Petra Leyte

Petra Leyte (ペトラ・レイテ) is a former inhabitant of Arlam Village who currently lives and works at Roswaal Manor as a maid. She is a supporting character first introduced in Arc 2 and later joins the main cast in Arc 4.

After meeting Subaru, she developed a crush on him, prompting her to get a job as a maid at Roswaal Manor to get closer to him.

Appearance
During her life as a village child, Petra wore common clothes that consisted of a pair of brown shoes, green leggings with horizontal stripes that were shorn just above the ankles, a white long-sleeved shirt, an open short-sleeved cream-colored cardigan with red outlining, and a red ribbon fastened to her collar. She has medium length reddish brown hair that extends to her shoulders along with cyan eyes. She switched to a maid uniform for her job.

During the month that Subaru was at Priestella, her hair and height grew longer, with her mentioning that she would grow even more by the time he returned from the Pleiades Watchtower.

Personality
Petra Leyte is a pure-hearted innocent young girl who often tries her best to help and nurture others, regardless of whether doing so was detrimental to her. Her sweet personality is enough to mellow the hearts of those who interacted with her, particularly Subaru and Frederica, whose moods brightened just from talking with her. Unlike many people in Lugunica, Petra harbors no xenophobic tendencies towards demi-humans, instead judging people off of their deeds and personalities. Alongside the other children in Arlam Village, Petra held no prejudice against Emilia.

She was originally a little submissive, usually just going along with what others said, however after the incident at the Sanctuary, she becomes bolder and learns to express her own opinion more. She also develops feelings for Subaru after he saved her during the Wolgarm incident. Before becoming a maid, her initial desire was to be a seamstress at the capital.

For someone so young, Petra is incredibly brave, choosing to prioritize the lives and wellbeing of others above her own in situations of crisis. When the disguised Wolgarm fled into the Wolgarm-infested woods, Petra, who was unaware of the creature's true identity, steeled her nerves and traversed into the forest to rescue the animal from danger. When Elsa Granhiert took her hostage and brought her before Subaru and her fellow maids, Petra, although terrified at the prospect of dying, told her friends to flee and save themselves rather than rescue her.

History
Petra is a young girl who formerly lived in Arlam Village, a small rural village located in the lands of the noble Margrave Roswaal L Mathers. She had aspired to move to the capital of Lugunica and become a tailor when she grew up. However, her life changed forever when the teenage boy Natsuki Subaru, who was working at the mansion of Margrave Roswaal L Mathers, began to visit the village.

When he visited the village, Subaru was playing with Petra and her friends. Shortly after meeting Subaru, the children of Arlam including Petra were kidnapped by a group of Demon Beasts commanded by Meili Portroute. In order to save them, Subaru ventured into the forests surrounding the village. Thanks to the efforts of Subaru and his allies, the children were saved and the Demon Beasts have been largely wiped out by Roswaal L Mathers.

After the Demon Beast incident, Petra developed a crush for the person who saved her that grew over time. After about a month or two, Petra decided to give up her dream of becoming a tailor, instead choosing to look for work in Margrave Roswaal's mansion, where she could be closer to Subaru. Despite her young age, Petra managed to get a job as a maid in the mansion and soon found a mentor in Frederica Baumann, a fellow maid who treated Petra like her little sister.

Abilities
Magic User (魔法使い Maho Tsukai): Petra has a Yang affinity, but she's not good with magic. Emilia tried to teach her, but due to Emilia's teaching methods relying on instinct, she now gets lectures from Ram.
 * Jiwald (ジワルド): Using Yang Magic, Petra is able to conjure and manipulate visible light into beams of scorching heat that attack whatever stands in its way.

Self-Defense: Frederica gave her lessons in physical combat in order for her to learn how to defend herself.

Trivia

 * According to the author, Petra's birthday was on the 14th of February, which also happens to be Valentine's Day.
 * She was able to see who Subaru truly was when he was wearing one of Roswaal's anti-recognition cloaks.
 * The author has affirmed that the arc where Petra will “shine the brightest” is in Arc 8.
 * As the original plan for Arc 7 changed and it was split into two separate arcs, it can be assumed that this statement about Arc 8 now applies to Arc 9.
 * Petra once wished to become a tailor. She displayed quite remarkable sewing skills, which she learned from her mother.
 * Petra's favourite colour is red.
 * Petra played hide and seek in Roswaal Manor before becoming a maid, which allowed her to remember all of the rooms there.
 * In order to become a maid and get close to Subaru, Petra asked all the girls who applied for this year to refuse the invitation for enlistment at Roswaal Manor.
 * Petra has been ranked among the five weakest characters in Re:Zero.