A Return to the mansion

Subaru woke as he did, he saw woman who was looking as he blineked as he looked at her, standing Infront of him was a tall, muscular woman with very long, pale gold hair and green eyes; she is wearing a maid outfit, but her most distinctive feature is a set of sharp fangs that are visible when she smiles, giving her a slightly predatory look, especially when she narrows her eyes; some even say she resembles a carnivorous hunter eyeing its prey.

[Insert image of Frederica]

Frederica looked as she spoke. "Good morning".

Subaru blinked looking at her as he spoke. "Sense when did we have new maid".

Ram passed his room as she spoke. "We don't she is one of our Older maid, that went on a Vacation 2 weeks before you arrived Last Year, she just recently came back, also Petra is working for us now".

Subaru rubbed his eyes as he sat up in bed, still processing the presence of the tall, fanged maid in front of him. Frederica's emerald eyes studied him with amusement, her sharp features making her look like a predator eyeing its prey.

"Good morning," she repeated, her tone calm yet firm.

Subaru blinked again before turning his head toward Ram, who had just passed by his room. "Wait, hold on a second. We had another maid?"

Ram sighed, stopping mid-step and looking at him with an expression of mild annoyance. "Yes, Barusu. Frederica was an older maid of Roswaal-sama's. She went on vacation before you arrived last year. She's only just returned."

Frederica placed a hand over her chest and gave a slight bow. "I was taking care of some personal matters. Now that I'm back, I'll be resuming my duties as head maid of the mansion."

Subaru crossed his arms, still a bit confused. "So, let me get this straight—you left for a 'vacation' and just happened to come back now? Feels kinda…convenient, don't you think?"

Frederica chuckled softly, a hint of mischief in her expression. "I assure you, it's purely coincidence."

Subaru narrowed his eyes. "I don't trust coincidences."

Ram rolled her eyes. "You don't trust anything, Barusu."

After a while Subaru was seating on table as he was eating his food, as Frederica looked as she spoke. "So your Emilia Tan new bodyguard I have hearing about".

Subaru looked as he spoke. "Will yeah, one of these". He then looked at Elsa and Meili who were also eating the food.

Frederica gave him a Grinn as she spoken. "Will it is nice meet you".

Subaru then looked at Roswaal as he spoke. "So what is today date".

Roswaal looked as he spoke. "April 1st why do you ask".

Subaru looked at him as he explained. "Today is the start of April, today is actually my birthday".

The room then went silently, as Roswaal jumped out the window, as Emilia and Elsa rushed out of the door, as then Meilie and Lucifer started too decorate the machine, how the hell were two kids doing this was something he will never learn, Rem rushed too the kitchen as she started too bake a Cake, Emilia and Elsa went too the capital rushing trying too buy a gift forhim, Roswaal went too do the same, he does this for all his worker so it noting special for him, as for Emilia, Elsa and Rem they were going overboard like Lucifer and Meili, Otto who had walked and heard what Subaru he also rushed too get a gift.

Subaru blinked as he spoke. "What happened".

Frederica let out an amused chuckle as she watched the chaos unfold. "It seems you've caught them by surprise, Subaru."

Subaru rubbed the back of his head, still trying to process what had just happened. "Wait, wait, wait. Why are they acting like I just dropped the biggest bombshell of the century?"

Ram, still sitting at the table and sipping her tea nonchalantly, simply shrugged. "Because you never mentioned it before, idiot."

Subaru blinked. "Wait, seriously? But I've been here for over a year! Someone should have asked me at some point, right?"

Frederica smiled. "Not necessarily. Birthdays are personal matters. If you never brought it up, no one would have assumed to ask. But now that they know, well…" She gestured toward the window where Roswaal had dramatically jumped out and toward the door where Emilia and Elsa had vanished. "It seems they're determined to make up for lost time."

Subaru let out a sigh, leaning back in his chair. "Man, they really didn't have to do all that. I'm not the type to make a big deal out of birthdays."

Ram raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then why bring it up?"

Subaru froze. "Uh… Well, I was just… y'know… curious about the date. And then it hit me that today was April 1st, and I figured, hey, funny coincidence, right?"

Ram rolled her eyes. "Barusu, you're an idiot."

"Rude!" Subaru shot back.

Petra, who had just entered the room, tilted her head in confusion. "Why is everyone running around like crazy?"

Subaru sighed. "Because I casually mentioned that today is my birthday, and now they're acting like they've got to organize a whole festival or something."

Petra's eyes widened. "Oh! Then that means we need to prepare a party!"

Subaru groaned. "Petra, not you too—"

But it was too late. The young girl had already turned on her heel and sprinted toward the kitchen, most likely to help Rem with the cake.

Frederica, still amused, gave Subaru a knowing smile. "You might not have expected this reaction, but it just goes to show how much they care about you."

Subaru exhaled, shaking his head but smiling slightly. "Yeah, yeah… I guess it's kinda nice, though."

Ram stood up, dusting off her maid uniform. "Well, since everyone else is busy, I suppose I'll have to supervise and make sure they don't ruin the mansion in their excitement."

Subaru smirked. "Wow, Ram, didn't think you cared that much about my birthday."

Ram gave him a blank stare. "I don't. I care about not having to clean up a disaster afterward."

Subaru chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, sure."

As Ram walked off, Subaru leaned back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling.

"A surprise birthday party, huh? Guess this is the first time in a long while that I've actually had one."

He closed his eyes for a moment, letting himself relax. For all the madness, all the battles, and all the struggles he had gone through, maybe—just maybe—he could afford to enjoy this one day.

At least, until the next crisis inevitably arrived.

