Yamato Beatrice Nadeshiko
On a bright day, in the yard of the Roswaal's manor, Beatrice lies on a couch in a sensual pose, wearing a pink kimono with butterfly patterns engraved on it.
On her styled hair, she adorns ornaments with various hairpins. Her lips are colored red and her face contoured to stand out a lot more.
She rests a pink opened parasol on her shoulder, a geta slippers with a pink fabric thong and white socks on her feet, an adorable pout on her face.
"Why is Betty dressed like this in fact?!" She whines.
"Wow, Beatrice, you look so beautiful, you look like a noble~" Emilia who is present praises her with sparkling eyes.
"Yes, Lia is definitely right, Betty." Puck says floating in the air.
"Betty is in fact a noble spirit, I suppose." She harrumphs.
"Fufufu, give it up Betty! Right now, you are my muse, so just sit comfortably and I shall bring this art to life." Fate who is wearing a brown sweater, black pants and a black beret says. He is sitting on a stool before an easel, paints and brush floating beside him.
"I'm excited about this, I've seen pictures but I haven't seen anyone being drawn in front of me before~" Emilia says looking over Fate's shoulder.
"If you are doing this, you better show all the good points of Betty, I suppose." Beatrice says, curious about how it would turn out as well.
Fate chuckles as he responds. "Betty, I've effortlessly made arts that have rivaled the Mona Lisa… and what do you mean good points? You are a spirit of myself aren't you…?" He smirks as he brandishes his brush. "That automatically makes every part of you a 'good point.'"
Beatrice face flushes hearing such words.
"Hahaha, I agree as well, Betty!" Puck laughs out.
"Alright, Lia. Make it snow." Fate orders.
"Leave it to me~!" Emilia responds excitedly as she gathers mana and releases into the air, turning the area cold instantly as snow flakes starts falling.
Fate takes a deep breath and releases it. "Perfect." He says as he begins to paint.
◇◇◇
Professor Fate
Emilia seats on a chair, a single desk in front of her, her hair is styled in a ponytail while she wears clothes that she thinks are unusual but comfortable.
"Alright, Lia. We shall be reviewing what you know today." Fate says wearing a white button up sleeve, red pants, black brogues and a pair of black trim glasses with transparent lens.
He stands in front of her holding a black marker, a white board behind him.
"Ummm, Fate. What are we doing? And what is this clothes I'm wearing? I am very sure I was wearing something else when I came in here~ Ah, although it's reeeally comfortable." She says.
"Lia, it's Professor Fate or Prof. to you…" He says hitting the board with the marker while pushing his glasses up a bit
"Prof?" She mutters.
"And what you wear is called a sailor's uniform, as right now you are a student… As for the review, I'll be giving you pointers on various things, so make sure to listen." He finishes.
Emilia doesn't really understand what is going on but it sounds like something very exciting and Fatelooks serious about it, so raising up her hand with a cheerful smile, she responds.
"Yes, Professor Fate!"
"Good, you're quick on the uptake, Lia. Now let's begin." He says taking off the cap of the marker.
"Wait, wait, wait. Why are you acting like we are not here as well?" Ram cries out from her seat, dressed in the same clothes as Emilia. Beside her is Rem who is bouncing on her seat with excitement.
"The student with the pink hair, raise your hand if you wish to speak, in fact." Beatrice who is sitting on an executive chair with Puck on her hands while wearing the same uniform but with a star on her right chest chastises.
"And why does Lady Beatrice have a star, and sitting on a different chair?!" Ram adds.
"Hmmm, that is true~" Emilia observes.
"Dearest sister…" Rem tries to placate her sister.
"That is because Betty is what is called a 'Class representative'." Fate replies.
"Beatrice is? That's amazing Beatrice~" Emilia voices as Beatrice smiles smugly.
"Miss Emilia, I think you are the amazing one for not even questioning it." Ram says.
"As expected of Sensei! You not only gave us these cute clothes, you also want to teach us as well. Rem is very impressed!" Rem says with ardent vigor as Ram groans.
"What happened to my Rem?"
"Don't worry dearest sister! Your Rem is right here."
"Alright, alright, I know you're eager, so place all your attention over here…" Fate says hitting the board again. "I shall now impart you all with intellectual sagacity, go ahead and feel pleased." He says smirking.
◇◇◇
Emilia sharpens her gaze
"Fate, why did you want to go there all of a sudden?" Emilia asks with a bit of trepidation.
"Hmm? Because I felt like it." He responds easily as Emilia sighs.
