It was a brand-new day in the capital city.
And what do you know? Xeno actually managed to survive Rem's jealous fury.
His shameless move of throwing Emilia under the bus both did and didn't work the way he intended.
Firstly, Rem's jealousy was successfully directed at Emilia. Poor girl didn't know what to do.
Fortunately, Xeno did. His brain went into overdrive as he dispelled her anger, reminding her of their outing where she would have him ALL to herself.
Compared to an entire day of them being alone, what's a few minutes of hand-holding with Emilia?
Much to his relief, this worked. Rem turned into a blushing mess, burying her face into his chest, while he took it further by patting her head.
What Xeno didn't expect was that seeing this would make Emilia's innocent jealousy flare up.
Which a certain someone, cough Puck, cough, decided to take advantage of to get back at Xeno.
He used telepathy to basically tell Emilia to give Xeno the silent treatment, acting all pouty and angry with him so he would pay more attention to her and fulfill her demands of being patted on the head as well.
Emilia was reluctant to do that, despite feeling betrayed by him throwing her under the carriage.
But Puck reassured her that it was perfectly reasonable and that Xeno wouldn't mind, even if he did know what she was doing.
Eventually relenting, she did exactly that for the rest of the day.
Everyone was so distracted in their own heads that they didn't notice Rem, who was still blushing, making a very suspicious face, her imagination was running wild.
In conclusion, that incident was a complete mess.
Now, after everyone had a lovely breakfast, where Emilia totally didn't act all pouty, refusing to talk to him, it was time for Emilia and Roswaal to head out.
Rem and Xeno stood outside as their carriage arrived.
Xeno: "Alright, Emilia. I know you're mad and all, but don't let anyone talk you down."
Emilia blinked at that. Xeno was being unusually serious.
She could see it, the way his eye darted around her form, as if trying to check for anything strange.
His grip on his crutch was airtight. His body was stiff. He scratched his thigh with his right hand.
Something he did when he was nervous.
Xeno: "If anyone looks at you with disdain or insults you, ignore it. They only have power over you if you pay attention to it." He narrowed his eyes, looking directly into hers.
"Don't let anyone take advantage of you and your kindness. Nobody there is helpless. Don't get yourself in trouble, or worse, let anyone mistreat you."
"You need to look mature. Don't try to mask confidence, that won't work. But don't look easy to target."
Xeno: "Roswaal, make sure she's safe." He turned to Roswaal.
Roswaal: "Whyyy, of course. I'll shall do my best." His ever-present smile only widened.
Xeno: "And Emilia... Please be careful."
His hand reached out and gently stroked her head, a soft, supportive smile on his face.
Emilia: "Xeno..." she muttered quietly.
Emilia's heart pounded in her chest. No one, other than Puck, had ever shown such concern for her well-being.
It really brought a tear to her eyes, but she suppressed them, instead choosing to smile brightly.
Emilia: "You don't have to worry. I take care of myself reeeally well." Her eyes burned with resolve.
Though embarrassed by his actions, she grabbed his hand with both of hers, squeezing it firmly.
Emilia: "I promise, I'll take care of myself. I'm grateful for your support, but don't let this ruin your day with Rem. We'll be safe and sound."
Xeno: "Sigh... If you say so." He stopped being so stiff, looking into Emilia's amethyst eyes.
The two just looked into each other's eyes for a while.
Roswaal: "Ahem! While I don't want to ruin such a tooouching moment, Emilia-sama, it's time to leave." He faked a cough to get the two's attention.
This interruption made the two realize what they were doing, and they turned away, both steaming with embarrassment.
Xeno: "W-Well... Safe journeys, you two."
Emilia: "H-Have a nice day, Xeno and Rem."
The two said their goodbyes before turning away from each other, mechanically, refusing to acknowledge Rem and Roswaal.
Emilia rapidly boarded the carriage, hiding her face in her hands, while Xeno walked over to Rem.
Roswaal: "Alright, we'll be moving out now."
He stifled a laugh.
He winked at Xeno before going inside as well, and once the passengers were on board, the dragon carriage took off.
...
