Rem's new life in the mansion began. She was never the type to sit idly and do nothing, so she quickly found herself trying to clean and take care of small tasks around the house. However, both Ram and Akame did their best to stop her at every turn.
Julius, on the other hand, made an effort to spend as much time with her as possible. Though Ram still held a negative opinion of him, Rem could tell that whenever Ram told him to add or improve something in the mansion, it was always for her sake.
At one point, Rem started to notice something strange—Ram was acting like this place was already their home. When she got drunk, she would constantly mention that Julius needed to expand the mansion. "After all," she'd say, "in the future, we'll need more rooms for children... and new servants."
Rem could only watch her sister with a sad understanding. It had been less than a week since they had moved in, yet Ram already seemed to have given up on returning to Lugunica.
That night, after Ram had drunkenly stumbled into her room, Rem was preparing for bed when she heard a soft knock at her door. She turned, surprised. The only people in the mansion aside from her were Ram, Akame, and Julius. And she doubted either of the women would bother knocking at this hour.
She hesitated before answering, "Come in."
Julius stepped inside, his expression unreadable. He closed the door gently behind him, lingering near the entrance as if unsure whether he should really be here.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you," he said, offering her a polite smile.
Rem shook her head. "No, it's fine. I wasn't asleep yet."
Julius nodded, but for once, he seemed to struggle to find the right words. That was unusual for him. He always knew exactly what to say, always had an air of confidence about him. But right now, he looked hesitant—almost nervous.
Finally, after a long pause, he asked, "Can I touch your stomach?"
Rem blinked. For a moment, she simply stared at him, processing what he had just said. Then, slowly, she understood.
She glanced down at herself, pressing a hand over her belly. She wasn't showing yet—it had only been a couple of months—but she supposed Julius was still trying to come to terms with it all. She let out a small breath before nodding.
Julius stepped forward carefully, kneeling before her as if approaching something sacred. His hand, warm and hesitant, rested gently over her stomach. He didn't speak right away. Instead, he just sat there, his fingers barely moving as if afraid he might somehow break her.
After a while, he finally let out a quiet, almost bitter laugh.
"I still can't believe it," he murmured. His tone was different from usual—softer, more vulnerable.
Rem remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"At first, when I realized what had happened that night... I felt like the worst kind of person," he admitted. "For what I did to you. For what I did to Subaru. I hated myself for it."
Rem's fingers curled slightly at the mention of Subaru's name. She didn't know what to say.
Julius exhaled. "I thought this would be something I regretted forever. That every time I looked at you, I'd feel nothing but guilt."
His fingers flexed slightly against her stomach, but his touch remained gentle.
"But then, when I found out that this child is mine... I realized something." He looked up at her, his violet eyes filled with emotions she couldn't quite read.
"I don't regret it," he admitted in a whisper. "Not the way I thought I would."
Rem's lips parted slightly, but she still didn't speak.
Julius swallowed hard. "I know you probably hate me for this. And I wouldn't blame you. But... if you have to hate someone, hate me—not the baby. I can take that."
His hand lingered for a few seconds longer before he finally pulled away, though he didn't move from his place in front of her.
"But, Rem," he continued, his voice steady despite the emotions swirling within it. "The more time I spend with you, the more I realize... I don't just want to take responsibility."
He took a deep breath, then met her gaze fully.
"I want to be with you."
Rem's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't been expecting those words—not from him.
Rem's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, and she turned her head away, crossing her arms over her chest.
"You've probably had too much to drink," she muttered, her voice laced with embarrassment. "You're just saying that because I'm here. If it were some other maid, you'd probably be saying the same thing."
Julius let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "You're wrong," he said simply.
Rem shot him a quick glare. "Then what? What makes me so different?"
Julius leaned forward slightly, his expression more serious now. "Because you're not just 'some other maid,'" he told her. "You're Rem. You're smart, hardworking, beautiful—more beautiful than Anastasia, more beautiful than even Emilia."
Rem's breath hitched, and she turned even redder. "D-Don't say things like that!"
"But it's true," Julius continued. "You're kind. You care deeply about the people around you. You're strong, even when you're hurting. And above all, you're loving."
