Having wrapped up an important yet trivial conversation with Julius, Subaru was leaving the **Water’s Feather Robe Inn** with Emilia and Beatrice.

“Hey, you were chatting away with Julius in the garden. What were you two talking about?”

“First off, me being close with that guy is a huge misunderstanding. What do you think we were discussing?”

“Like, where to hang out next? Right?”

“Friends from school!?!”

It’s not like they shared such a casual relationship, and even if Subaru and Julius were classmates, the glaring disparity in their social standings would keep them from ever being part of the same group. The school environment is a clear class system.

In a way, it’s quite similar to the exclusivity of noble society.

“Thinking about it, both here and there are equally harsh…”

“Hey, hey, so what did you actually discuss?”

“Just some light background scouting. You know, the usual chat. Like, what’s been going on? What are you into? That sort of stuff.”

“That sounds like friends to me!”

Emilia tilted her head in confusion, and Subaru too was taken aback.

True, that kind of small talk sounds friendly, but not between someone like him and Julius. It has to be something much more grotesque.

What exactly that was remained unspoken, but—

“Well, he’s definitely not a friend. That’s for sure.”

“Stubborn…”

Emilia looked over to Beatrice with an exasperated face. Beatrice responded with silence, letting out a silent sigh.

The atmosphere of mutual understanding between the two added an air of alienation to Subaru.

In truth, the topic of their conversation in the garden—issues concerning the Astraea family, including Reinhardt and Wilhelm, and that Heinkel.

To convey such matters to Emilia felt like a weight on Subaru’s conscience.

It’s not just that he hesitated to recklessly spill someone else’s family troubles, but his primary concern was that he didn’t want to burden Emilia with unnecessary worries.

These were difficult problems that couldn’t be easily resolved.

The deep-rooted curse of the Astraea family was not something outsiders should meddle with.

Julius likely understood this and only revealed it to Subaru for a reason. It meant he recognized Subaru enough to show such consideration.

—It leaves an unsettling feeling in my stomach.

“So, Subaru. I appreciate the invitation for a stroll, but what are you really scheming?”

“———”

As Subaru wrestled with his unspoken irritation, Emilia, smiling softly, asked that.

For a moment, surprise rendered him speechless, and after a blink, he shrugged.

“That sounds so suspicious, Emilia-chan. It’s not like I’m plotting something dastardly! I just wanted to enjoy a lovely walk in the beautiful Water City with you. I have no ulterior motives like luring you to a spot where the water dragon splashes and I can ogle a wet, see-through Emilia-chan, not at all!”

“Huh? So that’s how you feel? Subaru, you really are just a stubborn, persistent person. I can tell that there’s a lot more to your reasons than that!”

“…………”

As Emilia puffed her cheeks in a sulk, Subaru held his forehead with a distressed expression. Looking to Beatrice for help, he found her walking between them, looking up at him with the same expression as Emilia, chastising him silently.

Faced with this lone crusade against overwhelming odds, Subaru quickly threw up his hands in surrender.

“Okay, I give up! Sorry! I’ll abandon the wet-see-through Emilia-chan scheme!”

“Su-ba-ru.”

Called out irritably, Subaru lowered his hands, truly surrendering this time.

“Pervert, Subaru.”

“I know saying it is like the timing couldn’t be better, Emilia-chan. But right now, it just feels like a reward for me… Let’s just get to the real story, okay?”

“Agh!”

As Emilia raised her hand, pretending to slap him, Subaru could only let out a wry smile.

“It wasn’t that I was trying to hide it. I thought it might surprise you! Right now, I’m heading towards the **city park** in Pristella. Just yesterday, I bumped into the ‘Songstress’ there.”

“Wait, the ‘Songstress’? So, do you mean you’re going to see her today too?”

“With those sparkling eyes, she’s so cute! I’d love to reach out for the legendary ‘Songstress’. Well, it’s not that I don’t trust Otto’s negotiation skills, it’s just that I have equal faith in his tendency to mess up except at critical moments. So, I wanted to have a backup plan.”

“I see! So, you want to get close with the ‘Songstress’ and ask her to convince Kiritaka to hand over some magic ores, right?”

“Exactly! Well done!”

