A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 2 - Part 3

The way she delivered that line was a fucking crush. I blushed furiously and had to control my breathing to catch my breath.

"This reaction is way over the top, especially for me! I'm not one for falling in love! How could this be happening to me?!"

"Are you okay?" Emilia asked, worried. "Your face turned red. Could you have a fever?"

"Everything's fine, no problem..."

Suddenly, Rem and Ram voices came in unison from the mansion.

"Lady Emilia, our master Lord Roswaal has returned. Please come back inside."

Emilia nodded and followed the twins. I froze for a moment, unsure if Roswaal would want to see me too or if he'd kick me out.

"Dear guest, you must come too."

Luckily, Ram cleared up my doubts. I nodded enthusiastically and hurried to catch up with them.

Emilia left us on the way to her room to change clothes. Rem and Ram also went to get something. Once in the dining room, I ran into Betty.

"Hello, Miss Prana Drainer. I mean, Miss Librarian."

"Die."

"That won't help you get rid of me."

"Ha?"

I shook my head.

"It doesn't matter."

"Hmph, whatever; I'm just here for Puckie."

"I didn't ask you, tsundere loli."

Outraged, Betty opened her mouth to give me a response that was surely an insult. However, Rem and Ram burst in with a cart carrying all the breakfast items. They quickly began serving everything, and my fat appetite was awakened by the smell of food.

Almost at the same time, a tall man resembling a jester entered the dining room. His long blue hair, heterochromic eyes, and makeup were those of Roswaal L. Mathers.

He smiled when he saw me.

"I've heard interesting things about you beeeefore. I must say I'm veeery intrigued."

"It's an honor to meet you, Margrave Mathers." I bowed to him.

"Now thaaat I think about it, I haven't heard your name yeeeet."

"My name is Leandro Lagostena."

Just then, Emilia and Puck entered the dining room as well. Betty became excited and immediately went to hug him, while Emilia stopped next to Roswaal.

"So that's your name. It doesn't sound like any I've heard before." She commented.

"Right." Roswaal agreed with her, his smile widening, "You probably come from faaaar away, right?"

"Something like that. I can't say I'm from another world or a place beyond the great waterfall, because that would make them suspect my story is a lie."

Roswaal looked at me as if he knew what I was thinking and walked to his seat.

"We shooould sit down before breakfast gets cold."

That slurred way of speaking was going to give me a nervous tic. I sighed with relief and sat down. We all started eating, but I couldn't fully enjoy the food. It wasn't the taste; everything was really delicious. What bothered me was the attention I was receiving. I felt like I was being watched, especially by Roswaal and Rem.

"So, Leandro... You said you have a history with the witch cult, and from what you know, sooner or later those people will come for Miss Emilia, right?" For the first time, Roswaal looked serious.

"Considering that cult members can be anywhere, it's very likely they already know about her. That means they could already be nearby."

"And how do I know you're not one of them? The story you told could very well be false, and you still haven't explained what causes the miasma you claim to possess."

"I don't know, maybe because it would have been much easier to catch her in the city, when she was alone and unprotected due to the negligence of a certain person who should have guaranteed her safety?" I said with a wry smile. "If I didn't do it then, why wait and risk so much here?"

"It could be that you have some hidden agenda. Besides, you still haven't answered my question. What about that miasma of yours?"

"As for the miasma, I don't even know myself. The cultists said it was a manifestation of the witch's love, but that assumption has no basis. My theory is that it's a curse I received at some point in my life."

No offense, Satella.

Roswaal made a discreet grimace, almost imperceptible, but noticeable enough to give me the satisfaction of knowing that I had won that round.

"Assuming all that is true, don't you think this is a bit too convenient for you? You retrieved Miss Emilia's insignia and presented yourself before her with injuries you haven't spoken of, leaving her and her kind heart morally obligated to take you in..."

"All I know is that I saved your reputation as a sponsor and the viability of Emilia's political campaign as a real candidate. I even went so far as to reveal secrets about myself to get a little cooperation, but all I'm getting in return is prejudiced interrogations." I glanced at Puck. "I'm sure you already know what my true intentions are, Margrave, but you just want to test me."

"Hoo, talking to you is muuuch more interesting than I expected. You have the wit of a merchant and the cooooomposure of an aristocrat."

"So, are you satisfied now?"

"I think I've come to understand you better with this conversation. That said, I'd like to formally thank you for your performance in the royal capital." He spread his arms and spoke again in his usual playful tone. "I'm offering you a reward; come on, ask for whatever you wish."

Things unfolded slightly differently, but the plot ended at the same point as the original story. Knowing what I had to do, I revealed my wish without a single shred of doubt.

"I want to live in this mansion like a butler."