Rem clenched her fists slightly, trying to push down the emotions his words stirred in her. "I love Subaru," she reminded him, her voice quieter this time.
"I know," Julius said without hesitation. "And I don't mind. I don't expect that to change overnight. But... I want you to know that for me, you're my number one. You don't have to choose between us. I know Subaru will always have a place in your heart."
Rem looked at him, eyes widening slightly. His gaze was unwavering, full of quiet conviction.
"But I fell in love with you, Rem," Julius admitted. "And not the way Subaru did."
She felt her heart pound in her chest, unsure of how to respond.
Julius continued, his voice gentle but firm. "You were amazing that night, but it wasn't just that. You're loyal to the person you love, you want to be a good mother, you refuse to just sit around and do nothing. You're strong, resilient, and—" He exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "I've only known you for a short time, but everything I've seen has made me certain."
Rem swallowed, struggling with the whirlwind of emotions inside her. "You're being reckless," she whispered.
Julius smiled. "Maybe. But when it comes to you, I don't think I'll regret it."
Julius leaned in hesitantly, pressing a soft, shy kiss against Rem's lips. She didn't resist. Instead, she allowed it, her eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment before they opened again.
She let out a quiet sigh, shaking her head. "You called me loyal," she murmured, "but that's the biggest lie of all."
Julius frowned slightly, tilting his head. "How is it a lie?"
Rem clenched her fists. "I made a mistake. One night, when Subaru neglected my love, I gave in. I betrayed him. And even after that, when I knew I carried your child, I still wanted to stay by his side. That's not loyalty."
Julius exhaled slowly, taking her hands gently in his own. "Rem," he said, his voice calm yet firm, "one mistake doesn't define you. Subaru wasn't with you at that time. And when he finally told you he loved you, you were willing to dedicate yourself to him, even when you carried my child. If anything, that proves your devotion. Not many women would be as selfless as you."
Rem's lips trembled slightly, and she lowered her gaze. "You don't understand... I was never planning to leave my child behind."
Julius's golden eyes locked onto hers, searching them. "Then what would you have done?"
Rem hesitated before answering. "...If Subaru couldn't accept this child, I would have left him instead."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of her words hung between them like a fragile thread, one that could break at any moment.
Julius swallowed, then slowly moved forward again, this time pressing a lingering, tender kiss to her lips. When he pulled away, his voice was barely above a whisper.
"...Then, would you marry me?"
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Rem was pulled from her sleep by the sharp sound of an angry scream.
"Rem!!"
Her eyes shot open in alarm, and as she instinctively moved, she felt the warmth of another body beside her. The moment she registered the situation, her cheeks burned, and she quickly pulled the blanket up to cover herself.
Julius stirred beside her, groaning slightly as he woke up. But before he could fully sit up, another voice cut through the room.
"You absolute disgrace!"
Standing at the doorway, held back only by Akame's firm grip, was Ram—her face twisted in fury.
"Not even a week!" Ram spat, her crimson eyes blazing with rage. "Not even a single damn week, and you've already whored yourself out to this asshole again?!"
Rem flinched at the words, clutching the sheets tighter against herself.
Ram struggled against Akame's hold, her hands clenched into fists. "Was this your grand plan, Rem?! Is this how you were planning to go back to Subaru?! By throwing yourself into another man's bed again?!"
Julius, now fully awake, sat up beside Rem and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "Ram," he said, his voice calm but firm, "there's no need for such insults—"
"Shut up!" Ram snapped at him. "This is between me and Rem!"
Rem swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. But before she could speak, Ram continued, her voice filled with hurt and disappointment.
"You told me you loved Subaru! You told me you wanted to go back to him! But look at you! You're making the same mistake again!"
Rem lowered her gaze, unable to meet her sister's eyes. She had no excuses. No justifications.
Julius, however, exhaled and turned to Akame. "Let her go."
Akame hesitated but eventually released Ram.
Ram stormed closer, stopping just short of the bed, glaring down at Rem with an intensity that made her chest tighten. "Say something," she demanded. "Tell me you regret it. Tell me this was a mistake."
But Rem couldn't say it.
