Chapter 5:

For Subaru, it was nothing like waking up from a restless night’s sleep.

When he opened his eyes, they were met with a dim, white glow—artificial and almost ethereal. The ceiling above him was unfamiliar, adorned with faintly glowing crystals that illuminated the room with a soft light.

It took him a moment to gather his thoughts, but as usual, once Subaru woke up, he became fully alert in no time.

“…The pillow feels different.”
He rolled to his side, realizing that the texture beneath his head wasn’t what he was used to. The bed itself was far too soft to be the old futon he usually sprawled on, which had worn thin over time and left his room’s wooden floor discolored from neglect.

“And it smells super nice, too. Ha-ha-ha… It smells like the sun! Or, more accurately…like lice that got scorched to death in the sun...” Subaru couldn’t help but shudder. “Yeah, that’s definitely one of the top three things I didn’t need to know…”

He let out a sigh, shaking off the uncomfortable thought. Determined to take in his surroundings, he sat up halfway, only to freeze when he noticed something odd.

There was someone sitting beside him, looking straight at him. The girl had an otherworldly presence, blue hair, pink eyes with star-like pupils, and prominent horns. Subaru squinted, certain he had seen her before.

“You’re finally awake, child,” the girl spoke in a calm, almost melodic voice.

“Huh?” Subaru stared at her, blinking. “Who…are you?”

The girl smiled gently, her eyes softening. “I am the mother of Emilia. My name is Tiamat.”

Subaru’s mouth fell open, and he barely managed to keep his voice down. “Wait—Emilia has a mom?!”

“Rather than worry about my relationship with her… Are you alright, child?” Tiamat’s gaze remained fixed on him, her tone steady and caring.

Subaru’s mind raced as he tried to process her words. He quickly checked himself—rolling his shoulders, flexing his arms and legs, even doing a few squats to test his balance and endurance. Panting slightly, he lifted his shirt to inspect his stomach, where the last thing he remembered was a gaping wound.

To his shock, the skin was smooth and unblemished—no wound, no scar, not even a hint of pain. “The stomach wound… It’s gone! No bruises, no stitches—nothing! Did they get a miracle doctor in this world or something?!”

“That’s good,” Tiamat remarked softly. “But I’m not a doctor. I’m a mother.”

Subaru paused, his mind catching up to the implication. “Eh? Miss Tiamat…you’re the one who healed me?”

Tiamat nodded. “Yes.”

Subaru’s eyes widened, and his mouth stretched into a relieved smile. “Thank you, Miss Tiamat! You saved me!”

Tiamat simply nodded.

Tiamat’s pink, star-shaped pupils remained fixed on Subaru as he stretched and tested his joints. Just as he finally relaxed, feeling grateful to be in one piece, Tiamat’s calm, almost curious voice broke the silence.

“What is Emilia to you?”

Subaru froze mid-stretch, his arms awkwardly lifted above his head. “Huh?”

Tiamat didn’t hesitate to elaborate. “Do you like my daughter?”

“Pfff—cough! Cough!” Subaru doubled over, hacking as if he’d just inhaled a mouthful of dust. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard.

The door to the room swung open, and Emilia entered, followed closely by the twin maids, Rem and Ram. Emilia immediately rushed over, worry etched on her face.

“Mom, what happened to Subaru?” she asked, kneeling beside him to examine his condition.

Subaru, still regaining his composure, waved his hands to reassure her. “No, no, I’m fine! Just…a little startled, that’s all!”

Emilia looked at him skeptically. “Are you sure?”

“Yes! Fit as a fiddle!” Subaru made a show of flexing his muscles and bouncing on his feet, trying to dispel her concern.

Emilia sighed in relief. “That’s good.”

Meanwhile, Rem and Ram exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing.

“Ne, nee-sama,” Rem whispered, leaning slightly toward her sister. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Yes, Rem,” Ram replied with a subtle smirk, her gaze fixed on Subaru.

