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---
Chapter 59
The Forbidden Library was supposed to be silent.
Beatrice did not consider that statement a preference.
It was a fundamental truth of the world.
Books were made to be read.
Reading required concentration.
Concentration required silence.
Therefore, anyone who entered a library while making noise was committing an offense against the natural order of things.
The logic was flawless.
The problem was the manor's current inhabitants.
—Beako! Are you in here?
Beatrice closed her eyes.
The voice came through the door before it had even finished opening.
She didn't need to look.
There was only one person in the residence capable of passing through Door Crossing as if he were walking into a tavern and announcing his arrival with the volume of an alarm bell.
—She isn't here, I suppose.
Subaru poked his head inside.
—Oh, she's not here.
Beatrice returned her attention to the book.
—Then I'll have to come back later.
Subaru started closing the door.
The little spirit raised her eyes slightly.
The door almost shut.
Then it opened again.
—You almost got me.
Beatrice slammed the book against her knees.
—You should have accepted the answer and left, in fact!
Subaru entered with a grin.
He wore work clothes, a cloth over one shoulder, and carried an empty basket he had apparently forgotten somewhere during his chores.
—Technically, you didn't lie. Beatrice isn't here. Betty is.
—Technically, I can throw you out without opening the door, I suppose.
—That would be an abuse of bibliographical authority.
—Betty is all the authority that exists here.
Subaru walked between the shelves.
He didn't touch the books.
At least he had learned that much.
During his first week, he had taken one at random, opened it in the middle, and asked whether it had pictures.
Beatrice still remembered the offense.
—What do you want? —she asked—. Say it quickly and disappear.
—The weather's nice.
—Betty owns books about the weather.
—The weather inside a book doesn't keep you warm.
—Nor does it bother me.
Subaru stopped in front of the staircase.
Beatrice sat on one of the higher steps with her legs together and a thick volume resting on her lap.
—I thought you might want to come outside for a while —he said—. Emilia's studying, Rem and Ram are working, Link is in the garden trying to convince five spirits not to burn the rosebushes, and Puck says he needs space for a secret activity.
Beatrice looked up.
—What activity?
—Secret.
—Then you shouldn't mention it.
—I can mention it without explaining it.
—That only makes it more annoying, I suppose.
Subaru smiled.
Beatrice studied his face.
He didn't seem to have come in asking for a shortcut.
Or magic.
Or information from a book he couldn't read.
He had simply come looking for her.
The idea caused a kind of discomfort she found difficult to classify.
—I don't want to go outside —she answered.
—Okay.
Subaru didn't insist.
That was almost worse.
He turned toward the door.
—We'll be in the garden this morning. You can show up whenever you want.
—Betty will not show up.
—Then I'll save a seat nobody uses.
—That's wasting space.
—It'll be a monument to your stubbornness.
Beatrice raised a hand.
Subaru recognized the gesture.
He opened the door.
—I'm leaving voluntarily!
The wave of force hit him before he crossed the threshold.
He went spinning out.
The door closed.
The Forbidden Library regained its silence.
Beatrice continued staring at the place where he had disappeared.
Then she lowered her gaze to her book.
She had forgotten the last sentence.
—What an unpleasant man —she murmured.
She turned back one page.
That wasn't it.
She flipped one forward.
Not that either.
With an irritated noise, she closed the book.
The silence remained.
Perfect.
Solemn.
Empty.
—Much better, I suppose.
A door between two bookshelves began to vibrate.
Beatrice looked toward it.
Someone was knocking from the other side.
Two polite knocks.
It couldn't be Subaru.
—Beatrice-sama —Ram's voice came through—. Are you available?
Beatrice stared at the ceiling.
—No.
—Ram will interpret that as an affirmative answer.
The door opened.
It wasn't the same one Subaru had used.
Door Crossing had connected the Forbidden Library with the manor's main entrance. Ram stood there surrounded by three baskets of vegetables, two sacks, and a crate of jars.
Beatrice climbed down from the staircase.
—What is all that?
—Supplies.
—Betty can see that.
—Then the question was unnecessary.
—Why did you put them in front of my library?
Ram held her gaze.
—The route from the entrance to the kitchen is long.
Beatrice waited.
Ram waited too.
—No —the spirit said.
—I understand.
Ram picked up one of the baskets.
Lifted it.
Walked two steps toward the hallway.
Stopped.
Let out an especially heavy breath.
—How unfortunate.
Beatrice pressed her lips together.
Ram picked up one of the sacks.
She lifted it with more difficulty than her expression suggested.
The maid could use wind magic.
She could also ask Subaru, Rem, or Link for help.
She was doing neither.
—You're shameless, I suppose.
—Ram does not know what you mean.
—You want to walk through the Library so I'll connect this door directly to the kitchen.
—Ram would never dare use Beatrice-sama's great power for something so trivial.
—You're asking without saying it.
—Then Beatrice-sama possesses an impressive imagination.
Ram lifted the sack again.
Beatrice snapped her fingers.
The doorway behind her changed.
The entrance hallway disappeared.
The kitchen appeared on the other side.
—Just this once.
Ram put down the sack.
Picked up two baskets.
—Naturally.
She crossed the Library.
She didn't look at the books.
Didn't stop.
When she reached the kitchen, she set down the baskets and came back.
—Ram can carry the remaining objects herself.
—Betty already opened the route.
—Beatrice-sama is correct. It would be rude to waste her effort.
She passed through with another sack.
Beatrice crossed her arms.
Ram returned for the crate.
—Thank you.
The bow was brief.
Sincere.
The maid headed toward the kitchen.
Before crossing for the final time, she stopped.
—Beatrice-sama.
—What?
—Subaru left an empty chair in the garden.
Beatrice felt something tighten inside her chest.
—Betty didn't ask.
—Ram did not say who it was for either.
She entered the kitchen.
Beatrice closed the connection with more force than necessary.
Silence returned.
It lasted eight seconds.
—Beatrice-sama.
The voice came from the kitchen door.
Beatrice hadn't changed the connection yet.
Rem poked her head through.
—Now the other one —Beatrice muttered.
—Excuse me?
—Nothing. What do you want?
Rem entered.
She carried a wooden spoon and wore a carefully thoughtful expression.
—Rem wanted to consult you about dinner.
—Betty doesn't cook.
—But you eat.
—When the food is tolerable.
Rem nodded.
—Precisely.
She pulled a small dark-colored root from her pocket.
