Vol. 3 Chapter 19: Prelude to the Operation (Part 2) (Patreon)

Plates faintly clattered as they were gently placed down on top of the table. Allie was with her two former colleagues, although could it be said that that was no longer the case? They were working together currently after all. For how long it will last, it was still unknown.

She stole a glance towards the young man, Tenil, who has been quite cold towards her ever since she had come back. The reason for it was understandable, but she was saddened by it. It felt terrible that they now had no friendly interactions of any kind.

Although, she was trying to make amends.

She took a deep breath, gaining the courage, and spoke to Tenil. “You have improved drastically, Tenil.”

“Mm.”

“I enjoy working here again.”

Tenil paused for but a moment to glance at Allie before returning his gaze to his work.

Allie pursed her lips, even after the long time since she had returned here, she still receives the same treatment, there was no progress with Tenil at all, her past friend and partner in the kitchen.

“Tenil… I…”

She hesitated to speak, deliberating on how she should continue speaking with him.

“Tenil… I want to fix our friendship…”

“Friendship? With you again? Count me out.”

“Tenil…”

“You will only deceive us again. Why should I trust you?”

Allie put down the plate in her hands and faced Tenil’s back with sincere eyes.

“I never deceived you, Tenil. I never faked anything between us, between all of us in the kitchen.”

Tenil stopped and turned his head to look Allie in the eyes, to where his eyes widened slightly upon seeing the deep sincerity her eyes told. He averted his eyes away as if hesitating on how to proceed.

Allie then continued. “I know my crimes… and I don’t deny them...”

“I just don’t understand you, Allie.”

“...?”

“You had everything given to you, you were a dozen steps way ahead of me. You were greater than me. It’s almost ridiculous to think that you were a traitor all along. How insulting, and how bitter it is. I was trying to catch up to you, and yet look how it all ended up. I don’t think everything will ever be the same.”

He spewed all those words with a strained expression, as if he just unleashed the feelings he bottled inside regarding his feelings towards her.

“Tenil…”

“But, I’ve always been wondering. What motivated you to do what you did?”

“It was...for my friends…”

Tenil nodded with pressed lips. “Then those friends of yours are more important than the ones here then.”

With pleading eyes, she took a step closer to him. “...Tenil, please, give me a chance.”

He did not give her an eye. However, Ceruos audibly cleared his throat, prompting Tenil to look at him. Tenil and Ceruos looked each other in the eye, then the former sighed. The two of them had spoken a little about Allie earlier when she was not around.

Ceruos had asked for Tenil to at least give an effort to talk with Allie. She was trying to fix what she broke, and a proper response should be given. When he was reminded again of their conversation, he began giving it some thought.

Incidentally, he noticed the moment Allie returned, she had been acting very differently from the person he knew.

Almost as if she was already a different person, she was once conserved and uptight sometimes, but now she was meek and almost fragile. What could have been done to her to bring this much change?

Tenil sighed again. To imagine what she went through was dreadful. His thoughts ended up to the point where he began to pity her. He turned and looked at her eyes again, the same sincere eyes.

His heart for some reason sank. Looking back, how tragic it was for him when he heard what Allie had done to a royal, and to the princess no less. He could not understand why she did that, but it was where he felt that their friendship had ended. He couldn’t be friends with someone like her after what she had done. However, to be honest, it was a shame, the kitchen felt different when she first left for her own.

Perhaps, he was currently being unnecessarily too bitter here. Thus, in consideration of the head chef’s request, he had to do it, even how little.

“Allie… you now suck at cooking. But, what do you think of cooking together…? Just like old times…”

At that, Allie’s smile widened, and her eyes shone with life and hope.

“That would be great!”

Ceruos watched them with a pleased smile. Proud to see that his students were showing progress of healing.

***

Allie felt heavenly, a wide and beautiful smile shone on her lips as she closed a small wooden box carefully. The sweet smell of the contents slowly vanished in the air as the lid was completely closed. She had to be careful of carrying this, for this was a gift for someone.

Allie turned towards Tenil. “Thank you, for the help.”

The young man turned his gaze towards her. “Yeah…”

They discussed what they should do together, at first it was a simple soup. However, Allie remembered that she should take this chance to warm up with someone. It was a daring thing to do, but she truly wanted to mend her relationship with her, even for just a little.

There was a chance her gift would be rejected, but she hoped not.

In the end, they settled for a small piece of cake. It was easy to consume, and no need to rush in eating it. Not only that, it was a kind of food noble ladies commonly preferred. Allie couldn’t help but feel nostalgic in the process of baking it, although she was rusty. Fortunately, Tenil was there to help her.

