As we entered, we could see who appeared to be Subaru, accompanied by a woman standing next to him. She wore a white dress, adorned with soft purple details that extended down the bottom of her long sleeves, which completely covered her arms, but exposed both shoulders. Her long, silvery hair fell gracefully over her back, a shade of white so pure that there was only a slight grayish tinge to its fall. His face was pale, but not excessively, as if it were delicate porcelain. Pointy ears protruded timidly through her hair, while her eyes, deep purple, shone in the warm light of the lamps in the room, as if they held hidden secrets.
To his right, there was a little girl with a serious expression. Her blonde hair, with long curls on both sides of her face, fell down to her back with a softness that belied her stoic attitude. His eyes, deep blue, reflected a strange sparkle, almost as if butterflies were peeking out of his gaze, giving him a peculiar and mysterious air. She wore an elegant pink ensemble, with darker shade details forming thin stripes throughout her dress. Her stockings, the same color, covered her legs completely, making her outfit perfectly coordinated.
Subaru, meanwhile, wore casual clothes, something he had never seen anywhere else. Although, well, I hadn't actually seen any kind of clothes before...
"Subaru-sama," Felix said with a smile, "I have someone to introduce you to."
Subaru, visibly upset, seemed to be fighting something that was troubling him. A few drops of sweat were falling down his forehead, and his eyes, normally so carefree, now looked nervous.
Suddenly, he looked up, as if a thought had pierced him hard. The gesture surprised everyone in the room.
"Felix," he murmured, barely audible, "Dante..."
An awkward silence took over the atmosphere. Everyone, including me, exchanged confused looks. Although I didn't know all the names of this place, I was pretty sure that there was no one named Dante here.
"Subaru, are you okay?" And... Who is Dante? Emilia asked, her face full of concern as she rested a hand on her shoulder.
Subaru, as if regaining some clarity, noticed the gazes watching him. He didn't seem so surprised by the questions.
- Yes, I'm fine. "Don't worry, Emilia-tan," he replied, with a somewhat more relaxed expression, although he still maintained a hint of uneasiness.
Then, he pointed his index finger towards the void in front of him, as if pointing to an invisible threat.
"He's Dante," he said, without hesitation, as if it all made sense to him.
Felix, bewildered, frowned and looked at him inquisitively.
"How do you know him?" He asked, almost unable to hide his surprise.
Subaru sighed, staring into space with a thoughtful expression.
— I don't know. I can't explain it..." he murmured, as if the words escaped him, leaving behind him a sense of uncertainty.
"I understand it comes from the morgue, a miracle," he added
Felix went blank, speechless, everything he had to tell Subaru he already knew himself.
"This... Yes, it is.
"Aren't you cold?" Subaru asked.
I shook my head, without saying a word.
"I see," Subaru murmured. After a short pause, he added, "Still, we'd better give him a warm place to sleep and something fit to wear. Felix, you should go back downstairs. The soldiers need you. Beaco, could you accompany Dante to his new room?
Beatrice looked up, surprised, as if Subaru's proposal was something unusual, a favor she had never asked him before.
"And why can't Emilia go?" He asked between pouts.
"Emilia and I have unfinished business to resolve regarding the archbishops of the city. Besides, it will only be a moment. "Come on, Beaco," Subaru pleaded, forcing an expression that was intended to be tender, though a little comical.
Beatrice snorted resignedly, clearly annoyed, but turned to the door with a determined air.
"Come on, Dalton," he said dismissively. Or Dante, I don't care what your name is.
I looked at Felix, who was standing beside me, with tired and sorrowful eyes.
"Thank you for healing me, Felix," I thanked him sincerely. Then I turned to Subaru. And to you, thank you for giving me a place to sleep.
Subaru maintained a serious and suspicious expression. His eyes were watching me closely, as if evaluating every gesture, but I didn't perceive any malice in his eyes.
"There is no need," he replied in a firm voice. You'd better rest. I'll come and see you later.
I nodded silently and followed Beatrice out of the room, leaving Felix, Subaru, and Emilia behind.
The corridor we came out into was long and silent, covered by a velvet carpet that absorbed the echo of our footsteps. My gaze remained fixed on the ground, unable to lift it, as if the weight of my body were anchored to the earth.
"So... they call you Beaco? I asked in a friendly tone, trying to break the ice.
