15) She had made her choice(Bonus Chap)

3rd Person POV

"I am the Sin Archbishop, Representing Pride! Zero!" Subaru declared, his voice firm.

Rem and Ram's expressions contorted with shock.

(A/N: Damn, I always thought Pride Subaru was cool asf)

Even Emilia was stunned. "W-What are you saying, Zero?!"

"You're saying you're a Witch Cultist?!" Ram shouted, eyes wide, while Rem stood frozen, wondering if she'd been right all along.

Even Roswaal seemed caught off guard by the sudden declaration.

"Does Betty look like an idiot to you?" Beatrice said sharply. "I can clearly sense that the red-haired woman beside you is the current Sword Saint. Why would someone like her protect a Witch Cultist?"

Rem gasped, her eyes widening. "S-She's the Sword Saint?!"

"Exactly. Isn't that what you thought of me, Rem? Just a filthy Witch Cultist?" Subaru asked. "So, tell me, Reina—am I a Witch Cultist?"

She smiled gently and shook her head. "I swear upon the name Reina Van Astrea—Lord Zero has spoken nothing but a lie. He is not, and has never been, a part of the Witch Cult."

"Impossible! He must be controlling her somehow!" Rem shouted, trying to make sense of the situation.

Subaru laughed aloud. "Oh? So now I control the strongest Sword Saint in the kingdom? If that were true, the throne would already be mine."

Rem was left speechless, unable to refute that logic.

She opened her mouth again, but Subaru cut in. "Rem! Wisdom has always chased after you—but you were always faster!"

Reina's eyes sparkled as she looked at him. "That was a great one, Lord Zero!"

"W-Wait! What's that supposed to mean?!" Rem snapped, glaring at him.

Ram's and Roswaal's eyebrows twitched in irritation, and it was almost as if question marks hovered above Emilia's head.

"He's calling you stupid, sister," Ram said with a sigh.

Rem flushed in embarrassment, again humiliated. This time, however, Reina's cheerful demeanor faded.

"So, Roswaal," Reina said coldly, eyes gleaming with restrained fury. "Your maid attempted to assassinate Lord Zero. How do you intend to deal with that?"

Roswaal broke out into a cold sweat, his teeth clenched. 'This… this wasn't in the book!'

Reina was supposed to be busy with Felt. Subaru was supposed to die a few times, get misunderstood by Rem, and then win her over by saving the village. He was also supposed to be weak—and head-over-heels for Emilia.

What was happening? None of this aligned with the Gospel. But he needed to follow it to resurrect Echidna, no matter what.

"Well, I'm still a bit shooort on the details," he said slowly. "Would you mind explaining everything?"

Subaru calmly recounted the events, then looked to Rem, who shared her version. Yet it was obvious to everyone—she was at fault.

"Rem! Why would you do that?! Didn't Master instruct us to treat him with the highest honor?!" Ram scolded, glaring.

She had doubted Zero too, but never to the point of murder.

If Rem had successfully killed Subaru, she might've helped dispose of the body. But now? She could only distance herself and place the blame.

"You tried to kill Zero? Just because you thought he was a Witch Cultist?" Emilia asked, stunned.

She looked at Rem in disbelief. "So… would you try to kill me too, just because I look like the Witch?"

Rem's voice trembled. "I-I wouldn't do that, Lady Emilia!"

"Don't give me that!" Emilia snapped. "It's the same thing! You attacked him just because he reeked of miasma—just like people judge me for looking like her!"

Rem fell silent, realization hitting her hard. She still wanted to accuse Subaru, but the truth was undeniable.

She had tried to kill an innocent man based on nothing but assumption.

"Rem! Apologize to Zero!" Emilia ordered.

Rem gulped, struggling to look Subaru in the eye.

"A simple apology won't cut it," Reina said coldly. "Lord Roswaal—what is your decision?"

Roswaal's smile faltered. "Rem, from this moment on, you are banished from the Mathers mansion. Do not show your face here again."

Rem stood frozen, her heart dropping.

"B-But Lord Roswaal!" Ram protested, only for Roswaal's glare to silence her.

Biting her lip, she looked away, unable to meet her sister's eyes.

Rem's face paled, horror overtaking her.

"Banished? For attempting murder, she should be executed!" Reina added without hesitation.

"No!" Ram shouted instantly, but Reina's cold gaze made her flinch.

"If that is your will, Miss Reina," Roswaal said, his voice flat, "then Rem shall be executed."

Rem lowered her head, biting her lips hard enough to draw blood.

Tears welled in Ram's eyes. She rushed forward and dropped to her knees in front of Subaru. "S-Sir—No, Lord Zero! Please spare my sister! I beg of you!"

"Miss Reina! Isn't this too harsh? Shouldn't she just apologize and accept punishment?" Emilia pleaded. She didn't have the best relationship with the maids, but she couldn't bear to see someone die.

Subaru turned to her. "Let me ask you, Emilia—what would Puck do if someone tried to kill you, simply because you looked like the Witch?"

Emilia shuddered. "H-He would kill them."

Subaru nodded and turned to Rem, who looked at her sister with teary eyes.

"Sister, don't beg for me. What I did is unforgivable. I deserve to be punished," she whispered.

Before anyone could respond, Subaru stepped forward.

"I've made my decision. I won't execute Rem—and I won't banish her either."

"R-Really?" Ram gasped, unable to believe it. Even Rem looked stunned.

"I believe in second chances—for those who are willing to change. But if it happens again, I won't be so forgiving," he said firmly, eyes locked on Rem.

Gratitude bloomed on both sisters' faces, while Reina watched quietly. 'Lord Zero is far too kind… for this cruel world,' she thought.

Roswaal forced a smile. "I am gratefuuuul, Zerooo, for forgiving Rem."

"However," Subaru added, "I do have a punishment in mind."

Roswaal tilted his head. "Ooooh? Do tell."

"For the next three months, she'll serve exclusively as my personal maid. All tasks, only for me."

Roswaal's smile vanished.

Ram gave Subaru a suspicious glare, wondering if he had ulterior motives. But she could only grit her teeth and stay quiet.

"No need to worry," Subaru added quickly. "I won't ask for anything inappropriate. I find forcing others distasteful."

Reina smiled brightly and nodded. "Lord Zero speaks the truth."

Ram relaxed a little. A pang of guilt hit her for doubting him.

"Hmph! If that's settled, then Betty shall return to her library, I suppose!" Beatrice said, disappearing with a flash.

Emilia let out a relieved sigh and gave Subaru a warm, grateful look.

(A/N: Emilia is too kind and innocent for this world)

"So, Lord Roswaal," Subaru said with a smirk. "Satisfied?"

Roswaal's face remained frozen. He could only wonder what fresh torment awaited him next.

"Ahem! Since everything's been handled," Reina said suddenly, drawing everyone's attention, "there's one thing I must clarify."

"Hm? What is it?" Subaru asked.

"Why do you call me Lord Zero? There's no need for that," he said, confused.

"It is only right that I address my future Lord with respect," Reina said.

Then, to everyone's shock, she dropped to one knee before him.

"Lord Zero, I, Reina Van Astrea, hereby offer myself as your knight."

Even Roswaal's eyes widened.

"W-What are you saying, Reina?" Subaru asked, stunned.

She smiled gently. "As I said, Lord Zero—I wish to serve as your knight."

She had done it, she had made her choice.

To be continued…

(A/N: Another reason I wasn't using Ai, was because it made the chapter shorter, but well I guess you all deserve short chapters)