“You are most generous, Princess Kairei,” Deann said. “Our people are grateful for your support during their time of need.”
Anri bowed her head graciously. Malcolm does not seem like a particularly effective leader. The man has been sulking for this entire meeting. If not for his daughter taking the lead, nothing would be getting done.
But I need to do one more thing. I’m just worried that I might choke doing it…
“I will return home to being the preparations. You may expect our first healers to arrive within the hour,” Anri replied. “Also, is your Canmore about? I’d like to see him. As a matter of fact, I was hoping to have the opportunity to host him in Siros for a time.”
Anri’s words hung in the air for a long moment.
Malcolm turned purple with rage but he didn’t dare say anything.
Deann looked grim. “Lady Kairei,” Deann said slowly. “My brother is still very young. I am reluctant to send him away from everyone he knows. Could you perchance be persuaded to accept me in his place?”
Anri shook her head. “I really had my heart set on entertaining your father’s heir,” Anri said sadly.
Deann took a deep breath. “In that case, could I… appeal to you for hospitality? I’ve been meaning to travel for some time and I would like to keep my brother company on his journey.”
“What?!” Malcolm shouted. “Your want to give her more than she asked for?!”
Deann gave Malcolm a chill look then ignored him and turned back to Anri. “Please, Lady Kairei,” She implored. “Don’t send my brother away from everyone he knows. Allow me to accompany him at the very least. The two of us are very close.”
Anri nodded slowly. “Of course. I understand. I cherish my own brother as well.”
“By your leave, Lady Kairei,” Duncan said, speaking for the first time. “I’d like to come as well. To continue my studies under Lady Deann. It would also do my heart good to see Gael again after so long.”
Anri smiled at him. “Of course, Sir Duncan. You are forever welcome at my home. As is any guest you might choose to bring with you.”
Deann smiled sardonically. Wonderful. I’m not an additional hostage. I’m a ‘guest.’ I suppose I should be grateful to Kairei for sparing what’s left of my dignity.
“There is one additional matter,” Anri said. “I was hoping to take possession of the Ebony Stone from your treasury.”
Deann, Duncan, and Malcolm all stared at her in confusion.
“The Witch’s Stone? Why?” Deann asked in a baffled tone.
“One of our… alchemists believes that there are great secrets that could be unlocked within it,” Anri replied.
Deann and Duncan shared a long look. Taiyang, They thought in unison. This must have something to do with Taiyang. But we can not refuse in any case.
“Of course, Lady Kairei,” Deann said slowly. “I’ll send for-”
“We don’t have it,” Malcolm snapped.
Anri blinked. “Excuse me?”
Malcolm gave Anri a nasty grin. “We don’t have it. I sold it to a foreign collector named Meyer Scrofa. If you want it, talk to him.”
Deann couldn’t miss how Anri looked visibly dismayed by this news. “Father, why would you sell one of our treasures?” Deann asked in confusion.
Malcolm smirked. “I received… reliable intelligence that I should send it away.”
Deann and Duncan shared a confused look.
“Splendidly done, Princess,” Malcolm hissed. “You’ve finally won the war. I only wonder if this was truly worth selling your soul to Taiyang.”
Anri and her advisers exchanged a confused look. “Who is Taiyang?” Anri asked. “And why do you keep talking about him?”
Malcolm just snorted and turned his face away.
Deann and Duncan exchanged a wary look. Deann’s thoughts were grim. I don’t think she’s lying…
Kairei really has no idea who Taiyang is. So does that mean that they don’t actually have a relationship? He did appear in order to rescue Kairei.
Or did he? Was rescuing the princess just incidental to saving his wife? Kairei claimed the woman was just her servant. Perhaps Taiyang sent his wife to infiltrate Siros with Kairei none the wiser. And if that’s the case, was he helping Siros to win the war or was he just trying to spite us because of his wife’s blindness? Was he working for Siros’s good or just our bad?
The Inn-Between had been closed for days but luckily, Koi had left them the keys.
Senko, Meili, and Elsa sat in an empty taproom. Subaru stood behind the bar. He wasn’t looking for drinks, he had found a sink and was furiously washing his hands.
Senko sat at a table patiently waiting for Subaru to finish what he was doing. Meili was watching Senko’s twitching tail with fascination. Elsa was contentedly knitting a new doll. This one appeared to have fox ears.
“What’s going on, Senko?” Subaru asked.
Senko gave a seated bow. “My organization has made a frankly astounding amount of money in the past few days. The ‘double your money back’ strategy really brought in the clients who thought that they had found an easy way to recoup their loses. Instead their goods were delivered safely and we got full price plus hazard pay. It would be fair to say that I am now a well-established merchant, Master.”
“What about the folks who tried to cheat and arrange for your shipments to be destroyed?” Subaru asked, opening the cabinet under the bar and looking around.
“There were a few,” Senko admitted. “Elsa discovered some new playmates that day. We managed to extract sworn affidavits from the hired thugs. I delicately explained to their employers that if they didn’t want these statements made public and their names blackened in front of the entire Merchant’s Association, they would need to show me some consideration for the foreseeable future. I’m now a preferred shipper of their goods and we have more contracts than I can possibly fill. I’m hiring aggressively right now to meet demand.”
Subaru chuckled. “Nice work, Senko. I knew you’d be good at this.”
Senko smiled and gave a little shiver of delight.
“Anything from your mother?” Subaru asked, opening the cabinet under the bar and rummaging around.
“I’m assured that Mother made a fortune smuggling the goods you and Lady Elsa waylaid. You have a sizable amount of gold waiting for you at the guest house. Lady Cynthia is spreading the Soma and establishing a large demand. I’m told that her VIP customers are constantly asking when more will be available. She’s rather anxious for you to return home and begin producing more.”
Subaru made a sound of triumph and pulled a small bottle out from under the bar. “Well, that shouldn’t be a problem. Once we get the Ebony Stone, I expect I’ll become a homebody for a while.”
“Excuse me but what do you want that stone for, Master?” Senko asked curiously as Subaru came around from behind the bar and sat down at the table.
“Don’t worry about it,” Subaru said, not unkindly. He handed the bottle to Meili. “Here you go. More of that cream liquor you like so much.”
Meili squealed in delight and grabbed the bottle.
“That bottle’s not one of the big rewards from the success of this operations I had mentioned,” Subaru admitted. “But hey, a treat’s a treat.”
Meili got up and went looking for glasses. “Subaru, did you see any ice or nuts back there?” Meili asked.
Subaru chuckled. “I can’t say I did. But I wasn’t actually looking.” He turned his attention back to Senko. “So how do you like being a merchant?”
Senko thought for a moment. “To speak frankly, Master, at first I wasn’t sure that I was going to like it at all. The people of Sanshi are openly rude and often cruel to me and my people. But I’m finding that I enjoy working with other demi-humans. We’ve all come from different origins but we’re united in the contempt that we need to deal with from outsiders. We’ve formed a tight team for mutual benefit and we’re exploring the world together. Truthfully, I hadn’t seen very much of the world until recently. I very much enjoy seeing new sights.”
“I’m glad you’re finding it tolerable.”
“Do you have any further instructions for me?”
Subaru scratched his chin. “Not at the moment. Try to keep your nose clean and build up your business. Tell your Mother that you’ve both done outstanding jobs and that you’ll both be rewarded as soon as I get home to see to it.”
