I'm starting to hate that damn cat too.
Seriously Emilia, you are pretty girl you need to-
"I LoVe YoU"
I feel the blood in my veins freeze, a hollow sensation gripping my heart. My hand shoots to my chest, my lips feel as if they are touching a block of ice. I gag.
"Alex?"
I can hear Emilia call out to me, but I can't seem to focus on her. It was a very unpleasant and foreign sensation. I don't know what is happening but I... I... I feel...
"Alex! Alex!"
My body was shaking as I glanced up. I have fallen to my knees on the ground without even realizing it. Cold sweat was drenching my body. Emilia was at my side, her expression filled with concern and worry.
"E-Emi?"
"Alex! Are you okay?" She asked me with evident worry "What happened?"
"I..." I swallowed a bile that threatened to spill from my throat. Closing my eyes, I tried my best to dismiss the nausea I was feeling by shaking my head "I... don't know..." I rasped out
"You... don't know?" Emilia was confused as well, however that seems not to be the only thing worrying her "Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere? You were standing just a moment ago but suddenly..."
"I don't know." I tried controlling my breathing as best as I could. "I was fine a moment ago but then... suddenly I felt sick."
"Sick?" Emilia sounded more concerned now "Let me check on you."
She didn't give me a chance to refuse, raising her hands to touch my head in an instant. I could feel a warm, pleasant sensation pressed to my forehead, flowing through my body.
"I... can't find anything wrong with you." Emilia said after a moment of silence "Your Gate seems fine, so does your body..."
"I see..." I murmured, taking a few deep calming breaths "You sure Emi?"
"I don't know. I maybe can use the healing arts but..." Emilia bit her lips "I'm not nearly a Master, I don't detect anything wrong with you and..."
"It's fine then." I said as I allowed myself to relax on the ground "Perhaps I'm just exhausted from training."
"Alex." Emilia faces a mixture of slight irritation and concern "Don't lie to me, we both know it must be more than that."
Let it be said, while Emilia's may lack common sense, she is far from stupid.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I assure you I don't know what just happened." I replied "Right now, that is the only explanation I have for you." I pushed myself to stand, stumbling slightly. She was there in a flash, steadying me by the arm, helping me stand.
"Don't force yourself Alex." She said, still concerned.
"Yeah." I chuckled as I untangled myself from her "Thanks Emi, but I'm fine now."
"Are you? Really?"
"No, not completely. I still feel sick but not as badly as before." I said honestly "Do not fret Emi, perhaps a bath and breakfast will make me feel better."
I shoot her the best look saying "I'm fine". I don't need her to worry about me. I don't have to worry about her, but I don't want Puck checking me out. That could quickly turn into a major problem.
Cute as he may look, I know what beasts lurks beneath the seemingly innocent cat. The moment Emilia dies, he will start killing everything, no matter how close you where to him. Subaru was once again a great example of this. Despite the good rapport he had with the spirit, he was still cut mercilessly cut down. Puck does not may not have a choice in the matter, his contract does state that he has to destroy the world should Emilia die, but...
He could have at least choose to spare the already broken Subaru, or at least save him for the last.
It was true killing him at that point might have been a blessing, but that doesn't change that fact that it was still wrong.
"You sure Alex?" Emilia asked again, her worried expression never changing.
"I'm sure. I'll retire early if you don't mind Emi. I want to take a bath to clear my mind."
I need to figure out what has just happened to me. The sooner I do, the better.
***
"Alex-sama, may I boldly ask what you have done to my sister?"
Alex stared at her, face blank for moment "You do realize you're not asking for permission right? You instantly jump to the accusations." He dryly pointed out.
"Ah, as expected from Alex-sama, he quick on to caught Ram's wise words." Ram said, shamelessly praising the man and herself at same time.
"I did not do anything to Rem." Alex shrugged, swirling brown liquid inside his cup around. It was just a few hours after breakfast and the boy was in the mood for tea. To his surprise it was Ram and not Rem who served him "Lets just say, there was a... moment between us yesterday. I'm also surprised she didn't seem... burdened by my presence this morning."
