Subaru's eyes slowly opened to an unfamiliar room.
Subaru: [I don't know that ceiling.]
She looked down and undid her robe to check her stomach.
Subaru: [Emilio-Kun healed me huh... Emilio-kun... healed me...]
Then she realised.
Subaru: [Wait... my clothes are different!!!]
She frantically looked around with an embarrassed expression.
Subaru: [Did Emlio-Kun change me in my sleep? Did he see everything? No! He's too innocent to do that! He would never do something so indecent. I believe in his innocence! No one should arrest him.]
Subaru then looked around.
Subaru: [Hm... Isn't this room a tad bit too fancy to give to a stranger?]
Subaru opened the door to her room and walked outside to a hallway.
Subaru: [So Emilio-Kun lives in a fancy mansion? I didn't know he was kind, rich and handsome. We get along really well, too. It's like I've hit the jackpot.]
Suabru held her hands together.
Subaru: [Yosh. All other thoughts cleared and controlled. All that matters is that he's okay. After all, I wouldn't really care if he lived in a place more modest than this.]
Subaru sighed as she walked around.
Subaru: [I'm glad that I didn't have to use『Return By Death』again. But I'm feeling a bit lonely waking up by myself like that. On the other hand. Why'd he let me sleep in such a fancy room?]
She continued walking when she realised it.
Subaru: [I've seen that same painting 3 times already!]
Subaru held her hand to her chin.
Subaru: [It must be a looping hallway. All the manga I've read tells me...]
She opened the first door.
Subaru: [That the first door is the answer.]
She saw a little blond girl with twindrills sitting on a stool, reading a book.
Subaru: [...]
Beatrice: [What a profoundly aggravating woman you are, I suppose.]
Subaru: [So cute!!!]
Subaru rushed toward her as the little girl.
Little Girl: [Wha... what are you going to do to Betty, I... I suppose?]
She made a horrified face of indignation as Subaru grabbed her, holding her up and twirling her around in circles, hugging her and rubbing her cheek on Betty's.
Subaru: [You're so adorable with your twindrills and butterfly eyes!!! You're a miracle in this world.]
Girl: [Let go of Betty, I suppose! Betty doesn't feel happy from hearing your praise, in fact!]
She said this despite the gigantic blush on her face as Subaru then hugged Beatrice to her chest.
Suabru: [So cute!!!]
Betty: (Betty... can't breathe... I... suppose...)
Betty: [Betty has had enough of this, I suppose! Betty won't hold back even against you, in fact!]
Betty fired a wind spell that knocked Subaru away from her as Subaru hit the door and fell unconscious.
Betty: [Oh no... Betty has really done it now, I suppose.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru's eyes slowly opened.
???: [Oh, she has awakened, neesama.]
???: [Indeed, she's awakened, Rem.] AN: Rem also works as a boy's name, so I'm not changing it.
Subaru: [Me, a follower of the night, waking up in the morning? I'm getting all emotional. I'd better go to sleep a second time-- No, I woke up earlier, so this makes the third.]
Rem: [Nee-sama, are we sure she is the one?]
Nee-sama: [You're right, Rem. I don't see any positive qualities in her at all so far.]
Subaru suddenly got up.
Subaru: [Who are those two voices that keep criticising me in stereo?!]
She saw a maid and a butler standing before her.
Subaru: [Oh... my... god!!!]
Subaru sprang up and inspected Ram meticulously.
Subaru: [The frills! The skirts! Everything is made of such high quality. Even the chest area is just revealing enough to be cute but not enough to be too much! It's so elegant! I'm so jealous!]
Nee-sama: [It appears we might have been wrong about this one, Rem.]
Rem: [Indeed. If she can see how amazing Nee-sama is, then she may actually have some good qualities hidden underneath.]
Subaru: [You're using everything as a roundabout way to praise your nee-sama!!!]
Rem: [Of course, since Nee-sama is truly amazing.]
Subaru sighed when there was a knock on the door, and Emilio entered.
Emilo: [You're so energetic...]
Subaru: (Oh my god! He's in casual clothing. He looks so handsome!!!)
There was a redness in her cheeks.
Emilio: [Are you okay?]
Emilio walked forward, checking her temperature as the redness in Subaru's cheeks increased.
Emilio: [You're burning up!]
Subaru: [I... I'm fine!]
Rem: [Nee-sama, nee-sama. She's completely unable to hide her feelings.]
Ram: [Indeed, Rem. It's pathetic, isn't it?]
Subaru: [Hey!!!]
Emilio: [You shouldn't say those kinds of things, Ram.]
