Ten minutes later, in the mansion's main hall, the scene had calmed but still held tension. Roswaal sat at the head of the table, Ram and Rem standing on either side. Emilia and Natsuki Subaru sat together, while Lucien, his upper body wrapped in bandages, looked pale but surprisingly composed.
"Why is Betty here too?" Ram muttered, noticing her displeased expression as Betty sat opposite Roswaal, eyes fixed unwaveringly on Lucien.
"Oh my, thank you for saving Emilia and Ram," Roswaal said, adjusting his tailcoat as Ram recounted the entire story.
"I firmly believe fate brought me and Liya together. From now on, I will protect her," Lucien declared, waving his hand with his gaze ablaze with undisguised affection for Emilia. He was candid, leaving nothing feigned.
"One thing at a time. Since you saved Emilia and Ram, as the court magician, I, Roswaal L. Mathers, must express my gratitude. State your condition," Roswaal said thoughtfully. Recently, he had been plagued by existential doubts. His Gospel showed he had died many times, but so far, it revealed nothing about the man in front of him. Logically, there should have been fragments of the future, but there were none.
"Any condition will do?" Roswaal asked, glancing at Lucien. Betty pouted in disdain, clearly unimpressed.
"Of course, but only within my capabilities," Lucien replied calmly.
Roswaal chuckled. "Then my condition is simple: to remain by Emilia's side. My best friend guided me to meet her; this is a destined encounter."
Lucien ruffled his orange spiky hair, Emilia reflected in his purple diamond-patterned pupils. He ignored Natsuki Subaru entirely, as he had correctly guessed the Jealous Witch could not appear here, though he remained cautious.
"Tch!" Betty pouted, silently judging him, thinking he was no different from Natsuki Subaru—both overly concerned with appearances.
"Who exactly are you? If you intend to harm Emilia, I will not allow it!" Subaru slammed his palm on the table, glaring at Lucien.
"Who is this?" Lucien asked Emilia softly.
"I'm sorry. Please excuse Natsuki Subaru's rudeness," Emilia gently tugged his sleeve and apologized.
"I forgive you. As long as it's Emilia, I will forgive anything," Lucien smiled warmly.
"Emilia, you don't need to apologize. This man is dangerous," he added calmly.
Subaru, agitated, tried to warn her.
"Enough," Emilia's voice rang firm and serious. "He saved me. He is not a bad person. To cherish a gift from a best friend so deeply, to risk life repeatedly to fulfill a promise, even without knowing me long, and to save me at such cost—how could he be evil? How could he harm me?"
"Emilia…" Subaru's eyes widened, disbelief written across his face. She had never spoken so strongly.
"Mr. Subaru, although this is our first meeting, and I do not know why you dislike me, Liya has her own opinions. I will compete fairly and openly, and the final choice will be decided by her," Lucien interrupted with authority, standing tall. His voice carried undeniable conviction.
"Oh my! How troublesome!" Roswaal observed the display with amusement. Ram and Rem remained expressionless, while Betty occasionally pouted.
"Mr. Roswaal, I have stated my condition," Lucien added, turning to Roswaal.
"Good. I agree," Roswaal said without hesitation.
"Then allow me to introduce myself properly," Lucien continued. "My name is Uranus An. It is best if everyone calls me Uranus, for intimacy and companionship, so I will not feel the weight of loneliness." He performed a perfect gentleman's bow, charmingly serious and deliberate.
"Liya, from the moment my best friend guided me to meet you, I knew I would no longer be alone. You are the one destined for me," he confessed, his eyes never blinking, each word brimming with sincerity and resolve.
"Hiss… Betty can't stand it," she muttered, shivering before storming off.
"Ram will prepare dinner," Rem said, noting Emilia's fatigue.
"Sister is injured, so I'll handle dinner," Ram added.
Even Roswaal left the room, leaving only Subaru, Emilia, and Lucien. Lucien's gaze never left Emilia, who blushed and fidgeted under his intense attention. Subaru, on the other hand, glared at Lucien with a mixture of suspicion and resentment.
That night, Lucien slept soundly, while Subaru stayed awake, plagued by dark thoughts. The next day, with deep circles under his eyes, he struggled to function normally, earning icy looks from Ram and Rem.
Unlike Subaru, Lucien had no obligations, allowing him time with Emilia. In the gazebo, Emilia and Puck listened intently as Lucien recounted his story. He told the meticulously crafted, sympathetic, and compelling tale of his past, holding the pen that symbolized his memories.
He narrated how he and his best friend, Kyojuro, had met at a slave market, supporting each other to survive. Together they escaped, chased and pursued, facing danger at every step. They shared dreams, until Kyojuro sacrificed himself so Lucien could live. Their friendship was heart-wrenching, deeply moving.
Emilia listened, emotion coloring her face, wishing she could comfort him properly.
"Oh, are those tears?" she asked softly, noticing his sorrow.
Tears streamed down Lucien's face silently. "I… don't know why they keep coming," he said, laughing and crying at once, wiping them away in vain.
"Uranus, don't be too sad," Emilia murmured, grasping his hand in warmth.
"I want to cry out loud… may I?" he asked, clutching the pen tightly.
"You may," Emilia replied, eyes reddened. She realized Lucien, like her, had been lonely—though he had nothing but memories, while she had Puck for company.
"Kyojuro…" Lucien's voice broke into loud sobs. So sad, so sorrowful, so painful. Yet for Lucien, who could command every cell of his body, even this raw display of emotion was effortless.
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