"And what do you care?" Call me Beatrice. No nicknames," he replied with a hint of anger.
As we went along, my steps became firmer. I felt myself slowly regaining the ability to walk normally, though my mind was still shrouded in a tangle of confused thoughts.
The place was a haven of tranquility. The corridors were deserted, transmitting a peace that felt almost tangible, a calm that few places could offer so naturally.
My eyes fell on Beatrice's footsteps. They were small, elegant, and light. Her dress swayed with every movement, producing a soft sound that was strangely comforting. Her red heels resonated subtly, breaking the silence muffled by the carpet.
"I like your dress, Beatrice," I said suddenly, breaking the silence.
She paused for a moment, long enough for a faint blush to appear on her face, though she tried to hide it after an annoyed snort.
"Don't talk nonsense," she replied, annoyed. You are not the one to comment on my dress.
His angry tone increased with every word he said. It was evident that my attempts at conversation only irritated her more, but if I was going to stay here, I would have to find a way to forge some kind of bond with the residents.
"How old are you?" I asked.
Beatrice stopped in her tracks. With his hand he formed a fist which he clenched with great force.
"Could you stop asking stupid questions?" He suggested.
I rolled my eyes as I continued on the road. From that moment until we reached the room we did not speak to each other in any way.
The slow pace we were taking stopped just as we reached a large wooden door, much like the door we entered through to see Subaru.
"This is your room," Beatrice said.
I stared at the door with uncertainty, but with an insatiable desire to see what it was like inside.
"Can I stay here as long as I want?" I asked.
Beatrice shrugged, it was clear that she didn't know anything.
— That's Subaru's thing, I've only fulfilled what you've asked me to do. Beti is leaving here — he said, moving away from me with an elegant and carefree step.
From that moment on I was alone, thoughtful, with doubts.
I slowly opened the door until I could see the entire room. It was a modern room, with pictures of the city hung at specific points in the room. There was a double bed located just below some large windows that looked out onto the city, as well as being placed between two quite cozy bedside tables. I closed the large door through which I entered and sighed, tired.
I looked at a door of what I thought was the bathroom, it was open, which made me raise an eyebrow of curiosity. I didn't feel afraid or worried that someone could hide in a place as typical as the bathroom. When I got right next to the door I peeked out like an ordinary person, crossed my arms, stood still, looking. It was a maid cleaning the bathroom, apparently she hadn't noticed she was here.
I cleared my throat, generating a slight noise that caused him to turn around and get scared.
"FOR GOD'S SAKE!" exclaimed the beautiful woman.
"I'm sorry to scare you," I said.
The girl looked around, sat up, adjusted her maid dress, and changed her face to a serious one.
"These rooms are for guests only, please get out of here," he said.
I coughed several times before responding, leaving me some time to think of a coherent and credible response to the situation.
"This..." I mught, looking at the door I entered. "I'm the gentleman's guest..." I didn't remember the name, I went blank for a moment until I remembered it.
The maid, with long hair, blond hair and teeth that seemed not to be those of an ordinary person, raised an eyebrow.
"Subaru?" he asked, leaving the cleaning things on the floor.
"Yes, that same one," I answered.
The girl put her hands to her chin.
"I didn't expect Subaru to bring guests to these rooms..." He raised his gaze, making contact with mine. "Are you a friend of his?"
I looked away, slightly annoyed by the contact that had just happened.
"No," I denied, "I've been told I'm a soldier who was defeated in the attack of the archbishops on the city."
"What have they told you?" she asked incredulously.
I frowned in frustration, staring at the floor.
— Yes. I don't remember anything," I said.
The girl didn't seem to believe any of the words that came out of my mouth.
"You'd better ask Mr. Subaru if all this is true," he said.
"Of course, he's going to the left as soon as he leaves the room, everything straight, there's no loss," I said.
She nodded with a surprised face when she saw how I gave her the directions as if nothing had happened, maybe that was the only thing that made her trust me a little and see some truth in my words.
It was then that the girl left the room closing the door behind her, leaving me alone.
I looked at the window, it was night, a cold and dark night that gave the feeling that it was going to be scandalous and bloody. I went to the bed and lay down on it staring at the ceiling, waiting for the maid to arrive with Subaru and, by the way, to be able to talk to Subaru about the subject he wanted to talk to me about.