Tiamat slowly opened her eyes.
What greeted her was silence and nothingness.
The void stretched endlessly in every direction—an ocean of black untouched by time or space. For a long moment, she simply blinked, her gaze sweeping across the familiar emptiness.
This place again…
A faint ache tightened her chest. Had everything she experienced—the laughter, the warmth, her children—been nothing more than a dream?
Was it all just another illusion?
The thought made her heart sink. Even dreams could feel cruelly real.
But then she felt it.
A faint, silken thread brushed against her awareness. Delicate, yet impossibly strong. It pulsed softly, resonating with something deep within her.
Her x-shaped pupils shimmered like distant constellations.
"...Ah," she breathed quietly, eyes narrowing in focus.
She closed her eyes and followed the thread, tracing it with her consciousness. It pulled her gently forward, past the stillness of the void, through a veil of unseen worlds—until her awareness aligned once again with the place her heart longed for.
When she opened her eyes again—
Warmth.
Light.
And the sight of a little girl with twin drills of golden hair, sitting comfortably on her lap, nose buried in a book.
A smile bloomed across Tiamat's lips.
It wasn't a dream. She was still here—still with her beloved child.
Relief washed through her chest as she wrapped her arms around Beatrice, pulling her into a gentle embrace.
"...Mama? What's the matter?" Beatrice asked, tilting her head upward, butterfly-shaped pupils meeting the mother's starlit gaze.
"Nothing, my dear," Tiamat murmured softly, pressing her cheek against Beatrice's hair. "Mama's just… happy."
"I see, kashira," Beatrice replied quietly. She didn't pull away—simply let herself be held, the faintest smile ghosting across her lips.
Then—
The door to the library burst open with a loud slam.
"Beatrice! I need your help!"
Subaru's voice rang through the air as he stumbled inside, eyes darting around the endless rows of shelves.
Beatrice jumped, her book slipping from her hands and thudding onto the carpet. "How did you even get in here again,kashira?" she protested, frowning as she bent to retrieve it.
"I don't know!" Subaru scratched his head sheepishly. "I just… picked a random door and kinda hoped you were behind it."
"Really now…" Beatrice muttered under her breath, clearly unconvinced.
Then Subaru's gaze finally fell upon the woman seated behind Beatrice. "Ah—Madam Tiamat! You're here too!"
Tiamat inclined her head in greeting, her voice smooth and gentle. "Hello, my child."
Beatrice crossed her arms and huffed. "So, what do you need from Beatrice this time, kashira?"
"Well," Subaru began, still a little out of breath, "Madam Tiamat told me earlier that I should meet you—but she didn't really say why."
Beatrice blinked, then turned to look at her mother, curious. "Is that true, Mama?"
Tiamat gave a small nod.
"I see," Beatrice said, sighing but smiling faintly. "Well then, if Mama says so, Beatrice will help… I suppose."
She reluctantly slid off Tiamat's lap, smoothing her dress as she stood.
"Good," Tiamat said warmly, rising to her feet. "Then I'll leave you both to it."
She gave them a small, graceful wave before turning toward the door.
"See you later, Madam Tiamat!" Subaru called from behind, his voice full of energy.
"Bye-bye, Mama Tiamat," Beatrice added softly.
The door closed behind her with a gentle click.
The corridor was quiet—eerily so.
Tiamat walked alone, her soft footsteps echoing faintly against the marble floor. Her long hair shimmered faintly with divine light, each strand swaying gently with her movement. The air carried a stillness that felt almost sacred, yet lonely.
She wanted to see Emilia, but the girl seemed busy today. Tiamat didn't wish to disturb her. So she simply walked, letting her presence drift quietly through the mansion's hallways.
A soft sigh escaped her lips.
Pausing before a tall window, she gazed out at the cloud-dotted sky. Her x-shaped pupils reflected the clear blue as her thoughts wandered.
If this form is merely a fragment of me… a vessel tied to this world through a single thread, she mused, then what if I could bring my true body here?
The idea was tempting. With her true body, she could embrace her children properly, shield them with her full power, and perhaps never part from them again.
