Carseain and Kiha were on their way outside the Academy grounds. He walked ahead and she followed his footsteps.
Carseain : " Kiha, you were brought here with me from the Marquessate."
Kiha : " Yes, that is right Young Master"
Carseain : " Back at the estate, did you remember receiving that pendant while you received the permit to go out of the estates for an errand."
Carseain pointed out the silver chain of the pendant on her neck.
Kiha took the pendant which was hidden safely under the layer of her uniform.
It had a golden centre carved into the Esselgarde insignia.
Kiha : " Uh...No, I do not remember receiving this."
Carseain : " That's right because this is something Rovenin suggested.
And I decreed it, You of all people should know why."
Kiha fell silent.
As this is not Esselgarde territory, it's not safe for other people to roam around.
Also, due to the nature of their work, the servants are bound to run into other nobles.
To avoid altercations like those, the servants were provided with the brooch as proof of identity and to ensure security.
Carseain:" Why did you not use it?"
Kiha turned her face.
Kiha : " How dare I use such a priceless possession? "
She seemed firm.
Carseain : " Says the girl who wore my pants under her skirt 'cause it was too uncomfortable. "
Kiha turned and yelled at him.
Kiha : " Young Master! Why are you bringing that up right now ? We were kids back then ! "
Carseain grinned looking at the hem of her skirt.
Carseain : " Oh?! Does that mean you stop doing that?"
Kiha started avoiding looking at his face.
Kiha : " Besides, it was you who suggested that and also allowed me to wear your pants."
Carseain shrugged.
Carseain : " Yeah and you made my wardrobe your personal comfort accessories."
Kiha pouted.
Kiha : " You never once complained back then...
Also, it's not like I can use the Insignia so lightly."
Carseain poked her head with his index finger .
Carseain : " Just use it , dummy. It's no use decreeing that if I have go through all the trouble of dispatching a squad to save you."
Kiha squinted her eyes.
Kiha : " Young Master would have been happy to have an excuse for legally going on a rampage ."
Carseain : " Hey, now. I'm being serious. "
He shrugged and started walking.
Kiha : " You surely jest, Young Master"
Carseain : " Anyway, what were you planning after running your mouth like that back there. "
Kiha : " I was too angry to think clearly. All I knew was to somehow run away and then have Nox clean up the rest. "
Carseain : " Huh?! If you're gonna run then at least hit them once."
Kiha flapped her hands in the air.
Kiha : " I want to as well!!! But it's obvious I'm weaker than them."
Carseain made a very serious face.
Carseain : " At such times, you've got to hit them where it hurts."
Kiha tilted her head.
Kiha : " Huh?"
Carseain : " Just throw anything at them. While they are distracted, kick their balls. "
Kiha listened to him very attentively.
Kiha : " I see.."
Carseain continued.
Carseain : " Run away in the time they're in pain."
Kiha's eyes sparkled while she punched in the air.
Kiha : " I'll do that next time, Young Master."
Carseain nodded, smiling.
Carseain : " You can also ---"
" Kiha, we've got our hands full with one troublemaker, we don't need another one. Young Master, you too. You are supposed to reprimand her and not encourage her."
Carseain : " You're late, Rovenin. What do you mean by Trouble maker? "
Rovenin smiled, tilting his head.
Rovenin : " Oh my, do you prefer being called the 'Mad Hound ' ? "
Carseain gritted his teeth.
Rovenin turned Kiha.
Rovenin : " There'll be no next time, Kiha. Is that understood ?"
Kiha averted her eyes.
Rovenin : " I'll report this to Martha."
Kiha : " I vow that there'll be no more occurrences of such sort, Sir Rovenin."
She replied instantly.
Carseain : " You've got everyone at the palm of your hands, Spoilsport. "
Kiha : " Spoilsport. "
Rovenin : " Actually, I don't mind if you do it like you did today."
Kiha and Carseain titled their heads in unison.
Carseain : "Huh?"
Kiha : " Huh?! "
Rovenin took out his pocket watch and checked the time.
Rovenin : " I mean that all I am concerned with is the extra work that comes after the mess you cause. I do not especially mind it as long as no one finds out."
Rovenin put back his watch and smiled as he saw the confused faces of the young maid and the childish Master.
He put his index finger on his lips and watched over them playfully.
" You can rampage as much as you want, Keep it Discreet."
"Discreet is fine ?" Kiha mumbled.
A gust of wind blew and his waving hair, which was tied with a Red thread, was drenched in the light of the setting sun.
His Emerald green eyes shone in the shadow. Kiha swallowed once.
Kiha : " Sir Rovenin has twisted morals."
