Chapter 9-35: "Star of Awakening"
When Rem arrived back at Roswaal's mansion, she had absolutely no sense of actually "returning home."
"Rem, can you see? That's Lord Roswaal's mansion, where Ram and the others work."
"Our workplace..."
Rem blinked her pale blue eyes, her eyelashes trembling, at Ram's words as she pointed to the picturesque scenery bathed in bright sunlight visible from the dragon carriage's window. After traveling to the industrial city of Costool in a shared dragon carriage, and then boarding a private carriage provided there for a while, what came into view was a "home" she didn't recognize. A grand gate and a magnificent mansion beyond it. Roswaal's estate, even more lavish than the Berstetz residence where she had stayed with Katura in the imperial capital of Vollachia, was a graceful building unforgettable once seen. Yet—
"Well?"
"...I'm sorry, Nee-sama."
Rem slowly shook her head, apologetically admitting she couldn't meet her sister's expectations. On the journey back to the mansion, Rem and Ram had separated from Subaru and Emilia, who had gone their separate ways for various reasons. During that time, Rem had hoped that seeing various things would stimulate her memories, but that hope had never been fulfilled. It seemed that even the mansion, so important to Rem and the others, was no exception.
"That's right. But it can't be helped. After all, it's been a long time since Ram and the others worked at the current mansion, and this isn't the mansion that left a lasting impression on Rem."
"Eh!?"
"By the way, Otto, feeling annoyed, burned down the previous mansion, so it's gone. If it hadn't burned down, I might have considered a detour there."
"Otto-san... he didn't seem like that kind of person."
Rem, bewildered by the belated information, became even more confused by Ram's description of Otto. Otto, the camp's internal affairs officer, had seemed like a gentle person, a friend and indispensable companion to Subaru, and according to Petra and Frederica, someone who never slept. Now, the information that he, feeling annoyed, set a mansion on fire was added, and his personality was completely lost. Perhaps it was a case of not judging a book by its cover, but could one really summarize it like that?
"Him too, but is Emilia-san's group made up of people like that? Garfiel, and Roswaal-san too..."
"Lord Roswaal."
"...Lord Roswaal too."
"Good girl. But it's naughty to lump those three and Lord Roswaal together, Rem. Lord Roswaal is intelligent and capable, the most excellent magic-user in this world. Compared to him, those three, even all together, are barely fully-fledged... no, half-fledged is more accurate."
"Three for half-fledged..."
Rem imagined Otto, Garfiel, and Subaru stacked on each other's shoulders in her mind, then placed Roswaal, who could fly with magic, next to the three stacked individuals. While Rem couldn't tell the exact difference between them, she knew Ram's words must be true. For Rem, who still had no prospect of regaining her memories, the sense of closeness, trust, and admiration she felt for her twin sister Ram was undeniably genuine. It was a definite bond connecting Rem's past and present.
"...Priscilla-san would be angry at this way of thinking."
A bitter feeling arose in Rem's chest, and she recalled the gaze of the fiery scarlet woman. In a very short time, she had greatly influenced Rem's way of thinking and approach to life, never approving of clinging to or dwelling on the past. Similarly, she likely wouldn't favor Rem indulging in the sweetness of trust and flattering Ram. Rem didn't want to be disliked by Priscilla, nor did she want to live a shameful life. So, she scolded her heart, which was about to become negative, slapped her cheek, and lifted her face.
"But Nee-sama, based on what you just said, doesn't that mean there aren't many clues for my memory to return even if we go back to that mansion?"
"Hehe, you catch on quickly. Ram is proud to have such a clever sister."
"No, I don't think I deserve such praise from Nee-sama..."
"However, whose sister do you think Ram, who is right here, is? Do you think Ram, Rem's Nee-sama, would make such an oversight?"
Ram placed a hand on her chest and declared with a confident expression. Rem honestly felt ashamed of her misplaced worries at Ram's dignified words. Ram had already seen through everything without Rem even needing to say anything. That being the case, Rem was now keenly interested in Ram's plan.
"If we're going back to the mansion and that's not the goal... then is the goal a person?"
"I wonder. We'll find out... soon enough."
Ram smiled at Rem's guess almost simultaneously with the dragon carriage coming to a stop. Rem, startled by the unfamiliar feeling of swaying after being kept at bay by the 'Windbreak Blessing,' saw Ram rise gracefully and offer her a hand.
"Come on, we're here. Let's go."
"—Yes, Nee-sama."
Taking Ram's hand, Rem suppressed the slight tension in her chest and descended from the dragon carriage. As Ram spoke to the driver who had brought them there, Rem stepped out in front of the carriage and took in the mansion and its beautiful front garden through the closed iron gate directly before her.
"This is..."
Rem narrowed her pale blue eyes; the mansion reflected in them was still unfamiliar. Nevertheless, she could tell that the building, flowerbeds, and hedges, every corner of the estate, were meticulously maintained, and it subtly straightened her posture. Regardless of whether her memories returned, if Rem were to live in this mansion from now on, her position would be that of a servant, like Ram and Frederica.
