Betty was remorseful. The indignation she'd felt when that insolent wild girl had climbed onto HER contractor vanished as quickly as it had arrived. Soon after letting go of Leandro's hand and sitting down away from him, a feeling of guilty loneliness washed over her. She didn't want to isolate herself; she didn't want to make the same mistake.
Furthermore, he promised to be by her side for as long as necessary. Betty knew that Leandro would be sacrificing many things to keep his word, and he would do it for her, for the little girl who treated him rudely, the same girl who had just thrown a childish tantrum simply because he was being kind to someone else.
Betty wasn't a hypocrite. She could admit that she resented being second best to Leandro, or the fact that he didn't make her feel special, as if there were no difference between his relationship with her and his relationships with Petra or Patrasche. However, Betty hadn't earned her place like the others had, and she had come later. Despite everything, Leandro still put her above the others (in the long run), since he made a pact with Betty to stay with her for a very, very long time.
Under those circumstances, he would hardly break his promise, even if he wanted to. Knowing that was enough for her. Besides, years would pass, others would grow old and die, but she would still be there, by his side, his number one, his priority.
And so, he would never leave her.
But Betty was currently empty-handed, because she herself had distanced herself from Leandro. She had to find him and apologize to regain his attention.
She didn't see him in the dining room. She didn't find him in his room. He wasn't in the gardens, or the bathrooms, or the kitchen... Just when she was running out of ideas, she felt his presence close by through the contract, like a resonance in her soul.
Following the trail, she arrived at a distant corridor in the mansion, a discreet and quiet place that presumably contained unused rooms. Betty stopped in front of a specific door and prepared to open it, but hesitated.
"Should I? He might be upset with me..."
Then she shook her head, dispelling any doubts.
"This is not the time to doubt myself!"
Mustering her courage, Betty pushed open the door and entered the room. She had prepared herself to confront Leandro and admit that she had been immature for being jealous of a child, but she hadn't expected to encounter something so shocking.
Leandro slept peacefully, with an incredibly relaxed expression unlike anything he'd ever worn since arriving in this world. However, the most unsettling detail was that Ryuzu was lying next to him, snuggled against his body as they both enjoyed a deep sleep.
At that moment, Betty felt overwhelmed by emotions.
It seemed as if she had been replaced.
***
Clind finally found the right moment to get to the bottom of the matter.
Annerose was busy organizing a campaign strategy with Emilia. She wouldn't call him anytime soon.
Leandro had hidden himself to talk to the witch's copy. He should have been unable to foresee what Clind would do.
Otto and Frederica continued their conversation about the current state of the faction. They were lost in their own world.
The rest of the camp would not be an impediment.
Then Clind sprang into action.
***
Ram didn't move. Since her sister died, she was little more than an empty shell. Having lost the will to live, she stopped speaking, eating, and thinking for herself. She simply obeyed basic instructions, as her instinct to help still remained intact.
Garfiel was the first to notice the pink-haired maid's agony. Like the lovesick young man he was, he was deeply concerned and poured all his energy into tending to Ram, trying to comfort her. But nothing worked. She remained in the same catatonic state no matter how much the blond half-human tried to help her.
Then there was the matter of prana deficiency. Before long, Ram would begin to suffer the consequences of discontinuing the treatment Roswaal used to provide to keep her alive.
Feeling as desperate and helpless as the day Rem died, Garfiel went to seek advice from Otto and Frederica, who were in the dining room. On the way, the half-human bumped into Clind, whom he ignored because he was completely focused on Ram's problem.
Similarly, the butler gave him a cold stare, not pausing to greet him. Following the path the blond man had taken, Clind reached Ram's bedroom. He didn't bother opening the door quietly or gently and simply walked in. As he expected, the maid was in bed, lying motionless like a statue; her eyes looked dull, as did the rest of her.
However, Clind was not moved in the slightest by that pitiful image.
"Ram..."
He pronounced her name as he observed her intently.
"Your soul is marked by pain and loss. Obviously."
With slow and measured steps, the butler shortened the distance.
"But that's not all. You've stained yourself, you're dirty. Guilty."
Finally, he stopped in front of the bed and extended his hand, pointing a finger at her.
