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The Knight and The Shield both let out a grunt of effort as they leapt over a nearly 3 meter tall barricade. The knight—Natsuki Subaru’s—otherworldly shoes crunched the grass upon landing while the Shield—Garfiel Tinsel— barefoot left a noticeable dent on the earth.

“You’re in real trouble now, Garfiel! You’re going to be put back in the dog house for ruining ‘‘Ram’s beautiful and carefully maintained grass carpet’” Subaru couldn’t help but quip in a poor attempt at mimicking the Oni-god’s “divine” voice. The knight did not even spare a glance to look at the foot-shaped hole now left on the ground beside him.

Rather he kept his eyes completely ahead—he was only halfway done with the course. There were a few wooden hurdles placed in sets of three to leap through, five one-handed vaults, three two-handed vaults, and lastly one massive wall the two would have to climb over to reach the end.

The sheer length was daunting but not even the cold breeze that passed him could not diminish the fire that was in his heart. He needs to get over that final hurdle before Garfiel too much was at stake for him to lose.

“Mine amazing self is not going to fall that one cap’” Garfiel snorts, causing Subaru to bite his lip.“It was a big sis who kep’ things neat and tidy this time around!”

“I have to thank her for hard work in keeping our obstacle course so clean. And—” There was a spark in Natsuki Subaru’s eyes as he effortlessly leapt across another hurdle.  ’I’ll have to thank her for the wonderful chocolate chip cookies she’s going to make when I beat you.”

“No shot cap’n this win is mine! Ram promised mineself a date when she gets back if minself won!” 

“Wait! Nee-sama promised you a date, why didn’t I think of that?!” Subaru resists every urge in his body to slap himself. If only he had staked this race on another; wonderful, fantastic, heavenly date with his Emilia-tan. That alone would have caused him to awaken a latent power and teleport over to the finish.

Still he was not disheartened for there was an equally greater reason to push his body to the absolute limit. That reason was standing behind a golden ribbon at the end with  her twin-drilled hair shifting lightly in the wind wearing her adorable light pink dress.

He was too far away to see her cute face but the countless hours he had spent by her side filled in the blanks. She was looking directly where she was standing, a heart wrenching expression in her eyes that almost begged for his victory. A look she would certainly change in a heartbeat the moment he was close enough to see her face.

The fire within his heart turned into an inferno at the sheer thought.

“Cookies for Beako! Infinite headpats for Betty!” He screams out his war cry. His Great-Spirit demanded cookies and headpats as a loyal contractor he can offer no less that is why we needed to seize victory.  He picked up even more speed.

“Mineself will not be left behind Cap’n’” Garfiel screams out kicking up dust behind him and within an instant that fire in Subaru’s heart almost diminished as all he could do was watch as Garfiel effortlessly passed him.

Sometimes the knight forgets that despite Garfiel’s age and personality. He was a  demi-human with strength and stamina that challenged some of the kingdom of Luginica’s mightiest of knights. 

At this rate he would lose! Garfiel was jumping hurdle after hurdle, leaping over vaults with ease and once managed to jump 20ft in the air without even trying.

It was not as though in terms of parkour skills that Subaru was lesser no. If there was one thing Subaru could proudly say thanks to his intense training with master Clind. He was proficient in parkour even more so than Garfiel. The unfortunate reality of the world is that a human can never outrun a tiger in a head on race.

But Natsuki Subaru had overcome the impossible many times before. He had beaten Garfiel before and it wasn’t because of raw speed nor strength.

He uncoils his whip in an instant and cranks his arm back. A loud crack follows afterwards seemingly leaving a wound on the wind itself. With practiced expertise Guilty whip wraps around one of the hurdles and with a cheeky smile Natsuki Subaru pulls and lets it fall leading to one hurdle bumping into another, and another causing a domino effect.

“Oi yer cheating cap’n!” Garfiel barks as he had come to a grinding halt and starts to lift up one of the wooden hurdles in his paths. As per the rule dictates; the participants in the obstacle course must run it completely from start to finish; they can not miss any jumps or skip them. Meaning poor Garf has to stop in his tracks and realign every hurdle then take back up a start a fair distance away for a running start.

Garfiel gave his captain a nasty look but there was a hint of admiration in his eyes as the half-elf’s cursed knight rushed past the shield of the sanctuary and took the lead.