No shit, just remembering this morning's events is enough to make Alex blush. To think Rem saw what a mess he was this morning. He really is not a morning person...
Well, at least it wasn't Ram. God knows she would never let him live that down.
"Ram is disappointed." Her voice was blank "
Did Alex-sama's lust over blue has get to the point-"
"I DID NOT molest her!" Alex snapped, eye twitching in irritation "Seriously, Ram, you should have a better opinion of me. I am, after all, a gentleman. Unlike this disrespectful underling, going around accusing guests of the manor."
Ram's eye twitched, but her voice remained smooth "Forgive Ram then Alex-sama, for speaking her mind. This one can't help her feelings, since Alex-sama himself admitted to being two-faced."
She did have a point there, but I refused to back down. "And what does that have to do with anything? I would never harm her. Aren't your accusations based only on your own fragmented mind?"
In response, Ram stared at him, long and hard "Rem's cheeks were red this morning."
'Fuck!' Alex instantly screamed inside his head.
Points for today: Alex: 0, Ram : 1
"After all, this mansion has only one resident with an obsession for blue and soft, tender flesh."
"You make me sound like some hardcore sexual deviant." Alex sighed and rubbed his temples "I'll have you know, what happened was an accident."
"The guilty one always says so."
Knowing when he lost, he wisely decided to stay silent. Poor Rem's cheeks were rather red this morning, after all. At least it seems she didn't tell Ram about what actually happened.
"And while Ram admits Rem is adorable, please note that Rem is Ram's little sister. Please kindly don't take someone else's belongings Alex-sama."
'Double fuck!' Alex added internally. He did not even try to hide his facepalm. He should have known Rem would tell Ram about his little sister, or at least about this morning's events. "I don't have any perverted or impure intentions toward Rem. You don't need to worry Ram."
"Is what the molester said to his victim." Ram said in a monotone, but the hint of glee and smug satisfaction in her eyes was visible.
"..."
In response Alex only closed his eyes before chugging down his tea like it was beer.
Alex: 0, Ram: 2
Ram saw this, raising the teapot "Shall Ram refill your drink Alex-sama?" She offered, usually dull voice turning sweet and polite, as if enjoying something pleasant.
"Yes." Alex accepted while giving her his cup. Ram gladly took it and began pouring the drink. He contemplated a way to pay her back, there was no way he was going to let her go like this. When he thought of something, his mouth unfortunately was faster than his brain. "Are you jealous of Rem?"
PRANG!
Both cup and plate slipped from her grip, shattering on the floor. The look she gave him was of pure disbelief. It spelled "I don't believe you are stupid enough to ask me that."
Despite its insulting nature, Alex found it priceless
Alex: 1, Ram: 2
And now for the finishing touch.
"You broke the pot and glass." He commented with a fake displeased voice "Such clumsy behavior is unfitting for a maid of Lord Rose's house."
While her glare promised pain, she was momentarily unable to find a proper response to return fire.
Alex : 2, Ram : 2
"That expression just makes your face ugly, you know?" Alex continued to tease her as he relaxed deeper into his chair.
If look could kill, he would have died a painful death. Nonetheless, she didn't say anything as she gathered up the broken dishes from the floor.
Seeing this, Alex closed his eyes and shook his head. He kneeled in front of Ram, helping her pick up the shards.
"I apologize, that was low even for me." He apologized sincerely, making the pink haired maid blink "I... let just say I did not have the best morning today and it's still influencing me." He sighed aloud.
He did not lie. After the incident in the backyard this morning he tried his best to figure out what has happened to him. Digging into his memories, trying his best to find what he did in last few days and comparing it with the knowledge of Re:Zero he still remembers.
He did get some results... But as he expected, they were not pleasant...
That passionate voice... That affectionate voice... That deranged voice...
It came from a dream...
He doesn't remember much about the dream itself. It was unclear and random, multiple visions badly stirred together. It was so abstract, he spend almost an hour just trying to remember it...
It come from Her
From that silver haired half elf woman...
Despite the mist and smoke that clouding his memory, he still remembered that loving smile and those passionate eyes. Love going to the point where Alex doubted the sanity of its owner.