Senko nodded. “Mother is quite enamored of the… Vitae?”
Subaru chuckled. “It’s a precious resource. Lots of things are too precious to buy with coins. Very few are too precious to buy with heartbeats.”
“Mother has put out feelers with wealthy persons across the continent who suffer from poor health and who would be willing to trade large amounts of gold and other resources to enjoy good health for a time.”
“Sounds like a good business venture,” Subaru replied.
Of course, if I want to sell Years, I still need to come up with a way to harvest them now that the war is over.
“I did not lie to you, Subaru,” Anri said firmly.
That night, they sat alone in Anri’s command tent. Subaru’s face was stony.
Anri continued, “According to Malcolm an Griest, he sold the stone sometime last week. The information was still good when I gave it to you.”
Subaru took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “And where is the stone now?”
“A man named Meyer Scrofa has it,” Anri replied. “He’s apparently a powerful merchant in southern Lagunica. I’ll send out feelers immediately to discuss purchasing the stone. I owe you that much.”
Subaru’s face was rigid. “Is there any chance of that working?” Subaru grumbled.
Anri looked awkward. “I’m… not sure,” She admitted. “I don’t know much about Scrofa but from what I’ve heard he has a bad reputation. He might even be involved in criminal enterprise. Subaru, why do you want the Stone anyway?”
Subaru took a deep breath. “It will let me make a medicine that will cure Emilia.”
Anri’s eyes widened. “Really?!”
“That’s why I need the Stone.”
Anri nodded. “I’ll use every kind of pressure I can to make Scrofa sell me the stone. We should have ample resources to make a serious offer. Now that the Gap has been closed by mabeasts,” Anri trailed off and gave Subaru a hard look.
Subaru looked back stonily.
Anri sighed. “Merchants are coming north through Siros in droves. We expect a huge boom in trade to follow shortly.”
“Well, I appreciate you doing your best to help me get the Stone,” Subaru said, struggling to be polite.
Anri hesitated. “Subaru, I’d like you and Emilia to consider coming back to Siros with me. You helped me end the war. Even if you did use every underhanded and treacherous trick I can think of,” She admitted glumly. “I’m deeply in your debt. I could help you take care of Emilia. I owe you that much. And I think you’d make an excellent adviser.”
Subaru’s thoughts churned inside of him. “Maybe,” He admitted. “For the moment, I think I’d rather stay close to my lab. Emilia needs medicine and it will take time to get my equipment set up in Siros. But maybe I’ll start looking for a house in the area.”
“I’d like that,” Anri commented.
The following night, Subaru, Elsa, Meili, and Senko all joined Koi in her meeting room back at the estate. Senko’s hair-dye was wearing off. Now that everyone knew she was Koi’s daughter, she had stopped dying her hair and her natural black and red color was resurfacing.
“So, just to get started,” Subaru said, pulling four small bottles out of his robe, “I want to thank everyone for the exceptional work they’ve done over the past few days.”
He handed out the Vitae and it was taken eagerly.
The four women drank the potions and languorously slumped in their seats in a blissful daze.
“I’ll also be cooking Soma tonight,” Subaru murmured to no one, waiting for the girls to recover. “I should have ten to fifteen kilos for Cynthia sometime tomorrow.”
Koi slowly pulled herself together. “Cynthia will be ecstatic. Now that her best customers have tasted Soma, she’s having a tough time arousing their interest in anything else she has for sale.”
“Soma’s funny that way,” Subaru commented.
“Also, she had a meeting with Lepus a few nights ago.”
“Who?”
“Lepus,” Senko broke in. “One of the Coin bosses in Kararagi. He runs Ivada.”
Koi looked at Senko with surprise at her knowledge of this. “In any event, Lepus and his men were offered a sample of Soma and they loved it. They want to make a deal to buy more. Rumor has it that they also brought it up at their most recent meeting with the other ‘Brothers.’ They think there might be a major market in Kararagi for the drug. They’re asking for a meeting with you.”
Subaru shrugged. “That's fine,” Subaru said without much interest.
“Also, I suppose congratulations are in order,” Koi continued. “You conquered Sanshi and the war is over.”
“For now,” Subaru said ominously.
“What do you mean, Master?” Koi asked with a frown.
Subaru sighed. “I have since discovered that Sanshi doesn’t have the Ebony Stone, which was my whole reason for conquering Sanshi in the first place.”
“Where is it?” Senko asked.
Subaru scowled. “Meyer Scrofa has it apparently.”
Senko looked at Koi in alarm. Koi’s expression was icy. “That is indeed dire news, Master.”
“You know Scrofa?” Subaru asked.
“Better than I’d like,” Koi admitted. “He was Zeno’s master. That should probably give you some idea as to his character.”
“I have a vague notion,” Subaru grumbled. “Alright. Senko, I think you told me that Scrofa was trying to take over the Coins?”
“Yes,” Senko nodded.
“How did you know about that?” Koi asked in surprise.
Senko gave her mother an arch look. “I keep my ear to the ground, Mother. You always taught me that knowledge was power. I paid close attention to the Coins so that I’d know what to do if you were ever in danger.”
Koi looked shocked.
“See why I hired her?” Subaru asked with a chuckle.
Koi shook off her amazement. “More recently, it appears that Scrofa has heard of you, Master. He’s discovered that you killed Zeno and stole his men.”
“It’d be hard to keep something like that a secret for long,” Subaru admitted. “Guessing he doesn’t like me much right now.”
Koi nodded. “Very true. In the year since Maiale’s death, Scrofa already has the Coins in Lagunica and Vollachia mostly in his pocket. He could probably conquer Gusteko by main force but the Coins in Kararagi are a different matter.”
“How so?” Subaru asked.
“They’re called the Tong,” Senko picked up the story. “The underbosses in Kararagi are notoriously independent. They rarely even have a Boss running the entire kingdom much less allow a King of Shadows to be crowned. Maiale’s reign for all those years was only possible because he managed to bring the Tong to the table and convince them to bow.”
“Scrofa is extremely unpopular,” Koi continued. “He’s greedy and cowardly and not much of a leader. He’s basing most of his appeal off the fact that he’s good at making money and he’s the strongest underboss left. He was basically appealing to the ‘inevitability’ of his victory to win the remaining underbosses over to him. If he’d conquered Gusteko as he planned, his coronation might have really appeared to be inevitable. But when you spiked that wheel and became the defacto ‘Boss’ of Gusteko, you challenged his image. I’ve heard that the underbosses of Kararagi are looking at Scrofa with increasing disfavor. Remember, the Kararagi underbosses have never heard of you, Master, and they’re inclined to dismiss the more extravagant stories of your power. From their point of view, Scrofa just had his nose bloodied by a newcomer with no experience.”
Subaru chuckled. “Well, that’s fine. I don’t have much interest in being crowned King. I just finished a race for the throne and it wasn’t much fun.”
Koi’s jaw dropped. “Master, excuse me, but have you considered the kind of power that the King of Shadows can-”
“I have power,” Subaru corrected Koi, not unkindly. “I’ve learned over the past few months that power has very little to do with crowns and bowing. Power is power. Those Kararagi bosses can crown whomever they choose. They’ll still be coming to me, hat in hand, for Soma and Years. And a dozen other potions I haven’t had time to make so far. They’re free to think I have no power over them. As long as they do what I need done, that’s fine. If they ever refuse to do what I need done, I can change their minds in a hurry about who has the power.”
