What I want now is a hairbrush.

A hairbrush?

I promised you that Id brush your hair.

Thats not a gift. Tell me what you want instead.

But thats what I was hoping for. It seemed like fun whenever I saw Simon doing it.

Well, tell me something else other than a hairbrush.

Something else

As his anxiety grew longer, Louise cautiously put forward an opinion.

Hey, how about a letter?

A letter?

Yes. A heartfelt letter. One that makes the reader happy with kind and beautiful words!

Youre going to write a letter for me?

Ian looked at her suspiciously.

Who, me? What matters is that you like the letter.

No, it matters to me who writes it. If Professor Hewitt sent me a letter with kind and beautiful words, Id be terrified. All night Id be wondering what I did wrong.

Dont worry. I dont think Professor Hewitt is going to send you that kind of letter.

Thats a relief.

But you like letters anyway, right? Right?

Yes, as long as the sender is not Professor Hewitt.

Ian seemed very pleased, like he was expecting something special when receiving the letter. Louise was unable to contain her smile and beamed again. She was sure the stupid president would be deeply moved by Stellas letter. He looked so hopeful already.

By the way, I think its your first time writing a letter.

Me?

Yes. Youve always acted wild from an early age, but I think you can make beautiful words. I look forward to reading it.

Oh, IDo I have to write it?

Louise looked back at him with a tearful face, while Ian looked at her in surprise.

As long as youre not Professor Hewitt, then I want you to write it.

I cant use fancy words.

I look forward to reading the kind and beautiful words that are sure to make the reader happy.

But that was Stellas style. Louise find the words to speak, when suddenly they heard a knock. Ian and Louise smiled mischievously at each other. They were in a room surrounded with cake and frosting, and they knew what kind of face Simon would make. Simon hated sweets. The door opened, and Simon looked around the room with a stern expression. Louise saw a subtle twitch in his normally smooth eyebrows.

This is awful.

It was such a rare response from Simon that Ian and Louise burst into giggles.

Im sorry, Simon. I didnt realize todays gathering was a cake tasting meeting until I arrived. If I had known earlier I would have told you.

I wish for that very much, Louise.

Simon opened a drawer on Ians desk in small protest.

Instead, I will make my tea as strong as I like.

I also like Simons strong tea. Especially when you add a little milk to it

We will all drink it straight today.

Simon gave them a cold stare, with a look that said he wouldnt allow a drop of milk. Ian and Louise immediately straightened their posture. As expected of Simon. He scared them stiff when he was truly angry.

Im joking. There are just so many sweets, I just thought it would be good to balance it.

Simon, who seemed to have talked enough, heated up the teacups and teapot without saying anything else. While he was preparing the tea, Ian slid down from the window and arranged the tasting dishes in order while Louise, the only one who had nothing to do, sat on the windowsill and swung her legs. Finally Ian offered her a plate with a few slices of cake on them.

Lets start with this.

Ian climbed back up on Louises left. Then he stuffed two different flavors cake of cake into his mouth at once.

Dont you feel sorry for the people who had to prepare this for someone who has such a lack of taste?

Its alright. I have two diligent friends. Right, Simon?

Simon sat on Louises right side and accepted a plate from Ian.

I cant believe this is how Your Highness repays me.

Repays?

Simon shook his head and pushed the white cake into his mouth. He carefully sampled the taste and texture carefully, living up to Ians description of diligent.

The room smells too sweet, and I cant taste properly.

Shall I open the window?

Simon nodded at Ians proposal.

Wait a minute. Its too dangerous to open the window!

Regardless of Louises objection, both young men flung open the windows from both sides. A sultry summer wind swept past them. The fresh air was great, but this was the second floor and a terrible accident could happen.

We might fall!

Dont worry. Simon has very good reflexes, right?

Not enough to catch someone who falls backwards.

Louise looked at them with alarm and tried to plead with them.

Wed better close the windows. I dont want to leave when I still have a lot of work to do!

Dont worry. Do you think the crown prince and this lord would put you at risk?

Youre putting all of us at risk!

Its okay. Its safer than you think. We wont die if we fall from the second floor.

This time Ian shoved three different mouthfuls of cake at the same time. Louise whirled towards Simon. Unlike Ian, he was the serious and rational one. He also said he could not catch a falling person, so he wouldnt agree with Ians ignorant lack of safety.

It will be safe.

Simon.

Maybe.

Simons face was intermingled with a shade of mischief. Louise suddenly remembered something. This childhood trio was made up of two delinquents who would risk their safety to tease and bully the other.

Really, this isnt any different when I was a kid.

Louise was the one who enjoyed my suffering.

Thats!

It was true, she enjoyed it. She wanted to laugh until her stomach hurt. With nothing to say, Simon held out a cup of black tea to Louise. With the tea and cake perfectly ready, the tasting started in earnest.

Its pretty soft. I like how it melts in your mouth.

Louise was around her fifth cake now.

Its not exactly bad, but its not good either.

Id like it a bit more solid.

Louise wondered if they could pick a cake tonight, with all their different opinions over one cake flavor. However, all three agreed that the bitter tea went well with it. Hopefully they would find a dessert that would satisfy all three of them too.

I like this one because its tart.

Isnt it a little sloppy?

No, its too sweet for now.

Reaching an agreementcould that be possible?