In the sibling issue, it was revealed that Ram, who had lost her sister's memories, was useless, but that she was still trying to be a "good big sister," and time just passed with no developments in the situation.
"Even so, isn't Ram a bit cold-hearted?"
"Don't say that. Ram has her own way of thinking… She's known those two longer than we have, so I think that's the difference."
As they walked down the mansion's corridors, Emilia gave a wry smile as Subaru pouted.
As Subaru leaves Rem's bedroom with Ram and is on his way to a debriefing session, the words Ram had left behind before they parted ways come to Subaru's mind.
"What about Garf and Frederica's relationship? I think it's probably best to just leave them alone. They're not children after all... Garf may be a brat, but he's not thoughtless. Even if his thoughts often don't hit the mark. The two of them will sort out their relationship."
It's a rather merciless assessment of Garfiel, who has feelings for her.
To Ram, Garfiel may be like a younger brother. A cute affection - although to call it that would be too violent and passionate.
Even Garfiel would have a hard time if he fell in love with someone who was too strong-willed.
"--? What? What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. I was just reflecting on myself and realizing that Garfiel isn't the only one with high walls."
"--?"
Emilia tilts her head with a cute face.
She hated how her head seemed to have no idea what Subaru was saying and what he was looking at her with. That aside, she could forgive it, but that's what they call the weakness of being in love.
"Even so, if Ram is no good… who should I consult next?"
"Eh? Are you still not going to give up and keep trying?"
"Well, obviously. It hasn't resolved anything, and he stumbled on the very first step, so he's given up and doesn't have a shred of manliness. I'm sure you want to improve the relationship between those two, Emilia-tan, too, right?"
"That's true… but, since Ram, the leading expert on the two, said so, I think it's best to do so."
"Time may solve the issue if we leave it alone, but don't forget that it's been ten years since Garfiel and the others parted ways. It would be terrible if it took them another ten years to make up. I want to work on it from the outside and make them get along quickly."
Subaru insists on continuing with the plan, as Emilia seems slightly overwhelmed by Ram's words. Of course, he wants to ensure that the two of them make up, but he also doesn't want to miss this opportunity to devote himself to something with Emilia.
After all, no matter how Subaru behaved in this case, there was no possibility of it escalating into a violent conflict. Could there ever be a more relaxed attitude towards trial and error?
"What's wrong? Why are you suddenly grinning like that..."
"Well, I thought it would be nice to be able to worry without risking my life. It's amazing! No matter what the outcome is, no one will die and no one will bleed."
"Subaru…"
Seeing Subaru giving a thumbs up and flashing his teeth, Emilia made a very pitiful face.
Subaru reflected on what he had said, wondering if he had said something strange, then he was shocked at how brutal and inappropriate his request had been, and how modest it was.
"That's not it, Emilia-tan."
"It's fine. It must have been really hard for you. I'm sorry I didn't understand. Hey, you know, Subaru, why don't you go back to your room and get some rest today..."
"No, that's not good, that's the reaction when someone doesn't understand!"
Subaru exclaims as Emilia looks at him with kind eyes.
And so, the two of them were having this exchange.
"...I thought they were quite noisy, so I wondered what the hell you two were doing."
A sigh mixed with an exasperated voice. Turning towards the source of the voice, Subaru noticed a girl in an extravagant dress standing there - Beatrice.
The girl walking down the hallway stopped to look at Subaru and the others as they exchanged words, her adorable face furrowing her brow.
"It's good that you two get along so well. I could almost hear you two arguing from opposite sides of the mansion."
"That's a sarcastic statement, dude. If you feel lonely being left out, just say so. Let's rack our brains together over our deep discussion topics."
"Who was feeling lonely being the odd one out?! That's just selfish of you to say that!"
Beatrice arrogantly crossed her short arms, her cheeks flushed red with indignation. Subaru and Emilia looked at each other and burst out laughing at her ``too typical'' attitude.
It had been about a week since Subaru and Beatrice had made a contract with each other and teamed up as spiritists. However, it wasn't as if their relationship had changed dramatically.
Subaru continues to tease Beatrice, and Beatrice overreacts to him. Their relationship is an endless cycle of the same old exchanges.
However, since losing the Forbidden Library, there have been more scenes where Beatrice is seen going out normally, and she has occasionally been seen holding Subaru's hand as if she remembered.
"Even though you said that, you missed me so much that you came over to hold my hand, right? Damn, this girl is so stubborn."
