...

3rd Pov

"You disappoint me, Reina" a voice cut through her heart.

Wilhelm looked down at her granddaughter with wrath and hated, he slapped her.

Reina looked in disbelief, a seething pain embraced her cheek.

Her tears threatened to pour down.

"You monster! To steal your own grandmother's blessing! You killed her! You killed my Theresia! You vile demon spawn!" hearing the hurtful words spat by her grandfather, she stood alone.

She looked around for comfort, for help. But all she was met with accusing glares, disappointed looks.

She looked on the ground, her eyes devoid of light.

"Never show your face to me again!" Wilhelm said one last time before turning around and leaving.

She fell on the ground breaking into a crying mess, however her tears were ignored, her pleas were ignored.

She was blamed for stealing her Grandma's blessings in the middle of the battle against White Whale.

From that day onwards her relationship with her family deteriorated.

...

"You defeated me... So easily" Heinkel looked at her in disbelief.

Reina nodded, having accomplished something that she only dreamed of looked at her father with eager eyes, wanting his praise, but all she got was a curse.

"You Monster!" she froze, wondering if she had heard it wrong.

She looked at her father to see him looking with hatred, she trembled and fear took over her.

"W-Why?" she asked, her heart was unable to bear his look.

"Why you ask? WHY YOU ASK YOU FILTHY MONSTER?!" he screamed, his voice stunned her, tears started pouring out of her eyes.

He slapped her, however instead of her falling on the ground it was his hand which was hurt.

"You monster! You took away something that belonged to me! I was supposed to get the Blessing! I was! Then because of you, my mother died! I doubt if it was because of you my wife got in coma as well!" he spat, his every word cut through her and she became a sobbing mess.

"I- I apologize, please forgive me, please forgive me" she repeated again and again, however her words made Heinkel only colder.

He had sparred her after drinking a lot of alcohol, and now in his current state his anger was magnified.

He grabbed her by hair, and slapped her, again, and again, and again, until his hand was bleeding.

For Reina, each slap broke her heart, even if it barely hurt her.

"See this?" he showed his bleeding palm "You did this, you hurt me. You are but a monster! I regret that you are my daughter"

He spat at her and left her alone, she laid on the ground frozen, her father's saliva reeking with alcohol on her face.

That day, Reina Van Astrea lost her only support.

...

Years passed by, however her relationship with her family only deteriorated, due to Heinkel's and Wilhelm's habits, everyone started assuming it was Reina's fault, whether Theresia died or Lounna got the Sleeping beauty curse.

Maids started mocking her at her behind, they snickered and cursed her for all the wrongs she had never done.

Because of Reina's Blessings, she of course knew what they spoke behind her back. It broke her, she wanted someone to save her, she was but a girl, burdened with responsibilities that were pushed on her.

In the end, she became the strongest sword saint of Astrea family in entire history, as the Child loved by the world, she was granted countless Divine Protections by Od Laguna.

However, in the end she was but a Sword Saint, the girl Reina Van Astrea, has died somewhere.

Her gaze was always polite; however it was a mask, that hid her pain.

She didn't have any friends, in the original because of Reinhardt, Reina's male counter part's different personality, he managed to preserve and even managed to get Felix and Julius as his friends.

But Reina was a woman, so Felix and Julius being male didn't take the initiative to get close to her, and in the end she was labelled by them as monster as well.

Of course they didn't meant harm by that, it was just Reina had a divine Protection that granted her healing prowess surpassing Felix's and her strength utterly crushed Julius.

Thus, there formed the sad girl known as Reina, who was only respected because she was Sword Saint.

No One loved her for the girl she was, only because she was strongest Knight in the Kingdom, whose task was to accomplish things for the Kingdom, whether good or bad.

...

Today she was on patrol, despite it being her off-day. People loved her, only because she was Sword Saint, no-they just loved the Sword Saint, the Divine Protection.

The girl named Reina Van Astrea was utterly despised by everyone, no one loved her.

However, to ensure at least her grandma's legacy isn't soiled, she tried to be the best Knight.

Thus, she was on patrol.

Her face stoic, no one tried to start a conservation with her, why would they? They feared her, and admired her- Only the sword saint was admired.

'Every day is the same' she thought, her eyes dull, when she found a black-haired boy in the middle of the road.

He was muttering something about dying and getting stronger, while holding a pouch of Holy Coins.

