Chapter 122 - A Tea Date And An Unexpected Guest

I walked outside shivering even though I was fully bundled up. "What the hell?! Why is it so cold!?"

Bertram trailed behind me and answered apathetically, "Because winter is coming soon."

I wanted to cry. I hate the cold more than anything.

Time really does pass too quickly. It felt like I had just gotten banned from the Annual Fall Hunt yesterday...

I guess time passes quickly when you're being tortured.

After we had returned from the hunt, not only did I get in trouble with Lona, but the headmaster was also angry with me. He decided to tie me to a flagpole all day as punishment.

Tsk tsk. He should be fired for mistreatment of a student.

Dante seemed peeved about his missing sword so he decided to go even harder on me during training. Something I didn't even know was possible...

He should also be kicked out for mistreatment of a student.

Plus, why was Dante even mad?! I went out and bought him the best sword on the black market!!! And it was an untraceable sword! He should be thanking me.

Hmpf.

Well at least today is my day off. I will be able to visit Lona and the kittens today. Hehe. Just what I need. The healing touch of a furball~

But F*CK! Why is it so cold!?

I sobbed and attempted to warm myself up. I pouted at Bertram, "Can't you just carry me?"

His face stiffened, "You're too old for that."

"Oh come on... It's so cold.."

"Then why did you refuse the carriage?"

I turned forward indignantly, "Because Lona lives close. It's natural that I would walk."

Bertram didn't believe me, "Uhuh. I'm sure that's the reason why."

Why would I want to be in a carriage when I can walk?! I'd rather freeze than puke.

I quickened my pace and found myself in front of a moderately sized house. I knocked on the door. A servant answered, "Seri, welcome. Follow me."

She led me to the main room where Lona was waiting. She saw me and smiled. She nodded to the servant, "Thank you for showing her in. Could you go get Joel and let him know we have a guest?"

The servant nodded, "Right away ma'am."

I looked down and saw the cats running towards me. I gave them several kisses. "Aw! Beautiful kitties! How have you been?? Have you gotten fatter!? My oh my. Lona must be spoiling you too much."

The cats deflated in shame at this.

Lona corrected, "It's not me. It's Joel. He won't stop feeding them treats even though they attack him everytime they see him."

I nodded. Even the cats know he's a disgusting pervert.

Joel burst into the room, "SERRRRI!!!"

I moved over to the side and stuck my foot out, causing him to trip and fall. He rolled on the floor until he came to a stop flat on his face. He raised his head with a pitiful expression. His glasses were bent and twisted.

He crawled over to Lona sobbing and held on to her legs. "Lona! She tripped me!! Comfort meeee!!"

Lona frowned, "Just be happy she didn't kick you while you were down."

She tried to shake Joel off as he sobbed pitifully. "Why are you so mean to me??? Don't you love me?!"

I could only watch in disgust. Even though he was acting like a crybaby, he was also clearly enjoying it. He really is a sick man. What does Lona see in him?!

He stood up when he noticed she was ignoring his pleas. He wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled his cheek against her shoulder. She crossed her arms and gave him a stern look which made him smile bigger.

She sighed while ignoring him. "Today we need to go out and get you fitted for a dress."

I pouted, "Why?"

"You should know why. You need a dress for the upcoming ball."

"Ugh. But can't I just skip it? I don't want to go."

"You can't skip it. It's a very important event for the Academy. All students are required to attend along with the parents."

I crossed my arms, "Fine. But why do I need to get another dress? Don't I have enough?"

She shook her head, "If you showed up in one of your old dresses you would be ridiculed. I won't allow it."

I whined, "But it's cooold!"

Joel jumped in with a large smile, "What if we go to a tea house before? I know one with really good cakes."

My mouth watered at the mention of cake. I nodded feigning displeasure, "Fine. I guess I will go."

Joel chuckled, "Oh yeah! I've also invited another guest."

I raised an eyebrow, "Who?"

The door flung open and the cats hissed in response. Ebbie strolled in looking as girlish as ever. "Where's my fiance?"