Only one person he knew of would have such characteristics.
'Why the hell did I meet Satella?!' He shuddered as he recalled the half elf's voice. Or was that the Witch of Envy? As far as he recalled, Satella was still sane, while the Witch was anything but.
Subaru met Satella or the Witch of Envy after he died. Not instantly, only after a few. But him? He did not even come close to dying yet!
So how and why?
"Here." Alex said as he placed one holy coin in Ram's tray "I'm sorry I caused you to break them, take that as payback. You can have more if it's not enough."
Ram stared at the holy coin in her tray before turning to him "One more coin."
"... May I ask for the details of the price?"
"No."
Alex sighed and placed one more holy coin on the tray. There goes 538 SGD, used just to buy new teapots and cups. Then again, They did belong to Roswaal, the most famous magician in Lugnica. Perhaps the price was indeed this high.
"And one more for the trip to the shop."
"You're just trying to squeeze me dry aren't you?" He deadpanned "How in the name of the Drag do you need one holy coin just to get to the capital? I'm sure the price is probably at most one gold or ten silver."
"There's exchange fees." Ram said flatly
"Fine." Alex sighed aloud as he gave her one more holy coin. There goes 269 SGD, and he was thinking of saving money just in case he needed it.
Ram stared at the money on her tray with her usual stoic expression before tilting her head "Ram is surprised. Alex-sama really paid for it."
"I don't know what impression you have of me, but I always take responsibility for my actions." Alex replied with a flat look "If I'm the one who caused it, then I won't run, no matter what."
His father and mother taught him from a young age to always act responsibly. No matter what, always be responsible. True, he may bend a rule here and there, but he will always stand up for his actions.
"Ram sees... Alex-sama does have some personality traits fitting a knight." Ram commented after a moment of silence.
"What can I say?" Alex chuckled with a shrug "I am training to become one after all."
Ram did not make any further comments, though her stare seemed to become more analytic than before. Sensing this, Alex shook his head and leaned back in his seat.
"Rem might have already told you this, let me repeat it directly to you. I don't have any ill intentions towards you and Rem." He said at ease "As matter of fact, I swear that I won't do any harm to you two." He truly meant that he had no intention to hurt either of them. As long as they did not try to make a move on him, like they did with Subaru, then they will be fine.
Even though he doubted that Ram could do anything against him, with his Magic Resistance. Rem could still very well be dangerous to him. He was not a fan of having his head bashed in even if chances of something like that happening are nearly none with my power..
"Ram believes in Alex-sama."
Alex blinked, his face showing surprise. The unexpected response by the pink haired oni left him speechless.
"But that doesn't mean Alex-sama still can't harm Ram or Rem." Ram spoke, voice stoic and blank.
"... You're right, even if I swear that I won't harm you. I'm sure it could still happen, one way or another." Alex replied after a moment of silence. It's just logical, people always promise to never harm their beloved, but in the end, they will do, they always do "We, creatures of emotion are foolish creatures after all." He chuckled in a melancholic manner "But I can promise you this Ram, I will never, ever harm you two for my own pleasure or satisfaction, unless you or someone else forced me to."
Ram stared at him, long and hard. Alex returned the gaze with equal intensity.
"Ram... Will hold you to that promise, Alex-sama." Ram said after a moment of silence. "No, Ram will hold you to that oath."
"Please do so." Alex replied in a stoic voice "And remind me if I am about to break it."
"Ram will."
Time seemed to stop moving for a moment, as the Knight and Oni stared at each other.
"Alex-sama..." Ram broke the ice, voice solemn and grave.
"Yes?" Alex inquired, eyes locked onto her with anticipation.
"Alex-sama is good looking. But Ram's loyalty and heart belong solely to Roswaal-sama, so please stop trying to seduce Ram with that face."
...
...
...
...
...
...
"Ram..."
"Yes, Alex-sama?"
"You win this round alright."
"Ram doesn't know what Alex-sama is talking about."
He would have bought her words, if not for the smug smirk on her face.
"Don't get too confident, I won on both previous days. I am still in the lead."
"This Ram doesn't know what Alex-sama is talking about, but Ram can assure you that "losing" is not in her dictionary." Challenge accepted!
