Something Sweet

Chapter 12

Author's note: Hey, welcome back everyone.
Welcome new readers too. Thanks for the reads, follows, and comments. Looks like I managed to complete this chapter at a faster pace as this winter quarter doesn't seem too heavily stacked with school work.

So, in a way I'm relieved.

Not sure if I'll be able to pull this off again, but guess we'll never know.

Feel free to like, follow, comment. Motivation works.

Thanks, everyone for the support.

I'll let you guys read.

Enjoy.

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"How is the meal, Miss Jean?" The head maid approached from aside, "As instructed, no spices or heavy starches were included in today's dinner preparations."

Following the adjustments, the doctor had advised her to lessen her abdominal pains. Days steadily passed as her condition subtly continued to improve. The grandmaster and her assigned maids were progressively adapting to the modifications as taking notes to meals became a standard routine.

"I think we're okay. I'm feeling fine, so it is safe to say the doctor was right about spicy foods." The faint smile on the headmaster's lip remained as she contemplated the ongoing arrangements, "We've eliminated so many other foods the past week. I'm starting to have trouble differentiating the taste of vegetable soups and fruit salads."

"I understand, Miss Jean." Adeline retrieved a small notepad from her uniform pocket, "I'll continue to consult with the kitchen staff and see if there's anything else they can prepare."

"Oh no, this is all fine for tonight's dinner. We can make it a plan for tomorrow's meal preparations."

"Are you sure, Miss Jean?" Adeline Insisted while inspecting the meal portions on the table.

"Yes, I am all done for tonight. I don't think I can take another bite..." With her voice trailing off as she glanced around the empty dining room, Jean felt hesitant to ask, "Do you know if Diluc will be returning tonight?"

Adeline took a short moment to reply as she began to collect the plates from the table, "Unfortunately, there's no news about master Diluc returning for the night."

It's been two weeks since Jean had moved into the Dawn Winery as agreed upon their contract. Further arrangements proceeded as planned, and after signing her name to the marriage court papers, Jean found herself spending most of her time alone or in the company of the maids. Her hours didn't correlate much with his schedule as Diluc would spend days at a time away from home.

His sleeping hours were too short to notice, and his presence in the manor was overall limited.

It all appeared to correlate with the weather as the rainstorms had finally ceased, and the upcoming swarm of reports and requests came pouring in as a result.

Jean was sure Diluc was unfortunately caught within back-to-back orders to command the knights.

With the rain stopping, the increase of enemy campsites and road blockages were to be expected. Again, something as far as assumptions due to her feeling miscommunicated. Now that she wasn't in an active position, Jean could only hope the assault orders didn't involve anything further than a few hillchurls and mitachurls.

"Might I prepare a cup of warm tea--" Adeline offered just as her words were interrupted by the head butler rushing in her direction.

A low whisper of words were exchanged between the two as Adeline acknowledged the new request.