In Emilia's room, sunlight streamed through the clean windows, casting warm patches of light on the floor.
"Lady Emilia's room has also been cleaned thoroughly."
Ram stood quietly in the center of the room, her eyes scanning the immaculately tidy space where every item was in its proper place. She nodded in satisfaction.
"Hmph, it's already this time." A hint of pride, not easily detected, colored Ram's voice as she glanced warily out the window.
"Rem should be back soon from hanging the laundry. Today's cleaning and washing are also perfectly done."
At that moment, dressed in her maid uniform, the design of Ram's clothes perfectly accentuated her slender shoulders and the elegant line of her collarbones.
The well-tailored top and short skirt perfectly outlined the curves of her body. The hem of her skirt swayed gently with her movements, exuding a subtle, alluring air that was perfectly balanced by her innate, haughty temperament.
"Wait, when I see Rem, I must praise her properly. 'As expected of Ram's sister,' I should say," Ram muttered to herself, clenching her fists lightly as her pink hair swayed with the motion.
"Although, Rem's expression when she's praised—trying to stay calm but unable to hide her happiness—is also quite cute."
"Just imagining Rem's face when she's praised, trying so hard to maintain her composure yet unable to conceal her joy, makes me feel a new surge of motivation."
At this thought, a gentle light, rarely shown to others, flickered in Ram's wine-red eyes.
"Honestly, Ram feels incredibly happy to be Rem's older sister."
It was hard to say when it started, but in the Roswaal Mansion, Rem could handle all the housework flawlessly.
From cooking to cleaning, from laundry to organizing, every task was completed with meticulous care, leaving no room for even the most demanding person to find fault.
It had to be said, her younger sister Rem was simply too capable—so capable that it made Ram, her older sister, feel both proud and a little heartache.
Rem always took the initiative to finish everything, and Ram was happy to be idle, using the extra time to manage other affairs of the mansion.
This division of labor had imperceptibly become the norm, as if it was always meant to be.
Ram still remembered how clumsy her sister Rem was when she first started learning household chores. She had personally broken many plates, burned her slender fingers, and once even nearly set the entire kitchen on fire.
But Rem never gave up. She always practiced twice as hard in secret, and her figure could be seen in the kitchen late at night, repeatedly practicing her cutting skills.
She continued until she had completely mastered every skill, eventually becoming the all-powerful maid of the Roswaal Mansion that everyone praised today.
Thinking of this, Ram couldn't help but speak with a touch of pride:
"All the housework is left to Ram's most excellent sister, so Ram won't be out of a job."
And Ram's job was to allow the lovely Rem to work with peace of mind, to watch over her from the side. This was a very important duty.
To be honest, with her sister Rem around, Ram's life in the mansion was indeed extremely easy.
Besides wanting to give Rem more space to shine, another reason she didn't take on housework was that she wanted to try a life she had never experienced before.
She spent a great deal of time meticulously brewing the black tea she liked, went to the kitchen to taste Rem's freshly made desserts, and sat with a cup of hot tea in the mansion's pavilion from dawn until dusk, watching the sun's shadow lengthen.
It didn't matter if, for a time, she set aside the heavy burdens of hatred and contractual obligations.
Speaking of which, what Ram loved most was seeing Rem happy, her azure eyes curving into crescent moons.
She loved the faint, fruity fragrance and the scent of sunshine that always lingered on Rem, and she also loved hearing Rem call her... Nee-sama, in that crisp yet respectful voice.
These simple things formed the warmest fragments of Ram's life.
"However..." Ram's tone suddenly grew complex, the tenderness in her eyes gradually replaced by a trace of worry. "Rem has fallen for that guy, Barusu."
Rem never hid her feelings, and as her older sister, Ram had naturally noticed long ago.
She could see the light that shone in her sister's eyes whenever she mentioned Natsuki Subaru, a radiance she had never seen before.
Rem would intentionally prepare Natsuki Subaru's favorite dishes, mend his clothes, and even insist on waiting for him when he returned late.
Ram had been watching all these subtle changes.
"What charm does that Barusu guy have? Why does everyone in the mansion like him so much?"
Ram pondered silently, her finger tapping her chin unconsciously.
It wasn't just Rem; even Lady Emilia and Lady Beatrice favored him.
This black-haired boy had, at some point, become an indispensable presence in the mansion.
After all, since Natsuki Subaru's arrival, the atmosphere in the mansion had clearly become more lively.
His jokes often made everyone laugh, his enthusiasm was infectious, and even the usually aloof Beatrice had opened her heart to him.
"Subaru is a different kind of person..."
Ram recalled how Natsuki Subaru was when he first arrived at the mansion—clumsy and noisy, yet surprisingly resilient.
He failed time and time again, only to get back up each time. Even Ram had to secretly admire that indomitable spirit.
She had witnessed Natsuki Subaru's growth and seen everything he had done for Emilia; these were not things that could be easily ignored.
