n

n

nOnce Zoemi and Patishi split up, each of them carried a tray with food in a different direction.

nZoemi went for the twins, Veo and Teo, while the brown-haired youth was tasked with delivering the food to the first prince...!

nForget about jumping into the depths to learn how to swim - Paishi's situation felt like he was told to learn how to win with a giant boulder tied up to their neck!

nWas it really necessary to add that Patishi started getting more and more nervous with each step they took?

nBut after all, it wasn't the way there that was the worst, honestly, the brown-haired youth would prefer to just walk forever and never arrive at their destination – the door to the first prince's room – but unfortunately, that wasn't really going to happen, was it?

nBefore Patishi even realized it, they were already standing in front of the door to the first prince's room and their hands and knees were shaking uncontrollably - enough for the plates and cutlery to start making alarming noises on the tray.

n

"You can do it, Patishi...! Big brother Zoemi is counting on you...!

"

nPatishi murmured to themselves trying to accumulate some courage.

n

"...no... nope... no, I can't do it...!

"

nAfter a full minute of attempting to mentally prepare, they ended up putting down the tray with the food and knocked on the door!

nAfter which they instantly turned away to escape!

n

"Veo..?! Ah...

"

nBut the door opened right when Patishi was already showing it their back, and the first prince with a face full of hope popped up... and his expression turned very sad once he realized that it wasn't any of his attendants...

n

"...kyaah...!

"

nPatishi tripped and fell but then managed to compose themselves and change their position into kneeling.

n

"Y-y-yo-your h-h-hi-highness! I-I-It's an h-ho-honor...!

"

nThe brown-haired youth stuttered, abashed out of their mind.

n

"...? Umm... Good morning. Are you alright? What brings you here...?

"

nHoreo furrowed his brows, blinking at Patishi in confusion, and tilted his head before he noticed the tray with the prepared food waiting for him in front of the door...

n

"...oh...

"

nThen he made a disappointed expression.

n

"Even Zoemi couldn't do anything...?

"

nThe gold-haired prince asked in a crestfallen voice.

n

"N-no, yo-your highness! Big brother Zoemi said that he actually talked with miss Teo and miss Veo – they simply got sick and didn't want to pass it onto you – they will be back in a day or two!

"

nPatishi hurriedly explained, waving their hands to stop the first prince from assuming the worst, and the gold-haired boy's face lighted up instantly.

n

"Ah! So that was it! Hah! Dear goodness! I never expected to be the type who overreacts like that! So, they are sick, I see... If they are sick then maybe they should take the rest of the week off too! Although...

"

nThe prince breathed out with relief but then he made an awkward expression.

n

"Hmm...

"

nThe golden-haired prince made a sour expression, scratched the back of his head, and glanced behind his shoulder.

nHe looked very concerned about something.

n|Eh...? EH?! Was it me? Why is the prince looking so worried? Did I mess something up?!|

nPatishi started fidgetting in unease, biting their lips from the anxiety looking at the concerned first prince.

n|No... if they are sick they should rest, but then, what should I do about this...? Should I leave it and make them work on this whole pile while they are still weakened? That sounds like something that this old hag of another of mine would do, so I definitely don't want to act the same way.|

nHoreo thought while subconsciously looking over his shoulder again.

nSomething inside his room was just pulling his eyes to it as if had its own gravitational pull.

n

"Big brother Zoemi is doing his best, my prince...! He went to check up on them so I'm sure they will be fine in no time!

"

nPatishi voice broke but they didn't stutter this time, the first prince looked at them and his eyes lit up in realization.

n

"Wait a moment, I've heard about you. You are Patishi, right? The girl who Zoemi asked me to make my personal cook, right?

"

n

"...! Ah! Y-yes...that's me... Y-your hi-highness, y-you even k-know my n-name...!

"

nPatishi flinched staring at the gold-haired prince with wide eyes before blushing deeply and nodding, feeling their heart beating faster.

n

"Umm Patishi... say – are you busy right now? Do you have some duties or plans for today....?

"

nThe first prince Horeo asked and unwillingly looked back for the third time.

n

"N-no, your highness. I was thinking of trying out some new recipes but I can do that at any other time... I-is there something I could do for you...?

"

nThe brown-haired youth fidgetted and asked, encouraged by the way the gold-haired prince addressed them.

n

"...alright... say... how do you feel about folding laundry...

"

nHore's face brightened and asked glancing nervously glancing back at the huge pile of unfolded clean laundry that was tormenting him in his attendantless state.

n

"F-folding clothes...?

"

nPatishi responded, tilting their head with confusion.

n

"I always do it for myself and when I was younger I used to help the other children in the orpha...

"

n

"You are experienced then? Perfect! I'm going to need your help!

"

n

"KYAAAAH!

"

nBefore Patishi finished their sentence he felt Horeo's hands grabbing their shoulders like a bird of prey and the gold-haired prince has pulled the shocked youth inside of his room - shutting the door before any passerby could have a chance to peek inside and witness the unfolded pile of shame stacked in the prince's room.

n-------------------

nMeanwhile, in Miriette's room, Zoemi picked up the hairbrush and started brushing his master's hair.

n

"My lady, you're staying silent, didn't the walk with the prince go as you hoped for?

"

nThe blacked-haired attendant asked his master carefully weighing his words.

nMiriette was looking rather grumpy, or maybe she was sulking a bit...?

nEither way, she looked like someone has ruffled her feathers the wrong way.

n

"No, my time with my fiance went just as good as I wanted it.

"

nShe responded pridefully and took another bite of what Zoemi has prepared for her.

n

"Ah, I see... That's amazing...! Do you want to talk about it?

"

n

"No.

"

n

"...

"

nZoemi tried to make some small talk but today Miriette wasn't very cooperative in that regard.

nIt wasn't the first time something like this has happened, so he decided to do the thing that usually worked.

nHe just stayed quiet and brush the grumpy girl's hair until it stopped being prickly like a forest of needles, signaling her calming down...

nOnly that... Miriette's hair was extra prickly that morning...

n------

nMiriette was pouting and sneaking sneaky glances at Zoemi.

nOf course, her walk with Horeo went well - she boasted about spending time with Zoemi and about Zoemi pledging his loyalty to her, and Zoemi kissing her.

nThe last one might have been only on the foot, and it's the same thing as the topic before but in Miriette's head, she divided that one action into two separate ones.

nBut then...

nBUT THEN!

nWhen the dark-haired girl wanted to return to her room together with her attendant, and completely by accident - wink, wink - take her time and walk with him in the romantic atmosphere...

nIt turned out that he won't be coming back and it was Horeo who took her back to her room!

nIt was outrageous!

n|He didn't come back for me...! And I thought we had something going on between us at that time!|

nMiriette was furious at Horeo for sending Zoemi away with some stupid task and she was angry at Zoemi for complying with Horeo's stupid wishes.

n|He's mine, why should he even care about anyone else!?|

nShe frowned and her hair on the back of her head bristled even more than before.

n|...oh, well...|

nZoemi, who thought he just finished with brushing that part, sighed internally and put the hairbrush back to the spot.

n