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---
Chapter 62
—Mmm... This is a problem.
Emilia looked away from her book.
The voice had come from inside her hair.
A small gray head emerged between the long silver strands, followed by two paws, a round body, and a fluffy tail moving with considerably less energy than usual.
Puck descended onto her shoulder.
He did not land with his usual grace.
He fell.
Emilia managed to catch him before he slid down her arm.
—Puck!
—I'm fine, I'm fine.
He did not look fine.
The Great Spirit settled into her hands, breathing slowly. His ears drooped, and his fur had lost some of the volume he loved showing off.
Emilia lifted him until he was directly in front of her face.
—You're not fine.
—That is a very serious accusation.
—You almost fell.
—I wanted to test your reflexes.
—Puck.
He looked away.
Emilia knew that expression.
It was the same one he used whenever he stole some of her sweets and then pretended the bag had arrived with some missing.
—Between us —he finally said—, it seems my mana-release period has started.
Emilia blinked.
—Your what?
—Mana-release period.
—I don't remember that.
—Because it has been quite a while since it happened this seriously.
Puck escaped from her hands and descended onto the bed. He curled up on the blanket, burying his face between his front paws.
Emilia set down the book.
She sat beside him.
—Explain.
Puck raised one ear.
—Beings with a large Od accumulate mana. Normally I use it little by little: hunting, helping you, fighting an enemy, or discreetly correcting the weather whenever you forget to bring a coat.
—I don't forget my coat.
—You forgot it three times last week.
—It wasn't that cold.
—Because I was there.
Emilia puffed out her cheeks.
Puck brushed her arm with his tail.
—The problem is that lately I haven't had many opportunities to expend a considerable amount. Mana kept accumulating, and my Od is beginning to get too full.
Emilia tried to imagine it.
—Like a pitcher?
—Yes.
—A pitcher that's about to overflow?
—Exactly.
—Or like... constipation?
Puck raised his head.
He looked at her.
Emilia waited.
—That is a profoundly humiliating comparison.
—But accurate.
—Unfortunately.
She leaned down.
Carefully touched the spirit's back.
It was tense.
—Does it hurt?
—It's uncomfortable. Exhausting. I have to expel it little by little before it becomes a bigger problem.
—How?
—The same way I control temperature.
Puck created a tiny ice crystal over one claw.
It did not last.
It dissolved almost immediately.
—I gradually release mana. The air loses heat. I regain space, and everything goes back to normal.
Emilia looked toward the window.
The morning seemed clear.
The sky did not suggest any change of season.
Yet the glass was slightly fogged.
—Is that why the room felt colder?
—Yes.
—Puck...
The guilt came before she could stop it.
—I didn't notice.
—Because you weren't supposed to.
—You're my family. I should have known you felt bad.
—Lia.
His tail lightly tapped her wrist.
—You cannot guess everything that happens to the people you love.
—But you always know when something is bothering me.
—I have centuries of experience and a daughter whose expressions are very easy to read.
—I don't make easy expressions.
Puck smiled.
—That was one.
Emilia lowered her gaze.
She continued stroking his back.
—Can I help?
—The most important thing is that you don't worry. After that...
Puck hesitated.
—I would like you to keep this secret.
—Why?
—It's embarrassing.
—Because of the constipation?
—Especially because you keep calling it that.
—But you don't have to be embarrassed. Everyone would worry and try to help you.
—Exactly.
Puck sat up.
—Subaru would turn the whole thing into an operation with a name. Link would try to build a machine to absorb mana. Rem would prepare food. Ram would mock me. Beatrice would worry. Roswaal would suggest I destroy a mountain to solve it.
Emilia thought about it.
—All of that sounds likely.
—I want to handle it quietly. I'll rest here, release the mana little by little, and in a few days I'll be back to normal.
—Can't you return to your crystal?
—In this state I might overfill it and damage it.
—Then you'll have to stay manifested even after your usual hours.
—Only when necessary. It will cost me more, but sleeping beside you will compensate for some of the suffering.
Emilia smiled.
—That doesn't sound like a very technical form of compensation.
—Great Spirits work with advanced concepts.
She continued petting him.
—All right. I won't tell anyone.
Puck lifted his head.
—Promise?
—I promise.
—Not even the constipation part.
—Especially that.
—Good girl.
Puck curled up again.
Emilia picked up her book.
She failed to read it.
The cold gradually increased around the bed.
It did not touch her.
The contract prevented the temperature created by Puck from affecting her the way it affected everyone else.
Even so, she could see the faint mist created by her breath.
She looked at her companion.
Then at the door.
She had to keep the secret.
It couldn't be that difficult.
—Good morning, Emilia-tan.
—Good morning, Emilia.
Subaru and Link were walking together down the corridor.
The first carried a basket of clothes.
The second held Charmander beneath one arm while using a file on one of its tail joints.
The statue was moving again, although it still walked as if one of its legs had woken up before the other.
Emilia stopped.
Remembered the promise.
Smiled.
—Good morning! It's a little colder today, but that's completely normal and has absolutely nothing to do with Puck.
Subaru stopped walking.
Link stopped filing.
Charmander raised its thumb.
Emilia felt pressure in her stomach.
—Why did you mention Puck? —Subaru asked.
—I didn't mention him.
Silence.
—You literally just did —Link said.
—Ah.
Emilia brought a hand to her stomach.
—I meant that you don't have to worry. Puck will rest in my room today because he is perfectly fine.
Subaru looked at Link.
Link looked at Subaru.
Emilia smiled wider.
The pain increased.
—Is Puck sick? —Link asked.
—No.
—Injured?
—No.
—Angry?
—No.
Subaru raised one finger.
—Is he releasing some kind of mysterious energy that's slowly transforming this manor into a medieval freezer?
—Definitely not.
Emilia nearly doubled over.
—Does something hurt? —Link asked.
—No.
Her stomach protested.
—Yes —she corrected—. A little.
Subaru put down the basket.
—Did you eat something bad?
—No. It's... a physical reaction to saying things that aren't completely true.
Both men fell silent.
Emilia covered her mouth with both hands.
—I wasn't supposed to say that either.
Link raised an eyebrow.
—So you're lying.
—No.
The pain returned.
—Yes.
—About Puck?
—No.
Another stab.
—Yes.
Subaru moved closer.
Emilia stepped back.
—But it's nothing bad. He only needs to rest, and I promised I wouldn't tell anyone that he's going through a period of—
She closed her mouth.
Subaru leaned forward.
—Of what?
—Rest.
—That wasn't what you were going to say.
—Yes, it was.
—You touched your stomach.
Emilia pressed both hands against her abdomen.
—Coincidence.
Link looked at the fogged window.
Then Emilia's hands.
Then toward the direction of her room.
—We're not going to force you to break a promise.
Subaru turned.
—We aren't?
—No.
—But—
Link placed a hand on his shoulder.
—If Puck were in danger, Emilia would ask for help.
She nodded quickly.
—Yes.
—Then we'll trust that.
Emilia exhaled.
—Thank you.
Link resumed filing.
