Chapter 64: Recovery
Day by day passed, and Subaru Natsuki had completely adapted to life in the mansion, living every day very fulfillingly. He would wake up in the library in the morning, then quietly leave to prepare breakfast.
After eating breakfast, he would start cleaning.
By noon, he ate lunch and took a short rest before training with Puck.
Since the second day of training, Emilia had begun watching Subaru's exercises nearby.
Each training session ended with exhaustion, then lying on the grass chatting with Emilia before starting the afternoon cleaning.
Under Rem and Ram's arrangement, after finishing cleaning the mansion, the three would prepare dinner together.
After dinner, the day's work was done, and Subaru would return to his room for lessons with Rem and Ram.
When the time was right, he would tidy up the books and go to the library to study with Beatrice.
He would study until completely exhausted and fall asleep. This routine had continued for two full weeks.
But Subaru wasn't some kind of immortal—under such high intensity, one morning, he didn't wake up on time.
When Subaru opened his eyes, what he heard was Beatrice's dissatisfied voice.
"Hmph, do you really want to die? You do so much every day and still don't rest properly."
Hearing that, Subaru groggily turned his head to look at Beatrice sitting by the bed and smiled.
"Good morning, Beatrice." Saying so, Subaru tried to sit up, but was hit by a headache so unbearable all his strength vanished, leaving only a feeling of weakness.
Even lying down, he felt his body sway and his senses completely confused.
Feeling these symptoms, Subaru realized one thing—he was sick.
"Looks like you finally understand what's wrong with you."
"Yeah…"
Beatrice listened to Subaru's weak response, her brows furrowing.
It was the first time she had seen such a fragile side of him. During their time together, Subaru had seemed like a person with endless energy.
Almost to the point where she stopped seeing him as human.
"Betty already told everyone in the mansion. Today you're going to rest well here.
Of course, Betty won't take care of you; just letting you lie in Betty's bed is the best care you'll get."
"Thanks…"
Hearing this, Beatrice felt a bit uncomfortable with Subaru's current state.
Usually, he would shout a lot or complain, but now he was so quiet it felt awkward.
"By the way, why are you working so hard? It's like something is forcing you forward."
Beatrice looked seriously at Subaru lying on the bed, quietly waiting for his answer. After a while, Subaru answered:
"No one is forcing me… It's just that there are so many things I want to do… If I don't do them, it feels awful…"
"Are those things really important? At least, Betty doesn't see anything you do as important."
"To you, maybe… but not to me…" Saying this, Subaru held up one finger.
"Work is my duty, training is to prevent danger and protect some things, studying is to enrich myself. Coming to the library is to accompany you."
"Huh?!"
Beatrice was surprised and wanted to say something, but saw Subaru slowly close his eyes and softly say:
"I've already lived too many empty days… I don't want to watch powerlessly anymore. I want to find a way home, so I need to study… I don't want to see Beatrice lonely… I don't want to be alone either…"
Subaru's voice faded away. Beatrice looked at him lying on the bed with a complex feeling. After a moment of silence, she reached out and moved Subaru's hand under the blanket.
"Hmph, Betty isn't lonely…"
Muttering something unheard, Beatrice jumped down from the chair, walked to the library door, and opened it.
After a while, she returned with a basin in her hands.
Without saying a word, Beatrice came to the bedside and placed a towel wrung from the basin on Subaru's forehead.
Though inexperienced in caregiving, she tried to care for Subaru by mimicking what she had seen.
Time passed quickly.
When Subaru opened his eyes again, the pain in his head had lessened and his lost strength had returned to his body.
Feeling the cold towel on his forehead, Subaru took it off, sat up, and saw Beatrice sleeping by the bed.
Seeing her small hands reddened, Subaru quickly understood who had been taking care of him. In his impression, Beatrice was not the type to care for others.
But the scene before him didn't lie, and Subaru was filled with emotion. His hungry stomach reminded him to find something to eat and replenish his energy.
He got off the bed, gently picked up Beatrice, placed her on the bed, then grabbed his practice writing book. He wrote a note and left the library.
When he left the library, Subaru found himself directly in the kitchen, which suited his intentions.
While searching for food, he saw some leftovers left on the table.
Rather than leftovers, it looked like a portion set aside intentionally. Though he didn't know who left it, it was definitely from someone in the mansion.
Pulling out a chair and sitting down, Subaru rubbed his arms, perhaps still feeling cold after just recovering.
"Thought you were some kind of thief when I heard a noise, but it's just you, useless Barusu."
Hearing this, Subaru turned his head to see Ram standing at the door and raised a hand in greeting.
"Good evening, Senpai."
"It's already evening, you useless Barusu."
Subaru smiled and didn't continue on that topic.
"By the way, who left this for me?"
"It's Rem. Barusu, you better eat it gratefully, don't leave a single drop."
"Of course! I could eat a whole cow right now."
Ram sighed helplessly watching Subaru prepare to eat, then quickly came over. Seeing Subaru's puzzled look, she lifted the dish.
"Barusu, as a servant of the mansion, how can you eat cold food? If anyone finds out, you'll disgrace Lord Roswaal."
Watching Ram carry the dish to heat it, Subaru smiled softly.
"Senpai, you're really kind."
"Of course, Ram is the kindest person in the world."
"So, Senpai warming the food just for me really moves me."
"Barusu."
"What's wrong?"
"I think you should sew your mouth shut."
"..."