Yet the thought faded as quickly as it came.
Would this fragile world even endure her true form? Would its this world will allow such a being to remain?
A faint smile touched her lips. "No," she whispered to herself. "This much is enough."
She was grateful—grateful that this world had allowed her to meet such wonderful children, and to escape the eternal silence that once imprisoned her.
Before connecting her consciousness to this place, she had sensed other threads—countless strands stretching into distant realms. Where did they lead, she wondered?
Perhaps… it was time to find out.
She continued walking until she reached her room. Sitting gracefully beside the bed, she closed her eyes. Her consciousness began to drift once more, gently detaching from her vessel.
When she opened her eyes again—
The void awaited her.
Endless, still, and empty.
But Tiamat did not linger. Her gaze moved to the glowing threads around her—lines of fate weaving through the darkness like a constellation. She reached out, touching one that pulsed faintly, and followed it.
Her awareness was pulled through the unseen veil—
—and when she next opened her eyes, she found herself standing in an unfamiliar place.
Bright lights.
Clean tiles.
A lingering scent of food.
A… cafeteria?
She blinked and looked down at her hands—only to see a stainless steel soup ladle resting in her palm.
"What is this?" she murmured, tilting her head in confusion.
Was she… cooking?
Had the will of this world not only accepted her, but even assigned her a role?
The place was quiet, the tables empty and chairs neatly arranged. For a brief moment, she wondered if she had arrived in another lifeless world—one where only she existed.
That thought brought a pang of loneliness.
Tiamat's lips parted, and she began to hum softly—a gentle, beautiful melody that echoed through the cafeteria like a lullaby. Her voice carried warmth and longing, weaving life into the empty space around her.
Then—
A familiar voice echoed from behind the door.
"Hey! Did you guys hear that? That sounded like Madam Tiamat's voice!"
Another voice—a smaller, sharper one—answered almost immediately. "How could Subaru not recognize Mama Tiamat's voice, kashira?"
Tiamat's eyes brightened. Her heart fluttered with sudden joy.
Beatrice? Subaru?
Could it really be them?
The door slid open, and indeed—Subaru and Beatrice stepped into the cafeteria, both staring in surprise.
"Ohhh?! It really is Madam Tiamat!" Subaru exclaimed, running up to the counter.
"Mama Tiamat! Beatrice missed you, kashira!" the girl cried, dashing forward and throwing her arms around Tiamat.
A gentle smile graced Tiamat's face as she returned the embrace, her hand tenderly patting Beatrice's head. "And I missed you too, my child," she said softly.
But confusion soon crept into her thoughts. Wasn't this a different world? How had they followed her here?
"How did you come here, my child?" she asked curiously.
Subaru scratched his head. "Well… I dunno! We were just having tea, and then some weird device popped up with a red button—so I clicked it."
Tiamat blinked. "...And what were you doing before clicking that button?"
"Just tea time," he answered casually.
The goddess tilted her head, puzzled. Tea time? But they were in the library, discussing his curse…
She glanced at Beatrice, who still clung to her tightly. The girl's expression confirmed Subaru's words—this wasn't the same moment.
Which could only mean one thing.
Another world's version of them…?
"Where are the others?" Tiamat asked.
"Emilia, Rem, and Ram are out in the hallway," Subaru said. "Oh, and some random old guy in a military uniform told us to head to class or something. Rem and Ram are looking for it now."
"I see," Tiamat replied, nodding with a serene smile. "Then you should go, my children. Be good students."
Beatrice pouted, tightening her hold. "Beatrice doesn't want to go, kashira!"
Subaru chuckled nostalgically. "Heh, class, huh? Been a while since I've been to one of those."
He reached down and tugged at Beatrice's hand. "C'mon, let's go before we get in trouble."
"Let go of me, Subaru!" she protested, wriggling in his grip.
Tiamat waved gracefully. "Be safe, both of you."
"See you later, Madam Tiamat!" Subaru called as he dragged Beatrice toward the door.
"Bye-bye, Mama Tiamat!" Beatrice added, her voice fading down the corridor.