Ram nodded and bowed to Subaru.
Ram: [I apologise.]
Subaru: [Hearing that directed at me... for some reason it feels so wrong... like the world will collapse the second it leaves your lips.]
Ram: [Hmph. And after Ram apologised. You're ungrateful.]
Emilio laughed awkwardly.
Emilio: [I'm sorry about Beatrice and Ram. Are you okay?]
Subaru: [Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit groggy from oversleeping. Thanks for worrying abotu me, Emlio-Kun. You saved me.]
Emilio: [It's fine. You helped me, a person you barely know, and risked your life for me. It's only natural I'd heal your wounds after that.]
Subaru stretched a little.
Subaru: [Then... I guess it's time to start a new day!]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Suabru and Emilio walked outside into the yard.
Subaru: [This place is huge!!!]
Subaru began stretching.
Emilio: [Um... what are you doing?]
Subaru: [My homeland's ancient practice of warm-up exercises. DO you want to join me?]
Emilio: [Eh?]
Subaru: [Radio Calisthenics, number 2... um...]
Subaru felt Emilio's gaze and blushed.
Subaru: [Um... maybe we should skip that one.]
Subaru then began stretching his arms as Emilio copied her until the end.
Subaru: [Now, raise both your hands and shout, "Victory!"]
Emilio: [Um... V-ictory!!!]
Puck also jumped out and shouted it.
Puck: [Victory!]
He turned to Subaru.
Puck: [Hi, Subaru! Great morning, isn't it?]
Subaru: [Well, for me, it's been nothing but chaos since the wee hours of the morning. Looping hallways and a cutie in the library.]
Emilio smiled and looked to Puck.
Emilio: [Good morning, Puck. Sorry, I put you through so much yesterday.]
Puck floated into his hands.
Puck: [Morning, Lia. I almost lost you yesterday. Of course, I feel grateful to Subaru for helping you. If not for her, you could have died. I'll do anything to repay her.]
Subaru: [Okay, then... Let me pet your fur wherever I want!]
Emilio: [Eh? That's all?]
Subaru: [For a first-rate fur master such as myself...]
Subaru held Puck in her hands.
Subaru: [... this would be the greatest thing I could receive right now!]
Subaru began petting him diligently.
Puck: [I don't blame her for falling for my charms. You should be careful, Lio, or you'll end up losing her to me.]
Emilio: [What is that supposed to mean, Puck?]
Subaru sweatdropped.
Subaru: (A fully floating cat and a handsome boy fighting over me... is this actually real?)
Emilio: [Besides, she doesn't belong to any one person. She's...]
Ram and Rem arrived.
Emilio: [Hm? What brings you two here?]
Rem and Ram: [Emilio-sama. Subaru-sama. Our lord, Roswaal-sama, has returned. Please come inside.]
Subaru: (Sama?)
Nevertheless, she followed the maid and butler inside.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Subaru walked through the doors into a dining area.
Betty: [Betty was watching you from upstairs, and you know what?]
Subaru's eyes locked onto Betty.
Betty: [Eh? That look in your eyes is scary, I suppose. Just... wai... wait one minute, in fact. Don't you do it, I suppose.]
She said this, backing away, but Subaru rushed towards he,r hugging her and twirling her around as Betty struggled against her hold.
Betty: [Let go of Betty right now, I suppose!]
Subaru: [There's the cutie I met earlier. Did you miss me?]
Betty: [Betty has no use missing someone as adle-brained as you, I suppose!]
Subaru set her down.
Suabru: [And to think I collected sweets for you on the way up here. Maybe you don't want them?]
Betty: [Betty... Betty will accept the sweets as recompense, I suppose.]
Subaru reached into her pockets, giving her the treats.
Emilio then walked inside with Puck on his shoulder.
Puck: [Yo, Betty. Have you been doing well and staying ladylike?]
Betty's eyes showed joy as she locked eyes with the furball.
Betty: [Bubby!!!! I've been waiting for you to come home! Will you stay with Betty today, I suppose?]
Puck: [Sure, no problem.]
Puck floated to Betty.
Puck: [Let's relax together today.]
Betty twirled around with Puck in her hands.
Subaru: [I feel heartbroken right now.]
Emilio: [Aw, cheer up. I'm sure Beatrice actually likes you a lot.]
Subaru sighed.
Subaru: [Emilio-Kun, you're my ray of shining hope.]
Emilio smiles at this when they all hear the sound of footsteps and chains.
???: [My my! How unusual to see you here, Beatrice. I'm so haaaappy you've decided to dine with me.]
Beatrice: [That girl is more than enough addle-brained fool of Betty, I suppose.]