No, if Rem is healthy and lives freely every day, that's all that matters.
For a moment, the image of Subaru in her mind saying such a thing flashed before her eyes, but Rem forcibly chased away that illusion of excessive pampering. Indeed, it was something Subaru would say, but he was in no state for that right now. In fact, to comfort the person whose heart was wounded by losing Priscilla, far beyond anything Rem could compare to, he was now—
"—Oh? Oh, oh, oh, oh!"
Suddenly, startled by a growl, Rem gasped and recoiled. Looking up, she saw the voice came from beyond the gate, within the mansion grounds. There, a small girl was grasping the fence with tiny hands, her eyes wide with a fixed gaze. She had an adorable face and long, pink hair. The small girl, appearing to be around eleven or twelve years old, wrapped in a black tunic, stared at Rem with her round eyes wide open. Rem recognized the girl. —From the devastation of the Empire.
"Ah, you are... the 'Witch' who caused the 'Great Calamity'!"
"Oh, Lady Ryuzu, thank you for coming to meet us."
Trembling violently, pointing at herself, the instigator of the 'Great Calamity.' As Rem stared in shock at the sudden, unwelcome reunion with disaster, Ram casually poked her head out from beside Rem and addressed the girl. At her natural demeanor, Rem looked back at Ram with a bewildered "Eh?" The 'Witch' also snapped her head to glare at Ram.
"Ram! Welcome back. Welcome back, but... you're too nonchalant!"
"...Are you suggesting Ram should pick up Lady Ryuzu, like Garf and Frederica?"
"I didn't say that! More importantly, that girl is..."
"Nee-sama, this person is..."
The 'Witch' who sought the Empire's destruction, her name was Sphinx. However, Ram called the girl in front of them by another name—Ryuzu. Ryuzu's gaze returned to Rem, and Rem looked at Ram, confused. At their reactions, Ram gently placed a hand on Rem's shoulder.
"Introduce yourself."
"――――"
Even without the barest explanation, Ram's quiet voice somehow soothed Rem's frayed nerves. Her confusion naturally eased, and Rem turned back to Ryuzu. She composed herself and, looking firmly into the other's eyes, said,
"—I'm Rem. And you're Ryuzu-san, correct?"
"...Is that so? Yes, that's right. I am Ryuzu, Rem."
To Rem, who had introduced herself and asked for a name, Ryuzu's eyes briefly looked distant before she gave a soft nod. Her reaction, Ram's demeanor, and the fact that they were on Roswaal's estate finally convinced Rem that the girl in front of her and the 'Witch' of the Empire were different people.
"Even so, they look too similar..."
"Indeed. There's a common saying that everyone has three people who look like them in this world, but in Lady Ryuzu's case, there are nearly ten times that many. Which means she's ten times more common."
"What a thing to say when an old woman is feeling emotional."
Ryuzu scolded Ram, who had responded to Rem's comment about the confusing resemblance. As their exchange showed, their relationship was quite relaxed. From Ryuzu's attitude, she too must have been someone with a deep connection to the previous Rem.
"I'm sorry. But I don't remember anything."
"Nonsense, there's no need to apologize. I am—"
"—My sister. She has the same hair color as Ram, doesn't she?"
"C-certainly...! Eh, but if she's Nee-sama's sister, then—"
A shocking truth revealed by Ram, cutting off Ryuzu. Stunned by the surprise, Rem looked between Ram and Ryuzu, finding convincing evidence in their hair color. However, since Ram and Rem were supposed to be twins, it inevitably meant Rem's relationship with Ryuzu was—
"My sister... too?"
"Stop it, Ram! You're just like! You're being a bad influence, like Ros-boy and Su-boy!"
"You're putting those two in the same category? No matter how much I respect you, Lady Ryuzu, there's a line between what's acceptable and what's not."
"Who are you to say that!"
Ram frowned at Ryuzu, who raised her voice, her cute face furrowed. Rem blinked at their argument and finally realized it was Ram's joke.
"Now that you mention it, if she were my sister or Nee-sama's, it would be strange for Nee-sama to use 'Lady' for Ryuzu-san."
"Well, in that case, there's also the possibility of sisters with different fathers or mothers, or of noble blood. It's not a perfect refutation, is it?"
"That's true too... So, is she really my sister or Nee-sama's...?"
"No. It's unequivocally Ram's mischief. Honestly, it's quite troublesome."
Ram stuck out her tongue slightly as Ryuzu let out a big sigh. Rem felt a bit flustered, but thinking back on their journey so far, Ram's playful nature had often troubled her, yet also rescued her. For Rem, who tended to get down easily for minor reasons, Ram's confident and humorous presence was truly like the warmth of sunshine.
"I think Nee-sama is wonderful. Including her playfulness."
"Based on the contents of the bird mail, it hasn't been long since your reunion, yet you're already so tamed..."
