"Um… is there something wrong with me?" Subaru asked, sitting awkwardly on the sofa, tugging uncomfortably at the hem of her uniform. "Why do you keep staring at me like that?"
Frederica had her hands clasped on her lap, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "My master told me that a very lovely junior has arrived at the Mansion."
Her voice carried unconcealed delight. "Rare black long hair paired with such beautiful eyes… You must be the new maid, Natsuki Subaru, right?"
She leaned forward slightly, a warm smile gracing her face. "What a cute maid~ But…"
Her gaze lingered on Subaru's school uniform for a moment, then she asked with a hint of confusion, "Why aren't you wearing a work uniform? You know, attire is a basic requirement for a maid."
Subaru noticed that Frederica's emerald eyes had been shining with an unusual light as she spoke. This former maid was clearly full of anticipation for the new member Roswaal had mentioned. After all, doting on younger juniors and teaching cute new maids had always been her greatest pleasure.
Subaru took a deep breath and looked directly into Frederica's eyes. "Regarding work, I was just about to have a serious talk with Roswaal. No matter how generous the salary for this job, the danger is simply too high."
Her voice gradually rose. "When the Witch Cult attacked, he, as the master, wasn't even in the Mansion. Who knows what he was doing outside?"
Subaru's fingers tightened on the armrest of the sofa. "No matter how capable Carlisle is, he'll eventually be worn out if this continues. As an employer, shouldn't he be responsible for his employees' safety?"
Frederica scratched her cheek awkwardly, her blonde long hair swaying gently with her movement. "This…"
Normally, upon hearing such disrespectful remarks about her master, she should have immediately refuted them. But this situation was indeed special. After learning the details of the incident, even she was puzzled by Roswaal's absence during the Witch Cult's attack.
"To be honest… I'm also very confused as to why the master would choose to go on a long trip at such a critical moment." Frederica's voice lowered. "This really… isn't like the master's usual style…"
She looked up, trying to lighten the mood: "But please don't worry, Subaru. Now that I'm back, I will definitely assist you all in handling the Mansion's affairs."
Carlisle then asked, "Miss Frederica, since Great Roswaal still hasn't appeared, he's probably still not in the Mansion, right? But since he brought you back, does that mean he left again after returning?"
Frederica gently shook her head, "I'm sorry, I don't know the master's whereabouts." Her expression seemed troubled. "I cannot fathom the thoughts Roswaal sama. To be honest, in this world, there are only two people he fully trusts Ram and the Great Spirit of the Forbidden Library."
"Huh? Not Rem?"
Subaru's eyes widened in surprise, utterly astonished by this revelation. They were sisters, yet Roswaal's attitude towards them was so different? But soon, she recalled Rem's situation in the Mansion, indeed more like a "cleaning machine," not even knowing the exact location of the Sanctuary.
"The Great Spirit of the Forbidden Library… that's Betty, right?" Subaru said thoughtfully. "She should know Roswaal's whereabouts."
And so, the task of finding the Forbidden Library where Betty resided fell to Subaru, who had volunteered. It was strange, somehow, every time Subaru went to look for Betty's magic door, she always found it quickly.
— — — — — —
"Ha! Found it Betty, long time no see!"
As the energetic voice rang out, Subaru confidently pushed open a seemingly ordinary door. Sure enough, behind the door was the Forbidden Library, filled with ancient books, and sitting before her was the Great Spirit, looking like a delicate doll Betty. She was engrossed in reading a thick, ancient tome.
"So noisy, it's you again, you annoying maid." Betty said without looking up, her tone as sharp as ever.
But Subaru didn't mind at all, instead, she grinned and leaned closer. "Don't be so harsh~ Great Betty, you know, I just came back from the battlefield with the Witch Cult." She spread her hands exaggeratedly, "If I hadn't helped, perhaps Great Betty would have fallen into the hands of those bad guys?"
Betty looked up, a hint of disdain flashing in her sapphire-like eyes. "Hmph, there's no need for that, in fact." She snapped the book shut with a clap. "If you think Betty will be overflowing with gratitude for such a small matter, you're too naive. Even without you, those guys wouldn't dare lay a finger on Betty."
Subaru feigned sadness, clutching her chest. "Ah~ How mean! When I was so worried about Great Betty's safety…"
But soon she recovered her smile. "However… others are very worried about Great Betty, you know. Since Great Betty has been hiding in her room without showing her face, you'll have to apologize to everyone later."
"Apologize?" Betty suddenly looked up, her face filled with confusion and disdain. "Apologize to whom? What's the necessity, I suppose? Betty completely fails to understand such a pointless act."
"Don't say that~" Subaru bent down slightly, meeting Betty's gaze. "If Great Betty keeps this up, she'll never be able to become friends with everyone."
Her voice suddenly softened. "In some situations, apologizing isn't bowing down in defeat, but a bridge that allows relationships to breathe again, you know."
"Ha?!" The book in Betty's hand almost dropped. "What's with these strange words?"
She glared at Subaru, puffing out her cheeks. "Have you been with that idiotic knight for so long that even your way of speaking is starting to lean towards him, How irritating"
"Hmm… it's still a bit of a stretch, I guess." Subaru tapped her chin in thought. "Then how about this, I'll apologize to everyone on behalf of Great Betty. I'll say you were so moved by our concern that you cried tears of gratitude, how about that? That way, everyone will definitely have a different impression of Great Betty, you know!"
"Don't be silly, in fact! Betty hasn't cried in a very, very long time. Such childish behavior, how could it…"
"Oh dear, it's nice to just cry out loud sometimes~" Subaru leaned closer. "After crying, not only your mood but even your eyes will become clearer and brighter, you know!"
"Heh… no wonder your eyes are so foolishly clear, in fact. As expected of someone who cried her heart out in the arms of the boy she liked, I suppose. That's just too logical."
She deliberately drew out the last syllable, smugly watching Subaru's face instantly turn crimson.
"Waaah! No… don't mention that…!"
Subaru waved her hands frantically, then quickly composed herself and coughed twice. "Ahem, that was… that was a strategic emotional release! It wasn't just ordinary crying, in fact!"
"…Alright, stop with these boring jokes."
Betty placed the book on the table, her eyes fixed on Subaru. "What do you want with Betty?"
Subaru scratched her head sheepishly, realizing that the other party was signaling that it was time to get to the point. It seemed there was still a long way to go to get this stubborn Great Spirit out of the Forbidden Library.
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
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