'Ugggh! That was so embarrassing. I can't believe I acted so romantically near Rem and Roswaal. Wait!!! I acted romantically toward Emilia in front of Rem!'
He snapped his head toward Rem beside him in horror.
Rem turned to him with a pleasant smile. Not a bit angry or jealous.
"You don't have to worry, Xeno-kun. Rem understands you were only supporting Emilia-sama and had no ulterior motives."
Xeno: "Phew! You scared me there, Rem." He wiped the imaginary sweat off his forehead.
Rem: "Now then, Xeno-kun, we should head out as well. There are many places Rem wants to show you." The excitement on her face was palpable.
She grabbed his hand and tugged him along, walking ahead. Finally, she had her hero all to herself today. She couldn't be happier.
But she abruptly stopped when she felt Xeno not move an inch. She turned toward him curiously.
Only to see Xeno looking deep in thought, clearly troubled by something.
Rem: "Xeno-kun, is something the matter?"
She retraced her steps back to his side.
Xeno: "Rem... Can I ask you something?"
He looked up at her, uncertain whether he should continue or not.
Rem: "Of course, Xeno-kun can. Rem will do her best to answer any question you have."
She answered while paying full attention. This looked important to him.
Xeno: "...Rem, what do you think of Emilia? Well, more importantly, her resilience?"
Rem was caught off guard by the question, but quickly thought about it. Her hero was still worried about Emilia's well-being.
Rem: "Rem thinks that Emilia-sama... is stronger than you believe. Emilia-sama has endured far more than any person should, yet remained steadfast and kind. Emilia-sama is very resilient."
"But Xeno-kun, you aren't asking about that kind of resilience, are you?" She asked for confirmation.
Xeno: "I guess I should have clarified. I meant in terms of politics. Do you think she can handle it?"
Rem thought about it for a moment, then gave her honest assessment.
"Rem thinks... Emilia-sama... She is too kind and trusting. There will be people who try to manipulate her or take advantage of her kindness. While Rem thinks she has the potential to be a good leader... But as of right now? I don't think Emilia-sama is ready."
Xeno: "..."
Rem: "Rem understands why Xeno-kun is so worried about her—" She squeezed his hand gently.
"But Emilia-sama has both Roswaal-sama and Puck to cover her." She assured him.
Xeno: "...Thanks, Rem." He sighed, regretting his next actions.
He let go of Rem's hand, turning to face her and putting a hand on her shoulder.
Rem: "Xeno-kun?"
Xeno: "Rem... I'm sorry for doing this to you... But can we hold off our outing til tomorrow?"
Rem: "W-What!? But Xeno-kun, you promised Rem! Why do you want to change it?" She said in a panic.
He gripped her shoulder tightly, speaking in a soft, guilty voice.
Xeno: "I'm sorry. I really am. Call me paranoid, but I can't help but feel something is about to go wrong. This feeling... I can't just brush it aside. It'll get in the way and ruin the mood. So let's go tomorrow, okay?" He gently requested.
Rem's shoulders slumped, feeling her strength leave her as immense disappointment and pain shot through her heart.
She could understand it. She really could, but it didn't make the pain any less.
Rem wished she just say "no!" But she knew how much gult her hero is feeling as well. So no matter how painful it was for her, Rem will go along.
Rem: "It's okay, Xeno-kun. Rem... understands." She said it completely defeated, devoid of her usual cheerful tone.
Xeno pulled her into a hug. Rem, surprised, immediately returned his hug, warmly wrapping her arms around his waist.
Xeno: "I promise, tomorrow we'll go out on our little 'date'. With nothing to interrupt us."
Rem: "Really?" Her voice came muffled as she buried her head in his chest.
Xeno: "Really! Even if the entire world comes crashing down, I'll still go out with you." He promised.
Rem turned her head to look up at him, saying with a smile:
"Then Rem shall hold you to that promise."
The two stayed like that for some time, each leaving the other embarrassed.
Xeno: "Well then, Rem, I'll be off then. Take care." He turned around and started walking away.
Rem: "Where will Xeno-kun be going?"