‘Sorry Garfiel but  there’s an old saying that if you ain’t cheating you ain’t winning!’  Though he was certain that a velvet haired knight would disagree with that notion, no one cares about what Julius thinks. So fuck him.

Subaru ran and ran his goal etching closer in sight; he leapt across the remaining hurdles, and cleared all the vaults. Just a few more seconds and he  would be at the wall. Victory was in sight and Subaru could now see the cute Great Spirit’s expression as she watched her contractor close in with a neutral expression.

Then the ground began to shake, almost knocking Subaru off balance. For any normal person the first thought would be an earthquake but half-elf’s knight lived in this world long enough to know things are not as it seems. 

His mind fought every horror movie instinct known to man and turns around and in the distance he could make out Garfiel with a massive dust cloud right behind him. Going at mach-30 and he was closing in on Subaru fast.

‘From this distance he almost looks like the Tasmanian Devil!’ Subaru couldn’t help but think as he shifted into whatever gear he had left.

He jumps on the wooden structure slowly and steadily. He climbed the wooden structure and made it to the top. He looks down for a brief moment where the golden ribbon sat directly below them and he descends letting gravity do the rest.

Meanwhile Garfiel at the same time Subaru was falling  ran through the sturdy wooden barrier with an impossible force that matches a battering realm crashing through the walls causing shrapnel of wood to fly in every direction.

Dust covered the entire area before it slowly dispersed, showing Subaru and Garfiel on the ground panting for breath.

“It’s a tie in fact.” Beatrice declares after a few brief moments of silence.

“Seriously, what kind of game-7 comeback is that!” He shouts, turning his head to look at the exhausted Garfiel.

“Cap’n cheated.” Garfiel says, clenching his fist around the hand-full of grass. “So mine amazing self should be declared the winner!”

“I- huff wasn't- puff- cheating. I was just playing to my advantages.”  Subaru said as he laid flat on his back unknowingly making a few greedy merchants proud with his choice wording.

“Bullcrap cap’n that’s just Brotto speech for cheating.” Garfiel barked back.

Garfiel got him there but Subaru would not admit defeat so easily. “Don’t play the victim here Garfiel! You crashed through the wall, we’re supposed to climb over it.”

“Mine amazing self was just playing with mine natural advantages, which is this powerful body of mine!” Garfiel let out a toothy smile while pridefully pats his chest causing the knight to cross his arms.

“Well both players clearly are in a deadlocke. Luckily our honorable Judge Beako shall determine who is in the right here!” With a dramatic flair the knight points at his Great Spirit who is staring at the two before with an adorable pout she mutters.

“Immature children I suppose” She shakes her head.

“Says da one who acts like and looks like a lil girl.” Garfiel couldn’t help but whisper leaning close to Subaru.

“Eyes lit up like a baby kitten the first time she tried a chocolate chip cookie.” Subaru whispers back both of them snickering as clear images of the first time Frederica and Subaru came with fresh trays of cookies filled their minds.

“What are you two balbering about?”

“Nothing Beako please give us your scared judgment.”

“Hmm” Beatrice places a hand on her chin. “It should not be without saying that due to Betty’s contractor action he should be disqualified and Garfiel’s be held as the winner.”

“Dang it!”

“Hah!”

“However as shameful as Betty’s contractor tactic were—”

“Ok I get I cheated but come on shameful?! I thought it was quite smart!” Beatrice quickly shot her contractor with a glare that silences him instantly.

Oh do not get Subaru wrong by any means. His silence is not because the glare of the Great Spirit was fierce but instead it was so adorable he had to stop and just stare. Sadly The Great Spirit did not know that and continued satisfied that her “fierce” gaze shut her annoying contractor up.

“Hmph. Now as Betty was saying in fact. Betty’s contractor is correct that the rules state it was whoever crossed the finish line first in fact, and Betty’s Subaru did say he would do whatever it took.”

“The devils in the fine print.” Subaru smirks.

“That also means that Garfiel is not in the wrong for running through the barricade I suppose.” Subaru stops smirking his confident expression lost to the wind. “So as Betty declared the first time it is a tie fact.”

“Well, it doesn't matter since we’ve tied, cap’n and mineself have to go again!” Garfiel pumps up his fist. “Mine amazing self is ready to go!”