Because, deep down, she wasn't sure if it was.
Ram's glare didn't waver, but Rem could see the flicker of something else in her sister's eyes—conflict.
Taking a deep breath, Rem placed a protective hand on her stomach. For a moment, she hesitated, but then she finally spoke.
"Subaru has Emilia," she said softly, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside her. "I love him... but he will never love me the way I want. He barely even sees me that way."
Ram's hands clenched into fists, but she stayed silent, letting Rem continue.
"I tried," Rem admitted. "I told myself I would go back to him, that I could just hide my pregnancy and everything would be fine... but that's not true." She looked down at her stomach, feeling the tiniest flutter of something—not movement, not yet, but just the weight of her choice. "I want to be a good mother, Ram. I want to give this child a real home."
Julius sat beside her, quiet but listening intently. Akame, too, watched from the door, though she remained neutral.
Rem lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Ram. "I'm not going to be like our parents. Or like the village that treated me like a burden, like trash, just because I was born different." Her voice grew stronger. "And I won't let you turn me into a woman who leaves her child at someone's doorstep just because it would make things easier. I don't want my child to ever think their mother abandoned them."
Ram inhaled sharply, her expression unreadable. But the anger in her eyes had dulled, replaced by something more complicated.
"You really thought about this," Ram muttered. It wasn't a question—it was an observation.
Rem nodded. "I did."
A heavy silence settled between them.
Ram clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she glared at Rem.
"So that's it?" she snapped. "You're just deciding this on your own? What about Subaru? You betrayed him—right now, you're making that choice deliberately!"
Rem swallowed hard but didn't back down. She had expected this reaction.
"I know," she admitted. "I can't lie to Subaru. I can't tell him it was just one mistake and pretend nothing happened. I already made my decision, and now I have to take responsibility for it."
Ram's anger didn't subside. If anything, it burned hotter.
"And what exactly are you going to do now? Just ignore him? Hope he never finds out?" Ram scoffed. "Do you really think he'll just accept this?"
Rem shook her head. "No... I know he won't. That's why I'm going to write to him."
Ram narrowed her eyes. "And say what?"
Rem took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I'll tell him that it's over between us."
Ram let out a bitter laugh, disbelieving. "You think a letter is going to stop him? This is Subaru we're talking about! He's not just going to move on because you tell him to!"
"I know," Rem said again, softer this time. "But I have to at least try. I owe him that much."
Ram stared at her, her expression caught somewhere between fury and frustration. Then she exhaled sharply, shaking her head.
"You're a fool, Rem," she muttered. "But at least you're a fool who's standing by her choice."
Rem didn't argue. Because for the first time in a long time, she felt like this was truly her decision—not something dictated by unreciprocated love, not something done for someone else's sake, but a choice she made for herself.
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A month had passed since that fateful night, and Rem had officially moved into Julius's room. Ram didn't like it—at all—but she had reluctantly accepted that her sister had made her decision.
Despite settling into her new life, Rem struggled with writing the letter to Subaru. She had tried several times, but after reading each draft to Ram and Akame, she would tear it up and start over. No matter how she phrased it, nothing felt right.
Meanwhile, Julius had responsibilities that often took him back to the kingdom, leaving Rem behind with Ram and Akame. Though he wasn't always present, he made sure to take care of things in his absence. One day, he returned with a small box in his hands.
"This is for you," he said, presenting it to Rem.
She opened it hesitantly, only for her eyes to widen at the sight of a delicate ring inside.
Julius gave her a small smile. "I wanted to do this properly. You are already my wife in name, but once the baby is born, we can have a real ceremony."
Rem felt her breath hitch. She still wasn't sure how she felt about everything, but there was no denying that Julius was trying to make this a real home for her.
Beyond that, he had begun investing in their mansion, making improvements to the land surrounding it. One of his first projects was preparing a field for a plum tree orchard.
"It's for the future," he told her when she asked about it. "Plum trees take years to mature, but when they do, they stand strong for generations. I want this place to be something lasting—for you, for our child."
Rem didn't know what to say to that. She wasn't sure what the future held, but for now, she chose to simply watch as Julius laid the groundwork for it.
