a tray in hand.
Seated atop the driver's perch of the dragon carriage, the old coachman glanced down. His silver brows arched ever so slightly in surprise, his sharp eyes reflecting the dim glow of the evening sky.
They were back outside the mansion, right at the carriage parked by the front gate.
Subaru, still somewhat wary of the massive lizard-like creature harnessed to the carriage, kept his distance as he extended the tray with a half-smile. He looked up at the coachman—a gentleman far too dignified for the title—and noted the man's impeccable posture.
"My apologies," the coachman said, his tone measured and smooth. "I was simply caught off guard. I did not expect such courtesy."
His voice was refined, yet there was a weight behind it, the kind carried by men who had lived through countless battles, though he bore no visible weapons.
With an almost imperceptible motion, the gentleman dismounted from the high seat.
Subaru held his breath.
The drop was at least Subaru's eye level—an abrupt landing should have sent a normal man stumbling. But instead, the old coachman landed without a sound, his motion fluid, seamless.
Damn. The old guy's movement was so precise it felt unnatural.
The gentleman stepped toward the tray Subaru held, inclining his head with effortless elegance.
"I suppose I should present my main offer. How about some tea?"
He initially considered that the old man was the type that you can get closer to when you offer a cigarette and a lighter, a common stereotype in movies.
"I shall take you up on your offer," the old man said, reaching for the cup with a composed air. "I was, in fact, feeling a little parched."
"Oh, no problem," Subaru replied, his grin sharpening. "I wasn't sure about your preferences, so I just went with the most expensive tea available."
As the steaming cup was handed over, the old man's features softened into a faint, knowing smile.
Subaru observed him more closely now.
He was taller than Subaru by a small margin, his full head of stark white hair betraying no signs of thinning. His attire—a sharply tailored black suit—was far too refined for a mere coachman. Straight as a blade, the man carried himself with an effortless regality that felt entirely out of place for someone in his profession.
In short, this was the kind of person whose mere presence made others tense up.
"My ranking of powerful old men in this world just got overturned. Farewell, Old Man Rom. Not that you ever really had a chance to shine."
Despite having a seemingly deep backstory as a giant, Old Man Rom had made an unceremonious exit.
What happened to him after that? Had he hit his head too hard and gotten even more senile? Subaru was slightly worried about that.
"I am merely an old bone. There's no need for you to be on guard."
As Subaru pondered such idle thoughts, the old gentleman calmly spoke.
As he received the teacup and took a sip, he remarked,
"This is quite excellent tea. You must have gone out of your way for this."
"I'm not exaggerating when I say I literally picked the most expensive one. If the pink-haired maid finds out, she'll be seriously pissed."
Ram was surprisingly picky when it came to tea leaves.
If she discovered he had used the mansion's finest, strictly off-limits supply, she would no doubt unleash a proper scolding. However, Subaru thought—
"I technically didn't 'take' the tea leaves out of the kitchen. I brewed the tea inside and then brought it out. That should work, right?"
"Ah, quite the strategist, I see."
"Unfortunately, whether this argument holds up depends entirely on luck."
And the odds were about seventy percent against him. A fool's bet.
Still, he had deemed this tea-drinking conversation worth the risk.
The old gentleman took another sip, exhaled in quiet appreciation, and then,
"So then, what is it that you seek from this old bone, with such fine tea as bait?"
His gaze narrowed, piercing through Subaru with startling precision.
Subaru slumped his shoulders.
"Ugh… Out of everyone I've met, you're the second most difficult to deal with—right after Roswaal."
"It is an honor to be treated the same as Margrave Mathers."
"In short, you're being treated as the equivalent of a pervert, you know? Just now, I was pretty prepared to get yelled at for what I said."
With a composed expression, the remark was easily brushed aside, leaving Subaru feeling once again like he had been thrown off balance. Perhaps "seasoned" was the right word—this man had a depth of life experience that Subaru, still shallow in both knowledge and time, simply couldn't contend with. He was nothing like that big, bald old man from elsewhere.
That being the case, Subaru had only one option left—raising the white flag.
"I surrender. My name is Natsuki Subaru. Currently, I'm serving as an apprentice servant here at the Roswaal mansion. At the very least, may I ask for your name?"
Seeing Subaru bow his head, the gentleman finally relented.
"How very courteous of you. My name is Wilhelm. I currently serve the Karsten family and am under their employ."
Wilhelm—Subaru rolled the name around on his tongue for a moment before speaking.
"Thank you for telling me your name. Since we're on a roll with gratitude, could you at least let me in on the reason for today's visit… no, the details as well?"
