ROSES HAVE THORNS-Chapter 83 - Three New Faces

"S-Sir?" A servant of Diana’s timidly spoke up from behind Kurt.

"Yes?" Kurt answered when turning around from the door that the three maids just walked into.

"Good morning, sir. If you would please follow me to the dining room, your breakfast awaits you there."

"Oh, thanks. Lead the way. I only know what Diana’s room and the kitchen really looks like. Also, you don’t need to call me ’sir’. It’s a bit stifling, no?"

"N-Nonono! Head Maid Wendy told me to think of you as my superior and to be treated with respect! F-Forgive me, but I must insist on calling you ’sir’. Lest I face punishment or lose my job... P-Please! Please don’t make me lose my job. I-It’s all I have! W-Waaa! *Sob* Waaah!..."

"Ok! Ok! You can call me sir! I’m sorry! There’s no need to get on your knees and cry like that! You’re gonna get snot on my pants! Stop it!"

As Kurt tried pushing away the head of the servant from his pants, he noticed a sudden movement from Diana’s door. When he turned back around to see what it is, he saw,

"... *Tsk!*"

Shut!

"You’ve got to be shitting me..." He sighed as he saw the same irritated maid click her tongue again and scorn at him before shutting the door this time.

"Is everything alright?"

"Wha– Weren’t you just ugly-crying on the floor just now?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now, once again, please follow me before your breakfast gets cold, sir." The servant elegantly walked down the stairs and waited for Kurt halfway.

’Don’t tell me that was all pre-planned? Haaaa, I seriously hope not. Going through the ringer of Diana’s personal servants’ and maids’ antics is something I do not find particularly amusing.’

...

"This is where I shall stop since I have much work to do. The dining room is just beyond this door. Enjoy your breakfast, sir."

"Thanks. And one more thing before you leave." Kurt stopped him before he walked away.

"Yes? W-Was my escorting skills not up to par? A-Are you somehow dissatisfied with me?! I-I’m sorry! Please don’t tell the Head Maid! W-Waa–"

"Stop it! Holy shit! Don’t grovel on your knees and start crying again, Jesus Christ..."

"T-Then... what’s the problem?"

"... It’s nothing, don’t worry about it."

’I was just gonna ask if he was actually crying back there or if he and a couple of servants and maids have a problem with me. Safe to say this guy has a screw loose upstairs from always thinking of the worst possible outcome. That, or his just sacred shitless of this Head Maid.’

"I see. Well then, if you would excuse me." The servant politely bowed once and left Kurt for whatever work he spoke about.

As Kurt entered the dining room, he was immediately hit by the scent of freshly baked bread, the smoky smell of bacon that had a hint of something otherworldly to it, the familiar sulfuric scent of egg that screamed ’welcome home, and to top it all off, the rich, complex and comforting scent of warm coffee that would draw anyone’s nose in.

*Growl*

’I think I’m gonna cry too, Mr. Servant.’

"Well someone’s hungry~" Diana appeared from behind him and poked his cheek.

"Yeah. It smells amazing." Kurt nearly foamed at the mouth as had his eyes glued to the table like he just found a piece of treasure.

"I’m glad you like it. The chefs would be pleased to hear it. Now come, let’s eat." She dragged him by the hand and directed him to the head of the table to sit down,

"Are you sure I should sit here? I am a guest after all."

"Don’t be silly. What’s mine is yours and this seat belongs to you. Now sit." She pushed him down by the shoulders, and forced him to take a seat.

"But where are you gonna sit? There’s only one chair."

"Why, right here of course." Diana plopped down and sat on his lap.

"Uhm... Diana. How am I supposed to eat like this?"

"Exactly, Ms. Valentine." Wendy entered the room while carrying another chair. "Please show some common decency and take a seat. Here, I’ve brought one for you to sit on."

"A pity for you, isn’t it Rosie? I know how much you like you like to feel my–"

"AHEM! Ms. Valentine." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"You’re so boring at times, Wendy." Diana pouted and sat in the chair next to Kurt.

"I apologise about her behaviour, Mr.... err... Rosie?"

"Hmm!?" Diana shot her a mean glare. "Did I hear you correctly? Why are you calling him Rosie? Huh? Is there something you wanna say to me?"

"Excuse me? I-I don’t understand?"