Beatrice recognized it.
She didn't like it.
—No.
—Rem has not asked yet.
—No.
—Rem was thinking of including it in the soup.
—No.
—How many would you accept?
—None.
The little spirit glared at her.
Rem maintained her pleasant expression.
—Two —Beatrice finally said—. Small pieces.
—I understand.
Rem put the root away.
—Then Rem will use three.
—That isn't what I said!
—It is important for Beatrice-sama to broaden her tastes.
—Betty doesn't need to grow.
—Everyone can grow a little.
Rem spoke with the calm tone of a mother correcting a child.
Beatrice clenched her fists.
—You've become far too familiar lately, I suppose.
Rem blinked.
—Has Rem?
—Before, you came in, bowed, and left.
—Before, Beatrice-sama rarely allowed Rem to remain.
—And that was fine.
—Was it?
The question came without provocation.
Beatrice opened her mouth.
Didn't answer.
Rem looked around.
The Library was the same as always.
Endless shelves.
Stacks of books.
Motionless lamps.
The staircase.
Silence.
—Rem thinks it is pleasant to be able to speak more with Beatrice-sama.
The little spirit looked away.
—Don't try flattering Betty so you can put more roots in the soup.
—Four.
—You just increased it again!
—Beatrice-sama already objected to three. The result does not change very much.
Rem bowed.
—Thank you for helping with the supplies.
—Ram was the one who asked.
—Nee-sama said Beatrice-sama agreed very kindly.
—Ram lied.
—Nee-sama does not lie.
—She lies constantly while wearing a serious expression.
Rem smiled.
—Then perhaps it is difficult to notice.
She started toward the kitchen.
Before leaving, she looked at the empty chair visible through the doorway.
From that angle, part of the garden could be seen.
Subaru had placed the chair near Emilia.
Nobody was sitting in it.
—Link is asking for you —Rem said.
Beatrice felt another stab of irritation.
—What for?
—He did not want to explain.
—Then it doesn't matter.
—He said it was an academic emergency.
Beatrice closed her eyes.
—Tell him to learn how to read.
—Rem will tell him.
The door began closing.
A face appeared in the gap.
—Beatrice!
Link shoved one hand through before Rem could close it.
She stepped back.
He entered carrying the stone Charmander beneath one arm and his new notebook beneath the other.
Luci floated over his head.
The four lesser fire spirits crowded behind him.
Beatrice pointed toward the door.
—Not them.
The four spirits stopped.
The red flame tried to advance.
Beatrice raised her book.
It retreated.
—You will not enter a place filled with paper, I suppose.
Link looked over his shoulder.
—Wait outside.
The blue sphere settled on the frame.
The ember bird tried to hide behind Charmander.
Beatrice saw it.
—Out.
The bird descended.
The four lights remained in the kitchen with Rem.
Luci was allowed inside.
Beatrice tolerated her.
Barely.
—I have a question —Link said.
—You have many.
—About circuits.
—No.
—You haven't even seen the design.
—That makes refusing easier.
Link placed Charmander on a table.
The stone thumb remained raised.
The head had been separated from the body.
—It broke.
Beatrice looked at the decapitated figure.
—It looks improved.
—I'm changing the lagmite.
—That does not explain the head.
—I need access to the conduits.
He opened the notebook.
The first page contained Rem's sentence.
The next was covered in drawings.
Beatrice approached.
Not because she was interested.
To discover what she needed to forbid.
Link pointed toward a diagram.
—I want to split the output.
—Betty already explained this.
—Mouth, tail, and arm.
—Three routes.
—Yes.
—And what will prevent the pressure from flowing back toward the center?
Link pointed at a blotch.
—That.
Beatrice stared at it.
—That looks like an onion.
—It's a regulator.
—It looks like a sad onion.
—I can't draw.
—Or write.
—That's why I came here.
Beatrice looked toward Rem.
She was still on the other side of the doorway, holding a spoon and surrounded by four spirits attempting to approach the pot.
—Rem —Beatrice called.
—Yes?
—Take him away.
—Link still hasn't received an answer.
—The answer is that his onion will explode, I suppose.
Link lowered his gaze to the drawing.
—Why?
Beatrice sighed.
She wasn't supposed to explain it.
She had already agreed to five flavors in exchange for teaching him.
The debt hadn't even been completely paid yet.
Besides, if she sent him away without correcting it, he would test the design anyway.
She took the pen.
—The central route is too narrow.
Link leaned closer.
—Like this?
—Don't block the light.
He moved.
His shoulder was still too close.
Beatrice pushed him.
—And don't breathe on Betty.
—I need to see.
—Then use your eyes from an appropriate distance.
Rem watched the scene.
A smile slowly appeared.
Link didn't see it.
Beatrice did.
—What do you find amusing?
—Nothing.
—That lie is far too common in this house now, I suppose.
—Rem was only thinking that Beatrice-sama appears to enjoy teaching.
The pen stabbed straight through the paper.
—I do not enjoy it!
Link stared at the ink blot.
—That was the conduit.
—Do it again.
—The page?
—The drawing.
—It took me an hour.
—Then it will be an excellent lesson.
Link stared at the ruined paper.
Beatrice returned to her staircase.
—Out.
—But—
—Out.
—Can you connect to my room? Charmander is heavy.
Beatrice slowly turned.
—It weighs less than what you can lift with one finger.
—It's delicate.
—You decapitated it.
—That's maintenance.
The door opened behind him.
An invisible wave hit him.
Link flew backward into the kitchen without dropping the statue.
Rem stepped out of the way in time.
The four spirits surrounded him.
The door closed.
Beatrice breathed.
Silence.
Again.
Finally.
She sat.
Opened her book.
Read one sentence.
Then another.
She almost reached the third.
A knock sounded from a distant door.
It wasn't the Library entrance.
Someone was knocking from one of the manor corridors and calling her name.
—Beatrice —Puck sang—. Are you busy?
Her irritation disappeared.
Beatrice raised her head.
—Bubby.
She snapped her fingers.
The door connected to the hallway.
Puck floated on the other side.
The little spirit quickly descended the stairs.
—Do you need something?
—I was just looking for somewhere quiet.
—Come in.
Puck crossed the threshold.
The door closed.
Luci, who had accidentally been left inside the Library, floated out from behind a stack of books.
Beatrice looked at her.
The sphere remained still.
—You don't count.
Luci blinked.