“Seriously you were just as tired as I was a second ago. Youthful Stamina I tell you.” He sighs now sitting cross legged. “I need a Beako recharge first.” Gently he pats himself on the leg.

“Honestly it is as if Subaru was the one who needs constant mana not Betty in fact.” The Great Spirit shook her head at her contractors shameful display for her affection. That did not stop her from sitting directly on said contractor’s lap as though it was a throne and indulges herself in the free headpats she oh so deserves.

“Adorable.” he couldn’t help but whisper to which Beatrice could not help but naturally agree. While the Spirit gets her much needed headpat from her contractor—Garfiel stretches preparing for the rematch. Both steeled their resolve for victory until it was sharper than The Sword Saint’s divine weapon.

Sadly before they can get a round two started. The door to the mansion opens.

“Subaru-sama and Garf” An older voice spoke, belonging to a maid with beautiful almost gold like blonde hair.

“Beatrice-ca–sama.” A younger maid with reddish brown hair quickly corrected herself. She wore the same outfit as the older one.

“Dinner is almost ready.” They spoke in perfect unison and bowed. Even them straightening themselves were perfectly in sync. 

“Well I see you two already got the twin-maid style down pat.” Subaru waves as the two maids approach them. A bitter-smile made its way up Subaru lips—remembering the number two in his heart who currently forever slept.

“Is something wrong with Subaru?” Petra was the first one to ask but Beatrice gently squeezes his hand, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Frederica coughs causing the younger maid’s eyes to widen before she quickly realized her mistake. “I-I mean. Is something wrong, Subaru-sama?”

Subaru begins swatting away the wind. “Nah it’s nothing. I’m just shocked how much you’ve grown lately. At this rate you’ll be bigger than Frederica.” He sighs.

Garfiel suppresses a laugh—earning one hell of a glare from Frederica that made him fall silent.  The one the Great Spirit of Yin wished she held.

“They grow up so fast.” He sniffles. “Soon you’ll and Beako will spread your wings and completely embrace adulthood” 

“Beatrice-chan can’t ever grow through.” Petra replies back, staring at the Great Spirit with absolute pity. The Great Spirit met the girl’s pity filled eyes with an adorable anger. If it wasn’t for the fact that Subaru was patting her head she would have casted a spell on the ignorant maid.

“Yup savor your shared height for as long as you can Petra! Soon you’ll be tall enough to carry her all around.”

“As if Betty will let that happen! She will not let this little girl carry her around everywhere she goes.” Sadly Petra seems to have selective hearing despite the Great Spirits rejection and continued.

“I promise too! We can start right now…” The young maid taps her foot on the ground digging deep in her mind before her adorable blue eyes widen with an idea. “Perhaps me and Beatrice can come up with a play starring the two of us. I  have a few outfits I made. We can try them out if that would be alright.”

“Betty absolutely–”

“A play featuring Beako.” Subaru thought about it for a few seconds. Just a second. “Alright go ahead, it pains me to be part of Beako but I know you will take good care of her”

“Betty does not agree to go with that girl in fact!” She screams at the top of her lungs. There was clear panic in her butterfly eyes. Her alone with Petra absolutely not! “Do you not have duties to attend too I wonder?”

“Actually we are just waiting for dinner to finish cooling.” Frederica speaks up, her tone measured and elegant but there was a hint of smile on her face as her eyes landed  on Subaru who smiles in turn. “Despite Ram–”

“Not doing shite before she left’”  Garfiet chimed in.

“Language!” Frederica coughs. “But yes, we have done most of the important tasks so there really isn’t much for Petra to do.”

“Betty’s Subaru promised her cookies if he won that race. He promised Betty in fact! You are suppose to make it if Betty’s Subaru won, but it ended in a tie! Betty is the judge so she will have no choice but to take watch until the race is concluded!”

Silence accompanies the entire area for a brief second. t Beatrice felt a bit of pride. She had successfully delayed spending an entire day with Petra for the tenth time; that was the reason why they stayed so silent. Any moment now her Subaru would concede and he would go back to giving her well deserved headpats.

Granted Subaru was already doing  but everyone’s attention was turned away from the Great Spirit much to her confusion. So she wordlessly followed alongside the gazes and her mouth almost opened wide with shock.

“Now that mineself is thinking about it.” Garfiel whispers hoarsely. “Do we even have an obstacle course?”

