Having been expelled from the Forbidden Library by Beatrice, Graham happened to be spotted by the approaching blue-haired maid, Rem...
"Guest, what are you..."
"Ah... just taking a walk," Graham replied awkwardly.
Amused, the corners of Rem's lips twitched upward briefly, but only for a fleeting moment before her expression smoothed back into neutrality.
The blue-haired maid was well aware that Graham had been kicked out by 'that' spirit.
It wasn't an uncommon sight... many visitors triggered the Forbidden Library's mechanisms and found themselves unceremoniously ejected by Beatrice...
"Guest, it's almost mealtime. Please refrain from wandering. The master of the estate will be returning today." the maid said.
"Good. I've been looking forward to seeing that guy, Roswaal, again. It's been so long... I've 'missed' him." Graham's tone carried a pointed edge.
Rem tilted her head slightly, studying him with renewed focus, "You know Roswaal-sama?" she asked.
Though she had overheard his earlier conversation with Emilia, skepticism lingered.
She and her sister had served this household for years, yet they have never seen him visit. Nor had they heard of any 'Graham' from the Mathers branch families...
Graham nodded, "Of course. We're old friends. You'll see soon enough."
"I see." The blue-haired maid nodded, her gaze sharpening as she assessed him.
'Hmm. The resemblance is there... Even the way he admires Onee-san is similar.' she mused.
In Rem's experience, her sister Ram enjoyed Roswaal-sama's absolute trust. She was even tasked with handling all critical matters personally.
Yet this 'Graham' had dared to ambush Ram that morning, shamelessly pressing against her.
'Onee-san truly is exceptional... As expected of Rem's Onee-san!'
...
The undeterred Graham shifted his attention to Rem, trailing her to familiarize himself with the estate...
Ram had been too busy despising him earlier, leaving many areas unexplained before fleeing, much to his annoyance.
"Your name is Rem, correct?" he started.
"Yes, Guest." The blue-haired maid was frostily polite, answering only what was asked and nothing more.
"So... is Ram your sister?"
"Yes."
"Your sister is quite beautiful, don't you think?"
"Obviously, Onee-san is obviously the most beautiful. Otherwise, a lecherous guest wouldn't stare at Onee-san so brazenly."
Graham ignored the 'lecherous' jab effortlessly.
He shamelessly continued, "Then, since you look identical, doesn't that make you equally beautiful?"
"Onee-san is prettier than Rem. If you're so interested, go pester her. Rem has duties to attend to." Her delicate brows furrowed as she clenched her fists slightly before turning on her heel and striding away, clearly done with the conversation.
Graham stroked his chin, intrigued, 'They are wary of me. Did Roswaal already poison their minds? All the better...'
He will make Roswaal watch as he stripped everything away... his assets, his trusted aides, even Echidna's lingering affections.
Revenge wasn't just about death. Some losses cut deeper.
....
In the dining hall, Rem had arranged the dishes meticulously while Ram stood poised nearby...
Subaru arrived with Puck in tow, and they seemed to be in a good mood. That was until Subaru spotted Graham and glared, the very picture of a jealous rival.
Thanks to Graham, Emilia had grown distant toward Subaru. Though grateful for his past help, her indifference towards him crushed his expectations, souring his mood into a scowl.
Being uninterested in petty squabbles, Graham ignored Subaru entirely.
Then, having completed her morning spirit communion, Emilia entered gracefully.
"You've arrived, Graham-san... and Subaru. My apologies for the delay." she said.
"Emilia-tan! I'd wait forever for you~!" Subaru blurted this before Graham could speak, his declaration dripping with overzealous affection.
"Please... don't call me that." Emilia's strained smile barely masked her discomfort.
She peeked at Graham's reaction, but his impassive face only unsettled her further, 'Why do I even care? What is this feeling?'
Sheltered by Puck's overprotectiveness, Emilia couldn't recognize the fluttering in her chest... attraction.
"Bubby~! You're here! Betty's so happy! Stay and talk with me today, okay~?"
Beatrice's sweet voice rang out as she bounded over, her golden twin-tails swaying, and offered her palm for Puck.
"Long time no see, Betty~!" Puck waved cheerfully.
"Well, well. You finally decided to show yourself, huh?" Graham smirked.
The golden-haired loli who had been pointedly ignoring him stiffened, "B-Betty only came out for Bubby I suppose! Not for you, in fact!"
"Sure, sure." Graham dismissed her tsundere act with a wave.
Like Puck, Beatrice was a spirit created by Echidna, so their bond was natural.
Her defensiveness, however, was quite telling. After all, tsunderes always mean the opposite.
"Graham-san, you know Beatrice?" Emilia asked, surprised.
"Yes. We 'bonded' earlier when I accidentally entered the Forbidden Library."
"Wow~! Good job Graham-kun! Not many humans get along with Betty!" Puck gave a thumbs-up.
Beatrice shuddered, the earlier 'bonding' flashing through her mind, her face flushed crimson.
"W-Who 'got along' with you?! Disgusting human!" She snapped at Graham, then instantly melted into a sugary smile for Puck, "Bubby~! You'll stay with Betty today, right~?"
"Of course! I missed you too Betty!" Puck agreed with an affectionate smile.
Puck's agreement sent Beatrice into a gleeful twirl, "Yay~!"
Seeing the contrast, Graham's eye twitched, 'This brat treats me like garbage but dotes on a cat?!'
"The contrast is unreal," Subaru muttered, equally bitter.
Having had his mana cruelly drained by this loli, watching her fawn over Puck burned...
"Hehe, Beatrice adores Puck," Emilia whispered to Graham.
"Makes sense. As Great Spirits, they'd naturally click." Graham nodded.
"You knew? Oh, right... Graham-san is a spirit arts user too." Emilia realized.
"Just call me Graham, Emilia."
"O-Okay... Graham!" Emilia blushed as she repeated Graham's name.
She thought dropping honorifics signaled that they were getting closer.
"Hey! Why don't I get that treatment?!" Subaru whined.
"Subaru is just... Subaru?" Emilia said plainly.
Her blank stare said it all: You're a tactless and bumbling fool... why would I respect you?
Defeated, Subaru could only force a laugh.
"Ara ara~ How rare! Has Beatrice graced us with her presence today~? Deeelighhhhtful~!"
A singsong voice sliced through the room, stiffening postures... except for the ignorant Subaru, and Graham who had been waiting for this person...