Of course, that's just like Fate. He had called her out to accompany him to Arlam village and Emilia is feeling nervous because he had refused to let her use her cloak, saying:
"Lia, hiding your appearance is like denying the world my grace. You are a part of my magnificence, so why do you try to conceal my magnanimity?"
She couldn't give him a response that he found acceptable, which is how they now find themselves here, a few short distance before they reach the village.
Emilia has only ever been here with her cloak but she already knows how the people would react to her, even though she wishes it would be different.
"Lia, do you wish to hide forever…?"
The question from Fate halts her on her track.
Wha-what is he saying?
Does she wish to hide forever?
Has she been hiding?
In a way, she has. After leaving the Elior forest and seeing the outside world and experiencing the discrimination against elves and herself personally, she has sort of hid herself from everything, not wanting people to look at her with fear in their eyes or hate.
But it's not like she can help it! She doesn't want to cause trouble for anyone after all, she—
"You are beautiful, Lia."
The words from Fate interrupts her and after processing what he said, she steps back with a red blush, seeing that he is close.
"Wh-what are you saying, Fate~?" She sputters.
What is he saying? She? Beautiful? That's not true at all.
"Oh? You doubt me? If you were to go to where I am from, you could get very popular just for your appearance alone." He says standing before her.
Really? There is such a place like that?
"What sort of place is that Fate~?" She asks curiously as he resumes walking.
"Hmmm… Compared to here, I'd say it's peaceful, if someone like you were to appear there, you would immediately become a worldwide sensation, a lot of people would want to meet you, some would become your followers without your knowledge, some would even worship you. Of course there would be some that won't like you, but the ones that would like you would outnumber them easily." He says. "There are no nobles but the people higher up might as well be. It's a place both beautiful and ugly. But even that has its charm too." She listens as she walks beside him.
"Hmm, that sounds like an interesting place, but it also sounds difficult as well~." A place where a lot of people would like her, she would admit that it does sound appealing. But also having a lot of people being her followers or worshipping her makes her feel icky.
But.
"But since it's where you come from, I would like to see it someday…" She tells him as he chuckles. "I would also like to show you where I'm from as well, although not now~"
"Well, that doesn't sound bad." He says as they reach the village.
***
Going back to the manor, Emilia walks with a spring to her steps and a smile on her face.
"It looks like you enjoyed yourself, Lia." Fate says walking behind her.
"Yes, I reeeally did! I was very nervous at first but some of the villagers were very nice." She says rubbing the purple flower on her hair.
"Oh, the red bow girl?"
Emilia giggles. "Fate, her name is Petra, she kept telling you her name is not 'Red bow girl'."
When they had arrived in the village, they had been given a wide berth by everyone but Fate had easily ignored them while walking through the place, observing everything.
Emilia stuck close to him like glue until the girl called Petra came over and gave her a flower, telling her she looked pretty, which had made the other kids surround them both.
They had laughed at Fate when he introduced himself in an exaggerated manner, calling him 'Weird uncle'. Although they had started calling him 'Cool uncle' in the end because he showed them some tricks.
"And Fate, you are surprisingly good with children."
"Lia, that should not be surprising. I used to own various orphanage homes you know. Besides children will like anyone as long as they show them something cool." Fate says as Emilia laughs.
"Orphanage homes? Wow, that's reeally incredible~"
The more Emilia learns about Fate, the more she realizes he is amazing.
Fate gives a booming laugh. "Of course I am, Lia. My incredibility has always been boundless. I can't be anything less, but I can be everything more. It's only because I am Fate Starlight that I can do what I do…" He walks to her with a knowing smile. "So, what is the answer to my question, Lia…? Do you wish to hide forever?"
She looks at him wide-eyed then looks at her hand which contains a pretty rock, a stick and a bunch of leaves. She smiles recalling when the kids in the village gave them to her, although Petra had chastised the boy who tried to give her a bug.
"Those kids, after spending time with them, they weren't scared of me anymore, Petra and Meina had even promised to braid my hair next time…" Saying so she looks at him in the eyes. "I want to do my best, I don't want to hide because people do not accept me. Of course, it won't be easy but I'll do my best... I want to try." She affirms as Fate places a hand on her head, patting it, he then lets go after a while.
"That's a fine gaze you have…" Saying so, he starts walking again. "Don't forget that feeling, Lia. Those are what dreams are made of."
Touching the top of her head with a red face, she smiles as she runs after him.
"Yes!"
◇◇◇
A Piece for Blue
Rem walks into the room of her Sensei as he invites her in.
It's been a few days since her confession, and she is still feeling happy about how it went.
Closing the door behind her, she is surprised by what greets her, her Sensei sits on a bench in front of a box with legs.
