As the sun set behind the rolling hills of Kararagi, Rem stepped out of the carriage, stretching her limbs after the long journey. The ride had been smooth, thanks to the ground dragons, but she still felt the weight of exhaustion settle in.
Julius walked ahead and gestured toward the mansion. "Welcome to your new home, Rem," he said warmly. "I trust the journey wasn't too unpleasant?"
Rem took a deep breath, taking in the sight of the modest yet elegant estate. "It was... fast," she admitted, brushing a hand over her stomach. "The ground dragons made the trip much easier than I expected."
Waiting at the entrance was a woman unlike any Rem had seen before. She was a demi-human, her fox-like ears twitching slightly as she observed Rem with sharp, calculating eyes. Her kimono-style uniform was a striking red, with a slit that revealed her toned thigh—on which rested two black-bladed daggers. Though her stance was poised and formal, Rem could sense something dangerous lurking beneath her polite demeanor.
The woman bowed respectfully. "Welcome, Lady Rem. My name is Akane. I will be your personal maid and bodyguard for the duration of your stay."
Rem blinked in surprise. "A maid... and a bodyguard?" She glanced at Julius, who offered her a small, knowing smile.
"Akane is highly skilled," Julius explained. "She may not look the part, but she's one of the best assassins in Kararagi. I hired her for your protection, just in case... anything unexpected happens."
Rem swallowed, suddenly feeling the full weight of her situation. This wasn't just a temporary hiding place—it was a calculated move, a delicate secret that needed to be protected at all costs.
Akane stepped aside, gesturing toward the entrance. "Shall we go inside?"
Rem nodded hesitantly and followed her into the mansion.
Inside, she was greeted by a cozy yet refined atmosphere. The wooden floors gleamed under the soft glow of lanterns, and the scent of fresh tea lingered in the air. The space was well-maintained, yet it felt lived-in, as if the house had been waiting for her arrival.
When she reached her room, she paused at the doorway, momentarily overwhelmed. It was beautiful. The large double bed was covered in soft, sky-blue sheets, and a small bookshelf had already been stocked with a few books. The real highlight, however, was the breathtaking view from the window—rolling vineyards stretched as far as the eye could see, the distant hills bathed in the golden hues of twilight.
As she stepped further inside, she noticed several dresses neatly folded on a chair. She ran her fingers over the fabric, recognizing their high quality.
"Do you like it?"
Rem turned to see Julius standing at the doorway. He leaned casually against the frame, arms crossed, watching her with a careful expression.
She hesitated before nodding. "It's... very nice. You didn't have to prepare all of this for me."
Julius exhaled softly, stepping into the room. "I wanted to. I know this isn't easy for you, Rem. You were forced into this situation because of my actions. The least I can do is make you comfortable while you're here."
Rem lowered her gaze, clutching the edge of one of the dresses. "It's not just your fault..." she murmured.
Julius watched her carefully but didn't press further. Instead, he offered a small smile. "Regardless, you're here now. And I'll do my best to make sure you're safe and cared for."
Rem looked up at him, searching his face for any signs of dishonesty. But all she found was sincerity.
For the first time since leaving the mansion, she allowed herself to relax—if only just a little.
As the evening settled over the estate, Julius turned to Rem with a thoughtful expression.
"Akane is preparing dinner now," he informed her. "After we eat, I'll have her prepare a room for Ram. She should be arriving soon."
Rem nodded, feeling a sense of relief. She was glad she had told Ram the truth before leaving—it made things easier, even if her sister had been furious at first.
Julius folded his arms and leaned slightly against the doorframe. "I was also worried you might get homesick," he admitted. "So I prepared a few things to help you feel more comfortable." He gestured toward the bookshelf. "I brought you some books, as well as empty ones in case you want to write. If there's anything specific you'd like to read, let me know, and I'll arrange for Akane to get it for you."
Rem glanced at the books, running her fingers along the spines. "That's... very thoughtful of you," she said softly.
"There's more," Julius continued. "I also got you a mentia that plays music. I should have asked what kind you like before getting it, but if there's something else you prefer, I'll find it for you."
Rem's eyes widened slightly. "You didn't have to do all this."
Julius gave a small, sheepish shrug. "Perhaps not. But I wanted to."
He gestured toward the corner of the room, where a neatly arranged easel and canvas stood. "I also prepared a space for painting. If you're interested, you can use it to learn or just pass the time."
Rem stepped closer, brushing a hand against the smooth canvas. It had been a long time since she had even considered something like painting. "You think of everything, don't you?"
Julius chuckled. "I try."
