n

n

nI was currently in the middle of a challenging task. Which is baking.

nI had never thought that baking is so tough to do. My hands were getting numb from the heat, and I have been burned so many times that I lost count of it. Good thing Mrs. Noel was there to teach me or there's a big possibility of me failing and burning down the whole mansion.

nThe five girls were also helping, some of them are just like me though, dazed and confused. Even Freesia was staring at a batter and the dough a moment ago, looking conflicted.

n

"M-my hands are tired,

" Amy whined and stopped whisking. Lily replaced her and started whisking the batter that Amy abandoned.

n

"Do you need help milady? I could whisk the batter for you if you're tired..

" Mrs. Noel offered, but I shook my head. I need to do this alone or it won't count.

n

"O-oh no! It spilled!

" Shouted Lily.

n

"You shouldn't have whisked it too hard! It would really spill if you do that. Freesia, that's enough eggs, stop adding more!

" Mari reprimanded both of them.

nThat was the constant scene here, a total disorder.

nI looked at Mrs. Noel in embarrassment. We were making so much mess, that the already chaotic kitchen looked even more untidy. Erin, who kept peeking at the oven, was scolded by Mari as well.

n

"I'm so sorry…

" I apologized for the nth time.

nMrs. Noel only smiled warmly. She didn't look like she's getting fed up with us but looked more indulging instead. Like she's teaching a child.

n

"I am only glad to help the young miss. Young miss shouldn't worry anymore.

" She replied.

nI'm really thankful that these two have the patience of a saint.

nAfter more trials and errors, we finally succeeded in making the base layer, not crumbling, when touched. All of the former creations were either had too much flour, too many eggs, or both. The first one was the worst because it got burnt to charcoals.

nI praise every baker out there. You guys are awesome!

n

"Quick! Quick! I want to put the icing!

" Erin volunteered.

n

"I want to do it as well!

" Amy chimes in.

n

"M-me too!

" Lily joins.

n

"… I would also like to participate.

" Freesia mutters.

nMarigold sighs as she looks them over.

n

"You guys…

" She whispered while looking exasperated. I want to pat her in the back and reassure her that everything's okay. Which is doubtful even in my opinion.

n

"Let's do it then!

" I exclaimed and they immediately perked up. Looking like excited children.

nThere were three trays and it was split evenly so everyone could have their share.

nI smothered my batch of cupcakes with icing while humming a familiar tune. Then planted a bunch of strawberries as a decoration.

nNathaniel may not look like it, but he really likes strawberries. I got that piece of information from the novel.

n

"It looks… okay?

" I muttered, squinting at my own work.

nYeah, it looked imperfect, but for a novice like me, it seemed fine. I guess... I mean, who knows right? I'm not good at these types of things.

n

"It looks good for a beginner milady!

" Mrs. Noel complimented.

nI blushed at her words.

n

"Thank you…

" I muttered.

nI stared at the cupcakes again and chewed my bottom lip.

n

"Do you think Nathan would like it?

"

n

"Of course he would! Milady made it for him.

" She answered politely.

nI doubt it, honestly. Nathan still dislikes me a bit, I think.

n

"Stop putting more!

" Mari yelled and it caught my attention.

nI peered at them, wanting to see what they were being so fussy about. I saw Mari snatching the cream from Erin's hands who was pouting really hard. Freesia was busily putting raisins as toppings which made me wonder if she's okay. I have never heard of raisins being put on cupcakes but okay, she could do whatever she wants.

nI just don't want it in my line of sight.

nAmy was eating one of hers, while Lily looked really stressed out because she can't choose what she wants to put on the top.

nThey all look fine.

nI stopped looking and started putting the cupcakes in a box so I could wrap it and ignored the on-going madness at the side.

nAfter wrapping everything up, I left the five of them who volunteered to clean our mess and made my way to the backyard. Nathaniel was there, training the other knights. I saw Uno, who greeted me with a small bow and went back to training.

nI approached Nathaniel who faced me as soon as I got near him. His forehead was creased and his eyes were asking what I'm doing here.

nI smiled at him and reached out my hand, holding the box up to his face.

n

"I baked these.