"Sensei, what's that?" She asks as she walks closer to him, looking around the room. "And the room looks bigger too."
Rem has been in her Sensei's room a lot of times so she can tell the room is bigger than usual.
"Oh, I just needed a bigger space, so I made the room bigger." He says as his fingers brushes the buttons on the box.
"Amazing, as expected of Sensei. Rem is very impressed." She says with sparkling eyes. As usual her Sensei is incredible.
He laughs. "Such is trivial for me, Blue. But do praise me more." He says smugly.
"Very cool! Amazing! With the moon behind you, you look very regal from your seat Sensei! Rem is blessed to be able to witness such a sight." She praises some more.
Chuckling, he responds. "Umu, I like that. Come, Blue, seat with me." He says as he taps the bench he seats on.
Rem goes around the box and sits, scooching closer to him. The bench feels comfortable and upon closer inspection, it looks expensive as well but she has not seen it around before, neither has she seen the box in front of her either.
Did her Sensei make them?
"What is this Sensei…?" She asks as she pokes one of the white keys on the box and a sound rings out. "Oh!"
"It's called a piano. Each key produces a different sound, and by pressing them continuously, you can create a piece of music as long as you know the keys." He explains.
"Wow, and Sensei can do this?" She asks looking at him.
"Fufufu, just like my brilliance knows no bounds, my flair encompasses all. This too falls within my forte, as everything else." He says grinning at her as she finds herself smiling back.
Rem doesn't think she would ever get tired from hearing her Sensei talking.
"Then, can Sensei play something for Rem?" She requests.
"Oh?" He says with a smirk. "I see, I see. Then!" He looks at her. "Let me bless your ears, Blue. Be honored." He says looking down at the keys as Rem watches him with a smile. "I shall call this piece, Blue."
Ah, she really loves this boy.
As he presses a key, Rem visualizes the surrounding changing instantly, they now sit in the middle of clear blue water, cherry blossom trees and its petals flowing in the air around them.
Her eyes widen as she watches her Sensei who's eyes are closed, a smile gracing his face.
She watches as his fingers presses each key with familiarity and poise as the environs waltz to the tune, the ambient sound it produces flowing together like delicate flower petals in spring.
A short happiness before it leaves but happiness all the same.
Rem feels her heart ache and flutter at the same time, as tears roll down her cheeks.
Instead of a contradiction, it's feels like a question in which a contradiction is the answer.
She had never heard anything so beautiful before.
So magnificent.
So deserving of splendor.
So, so sentimental.
Each note strikes a chord inside of her. A longing. A want. Contentment.
The melody continues, conveying the essence of a world within a sound, a world where it's okay to be happy. A world where it's okay to be sad. A world created by beautiful sounds. A world her Sensei obviously wants her to see.
The intent of Fate, conveys all of this to her.
Emotions well up within her with a fiery passion but instead of warring against one another, they coalesced to form an emotion even deeper than what words could define.
As the tune starts to fade out, Rem rests her head on the shoulder of her Sensei, tears on her eyes and a smile on her lips.
Indeed, it truly was a blessing.
◇◇◇
The bath
Fate sits in the bathe with closed eyes, enjoying the warmth of the water on his bare skin.
The movement in the water does not surprise him, having already known who was coming.
"You seeeeeem to be enjoying yourself, Fate-kuuuunnn" Roswaal who entered the bath and is now sitting opposite him starts a conversation.
"Unn. Blue managed to get the temperature just right even without being told, such splendid loyalty should be enjoyed." He says, eyes still closed.
"I'm feeeeeling kind of saaaaaad you know? Everyone seems to be drifting awaaaaaay from meeeeee." Roswaal says.
"Isn't that what you want, clown?" He asks as he opens his eyes, a wooden tray with sake and small cups ontop of it appearing in the water, taking a cup, he pushes the tray to Roswaal. "You're an aggravating man, I suppose."
Roswaal chuckles, hearing him use Beatrice' speech tic, as he receives the tray. "Forget about that. What do you think of the royal selection, Fate-kuuuuuuun?" He asks as he takes a sip from the sake, he notes the sweet but alcoholic taste. "The royal family suddenly dying out to a disease."
"You mean dying out to a curse." Fate states simply as Roswaal grins at that.
"Ohhhhhhh, what makes you say so Fate-kunnnnnn"
"It is a logical conclusion clown! A disease affecting only the royals and no one else, not being able to find a cure even with my rival around. That's because someone wanted it to be like that. The question is, is it for revenge or is it just part of an elaborate scheme?" He takes another sip from the sake, having used water magic to bring the tray closer to himself.