Koi considered that.
“But that’s neither here nor there,” Subaru grumbled. “The priority right now is to find Scrofa and get the stone. Purchase it if we can, seize it by force if we have to.”
“I like the second option,” Elsa said, knitting in her chair contentedly.
Meili raised her hand. “I’d also prefer violence and bloodshed if we’re counting votes.”
Subaru gave them both a patient look. “Anyway,” He sighed, turning back to Koi. “Where can I find Scrofa?”
“I’m afraid I really have no idea,” Koi admitted. “Scrofa lives in hiding and uses his minions to do the dirty work for him.”
Subaru squinted at her. “Then how is he even hoping to become ‘king?’ Nobody will follow a coward!”
Koi shrugged. “He claims that being able to influence things from the shadows is what makes him smart. Makes him powerful. So far that claim has born fruit. Now that you’ve called it into question, I expect he’ll be looking to send some heat toward you.”
“Have you ever met him?”
“Once,” Koi said, curling her lip. “He’s a pig demi-human. A man of enormous size and crude manner. Nobody really likes him but he is a wily old jackal with a sharp insight for where and how to do the most damage. I believe he lives in Vollachia somewhere but truthfully, I don’t know.”
Subaru though about it. “Maybe we can ask Farouk. He worked for him.”
Koi shook her head. “I doubt that even Zeno knew where Scrofa was based. There’s no chance Farouk would.”
Subaru made a face. “Right. Well, I am open to suggestions.”
“Master,” Senko said differentially. “There could be a larger problem.”
“What’s that?”
“Scrofa could rally all the Coins against you. He’s probably already working on painting you as an outsider meddling in their business. If he is able to convince the others of that you’ll be wading through whole armies before you can focus on Scrofa.”
Subaru grimaced. “I was hoping I could avoid that by staying out of the competition for leader.”
“With respect, Master,” Senko continued. “I think that’s the wrong strategy. And exactly what Scrofa would hope you do.”
Subaru raised an eyebrow. He glanced at Koi who seemed equally surprised. “What do you mean?”
“If you’re an outsider then you’re a threat to the Coins. He won’t have too much trouble convincing the other underbosses to unite against you and more importantly to unite behind him. If you formally establish yourself as the Boss of Gusteko, an easy claim to make since Mother and Cynthia will back you and they’re the only underbosses left in the kingdom, then it becomes a matter of one Boss versus another. It’s ‘politics as usual’ and it’s between two leaders that the Kararagi Tong don’t really care about. They’ll decide that it’s none of their concern and stay out of it. You’ll still be forced to deal with the underbosses in Lagunica and Vollachia who support Scrofa but that’s much better than taking them on and the Tong.”
“That is,” Koi said slowly. “A rather brilliant insight!”
Senko flushed.
Subaru drummed his fingers on the chair. “We might be able to do a little better.” He turned to Koi. “You said that the Tong wanted a meeting with me?”
“Some of them do at least,” Koi replied.
“If I start making deals with the Tong, Scrofa will have to step in and stop me or his campaign to be King of Shadows will lose momentum. That might be enough to drag him into the open…”
Koi nodded slowly. “I’ll start making arrangements for a conference.”
A few days later, Subaru found himself at a large room conference table with three men from Kararagi. Surprisingly enough they were all demi-humans. One had feline features with pointed ears and slit, golden eyes. Another appeared to have weasel blood, he was strangely tall and thin and his hair had black and white streaks. The last man was much older. His hair was white and his long, white ears stuck up right from the top of his head. He was quite short.
Subaru sat at the table with Koi and Cynthia on either side of him. At Koi’s suggestion, Subaru had not wrapped himself in shadows for this meeting. Elsa sat in a corner, knitting silently.
The rabbit demi-human, an older man with long white ears and long white hair took a puff off his cigar. “So you’re the famous Taiyang we’ve been hearing so much about. Funny. I thought you’d look scarier.”
Subaru shrugged. “I can arrange that, Lepus, if you’d prefer it,” Subaru briefly triggered Endless Hunger. Just enough to make his body flicker in the light and fill the room with an unnatural dark chill. A moment later it ended but the underbosses all looked startled.
“Frankly,” Subaru continued. “I don’t really like to scare people if I don’t have to. You should use only as much force as needed. Anything more than that is a waste. Don’t throw a punch if a threat will do. Don’t make a threat if a polite remark will accomplish the same.”
Lepus stroked his chin. “Wise words,” He admitted. “So. You’re the new Boss of Gusteko?”
“That’s right,” Subaru said. “I run things up here. I understand you’re more democratic in Kararagi.”
The cat hissed a laugh. “I wouldn’t say democratic! We just don’t bow! Every city in Kararagi has its own boss and we like it that way. We organize when we need to and we stay separate beyond that. We don’t need a boss to tend to business, much less a King of Shadows.”
Subaru shrugged. “Makes sense to me, Ailuro. I usually prefer partners to bosses and minions. Minions you need to tend to and supervise and reward them when they do well. It’s just a lot of work. And don’t even get me started on bosses.”
Subaru took a sip of wine from his glass. He saw that the three underbosses were looking at him curiously.
So far I’ve defied their expectations. That’s always a good start.
“I thought you had bigger ambitions than that,” The weasel said skeptically. “Scrofa claims you want the throne.”
“I never met Scrofa, Mustel,” Subaru replied. “So I’m not sure how he’d know that. We’re all really busy gentlemen, so let me break it down for you. I’m selling Soma and other drugs you’ve never imagined. You meet my price and they’re yours. That seems like a good foundation for a business relationship.”
Lepus looked thoughtful. “Sounds promising,” He admitted, knocking some ashes off his cigar. “But what about this ‘Vitae’ I’ve been hearing rumors about?”
“That’s a little different,” Subaru replied. “Vitae is reserved for people I want to reward for loyalty and faithful service. Immortality isn’t cheap. If you gentlemen want to discuss getting your own supply of Vitae then we should talk about that separately.”
Lepus leaned back in his chair, his eyes glistening.
He got the message, Subaru thought. The drugs can be bought but for Vitae he’ll need to show me loyalty. Lepus is old enough that the Vitae might well bring him to the table. And if I can gain the support of a few of the Tong underbosses that will send Scrofa into a panic. He might even emerge from the shadows to take action against me…
“I have a question,” Mustel snorted, raising his hand.
Subaru raised his eyebrow. Something tells me this isn’t going to be a real question. “Go ahead.”
“I can’t help but notice that every one of your ‘underbosses’ has tits!” Mustel sneered. “Does everyone have to prove loyalty by sucking your cock?”
Koi and Cynthia’s eyes both blazed at the mocking weasel but neither one said anything.
“Elsa?” Subaru whispered.
Before Mustel could even blink, his forehead was slammed hard against the table. The other two bosses leaped back in their chairs as Elsa yanked his head back and caressed his throat with her blades. Mustel’s eyes were glazed and his forehead was wet with blood.
“Taiyang!” Lepus shouted. “This is outrageous-”
The room turned black as midnight and cold as a winter storm. “Silence!” Subaru roared in a hollow, echoing voice.
Lepus and Ailuro’s jaws dropped as they saw the unnatural shadow that was Taiyang.
And then it ended. The room was perfectly normal again.