'Hm?' she wondered if he was in trouble, and decided to check it out.

"Excuse me Sir, are you in trouble?" she asked him as she reached near him.

He turned towards her, a blush formed on his face before he looked away and coughed.

'Did he just blush?' she thought, a spark blossomed in her eyes.

"Sorry Miss, I was just in middle of my thoughts- Anyway you?" he looked at her with some similarity in his eyes.

"Reina, my name is Reina and I am a Knight" she said, she could deduce from his tongue and his hair that he wasn't from Lugunica so she introduced herself.

"Oh, So Miss Reina, how may I help you?" he said, a visible tint of red in his cheeks.

"I found you muttering about dying... If you are in some trouble then let me know, as a knight it is my duty to help people" she said, while involuntarily her Divine Protections activated.

"Help? Me?" he looked in dilemma, and then looked at her and sighed.

"I won't lie- I need help" he said and she nodded expecting to ask him to help her.

"But I refuse your help" he continued taking her by surprise.

"Why?" she asked, curious. Every time she had tried to help someone- no one refused her, ever.

"I mean, how can I put a girl like you in a danger? As of now my mind is free of guilt- But if I involve you in my shit, nope- I won't put a cute girl like you in danger" he said and then blushed realizing the last lines he said.

She was stunned, and realized he didn't know her. He didn't know, she was the MONSTER, the sword saint.

'Damn it! My Natsuki Subaru side is too shameless!' Natsuki cursed himself.

Meanwhile Reina debated if she should tell him the truth, in the end she couldn't.

She knew if she told him the truth, he will accept her help, spell out loving words, behind the mask of fear and disgust.

"What is your name?" she finally asked, her eyes with a glint stared at him.

"I can't give you my real name, I apologize, I really really apologize" he said.

Her eyes dimmed and he said "But you can call me Zero"

She nodded and spoke "Zero... So, Sir Zero?" she froze, as she felt a warmth on her head- her heart started pounding.

He was patting her and the moment he realizes he too froze.

'Fuck it Natsuki Subaru! It's all your fault' he cursed himself.

He could feel it; something was wrong with her. It was as if she had given up the hope of living.

His senses were keener so he quickly realized it and involuntarily started patting her, as to lessen her sorrow.

As he tried to withdraw his hands, she grabbed it, her eyes widened realizing her mistake and she quickly let go of him.

"I apologize- I don't know what came over me" he apologized.

"Why? Why did you do that" she asked her voice cold.

Her froze and wondered if he was going to die again, in the end he spoke the truth.

"Well, you are very cute- and I sensed you were sad, so I did it" he replied while preparing to regress.

"I- I am cute?" Reina blinked her eyes innocently.

'He didn't call me monster' joy erupted in her heart.

However, it was soon replaced by sorrow 'Of course he doesn't know I am the Sword Saint, if he knew then he would have feared me'

She knew majority of common people feared her because of her position, and the fact that she had been responsible for her grandma's death.

"Anyway, I should be on my way. Thank you for trying to help me, however this is something that I must do myself" Subaru said.

She nodded and he left, however her heart wasn't at ease. 'Should I follow him? His words were nothing but genuine- Even when he called me cute' a blush came on her cheeks.

She had heard him saying that he will most probably die if he is going to face 'her'. As for who is 'her' she didn't knew. He said he had gotten stronger and probably can take her on.

She realized his life maybe in danger and not wanting him to die, she decided to follow him. Using her Divine Protection, she became invisible.

Then she started walking behind him, following him. Suddenly as he turned to an alley, he ran and quickly turned back towards her while holding the knife.

'He found me?! Impossible, I am invisible!' she thought surprised, then she heard "Weird, I sure I heard someone walking behind me-even if minutely and my gut is screaming that someone is stalking me"

'Stalking? Now that I think about' she blushed hearing the accusation. However she realized her mistake, she quickly used her Divine Protection that cancelled any noise made by her, whether breathing or her footsteps.

She then used another Divine Blessing, to make herself odourless and then used her Divine Blessing of Sixth Sense Cancellation, which erases any precognition of her by sixth sense.

Natsuki thought his enhanced senses might have been playing with his mind, and continued on his way.

As he reached slums, he finally encountered Emilia who seeing him hesitated for a moment before asking "Um, Sir, have you seen a short girl with short blonde hair, ruby eyes and a red scarf?"