Subaru picked up the basket.
Both continued walking.
As he passed her, Link spoke without looking at her.
—But you're terrible at lying.
—That's not true!
The stab nearly made her bend over.
Link kept walking.
—That too.
Subaru looked over his shoulder.
—Emilia-tan, I don't think you'll survive a political career.
—I'm learning!
—Politics will learn to survive you —Link said.
They walked away.
Emilia remained in the corridor.
She rubbed her stomach.
She had managed to hide it.
Probably.
Ram was worse.
She asked no questions.
Emilia entered the dining room during lunch, announced that Puck continued to be perfectly fine despite nobody having mentioned the spirit, and took her seat.
Ram served her tea.
Her eyes remained on Emilia.
Emilia drank.
Ram kept staring.
—Is something wrong? —Emilia asked.
—No.
—Why are you looking at me?
—Ram observes.
—What?
—The result of a battle already lost.
Emilia lowered the cup.
—I'm not fighting any battle.
Her stomach hurt again.
Ram watched her hand move.
—Naturally.
—And Puck has absolutely no problem.
—Ram did not ask about the cat.
—He is a Great Spirit.
—He is also a source of problems.
Emilia tried to eat.
Ram continued serving as though nothing were happening.
That was much worse than an interrogation.
Beatrice found her in the hallway that same afternoon.
The little spirit had left the Forbidden Library of her own free will, which already made the encounter suspicious.
—Stop, girl.
Emilia turned.
—What is it, Beatrice? It's strange for you to come looking for me. By the way, the cold has nothing to do with Puck.
Beatrice closed her eyes.
—I cannot believe you walked all the way here announcing the secret before anyone even asked, I suppose.
Emilia felt another stab.
—There is no secret.
—How is Nii-cha?
—Fine.
—He's exhausted in your room.
—Yes.
Emilia's eyes widened.
—No!
Beatrice placed a hand against her forehead.
—It doesn't even require effort.
—Puck is only resting.
—He's releasing mana.
—No.
—And cooling down the manor.
—No.
—You don't feel the effect properly because of the contract.
—No.
—Your stomach is about to declare independence.
Emilia bent slightly.
—Maybe.
Beatrice sighed.
—I cannot solve Nii-cha's release period. It's necessary. But I'll contain the effect so it doesn't leave the grounds and destroy the crops or plants.
Emilia lifted her head.
—Effect?
—The cold.
—What cold?
The little spirit clenched her fists.
—Stop pretending with Betty, I suppose!
—I'm not pretending.
The pain returned.
—I'm only protecting a promise.
—Betty already knows.
—But Puck said I couldn't tell anyone.
—You didn't tell me. I deduced it.
Emilia thought about it.
—Then I didn't break the promise.
—Correct.
—And you can help.
—That is what I just said.
A smile appeared on Emilia's face.
—Thank you, Beatrice.
The little spirit looked away.
—I am not doing it for you.
—You're doing it for Puck.
—Naturally.
—Then we're helping him together.
Beatrice stiffened.
—No.
—Yes.
—Do not turn this into a shared activity.
—But it is.
—Betty will act independently.
—Then I won't say we're cooperating.
—Not that either!
Emilia stepped backward.
—Tomorrow it may become colder again. But Puck and I will have absolutely nothing to do with it.
Beatrice turned so sharply her curls struck the air.
—Stop walking around the manor saying that!
Emilia watched her leave.
Then smiled.
She had managed to fool Beatrice until Beatrice herself discovered the truth.
That meant her acting had been quite good.
She probably had talent.
—Puck, this is serious.
Night had arrived.
The spirit remained on Emilia's lap. He had managed to stay manifested beyond his usual hours, but barely moved his paws and his body seemed heavier.
She stroked his back.
With the other hand, she rubbed her stomach.
—I think I'm talented at lying.
Puck opened one eye.
—That would be useful for a future ruler.
—Really?
—Maybe.
Emilia smiled.
—I convinced everyone that nothing is wrong with you.
—Everyone?
—Subaru and Link stopped asking.
—Because Link decided not to force you to break a promise.
—Ram didn't say anything either.
—Ram probably knows everything.
—Beatrice even offered to contain the cold.
Puck raised his head.
—Then Beatrice knows too.
—She figured it out. That doesn't count.
—Lia.
—Yes?
—I don't think you fooled anyone.
Emilia froze.
—That can't be true.
—I know you.
—You weren't there.
—I know them too.
She lowered her gaze.
—But nobody asked again.
—Because they're kind.
For a moment, her stomach stopped hurting.
Emilia looked at her own hands.
—Then maybe I don't need to lie.
—You promised to keep the secret.
—I know.
—Just a little longer.
Puck settled his head on her legs.
—Beatrice will limit the affected area. I'll be able to release a larger amount and finish sooner.
—How long?
—Two days.
—Will it get colder?
—A little.
Emilia looked at the glass covered in frost.
—An amount?
—An amount.
—That's what Link says when he doesn't want to admit a number.
—I learn from the people living in this house.
Emilia stroked his ears.
—Afterward, we'll apologize.
—Yes.
—To everyone.
—Yes.
—And I'll never lie again.
Puck looked at her.
—I wouldn't recommend that for the Royal Selection.
—Then I'll only lie when it is completely necessary.
—A more realistic goal.
She lay down.
Puck did not return to the crystal.
He remained beside her pillow, releasing mana as the temperature fell around them.
Frost spread across the window frame.
Emilia did not feel the cold.
The rest of the manor did.
The first day was cool.
The second, uncomfortable.
On the third, Link woke convinced his feet had died during the night.
Not because he couldn't move them.
He could.
But the simple contact with the air made him reconsider whether keeping them was necessary.
He hid them beneath the blankets again.
—We are not leaving.
Luci floated beneath the blankets.
Her light was dimmer than usual, but she had found shelter between Link's neck and pillow.
The four lesser spirits were huddled near his chest.
The red flame looked like a candle about to go out.
The bluish-white sphere was the only one that did not seem especially uncomfortable.
The ember bird kept its wings folded.
The golden light had crawled beneath Link's shirt.
Charmander remained at the foot of the bed.
It had its own blanket.
Link had said it was to protect the joints.
Nobody had the right to question it.
—This is not normal.
Luci gave a tired flash.
—I know.
The window was white.
Not fogged.
Frozen.
A thick layer of ice covered the glass from the inside.
Link had left a heated stone beside the bed before going to sleep.
Now it had frost on it.
He tried creating a flame over his index finger.
It appeared.
Small.
Stable.
The surrounding air absorbed the heat at an offensive speed.
—I could set the room on fire.
Luci turned red.
—I didn't say I was going to.
The sphere remained red.
—I was only evaluating options.
Someone knocked.
—Link?
Rem's voice came through the wood.
Link lifted his head.
—Come in quickly.
The door opened.
A freezing draft invaded the room.
—Close it!
Rem entered and pushed the door shut with both hands.
She wore her usual uniform beneath a heavy coat. She had added stockings, gloves, and a blue scarf around her neck.
