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{Third-Person POV}
"Ahhh!"
Emilia bolted upright in bed, her scream slicing through the silence like a knife. Her body trembled, sweat clinging to her forehead as she gasped for air, still caught in the grips of panic.
Within monts, Subaru burst into the room. His eyes quickly scanned her state before rushing to her side.
"It's okay, it's okay—I'm here," he said softly, as she hugged him.
"Zero!" Emilia cried out, burying her face into his chest as her trembling began to subside. His arms around her felt like a lifeline, anchoring her back to reality. He gently patted her back, murmuring soothing words into her ear.
"There, there... You're safe now. How are you feeling, Emilia?" Subaru asked, leaning back slightly to et her gaze. Her violet eyes shimred with tears.
"I... I failed again," she admitted, her voice a whisper of despair as she slumped against him.
Subaru gave her a reassuring smile, one hand moving to softly ruffle her hair.
"Co on, cheer up! So what if you've failed twice? I know you can do it," he said confidently.
Emilia looked up at him, her expression conflicted—caught between disbelief and the flickering spark of hope.
"Really...? But... I don't even rember why I failed... I just started crying... and then... nothing." She frowned and clutched her head. Every attempt to recall the events brought on a sharp, splitting headache.
"Don't worry too much about it right now. What you need is food and a break," Subaru said with a cheerful tone. He stood and gently grabbed her hand.
Emilia hesitated but nodded, allowing herself to be pulled up. As she followed behind him, her hand still in his, a blush slowly crept onto her cheeks.
'What... is this feeling?' she wondered, stealing a glance at Subaru's profile before quickly averting her gaze, her heart fluttering.
When they arrived in the dining hall, the atmosphere shifted.
Rem and Ram stood in place beside a seated Roswaal. Beatrice was perched in her usual corner, while Garfield sat at one end of the table with a sulking expression. Reina sat stiffly, and notably, Garfield seed to avoid both her and Subaru's gaze entirely.
He was clearly still traumatized after being thoroughly defeated by Subaru and Reina in their earlier encounter—after being thrased by Reina it knocked out all the courage he had.
Subaru led Emilia to a seat, but just as they settled, Reina abruptly shifted hers and seated herself beside him, a move that didn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room.
"If I recall correctly, one of you is still serving as my maid, right?" Subaru asked casually, his eyes on Rem.
Rem imdiately straightened and stepped closer, bowing with visible nervousness.
"I deeply apologize, Lord Zero. In the chaos, I almost forgot my punishnt..." she said sincerely.
Subaru gave a small nod, accepting the apology without further comnt.
Roswaal's whimsical tone suddenly cut through the room."I seeeee you faaaailed again, dear Emilia."
Emilia flinched, her head dropping in sha, a hollow smile creeping across her lips.
"This woooon't do," Roswaal continued, his tone suddenly sharpened. "The villagers grow more restless by the day. If this situation continues unresolved, their trust will vanish."
His gaze flickered to Subaru.
"And Lord Zero, perhaps you shouldn't coddle her either. A ruler who cannot bear responsibility is hardly worth the title."
Despite the harsh words, Roswaal's true intention was the opposite—he wanted Subaru to support Emilia. That had always been part of his plan.
Reina, however, didn't hold back. Her voice rang clear, her words like blades.
"Indeed. Lord Zero, a woman who collapses under the smallest pressure and constantly leans on others—she's unfit for the crown."
Roswaal nearly choked.'What the hell, Reina?! That was supposed to be rhetorical! Please, Zero, don't listen to her. Keep supporting Emilia!' he ntally pleaded, sweat beading at his brow.
anwhile, Emilia looked stricken. Humiliation and helplessness welled up inside her.
'What have I actually accomplished?' she thought bitterly.
She'd lost her insignia on the very day she received it. If not for Zero and Reina's intervention, she wouldn't even have remained a Royal Candidate—she might not even be alive.
Then there was the near-attack on the village. She'd been blissfully unaware of the danger until Zero and Reina had swooped in and neutralized the threat.
The mory of the Royal Capital resurfaced next—her inability to speak up, to defend herself. She and Puck had a contingency plan, but Puck had warned he might lash out violently if provoked.