"It’s Kurt! Kurt Rossana! Diana’s the only one who calls me Rosie, you see."

"Ooh... Oh my goodness! Ms. Valentine, I’m truly sorry! I did not know–"

"It’s ok. I understand. It’s partly my fault for not introducing you to each other earlier and as they say, there’s no sin in not knowing. But do be careful from now on."

*Tsk!*

’Hm? What the! Since when did those three get here?!’ Kurt noticed the three maids from before now standing near the diner door as if to await their next orders.

The first maid had shoulder-length straight black hair and facial features that looked distinctly Asian. Kurt recognised her as the one who was always clicking her tongue and was currently giving him the stinkiest of looks.

The next maid stood in the middle of the two and had blonde hair which was tied into twin tails. She had lively green eyes and sharp facial features that would make anyone second-guess whether she truly was a maid and not part of any well known family. Kurt recognised her as the one who gave him a very ’enthusiastic’ greeting and was currently trying her best not to laugh.

The last maid had soft facial features and gentle blue eyes. Her hair was a light shade of purple and was neatly tied into a braid that hung over her shoulder. Kurt recognised her as the one who tried but fumbled over her words when she greeted him. She was currently fiddling with her braid like her life depended on it while trying not to look up.

"Mr. Rossana, pardon the late introduction. My name is Wendy and I am the Head Maid of this mansion and its employees as well as the personal maid to Ms. Valentine. Please don’t hesitate to ask me if you need anything."

"Nice to meet you, Wendy. Although I just said my name, let me formally introduce myself. My name is Kurt Rossana and I’m–"

"My lover." Diana chimed in and proudly took a bite from her muffin.

"Pffft–"

"... *Tsk*"

"Oh my oh my. So it’s trueeee~"

"You three! What with the ruckus!" Wendy turned to them and scolded.

"I-It’s nothing, bossmaid! You must be hearing things."

"Y-Yes! Uhm... nothing, ahaha..."

"...."

"Honestly, you three. Please forgive their rudeness, Ms. Valentine. Mr. Rossana. Even though they’re special maids training directly under me, it seems as though they still lack discipline."

"I don’t mind." Diana waved it off nonchalantly.

"Yeah, it’s fine. Although, if they’re ’special maids’, shouldn’t they also introduce themselves?"

"Of course, Mr. Rossana. Girls! Line up!" Wendy clapped.

"Yo, bossman– I MEAN–! Mr. Rossana. The name’s Sadie. Nice to meet’cha!" The blonde-haired maid greeted him first.

"H-Hello, Mr. Rossana. My name is Isabel. I am at your shervichshy... s-service." The purple-haired maid greeted him second while once again, tripping over her words.

"Yuna." The Asian greeted him lastly. Sort of.

"Nice to meet you all. Here’s hoping we get along." Kurt ignored all of their quirkiness and greeted them normally.

"Hehee! You got it, bossman–!"

"You three can go back to your stations now. Please don’t mind their behaviour, Mr. Rossana. I can personally vouch for them that they are capable maids."

"I believe you." Kurt shrugged and dug into his food.

"Rosie~ You got a little something right there."

"Hmm?"

"Boop. Hehehe~" Diana touched his nose for no reason and giggled at his clueless face.

"... C-Cuteness overload."

"... I’ve never seen Ms. Valentine so playful before. Wooow."

"... *Tsk!*"

...

After Kurt and Diana were finished eating they stood at the front and held hands as they got ready to teleport away.

"Ms. Valentine, will you be back by tonight or working overtime?"

"I’ll be back. Work should slow down a bit now that I’m just about done with the paperwork."

"I see. And Mr. Rossana? Will we be expecting you again?"

"As much as I’d love to, I can’t. I’m already staying at a hotel but I don’t plan on cancelling it due to... well, let’s just say work."

"I understand. Please know that you are always welcome here." Wendy and the other three maids bowed at him.

"Thanks."

"So where to, Rosie? I believe Emelie is still at the dorms if she hasn’t left already."

"No. Take me to City View Hotel. I have something I want to pick up."

’I’m sorry Diana. But this small lie will only last for 1 week, I promise.’

"Sure. See you later Wendy. Girls."

"""Have a good day, Ms. Valentine."""

SHWOOSH