Back in the hanging Garden Echidna stood at the center of the Hanging Garden, her usual composed demeanor nowhere to be found as she frantically gave orders. The other Witches rushed around in a state of chaos, scrambling to prepare.

"Faster! This is going to be his first birthday with us when he comes here in his sleep!" Echidna shouted, her hands gripping the edges of her dress. "We cannot afford to be unprepared!"

Minerva, who usually cared little for events like these, was currently brewing a potion of unknown purpose while mumbling. "A gift that shows we care, but also useful... Healing potions are too basic!"

Daphne, rocking back and forth in her coffin-chair, licked her lips. "Should I make a feast for him?"

Typhon raised an eyebrow. "Will it be a feast for him or of him?"

Daphne just grinned in response.

Carmilla, blushing furiously, nervously muttered, "I-I don't know what h-he'd want, b-but maybe s-something sentimental…?"

Satella, the only one still calm, simply smiled. "As long as it makes him happy, it will be enough."

Echidna groaned, rubbing her temples. "I swear, I am surrounded by idiots. Just get something meaningful and stop causing unnecessary trouble!"

Meanwhile, in the Capital, Emilia and Elsa rushed through the streets, darting in and out of stores, desperately looking for something that Subaru would like.

"This is so hard!" Emilia groaned, gripping her head. "What does Subaru really want?!"

Elsa nodded, looking through a weapons shop. "He already has powerful weapons, so buying a dagger or sword is useless. Maybe something more personal?"

Their frantic search led them to Crusch, who was in the middle of handling military logistics—until she overheard their conversation.

"Wait," Crusch said, freezing. "It's Subaru's birthday?"

"Yeah!" Emilia said. "And we have no idea what to get him!"

Crusch stood completely still for a moment, and then—

Panic Mode Activated.

"This is unacceptable!" Crusch shouted, startling her knights. "Wilhelm! Get over here!"

Wilhelm immediately approached. "Yes, Lady Crusch?"

"It's Subaru's birthday, and we need the perfect gift!"

Wilhelm nodded, completely understanding. "Understood. I shall personally acquire a blade befitting his character."

At the same time, Felt and Reinhard happened to walk by. Upon hearing the conversation, Felt's eyes widened in horror.

"You're tellin' me today's Subaru's birthday?!" Felt yelped. "How the hell didn't I know that before?!"

Reinhard, standing calmly beside her, took out a notebook, flipping through pages at blinding speed. "I will now search through 30 different Divine Blessings to determine the perfect one."

As this absurdity continued, Roswaal arrived and casually mentioned it to Anastasia and Julius, causing yet another chain reaction.

Anastasia's eyes gleamed. "Well, well~ This is a rare opportunity. What do you think, Julius?"

Julius smiled. "Subaru has done much for me and my knights. It is only proper that I repay him with a meaningful gift."

Anastasia then looked at a particular item her trading company had recently acquired—a monster egg.

"Hmm… Would this make a good gift?" she wondered aloud.

Meanwhile, Al and Priscilla were already ahead of the game.

Al shrugged. "I already knew today was his birthday, so I had a gift prepared in advance."

Priscilla smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "Hmph. How foolish of them all to scramble at the last moment."

Al grinned. "Yeah, but watching 'em freak out is funny as hell."

And thus, Subaru's birthday had unintentionally caused a Capital-wide crisis as everyone rushed to find the perfect gift for him.

Regis sat at his desk, flipping through a freshly printed paycheck. It was Subaru's earnings for his serialized book, a story that had unexpectedly taken the literary world of Lugunica by storm.

"Hm…" Regis muttered, tapping his fingers against the table.

He glanced at the total sum before nodding to himself. Since it's his birthday, I might as well double his pay for this month. It's only right.

With that decision made, he quickly signed off on the adjustment.

---

The Spreading Rumors – The Hero of Black Smoke

Meanwhile, throughout the Kingdom of Lugunica, rumors had spread like wildfire. The "Hero of Black Smoke", as Subaru had come to be known, had developed a fanbase that rivaled even Reinhard van Astrea's legendary following.

It started with small whispers in taverns and bookstores—praise for his heroics, his strange yet undeniable charisma, and, of course, his battles against formidable enemies.

Then, as word reached the noble districts and commoners alike, the excitement grew.

"Did you hear? Today is the Hero of Black Smoke's birthday!"

"Are you serious?! We should send gifts!"

"Of course! Someone like him deserves the best!"

Within hours, hundreds of gifts, letters, and well-wishes were being sent directly to Roswaal's Mansion, carried by messengers, merchants, and even knights. The streets near the mansion became flooded with deliveries.

---

Roswaal's Mansion – The Kids Take Over

Back at the mansion, the chaos only continued.

Meili and Lucifer, two small yet highly determined children, were overseeing the complete transformation of Roswaal's mansion into a full-scale birthday festival.

Streamers, balloons, banners—the entire estate was being decorated at an alarming rate.

And somehow, they were being helped by Meili's Mabeasts.

A massive, bear-sized wolf was carefully tying a ribbon around a pillar.

A giant eagle was placing colorful paper lanterns along the ceiling.

A group of small, fox-like creatures scurried around, setting up tables, plates, and even music instruments.

Meili, standing on top of a large Mabeast, clapped her hands together. "Alright, everyone! We need more lights over there!"

Lucifer, balancing on top of a bookshelf, pointed dramatically. "And someone get the cake ready! We need to make sure everything is perfect for Subaru's birthday!"

Despite being children, their command over both decorations and Mabeasts was flawless.

Subaru, still completely unaware of the storm of affection heading his way, could only blink in confusion as he saw movement outside his window.

"...Why do I feel like something crazy is happening?"

To be continued