As Subaru made a loop over his head to signify a correct answer, Emilia joyfully beamed.

In truth, it wasn’t as straightforward as Emilia laid it out, but there was no need to point that out and dampen her enthusiasm.

Emilia was genuinely looking forward to bonding with Liliana. All the clandestine machinations in the background could be handled discreetly by Subaru.

“Now, I just need to keep an eye out for when Emilia-chan and Liliana seem to have chemistry…”

“What do you mean by chemistry?”

“I just have a feeling that Emilia-chan and Liliana might vibe well together.”

“Really? I hope so!”

Though Subaru felt a hint of guilt for being so excited for Emilia, he also foresaw the fatigue that was bound to come from the situation ahead.

He hoped that Liliana would be at the park, while at the same time wishing she wouldn’t show up—a curious conflict within him.

Of course, if she wasn’t there, it would mean he only went on a date with Emilia, and he wanted to avoid that. —But even just a date didn’t seem too bad.

“Hey, Emilia-chan! Want to go on a water dragon cruise with me? I feel like that would be more meaningful and better for both our futures.”

“I have no clue what ‘cruising’ is, but if it’s about a boat, won’t you get seasick? I wouldn’t want to tire myself out carrying you.”

“Looks like we’re already almost at the park anyway, guess I’m giving up.”

Pulling a reluctant Subaru along, Beatrice strode ahead.

This time, they reached their destination without getting lost, and upon seeing the entrance of the park, Subaru had no choice but to abandon his resistance.

The urban park, with a fountain in the center, was bustling during this time between morning and noon.

This was due to the increased number of spectators gathered deeper in the park than the previous day.

“I had thought there was a possibility Liliana wasn’t here since we came early…”

Judging from the crowd, that worry was foolish.

Today too, the ‘Songstress’ rendition seemed highly praised, as the enthusiastic audience’s clapping and shouts filled the air, dominating the atmosphere of the park.

“Clapping and audience calls?”

“Today seems much more vibrant compared to yesterday.”

After encountering similar doubts as Subaru, Beatrice tilted her head, confused.

As they were aware from this morning’s broadcasting via magical tools, Liliana’s singing typically entangled the heart and stripped away the audience’s sense of reality. Hence, the current fervor felt quite incongruous.

It seemed as if something that should have existed had been mixed with something out of place.

“Everyone looks like they’re having a great time. The ‘Songstress’ is amazing!”

As Emilia gazed at the bustling scene with excitement, Subaru couldn’t shake off the unpleasant premonition gripping him.

With the spectators blocking the way, as they surrounded whatever was causing the commotion, it felt like a situation he would soon regret.

“———”

Yet, words failed to take shape, and Subaru couldn’t voice a stop.

Emilia, however, was eagerly looking forward to the scene ahead. How could he betray those shimmering, violet eyes filled with anticipation? Subaru’s decision was clearly already too late.

The crowd’s excitement crescendoed into an overwhelming applause.

Which meant that whatever they were surrounding had just reached a climax. As they rose, flushed with excitement, it would become apparent what they were gazing upon.

And there stood—

“That was a fantastic dance! I almost lost control with such extraordinary footwork!”

“On your part too! You had music and performance that truly delighted me. Much appreciated. It’s been ages since I’ve enjoyed myself in the arts this way.”

Said figures, shaking hands firmly—were the ‘Songstress’ and a woman in red.

Just as he feared.

**※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※**

Even today, Subaru watched as the audience continually offered their tearful feedback on Liliana’s performances and vocal prowess.

If there was anything different from yesterday, it was that they were now also throwing compliments at Priscilla, who stood next to Liliana: “Your dance was incredible!” “I was touched!” “I’ll come watch next time too!” With such support declarations.

Priscilla, in a good mood, gracefully fanned herself while nodding appreciatively.

After exchanging the obligatory fan interaction, all that remained were the two in question and Subaru’s group. Noticing Subaru standing awkwardly off to the side, Liliana’s twin tails bounced as she spotted him. What sort of principle was at play here?

“Oh my! Are those Natsuki-san and Emilia-san there? And even Natsuki-san’s little girl is here too! What’s brought you all together?”

“What do you mean little girl? Subaru, explain it to her.”