"There's darkness in your soul. Remorse. I don't think it's solely because of your sister's death, and I say that because..."
He leaned forward until his face was just inches from hers.
"I know you killed him. Betrayal," he murmured. "What did you do to the Master? Confession. He should have returned by now to continue with his plan. Perseverance."
"..."
Seeing that Ram didn't even look at him, Clind adjusted his glasses and stretched out his gloves in a decisive gesture.
"If you're not willing to confess, then there's only one thing left for me to do. Conclusion."
Clind reached out for Ram, in a gesture heavy with murderous intent. However, someone grabbed him tightly before he could reach her.
"I knew you were planning something, you son of a bitch."
Garfiel bared his fangs, his green eyes gleaming with fury.
***
"Can we talk about the pact now? I'm very intrigued to know more about it."
I asked impatiently as Echidna dragged me toward the tea table in the middle of the hill. She insisted that we should first come to her dream castle, as it would be the most 'convenient' place for a long conversation.
"Of course, that's why I brought you into this world." She said with a strange smile.
We sat down and Echidna conjured up a steaming cup of tea. I instinctively grabbed it, but before I could bring the liquid to my mouth, I remembered what I was about to drink.
"Uh... Do I still need to take this to be here?"
"Not really, but I thought you might be thirsty."
The innocent, kind way she said it would have fooled anyone. Her face didn't reflect the cynicism of her actions, but we both knew the truth.
I sighed.
"Fuck it..."
After all, I was a little thirsty.
"You're crazy, but I'm just as crazy, or even crazier," I admitted. "By the way, how about some cookies to go with this?"
As soon as I said that, the cookies appeared on the table. They looked very appetizing, with the traditional rounded design and chocolate chips on top.
"I hope you enjoy them," she said, making a mischievous face. "Do you want to know what they're made of?"
"No, thanks."
As I finished my second breakfast, Echidna smiled and began to hum a familiar tune. At first I didn't recognize it, but when she got to a certain part, I realized.
It was the opening of the second season of the anime.
The realization sent a shiver down my spine.
"Hey... How did you learn that melody?"
"You taught it to me," she replied naturally.
Hearing that was a relief. It would be a real disaster if she knew too much. That Echidna, specifically, would gain insight into a universe where this world is just a fictional story—not only that, but a world where concepts far more advanced than those here exist...
"Thank goodness. I was scared for a moment."
"If I'm not mistaken, I appear right at the beginning of the video," Echidna added, massaging her chin with a concentrated expression. "The second season of Re:Zero is my least favorite, you know? Everything that happens is too familiar. I prefer the first and third seasons."
My mouth fell open and my hand let go of the cookie I was holding, dropping it onto the table.
"..."
"What's with that intense stare? I'm going to blush if you keep looking at me like that."
Somehow, this felt like déjà vu. She knew perfectly well what she was doing and the reason for my reactions, but she kept feigning ignorance, as if she weren't a cunning and almost omniscient witch.
I covered my face with my hands and slowly dragged them down, looking to the sky for mercy from my creator.
"So you know."
"Yes, I know. That's what our pact was based on. Our souls were connected: that means we both have full access to each other's minds."
Does she have total access to my mind? Goodbye, my life is over. I'm screwed, lost, ruined, canceled.
"Well, in your case there are certain restrictions currently, due to your pact with Pandora."
"That again..."
"You can't know everything because that would defeat the purpose of the tests you're undergoing."
It made sense. Damn it, it made sense, but that didn't make it any less frustrating. Even though I wanted to trust Pandora and myself, I couldn't stop wondering if it was all worth it.
How many lives have I had? How many times have I died? How many times have I been happy, how many times have I lost what mattered to me, and how many times have I become a monster? Thinking about what I've done in this timeline and the memories I'm recovering from the other timelines, I realize I'm far, far away from being the melancholic, dreamy boy who first came into this world.
"I really want to think... that all of this is worth it."
"You chose this path, after all. If I were you, I'd have more confidence in myself."
That's right. I have to believe in myself, since this was my decision. If I stop now, the sacrifice of my past selves will have been in vain.
