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CHAPTER VII :

A Sharp Knife

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【 3𝘳𝘥 𝘗𝘖𝘝 】

Y/N : "Anything wrong,

Emma? You look bothered."

Emma : "N-No... It's nothing!"

Emma tried to smile.

Failing at her attempt.

Y/N : "Tell me, Emma."

Emma :

"It's just...

My family's debt problem...

That's all..."

Emma had her eyes darted at the floor.

Y/N : "Oh... Can I help...?

I can tell Lucius to raise your pay."

Emma : "L-Lucius? Well...

I don't want to bother you, master..."

Y/N : "You're my most favorite maid, Emma. I wanna help."

Emma : "Okay then... If you don't mind." Emma bowed down.

Emma :

Emma walked away.

Maria : "That's rough..." She

commented as soon as Emma left.

Y/N : "I feel bad for her. I made her my personal maid because I want to help out with her family's debt."

Maria : "That's good of you, Y/N."

Y/N : "Yeah... Her family used to be fine back then until her father gambled away all their money and properties.

Only God knows what will happen

to his father if he doesn't pay up."

Alice : "He'll die."

She suddenly spoke.

Maria : "Huh?"

Alice : "I used to have a rich client, but he became addicted to gambling. Selling all his properties. To the point where he had to let me go to free up some of his money. He eventually became indebted to other gamblers. I just recently heard that he was found dead in a river."

Alice said casually, as if

talking about the weather.

Maria : "Okay, Stop it you two! I'm trying to maintain my delicate face but you two are telling such depressing stories!"

Y/N : "We're sorry, Maria."

He chuckled nervously.

Alice was just staying quiet,

eyes on the floor.

Maria and Y/N started chatting with each other, with Alice casually chiming in with her usual blank demeanor.

The kitchen is very polished

and had a wooden modern look.

The ambience of the room was

very relaxed, just patiently

waiting for Emma to arrive

so they can start cooking.

However, as they were talking.

Lucius suddenly passed

by the kitchen door.

Y/N spotted him and

called out his name.

Y/N : "Lucius!"

Lucius came to the door.

Lucius : "Yes, Y/N?"

Y/N : "Can you raise Emma's pay?"

Lucius : "Again? Sir?"

Y/N : "We'll lower it down once she finishes paying up her family's debt."

Lucius sighed with

his eyes closed, thinking.

Lucius : "Alright." He responded with a neutral voice as he opened his eyes.

Lucius took a look at the three,

Y/N, Maria and Alice. He already

knew that Maria is currently

teaching Y/N how to cook.

Lucius : "Is that all?"

He questioned his boss.

Y/N : "Yeah, thank you."

Lucius nodded towards Y/N.

He took a glance at Maria,

their eyes momentarily

meeting, and then, he left.

Maria intently watched

Lucius leave the kitchen,

hiding her blush.

Y/N noticed Maria blushing,

he mischievously smiled.

Y/N : "Why don't you go

out with him, Maria?"

He asked with a cheeky smile.

Maria : "No way! Talking to that

guy feels like having a period."

Y/N : "But you like him, don't you?"

He continued teasing,

smiling like an idiot.

Maria : "No...!" Maria blurted

out, blushing, but then, she

turned quiet, thinking.

Her sudden silence radiated

a threatening aura.

Maria : "You know, I like younger guys way more~" She spoke, teasing Y/N.

She eyed him with a flirtatious look.

Y/N blushed. Quickly getting shy.

Y/N : "N-No teasing!"

Maria chuckled and

bonked Y/N in the head.

Y/N : "Ouch..."

Maria : "I just said that so you'd stop teasing me." She smiled.

Emma : "Im home."

Emma announced as she

entered the kitchen, carrying

the groceries she bought.

Maria : "Welcome back,

Emma. Thank you."

Emma nodded, her face looking

better than it was earlier.

Emma handed the groceries to Maria, then, she walked away.

Maria : "Let's get started!"

Maria and Y/N set out the

various ingredients of Y/N's

favorite dish at the counter.

Y/N smiled, he's really

excited to cook with Maria.

Maria : "Okay so... Can you cut the ingredients, Y/N? I'll get the stove ready."

Y/N : "Alright!" He beamed.

Y/N started cutting the ingredients with a smile, however, his excitement mixed with his clumsiness caused him to accidentally cut his finger.

Y/N : "Ouch. Ouch." Y/N put the

knife down and held his finger

with a concerned face,

blood slowly letting out.

Maria noticed, she closed the stove

and immediately spoke.

Maria : "Are you fine, Y/N?"

Maria asked, concerned.

Maria : "I'll get the First Aid kit-"

Alice : "I'll get it. Where is it?"

Maria : "At the bathroom."

She responded, concern at her face.

Alice nodded and walked to the bathroom to fetch the first aid kit.

Maria : "Be careful Y/N."

Maria said with a strict voice,

as if a mother scolding her son.

Y/N : "Sorry..."

Alice came back with the first aid kit,

she set it down at the table, opening

it and grabbing a bandage.

Alice approached Y/N.

Alice : "We'll wash it first."

Y/N nodded.

Alice gently held Y/N's wrist,

their skin touching.

She slowly guided his hand to the sink,

she opened the faucet and she

began washing his cut. Her

thumb rubbing his finger.

Y/N looked at Alice. Her face was

turned towards his hand, her

eyes focused on washing his cut.

The touch somehow

felt sensual for Y/N.

It's been years since Y/N had shared touch with a woman. His heart felt

light as he smiled silently.

He was captivated by her.

Her red

beautiful hair,

her emotionless yet

intriguing eyes,

her soft lips.

Alice closed the faucet as she finished washing his cut. She held his finger, carefully applying the bandage.

Alice : "Be careful next time, sir."

She turned to Y/N, her eyes

looking directly at him.