We finally arrived at the cafeteria. Normally, one would think that getting from the main building to the green lands of wind would take a long time, but the academy had plenty of transportation methods that the students could use to get from one point to another rather quickly.
The zone looked like a city plaza. It was filled with a good variety of food posts that the students could visit to pay for a well-made meal.
There were also several tables, benches, and sofas to sit and eat with friends.
This is truly a school for the wealthy...
I had a good amount of money thanks to my work with Herion, so I was able to pay for anything I wanted for a time. Still, that was not an excuse to just buy anything with a price mark on it.
"Let´s get our food, I already have a table, so we´ll go there once we are done picking up our meals"
"You already have a table, mister Dominique? How? When?"
The guy from the group asked me with skepticism all over his face. I showed him a little smile and said: "Don´t worry about the details, just trust me on this, alright?"
Though a bit unsure, in the end, he and the others chose to trust me and went to buy their meals. Our group separated momentarily as we all went in different directions.
I wanted to eat something with eggs and meat. There was a post that was selling omelets in various presentations, so my feet automatically draw me there.
The line wasn´t very long, so I would probably have to wait for the others once I was finished there.
"Wagh... It´s you..."
"Hm? Oh. I didn´t notice you there, Miss Worer"
There was one member of the student council in front of me. Berenice Dia Worer, the class representant.
"I don´t mean to brag, but I´m pretty noticeable, you know, as in, I´m quite tall for a woman"
It was true, she was as tall as me, and her figure was nice too. It was indeed pretty hard to not look at a person like her.
However.
"My mind is just filled with food right now, so your presence was a surprise as big as your height"
"That somehow makes me a little mad..."
Isn´t this the kind of thing a narcissist would say?
I kept that thought to myself and showed a smile.
"Anyway, if you´re here then the others are also waiting for us, yes?"
"Haaah. Indeed. Prince Nicholas and the others are at a table not very far from here"
She answered with a face tired of my presence. I ignored that and gave her a short report of the current circumstances.
"Good, I´m going to bring some extra people, so expect a lively atmosphere"
"You what?!"
"Oh, it´s your turn"
Before she could keep on with her shocked reaction, the mister in the post was waiting patiently for her order.
"Rrgh... Could I have a number 5, please?"
"Right away"
She gulped down her growing fury and asked the man for food, soon, the smell of eggs filled the air.
Ahh... This is gonna be nice...
My mouth was already watering at the idea of eating what this place had to serve.
The preparation of the food was quick since most dishes with eggs are simple, the touch that each of them had resides in the combination of ingredients that the chef was able to make.
"Here´s your number 5"
The food was given to Berenice on a tray with a porcelain plate and a glass of orange juice.
"Yes, just give me a second..."
Berenice was taking a long time to look for her purse. It didn´t matter how much she emptied her pockets or looked inside her uniform, the money was not there.
"Miss, can you hurry, there´s a line here"
The owner was starting to lose his patience, and so were the people behind us.
"... I don´t have my purse... I must have left it with the others by accident..."
"If that´s the case go for it and line up again, I´ll give this to someone else"
Even if it was cruel, business is business, and it can´t be stopped by a forgetful client.
Berenice looked like she was about to cry. Maybe because of embarrassment or sadness. Seeing her like this was not the best way to treat my appetite.
"I´ll pay for her. Also, give me a number 8 please"
I stepped forward and gave the man the money for both dishes. He scuffed as he grabbed the copper coins and began to make my food in silence.
"... I didn´t ask for your help"
"And I didn´t want to see a girl about to cry, but the world sometimes is just unfair"
When she heard me, she immediately wiped off the tears on the edge of her eyes and averted her face.
"... Don´t tell anyone about this..."
Her voice was so small that it felt like the pleading of a child.
"Sure thing, but in return, you have to come with me and show everyone the way to our table"
She finally faced me, and with a faint blush on her cheeks, she nodded.
"Your number 8"
"Thank you"
We both grabbed our food and left the post.
"Follow me, I´ll take you to where my group is"
Berenice didn´t respond and just moved to my side.
After a short walk, the figure of Isabella and the others were already in view. But before getting to them, Berenice grabbed the back of my coat.
"Hey... Thank you for paying for my food... And please don´t tell anyone about the crying thing..."
I faced the girl with blue hair with a sigh and a tired grin on my lips.
"Don´t worry about it, and I already told you I won´t tell anyone, so stop worrying so much"
I know how prideful people can be with the smallest things. The family of my past life was a perfect example of that. Even I was quite prideful, so I was able to relate to Berenice at her request for keeping her weak side a secret.
She seemed to understand that and finally showed the traces of a smile.
"I see, then, I´ll trust you. If you betray me I´ll make you pay by swallowing a thousand ants"
"Ants? No needles?"
"My punishment, my rules"
"Gosh, I think I can see why Nicholas has you in his council"
Berenice looked at me and showed her white teeth.
"Maybe I am too"
"Heh, do you?"
"Yup!"
With this new mood surrounding us, we reached Isabella and the others. They welcomed Berenice with surprise and happiness in equal quantities.
"You really can´t stop yourself from bumping into pretty girls, don´t you?" Whispered Jasmine to my ear as we were following Berenice.
"As I told you before, the only one for me is my lady. The other women I encounter are acquaintances or friends at best"
"Oh? So you´re the kind that treats people nicely and with care without expecting them to develop any kind of feelings for you. Master, you are either a cold-hearted monster or a very naive person"
"... I´m just trying to be nice, is that such a bad thing?"
"Don´t take me wrong. Being kind to those around you is a remarkable attitude. The problem comes when you involve in the personal matters of others and act kind and caring. There is a difference between making a strong bond of friendship, and a bond of interest. I thought you would be very aware of that since you´re so committed to conquering the heart of that lady of yours"
Her rationalizing was not wrong, and that´s what bothered me so much.
"... Then, what´s your advice?"
Jasmine adopted a cold and serious expression, her eyes locked on mine.
"Keep a clear distance between you and people. Don´t let your words at the hands of interpretation, you have to be frank with what you want to say. Especially with girls"
"... I thought I was already doing so..."
"Then let me tell you, master... You suck at it..."
My heart received a serious hit from that comment.
"... I´ll work harder from now on..."
Jasmine softened her face at my pathetic response and stopped me with her leg.
"I knew you were inexperienced with people since the day I met you. That´s why..."
Her body was pressed on me as her mouth reached my ears once again.
"I´ll teach you everything you need to know~"
A shiver ran down my spine. I even jumped a bit. When I met her face again she was looking at me with eyes that were not fitting for a maid.
Everything behind them was telling me that she was not referring to just sitting on the couch to study.
"... Please go easy on me..."
"Fufu~ No promises~"
A new headache landed on my brain.
Of all the problems I could have... Why women?
I asked god hoping to receive an answer, but all I got was a cold stare from Isabella.
"She´s the one you have to be the most brutal with right now"
Her observation struck me as a knife to the heart.
"... I´ll think of something..."
She chuckled with a complex expression.
"Good luck with that"