Subaru felt a surge of helpless frustration boils within him.
"Kyoko," he began, his voice steady, yet tinged with anxiety. "As I suspected, you are completely devoid of emotion. You're lost in a web of narcissism, lacking empathy towards those who care for you, and control every aspect of your life and mine. That's why Takehiko-san died because of you-----"
In a sudden, brutal moment, Subaru's words found physical expression.
SLAPP----
A crimson handprint branded itself on Subaru's left cheek, leaving him speechless. The sting of the slap resonated more profoundly than he ever imagined it would; his sister's rage had taken him by surprise. He stared wide-eyed and mouth agape, struggling to comprehend why Kyoko had chosen to react this way.
"You've grown so arrogant, Subaru," she said, her voice a mixture of fury and an icy calm that hinted at a brewing storm. "If you dare to utter his name again, I'll make sure to punch you into oblivion."
Subaru rubbed his sore cheek, a futile effort to soothe the sting while grappling with his dismay. "See? You only seem to come alive when I mention him. It's as if his name is the only thing that stirs any emotion in you. Without it, you act like a stone, insensible to everything but your own world! I know this; if Takehiko hadn't died, you wouldn't be acting like this! HE ALREADY RUINED YOUR LIFE!! WHAT'S THE POINT LOVE HIM WHEN HE ALREADY DIED----"
"NATSUKI SUBARU!!!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the oppressive silence that followed.
CRACK!!!
With an explosive energy that shattered the already tense atmosphere, Kyoko hurled a decorative glass vase—the kind that was meant to grace the table as an elegant artifact—against the wall.
The object disintegrated, a violent spray of shattered glass scattered across the floor like fractured promises, leaving nothing but the remnants of what was once beautiful.
At that moment, the room transformed—the air thickened with palpable tension, the very essence of their confrontation heavy like a storm cloud ready to burst.
This wasn't merely a fight over a name or a past; it was a profound struggle to connect, to save the pieces of his sister's humanity before they shattered completely, just like the vase now littering the floor.
"I tried my best to keep us together as brother and sister, as siblings. But you keep it worse and worse. Why don't you just listen to me!!? I'm not trying to control you; I merely want what's best for your well-being!! Yet, you keep attacking me, keep insulting Takehiko!!---"
She turned around and walked towards the door, "Fine!! Do whatever you want!! I don't care anymore!! Don't search for me after this!! You can go die alone, in this foreign world where YOU COULD DIE ANYTIME!!"
"I... You don't know what I going through, Kyoko!!! You never understand me!!! YOU NEVER GIVE ME AS CHOICES!!! YOU ALWAYS LIKE THAT!!! DON'T ACT AS IF YOU CARE ABOUT ME!!! YOU'RE NOT MY SISTER ANYMORE!!! I HOPE YOU ROTTEN IN HELL!!! KYOKO!!!----"
Clack!
The door was closed. Kyoko let a long, heavy sigh as she ignored all the noise behind the door. With this, her relationship with Subaru eventually falls apart. Her eyes moved to Reinhard, who stood beside the door, silently.
"Let's go back. Subaru isn't going back with us. He will stay at Karsten's estate."
"Are you sure, milady? You----"
"Reinhard," she interrupted sharply, her patience worn thin, "I'm not in the best frame of mind at the moment. I would greatly appreciate it if you could refrain from speaking for a while."
"....." Reinhard bites his bottom lips before following his mistress from behind, "As your wish, milady."
*
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Since that day, Kyoko has trapped herself inside the library. She drowned herself in thousands of knowledge books around her, only returning to her room when night arrived and leaving when morning rose.
She also refused to join the dinner with Reinhard and asked to send the meals to the library, which made the Sword Saint feel worried. His mistress keeps ignoring his words as if she trying to cut off their relationship.
"Young master, Lady Kyoko refused to come out. She left an empty plate outside the door as usual." Said Carol with a concerned expression.
"Again?"
Reinhard sighed. He just finished meeting Subaru at Karsten's estate, trying to persuade him to have an open discussion with Julius after the duel accident. Unfortunately, everything isn't happening according to his plan.
Subaru refused to talk with Julius and sent Reinhard off from Karsten's estate while Kyoko avoided him, sheltering herself in the library. Based on his perspective, the siblings are currently on bad terms. With them living in a distant place, there's no way they can get well again.
"I will try to talk to her."
After his conversation with Carol, Reinhard changes his direction to the library. Subaru's words keep replaying in his mind, the scene where he tells the truth about his sister.
[Flashback]
"You must have a hard time dealing with her, Reinhard." Said Subaru, who was about to leave Reinhard in front of Karsten's estate gate.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you know?---- Ah, of course, you don't know. You guys just know for one month. There's no way she tells you about that."
"I'm sorry, Subaru, but I don't get what you talking about," Reinhard asked, politely.
Subaru gives a mocking smile, "Kyoko has mental health. I bet you already know how controlled and narcissistic she is. In my eyes, she only has a small part of humanity. All of them already burned because of his selfish act."
"Are you saying... Lady Kyoko is heartless?"
"Who doesn't? I have known her for 17 years, longer than you. I was there when she lost her humanity. Everything was done by her former lover."