"Tamed? That sounds terrible. I've merely given my sincerity and love."
"For someone who says that, you're unusually giddy, Ram. I understand that you're happy your sister, who was bedridden for so long, has woken up and can spend time with you like this."
"—. How rude of you, Lady Ryuzu."
"Your way of hiding your embarrassment is aggressive, so I'd appreciate it if you'd go easy on Gar-boy, even if not on me. Now then..."
Ram frowned slightly. As Rem admired her sister's rare moment of being put in her place, Ryuzu, who had been leaning against the iron gate, moved away from the fence.
"It's strange to keep talking through the gate. I'd like to embrace and celebrate with my granddaughters who've safely returned."
"Granddaughters...?"
"That's Lady Ryuzu's best joke. Please laugh."
"It means I care about you that much!"
Rem's lips curved into a smile, despite her confusion, at Ryuzu's pouting. It wasn't because Ram told her to laugh, but because Ryuzu's consideration naturally eased her tension. Although, being treated as a granddaughter by Ryuzu, who looked younger than Rem and Ram, was a detail that made her want to tilt her head even with the added consideration.
"It was the same with Beatrice-chan, but do small children tend to try and act older...?"
"Yes. Lady Beatrice's true form is when she's on Barusu's lap."
"Given how cute she is, that makes sense."
Like Spica, children are best when they are childish and laugh exuberantly. Not just Beatrice, but if Ryuzu didn't try to act older and laughed her age, how adorable she would be. Lost in such thoughts, Rem's mind momentarily froze at what happened next.
"Then, everyone, open the gate."
No sooner had Ryuzu spoken than the mansion's iron gate slowly began to open. That in itself was fine. No problem at all. The problem was how the gate was opened.
"————"
The gate's bolt was removed, and the doors swung inward—and the ones moving them were multiple people who had followed Ryuzu's call. While each had their own distinct hairstyles and accessories, all of them had the exact same face as Ryuzu. That meant they were all girls with the same face as the 'Witch,' Sphinx—
"—!!"
Exceeding her tolerance, Rem's scream rang out loudly.
"I wondered what that scream was about, but now I understand. It's perfectly natural to be surprised the first time you see Lady Ryuzu and her sisters, the Picos."
"It helps a little to hear you say that..."
Rem bowed her head in shame at the understanding words of the blonde maid. She was embarrassed by her panic at the gate, first greeting Ryuzu, and then the shocking appearance of over ten girls who looked exactly like Ryuzu.
"Nee-sama had told me there were ten times more people who looked like Lady Ryuzu, but I thought she was just joking..."
"Given how Ram said it, it's understandable Rem would think that. I'd say anyone who didn't think it was a joke would be blind."
"You're speaking so nonchalantly, Lady Ryuzu, but perhaps you should reflect on yourself as well? If you cause problems with such frequency that your cuteness can't excuse it, I might soon lose my patience."
"S-she's saying something scary..."
Ryuzu cowered and reflected, glared at by the maid with a quiet, judgmental look. At this, Rem's lips finally relaxed, and she straightened her hunched back. She hadn't expected to be so flustered before even entering the mansion grounds, but now that she was properly inside, she couldn't mope forever. Even so—
"I apologize for causing trouble by being so noisy. Um..."
"—Sylphy Elmatt. I was formerly Cornias, but I've divorced. I've been entrusted with managing the mansion while everyone was away."
"The mansion. So, Sylphy-san, were you also a colleague of mine and Nee-sama's?"
Rem asked Sylphy, the maid who had quietly bowed. Naturally, it was highly likely that all the women working at Roswaal's mansion were acquainted with Rem. She must have caused them a great deal of trouble by falling asleep. However, to Rem's concern, Sylphy shook her head and said, "No."
"I'm still a newcomer, so I haven't worked with Lady Rem and the others. Besides, I wasn't hired by the Marquis; I was hired by Lord Millord. Furthermore, if I may say so..."
"Say what?"
"My only master is myself. And the master of my heart is none other than Lady Emilia."
Overwhelmed by Sylphy's gaze, filled with strong conviction, Rem's head involuntarily recoiled. Sylphy's profound loyalty to Emilia was evident not only in her words but also in the perfectly maintained entrance hall, corridors, and the reception room they were currently in, all of which she had guided them through. Just as the mansion had appeared from the outside, her work was superb. It truly seemed to be the result of her devotion to Emilia, whom she considered the master of her heart.
"Sylphy-san, have you known Emilia-san for a long time?"
"No, we only met a few months ago. And even then, the time we spent directly together was extremely short."
"And yet, such strong feelings?"
"Isn't the extent to which someone occupies one's heart less about the length of time spent together, and more about what that person has done for oneself?"
"That's..."
