(A/N: Sometimes I want to turn an harem fic into a single FL theme so that I just watch the other heroines suffer and realize the importance of the Main Character when it is no longer harem)
...
(3rd POV)
StabSlashSlash
Subaru launched a flurry of attacks toward Reina, each strike filled with intensity and determination. However, she effortlessly deflected every single one, barely moving an inch from her spot. He gritted his teeth and increased the speed of his assault, trying to break through her defense. But with a quick thrust, Reina disarmed him, sending his wooden sword flying out of his grasp.
Panting, Subaru fell back onto the ground, completely exhausted.
"Another defeat... Damn, Reina, you're insanely good with a sword!"
A faint blush crept onto Reina's cheeks at the compliment. Thanks to her Divine Protection, she could sense his sincerity, and knowing that the praise came genuinely from him filled her with happiness far greater than she expected.
"Not only that, you're also amazing at teaching. I mean, seriously! I'm already fighting like some kind of expert! And it's only been, what—four hours since we started?" he added, still catching his breath.
"It's because, Zero, you possess a decent amount of natural talent when it comes to swordsmanship. Honestly, I believe you're already above most knights, maybe just a step below someone like Sir Julius. Plus, you pick things up quickly and adapt to new situations at an impressive rate," she explained, keeping her voice calm despite how flustered she felt.
"But your teaching ability is top-tier. It's like everything you're explaining is being burned into my brain—and my muscles. My body just... remembers it," Subaru said, staring at her in wonder.
She grinned proudly. "That's because I have the Divine Protection of the Teaching. It's exactly what it sounds like—it makes me the best teacher around!"
And she wasn't exaggerating. With her Divine Protection and Subaru's enhanced learning abilities, he had already reached the standard of a regular knight. However, his actual performance surpassed even that.
His raw speed, quick reflexes, and superhuman senses were starting to elevate his combat prowess to the level of an elite knight.
"Based on my calculations," she began, her tone shifting into something more analytical, "if we continue at this pace for just a few more days, you should reach the skill level of an elite knight—at least in terms of swordsmanship."
Subaru's eyes widened at her words. He stared at her, stunned at how much he had progressed in such a short amount of time.
"I… I can't believe it." He looked down at his hands, then back at Reina, overwhelmed with gratitude. 'With this… I might actually survive. I won't just die randomly anymore!'
"Thank you, Reina. Seriously—you're my hero. For real," he said with complete sincerity.
Her heart skipped a beat. Then another. Then it practically slammed against her ribs. Butterflies erupted in her stomach, and a warm, euphoric feeling overtook her senses.
It wasn't admiration.
It was love.
'Your hero? Then if that's the case… I'll be your hero too. No matter what.'
Before she could respond, a voice interrupted the moment.
"Master Zero, as much as I hate to interrupt, it is already past lunchtime. I've prepared a meal for you and Lady Emilia, who is currently waiting," said Rem as she appeared nearby, her tone calm but expectant.
"Is that so? Reina, would you like to join us?" he asked, turning to her with a smile.
She shook her head with a small, regretful smile. "Unfortunately, I'll have to return to the mansion. There are duties I need to attend to."
Subaru sighed but didn't argue. Instead, he stepped forward and gave her a quick hug.
"Take care then. See you later," he said before stepping away.
She nodded once and teleported away, leaving him behind.
"Master, if you would follow me, please," Rem prompted again.
Subaru took one last glance at the spot Reina had vanished from before nodding.
"Yeah. Let's go."
…
Back at the Astrea Mansion, Reina entered her private room. The moment the door shut behind her, she leaned against it and smiled uncontrollably.
Suddenly, a deep blush spread across her cheeks, and a dazed, love-struck look took over her face.
"Hero Ahhh~ He called me his hero~ I'm his hero~ He even patted me… and hugged me!" she squealed in a giddy tone, her voice high and soft like a dreamy song.
Throwing herself onto her bed, she buried her face in a pillow and began rolling around with it, tightly hugging it as if it were him.
"Zero, I love you," she whispered, eyes closed as she pictured his smile.
But just as she started sinking deeper into her love-struck haze, a loud knock sounded at the door.
"Reina! Are you in there?!"
Her entire mood plummeted. The warmth vanished from her face, and she sighed heavily as she stood up and opened the door.
Standing outside was a man—tall and muscular, with short red hair, blue eyes, and a rugged stubble beard.
"What the hell have you been doing in your room for hours?! Why didn't you go out on patrol today?" he barked, his voice sharp and irritated, his expression one of disdain.
"I was reading… a book, Father," she replied, forcing the word 'Father' out of her mouth with visible strain.
He snorted, clearly not believing her. "Whatever. Come with me. I've got something important to discuss with you."
Without giving her time to argue, he turned and walked down the hall. She followed silently, her steps heavy.
As they walked, he began speaking again.
"Listen, I've made a decision. I'm going to throw my support behind that girl—Felt—for the Royal Selection."
"She's the best shot we have at getting our hands on the Dragon Blood. Crusch is too stubborn; she'd probably reject the Dragon Blood altogether with her ridiculous ideals. Anastasia is too clever for her own good—can't trust her. Priscilla? Hah, she called me a servant. Me! The future head of the Astrea family! And don't even get me started on that last one… the half-elf."
He sneered at the thought.
"Supporting her is suicide. No one in the kingdom is going to accept a half-elf on the throne. But Felt? She's from the slums, sure, but that just means we can remake her. One month, a full makeover, and with the Astrea name backing her, she'll have real potential."
He grinned as they stopped outside a door.
'So you can see potential in her? Yet you can't even acknowledge your own daughter?' Reina thought bitterly. Her eyes dimmed with sadness, but they quickly brightened again as she recalled Subaru's smile.