Julius and Rem had put their intimacy on hold for the sake of the baby, a necessary choice but also a test of their relationship. Could their bond endure without physical closeness?
They were adjusting to this new dynamic when, to their surprise, a carriage arrived at the mansion. Akame was the first to step outside to greet the guest, only to return with an urgent expression.
"Julius," she said, "your master has arrived."
Julius's brow furrowed. "Master?"
Before he could process it further, Anastasia Hoshin stepped out of the carriage. The moment she laid eyes on Julius, her usual business-like composure cracked, revealing barely restrained fury.
As she stormed toward him, Julius instinctively straightened, already anticipating the verbal onslaught. He had suspected she might be displeased about his absence from Lugunica, but the fire in her eyes told him this was about much more than that.
"I suspected you of many things, Julius," Anastasia snapped, her voice sharp as a blade. "But never in my wildest dreams did I think you'd get Subaru's girlfriend pregnant."
Her words hung heavy in the air.
Rem, who had just stepped into the room, froze. Akame subtly shifted into a more defensive posture, while Ram, sitting off to the side, scoffed under her breath, unimpressed but unsurprised that the news had finally reached the merchant queen.
Julius, maintaining his usual knightly demeanor, met Anastasia's glare head-on. He had known this conversation would happen eventually—he just hadn't expected it so soon.
Anastasia's words were sharp, each syllable cutting like a finely honed blade. She didn't hold back, her fury evident in every gesture, every glare.
"So this is what you've been doing instead of helping me with the selection?" she spat. "When you were supposed to be by my side, securing our future, you were off finding yourself a whore to play house with?"
Julius barely flinched, though his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Anastasia—"
"I gave you that mansion," she cut him off, stepping closer. "I gave you wealth, influence, a future that most knights could only dream of. I invested in you, Julius. My time, my money—" her voice wavered for just a fraction of a second before hardening again. "My love—because that is the Kararagi way."
Her green eyes burned with betrayal.
"And how do you repay me?" she hissed. "By running off, finding another woman, and playing house while I fight to secure a throne?"
Silence fell over the room, heavy and suffocating.
Rem's hands subconsciously rested over her stomach, protective and defensive all at once. Ram watched from the side, her usual sharp tongue uncharacteristically still. Even Akame, who had seen her fair share of conflicts, stayed quiet, observing the scene with calculating eyes.
Julius exhaled, steadying himself. He had known Anastasia would be furious—but hearing it, standing before the sheer force of her emotions, was something else entirely.
Anastasia's anger didn't subside. If anything, it seemed to grow more intense with each word.
"Do you even know what's happened because of you?" she snapped, eyes blazing. "Because of this?" She gestured toward Rem, her voice dripping with contempt.
Julius remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
"Subaru convinced the Empire to attack Lagunica."
That alone was enough to make the air in the room grow heavier.
But Anastasia wasn't done.
"Emilia is out of the selection. The Sages kicked her out. Crusch is on her deathbed. And now, it's just me and Felt left to fight for the throne. And if that wasn't bad enough—" her voice lowered, dangerously sharp, "war started because you couldn't keep your damn c**k in your pants!"
The weight of her words crashed down like a tidal wave.
Ram crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "So it looks like Emilia did snitch after all," she muttered, half to herself.
Rem, however, felt a sinking feeling in her chest. Her hands trembled slightly as she turned to Akame.
"Did you send the letter?"
Akame, for once, hesitated.
"It was waiting for the mailman," she admitted. "It was supposed to be sent today."
Rem's breath caught in her throat.
If only the letter had been sent two days ago.
Subaru wouldn't have heard it from Emilia first.
He wouldn't have found out like this.
And now—now everything was spiraling out of control.
As Anastasia threw the letter onto the table, Julius picked it up with a frown. His eyes skimmed the contents, but with every line, his expression darkened.
Julius unfolded the letter with tense fingers, his golden eyes scanning the first lines before his jaw clenched. He took a slow breath, steadying himself, then began to read aloud.
Rem peered over his shoulder, and the moment she caught sight of Subaru's words, her breath hitched.
It felt like the ground beneath her was crumbling away.