"As for that matter, I believe the envoy is currently discussing it inside."
"Yeah, I figured, but I was very smoothly given the 'no participation' treatment. Letting the event proceed without me would be pretty dull, so I thought I'd take my own approach."
Subaru had already gathered that Wilhelm wasn't someone easily made to talk.
But stepping boldly into someone's personal space was one of Subaru's specialties.
Wilhelm regarded him for a moment before letting out a slow breath.
"You take things in stride even when thrown off track. When your intentions are seen through, you don't flinch—you double down. With the wrong opponent, that personality could easily earn you resentment."
At first glance, his words were sharp. But Wilhelm's expression was faintly amused.
This was leniency.
Subaru, sensing the rare opportunity, straightened up.
"Not even a little hint?"
"I don't know your exact position in this household, so I can't speak carelessly. I hope you understand."
Even in the face of Subaru's fairly rude persistence, Wilhelm responded with unwavering politeness, leaving Subaru at a loss. He had no negotiation skills to break through the stubborn will of such a steadfast man.
At this rate, he would just be wasting expensive tea and getting scolded by Ram for nothing—just as he was about to fall into despair—
"However, from what I observed earlier, you seem to have a close relationship with Lady Emilia, one of the royal selection candidates."
"O-oh! Did you notice? You saw me and Emilia-tan having a lovey-dovey, blush-inducing, heart-racing conversation?"
"…Tan?"
Wilhelm raised a curious eyebrow at the peculiar way Subaru addressed her but then chuckled at his all-too-transparent reaction.
"You walk a difficult path. She may very well become the next queen of Lugunica."
"As of now, she's just an unbelievably cute girl, and I'm just a dull servant. The future is limitless—if you get caught up in 'what ifs,' you'll never be able to move forward. Didn't you think your wife might be the most beautiful woman in the world before you married her?"
"My wife—"
At Subaru's extreme argument, Wilhelm hesitated for a moment.
But then, as if something had clicked, he looked Subaru straight in the eye, his gaze carrying a newfound admiration.
"I see, you're right. I too believed my wife was the most beautiful in the world. It felt like everyone had their eyes on her. Thinking I wasn't worthy of her—that was truly disgraceful."
"Right? If you think she's too good for you, then take her before someone else does. Even if she's just barely within reach, you just have to make yourself worthy, step by step, until you're a match. That's the ideal, a win-win."
Lately, that had been Subaru's guiding principle when thinking about his own romantic feelings.
The reason Emilia hadn't noticed the sincerity of his emotions was simply that Subaru himself lacked what it took to make her take them seriously.
In that case, all he had to do was become someone worthy of standing by her side.
"That's why I can't just stay uninvolved with Emilia-tan's affairs. She's already ahead of me, and if I let my guard down, she'll start sprinting away. I'll chase her with everything I've got—but if I can, I'd rather take a shortcut or two."
"You certainly move according to an unusual logic. Quite intriguing. However, I am merely a coachman. I am not deeply informed on these matters, nor do I believe I could be of much help to you."
Wilhelm raised a hand apologetically, shaking his head.
"Is that so? But you did recognize Emilia-tan, even when she was wearing a hood. Doesn't that make the 'just a coachman' excuse a little hard to buy?"
"—…"
At Subaru's blunt words, Wilhelm suddenly went silent, his expression unreadable.
Not missing a beat, Subaru raised a single finger.
"Well, if someone approaches the mansion, you might be able to make an educated guess about who they are. But that's different from being absolutely certain, right? Yet, you immediately recognized Emilia-tan."
"I may have simply met Lady Emilia before."
"If that were the case, she would have greeted you. Emilia-tan loves teaching people about things. It's hard to imagine she wouldn't introduce a friend sitting right next to me. And more importantly—if she was wearing a hood and you still identified her immediately, then your 'just a coachman' story doesn't hold up."
Wilhelm's gaze turned sharp, silently asking Subaru for an explanation.
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Subaru continued.
"The robe Emilia-tan was wearing has some complicated enchantments woven into it. It seems to have a perception-blocking effect. Unless she allows it or someone can override it, they wouldn't recognize her."
Back when he first met her in the royal capital, she had been wearing that same robe.
Now, Subaru understood—she wore it to avoid unnecessary trouble caused by her identity.
The fact that she needed such precautions showed just how harsh this world was toward someone like her.
While Subaru was lost in thought, Wilhelm let out a sigh, shoulders slumping as if in resignation.
"To think you were testing me from the start… You are quite the cunning one."
"I wouldn't go that far. While making tea at the mansion, I just had an 'Isn't this weird?' moment. Pure coincidence."
