It had been five days...
It had already been a full five days since Emilia had gone alone to the Sanctuary to visit the injured Roswaal L. Mathers, without bringing anyone along.
Before she left, Emilia had told the Ram and Rem sisters that she would come straight back after visiting Roswaal L. Mathers, and that she definitely wouldn't be gone long—two or three days at most, right?
But Emilia still hadn't returned since going to the Sanctuary. So, on the evening of the fifth day, after dinner, Ram and Rem looked at the sky outside and could no longer hold back. Deeply worried, they finished their respective chores and went together to the kitchen, where they found the former head maid, Frederica, washing the dishes.
"Oh?"
"You two are here?"
Looking up, Frederica saw the Ram and Rem sisters walk in together. She noticed the worry on their faces, but didn't seem to mind. She greeted them, then went back to washing the dishes in her hands.
"..."
"..."
Ram and Rem went over to Frederica. They didn't offer to help; they just waited beside the kitchen sink.
"Heh!"
"I'm guessing you two want to ask about Emilia, right?"
"Understandable!"
"After all, she's been gone for a full five days now, well past the time she originally planned to be away!"
Frederica glanced at the sisters again and took in their expressions. Then she grinned, baring her mouthful of sharp teeth. In the light of the magical gemstones illuminating the room, she looked strangely sinister.
"!!"
"You really do know something!"
"Frederica..."
"If you really know something, please tell us right now."
Ram and Rem were startled. Then, as if sharing a single mind, they stepped forward together and stood in front of Frederica, fixing their former senior with