“Mustel,” Subaru said calmly. “I’m afraid I find your words quite offensive. I will have to ask you to leave now. All the same, since you have grossly insulted my subordinates, I require that you apologize to Koi and Cynthia individually. Then you will leave. Elsa, if Mustel makes any statement other than ones entirely consistent with what I have specified, I want you to skin him alive, layer by layer.”
Mustel was panting for breath. His eyes darted around like a trapped animal but with Elsa’s blades pressed against his throat, he didn’t dare to move.
Lepus and Ailuro sat there like statutes, afraid that any action might put them on Elsa’s hit list.
“I’m growing impatient, Mustel,” Subaru said mildly.
Mustel took a deep breath. “My deepest apologies to you, Lady Koi,” He squeaked. “And to you Lady Cynthia. I don’t know what I was thinking. If you could only forgive me for my poor choice of words, I promise to leave now and never come back!”
Subaru scratched his chin. “Lady Koi, Lady Cynthia. How would you characterize his apology? You are both valued members of my organization and it is important that you both recognize that. If either of you do not feel suitably appeased by his apology, please let me know and I will give you his skin as reparations.”
Mustel gave a shrill squeal.
Koi and Cynthia shared a smug look.
“As always, Master Taiyang,” Cynthia murmured. “Thank you for your protection. I think that Mustel now fully appreciates the weight of his error.”
“As do I,” Koi purred. “I expect he won’t make such foolish mistakes in the future.”
Subaru mulled it over for a moment and then made a gesture. “Very well, let him go.”
Elsa looked only slightly disappointed as she took her daggers away from his throat.
Mustel leaped to his feet and bolted toward the door. Before he left, he turned back toward the conference table, his face fixed in a snarl and he opened his mouth wide.
“For every word you speak,” Subaru said calmly. “I will give Elsa license to remove an inch of your tongue and one of your fingers. If you ever attempt to interfere with my operations, I will ensure that mabeasts attack your secret, private estate outside of Outou and eat your children. Do not reply. Just look frightened and scuttle.”
Mustel’s face turned white. He slowly closed the door without a sound.
Lepus and Ailuro both looked at Subaru in shock. Elsa calmly returned to her seat and took out her knitting.
Subaru shook his head. “Boorish fellow,” He mused. “I hate dealing with people like that. As you can see, I don’t tolerate anyone threatening my allies. I trust that you’re both too sensible to make a similar mistake.”
Lepus looked thoughtful. “You may have just made a powerful enemy, Lord Taiyang.”
“If Mustel wants to discuss it, I’m at his immediate disposal. But let us focus on more pleasant matters. You both wish to discuss a shipment of Soma, I believe?”
Ailuro snorted. “Alright. I won’t act like I don’t respect a man who protects his people. Understand me, I’m not looking to kneel to a new King! But… I might be willing to show you loyalty. If we had the right agreement…”
Cynthia, Koi, and Subaru sat in Koi’s sitting room that night. Senko was occupied with her mercantile concerns so instead of tea they drank wine.
“That went better than I could have imagined,” Koi murmured.
“Mostly thanks to you, Koi,” Subaru murmured. “You knew that Mustel was already on Scrofa’s payroll and where his estate was.”
“Lepus and Ailuro don’t much care for Mustel anyway,” Cynthia added. “I think they might have brought him along just to see how you handle enemies.”
“I don’t think they were disappointed,” Subaru said.
“No! Lepus and Ailuro did everything but say that their support was for sale!” Koi agreed. “All they want is a few Years of Vitae and proof that you can make money for them.”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
“That part surprised me,” Cynthia murmured, swirling her drink. “According to them, Scrofa is trying to prove how much money he can make for his people over the next three months to solidify his support. He’s calling it a challenge.”
“A challenge he didn’t bother to deliver to us,” Subaru muttered.
“I doubt anyone takes it seriously anyway,” Koi shrugged. “Scrofa has Lagunica and Vollachia to play in. And parts of Kararagi. We have Gusteko and maybe a bit of Kararagi. We can’t compete with him economically so it’s not much of a challenge. He’ll win at a walk. You might as well challenge a fish to a foot race.”
Subaru chuckled. “Sounds like winning would be a lot of fun, wouldn’t it?”
Koi squinted. “I’m… sorry?”
Subaru smirked. “It’s time to send a shot across Scofa’s bow. You’re right. Everyone expects him to win this challenge without blinking. They don’t think we can do anything at all. So once we win, Scrofa is screwed. He’ll have to come out into the open to protect his interests and I can get my Stone. Ladies, I have a few jobs for you…”
Subaru spent the next several days brewing Vitae and Soma. He was quickly amassing a small mountain of gold. Soma was selling like crazy and while Vitae had to be offered much more… selectively to preserve Emilia’s supply, Koi was having no difficulty finding people who would pay fortunes to increase their lives and health.
Meili and Elsa were catching up on their sleep and if Subaru wasn’t working in the lab he was sitting beside the unconscious Emilia.
The past few days, Emilia had started murmuring in her sleep and Subaru hoping that she would wake up any day now.
Subaru had asked Senko to find him some books at the market so he could read to Emilia. He’d heard that could help people in a coma.
It was better than nothing.
Just before sunset, Subaru was halfway through the second book in the Sophia and the Ruby Princess series when Niobe entered the bedroom.
“Excuse me, Master Subaru,” Niobe said with a curtsy. “Lady Koi requests your presence in her sitting room.”
Subaru nodded and put a bookmark in the book. “Tell her I’ll be there shortly. And can you send over some broth for Emilia’s dinner?”
Niobe curtsied again and left the room.
Subaru found Elsa and Meili in the sitting room downstairs. Elsa was knitting and Meili was dozing on the sofa with her tiger doll.
“Hey, Meili,” Subaru said. “I have a little task for you.”
Meili yawned. “What’s that?”
“I’m going to go meet with Koi,” Subaru said. “Emilia seems to be dreaming. I think that she might wake up any time now and I’m worried about Emilia waking up while I’m gone. I don’t know how much damage the medicine has been able to repair but the last time she woke up, she was blind and still paralyzed from the waist down. In other words, she’s helpless. If she wakes up all alone, she’ll panic so I need someone to be here to watch her.”
Meili shrugged. “I can do that.”
“Thanks. Her dinner will be over here soon. Just make sure to give it to her a few drops at a time. Oh, and just remember, Emilia will probably act like she remembers you from Arlem. So… just be aware of that.”
Meili frowned. “Subaru, that’s the second time you’ve said that but I never met your wife when I was in Arlem.”
Subaru sighed. “Look… Emilia… Roy ate Emilia’s name and that means that nobody in the world can remember her,” He said bluntly.
Meili just stared at him. “Is this a joke?” She asked incredulously.
“No,” Subaru grumbled. “That really happened. That’s why I killed Roy.”
“You killed Roy?!” Elsa and Meili gasped in stereo.
“Yeah. Why? Were you guys friends with him or something?”
“No!” Meili shuddered. “Lye was terrifying and Roy was even worse!”
Elsa looked sick. “I’ve known Lye and Roy since I was Meili’s age. They never seemed to age or get older, just like Mother. Worse, they never miss a chance to run their hands all over you and whisper to you how delicious they think you’ll be! When I was younger, they’d sneak up behind me while I was getting dressed and sniff my skin.” She shuddered.
Meili nodded fervently.
