n

n

nZoemi picked up the hairbrush and started brushing his Miriette's hair, they were surprisingly easy to work with that day.

nThe dark-haired girl was eating her breakfast silently, as her attendant made her favorite food so she hasn't even had time to speak.

nZoemi really needed this calming activity as feeding Teo wore him down far more than he expected, and also in more way's than one... the brown-haired girl was clinging to him very closely ater all... The black-ahired boy's mind was in turmoil but nothing could bring more peace to his weary soul then the act of brushing Miriette's hair.

n*sniff* *sniff*

n

"...?

"

nSuddenly the dark-haired girl froze in place and loudly sniffed the air...

n

"...hmm...?

"

n*sniff*

nShe tilted her head and sniffed again.

nMiriette even put down the cutlery and started sniffing around for the source of the smell – very much confusing the scarred attendnat in the process...

nIn the end, she even turned to Zoemi and sniffed around him...

n

"!!!!!

"

nAnd that's when her hair suddenly bristled and she made an angry frown.

n

"Zoemi! Why do I smell another woman's scent on you!?

"

nShe gasped, squinting her eyes in accusation.

n

"M-my lady...? What do you mean you smelled it on me? What scent?

"

nZoemi took a step back – literally taken aback – and asked in confusion.

n

"It is a bit earthy scent but I am sure that I smell another woman on you! Explain yoerself! Now!

"

nMiriette's hair became similar to an angry porcupine and Zoemi had to take another step back under the pressure she was giving off.

n

"My lady, I was visiting the attendants of the first prince - they are sick, and the first prince asked me to take care of them, remember?

"

nThe black-haired boy raised his hands and was calming the dark-haired girl down as if she was some wild animal constantly backing him into a corner.

n

"So? What did you do to get their smell all over you!?

"

nShe pointed her finger at him with accusation and her whole body started glowing green.

nMiriette subconsciously activated her enchants without the incantation – which was quiate an adavnced thing to acomplish!

n

"My lady...! Calm down...! I-it must have been when I sat down on their bed and feed Teo breakfast, nothing more...!

"

n

"Mouth to mouth!?

"

nZoemi tried to explain but then Miriette shouted and the air around her started boiling!

n

"What the fu---!? I-I mean, excurse me?! No! Of course not! What in the world gave you that idea!?

"

nThe dark-haired girl's last comment was too much even for Zoemi to handle - and he snapped.

n

"My lady! Do you think I'm a pervert or something!? Even you!?

"

n

"Ah...!

"

nSeeing Zoemi's hurt face Miriette realized how silly her words were and she lowered her head, looking away in embarassment.

nShe sat back down on her chair and started prodding the food with a fork while sulking.

n|...ah, she calmed down, good...|

n

"My lady, I'm sorry.

"

nZoemi breathed out in relief, no matter the reason, he did agitate his master so to keep her happy, he kneeled down and apologized.

n

"If you're truly sorry then you will feed me too...

"

nMiriette said while not looking straight at Zoemi and her face became slightly redder.

n

"My lady...?

"

nZoemi became shaken at how similar the words of the younger twin and his own master were.

n

"I said that if you are truly sorry you will feed me too! Hmph!

"

nMiriette repeated her demand and turned her head away crossing her arm under her chest to add the urgency to her action.

n

"...

"

nWhat was he supposed to do?

nIgnore her?

nIf he wouldn't comply Miriette's demands, she would be in a terrible mood for the rest of the day! And it would last only that short only if he was lucky!

nSo Zoemi put away the hairbrush and picked up the fork instead, mentally preparing for what he was about to do.

n

"M-my lady... Say aaa...

"

nThe last time he did that was when he was sure that his master was sick - so it wasn't embarrassing then - but now he knew she was fully aware and his voice was really small.

n

"Ohohoho!

"

nMiriette laughed with content and opened her mouth.

n------

nAfter a couple of minutes, the master and attendant duo were walking to the classroom.

nAs always Zoemi was checking the surroundings as well as his master appearance.

nIt was as important for her to be safe and to look like a proper lady.

nUsually, the later part was the easiest to uphold - his master was very picky about her appearance, but today, most likely because he was feeding her, there was a tiny piece of yolk in the corner of her mouth.

n

"My lady, there's something in the corner of your mouth...

"

nZoemi obligingly told her about the yolk.

n

"Oh? Here?

"

nMiriette put his hand to the opposite corner of her mouth than she should.

n

"No, my lady, on the other side.

"

n

"Here?

"

nShe aimed too low.

n

"No, my lady, a bit higher.

"

n

"Here?

"

nNow she went too high.

n

"No, my lady, right here...!

"

nZoemi was getting agitated because this whole situation was just laughable!

n

"Here?

"

nWhen Miriette missed the spot again Zoemi couldn't take it anymore.

n

"My lady, allow me.

"

nHe said and lifted her chin, then he put his middle finger to her face and wiped the tiny piece of yolk from the corner of her mouth touching her lips in the process.

n

"Done! It is gone, my lady.

"

nHe said and licked the yolk off his finger with a satisfied expression.

n

"Next time just do that from the beginning, you are my attendant after all. We're almost late

"

nMiriette shrugged her shoulders and turned started walking fast leaving his attendant behind.

nWell, it wasn't that she was worried about being late - she just didn't want Zoemi to see her face.

n|He lifted my chin with such confidence! And he felt my lips, that was definitely on purpose! I kind of wanted to lick his finger but him licking it afterwards was even better! It was an indirect kiss! A kiss! Our first kiss!|

nShe was just too happy to keep her face straight.

nThe two of them got to the classroom just in time for the lecture to start...

n...the heroine was still absent and the other three girls were also gone, but it was obvious since they were suspended – things weren't so clear when it came to Burushiitto though...

nZoemi and Miriette took their respective seats and started listening to the teacher.

nWhen the break came, Zoemi turned to Miriette and Horeo with a worried expression.

n

"The commoner girl is absent again...

"

nThe black-haired boy was worried - the absence of the heroine could always mean that she was completing some scripted events that he wasn't aware of, ahead of the game script's schedule.

n

"Oh? Does that bothers you? Pay it no mind - she's actually sick and my foolish brother is taking care of her.

"

nHoreo shrugged his shoulders and explained, waving his hand dissmisively.

n

"A healing magician is down with the sickness? Isn't that ironic...?

"

nMiriette giggled after hearing the reason.

n

"It's not even the season for cold or anything!

"

nShe added shaking her head.

n

"You're right my la...

"

nZoemi wanted to confirm his master's words but he suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

n|The heroine is sick and the second prince is taking care of her...? Why does it sound so familiar...? And the season for cold...|

nZoemi fell into deep thoughts and put a hand to his cheek, covering his scar.

n|The heroine and the second prince... Not a season for cold...|

nThere was something, wasn't there...?

nBut it was in the season for cold, it was the...

n|The scripted event that allowed for switching between the routes of the first and second princes!|

nA wave of dreadful realization engulfed Zoemi.

nOne of the most dangerous events was upon them!

nIt could literally make or break Miriette future with the first prince and was supposed to be comprised of few smaller scale events – and if he, Zoemi, will let it all play out according to the game script, Miriette will end up losing Horeo to the heroine!

n

"Zoemi... you became so pale all of a sudden... don't tell me, are you sick too?!

"

nMiriette asked in a worried tone but Zoemi didn't respond, it wasn't the time to talk!

nHe had to figure out a way how to stop an event that started more than half a year ahead of time!

n