The cafeteria fell silent again once they left.
Tiamat stood behind the counter, a faint smile curving her lips as she pieced the situation together.
A new world.
A strange, modern setting.
Familiar faces and unfamiliar rules.
Her starlit eyes shimmered with quiet amusement.
This must be one of those chaotic crossover realms… perhaps what they call "Isekai Quartet."
The thought made her chuckle softly.
"Well," she murmured to herself, "it isn't a bad thing. That just means there are more children waiting to be met."
And with that, her mood brightened.
Tiamat stood quietly in the empty cafeteria, her divine eyes drifting toward the window where sunlight filtered through.
Let's just pin this world for now, she thought with a faint smile. I can always return later.
Closing her eyes, she released the thread connecting her to this world. Her consciousness slipped away—like a gentle tide receding into the ocean.
When she opened her eyes again, the familiar nothingness surrounded her. The endless, silent void.
It has been quite some time, she mused softly. Perhaps it's time to see Emilia again.
Following the shimmering line that bound her to the Re:Zero world, Tiamat conscious stepped forward and the void gave way to warmth and color once more.
When her eyes opened this time, she was back in her cozy bedroom within Roswaal's mansion.
"Home," she whispered, stretching lightly before standing up.
A mischievous gleam touched her starlit eyes. "Now then… what kind of pampering should I give my child today?" she wondered aloud, already imagining Emilia's flustered expression.
With that, she stepped gracefully out of the room.
Meanwhile, at the Astrea residence…
The grand palace of House Astrea stood bathed in afternoon light, its marble corridors echoing faintly with raised voices.
Inside one of the lavish rooms, a small blonde girl stood defiantly, wielding a broom like a weapon.
"I said I'm not wearing that dress, no matter what!" Felt shouted, her eyes blazing as she pointed the broom toward a very exasperated-looking red-haired knight.
Reinhard Astrea Sword Saint, protector of the kingdom, and arguably the strongest man alive—could only smile helplessly at the sight.
A few maids hovered uncertainly nearby, glancing between their mistress and their master for direction.
Reinhard cleared his throat politely. "Miss Felt, appearances do hold importance. If you wish to be recognized as a royal candidate, your presentation must reflect—"
"Ugh, spare me the lecture!" Felt snapped, swinging the broom in a wide arc that made the maids flinch. "If it's about appearances, then just pick another dress! I'm not wearin' something that makes me look like a porcelain doll!"
Reinhard's gentle smile didn't falter, though there was a trace of resignation in his eyes.
If not for Madam Tiamat's earlier reminder about Felt's true heritage, he might have scolded her—or worse, dragged her before the council for stealing the royal insignia. But now that her bloodline had been confirmed, her rebellion carried a different weight.
Felt wasn't just a street girl from the slums anymore. She was a descendant of the royal family of Lugunica—and one of the five candidates to succeed the throne.
"I understand," Reinhard said with a small sigh. "But please, Miss Felt, at least allow the tailors to make adjustments. The people must see a future queen—not a girl threatening them with a broom."
"Hmph! I'll think about it," Felt huffed, lowering the broom but refusing to let go of it. "But no frilly skirts! And no corsets! Those things are like torture devices!"
Reinhard chuckled quietly. "As you wish. I shall inform them to prepare something… less restrictive."
He bowed lightly, though his expression softened as he looked at her—equal parts amusement and admiration.
Even as royalty, she hasn't changed a bit.
Felt crossed her arms, still scowling but visibly less angry. "Good. Then maybe I'll wear it… if it doesn't make me look like some fancy teacup."
The maids finally exhaled in relief.
Reinhard smiled, a gentle warmth in his voice. "Very well, Your Highness."
"Don't call me that!" Felt barked immediately, cheeks tinged pink.
"Yes, Miss Felt," he replied smoothly, clearly amused.
The girl groaned, muttering something about "stuffy nobles" under her breath while Reinhard simply stood there, patient and unflinching—Sword Saint of the kingdom, and perhaps the only man capable of facing the storm named Felt Astrea without flinching.
(A/n: wow it has been so long innit?)