"You're going to the royal capital, right? Well I'm going, too!"
With the guest having gone home, those in the reception room were able to
breathe a sigh of relief—an atmosphere thoroughly shattered with a single
sentence out of Subaru's mouth.
"You seeee?" Roswaal's grin drew a fatigued response from Emilia.
"I suppose I do…"
Subaru wore a sullen expression at being left out of their exchange, which
prompted Emilia to let out a sigh. "Just so you know, I'm not going there to play
around. This is an important summons…very important."
"It's the royal selection stuff, right? I know, I know, it's a big enough deal to
shake the whole kingdom up and everything, but I'm begging ya, take me,
pleeease?" Subaru knelt on the carpet and brought his hands together in a
desperate plea.
Emilia seemed conflicted as she surveyed the reactions of the others in the
room. However—
"Ah, do not mind meee, I would say you are free to choose as you desiiire."
"This aroma… It can't be! Ram's treasured tea leaves?! Barusu is truly capable
of anything…!"
Roswaal washed his hands of the situation, grinning all the while. Ram, on the
other hand, was preoccupied with shock at a sudden discovery about
something, and barely registered Emilia's predicament.
And Rem, the final person, said, "Taking him along is fine, isn't it? It seems
that Subaru has acquaintances in the royal capital. He should visit them so they
can rest easy." Until recently, Rem could be relied on to offer the most sensible
opinions, but now she was solidly in Subaru's corner.
"Ooh, nice assist there! Rem, Reeem, come over here!"
"Yes!"
Answering Subaru's call with a flower-like smile, Rem sat beside him and
offered her head. Subaru began to stroke her hair with a clearly practiced hand,
making sure he would not mess it up. Rem's obvious pleasure helped Emilia
realize she had no allies in this argument.
"In the first place, what do you intend to do by coming, Subaru? There'll be a
really important meeting about the royal selection, so I'll have my hands too full
to deal with you at all. On top of that, in a real sense, this meeting is different
than all the previous ones…"
"That's even more reason to go. I'll cry if I'm not involved at all in the critical
moment that might make Emilia-tan into royalty, even if it's way off on the
edge of things."
"That's why I can't bring you. If you go with me, you'll try too hard again for
sure. I don't want to make you do such a thing. Understand?"
"You're the one who doesn't understand, Emilia. If trying too hard can help
you, then I want to try too hard, see?"
"I…don't…"
With bewilderment in Emilia's eyes as she murmured, an awkward silence fell
over the reception room. It was Roswaal who broke the unpleasant mood with
a clap of his hands.
"Yes, yeees, that is far enough. It seems this conversation is not maaaking any
headway, so let us wrap things up. I have decided that Subaru shall accompany
you to the capital. This is my command to him as his employer."
"Roswaal?!"
Roswaal completely bowled over Emilia's hesitance. As shock made itself plain
in her expression, Subaru raised a thumb in approval.
"Yesss! You said it, Rozchi!"
"Howeeever, Subaru is going to the capital strictly for medical reasons. All
matters pertaaaining to the royal selection are striiictly separate. Understand?"
"Huh? Medical…reasons?"
Subaru raised his eyebrows at the unexpected addition. He noticed that
Rem's face, still resting against his shoulder, tensed slightly. Emilia wore a
pained expression as well.
"In the course of your battle with the demon beasts, your abuse of magic ran
your gate dry. Even if your physical wounds have healed, treating this affliction
is a different matter. Surely you have noticed this yourself, have you nooot?"
"…Just 'cause you say I'm in bad shape because of some invisible thing
doesn't mean—"
Emilia cut in. "Subaru. Mana circulating through the body is the lifeline of
every living creature. When that flow stagnates, it retards the circulation of the
very essence of life… Please, don't try to hide it."
As Wilhelm had pointed out, he was still experiencing the aftereffects of his
physical wounds, like his limbs feeling heavier than they should. Subaru scowled
at having been found out so easily, but he couldn't just brush off Emilia's plea.
"I know my body's in rough shape. So how is healing it connected to the royal
capital?"
Rem replied, "Because you need a top-quality healer to treat it. Subaru, did
you meet the messenger?"
"You mean the cat-eared girl? To be honest, not the type I want to bump into
again, really."
"That messenger is an especially accomplished user of water magic, even by
the staaandards of the capital. With such skill, it is no doubt possible to restore
your health. As the child has various quirks, Lady Emilia went through quite
some trouble toooo negotiate for cooperation…"
"Roswaal, wait a…! That's…"
Roswaal, who'd apparently "slipped up" on purpose, feigned indifference to
Emilia's indignation.
"…Emilia-tan, seriously? For my sake?"
Emilia blushed furiously as she raced down her list of excuses.
"I-I mean, it's partly my fault that you're not fully healed, Subaru. You wound
up at the mansion because you shielded me… And I should really have done
something about the demon beasts, but you did that in my place. So this is
paying you back, or compensating you for your loss, however you want to look
at…"
"Look, I know you're hiding your gratitude because you're embarrassed, but
you don't have to put it like that!" Subaru wore a wry smile as he crossed his
arms. "Sounds like you're all for me going to the royal capital. Why are you
acting like you're against it?"
"Because if I just came out and asked, you'd get carried away and do
something crazy. I know what kind of mischievous rascal you are…"
"No one says 'mischievous rascal' anymore…"
Subaru murmured his retort as he pressed his hand to his neck. Emilia stuck
out her tongue at him and the meeting drew to a close.
"Weeeell then, the matter is settled. Subaru shall accompany you on your trip
to the royal capital. Preparations will require about one day, so departure shall
be the morning after tomorrow—is this acceeeptable?"
Roswaal's firm words were met by assorted replies from all assembled in the
reception room.
"Haaah, I understand." "No objections!" "—As you command, Master
Roswaal."
And so, the plan for the Roswaal household's visit to the royal capital was
established.