"Natsuki Subaru, why did you do this?"
After Uranus An was rescued, Emilia glared at Natsuki Subaru, her blue-violet eyes filled with disappointment, confusion, and anger.
Her tears had swollen her eyes red, reflecting the turmoil in her heart.
Betty, Ram, and Rem looked on, their expressions mirroring her shock and disbelief.
"Emilia, it's not what you think," Natsuki Subaru stammered, trying to explain, "he's just faking it."
But Emilia's chest tightened.
Her gaze hardened.
"You've disappointed me too much. How could Uranus be faking it? Even if he were, how do you explain what just happened? Why did you try to kill him?" Her voice carried pure fury.
Natsuki Subaru opened his mouth to defend himself, but Emilia raised a hand.
"Get out. I don't want to hear it."
"Emilia-chan," Subaru began.
"Don't call me Emilia-chan, call me Emilia," she snapped, her tone icy.
She looked at Uranus An, pale and fragile on the bed, her heart twisting painfully.
"Go. Out. Now."
Even without knowing the full details, Betty, Ram, and Rem understood enough from her words.
Their eyes hardened with subtle disapproval, especially Ram and Rem, who did not hide their disdain.
Subaru clenched his fists until his nails dug into his palms, feeling abandoned by everyone in the room.
All his efforts, all his schemes, had amounted to nothing.
Yet, his obsession did not allow him to leave quietly.
He wanted to expose Uranus An, even in defeat.
But for now, he left, shoulders slumping with frustration, his mind dark with resentment.
---
All that night, Emilia stayed beside Uranus, refusing to leave until exhaustion finally claimed her.
She drifted to sleep atop the bed, restless, her fingers lightly brushing his arm.
In her haze, she felt a gentle touch on her head and opened her eyes to see Uranus An, weak but alive, gazing at her.
"Ann, you're awake."
Emilia's face lit up, joy spilling into her eyes.
She hurriedly helped him sit up, checking his breathing and wellbeing.
"Liya, cough, cough," Uranus An murmured, pale and trembling.
"Don't move," Emilia whispered, her hands steady, concern evident in every movement.
"It's good that you're okay."
Uranus An managed a faint smile, and Emilia's tears fell once more.
"You idiot, you're still worrying about me even now."
Emilia's heart surged.
Happiness, pure and overwhelming, filled her chest.
"I told you that you are my destiny, I will always protect you," Uranus An said softly, brushing a tear from her cheek.
"I… I was so scared!" Emilia cried, throwing herself onto him, her arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders.
"It's okay now," he murmured, stroking her silver-white hair, a small smile tugging at his lips.
The plan had gone smoothly.
As Uranus recovered, Betty, Ram, and Rem came to see him, offering quiet support.
Meanwhile, Natsuki Subaru remained at Roswaal's Mansion, his relationship with Emilia fractured, filled with icy distance.
Now, in the courtyard, Emilia helped Uranus An take a walk.
Later, the two sat on a swing, gazing at each other, their eyes soft and honeyed with warmth.
From the second-floor corridor, Natsuki Subaru watched, jealousy and frustration boiling within him.
He had thought he could use Return by Death to reset events, but his body betrayed him, rendering suicide impossible.
Rem noticed his expression and only shook her head, disdain clear.
---
That night, Uranus rested on the bed while Emilia sat beside him, chin propped on her hand, listening to him weave a story.
"Liya, you should go back and rest. Aren't you supposed to study tomorrow? You've been delayed these past few days because of me," he said, eyes gentle and doting.
"Alright," Emilia replied reluctantly.
She leaned forward to peck him lightly on the cheek, then quickly ran off, flustered.
Watching her retreat, Uranus An smiled faintly, the corner of his mouth curling in quiet amusement.
According to his strategy, the situation was nearly perfect.
Yet his ultimate goal was still to dishearten Natsuki Subaru, ensuring he would leave the mansion.
Small manipulations would be necessary.
Over the next two days, Roswaal's Mansion remained calm and peaceful.
Uranus fully recovered, moving with ease and strength.
To celebrate, everyone gathered for a barbecue in the yard.
Joy filled the air, laughter echoing under the bright sky.
Natsuki Subaru, however, remained gloomy and resentful, his thoughts dark as he watched Uranus, wishing he could exact revenge over and over.
"Liya, cheers," Uranus said, raising his glass of red wine to Emilia, clinking them gently before taking a long sip.
Emilia's eyes curved in delight, but she only sipped lightly.
Later, the two even performed a duet on stage, singing Fairy Tale, a moment of pure happiness after days of tension and fear.
That night ended in shared laughter and warmth.
---
The following morning, Emilia burst into Uranus An's room before he had even risen.
Her energy was radiant, the excitement in her steps evident.
"Liya, why are you up so early?" Uranus An asked, surprised but amused.
"I came to call you for breakfast. Ram and Rem have already prepared it," she said, a slight blush tinting her cheeks.
She would never admit it outright—she simply couldn't wait to see him first thing in the morning.
"Is that so?" Uranus An said, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Liya, close your eyes first."
"W-what for?" Emilia's heartbeat quickened inexplicably.
"Just trust me. Only open them when I say so, okay?"
"Okay," she whispered, obeying him.
She felt him approach, her body trembling with anticipation.
Emilia clutched her skirt, her ears turning pink.
Ann… he wouldn't… kiss me, would he?
She couldn't help but imagine the possibilities.
"Alright, Liya, you can open your eyes now."
Her anticipation turned to delight when she opened her eyes.
In front of her was a meticulously wrapped gift box.
"For me?" she asked, her voice trembling with excitement.
"Open it and see," Uranus An said, smiling.
Inside was a delicate pink hair clip, something he had taken after defeating Daki and Shinobu Kocho.
Though seemingly trivial, it now held a special purpose.
"I'll put it on for you," he said, gently clipping it onto her hair.
His gaze studied her closely, his eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Indeed, Emilia, you are the cutest and most beautiful girl in this world."
"I love you to death," Emilia whispered, her face flushing crimson.
His occasional confessions never failed to make her shy.
"I… I'm going out," she stammered, fleeing the room like a startled deer, hands covering her face, feeling as though she might faint.
Watching her rush away, Lucien rubbed his forehead, weary but amused.
Her clinginess was overwhelming—but, he reminded himself with a small smile, being a good actor meant enduring it.
No, he thought, he needed to end this carefully and decisively.
---