“Make the one who said it explain it! Oh! Here, have a candy and just calm down, okay?”

“No way, I won’t be fooled with just this candy!”

Ignoring Beatrice, who was busy rolling a sweet in her mouth, Subaru approached Liliana, who was energetically spinning her twin tails like a dog’s wagging tail. Next to her, Emilia’s eyes widened at the songstress’s over-the-top reaction, but Liliana’s true essence was only just getting started.

“It’s been a day since we last met, and you’re just as lively as ever! So, have you also been expelled by Kiritaka this morning?”

“Nope! Well, something like that! As someone who’s loved, I thought it would be fitting to respond earnestly seeing how sincerely I was asked.”

“But, leaving aside the fact that you just had a recital there…”

Liliana puffed up her non-existent chest, playing with her imaginary mustache, while Subaru glanced at Priscilla, who was hugging her ample bust. As soon as Priscilla noticed his gaze, she snorted disdainfully.

“What were you looking at? While I might allow you to be captivated by my dance, to continue staring with lustful eyes is sheer rudeness! It is a man’s nature to be drawn to my charm; however, indulging such temptations is permissible only for those who long for my lingering scent in dream-laden reveries.”

“I didn’t even look at your dance!” Subaru interjected, “And I’m not excited by you, either. I prefer someone pure like Emilia-chan instead. I find that assertive display of yours about the body quite off-putting!”

“To think you would prefer a pitiful half-demon over me! That’s quite ungrateful! Still, I am not so narrow-minded as to disallow the existence of base appetites. If you truly do not know beauty, then your shallow reasoning is forgivable.”

Subaru quickly realized how futile it was to retort against Priscilla, whose words came rolling out like a stream.

It was a matter of differing values. Priscilla believed the truth of the world lies with her, and Subaru’s standard logical thinking couldn’t win against that.

Regardless, “So you were dancing, Priscilla?”

“You would do well to lament having missed it. I rarely dance unless truly moved. It must have been this geisha’s song that compelled me to that end.”

Subaru was shocked, glancing at Emilia, as Priscilla pointed at Liliana.

Hearing that answer left Subaru startled, and he saw Liliana roll her eyes dramatically; her entire demeanor practically shouted “I’m about to foam at the mouth over here!” But amidst that, Subaru scrutinized Priscilla closely.

“So you say you danced, huh? I can hardly believe that.”

“Why not consider the audience’s enthusiasm when they saw it? While the geisha’s song may carry an enchanting quality, without my dance, the spectators would simply be mindless dolls, merely listening. This is one way to enjoy a song, but it is not to my liking. Those fools are thoroughly ignorant, so I’d rather paint my heart’s colors with fitting acts.”

“…So you’re saying that it’s more enjoyable for fools to rabble than to remain quiet?”

“Hoh. You seem to possess some understanding, even as a simpleton.”

Priscilla’s words, laced with condescension, were for qualms, yet they didn’t bring Subaru any feelings of delight.

Also, if one examined it closely, Priscilla appeared to have completely forgotten whether she’d even seen Subaru in the lounge. If she remembered Emilia, that might be the only issue—but still…

“But hey, Priscilla and Emilia! What a surprise that you both came out to see the current hot topic!”

Managed to prevent the growing tension was Liliana’s reaction.

Knowing both were adversaries, she was actively doing her best to balance the awkward air surrounding Subaru. Her silly comments also seemed intentional.

“Hehe, does that mean my singing is super fantastic? Oh my, you’re making me blush, hehehe!”

“That’s definitely not it.”

To the unobtrusive yet charming Liliana, Subaru felt a bit lost. Plus, he noticed that no one seemed to be around Priscilla.

“Hey, you’re alone? What happened to Al, that jerk, or that adorable butler?”

“Schult gets lost if you let him wander. He may have the earnestness, but nothing ever comes of it. As for Al, it’s annoying having him around, so I sent him off. As for that jerk, who knows? He’s probably hanging around some tavern.”

“Wow, so ‘jerk’ is a common language, huh.”

The surprising answer surprised Subaru. Not to mention, the bad treatment of Heinkel, who was supposed to be part of her entourage.

While he understood the sentiment behind treating him poorly, he still wondered why bring him along in the first place.

