𝑳𝑶𝑵𝑮 𝑺𝑯𝑶𝑻

⸻ 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝑵𝑶𝑾 𝑰'𝑳𝑳 𝑺𝑬𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑶𝑭𝑭

⸻⸻ ᴵᶰᵈᶤᵉ ʰᶤᵍʰˡʸ ˢᵉˡᵉᶜᵗᶤᵛᵉ ᵐᵘˡᵗᶤ⁻ᵐᵘˢᵉ ʳᵒˡᵉᵖˡᵃʸ ᵇˡᵒᵍ ᵇʸ ᵗᵒᵖᵃᶻ

Subaru inhaled -- exhaled. He was completely on his own. Emilia was taken by this creep, after all. Beako had fallen due to low mana after healing so many people. The Witch Cult.... And this guy... He wouldn't let him hurt Emilia or whatever he was planning on doing to her.

But at the same time... What could he actually do on his own? Even with his whip, his skills were far below that of most people in this world. Without Beatrice, he was practically useless. And he didn't want to die. Maybe the best course of action would be to stay silent and not attempt to do anything yet. Wait for backup... But Subaru couldn't do that when he was so worried about Emilia. He was her knight... He was supposed to protect her.

The attack came without warning. From the perspective of Ram, anyway. She did what she could. She was too weak to really take part in the fighting. She helped the few people that were in her reach. The children from the village were hidden, along with Emilia in a separate location. She had only moments locked the future ruler in the hidden room. She had protested, but Roswaal-sama’s orders were absolute.

His name clung to her mind like a leaf of spinach between her teeth. The attack came without warning, but not for him. He had the witch’s book. He probably knew what would happen before he left. Despite that, he still went away. Ram was less than surprised, but trying to fully understand his sick mind was exhausting.

Rem was fighting the cultists outside, and Ram was exhausted just thinking about it. Her whole body ached. Despite the chaos, exhaustion was all she felt. Her mind was free of laughing Oni gods, or the thirst for battle. Rem was a tactical advantage, but the strategy fell to Ram. How would they survive? All their lives were in her frail hands. Roswaal-sama likely would not be returning. Rem could not fight forever. Emilia seemed determined to stay in harm’s way.

Everything was going against them, but Ram was as cunning as she was beautiful. Besides, she had to live up to Rem’s expectations.

As she made her way toward the foyer, the hall came to a sudden fork. She was moving as quickly as she could while conserving her energy. More of a light jog than a full sprint. For now, she had to reach the courtyard. The innocent children hidden in the garden shed would need to be taken to the secret escape tunnel with Emilia. At the very least, their presence might compel the half-elf to finally move. Then she would be free to help Rem with the intruders. The maids would not abandon the house. Right before the fork, her vision suddenly went black. In fact, all her senses were momentarily numb. She was sure a yelp of surprise and frustration must have sprung from her lips.

When the spell finally cleared, she felt the cold steel of a dagger at her throat. A grinning cultist mere inches from her face. Something about him was immediately disgusting. His sneering, perverse expression unmistakable from that of a ravenous animal. It was only natural that a few of them would have gotten into the house, but his presence made her worry for her sister. She felt for her, and her energy was there. As raw and furious as it had ever been. Her fiery gaze settled on the intruder.

“Welcome to Mathers Manor,” She said coldly, “I’m afraid my master is away and thus, not receiving guests.”

She swallowed harshly, feeling the sharp edge of his blade digging into her soft flesh. She hoped to tear him apart quickly so she could conserve enough energy to help Rem. Her next words where firm, smoldering with rage at the violation of her house.

“You need to leave. Now.”

"Aw, and after I came all this way?" Subaru's voice dripped with malice. They both knew he wasn't here for Roswaal. Why would he bother with worthless NPCs like that? He was after the only other person worth his time. And even now, the maids were trying to stop him. Wouldn't it be easier to just give in?

Ah... But isn't think what NPCs do? It's useless to try to consider logic or motivations. They were nothing to him. Worthless pieces for him to discard. Just like everyone but her. He could still remember the pain of his last death. No matter how many times he died, he never got used to it. And it was this girl that had killed him. After he had been so close. A phantom pain of his broken arm returned to him, so he tightens grip on his dagger.

"But honestly, Pink-chan... I'm way more interested in the princess you have here." He pressed the blade to her throat, enough to tear the skin but no further. Not fatal but enough to let beads of blood begin to spill on pale skin.

It felt nice to be able to harm her. If he had her, the other maid would cave. He knew that had to be the secret trick to this whole mess. Regardless, he had all of time to keep trying. This was his first try in this specific route. Even if she slipped away, he would always win. That was the strength of the hero of the story.

"If you give the half-elf to me, I'll leave and everyone else will too. You and the others don't have to die." It hurt to not use a name for her, but he had to keep his calm. If she sensed even a hint of weakness, it would be over. These maids were the kind good at combat. Though... was this one? Aside from a sneak attack, she never actually helped the other one fight.

the kiss

you typically wait until the last second to believe the truth--because it would destroy you to believe it, and then find out it was a lie. you are someone who has never wanted to want, but has rarely been able to do anything else. the idea that you might have to break down your walls for the sake of someone else, someone who could easily decide they don't like what is on the other side, is harrowing. why let people get close enough to be rejected? you are enough for yourself. and you will tell yourself that every time you catch yourself staring at their mouth, smirking at their joke, finding a reason to flick their shoulder. until the kiss. that's when the flood of want, want, want bowls over you and you realize that you are torn between two ways of living. Oh, you think. because despite how complicated you have made it, the moment you kiss, somehow, things seem incredibly simple. they won't be once you start thinking again, but for now, for this moment, you live in the quiet peace of revelation. Oh.