"Are you talking about Felt?" hearing his words her eyes lit up, she clenched her fists in excitement! She finally got a lead.

"Yes! I am talking about Felt!" Emilia said with a smile.

'No Subaru- Don't laugh' Subaru held his laughter back, seeing how easily she believed him, and the fact that the thief was Felt.

"Well, I can take you where she might be, however I would need a Favor" he said and she hesitated.

"Actually, I have no money with me" Emilia said, and Subaru gave her a dry look.

"Well, whatever, I am going there as well- So you can just follow me" he said and her eyes lit up.

"Really?! It won't be a problem... If I follow you?" she asked, wondering if he would judge her by her look and race.

"No problem! I am happy to help a cute girl as you!" Natsuki shrugged.

While Emilia froze hearing him say cute, Reina felt a tinge of jealousy rise up in her.

'Why he had to call her cute? She looks like the Witch after all!' Reina thought with sour mood.

When he had said her cute earlier, she was feeling joyful but for some reason seeing him call another girl cute made her feel angry! Angry at the girl!

But then hope rose within her 'Despite her appearance as the Witch of Envy, Satella he calls her cute... So would he still call me cute, if he knows I am a Monster?' she thought, her breath hitched.

Then she shook her head 'Why I am thinking of such stuff? It is literally the first time I have met him...but...but his hands were warm' she thought.

She didn't know what was happening to her, but if others were to know that she fell in love simply because some called her cute- They would have been stunned.

She didn't receive any love from her parents, everyone treated her as unwanted, her only use was to serve to the Kingdom as the Sword Saint.

To the Kingdom it didn't matter how she felt, to them all she was a Knight that needed to be a loyal dog.

To others the feeling of Reina Van Astrea never mattered, they didn't even realize the fact that in the end she was but a girl.

Unfortunately, her Noble Status, made it impossible for commoners to be friend with her, and add the bad rumours about her.

You get a girl who is extremely love deprived- And as Natsuki became the first boy to shower her with warmth... even only a bit.

She became what happened to Original Natsuki with Emilia; however, it was just a bud yet to blossom.

While she was debating with herself, Emilia looked at Subaru surprised.

"I am a Half-Elf! Are you speaking the truth or lying?" she asked.

Suddenly Puck came out of the crystal and said "He wasn't lying Lia- When he said that you were cute" hearing his words she blushed.

(A/N: Emilia is Emilia, don't expect her to get falling for Mc when her brain is of a child)

"However! You cannot get close to my daughter without her father's permission!" Puck argued.

"She doesn't have a friend, right?" asked Subaru and Puck became surprised, his eyes became cold while Emilia was hurt.

"So how about I become her first friend?" Subaru offered to her.

"My friend? Really? But I am a half-elf!" she said.

"So? I don't judge people's personality from their faces. To me you are just a cute and lonely girl, who could use a friend like me!" Subaru said.

'Yeah, totally a friend who has to die for her several times' he thought dryly.

"He speaks truth Emilia" Puck's expression softened and he nodded as he looked at his daughter.

"Then- Then! I am Emilia! A Half-Elf, I would like to be your friend Sir" she stopped realizing she didn't know his name.

"I cannot tell my name, as it is a precaution against the disgusting Witch Cult, however you can call me Zero" he said and she nodded.

He forwarded his hand and she took it, he then shook it.

While Emilia's face lit up, realizing she has made a friend. "Puck! I have made a friend!" she looked at her self-proclaimed father, who nodded.

Puck knew that Zero had no bad intentions, however he was still on his guard.

'I just hope you don't make my daughter cry- Otherwise' his eyes narrowed.

Reina meanwhile felt even more jealous; she kicked on the ground angry.

'I should have shaken his hand!' she thought, not realizing how absurd she was being.

"Anyway, let me show you the way to Old Man Rom's place- That's where we will most probably found Felt and your insignia" he said and she nodded.

'I wonder if I will be able to save them this time' he thought and sighed.

Emilia followed him to the Old Man Rom's place, they knocked on the door.

"Tell the code"

"Knock Knock Rom! Knock Knock"

"That's not the code" Old Man Rom opened the door with a grunt.

"You see we are here to get something that Felt stole" he said and made way for Emilia who stepped forward and looked at him.

