A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 6 - Part 34

"It doesn't seem like Leandro is lying, but he steered the conversation in such a way that it forces us to agree with him. You have to be cynical to manipulate your own allies..."

"Heh, Otto already knows what I'm doing. Although if I could restrain my gestures, it might have taken him longer to realize."

Leandro was happy to have a perceptive companion like Otto. He knew he could count on him when there was trouble, which would greatly help avoid possible deaths. In fact, that was why Leandro was determined to reunite Otto with Frederica: that would be a worthy reward for his valued friend.

But there was still time for that. There were many other matters to attend to first.

"Ram, I'll let you go if you promise not to tell Roswaal about this."

Ram looked like a statue. Her dull gaze ignited with a pink fire when Leandro spoke to her.

"What will you do with Master Roswaal? If you're going to kill him, you'd better take my life now, because I'm not going to stand idly by while you murder him."

Leandro chuckled, making a gesture with his hands.

"I'm not that extreme. Killing him is out of the question."

"So how do you plan to stop him?"

"I'll beat him at his own game and get rid of the damn book. What do you think? Do you want to join, or do I have to chain you to a wall until I'm done?"

Ram sighed. She didn't much like the idea of conspiring against her beloved lord, especially if she had to follow Leandro's orders. But she understood that the situation warranted it. Roswaal needed to stop living in the past, and she couldn't save him alone. Besides, the last thing in the world she wanted was to turn against Rem, her beloved sister.

"Okay, I'll participate."

"Great." Leandro deactivated his authority, returning Ram's mobility. "Now, let's talk about the plan."

***

Emilia couldn't sleep well that night. Her nightmares tormented her with images of what the test had shown her. Although she didn't fully understand those memories, her heart acknowledged them with fear and guilt, as if the past had been preserved within her, like a fossil in an ice floe.

But when her anguish reached its limit, she felt a warm, comforting hand comfort her, calming her emotions and allowing her to rest a little. When she fully awoke, it was already dawn.

The half-elf's vision was blurry at first, so it took her some time to focus. As she did, she saw someone sitting beside the bed, watching her with a gentle smile. She didn't have to look at his face to know it was her would-be knight.

"Good morning, Emi."

"Good morning..."

Instinctively, she reached out to touch Leandro's arm. It wasn't a romantic gesture, but one seeking warmth and security. Without her father figure, Emilia felt alone and smaller than ever. But when she became aware of herself, she regretted having forced that level of intimacy with Leandro.

"Oh, no! I'm sorry!"

She wanted to withdraw her hand, but he held it.

"It's okay. You don't have to hold anything back from me. I know you had a rough night."

The girl blushed a little at the ease with which her friend read her. However, she didn't complain when he insisted on serving as her emotional support. In the time she had known him, she had convinced herself that Leandro was a trustworthy and honest person. He was also a bit of a psychopath and narcissist, but nobody's perfect.

A little reluctant, Emilia gave in to Leandro's demand, relaxing in his grasp like a little girl. He smiled and stroked her hand. There was an underlying tension, because even though Leandro acted like an older brother or a father, his heart pounded at the closeness of the girl who stole his breath away. It was difficult for him to contain himself.

"How long have you been here?"

"I came to see you as soon as I could. You seemed restless, so I stayed. I didn't get any sleep, though. I must say, you snore pretty loud for such a delicate lady. Not even Patrasche sounds like that."

"Huh!? Are you serious?"

"Nah, just kidding."

Emilia pouted, causing the black-haired boy to laugh.

"Even if you did, it wouldn't be unpleasant. Pretty girls look good doing anything."

"Stop making fun of yourself, you dunce!" Emilia squeezed his arm lightly.

"Stop being so cute and I'll think about it."

He gave her a playful wink, causing another blush, but this one was one of happiness. Somehow, Leandro was able to flatter her shamelessly without sounding exaggerated or fake.

The jokes improved Emilia's mood, soothing her troubled heart. However, she would have to repeat the ordeal, and temporary consolation would be of no use. Ram was right in saying that Leandro had a heart of stone, but that didn't change things: Emilia needed to confront her traumas, no matter how painful or cruel it was to force her to do so.

"Hey... Let's talk about what you saw at the witch's grave, okay?"

"..."

Emilia looked at him with surprise and anguish. Leandro was serious, but his voice and gestures denoted gentleness, a combination that made the half-elf feel cornered. She wanted to hide, run away from the problem like a scared little girl, but she knew it wasn't right. If she rejected her friend's proposal, she would only disappoint him and herself.

"I think I saw what happened before I got trapped in the ice..."

For several minutes, Emilia described the scenes she witnessed: a nebulous and fragmented past, a veil of darkness that prevented her from accessing the early years of her life. When she reached a memory related to "Mother Fortuna", she was on the verge of breaking down, but Leandro calmed her and steered the conversation to another topic.

Then she told him what he already knew: according to Roswaal, Emilia could undo the ice in the forest if she became queen. Leandro didn't believe it, at least not entirely. First, he had no idea if that was possible, even using the Holy Dragon's blood or something like that. Second, he didn't trust Roswaal. Of course, Leandro didn't express those thoughts in front of the half-elf.

"I'm sure you can rescue those people."

"Don't you think it's selfish of me to want to be queen because of that?"

"Saving lives isn't selfish. You're too self-critical."

"And you're very lenient with me... But, thank you for always supporting me."

Emilia closed her eyes: the lack of sleep had caused her to fall asleep again. Leandro ran his hand over the porcelain skin of her face, smoothing down the loose strands of her hair.

"So kind, so innocent... It's a shame you were born into such a cruel world."

With that, his hand moved down; his fingertips traced lines on the half-elf's white neck and curled to pick up the thread of her pendant. Leandro's brown eyes fixed on the magic crystal he held.

"I know you're there, Puck."

Soon, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

"Of course I'm here. I can't allow my daughter to be left alone with a creepy guy like you. Oh, and keep your hands off her if you don't want to lose them."

"Whatever you say, father-in-law."

Leandro mocked, but it cost him dearly. A powerful chill erupted from the magic crystal, freezing the boy's testicles.

"SON OF A BITCH!"

"You deserve it."

As feeling returned to his groin, Leandro mentally bit his tongue to stop himself from arguing further. He knew he was at a disadvantage if he did.

"Anyway. Why did you call me?"

"I want you to help me with something."