Puck settled on a table.
—Everyone's weird today.
—Everyone is always weird.
—Lia is studying.
—That isn't weird.
—She told me she needed to concentrate.
Beatrice frowned.
—You don't distract her.
—That's what I said.
Puck lowered his head.
—I also tried sitting on her book.
—That does distract her.
—Only a little.
—What did you want?
—Paternal attention.
—You're the one who says you're her father.
—Fathers need attention too.
Beatrice approached.
Puck looked genuinely dejected.
—Did Emilia treat you badly?
—No. She's just busy.
—Then wait.
—Waiting is boring.
Beatrice stood beside him.
Puck looked up.
—Subaru gave me some advice.
Beatrice's expression hardened.
—Ignore it.
—Link did too.
—Especially ignore that one.
—They said I should practice my natural charm.
Beatrice blinked.
—Your charm?
—Apparently I've become too ordinary. Lia doesn't react anymore when I do cute things.
—That's impossible.
—Right?
Puck stood.
—So I'm going to practice.
Beatrice felt curious.
She hid it.
—You can practice here.
—I need space.
—Betty can move the table.
—And privacy.
The little spirit stiffened.
—I understand.
Puck looked at Luci.
—Too many spectators.
Luci left through a door Beatrice opened for her.
—Now there's nobody else.
—You're here.
—Betty doesn't count.
—Of course you count.
—Betty won't judge.
Puck tilted his head.
—That makes it worse.
Beatrice pressed her lips together.
—Then Betty will leave.
She opened a door.
Stepped into the hallway.
Closed it.
She remained there.
Two seconds.
Three.
Puck began moving inside.
Beatrice started walking down the corridor.
She wasn't going to spy.
That would be beneath her dignity.
Besides, she trusted Puck completely.
There was absolutely no reason to check what he was doing.
She heard a meow.
Stopped.
The door was several meters away.
Another meow came from inside.
Higher-pitched.
Beatrice took one step backward.
Not toward the door.
Simply in the opposite direction from where she had been walking.
Puck meowed again.
—That sounded strange —she murmured.
She needed to make sure he wasn't injured.
There was no other intention.
She opened a nearby door.
The room connected to a guest chamber adjacent to the Forbidden Library. She entered.
The interior door was closed.
Beatrice approached.
Listened.
—Meow... meowmeow... meow.
Her eyes lit up.
Puck was practicing.
—Bubby...
Her voice came out too loudly.
Beatrice covered her mouth.
Inside, Puck continued.
—No, no. The tail needs to curl more.
There was a small noise.
Beatrice found a gap between the door and its frame.
She looked through.
Puck was rolling across the table.
He had tucked his front paws against his chest. His enormous eyes looked even rounder than usual, while his tail moved with carefully practiced delicacy.
—Meow.
Beatrice felt her heart stop.
Then beat far too fast.
—So adorable...
Puck rolled around.
Stood.
Shook his head.
—Not enough. Subaru said I'm supposed to look helpless. Link said I should tilt one ear too.
He tilted one.
Beatrice pressed both hands against her cheeks.
—Bubby!
She covered her mouth again.
Puck didn't hear her.
—Lia's been so serious lately. I need a better strategy.
He lay down.
Raised his tail.
—Meooooow.
Beatrice's knees lost their strength.
She leaned against the wall.
The spectacle was simply too powerful.
Puck practiced different angles.
Different meows.
A tiny turn.
Falling onto his back.
A gesture with his paws.
Beatrice memorized all of it.
Not because she intended to remember it later.
Because the moment deserved to be engraved somewhere safe in the universe.
Puck finished.
He breathed.
—Good. Now I'll find Lia.
He headed toward the door.
Beatrice fled.
She opened the nearest exit.
Appeared in another hallway.
Closed it.
Puck left the room without seeing her.
The little spirit remained behind a column, clutching her chest.
Any desire to punish Subaru for entering the Library had disappeared.
Link had participated too.
Perhaps the two men were not entirely useless.
The thought was disturbing.
Subaru returned to the Forbidden Library that afternoon.
This time he knocked.
Beatrice made him wait.
He knocked again.
She opened the door.
Subaru carried a bucket, a cloth, and a feather duster.
—What is that?
—My apology.
—It looks like cleaning equipment.
—Exactly.
He entered only after Beatrice stepped aside.
—I got the entrance wet this morning.
—Because Puck threw you into the pond.
—It was a provoked accident.
—You told him his adorable fall needed more drama.
—I didn't think he'd use magic.
Beatrice pressed her book against her chest.
—Did Puck get what he wanted?
Subaru smiled slowly.
—Why do you ask?
—Betty didn't ask.
—You clearly did.
—Betty merely wishes to know the outcome of an unnecessary alteration to the manor's routine.
—Emilia hugged him for fifteen minutes.
Beatrice felt proud.
She didn't show it.
—Then he did an acceptable job.
—Puck?
—You.
Subaru froze.
—Me?
—You showed me something pleasant.
His smile disappeared.
His mouth opened.
Closed.
Then opened again.
—Beako... are you feeling sick?
Beatrice raised one hand.
—Don't ruin the moment.
—Do you have a fever?
—I'm a spirit.
—That doesn't answer me.
The wave of force struck Subaru.
The bucket flew away.
He crossed the doorway backward.
—Accept gratitude with dignity, I suppose!
The door closed.
The bucket remained inside.
So did the cloth.
Beatrice stared at the objects.
She had no intention of using them.
The Library barely needed cleaning.
Door Crossing isolated the space from ordinary deterioration.
However, more people had begun entering.
Subaru.
Ram.
Rem.
Link.
Luci.
Puck.
Even Emilia appeared from time to time.
There was dust near the entrance.
A damp mark.
A small piece of charcoal from Link's notebook.
Beatrice picked up the bucket.
Only to move it out of the way.
That was what she told herself.
Night arrived.
The manor's activity diminished.
Puck disappeared when his time ran out.
Emilia finished studying.
Roswaal retired to his office.
Subaru and Link were ordered to put away the gardening tools before dinner.
Ram checked the day's documents.
Rem finished the kitchen work.
The Forbidden Library once again became a silent place.
Beatrice sat high on the staircase.
The bucket rested on her legs.
She had filled it halfway with water.
Not because she intended to clean.
She was merely checking whether it leaked.
The cloth was damp.
Not because she had cleaned anything.
She had used it to test the quality of the water.
The feather duster rested over her shoulder.