"Please stop misinterpreting Betty's actions as if she had some strange intention behind them. I'm sure there must have been some unavoidable reason why she was in contact with you…Subaru."
"The way you start to say 'you' but then correct yourself is so cute."
"Subaru."
Before Beatrice's face could turn red, Emilia scolded her. Subaru stuck out his tongue and apologized to Emilia, then held out his hand to Beatrice.
Beatrice placed her fingers on the outstretched palm as if to pinch it lightly, then, as if reconsidering her decision, timidly grasped it again with her small palm. That was Beatrice's usual gesture.
The sensation of someone else's tiny fingers on his palm. A ticklish, tingly sensation, that was the fruit of what Subaru had so desperately sought.
However, this time there was no response, and Beatrice simply looked down at Subaru's outstretched palm in a hesitant manner.
"What's wrong? I wash my hands after using the toilet."
"It's not like I was particularly worried about that, but the thought of that possibility flickering around in the future just made me feel really bad! And it's not that..."
Beatrice glared at Subaru's unnecessary remark and looked behind her. As she tilted her head at his attitude, she heard the answer from the other side of the corridor.
"Beatrice, where did you go?"
From the other side of the corridor - from around the corner - came a voice searching for the girl in front of him. The high-pitched voice was filled with affection and affection.
And yet, Beatrice, who was the one being spoken to, jumped her shoulders,
"Mew!"
He let out a cry like a small animal, then his eyes darted to a nearby room. Then, as Subaru and the others looked at each other with wide eyes, he popped his head out from a gap in the door,
"You'll answer that Betty wasn't here. I beg you."
"Hey"
"Did I ask you to?"
With a firm assurance, the door closed without making a sound. Subaru shrugged, wondering what was going on, and Emilia frowned in confusion. Then,
"Ah! Subaru!"
The girl turned a corner in the hallway and came running towards me, her face brightening.
A girl with reddish brown hair, Petra, came trotting up to us, her long hem fluttering in a freshly put-out maid outfit.
Petra was also one of the people who had become troublesome at the Roswaal Mansion following its fire. Subaru had tried to persuade her to return to the village, given the danger of continuing to be involved, but she would not listen.
She is currently helping out with chores at this mansion, just like Frederica, and is devoting herself to learning the skills of a maid. She is a highly ambitious and reliable girl.
As if to supplement Subaru's inner thoughts, Petra came running up to Emilia and bowed politely to her,
"My apologies, Lady Emilia. I apologize for speaking out loud."
And this is the attitude.
The girlishness she had shown towards Subaru a moment ago had vanished, and Emilia was left wide-eyed by her self-aware behaviour as a maid.
"Eh, ah, I'm fine. Don't worry. I'm not in pain."
"Emilia-tan, please don't suffer."
The fact that she has little experience to be respected is also something that Emilia faces as a future challenge.
Anyway, leaving aside that sweet, little exchange for the moment,
"So, what's the matter, Petra? Did something happen?"
"No, that's not it... I thought I'd give Beatrice some attention since I'd finished my work. But I couldn't find her no matter how hard I looked."
"Beatrice-chan... what is it?"
Emilia chokes, then puts her hand over her mouth, trying to hold back her laughter.
Subaru couldn't help but grin as he glanced at Emilia. Beatrice, who usually behaved arrogantly and haughtily, was being called "chan" by a girl named Petra, of all people.
Subaru had also burst out laughing when he first saw the two of them interacting.
"Emilia-sama, what's wrong? Did you say something strange?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just that it's so funny."
"Amazing but a bit?"
Petra sometimes shows signs of being a young girl. Emilia smiles at her and gives Subaru a sidelong glance, asking, "What are you going to do?"
Subaru pretended to be troubled by the eye contact,
"That's right. Beatrice. She's an attention seeker, so I'm sure Petra has a lot of fun looking after her, right?"
"Yes, that's right. Beatrice-chan is not at all stubborn, so she's really cute to be around. I don't think it's right to leave a girl like that alone."
"Why do you think that?"
"Because she seems lonely. I can't just leave her alone."
Subaru nodded in response to Petra's smart yet simple answer, saying, "That's right."
He'd tried to explain it in various ways, but in the end, the reason why Subaru had pulled Beatrice out of the Forbidden Archive was similar. The child had gotten to the truth. Or rather, Subaru and Beatrice had been clashing with each other using childish logic.
"Even Subaru, why are you laughing?"
"I wasn't making fun of you. I just thought you were too much of a genius."