Xeno: "Let's just say... I'm going to buy insurance." He said without stopping, and before long, he had left as well.
...
Nearly half an hour later.
Xeno stood at the gates leading to the Astrea Manor. It was just as grand as he imagined, but a bit lesser than Roswaal's Mansion.
I bet you all are wondering how he got here so fast, aren't you?
The truth is, Xeno flew here. Yes, you heard correctly. Flying is within his repertoire of things he can now do with Point of Obsession.
That also means he went over the Guard Station, making his entry completely illegal. But hey! It's not a crime if nobody finds out.
From the looks of things, Reinhard was about to head out, presumably to the castle as well.
Xeno turned his head towards the dragon carriage beside him. He really was glad he made it here in the nick of time.
Xeno: 'Without further ado. Let's do this.'
He entered the manor, facing little resistance along the way. He asked a passing maid if Reinhard was inside.
Much to his relief, he was. Xeno quickly refused the maid's help to guide him and made his way towards Reinhard.
He could find him rather easily, sensing his envy and all. This did puzzle Xeno a lot.
Xeno: 'Why does Reiny have this much envy? Does he have the stereotype of "I'm lonely because I'm too strong" or something?' He shelved the thought when he noticed something.
Walking towards him was a familiar face: Rom. He certainly looked a lot better than he did in the slums. Looking nowhere near as filthy as before.
The giant seemed to be in deep thought, so much so that he didn't sense Xeno's presence. Xeno was thankful he was doing alright, meaning Felt was as well.
Xeno: "Hey! Old man Rom! It's me, Xeno."
He inched toward the giant.
Rom, who was disrupted from his thinking, looked down, pleasantly surprised by the familiar voice.
Rom: 'That voice! What's that kid do—' His thought was immediately cut off from whiplash.
There he was: Xenophanes, the strange 'noble' that saved them, wearing a butler outfit, yet missing his right pupil and walking over with something to help him walk.
Xeno: "Heya! Old man Rom! How ya going?"
He asked as if nothing was wrong.
Rom: "What happened to you, kid!? You were fine the last time I saw ya!" He said in bewilderment.
Xeno: "Oh, right. I changed since the last time we met, haven't I?" He rubbed the back of his hair.
Rom: "That's a massive understatement, kid."
Xeno: "I don't have time to go into detail. But it all happened when I got mauled by a pack of Wolgarm. I lost my right pupil to that (Even though I can still see with it). You can't tell because of the makeup. But I got a scar over my right eye."
"As for the crutch, well... That pack of mabeasts was being orchestrated by an assassin who then stabbed me in the back, cutting my spine in half... Vertically."
Rom: "..."
Rom: "Kid... How are you even alive right now?"
Xeno: "Don't know. I just... am." He shrugged.
Rom just rubbed the bridge of his nose, completely taken aback by the information.
He and Felt had always wondered what happened to him after the Elsa incident. And now, in the two months since then, he had somehow gotten himself crippled.
Speaking of Felt...
Rom: 'She's really not going to like this.'
Rom: "When did all this even happen?"
Xeno: "Uhh... Remember that night when you and Felt were taken away?"
Rom nodded.
Xeno: "Yeah, this all happened four days after that."
Rom: "..."
...
Xenophanes and Rom both walked through the hallways, asking each other questions about how their daily lives had been.
Xeno mostly asked what Rom and Felt had been up to during the last two months. He also asked about Reinhard as well.
Much to his surprise, Felt actually disliked being here. Rom explained that Felt resented nobility, and living like a noble only made her resent them more.
Next, it was Rom's turn. He mainly asked about Xeno's condition and what he had been up to, making sure to keep a close eye on him.
His actions mostly stemmed from gratitude and because of Felt. He needed to know if Xenophanes was acting or if he was really okay.
Rom tried the good old methods to extract information from Xeno, and to his surprise, it was super easy.
He honestly answered his questions, to the point that Rom wondered if Xeno really trusted him that much. He knew Xeno was an honest person.
But not to this extent.
