To be totally honest, at first, Louise had no idea how meals were going to work. Since only nobles were allowed to sit at the table, commoners were eating on the ground, but in her current state, she really didn't know where she stood. It seems that the school's staff was pretty unsure about that too. In the first few days, there was that awkwardness in the air like there had been anywhere else. Eventually it was decided that as long as she was still a noble and her family name, she still counted as one despite her strange status. The only compromise that had to be made was that she had to eat right next to Kirche, and she couldn't eat before her or leave the table as long as she didn't.

It was still a somewhat awkward arrangement, as much for the two students than for the waiters or the other students. Kirche and Louise each handled it with their own ways. Louise responded to the snickering and judging glances with what could only be described as death glances. For Kirche, it was a bit different, there was certainly a bit of snickering, but the judging glances were more replaced with pity. While she responded with teasing winks, it was basically her way to show them that she was in control and was not sad or pitying herself about that whole situation. She could notice the glare Louise would give her when she did that though, which amused her more than anything.

As a compromise between the cooks, the teachers and the students who were already kinda offended at Louise's presence at the table, the cook gave her a different meal from the students, meaning not nearly as luxurious, it was basically a loaf of bread with a glass of water. Kirche would then offer to feed her some of her food, which Louise simply responded with.

'' I'd rather be magicless and a commoner than be spoon-fed by you, Zerbst.'' She said with an angry frown and growl, which did give Kirche the signals to back off. At this point she had pretty much figured out when it was enough teasing. With Louise, teasing was always fun to do, but doing it too much and she knew that it was like poking at a hornet's nest. So she simply shrugged and quit while she was ahead, that was probably the best option that didn't involve getting half the dining room blown up.

She had noticed that Louise in general was less, well, angry at her in general, so she decided to not push her luck with that, not when some actual form of progress was made. So she decided to just continue eating her own food. Louise bitterly ate whatever she was given, of course, she would much rather eat whatever the students were eating, but she had her dignity and she wasn't willing to sacrifice that to eat better food, that was just not who she was. Thank god they had at least the ''generosity'' to give some water with it, because that bread was so dry she had the feeling of eating an actual rock.

But eating a rock would still be a more enjoyable experience than seeing Kirche winking and flirting with the waiters, one, flirting with a commoner was something that offended the part of Louise who was still hanging on to her noble pride and two. Seeing her ''mistress'' paying more attention to getting laid than her made her more angry than anything. She loathed how much she didn't seem to care. How much this sucked for her. How much she feared the next few days. Frustrated, Louise left the room fuming without her. Kirche obviously noticed that she was about to go and rushed after her when someone gently grabbed her arm, she turned her head to see Tabitha, who simply shook her head. She got what that meant. Louise needed some time on her own for now. They didn't have much of that in the past few days so perhaps some time to think away from Kirche was what she needed.

Someone else noticed the outburst of the pink haired noble, Siesta who was working in the kitchens, asked the other staff if she could go away for a few minutes and if they could cover for her, which they of course agreed to. Between commoners they needed to have each other's back after all and anyway, Siesta was such a reliable person that she probably had a good reason for that request.

She walked outside of the dining hall wondering where she might have gone, then she remembered the last chat she had with the youngest Vallière, if there was one place she would have gone to cool off, Siesta could bet a week's salary that she would have gone to that location.

She walked to the place where she had thought Louise to clean clothes and no surprise, she was indeed there, but this time she wasn't doing any chore, she was just sitting there, looking frustrated and staring at the ground. If Siesta didn't know any better, she would have almost expected her stare to dig a whole into the ground through the planet. That's how intense her stare was right now.

''Umm… '' Siesta was really trying to be as gentle as possible when addressing her, she didn't want to attract her wrath as well. '' Miss Louise, are you doing okay ? You seemed upset, so I went to check on you to see how you were doing ? ''

Louise looked up, and in her face, Siesta could see some tears forming in the corner of her eyes, although she couldn't exactly tell if those were of anger or of sadness so this time she didn't really want to assume things so she waited for her to talk first. To open up on her feelings.

'' I'm….okay, I suppose… it's just… '' Louise felt like hitting her head against a book or a stone wall right now. '' I did what you suggested last time, I tried to be more friendly to her, but she's just… ugh.. '' Instead of a book or a wall, she just hit her forehead with her palm repeatedly. '' She's just the SAME ! She acts like nothing even happened ! Does it mean nothing to her ? Does she ENJOY my misery ? Of course she would, she's a Zerbst. There's nothing a Zerbst loves to see more than the misery of a Vallière ! ''

Siesta wanted to answer something, but she felt that was probably not the time or place, the wise choice would probably be to let her vent, get these emotions out, she had to somehow. She knew how it felt to keep bad emotions bubbling up and she knew that it always ate you inside slowly, so letting her get these out was the least she could do.