Still, the fact that he managed to catch onto something was thanks to his own vigilance.
"Dammit, Subaru! Give me back my cigarettes!"
A voice, sharp with irritation, suddenly rang out.
Subaru stiffened.
Wilhelm turned his gaze toward the approaching figure. "It appears your colleague is displeased."
"Yeah… might have something to do with me borrowing more than just expensive tea leaves..." Subaru muttered, slowly pivoting toward the source of the outburst.
"Hey, you said you were quitting anyway!" he protested.
"Yes, I said that. But After I finish the last pack that I have, I will quit."
With an exaggerated sigh, Subaru flicked the pack back toward me. "It's called quitting when you stop doing it, not when your supply runs out."
I caught it mid-air, my fingers automatically checking for any sign of tampering. The plastic seal was still intact—good. I had been saving this for when I really needed a smoke, not for Subaru to bribe people with.
Satisfied, I looked up—only to realize Wilhelm was studying me with quiet amusement. I had momentarily forgotten his presence in my frustration.
I straightened up, bowing slightly. "Apologies, sir. I hope my colleague hasn't troubled you too much."
"On the contrary," Wilhelm replied smoothly, "Your colleague was keeping me company. Ah, and speaking of introductions—I neglected mine earlier. My name is Wilhelm. I serve the Karsten family."
I returned the courtesy, lowering my gaze in respect. "Then I will reintroduce myself. My name is Kazuki Tanaka. I serve as an apprentice servant at this mansion."
"You don't have to be too formal regarding the status."
Wilhelm inclined his head slightly, acknowledging my introduction. "There's no need for such formality."
"Perhaps," I admitted, "but where I come from, treating one's elders with respect is second nature."
"A thoughtful custom," Wilhelm said, his sharp eyes glinting with approval. "I would have enjoyed conversing further, but—"
"—Looks like we're out of time."
"fart?"
Subaru let out a silly voice. Wilhelm silently pursed his lips and gestured towards the mansion.
Following that, I turned around and saw the front door of the mansion open in the distance.
Two figures emerged—Rem, with her usual composed demeanor, and another individual Subaru hadn't yet met.
Judging from the flow of the conversation and Wilhelm's attitude, Subaru came to the conclusion that person was probably the messenger they were talking about.
"How can I put it? This really feels like a fantasy..." he mumbled under his breath
The reason why such an impression came out of his mouth without thinking may have been because the appearance of that person gave off an aura that was completely unsuitable for the word ``messenger.''
When that person noticed Subaru staring at him, he smiled mischievously and came towards him - towards the dragon carriage,
"Hey, hey! Just because there's a beauty here, doesn't mean you should be staring so much—it's rude, you know?"
Subaru blinked.
I, on the other hand, barely stifled a laugh.
As soon as she stood in front of Subaru, she pointed a slender white finger at him and delivered those words with a wink.
The person—likely a messenger—was a girl with a charming face, her flaxen hair trimmed into a neat semi-long cut.
For a female, she was rather tall, standing about the same height as Subaru. However, her delicate frame was nowhere near his in build, giving her an undeniable elegance—more precisely, a radiant girlish charm.
Her flaxen hair was adorned with a white ribbon, and her large eyes sparkled with curiosity, giving her a cat-like adorableness. And, in fact, atop her head were—
"A genuine encounter... A cat-eared character who isn't just a background extra."
"Nyaa?"
At his muttered words, the furry ears atop her head, the same color as her hair, gave a small twitch in response.
Though demi-humans existed in this world, aside from those he'd spotted in the royal capital, Subaru hadn't had any direct contact with them. But now, seeing one up close was truly overwhelming.
After all—
"My inner fluff-loving soul... is yearning for the being before me... Damn it, settle down, my right hand…!"
Just imagining the texture of those soft, fluffy ears was enough to make her presence feel like a deadly poison to Subaru.
Suppressing his trembling right hand with a look of determination, he took a step back, trying to put some distance between them.
She, on the other hand, simply tilted her head in confusion at Subaru's suspicious behavior and said,
"Oh no, did I just get rejected? Felty-chan, big fail~"
She lightly tapped her own head with a fist and stuck out her tongue.
That action sent a chill down Subaru's spine.
—A head tap followed by a tongue-out wink!?
That was a classic, almost mythical 'cutesy girl' move, something rarely seen even in his original world. It was so over-the-top that Subaru had once sworn that if he ever met someone who actually did it, he would slap them on principle.
However—
"Seeing it in person... It's too powerful, I can't do anything…!"
The sheer level of calculated cuteness robbed him of any will to resist. And to make matters worse, it suited her so well that he couldn't even bring himself to complain.