The pain and anger I feel... I will use them to my advantage. I will overcome the trials, I will do what I have to do.
And as for Rem...
"Hey, Echidna. I need you to tell me something about—"
"Oh, didn't I explain it to you a moment ago?" she interrupted, pouting. "There are some things you just can't know in this state. Besides, I don't want you talking to me about other women."
It seemed I'd have to figure out how to bring her back myself. I'd considered that possibility, so I wasn't too disappointed.
But if I couldn't get any useful information out of Echidna, why had I made a pact with her? What would I gain from it?
At that moment, Echidna's smile returned. Her eyes sparkled.
"Guess it's time."
She stood up, walked slowly towards me, and with a sudden movement sat on my lap.
"What are you doing?"
"You gave me an invaluable gift: knowledge of another universe, the gateway to an infinite number of new possibilities. The least I can do to express my gratitude is to use my own knowledge for your benefit."
She brought her face closer and I thought she was going to kiss me, but instead she playfully nibbled my lips.
"And I know everything about you. I know exactly how to make you feel better."
How can something be exciting, terrifying, and shameful all at once? My entire being was exposed to another person. All my strengths and weaknesses, virtues and flaws.
Echidna had me in the palm of her hand. Could I trust her?
No, that decision had already been made, precisely at the moment I made a pact with her.
"Use my body to relieve your pent-up desires, you can satisfy your lust, calm your anger, or ease your pain. Do whatever you want to me."
I felt Echidna's emotions resonating in my heart: her gratitude and her longing to taste more new feelings, experiences that she could only live through me.
That desire mingled with my own anxiety, and I couldn't resist the dark temptation.
"... That would be good."
I held Echidna by the waist. I was surprised at how light she felt in my hands.
I was about to take off her dress, but then...
A pillar of light descended, striking the earth with a crash.
And from within it emerged a female figure. She was a young woman, blonde, with beautiful eyes the same color as the sky.
The Witch of Wrath, Minerva.
"Echidna! You can't do those things here!" she exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at the other witch. "You should be more considerate!"
I chuckled, confused but amused by the unexpected situation. Then Minerva's finger moved toward me.
"And you! Don't you have even a shred of shame or self-control?! Doing these things with multiple women is completely dishonest!"
"Minerva, if you feel excluded, just say so." Echidna turned her head to look at Minerva and replied sharply. "We're friends, so I wouldn't mind sharing."
"You know that's not what I mean!" Minerva retorted, stamping her foot so hard the world shook. Echidna's words made her blush. "You're not helping him! He needs to forgive himself, not this !"
Echidna wore an indifferent expression, but inwardly she was annoyed. Minerva lowered her voice slightly, looking distressed as she added:
"You complain about Pandora and Satella, but you're doing the same thing as them!"
Although Echidna's face showed no change, her hands gripped my shoulders tightly for a second. Annoyance turned to indignation.
"There's a huge difference. I see him for who he is, and I'm on his side; only his side. There's no comparison."
"Am I missing something?" I interjected, frowning.
Echidna didn't look at me.
"Thanks for ruining the atmosphere, Minerva. For the Witch of Wrath, you're acting like a jealous witch."
"I don't..."
Minerva jumped. Echidna didn't stop there.
"If you're tired of bothering me, you should leave." For the first time, I thought I could discern a genuine emotion in Echidna's voice, which in this case was annoyance.
Behind us, a tired voice sounded.
"You've become more temperamental lately, haaa..."
"Sekhmet, you too?" The Witch of Greed opened her eyes in surprise.
And from one side came a timid whisper.
"Love... must be pure and sincere, without secrets."
That was Carmilla.
"What a delicious smell... I want to taste it too."
From a sort of walking coffin, Daphne made her own sinister observation.
"Since we're all here, let's have a tea party!"
Typhon also made an enthusiastic comment while smiling from ear to ear.
All the witches who lived in the Castle of Dreams were present. I found myself fascinated and somewhat disturbed by the sight of some of the most powerful entities in this world gathered around me.
"What's wrong with you? Can't you see I'm busy?" Echidna grumbled.
I could only manage an awkward smile.
Until then, I had absolutely no idea what was going on out there.