Third P.O.V.
Patti's mussels a la mariniere is Leine's favorite. All of a sudden that information interrupted Heine's mind while writing his report to the majesty. Without really knowing why, he felt like someone's sulking from him and really want his apology. He didn't recall any misunderstanding between them or is there? The professor finish up the report before looking at the clock. He confirm that there's still a couple of hours before dinner and he knew that the royal kitchen is really busy. He stood up from his chair and start pacing back and forth thinking whether he'll cook or not. He still doesn't see any reason for it and might just disturb the whole kitchen until he started remembering what happened.
"Papa, I had an idea for Leonhard-ouji to help him in his studies." Leine pipe up after she finish arranging the pile of books in Heine's room.
"It will be worthless." Heine paused to get a new sheet of paper to write which took him quiet long. Leine waited but felt like it doesn't have any continuation that she decided to leave the room silently. "As I was saying, it will be worthless if you're not persistence but I believe you mature a lot so I'll try to talk with his majesty about it." He finish his thought without even looking away from his job. He noticed his daughter leave and he still continue talking because he thinks she's still close enough to hear his words.
Heine sigh after the flashback. He has a duty in the kitchen, he decided for himself. The professor left his room and walk straightly towards the royal kitchen without getting interrupted from passersby. He was surprised by a huge crowd at the kitchen entrance. Different sectors of palace staffs gathered and tried to peek inside. This gave the tiny tutor a sign of curiosity but his height won't let him see what's happening. After hopping plenty of times he finally surrendered and asked a palace guard beside him.
"Pray tell me what's happening inside that seemed to be causing a huge attention." Heine-sensei asked.
"Bruno-ouji announced that he'll cook tonight for everyone and that also includes the palace workers' dinner. Everyone wanna get in and help him but the royal chefs are very strict so we're only trying to take a peek." The young gentleman in uniform answered.
"Thank you." He said to the young man before squeezing himself through the crowd. When he finally pass through, the royal chef smile at him delightfully. Without even asking him anything, the chef let him in to the busy kitchen. Bruno-ouji isn't hard to spot since most of the cooks assisted the prince. Heine walk near and take a look at the foods that his student made. He saw Bruno already garnished the recipes calmly and passionately. He was very astonish seeing this side of the prince. "What divine dishes they are!" Heine spoke catching his highness's attention.
"Sishou!" Bruno said in surprise. "I didn't know you were there. How long have you been standing?"
"I just got here." He reply. "What makes you cook for tonight, your highness?" He asked.
"I was getting stress and cooking helps me relax, Sishou." Bruno answered and said something in his head. "I'm actually punishing myself for suspecting Sishou. I, at least want to say sorry to him by cooking dinner for him myself tonight but I got carried away in cooking." He answered honestly in mind.
"Stress? What things are you pushing yourself too much? If you need help, I'm very honour to do so." Heine said and also tied an apron on him. "His highness wouldn't mind if I help?" The mocha haired prince beam in happiness and his eyes wouldn't seem to end in sparkling.
From appetizers to main dish down to desserts and even beverages, the master and the apprentice mostly did all. The Patti's Mussel a la Mariniere wasn't forgotten and it was only made by the red headed professor alone. He refuse help since he wanted it to be the recipe that his youngest and unpredictable daughter loves. When everything was finish or perfect if you'll ask Bruno, everyone looked at there own watch checking if it's already dinner out of excitement. The prince bow in farewell before leaving, the palace staffs that hoard the kitchen said their thanks and gladness. Bruno gave all of them a sweet smile.
"That was disgusting, it just loss my appetite." Marie whispered in the crowd but Bruno heard it clearly so he stopped and glare at her with arms crossed.
"I'll be delighted if you wouldn't eat any of it." Bruno said and the other palace staff move aside revealing Marie who's also crossing her arms.
"An endless argument again." The palace staff said to one another before deciding to leave. They all bow at the prince before they left.
"See that? That act is called respect and it seems like it's nowhere in your vocabulary."
"Respect exist in my vocabulary it's just that, it doesn't refer to you."
"What's your problem with me, you pathetic ground scoundrel peasant?"
"You're existence is my problem, Prince Clingy Boastful Four eyes."
"Ahem." Heine sensei cough that caught the attention of the arguing youngsters. In his hand, he is carrying a silver plate. "May I end your unfriendly conversation?"
"Of course, Sishou. I'll dismiss myself." Bruno said before bowing and left without looking back. Marie keep silent waiting for Heine to speak.
"Where's Leine?" He asked.