Reinhard's eyes widened open, shocked by the news. He never thought Kyoko was once in a relationship with someone else. Well, since she is from another world, of course, he doesn't know anything about herself.
"Why are you telling me about this, Subaru?"
"Because you are the closest one to my sister now. She doesn't have others in this world except me... Just like me..." Subaru's eyes gleamed with sadness, trying to forget yesterday's accident.
"Takehiko Masaru, that guy once in a relationship with my sister. Ever since he left Kyoko, she's been acting differently. It's like she developed this fear that caused her to become a control freak, trying to put everything in her favor. Slowly, she is losing her ability to genuinely care about things and starting to pretend that she does."
Reinhard lost his words and didn't know how to respond. But his eyes show that he taking Subaru's words seriously, "That's kind of serious issue. Thank you for telling me. I will do my best to aid her to the right path."
"Ha! Try it if you can. I gave up to understand her. I just get along with the situation, but when it comes to her feelings, I never understand her."
[End of Flashback]
As Reinhard arrived, he opened the door and entered the library silently. This library was usable after Kyoko occupied it, forbidding anyone from entering without permission.
He searched his mistress, only to find her on the couch near a magnificent stained glass window. Kyoko lies down on the couch with closed eyes and an open book on her chest, making her look adorable in sleep.
Maybe he should talk to her at another time----
"Nghh...." Kyoko's forehead furrows, and her chest rises and falls as her face pales noticeably. She clearly looks like someone who has just emerged from a nightmare. Tears stream down her cheeks, powerfully conveying her profound sadness.
And then, Reinhard heard a gasp. He looks at Kyoko who sits on the couch, with a panicked. Her hair was disheveled, and her face was sweating. Her eyes filled with fear, a fear that her nightmare would come true.
Reinhard takes a spot beside the couch, placing his hand on Kyoko's hand to calm her, "Milady, are you alright? Did you just have a nightmare?"
"Reinhard.... I-I'm okay." She avoids his gaze, "Just a normal nightmare."
"There's no normal nightmare, Kyoko."
Kyoko flinched when Reinhard used her name. Usually, he will refer to her as Milady or add an honorific to her name. This means Reinhard is about to have serious conversations with her.
"I hear from Subaru. About your story. About Takehiko Masaru----"
"Don't even think about saying his name!"
Reinhard lapses into silence, a powerful stillness that commands attention. As he expects, Kyoko's mind will slowly collapse when he mentions Takehiko Masaru's name. That name really wrapped around her neck was suicide rope.
Takehiko Masaru.
That name is no mere whisper; it suffocates her like a noose of despair.
"Kyoko, let's do this. Let's go back to how we were before. I may not know the entire story about him, but I can see the deep scars he left inside you."
The Sword Saint opened his arms and wrapped them around her, trying to console her and bring her peace. His hands gently caressed her back, comforting her and helping her to forget all her pain, "Use me to forget him."
Those words remain unfazed inside her heart. Kyoko placed her head over his shoulder, mocking, "Ha! You don't even know him... None ever knew him better than me..."
"I know. I don't know everything about you, but I am willing to learn from you. That's my duty as your knight."
Again. He uses knights as an excuse.
"I thought you regret to serve me after I said I wanted to control you." Kyoko pushed,, breaking the hug as she wore a grieved expression.
"I never let you control me, but I will let you guide me. We should aid each other and not try to dominate between us."
"Woah. You are really good at comforting someone. I bet if you don't be a knight, you will be a therapist."
"Hahaha... Yeah, your therapist."
Suddenly, Kyoko casually shifted their position. Reinhard lies down on the couch while Kyoko sits on top of him. Her finger casually rubbed his chest under his coat, releasing her sexual tension.
The Sword Saint under her, confused yet, let her do anything that she wanted, "Kyoko, you like to show your love through physical, isn't it? That day too, you forced me to sleep beside you, hugged me for the whole night---"
"You already found it. My another way to show my love." Her lips brushing against his lips, teasingly the Sword Saint underneath her.
After the whole teasing, Reinhard finally parted his lips, give a access to Kyoko's tongue to enter his mouth. His hands subconsciously move to her cheeks, caressing with warm and gentle affection until he reach her ribbon hair.
The ribbon was pulling, making her black hair flowing to the air. Kyoko who don't mind his actions, deepened their kiss. She could feel another hand slowly moving to her back, slipping into under her black turtleneck clothes.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Young master, someone requested your presence in front of the gate."
Both of them was startled, immediately break the kiss. They looked at each other before turns around, their cheeks burning, trying to hiding their blushing.
"My apologies, I need to leave now..." Said Reinhard before moving from Kyoko. He neated his coat, have his best in order to maintain his image before leave this place.
"Okay."
"You don't mind it? I thought you will be angry."
Kyoko placed her elbow on the couch, using her right fist as support to her face while she looking at the Sword Saint calmly. She looks cool but not for her smirk, "Why would I be mad? Tonight, I'm going take you into my bed. So prepare yourself."
The Sword Saint felt his cheeks grows warm, a blush spreading across his face when he realized that he's going be in danger tonight, "Thank you for your warning.... Milady...."
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