"And the bath?" she asked, glancing toward the adjoining door.
"Ah," Julius smirked. "Your room has a personal bathroom with a small bath that produces bubbles. It's a Kararagi invention—people there call it a jacuzzi. The estate also has a larger shared bath that fits three people, if you ever prefer more space."
Rem was momentarily speechless. She had expected to feel like a prisoner here, hidden away from the world, but instead, Julius had gone out of his way to make her feel... at home.
Julius straightened and met her gaze. "If there's anything else you need, just ask. I'll make sure you have everything."
Rem hesitated, then gave him a small nod. "Thank you, Julius."
He smiled. "Anytime."
Julius guided Rem through the rest of the mansion, showing her each of the rooms in a calm and steady voice.
"This one is mine," he said, gesturing to one of the bedrooms. "Yours is next to mine, and this one will be for Ram when she arrives. Akane's room is at the far end."
He then led her downstairs, pausing at a small but well-kept kitchen. "If you ever feel like cooking something yourself, you're welcome to use this space," he told her. "If you need ingredients, just let Akane know, and she'll get them for you. Of course, if you'd rather not cook, she can prepare anything you like."
Rem nodded, taking in the cozy atmosphere of the kitchen before Julius continued the tour.
"This is the dining room," he said as they stepped inside. It was modest but elegant, with a neatly arranged table set for four.
From there, he guided her to a small salon. The room was decorated with paintings, and a plush sofa sat next to a tea table with a full set of fine porcelain cups. "A good place to relax," Julius noted.
Adjacent to the salon was a small library. "There are books on a variety of subjects here, as well as maps," he explained, motioning toward the shelves. "It also has a door leading to the garden."
He opened the door, letting in the scent of flowers as they stepped outside. The garden was quite large, with an arched arbor covered in vines. The walking paths were lined with trees, hedges, and clusters of flowers and fruit bushes.
Rem took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air against her skin. "It's beautiful," she murmured.
Julius nodded. "On the other side of the mansion are the stables. That's where the two ground dragons that brought us here will be kept. If I need to leave, I'll take one, but the other is for you to use if you ever want to go for a ride or visit the city."
Rem turned to him in surprise. "You'd let me go into the city?"
"Of course," Julius replied. "You're not a prisoner here, Rem. I want you to be comfortable. If you're worried about being recognized, Akane can help you with makeup or a disguise. But honestly, I doubt you need to worry too much. Finding someone based on a description alone—especially in another country—is not easy."
Rem looked at him carefully, trying to understand his true intentions. He had caused this situation, but now he was doing everything in his power to make sure she felt safe and cared for.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Julius gave her a small, reassuring smile. "You're welcome."
Julius chuckled lightly, glancing at Rem with a playful glint in his eyes. "For my future wife, I must give nothing less than 101% effort," he teased, his voice smooth yet lighthearted.
Rem's face turned a soft shade of pink, and she averted her gaze. "You shouldn't joke about things like that," she murmured, though there was no real bite to her words.
But Julius only smiled, extending his hand toward her with a graceful flourish. "Then, may I have the honor of escorting you to dinner, my lady?"
Rem hesitated for a moment before finally placing her hand in his. Julius gently held it as he led her toward the dining room, his grip warm but not forceful. He acted as though this was the most natural thing in the world, guiding her with effortless charm.
As they reached the table, he pulled out a chair for her. "I truly hope you will enjoy your stay here," he said, his voice softer now, almost sincere.
Rem sat down, watching him as he took his seat across from her. She wasn't sure what to make of Julius yet. He had caused this situation, and she still felt uneasy about everything. But... at the very least, he was trying.
As the scent of freshly prepared food filled the room, Rem allowed herself a small moment of calm. For now, she would focus on the present.
Dinner had been good—not amazing, but certainly better than Ram's cooking. Rem had to admit that Akame, despite being an assassin, was surprisingly skilled in the kitchen. After finishing her meal, she excused herself and went to her room, feeling the exhaustion from the long journey settling in.
As she lay in bed, her mind drifted back to that night—the night everything changed. A deep blush crept across her cheeks as memories of it surfaced. She wasn't proud of what had happened, but no matter how much she tried to push it away, the details were still vivid. The warmth of his touch, the way he spoke to her—it wasn't just drunken recklessness, was it?
She turned onto her side, staring at the door. Would Julius come? No, he wouldn't. He had been respectful since they arrived, keeping his distance even though he teased her at dinner. But still, was he interested in her? Was that why he was acting this way?
Her heart felt heavy. No matter how much she thought about Julius, the one face that always appeared in her mind was Subaru's.
Subaru-kun...