The question Garfiel posed did not overemphasize the damage done. In fact to many it would seem he gave it a great injustice. There was no longer an obstacle course; the carefully placed and carved wooden hurdles were tossed in every direction. Some just now descend from the air after being held prisoner there for so long.

The grass. The once beautiful, pristine, soft to the point where one could use it as an alternative pillow was gone. It had all been ripped away by the strength that rivals a tornado leaving nothing more but the ugly looking dirt layered deep below its surface. It was incredible really how just out of place the obstacle now looks compared to the rest of the pristine of the Milford manor.

“I don’t think we’re going to be able to finish that race, Beako.” Subaru whispers.

“Garfiel Tinsel!” A shiver went up the tiger's spine and sweat covered his entire body as if he were tossed into a lake. “How many times have I told you NOT to overdo it. This is the 9th time you’ve completely destroyed the obstacle course and ruined the manor’s yard!”

Garfiel being the younger brother underneath the eyes of his tall, scary, older sister knew what he must do. Blame his brother figure. “It ain’t mine fault sis cap’n cheated so I had to go all out!”

“Way to throw me under the bus like that!” Subaru screams, raising his hand in his defense. “I only did what was possible to win against him, Frederica-san! I didn’t know he would take it this far!” Subaru puts  his hands in prayer.

“Subaru, it's not good to cheat!” Petra looks at Subaru with a clear disappointment.

“The girl is right in fact.”

“Eh weren’t you–”

It was Beatrice’s turn to interrupt Subaru. “No butts, Betty’s Subaru cheated which means this mess is his fault too. That means both him and Garfiel should partake in punishment especially since Betty won’t get her chocolate chip cookies.”

Betrayal was the only thing on Subaru's face before Frederica huffed.

“Great Spirit-sama is right. Garfiel you are going to remove every piece of splintered wood from the residence and by the end of today remake the obstacle course.”

“But sis!”

“No. Get to cleaning now.” She gave a stare that could easily make weaker men die on the spot. Which Garfiel almost did but death was not merciful today. “I will once again make sure the grass grows to an acceptable level.”

“It makes sense since it’s her contractor’s fault he should partake in the punishment as well, Because Betty is so merciful she will go along with Subaru in fact.” She shakes her head hiding a devious smirk. “Useless contractor constantly dragging Betty into his mess I suppose.”

“No, there is no need for that Great Spirit-sama. As you have done nothing wrong you should not be punished. I have a different punishment in mind. Subaru-sama will help me bake sweets and treats for the play.”

Beatrice gasps. “Play?!” Her voice almost cracks as Petra’s eyes widens looking at her mentor who looks back. The exchange of glances between master and student could make up for a thousand words.

“You are dismissed for today Petra please do your best to prepare outfits and scripts for the play while me and Subaru-sama prepare the treats.”

“I will, Frederica-sama!” She bows her head. “Let’s go Beatrice-chan!”

Beatrice was rapidly shaking her head.

“Don’t worry Beako we all get stage fright every now and then! Your number one fan will be cheering for you from the audience!” Subaru gave her one last head pat and before the Great Spirit could open her lips to complain she was already pulled from her contractor’s laps and taken in the arms of the young maid.

Petra gives a beautiful smile—”TO BRIGHT!” Beatrice screams attempting to shield her eyes from the sparkling light. “Let’s go Beatrice-chan I have several outfits I think you’ll absolutely love, but what play should we recreate;” She lightly taps her chin. “The Love Ballad of the Sword Devil, End of the White Whale…”

Petra kept listing off names. The Great Spirit of Yin: the one who vanquished the great hare, the one who has been alive for 400 years housing multiple centuries worth of wisdom was dragged back into the mansion at the mercy of a maid.

Subaru couldn’t help but sigh shaking his head from side to side now that the doors to the manor have closed. “I know Beako acts like a Tsundere alot but I swear that doubles when she’s around Petra. It’s so adorable but at the same time frustrating.”

“I do not know exactly what a Soon-de-re is, but from what I gathered from your mannerisms. I can safely agree I noticed that despite how reluctant Beatrice is to spend time with Petra she always seems to enjoy every second. Even indulging in some of Petra’s ideas.”

Subaru nods  having noticed that himself. He knows Beatrice likes spending time with Petra even if she insisted would rather fade into mana than admit it.