"Hahahaha, such insight, Fate-kuuuuuunnn. You are right, it is a very suspicious thing. The sword Saint had tried to find a cure from the Pleiades tower but he wasn't able to reach it, unbelievable right?"
"The Pleiades tower huh? How curious."
"Ohhhhh, are you interested in the tower Fate-kunnnnnn? I hear it is located in a very dangerous place. Not to mention that the Witch is sealed there." Roswaal says, intently watching his reactions.
"Oh? And what about the other six?"
Roswaal sputters at that.
"Six…? Hahaha, what are you saying Fate-kunnnnn. Everyone knows there is only one Witch."
He wonders if Beatrice had told him about Teacher or the others.
"Oh? But I never mentioned anything about the Witch." Fate rest his back against the edge of the bathe and his arms around the edge as well, as he smirks at Roswaal. "Could it be that the sake is getting to you, clown?"
Roswaal chuckles as he takes a sip, having used water magic to bring the tray closer to himself as well. "Hahahaha, thaaaaaat might be truuuuuuueeee. I don't know much about alcohol but even I can tell this has an exquisite tasteee."
"Hahahaha, you wouldn't find anything like it no matter how far you travel. I made it after all." Fate says, going along with him.
"You seem to have many taleeeeeeennnnts, Fate-kuuuuuuunnnnnn, even though you look so young." Roswaal observes.
"Why should age matter to one such as myself? And besides, knowledge comes to me like moth to flames, it's a natural inevitability for myself to be talented in every aspect of life…" He says easily. "What about you clown? The wiles of time seem to not treat your soul favorably."
"Ohhhhhh? It seems you are aware of a lot of things Fate-kuuuuuuuun." Roswaal says narrowing his eyes a bit.
Fate brushes it easily.
"Anyway, I'll leave you a word of wisdom clown." He says standing up from the bath, a white towel around his neck. "When you look behind you, don't forget to watch your step."
He starts walking then stops with a. "Oh!" He looks over his shoulders with a smirk. "And, I could definitely build Rome in a day."
"Eh?" Roswaal has a puzzled face as Fate laughs walking out of the bathroom.
He hears chatters just outside the door.
"Fate! Yo-you have a towel, why don't you use it?! We have been through this before."
"Pinky, are you suggesting I hide my perfect form?"
"No, I'm telling you to be decent!"
"Thank you for the treat Sensei!"
"Rem?!"
Roswaal chuckles to himself bringing the sake to his mouth.
He wonders what 'Rome' is.
◇◇◇
Let's create magic!
"Hmmm, Betty's Fate, is there a reason we are trying to create a spell like this?" She asks her contractor as they both sit before a table filled with various books and sheets of papers, some with block texts and some with magic circles.
"Betty, what do I say about ignorance?" Fate says writing on a sheet of paper.
"It's the enemy, I suppose." She responds.
"Yes Betty, no knowledge is useless, the use just hasn't been found yet." He says. "And besides, it's better to have something and not need it than to need it and not have it… Wouldn't you agree?"
"I suppose." She sighs. "Alright, Betty would add her input too, in fact." She says firmly.
"Oh? You seem fired up." Fate notes.
"Unn. The truth is Betty enjoys spending time like this with her Fate. So whether it's doing magical research or anything else, Betty likes it, in fact." She says smiling.
Fate reaches a hand over the table to pat her head. "You don't have to hold back Betty. I'll spend however much time you want with you."
Hearing such words make Beatrice feel extremely happy, she doesn't want days like these to end.
"Betty is content with having her Fate around in fact. As long as you don't leave Betty, Betty can look forward to each day with excitement... So don't leave Betty, okay?" She says even as she draws on a sheet of paper.
She hears movements and as she looks up, Fate picks her from under her arms, raising her above himself.
"Eh—?" She starts but then giggles as Fate swings her around the library.
"Oh Betty, my sweet, sweet Betty. Even entertaining the idea that I would leave you…What am I going to do with you?" He says as he continues to waltz around the library as Beatrice continues to giggle.
"But don't worry." He finally come back to where they were seated earlier and set her down as he crouches before her. "Not even death could do us apart."
Beatrice wraps her arms around his neck, a smile on her face. "Can Betty stay like this for a bit, I suppose?"
Fate chuckles as he brushes through her hair."Unn. I don't mind."
***
Ram watches through the mansion window, seeing Lady Beatrice and Fate in the yard.
Fate snaps his fingers and cat ears the same color as her hair, appears on Lady Beatrice's head.
"Go on, applaud my genius." He says laughing with his nose to the sky.
"When would we ever need a spell like this I suppose?" Lady Beatrice says, a blush on her face. "Although it feels nice to touch."