Every time he corrected or assisted her, a weird warmth would grow in her chest. Not terrible, but a beautiful feeling, it was happiness. In truth, she was as happy whenever she was with the princess. The times here in the kitchen truly were wonderful, so wonderful that she had to hold back her tears.

Hope grew brighter, for the new beginning she wished deep in her heart was coming true. Indeed, this was a sign. She felt so good, it was as if the gods had granted her a blessing to start anew.

“Good job, you two,” said Ceruos, grinning widely at them. “I hope to see the same delightful scene tomorrow!” he gave a loud single clap.

Allie grew flustered, her cheeks reddened but she still smiled — feeling embarrassed.

“And Allie,” called Ceruos. “I hope you get to the level you were at from before as soon as possible.”

“... Y-Yes… I hope so too.”

“We’ll be helping you of course, so it shouldn’t be that hard. Just need to rekindle some muscle memories. Am I right, Tenil? We’ll be helping, right?”

While frowning, Tenil faced the head chef and said. “...Yeah, we’ll help.” then averted his gaze.

“Stop being so restrained, kid. Like, you seemed to be delighted when you were helping each other a moment ago. You enjoyed it didn’t you? Feeling just like old times indeed.”

“...”

“Come on, stop hiding it. Stop being so grumpy and be honest with yourself.”

“S-Shut u-up, will you?! It’s nothing like t-that at all!”

The head chef laughed. “Hahaha! Is that so? Keep telling yourself that, just ignore the blush you have there.”

“W-Wha—? Tsk!” he covered his face and turned his back to everyone.

Allie gave him a concerned look, however, she did feel delighted to have a friendly atmosphere in the kitchen once again. As she cherished this moment deep into her heart, the door opened, and a particular maid arrived.

As if as usual, Allie prepared to leave the kitchen, not before taking the wooden box with her.

“See you tomorrow, everyone.” she said to her two colleagues.

“See you,” waved the head chef.

“Yeah…” nodded Tenil.

She left with the knight and the maid who was leading the way as usual.

“The princess wants to know how you are holding up.” said the maid, Mera.

Allie smiled. “It is wonderful, I seem to be regaining my friendship with Tenil again.”

She shared, excitement evident in her voice.

“I see.”

That was all she said, and that conversation ended there, or could that even be called one. Allie couldn’t help but feel distraught at this, her shoulders drooping a little. Then she glanced at the wooden box in her hand.

Feeling nervous, she took a deep breath, then shifted her gaze towards Mera in front of her. It was hard to speak, it felt like this was not a good time to give this. But when would be the right time?

“Are you having trouble with something? Feel free to tell me, and I will relay it to the princess.”

Mera asked, it could be taken as something asked out of concern. However, it lacked the warmth one would expect for such a question, for it was not Mera’s own words. She was merely carrying out the orders of her lady.

“N-No, there is nothing.”

“Good.”

To hold back her nervousness, Allie subtly swallowed and took deep breaths, growing courage.

I can do it… just give it…

Although it was not the process of giving that was making her afraid, it was the rejection. How would she be rejected? In what way would her offering be rejected?

Before she knew it, they had arrived outside of her room.

“Then, if that is all, I will take my leave.”

“P-Please wait.”

Mera stopped and turned her stern gaze at Allie. The latter almost shrank in fear, but she steeled herself and extended her hand forward.

“Miss Mera… I… I would like to give this to you.”

“To me…?” baffled, she stared at the wooden box.

“A present… a cake… I made this with the help of Tenil, so it is good, I assure you.”

Mera narrowed her eyes. “I don’t see the point of this.”

“It is a gift of goodwill… in hopes to atone for my sins…”

“...”

“I know what I have done… and I wish to make things right, to fix my mistakes. Please, accept my offering,” she lowered her head.

Allie waited, a second, two, three, seven, she started to feel extremely worried. If she, Mera, does not accept, then there was a chance that fixing what was broken with her would never be repaired. Allie does not wish for that, it will haunt her for the rest of her life. And, she truly wanted Mera to forgive her for what she had done.

Then a second later, a hand grasped the box, and Allie instantly looked up.

“I will take this then…” Mera said with a neutral expression.

And Allie let go, the box now within the maid’s hands. The latter stared at the box for a moment before looking at Allie.

“You may go to your room.”

“Yes… thank you, Miss Mera.”

With a small smile, Allie reached out for the doorknob, but as she did so, Mera said to her...

“Goodnight.”

Allie paused for a moment, unable to process what she had just heard. But when she caught up, she turned her head only to see Mera was now walking and already a distance away.

“...Goodnight…” Allie quietly said and entered inside, the corners of her eyes damped.