Re:Zero-Marriage Will Be the King of Curses

2

When Rem opened her eyes within the box, she was met with astonishment. The only thing engulfing that moment was darkness, shrouded in an eerie silence. Occasionally, the tremors inside the box would unsettle Rem.

She attempted to break the box, but there was an oddity; as if all her strength had suddenly been taken away. Her hands felt feeble, unable to yield any results even when she struck the box forcefully with her fingers.

She desperately tried to scream, to let out a shriek against this suffocating darkness within, yet her voice seemed to disappear into the void, finding no echo.

Her mind seemed lost in a maze of shattered memories. The last thing she remembered was waking from a coma. Since that day, time spent within Roswaal's mansion had melted away in the monotony of a maid's routine. Subaru's death had eliminated any chance of deep dialogue with Emilia and the others. She had only engaged in brief conversations with Ram occasionally, yet an inner sense of alienation had intoxicated her.

The last memory was of a mundane moment washing dishes. Suddenly, the world vanished into a dark mist, and the next moment, she woke up in this strange and enclosed space.

The swaying had stopped, as if the box had been placed on the ground, and sounds from outside reached Rem's ears. But she could only hear a few things, each kept as a secret.

The lid of the box opened with a sudden movement, and Rem was met with a light that discomforted her eyes. At that moment, as her vision cleared, 12 women appeared around her. All of them were dressed in black-purple kimono outfits.

The 12 women simultaneously bowed their heads and as if predetermined, uttered, "Welcome home, milady."

There was chaos in Rem's mind; she couldn't understand what was happening or why she was here. Bewildered, she glanced around, trying to decipher something from each woman's face.

In a state of astonishment and concern, Rem asked, "What's happening?" But the eldest among the women simply smiled kindly, clasped her hands together, and applauded. The others, in the spreading silence, swiftly acted, saying, "Come on, our Master is waiting for you. Hurry, prepare the lady."

The 12 women gathered around Rem and moved in harmony. They combed her hair, dressed her in new clothes, and one of them completed the ensemble by applying makeup. Throughout the process, they all moved like artisans, with delicate and flawless coordination.

Rem felt bewildered and powerless within this situation. Even if she tried to resist, the women had a strange power, manipulating Rem as they wished. Her attempts to resist faltered against the mysterious power of these women. Helpless against this abnormal situation, she was being manipulated beyond her own will.

Rem had been reshaped from head to toe by these women, her blue hair elegantly tied in a bun, clad in a magnificent kimono of blue-pink tones.

The eldest woman smiled at Rem and said, "The Master Natsuma will faint when he sees you." Those words revived the turmoil about Natsuma in Rem's mind.

In Rem's mind, echoes of Natsuma, the Curse King Natsuma or Natsu no Akuma, the dark tale of the Emperor of Kararagi reverberated. The Emperor had suddenly emerged a year ago and swiftly seized control of the city-state of Kararagi, becoming a ruthless ruler.

Rem had only heard rumors about Natsuma, but even that was enough for her. The brutal takeover of a neighboring state posed a significant threat to her safety and life.

The information about Natsuma's cruelty painted a dark picture in Rem's mind. Mountains of corpses, practices of annihilating rebels, and a bloody reign depicted the brutality of Natsuma. These thoughts stirred fear and concern within Rem, as facing Natsuma now posed a great danger...

Rem pondered why Natsuma wanted her, and one of the first things that came to her mind was a new rumor about Natsuma.

Lust...

It was said that Natsuma had immense lust. Rumors circulated about his numerous wives and a particular interest in half-humans. This information created another tension within Rem. Thinking that Natsuma not only sought power but also had emotional and physical needs made the situation even more frightening.

Rem was an Oni, and only she and her sister remained from their race. This fact heightened her worries. A nauseating thought crossed her mind: Natsuma gathering women of all races and now it might be the turn of the Oni race.

One of the women escorted Rem into a room and closed the door behind her. The room exuded an atmosphere from the old Edo period, adorned with dazzling richness and details.

A voice rose from within the room. Seated at the table, a person with their back turned was dressed in a white kimono. They had long, black hair. This person emitted an aura that sent shivers down Rem's spine, exuding a strong sense of authority in their posture and voice.

With gritted teeth and rising fear, Rem yelled, "Rem will never belong to you!" Even though Natsuma had their back turned, the powerful atmosphere inside the room unsettled Rem. The figure before her, despite their back being turned, exuded immense power and authority.

Natsuma responded, "So be it," in a tone that sounded somewhat familiar. "Why did you refuse?" they asked in a deep voice.

Rem boldly stated, "Because Rem's heart belongs only to her hero."

Natsuma murmured, "Ahh, that pitiful wretch Subaru?" with a mocking tone, tinged with ridicule. "Isn't he the forgotten one, the pitiful soul who died in the forest?" they added.

Natsuma's voice and expressions brewed a storm of anger and concern within Rem. This derisive approach towards Subaru's memory created an uproar within Rem.

Rem fiercely exclaimed, "Subaru-kun isn't pitiful, he's wonderful!" She tried to summon her horns but couldn't seem to utilize her powers.

Natsuma, in a mocking manner, scoffed, "A dead wonder, a fool who relied on everyone, did nothing to prove himself," they said.

The anger within Rem flared up further at Natsuma's disdainful and mocking expressions regarding Subaru. It completely disrupted the emotional balance within Rem. Unfortunately, her attempts to use her powers were fruitless against the might of Natsuma's mysterious abilities.

With a strong expression, Natsuma emphasized their own empire and the riches they possessed. "Am I not? I have power, more than enough. My gold fills rooms. I have an empire. Just be mine and forget that loser," they spoke.

Rem rushed towards Natsuma in anger, yelling loudly, "Don't speak about Subaru-kun!" Natsuma suddenly turned around and smiled at Rem. Rem was frozen in shock at this unexpected encounter. Despite changes, Natsuma was still recognizable, their eyes holding the same special spark. Rem was trembling in the face of this sudden situation, filled with astonishment and concern.

Natsuma, or rather Subaru, with a warm tone, said, "It's been a long time, Rem," smiling. Complex emotions clashed within Rem. Confronting ghosts from the past had deeply shaken her. This unexpected meeting had disrupted Rem's mental balance and was fraught with numerous

------------------'hgggggghhhhhhhhhhyyhy

Don't forget to do