Subaru made an expression of disgust. “Alright. Well… Roy won’t be eating anything ever again. So… there’s that.”
Elsa closed her eyes. “Subaru, I know several dozen assassins who will bless you in their prayers every night.”
“Assassins pray?” Subaru said in surprise.
“Why not?” Elsa shrugged. “We all need to ask forgiveness, don’t we?”
“But… they kill people.”
“Naturally. What do you think they’re asking forgiveness for?”
Subaru closed his eyes. “OK… We are not going to get any deeper into this existential lunacy. Meili, please sit with Emilia. If she wakes up, try to keep her calm until I get back.”
“Right,” Meili said with determination.
“Elsa, you should probably keep your distance,” Subaru said. “Emilia might recognize your voice and since she’ll remember you trying to gut us, she might go into hysterics. So please steer clear of her until I get a chance to explain the situation.”
Elsa shrugged. “That’s fine. I wouldn’t be much of a nursemaid anyway.”
“Welcome, Master,” Koi murmured as Senko poured tea.
“Good evening, Koi,” Subaru replied, handing her a heavy bag. “As requested, fifteen kilos of Soma and five years of Vitae. You have buyers lined up?”
“I located a few people willing to pay mountains of golds to delay their inevitable end,” Koi purred. “Not to mention earning a great day of goodwill from the other underbosses.”
“At the moment, Vitae is at a premium,” Subaru warned her. “It’s not easy to make until we get the Stone and Emilia needs a dose every day.”
Koi nodded. “I understand, Master. I’ll only offer Vitae to our most exclusive clientele. Men and women who can offer… more than gold to secure your favor,” She chuckled.
Subaru nodded. I don’t want to waste the years as long as Emilia needs them but a Year or two to the right person could go a long way. I just need to find a new way to steal lives now that the war is over.
Koi continued, “Master, I believe I’ve found the man that you were looking for.”
“Oh?”
“His name is Chandler,” Koi replied. “He lives in Ivada. He’s remarkable at his work and he’s the only one that I would recommend for jobs of this delicacy. Even better, he has a history of working with House Griest. But he’s also in a spot of trouble right now.”
“What kind of trouble?” Subaru asked.
Koi shrugged. “He’s apparently under investigation for a triple homicide. He turned violent when his affections for a certain woman were not returned and her brothers became involved as well.”
Subaru scowled. “So he’s garbage, basically.”
Koi raised an eyebrow. “I have a factor in Ivada. They’ll help you to… deliver him. However, I urge you to be cautious. Chandler attempted to double-cross me the last time we did business. He barely escaped with his skin,” Koi almost growled. She shook her head with a grimace. “Very few escape my displeasure. I’d like to tie up that loose end…”
Subaru took a deep breath. “You know, this Chandler sounds like the perfect man for this job.”
“In spite of our checkered past, I am forced to agree. He is extremely talented,” Koi said. “He’s the only man I’d recommend for a job of this delicacy.”
“I meant that he sounds like the kind of man that no one will miss once the job’s over.”
“Thanks, Big Sis,” Meili said. The pair had just finished spoon feeding Emilia some broth for dinner. Elsa had been asked to assist once Meili realized that she didn’t have enough hands to keep Emilia’s head up while feeding her. Neither one was a natural nurse but they were determined to do their best and prove their dedication to Subaru whom they had each come to adore.
The pair had shared a long discussion last night, realizing that, without ever specifically requesting it, Subaru had gained from them the kind of blind obedience and deep affection that Capella had always wanted.
They had debated once again if Subaru had put a spell on them.
“No problem, Meili,” Elsa said, gathering up the spoon and empty bowl. “Do you need any help doing anything else for her?”
Meili thought about it. “I don’t-”
“Elsa.”
The whisper sent a shiver up Meili’s spine. She turned around and saw that Emilia’s eyes, milky as a frozen lake, were wide open and terrified.
“Elsa!” Emilia screamed, struggling to push away herself from the sound of the voice using only her hands.
Elsa bit her lip.
“No, no!” Meili said quickly. “There’s nobody named Elsa here!” She threw a quick apologetic look toward her sister. Go get Subaru! Meili mouthed.
Elsa nodded. The assassin crept away with the dishes as silently as she could.
Emilia had grabbed her pillows and was holding them out in front of her like a pair of shields. “Why can’t I see?!” Emilia almost screamed.
Meili winced. “So… you got… kind of sick…” Meili said awkwardly.
“Where’s Subaru?!” Emilia shouted.
“He’ll be back! Soon!” Meili said, fervently hoping that she was telling the truth and that she wouldn’t have to explain to Subaru how she let his wife fall to pieces while he was gone.
Emilia hid behind her pillows. “Where’s Anri?” Emilia whispered.
“Um. She went back to Siros…”
“Anri’s gone too?” Emilia whimpered, trembling behind her flimsy fort.
Meili swallowed hard. “Subaru left us… me here to look after you until he gets back. My name is Meili.”
“Meili,” Emilia whispered. “Meili… from Arlem?”
Meili’s eyes widened. “Yeah… I was friends with Petra,” Meili said awkwardly.
“What are you doing here?”
Meili hesitated. Truthfully, she had more than half-believed that Subaru was just messing with her with his story about ‘eaten names’ and that Emilia might somehow know her. Now Meili realized that she didn’t have any cover story planned to tell Emilia. Unfortunately, telling Emilia that Meili was really an assassin who had worked Mother and now worked for Subaru seemed equally unwise and that didn’t even factor in mentioning Elsa’s involvement in all this.
She’d just have to wing it.
“Subaru saved me,” Meili began. That’s a safe place to start. Like Big Sis always says, however much you can admit to of the truth usually makes the best foundation for a lie. “My sister and I were about to be murdered by Mother Capella but Subaru swooped in and saved us!”
Emilia still huddled behind her pillow-fort but she seemed to be trembling a little less. “I didn’t know you had a sister,” She murmured.
Meili shrugged. A moment later, Meili realized that Emilia couldn’t see the gesture. “She wasn’t with me in Arlem. We’d been separated for a while but we finally found each other again.”
“Where am I? Why can’t I see?!” Emilia’s moan rose to shriek.
“We’re in Sanshi. Subaru got us a place to stay while we made your medicine.”
“When will Subaru be back?” Emilia asked plaintively.
“Soon,” Meili emphasized. “I just sent Big Sis off to find him! He’ll be back, um… before sunset, probably.”
“When is that?”
Meili blinked, realizing that Emilia couldn’t see the sun out the window. “Uh. Well, it’s going to depends on what he’s doing but he’s not far away so I’m sure Big Sis will bring him back quickly!”
Emilia curled up in her nest and whimpered.
“And I’m here!” Meili desperately tried to reassure her. “And I’m going to take good care of you! I’ll bring you whatever you want!”
Emilia whimpered. “Subaru. I want Subaru…” She whispered.
“Senko,” Subaru continued. “Where are you licensed?”
“I got my master merchant license in Ganaks. Lagunica is fairly liberal about these things and it didn’t cost too much to grease the wheels so I could get one quickly. My employees are journeyman merchants and their licenses are from all over the place since most of them had a license before they signed up with me. If I needed to buy an employee a license, I got it in Ganaks.”
“Journeyman merchant?” Subaru asked in confused.