Then, in unison, they pointed at Subaru, their voices synchronized.
“Pervert.”

The word struck Subaru like a physical blow, and he almost toppled backward from the sheer impact. He just woke up from a life-threatening ordeal, and now he was being branded a pervert?

“Wha—wait! Why am I suddenly a pervert?!” Subaru protested, clutching his head in dismay.

Tiamat, unfazed by the chaotic atmosphere, leaned closer, her expression unchanging. “Child, do you like Emilia?”

Another blow. Subaru choked once again, coughing so violently it looked like he might pass out all over again.

“Mom! What are you talking about?!” Emilia cried, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink as she glanced between Subaru and Tiamat.

Tiamat simply tilted her head. “So… no?”

--------

Having ensured Subaru was recovering well, Tiamat left the room. There was nothing more for her to do there—Emilia would help the boy get familiar with the mansion. Besides, Tiamat had someone else in mind to spend time with.

With graceful, unhurried steps, she made her way through the mansion’s hallways, her eyes carefully scanning the doors. Each time she saw one that appeared just a bit out of place slightly different from the others she stopped to inspect it. Finally, she found the one she was looking for.

Pausing at the door, Tiamat gave a soft, polite knock.

“My child, Mother is here,” she called out gently before opening the door.

Inside, the familiar sight greeted her towering bookshelves filled to the brim, the scent of old parchment and ink filling the air. And there, near one of the tallest shelves, was Beatrice, struggling to reach a book on a high ledge.

A smile tugged at Tiamat’s lips. How adorable her child was determined to do it on her own, even though she could easily use magic to retrieve the book. Tiamat couldn’t help but see it as a quiet call for her mother’s help.

Without a word, Tiamat moved closer and, with a gentle motion, lifted Beatrice from behind. As they floated up toward the desired book, Beatrice’s little hands reached forward and plucked it from the shelf.

“Thank you, Mom. Kashira,” Beatrice mumbled, her cheeks tinted faintly pink.

“Anything for my child,” Tiamat replied, her voice soft and warm.

As they descended back down, Tiamat settled into the couch, keeping Beatrice comfortably on her lap. Beatrice didn’t resist, instead resting against her mother’s chest with the book in hand.

Tiamat’s fingers found their way into Beatrice’s soft golden hair, gently combing through the silky strands. Beatrice continued to read, but her tiny body unconsciously relaxed under the tender care, as if melting into Tiamat’s embrace.

A peaceful silence filled the library. The flickering glow of magical orbs cast a warm light around the room, and Tiamat could feel Beatrice’s breathing become more rhythmic and calm.

With every passing minute, the little spirit seemed less like the proud, independent girl who guarded her solitude and more like a child basking in the comfort of her mother’s presence.

Tiamat hummed a quiet, soothing melody as she continued stroking Beatrice’s hair, her heart full of contentment.

Tiamat gently brushed a stray lock of hair away from Beatrice’s forehead. “Is my child hungry?” she asked softly. “Would you like to eat something sweet?”

Beatrice looked up at her, her sky-blue eyes with butterfly-shaped pupils sparkling just a bit.
“Yes, kashira,” she replied, a hint of excitement in her usually stoic tone.

With a small wave of her hand, Beatrice sent the book she had been reading back to its place on the high shelf, this time using magic without hesitation. Once done, she hopped off Tiamat’s lap and stretched out her small hand.

Tiamat took it without a second thought, and they walked side by side, their steps perfectly in sync, looking every bit like a mother and her beloved daughter. As they approached the door, Tiamat reached for the handle—only for the door to swing open from the other side.

Standing there, looking somewhat surprised, was Subaru.

“Oh! Mdm Tiamat!” Subaru greeted her with a wide smile.

Tiamat gave a small nod, while Beatrice’s eyes narrowed, clearly displeased that her precious time with her mother was being interrupted.

“Why are you here?” Tiamat asked calmly.