"Still, I really should thank him."
Ram thought, a complex and unreadable emotion flashing in her wine-red eyes.
Speaking of which, ever since Natsuki Subaru gave Lord Roswaal a beating in the Sanctuary and that Book of Wisdom was burned by him, Lord Roswaal, despite a period of depression, had actually become somewhat better overall.
He was no longer so obsessed with the prophecies in the book, nor so madly pursuing his so-called future.
Ram's feelings toward the Natsuki Subaru who had changed Lord Roswaal were very complicated.
Not long ago, one morning, she woke up feeling a strange sensation, although nothing special had happened at the time.
Later, while cleaning with Rem, she happened to encounter Lord Roswaal in the corridor.
In that instant, her heart seemed to empty for a moment, only to be filled again by an abnormally intense emotion.
The feeling came so suddenly and strongly that it almost caught her off guard.
It was as if she had reconfirmed it in an instant.
Ever since that night of the fire that changed everything, she had always followed Lord Roswaal.
The flames of that night had not only consumed her home but also reshaped the trajectory of her life.
From then on, the only figure in Ram's sight was Lord Roswaal.
Because Lord Roswaal was the single most important person, Ram deeply loved Lord Roswaal.
The other important person was her sister, Rem.
This realization was deeply engraved in the depths of Ram's soul, yet in certain quiet moments, it made her feel a sense of indescribable confusion.
But occasionally, it felt like there was something else... what on earth... was it?
Like a memory that had been erased, a forgotten promise, or a vow that was never fulfilled?
Ram felt a slight confusion. It was the first time she had doubted her own feelings. The thought was fleeting, but it was enough to plant a seed of doubt in her heart.
However, the matter of Natsuki Subaru was the one exception where Ram would not follow Roswaal's instructions.
Whatever plans or expectations Roswaal had for Natsuki Subaru, Ram would treat this special boy according to her own judgment.
"Could it be that Ram has also been captivated by Barusu? No..."
Ram immediately dismissed the thought.
It wasn't that she hadn't been pursued by men before, but her romantic experience was virtually zero.
With her picky nature and haughty taste, she would never fall for someone so easily.
She always mercilessly rejected her suitors, never giving them any hope.
"Rem is in love with that Barusu fellow. As Rem's older sister, how could Ram possibly fall for him?"
Ram shook her head, trying to cast aside the stray thoughts, and reconsidered another important issue:
"Speaking of which, although Rem likes Barusu, if the two of them get too close, and some sort of intimate act between a man and a woman were to happen... it would be rather improper."
At this thought, Ram's usually expressionless face grew slightly warm, and she shook her head again, trying to banish the embarrassing images.
"Perhaps Ram is being too concerned, but as Rem's sister, it's necessary to be. That child is too naive and could easily be taken advantage of."
"So, even if it's just Ram alone, she must maintain the necessary vigilance toward Barusu for their sake... This is a responsibility, and even more so, a form of protection."
So Ram thought.
After all, both of them were too naive, like children unfamiliar with the ways of the world, needing someone to watch over them.
As the older sister, Ram believed it was her responsibility to teach them how to properly protect themselves.
"That's right, that's how it is." Ram raised a fist, secretly making a resolution.
"Rem is my most treasured sister, the sister who will cover me with a blanket in the middle of the night and silently hand me a cup of hot tea when I'm tired."
"So no matter what happens, Ram will protect her. No matter what I have to abandon, I will definitely protect her."
"This is my vow as an older sister, and my promise as family."
After all, Ram was not like Lady Emilia, who had 'kindness' written all over her...
Ram knew full well that this world was not filled only with goodwill, and she had to protect the pure-hearted girls around her.
Just then, the sound of soft footsteps approached from a distance.
"Ram."
Emilia's gentle voice came from around the corner of the hallway. Her long silver hair fell softly to her waist, and her violet eyes held their usual clear innocence.
Ram turned and gave an elegant, slight bow.
"Lady Emilia."
"Are you cleaning, Ram?"
Emilia blinked her clear violet eyes, looking curiously at Ram, who was arranging some items.
"Just organizing a few things." Ram looked up and asked softly, "Does Lady Emilia require assistance?"
"No, that's alright." Emilia waved her hand, then asked as if remembering something, "By the way, Ram, do you know where Subaru is? I don't think I've seen him at all today."
"It seems Subaru went out early this morning. I heard from Rem that he had something to take care of."
Ram's eyes shifted slightly. This was exactly the topic she wanted, so she smoothly continued,
"Speaking of which, since we're on the subject of Subaru, what kind of relationship do you think you have with him, Lady Emilia?"
"Hmm..." Emilia was taken aback by Ram's sudden question. She tapped her chin lightly and began to think.
"If I had to say, he's my knight. Subaru is my knight, but there isn't the sense of distance that comes from a lord-vassal relationship. He's always by my side so naturally, like... like the warm sunshine."