"She's in my room with Lannie. She was already sleeping when I left." Marie answered blankly and started walking towards the directions to her room which Heine silently followed. There were a lot of turns and a lot of climbing down some stairs before arriving at the said room. Marie open the door without knocking revealing the sleeping Leine and the reading Lannie. Heine walk softly inside towards the youngest carefully not to spill the dish in hand. He sat down beside the slumbering girl and shook her arm gently to wake her up. She peek an eye open then cover her face with the blanket.
"I'm not eating even if I love that food on your hand unless you'll apologize." Leine muttered in the covers. Heine just sigh and placed the plate on the floor beside her.
"Do whatever that pleases you." The professor said before leaving the room. Marie and Lannie didn't expect that move of Heine because he usually do what Leine askes him, that was the first-time. Leine remove the covers and sat down. She's pouting with teary eyes but little did they know that there was a piece of folded paper under the plate where the words that Leine seek was written.
Heine arrived at his room without any problem and with a weight lifted from his chest because he know that by then his daughter already forgiven him for something he doesn't understand. Several hours later, he finished his evening routine and was ready to sleep. He was about to change his clothes into his sleeping garments when someone knock on the door. He immediately change before opening the door seeing Kai-ouji so down. He open the door widely still wondering of what reason might be causing the prince to visit at almost midnight.
"Come in, your highness." Heine offer which the prince did so. The tutor prepared a tea and then sat down across the small table from Kai.
"Sorry... to disturb you... this late." The prince apologize and Heine just nod at him waiting to say his intentions. "Earlier...in afternoon... after in the garden... I joined my brothers...-
"I'm so glad you managed to join after all, Brother Kai." Leonhard exclaimed happily as Kai was walking closer to them.
"Kainie, didn't Lannie just came out from the garden with Marie?" Licht asked curiously and Kai nodded at him.
"Me and... Lannie... in the garden become friends..." Kai said and that made Licht shocked.
"Really? I'll be very amazed if you also befriended Marie." Licht said checking if he can use Kai for his plan.
"Friends... we are... but not like Lannie... Lannie shared secret..." Kai chatted and Licht and Bruno's eyes widened. They were sure that it's the information they wanted to know. The youngest grab the third prince and started whispering at each other meanwhile Leonhard gave Kai the coffee they left.
"Kainie, what did you like about Lannie?" Licht suddenly pipe up. Bruno wanted to scold him but stopped himself
"Lannie... cute... hair is fluffy...and she is... friend..."Kai answered honestly.
"You're in love with her, Kainie. You should at least court her so your feelings won't go to waste and there's gonna be a chance to know if she feels the same way." Licht said confidently.
"In love? What the heck is that?" Leonhard asked really confused.
"In love, how can I put it?" Licht say to himself then snap his fingers. "When you really really REALLY like a person."
"Are you telling me that I'm in love with you guys? Also father? Grandma? Adele? Heine?" Leonhard asked more confused.
"That's a different kind of love, Leonhard." Bruno pipe up then cleared his throat. "In love, like what mother and father feel for each other."
"To be precise, Brunie. Love is what Kainie feel for Lannie." Licht explain to his brother.
"I'm... in love... with Lannie...?" Kai asked his brothers and himself.
"Kai-ouji just listened to Licht-ouji and somehow believed him." Heine thought. "But Lannie told his highness."
"What can I help you with, your highness?" The tutor asked his student.
"Letter..." Kai-ouji answered very unclear."Letter?"
"I wanna write a letter... for Lannie. I'm not good in speaking..." He expanded his answer.
"You need my help in writing your letter." Heine cleared his answer and Kai nodded. The red haired stood up and went to his desk then pull a couple of papers before sitting back. He rested the papers in front of the prince. "These are scented papers. Peppermint, Lannie has been bugging me to give it to her."
"I've never written love letter before... what to do?" Kai-ouji asked then Heine push a pen and ink towards him.
"Just like writing normal letters." Heine answered and the prince took the pen and started writing.
"Dear L"
What are you writing, Kainie?" Licht suddenly appeared interrupting his brother's writing.
"Licht..." Kai mumble just when Bruno walk past the room.
"Hey, Brunie!" Licht yelled and Bruno entered. "Kainie is writing a love letter." Licht said.
"Letter? Allow me to help you, Nii-san." Bruno said. He lean to reach the paper but he touched a blond hair instead.
"This smells like peppermint." Leonhard said while sniffing the scented papers.
"I think that writing this kind of letters needs solitude." Heine announced and the three princes looked gloomy at their older brother.
"I want help... from everyone..."