“Besides, you’re probably just gonna say it’s for fun or something like that, right?”

“You get it! Well, whether he’s here is trivial. From my standpoint, I merely welcomed someone I deemed worthy of entertainment for my enjoyment. If he bothers me, I can toss him aside anytime. He should know that much.”

“Yeah, I’m not so sure about that…he didn’t look like he realized it at all.”

Thinking the very reason he’d been beaten down was that he wasn’t aware, Subaru mused that maybe Priscilla was simply past that thought now.

“But still, isn’t it dangerous to wander alone? Mind you, it doesn’t inspire much confidence that I’m strolling around with Emilia-chan.”

“Even if three subordinates are absent, I see no danger. Even if they were here, the benefits would barely look beyond a backdrop.”

“Oh, I see.”

It sounded rather pitiful that Al and the others were essentially considered worthless as assets. Yet, after seeing Priscilla in action, that seemed to be an undeniable truth.

Priscilla’s movements in the lounge had defied all boundaries of humanity.

“Oh, I just remembered! I also had my jaw punched in once.”

Within this loop originating from the royal capital, Subaru recalled a time when he got kicked in the face by Priscilla, having irked her. At that moment, his body had hurled sky-high toward the ceiling, and he’d been half-dead from just one blow.

Thinking back on that made his jaw ache in remembrance.

“So after ditching Al and the others, you ended up meeting Liliana?”

“Just taking in the city’s scenery was quite enough to cheer me up. Unlike the cramped layout of the royal capital, this city has plenty worth seeing. While I was enjoying the flowing waters, the song found its way into my ears.”

“Honestly, when you dropped in out of nowhere and started dancing, I seriously wondered how that was going to play out. It does happen occasionally, you know, those who crazily try to steal the show and ruin the mood. Usually, I beat them down with my voice until they come around, though!”

“Honestly, it’s not very ‘Songstress-ish,’ huh…”

Attacking intruders with song was just too rock and roll.

Moreover, Priscilla’s sudden invasion left him utterly dumbfounded. Watching her charm the audience so effortlessly, she must’ve showcased quite the dance.

“While I might resent you for stealing away all the hearts, it was said your song holds such value. What say you? Come with me. I’ll grant you the honor of performing songs at my mansion whenever I desire.”

“———”

Priscilla clearly had been smitten with Liliana’s singing, throwing out such an absurd request. In other words, it meant she sought to have Liliana as a full-time performer, but the meaning from Priscilla bore a stronger undertone of compulsion.

Having found something she fancied in Liliana, her anger would rise at the thought of not having it for herself. There was something terrifying implied there.

And Liliana said,

“Thank you! That’s such an incredibly high evaluation, it makes me so happy! But! But! But! I must decline!”

Totally unaware of Priscilla’s terrifying side, Liliana straightforwardly rejected her invitation.

“Oh? So you refuse? What’s the reason?”

Naturally, the tone of Priscilla’s voice dropped, her expression morphed.

A palpable chill swept through Subaru, feeling as though he’d been brushed by a blade.

The atmosphere now felt fatal.

Within the tense world, Liliana gently stroked the case for her instrument.

“I am Liliana, a bard. Now that I’m here upon your earnest request, I will one day resume my life as a wanderer, freed from any ties to land or person. This is simply how I live.”

“So you refuse my invitation, then.”

“My mother’s mother, and her mother before her, all my lineage dances like so. We leave nothing tangible behind but songs that dwell within the hearts of people. To bind myself to one spot, to be restrained by any one person is to obstruct the song. Thus…”

“———”

“I’m thrilled by your invitation, but I must turn it down. The places where my song resonates, even I do not know, for it flows freely with the wind.”

With her instrument raised proudly, Liliana spoke resolutely.

Her face lit with determination held no hesitation.

Amidst the ridiculous surroundings, she had maintained an air of arrogance, reveling in her own frivolity, yet exuding a profound pride for living as a bard—one who weaves tales through song.

Upon hearing Liliana’s answer, Priscilla folded her arms and closed one eye. The remaining eye, burning like magma, glared sharp at Liliana.

Priscilla let out a minor breath before saying:

“——Very well. This belief of yours has its charm. Forgive me for my rudeness.”

