(22) Tic Tac: 03

The dining hall of the Roswaal Manor was alive with the sounds of cutlery clinking, muffled conversation, and the enthusiastic chomping of one particularly ravenous guest. Subaru was devouring her meal like a beast unleashed, her plate perpetually refilled by a visibly unimpressed Rem.

The food was indeed delicious—succulent roast meats, fragrant rice, freshly baked bread, and a plethora of desserts that made Subaru's blue eyes shine with delight. She barely paused between bites, her fork and knife moving with a determination that rivalled her swordplay.

"Ah, Rem! This stew is amazing! Gimme more!" Subaru exclaimed through a mouthful, grinning ear to ear.

Rem, standing stoic beside her, gave a curt nod, refilling her bowl without a word. However, her eyes briefly darted to Otto, who sat across the table furiously sketching.

"Otto," Rem said flatly, "what are you doing?"

"Capturing a moment of greatness!" Otto declared, flipping his sketchpad to reveal a disturbingly detailed drawing of Subaru mid-bite, her cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk. "This will make for an epic illustration in my book about Subaru-sama's heroic journey!"

Rem's brow twitched slightly. "It's... unsettling."

Ram, standing near the far wall, crossed her arms and scowled. "Hero? That slob is more like a beast. How disgraceful to eat like that in front of Roswaal-sama."

Subaru, unbothered, continued eating. She leaned back in her chair, patting her stomach. "What can I say? A hero's gotta refuel!"

Emilia giggled softly, enjoying Subaru's cheerful energy. "You're really something, Subaru. I've never seen anyone enjoy food so much."

Meanwhile, Beatrice sat in a corner, curled up with Puck nestled in her lap. She watched Subaru with an intensity that bordered on predatory, her gaze never leaving Subaru's red hair and glowing aura.

Puck, noticing her fixation, teased, "Betty, if you keep staring like that, you'll burn a hole through her."

"Shut up, Bubby, I suppose!" Beatrice snapped, but her gaze didn't waver.

Just as Subaru reached for another slice of pie, the doors to the dining hall opened with a theatrical flourish. Roswaal glided in, his flamboyant robes swaying and his painted smile firmly in place.

"Ah, what a lively scene we have here," he drawled, his mismatched eyes scanning the room. "Subaru-sama, Emilia-sama, I have news from the Capitaaal~."

Subaru sat up straighter, a crumb falling from her mouth. "News? What's up, Ros-chi?"

Roswaal clapped his hands together. "The Great Assembly of the Dragon's Candidates is scheduled for next Tuesday. Emilia-sama, you and Subaru-sama must prepare to attend."

The cheerful atmosphere dimmed slightly as Emilia's smile faltered. She clasped her hands nervously. "The Assembly... already? But... I'm not ready..."

Subaru leaned over, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't sweat it, Emilia. We've got this. You'll knock 'em dead with your charm, and if anyone gives you trouble, I'll knock them dead with my sword!"

Emilia's lips curled into a small smile, reassured by Subaru's confidence. "Thank you, Subaru."

Otto, however, shot up from his seat, his hand raised like an eager student. "I want to come too! Please, Roswaal-sama, let me accompany you to the Capital!"

Roswaal tilted his head, eyeing Otto with mild amusement. "And why, pray tell, should I take you along?"

Otto clasped his hands together, his desperation palpable. "Think of it as a chance for me to document Subaru-sama's legend in the making! A historic moment needs to be recorded!"

Roswaal chuckled, his painted lips curling further. "Your enthusiasm is... admirable. However—"

"Please, please, please!" Otto practically fell to his knees, his voice echoing dramatically through the hall.

Subaru snorted. "Geez, Otto, get a grip. But hey, he's harmless, Roswaal. Let him come. We'll keep an eye on him."

Roswaal tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Very well. If you're so desperate, I suppose I caaan permit it~."

Otto's face lit up with joy, but his relief was short-lived as Roswaal turned to Ram.

"Ram, dear, do ensure that our aspiriiing writer is... useful. Perhaps he can assist you duuuring the journey."

Ram's smile was anything but kind. "Oh, I'll make sure he earns his keep, Roswaal-sama."

Otto gulped audibly.

Emilia, sensing the tension, quickly changed the subject. "Shall we finish dinner? We'll need all the energy we can get for the preparations."

Subaru grinned, raising her fork. "Seconded! Rem, more pie!"

As plates were refilled and plans for the Capital loomed, Subaru's cheerful spirit remained a beacon of energy in the manor, her appetite as legendary as her boldness.

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