"Really? Ehehe."
Subaru patted Petra on the head, who didn't seem to mind being praised, and nodded.
Then he put his hand on the knob of the door behind him and opened it in one go.
"Wabu?!"
There was a hard sound, and Lori, who had been listening on the other side, was blown away.
Lori gets up with teary eyes, her forehead red from being hit by the door.
"What are you doing?"
"What have you done to me?! Ouch! That must really hurt! On top of that, you broke your promise..."
"I didn't make any promises, and I didn't even say to leave it to me. After carefully considering which opinion I wanted to support, I decided it would be more interesting to side with Petra…"
"I just said it was funny! I just said it was funny! This is the worst!"
Beatrice rubbed her forehead in protest, and Subaru covered his ears to pretend not to hear. Then, a girl suddenly cuts into their exchange. Beatrice and Petra exchange glances, opening her mouth and shaking her vertical curls.
"Ah, well, that's not it... I wasn't hiding or anything..."
"It's no good, Beatrice. You'll get in trouble if you play hide-and-seek in someone else's mansion. I understand that you're at an age where you want to play, but…"
「Right?! S-Stop treating Betty like a kid! To begin with, Betty is different from how she looks, she is actually… well, actually.」
"Properly?"
"...It's nothing."
When Petra asked again, Beatrice's words softened and she raised the white flag. Emilia looked surprised, and Subaru closed one eye at the unfamiliar sight.
What's interesting about the relationship between Beatrice and Petra is Petra's mysterious superiority.
Beatrice was generally strong-willed and arrogant towards everyone. The only exceptions were Puck and, more recently, Subaru, but then Petra suddenly barged in.
For some reason, Beatrice is unable to behave normally towards Petra. The reason doesn't seem to be clear to her, and Subaru has seen her many times with Petra holding her hand, with a dissatisfied look on her face.
Regardless of what Beatrice was thinking, to the outsider there were two young girls. And it was a touching sight to see them holding hands, both of whom showed signs of beautiful beauty.
Petra looks slightly older than Beatrice, so perhaps the fact that she treats her like an older sister is one of the reasons why Beatrice is having trouble dealing with her.
"Come on, let's go. We don't want to get in the way of Subaru and Lady Emilia's work. Also, Brother Clind has prepared some sweets for us, so Beatrice, please eat them. You can eat them in the dining hall."
"I-I guess you get it. I get it, so... there's no need to drag me out like that."
Beatrice gives him a troubled look as he takes her hand and leads her out of the room, but Subaru coldly gives her a thumbs up in response. Seeing Emilia waving slightly next to her, Beatrice sticks out her tongue, an angry look on her face, and is dragged away by Petra.
Due to unavoidable circumstances, contact with Subaru will have to wait for now.
Emilia smiled as she saw the girl being taken away and the girl being taken away, then placed a finger on her lips,
"That's really unexpected. I never thought Beatrice would be weak against Petra."
"Right? I was also taken aback at first. But it's amusing to watch, so I didn't say anything. Besides, I think Petra's thinking is absolutely right."
"Will you get lonely if I leave you alone?"
"I could be there all day and night, but there would be no point in leaving the Forbidden Library. Even if we want to make memories, it's better to have as many people as possible appear on the pages of the album."
After all, he had to fill in four hundred years' worth of blank pages. Subaru filling up an album of memories all by himself was a bit amusing, but it was too much of a one-off.
Various people, various expressions, should be burned into her memories. Subaru wants to spend time next to Beatrice as she clicks the shutter, sometimes being the subject of the photo, sometimes being cut off.
"Subaru... I think that sometimes that side of you is really cool."
"What? Seriously? What happened? Did it suddenly go into a special mode?!"
"But really, only occasionally."
Subaru scratches his cheek as he laughs at Emilia, "What is it?"
However, even though it was a joke, it was impossible not to get excited at Emilia's praise. I want to remember this feeling every time I tease Beatrice for assisting me. That's why I have to tease her.
"It feels like the purpose and the means have been swapped, but that sort of thing happens all the time. Now then, I've seen a heartwarming scene, so for now..."
"Yes, it was a heartwarming sight. Two girls with lovely souls walking hand in hand, smiling... a sight to behold. A feast for the eyes."
"Kyaa?!"
The two of them had pulled themselves together and were about to step forward to the next thing when a voice called out to them, causing Emilia to scream in surprise. The voice's owner's appearance was so sudden and unexpected.