My face fell. Is he really still on that nonsense...?

The servant followed after him, "Y-Young master! Please wait!!"

Ebbie noticed me and strolled over full of arrogance. "Fiance! How come I haven't seen you in forever?!?"

I chuckled at his puffed out cheeks and shining blue eyes. I grabbed onto his cheeks and pinched them.

"Shouldn't you be saying how much you've missed me?? Silly boy."

He blushed in embarrassment. He slapped away my hands and stomped his foot, "I'm not a little kid anymore!!"

"Ah? You think you are a man now?"

He nodded proudly, "Of course. I don't even carry around my teddy anymore."

Joel chuckled, "Oh? But don't you still sleep with it?"

"Guh." Ebbie's face twisted. He shook his head and looked at me arrogantly, "But I am a man."

I ran my fingers through his silky smooth hair. "Ebbie... You're still very much a child. Don't you know that to be a man you must be polite and proper?"

His eyes widened, "Really?"

I nodded, "Yes. All men are gentleman."

Ebbie thought about this carefully and nodded, "Very well. Then I will become a gentleman from now on."

I tried to contain my laughter at the thought of the feminine looking Ebbie acting masculine and proper.

Yes. I'm sure not a thing was possible.

Lona sighed rubbing her temples. She was already tired from babysitting the three children. Ebbie, Seri, and Joel. She spoke, "We should get going then."

We put on our winter coats and left. Although I wanted to walk, Lona wouldn't allow it. I tried to oppose it, but Lona can be quite frightening when she wants you to do something.

As we entered the cafe, we were quickly greeted and immediately shown to a private area. I sat down and drooled over the menu, "Please bring me every flavor of cake!!"

The waitress looked at me with uncertainty, "But we have several... Are you sure?"

I nodded firmly, "Yes."

The waitress looked hesitant and glanced at Lona. Lona just nodded, "It's fine."

The waitress shrugged and began writing down everyone's order. I hummed to myself in excitement. Something flashed in my view and caused my face to turn sour.

Lona noticed this, "What is it?"

"I just saw a rat."

Both Lona and the waitress's face turned pale. The waitress spoke quickly, "I assure you we don't have rats. We are a very clean cafe."

I stood up, "It's fine. I will go catch it."

They all watched in confusion and I walked over to another table. I forced a smile and sat down at the table.

I spoke in an irritated tone, "And just what do you think you are doing?"

Artie scowled, "Looks like I've been caught."

"Why have you been following me today?"

Artie glanced up guiltily, "How'd you know..."

I rolled my eyes, "Nobody can follow or hide from me without me knowing. You can't fool a master."

Plus he didn't really do a good job disguising himself. Did he really think wearing a hat would conceal his identity?

I sighed, "So since I've discovered you, why don't you join us today?"

He looked up at me startled, "Join you??"

I frowned, "Yes, it's at least better than stalking me like a creep."

He bit his lip angrily, "I'm not a creep... I was just curious..."

I stood up, "Well come on already."

He nodded and followed me over to the table. Lona looked at him, "And this is?"

Artie bowed, "Good afternoon. I believe we met previously at the hunt. My name is Arthur, but everyone calls me Artie. I'm Seri's classmate."

Lona nodded, "Ah yes. I remember now. You're that child that looks like a hamster."

Artie's eyebrows twitched at the reference, but he made sure to keep his cute fluffy smile on his face. "I'm honored to have met you again." He glanced over at me, "I'm curious. How do you all know each other?"

Ebbie spoke, "Seri is my fiance."

"What?!" Artie said in surprise.

I shook my head, "He's not. He just likes to think he is."

"Oh..." He nodded. Then paused, "Wait.. He?!"

He surveyed Ebbie closely. Although Ebbie was feminine looking, he was still wearing pants. Although, ever since Seri raided his clothes, he no longer found it weird to see a female wearing pants. That's why he had assumed Ebbie was a female.

Lona spoke, "I worked for Seri's parents and helped raise her."

I smiled at her, "Lona's like a mother to me."