“To be honest, I’m excited to see the outfits Petra has been working tirelessly on. I do wonder What this play is going to be about. Beako is a gre–” Subaru held his throat as he keels over on the ground.

“Subaru-sama?!” Frederica instantly rushes to the kneeling knight  who was coughing up a storm.

“Nothing to worry about Frederica-san! I literally began to choke on my own words.” 

‘Great Actor and Beatrice do not belong in the same sentence together. I understand Od I understand. I won’t ever make that mistake again’

“I don’tI understand the way you act sometimes Subaru-sama.” Frederica shakes her head helping the knight back up to his feet.

“I know, I know it took a while for even Petra to get use to it but you will eventually. Also can we finally drop the ‘sama’ part? I know we’re not that close but…” Subaru couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence.. It was now that he noticed just how beautiful her eyes were. Of course being Garfiel’s half. So it had that sharpness to it but it was also gentle and kind. It was like staring into beautiful emeralds he couldn’t look away.


“I thank you for the consideration but as a maid it is my duty to use that right honorifics at all times.” Frederica finally spoke, knocking Subaru out of his trance causing the knight to sigh.

“Well I ain’t going to argue with it. Still I hope one day you can just call me by my name normally.” Subaru shrugs. “I’m getting used to this whole knight title thing, but not to worry. Soon I’ll be able to act so knightley that Julius would be put to shame!”

“Well knight’s normally don’t ask the maids of their lord's manor to address them by something other than their titles.”

“So you’re telling me I'm already losing?!” Subaru almost screams out in causing Frederica to suppress a giggle.

‘Cute’ Subaru couldn’t help but think.

“You still have a lot to learn. I hope your training with Clind has been…” A shiver both enters their spines at the mere mention of the name of the blue haired butler. Do not get Subaru and Frederica wrong by any sort of the means they do in fact respect the man. He was their master in two separate ways.

For Frederica she would not be half the maid she was now without his guidance. She would forever be thankful for his endless teachings and patience but—

Subaru as well because of Clind he was able to learn parkour and even trained him in using the weapon he used to cheat give himself an advantage against Garfiel but—

“That guy is a complete and total lolicon. I know I tease Beatrice on not acting her age but that guy just takes it to the next level. The fact he almost went after Emilia-tan because she had the same mentality is insane.”

“Yes Clind-sama is...not someone I want Petra to be around if it’s possible. I understand he is a coworker but” She exhales a sigh. “I apologize for getting off topic. How is your training going with Clind?”

“Cap’n been doing great.” Garfiel suddenly perks up as he had a decent opinion on Clind. The only reason for this is because despite having the mind of a child. He was a boy. “That guy’s rough but cap’n’s slowly been impressing him, that's for sure.”

‘Oh no should’ve run while you had the chance, Garf!’ Subaru felt immense pity for the demi-human as instantly the beast maid’s eyes turned back to the ruined landscape that was the obstacle course.

“It seems that I have gotten side-tracked by our conversation.” Frederica coughs into  a hand. “Subaru-sama if you would please come with me. We have to prepare sweets for the play as per your punishment. As for you Garfiel i’m pretty sure I asked you to get to work.”

“But Sis yer said dinner was almost ready can’t mineself and cap’n do our punishment after we eat.” He slaps his stomach. “Mineself is starving.”

Frederica places a hand on her chin. “Since Emilia-sama and the others are visiting the capital for a  brief moment. We can delay dinner to be eaten with the sweets as we watch Petra-chans and Beatrice-sama’s play.”

“Dinner and a classic medieval show.” Subaru nods his head. Garfiel meanwhile just had to  salk and put his head down in defeat. Doing his best not to kick up dust while he got to work.

Frederica slowly watches Garfiel pick up one part of a shattered wooden vault, and then walks deeper on the ruined trail picking up more of his own mess. Once satisfied seeing her brother would not attempt to elude from his punishment she began to walk back into the manor with Subaru following right closely behind her.

Frederica walks in the kitchen of the milford manor and takes in a deep breath her gaze traveling around every inch of the environment. She had just worked here recently  with her apprentice to make the meals that were still sizzling over some countertops. There were some turkey legs and Lamp racks perfectly portioned on each plate; baked potato accompanying them as sides alongside some beautiful chicken noodle soup in another bowl. There was one of the same for everyone in the manor and the smell was just absolutely divine that could cause anyone’s stomach to grumble but that was not the reason why Frederica was looking so intently.