She closed her eyes, feeling a familiar ache in her chest. Even if she was here, even if she was carrying another man's child, her heart still longed for the one person she could never have.
With those thoughts swirling in her mind, exhaustion finally won, and she drifted into uneasy sleep.
Rem slowly blinked awake, still groggy from sleep, only to see her sister sitting on the edge of her bed, arms crossed and watching her.
"Ram...?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
"I arrived about an hour ago," Ram said, her tone neutral. "I met Akame. She seems competent enough, though I still don't trust her. I let you sleep since I figured you needed the rest after everything."
Rem sat up, her mind still sluggish. She hadn't expected Ram to arrive so soon, but knowing her sister, she probably came as fast as she could to ensure everything was going according to plan.
A knock at the door made them both look up as Akame stepped inside, her fox ears twitching slightly. "Good morning, Lady Rem," she said with a respectful bow. "Would you like assistance getting dressed?"
Rem shook her head quickly, still unused to the idea of being treated like nobility. "I can manage, thank you."
Akame nodded before tilting her head slightly. "Would you like to have lunch for breakfast, or shall I prepare something else for you?"
Rem glanced at Ram, still half-asleep. Before she could answer, Akame turned her attention to Ram. "Would you like breakfast or lunch as well? And... would it be acceptable if I refer to you by name?"
Ram raised an eyebrow at the fox maid's politeness but gave a small nod. "Ram is fine," she said. "And lunch will do."
Akame smiled slightly. "Understood. I'll prepare your meals immediately." She turned to leave but paused. "Lady Rem, if you need anything, please let me know."
As the door closed behind her, Ram looked back at Rem with a smirk. "Looks like you're being treated like a noblewoman now."
Rem sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't feel like one..."
Ram's expression softened just a little. "Well, you better get used to it. You're here for the next several months, after all."
At lunch, Julius joined them, setting down a small package on the table before taking his seat. He gave Ram a polite smile.
"Welcome, Ram. I was in town picking up some supplies, but I trust you've had time to settle in. I hope you find the mansion to your liking."
Ram crossed her arms and eyed him critically. "For a noble knight who got my sister pregnant, I expected more. But I suppose this will have to be enough."
Julius chuckled, seemingly unfazed by her sharp words. "If it's grandeur you're expecting, my family's estate in Lugunica is far more impressive—this is merely a modest home. But I assure you, Rem and the child will have everything they need."
Ram narrowed her eyes slightly, gauging his sincerity. "Providing for them is the least you can do."
Julius met her gaze without hesitation. "And I will. I take full responsibility, and that includes ensuring their well-being in every way possible."
Ram exhaled through her nose, unimpressed but willing to let the conversation drop—for now. She focused on her meal, but in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake the feeling that despite his words, things would only get more complicated from here.
Akame carefully poured the wine into three glasses, setting one before Ram, Julius, and herself. Before offering one to Rem, she turned with a polite inquiry.
"Lady Rem, will you be drinking wine?"
Before Rem could answer, Ram spoke up sharply. "She's pregnant."
Akame tilted her head slightly. "Ah, is that a problem? The last noble household I served in allowed their lady to drink, even into her sixth month."
Julius, setting down his utensils, interjected. "I'd prefer if Rem didn't drink. Of course, I won't force her, but in consideration of the child, I'd like to request that she refrain."
Rem nodded, placing a gentle hand on her stomach. "I won't drink."
Akame bowed slightly in acknowledgment and took a sip from her own glass.
As they continued their meal, Julius turned his attention to Ram. "So, how did your conversation with Roswaal go?"
Ram glanced at Akame before responding. Her eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion. "Can she be trusted?"
Akame, unfazed, took another sip of wine before answering. "I am bound by a magic contract. I do not betray my employers, and I keep their secrets. My work as a spy is secondary—primarily, I eliminate threats in places where I pretend to be a maid."
Julius, meeting Ram's gaze evenly, added, "I hired her for both roles—to serve as Rem's maid and to protect her. Her contract also ensures she will not speak of anything that happens here to outsiders."
Ram leaned back slightly, studying Akame. The woman's expression remained unreadable, her fox-like ears twitching slightly.
Satisfied, Ram exhaled. "Good. Because what I discussed with Roswaal is not something I want leaving this room."
Ram took a sip of her wine before setting the glass down with a sigh. "Roswaal ran away to Gusteko."
Julius raised an eyebrow. "Ran away?"
"He lost faith in Emilia," Ram stated bluntly. "And right now, he's probably having a mental breakdown, terrified that she'll tell Subaru what happened that night." She glanced at Rem. "He was furious, Julius. If you had been there, he would've killed you—or at the very least, beaten you half to death."
