Rezero:Hearts Entwined in a Fractured World

part 2

Hearts Entwined in a Fractured World

Part 2: A Maid’s Heart

The following day, Subaru found himself surprisingly at peace. After his heartfelt moment with Beatrice, he felt lighter, as if a weight had been lifted off his chest. But there was something else—something pulling at the edges of his mind. He couldn’t shake the feeling that others had been quietly supporting him from the shadows.

As he made his way through the halls of the Roswaal mansion, he noticed a familiar figure darting around the corner with a basket of laundry. Petra Leyte, the young and cheerful maid who had taken a liking to him, was always so diligent in her duties. But lately, Subaru had begun to notice something more in the way she looked at him—something beyond mere admiration.

"Petra!" Subaru called, jogging after her.

Petra turned around, her face lighting up with a smile the moment she saw him. "Subaru! You’re up early today. I was just finishing my chores."

Subaru scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, I figured I should at least try to be productive, you know? Can’t let you do all the work."

Petra giggled. "I don’t mind. I like taking care of everyone. But…" She hesitated, her eyes flickering downward for a moment. "If you want to help, maybe you could join me later? I have something special planned."

Subaru raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Something special? What’s the occasion?"

Petra blushed slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, it’s nothing really. I just thought… well, you’ve been working so hard to keep everyone safe. You deserve a little break. So I… I wanted to do something nice for you."

Subaru’s heart warmed at her words. Petra had always been sweet and caring, but there was a sincerity in her voice that made him realize just how much she valued him. "You didn’t have to do that, Petra," he said softly. "But I really appreciate it. What do you have in mind?"

Petra’s face lit up. "It’s a surprise! Meet me in the garden at sunset, okay?"

Subaru chuckled, nodding. "Alright, you’ve got me curious now. I’ll be there."

---

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Subaru made his way to the garden, feeling a mix of curiosity and excitement. The mansion’s garden was a secluded, tranquil space, filled with vibrant flowers and softly glowing lanterns. He hadn’t been here often, but tonight, it felt magical.

As he approached, Subaru spotted Petra near a small table she had set up. The table was adorned with delicate flowers and a modest but beautifully prepared meal. She stood there, nervously adjusting her dress, clearly putting a lot of effort into the evening.

"Wow, Petra… this looks amazing!" Subaru exclaimed as he walked up to her.

Petra beamed, her eyes sparkling in the soft glow of the lanterns. "I’m glad you like it! I wasn’t sure if it would be enough, but I wanted to do something special for you."

Subaru’s heart skipped a beat at her earnestness. "It’s more than enough. You really didn’t have to go through all this trouble."

"It’s not trouble at all," Petra replied, a hint of shyness in her voice. "You’ve done so much for us, for me… I just wanted to show you how grateful I am."

They sat down together, sharing the meal and talking about everything from their past adventures to their hopes for the future. As the evening went on, Subaru noticed how Petra’s laughter seemed to brighten the night, how her eyes lingered on him a little longer than usual. There was an unspoken connection between them, one that had been quietly growing ever since she had joined the mansion.

After the meal, Petra stood up, her cheeks flushed as she gathered the courage to speak. "Subaru… there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you."

Subaru’s heart raced as he looked up at her, sensing the weight of her words. "What is it, Petra?"

She took a deep breath, her hands clasped in front of her as she gathered her thoughts. "I know I’m just a maid… and I’m younger than everyone else, but… I’ve admired you for a long time. Not just because of what you’ve done for us, but because of who you are. You’re kind, and brave, and you always put others first. And… I—"

Her voice trembled slightly as she stepped closer to him, her eyes glistening with emotion. "I think I love you, Subaru."

Subaru’s breath caught in his throat. He hadn’t expected her to confess her feelings so openly, but seeing the honesty in her eyes, he couldn’t help but feel touched. He stood up, gently placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Petra…" he began softly, searching for the right words. "You’ve always been special to me. I’ve seen how much you care for everyone, how hard you work, and how you’re always thinking of others. You’ve got a heart bigger than anyone I know."

Petra’s eyes widened, her breath hitching as she looked up at him, waiting for his response.

"I don’t know what the future holds, and I’m still trying to figure out my own feelings," Subaru continued, his voice gentle. "But I do know that you’re important to me. And… I don’t want to lose you."

Before Petra could respond, Subaru leaned in, pressing a soft, tender kiss to her forehead. Petra froze, her eyes wide, but then she smiled, her heart swelling with joy. It wasn’t the passionate kiss she had perhaps hoped for, but it was filled with warmth and affection—the beginning of something deeper.

As they stood together in the garden, the world around them seemed to fade, leaving just the two of them in the soft glow of the lanterns. The unspoken bond between them had strengthened, and though Subaru wasn’t ready to fully commit to one path just yet, he knew that Petra would always have a special place in his heart.

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To be continued…