Joel excitedly joined in, "Wouldn't that make me your father???"

I stabbed him in the side with my fork. "Never in a million years."

"Eep!" He whimpered and rubbed the spot before cuddling up to Lona for comfort. She ignored him.

Artie caught on that he should also ignore Joel and looked at Lona, "You seem pretty well off for being a servant."

Lona's face grew more serious as she sipped her tea, "That's because I have a benefactor."

Artie's curiosity was raised, "Oh really? Who is the benefactor?"

Lona gave me a stern look, "Someone mysterious and troublesome."

Artie knew right away who she meant, "Ah. But how could they afford that? Surely they don't make that much money with their allowance alone."

Lona gravely nodded, "I wonder as well."

I chuckled lightly and looked away.

Lona looked at Artie, "We are going to a boutique later to get Seri fitted for a dress. Would you like to come with us?"

Artie smiled and nodded, "I would love to!"

After I ate my fill of all of the cakes, much to the surprise of everyone, we left the cafe and headed for the clothing store.

When we got to the clothing store, the clerk showed us to a private room. Lona followed me into the changing room while the others waited. Although the clerk's wanted to measure me without any garments in the way, Lona refused to allow them.

Honestly, Lona really is a capable and thoughtful individual.

After I was measured, I went back out to where the rest of them were waiting. I looked around, "Where's Ebbie?"

Artie spoke, "He asked to try on a dress, so the clerk's led him to another dressing area."

"Ah."

I didn't have to wait long before Ebbie walked into the room. His long silky black hair was pulled up in a graceful fashion with a blue headpiece adorning his hair. He wore an elegant blue and white frilly dress that emphasized his confidence and haughtiness.

If one saw him now, they would be convinced it was not a boy, but a girl.

A really cute girl.

The one good thing about Ebbie, he didn't mind being dressed up as a girl. In fact, he enjoyed it.

He smiled at me, "Well? Don't I look nice??"

I nodded in excitement, "You look so cute!!"

He gave a smug grin and nodded, "Of course I do!"

The two clerk's who had helped him, smiled. One spoke, "When he asked to wear a dress, we looked forward to seeing the result!!! Although we were a bit surprised to see he had a [censored]... But that didn't matter since he still looked adorable in that dress!!!"

The other nodded, "He's truly suited for this style."

I looked to the other two boys as a malicious grin spread across my face. "That gives me another idea... Wouldn't it be nice to see everyone dressed up?"

Lona glanced at Joel and an unusual smile covered her face, "I agree."

We looked at the two of them like hungry wolves. Seeing our strange expressions, Artie and Joel were confused and worried. Artie asked hesitantly, "What? Why are you all staring at us like that?"

I spoke in a low voice, "Lock the door..."

The clerk nodded fiercely, "Yes ma'am."

They gulped as the door was locked behind them. Then, the clerk's pounced on the two men and forced each of them into a dressing room. Their screams of horror could be heard from the outside.

Finally, they were pushed back out. Joel had on a green dress with white flowers and his hair had been pulled back into a bun. Artie had on a purple dress with a flowery lace pattern along it. His hair was too short to do anything intricate to it, but the clerk's had put what they could into two pigtails.

We could barely contain our nosebleeds.

D*mn. I really wish I had a camera. I want to save this image for life.

Lona pointed at Joel, "I want to buy this dress."

Joel wilted. Although he had quite the masochistic personality, even he thought this kind of humiliation was too much.

Artie scowled at me. I smiled at him, "Why do you look so angry? I think you look wonderful in that."

He muttered to himself, "Wonderful my a**."

I chuckled, "If only Lucius was here. I'm sure he would go crazy seeing you dressed like that."

In my fantasy, Lucius and Artie were in love with each other. Surely if he was here, he would be blushing and wanting to pounce on the adorable Artie.

Artie raised an eyebrow, "Why would you want Lucius to be here?"

I winked at him, "Mhmm. Sure. Like you don't know."

For some reason, Artie felt himself get really pissed off.