"To the Lagunican Council—"
"I don't care about your politics, your titles, or your fake dignity. All of it is garbage, just like your so-called knights. You parade them around as symbols of honor, but they are nothing more than parasites, using the law as a shield for their filth. And now, thanks to that very law, one of your precious knights stole the most important person from me."
Julius's voice faltered slightly, but he continued.
"I trusted your kingdom once. I fought for it. I bled for it. But now, I will burn it to the ground. You knights think yourselves superior, but you are nothing but cowards hiding behind rules designed to protect yourselves while common people suffer. And now, your laws have allowed that bastard Julius Juukulius to take what is MINE."
A thick silence filled the room. Rem could feel her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
"I know everything."
Julius's hands trembled as he gripped the letter.
"Julius used your twisted laws to take advantage of Rem, to bed her, to FORCE her into bearing his child. And for what? A mockery of a home, bought for him by Anastasia Hoshin. A pathetic attempt to play family while he hides Rem away like a caged bird. I will not allow it."
Ram's expression darkened, her arms crossed tightly as she listened.
"I will destroy your kingdom. I will turn your noble houses into ashes. I will see every knight hanged from the branches of their precious plum trees. And as for Julius—"
Julius swallowed, his voice growing quieter.
"Julius Juukulius, I swear on my life, I will make you suffer."
Rem flinched as he read the next lines.
"I will have you stripped, bound, and delivered to my soldiers. Every single one of them will take their turn until your body is broken, just as you broke hers. You will beg for death, but I will not grant it."
Akame inhaled sharply, her usual composed demeanor wavering.
Julius forced himself to continue.
"Anastasia Hoshin, your wealth bought him his shelter. Your power gave him protection. So when I peel the skin from your bones and string you up in the marketplace, know that it is your own coin that sealed your fate."
Anastasia's face twisted in anger, but she remained silent.
Julius's voice dropped lower, a tremor betraying his calm facade.
"And finally, your greatest sin—your child."
Rem felt her stomach turn.
"I will take that abomination from its mother's arms, boil it alive, and force Julius to consume every last piece. Only then will he know the agony of having something precious stolen away."
The letter slipped from Julius's fingers, fluttering to the table.
Silence.
Then—Rem gasped for breath. Her chest tightened. The walls seemed to close in around her.
"Rem?!" Ram rushed forward, grabbing her shoulders.
Akame was already moving, pressing a hand against Rem's back. "She's panicking—Rem, breathe."
But Rem couldn't.
Because Subaru—
Subaru hated her.
And now, the world was going to burn because of it.
Julius barely had time to react before Rem's legs gave out beneath her. Akame caught her swiftly, holding her up as her breaths came in short, ragged gasps.
"Rem! Breathe," Akame ordered, steadying her. "In—slowly. Now out."
But Rem couldn't. Her chest tightened, her vision blurred, and the sound of her own heartbeat pounded in her ears. Subaru's words echoed in her mind. He hates me. He wants to kill Julius. He wants to kill our child...
"Rem, look at me!" Akame's sharp voice cut through the panic, but Rem was spiraling.
Anastasia crossed her arms. "The Empire didn't just send that letter," she added. "They also sent a formal declaration of war to the Kingdom. That one didn't reach me—it went straight to the royal court. But I'm sure it says the same thing: Subaru intends to burn Lagunica to the ground."
Rem gasped, clutching at Akame's arms. "I—I need to stop this." Her voice was hoarse, desperate. "I need to go to him—"
Ram stepped forward, her expression hard. "You're in no condition to do anything," she snapped. Then, turning to Akame, she said, "Take her to her room. Stay with her. Don't let her do anything reckless."
Rem tried to resist, but another wave of dizziness hit, and she collapsed against Akame's shoulder. The assassin sighed and lifted her with ease.
"Come on," Akame murmured, carrying her from the room.
As they disappeared down the hall, the tension in the room remained thick. Julius exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the table.
"This isn't just about us anymore," Anastasia said, her voice low. "This is war."
Ram crossed her arms, glaring at Julius with barely concealed fury. "Are you proud of yourself?" she spat.