That required no explanation.
The door opened.
Without knocking.
Beatrice jumped.
—Gah!
The bucket tilted.
She managed to catch it before spilling the water.
Rem entered.
She wore simple work clothes and carried a complete collection of cleaning tools.
Feather dusters.
Cloths.
Brushes.
A bucket.
Gloves.
A lamp.
Beatrice hugged her bucket.
—What are you doing here at this hour?
Rem tilted her head.
—Rem could ask the same thing.
—This is Betty's Library.
—That is why Beatrice-sama is usually here.
—Then your question would make no sense.
—Rem did not ask it.
Beatrice tightened her grip on the bucket.
Rem looked up.
Her eyes dropped toward the object.
—Beatrice-sama seems more irritable than usual.
—Betty is always like this.
—Perhaps it is because of the bucket.
Beatrice's face burned.
—What does the bucket have to do with anything?!
—You are hugging it.
Beatrice looked at her own arms.
The container was pressed against her chest.
She pushed it away.
—It means nothing.
Rem approached.
—Subaru said he left his tools here.
—Betty never agreed to clean anything for him.
—Of course.
Rem set down her own equipment.
She had brought another bucket.
Beatrice looked at it.
Then at Rem.
—Why do you have that?
—For cleaning.
—The Library?
—Yes.
—Nobody gave you permission.
—Beatrice-sama has already prepared water.
—It was a test.
—Then the test was successful.
Rem picked up the feather duster.
—We can begin.
Beatrice remained on the stairs.
—It isn't necessary.
—There is dust.
—Very little.
—There is moisture near the entrance.
—Subaru's fault.
—And charcoal.
—Link.
—Rem also found a circular mark on one of the tables.
—Charmander.
Rem surveyed the Library.
—You have received many visitors.
Beatrice frowned.
—Too many.
—Then it needs more cleaning.
—Betty can do it herself.
The words escaped.
Rem looked up.
Beatrice realized too late that she had just admitted her intention.
—I meant that Betty could, if she wanted to.
—I understand.
—I don't want to.
—Of course.
Rem started cleaning.
The feather duster passed over a shelf.
Beatrice remained seated.
Rem moved to another.
The soft sound of feathers against wood filled the Library.
It wasn't unpleasant.
It also wasn't silence.
Beatrice opened a book.
Tried to read.
The same line appeared three times without her remembering what it meant.
Rem continued working.
She didn't speak.
Didn't ask for help.
Didn't complain.
Beatrice lowered the book.
—Don't you have something to say?
—Good evening, Beatrice-sama.
—Not that.
—Dinner was good.
—There were four roots.
—Five.
Beatrice clenched her jaw.
—Not that either.
Rem turned.
—What should Rem say?
—I don't know.
—Then Rem will continue cleaning.
The feather duster returned to the shelf.
Beatrice swung her feet.
—It's strange that you're working alone.
—Rem often works alone.
—Not here.
—Beatrice-sama said she did not wish to clean.
—I didn't say exactly that.
Rem stopped moving the duster.
Beatrice slowly descended the staircase.
—Betty merely believes that, as librarian, she bears a certain responsibility.
—Naturally.
—So many people entering has introduced dirt.
—Yes.
—And it would be inappropriate to allow someone without proper knowledge to damage the books.
—Understandable.
Beatrice held the bucket.
—Therefore, Betty will have to supervise.
Rem offered her the feather duster.
—Then Rem appreciates your supervision.
Beatrice took it.
—Supervision only.
—Of course.
She stood in front of a shelf.
Swung the duster forcefully.
A cloud of dust exploded outward.
Rem stepped back.
Beatrice coughed.
—You should do it gently —Rem said.
—The dust won't leave if Betty pets it.
—The books could be damaged.
—These books are durable.
She grabbed one by the cover.
Shook it.
A cracking sound ran through the spine.
The pages came loose.
They cascaded onto the floor.
The cover remained in Beatrice's hand.
Silence.
Rem looked at the pages.
Beatrice looked at the cover.
—It was already like that.
Rem crouched.
Picked up one page.
—The tear is fresh.
—Time behaves strangely here.
—So does the damage.
—The book was defective.
—Beatrice-sama shook it.
—You are implying serious things, I suppose.
Rem placed the pages on a clean surface.
Then stood.
Her expression had changed.
She wasn't angry.
That was worse.
Professional seriousness.
—First, you will learn how to hold a book.
Beatrice stepped back.
—Betty has cared for this Library for centuries.
—And just tore the contents out of one.
—It was an accident.
—That is why you will learn.
Rem raised a cloth.
—Books are supported from the bottom. Never only by the cover.
—Betty knows that.
—Show Rem.
Beatrice picked up another book.
Held it with both hands.
Rem corrected the position of her fingers.
—Like that.
—This is humiliating.
—Now the feather duster.
Beatrice lifted it.
—Short movements.
The little spirit brushed the feathers gently.
Dust came loose.
—Slower —Rem said.
—This will take all night.
—The Library is large.
—Exactly.
—Then we will need more than one night.
Beatrice turned around.
—More than one?
—A complete cleaning cannot be finished today.
—Betty did not agree to a schedule.
—You began the work.
—You began it.
—Beatrice-sama joined.
—Only to supervise.
—Then you must supervise tomorrow too.
Beatrice understood the trap.
Rem smiled.
Not cruelly.
She looked satisfied.
—You've become impertinent.
—Link says trust improves conversations.
—Link says many stupid things.
—He also says some good things.
The answer came immediately.
Beatrice studied Rem's face.
The maid made no attempt to hide the happiness that appeared whenever she mentioned her partner.
—You've changed —Beatrice said.
Rem put down the cloth.
—Is that bad?
—Before, you would never have entered without an order.
—Before, Rem would not have considered that Beatrice-sama might need help either.
—Betty does not need it.
—No.
The answer surprised Beatrice.
Rem continued.
—But you can receive it anyway.
Beatrice looked at the broken book.
—Subaru had something to do with this.
—Probably.
—Link too.
—Yes.
—They are both a bad influence.
—Very much.
—And yet you're happy.
Rem went still.
The word didn't seem to offend her.
—Yes.
Beatrice looked away.
—How annoying.
—Is Beatrice-sama not happy?
—Betty doesn't need those things.
Rem picked up another duster.
—You can receive them anyway.
Beatrice pressed her lips together.
—Stop repeating phrases as though they were intelligent.