Her breath formed clouds.
—Good morning.
—No.
Rem blinked.
—No?
—It is not a good morning.
She approached.
—Link was supposed to get up twenty minutes ago.
—He died.
—Rem is looking at him.
—My spirit remains trapped beneath the blankets.
Rem touched the edge of the bed.
—You have six of them.
—They're a thermal community.
The red flame emerged from the shelter.
It approached Rem.
Its small body recovered some of its glow.
—They're cold too —she said.
—This is wrong on many levels.
Rem looked at the window.
—Nee-sama says the temperature dropped again.
—Ram is still in bed.
—Yes.
—Then she has no right to comment.
—Nee-sama can do that from anywhere.
Link extended one hand from beneath the blankets.
—Come here.
Rem looked at the fingers.
—You need to get up.
—Come here first.
—The chores—
—I'm not setting the garden on fire to thaw it. The plants are fine. It's warmer outside than in here.
Rem had already noticed.
Beatrice's barrier protected the grounds and concentrated the phenomenon around the manor. The garden was covered in only a thin layer of dew, while the interior looked as though it had been built inside a glacier.
—Just for a moment —Link said.
Rem took his hand.
It was warm.
Warmer than the room.
Warmer than her own fingers.
Link gently pulled.
She sat on the edge.
—Your hands are freezing.
—Rem was preparing hot water.
Link raised the blanket.
—Get in.
Her blue eye opened a little wider.
—Underneath?
—Yes.
—Link.
—We're wearing clothes.
—That is not the only problem.
—What's the other one?
Rem looked at the bed.
Then the door.
—Someone might come in.
—The door is closed.
—Nee-sama does not consider doors an obstacle.
—We can put a chair against it.
—That would confirm we were hiding something.
—We are hiding the fact that I need human warmth to survive.
Rem remained seated.
Link waited.
She brought a hand to the blanket.
—Only five minutes.
—An appropriate amount.
Rem removed her coat.
Folded it.
Then left her shoes beside the bed.
Link moved to give her room.
She raised the blanket and climbed in.
The cold entered with her.
Her legs brushed Link's.
He jumped.
—You're freezing!
Rem covered herself up to her nose.
—Link said he needed human warmth.
—I assumed you would bring some with you.
—Rem left it in the hallway.
Link wrapped his arms around her waist.
Pulled her closer.
She lay on her side with her back pressed against his chest. Her blue hair brushed his chin.
The four spirits distributed themselves around them.
Luci positioned herself between the two.
Charmander lifted its head slightly from the foot of the bed.
—That's better —Link said.
—Rem does not feel much difference.
—Give me time.
He rubbed her arms.
Then her hands.
Rem's fingers remained inside his.
—Your body is very warm —she murmured.
—Normally you accuse me of using too much fire.
—It isn't an accusation.
—You say it with the same tone.
Rem turned within his embrace.
They ended up face-to-face.
The distance between them was small.
Far too small to pretend this was still only a measure against the cold.
—How much time is left? —Link asked.
—Four minutes.
—That was fast.
—Rem started counting before getting in.
—Fraud.
She smiled.
Link adjusted the edge of the blanket around her head.
Only their faces remained visible.
Luci's light illuminated the small space like a private lamp.
—It feels like a room inside another room —Rem said.
—A better one.
—It has no windows.
—The outside ones are frozen.
Rem brought her hands closer to his chest.
—Link's heart is beating quickly.
—Cold.
—Liar.
—I learned from Emilia.
—Emilia-sama does not know how.
—Then I learned badly.
Rem listened to his heartbeat.
—It isn't because of the cold.
—No.
—Why?
Link looked at her.
—Because you're in my bed.
The blush appeared slowly.
—Rem was here another night too.
—Not consciously.
—Rem was conscious when she decided to stay.
—That doesn't help my heart.
She moved slightly closer.
—And now?
—Worse.
—Then Rem should move away.
She didn't.
Link tightened his embrace.
—That would be dangerous.
—For whom?
—Me.
—You can regenerate.
—Not from everything.
Rem's smile changed.
It became smaller.
Softer.
Her forehead touched Link's.
—Five minutes —she repeated.
—We can negotiate ten.
—Eight.
—Twelve.
—Nine.
—Fifteen.
—Link is getting worse at negotiating.
—The merchant is distracting me.
Rem closed her eye.
—Ten.
—Accepted.
Link lowered his face.
Waited.
She did not move away.
The kiss was slow.
Not urgent.
The cold remained outside the blankets, scratching at the room, hardening the glass, and turning every escaped breath into mist.
Inside, there were only their lips, the weight of their arms, and a golden light suspended between them.
Rem brought a hand to his neck.
Link pulled her closer.
The kiss ended.
Neither moved very far away.
—That doesn't help preserve time —Rem murmured.
—We can count more slowly.
—Link does not have a clock.
—Technical advantage.
She hid her face beneath his chin.
Link rested his cheek on her hair.
For a while, neither spoke.
Rem's breathing became calm.
Her body stopped trembling.
—I didn't want to get up —Link said.
—Rem noticed.
—Not only because of the cold.
She waited.
—Nobody here needs me to do anything.
—You need to hug Rem.
—I'd do that even if there were chores.
—Then you do have an obligation.
Link smiled against her hair.
—The best one.
Rem tightened her grip on his shirt.
—Rem wanted to stay too.
—Since you came in?
—Before.
—You could've said so.
—Rem wanted to see whether Link would ask.
—That was manipulative.
—An amount.
The two remained motionless.
Five minutes ended.
So did ten.
Neither mentioned the time.
Sleep began returning.
Not the heavy kind.
Only the calm produced by shared warmth.
Rem closed her eye.
—Link.
—Yes?
—When this cold ends, we won't have this excuse.
—We don't need one.
She lifted her head slightly.
—We don't?
—You can come whenever you want.
—Even without knocking?
—Especially without knocking.
—That sounds dangerous.
—Very.
Rem hid herself again.
—Then Rem will knock.
—Disappointing.
—And enter before hearing an answer.
—Perfect.
Three knocks struck the door.
—Rem.
Ram's voice.
Both froze.
—Ram knows you're in there.
Rem squeezed her eye shut.
Link looked toward the door.
—We aren't doing anything.
—Ram did not ask.
—That makes it worse.
—Barusu discovered the cause of the cold. Everyone is to go to the sitting room.
Silence.
—Also —Ram continued—, Ram hopes her sister remembers she promised five minutes.
Rem opened her eye.
Link looked at her.
—How does she know that?
—Nee-sama knows many things.
—That isn't an answer.
—It never is.
Ram knocked once more.
—You have two minutes before Ram opens the door.
Her footsteps moved away.
Rem began climbing out.
Link kept one arm around her.
—We still have two.
—We need to get dressed.
—We're already dressed.
—Fix ourselves.
Link looked at her hair.
It was disheveled.
Her headdress had tilted.
—You look fine.
Rem looked at Link's hair.
—You do not.
—Natural state.
She tried to suppress a smile.
Link kissed her once more.
Briefly.