Throughout the many years of Frederica’s life because of her skill, experience, and knowledge she had the opportunity to work at the most prestigious of places. Some are even more lavish and wonderful than the milford and former Roswaal manor combined. Their kitchens were also fairly large housing everything a maid would need to cook with the pantries and cabinets stacked with the freshest of material but this kitchen was not like anything she had ever seen before.

This is the third time she cooked here since it was newly made but she felt completely out of place just being in the same room. There is a strange large black rectangular object right beside the entrance of the kitchen. Two handles one long placed in the middle of the strange object, and the other smaller placed on top.

‘Back in my homeland we call this a fridge’ She remembered Subaru saying to her the first time she explored the kitchen after a month or two of it undergoing renovations. Apparently the knight wanted to originally implement this in the Roswaal manor before it burnt down. ‘The top is called the freezer, the bottom is just…huh I actually don’t know. We always just called it the fridge. Thanks to Emilia-tan’s ice magic we can save our left-overs and reheat it for later instead of throwing it away all the time!’

Genius really. It’s no secret that cooling food would preserve it but one can not be asked to use ice-magic constantly for every time they wished to save their meal. So this fridge was Od sent, she herself indulged in the use of the fridge several times before. Of course there were complications having a constant reliable source of left overs in the kitchen that everyone can access too.

For example an annoying half-brother who loves to open the fridge and take parts of her meat pies in the middle of the night thinking she wouldn’t have noticed.

Of course the fridge was not the only thing new in this kitchen. There was this strange metal thing called a stove placed in the back of the kitchen amongst the cabinets and pantry for easier access to cooking ingredients. It functions similar to an oven where you place food on the surface and it heats up. The thing is there were four spots for trays and pans to be placed. There were strange things on the stove that were black circular objects that Subaru-sama called dials used to control the heat of the stove.

The stove is not only used to heat up pans and trays. No, there was a larger thicker white handle at the middle of the stove with a clear glass bottom. That was the oven, both a stove and an oven combined into one.

“Fire mana crystals are a lifesaver. I can adjust the temperature and turn the heat with both the stove and the oven without the need for electricity. It was a pain to get it working perfectly though.” Subaru walks over to one of the stoves and turned the strange black thing he calls a ‘dial’ the flames lit up instantly. No need for fire magic whatsoever nor the use of a flint and steel. “How’s the kitchen treating you Frederica? Sorry if I over complicated things. I know you’ve spent most of your life mastering that old equipment”

“It’s the opposite, Subaru-sama. It’s actually made things a lot easier for me and Petra. Thank you for implementing them.” Frederica says as she strolls through the area.

“Thank you for being so open with my ideas. I couldn’t imagine convincing Annie on my own even with Beatrice backing me up. Seriously, why did Roswaal have to go on a business trip the day I made my big pitch?”

“Your ideas, as weird as they are at times, have been shown to be helpful time and time again. Although if memory serves me right it was Ram who was the biggest advocate.”  Frederica opens one of the lower cabinets and begins to remove multiple pots, pans, rollers, and the likes and place them on the table.

Subaru on the other hand made himself useful and walks over near the Pantry and opened the door.

“Nee-sama thought my idea was ridiculous and was against it at first” He pauses for a moment grabbing some flour and chocolate from the pantry. “She changed her tune when I told her it would make work easier. Nee-sama’s laziness is 2% more effective.”

Frederica suppressed a sigh that seemed to come within the depths of her heart. Knowing full well that Subaru’s words rang true. Never before had the oni been so vocal about something especially in support of one of Subaru-sama’s ideas unless it benefited her more.

“She didn’t even bother helping with the chores this time.”

“I’m still jealous she went with Emilia-tan when I should’ve been in her stead. I’m her knight after all I should be by Emilia-tan's side at all times.” Subaru shakes his head. “But Otto stopped me  saying it wasn’t important but I ain’t stupid I picked up a few things. I could see it in his eyes Frederica-san h  thinks that I was going to do something dumb and embarrass myself. But I think I’ve grown over these last few months. I turned 18 a few months ago so I can say without a shadow of a doubt I now classify as a responsible adult.” Subaru stops mid rant and shakes his head suppressing a smile. “Nevermind Otto’s right, I’ll probably mess something up.”