—Link does that.
—Precisely.
They continued cleaning.
Rem taught.
Beatrice complained.
One shelf became dust-free.
Then another.
Rem showed her how to use a small brush along hardened edges.
Beatrice tried using magic.
Rem forbade it because the spell might blow dust into the pages.
Beatrice said a maid could not forbid a Great Spirit from using magic.
Rem replied that a Great Spirit didn't know how to clean.
Beatrice tried to leave.
Rem gently caught her around the waist and returned her to the shelf.
—Let go of me!
—This section is not finished yet.
—Betty will turn you into a frog.
—Link would try to adopt it.
Beatrice froze.
—That is probable.
—Therefore, it would solve nothing.
Beatrice returned to the shelf.
—Your relationship is also a bad influence on Betty, I suppose.
—Rem can ask him to prepare ice cream.
The little spirit raised her head.
—That does not compensate for anything.
—Five flavors.
—Six.
—Rem will speak to him.
—Seven for the broken book.
Rem looked at the scattered pages.
—Beatrice-sama was the one who broke it.
—Negotiations are over.
Rem hid a smile.
They cleaned enough to continue another day.
Beatrice had dust on her dress.
Rem had a mark on her cheek.
The bucket had run out of water, and the broken book awaited repair.
—You aren't coming back tomorrow —Beatrice said.
—Rem will return.
—Betty won't open the door.
—Subaru can find it.
—Then I'll change the connection.
—Link can offer ice cream from the other side.
Beatrice remained silent.
Rem gathered the tools.
—Cleaning will continue after dinner tomorrow.
—That hasn't been decided.
—Good night, Beatrice-sama.
—Don't ignore Betty.
Rem opened a door.
Steam drifted in from the hallway.
The bathing area was nearby.
Rem stopped.
She looked at the dust covering Beatrice.
—You need a bath.
—Betty does not need to bathe.
—You are dirty.
—It is book dust.
—It is still dust.
—Betty will return to the Library.
—Emilia-sama and nee-sama should be in the bath.
—That has nothing to do with Betty.
Rem set the tools down.
—We could go together.
Beatrice stepped back.
—No.
—Rem will wash your hair.
—No.
—Your curls collected dust.
Beatrice's hands immediately flew to her hair.
—They collected nothing!
Rem approached.
Beatrice opened another door.
—Good night.
She crossed through it.
Disappeared.
Rem stared at the empty space.
Then picked up the tools.
She didn't try to chase her.
Yet.
Emilia entered the water before the others.
She had spent most of the day studying.
Reading about the political history of Lugunica had blended together with writing exercises, geography, and a list of noble families that seemed to grow every time she reviewed it.
The bath welcomed her body with perfect warmth.
Emilia entered slowly.
First her feet.
Then her legs.
Finally she allowed the water to cover her shoulders.
—Ahhh...
She rested her head against the edge.
Her silver hair was tied up so it wouldn't float freely across the surface.
The room was spacious.
Much larger than any one person needed. The stone walls retained heat, while small lagmites hidden between them kept the water at a constant temperature.
Emilia closed her eyes.
No books.
No questions.
No speeches.
No assignments.
Puck wasn't there either, his manifestation time having already ended.
For a few minutes, she could simply exist.
She moved one arm beneath the water.
Then looked at her skin.
She gently pinched the upper part.
—Maybe I really have gained a little weight.
She ate better than before.
Slept more.
Moved less.
Puck had insisted she pay attention to her meals, her hair, her nails, her sleeping hours, and a number of details Emilia considered excessive.
Although, after watching Link work until he collapsed and Ram hide her exhaustion, she could no longer claim they were entirely unnecessary.
The changing-room door opened.
—Emilia-sama —Ram greeted.
The maid entered wrapped in a towel.
Rem appeared behind her.
—We hope we are not interrupting.
—No. Come in.
Ram approached the water.
Rem closed the door.
—Nee-sama —she said—. What would you have done if it were Subaru?
Ram placed one foot in the water.
—Barusu does not enter at this hour.
—But he could.
—Then his eyes would leave his face before he left the room.
Emilia sat upright.
—Don't say that. Subaru wouldn't come in deliberately.
Ram descended until she was sitting in the water.
The warmth relaxed the tension in her face almost immediately.
—Emilia-sama's estimation of Barusu remains generous.
Rem approached.
—And if it were Link? —Emilia asked.
The blue-haired maid stopped.
Ram opened her eye.
—Interesting.
—It wasn't a strange question —Emilia said quickly—. I only thought that, since they're a couple now...
Rem adjusted her towel.
—Link would not enter either.
—Are you sure? —Ram asked.
—Yes.
—The gardener entered a forest full of demon beasts, clung to Ram's skirt, and lit up the sky despite receiving multiple prohibitions.
—A bath occupied by women is a different kind of danger —Rem replied.
Emilia thought about it.
—That makes sense.
Ram looked at her.
—It should not.
Rem entered the water across from her sister.
The towel joined the others.
The steam softened their outlines and covered enough that none of them paid any particular attention.
Even so, Emilia noticed something.
She looked at Ram.
Then Rem.
Then back at Ram.
The pink-haired maid followed the direction of her eyes.
—Emilia-sama is comparing us.
Emilia turned red.
—No!
—Yes.
—I only thought Rem...
The person in question lowered her gaze.
Ram finished the sentence.
—Has slightly larger breasts.
Rem sank a little deeper into the water.
—Nee-sama.
—It is an objective observation.
—There was no need to say it.
Emilia tried to fix the situation.
—It's not a bad thing.
—Emilia-sama is not helping either —Rem said.
Ram closed her eye.
—Rem's uniform hides it.
Emilia looked toward the folded clothes outside the bath.
—Is it uncomfortable?
—It is designed for work and combat —Rem answered—. It needs to provide support.
—The gardener will eventually discover that Rem's uniform conceals certain advantages —Ram said.
Rem submerged the lower half of her face.
—Nee-sama.
Small bubbles appeared in front of her lips.
Emilia turned even redder.
—Ram.
—What?
—You shouldn't embarrass her.
—Ram is preparing Rem for future questions.
Rem emerged slightly.
—Link wouldn't ask something like that.
—Not with words.
The blue-haired maid hid herself again.
Emilia covered her face.
—This conversation changed direction far too quickly.
Ram leaned back.
—It is a gathering of women.
—Does that mean women always talk like this?
—No —Rem answered.
