Chapter 31: Going to the Village
Beatrice had a dream.
In the dream, the book was no longer blank.
The person she was waiting for appeared at the door of the library, but their face was completely indistinct.
Yet Beatrice felt happy—finally, the person she had waited for so long had come, and thus her contract would be fulfilled!
She watched the blurry figure slowly walking toward her.
But as the figure approached, Beatrice felt she had seen this person somewhere before. When he finally came in front of her, she clearly saw his appearance.
He embraced her, and it seemed like something was wrapped around him, making his body feel warm.
Beatrice understood it was a dream.
Though she didn't know why she dreamed of him, it didn't matter anymore; at least in this dream, she could forget about the contract.
The sky gradually brightened.
Opening her eyes from the bed, Beatrice was momentarily stunned to realize she was still lying down.
She quickly sat up and looked to the side, only to see Subaru asleep leaning against the edge of the bed.
He was sitting on the floor surrounded by scattered sheets filled with writing, with several storybooks nearby, and an open book resting on his knees.
His head was resting against the bed's edge, and he seemed to be sleeping soundly.
Beatrice withdrew her gaze and glanced at the blanket that had slipped down onto his stomach.
She knew that apart from the sleeping Subaru, no one else would have done such a thing.
Her eyes lingered involuntarily on Subaru's sleeping face.
Asleep, he looked even more like a young boy than when awake.
"If the person Betty has been waiting for is you…"
Before she could finish speaking, Beatrice shook her head.
The book was blank, so he wasn't the person she was waiting for—he was merely a passerby.
Beatrice got off the bed and looked out at the sky.
It wasn't fully bright yet, and at this time the temperature dropped significantly.
She picked up the blanket and gently covered Subaru with it, then sat down beside him and looked at the sheets covered with writing on the floor.
His handwriting had improved a lot, though to Beatrice's eyes it was still barely readable.
But for Subaru, this was already very good progress.
Beatrice didn't know how to view this person who had intruded into her monotonous life.
She wondered: if she got used to this noisy person sleeping soundly in the lady's room, what would happen when he left… or if he died? Would she still be able to hold on afterward?
Once again, Beatrice hoped this person who disrupted her life was the one she was meant to wait for.
Many had broken through the gate of fate before, but none of them were like him.
Those others, after entering, were thirsty for the knowledge in the library.
Their eyes were fixed on the books and wouldn't linger on her.
But Subaru, after entering the library, first noticed her.
He was only slightly surprised at the books around but kept his gaze on her.
Maybe he didn't understand how many people dreamed of this knowledge.
But undeniably, he looked at her… cared about her.
Beatrice lifted her hand and gently touched Subaru's cheek.
The moment she touched him, she felt as if struck by electricity and immediately pulled back. She stood up and left Subaru's side.
'I can't continue like this. If it goes on, what will happen to Betty later…?'
Returning to her seat, Beatrice casually picked up a book to read but couldn't concentrate at all.
She forced herself to read, forced herself not to think, forced herself not to focus too much on him.
Time passed painfully.
The sky brightened fully, and Subaru, who had been sleeping beside the bed, slowly opened his eyes.
Looking dazed, he rubbed his eyes. Seeing Beatrice's back, he yawned and stood up to stretch his stiff body.
"Good morning, Beatrice."
"Hmph! You dare to touch a lady's body without Betty's permission? Who said you could be in Betty's room? You really deserve to die a hundred times!"
"That's not my fault. Seeing a cute little girl sleeping in a chair, anyone would worry she might fall off. Besides, sleeping in a chair is a bad habit."
Rubbing his eyes, Subaru walked up to Beatrice and asked,
"Beatrice, do you want to have breakfast together?"
"You clearly don't reflect on your mistakes. Betty doesn't want to see you anymore."
"Huh?" Subaru didn't understand what was going on but was pushed out of the library by Beatrice.
Leaning against the wall, Subaru looked at the closed door, confused.
The sunlight in the corridor was dazzling, and knowing he had work to do, Subaru put this matter aside and ran to his room.
Inside the library, Beatrice stared at the unopened door for a while.
Then she turned to the black book lying in the pile and slowly reached for it but ultimately gave up taking it out.
.
.
.
After a few days of work, Subaru could handle some tasks alone and even joke with Ram while working.
Work wasn't so tiring anymore; after getting used to it, even exhausting work felt somewhat light.
At noon, Subaru was cleaning the gate while Ram stood nearby, arms crossed, watching.
In her words, she was supervising and assessing him.
In any case, Ram was not slacking off. After a while, Rem came over.
"Sis, the kitchen ingredients are running low. I'm going to the village to restock."
"Not enough? Is it because of Barusu's big appetite?"
"Yes, sis. Since Subaru arrived, the food storage in the mansion can't last until the day after tomorrow."
"Hey! Don't think I can't hear you just because I'm working seriously! I'm not a big eater and don't eat much! This is slander!"
"But it's true. Since Barusu came, the food that was supposed to last until the day after tomorrow is already running out today."
"Yes, sis is right. It's because Subaru eats too much."
"That's just normal consumption!"
"In any case, the food storage is insufficient."
"Ram, I see through your idea. You just want to change the topic, right?"
"Yes, sis. So someone needs to go to the village. Rem will go restock."
"Wait, Rem, since it's because there's an extra mouth, let Barusu go with you."
Hearing this, Subaru looked at the two sisters.
"I don't mind at all. I didn't know people still lived around the mansion. I thought we were completely isolated."
"Barusu, what are you talking about? Lord Roswaal is a border count, so he naturally has his own managed territory. How could a count have no people in his domain?"
"I had no idea. Then I'll go together with Rem on this trip. She must be carrying a lot. Since I'm the only male servant here, if I don't go, then who will?"
Ram looked at Subaru, who was smiling proudly.
She quietly whispered something to Rem. Rem nodded and looked at Subaru.
"Well then, Subaru, let's go to the village."