She smiled.
Carseain : " You should have guessed looking at his fox face."
Rovenin walked ahead.
Rovenin : " Who do you think my Master is?"
Carseain : " Why are you making me look like a bad guy?
He was acting so disgracefully that I mistook the so-called noble for a scum."
Rovenin shrugged off.
Rovenin : " I simply meant that all my virtues have their roots inside my Young Master's behaviour who causes trouble to no end and overworks me to the bone."
Kiha : " I feel you there, Sir Rovenin."
Carseain : " Hey traitress, why are you switching sides now ?"
Kiha bowed to him as per etiquette.
Kiha : " With all due respect Young Master, can you refute that ?"
Carseain clicked his tongue in an effort to not answer.
__________
Outside the Academy, Kiha was sitting in the carriage while Carseain and Rovenin saw her off.
Kiha was a little stiff.
The carriage was painted white and had the Esselgarde Insignia on it. It was lined with a luxurious interior.
The kind only nobles would ride.
Kiha : " You didn't have to call for a carriage from the estate, Young Master."
Carseain : " Shut up and go straight home."
Kiha glared at him.
Kiha : " Are you trying to score points from me, Young Master?"
Carseain grimaced.
Carseain : " What merit do you think I have in that, Dummy? Just because a few tasteless nobles hit on you, don't go off deluding you're too pretty, ugly."
He booed her.
Kiha : " I hold a repertoire of all your embarrassing secrets of childhood."
She stuck out her tongue.
Carseain reacted the same.
Rovenin interrupted with a clap.
Rovenin : " That's enough, you two.
Kiha, go home now.
Young Master, we have to leave as well now unless you wish to show up late. "
The carriage door shut and Kiha's face was visible across the glass window.
Carseain : " Go straight to the Mansion."
He said to the Coachman.
Coachman : " As you command."
Carseain saw Kiha's lips moving and her light blue glistened even more.
Rovenin and Kiha's eyes met and he nodded, smiling.
He realized that Kiha was saying something but it was too late as the carriage started moving.
Both of them saw the carriage leave.
Carseain shook his head.
Carseain: ' It's no use thinking about it anyway.'
He turned back and started walking.
Carseain : " Make sure she doesn't go out for a while."
Rovenin: "As you wish."
Carseain : " Also, it doesn't seem like she'll use the pendant, so change it to a brooch."
Rovenin : " I had the exact same thought."
Carseain : " Oh? For my thinking to be the same as that of a renowned genius, did I get smarter?"
Rovenin laughed it off.
Carseain grinned glancing at him.
" Rovenin."
"Yes?"
Carseain turned his back at Rovenin and kept walking.
" Um...Did you hear what Kiha was saying ?"
Rovenin smiled.
"No, I didn't."
"Guessed that."
Carseain: ' As expected, it's no use pondering over it.'
Rovenin traced his footsteps.
' I really didn't hear her words but I do very well know what she was saying.'
Rovenin looked at Carseain's back.
' There's no need to tell him that, since he did not ask.'
_____________
Carseain : " Rovenin, you said that we had an appointment."
Rovenin : " That's correct."
Carseain : " You said it was near the Academy."
Rovenin : " That's correct."
Carseain: " You also said it was very important."
Rovenin : " That is also correct."
A vein throbbed on Carseain's forehead.
Carseain : " Why the heck are we at the Doctor's place ?"
Rovenin : " Because you need to get a medical check-up."
Doctor Whildem was taking Carseain's pulse while enjoying the comically refreshing duo.
Carseain : " Then just come out and say it straight. "
Rovenin : " Your reaction is precisely the reason why I didn't."
Doctor : " Rest assured, Young Master. I will not give you any more bitter medicine."
Carseain : "Huh?!"
Rovenin : " Nice follow, Doctor."
Rovenin gave a thumbs up to the Doctor
The Doctor chuckled.
Doctor Whildem : "I just went with the flow."
Carseain pressed his lips.
Carseain : ' Why are these two treating me like a kid who is whining because he doesn't want to go to the dentist.'
Doctor Whildem: " Young Master, I heard you like bitter dark chocolate, I prepared some for you ."
Nox brought it on a plate and placed it in front of Carseain.
Carseain : ' They're really treating me like a kid.'
Nox : ' " They're really treating me like a kid." Is written all over his face but he's still gobbling it up.'
Nox chuckled.
Carseain suddenly widened his eyes.
Carseain : "Nox?"
Nox : " Good Evening, Young Master."
Carseain: " Good... Evening. Wait, What are you doing here? "
Nox scratched his head, smiling.
Nox: " Ah that..."