“A merchant who by law can’t run his own shop,” Senko explained. “Merchant guilds in each province restrict the number of ‘master merchant’ licenses available to reduce competition. I’m licensed as a Master Merchant in Lagunica and that allows me to ship goods anywhere in the world as well as open shops in Lagunica if we wish.”
Koi looked rather impressed at how knowledgeable Senko was on the topic.
Senko noticed her Mother’s expression and flushed. “I’ve been studying, Mother,” She said proudly.
Subaru nodded and thought hard for a moment. “Senko, I’d like you to try to get licensed in Siros as well.”
Senko looked pained. “That might be expensive, Master,” She warned him. “Siros is more opened-minded than most northern provinces but master merchant licenses are still very expensive, especially to foreigners and…” Senko shrugged and gestured at her long, elegant tail.
Subaru made a face. “Understood. Start making inquiries and feel it out. I’ll supply money if we need bribes. I’d rather not go this way but if it really becomes necessary, I can have the Princess issue a request.”
“Why are we trying to get Senko a Siros license?” Koi asked in confusion.
“I’m going to set up some opportunities for Senko to take advantage of,” Subaru replied. “Also, Koi, I’d like you to begin stockpiling nonperishable food and easy to use weapons like crossbows.”
Koi frowned.
“I’m going to create a criss in the north,” Subaru said before she could ask. “If you two are well positioned, you can make a fortune.”
Koi thought for a moment. “What kind of-”
There was a frantic knock on the door.
Koi’s eyes narrowed. She had standing orders that her meetings were only to be interrupted in cases of dire emergency.
Subaru engulfed himself in shadows just in case and then gestured toward Koi.
“Enter,” Koi said.
Elsa slipped inside and slammed the door behind her.
Subaru dispelled his shadow. “Elsa? What are you doing here?”
“Emilia’s awake and she’s freaking out,” Elsa said urgently.
Subaru jumped to his feet. “I’m on my way. Elsa, I need you to go and grab someone for me. Koi has the details.”
“I’ll take care of it, master,” Elsa promised.
Subaru raced out the door.
Subaru ran the whole way back to the guest house. Meili met him at the door.
“Emilia is awake!” Meili said, sounding frantic.
“Then what the hell are you doing down here?” Subaru asked incredulously.
“I don’t know, Subaru! Everything I say to her just seems to freak her out more!”
“What did you say to her?” Subaru demanded.
“Nothing! Subaru, I was doing my best ‘cute little lost girl’ shtick! She’s just… going crazy up there!”
“Shit!” Subaru swore and raced up the stairs, taking them three at a time.
“Emilia?!” Subaru shouted as he raced into the room.
He stopped in his tracks, looking incredulous.
Emilia had built herself a pillow-fort on the bed. She was completely concealed inside of it. Subaru saw one milky eye peer out from between the pillows. She’d stripped the bed of blankets and pillows and had wrapped them all around herself. It appeared that the one bed’s supply of pillows hadn’t been satisfactory to her and that Emilia had sent Meili out to strip the other beds of pillows and blankets.
“Subaru?” Emilia whispered.
“Mili?” Subaru said as gently as she could.
“Subaru, is it really you?” She whimpered.
Subaru frowned. “It’s me, Mili. Oh, and I love your fort!” He said, frantically trying to sound cheerful.
Emilia was almost completely hidden inside her fort but she didn’t appear to be smiling at his joke.
“Um, can I squeeze in there too?” He asked.
Subaru gently lifted a blanket from her fort and Emilia flinched back.
Subaru froze in place. “It’s me, Mili,” He whispered. Emilia seemed like a frightened and wounded animal. She clearly wanted to flee but between her blindness and limp legs, she couldn’t run anywhere.
“Mili, can I… touch your hand?” He asked gently.
Emilia didn’t reply.
Subaru took a deep breath. “Mili, I’m going to touch your right hand, OK?”
Emilia didn’t reply.
Subaru gently reached out and stroked the back of her right hand.
Emilia jerked away as if she’d touched something hot.
“Su…Subaru?” Emilia whispered.
“That’s right, Mili,” He said reassuringly. “I’m here.” He touched her hand again and this time, Emilia flinched less, not breaking contact with his hand. Subaru pulled her closer and gathered her into his arms inside the pillow fort.
Emilia was panting for breath and her milky eyes filled up with tears.
Subaru could tell an eruption was coming. “It’s OK, Mili,” He whispered. “Just let it out.”
Emilia buried her face in Subaru’s chest and wailed in despair.
Subaru could feel her tears soaking into his shirt.
It took Emilia close to an hour to calm down. They spent the entire time inside Emilia’s pillow-fort. Something about being able to touch the ‘walls’ was clearly comforting to Emilia.
“Subaru,” She whispered finally. “What… happened to Daddy and Beatrice?”
Subaru took a deep breath. “Roswaal… got to them before I could.”
“Roswaal?!” Emilia gasped. “What does he want with them?”
“Hostages,” Subaru growled. “He’s holding them ransom so that I’ll do something for him.”
Emilia’s face was pale. “What does he want?!” She breathed.
Subaru growled, “I haven’t the foggiest idea!” He sighed. “Roswaal’s letter raised more questions than it answered but at least we don’t have to worry about the spirits right now. Roswaal will take good care of Beatrice and Puck because he knows that’s the only way that he can get me to cooperate.”
“But, Subaru, how are you going to do what he wants if you don’t know what it is?”
Subaru shrugged. “It’s fine. When he’s ready, he’ll contact me and start negotiating. We just need to wait.”
“Subaru, you can’t trust Roswaal.”
Subaru snorted. “No kidding! I can’t trust him as far as I can kick him! But I’ll happily buy him off if that’s the only way to get Beatrice and Puck back.”
Emilia was silent.
“Mili,” Subaru said gently. “What happened after I left the house?” Anri had told him the high points but he knew that Emilia needed to talk about it.
Emilia’s blind eyes filled with tears. “Subaru, they came into the house and they took Anri and me away. I had no magic and I couldn’t move… I’ve never felt so helpless! They beat me! They dragged me down the stairs!” She shuddered. “I was half-naked but they still brought me outside and they dragged me through the dirt and then they threw me into the carriage like I was a piece of garbage!”
Emilia was shaking and sobbing as she talked. Subaru rubbed her back, encouraging her to keep talking.
Emilia was panting for breath. It took her a long time to continue. “They brought us to Sanshi and the prince said…” Emilia shuddered. She couldn’t get the words out. “He said… His soldiers… held me down on the ground and they pressed my face down on a stone block! A man came with an axe and-”
Emilia broke off weeping hysterically.
Subaru stroked her hair and fought not growl as he once again imagined burning Sanshi to the ground.
Anri didn’t tell me about that part. If she had, I would have put a much more effective poison in those wells…
After a few minutes, Emilia calmed down enough to continue. “Anri said that the prince threw away my medicine. And now… I can’t see…”
“It’s temporary,” Subaru said reassuringly.
Oh. Please, God, tell me I’m not lying…
“I can’t walk, I can’t use magic, I can’t even see. I’m worthless!” Emilia sobbed.
“You’re not worthless!” Subaru snapped. With great effort, he forced his voice to be calm. “You’re sick,” He whispered. “And we’re going to make you all better. You’re here, you’re safe, and we have plenty of medicine to make you better.”
“Subaru,” Emilia wept. “We’ll never be safe. The whole world wants us dead! Especially me!”