"I am here to get back my stolen insignia" Emilia said and stepped inside, Felt who was inside became surprised seeing her.

"It's you!"

"It's you!"

They both pointed at each other, Emilia said "Give me back my insignia! It's mine!"

"I won't! You should have taken a better care of it Miss! I won't give the insignia back!" Felt replied and she took out her knife and took a defensive stance.

"Old Man! You shouldn't have let them in!" she grunted and Rom shrugged.

As they argued, a voice cut through their debate.

"My, my it seems you have failed" Elsa said as she stepped inside.

Felt's eyes lit up "I have the insignia as I promised, now give me the ten Holy Coins!"

Emilia too became hostile towards Elsa "I see... So you are the one who wanted my Insignia! Tell me why do you do that?"

Subaru meanwhile took out his two knifes, and without any hesitation charged at her, his movements a blur he reached in front of her in one-fifth of a second and slashed with his knifes.

*Clang*

The sound of metal collision sounded as his knifes met her draggers "How rude to interrupt me!" she swung her draggers only for Natsuki to dodge them.

"Subaru! What are you doing?!" Emilia was taken back by his sudden hostility towards Elsa.

He said as he stepped back "Idiots! She is the bowel hunter! If you want to live! Then fight her with me!"

His words shocked them.

"Bowel hunter? No way!" Felt said refusing to believe his words, however Elsa's next words revealed the truth.

"It seems I was exposed- I have never seen you before, so how do you know me?" Elsa said amused and curious.

Felt and Rom's face became pale "Felt I told you! Not to take shady deals! Didn't I?" Rom accused her.

"Old Man! How the heck I am supposed to know she is the bowel hunter?!" Felt argued back.

"Idiots! If we don't take her together, she will kill us!" Subaru shouted shutting them up.

"Fine!" Felt grumbled and Rom quickly ran towards the side, intending to grab his spiked club.

"Emilia use your magic!" he ordered and the half-elf who was in shock recovered and replied "Okay!"

"Hey don't order my daughter!" Puck said as he appeared and launched Ice projectiles at Elsa who dodged with relative ease.

"Your strength is nothing special, just that of a trained Knight. However, your speed is rather unusual... I wonder- How your guts will look like?" Elsa licked her lips as she eyed Subaru.

The fight begins! With Emilia using Ice Projectiles on Elsa, Felt using her divine protection to boost her speed with wind, and attacking Elsa, Old Man Rom using his spiked clubs and Subaru trying best to stay alive and not die.

However, Elsa easily blocked Rom's club, and kicked him away, his figure flew away like a ragdoll crashing against the wooden wall and he was knocked out cold.

"Rom!" Felt screamed seeing her grandpa-like figure crashing against the wall.

She gritted her teeth and swung her knife at she neared her, however Elsa blocked her attack and also Subaru's who was simultaneously attacking her from left.

She kicked Felt away and Subaru stepped back dodging her attack by a hair's breadth.

"Your reactions and speed are impressive, despite your meagre strength" Elsa commented.

Elsa hadn't gone all out, otherwise Subaru and others would have died by now.

"El Huma!" Emilia used her magic, forming multitude of Ice Spears and shooting them at Elsa who easily deflected them using her draggers.

"It seems I should get serious" Elsa said as her expression became cold, she had enough fun tormenting them.

Subaru's expression fell as he realized she just toying with her, his body started trembling.

'Would I have to die again? Just how many times? How many times I have to die so that I can defeat her?' he thought with despair, not wanting to die again.

Elsa suddenly charged at Subaru breaking the sound barrier, Subaru could barely react and just as he was about to die, Elsa's attacks were stopped on her track by bare hands.

"Huh?" Subaru reacted and became surprised seeing the figure in front of him.

She had striking long red hair, cascading down her back, she had shimmering blue eyes and a white complexion. Her face was beautiful and cute at the same time, she was none other than Reina Van Astrea.

"Oh? Who you might be?" Elsa asked as she stepped back, her sixth sense was practically screaming at her to run away.

"I am Reina, a knight! And I won't let you hurt Sir Zero and his companion!" she said not knowing how un-knightly she sounded.

"Reina?" Elsa's eyes widened as she realized it was none other than the sword saint, her grip over the hilt of her draggers became stronger.

"Reina! What are you doing here?! She is bowel hunter and extremely dangerous!" Subaru said in surprise.

