It wasn't really commendable, but Soma didn't remember a lot about the day he first met Agni. He didn't remember the date or what he had for breakfast that morning. He would not even remember what he had worn, was it not for the fact that Agni did and that he had leant his butler a white scarf to cover his scarred back.

What he did recall was the stifling heat that had hit Bengal in August.

Also, he didn't really know anymore, what he had said to the white-haired man, after he had freed him from his ties. Something about being reborn and leaving behind his old life…

But, what Soma did remember, were the times that followed. Especially the first morning, the morning after, how he liked to call it. It was a rather awkward story, really. But Soma loved to remember it.

The door creaked. Loudly. So loudly that it jerked Soma, who usually was a very sound sleeper, from his dreams. Agni noticed. He stood on the threshold and looked rather embarrassed. He was carrying a tray, filled with chai and all sorts of sweets, which the prince enjoyed for breakfast. He probably didn't prepare any of the food. At least, Soma hoped, he hadn't prepared any of it.

The prince didn't want to imagine how badly a man of the upper class must cook. How awful the end product must taste.

"You're being noisy, Agni," he said. He reached behind himself, to put up the pillows behind his back, when suddenly he heard the clinking of china next to him.

Agni had rushed to his side and had hastily put down the tray, in order to plump up Soma's pillows for him.

"I'm sorry," the new servant muttered under his breath, so quietly that the prince could barely make out the words.

"It's…all right. I suppose." Soma did not really know how to react to the servant's embarrassment. Not that people never acted embarrassed around him (they did a lot and to be honest, Soma enjoyed the flushed glances girls shot him on the streets), but never had servants acted that unconfident around him.

True, Agni was only a servant for a few hours, but from the stories he'd heard of him, he thought him to be a bit more confident. The prince shot the tray on the nightstand a look.

"What's for breakfast?"

The servant took a very long look at him. He didn't seem to realize that he was being talked to. Only when Soma raised an eyebrow, did he clear his throat and answered:

"Freshly made malpua." His voice was still barely more than a whisper.

"Freshly made by our cook, I assume," mumbled Soma and held out his hand, so that Agni could reach him the plate. With a slight jolt, the servant did what was expected of him.

"Freshly made by myself," he corrected, while Soma slowly bit into one of the pancakes.

When he heard those words, he stopped, glancing over to the white-haired man, who had his gaze fixed on the floor. "You made these?"

Agni nodded. He obviously thought the prince was about to scold him. But that wasn't even close to what Soma had in mind. The prince rather thought of praising the man in front of him. Those were the best malpua he had ever tasted.

"They are great."

He heard how Agni gasped next to him. When he looked at him, the servant still hadn't lifted his head. "You know," the prince couldn't help a laugh, "That was a compliment. I tried to be nice. If you don't want to acknowledge that, that's fine with me."

Now the man lifted his head. A faint smile tucked at his lips, while he bowed to the prince.

"Thank you very much, my prince."

Soma regarded him for a moment. He went on to eat his pancakes in silence. After he swallowed, Agni handed him the cup of chai he had prepared. Soma didn't really pay the tea any attention, but he still noticed the tasteful flavor and the nice smell.

He seems to be a good cook, Soma thought to himself and smiled, I should keep this in mind.

He gave the cup back to Agni and, still lost in thoughts, fought his way out of the blanket cocoon he encased himself in every night. The servant quickly rushed to his aid and helped him with removing the blankets, though the prince didn't really seem to notice.

"Agni?" The servant perked up at the mention of his name.

"Yes?"

He fought a smile. "Please be quieter when you enter a room, but do speak up when being talked to, yes?"

When he turned to look at his new servant, he looked a bit startled, until he finally answered:

"Jo ajna."