"And besides that?" Ram pressed.
"Besides that? Hmm... how should I put it?"
Emilia seemed a bit hesitant, a pensive look on her face. She then said thoughtfully, "Sometimes I feel like he's as much of a worrier as Puck and my father, and other times I feel like he's a child who needs to be looked after... It's like..."
"Family, right?"
Ram prompted at the right moment.
"Yes, family? That's the closest description." Emilia nodded, then tilted her head in confusion at Ram's surprised expression.
"Uh, you were the one who said it, Ram, so why do you look so surprised?"
"...It's nothing." Ram's expression quickly returned to its usual calm as she replied placidly, "I just feel that the relationship between you and Subaru, Lady Emilia, is quite harmonious. You always seem exceptionally natural when you're together."
As expected, the pure Lady Emilia has also fallen in love with Natsuki Subaru.
If he's already as important as family, then that must be what this feeling is.
Ram thought to herself.
"We do have a very good relationship," Emilia said, nodding with a smile. "Subaru always shows up when I need him and gives me a lot of help and courage."
"Then what is your opinion of Subaru, Lady Emilia?" Ram continued to ask curiously. "In your eyes, what kind of person is he?"
"Hmm... Subaru is a very incredible person." As she spoke of Natsuki Subaru, Emilia's eyes instantly softened.
"Before, when I had to face things I didn't want to, I felt especially uneasy, but Subaru would always be the first to appear by my side, encouraging and supporting me in his own unique way."
Emilia paused for a moment before continuing.
"To me, Subaru is a person full of miracles who brings a sense of security. I feel like if he weren't here, I would quickly find myself in trouble all alone..."
So, Subaru, who is always by my side, is very important to me.
"..."
Ram listened quietly from the side.
"Sometimes, seeing Subaru trying so hard gives me the motivation to do my best too."
Emilia raised her right hand, forming a cute little fist, and said with determination, "He always gives it his all and never gives up, no matter what difficulties he encounters. That makes me want to become an excellent and hardworking person like him."
"Lady Emilia will definitely become such an excellent person." Ram looked at Emilia and said with a serious expression, "You have been improving all along. Everyone can see it."
"Really? Hehe, thank you, Ram." Emilia blinked her violet eyes and smiled happily. "Sometimes I worry that I'm not doing well enough. I'm glad to hear you say that."
"Ram would also like to ask..." Ram continued her inquiry to Emilia, "What kind of feelings do you have for Subaru, Lady Emilia? Do you like him?"
Asked so directly by Ram, Emilia wiggled her fingers and thought carefully.
"Hmm... I can't really explain what kind of feeling it is. Anyway, when I'm with him, my heart always feels warm. I feel very safe and very happy. But, why do you ask, Ram?"
"Please don't misunderstand, Lady Emilia. This is purely Ram's personal curiosity, that's all," Ram explained calmly to Emilia.
"Seeing you two get along so well, it's inevitable to be a little curious."
"In order to protect the naive Lady Emilia, this is a necessary inquiry."
Although Barusu didn't seem like a lecherous person, Ram couldn't let her guard down.
"Is that so? I see..." Emilia nodded, as if she understood, yet didn't. "So Ram is also interested in this sort of thing."
"In any case... Lady Emilia's feelings for Subaru..."
Ram trailed off, hesitating.
Regarding the potential physical relationship between Natsuki Subaru and Emilia, she really didn't know how to bring it up.
After all, Lady Emilia was a girl who was rather slow when it came to matters of affection. Speaking bluntly would probably just confuse her even more.
"What is it, Ram? If there's something on your mind, you can just tell me directly."
Seeing Ram's hesitation, Emilia asked with concern.
"This... alright, Ram will be direct." Ram struggled to maintain her composure inwardly and asked with a deadpan expression, "Have there been any... intimate acts between you and Subaru, Lady Emilia?"
"Eh? Intimate acts? What do you mean by that?"
Emilia blinked her violet eyes, asking back innocently.
"Well..."
Hearing this, Ram was at a loss for words.
Ram's knowledge of matters between men and women was all learned for the sake of protecting herself and Rem.
Of course, she had tried to hint at these things to Lady Emilia before, both intentionally and unintentionally.
But each time, she was defeated by Emilia's bewildered expression and endless questions, and in the end, she could never explain the indescribable details to her.
Ram was a girl, after all... Those words were truly hard to say, and she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, her cheeks growing warm.
"Could it be that Lady Emilia... no, forgive Ram's rudeness." In the end, Ram was too embarrassed to ask and simply shook her head.
"Let's not talk about this for now... Ram has other things to attend to, so I will take my leave."
With that, she turned to leave.
"Huh? What's wrong with Ram? That's strange..."
Emilia watched Ram's hastily departing figure and blinked her violet eyes in confusion.
_____
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