n

n

nWith Zoemi around, the situation got under control.

nMiriette and Horeo canceled their enchants and Surou retracted his anti-magic bubble.

n

"My prince, I'm so terribly sorry for causing you trouble...!

"

nThe heroine stood up and bowed down apologetically to the blue-haired second prince.

n

"You don't need to apologize, it was all an accident - in the end, nothing happened – thanks to sir Zoemi.

"

nThe second prince smiled at her and even turned and smiled at the scarred attendant.

n|Oh no – no way...! They look like they want to stay and talk with me – NO! I need to take Miriette and Horeo away from here before some other random event triggers...!|

nSeeing that Zoemi barely held himself back and wanted to immediately grab his master and the first prince and dash away, but out loud he only said:

n

"Thank you, my prince, miss.

"

nAnd bowed back at them almost as deep as the heroine.

nThen – before the pair could have initiated another topic - Zoemi turned towards Horeo and Miriette without getting up from his knees.

n

"My lady, my prince. Forgive me for allowing this mishap to occur. My prince, if I may be so bold, I'd like to advise changing the location. If, for example, you and my lady will go to the tearoom, Teo and I could use the kitchen and prepare a fine meal for the two of you while Veo would clean this place so the prince Surou and his companion could enjoy their time here.

"

nHe declared hurriedly implementing his backup plan for the date of the two.

n

"I approve of that idea. Let's go with that.

"

nHoreo took a few deep breaths and nodded.

n

"Thank you, my prince!

"

nZoemi perked up and stood up, then he beckoned the twin in a butler's uniform and grabbed her hand before leading towards the building.

n

"...uuuu...

"

nMiriette didn't look in the attendant's direction, she turned towards Horeo, rested her forehead on his shoulder, and started sniffling as soon as Zoemi and one of the first prince's attendants were far enough so they wouldn't hear her.

n

"Now, now... you reckless idiot.

"

nHoreo gently took her hand and started leading her away while his other attendant started cleaning the remains of the picnic food.

n

"...sh-shut uuuup... you-u clown...!

"

nMiriette cried back at him, letting him lead her like a lost child.

nThey continued to walk in silence, but before they entered the academy, Horeo stopped and turned around.

n

"Are you proud of yourself? For losing control like an angry toddler?

"

nHe shook his head, glaring at the dark-haired girl with disapproval, knowing that he is out of sight for any prying eyes and ears.

n

"...no... but Zoemi made this food for us... and she just destroyed it all...!

"

nMiriette sobbed, wiping her eyes with both hands.

n

"She tripped! Seriously – you need to learn to control yourself more – that girl is just a commoner, but other nobles will see how you act towards someone of lower status and will judge you upon it! If your opinion will be bad - so will Zoemi's – do you want to make his life even harder?

"

n

"N-no..!

"

nHoreo asked and Miriette shook her head so vigorously that her short hair flapped around.

n---

nMeanwhile, already inside the building, Zoemi was leading Teo to the kitchen.

n

"Veo didn't lie to me, right? Out of the two of you, you actually can cook, right?

"

nHe asked anxiously.

n

"Indeed.

"

nShe confirmed with an emotionless voice.

nTeo hasn't stopped wondering how exactly Zoemi was able to distinguish between her and her sister but she didn't allow herself to show it.

nWhile in the kitchen Zoemi was picking the ingredients without a shred of hesitation even though he was making completely different things than what he planned for and prepared that morning.

n

"Wash and cut these into tiny pieces, but not too small, then take this, this, and this, and mix it together thoroughly. We're going to make pancakes with fruits and whipped cream so let's get started!

"

nThe black-haired attendant gave short precise instruction and started working on his part of the task.

n

"...

"

nAfter a minute or two Zoemi glanced at Teo to see how's she doing but she hasn't even started.

n

"Don't tell me you can't prepare food after all!

"

nHe exclaimed feeling betrayed.

n

"I can.

"

nTeo pouted.

n

"Then why aren't you doing anything?

"

nThe scarred attendant exclaimed in agitation.

n

"Veo told me. You've patted her head because she did a good job .

"

nThe short brown-haired girl glared at Zoemi with accusation, causing him to tilt his head in confusion.

n

"You haven't given me head-pats after I did a good job yesterday!

"

n

"...oh, for the love of...

"

nTeo was sulking and Zoemi rolled his eyes.

nThey didn't have time for this! Nearly half of the break was already over!

n

"Listen, if you'll do good now I'll pat your head for as long as you want, deal?

"

nHe declared without putting much weight into his words, as he was feeling rather nauseous because his mana reservoir was filling up very slow.

n

"Indeed!

"

nThe girl's eyes shone with a vigorous light and she started working even faster than Zoemi!

nThey stopped working once for a few seconds only for Zoemi to feed a piece of the pancake to Teo to check the taste.

nThanks to that everything was done in no time and soon both attendants were carrying the plates full of mouth-watering pancakes and a whole tea-set.

n

"My lady, my prince.

"

n

"Master, mistress.

"

n

"Ah! Zoemi, Teo! Great, come, come.

"

n

"...

"

nWhen they arrived they were welcomed enthusiastically by Horeo, but Miriette was clearly in a bad mood.

nThe delicious food lifted her mood momentarily but she spent the rest of that day's lessons looking dispirited.

nZoemi worked extra hard to fix the exquisite evening meal for her but she took only a few bites out of it, thanked him, and went to take a bath.

nZoemi waited for his master to come out.

nAfter dozens of minutes, Miriette came out wearing a fluffy bathrobe and took a seat by her desk. Zoemi walked with a towel and started to dry her hair even though she had already done that herself.

n...in Miriette's case, it was better to be safe than sorry after all...

nWhen Zoemi decided that Miriette's hair had enough he took a brush and started brushing them with a smile.

n

"Did you start to hate me already...?

"

nMiriette asked in a weak voice and she sniffled.

n

"?!?!?!?!?!??!?!??

"

nZoemi was stunned!

n

"M-my lady, how did you come up with such an outrageous idea – me hating you...!?

"

nHe gasped so shaken that he almost dropped the brush.

n

"Because you looked so horrified when you stood between me and that girl...! I'm such an awful person...!

"

nMiriette turned her head around and looked up at Zoemi with tearful eyes.

n

"Aww, my silly lady...! No, you are not!

"

nZoemi fell on his knees and grabbed Miriette's hand with a gentle expression.

n

"I wasn't terrified of you! I was scared that if you hurt the second prince you will get in trouble! I couldn't bear seeing you suffer in any way!

"

nThe black-haired attendant covered Miriette's hand with his other hand and looked her in the eyes with a soft smile.

n

"There's absolutely no chance that I could ever hate you.

"

nHe said.

n

"R-really...?

"

nMiriette sniffled and her lips trembled.

n

"I swear.

"

nMiriette needed a few minutes to calm down but after that, she finally returned to her normal self.

nZoemi finished brushing her hair and she finished her meal.

nAfter that Zoemi took the empty dishes and left the room after wishing Miriette a goodnight.

nIf she wanted something else, she would call him using the message spell.

n

"Now then, time to train~ Those stone missiles have quite a lot of mana in them – I clearly fell them in the shadow storage... Before they disintegrate I can practice that spell on them... hope it will work...!|

nHe thought to himself while on the way to the kitchen.

n

"...

"

nZoemi carefully looked around, making sure that no one else is around, and opened his mouth, closing his eyes and concentrating...

n

"Mana conversion.

"

nHe whispered.

n