Rem shifted uncomfortably. "That night... it was my fault too."
Ram's sharp gaze turned on her sister. "I know that. But it doesn't change the fact that when Subaru finds out, he will go after Julius."
Julius exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable.
Ram continued, her voice cold and calculated. "Subaru can't take revenge on Reinhard. He won't win against him, and deep down, he knows that. But you?" She pointed at Julius with her fork. "You're the one he'll direct his vengeance toward."
Julius remained silent for a moment, then picked up his glass, swirling the wine inside. "I see. So I am the convenient target."
Ram nodded. "Exactly. And don't delude yourself into thinking he'll be reasonable. Subaru isn't just going to hate you—he's going to want to kill you."
Akame tilted her head slightly, her fox ears twitching with curiosity. "Is this Subaru really strong enough to kill a knight? I heard he helped defeat the White Whale, but most people call him a weak hero—more of a strategist or general than a fighter."
Before anyone could respond, Rem immediately jumped in, her voice filled with admiration. "Subaru isn't weak! He didn't just help defeat the White Whale—he also defeated the Sin Archbishops of Sloth and Greed!"
Ram let out a sigh and shook her head. "Sister, you only know what you've been told in stories. In reality, Reinhard and Emilia were the ones who defeated Greed, and Julius helped with Sloth. Subaru wasn't the one doing the actual fighting."
"But he's still a knight!" Rem insisted. "And he has a contract with a great spirit. He's stronger now!"
Ram gave Akame a knowing look. "Rem puts Subaru on a pedestal. The truth is, Subaru is weak. Physically, he's not much of a threat. But he has an extreme talent for success. He convinces people to fight for him, and somehow, they always do."
Akame smirked. "Ah, I see. So he's dangerous in a different way."
"Exactly," Ram confirmed. "Which is why, when he finds out the truth, he will do everything in his power to make Julius suffer."
Julius remained silent, his gaze focused on his untouched food. He already knew this, but hearing it out loud only confirmed what he feared—there was no escaping Subaru's wrath.
Akame looked at Julius with a sly expression, her fox ears twitching slightly. "Sir Julius, I'd like to request payment for several months in advance. And while we're at it, I'd also like to update our contract. If you die, your family will be responsible for paying the remainder of my service while I continue protecting Lady Rem."
Julius chuckled softly, though there was little humor in it. "You certainly don't waste time, Akame."
Ram crossed her arms and nodded. "She has a point. It's a smart move to secure herself. After all, Subaru will eventually find out, and there's no guarantee Julius will survive his wrath."
Akame smirked. "I don't work for free, and I don't do charity. If things get messy, I want to ensure my efforts are compensated."
Julius sighed but gave a small nod. "Fine. I'll arrange it. I'll have my family wire the necessary funds to a secure account. And if something does happen to me, you'll still be paid."
Akame turned to Rem and bowed slightly. "Lady Rem, I apologize if my words upset you earlier."
Rem, who had been quiet, shook her head. "I overreacted. It's fine."
Akame straightened up. "Good. Because if something happens, I want to make sure you and the baby are safe. That's my job."
The table fell into silence for a moment before Julius took a deep breath and looked at Ram. "Speaking of which, how long do you think we have before Subaru figures things out?"
Ram narrowed her eyes. "That depends on Emilia. If she keeps quiet, we may have months. But if she tells him... then it could be days."
Akame tilted her head, her fox ears flicking slightly. "So, Lady Ram, when do you think Emilia will snap?"
Ram exhaled through her nose, tapping her fingers against the table. "She kept quiet just fine for two months, but if she has to keep Subaru distracted in the Empire for two more, she'll probably break within a week."
Rem immediately protested, her hands clutching the fabric of her dress. "I believe in Lady Emilia! She's helped us so far, and if she tells the truth now, Subaru will hate her. I don't think she would risk that."
Julius, watching the exchange, leaned back slightly in his chair. "Seeing it from Ram's perspective... I need to prepare the official papers to acknowledge you as my wife and the child as mine." His gaze turned toward Rem. "We spoke about this after Ram left, and you agreed to marry me. So if Subaru does come for me, at the very least, your future will be secured."
Ram scoffed. "You should've thought of that in the first place."
Julius smiled faintly but didn't argue. "Subaru won't harm the child or Rem. He's not that kind of person."
Ram, unimpressed, narrowed her eyes. "You're underestimating his emotions. Sometimes, he gets... really crazy."
Julius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Then I'll have to prepare for that, too."