"We will see Ram, we will see." Bring it on woman!
***
"I see... so this land, and the village near us are technically owned by Rose." Alex commented while rubbing his chin in a thoughtful manner.
"Yes." Rem nodded in confirmation "Although Roswaal-sama is wealthy enough to afford more land, he chose to save his money for magical books or metia."
'Well, since he didn't need it in the first place it's not so strange.' Alex thought, his mind wandering to the clown mage. As he recalled, the man was obsessed with his master, Echidna the Witch of Greed. He was not interested in anything that wouldn't help him free the sealed witch.
Lugnica was ruled by over a hundred different noble families, each governing over different sized portions of land. While some of their territories were huge, others were surprisingly tiny. He supposed the Lords of Lugnica were either not that greedy, or just too plain incompetent to care for a larger population.
When he asked Rem about this, it turned out to actually be a mixture of both. Apparently some noble amassed so much land, he was not able to keep track of everything anymore. He overlooked to set up some important barriers, attracting a large pack of Mabeasts -or also known as Demon Beast- that ravaged the whole area. Many people died in the resulting chaos.
Others were too smart for their own good. They got wealthy too fast and turned to corruption. When their crimes became apparent, the royal guards tended to handle the situation. Let's just say those nobles are no longer among the living.
Since then, many nobles did not try to get their hands on more land, choosing to rule over smaller portions, lest it become their downfall. In Alex's opinion, they saw Lugnicas bad condition, and recognized the kingdoms council would be keeping a closer eyes on everything. The kingdoms nobles would be stupid to try anything under their watchful gaze.
"Did you get everything so far, Alex-sama?"
"Yes Rem." Alex nodded as he leaned back in his seat "And once again, I learned a lot thanks to you." He gave a small grin to the blue haired maid "You're really good at this, aren't you?"
"Rem doesn't think she did that great of a job. Alex-sama is just that smart, he easily caught everything Rem explained."
"You sell yourself short." Alex brushed the comment off easily "You are good at what you do, accept the praise, seriously."
Rem did not say anything but gave a nod of appreciation to him.
Alex stared at her before letting out a small breath and smiled "You're that type aren't you?" he asked.
The blue haired oni blinked "Pardon?"
Alex leaned towards the table, resting his head on his palm "A small lesson Rem, consider this as payback for being kind and willing to teach me." He said as he raised two fingers "Alright, let's get to the basics. Rem, in the world, no matter what, be it demihuman or human, there are two types of person."
"Two types?"
"Geniuses and those who work hard." Alex said, aware that Rem's fingers gave a brief twitch. He ignored it and continued "Geniuses, well, are just that. They are those who are blessed with talent. Where others struggle they can easily perceive and complete any task given to them. And it does not just end there. They often end up growing beyond what anyone expects, exceeding every expectation."
Rem's mind briefly wandered back to her childhood. Her big sister used to be hailed as a prodigy without equal, destined to surpass any expectation.
"Then on the other hand, there's hard workers." Alex allows a smile to grace his lips while saying this "Those who are labeled as ordinary, can't do anything, not special, normal. To put it bluntly, they are the common people who you see every day. Compared to geniuses, their numbers are too overblown. They are often seen as burdens, holding back the prodigies." He noted how Rem fingers twitched again and this time he also saw her body stiffened slightly
"However..."
Rem looked up when the man paused, her eyes focused on the handsome blondes smile.
"Those are the best people to exist."
"... Huh?" Rem blinked, confusion evident on her face "Rem does not understand. What does Alex-sama..."
"The geniuses are, in a word, perfect. But tell me, who do you find more appealing? Someone who honestly works for his achievements, or somebody who just effortlessly succeeds at anything he touches?"
Rem was silent for a moment. The answer was obviously the second. No matter what, it was clear to her the second option resulted in the best and most efficient outcome. So she gave him her answer "The second."
Alex's smile never changed, still plastered on there. He was expecting Rem to give such an answer "Rose is important to you, correct? So is Ram."
"Yes." Rem's answer was instant, clean and firm. As if it was a mantra carved to her very soul the moment she was born.