Reina looked at him and gave a smile "I am a Knight, and it's my duty to protect you" then she turned towards Elsa who swung her dragger towards Emilia.

Reina quickly intercepted the dragger as Elsa made a run for her life, however the next moment Reina was behind her and she swung the sword that was still sheathed.

*Boom*

Elsa's spine cracked as she was thrown away like a ragdoll breaking through the wall of Rom's bar, and through the old houses.

"Fuck" she said as she coughed blood.

Emilia and Subaru were too shocked by the scene.

'Who is she?! She was able to K.O. the fricking Bowel hunter!' Subaru thought in shock, not recalling any red-haired female knight that powerful from the anime.

"Miss Reina- I am thankful you are here" Emilia breathed in relief and so Puck, although they haven't met with her before, they knew about the famous Sword Saint.

While Reina felt ashamed of her actions.

As she was stalk-*ahem* following Subaru, and when the Bowel Hunter appeared, she wondered if she should intervene.

However, for some reason, she wanted to come up as a 'Cute girl' to Subaru or rather as charming to him, than a Monster.

So, she used her Divine Protection which only signalled her to act when Subaru was in danger, and she heroically saved him.

'Did I do good? Should I have acted earlier?' she thought in her mind.

"Miss Reina! You should finish Elsa!" Subaru said as he recalled that Elsa was a cursed doll.

"Elsa?" Reina tilted her head in confusion.

"I mean the Bowel hunter!" he said and she realized "Oh!"

"Don't worry, with that hit she will die for sure" as she said a figure charged out from the rubble and ran away at immense speed.

"..."

"..."

(A/N: "...")

'So embarrassing!' she thought while blushing, although she could follow up Elsa. She didn't wanted the fight to escalate to the streets.

She sighed in defeat 'I failed to make a good impression of me'

Meanwhile Natsuki chuckled 'Hey, at least I am alive- That's a plus' he thought.

"Thank you, girl, for saving my daughter. I was worried there for a second as my time is nearly up" Puck said and she nodded.

Emilia too nodded "As one of the Royal Candidates, I would like to express my gratitude to the Sword Saint"

Suddenly Subaru's ears perked "Sword Saint?!"

Reina trembled as she realized that Subaru didn't knew her identity till now- her expression fell.

"You don't know, Sir Zero? She is the Sword Saint of Lugunica- Reina Van Astrea!" Emilia introduced Reina.

Natsuki Subaru was left stunned, he froze on his place as Reina too froze in her place, she looked downwards, her body started trembling with fear.

'No wonder...No wonder...' he thought shocked.

He finally realized why Reinhardt didn't came to save him in his previous loop when he screamed for his help.

No wonder people didn't recognize Reinhardt- As he never existed in this Reality.

No wonder why people called him to 'Fuck off' when he said he was looking for Reinhardt- The Sword Saint.

Because his boi Reinhardt has been gender-bended into a cute girl!

However, Reina misunderstood his expression and surprise- thinking he will now hate her- despise her, shun her, just like everyone and her emotions flooded out.

Suddenly he broke free from his daze and looked at panicked expression of Emilia, who was staring at Reina.

'She is crying? Why?' he thought as he looked at the tears falling on the floor.

He too panicked, and asked "Why are crying?"

"Because you know- Know that I am a Monster" she replied.

He quickly went and hugged her, taking her by surprise.

"Never call yourself that!" he reprimanded her.

She was surprised again and asked "Why? I am Monster-*Sniff* Who stole my grandma's *Sniff*Blessings"

"You are no monster, Reina! It is not your fault that your grandmother died. It is the fault of that White Whale and the Witch Cultists! If someone blames you, then they are hypocrite and fools!" he said, breaking the hug.

His black eyes stared at her blue eyes, "Reina Van Astrea, I thank you for saving my life. You are my Hero- Not a monster. You are someone important to me"

Her heart pounded; her breath hitched. As if an electric current ran through her body, she froze, her tears stopped pouring out.

' I am his hero? I am not a monster?' she thought feeling giddy.

Joy took over her- Immense joy.

Her grief, years of abuse, everything was washed away.

At this moment- Only the boy in front of her mattered.

Reina Van Astrea had fallen in love.

To be continued...

(A/N: Boy rizzed the Champion of the World itself. Now he has a World Corrupting Yandere, and a World destroying Yandere on his back)