" I greeted and handed him the box of cupcakes.

nNathan stared at the box in his hands and looked back at Nadia who was smiling wide.

n

"You did?

"

n

"Yes~

" She beamed, eyes sparkling like rubies.

nHe was looking at it with a blank face, giving nothing away about what he's thinking. It was wrapped clumsily with ribbons, and he could see the disfigured looking cupcakes inside. He then caught sight of her hands and noticed a few blisters in it.

nSo it's true…

n

"You shouldn't have bothered,

" Nathan stated, but kept the box with him.

nI smiled when I got assured that he wouldn't return it to me. He's acting like the usual but I sensed the changes.

n

"But I wanted to thank you for helping me. This is a gift of gratitude.

" I declared.

nHis face didn't change, it was still looking like it was set in stone but his eyes weren't that cold anymore.

n

"I just did what father would do.

" He says and then left.

nI smiled while looking at his withdrawing figure which disappeared inside the mansion.

nThat means success, isn't it? I thought, my smile won't wane no matter what.

nI have not heard of any news about a receipt being mailed in the house, which of course, made me extremely glad. That's why I assumed that the shoes I gave were enough, but alas, it got mailed back to me after a day.

nI wonder why?

nThe next day, as I was getting ready to go out, someone knocked on the door. Freesia opened it and George came in, holding a few things.

n

"This is good for burns milady.

" He said and held out something. I examined it and it was an ointment for burns.

n

"You can also use these if you want to bake again.

" Then handed me a pair of red mittens. The red mittens looked fancy because of the embroidery of flowers in it. It looks really pretty.

nI blinked at the items in my hands and regarded him.

n

"Thank you George~ Tell father I said thank you as well! Or should I personally say it?

"

nYeah, I should tell him in person.

nGeorge looked confused for a moment, then made a sound, clearing his throat.

n

"The Marquis didn't give you these, milady.

"

n

"Huh? Then who?

"

n

"It was the young master.

" He stated.

nI blinked in surprise. Nathaniel gave me these? But how did he…

nI stared at my hands, which has little burn marks in it. It was unnoticeable unless someone would properly look at it.

nA smile crept into my lips. He's so sweet…

n----------***

nI'm baking again! I tried to bake cookies this time because apparently, it is easier to do.

nWe were back at the kitchen with Mrs. Noel's supervision, and of course, we ended up making so much mess.

nThis time, we only failed once and succeeded on the second try. I baked a few more to give it to the other knights and wrapped it in a bag.

nI looked for him in the backyard again, and found them doing their usual routine training.

nNathan saw me approaching and lowered his sword.

n

"I baked these while using the mitts you gave me!

" I exclaimed and held out a bag.

nNathan glanced at it and accepted it afterward.

n

"Is this another thank you?

" He inquired.

n

"Yep! Thank you, brother!

" I said and beamed at him.

n

"Hmph

" Was his only reply but it's fine.

nWith Nathan's vocabulary, that is already considered a good reply.

n

"I have something for others as well! Here Uno, share it with them…

" I said and handed the other bag of cookies to him. He accepted it and muttered his thanks.

n

"Good luck with your training!

" I exclaimed once more before finally leaving.

nNathan watched as his sister departs. As soon as she's out of sight, he turned to look at Uno who was looking at Nadia as well.

n

"Do you want the cookies?

" He questioned. Eyeing the bag on Uno's hand.

n

"Y-yes?

" Uno looked perplexed as he looked at him. He didn't understand why Nathan looked brooding.

nNathan's head cocked to the side, eyes turning colder like the arctic glacier.

nHe shivered and replied in a stutter.

n

"N-no I don't. The young master can have it.

"

nHe then handed the bag to Nathan who snatched it in his hands.

n

"Hmp

" He muttered and pocketed both.

n

"Get back to work.

" He bellowed.

nEveryone glanced at their captain in secret and started where they left off. All of them thinking the same thing.

nHe's a tsundere.

n