Subaru took a deep breath. “Then I’ll fight the whole world. Nothing is ever going to hurt you ever again. I promise.”
“You can’t promise that!” Emilia wept, sounding exhausted and frustrated.
“I promise,” Subaru said with emphasis. “Promises are important and I must keep my promises. I will never, ever allow anything to hurt you ever again. I am going to spend the rest of my life with one goal: to protect Emilia and keep her happy.”
Emilia took a deep breath. “Subaru, I don’t want you to spend your whole life caring for a cripple,” Emilia whispered.
“We’re going to make you better, Mili. We have plenty of medicine to hold back the curse. And I’m hunting down a talisman that can cure you completely.”
“Subaru… maybe you should just bring me to Siros,” Emilia whispered.
Subaru froze. “What?” He whispered in disbelief.
“Anri… might be willing to find me a nurse or something. And then… you wouldn’t need to take care of me. You’d be free. You could go and do whatever you want,” Emilia said in a broken voice.
“Emilia,” Subaru said, struggling not to growl at her. “I will never leave you. Not ever. I don’t care what happens. I don’t care how bad things get. You and I belong together.”
“But… I have nothing to offer you,” Emilia said in a tiny voice.
“You have your love,” Subaru said softly. “You still love me, don’t you?”
Emilia face was streaming tears. She gave a tiny nod.
“Then that’s all I need,” Subaru held her close. “You’re safe here now, Mili. I promise you, the whole world will know that anyone who threatens you has signed his own death warrant.”
It was very late. Meili had long ago sought her bed. She had poked her head in only once, to ask if she could reclaim some of the pillows and blankets that Emilia had confiscated.
Emilia hadn’t answered so Subaru said it was fine. Meili grabbed her pillows and blankets out of the fort and Emilia flinched back violently when she sensed Meili moving near her. Emilia wrapped herself around Subaru and trembled.
It had taken hours but Emilia had slowly calmed down. She spoke more rationally now and once had even ventured to tell a joke.
“Mili,” Subaru said, standing up from the bed. “I think it’s almost time for bed. But before we go to sleep, I need to head down to the lab and-”
“No!” Emilia shouted, making a desperate, blind grab for his arm.
“Mili!” Subaru said in shock. Emilia held on like a vice.
“Don’t leave me alone, Subaru,” Emilia whimpered, pressing her face hard against his forearm. “Please. Don’t leave me alone…”
Subaru looked at her in shock and took a deep breath. “Alright,” He said slowly. “I’ll take you with me. I’ll just… carry you down there.”
Emilia gripped him tighter. “We need to leave here?!” Emilia whispered, sounding like a frightened child.
“We… aren’t leaving the house,” Subaru clarified, “Just this room.”
Emilia looked uncertain what frightened her more. “I don’t want to go…” She whimpered helplessly.
Subaru struggled for a moment. “Mili,” He said gently. “You really do need the medicine and I need to keep cooking it. So either you can come down with me or I’ll be right back after I make sure that it’s still cooking. I could find someone to sit with you until I get back,” He offered.
I’d hate to wake up Meili and ask her to do this but I know she’d understand.
I really do owe her a big present after all this…
Emilia thought it over. Finally, she closed her milky eyes in despair. “Please don’t leave me, Subaru,” She whispered.
“OK,” Subaru said slowly. “So… you want to come to the lab with me?”
Emilia seemed to find this idea very daunting. She squeezed Subaru’s arm with frightening intensity but finally, she nodded once.
“OK,” Subaru said as if trying to soothe a frightened animal. He sat down on the bed beside her. “So what I need you to do is to let go of my arm. I’ll pick you up and you can put your arms around my neck and I’ll carry you down to the lab.”
Emilia took a deep breath and slowly loosened her death grip on his arm. Letting go of him seemed to take all the courage she had.
Subaru gently lifted Emilia onto his lap and let her wrap her arms around him. She rested her head against his chest.
Subaru picked Emilia up and carried her toward the bedroom door.
She weighs nothing. I haven’t stolen anyone’s strength in days. She’s just lost a ton of weight…
Subaru approached the top of the stairs.
Subaru cleared his throat. “Come on, Mili. Let’s head down to the lab,” He said, hoping that some context might be reassuring. He began to carry her downstairs.
Emilia took a ragged breath. “Subaru, I’m… sorry…” She whispered.
After helping Emilia go to the bathroom and wash up, Subaru gently set Emilia down on a soft chair in their room. He tried to step away but Emilia immediately grabbed his hand and held on with desperate strength.
Subaru looked at her with deep concern. He spoke very carefully, “Mili, I need to make the bed before we can go to sleep,” Subaru said, looking at the bed which was not only unmade but very nearly destroyed by Emilia’s prior fort building activities. “Can I leave you here for a minute?” Subaru asked uncertain if he was being patronizing or if Emilia would be genuinely frightened if he stepped away.
Emilia took a deep breath. She made a conscious effort to let go but the instant she started too, she gave a strangled whimper and she convulsively gripped Subaru’s arm with bruising strength.
She burst into tears.
Subaru immediately sat down beside her and pulled her into his arms. “It’s alright, it’s alright,” He assured her. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’m sorry,” Emilia whispered.
“Emilia,” He said gently. “What’s wrong?”
Emilia took a deep breath. “Subaru. I can’t see.”
Subaru frowned. “I know that-”
“You don’t know, Subaru,” Emilia said in a voice as jagged as broken glass. “You can’t know. I feel their hands every time that I breathe!”
“Whose hands?”
Emilia took a ragged breath. “The hands that dragged me out of the bed. The hands that pushed me down on the ground. The hands that… held me still for the axe,” Emilia whispered. “I know that they’re not there but… I can’t see that they’re not there! Whenever you’re not with me, I can’t help but be terrified that the hands are only a second away from grabbing me again! I can’t see! Anything could be lurking for me in the dark and I’d never see it coming until they grabbed me! I know it doesn’t make sense but I’m so afraid that I just can’t stand it!”
Subaru held her tight. “It’s OK,” He whispered. “It’s OK. We’re going to figure this out. As long as we’re together, we can do anything.”
Emilia whimpered. “Subaru, please stop saying that…”
Subaru felt his breath catch in his throat.
He thought for a moment. It was easily three in the morning. Subaru couldn’t bring himself to wake up Meili or the maids to help him make a bed. “Alright. Well, I need my hands free right now so… how about you climb on my back and I’ll make the bed? That way you can be touching me the whole time.”
Emilia took a few deep breaths but finally nodded.
Subaru turned around and Emilia climbed on his back.
Giving a person who couldn’t use their legs a piggy-back ride was harder than Subaru had assumed. He needed to use one hand to secure Emilia’s legs around him and the other hand to make the bed. This meant making the bed was a huge production but he finally pulled it off.
When the bed was more-or-less made, he gently deposited Emilia on the bed.
Subaru made sure that he held her hand the entire time he got undressed and then he slipped into bed beside her.
Subaru held her close for a long time. It took her forever to fall asleep. Even after she drifted off, Subaru sensed her body spasming regularly as if her dreams were trouble by thoughts of violence and violation.
Subaru stared up at the ceiling, his thoughts bleak.
Subaru woke up late the next morning to find Emilia wrapped tightly around him. Emilia had always been a snuggler but today was different, she was holding onto him as if afraid some unseen force might tear him away from her.