—Now.
Rem got out of bed.
The cold struck immediately.
She climbed back in.
—No.
Link laughed.
—We can live here.
—Nee-sama will open the door.
—Then we'll die embracing.
Rem grabbed the coat.
—Do not say things like that.
Link finally got out.
The spirits threw themselves against his body in search of warmth.
Charmander tried to sit up with its blanket still on top of it and fell face-first.
—We're all malfunctioning.
When Link and Rem reached the main sitting room, Subaru had already begun the trial.
Puck sat on a table.
Curled up.
Surrounded by six accusers and one accomplice.
Emilia stood behind him with both hands on his shoulders.
Beatrice occupied the place to his right. Her nose was red and she wore a thick scarf wrapped around her curls.
Ram wore three layers, gloves, and pink earmuffs. She maintained her dignity only because nobody dared comment on the appearance.
Roswaal was wrapped in furs.
Subaru looked like a mountain of blankets with a face.
—They're here! —he shouted—. The final survivors of the climatic disaster.
Link closed the door.
—Why are you dressed like a bed?
—Because this house is trying to kill me!
Rem approached her sister.
Ram looked at her tilted headdress.
Then her disheveled hair.
Then Link.
—Ten minutes.
Rem turned red.
—It was cold.
—Ram is also cold and did not leave Roswaal-sama's room with crooked clothes.
The silence became dangerous.
Subaru stopped trembling.
Roswaal smiled.
Beatrice lifted her head.
Emilia's eyes widened.
Link looked at Ram.
—That example was a poor choice.
Ram understood.
Her expression did not change.
A gust struck the back of Link's head.
—Ow!
—The gardener interprets things vulgarly.
—You built the sentence!
Rem quickly adjusted her headdress.
—Nee-sama was only making a comparison.
—A nuclear comparison —Subaru murmured.
Ram looked at him.
—Barusu.
—Nothing.
Link sat near the fireplace.
There was no fire.
The prepared wood was covered in a thin layer of ice.
—Will someone explain why we're living inside a freezer?
Subaru pointed at Puck.
—The accused.
Puck raised one paw.
—Guilty with mitigating circumstances.
—You went too far!
—An amount.
—Don't use Link's words!
Emilia stepped in front of Subaru.
—It's not entirely Puck's fault.
—Lia.
—I promised to help.
—That doesn't mean you have to share the trial.
—But I lied.
Subaru stopped.
Emilia clenched her hands.
—I'm sorry. Puck needed to release mana and asked me not to tell anyone. I thought I could hide it until he finished.
—You didn't hide anything —Link said.
She lowered her head.
—I know.
—That wasn't criticism.
—Yes, it was.
—A little.
Subaru pushed aside several blankets and freed one arm.
—Emilia-tan, you don't have to apologize for protecting a promise.
—Everyone was cold.
—Very.
—And I wasn't.
The contract with Puck protected her.
That seemed to weigh on her more than the secret itself.
Subaru let the blankets fall.
—Next time, trust us before turning the manor into an ice tomb.
Emilia looked up.
—You aren't angry?
—At Puck.
The spirit shrank down.
—With you, I'm impressed.
—Why?
—You tried lying for three days and nobody died from secondhand embarrassment.
Link nodded.
—It was a brave battle.
—Both of you are mean!
Emilia smiled.
Free.
Without the tension of someone expecting a single word to reveal too much.
The expression lit up her entire face.
Subaru went still.
Link saw it.
Said nothing.
Emilia placed both hands on her stomach.
—It doesn't hurt anymore.
—That confirms you shouldn't lie —Rem said.
—I know.
Ram picked up an empty cup.
—Emilia-sama could practice with smaller matters.
—Like what?
—Telling Barusu his hair looks good.
Subaru brought both hands to his head.
—That doesn't sound like a lie!
Nobody answered.
—Doesn't it?!
Puck sat up.
—Can we return to my magical constipation?
Beatrice struck the table.
—Nii-cha!
—Lia already told everyone anyway.
—She didn't —Subaru said—. That was the first thing we figured out.
—That makes the loss of dignity worse.
Link managed to light the wood.
The flame rose.
It did not last.
The cold reduced it to something trembling.
—How much mana do you need to release?
Puck moved his tail.
—Still quite a lot.
—An amount.
—Yes.
—Why did it get this cold?
The Great Spirit looked away.
Subaru pointed at him.
—That was my next question.
Emilia looked at Puck.
—You said you were releasing it little by little.
—I was at first.
—And then?
Puck moved one paw across the table.
—Nobody seemed to notice anything.
Ram narrowed her eye.
—Everyone noticed.
—Nobody complained directly.
—Because Emilia-sama kept telling them it was their imagination —Rem replied.
—So I thought I could increase the release a little.
—A little? —Link asked.
—Then another little.
Subaru trembled.
Not from cold.
—You got carried away because nobody stopped you?
—When you phrase it like that, it sounds irresponsible.
—Because it is!
Puck hid behind Emilia.
—Parental protection.
—You're the father —she reminded him.
—Fathers also need protection.
Beatrice moved in front.
—Nii-cha needs to release the mana. There is no other solution, I suppose.
—Can we make him spend it on something? —Link asked.
—That's what I'm trying to figure out —Subaru said.
Roswaal rested his face against one hand.
—We could allow him to destroy an uninhabited area.
—No —Emilia, Subaru, Link, and Rem answered.
—A small mountain.
—No.
—Slightly alter a river.
—No! —Subaru repeated.
Roswaal looked disappointed.
Beatrice explained.
—An Od like Nii-cha's accumulates an enormous amount. If he doesn't release the excess, his condition will worsen. There isn't much difference between spending the mana or expelling it.
—Then we need him to spend it —Link said.
—Without burning, freezing, or erasing anything important —Rem added.
Puck raised his head.
—I could fight Roswaal.
The margrave smiled.
—It has been a while.
—No —everyone repeated.
Link crossed his arms.
—I could absorb some of it.
The room went silent.
Rem immediately turned.
—No.
—My horns absorb mana.
—You don't know how much.
—We can test—
—No.
—Rem.
—No.
Puck studied Link more carefully.
So did Beatrice.
Roswaal stopped smiling for the briefest fraction of a second.
Link noticed.
—It was an idea.
—A rejected idea —Rem said.
—You do not need to absorb Puck's magical constipation —Subaru added.
—Stop calling it that —the spirit protested.
Link looked at the window.
The glass was completely white.
Beyond it lay the main courtyard.
The garden.
The road toward Arlam.
The image of a city illuminated by festival lights passed through his mind, but before he could form the suggestion, Subaru struck the table.
—Snow.
Everyone looked at him.
—That's already part of the problem —Ram said.
—No. The solution.
Subaru threw aside the blankets.
He stood.
Half of them fell to the floor.
—If Puck controls temperature, he can turn the remaining release into a concentrated snowfall.
Beatrice narrowed her eyes.
—The barrier can be modified.
—Exactly.
Subaru approached the window.
He wiped part of it with his sleeve.
