I haven't updated again for awhile, sorry.

Disclaimer: I don't own KKJ. Unfortunate, yet the sad truth.

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In the next few weeks Maron was a great help in the castle. The cooks let her help, and the King (even Chiaki) could not understand why the food was suddenly much more delicious.

One day when Maron decided to walk in the garden with Miyako, the topic came around Chiaki.

"Are you still upset?" Maron asked Miyako.

"Well, the truth is, yes," said Miyako. "But...Minazuki's heart is in the right place. Even if I don't love him like Chiaki, I'll still find a friend in him, I guess."

Maron smiled at her friend. "I can really tell he likes you, too, though," she said, laughing.

"Huh? Why?" Miyako asked, puzzled.

"Well," said Maron. "I can tell her likes you because

A. He acts all sweet around you

B. He tries to impress you

C. He smiles differently with you

D. I saw you both in the garden together last week

C. He's up in that tree over there staring at you right now."

"Whaaaaaaaaat?" Miyako exclaimed. Maron laughed again.

"Just kidding," said Maron, still giggling.

Miyako sighed. "You freaked me out for a second..."

"He's behind that bush," Maron completed.

"Ahhhhh!" Miyako cried out in surprise. Maron laughed harder.

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Chiaki watched Maron, with her laughing. He watched Miyako try to run around the bush and see Minazuki spying on them.

"You care for her, don't you?" Access whispered. Chiaki was startled.

"N-no!" he snapped, a little too hastily. Access snorted.

"Lying never helped," he muttered to himself, transforming into a fox.

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In the palace library, two people were reading from a pile of books.

"It says here, true royalty have unusual daemons. They only settle on their form when they are married, unlike ordinary commoners who have settled daemons while they are preteens."

"That is interesting, Chaplain, but I am looking for reincarnation information."

"Yes sir," Chaplain put the book aside. "I apologize, Prince Noin."

"Just find something," Noin ordered. He picked up the book Chaplain put aside.

"Reincarnation..." Chaplain busied himself.

"On the other hand," Noin murmured to himself. "This book could be useful..."

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The next few days were bright with sunshine and promise. Chiaki soon found out that it was Maron who made the delicious meals.

One early day, Chiaki woke up at dawn.

"So early..." he muttered. Access yawned.

Chiaki washed and dressed.

He went to the table. The servants were already scurrying around, tidying each place.

"Where is the cook?" Chiaki asked one. "Send for her right away."

The servant mumbled yes and hurried away. Back came Maron.

"Yes, your highness?"

"Huh? You're not the cook."

"The cook is ill, and they let me take over for a few days."

"Oh, I see. Well, today I feel like having- -"

"Pancakes!"

"Yes, your majesty, right away."

Maron left. Chiaki frowned at Access, who was a little mouse now.

"Pancakes? I was supposed to ask for what I wanted. And that's the only thing I myself can make..."

Access grinned, although you couldn't tell with a mouse.

"What can I say? I like pancakes."

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"Right," said Maron. "I'll need buttermilk and flour for the pancakes. And a couple of eggs as well..."

Maron named each of the things she needed and the servants brought them in a flash.

In awhile she had a stack of the greatest-smelling pancakes ever. The servants who presented them to Prince Chiaki came back sating how much he complimented it.

Maron smiled, and went to wash her hands.

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Okay, this was a nonsense chapter, hehe.

Well, I'll try to make the next chapter better.

-Rose Guardian-