If its appearance was unexpected, then so was its location. The person stood so close behind Subaru that he could almost feel their breath on his nape, and joined the conversation as if nothing had happened.
"I'm sorry to have surprised you with this. However, I couldn't help but feel obliged to provide a surprise. An outburst."
"M-Mr. Clindo?"
"Yes, it's Clindo. I hope I didn't offend you, but I'm sorry."
As he spoke he bent his waist at a perfect angle, a tall, slim, handsome young man.
He had cut blue hair that reached his eyebrows and a monocle over his left eye. His well-starched black butler uniform performed to the fullest, as if he was happy to be wearing it, and his posture and every movement he made made me stand up straighter.
Wilhelm also possessed an aura that made one straighten their back just by facing him, but the aura that Clind exuded was different from that of the Sword Demon.
If Wilhelm's presence reminded me of a sharpened blade, then Clind was like standing before a pure flow of water. Material beauty and conceptual beauty are different things. Even though both are equally capable of bringing tranquility to the mind.
"Suddenly standing behind me, Clind-san is so mean... I thought my heart would stop."
"In that case, we will do everything in our power to revive him. There is no need to worry, Natsuki-sama. He is dead."
"What?! You weren't saved, were you?!"
Although Clinton maintains his polite mannerisms, his mannerisms are far too shaky.
However, his character and abilities cannot be judged by his current behavior. As his appearance suggests, Clind is a highly skilled servant, and is in the position of steward over all the servants at the Milord household.
Despite his young age, he behaves with dignity as the person in charge of the mansion.
Not only that, but in times of emergency, he is also said to be able to wield a sword. Such was his skill that when they first met, Garfiel snorted and said, "Hey, that guy's pretty good..." His invitation to fight was turned down, though.
However, despite his excellent abilities, Clind does have some flaws. One of them is his tendency to play pranks, as he did now.
"I wonder if Petra is causing trouble for Clind-san? I'm asking her to let me join in on the work, but I'm a bit worried about that."
"There's no need to worry. For a girl her age, Petra is exceptionally talented. With both her abilities and beauty, I can't help but look forward to her future. I envy her."
"I see, that's good..."
"However, in the future, Petra's limbs will grow and she will become an adult... I find that extremely unfortunate. It's a shame."
Clind rubbed his brow and said this with a truly disappointed look on his face.
This is another of his flaws, and also his biggest.
Clind has a strong interest in young girls like Beatrice and Petra.
To be honest, he had a thing for girls - you could even call him a lolicon.
"What's wrong, Natsuki-sama? You're looking at me as if I'm a criminal or a potential criminal. Have I done something wrong? Please confirm."
"It seems like he's aware of that, since he's coming out with such a straightforward opinion. I'm not really into younger people, so I'm not sure about that age group…"
"It seems like there is a huge misunderstanding on your part, Natsuki-sama. Bitter smile."
Clind said with a wry smile, but didn't even smile. His handsome face clouded over with a look of sorrow, and he turned to face Subaru, adjusting his monocle.
"Is it okay? The reason I look up to Annerose-sama, Petra, and Beatrice-sama isn't because they are young. It's because I'm drawn to the youthfulness and promise of their souls. It's only natural to be drawn to pure and innocent souls. And it's just that those kinds of souls tend to be attracted to young people. In other words, it's a misunderstanding."
"Oh... is that so?"
Clind denies it at length, but Subaru only half-listens to it. However, that attitude is dashed by Clind's next words.
He looked at Emilia standing next to Subaru, and prefaced his statement with "Indeed,"
"My eyes see in Emilia-sama the same richness of soul as the other people before me. Refreshing."
"I?"
"Clind-san, isn't that amazing!?"
Emilia tilts her head, but Subaru can only be astonished at what Clind sees.
The fact that Emilia's mind is far less immature than her appearance suggests is something that would not be noticed unless one is exposed to her background and upbringing. Clind's eyes see through this and he realizes that Emilia is mentally a loli.
Subaru was no wonder, as he was shocked at the fearsome nose of a lolicon.
"So, perhaps, Ryuzu-san..."
"She is a very cute person in appearance, but her soul is completely mature. It would be beyond my ability, a young person like me, to preach about her future potential to someone who has decided on such a way of life. It would be outrageous."
"Amazing..."
Subaru is genuinely impressed by her keen eye that can even see through the loli-baba.
Meanwhile, Emilia, who had been witnessing this exchange, didn't seem particularly interested in Clind's sharp sexual tendencies.