“I don’t think that’s the case at all Subaru-sama.” She looks at the boy with a sympathetic stare as he finishes plopping the final ingredients down on the counter. “If Otto-san says it’s not important then it’s not important. If it was, I'm sure he would’ve dragged you and whipped you into shape. It's what he does every time you two leave the manor for a long period of time.” The beast-maid comforts the knight by placing a hand on his shoulder and giving him a smile. A full smile this time around not a smirk revealing multiple sets of sharp teeth that shined from the little light that came from the window.

“Wow, that's a beautiful smile. Can’t believe it I compared it to a megalodon the first time I saw it”

“I do not know what that is but I can’t help but feel like megalodon is an insult, Subaru-sama.” Frederica’s eyes narrow.

“It’s not an insult, not an insult!” He shook his head from side to side. “Megalodons are actually pretty cool being compared to one is awesome. Sure Megalodons are known to be extremely scary with their sharp teeth but—”

“Are you calling my teeth scary again Subaru-sama?” Frederica places a hand on her chest and lets out a sigh. “I will have to inform Emilia-sama about this again.”

“D-don’t tell Emilia-tan she’ll scold me! I did mean it when I said your smile is beautiful, not only beautiful but cute as well.” Subaru was trying his best to salvage the situation just spitting any words that came to his mind. It was not like he was lying, everything he was saying was the one-hundred percent bitter truth but because of his  terrible first expression when he first met the beast maid it was no surprise that she would think otherwise.

‘Curse you past Natsuki Subaru!’ He screams mentally the panic increasing more on his face. This would actually be the thousandth time he screamed out those words, unfortunately he didn't keep count to celebrate.

Frederica on the other hand mainly kept herself composed. Her face did not show a hint of what she was actually thinking. Her gaze was gentle but simultaneously looking down at Subaru like a mother prepared to cold her child.

“I am intrigued. Can you please tell me more about these Megalodons?  Is it a great Mabeast? I have only ever heard of three in existence.”

“I hope not!” Subaru screamed to the top of his lungs a cold sweat broke through. The knight had been unfortunate to encounter two of the Great Mabeast and both were terrifying creatures that took the shape of normally docile creatures back in his own home world.

The Great Rabbit:  a thousand tiny fluffy creatures whose soul existence is to satisfy something insatiable by any means necessary—he could still feel the bite marks that they placed around his entire body. 

The Great Whale: A massive flying beast with scales white as snow matching the fur of the Great rabbits exhaling a toxic clear fog that could make many either insane or worse erase your existence from the world . Its piercing yellow eyes could be felt glaring at him. They were–

No, no. The Great Whale was killed, The Great Hare was sealed. They would not be a problem anymore and what are the odds of him encountering another great Mabeast?

“Megalodons are an ancient beast that used to live in the ocean.”

Frederica tilts her head, and Subaru resists the urge once again to smack himself on the head because he forgot that this world did not have an ocean. One would expect that living in a world of magic and mythical creatures nothing would really surprise him anymore, but he still believed in science. He would not believe this world is Flat. (It was)

“It’s a massive body of water, Frederica-san. Like…” He hesitated  for a moment, tightly tapping his head before he snapped his fingers. “Imagine a lake but 100x bigger and has some salt mixed in. Megalodons are like fish but extremely big and have sharper teeth than any beast. They are very, very scary.”

“Well I guess I can say the same thing for your eyes. They can be quite scary-looking but they are adorable.”

Subaru was blushing like mad,  body practically shaking. “U-uh thank you. I got it from my mom. They look way better on her.”

“That is one of the best aspects you have gotten from your mother. I heard you got your hair from your father. I think it matches you perfectly, you are an unforgettable Subaru-sama.”

“T-thank you?” He was almost squirming at that point. He could actually not keep up with the praise his heart was racing. “R-right we don’t know how long Beako and Petra are going to take getting this play ready. I don’t want to keep my Beako waiting. She already feels betrayed that I sold her out to Petra so..”

Frederica suppressed another giggle. With perfect elegance she turned towards the kitchen table and opened up the bag of flour before going to the fridge and taking out a few cups and fresh water. “Right you are Subaru-sama. I believe we idled enough, I’ll work on the cupcakes and I trust you know what to make?”