—We don't let it reach the fields. We don't freeze the crops. We limit it to the courtyard, the nearby paths, and a safe area around the manor.
Emilia approached.
—Why do we want snow?
Subaru smiled.
—For a festival.
Link raised his head.
He understood before the others.
—Sculptures.
—Sculptures —Subaru confirmed—. Games. Figures. Competition. Hot food. The children in Arlam have never seen anything like it here.
—Most have never seen enough snow to play in —Rem said.
—Even better.
Subaru turned.
—Puck expends the mana. Beatrice controls the area. Roswaal finances it. Emilia invites everyone. Ram organizes. Rem prevents us from dying. Link...
He looked at the other young man.
—Fire.
Link smiled.
—Fire.
Rem raised one finger.
—Controlled.
—Heaters. Small bonfires. Drinks.
—No fireworks —Ram said.
—I didn't mention them.
—You thought about them.
—I'm allowed to.
Subaru raised both hands.
—The first Roswaal Manor Snow Festival!
Emilia repeated:
—Snow Festival.
Puck emerged from behind her.
—That could be fun.
Beatrice looked toward the window.
—The barrier will require several modifications.
—Can you do it? —Subaru asked.
—Of course.
—Without freezing the flowers?
—Betty already protected them, I suppose.
Link turned.
—You were the one keeping the garden from freezing?
Beatrice turned her face away.
—Betty did not want to hear the whining of an incompetent gardener.
—Thank you.
—Betty did not thank you for anything.
—I did.
The little spirit squeezed her book against her chest.
—Annoying.
Roswaal stood.
—I approve the festival.
Ram looked at her lord.
—That will increase the workload.
—It will be a celebration for Arlam after the demon-beast incident.
Ram's resistance decreased.
It did not disappear.
—We will need supplies.
Rem was already calculating.
—Milk. Bread. Meat. Sugar. Honey. Vegetables. Heat-resistant containers.
—Cocoa —Link said.
Subaru turned.
—You have cocoa?
—I found bitter seeds in the spice storage. Nobody knew what to do with them.
—Can you make chocolate?
Link raised an eyebrow.
—Of course.
Subaru crossed the room.
He grabbed Link by the shoulders.
—Brother.
—Don't start.
—Brother.
—Let go.
—You've been hiding too many miracles.
—You didn't ask.
—You always say that!
Link pushed him away.
—I'll make hot chocolate.
Rem looked at him.
—Is it sweet?
—It can be.
—Hot?
—Very.
—Then it will be useful.
Subaru raised a fist.
—The festival is already perfect.
Emilia raised one hand.
—And when will it be?
Everyone looked at Puck.
The spirit calculated.
—I can restrain myself for the rest of today. Tomorrow morning, Beatrice opens the barrier toward the courtyard, and I release a large portion all at once.
—Then tomorrow —Subaru declared.
—That gives us less than one day —Ram said.
—The best plans survive through panic.
—So do the worst.
Roswaal opened his arms.
—Begin.
The festival did not exist yet.
But the cold now had a purpose.
The news reached Arlam before noon.
Petra volunteered to gather the children.
The adults agreed after Roswaal guaranteed the fields would remain outside the affected area and that any lost work would be compensated.
Subaru designed rules.
Ram corrected all of them.
Emilia wrote invitations.
Rem rewrote them because Emilia's excitement had caused her to repeat words.
Beatrice locked herself away to modify the barrier.
Roswaal sent messengers.
Puck rested.
Link occupied the kitchen.
He had found the dark beans several weeks earlier.
They were not exactly the same as those he knew, but the smell when roasting them had confirmed his suspicion.
That afternoon, he ground a small amount.
Subaru entered following the aroma.
—No.
Link didn't look up.
—What?
—That smell.
—Cocoa.
Subaru closed the door.
He approached slowly.
On the table sat milk, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, a pot, and the dark powder.
—I didn't realize I missed this.
—You didn't start missing it until you smelled it.
—That's the cruel part.
Link poured milk into the pot.
—Help.
Subaru picked up the whisk.
—How?
—Mix the cocoa with a little hot water first. Keeps it from clumping.
—Sugar?
—Afterward.
Rem entered carrying a box of cups.
She saw both of them.
—You look serious.
—We are —Subaru said—. We are rebuilding another pillar of civilization.
—Don't listen to him —Link replied.
Rem set down the cups.
She approached the pot.
—May Rem try it?
—It's still bitter.
—She wants to know the flavor before it is finished.
Link lifted a spoon.
Blew on it.
Offered it to her.
Rem tasted it.
Her face did not change immediately.
Then she frowned slightly.
—Very bitter.
—I warned you.
—Why would you drink this?
—Because now comes the good part.
He added sugar.
Cinnamon.
A little clove.
The milk began to change color.
Subaru whisked.
The aroma filled the kitchen.
Rem remained beside Link.
Cold seeped through the walls, but the steam created a small island of warmth around the pot.
—Try it again.
This time Rem took the spoon.
Blew on it.
Instead of tasting it first, she brought it to Link's lips.
He obeyed.
—Needs more sugar.
Rem then tasted from the same spoon.
Subaru stopped whisking.
—Did you need to do that?
—Comparative evaluation —Link replied.
—You could've used two spoons.
—Waste of resources.
Rem added a little more sugar.
—Subaru should continue.
—Romance is exploiting my labor.
—Stir —both of them said.
Subaru continued.
Link prepared a second, thicker version.
Then a third intended for the children.
Rem wrote down the proportions.
Her handwriting turned the instructions into something readable.
—At my house, we made this when it was cold —Link said.
He added nothing else.
Rem did not ask for details either.
She simply continued writing.
Subaru smelled the steam.
—At mine, it was easier. Powder, milk, done.
—Easier doesn't mean better.
—It means faster.
—We have time here.
Rem looked up.
—Until tomorrow.
—An eternity for someone under pressure.
—That explains the fireworks —Subaru said.
Link hit him with a spoon.
Preparations ended at nightfall.
Not because everything was ready.
Because the cold had turned any task outside a heated area into a slow form of torture.
Wood burned inside the sitting room's large fireplace.
Charmander remained beside it.
It had been repaired again and now wore a chain around its waist.
The chain was secured to one leg of the table.
Subaru had insisted.
—He won't escape —Link said.
Charmander raised its thumb.
—That's what you said before it photographed us.
—He won't do it again.
The statue turned its head toward Subaru.
Its eyes lit up.
The Japanese boy hid beneath a blanket.
—Don't let it look at me!
—It only has eyes.
—It has intentions.
Link touched the stone head.
—Don't scare him.
Subaru opened his mouth.
Closed it.
He found no suitable response.
Everyone had gathered around the fire.
Roswaal occupied a tall chair.
Ram sat near him, wrapped in a pink blanket.
Emilia sat on the rug with Puck in her lap.
The spirit remained manifested despite the hour. He could not return to his crystal while the mana pressure remained so high.
Beatrice occupied a cushion beside Emilia.
She denied being cold.
She wore three scarves.
Subaru had constructed a fortress of blankets.
