(16) Beware of Librarians: 01

The grand dining hall of the Mathers estate glimmered in the golden light of its ornate chandeliers. Subaru sat at the long oak table, her red hair gleaming under the soft glow, her posture as relaxed as a cat basking in the sun. Rosewall, ever the eccentric, lounged at the head of the table with his usual sly grin plastered across his pale face.

"You've outdone yourself, Lady Subaru," Rosewall drawled, his lilting tone dripping with amusement. "Protecting my people, cutting down MaBeasts with such grace and ferocity—truly, you are a hero."

Subaru grinned, her chest puffing out a little. "Well, I couldn't just stand by and let innocent people get hurt. Someone had to do something, and that someone just happened to be me!"

Emilia, sitting to Subaru's right, clapped her hands together, her silver hair catching the light. "You were amazing, Subaru. The villagers couldn't stop talking about you."

Subaru's grin widened, and she leaned back in her chair, arms crossed smugly. "Yeah, yeah, I know. No need to flatter me—actually, wait, keep going. I'm enjoying this."

Rosewall chuckled, the sound light but tinged with curiosity. "Yes, a true heeeero indeed. But tell me, Lady Subaru..." His heterochromatic eyes gleamed with mischief. "Who, pray tell, is the gentleman currently shivering in my warehouse?"

The room fell silent. Subaru froze mid-smirk, her brain scrambling to connect the dots. "Uh... gentleman?"

"Yes," Rosewall continued, his smile widening. "A peculiar man, dressed in green robes, looking quite... shall we say, misplaced? Ram tells me he's been loitering there since your return."

Subaru's face flushed as the memory of Otto—her so-called "manager"—came rushing back. She cleared her throat awkwardly. "Ahem. Um, I might have accidentally hired him?"

Rosewall arched a perfectly groomed eyebrow. "Accidentally?"

"Well," Subaru started, glancing at Rem for backup, "it's kind of a funny story..."

Rem, ever the picture of calm, stepped in to explain. "Subaru-sama hired Otto-san during our return from the village. Apparently, she agreed to let him chronicle her adventures as her manager."

Rosewall's grin didn't falter. If anything, it grew sharper. "Fascinating. And did it occur to you, Lady Subaru, that you lack the funds to pay this 'manager'?"

Subaru scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I mean... it might have crossed my mind. But I figured, you know, details like that could be worked out later?"

Rosewall let out a dramatic sigh, resting his chin on his hand. "No matter. He may stay, and I shall see to his compensation. However..." His tone turned playful yet commanding, a dangerous mix that made Subaru sit up straighter. "If he is to stay, he must earn his keep."

Ram, who had been standing silently by the wall, took this as her cue. "Leave him to me, Roswaal-sama. I'll whip that pesky man into shape." Her sharp crimson gaze practically sparkled with malevolent glee.

Subaru winced, feeling a pang of sympathy for Otto. "Uh, maybe go easy on him? He's kind of... fragile?"

Ram didn't bother responding, her smug expression saying everything that needed to be said.

Emilia, eager to steer the conversation back to lighter territory, clapped her hands together. "Well, now that's settled, why don't we enjoy dinner?"

"Yes, let's!" Subaru said, her mood rebounding instantly as the promise of food brightened her spirits. She eagerly turned to the nearest servant. "Seconds, please!"

Rem sighed, exasperated but not surprised. "Subaru-sama, you've already had three servings."

"So? Heroes need to refuel after a hard day's work!" Subaru declared, tapping her empty plate for emphasis.

Emilia giggled softly, watching Subaru with a mix of amusement and admiration. "You really do have an appetite, Subaru."

Rosewall chuckled, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the table. "Indeed. It seems our dear heeeero's appetite is as legendary as her swordsmanship."

As the servants brought out more food, Subaru dug in with gusto, blissfully unaware of the chaos she had already set in motion. In the warehouse, Otto sneezed, shivering as he plotted his next great epic about the red-haired knight who had turned his life upside down.

I will be posting chapters every day. Big chapters will be broken into 3 or 4 chapters, you can read it ahead by checking out the tips in my bio.