As Subaru trembled with an entirely different kind of fear, the girl gave a silent bow and then turned toward Wilhelm, who had come to greet her.
"I'm back, Old Man Vil. Sorry to keep you waiting outside. You must have been bored, right?"
"Not at all. These gentlemen here were kind enough to keep me company, and I had quite an enjoyable time."
"Fumyu?"
At Wilhelm's words, the girl placed a finger on her cheek in thought. Her cat-like pupils narrowed slightly, and her lips formed a small, stylized 'ω' shape. Then—
A shiver run through my spine as his gaze bounced on me and Subaru, cringing unwillingly.
"Aaah, I see, I see! So you two are the boys Lady Emilia was talking about. I get it now."
She (He) clapped her hands as if she had figured something out and gave Subaru an up-and-down look, as though she were analyzing every inch of him.
Feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, Subaru instinctively covered himself with his arms and twisted his body away.
"Hey, cut that out. Just because I'm a guy doesn't mean I like being stared at like that—it's embarrassing."
"Oh, don't be shy, honey. You've got such a lean, well-toned body. If you weren't already taken, I'd be tempted to have a taste myself."
As Subaru jokingly protested, the girl played along, wiggling her fingers suggestively.
I remained silent, arms crossed, watching Subaru walk straight into the lion's cage—unknowingly.
I had no plans on warning him.
This was payback for being a pain in my ass.
Normally, Subaru would've jumped at the chance to banter with a cute girl like this, but—
"For some reason... I just don't feel up for it. What is this feeling…? Something instinctual?"
It wasn't exactly disgust, but his body was sending him clear warnings.
"It's probably your imagination," I said dryly, watching the scene unfold.
The mischievous glint in the girl's eyes made it obvious—This kind was Subaru's natural enemy.
But he was a guy.
Like a slug before salt. A frog before a snake. Subaru was always the weaker one in this equation.
Because of that, he couldn't act as recklessly as he usually did.
Meanwhile, completely undeterred, she stepped in closer, extending her arms—
Then, She gently wrapped them around Subaru's neck, pulling him into an embrace.
But he was a guy.
"Ugh, wha—huh!?"
"Stay still. I just need to check something."
Since they were nearly the same height, her face was right beside his. Her voice tickled his ear, sending shivers through his entire body.
But he was a guy.
Subaru's face turned red from the unexpected contact.
Then, glancing around desperately for help, his eyes landed on Rem standing by the mansion's entrance.
Even from a distance, he could tell that her usual work expression had somehow gotten even colder.
Her mouth moved silently, forming words, and though there had never been any official code between them, Subaru instantly understood what she was saying—
"I'm going to tell Lady Emilia."
"Please don't—!!"
His survival instincts kicked in, and Subaru immediately pulled the girl (Although it's a guy) away. Not roughly—just firmly placing his hands on her shoulders and pushing her back.
Ironically, it was Subaru who ended up stumbling backward and landing on his butt.
Felix's gaze flickered toward me.
A mischievous glint. A step forward.
I frowned and took a step back, ensuring our distance remained intact.
"My stance earlier still stands," I muttered.
Felix pouted playfully but made no further advances.
"I just wanted to check the flow of water inside your body," he said with a dramatic sigh, placing a hand over his chest as if I had truly wounded him. "But I guess we'll have to wait for another time to properly diagnose it..."
'Flow of Water?'
He left that cryptic remark hanging, then stretched his arms above his head and turned back toward Wilhelm.
"Anyway, let's hurry back to dear Crusch-Sama, Old Man Vil. If we keep her waiting too long, who knows what she might do?"
"It was a pleasure," he said, shifting his gaze between me and Subaru, he added, "Well then, Tanaka-dono, Subaru-dono, I wish you both good health."
With that, Wilhelm lightly leaped onto the coachman's seat, took hold of the reins, and prepared to command the lizard.
As Subaru silently watched him leave, the girl pressed her hands together as if in prayer and said, "I haven't even properly introduced myself yet, but I'm busy, so sorry about that, okay?"
She left behind a practiced wink and turned toward the dragon carriage. Subaru instinctively reached out, wanting to stop her, the questions in his mind threatening to spill from his lips—
"Wait! I have tons of things I need to ask—"
"I think you'd be better off asking Emilia-Sama directly. Well then, if fate allows, let's meet again in the royal capital. Bye-bye!"
She (He) cut off his questions completely, leaving only a smile as she (He) climbed into the dragon carriage.
The carriage then rumbled forward, kicking up a light cloud of dust as its passengers disappeared down the road.