'' Everytime I start to feel like, oh maybe she isn't too bad… She always reminds me immediately why I always despised her in the first place. That's a real wonder I swear. I didn't think that was possible at all ! ''

That's when Siesta decided that it was probably the right time to chip in and say something. Letting her vent was one thing but she needed comfort as well, she would be quite a terrible friend if she didn't do as such. It felt very weird for her, a commoner to call herself a friend of a noble, but she didn't have other words for it really.

She sat next to her, she thought about putting a hand on her shoulder for comfort, but she also felt that it was probably pushing her luck way too much, she simply sighed and looked at Louise.

'' I c-can't imagine how hard it must be for you, miss Vallière. Of course, it's a very unfortunate situation and...I don't know nearly enough about her to really give accurate advice about what you should be doing next. I'm...not even sure I should be giving you advice at all. ''

Louise almost wanted to comment that she was right. That girl was just a maid and a commoner after all, but she bit her tongue and held back for once. It wouldn't be fair to snap out at the one person showing any kind of sympathy towards her in this whole forsaken place. Anyway, it's not like she was in any position to take the high ground on anyone, she wasn't even sure if her title was still valid or not and that thought terrified her.

'' Hmmpf… '' Is the only answer Louise actually able to come up with, slightly puffing her cheeks in frustration. She just looked down towards the grass, sometimes in times like these, she wished she could just dig herself into the ground and never leave. It's not like anyone would miss her if she just became an earthworm.

Her mind wandered to Kirche once more. That happened way too much for her liking recently. Would she even notice if she was to just suddenly disappear ? Would that even affect her in the slightest ? This was a very weird thing to think about. A while ago, she would have done anything to avoid being noticed by the Zerbst woman, all she ever wanted was for her to leave her alone. It seemed that right now, that scenario was flipped in a way. Of course, she didn't want her to get back to her bullying ways. By the Founder no, but she did want her to care. It seemed that she only did so when they were alone together. She could guess why, but it didn't make it any less frustrating. Just some signs of acknowledging that something had changed and some empathy for her situation would be greatly appreciated.

Siesta stayed silent for a while, going through a mental list of what would be the best thing to say. Louise didn't add anything either, what was left to add ? She was about to stand up and leave altogether before the maid finally spoke up again.

'' What if it's her way to cope ? '' She suggested, with her usual timid voice. Of course it was just a suggestion, but it's the only way any of that made any sense to her.

'' What ? '' Louise asked, obviously confused by that. Cope ? Why in the world would Kirche need anything to cope ? She couldn't imagine that she would have any kind of emotional baggage that would require her to adopt coping mechanisms of any sort. Not when she was basically the most popular student in the school with all the teachers around her finger.

'' Don't go spit some nonsense like that, you don't know her like I do. '' Louise continued, with a very bitter tone. Of course it wasn't an idea that she'd accept easily. It was far too different from the image she had of her. She was loud, obnoxious, self-centered, there was no place for emotions in there. Although, she had to admit maybe her perception of her isn't 100% accurate. After all, she DID have a good time with her during her training. So she's seen that the fire woman wasn't a monster per say.

Siesta squirmed a little bit, uncomfortable at the tone Louise had taken with her. It's not like she wasn't used to people talking with her like that, but it made talking confidently a lot more difficult, especially when it came from someone she hoped to consider a friend. Still, she had to stick to her guns if she was going to help Louise in any significant way.

'' Of course it's just a theory, but it makes sense doesn't it ? If she does or not, that's...t-that's not an answer I can give you myself. Only she can. '' The maid answered, trying to sound confident, but her tone always stayed pretty shy. Like she was always afraid that any wrong word could lead to punishment. Which to be fair, had Louise not been in the predicament that she was, would have been a very real thing to be afraid of.

'' Are you asking me to go talk to her AGAIN ? '' Louise exclaimed, in disbelief, of all things, that was the advice she got ? That made that whole conversation feel like a waste of time, she would get her crop that she was reserving for her familiar if that was a possibility, just to vent out her frustrations.

'' Well...it's worked out so far, hasn't it ? '' The maid answered, a bit shyly, but that's the conclusion that she had come up with. From her understanding, the problem now wasn't as much her "owner" being mean or abusive towards her, it seemed to boil down more to miscommunication and a general lack of understanding. As far as she was concerned, that sounded like progress from the last time they had talked, so she could only guess that it had been working out until this point.