Surprised by the unexpected answer, Rem looked down at Sylphy's continued words. At that moment, the faces of cherished people like Spica and Katura flashed through Rem's mind. However, the time Rem had spent with them, even considering that Rem had built those relationships from scratch due to her memory loss, couldn't be described as long. Yet, Rem strongly considered them irreplaceable. What Sylphy said was reasonable. —And as that thought tried to settle in her mind, Subaru's face clearly came to mind, and Rem pursed her lips.
"Lady Rem?"
"She's troubled, isn't she? Sylphy, I'm sure I told you about Rem's situation."
"That's right. My apologies. I was lacking in consideration."
"No, there's no need to apologize. —It's just my own situation."
Hearing Rem's reply, Ryuzu and Sylphy exchanged glances. While it pained her to trouble the two who were so concerned, Rem didn't intend to discuss her current dilemma. As she said, this was purely Rem's own worry and problem.
"—You look worried, Rem. Did Sylphy bully you?"
"————"
At the sudden sound of her name, Rem looked up towards the reception room entrance. Standing there was Ram, who had temporarily parted ways with them earlier, saying she had errands to run while guiding them to the reception room. Rem's eyes widened and she gasped at the sight of Ram, who had joined them late. —Ram had appeared in an unfamiliar maid outfit.
"Nee-sama, your attire is..."
"I've told you many times, haven't I? Ram is the mansion's, Lord Roswaal's, maid."
Rem found herself captivated by Ram, who elegantly smoothed her pink hair and replied. Ryuzu, looking at Ram just like Rem, let out an excited "Hoh."
"It's been a while since I've seen Ram in that outfit."
"Indeed. Ram has been wearing traveling clothes for a long time, so this is refreshing."
"It's so refreshing that the uniform seems to be worn incorrectly in several places. May I fix it for you?"
"Oh? Then please do."
Ignoring the wide-eyed Rem, Ryuzu became nostalgic, and Sylphy quietly began to help Ram adjust her attire. As Sylphy straightened her uniform, Ram winked at Rem, who was watching her.
"This is the maid uniform Ram and Rem wear when working at the mansion."
"...I think it's lovely. But..."
"But?"
"Compared to Sylphy-san's uniform, isn't there a bit more skin exposed? What exactly is the difference... Could it be that person is involved?"
Comparing Ram's and Sylphy's maid uniforms, Rem hugged her shoulders, voicing her suspicion. It was certainly a cute outfit, but the differences were too obvious for her to understand the intention behind them. And if she recalled, Subaru had often commented on Rem's clothes in the Empire, saying things like how she'd be cuter this way or more charming with this detail, making her feel complex emotions. Memories of those times resurfaced with the uniform before her.
"I thought he had an unusual obsession with other people's clothing, but here it is again..."
"...It seems there's a misunderstanding, Lady Ram?"
"Indeed. Ram doesn't care if Barusu's reputation plummets in Rem's eyes, but it's not fun when someone else takes credit."
"Credit?"
"Yes. This maid uniform was personally proposed and modified by Ram. It was all because... Ram wanted a uniform that was easier to move in? It should have been?"
"Why did you suddenly lose confidence?"
Ryuzu tilted her head at Ram, who uncharacteristically lost confidence at the end of her explanation. At Ryuzu's observation, Ram muttered, "I don't understand it."
"It's unpleasant to not be convinced by my own opinion. Perhaps the reason Ram proposed the uniform modification isn't some offhand remark like I just made."
"Y-you're saying that about your own opinion!?"
"I feel a sense of ulterior motive. ...Though it's irritating to have the same thoughts as Barusu, it's far more convincing that I wanted Rem to wear a cute uniform."
"I see, indeed. I agree."
Sylphy inexplicably agreed with Ram, who was tapping her finger on her lip, deducing. From the flow of the conversation, it seemed Sylphy also had an impulse to dress someone in cute clothes. In a world where many had lost their memories of Rem, the true nature of Ram's discomfort and its correct answer would probably never be known.
"In that case, Ram will just believe what she wants to believe. Without hesitation, you see."
"...Nee-sama, I'm sure you would have gotten along well with Priscilla-san."
Rem's social circle was small, but in terms of being noble and strong women, Priscilla and Ram shared admirable qualities that made one look up to them. If Priscilla were still alive, there might have been a future where the two became friends through Rem. Or perhaps they would clash like archenemies. In any case, it seemed her suspicion of Subaru regarding the maid uniform was misplaced.
"But it's all because that person usually does confusing things."
"If you're talking about Su-boy, it's a shame he's getting such a harsh critique."
"You can say that, Lady Ryuzu, because you haven't seen him cross-dress and say nonsensical things."
"What! Su-boy cross-dressed in the Empire too! He never learns, does he?"
"Cross-dressing? Even though he has Lady Emilia? What is he thinking? Depending on the answer..."
From Ryuzu's reaction, it was confirmed that Subaru was truly a repeat offender. Hearing this, Sylphy expressed her discomfort with a stern look, and Rem resolved to press the matter further. Meanwhile, Sylphy finished adjusting Ram's attire. Ram spun around, her skirt swirling, and gracefully brushed her hair back.