After a few questions, Rom had concluded this:
'Xeno has genuinely gotten over his injuries. But with his casual dismissal of them, downplaying how serious they were, he's trying to convince himself they weren't serious and therefore weren't worth fussing over. A weird coping mechanism, but given his stress-free mindset, it fits.'
There was also another detail that caught his interest.
Rom: "You got yourself a little girlfriend now, uh, kid?" He let out a cheeky grin.
Xeno: "I mean... We're not officially dating, but... yeah."
Rom: "And that other girl, you got ensnared, I guess your disability has its uses. I gotta say I never imagined you for the playboy type."
Xeno: "I-It's not like that!" He got flustered over that.
Rom: "Relax, kid. I'm just messing around." He chuckled, seeing him like that.
Xeno: "Hmph! Let's just move on. Where's Felt? And Reinhard? I have a request for him." He tired changing topic.
Rom: "Felt, huh? If I had to take a gander, she's probably being chased around by the Sword Saint right about now." He told him with a shrug.
Xeno: "...Umm, what?"
Rom: "Right, you don't know. But Reinhard's been trying hard to make Felt more lady-like. And his pretty little head decided the best way to do that is by making Felt wear a dress... Like a princess." He was clearly amused.
Xeno: "Felt... A princess?"
He could imagine it clearly in his head.
Felt being in a princess gown, sitting on a couch with her legs wide open, arms resting on the armrests, with an annoyed scowl on her face.
Felt: "What ya looking at?"
"You bitch!"
"You have a problem with me? Then say it to my face!"
"I hate these!" She said, throwing off the high heels from her feet carelessly.
Xeno: "Pfff!"
Rom: "Heh, you too, huh?" He knew exactly what he was thinking.
Xeno: "Reinhard must be having a really hard time with her." He said, feeling sorry for him.
"Big bro!!!"
"Felt-sama, please reconsider!"
A shout from Felt and Reinhard drew the attention of the two. Rom turned around faster than Xeno, only to see Felt running away from Reinhard, who was holding a yellow dress in his hands.
Felt looked relieved to see them, intending to use them to save her from Reinhard. She used her Divine Protection to dash towards Xeno.
Rom: "FELT, DON'T!!!"
But it was too late.
By the time Xeno had turned, it was just in time to see Felt tackle him.
Creak.
An audible sound of something creaking echoed, followed by Xeno screaming at the top of his lungs.
"AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
"BIG BRO!!!"
"XENO!!!"
"XENOPHANES!!!"
That was all he heard before his world faded to black.
...
...
...
Look at that.
First, Rem's hug knocked him out.
And now, Felt's tackle did the same.
He's definitely going to spiral wanting to bury himself from sheer embarrassment.
I just know it.
...
"Ugggh, what happened?" Xeno muttered, opening his eyes, only to stare at an unfamiliar ceiling.
His memory of how it led to this was foggy. He knew he came to seek Reinhard's help and catch up with Rom. After that was a blur.
Rubbing his eyes, he steadily got up into a sitting position, where he proceeded to get tackled into a hug.
Felt: "Big Bro!!!"
Xeno: "F-Felt!" His eyes shot up. He could feel something staining his shirt, wet.
Felt: "Big Bro, you're alright!!! I'm sorry, I didn't mean it!! I'm sorry! I was reckless, I didn't think things through, I'm sorry!" Felt cried into his shirt, her voice hoarse with immense guilt.
Xeno: "What?"
She looked up at him. He could see it: her eyes were slightly bloodshot from all the crying.
Rom: "Xeno, you really know how to give someone a heart attack." His shoulders relaxed.
Xeno looked up to see both Rom and Reinhard sitting close to him. Rom let out a sigh, while Reinhard had several emotions on his face: guilt, confusion, and relief.
Xeno: "Would someone please tell me what's going on?" He was thoroughly confused.
Reinhard: "After Felt-sama tackled you, I swiftly brought you to the healer... But it was too late. The healer announced that you had passed on." He explained, with confusion etched on his face.
Felt: "I-I killed you! You died because of me! I am such an idiot! If only I had been more careful, I would never forgive myself after all you did for us!"
Xeno: "Felt, I'm right here. Don't kill me off."
