"Rem."
Lucien smiled warmly, like an aunt greeting someone, since Rem was alone. He decided to chat, after all she was the woman he had once loved deeply.
"Aunt Ina."
Rem recognized Lucien feminine disguise. Lucien always transformed into real villagers, never strangers, otherwise it would be dangerous.
" Ram is not with you today?"
"Yes, Rem can manage on her own."
Rem nodded, her words revealing both effort and a hint of stubborn pride.
"Miss Rem, have you ever had a dream?" Lucien changed the subject suddenly, catching Rem off guard.
"I want to become as excellent as my sister."
Rem's entire world revolved around Ram, her goals aligned with admiration and devotion.
"Miss Ram is indeed remarkable." Lucien agreed, then continued, "Miss Rem, have you ever thought about your Prince Charming, or about having a passionate romance?"
Rem froze again, shaking her head, but a small glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes.
"A girl should have a moving love story, wear the most beautiful wedding dress in the world, and marry him someday," she murmured quietly.
"Perhaps your Prince Charming stands right beside you and has always loved you deeply."
Lucien's first words stirred longing in Rem's gaze, yet the last line confused her.
"May I hug you?"
Without warning, Lucien suddenly changed the subject again.
"Ah…"
Rem was bewildered. With an aunt-like smile, Lucien opened his arms and embraced her before she could react.
At first Rem tensed, but slowly she relaxed in the warm embrace. The feeling reminded her of her mother's hug from when she was little, so safe and comforting.
"If possible, I too want a passionate romance, to love someone until the seas dry up and the rocks crumble, until the heavens collapse and the earth splits," Lucien whispered close to her ear, "to love so fiercely I would give my life for it."
"So, Rem, I deeply love you."
A warm breath brushed her neck, and Rem went blank.
She did not understand Lucien's words at all, but a slight pain at her neck made her let out a soft groan. Her head tilted back, her eyes unfocused.
She knew she was in danger, yet her body felt limp, like she had no strength at all. Slowly, memories of her childhood began to swirl before her eyes.
Thump…
A pile of ashes scathed by the wind fell to the earth.
Lucien looked blissful, a trace of red at the corner of his mouth that vanished as his tongue flicked over it. A ray of sunlight poured down, illuminating his face, revealing how unhealthy and unstable his presence seemed.
If a psychiatrist observed this scene, they would surely call him disturbed. Undoubtedly, Lucien's mind was a bit off compared to ordinary people, yet it did not entirely break him.
In the blink of an eye the sunset came. Red clouds looked as if burnt flatbread had been scorched across the sky, only far darker.
At Roswaal's Mansion, Subaru Natsuki waited at the courtyard gate. Even though he had confirmed it in his heart, he still refused to accept it.
"Why hasn't Rem returned yet?"
Ram had not seen Rem all day and felt puzzled. She knew Rem went to the village, but it was so late now and she still hadn't come back.
"Could something have delayed her?"
Emilia's gentle voice sounded worried.
"Subaru."
Emilia and Ram stepped out together and saw Subaru waiting anxiously.
"Subaru, are you also waiting for Rem?"
"Yes."
Looking at Emilia's gem-like eyes, Subaru clenched his fists and nodded.
"Lady Emilia, I'll go to the village to check," he declared.
"Don't go," Ram said firmly.
Subaru grew uneasy at her words. Emilia and Ram looked at him with questioning expressions, leaving Subaru speechless.
Ram did not wait and strode toward the village.
"Ram, wait, it's getting dark, I'll go with you," Emilia called after her, clearly worried.
Watching the two women walk away, Subaru ground his teeth and rubbed his forehead, as though reaching a decision. Then he sprinted after them.
"I'll go with you all," he called.
Soon the three reached the village; night had already fallen.
But at the village entrance, seated on a long bench, stood a woman waiting.
"You've finally arrived!"
Lucien smiled at the three who approached, his weathered face lighting up.
"You…"
Subaru's eyes widened, his heart in his throat as he immediately shielded Ram and Emilia behind him.
"Ram, Emilia, hurry and go, I'll hold him off."
Even someone like Subaru could tell Lucien was not normal.
"What is it?"
Emilia and Ram looked confused, not understanding Subaru at all.
"Quiet."
Before Subaru could explain, Lucien spoke, closing Subaru's mouth so he could not open it even with his hands.
Woo woo woo…
Subaru burned with anxiety, shaking his head desperately to urge Emilia and Ram to leave.
"Don't move."
Lucien stood and calmly commanded, then walked toward Emilia and Ram.
Subaru remained frozen, rigid and unable to blink.
At that moment Emilia and Ram reacted.
"Lady Emilia, you go first."
Ram placed herself in front of Emilia, her gaze sharp, her right hand raised as a swirling aura gathered.
"I won't run away alone," Emilia said, spreading her hands as magic condensed around her, forming shimmering ice.
"Don't be so hostile. I don't want to fight, after all, I deeply love you all."
Lucien spread his arms, and the slightly drooping bow on his chest swayed in an almost comical, yet unsettling, way.
Lucien appeared dressed simply in an apron, his form oddly alluring. His presence exuded a strange appeal that made even the night air feel heavy.
"What did you do to Subaru?"
The five ice constructs trembling before Emilia hovered and readied themselves like arrows.
"Nothing, I just made sure he wouldn't disturb us."
Before anyone could react, Lucien instantly stepped before Ram and Emilia. In a flash, two black thorn-like bindings wrapped around the two women.
"Let me go."
Emilia struggled, suspended in the air. She had not brought Puck with her this time.
The thorns tightened, and Lucien looked at Emilia, reaching out to touch her profile, sliding his hand down her chest and thighs, sighing softly.
"I truly wish to have a love that lasts until the seas dry up and the rocks crumble, with you."
His voice low, he leaned close to Emilia's neck.
"Let go of Lady Emilia," Ram roared, but her hands were bound and she could not break free.
Subaru's face contorted, his eyes bloodshot, yet he could only watch helplessly.
Hmph!
Emilia leaned back, her long silver-white hair flowing like the goddess of a lake in moonlight.
"Lady Emilia."
As the night wind blew, only a set of clothes and a dress remained on the black thorns. Emilia vanished into ashes.
Subaru's face twisted with horror, tears streaming uncontrollably down his cheeks.
"I deeply love you."
Looking at the struggling Ram in front of him, Lucien said softly.
Ram's resistance weakened. Her maid outfit and stockings fell away, scattered by the breeze.
"Stop breathing."
With those words, Lucien vanished.
Subaru, unable to move, slowly stopped breathing as he stared unblinkingly at the clothes left behind after Emilia vanished.
____
Want to support or read ahead?
I gottu.... Become a patron right now to get access to exclusive chapters in advance
Patreon.com/Zphyr
Send Powerstones too, thanks.