"Then ask both of them that question." Alex replied "Tomorrow morning, ask both of them, and the next night, tell me your opinion about their answer."
"... Rem doesn't understand what Alex-sama is trying to do here." Rem's eyes narrowed in suspicion "But Rem will do so."
Alex's smile turned to grin at that "Good! You do that!"
Rem nodded to him "Is there anything else Alex-sama?"
"... I want to go to the village tomorrow." He said, making the girl blink "I'm bored here, it has been three days. Besides, I never go out to the village."
Rem pursed her lips at that, contemplating her decision "Rem will inform Roswaal-sama about this. Rem plans to go to the village tomorrow to resupply."
"Good! Then can you wake me a bit later tomorrow? I want to rest for the trip." He said "And please inform Emi that I won't be training tomorrow if you happen to see her."
"Yes Alex-sama." Rem replied with a bow "Then, Rem shall excuse herself."
With that the maid exited the room, leaving Alex alone. He turned to stare at the moon and stars shining down on the World.
'Tomorrow... tomorrow is the day. Let's see how things play out.'
***
"Alright everyone, straighten your backs, hold firmly onto your sticks, and follow me! HYAH!"
""""HYAH!""""
Rem stared with a mixture of fascination and uncertainty at the scene in front of her. The villagers, mostly the children and the teenagers there were even some older men and women- all swinging sticks and wooden swords like soldiers in training.
And in front of them, the one that was responsible for the ruckus, was none other than the man who was supposed to accompany her.
"Good cry!" He praised "However, some of you still don't move like you are supposed to! Come on, try again! This is for your own health and wellbeing!" He yelled to them "Swing with me!" He raised the wooden sword and swung it down perfectly "HYAH!"
""""HYAH!""""
"Good! Come on! Ten more swings like that! HYAH!"
""""HYAH!""""
Rem did not expect to see anything like this when she returned from her shopping. When they entered the village for the first time the man seemed fascinated by it. While he was busy looking around he made no attempt to talk to anyone and the villagers seemed hesitant to approach him.
It clearly was because he was clad in his armor instead of his usual black coat and red shirt. Rem herself must admit that Alex looked very elegant in his armor. The way he walked, and the way he schooled his facial features, it clearly screamed of Royalty. He was almost like a King, making others hesitant to approach him.
Not in a bad way of course, but rather in a good way.
She left him alone for barely forty minutes, buying food and other necessities. How did he manage to gather and coordinate this many people, strangers at that, in such a short period of time?
"Alex-niisama look! Look! I left a mark on this piece of lumber!"
"Hoo, pretty impressive swing, Luka."
"I have experience helping my dad! He is the best lumberjack in the whole village!"
"I see, keep doing this and I'm sure you will reach his skill soon!"
"Of course Alex-niisama!"
The boy, Luka seems so happy by the praise given from the charming blonde.
"Alex-niisama I designed these clothes."
"Hmm, this is quite an exquisite design. A bit crude, but you sure have talent."
"Really? I made this for you! I'm sure it will look good!"
"Huh? But I'm male Petra, this is a dress..."
"Alex-niisama is h-handsome and cool! B-But I think Alex-niisama will be pretty in a dress too!"
"... I... I see... I... appreciate the compliment."
It wasn't hard for Rem to see that the girls, children as well as teenagers, were charmed instantly by his good looks. And Alex himself seems to be quite content with their presence.
"Ahh, it feels refreshing to move around like that." An old woman commented while the sweat from her forehead.
"Indeed, it's been a while since I moved these old bones with such force." An Old man close to her replied with a smile, "It's tiring, but somehow I feel refreshed and happy."
"Sport and exercise are healthy." Alex said with a lecturing look "Shouting out loud also raises your spirit. Even if you're old, that doesn't change the fact that you are still more than capable of taking care of yourself!"
"True, true. Very wise words from someone your age, Alex-kun." The old man praised me with a smile.
"Wise, good looking, charming, gentle and good with children. Ahh, if only I were thirty years younger." The old woman let out a dreamy sigh while holding her cheek "I wouldn't mind one or two rides with you."
***
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