Rem arrived carrying the final tray.
Link took it from her.
—Sit.
—Rem still needs to—
—Everything is finished.
—The kitchen—
—Clean.
—The provisions—
—Ready.
—Nee-sama—
Ram spoke from the chair.
—Ram allows Rem to sit before the gardener starts crying.
Link looked at Rem.
—Authorized.
—Rem did not need authorization.
—Even better.
Rem sat beside him.
Cups of hot chocolate passed from hand to hand.
Emilia held hers between both palms.
—It smells reeeally good.
—Blow on it first —Link warned.
She blew.
Tasted it.
Her eyes widened.
—Sweet.
Puck moved closer to the rim.
—Me too.
Emilia dipped a small spoon.
The spirit licked it.
His tail rose.
—Acceptable.
—That means he loves it —Emilia said.
Beatrice received the smallest cup.
—Betty did not ask for anything, I suppose.
—Then leave it —Link replied.
The little spirit immediately hugged it.
—You already handed it over. Taking it back would be vulgar.
Subaru took a sip.
Closed his eyes.
—This is winter.
Link drank.
The flavor was rougher than in his world.
Less uniform.
The milk had more fat.
The spices dominated slightly.
Even so, it worked.
Warmth in the hands.
Sweetness on the tongue.
The aroma of something that belonged to many tables and no single one in particular.
Rem tasted it.
—It is better than the first spoonful.
—That was the goal.
—Can you prepare it again after the festival?
—Whenever you want.
—Then tomorrow.
—We just made an entire pot.
—Tomorrow will be cold.
Link smiled.
—Tomorrow.
Ram took a sip.
Her expression did not change.
Then another.
Link raised an eyebrow.
—Do you like it?
—Ram tolerates the beverage.
—Third sip.
Ram put the cup down.
—The gardener counts too much.
Roswaal examined the dark liquid.
—An interesting flavor.
—You're not charging for the recipe —Link said.
—Not yet.
—That was worse.
The fire crackled.
For several minutes, the sitting room was enough.
Then the temperature began falling again.
Puck's release continued even while he rested. Cold mana leaked from his small body and spread through the manor, trapped by the barrier.
Frost reappeared over the windows.
The chocolate started cooling too quickly.
Subaru added another blanket.
Beatrice imperceptibly moved closer to Emilia.
Ram hid her hands beneath hers.
Rem shivered.
Once.
Small.
Link felt it because their shoulders touched.
—You're cold.
—A little.
—Come here.
He opened an arm.
Rem moved closer.
Link wrapped it around her.
It wasn't enough.
The magical cold did not behave like ordinary air. It passed through clothing and clung to skin.
Rem rubbed her hands together.
Link took them.
—They're freezing again.
—The cup helps.
—I help more.
Ram looked over from the chair.
—The gardener's modesty froze as well.
Link ignored the remark.
He shifted.
Sat against the sofa.
Opened his legs.
—Here.
Rem looked at the space in front of him.
—Everyone is watching.
—Everyone is trying not to die.
Subaru poked his face out of the blankets.
—I'm watching.
Link threw a cushion.
It struck the fortress.
Subaru disappeared.
Rem hid a smile.
Then settled in front of Link.
Not exactly on his legs.
Between them.
Her back rested against his chest.
Link pulled the blanket over both of them.
Ram drank chocolate.
—Ram has given up on preserving the dignity of this residence.
—Weeks ago —Beatrice said.
Rem rested her head on Link's shoulder.
—This is better.
—You're still shaking.
—Less.
Link wrapped both arms around her waist.
He thought about warmth.
Not a spell.
Not a flame.
Only preventing Rem from continuing to feel cold.
Pressure appeared beneath his forehead.
Both horns emerged.
Slowly.
The red lines across their surface lit with a dim glow.
Rem lifted her head.
Looked at them.
—May I?
—They're yours.
The words were low.
Only for her.
Rem raised one hand.
Carefully wrapped her fingers around the base of the right horn.
The contact made Link inhale.
—Sensitive —she murmured.
—You already knew.
—Rem is checking their condition.
—Liar.
—She learned from Emilia-sama.
Emilia raised her head from the other side.
—What did you say?
—Nothing —both replied.
Neither stomach hurt.
Ram closed her eye.
—Pathetic.
The cold continued advancing.
Link released his kagunes.
One.
Two.
Four.
They did not emerge violently.
The reddish structures slipped through the openings in his jacket and extended around them.
The first curved behind Rem.
The second covered one side.
The others formed a kind of open shelter, a second blanket made of hardened flesh and glowing lines.
Rem sank inside.
The surfaces of the kagunes retained Link's body heat.
More than that.
The red veins began glowing.
—Doesn't it bother you? —he asked.
—No.
Rem ran a hand over the kagune covering her arm.
—It is warm.
—Perfect.
—Link looks like a monstrous heater —Subaru said from his fortress.
—And you look like a pile of laundry with problems.
Charmander raised its thumb.
—Don't encourage him.
The red flame, blue spirit, ember bird, and golden light abandoned their places by the fireplace.
They approached Link.
Floated around his horns.
Luci descended between the two.
The little golden sphere was brighter than she had been that morning.
Rem rested her head again.
—This is good.
Link rested his chin on her hair.
—You can sleep.
—Rem does not want to lose the night.
—It won't disappear.
—The chocolate will.
—I'll make more.
Rem held the cup with both hands.
Link covered hers.
The heat began growing.
First inside the kagune shelter.
Then around it.
The frost along the edge of the blanket became droplets.
Rem's breath stopped forming mist.
The chocolate began producing a faint column of steam again.
Link did not notice.
Puck did.
The spirit slowly raised his head.
His dark eyes fixed on the horns.
The mana flowing out from his body spread through the sitting room.
Cold.
Dense.
When it reached Link's kagunes, it disappeared.
It wasn't pushed away.
It didn't collide.
It simply stopped maintaining the shape Puck had imposed upon it.
The mana broke apart into smaller particles and was displaced by another current.
Warm.
Red.
Without a spell.
Without an incantation.
Without a conscious command.
Puck lifted his tail.
He sent a tiny thread of his own energy toward the blanket.
The current moved forward.
Touched the kagune.
Disintegrated.
Link continued drinking chocolate.
—What is it? —Emilia asked.
She had felt the change through the contract.
Puck did not answer immediately.
Beatrice had sensed it too.
The little spirit put down her cup.
Her pupils followed the invisible movement.
The flames in the fireplace straightened.
They stopped trembling.
Frost withdrew across the floor in a slow circle.
It wasn't merely heat.
The temperature obeyed mana.
And Puck's mana was losing territory.
Beatrice looked at Link.
Then his horns.
Then the kagunes.
—He isn't using magic —she murmured.
Subaru poked his head out.
—What?
—Nothing.
Roswaal had stopped his cup halfway to his mouth.
The smile remained.
His eyes did not.
Blue and yellow watched every red line pulsing beneath the surface of the kagunes.
Link felt the stares.
—Why is everyone looking like that?
Puck moved his tail.