She said so with a serious expression before going back to hugging Puck with a smile.
Beatrice: [Betty was only waiting for Bubby!]
Subaru felt a chill up her spine at the man beside her.
Subaru: (My womanly senses are telling me to stay far away from this clown.)
Roswaal: [It is a pleaaasure to meet you. I am the lord of this manor, Roswaal L. Mathers...]
Subaru: (Everything about him gives me the chills.)
Roswaal turned to face her properly.
Roswaal: [Natsuki Subaru-sama.]
Subaru: [Um... uh...]
Subaru: (Again with the "sama"?)
Eventually, everyone sat down at the table and began eating.
Subaru: [Wow. This food is amazing.]
Roswaal laughed.
Roswaal: [Despite his appearance, Rem's cooking is quite impressive.]
Subaru: [I'll say.]
Subaru looked to Rem.
Subaru: [Rem-Kun right?]
Rem: [Yes sir.]
Suabru: [This is all amazing. I'll have to get you to teach me to cook this sometime.]
Rem: [Someone of your station shouldn't fraternise with someone like Rem.]
Subaru: [Hey, there's no need to say things like that. What's with everyone acting so distant to me?]
Roswaal's eyes sharpened.
Roswaal: [Emilio-sama. If you would.]
Emilio held out the insignia. The gemstone had no glow.
Emilio: [Could you hold this for a second, Subaru-sama?]
Subaru: [Again with the "sama" and what's going on?]
Roswaal: [It's nooothing to worry about. We are just tryyying to confirm sooomething important.]
Subaru relented and held the insignia in his hand as it glowed.
Subaru: [Huh?]
Emilio: [See. I told you. He's the one I have been searching for.]
Roswaal: [Weeeell then there is no dooooubt in my mind now.]
Subaru: [Eh, what's going on?]
Roswaal: [Are you aware of the Royal Selection that is currently underway in Lugunica?]
Subaru: [Um... well, yes, I've heard of it.]
Roswaal: [There are set to be five candidates to ascend to the throne. A few days ago, in the capital, the last two candidates were found.]
Suabru: [O...kay?]
Roswaal: [Each candidate has an insignia that identifies their candidacy.]
Subaru: [Wait then Emilio-Kun is...]
Emilio: [Um, no. I was given it so I could find a candidate.]
Subaru: [Oh, okay. I think I get it. But how can you tell who is a worthy candidate?]
Roswaal: [The gemstone will glow when in contact with someone worthy of becoming the ruler of Lugunica.]
Subaru: [I see. I see... wait...]
She looked down at her hand.
Subaru: [What the heck?!!!]
Roswaal laughed a little.
Roswaal: [Natsuki Subaru-Sama, you have been deemed worthy of becoming a candidate to be the 42nd ruler of Lugunica.]
Subaru: [Eh?!!]
Roswaal: [You must now make an important decision...]
Subaru: [Wait, wait! Stop!]
She raised her hands.
Subaru: [You're saying that I'm a what?]
Roswaal: [A Royal Candidate for the Throne Of Lugunica.]
Subaru slumped in her chair, shocked.
Subaru: (Me? A queen? Is this world serious?)
She looked to Emilio, who gave her an awkward smile.
Subaru: [You're not just saying this to tease me or play a prank on me, are you?]
They all shook their heads.
Subaru: [I... don't know what to say...]
Subaru pinched herself.
Subaru: (It's not a dream.)
Roswaal: [Subaru-Sama. You must choose. Will you allow us to help you in the Royal Selection, or will you seek another house to back you?]
Subaru looked around.
Subaru: [Emilio-Kun is part of this household, right?]
Roswaal: [Indeed. I backed him in his training to become a knight. I know he is a bit rough around the edges....]
Emilio looked away, expecting to be rejected.
Roswal: [...and he bears a resemblance to...]
Subaru: [Then I'll gladly accept your help.]
Emilio: [Eh?]
Roswaal looked surprised before smiling.
Subaru: [If there's one person in this world I can trust, it's Emilio-Kun.]
Emilio looked completely stunned as he blushed.
Subaru: [But still, the difficulty level of my life in this world really went from 0 to 100 all of a sudden.]
Subaru smiled.
Subaru: (But it looks like I really am the protagonist of this story.)
Subaru got up and pointed his fist out to everyone.
Subaru: [If I've got Emilio-Kun by my side, I think I'll be fine. And becoming queen doesn't sound bad at all.]
They all looked surprised as Ram then sneezed.
—————————————————————————————————————
To Be Continued
—————————————————————————————————————
Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
—————————————————————————————————————