"It's not uncomfortable. Good work, Sylphy."
"...I will say I'm honored to receive your praise."
"Since it's praise from Ram, just accept it honestly. That's not all. I took a quick look around, and the mansion was well-maintained, wasn't it?"
"I've spent days of subservience under a hopeless master, you see. If even a speck of dust fell on the floor, all of us wives would suffer terribly. Just remembering it makes me angry. Though he recently got his comeuppance."
Sylphy, who had perfectly straightened Ram's uniform, conveyed the harshness of her previous workplace—or perhaps environment—through her words and actions, making Rem feel deeply sympathetic. Then, in front of Rem, the now perfect maid Ram gently placed a teacup.
"Here, you must be thirsty after being interrogated by Lady Ryuzu and Sylphy."
"She makes us out to be villains just for serving a cup of tea."
"Hmph."
Ram chuckled at the pouting Ryuzu and prepared tea for her and Sylphy as well. Ram, who apparently had brought a serving cart into the hallway, skillfully brewed tea for the two of them, while subtly urging Rem with her gaze to drink first. Following her cue, Rem barely took time to enjoy the tea's aroma before putting the cup to her lips—and her eyes widened in surprise.
"Delicious..."
"Of course. Brewing tea is Ram's only special skill as a maid."
"It's almost admirable how unreservedly confident you are. ...And truthfully, there aren't many opportunities to drink tea this good, so I have no complaints."
"Frederica also always says with delight that she can't compare to this."
Sylphy and Ryuzu conceded defeat to the triumphant Ram and sipped their tea. Rem, savoring the aroma in her nose and the taste on her tongue, nodded at their words, and then noticed Ram's gentle gaze, filled with affection and a faint expectation, fixed on her.
"—Ah."
Ram didn't explicitly say it. But surely, there was an expectation tied to the taste of this tea. Given such a delightful flavor, a tea that only Ram could brew, it was easy to imagine that Rem, before losing her memories, had also savored it. Indeed, the masterful way the tea was brewed, which even brought tears of emotion to her eyes, seemed to permeate every corner of Rem's body with tenderness. However, it did not stimulate Rem's memories or bring about the desired result.
"It was very, truly very delicious. But—"
Setting the empty cup on the table, Rem lowered her eyes and spoke vaguely. But at Rem's demeanor, Ram smiled and said, "Foolish girl."
"I merely brewed tea. There's no reason for my cute Rem to apologize."
"Perhaps Lady Ram's sharp gaze made her apologize. My previous master was very moody, but apologizing usually put him in a good mood."
"...Ram, would you mind brewing a second cup of tea for Sylphy and me? I feel so sorry for this girl, truly sorry."
"Why do you think so? Far from pathetic, she's enjoying unprecedented freedom."
Sylphy frowned slightly, expressing her surprise to the sadly gazing Ryuzu. In response to Ryuzu's request, Ram began preparing a second cup for Sylphy. Watching Ram's back, Rem reaffirmed her strong, resolute decision.
"…I want to respond to those who are good to me."
After leaving the reception room, Rem wandered through the mansion at her leisure. Each time she paused, Ram, who was accompanying her, would tell her about memories associated with that spot: "That's the flowerbed where Barusu got fertilizer dumped on his head," "This pillar has bite marks from Garf. I'll scold him later," "Oh, Emilia-sama and Beatrice-sama's portrait of the Great Spirit drawn on the ground is still here." This left Rem no time to feel disheartened.
However, despite Ram's closeness and consideration, Rem couldn't quite find that feeling of being strongly pushed forward.
"Oh, more children who look like Lady Ryuzu..."
"Those are the Picos. They've been released from the 'Sanctuary' and are learning everything from scratch again."
"...I'm in a similar situation to those children and Sylphy-san."
Unlike the oddly mature Ryuzu, the girls who looked innocently age-appropriate—led by the one called Pico—were seen throughout the vast Roswaal mansion, busily helping the maids wearing the same uniform as Sylphy. These girls, who looked incredibly courageous, were apparently born with a different fate than humans. They were now freed from it and in the midst of living a different life. Meanwhile, the maid women, many of whom were strikingly beautiful and elegant, were, according to what Rem heard, women who had been in the same poor circumstances as Sylphy, and all had managed to escape thanks to Emilia.
Rem felt that Ryuzu's sisters and the maid women were in the same position as herself, in that their lives had been toyed with and tossed about by fate. However, after Rem voiced this thought, Ram continued, "That's right."
"Regardless of whether you have your memories or not, if you've decided to walk a new path, in most cases, you have no choice but to rebuild from scratch. Rem isn't special at all."
"Nee-sama..."
"No, I was mistaken. Rem is special. Far too precious to Ram."
