Patishi was feeling unbearably miserable.

Everything started with that sudden nosebleed that completely messed up the batter she was preparing, and then she even fainted and messed up the cream she worked the whole day on perfecting!

Then, after she regained her senses, things got even worse - she learned that this whole incident - because not only did the brown-haired girl start bleeding and lost consciousness - was caused because lady Espine was calling for help because Patishi's big brother got hurt!

And not just any kind of hurt - he was seriously hurt!

Zoemi got whipped in front of the Academy!

When the black-haired boy was in the kitchen before, he tried to make it seem as if he would be fine but in the end, the wounds must have been as bad as they looked!

Patishi went to see her big brother as soon as she learned about what happened but there was no one in Zoemi's room and when the skinny girl gathered enough courage to go to the lady Espine's room, it was sealed off with some scary magic.

Patishi knew that the first prince was absent so she didn't go to check in his room...

A night has passed and Patishi went to the kitchen as always.

She didn't know if her big brother was even in the Academy or was he transported elsewhere for the treatment but she decided to prepare breakfast anyway.

The brown-haired girl was going for a normal breakfast for her big brother's master and one that was easy to eat by someone sick, just in case, for Zoemi himself.

But when she finished she only became more miserable by looking at the food...

"Are you alright, big brother Zoemi...?

"

"No! Absolutely not!

"

"That is not up for discussion anymore...

"

She muttered to herself when two angry voices got her attention.

Someone was arguing near the kitchen door.

"Mistress Miriette, please make my sister return to the master's side!

"

Someone was calling out in an angry voice – not as much asking as demanding the action out of the other person.

"Sister, master has allowed me to help mistress Miriette, why are you so stubborn?

"

The other person responded in an equally angry voice.

"Veo, it's like Teo has said, it was her own decision and Horeo agreed to it, he's worried for Zoemi too.

"

As it turned out, there was a third person taking part in the quarrel, but she was clearly taking one of the sides that was more convenient to her...

"Mistress, don't make it sound like I am not worried about sir Zoemi!

"

The first person clearly stomped her foot and gasped in disbelief.

"...?

"

Patishi peeked from behind the kitchen door at the arguing parties and was surprised by the sight.

There were three girls quarreling - Teo, probably, and lady Espine on one side and Veo, most likely, on the other.

"See? You also want to help sir Zoemi, right, sister? But we both know that you are not that good at doing chores so...

"

Teo made a pouty expression and awkwardly looked away, dodging the glare of her older twin sister

"That's the point! Don't act as if you don't understand!

"

Veo stomped her foot in anger, biting her lips in an attempt to keep her cool.

"I'm useless because of these...!

"

The short brown-haired girl in a maid's uniform waved her arms around and they just smack around her body like two oversized meaty noodles.

"And you are leaving our master in my care! Don't you remember how sir Zoemi scolded us before for not acting as attendants should!? Because you are not acting as an attendant should, right now!

"

"...!

"

Hearing Veo's words, Teo took a step back and lowered her head in shame.

"It's different this time, sir Zoemi is the one who got hurt!

"

The younger twin said without looking at her older sister, not even considering going back on her plan.

"You...! You cannot be serious?!

"

Which caused Veo to call out and looked up before awkwardly covering her face with her numb arms.

"No! It's not different at all! Sir Zoemi is under the proper care of a group of medics! His life isn't in any danger! You can just make meals for the mistress and everything will be fine! You don't need to stay with the mistress and sir Zoemi all the time!

"

Veo called out pointing out the most proper solution for the situation.

"But I want to stay with them!

"

Despite being reasonable, Veo was treated as if she was being a nuisance by her younger sister.

"You little...!

"

Veo gritted her teeth and got red from anger at her younger sister's selfishness.

"You've learned nothing! Sir Zoemi will scold you as soon as he will wake up! You'll see! Mistress!

"

"...!

"

She shouted furiously and turned towards the dark-haired girl who flinched and looked at them just a little bit ashamed.

"Mistress Miriette, you must convince this stupid brat to return to her real duties!

"

The short brown-haired girl in the maid's uniform called out pointing angrily at her sibling.

"Hey! We are twins and I'm younger only by a few minutes!

"

Teo pouted and called out defensively.

"Indeed – we are - but apparently between the two of us only I got the fully functioning brain!

"

Veo scoffed furiously, trembling as if she was barely able to hold herself back from slapping some sense into the short brown-haired girl in a butler's uniform in front of her.

"...! HMPH...!

"

Teo clenched her fists but instead of continuing shouting, she turned away from her sister.

"Mistress...!

"

Veo looked for help in Miriette but if she thought that her master's fiance will be on her side she miscalculated...

"...

"

Lady Espine looked away with just as much awkwardness as Teo.

"I think that the more help the better...

"

She said nervously.

"Besides, Horeo agreed to it, right? What's the problem?

"

"Wh-what's the problem...?

"

...and that was too much for Veo...

"I'm using magic to move these lumps of flesh that look like arms! I can't grab things properly! How am I supposed to properly do all the chores for my prince all by myself!? How am I supposed to cook If I can't hold the knife properly!?

"

The desperate girl shouted and deactivated her enchants.

Her hands slumped uselessly to her sides.

"Master can just eat the cafeteria food, he said so himself...

"

"That's right...

"

"...!

"

But her argument wasn't acknowledged at all.

"And you dare to call yourself an attendant...?! Sir Zoemi told us many times about the duties of the attendant - and that's how you act...? Sir Zoemi will be disappointed in you! And mistress, you are no better than her!

"

"...

"

"...

"

The two girls knew they were in the wrong but they wouldn't change their mind so they were just looking away from Veo on the verge of tears.

"...

"

Patishi has heard enough too, she became relieved after hearing that her big brother was fine but still, she wanted to help him recover too - though she couldn't agree with the behavior of the lady Espine and Teo.

So, she took a deep breath and left her cover.

"Y-your Highness...

"

The skinny girl properly greeted Miriette by kneeling in front of her.

"I-I prepared the food for you and sir Zoemi, the tray is already waiting.

"

She said nervously.

"Oh! Patishi! That's splendid, thank you!

"

Miriette smiled at her but she unintentionally glanced at Veo and her smile shrunk.