"Ahh, they are doing something weird again." Ram comments from her observation window.
She looks beside her as her sister watches with sparkling eyes.
She thinks about how such a thing would look on Rem.
She looks back at Fate and Lady Beatrice.
"Truly a genius." She mutters.
◇◇◇
Ram doesn't want to work
Lying on the bed, Ram breaths a sigh of contentment. You see, Ram has discovered that this is the most fluffiest bed in the whole mansion, that is why she comes here from time to time to indulge herself and to escape from work. Well, at least when her sister is not occupying it.
Hmm, perhaps she should tell Lord Roswaal to send back for Frederica, since that would give her more time to slac— excuse her blunder, she means more time to do productive activities. Thinking such thoughts, she drifts to sleep.
***
Stirring awake, the first thing she notes, is what she seems to be holding onto, or rather, who.
She mechanically raises her head upward, as she meets golden eyes staring at her with amusement.
"Sleeping beauty finally wakes up. I was afraid we'd have to re-enact the whole thing." He says smirking at her.
"I don't know what you are talking about but I do agree that I am indeed a beauty even while I am asleep."
"How cheeky, you're slacking off while Blue does your work." Fate replies, a book on his hand.
"I'll make it up to Rem later. I hate to admit it but holding you like this feels very comfortable so I am going to indulge myself a bit. You can go ahead and enjoy Ram's warmth." She says without shame, although if one was to look closely, they would notice the blush on her face.
"Oh? You do not hold back, do you?" Fate chuckles.
"Ram is a true believer of self-indulgence. Besides, from what I know about you, you'd prefer I do not, wouldn't you?"
He laughs at that. "You are not wrong. But is it worth the embarrassment you are currently trying to hide?"
Her face goes redder as she rolls away from him.
"A gentleman would not point out such a thing." She says hiding part of her face with a pillow.
"Somehow, I feel like you wouldn't want me to be gentle with you." He says flipping through page.
"Even if you say something like that, I'm still a maiden you know. My heart is very delicate, so I would prefer if you handle it with consideration." She says rolling once more closer to him. "What are you reading so intently anyway?"
"Oh this? Where I'm from it's called a manga. I made them because I missed it, although I'm just rereading them." Fate says smiling.
"Oh! I've seen Rem reading this." She looks up at Fate with a smug smile. "Aren't they just picture books for children?"
"That!" Fate pokes at her cheek. "Is blasphemy…"
"Ah?"
"Rejoice Pinky…!" Saying such words, various mangas appear on his right hand. "For I shall show you the error of your ways."
"W-wait, y-you are not going to make Ram read them are you?" Ram asks with trepidation. Rem is the book lover between the two siblings, she loves books enough for the both of them so Ram doesn't have to.
"Weren't you slacking off already? I'm just putting your time to good use." He says smiling in a way that does not assuage her worries.
"Ahhh, look at the time, it seems Ram has to go do her duties now." She says trying to get up from the bed but Fate holds her firmly.
"Don't worry, Blue will take care of it."
"Ahhhh, I can't get out of this can I?" She asks already resigned to her fate.
"You cannot."
She sighs as she takes one of the picture books then lies beside Fate.
She might as well get it over with.
***
Ram closes the book, no, the masterpiece on her hands with a look of contentment on her face.
"Well, I guess it wasn't so bad." She comments after noticing Fate looking at her with a smirk.
"I have the second vol—" Fate doesn't finish his sentence as Ram snatches it from his hand.
Realizing what she had done, she coughs into her hand as she quickly formulates an excuse. "I-It's not like I like it or anything, I'm not curious about what happened to Rose and her sister or anything like that."
"I didn't say anything though." Fate says with a chuckle, going along with her weak excuse.
"Fate, I feel like—" Her eyes catches sight of the window. "Ah! It's almost time for dinner!" She quickly gets up from the bed. "I have to help Rem." Walking towards the door, she stops suddenly and walks back to Fate, who looks at her curiously.
She leans close to him and kisses his cheek. "I didn't say it before but thank you for saving my little sister." Saying so with strong feelings, she runs out of the room.
Closing the door behind her, a red faced Ram holds the manga to her chest as she feels her heart racing.
Trying to calm herself, she look beside her to find her sister smiling at her.
"R-rem! How long have you been there?!" She asks, blush still present on her face. "D-did you see?"
"Not at all dearest sister, your Rem didn't see you kissing Sensei's cheek at all." She says still smiling.
Ram groans in embarrassment as she starts walking with her sister right behind her, but looking closely she has a smile on her face.
"You didn't see anything, Rem."
"Yes, dear sister." Rem giggles behind her.