“No, no. It’s I who should apologize.”

The exchange between the two drew Subaru’s astonished gaze, rendering him speechless. Priscilla raised her brows, frowning at Subaru’s dumbfounded visage.

“What’s wrong, you fool? What do you look so dumbfounded for?”

“What do you mean by dumbfounded? I expected you to turn Liliana into two pieces after she turned you down!”

“Such foolish concerns.”

Priscilla snorted disdainfully, yet it felt rather unbelievable.

Until she heard Liliana’s response, Priscilla must have seriously intended to kill her. At least in Subaru’s eyes, that pause seemed an agonizingly weighted moment before deciding.

Liliana had been saved by sheer luck, as it seemed the scales of fate had tipped in her favor.

“But honestly, I found that a bit surprising myself. I thought Priscilla would want to keep everything she fancies close.”

Then, unexpectedly, Emilia stepped on the metaphorical landmine that Subaru had been holding back.

Coming out directly and voicing her impression of Priscilla made Subaru suddenly sit up straight, glancing nervously at her.

Priscilla, however, responded to Emilia’s remark by closing one eye, noting, “What foolishness you speak, half-demon. What makes you think you have the capacity to understand me with those clouded eyes? Such a blatant rudeness is shocking!”

“She’s just good at talking! If you can’t even look past your own miserable origins, maybe you should take a moment and reflect on yourself. That would likely be far more worthwhile for both of us,” Beatrice interjected.

“Beatrice…”

With Priscilla’s merciless verbal assault, Emilia grew troubled, and Beatrice grasped Emilia’s hand. Having spoken up for Emilia instead, Beatrice raised one brow as if realizing for the first time who stood before her.

“That little girl sure has quite the mouth on her. But let me tell you, age has nothing to do with how I show grace. If you think your youth excuses you from rudeness, then it’s high time you adjust your attitude.”

“It’s none of your business! I’m not asking for your overly generous opinion, little girl! If you think Beatrice is just as she seems, you’ll find out painfully soon that looks can be deceiving!”

A palpable tension crackled between Beatrice and Priscilla.

At that moment, the two girls in their dresses appeared to have the worst compatibility imaginable. Subaru had no doubt Beatrice would win out in a fight, but should it come to actual physical altercations, it would definitely cause problems.

“Stop, Beatrice. While it’s true Priscilla is infuriating, arguing won’t solve anything.”

“Don’t hold back now, Subaru! Are you not incensed by how Emilia was belittled? Go assert your masculine pride!”

“Can we not say such scary things?! That aside…”

The reason Beatrice was angry stemmed from the fact that Emilia had been slighted. Subaru felt an out-of-place sentiment as Beatrice began to fuse her ire into an earnest rage over what had treated Emilia with disdain.

And that feeling echoed within Emilia as well.

“Beatrice, I’m fine.”

Pulling Beatrice forward, Emilia gently patted the girl’s head. In that fleeting moment, Beatrice revealed a fleetingly vulnerable expression only visible to Subaru.

But that moment was transient. The moment Beatrice’s expression turned back to its usual glare towards Priscilla, it was as if her earlier vulnerability had vanished entirely.

“Perhaps you should consider your lucky escape.”

“That applies to you as well. Grateful you are for your pretty looks.”

With Beatrice retreating, Priscilla followed suit, sniffing dismissively.

Honestly, it felt like Priscilla’s final line complimenting Beatrice’s looks, yet Beatrice seemed entirely unaware, puffing up in indignation. Essentially, she’d reacted favorably because she found her cute; we could interpret it that way, though it’s a muddled situation.

“You are an incurably confusing girl, aren’t you?”

“Of course! Who do you think allows someone, especially me, to be scrutinized?”

“I’m the one being blamed here? When this whole back and forth is all your fault for wanting Liliana so much!?”

Ultimately, the true reason behind Priscilla’s surprising restraint when it came to Liliana remained a mystery. When Subaru looked at her, narrowed-eyed with curiosity, Priscilla covered her mouth with her fan.

“Everything in this world belongs to me. Therefore, there’s no need for me to keep beautiful, noble things close. They merely need to exist as they are.”

