As Enkidu awoke, his emerald eyes slowly fluttered open, adjusting to the gentle sunlight spilling through the ornate window. He found himself lying on a soft bed, far removed from the cold, rough ground he'd grown accustomed to during his countless journeys. The scent of fresh linen mixed with faint traces of medicinal herbs filled his senses, calming him.
Standing by his bedside were two young maids. One had short pink hair tied neatly with a ribbon, her crimson eyes watchful and sharp. The other possessed flowing blue hair, her expression soft and composed.
"Sister, sister! The guest has woken up!" the pink-haired maid exclaimed, her tone tinged with both surprise and delight.
"Yes indeed, sister. She has," the blue-haired one replied with a calm nod.
Something about that sentence made Enkidu's brow twitch ever so slightly. She?
But rather than dwell on it — he had been called stranger things in stranger worlds — he chose to ignore it for now.
Pushing himself up, Enkidu offered a gentle, almost ethereal smile. "Where might Emilia be?" he asked in a soft, melodic voice that nonetheless carried a quiet strength.
"Lady Emilia is currently eating breakfast. Would you like to be escorted there?" the blue-haired maid asked, folding her hands neatly before her apron.
"Ah, yes. I would… I just need a moment to prepare myself."
"Indeed. The white cloth you arrived with is being washed. We have brought something else for you to wear," the pink-haired maid added with a small, polite bow.
Enkidu inclined his head. "I see. Thank you."
Moments later, the maids returned, laying out a fresh garment on the nearby chair. To Enkidu's immediate dismay, it was a straight white dress.
His eye twitched. Then he let out a slow, controlled breath. A dress. Truly?
With a calm but unamused look, Enkidu turned toward the maids. "I would prefer not to wear that," he said plainly.
The pink-haired maid blinked. "Eh? But it would suit you so well—"
"No." Enkidu's voice was gentle, yet there was an unmistakable firmness beneath it that brooked no argument.
The maids exchanged a glance. The blue-haired one — Rem, if he remembered rightly — gave a resigned nod and sighed. "Very well. Then perhaps you might continue to wear the under-tunic you still have. We can have your original mantle returned to you as soon as it's ready."
"That would be appreciated." Enkidu dipped his head with a faint smile.
Even so, he found himself grateful for the simple white tunic and light trousers he still wore beneath his usual garb — modest, easy to move in, and free of unnecessary frills. As far as Enkidu was concerned, it was more than enough.
With that settled, the maids led him from the room. They moved through long hallways adorned with intricate tapestries depicting dragons, golden sunbursts, and forests alive with tiny silver birds. The floor beneath was polished so finely it mirrored the chandeliers above.
Eventually, they arrived at a grand dining hall. A long table stretched across the room, covered in plates that steamed with warmth and smelled absolutely divine.
"Hello, Lady Emilia," Rem said with a respectful bow.
"Oh, Rem! And you've brought Enkidu," Emilia said, her face lighting up in relief and delight. Her silver hair shimmered under the morning light, her amethyst eyes sparkling.
"Hello, Emilia," Enkidu greeted warmly. Just seeing her safe and cheerful eased something deep inside him.
"Are you alright? You suddenly collapsed before…" Emilia asked, her voice colored by worry.
"Ah? Yes, I'm fine," Enkidu reassured her with a gentle smile. "I was merely tired after the fight. Nothing more."
"Are you sure? You don't have to hide it if something's wrong."
"No truly — you needn't worry about me," he said, his smile soft yet unyielding.
Emilia studied him for a heartbeat longer, then her own smile returned. "Well, if that's so… then please, join me for breakfast!"
"If you'll have me, it would be my pleasure."
He sat down across from her, taking in the delicious array before them. There were baskets of warm bread, dishes of scrambled eggs sprinkled with herbs, colorful bowls of fruit glistening with dew, and jars of golden honey and jewel-toned jams.
For a moment, Enkidu simply admired the sight. In all his wandering across different worlds, he rarely paused long enough to enjoy something so peaceful, so domestic.
As he spread jam over a slice of bread, he looked back up. "Emilia… if I may ask, where am I exactly?"
Emilia blinked, then giggled softly. "Oh! I never told you, did I? This is the Mathers Estate. It belongs to Roswaal L. Mathers."
"Ah, I see." Enkidu inclined his head thoughtfully, though he carefully hid any glimmer of recognition. The name Roswaal was not unfamiliar, but it was best to let things play out naturally.
"Oh — speaking of Roswaal!" Emilia perked up. "He'll probably want to meet you soon."
"Roswaal… who is he exactly?" Enkidu asked, feigning ignorance with an innocent tilt of his head.
"He's the master of this estate, and the lord of this entire region," Emilia explained, folding her hands with a small, almost amused smile. "He's… well, a bit strange, but very powerful. And he's been supporting me, so you don't have to worry."
"I see. And why would he wish to meet me?"
"You helped me with something incredibly important, Enkidu. You might have saved my life when you protected me from the Bowel Hunter," she said, her expression darkening momentarily at the memory. Then she brightened again. "So I'm sure Roswaal would at least like to thank you. And… probably figure out who exactly you are."
"Ah. Well in that case, I will not object," Enkidu replied with a serene smile.
Emilia beamed, visibly relieved. "I'm glad. I think he'll like you."
As they continued their meal, Enkidu allowed himself to relax, enjoying the rare comfort of warmth, good food, and gentle company. But deep within, his instincts remained sharp, ever watchful. New world or not, he knew trials would come. And he would meet them head-on — dressed as himself, not in someone else's garments.