Patishi woke up to the unfamiliar ceiling but certainly a familiar presence holding her hand.

It was Veo, though, this time the older girl wasn't the one to initiate it – actually Patishi felt really uneasy sleeping in a vastly different place and got Veo's approval to sleep in the same bed.

"Ah…!

"

The younger girl raised her head above the pillow and looked through the window, the sun was just about to rise.

"Veo, hey, Veo!

"

Patishi pulled the blanket off her fellow attendant's head and started shaking her shoulder.

"…nnn… bright…

"

Interestingly enough although Veo and her younger sister spent most of their lives underground Veo, completely opposite of her sister, developed a habit of always sleeping while completely hidden, so even while still half-asleep she started frowning and fidgeting from the discomfort when the warm sunrays tickled her face.

"Veo, wake up…!

"

"Mnuah…? P-Patishi? What's going on…?

"

The older girl finally gave in and opened her eyes begrudgingly and glanced at the younger girl's face.

"Let's go to the kitchen and make breakfast for the first prince!

"

"…hmm…? Why…?

"

Patishi declared all excited but Veo only frowned.

"What do you mean 'why'? We are his attendants!

"

The younger girl puffed out her chest proudly, but the other girl didn't share her enthusiasm at all.

"It's fine, the royal cooks will deal with it, let's sleep some more…

"

Veo said and tried to pull the blanket over her head again.

"What do you mean royal cooks will deal with it! Isn't that our job!?

"

Patishi gasped in disbelief, frowning as if her pride was hurt, and pulled the blanket away from Veo's reach.

"…I will squish you…

"

The older girl squinted her eyes at her and muttered woefully with a sour expression.

"Hmph!

"

"KYAAAH!

"

Without any warning, Veo pulled Patishi's arm and embraced her just like she would hold Zozo, the plush cat that was left in their room back in the academy.

"Veo..!

"

Patishi complained and tried to free herself, but Veo's arms were already glowing so it was completely impossible.

"Listen Patishi…

"

Veo already closed her eyes but still decided to explain things to the younger girl.

"The thing is that each visit in the royal castle is like a vacation for us attendants. The castle's servants and maids pamper our master and we get similar treatment too. Just relax and go back to sleep.

"

She said while getting herself comfortable – while cuddling up to the blushing girl.

"But Veo, I like cooking for our prince! Let's go, please…!

"

Even though the older girl was hugging the younger one – since she was considered enough and there was still enough space for her to move a bit, so Patishi used it and wiggled herself around and faced Veo.

"…

"

Veo was keeping her eyes shut and acted, although poorly as if she hasn't heard what the other girl said.

"Please…? Pretty please…? I don't know the way to the kitchen, please, Veo, I need our help…!

"

The younger girl asked adorably and Veo's eyelids trembled and opened just a little bit.

"…!

"

Patishi was looking at Veo with puppy-dog eyes and her cuteness hit the older girl like a truck – she actually moved her head away in an attempt to not be swayed.

"Please, let's go. You said it yourself, you like helping me cook, and I like cooking with you, it'll be fun!

"

Patishi pressed on spotting the crack in Veo's defense.

"Nnn..! Nghh…! Fine…! Fine! You win!

"

Veo couldn't handle the full-on attack of condensed innocent charm of the younger girl and agreed – her arms stopped glowing and she released her.

"Yay! I love you, Veo!

"

"Hm-hmph…!

Patishi laughed and quickly cuddled up back to Veo on her own – making the older girl blush even though she tried to hide it by frowning.

"I-indeed… You manipulative bunny…!

"

Veo grumbled and get out of the bed.

"Veo! Veo look! Look!

"

Not even a minute passed when Patishi raised her voice in excitement again.

The new maid dresses that the first prince promised his attendants were delivered, and Patishi was pointing at them, jumping up in pure bliss.

"Not bad.

"

Veo nodded her head with a gentle smile while watching the younger girl melt over the almost identical sets of uniforms.

"…!

"

Patishi picked up and held the one with a larger apron since it was the one that Horeo and Veo told her that would be hers and gazed at it intensely with a flushed face and an awestruck expression.

Flowy design and lots of laces tickled her love for everything cute and she was left speechless.

"You don't have to just look at it, it's yours – put it on.

"

Veo sat up on the bed and encouraged the younger girl while rubbing her eyes.

"Really!?

"

"Pffft…!

"

Patishi gasped, pressing the maid's dress to her chest with such an amazing expression that Veo couldn't help herself ad snorted.

"Yes, of course, that it's okay! I imagine that our prince would actually get pretty upset if you didn't wear it after he got it for you!

"

The older girl declared, finally giving up and leaving the bed.

"Do you want me to help you put it on…?

"Yes, please! And I'll help you with yours too!

"

Veo asked and Patishi nodded her head vigorously,

A few minutes later two maid-clothing-clad attendants went to the kitchen.

The younger girl was wearing her uniform with such joy that even Veo's grumpy mood from being forced to wake up early on essentially a day-off was gone, replaced by the satisfying feeling of seeing Patishi so happy.

"Hmhmhmhmhm~!

"

Patishi was walking next to Veo with a spring in her step and the laces and ribbons of the maid uniform were bouncing with her every step – which seemed to be the highlights for the cute-loving girl.

In such an uplifting mood the two attendants entered the royal castle's kitchen that was just as busy, if not more, than the Academy's one.

"Oh? The first prince's attendants?

"

One of the cooks recognized Veo and walked over to them.

"Hmm? You're not with your sister today?

"

As he noticed that it was only one of the twins plus another maid he had never seen before, he tilted his head in confusion.

"Indeed.

"

Veo responded with a frown and the cook raised his brow but didn't pursue the matter.