—Your corner looks warm.
—Advantages of having horns.
Rem touched the right one.
Link shuddered.
—And a cruel partner.
—Rem is only helping.
—That wasn't help.
Beatrice stood.
She approached.
Stopped just outside the shelter.
Extended one hand.
Puck's cold current touched her fingers.
One step farther, it disappeared.
—Strange —she said.
Link raised an eyebrow.
—You're a four-hundred-year-old little girl with an infinite library.
—Betty was not talking about herself.
—Then specify.
Beatrice didn't.
Puck jumped from Emilia's lap.
Floated until he was in front of one of Link's horns.
Link watched him.
—Do you want something?
—Just looking.
—That's what Rem said before ruining one of Charmander's joints.
—That was not Rem's fault —she protested.
—The pressure affected the technician.
Ram drank.
—The gardener continues blaming Rem's chest for his incompetence.
Emilia turned red.
Subaru started laughing.
Beatrice lost interest in explaining anything.
—It doesn't matter, I suppose.
She returned to her cushion.
Puck continued observing for another moment.
—Curious.
—What?
—Nothing.
Link frowned.
The people who actually understood magic had simultaneously decided to become irritating.
He had no energy to interrogate them.
Rem was warm.
That was enough.
He held her closer.
The horns brightened slightly.
The frost-free circle expanded.
It reached the fireplace.
Then the sofa.
Ram pulled one hand out from beneath her blanket.
—The temperature improved.
—The fire —Link said.
Beatrice looked at him with an expression conveying an offensive amount of contempt.
—Yes. The fire, I suppose.
Roswaal finally took his sip.
He did not look away.
Luci started vibrating.
At first, Link thought she was cold.
The little sphere rested between his chest and Rem's shoulder, bathed in the mana escaping from his horns.
—Luci.
The golden light pulsed.
Once.
Twice.
The other four presences stopped.
The red flame became motionless.
The blue sphere positioned itself over one of the kagunes.
The ember bird spread its wings.
The golden light traced a circle.
Luci pulsed again.
Her size increased.
Very slightly.
Then decreased.
—Is she all right? —Rem asked.
Link extended one hand.
Luci descended onto his palm.
The light felt heavier.
Not physically.
Her presence was different.
Before, she had resembled a small emotion floating nearby.
Now something was pushing from within.
A will.
A shape trying to exist.
—Beatrice.
The little spirit was already approaching.
So was Puck.
—Don't touch her —Link said.
—Betty doesn't need to.
Luci's light intensified.
The room was bathed in gold.
The four lesser spirits began circling.
Not wildly.
In a slow sequence.
Red.
Blue.
Embers.
Gold.
Each rotation left mana near Luci.
She accepted it.
But the main source remained Link.
The unconscious flow from his horns passed through his palm.
Rem placed one hand beneath his.
Together, they held Luci.
The sphere compressed.
A point appeared at the top.
Then two tiny extensions along the sides.
The light stopped being round.
It acquired a tiny silhouette.
Head.
Body.
Arms.
The lower portion still dissolved like a tail of light.
She had no defined face.
Only two brighter points where eyes should have been.
Link stopped breathing.
—Luci.
The figure lifted one arm.
Touched his finger.
A sensation passed through the bond.
Clearer than any flash before.
Recognition.
Joy.
Weariness.
Home.
The glowing points fixed on him.
The tiny mouth that did not quite exist produced a sound.
—Li...
Link leaned closer.
—What?
—Lii...
The light trembled.
—Link.
The name was weak.
More like the chime of glass than a human voice.
Even so, everyone heard it.
Link froze.
Rem squeezed his hand.
Luci lifted both arms.
—Link.
The second time was clearer.
He smiled.
Not broadly.
Not at first.
The emotion took time to pass through the surprise.
Then it filled his entire face.
—You said my name.
Luci launched herself forward.
She struck his nose.
Link laughed.
—You're still hitting me.
The tiny figure pulled away.
She placed her hands on a waist that barely existed.
Rem laughed softly.
—Definitely Luci.
Puck floated around her.
Examined her.
—Congratulations.
Link did not look away.
—What happened?
Beatrice crossed her arms.
—She stopped being a microspirit.
—Then what?
—A quasi-spirit, I suppose.
Subaru emerged completely from his blankets.
—She evolved?
Link looked at him.
—Don't call it that.
—That's exactly what happened!
—She isn't a pocket monster.
Charmander raised its thumb.
—You stay out of this.
Emilia approached on her knees.
Her eyes shone almost as brightly as Luci.
—She grew.
—Why now?
Puck examined Link's horns again.
—She accumulated enough mana. Her will also became more stable.
—That usually takes longer —Beatrice said.
Roswaal set down his cup.
—Much longer.
Silence fell for a fraction of a second.
Link looked at Luci.
—Is that bad?
—No —Emilia answered immediately.
Puck moved his tail.
—Only unexpected.
Beatrice watched the warm air surrounding the kagunes.
—Too many things at once, I suppose.
Link didn't understand.
He didn't need to that night.
Luci descended onto one of his horns.
She sat.
Her tiny legs of light dangled on either side.
Rem raised her hand.
—Hello, Luci.
The quasi-spirit turned.
Looked at Rem.
A new sensation traveled through the bond.
Affection.
Trust.
Something close to satisfaction.
Luci left the horn.
She floated toward the ribbon hidden inside Rem's apron pocket.
Touched it.
Then approached Rem.
—Re...
The sound broke off.
Luci trembled with effort.
Rem smiled.
—You don't need to say it yet.
The little figure touched her cheek.
—Rem.
Her blue eye widened.
Link felt his own emotion change shape.
—Two words.
Subaru pointed.
—Two names.
Luci looked at the Japanese boy.
Subaru leaned closer.
—Subaru.
The quasi-spirit turned toward Link.
Then back toward Subaru.
She turned her back on him.
The room erupted into laughter.
—That was deliberate!
Luci returned to the horn.
Link raised his thumb.
—Excellent judgment.
—You raised her badly!
—She chooses.
Beatrice tried hiding a smile behind her cup.
Emilia stroked Puck.
Ram watched the tiny silhouette.
—Now the gardener has another creature that will encourage his bad decisions.
—Luci is my supervisor.
The quasi-spirit struck the horn.
Link grimaced.
—Sensitive.
Rem raised one hand.
—Luci, carefully.
The figure stopped.
Link looked at his partner.
—She listens to you.
—Rem speaks reasonably.
—That was also an attack.
—An observation.
Roswaal recovered his smile.
—A productive evening.
Puck descended onto the edge of the sofa.
—Link.
—Yes?
—Keep your horns like that a little longer.
—For Luci?
—For the room.
Link looked around.
Only then did he realize nobody's breath was producing mist.
The frost had disappeared from the floor.
The windows remained frozen around the edges, but their centers were transparent.
The fire burned high.
—Did I do that?
Beatrice picked up her chocolate.
—The fire, I suppose.
Link stared at her.
She drank.
Puck settled beside Emilia.
—Don't worry about it tonight.