—Sometimes —Ram said at the same time.
The sisters looked at each other.
Emilia laughed.
Ram relaxed again.
Rem watched her.
—Nee-sama looks very peaceful in the water.
—Ram is always peaceful.
—Not like this.
—Rem.
—Nee-sama's expression becomes softer and her shoulders lower.
Emilia looked.
Ram immediately tensed her shoulders.
—Not anymore.
—But it happened —Emilia said.
—Both of you should look somewhere else.
Rem smiled.
—Nee-sama is adorable even when she lowers her guard.
—Don't exaggerate.
—Rem never exaggerates about nee-sama.
Ram turned her face away.
The blush was barely visible through the steam.
Emilia watched them.
For a long time, she had felt as though an invisible wall surrounded both sisters.
Not direct hostility.
A polite distance.
That night, the wall felt lower.
—Do you think baths make people speak more honestly? —she asked.
Ram opened her eye.
Rem tilted her head.
—Maybe —Emilia continued—. Since there are no uniforms or books or work, everyone is in the same position.
—Emilia-sama remains Emilia-sama —Ram said.
—And you two are still yourselves.
—Then the theory changes nothing.
—But you're relaxed.
—Ram has already corrected the mistake.
Emilia puffed out her cheeks.
—You're both mean to me.
—Emilia-sama is being influenced by Subaru —Rem said.
—That has nothing to do with it!
—You make more exaggerated expressions now.
—Really?
Emilia lowered her hands.
Looked at her reflection.
—Maybe a little.
Ram closed her eye.
—Barusu's influence is an environmental disease.
—Link influences people too —Emilia added.
Rem went still.
Ram smiled faintly.
—Especially Rem.
—Nee-sama...
—Now she goes out in dresses, buys ribbons, and disappears for an entire day.
—It was a date.
—Ram knows.
—How was it? —Emilia asked.
Rem looked at the water.
The memory appeared in her expression before her words.
—Beautiful.
Emilia smiled.
—What did you do?
—We bought supplies.
—That doesn't sound romantic —Emilia said.
—Link held Rem's hand the entire way.
—That does.
—We ate beside the stream.
—Much more romantic.
—He gave Rem a ribbon.
Rem had removed the ornament before entering the bath. The blue ribbon with red beads rested folded beside her uniform.
Emilia had seen it at dinner.
—It looks really good on you.
—Thank you.
Ram looked at her sister.
—The gardener spent his last coin on it.
—Yes.
—A regrettable financial decision.
—Rem liked it.
—That does not improve his finances.
—But it improves the gift.
Ram did not immediately find an answer.
Emilia took advantage.
—Did you kiss?
Rem looked up.
—Yes.
Emilia leaned closer.
—On the first date?
—We were already a couple.
—Yes, but...
Rem looked calm.
Too calm.
—Several times.
Emilia sank until the water reached her nose.
Ram looked toward her sister.
—Rem is becoming bold.
—Nee-sama asked.
—Emilia-sama asked.
—Nee-sama wanted to know.
—Ram already understood the result from the gardener's expression when you returned.
Rem covered part of her face with one hand.
Her composure was beginning to crack.
Emilia emerged from the water again.
—Is Link good at kissing?
Rem froze completely.
Ram turned toward Emilia.
—Barusu's influence is worse than expected.
—I'm only curious!
Rem slowly lowered her hand.
—He is learning.
Emilia's eyes widened.
Ram raised one eyebrow.
—That does not answer the question favorably.
—Rem is learning too.
Emilia submerged herself again.
Her ears had turned red.
Ram stared at the ceiling.
—Ram hopes you both continue studying without making her an aunt in the near future.
—Nee-sama.
—The oni population remains low.
—It is not Rem's responsibility to correct that immediately.
—Ram is pleased you included "immediately."
Rem disappeared entirely beneath the water.
Emilia began laughing.
The bubbles surrounding Rem increased.
Ram maintained her serious expression.
A tiny smile betrayed the corner of her mouth.
The changing-room door opened.
—One thing after another, I suppose!
Beatrice entered fully dressed.
There was dust in her hair.
Her skirt had a damp stain.
She held the broken book against her chest.
The three women looked at her.
Beatrice stopped.
—What?
Ram rested against the edge.
—Is Barusu chasing you?
—Him and the other one.
—Link? —Rem asked.
—The gardener has decided he needs to know whether the lesser spirits can sleep inside his room. Subaru wants to ask Betty whether Door Crossing can be used to deliver mayonnaise to Emilia without walking through the hallway.
Emilia blinked.
—Why can't he just walk?
—He says an unexpected presentation increases the impact.
—That does sound like Subaru —Emilia admitted.
Beatrice crossed her arms.
—Betty left the Library to escape. The two of them manage to find her far too easily when she stays there.
—You could stay with us —Emilia said.
—That is what Betty will do.
Beatrice positioned herself in a corner.
Rem looked at the dust in her hair.
—Beatrice-sama.
—No.
—Rem has not asked yet.
—You want to bathe Betty.
—Yes.
—No.
Emilia stood.
Water ran down her body before she reached for a towel. Beatrice irritably looked away.
—You're already here —Emilia said—. It would be nice if you joined us.
—Betty does not need a bath.
—You have dust on you.
—It is a mark of bibliographical responsibility.
Ram and Rem exchanged a glance.
Beatrice saw it.
—What does that mean?
—Nothing —Rem answered.
—You made a signal.
—No —Ram said.
—Betty has eyes!
Emilia stepped forward.
—Puck is washing himself behind you.
Beatrice immediately turned around.
—Bubby?
Emilia grabbed her around the waist.
Lifted her.
—What are you doing?!
—Helping you.
—That is not helping!
Emilia threw her.
Beatrice traced an arc toward the water.
—It won't be that easy, I suppose!
The little spirit stopped herself in midair.
She hovered above the surface.
Started retreating toward the changing room.
Ram grabbed one sleeve.
Rem grabbed the other.
—Stay for a while —Rem asked—. Rem has always wanted to wash your curls.
—You will not touch Betty's hair!
—It must be difficult to dry —Emilia said.
—Betty can use magic!
—That might damage it —Rem replied.
—Everything that family says eventually turns into a prohibition!
Ram pulled.
Rem did too.
Beatrice lost her magical balance.
She fell.
Water exploded around them.
A wave struck Emilia.
Beatrice emerged coughing up water.
Her dress floated.