Then, just as he was about to open the door, her father turned toward her and continued, "But she'll need a knight. And that's where yo—"
"I refuse," Reina interrupted flatly.
He blinked, caught off guard.
Reina stood tall, her expression serious, unwavering.
"I said I refuse," she repeated, her voice calm but firm.
She had made her choice.
And she chose herself—for once.
He stood frozen, stunned. It was the very first time his daughter had ever dared to defy his orders.
"What did you just say?" his voice dropped, becoming sharp and cold. His figure loomed menacingly over her as he glared down at her, his eyes filled with fury.
Unfazed, Reina met his gaze with calm defiance. "As I said, Father, I refuse."
For a second, there was silence—then he burst into laughter. A cruel, mocking laugh that echoed through the corridor.
"Do not make me repeat myself!" he shouted, the fake amusement vanishing as rage replaced it. "Are you so ungrateful that you can't even show loyalty for the sake of your mother?! You filthy scum!" he snarled, looking at her with open hatred and disgust.
Reina's heart clenched. That look—it hurt more than any blade ever could. But still, she stood firm, eyes locked with his. "My answer is still the same. I refuse."
His expression twisted in anger. He raised his hand high, ready to slap her across the face.
"You ungrateful bitch—!"
"Stop!" a loud voice rang out, freezing his hand mid-air. His face instantly paled as his gaze met Felt's furious glare. She stood with arms crossed, her presence radiating authority.
"P-Princess… Why are you outside?" he asked, attempting to sound composed but clearly unnerved. Since he had agreed to sponsor her, her political standing was now higher than his—after all, she was a Royal Candidate.
"Sir Heinkel," Felt spoke sharply, eyes narrowing, "what were you just about to do?"
He tried to explain quickly. "Princess, this daughter of mine has refused to swear her loyalty as your knight! Even after knowing that the Astrea family is supporting you! Can you believe this level of insolence?!"
Felt ignored him and turned toward Reina instead. "Miss Reina, are you alright?"
Reina gave a small nod in response.
"If she doesn't want to become my knight, there's no need to force her. Isn't it disgusting to force your own daughter to do something she clearly doesn't want to?" Felt asked, her voice laced with disgust.
Heinkel's eyes burned. "Daughter? She's a fucking curse to me! Because of her, my wife ended up in a coma! My mother died because of her too! This bitch has brought nothing but misfortune to this family! And now that I'm giving her a chance to redeem herself, she dares to spit in my face?!"
Felt looked at him, shocked. Not by what Reina had done—but by how he was treating his own flesh and blood.
"You… you disgust me, Heinkel," Felt whispered, eyes filled with revulsion.
Heinkel's expression twisted. "I disgust you?! This is all this bitch's fault! And let me remind you—you're just a gutter rat from the slums! Without my support, you're nothing!"
As the words left his mouth, he saw Felt's eyes glisten with emotion, and his face immediately turned pale.
"I'm a gutter rat, huh? Fine. I don't need your sponsorship. I'll become queen on my own! Watch me!" she snapped, turning around and storming off, her small frame burning with fury.
"W-Wait! Princess, please, I apologize for my words!" Heinkel called out, panic rising in his voice. Realizing he had just made a grave mistake, he hurried after her.
But not before throwing one last hateful glare at Reina.
Reina stood there, still and silent, unable to move. Her emotions were spiraling out of control.
Then suddenly, she turned. Her legs moved on their own, faster and faster until she was sprinting down the hall, away from everything. Her breath came in sharp gasps as she burst into her room and slammed the door shut behind her.
With a dull thud, she collapsed to her knees.
Her father… had insulted her again. Called her a bitch. Again. Did she mean nothing to him? Had she ever meant anything?
Yes, she wanted to save her mother too. Of course she did. But she had made her own decision—a firm, unwavering decision—to accept Zero as her lord. Her wish… did it really hold no value in his eyes?
In truth, she wasn't even against supporting Felt. That wasn't the issue. She simply wanted to choose her own lord—Zero. That was her only condition.
Tears streamed down her face as she curled up, her shoulders trembling. Her father's gentle face from her childhood flashed in her mind, and her sobs grew louder. That warmth—was it ever real?
She acted strong. She acted cold. She wore the mask of the perfect knight.
But in the end… she was just a girl. A girl who wanted her father's love. A girl who just wanted to be accepted.
His words had cut deep—deeper than any blade. And as if that pain wasn't enough, memories flooded her mind. The harsh curses from her father, the cruel look in her grandfather's eyes, the silent disappointment from everyone on that day… the way even Felix and Julius had looked at her with fear.
Her breathing became erratic. She clutched her chest as it tightened with suffocating emotion. She was drowning in darkness.
But then—like a distant star shining through a pitch-black sky—his voice echoed in her heart.
"You are my hero! Reina!"
Her body stilled.
"Sir Zero…" she whispered, and her breathing began to calm.
'I still have him. Even if the world rejects me… I know he won't. He's just that kind of person.'
A soft, tearful smile formed on her lips. The weight in her chest began to lighten ever so slightly.
She wiped her tears and slowly stood up. There was still something she could do. Something she would do. She closed her eyes and focused, willing herself to acquire a Divine Protection.
Her heart called out to him.
Suddenly, her hands held a small picture of Subaru—she didn't even remember when she had taken it, but right now, it was all she needed. She brought it to her face and kissed it gently.
"Ah… My Zero" she whispered in a dreamy tone.
Her descent had begun.
Her yandere stage had just started.
To be continued...
(A/N: This chapter is unedited by AI, because for some reason AI was rewriting my 1500-word chapters into 700-word summaries! Ridiculous, right?
EDITED NOTE: NOW IT IS OVER 2K WORDS 🤣🤣🤣)