房客(糙汉)何璐程曜坤

Zoemi thought to himself picking up the vial and looking at the blue liquid inside before he hid it in his pocket.

He went to the kitchen and started preparing the products necessary for both breakfast and the apology cookies for Sifra whom he scarred during the night...

Not too long after the black-haired boy began gathering all the ingredients, Patishi arrived at the kitchen too, as happy to see their older brother as always - Zoemi asked them for help with cooking, and of course, the youth gladly assisted him while smiling brightly, happy to cook together.

---

Just as Zoemi have expected neither Teo nor Veo since as they didn't leave their room for a whole previous day, they must have been feeling rather weak - so he made a portion for them and of course, for the first prince.

After all, since he was the one who one-sidedly decided that the twins can get the same off days, he had to stand in for them, and he wasn't going to get back on his word!

When making the apology cookies for the blue-haired girl, Zoemi has put complete faith in Patishi's eye for cuteness to choose what kind would be best.

In the end, they decided to make checkered black and white cookies and as expected from the culinarily gifted youth - they indeed came out amazing.

They smelled absolutely delicious and tasted even better!

"You think this will be enough...? She looked seriously terrified – I mean – I know why, so you know..."

Zoemi weighted the cute pink wrapping with the cookies inside in his hand and glanced sideways at Patishi, with a bitter expression, waving his other hand in the general direction of the burn scar on the right side of his face.

"...big brother, you aren't scary...!"

"Aww, thank you. But seriously, you don't have to lie, I do own a mirror."

Patishi fidgeted bashfully but Zoemi only snickered and waved his hand dismissively.

"...sorry... when your eyes turn dark, you really do look scary – but only then!"

Patishi lowered their head hurriedly added, clenching her fists as if they were scared that the black-haired boy will get angry at them

"She must have been very scared if she just walked up into you after dark... But since you didn't even touch her, and didn't shout at her or use any spells, she will definitely realize that it was just a misunderstanding! I'm sure of it!"

The brown-haired youth cheered out with a confident expression.

"Big brother, you are a super nice person! I know that everything will be alright if you just go to her, apologize and explain why you were there!"

Patishi clenched their fists even harder and looked up at their big brother with sparkling eyes full of faith.

For the brown-haired youngling, their big brother was the best person in the world- so of course, there was no doubt in their heart that the girl Zoemi talked about would forgive him!

Zoemi chuckled and affectionately tousled Patishi's hair.

"Oh, that's right... Say, are you free right now?"

The black-haired boy asked with a smile.

"I am! Do you need me to do something, big brother? I will! I want to help you!"

Patishi bounced up and instantly agreed without even knowing what Zoemi was going to say.

"That's the spirit! Then. Will you help me with the trays?"

It was still too early to bring breakfast to his master but with the greater amount of meals to deliver, Zoemi decided to enlist the help of Patishi for something other than cooking.

"Of course, big brother Zoemi! What should I do?"

Patishi reacted like a puppy that was about to go for a walk, it was surprisingly easy to imagine them having a wagging tail.

"You know where the first prince's room is, right? Could you take this to him?"

"Eh...? EEEEEEHHHHH?!"

But the youth's mood changed instantly when their big brother handed them the tray meant for none other than the first prince of the Bellcephora kingdom, with a bright smile on his face...!

"B-but, big brother Zoemi... I-I can't! It's the prince and I'm only a...!"

Patishi panicked looking between the tray in their arms and their big brother.

"Now, now, now..."

Zoemi patted the youth on the shoulders and looked them in the eyes.

"It will be fine, prince Horeo is a good guy - just tell him that I sent you and don't forget to kneel when you meet him – although he doesn't really care about the rules, making a good first impression is important."

The black-haired boy explained and patted the brown-haired youth's head.

"...But..."

Patishi's lips started to quiver dangerously - they were so scared at the thought of actually facing someone from the high nobility – no, from royalty even!

After all - it was the prince and Patishi was never taught the proper way of dealing with royalty!

"Please, Patishi... I want to get give the breakfast to Veo and Teo and apologize to that girl before the lessons start. Without you, I will be late to help my master prepare for the day... Will you help your big brother?"

Zoemi used a dirty trick and played the big brother card.

Now the terrified Patishi couldn't back out anymore.

-------------------------

After leaving the kitchen Zoemi and Patishi went in two different directions.

Patishi with their heart beating wildly went towards the first prince's room and Zoemi went towards the twin's room.

The black-haired attendant with an ugly scar deforming the right side of his face took a deep breath and knocked on the right door.

"Teo? Veo? It's me, Zoemi. I have brought you breakfast!"

He called out and waited.

"S-sir Zoemi?!"

He heard the panicked voice of the embarrassed Teo...

"Wait a bit, sir Zoemi! I open the door right up!"

...which was followed by a calm call coming to form Veo.

"...noo...! What are you doing...?! I look like a mess! I can't show myself to him like that...!"

"Then stay in bed and don't show yourself, I can carry a tray, you know?"

"..."

Zoemi looked to the side and acted as if he didn't hear the hushed voices of the twins who clearly undone the blockade they had on the door the previous night.

Just a few seconds later the door opened and Veo popped up looking as if she woke up mere minutes before, while Zoemi noticed Teo hiding in the bed behind her.

"Here, together with Patishi, we have made some delicious food to make you two feel better. And I really don't hate you or anything, alright? I was angry and I snapped at you, I'm sorry. I don't think you are bad attendants or bad girls. So eat and cheer up."

Zoemi smiled softly and declared while passing the tray to the short brown-haired girl.

With Patishi's help, he actually revised his yesterday's words and now delivered the overhauled version.

|That didn't sound half bad!|

The black-haired boy congratulated himself looking at the tiny smile blooming on the previously indifferent face of the short brown-haired girl in front of him.