“……”

“If all in this world is my garden, what does it matter where a chirping little bird sings? It is foolish to cage it or defend it from outsiders; those are all bothersome nuisances.”

So, Priscilla spoke with a tone dismissing Subaru’s thought process as idiocy.

Facing someone whose way of existence was so fiercely independent brought Subaru to silence.

The meaning behind her words, the reasoning made sense.

But Priscilla’s vision of the world contrasted drastically from Subaru’s own.

So, Subaru would never understand her perspective for the rest of his life.

He felt genuine terror, indeed, but he also thought:

There are probably those who would look up to that very terror—or even long for it.

Could it be that Al’s association with Priscilla stemmed from that very same reasoning?

“Now, now! Everyone, everyone! Once we have settled down a bit, how about I perform a song for our friendship? Yes, let’s do that!”

Suddenly breaking the tension, Liliana proposed this with gusto as she pulled her Luryliere from its case and began playing fast, drawing all eyes toward her as she twirled.

“Today, I shall serve you a song without the interruption of my EP, Priscilla! I’ll show you what I’m fully capable of!”

“Well now…”

Upon Liliana’s grand words, Priscilla’s expression brightened, clearly captivated.

“Emilia-sama, it seems you arrived just in time for the end of my song. Do understand that I am not merely a pretty face, but a bard reaping gold through skillful singing and excellence in performance!”

“Wait, really?”

“That was definitely the most unglamorous way to put it; are you satisfied with that response?”

While Liliana bravely claimed, it was evident that Emilia was more intrigued than she let on. Although her attention had been drawn to the earlier exchange, she now seemed excited to undertake Liliana’s proposal.

As Emilia and Priscilla stood at a delicate distance, Liliana prepared her instrument. Before starting, she waved at Subaru and leaned in to whisper softly, “Natsuki-san, Natsuki-san. It seems to me that Emilia-san and Priscilla-san aren’t exactly the best of friends, are they?”

“If you can see that, it’s really obvious. Plus, just considering that Priscilla generally doesn’t vibe well with anyone gives you some insight into why Emilia’s having a tough time.”

“That’s a grave concern!”

With wide eyes, Liliana gasped, her hair bobbing like a dog’s tail locked in total alertness. Was there some nerve endings firing in there? It looked like she wanted to grab and tug at them.

“Well, then! Let me lend a helping hand, and I’ll enchant both with the spell of song! Ah! Hold on, if you thought to tease me over what I just said, you’re absolutely wrong!”

“Why do I feel like this one line makes me feel both shocked and insulted at the same time?”

While this worry-some show of concern was too much to take in, Subaru felt a strange admiration for Liliana. A one-man concert to extinguish the bad vibes transitioned moments later into the tension’s release.

The moment all three were interested in Liliana’s singing, Priscilla certainly wouldn’t start poking around Emilia during Liliana’s song.

“Since it may involve post-song discussions, how about you prepare some snacks, Natsuki-san? If we add a sweet treat or two, then the mood’ll lighten, and everyone’s heart will be filled with joy!”

“I don’t think so.”

“Since we’re expecting the post-song talks, wouldn’t it be nice if you had some snacks set aside? A few sweet treats should both lighten the mood and bring everyone closer together, don’t you agree? Don’t you agree?”

“Is this like a skit where I must agree to everything said, or it won’t move on?”

Subaru conceded to Liliana’s unwavering pitch, lifting his hands in surrender.

With a bright new smile spreading on her face, Liliana lit up.

Seemingly, she was on the ball, knowing well enough how to cultivate the spirit of camaraderie.

“So, I’ll get something that can be grabbed to munch on while Liliana sings. Emilia-chan, don’t pick a fight, just wait quietly, okay?”

“Ah, I’ll be fine, I’m not looking to fight Priscilla either.”

Waving farewell as Subaru distanced himself from Emilia and Beatrice, they both wished him well. As he stepped away, he noticed Liliana attempting to give him a wink while closing her eyes, and he waved back absentmindedly before sprinting toward the park.

As he moved away, the sound of the Luryliere’s melody floated toward him in the wind.

Hearing it behind him, Subaru hurried back, focusing his energy on blending into the recital with all he had.

“`

 

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