n

n

nEven though Zoemi thought he wouldn't be able to fall asleep in that rather scandalous situation, he soon got drowsy and drifted off into the dreamland.

nWhen he woke up again, he was alone and the magic crystal lamp was turned off, leaving the room completely dark.

n

"...whew...

"

nThe black-haired boy let out a heavy sigh, got up from the bed, and looked out of the window.

nOn the horizon, a pinkish and golden glow was already announcing the coming daybreak.

nZoemi looked around and found the pocket watch he got from the head-butler after finishing his training, sitting safely on the bedside cabinet.

nHe picked it up and checked the time.

nIt was still a bit early to be up and about for a student, but an attendant like him could – and should - already start his day.

nThanks to Teo he already knew where the bathroom was so he washed his face and combed his hair.

nAfter making sure he looks presentable enough, he got out of his room.

nTo be of use for his master, before coming to the Aspakeony Academy Zoemi memorized the plans of every facility in the complex.

nThanks to that he soon found his way to the dormitory's kitchen with little to no trouble.

nEven though it was early enough for the chickens to still be asleep in their coops, the kitchen was already full of hustle and bustle of tens of cooks and kitchen hands.

nThe facility was divided into two main parts - the large one where the cooks prepared the meals for the students who didn't bring attendants with them or whose attendants couldn't cook - and a smaller part where the trained attendants were personally preparing the food for their respective masters.

nOf course, if they wished to do so, the attendants could use some food prepared by the general cooks – and they would but that shortcut was used mainly for bread and pastries.

n

"...!

"

n

"...that's him...!

"

n

"Have you seen his face...?!

"

nWhen Zoemi entered, all the small talks died down, everyone seemed to suddenly focus on their work as if their life depended on it and no one dared to look in Zoemi's direction – but even so, a few rather rude whispers did reach the black-haired boy.

nNot that it bothered him or anything.

nWell... it did, actually...

nZoemi felt really embarrassed over the previous day and the whole grand entrance.

nTo take his mind off of it, he quickly picked up a few ingredients for a balanced breakfast and began preparing it.

n|Bite-sized tartines for breakfast and proper sandwiches for the lunch break... for the evening meal - maybe a vegetable soup and...?|

nZoemi wasn't putting together a menu only for today - he was thinking about a whole week in advance.

nIt was important to take into consideration which products were in season keeping in mind the combinations that wouldn't be too bland or boring.

n

"Hmm~ hmm~ hmm~

"

nWhile humming with his hands full, the black-haired attendant took a free spot right next to a short brown-haired girl in a butler's uniform.

nAh he did, the girl turned to him and bowed her head politely.

n

"Hello, sir Zoemi, it's nice to see you again.

"

nShe said with an expressionless face.

nZoemi glanced at her and raised his brow.

n

"And who might you be?

"

nHe asked in a suspicious voice, looking both at her face and somewhere slightly above her, as if on something standing right behind her.

n

"...?

"

nThe brown-haired girl tilted her head.

n

"Sir Zoemi, have you already forgotten about me? I'm heartbroken...! Bu-huu!

"

nIt might have been a sad scene if the girl didn't deliver her lines in a mostly flat voice...

n

"Thrown-away after one night...! It's me Te...

"

n

"Oh! I see! You must be Teo's sister!

"

nZoemi gasped in realization and nodded, interrupting her right before she could finish her sentence.

n

"Veo, right? I'm sorry, we must have met yesterday when I was high from the mana depletion.

"

n

"!!!

"

nThe scarred boy was slicing off small parts of bread loaves and tasting each of them so he missed the look of complete disbelieve on the face of the previously expressionless brown-haired girl.

n

"How did you kn-uh...

"

nShe whispered but stopped herself from finishing that sentence.

nZoemi was the first person who didn't even hesitate while recognizing the twins - and Veo even wore Teo's clothes to fool their master about which one of them was on cooking duty that day!

n

"Oh? Surprised that I know about you? Mhmm, no that one doesn't make the cut either...

"

nZoemi was dividing his attention between talking to Veo and sampling the bread which resulted in a rather silly chain of sentences.

n

"You're not very similar but I could at least tell that you were sisters. Hmm, still not it...

"

nHe added after glancing at the girl lowering her head, before returning to the bread.

n

"...

"

nVeo was speechless.

nNot very similar!?

nShe and her sisters were completely identical!

nThere was a slight difference with how they acted, not to mention a certain problem that Veo had, but other than that Veo and Teo were identical twins for goodness's sake!

n

"Ah! Now, this is it!

"

nAfter trying a piece of white bread Zoemi smiled satisfied with finally finding the bread that would suit his master's palate!

n

"Here, you try it!

"

nHe cut out another small piece from the loaf and put it in the half-open mouth of the speechless brown-haired Veo.

n

"And? What do you think? Is it tasty?

"

nThe black-haired boy asked her with a smile, making sure that only the pretty side of his face is showing- which was how he usually acted near other people.

n

"...!

"

nVeo shook off the shock and started chewing – his eyes widened as in fact the bread given to her by the scarred boy tasted exquisite even without any topping.

n

"Indeed...

"

nShe mumbled not looking Zoemi directly in the eyes.

n

"Right~?

"

nSatisfied Zoemi smiled at her and raised the tastiest loaf above his head after turning around to face everyone else in the kitchen.

n

"Who made this bread?

"

n

"!!!!!

"

nHe called and everyone in the kitchen stopped moving.

n|...Are they really that scared of my looks or is it because of yesterday's entrance...?|

nHe wondered, slightly unnerved about the dead silence that ensued, but he still wanted to know the identity of the baker.

n