Her curls had partially come undone.
Her face was red with fury.
—All three of you have been completely corrupted by those men, I suppose!
Emilia wiped water from her eyes.
—Maybe.
She smiled.
Ram released the sleeve.
Rem did too.
Beatrice tried to stand.
The soaked dress was heavy.
Rem supported her.
—First we will remove this.
—No.
—It will be damaged if it remains wet.
—Betty will dry it.
—It might shrink.
Beatrice froze.
She looked at the dress.
Then at Rem.
—Really?
—It could.
It was a remote possibility.
Enough.
Beatrice allowed herself to be helped out.
Ram found a towel.
Emilia looked for clean clothes.
Rem began carefully undoing the curls.
—Don't pull.
—Rem won't.
—That strand hurts.
—Rem has not touched it yet.
—Betty is warning you.
—I understand.
Beatrice ended up wrapped in a towel and sitting on a small bench while Rem washed her hair.
Emilia remained in the water.
Ram had positioned herself behind Beatrice to prevent her escape.
—This is kidnapping —the spirit declared.
—A gathering of women —Emilia corrected.
—Betty did not agree to gather.
—You're already here.
—That does not create retroactive consent, I suppose.
Rem poured warm water over her hair.
Beatrice closed her eyes.
The sensation was not unpleasant.
She would never admit it.
—Beatrice-sama has very soft hair —Rem said.
—Naturally.
—And a lot of it.
—Naturally.
—It will take time.
—Do it quickly.
Rem massaged gently.
Beatrice's shoulders lowered.
Ram noticed.
—Miss Beatrice relaxes in the bath.
Beatrice opened her eyes.
—No.
—Yes —Emilia said.
—You two just bothered Ram about the same thing!
—Then it is fair now —Emilia replied.
Beatrice looked at the half-elf.
—You've changed.
Emilia blinked.
—You said that earlier —Rem pointed out.
—Everyone has changed.
—Is that bad? —Emilia asked.
Beatrice remained silent.
Rem continued washing.
Ram held the towel.
Emilia smiled.
The bath was filled with voices.
A few months ago, none of them would have shared a moment like this.
Beatrice would have remained locked away.
Rem would have entered, completed her task, and left without joking.
Ram would have kept her distance.
Emilia would have accepted the silence as inevitable.
Now they argued.
They had thrown her into the water.
Someone would be touching her curls for the rest of the night.
—It's noisy —Beatrice said.
Emilia waited.
—But Betty did not ask whether it was bad —she replied.
Beatrice closed her eyes.
—Not always.
Rem smiled.
And continued washing.
Subaru and Link reached the bath door several minutes later.
They did not enter.
Subaru raised a hand to knock.
Link stopped him.
—No.
—We need Beatrice.
—She's in the bath.
—Beatrice doesn't bathe.
A shout came from inside.
—DON'T PULL THAT SIDE, I SUPPOSE!
Link looked at the door.
—She does now.
Subaru placed his ear closer.
—She sounds like she's in danger.
—She also sounds like Ram is in there.
—That increases the danger.
Link raised his hand.
Knocked.
The interior fell silent.
—Rem —he said—. Is everything okay?
His partner's voice came from the other side.
—Yes.
—Beatrice is screaming.
—She is receiving a bath.
—That doesn't reassure me.
—Rem is handling it.
Link lowered his hand.
—Then it's fine.
Subaru looked at him.
—That's all?
—I trust her.
—And Ram?
—No.
Ram's voice came from inside.
—Ram can hear the gardener.
Link stepped back.
—Good night.
He started walking away.
Subaru grabbed him.
—Don't abandon me!
—You were the one who wanted mayonnaise.
—Emilia-tan still hasn't tried the herb version.
—Wait for her in the dining room.
—It'll lose freshness.
The door opened slightly.
Ram's red eye appeared.
—Barusu.
—Good evening.
—Move away.
—I already was.
—Farther.
Subaru took three steps.
—Farther.
Another three.
Ram looked toward Link.
—Gardener.
—I only asked about Rem.
—The result is the same.
Link retreated alongside Subaru.
The door closed.
Subaru sighed.
—We didn't see anything.
Link looked at him.
—We weren't trying to see anything.
—Technically.
—Subaru.
—I'm merely noting the strategic failure.
Link hit him in the back of the head.
—Don't be an idiot.
—I am a man of scientific curiosity!
—You have Emilia in there.
—That's exactly why my science is compromised!
Link hit him again.
The four lesser spirits floated behind them.
The red flame imitated the motion and slammed into Subaru.
—Even your children attack me!
—They are not my children.
The ember bird pulled Subaru's hair.
—They're learning too quickly —Subaru said.
Link looked at the door again.
—I'll wait.
—Ram told us to move away.
—In the next hallway.
—That's still waiting.
—Rem will come out with wet hair.
Subaru understood.
—Oh.
Link leaned against the wall.
—Don't comment.
—I didn't say anything.
—Your face did.
—My face supports romance.
—Your face wants to mock me.
—That too.
Link manifested a kagune.
Subaru stepped away.
—I'll wait in the dining room.
—Good decision.
The bath gathering continued.
Beatrice was washed.
Against her stated will.
With increasingly less resistant cooperation.
Rem rebuilt the curls patiently.
Ram washed her back.
Emilia tried talking about feminine secrets and ended up asking whether she should use a different perfume during political meetings.
Ram said nobles distrusted scents that were too strong.
Rem recommended something mild.
Beatrice declared Emilia smelled perfectly fine without adding anything.
Emilia hugged her.
Beatrice protested.
She did not try to escape with magic.
Then they switched places.
Emilia helped Rem with her hair.
Ram remained in the water.
Beatrice, now clean and wrapped in a towel, watched from a bench as though she had chosen to be there.
—The new ribbon suits Rem —Emilia commented.
Rem touched her wet hair.
—Link chose it.
—You have mentioned that three times already —Ram said.
—Emilia-sama asked.
—Not for two of them.
Beatrice rested her cheek against one hand.
—What do you see in the explosion man?
Rem thought.
—Many things.
—A list would be too long, I suppose.
—Yes.
—That was criticism.
—Rem knows.
Beatrice frowned.
—It doesn't seem to affect you.
—No.
Ram looked at her sister.
—The gardener taught her insolence.
—Nee-sama did too.
—Ram teaches correctly.
Emilia began untangling a strand of hair.
—I think it's sweet.