It was Subaru—Zero—who saved her reputation, shifting public perception in her favor, calming the nobles, and shielding her from ridicule.
Then there was the White Whale. She hadn't even participated in that. It had been Subaru again, leading the charge, slaying the beast, and protecting the village from the Witch Cult.
She had been tasked with a simple evacuation—and failed. Now, she was trapped in the Sanctuary, completely reliant on others once more.
The crushing weight of her perceived uselessness brought tears to her eyes.
And then ca the cruelest blow.
"Tch. Crying again like a helpless child?" Garfield sneered. "She's pathetic. How could she possibly lead a kingdom?"
The silence that followed was damning. No one contradicted him.
Rem and Ram looked away awkwardly, they knew how useless their Royal Candidate had been.
Anastasia had wealth, an entire rchant conglorate under her thumb. If she ruled, the economy of Lugunica would flourish.
Crusch was nobility and strength combined. A strategist and warrior, capable of turning back invasions with courage and tactics.
Felt was rough around the edges, sure—but she was a wild card. She had potential and determination.
Even Priscilla—brash and arrogant as she was—had status and power. And at least, well... she had so appeal to fans with her oppai.
But Emilia?
What was she useful for?
A lap pillow? Subaru didn't even love her in this tiline.
Everyone in the room thought of many complains in their mind.
Subaru finally sighed. "You all really suck at comforting people."
He reached for Emilia's hand once more. "Emilia, hey—co on. Don't cry. Pretty please? With sugar on top?" he added, attempting to lighten the mood.
Unfortunately, charm and tact weren't Subaru's strong suits.
(Author's Note: His talents lie elsewhere. Ahem, bedroom skills? Haha—just kidding… maybe.)
"They're right, though!" Emilia sobbed. "I've done nothing but fail. What kind of queen does that make ?!"
Subaru remained beside her, gently patting her back, his expression kind and patient.
Rem and Ram exchanged a knowing look and sighed together.
anwhile, Reina scowled, her fists clenched under the table.
'Hmph! As if Lord Subaru would ever choose a pathetic, whiny ss like her over !' she fud inwardly, trying to reassure herself.
(Author's Note: I want to make Reina the love interest, I really do. But man, these damn ani flags! They keep sprouting like weeds!)
Subaru smiled softly at Emilia. "Feeling a bit better now?" he asked.
She nodded, cheeks still red with lingering embarrassnt, but the tears had stopped.
Then Roswaal, ever the observer, spoke again. "Zeeeeerooo… I've heard you entered and exited the trial chamber without injury?"
Subaru nodded. "Yeah. Seems I qualify to take the trials."
The room collectively froze in surprise.
Roswaal's grin spread ear to ear. 'Perfect. It's all happening, just like in the book.'
(Author's Note: Bro really said, "I've seen this episode before.")
"Wonnnderfuuuul!" Roswaal sang. "Then I implore you, Lord Zero, to take the trials in Emilia's place. Save us from this impasse."
"No!" Emilia suddenly stood, her voice firm for once.
"I've made up my mind—I won't rely on Zero anymore! I'll take the trials myself!" she declared, eyes blazing with renewed determination.
"Really?" Garfield scoffed. "What are the odds you don't co back sobbing again like a baby?"
Subaru shot him a glare that imdiately silenced the beastman.
Beatrice huffed. "Honestly. This girl can't even function without Bubby. It's absurd in fact!"
Emilia's gaze swept across the room—only to be t with frowns and skepticism. Disappointnt. Doubt.
Her voice wavered as she began to speak again, but Subaru beat her to it.
"Alright, enough!" he declared, rising from his chair. "Instead of tearing her down, why not support her? I believe in Emilia. She will succeed. I'm sure of it."
Roswaal tilted his head, eyes gleaming. "You suuuure do trust her a looooot."
Subaru smirked. "I trust her a lot more than a guy who dresses like a circus clown."
Roswaal's eye twitched. Ram coughed, barely holding back a comnt on Zero to save her Lord's reputation. Garfield snorted with laughter.
The tension began to break.
The discussion was over… for now.
To be continued...
(A/N: We are just a spot down! Don't you all want 3 bonus chaps?! Fine, I promise four bonus chaps if we are number 1 by the end of the week!)
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