"By the way, I'd like to ask you something, Clind-san..."
"Yes, please feel free to ask any questions."
"Frederica, you worked here before and after working at Roswaal's mansion, right?"
"...That's right. Affirmative."
For a moment, it seemed as if Clind had hesitated, and Subaru frowned.
Emilia blinked at his hesitation, but continued the conversation.
"In that case, have Frederica and Clind-san been together for a long time?"
"Frederica and I have been friends for ten years - when she was brought to the Milord household by the Margrave, I had also just started working as a servant. I guess we have known each other since then. We are old friends."
"I thought so! Well then, I'd like to ask you a few questions about Frederica. I want to know what you like and dislike, and I want to give you an opportunity to make amends with Garfiel."
"An opportunity to make amends, huh? Thoughts."
Putting his hand to his chin, Clind was deep in thought. Even his troubled appearance was like a painting, while Subaru fiddled with the zipper of his tracksuit and lamented the difference in the beauty of his appearance, saying, "Even if a handsome man is a lolicon, it's okay..."
After pondering for a minute, Clind nodded and let out a small sigh,
"For Annerose-sama's next birthday, let's make chicken the main dish. Plan."
"What about Frederica?"
"...Ah, I can't help it. Whenever I try to think about her, my brain just refuses to let me think about it. This is something that is entirely up to me. Please forgive me."
"Maybe, Clind-san, you don't get along well with Frederica?"
"Not at all. Denied."
In response to Emilia's concerned expression, Clind shook his head in denial.
"She's an excellent maid, reliable, fast, and considerate. There's just one thing about her: her appearance is ruining her job as a maid, which is to make a woman beautiful and glamorous. But I have no complaints about her. Nothing at all."
"Hmm? I felt like I heard a really prejudiced opinion, but was it just my imagination? Right, Subaru?"
"Well, it's not really Emilia-tan's fault, it's Clind-san's fault."
It seems that Clind's merciless prejudice stems from Frederica's appearance. Subaru was certainly surprised at the impact she made at first sight, but Frederica is hardworking and has a very feminine personality. He doesn't see any problem with her as a woman other than her appearance.
"I sense that you have now come to the same conclusion as me, Natsuki-sama. Insight."
"Is that so, Subaru?"
"I'm in the process of reconsidering my habit of finding the bad in others, so can you please stop?! Emilia-tan's appearance is my super critical!"
"That's not what I'm talking about, anyway... But thanks."
Emilia blushed slightly as she thanked him for the compliment on her appearance.
It was refreshing to see that praise, which had no effect whatsoever before, now seemed to have some effect on Emilia, who had returned after completing the Trials.
Emilia has lost the habit of checking Puck's fashion and now gets ready on her own, but it seems she is still experimenting with different ways to dress stylishly.
Although, when he was wondering whether to cut off his long silver hair, everyone who heard the idea came together and ran to stop him.
In any case, it didn't look like they would be able to get any useful opinions from Clind about Frederica. Subaru and Emilia took a deep breath, realizing that this was already a dead end.
Then, Clind, who had been watching, continued, "I guess..."
"From what we've just said, it seems that you wish to improve the relationship between Frederica and Garfiel-sama. I speculate."
"Yes, that's true. However, neither Subaru nor I have any brothers or sisters, so we don't really know what to do. So we've been asking around a lot, but..."
"If Frederica has no problems other than her appearance, then I think she will deal with the issues that are not related to her appearance alone, but I don't think that will satisfy you. So, I have a suggestion."
"suggestion?"
As Clind raised a finger, Subaru and Emilia both tilted their heads in the same manner.
As the two of them moved in unison, Clind let out a smile for the first time that day.
"If you are concerned about the relationship between those two, it would be best to hear from the person closest to them. Shouldn't the first person to hear it be you, not Ram? What are your thoughts?"
"First expert... Ah!"
Emilia clapped her hands at Clind's words and her eyes widened at the delayed idea. Next to her, Subaru had come to the same conclusion, but there was something else that was bothering him more.
it is,
"I thought that was quite some time ago that Ram was the leading expert, but since when have you been eavesdropping on our conversations, Clind-san?"
"I am the steward in charge of the household affairs and peace of the Milord household. Declaration."
It was a reply that seemed like it might or might not have been an answer.
Without seeing Subaru grimacing, Clind bowed respectfully at the waist.
It was a perfect servant's gesture, so overwhelming that it was overwhelming to see.
The words he was about to say were silenced, and Subaru could only make a sour face.