"You're planning to teach some of the other students proper noble etiquette?" said Lilia in surprise.

"Vil seems to think it's a good idea, and honestly I've been bored. I know a bit, at least enough that others won't embarrass themselves, but mostly it's teaching others how to behave while serving someone," said Cater.

He had found books on the subject (recommended by Trein, funnily enough) when he noticed Riddle seemed to calm down considerably when noble etiquette was being properly observed. Since they were supposed to embody the spirit of the Queen of Hearts, naturally that meant they were supposed to show a certain level of decorum.

Cater had read up on the subject and found Riddle easier to manage during Unbirthday parties if he treated them similarly to a noble's party.

Lilia looked rather intrigued at the idea.

"Why come to me though?"

"You're Malleus' guardian, right? That means you know more than most here at the school on how people are supposed to behave around royal parties. Or at the very least know what books to read up on so I can prepare myself. Besides, I plan to ask Malleus to come in during the final test to really put them through the ringer," said Cater.

"Oh?" said Lilia, an odd glint in his eyes.

"No offense, but Malleus is a bit intimidating to the other students. That being said he is royalty, so if they can manage to hold a tea party with him in attendance then they can pull it off almost anywhere else. Not to mention it would allow him to interact in a situation where he would be familiar with," said Cater.

"I agree, and that is an excellent test of their skills. I assume you plan that to be their final exam?" said Lilia, looking interested in the idea.

"Pretty much. I'll test them regularly with Professor Trein and Professor Crewel, and even the head mage at some point, but Malleus would be the end goal for the unofficial club," said Cater.

"I approve, though I would like to test your own skills first to insure it would be suitable for Malleus to attend," said Lilia.

"Not a problem. When would be a good time?" asked Cater.

"How about next week? We'll prepare the drinks and snacks, and go from there," said Lilia.

Unknown to Cater, Lilia also planned to prepare a few...surprises to test the boy. He knew that Cater was holding back his true ability and he wanted to see what else the ginger was capable of.

Cater was one of the few students who wasn't immediately intimidated by Malleus and had even spoken to his charge a time or two.


Cater stared in almost abject horror at the scene before him. It took him a second to realize he was also being left alone to manage it, which would be impossible without magic.

"So let me get this straight. I have to set everything up to acceptable standards by myself because the others are too busy, or worse have no idea what is required, is that correct?" said Cater, looking to the boy before him. Silver nodded.

"Fa...I mean Lilia-sempai has them doing something at the moment."

Cater said nothing about the slip up...he already knew Lilia was Silver's father.

"And what exactly will you be doing?"

"I was told to assist in case you were unsure, but to otherwise stay out of it," said Silver.

Translation, he wasn't an extra set of hands for Cater to use and get himself out of this mess.

Cater eyed the mess and sighed.

"Fair enough. Well, I knew Lilia liked his pranks and this is perfectly in line with something he would do," said Cater. "Can you keep an eye on the door so no one comes in and 'accidentally' makes a bigger mess?"

"Are you sure?" said Silver.

"I don't want you to be accidentally injured by a flying plate, and this way they can't say I brought any outsiders in to help," explained Cater.

Silver nodded, and went to stand guard by the only door. Unknown to Cater, several others were standing watch by the windows, though they were only there to insure he didn't try to leave by them.

"Man, Lilia really made it so I have my work cut out for me, didn't he?" said Cater. "Umbra, do you smell anyone besides me in the room right now?"

Umbra's head popped out of his shadow, and let out a quiet bark.

"No one? That's good. Time to get to work then," said Cater cheerfully.

Last time, he had used his signature spell a bit too widely and ended up with far too much work. This time he had kept it on the down-low as much as possible, so not even Rook knew about it.

"He is me, and so are we...Split Card."

Six copies of himself appeared behind him, all with the same expression on their face.

"Well boys, let's get to work," he said cheerfully. They all gave him a 'V' symbol in response. After all, it wouldn't do for anyone to overhear multiple versions of himself talking. Besides, they were all him, so there was no real need to speak anyway.

It took him forty-five minutes, well within the hour time frame Lilia had given him, to set up the room. He spent the last fifteen getting the food and drink set up to prepare for the guests.

Umbra smelled someone coming, and Cater had noticed the guards outside had moved away from the windows, so he let his clones disperse.

Lilia came in and looked at the set-up, before whistling impressed.

"Here I thought I'd have to give you extra time, but you set this up rather nicely didn't you?"

The plates, cups and cutlery were immaculate and in the correct places. The food was set up in an appealing way, and the drinks were placed in such a way that he could access them readily to refresh at a moment's notice.

Lilia inspected them with a critical eye, and was silently impressed Cater had done this solo. All the students he had guard the room had been very clear...Cater had not once tried to leave to get extra hands.

Cater smiled in a way Lilia was familiar with. It was rather heartening, because it confirmed his suspicions that Cater might be suitable for something he had planned.

Lilia wasn't blind to what Cater could do with the right training.

