Natsuki Subaru's Journey to Strategically Capture Reinhild

R3. Two People Like Strangers

Felix, led by a night-duty servant, headed toward the guest residence, while Reinhild also stood up and walked into her own office.

She picked up the topmost document from a stack on her desk.

It was dated ten days ago.

Reinhild sighed, then poured herself a glass of water and began her duties as acting lord.

Morning sunlight streamed in through the window.

Rhythmic knocking echoed through the room.

Having dozed off slightly at her desk, Reinhild gradually awoke.

She swiftly straightened up her appearance and sat upright.

"Come in."

"I knew it. Important matters are all supposed to be reported via the [Dialogue Mirror], right? These could've waited until after you rested…"

The one who entered was Otto, Reinhild's right-hand man and the only truly sane person among her closest aides.

As he set down the tray he was holding, he gently admonished her.

In the entire mansion, only he interacted with Reinhild as a friend—though he would still act like a proper assistant when others were present.

"Thank you, but I might be busy for a while these next few days. I'd like to finish what I can before resting.

Otto, please inform the department heads to gather in the main conference room at 8 o'clock. It won't interfere with today's training. There are some important matters to discuss."

"I understand."

"Oh, and this food list—these are the things Subaru likes. Ask the kitchen to try preparing them. He didn't eat dinner yesterday, so make a little extra."

As she spoke, Reinhild handed Otto a note set aside on the desk.

"Some of it seems to be from western countries, and many preparation methods are unclear… But I understand."

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.

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The door to the conference room slowly opened.

The previously noisy room fell silent.

Everyone sat up straight, eyes fixed on Reinhild as she stepped up to the podium.

"Today's matters are important, so we'll start with a quick verification. Has anyone here, in any way, leaked any critical information from the Astrea estate to outsiders?"

"No." ×20

Reinhild sensed the feedback from a temporarily granted divine protection and confirmed that everyone was telling the truth. S

he then showed a genuine smile.

"You all know I brought three people back to the mansion yesterday, yes? In fact... it's clear the Royal Selection is far more dangerous than it appears on the surface.

I've decided to support Lady Felt.

The Royal Selection should begin in about a month, so this period will be your time to consider.

If any of you don't want to get involved in this mess, go talk to Otto.

For the rest, once the royal capital confirms Lady Felt's status, I'll give further instructions."

"Now, you can begin your discussions."

As the sound of hurried footsteps approached, Reinhild addressed the now-silent conference room, then stepped out and closed the door behind her.

Seconds later, a member of the royal guard, clad in armor, ran up.

"What's gotten you so flustered?"

"Lady Reinhild! Um, Lord Wilhelm is waiting in the courtyard with a Karsten family dragon carriage for Lady Felix!"

?!?!

Under Reinhild's gaze, the guard delivered this shocking news.

.

.

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Otto looked at the girl standing by the window and sighed.

Since hearing that Wilhelm had arrived, Reinhild had been standing there for over ten minutes.

With heavy steps, Otto walked up behind her and gazed at Wilhelm, standing in the middle of the courtyard, alongside her.

"We've already sent word to Lady Felix. Are you really not going to meet him? It's been nearly 14 years. Isn't it time to move on?"

Otto gently suggested.

"If he didn't come out to see me even after I waited so long outside the Karsten estate, then that means he doesn't want to see me. Grandpa still hasn't forgiven me in his heart."

"Maybe he was just resting at the time."

"I felt his sword aura from behind the door…"

Reinhild shook her head and began to speak as Otto looked at her in confusion.

"I'm going to check on Felix. Please bring this tea to him, and assign a sharp servant to accompany and wait nearby. Oh, and say it was brewed by an old servant."

She handed over freshly brewed tea to Otto and, after giving a few more instructions, headed toward the guest rooms.

Otto watched the girl hurrying away, then looked at the teapot in his hand.

Sighing once more, he gave a few instructions to a nearby servant and walked toward the courtyard.

"Lord Wilhelm, we've already sent word to Lady Felix. It might take a little time. Please have some tea in the meantime."

The elderly man, seated on the dragon carriage's driver's seat, looked down at the tea Otto offered, his eyes widening slightly as if surprised.

"My apologies. That was rude of me—to look down at someone like that. I was just a bit caught off guard."

With a graceful leap, Wilhelm descended from the driver's seat and landed silently before Otto.

"Then I shall not refuse. I was indeed feeling a little thirsty."

He accepted the tray from Otto and took a sip. A nostalgic smile slowly formed on the elderly gentleman's face.

"I never imagined someone in this mansion still remembered the tea I like."

"Lord Wilhelm, won't you meet Lady Reinhild?"

The old man fell silent, then sighed.

"I'm not qualified to meet her anymore. I've stood here this long without sensing her presence—it must mean she doesn't want to see me either. In her heart, she hasn't forgiven me for what I did back then."

In that moment, Otto's heart filled with hope.

The girl avoided the old man because of guilt.

The old man avoided the girl for the same reason.

If he could just become the bridge between them, they might be able to overcome that invisible wall and become family again.

But the old man's next words crushed Otto's hope.

"Even so, I don't trust myself to remain rational if I saw her again.

As an observer, I'm calm now. But if I were to become a participant… even if I knew it was just misdirected anger, even if I knew it wouldn't change anything… I might still do something that would hurt her again."

His words were cruel to the girl. He had declared that what he lost had left him incapable of facing her calmly.

"Then are you both going to stay like this forever?"

"If I can overcome it, then of course I'll have the courage to take that step.

But if I fail, then this scar will disappear with me.

Still… seeing someone like you by Reinhild's side, someone who cares for her, puts my mind at ease."