—That sounds like something I should worry about tomorrow.
—Tomorrow we'll have snow.
Subaru raised his cup.
—And a festival!
Emilia did the same.
—Festival.
Rem raised hers from within Link's arms.
Ram participated with less enthusiasm.
Roswaal raised his glass.
Beatrice kept both hands around her milk.
Charmander raised its thumb.
Luci raised both arms.
The other four spirits released tiny sparks.
Link looked at the scene.
—No fires.
The sparks vanished.
—They learn quickly —Rem said.
—They're afraid of me.
—Of Rem.
—That hurts.
She settled closer.
—Rem can comfort him.
—Accepted.
The blanket rose.
The kagune shelter closed slightly around them.
Ram lowered her cup.
—Ram reminds you that everyone is still present.
—We're only sitting —Link said.
—Rem is practically inside the gardener.
—It's cold —she replied.
—The room is warm.
Rem looked at the kagunes.
—It could become cold again.
Link smiled against her hair.
—Preventive measure.
Ram opened her mouth.
Roswaal spoke first.
—Leave them.
Everyone looked at him.
The margrave stared at the fire.
—Tomorrow will be a long day.
Ram remained silent.
She did not argue against direct orders.
Although the look she gave Link promised the permission would not extend beyond the sitting room.
Subaru lay back among the blankets.
—We need to decide on the sculptures.
Emilia leaned toward him.
—I want to make Puck.
—I'm making something enormous.
—You don't know how to sculpt.
—Snow forgives mistakes.
—Stone did not —Beatrice pointed out.
Charmander raised its thumb.
—He worked eventually —Link protested.
—After attacking the manor —Ram said.
—That was a mobility test.
Rem hid her laughter inside her cup.
Subaru began describing rules.
Individual sculptures.
Teams.
Time limit.
Prize.
Petra would participate.
The children too.
Puck would release the mana through controlled snowfall at dawn.
Beatrice would open the barrier only over the designated areas.
Roswaal would keep the phenomenon from reaching the crops.
Link would maintain the fire and drinks.
Rem would organize food.
Ram would make sure the plan did not degenerate.
Emilia would invite and help the children.
Charmander would be placed beside the hot drinks.
—As decoration —Subaru clarified.
The thumb lowered.
—No movement.
The statue tilted its head.
—No photographs either.
Charmander lowered the arm completely.
Link whispered:
—We'll negotiate later.
Rem squeezed his hand.
—Rem heard that.
—I didn't say anything bad.
Luci settled between the two horns.
Her new silhouette began losing definition from exhaustion.
She did not return completely to a sphere.
Her tiny arms remained visible.
Link raised one hand to protect her.
—Does she need to sleep?
Puck nodded.
—The transformation consumed a lot.
—Where?
—Near you.
Luci lay down against the base of his right horn.
Rem arranged a tiny fold of blanket beneath her.
The quasi-spirit rested between the two of them.
—Good night —Rem whispered.
The light pulsed.
—Rem.
The name was weak.
Then:
—Link.
The figure dimmed until only a faint glow remained.
Link kept staring at her.
—I still can't believe it.
—She'll grow more —Emilia said.
—Will she talk?
—Little by little.
—Will she be able to use magic?
Puck moved his tail.
—When she learns.
Link's eyes brightened.
Beatrice raised her book.
—You will not teach her Explosion.
—I wasn't going to—
Half-asleep, Luci produced a spark.
Everyone looked at Link.
—That wasn't me.
—She inherited your bad tendencies —Subaru said.
—It was one spark.
The red flame responded with another.
The ember bird spread its wings.
The golden sphere spun.
—Don't start.
All four became still.
Puck watched Link.
Heat continued flowing from his horns.
The current did not diminish.
His own mana continued breaking apart before reaching Rem.
It was not a stronger force pushing it away.
It was something harder to interpret.
As if Link's mana considered that space to already belong to it.
Puck looked at Beatrice.
She returned his gaze.
Roswaal was watching them too.
Nobody spoke.
Not that night.
The fire gradually lowered.
The chocolate ran out.
Conversations became slower.
Ram fell asleep in the chair without admitting it. Her head tilted only slightly toward Roswaal's side.
He did not move.
Emilia rested against the sofa with Puck in her lap.
Beatrice ended up leaning against her arm, still holding the closed book.
Subaru disappeared inside his fortress of blankets.
Only one hand remained outside.
Charmander sat beside the fireplace.
Its head lowered.
Its thumb remained raised even while asleep.
The other four spirits gathered around Luci.
Rem breathed slowly against Link's chest.
He looked down.
—Are you awake?
—Yes.
The answer was much too slow.
—You're lying.
—Emilia-sama is a bad influence.
—Sleep.
—Rem does not want to lose the warmth.
—It will still be here.
Rem touched one of his arms.
Then the kagune surrounding them.
—Does it hurt to keep them out?
—No.
—Your horns?
—No.
—A truthful amount.
Link thought.
—A little pressure.
Rem lifted her head.
—Then put them away.
—You'll get cold.
—You can hug Rem without them.
—That isn't enough.
—It was this morning.
The image of the two of them beneath the blanket returned.
Link smiled.
—That worked pretty well.
—Too well.
—We can repeat it.
—Tomorrow.
—Promise.
Rem raised her little finger.
Link looked at it.
—Does that exist here?
—Subaru taught Rem.
—Of course.
He hooked his little finger around hers.
—Tomorrow.
She settled down again.
—After the festival.
—Yes.
—And after the chores.
—Yes.
—And after sleeping a proper amount.
Link sighed.
—You're adding conditions.
—Rem is learning to negotiate.
—Evil.
—Your partner.
—Much worse.
Rem smiled against his chest.
Link looked at the window.
The glass was clear around the circle of warmth.
Outside, it still wasn't snowing.
The night was dark.
The garden waited.
Arlam waited.
Puck's mana waited behind a barrier prepared to open at dawn.
Tomorrow, they would turn the cold into something different.
Not danger.
Not a secret.
Not a lie that hurt Emilia's stomach.
A festival.
Luci shifted between his horns.
She said his name in her sleep.
Link tightened his arms around Rem.
She searched for his hand without opening her eye.
Their fingers intertwined beneath the blanket.
—Don't move —she murmured.
—I wasn't planning to.
—Even if the fire goes out.
—Even then.
—Even if the cold comes back.
Link looked at the kagunes covering them.
The red lines pulsed calmly.
The air around them remained warm.
—It won't reach you.
Rem opened her eye slightly.
—You don't need to stop all the cold.
—I know.
—Just stay.
The answer took a moment.
Not because Link doubted.
Because some words needed space before they were spoken.
—I'm staying.
Rem closed her eye.
Her hand relaxed inside his.
On the other side of the sitting room, Puck lifted one ear.
Beatrice opened her eyes for a moment.
Roswaal watched a final line of frost melt before it could reach the blanket.
None of them interrupted.
The manor remained gathered around a fire that was no longer the only source of warmth.
Tomorrow, they would make it snow.
That night, they simply stayed together.