Corrected, Rem turned her face away, embarrassed by the immense affection bestowed upon her. Of course, Rem also felt a strong closeness to Ram and overflowing love, but while Rem's love felt like a mere "one," Ram's felt like "tens" or "hundreds," leaving Rem feeling unsettled. Carrying that frustration, Rem and Ram's tour of Roswaal's mansion continued for a while. And then, at last—
"—This is your room, Rem."
Ram opened a door, and Rem stepped into the room she indicated. Compared to the reception room, dining hall, grand bath, secret training ground, lounge, garden, and balcony they had seen throughout the mansion, this guest room-like space had little to note. Given the mansion's size, the room given to Rem, a mere servant, was substantial, but that was about it.
"————"
A large bed, a bookshelf filled with poetry collections and picture books. The writing desk was neatly tidied, and a vase with fresh flowers stood upon it.
"There was one time when Barusu, without realizing it, put away your personal belongings, but then he pulled everything out and put it all back the way Rem had it."
"That person..."
Ram told Rem, standing in front of the bookshelf, about Subaru's efforts. Ram's remarks about Subaru were usually critical, and Rem often agreed with her. However, the words she added just now were so sincere that they touched Rem's heart.
Rem pulled out a poetry collection and turned the pages. The poems written within were unfamiliar, but they were likely the kind of poetry that the previous Rem enjoyed and loved. Somehow, many of them seemed to be about love and romance, making her feel a strange mix of amusement and embarrassment about her former tastes.
"I was asleep for over a year, wasn't I?"
After putting the poetry collection back on the shelf, Rem gently stroked the bed she had sat on and narrowed her eyes. In Rem's place, while she was in her slumber and unable to perform her maid duties, Ram, Frederica, and Petra must have maintained the mansion and daily cared for the bedridden Rem. Even now, the bed's pillows and sheets were kept clean, showing their meticulous work. The faintly sun-faded mark on the floor next to the bed was evidence that a chair had been placed there for a long time. An image formed in her mind: someone who visited the sleeping Rem, speaking to her from that spot. It must have been Ram, and Emilia and the others, and then—
"————"
Ram silently sat down next to Rem, who was on the bed. Rem closed her eyes and shook her head, even as Ram's gentle, pale pink gaze looked at her profile. She hadn't been asked. But she must have been wanted to be asked.
Nothing in this mansion, nothing in this room, stimulated Rem's memories. All that was here was abundant affection, all things that made Rem, who remembered nothing, realize how fortunate she had been.
She felt it deeply, so deeply that her eyes teared up. That's why—
"...Nee-sama, that really bothers me. What is it?"
In a corner of the room, where sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating a soft atmosphere filled with affection, a mysterious object stood out: a spiked iron ball with a chain attached. At Rem's question, Ram let out a knowing "Ah."
"That's a morning star."
"...Morning, star?"
"Yes. Barusu started calling it that, and it somehow stuck... but that's also something Rem treasured, apparently."
"I treasured that!?"
Hearing something so different from the previous anecdotes, Rem's gaze darted back and forth between Ram and the spiked iron ball—the morning star—multiple times. After doing so, she almost convinced herself that this too was one of Ram's playful jokes.
"Ram understands your doubts. But when I see Barusu polishing that every day, with a dedicated cloth and oil, I think the setup is too long for a trivial joke."
"B-but, wouldn't he do something that trivial?"
"Indeed. I won't deny it."
Perhaps it was a discussion they had exhausted, as Ram's answer to Rem's rebuttal was tinged with resignation. At Ram's demeanor, Rem got up from the bed and approached the morning star.
"I don't understand..."
Upon closer inspection, a handmade stand for the iron ball was provided to prevent the spikes from scratching the floor, showing meticulous care. The cloth and oil container placed in the same spot also corroborated Ram's words that Subaru polished it daily. However, if one were to ask "So what?", that would be the end of it.
"This must be another one of that person's mischievous pranks—"
Just like his cross-dressing, it must be some malicious thing that only seemed serious, merely reflecting Subaru's peculiar tastes. Thinking this, Rem crouched down and touched the iron ball with her finger. —It happened in an instant.
"—Eh?"
Suddenly, Rem's vision warped, and she involuntarily plunked down onto the floor. It was an ungraceful position, but Rem at that moment had no time for embarrassment or concern.
"Ugh..."
Even after falling, the relentless dizziness made her vision spin. Despite being present in the room, she couldn't distinguish between the floor and the ceiling, and the world's black and white inverted. Her five senses became muddled: air was visible, sounds had scents, smells could be touched, colors had tastes, and she could hear colors.
"—Ah, uh."
Everything she felt merged and churned, mixing Rem's past, present, and future. A village nestled in the mountains, a wolf's flag pierced by a sword, the creaking sound of wheelchair wheels, a flock of flying dragons covering the sky, a terrifying white whale flying in the night sky, a broken horn soaring into the twilight illuminated by flames, and a boy pleading with earnest expression, a boy angry, a boy crying, a boy laughing—
"————"
Eventually, the shock, like rebuilding the entire world, suddenly burst like a popping bubble.
