n

n

n---***---

nIt was a few months before Miriette, Horeo, and Zoemi went to the Aspakeony Academy.

nOn a rainy day, the first prince couldn't visit or be visited because he was sick and lady Espine was in an awful mood.

nShe was being very picky with her food that day and even shouted at the maid who dropped the basket with dirty laundry when she was bowing to her.

nEven Miriette's hair was more prickly than normal.

nZoemi tried talking with her but even his most gentle and considerate efforts were met with a cold shoulder.

n

"My lady, your servant is sorry for being so inconsiderate and unattentive, but could you tell me what is happening?

"

n

"...

"

nZoemi looked like a sad puppy and Miriette didn't want to shout at him even though she felt very agitated.

n

"You will see for yourself when you'll be helping with the laundry!

"

nShe scoffed at him anyway and walked away.

nThis continued for the whole day.

n|Today is just the worst!|

nMiriette sniffled, rolled inside the blanket on her bed, and was massaging her stomach very much in pain.

nSuddenly someone knocked on her door.

n

"Go away...!

"

nMiriette didn't feel like seeing anyone so she just grumbled and rolled on the other side.

nSomeone knocked on the door again.

n

"I said go away!

"

nMiriette lifted her upper body and yelled.

nAll rolled up in a blanket she looked like a very angry caterpillar.

nBut the knock repeated for the third time!

n|That's it! I'm going to scold whoever stand there so damn much their ears going to rot...!|

nEnraged Miriette stood up from her bed and walked to the door dragging the blanket behind her. She unlocked the door and opened it with spite.

n

"...!

"

nAnd she saw her own attendant standing there innocently as if he wasn't disturbing her at all!

n

"Zoemi! What do you think you're doing here!?

"

nJust as she promised herself, she started scolding him.

n

"Well, my lady, I just did the laundry.

"

n|So he knows AND still bothers me!?|

nMiriette frowned terribly and was opening her mouth to chase him out.

n

"Don't worry, I managed to clean up your favorite ones, there's no need to throw them out.

"

n

"...!

"

n|How can a boy say something like that without being embarrassed!?|

nMiriette blushed and closed her mouth - she didn't feel like screaming anymore.

n

"That doesn't matter. If you know, why are you troubling me!?

"

nShe stomped her feet and asked with accusation.

nBut instead of backing off, Zoemi reached for something that he left on a cupboard near the door to Miriette's room.

n

"...?!

"

nHe was holding a tray with three things.

nA mug, a plate full of sweets, and a book.

n

"I made you some hot cocoa, snatched some chocolates from your father's secret stash, and stealthily took one of your mother's romance novels from her special bookshelf. I can read it to you if you want...

"

n---

nAn hour later Miriette once again rolled comfortably in the blanket was leaning on Zoemi's arm. The black-haired boy was sitting on the chair right by the bed since it wouldn't be appropriate to sit together with his master on the mattress.

nNot that what they were doing was completely appropriate, but well, it could pass.

nThe mug was already empty and half of the chocolates were eaten, the story was also getting to the good part.

n

"Then the knight fell to his knees and kissed the foot of the princess...

"

nMiriette fidgeted in her blanket and her face became flushed.

n

"That's so romantic!

"

nShe whispered in excitement.

n

"My lady, if I may, why is the knight kissing the princess's foot and not her hand...?

"

nZoemi tilted his head and looked at his master with confusion.

nMiriette returned the look and sighed.

n

"I often forget that you weren't brought up as a noble. I bet Mizoe doesn't know anything about romance so it's not surprising that he wouldn't teach you.

"

nShe shook her head in disappointment and continued.

n

"The kiss on the hand can be just a greeting or the sign of respect, depending on the situation, but when a knight kisses the foot of the lady of his heart, he pledges his everything to her! It's an unbreakable promise that bonds the two forever! It doesn't get more romantic than that!

"

nShe declared with a blush.

n

"It's as you say, my lady!

"

nThe black-haired boy nodded and smiled but his confused eyes betrayed his real feelings.

n|Sigh... You're saying that but you don't get it at all... Boys...|

nMiriette shook her head in disappointment once again.

nFor just a moment she felt the urge to ask Zoemi to kiss her on the foot, but as soon as she thought about that her face and ears became deep red, and shook her head even more violently.

n|No...! He will think that I'm an indecent woman and hate me...!|

nShe thought to herself.

n

"My lady, is everything alright?

"

nZoemi tilted his head again and made a worried expression.

n

"Ye-yes...! I'm fine! Completely fine! Proceed with reading, but first, give me another chocolate!

"

nShe calmed herself and parted her lips.

nZoemi chuckled, he let go of the romance novel and picked up a piece of chocolate from the plate then put it into his master's mouth...

n---***---

nA loud knocking woke up Miriette from a pleasant dream of the past that she had.

n|Who might it be so early...?|

nHer head felt heavy, she fell asleep very late because she was...

n...busy...

n|Ugh... I did it again...! I'm such an indecent woman...! Zoemi would hate me if he knew...!|

nMiriette thought to herself, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

n

"My lady...? Are you alright?

"

nA worried voice of Zoemi himself came out from outside.

n

"Eh...?

"

nMiriette froze.

n|Oh my god...! D-did he realized what I was doing...!?|

nShe thought and paled.

n

"My lady? Are you there!? I'm going to use my spells to get inside!

"

nZomei's voice grew restless and he called out.

n

"What!? No! Zoemi Stop! I forbid you from entering my room! No way! You absolutely cannot enter now!

"

nMiriette panicked while looking around her room - it was in an unbecoming state for a room of a noble lady...

n

"Oh, thank god! My lady, are feeling unwell, maybe? I brought you breakfast.

"

n|It's already this late...!?|

nMiriette panicked and checked the time...

nShe overslept...!

nMiriette hurriedly got up and made the bed, covering the ruffled bedsheet together with one loose piece of clothing, then she hurriedly walked toward the wardrobe.

n

"Kyaah!

"

n*thump*

nAnd she slipped on her nightgown abandoned on the floor by the bed and fell on her butt.

n|Owwwwwwww!|

nShe bit her lips holding back the pained groan.

n

"My lady, what happened!?

"

nAlarmed by the noise Zoemi became alerted again.

n

"I'm fine...! I just hit my b... Stubbed my toe against the bed...! Just wait... I... I need to get dressed...!

"

nMiriette swallowed the cry and stood up slowly, pressing her aching bum, and came up with an excuse.

n