There was a gentle knock.
Subaru saw Meili standing by the open door.
Subaru looked at her awkwardly as he couldn’t get up or indeed move right now.
Meili crept into the room. She leaned over and whispered into Subaru’s ear. “Subaru, Big Sis didn’t come to bed last night,” She said with a terrified expression on her face.
Subaru closed his eyes. “Fuck me. I’m sorry, Meili. Elsa is off doing a job for me. I meant to tell you and I got distracted.”
Meili looked greatly relieved. “That’s OK, Subaru. It happens. When will she be back?”
“Probably not for a few days,” Subaru admitted. “She had to go to Kararagi. Hey. Do you think you could do a job for me too?”
“Sure. What is it?”
Subaru quickly sketched out his plan and Meili’s face turned aghast. “No!” She said.
He shrugged. “It’s all that I can think of.”
“Do I have to?” Meili whimpered.
Subaru took a deep breath. “Please?” He asked plaintively.
Meili closed her eyes and her face became resigned. “Fine,” She grumbled. “I’ll leave after breakfast.”
“I left the letter I wrote last night and the money on the table with your other stuff,” Subaru said quietly.
Meili sighed. “Should I even be surprised that you knew I’d give in?” She complained as she walked away.
“Hey!” Subaru called after her in a whisper. “Take Tasty! Don’t try to go there riding a mabeast!”
Meili stopped short and if anything now she looked even more annoyed. “Do you really think I hadn’t thought of that?” She said unconvincingly.
Toby showed up around lunchtime and Subaru met him at the door, Emilia cradled in his arms.
It did not escape Subaru just how silly he must look right now.
“Is she here?” Toby whispered, looking around fearfully. Two large men climbed out the wagon as well.
Subaru felt Emilia flinch at the sound of the unknown voice and his jaw tightened. “No. She’s not here right now.”
“That woman is a psychopath!” Toby hissed, holding up his arms. “Look at what she did to me!”
Subaru glanced at his forearms which had some minor scarring. “Keep your hands to yourself and that won’t happen again.”
“I was just trying to be friendly!” Toby protested.
Subaru sighed. “You’re lucky I’m holding Emilia right now. Otherwise, I’d break your head.”
Toby looked offended. “Alright. Where’s the goods?”
“Down here,” Subaru led them into the bulkhead and down into the basement, ignoring all the curious looks directed at Emilia.
Toby and his men all came down into the basement. “You’ll be taking this,” Subaru pointed at several large boxes of Soma. “That’s forty kilos if you were curious.”
Toby nodded.
The men worked quickly and then drove off in their wagon.
Subaru brought Emilia back upstairs and helped her sit down on a sofa in the sitting room.
“So,” Subaru said slowly. “You must have a lot of questions about what’s going on.”
Emilia shook her head.
Subaru frowned. “You don’t?”
“Why would I? I’m not good at understanding things, Subaru. Every time I try to help, I just make a mess of everything,” She said, her tone all the more heartbreaking for being so calm and completely matter-of-fact.
Subaru looked aghast. “Emilia-”
“It’s fine, Subaru,” She said calmly. “I know that I can never measure up to you. I don’t really mind it. I’m just sorry that you’re forced to settle for someone like me…”
“Emilia!” Subaru protested. “I-”
“I know that you love me, Subaru,” She cut him off again. “And I’m… so very grateful. I just… wish… things could be different.”
Subaru held her close. His mind raced as he tried to think of something to say to start rebuilding her shattered ego. “Emilia,” He said slowly. “You’ve had a horrible time of it. But this is as bad as it’s going to get, I promise. From now on, things will only get better. We’re going to fix your eyes, we’re going to fix your legs, and you’ll realize that you’re so much better than you think you are.”
Emilia laughed but halfway through it turned into a sob. “Subaru, maybe I should be grateful that all this happened to me. I finally have an excuse for being a useless failure!” She burst into tears.
Subaru held her tight as she sobbed into his chest and wondered what he should say.
The next morning, Emilia slept in but her grip on Subaru was looser than yesterday and he managed to sneak out of bed.
He headed downstairs to take care of a few things. If Subaru had been playing closer attention, he would have realized that the loose hand Emilia was holding him with was mirrored by the death grip her other hand had on the sheets.
Emilia was awake. But after two days of childish tantrums every time Subaru tried to walk a few feet away, she was determined to get past her trauma.
I may be useless but I can’t be pathetic too! I need to be worthy of my Subaru!
But I just… can’t take it!
I thought that I was helpless before Anri and I got captured because I couldn’t walk and my magic was sealed. I was so naive.
I just can’t get over the what happened. The loathing in everyone’s eyes in Sanshi. Those rough hands that forced my head down on the block. That axe…
I never realized how terrifying an axe could be. The hands held me down on the hard ground. And they raised the axe over my head. They were going to slaughter me like a pig…
Being helpless in bed was bad enough but now I can’t even see!
I can’t see anything.
I know I’m somewhere safe but it’s like… I can feel those coarse hands on my body every time I move! I can’t help feeling like those hands are always just an inch or two away from me and that as soon as I let my guard down, they’ll slam me back down on the block.
And this time the axe will fall.
Emilia ground her teeth and her eyes filled with tears. I know it doesn’t make any sense but I can’t help it! I can’t see anything! There could be monsters all around me and I would never know it! When I put my hand out, I can’t tell what’s going to be there until I actually touch it!
I keep feeling like I’ll stretch my hand out and those rough hands will grab me again!
I almost wish that they’d brought the axe down! I can’t live like this! And Subaru can’t live like this! I just keep finding new and better ways to disappoint him! He’s gone from having a wife he had to be ashamed of, to one who was crippled with no magic, and now to one who’s blind and hanging onto her sanity by her fingernails.
How high up is this room? If I found a window-still could I… pull myself over? Would it be… high enough? Would I… end this nightmare?
Or would I just break myself further but live through it and give Subaru more chores…
Emilia closed her eyes, picturing herself falling through the air into an unseen landing. She imagined her body breaking in a thousand terrifying ways and she knew that she wouldn’t even be able to brace herself or tell how she would strike the ground.
I’m such a chicken.
Why didn’t I ask Daddy to kill me when I cursed Subaru with the Frost flowers?
It would have been the best gift I could have ever given Subaru. It would have shown that at least once, I really did think about him before I thought about me…
Emilia clenched her teeth harder and buried her face in her pillow. She fought to ignore the sensation of those phantom hands brushing her body. It felt like just the slightest tickle, a movement of air as if someone nearby was moving quickly. Not touching her, not yet. But moving close enough that she could feel the breeze of their passing. Emilia could easily understand that she was just imagining it. But she still felt it. She felt it constantly and it was getting stronger all the time.
Her certainty that the hands were there just kept growing, no matter what she told herself.
Emilia fought to think about something, anything else. She tried to remember nights spent in Subaru’s arms but the phantom hands corrupted her memories. Instead of Subaru, she felt the rough, calloused hands running over her most sensitive parts. The sensation was maddening. She could almost hear a faint promise that they would have fun with her before they killed her.
Emilia clamped her mouth shut, her breath coming out in painful gasps. She dug her nails into the sheets desperately trying to maintain control. Trying not to think about how anything and anyone could be just a hand span away from her and she would never know.
Finally, she just couldn’t take it anymore.
“Subaru!” She screamed, tears running down her face.