He pulled both of her cheeks.
Felt: "Ouch!" She tried to stop him, teary-eyed.
Rom: "And how are you alive, exactly? The healers said you were dead. No heartbeat, nothing." He narrowed his eyes.
Xeno: "Sigh... I really don't know how, but I just don't have a heartbeat, nor am I breathing. My body just defies biology. How else do you think I'm still alive?"
Reinhard: "How is that even possible?"
Rom: "That's one of the most absurd things I have ever heard."
Xeno: "Well, it's embarrassing to admit, but is this the third time someone thought they accidentally killed or ruined my life. So don't worry about it. It'll take more than that to kill me."
Felt: "R-Really, Big Bro?" She successfully escaped his grasp.
Xeno: "Really, so stop crying now. I forgive you."
Felt: "Even then, I hurt you. Your spine is so fragile... I'm sorry, Big Bro—" She wiped her tears, quickly turning fierce.
Felt: "I won't just accept your forgiveness. Not after what I did. I decided, Big Bro, if there's anything you ever need help with, I'll come rushing over. I promise." Her voice was resolute.
Xeno: "Heh, well then, Felt, you're in luck. I do want some help. It's actually the reason I came here."
Felt: "What is it, Big Bro? Don't hold back."
She sat on her seat, her arms resting on her thighs, attentive.
Xeno: "Actually, my request is to Reinhard. I kinda need your help with something important." He rubbed his head.
Reinhard: "Go ahead, Xenophanes. I shall try to do my best, if it's within my ability." He nodded, looking serious.
Xeno: "I don't think I need to tell you about the Royal Selection, but you know Emilia, right? She's going there, so I was hoping you could help her out?"
Rom: 'He's from a rival faction?' He narrowed his eyes.
Reinhard: "Is your request related to Emilia-sama's safety in some way?" He guessed after a bit of thought.
Xeno: "Bingo. Call me paranoid, but I can't help but feel something bad might happen. Please, it'll really put me at ease if you were there to watch over her." He bowed his head.
Reinhard: "There's no need for you to bow, Xenophanes—" He waved his hand politely.
"As a matter of fact, I was heading to the castle. It would be no trouble for me to keep an eye on Emilia-sama." He reassured him with his charming smile.
Even though they were already late for the Royal Selection, Reinhard blamed himself for not being able to prevent the accident earlier.
Especially not after hearing what happened to Xenophanes from Rom. If accepting his request meant he could make it up to him, he really would do his best.
Xeno: "Sigh! Thanks, Reinhard. That means... a lot to me." All the stress in his body, which he didn't even know he had, melted away.
Reinhard: "It would be my pleasure, Xenophanes."
Felt: "Yeah! Big Bro, we'll make sure to keep Big Sis safe. You have my word as well."
Xeno: "You don't have to do that, Felt. Let the... professional do his job."
"Xeno, you mind if I ask something?" Rom, who had stayed still the entire time, spoke up, looking Xeno up and down.
Xeno: "Sure, go ahead."
Rom: "I don't mean to sound rude, but why don't you do it yourself?"
Felt: "Old man Rom!?"
Reinhard: "Rom-sama?"
The three were taken aback by the question.
Rom: "Hey, I'm not denying his request... I'm just curious." He raised his hands in surrender.
Rom: "You're a capable young man. The things you told me about, I doubt many could do the same. I've even seen it myself, firsthand. I could take a few guesses, but I wanna hear it from you."
Everyone turned to Xeno. Feeling put on the spot, he spoke without thinking much.
"W-Why? I mean, the answer's obvious, isn't it? I'm crippled. Nobody is going to take me seriously. Who knows, people might just insult me. It wouldn't bother me, mind you. I'm the master of tuning people out—" he bragged, like that was an achievement.
"But, what about Emilia? How would she look if a Royal Candidate brought a crippled butler with her? Not good, I imagine. Even beyond that, I don't know politics. I'm literally the most politically ignorant person there is. I can't help her in that regard."
"And beyond even that, you know my ability, right?" He opened his palm, making a dark purple bone rotate above it.
