scritch scratch

All Raytan could hear were the sounds of Sezhs pen nib scribbling against the parchment as she scrawled her notes. He had already checked over her work from the previous night, so today he was having her practice writing simple sentences. While he waited for her to complete her assignment, he took a seat in front of her and turned to stare out the large window nearby.

Sezh wrote a few sentences then paused to glance at Raytan. She wrote a few more lines, and then she glanced at him again. She knew that he normally wasnt a particularly talkative or showy person to begin with, but despite his taciturn attitude, he seemed to be emitting a different aura than usual. In fact, he was even more silent than ever, and his demeanor was colder than it had been during their first meeting.

Was his displeasure a result of being forced to sit in a place that he was not fond of? After all, Lise had said before that Raytan held great disdain for the library in their palace. Perhaps then it was no surprise that his expression was so foul. Still, she was curious as to exactly why such a grand library brought him such great displeasure, but she lacked the courage to broach the topic. Instead, all she could do was glance inquisitively at him every now and then. However, even that was short-lived as her stomach suddenly declared its presence

The sounds of her stomach rumbling made her flustered as it was loud enough that anyone who heard it could have thought that it was the sound of a boat horn. Sezh heard it loud and clear, so she thought Raytan must be the same. She was flustered but tried to look at Raytan to see his reaction. She looked so pathetic now.

That I havent had a proper breakfast yet

She quietly continued,

Im not usually like this

Raytan looked at Sezh with a puzzled look before proceeding to call the lady in waiting. Following his beckon, the lady served delicious cakes and cookies on their table.

I couldnt believe he had a knack for this kind of thing. Sezhs eyes widened in surprise.

Eat.

Ah, thank you

Dont make a noise.

Ah, he doesnt want me to be noisy, its not because he is worried about me. Of course.

There was no way Raytan would be worried about Sezh being hungry. Sezh realized the truth once again.

But, it was better than not taking care of her in any case

Ill eat it well, big brother.

Sezh started to dig into a rather large, decadent slice of cake while sipping at a cup of warm cocoa on the side.

It tastes incomparable to what I usually eat. You can just tell at one glance. The bean-sized strawberries that Luna brought were no match for the large strawberries on this cake, and the side cookies on the side here were also packed with large chocolate chunks.

A favored concubine surely makes a big difference as they could enjoy many things that she could never imagine. It was beside the topic but this made Sezh realize just how badly she was treated. All shed eaten so far was nothing more than food waste if she compared it to the dish in front of her.

Big brother, you wont eat yours?

By the time she had eaten half of the cake, Sezh coyly pretended to ask for Raytans share so she could eat more.

You can eat mine.

The answer was clear. Then dont eat it okay, because Im going to eat it all. Sezhs eyes were sparkling while eyeing the cake. And suddenly turned to the teacup in front of Raytan as is was filled with dark coffee.

Right, youre an adult. Sezh tried to remember Raytans age again. In the Denhelder Empire, the coming of age ceremony was held at the age of seventeen. Raytan is eighteen now, so he is an adult.

Before returning to twelve years old, Sezh, who was about to get slashed by Raytan was also an adult. Seventeen years old. An adult, who was not only part of the imperial family but also one of the aristocrats who never made a debut at debutante.

Yerena tried to sell Sezh at the old duke just as she reached adulthood. But the duke died soon after.

At that time, Sezh was busy looking for an excuse to leave the imperial palace.

I was in a hurry because I thought I might get sold to a grandfather who was over eighty years old. I had just become an adult and I had nothing to stand on.

But everything was ruined because someone slashed off my neck.

But well whatever, I cant repeat the same thing since Ive returned five years to the past. Right. This is not the time for me to lose my mind over Kazaki like this.

Sezh, whod already scarfed down the cake in record speed, carefully opened her mouth after shed finished off the last bite of cake in her mouth.Big brother, what do you like?

Hah?

Im just curious.

Its an abrupt question, but Ive read it in the book before. If you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles. Of course, I dont want to fight. But I do think I will need to know something so I could gain his favor more easily. I wouldnt have dared to ask this question before, but since things have become a little bit different, I thought I should try.

Well, I like cakes and cocoa. I like reading books too, and what about big brother?

Food or a hobby?

Theres no such thing.

Pardon?

I dont like anything.