"————"
Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch—each sense showed, heard, smelled, tasted, and felt, teaching her the correct way of life. Feeling the intense, searing sensation and the pulse that sent blood coursing through every part of her body, Rem blinked once, twice, thrice.
She didn't know what had happened. Only—
"I... Rem is..."
Still sitting on the floor, she touched her cheek with trembling hands, confirming her own existence. The sensation on her fingertips didn't vanish. Fearing it would be fleeting, unreliable, and crumble like a sandcastle, Rem couldn't apply any more pressure to her fingers. If she became too greedy, it felt like everything would disappear—
"————"
As Rem was enveloped in that undeniable anxiety and fear, a warm sensation embraced her from behind. She gasped, stiffening, unable to turn around. Embraced by the arms wrapped around her back, Rem found a reason to shift her overloaded mind and heart elsewhere. And the first place she turned it was to the presence embracing her from behind—
"Nee-sa—"
"—Wait."
"————"
"Don't turn around yet. Right now, Ram is experiencing disappointment in herself for the first time in her life."
Rem, who had begun to speak and turn, was stopped by the other's voice and movements, her body rigid. Ram, whose face she couldn't see, had trembling arms wrapped around her, and her voice was shaking. It was too far removed from the image of Ram that Rem knew.
Ram had always shown Rem only a dignified, brave, and regal demeanor. This was true when they reunited in the Empire, during their journey alone back to Roswaal's mansion, when she first started working at the mansion just after her horn broke and the burden was heavy, and even when she bravely fought the Witch Cultists in the burning village to protect foolish Rem. Whenever Ram appeared in Rem's eyes, she was always cool—
"I'm sorry, Rem. I'm pathetic."
"Nee-sama... what are you..."
"So much."
"————"
"How heartless a sister must Ram have been, to have lived until today, forgetting my beloved, precious Rem."
Rem's eyes widened at Ram's voice, filled with regret born of an overwhelming love. Breaking free from all restraint, Rem turned around, facing Ram who was embracing her.
"—!"
With slightly widened, moist, pale pink eyes, Ram looked at Rem in surprise. —Rem's chest warmed at that face, the one she had gazed at for the most significant and longest periods of her life. She was certain now. How fortunate she was, surrounded by such beloved beings.
"Nee-sama is not heartless at all. It is Rem who should apologize. I have always, always caused Nee-sama so much worry; I am an unfilial sister."
"Rem."
"I understand everything perfectly. How much Nee-sama has agonized over Rem, how much she has sacrificed, and how much she has stayed with me until today. And..."
"Rem..."
"What weak and pathetic Rem, who has only ever received, must do from now on."
"—!"
Rem looked directly at Ram's face, gently scooped a tear from her cheek with a finger, and smiled. Then, she reached out, pulled her sister's head to her, and embraced her. Sitting on the floor, the two sisters leaned into each other, cherishing one another. —No, Ram had always done that for Rem. Rem was the one who hadn't been able to do it.
"Nee-sama, I love you."
Bringing her lips close to Ram's ear, Rem conveyed her overflowing feelings. Feeling warm tears moisten her chest, Rem continued to hold Ram, who cried silently. Finally, truly accepting their reunion, Rem expressed her love with all of her past self, her present self, and everything she possessed.
She wanted to spend time with Ram like this now, to her heart's content, until she felt satisfied. And once the unfulfilled time between sisters was fully recovered, Rem had so many people to thank and express her love to. Above all, the first person who came to mind was a dark-haired boy with sharp eyes—
"—Subaru-kun."
She had to stand up to convey her love. What a happy reason she had to be alive. —That's what Rem thought.
: )
"————"
Petra gasped, facing the maid-uniformed girl who had bowed deeply and then looked up. Her eyes widened fixedly, and her stiff body became immobile. It wasn't just Petra who was struck speechless by her appearance; Meili and Emilia were too. In that enforced silence, the first to speak was—
"—Rem."
The incorporeal, imaginary Subaru stood frozen, looking at the same person as Petra. her dazed voice didn't reach anyone but Petra, and sadly, the girl who was the sole focus of their gazes didn't even meet her translucent eyes. Petra had no time to help 'Subaru,' who was unnoticed by anyone. However, she could guarantee the correctness of 'Subaru's' call. —Standing there was none other than the beloved and precious girl named Rem.
"—Ah."
In an instant, a spark shot through Petra's mind, and one by one, hazy areas of her consciousness cleared. The gravitational pull, whose source was directly before her, caused images of memories, previously unconsciously relegated to a corner of her mind and covered by a cloth of oblivion, to begin displaying themselves again in the corridor of her consciousness. And all the vivid pictures displayed struck her with a shower of sparks.
