Subaru's POV:
We sat at the dining table, roswaal sat in the host seat while I sat next to emilia and Beatrice sat in front of me, puck sitting in her lap.
I glanced at the two maids who now stood behind roswaal. Ram on the right and rem on the left.
I looked at the food served and it looked delicious. I took a spoonful of the stew and put it in my mouth.
Surprise flickered in eyes as I finished chewing.
"This is really good! The texture is smooth and vegetables have been boiled to near perfection, Not to mention the almost perfect blend of spices."
"Oh my, you're quite knowledgeable about cooking subaru kun."
Roswaal said before raising his left hand and pointing at rem standing behind him.
"Despite her appearance rem's cooking is quite impressive."
"So this was cooked by the one with blur hair... umm... rem-chan, right? I must say, you're truly exceptional at cooking."
I said with genuine respect. I could tell that the effort she put into becoming this good at cooking took a lot of practice.
"I'm grateful for your kind words sir. I do the cooking in this house. My sisteris not very really good at cooking."
My eyes flickered between the two ladies, curiosity shining in them.
"Oh, so is it really true that twins are good at different things? Then is your sister good at cleaning, then?"
I asked, I once saw in a movie where twins were good in different things. One was a genius marksman while the other was inhumanely talented in close quarters combat.
"That is correct, my sister excels at housework, especially cleaning and laundry."
"So, rem chan, you're good at cooking, but bad at cleaning and laundry?
I asked. The curiosity turning into excitement.
"No, I'm generally good at all household tasks. I'm also better at cleaning andlaundry than my sister."
"Oh... so, its not true that twins are good at different things. Well, there goes my fantasy."
I said dejectedly, the excitement fading as I hung my head s little.
"You are truly a strange young man. You come to the mansion of margrave mathers, in the kingdom of lugunica and you say you come from outside the great waterfalls and don't understand a thing."
Roswaal chimed in, his way of speech still felt weird but I pushed the feeling to the side and looked at him curiously and asked.
"Is something bad happening in this county?"
"Well it's not in a agreeable state. After all, lugunica's king is currently not present."
"..."
A memory flickered in my mind of a brown haired man but I didn't let linger, returning back to the topic.
"there's no need to be concerned... Everyone is quite aware of the reality already."
"Really? It must be quite a difficult time for the kingdom with it's ruler absent."
I asked, concerned about the people as the memories of the slums flashed through my mind.
"Around the same time the king went into hiding an epidemic began to spread throughout the castle."
"The king and his children are the last of his line. The nation is currently being managed by a council of wise men and they are now in the process of selecting a new king."
Understanding flickered on my face as I nodded
"I see. I'm starting to get the picture. On top of the king's absence, the royal selection is causing confusion in the kingdom."
"On top of that, you made contact with emilia-sama, thus becoming connected to my household."
I paused. Confusion filling my mind
'Wait... why would the lord of the mansion refer to emilia with such honorifics-!!!!
... royal selection... assassins... respect of a person that can be considered a noble.'
I slowly turned my head towards emilia, a shaky smile and a look of disbelief etched on my face.
"Uhhh... Emilia-tan. You wouldn't somehow be related to the royal selection... right?"
She looked at me with a apologetic smile which didn't help and said.
"My current title is 'a candidate to become the kingdom of lugunica's forty-second king.' With the backing of margrave roswaal."
"..."
I didn't say anything and stared at her with a blank stare.
"Sorry to surprise you. I wasn't trying to keep it a secret."
She said, taking something out and putting it on the table which turned out to be the insignia I helped her get back.
"That insignia.'
I looked at it with a feeling of disbeliefrising in my mind.
"This qualifies one to be a candidate for king. it's a touchstone for determining if one is worthy of the throne."
I turned turned to her with a *are you serious right now?* look and spoke in a deadpan tone.
"...and you lost it. something that qualifies you to rule the kingdom. Should I be worried for the kingdom?"
"D-don't put it like that! I didn't lose it! It was stolen from me by a thief!"
Emilia half yelled, a slight dusting of Pink appearing on her cheeks and the tips her ears turning red as she tried to defend herself.
"It does not help your case that the thief was a 15 year old girl. And what happens if you actually do lose it? Will the council issue another one..."
I asked and after a little thought lifted my hand, stopping roswaal.
"You know what, Don't answer that. If one can't even protect a simple insignia then what right do they have to rule a entire nation."
"I swear, what would you have done if we hadn't met?"
I looked at her with a exasperated expression to which she gave me a grateful smile.
'Dammit, why is she so adorable! I can't even be mad!'
"Yeah... you're right. You're a true savior to me. If there's anything you wish, I'd do my best to fullfil it."
"You may have any reward you request. Just name your desire."
Roswaal added spreading his arms wide as if ready to take on anything I could throw af him.
I thought for a few seconds as a mischievous idea came to my mind as I prepared to ask for my reward.
"Is emilia-tan's hand in marriage also in the 'any reward' category?"
I said as everyone froze, even Beatrice who was busy feeding puck froze and looked at me.
The atmosphere became awkward as no one dared to speak or make a sound.
'Absolutely worth it.'