'' It's maybe presumptuous of me to say that but, you two aren't gonna be best of friends after a few days. Like, we're not, right ? For you I'm still just a maid here, just one that wants your best interests unlike more mean-spirited people. '' She takes a few more seconds to make sure her thoughts were well gathered and so she could keep her focus on what she wanted to say.

'' My point is, people don't connect deeply instantly, you can create small connections and that's a great start ! The important thing, now, for her to do what you want her to do, you need to deepen that connection. Just venting what you just told me there should do the trick. If she doesn't know what you think, she lacks a major reason to care about it. Not that I don't think she shouldn't, she's your...uh...master ? Is that okay if I put it that way ? I'll just go with it… anyway, she should be caring about your well-being. Maybe...I'm projecting a little bit. '' She WISHES the nobles actually treated her right and cared about what she thought. That's probably why she was saying all of that, she just wanted to have her friend to get something she didn't have.

The pink haired noble stayed silent for a bit, she seemed to be thinking internally. Siesta couldn't even begin to try to guess what she was thinking about, at this point it could be just about anything.

'' DAMN IT ! DAMN IT DAMN IT DAMN IT ! '' The young girl suddenly bursted into frustrated yelling. Siesta moved away a little bit, slightly afraid that Louise was going to do something she might regret, but thankfully, the hot-headed girl started to cool off as fast as she had heated up. She waits a little bit for the kettle to cool off more so she wouldn't burn herself, metaphorically speaking.

'' Are you...okay ? '' She asked, she wasn't sure why she reacted that way so that was the first question that came to her mind. Louise just had her eyes closed, exhaling and inhaling. She knew herself that she had to get her temper under control but it was much easier said than done.

'' I will...just… I hate when other people are right. '' She realized how petty that was, but that didn't prevent her from feeling that way all the same, because, in her head. Each point given to others was less points for her. Considering the fact that she already lacked credibility with her skills, she always refused to concede anywhere else, if she ever lost arguments, it just gave people more ammunition against her, at least here she could admit it because she knew Siesta was just trying to help.

'' But what am I even supposed to say ? How am I supposed to start that conversation ? I refuse to beg for her attention like some sort of lovesick puppy ! ''

Louise was aware that this specific comparison was pretty odd, but that was the best she could come up with.

'' I'm not saying to beg...It's just requesting what's rightfully yours, some dignity. You are a noble right ? That's something no one can take from you, and it's something I can't do myself. I have to take it because I know that it's held over my head, but you don't have that, you can assert yourself as much as you want. '' Siesta explained as best as she could.
Louise stayed silent for a few seconds, the words taking a bit of time to really sink in inside her head. It made sense, although she was still a bit unsure about letting a commoner give her life advice. That was another knock on her ego. God, she was back to thinking that too, it felt like her mind was going round and round. The same kind of thoughts are rotating in her mind and it would probably stay that way if she didn't do anything about it.

'' Thanks….I guess…You're oddly talkative for a commoner aren't you ? It's fine with me…or whatever. But you might want to watch that talk around others okay ? '' The Vallière commented, that was her way to give a piece of advice back even if it could come across as somewhat mean spirited. You always had to watch where or when you ran your mouth. Especially with who.

She enjoyed talking with her, but she couldn't stall things any further. She stood up and left without a word. She knew it might hurt the servant in some way, but right now, she wasn't really in the mood or state of mind to be kind or polite. She appreciated her words certainly, but right now her mind just wasn't in that place right now. Mostly because of her need to not lose face and also just because of the stress of what's coming ahead. Usually, getting angry at Zerbst was pretty easy and just wildly annoying. Right now it was nerve wracking and difficult, god she wasn't a fan of where this was going. But she had to, otherwise, things would never get solved. She took a deep breath as she headed towards their room. Hoping for the best, but fearing the worst.

Here we go ! This year's chapter !
...
Obviously doing once a year WASN'T in my plans. I just really struggled with this one, and I'm not entirely satisfied with it ? I just felt like I needed to get it out, but I have issues with it so this will probably be re-written at some point ? Right now I just wanted to get this going again.

I decided to keep some of what I intended in this chapter for the next one, who will be more Kirche-centric.
I thought about it and I've decided that keeping only one POV for a chapter will make things a lot simpler and easier to comprehend, like this one was a Louise Chapter, then Kirche, then whatever I feel is the best perspective. I hope that'll make things easier !

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed anyway and thank you for the support on this story, I wasn't sure how it would go over, but the support for it has been incredible ! Thank you so much !