—Petra's time interacting with her, as Petra, wasn't very long. She was a maid girl who frequently came to the village from Roswaal's mansion for shopping. They had almost no contact and never exchanged words, but after Subaru started showing up in the village, she became more expressive, and above all, she was their savior. —It was Meili, who manipulated the demon beasts, who endangered their lives, which was ironic. In fact, Meili and her sister had, at crucial moments, targeted the lives of their own associates too much.
In any case, Petra's connection to her was tenuous at best. Afterward, at the beginning of the Royal Selection, she fell victim to the Archbishop of 'Gluttony.' Petra, hired to fill her shoes, joined Emilia's camp as a maid. This meant that her current position wouldn't exist without her tragedy, which itself was a deeply complex feeling, but—
"Rem... is it Rem?"
It was like turning over a hidden card and reconfirming its picture and content; within Petra, her incomprehension about her was successively replaced by understanding. Beside her, Emilia, blinking, called her name in a hesitant voice. Emilia stepped forward, opening and closing her lips repeatedly as if struggling for the next words.
"No, I'm sorry, that's a strange way to put it. I've always known Rem is Rem... but that's not what I want to say."
"It's alright, Lady Emilia. Please take your time; there's no rush. Rem understands that this is sudden."
"—. Yes, thank you. There's so much I want to say, but..."
"But?"
"...That outfit suits you so, so well. It feels so, so much like Rem."
Emilia, pressing a hand to her chest and with glistening indigo eyes, smiled at Rem. At Emilia's words, Rem slightly raised her eyebrows and then nodded. She proudly puffed out her chest in the maid uniform.
"Because Nee-sama tailored this uniform to suit Rem."
Ram, arms crossed, nodded contentedly at Rem's reply.
"...What is this all of a sudden, I wonder?"
Beside Emilia and Rem's exchange, Meili muttered, frowning. The little red scorpion peeking from her hair clicked its pincers as if concerned about its owner's reaction, and Meili, winking one eye, put a hand to her forehead.
"The moment I saw Ram-onee-san's sister, I remembered that person crushing the Ulgarm horde. It was the cause of my work failure, wasn't it..."
"Then you should be grateful to Rem. Because Rem's 'failure' meant no one but Barusu was harmed, you're here now."
"It's a complex feeling, hard to be grateful for..."
Meili stuck out her tongue with a displeased expression at Ram's remark, who was hugging her own elbow. While the phrasing was harsh, Ram's point was true. In fact, it was undeniable that Meili, once an enemy, was accepted into Emilia's camp partly because the damage the camp suffered from her actions was minimal. —Ironically, Ram's point that no one other than Subaru was harmed is also correct from the perspective of 'Return by Death.'
"As you can see, the moment Rem's appearance was witnessed, the memories of those who knew her before were revived. Rebirth. Even I and Lady Ryuzu couldn't suppress our agitation. As a result, our rendezvous was maximally delayed. Confession."
"Clind's reaction was uninteresting and bland, but Lady Ryuzu's discomposure was exaggerated and a spectacle. This is a privilege for those who witnessed it."
"Indeed, a spectacle. We certainly witnessed something rare. Concurrence."
"—. Hmph."
What had happened to those surrounding Rem was the revival of her 'memory.' —No, considering the conditions of 'Gluttony's' authority until now, that event should be called the revival of her 'name.' When Clind, touching upon that fact, cast a meaningful glance at Ram, she visibly averted her gaze in displeasure and sniffed. Upon closer inspection, Ram's slightly reddened eyes and Clind's comment about it being a spectacle might be related. However, Petra didn't mention it. —Not out of chivalry, but becauseshecouldn't.
"—Petra-san?"
Suddenly, Rem, who had been the focus of everyone's attention, looked at the silent Petra and widened her eyes. At her reaction, Emilia and the others also turned to look, startled by Petra's appearance. Their reactions were natural. Petra, who hadn't uttered a single word until now, was shedding copious tears from her round eyes, desperately trying to suppress her sobbing throat.
"Petra-chan!? Oh dear, don't cry so much—"
"—!"
The moment her tear-stained face was noticed, Petra kicked the floor and started running. Dodging Emilia's hand, who was surprised by her tears and reaching to embrace her, evading Meili who tried to touch her sleeve, and slipping between Old Man Rom's legs, who was left behind by the situation, Petra, with agile movements, leaped directly into Rem's astonished embrace. And then—
"Rem—!"
"Kyaa!"
Rem, who didn't evade, caught Petra in her arms, and she tightly hugged her slender frame. While hugging back the clinging Petra, who clung so tightly and unwillingly to let go, Rem blinked.
"Rem... Rem, Remmm...!"
At Rem's reaction, Petra continued to cry uncontrollably, shedding tears profusely, and even though she had sworn never to do it in front of others, she resorted to sniffing, still unable to let go. Supporting the crying Petra, Rem looked around for help, asking,
"Um, were Rem and Petra-san so close that she would cry this much for me, even though I don't remember it...?"
And with an expression that couldn't hide her bewilderment, she continued to gently stroke Petra's head.
Think I got it all, hope yall enjoyed the read fellas : )