“Yup Cookies for a Great Spirit coming up!” Subaru says releasing a breath he did not know exactly was holding for a while now. Grabbing the tools he joined the beast-maid into making some delicious treats.

“I have to admit Subaru-sama. I did not believe you were so adept at cooking sweet treats.” Frederica says, placing frosting over the cupcakes while Subaru takes out a fresh batch of  24 cookies from underneath the oven. Each cooked to perfection a golden brown color around the edge of each sweet treat for the crunch while the middle was soft to the touch almost begging to be eaten.

Frederica herself almost reached out and grabbed the sweet treat, but she was a maid. Her training took such childish instincts and merely watched as Subaru placed the cookies down on the counter.

“I can’t ever recreate mom’s special cookies but–” He grabs a cookie and instantly takes a bite out of it. There was a crunch on the first bite as the boy’s teeth sinked into the sweet treat, he chews on it for a bit before nodding his head. “It’s pretty good! I think Beako’s actually going to love it.”

“Those treats for Beatrice-sama?” The young maid tilts her head. “Then why are you eating them?”

“The first batch?” Subaru shakes his head. “You do not understand how greedy my Beako is, I have another 48 cooking just for her, they're almost done. The first 24 are for us. I don’t want Beako to die from a sugar crash.”

He grabs the tray and motions it to the beast-maid. “Have a bite–”

“I don’t think…” The beastmaid hesitates but Subaru just pushes the tray a little closer to Frederica.

“I said the first 24 batches were for me and you, Freddy.” Subaru grabs another and eats it in one bite. “We did the hard work so I feel like we’re entitled to eat our hard work.”

“Freddy?”

“I’m not comparing you to an Animatronics bear!” The knight screamed in  response. There was a brief silence before Subaru’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Sorry, you probably meant the nick-name. Sorry if it bothers you I just suddenly got it.”

“No, no, no. Subaru-sama, it’s a nice nickname.” The beast maid smiles, taking a cookie from the tray and took and took a bite. “This is actually amazing!”

“Glad you like it. I put my heart into every batch!” He puffed out his chest in pride, and Frederica nods. She could practically taste it.

“Well since you ate one of the cookies does that mean I have the right to eat one of the freshly made cupcakes?” A cheeky grin overcame the knight’s face and th

“So you tricked me? How low Subaru-sama.”

“Low? I just wanted to try out your amazing cooking, Freddy! No one makes treats as well as you.”

“ You can have the first pick when we watch Petra’s play.” Frederica’s words, although gentle, left no compromise and the poor unfortunate knight could do nothing but sigh.

“Alright. You got yourself a deal Freddy.” He lowers his head in defeat but the moment his eyes landed on her delicious looking cupcakes his eyes hardened. “It will be difficult to choose which delicious sweet treat I will sink my teeth into but I know they will be delicious no matter what.”

“Your praises are too much.” Frederica placed a hand over his mouth giggling at Subaru’s determination. “Well almost everything is ready. We should go see at exactly what time the Play is starting.”

“Stealthily Freddy. The moment Beako see’s me she’s going to attempt to run into my arms, you’ll be able to see their antics first hand.” Subaru whispers leaning forward towards Frederica, his eyes shifting as though looking for something inside the shadows.

With a shrug the beast maid gave a small nod. “I shall follow your lead, Subaru-sama.”

The knight said nothing but gave a sharp determined nod. He instantly rushes to the entrance of the kitchen and glances into the dining room. Finding no one there he motions Frederica to follow. She didn’t know why she was going along with this but she smiled, it reminded her of a different time when she was in the sanctuary. Spending time with Garfiel she would do the same thing when she was younger, sneaking around in the darkness pretending no one would see her in order to spy on her grandmother to see exactly what she does.

The knight and the maid slowly snuck out of the dining room, and prepared to make their way to where the maid and spirit occupied themselves. All of a sudden the door knocked.

“Ahh Garfiel not now!” Subaru couldn’t help but complain, but Frederica being the ever diligent maid opens the door and looks down at her dust covered younger brother.

“Uh Sis.” Garfiel coughs scratching the back of his head as an annoyed expression overtook him.  “Grandma’s back.”

True to his words right next to the pink-haired half-elf who barely reached up to her waist. Ryzuzu was her name and there was only…one of them?

“Fuu, our copies got lost again.”