Subaru sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, I was just trying to go back to my room, but when I opened the door, it led here instead. This mansion really is like a giant puzzle…”

“I see.” Tiamat gave a small nod and stepped out of the library, gently guiding Beatrice along.

Subaru peered curiously into the room before the door closed behind them. “I didn’t know the library was that massive,” he remarked. “It’s like a whole world in there!”

“It is my child’s room, after all,” Tiamat explained simply.

Subaru blinked in surprise. “Wait, Madam Tiamat, you have another daughter?”

Before Tiamat could answer, Subaru’s gaze shifted to the small figure beside her, and his eyes lit up.
“Ah, your daughter is really cute, Madam Tiamat!” He crouched down, reaching out to give Beatrice a friendly pat on the head.

Beatrice’s cheeks puffed out slightly, and she gave him a sharp glare. “Don’t pet me! Kashira!” she huffed, quickly hiding behind Tiamat, her tiny hands gripping her mother’s robe.

Subaru froze mid-pat, then awkwardly laughed, pulling his hand back. “S-Sorry about that! I guess I got carried away.”

Tiamat’s lips curved into a small smile as she glanced down at Beatrice, who was still peeking cautiously from behind her. “It’s fine. My child is just not used to strangers,” she said, lightly stroking Beatrice’s hair to soothe her.

Subaru stood up, still a bit embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to scare her. I just didn’t expect someone that adorable.”

Beatrice gave a little “hmph” from behind Tiamat, still pouting.

Tiamat decided to change the topic, sensing Beatrice’s discomfort. “We are heading to the kitchen to find some sweets. Would you like to join us?”

Subaru’s eyes lit up again. “Sweets? Count me in!”

As they walked through the mansion’s winding corridors, Tiamat decided to break the silence with a lighthearted question. “Subaru, right?”

Subaru, who had been distracted by the intricately decorated hallway, perked up. “Yeah? What’s up, Madam Tiamat?”

“You’re not from this world, are you?” Tiamat asked, her voice calm yet carrying a hint of amusement.

Subaru stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening. “Wha—? How did you know?” He glanced down at his outfit. “Is it because of my clothes? I knew they looked weird!”

Tiamat glanced back at him, her pink star-shaped pupils shimmering faintly. “No, it’s not your clothes.”

Subaru leaned in, his curiosity piqued. “Then… how?”

Tiamat paused for a moment, letting the suspense linger just long enough to make him fidget. “Because I’ve been there before,” she finally said.

Subaru’s mouth dropped open. “Wait—seriously?! You’ve been to Earth?! That means… you know how to get back, right? Can you send me back to my old world?!”

Beatrice glanced up at her mother, curious as well. Tiamat looked at Subaru out of the corner of her eye. “Yes, I can send you back,” she replied matter-of-factly.

His heart leaped in his chest. “Really?!”

“But,” Tiamat continued, her voice softening, “I don’t think they would want that.”

Subaru froze, his excitement abruptly extinguished. “What… do you mean?”

Tiamat didn’t reply, simply continuing to walk ahead. Subaru watched her back, his mind racing with questions. Beatrice, sensing his confusion, tugged lightly on Tiamat’s sleeve.

“Mom, you shouldn’t say things that leave people hanging, kashira,” Beatrice murmured on Subaru’s behalf.

A small, gentle smile appeared on Tiamat’s face. “Some truths are better discovered slowly,” she replied, her tone almost playful.

Subaru let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his temple. “Man… and here I thought I finally found a way home.” After a moment, he ran to catch up with them, not wanting to get left behind.

Beatrice glanced at him from Tiamat’s side, her expression a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. “You’re quite loud, I suppose,” she muttered, though there was no real bite to her words.

Subaru grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. “Can’t help it. Hope gets the better of me sometimes.”

(A/n: Just curious... Which world would you like Tiamat to visit in a future arc? The future's still a long way off anyway. (¬‿¬))