Julius didn't answer immediately. His gaze lingered on the letter in his hands, Subaru's words still ringing in his mind. Every line was filled with rage, pain, and the kind of hatred that only came from deep betrayal. Finally, he exhaled and spoke.
"From everything Subaru wrote... he never mentioned Emilia or Reinhard." His voice was measured, thoughtful. "That means Emilia must have been the one to tell him about Rem—probably to see how he would react. And after that, she decided to hide her own involvement."
Anastasia raised an eyebrow, her mind already working through the implications. "So, Emilia cheated too?" she mused. A slow, calculating smirk crossed her lips before she shook her head. "Not that it matters right now. I can figure out how to use that later." She turned serious, folding her arms. "For now, we have bigger problems to deal with."
Ram scoffed. "Oh, you think?" She gestured toward the letter. "Subaru is planning to burn the entire kingdom to the ground because of you two. Do you have any idea how insane that is?"
Julius ran a hand through his hair. He knew exactly how insane it was. But the question remained—how were they going to stop it?
Julius straightened, his mind already racing through the implications. "And what have the Sages decided?"
Anastasia smirked, a cold glint in her eyes. "The Empire attacked first, which means the Council is on our side. The knights will support you—especially Reinhard, since this whole mess is ultimately his fault." She crossed her arms. "Felt will probably oppose the war, which is actually a good thing. If she refuses to fight, it'll make me look even stronger when I take the crown."
Julius nodded. "And Felix?"
Anastasia waved a hand dismissively. "Felix wants to protect Crusch. He's your friend, and as a knight, he won't have a choice. He'll fight. And don't worry—I already have a plan to make sure he stays in line."
Ram frowned. "The people of the capital... if they knew the truth—"
"They won't," Anastasia interrupted smoothly. "The Empire attacked first. That's all they'll see. Their homes, their families—they'll fight to protect them. The truth doesn't matter anymore."
Julius exhaled, rubbing his temple. "And your army?"
"I'm already gathering mercenaries." Anastasia smirked again. "Now, the most important thing is making sure Felt humiliates herself. She needs to be seen as a traitor—someone who refuses to defend the kingdom."
Ram looked skeptical. "And how do you plan on doing that?"
Anastasia's smirk widened. "Leave that to me."
Anastasia let out a satisfied sigh, crossing her legs as she leaned back. "Crusch made a critical mistake by condemning the dragon worship. The Church has already decided to support me."
Julius stiffened. "The Church is backing you?"
She nodded, a sly grin playing on her lips. "Marcos Gildark already approached me. After some negotiations, he agreed to serve under my banner—on one condition."
Ram narrowed her eyes. "And what's that?"
Anastasia flicked her hair back, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "That I protect the common people of Lugunica. Specifically, the women and children. Of course, I agreed."
Julius frowned. "You're taking in refugees?"
Anastasia gave him a pointed look. "I'm taking in leverage." She chuckled, tapping her chin. "Think about it. I just secured a royal army under my command for practically nothing. And all I had to do was offer them something I was going to do anyway."
Ram scoffed. "You really are shameless."
Anastasia smirked. "I'm efficient."
Anastasia sighed, stretching her arms as if the weight of the situation barely fazed her. "Sadly, I couldn't track down Roswaal. But it doesn't matter."
Ram crossed her arms, unimpressed. "You're far too confident in yourself. Roswaal isn't some common servant you can manipulate."
Anastasia chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, I don't need to manipulate him. I just need to remind him of something important—his teacher."
Ram's expression darkened. "You... know about Roswaal's teacher?"
Anastasia smirked. "The Witch of Greed, yes. If Echidna herself were to ask for his help, whose side do you think he'd take?"
Ram clenched her fists. "You have no way to reach her?"
Anastasia tilted her head. "The Church has... certain relics. Including a preserved sample of the dragon's blood. They handed it over to me as a sign of goodwill."
Julius's eyes widened. "The Church gave you dragon's blood?"
Anastasia tapped her temple. "This situation is turning out quite nicely for me." She turned to Julius, her expression sharpening. "Unlike Subaru, who is acting purely out of fury and not thinking things through, I have a plan."
She gestured toward him. "Now, pack your things. You're coming to the capital with me."