Re:Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu (LN) - Volume 21 - Chapter 1.4

4

“Did your conversation with the master go well?”

“About the same as always. You can guess how it goes with him. I left Beako back there as someone who could speak freely with him, so I imagine he’ll reflect a little bit on what he’s done.”

“I see. The master can’t stand against Lady Beatrice after all.”

Frederica covered her mouth with her hand and smiled elegantly.

After finishing the discussion with Roswaal in the parlor, she had taken over guiding Subaru and the others as they headed to the eastern wing of the manor. With that, Subaru had reunited with all three of the manor’s maids.

The fierce-looking servant with beautiful, long blond hair and a neatly arranged maid outfit gave Anastasia and Julius a picture-perfect greeting before turning to Emilia.

“Was Garf of service to everyone during your trip? I gave him detailed instructions before leaving, but I couldn’t help worrying that he might have caused you some trouble.”

“You don’t need to worry. Garfiel worked reeeally hard during the trip. He is behaving himself and recovering together with Otto right now…I think? At least I hope he is. I did ask him to rest up.”

“I’m sorry that my foolish little brother has troubled you.”

Emilia couldn’t quite reassure Frederica, who apologized on behalf of her family.

Ultimately, even though Petra, Ram, Roswaal, and Frederica were concerned about Garfiel, there was no mistaking there had been some sort of change in his state of mind while he was in Pristella.

He had been hurt and used that as a springboard for further growth. If anything, it was the sort of development expected of a fifteen-year-old as far as Subaru was concerned.

“It did seem like Garfiel had a lot going on…”

“? Was there something you wanted to mention, Master Subaru?”

“No, nothing from me. Honestly, it’s not really something I should be talking about myself.”

Noticing Subaru’s meaningful gaze, Frederica questioned him, but he just shrugged in response. Brushing off her question, he could imagine what might be going through Garfiel’s mind.

There was a certain family that had caught Garfiel’s attention in Pristella—especially a brother and sister with blond hair and green eyes that resembled Frederica and Garfiel.

The connection between them and Garfiel surely also applied to Frederica. But that was something for Garfiel to share with Frederica and Ryuzu, the members of his family.

“I won’t say anything. Subaru Natsuki is just gonna walk away looking cool.”

“Right, right, speaking of Garfiel, there were these children that he was getting along reeeally well with in Pristella. Those kids and—”

“Emilia-tan, don’t make my monologue go to waste!”

Subaru frantically stopped Emilia before her natural airheadedness ruined his attempt to act smooth. Frederica looked suspicious, but Julius required her attention.

“Ms. Frederica, I regret interrupting your congenial conversation, but is that the place up ahead?”

“Yes, sir. The manor prison, as Master Subaru has called it.”

“So the person in question is here, then? Hopefully the discussion will proceed well.”

“It’s a bit of a coin flip, I’d say. Honestly, if we manage to get anything even remotely useful, I’d call it a success.”

Julius seemed to be ruminating on something as Subaru scratched his cheek and gave his best assessment of the situation.

Even though he had suggested it himself, Subaru wasn’t really expecting much since there was no telling whether the person they came to see would be willing to help.

“But she is pretty attached to you, so she should be willing to tell us a lot of things, right?” Emilia asked.

“There’s no telling how much or how little that affection level will impact the conversation, though… Ah, we’re here.” As Subaru reined in Emilia’s optimism, the procession reached its destination. Standing in front of the stairway leading underground, Anastasia furrowed her brow.

“Not exactly the most welcoming place I’ve ever seen.” At a glance, it looked like any old average stairway leading to a basement, but Anastasia was as impressive as usual and noticed the subtle change in atmosphere. Foxes were canines, so maybe some smell tipped her off. Either way, the aura that hung in the air didn’t actually have anything to do with smell. “Is it miasma? No, it seems different, but I can’t say it’s a pleasant feeling, either.”

“That is the aura released by the person being kept in the room there. I will lead you in, so please watch your feet.”

Frederica took the lead going down the dark staircase that Anastasia was peering into, and Subaru and the others quickly followed her underground.

Reaching the bottom, their footsteps rang louder on the stone flooring. The cool underground air chilled their lungs as Frederica unlocked the sturdy metal door at the end of the passage.

There was an almost palpable tension as the metal door creaked open—

“Woof, woof! I’m gonna eat youuu!”

“Kyaaah! Save me! Nooo!”

“Gah-ha-ha, plead all you want, but no one is coming to save you!”

A bright light shone from inside the room, and they could hear a high-pitched voice.

There was a single small figure inside the room, a girl with her back to the door. She had several stuffed animals arrayed around her and was playing with dolls in either hand.

She was doing different voices, playing all the various parts in her little story.

“No, I’m sure he’ll come. The prince promi… Hmm?”

The girl shot up from her seat, gripping the little girl doll as she sensed something was off.

Then she slowly, nervously turned around and saw Subaru and everyone else standing at the entrance to the room. Her big, round eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. Her deep-blue hair hung down, and her simple, adorable face gradually reddened.

“H-hey. It’s been a while. How have you been doing?”

Subaru decided to act as if nothing happened and raised his hand to greet her. He glanced toward everyone else, trying to urge them not to say anything.

But—

“Oh, you’re so cute, Meili. I used to do the same sort of thing with snowmen…”

“Y-you big meanies! Argh! Whatever!”

Naturally, because Emilia didn’t get the message and immediately said what first came to mind, the little girl imploded.