"What if, by some chance, it gets discovered somehow? I can't just explain it away as it being magic or something when it's obviously not. And I'd rather... not explain what my ability is."
"I can probably think of a few more if I rack my brain, but these are off the top of my head. Oh, and uh, I don't think I even have a say in matters relating to the kingdom. That's one as well."
"But Reinhard? He's the Sword Saint, and the kindest and awesomest knight ever!"
"Not only is he strong, but he's super kind as well. He's got both the authority and personality to make others respect and listen to him. Reiny's perfect for the job." He spoke with total admiration.
Rom: "Is that really what you think?"
Xeno: "Yes, I do. Sorry if you don't like it."
Rom: "Not at all, Xeno." He nodded approvingly at Xeno's reasoning.
Reinhard: "X-Xenophanes, you think too highly of me. I'm not as great as you think."
Poor guy was embarrassed by Xeno's praise and his nickname.
Felt: "Pfff, hahahahahaha! Reiny? Oh, that's perfect Big Bro!" She laughed at the sheer casualness of the nickname.
Xeno: "I mean it, Reinhard. How could anyone possibly dislike you? Come on, anyone who's getting mad at Reiny—" His pupil disappeared, leaving his eyes completely hollow.
"Is a soulless, bitter husk of a creature that can't be considered human."
Reinhard: "..."
...
Felt: "Big bro, I gotta ask, what are you doing?"
Inside a carriage sat three people: Reinhard, Felt, and Xenophanes, all heading out somewhere.
Felt, who's reluctantly wearing an intricate yellow dress, and Reinhard sat on one side of the carriage, while Xeno had the other all to himself. Mind you, he didn't force them to do that.
They did it on their own, and taking advantage of that, he decided to lay down on the comfortable seat.
Xeno opened one eye to look at Felt.
Xeno: "Yawn... I got up earlier than I used to, so I'm taking a nap."
Reinhard didn't mind it, while Felt loved it. He didn't care about appearances and did whatever made him comfortable.
Felt: "I don't mean that. I mean, why are you here?"
Xeno: "Oh! That? You see, I was about to head home, but Rom stopped me, requesting I keep an eye out on you. Making sure you don't, and I quote—"
"Declare war on nobility itself," he said with air quotes.
Xeno: "And with my newly awakened brotherly instinct of you, I agreed that does sound like something you would do, so here I am." With that, he closed his eye.
Felt: "Old man Rom said what!?" She said angrily.
Reinhard: "Calm down, Felt-sama. I'm sure Rom-sama didn't mean that and was just being overprotective." He grabbed his lady's shoulders and gracefully made her sit down.
Felt: "Who does he think I am!?" She crossed her arms.
Reinhard: "Felt-sama, don't think too badly of it. Why don't we get back on the topic at hand?" He advised like a true gentleman.
Felt: "Hmph... I know, but Big Bro, doesn't that completely defeat the point of you asking for Reiny's help?" She found Reinhard's nickname super funny and decided to use it as well.
Xeno: "What do you mean?" He asked, eyes closed.
Reinhard: "Xenophanes... You do know where we are heading, right?"
Xeno: "I know where you're going, but I'm not sure about Felt, though. I'm guessing you accompany us to Felt's destination before going to the castle?" He guessed.
Reinhard: "..."
Felt: "..."
Felt: "Big Bro... I thought you were smart. I didn't expect you to be so... oblivious?"
She didn't even comprehend how someone like Xeno didn't know.
Xeno: "Pardon?" He turned to the two, annoyed.
Reinhard: "Xenophanes, we are currently en route to the castle." He explained.
Xeno: "Wait, what? Why?" He slowly got up.
Felt: "You really don't know?" She was really surprised this time.
Xeno: "Know what?" He fully got up, tilting his head in confusion.
Reinhard: "You truly don't know? I was sure you knew."
Xeno: "Stop speaking in riddles and just tell me already!" He said, even more confused and now irritated.
Felt: "Big Bro... I'm also a Royal Candidate like Big Sis." She said it deadpan.
Xeno: "..."
"YOUR A WHAT!!!?"