As the other students filtered in, everyone paid attention to how the star of the show would react. If Malleus approved of how the tea party went, that meant Cater was competent.

It also meant Lilia could start making subtle inquiries that would allow Cater's full talents to be used. He wasn't about to let such a gem slip back into obscurity.


Several hours later...

Cater sat down hard in exhaustion. He had thought Riddle was a trial to deal with, and Vil was no cake walk either...but the requirements for an actual royal were much higher and his manners had to be impeccable.

Especially since he was going to be teaching others how to behave in a higher class than even his egg donor could reach.

Lilia approached him after it was all over. The other students would put everything away, now that he had a good idea of Cater's skill level.

Cater gave Lilia a side-eye.

"Why do I get the feeling that you were setting me up for something?"

"I can't fool someone like you, can I?" said Lilia smiling. "I noticed rather quickly you've been holding yourself back from your full potential."

"My full potential?" said Cater, blinking.

Lilia's smile became a tad sinister, as he calmly listed the things he had noticed about the other boy.

"You're extremely observant, and can read a room in seconds. You know how to infiltrate your way into the upper society so seamlessly that no one questions your presence, and you are stealthy enough to successfully hunt your own food with minimal resources available to you. You have a strong survival streak, and a keen eye for detail," said Lilia. "Your manners are beyond impeccable since you're self trained. And that's not getting into the fact you've been undergoing poison-resistance training since last year."

One of the reasons for eating Lilia's cooking (besides hunger), was to increase his resistance to poison. Lilia's cooking was not for the faint of heart...he sometimes slipped poisonous plants into it because he liked the taste or effect. Vil wanted to be petty as hell last year, so he decided to 'help' in Cater's desire to be a good hunter...which meant he started slipping low-level poisons in his food and drink. Rook was absolutely no help besides acquiring medicine to combat the worst symptoms.

The worst part was that he couldn't complain as he had eaten some bad plants while in the sanctuary and that training had likely saved his life.

"Why do I get the feeling you're planning to offer me a job?" joked Cater.

"Maybe I am," said Lilia.

Cater had the misfortune to be drinking some water, so he began to cough out of surprise.

"What?"

"I would have to ask certain parties, but you could be a viable replacement for someone looking to retire in the royal court. While there are many who could take his place, none of them have impressed him to the point he's willing to let go of his post. They're all too complacent, in his words," said Lilia.

Cater thought about it seriously. He had no real goals beyond doing better than last time, and a job in the royal court would pretty much set him up for life. Besides, he knew Lilia wouldn't deliberately screw him over like that...not if he was discussing royal business.

"I wouldn't have to start right away, would I?"

"You can undergo the trial period as part of your internship," said Lilia. "There is one thing I'm curious about though...how did you get the banquet hall set up so quickly without assistance?"

Cater grinned.

"I used magic, of course."

Lilia chuckled.

"Obviously, but what kind?"

"And spoil my fun? I'd rather keep you guessing," said Cater laughing. No way was he resisting the chance to get one over Lilia for a while.

"A challenge then," said Lilia with delight. "What do I get when I win?"

"I know you're curious about a few things. Why don't I give you the full story, or at least most of what I know as payment?" said Cater.

Lilia had been curious as to how Cater had known things or why he had felt so comfortable with the fae the second they first met. The way Cater spoke to him was more akin to being friends for a long time, rather than immediate camaraderie.

It had made Lilia beyond fascinated with the ginger haired boy, enough that he paid more attention to him than most.

His smirk only broadened at that.

"We have a bet," said Lilia.

"What sort of post were you talking about anyway?"

"I'll tell you once I've won our little game," said Lilia.


Cater had everything set up in the club room. Professor Trein had raised his eyebrows when he heard what sort of 'club' Cater had in mind, but was more than willing to assist. Most clubs needed a supervisor, especially the more active ones.

Unsurprisingly, a good chunk of Heartsabyl had signed up the second they realized that Cater's knowledge of etiquette had pacified their temperamental Housewarden, at least enough that they were unlikely to lose their heads.

While they made up the bulk of the class (at least in numbers), there weren't the only house to file in. Pomefiore, Diasomnia, and to a lesser extent Scarabia came as well.

Cater was only mildly surprised to see Ruggie and the oddball Savanaclaw student.

"Trying to earn Leona's good graces?" he asked Ruggie.

"One, you promised free food," said Ruggie. "And two, Leona's so lazy that if I show I can handle his fancy high society crowd, he might hire me on as his permanent aide."

"...Point. If you need any tips, let me know and I'll help you out," said Cater. He turned to the other students. "That applies to the rest of you. I made a second MagiCam account so you can all do refresher courses before the next meeting."

That had them all talking quietly among themselves.

"Needless to say I will be posting the lessons on that account, after I've blurred your faces of course. I'm not the sort of person to embarrass others when they're honestly trying to learn."

Cater motioned everyone to take a seat.

"Now, since this is the first of many lessons, I'll give you all an overview of what the club is about and what we'll be learning. This sort of thing isn't something you can pick up in a single day," said Cater smiling. This was going to be a long day.