—Emilia-sama appreciates romance too much —Ram said.
—I haven't had very much of it.
Emilia's hand stopped moving.
There was no self-pity in the statement.
Only fact.
Rem turned slightly.
—You will.
Emilia smiled.
—Do you think so?
—Yes.
Ram remained silent.
Beatrice looked away.
Emilia resumed combing.
—Then you can give me advice.
—Ram will not.
—Rem will.
—Betty won't either.
—Puck will, even if I don't ask him —Emilia said.
All four understood that this was true.
They laughed.
Even Beatrice let out a small sound before catching herself.
The manor remained filled with women's voices for a while longer.
They weren't great secrets.
They didn't decide the future of the kingdom.
They didn't resolve Rem's guilt, Emilia's obligations, Ram's dependence, or Beatrice's waiting.
They talked about dresses.
Hair.
Food.
Link's terrible handwriting.
Subaru's obsession with mayonnaise.
How Puck pretended he didn't need attention.
Whether Roswaal slept with his makeup on.
Ram declared that she would not answer.
That was enough to confirm she knew.
When they left, all of them felt lighter.
Nobody mentioned it.
Link was waiting in the second hallway.
He had managed to find a tray.
Four cups rested on it.
Not five.
Beatrice did not drink the same thing as the others.
For her, he had prepared warm milk with honey.
Subaru had helped him.
Then left before Ram could find him.
The bath door opened.
Emilia came out first.
She wore a robe and her hair was still damp.
—Link.
—Good evening.
He offered her a cup.
—What is it?
—Something warm.
Emilia took it.
—Thank you.
Ram appeared next.
She looked at the tray.
—Poison?
—Tea.
—The difference depends on who prepared it.
—I didn't.
—Then Ram accepts.
She took a cup.
Beatrice emerged wrapped in a robe that was too large for her, her hair rebuilt into softer curls.
Link looked at her.
—You look—
Beatrice raised a hand.
—Think very carefully about your next word.
—Clean.
The wave of force struck his chest.
It didn't move him much.
The tray tilted.
A kagune appeared and stabilized it.
—I thought that was a safe word.
—It was the tone.
He offered her the milk.
Beatrice stared at it.
—Honey.
She took it.
—This does not reduce the ice cream debt.
—I wasn't expecting it to.
Rem came out last.
Time stopped for a tiny fraction of a second.
She wore a light blue robe.
Her damp hair fell freely over her shoulders and back. Without the headdress, without the apron, without the usual structure of the uniform, she looked different.
Not like another person.
More like Rem.
Link stopped looking at the cups.
Ram walked past him.
—Blink.
He did.
Rem approached.
—You waited.
—Yes.
—You did not have to.
—I wanted to.
He offered her the last cup.
Their fingers touched.
Link did not immediately let go.
Neither did Rem.
Emilia looked away with a smile.
Beatrice drank her milk.
Ram stared without shame.
—How was the gathering? —Link asked.
—Pleasant —Emilia answered.
—Violent —Beatrice said.
—Productive —Ram added.
Rem smiled.
—Happy.
Link looked at her.
—Good answer.
She took a sip.
A drop remained beside her lips.
Link raised his hand.
Wiped it away with his thumb.
Rem held his gaze.
Ram cleared her throat.
—The hallway remains public.
Link lowered his hand.
—I was only helping her.
—Ram recognizes the gardener's methodology.
Beatrice looked at Rem.
—Betty does not want to know about it.
Emilia hid her smile behind her cup.
Link leaned closer to Rem.
He didn't kiss her.
Only spoke quietly.
—You're beautiful.
The blush appeared.
—Thank you.
—The uniform hides too much.
Rem opened her eye slightly wider.
Link realized what he had just said.
Ram turned around.
—Gardener.
—I meant the hair.
Rem tilted her head.
—Only the hair?
Link looked at her.
The question had been spoken with complete innocence.
False.
Perfectly false.
—No —he admitted.
Emilia started coughing into her cup.
Beatrice closed her eyes.
Ram took her sister by the arm.
—Rem, keep walking before the gardener makes it worse.
Rem allowed herself to be led away.
Before leaving, she turned her face.
Her smile held a small and dangerous satisfaction.
Link remained frozen.
Beatrice walked past him.
—Pathetic, I suppose.
—You fell for the lie about Puck taking a bath.
The little spirit stopped.
Link knew immediately that he had made a mistake.
—How do you know that?
—Rem mentioned it from inside.
—Betty is going to kill her.
—You have to catch her first.
Beatrice raised the book.
Link ran.
The chase went through three hallways.
Emilia laughed.
Ram continued leading Rem away.
The blue-haired maid watched her partner fleeing from a flying book.
—Link looks happy —she said.
—He's an idiot —Ram replied.
—Both things can be true.
Ram looked at her sister.
—Rem looks happy too.
—She is.
There was no hesitation in the answer.
Ram tightened her grip on her arm slightly.
—Then keep that.
Rem turned toward her.
Ram was already looking ahead.
—Yes, nee-sama.
The Forbidden Library regained its silence near midnight.
Beatrice returned.
Her hair smelled of soap.
Her clothes had been replaced by another equally elegant outfit.
The broken book rested on a table, awaiting repair.
The shelves they had cleaned faintly reflected the lamplight.
There was a note on the staircase.
Beatrice picked it up.
The handwriting was terrible.
She recognized the culprit without reading it.
Thanks for teaching.
Sorry about the noise.
Ice cream tomorrow.
Link.
Another sentence appeared beneath it.
Subaru's handwriting was slightly better.
The bath thing was the girls' idea. We're innocent.
Beatrice crushed the paper in her hand.
She nearly threw it away.
She didn't.
Instead, she slipped it inside the book she had tried to read that morning.
She sat down.
Opened it to the marked page.
The Library was clean.
Orderly.
Silent.
Exactly as it was supposed to be.
She turned a page.
From somewhere far away in the manor came a laugh.
Rem's voice.
Then Link's.
Lower.
Another door closed.
Subaru shouted something about mayonnaise.
Ram ordered him to shut up.
Emilia laughed.
Beatrice raised her eyes from the book.
Waited for silence to return.
It never did completely.
The manor breathed on the other side of the door.
Beatrice lowered her gaze.
Continued reading.
—Just a little noise —she murmured—. Nothing more, I suppose.
A tiny smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
The Forbidden Library was not completely alone again that night.
Neither was Beatrice.