(MC POV)
I returned to the rest with Diao Chan latched on my arm, a big smile plastered on her satisfied face.
"Welcome back, Onii-sama!" Elaria greeted us with a knowing smile.
Eris was sending Diao Chan a weird glance which the woman returned with a smug look of her own.
I let the two of them have their silent conversation and went to check on my fox disciples.
Judging by the noticeably thicker aura of energy surrounding them, they have made quite significant progress in their training. Really impressive to make so much progress in such a short amount of time.
Not wanting to disturb their concentration, I went to peek at what Odriana was writing.
'The Kraken reared one of its many tentacles, clearly intending to smash our little ship for our offense of hooking it. I was thinking of what I can do–'
Odriana covered the rest of it with her hands, "Mou… No peeking before I'm done little brother~"
I looked at her pointedly, "Is that what I think it is?"
"Ufufu~ You'll have to wait until it is published to find out~"
Not anytime soon I hope…
Just as I was about to suggest that we have tea time break, a wolf youkai wearing a maid outfit had came charging out from the main villa, taking three steps at a time down the stairs.
Nearing the bottom, she leapt into the air and did a somersault, landing in front of me in a perfect dogeza.
"Master! Please accept this lowly one's apologies! It was due to this incompetent one's blunder that Master had to suffer the humiliation of serving those tra– new guests! If it would please you, this one is willing to offer my insignificant life in repentance!"
Wow… Do I look like the kind of person who would demand someone to kill themself over something so minor?
I raised an eyebrow at her, "Could I know what happened? It's kind of weird that every single one of the villa staff just disappeared."
She pressed her forehead even harder to the ground, "We had not been expecting the arrival of the guests and the stables were not properly prepared, resulting in some pests taking roost there. I had to mobilize all the villa staff that were available to clear it out."
Ah, makes sense. I suppose they were already made aware of Elaria's vehicles and were not prepared to have a large group of live horses show up out of the blue.
With how small the number of staff is, they would need everyone to clear out whatever was there in time to receive those new visitors.
"Raise your head, Alpha. I am not going to punish you for doing something you should. Besides, you gave me the chance to make my disciples and sisters a feast so there is no need for you to go this far."
And it also let me go ahead with my plan but I'm not going to tell her that.
"Please allow this one to at least repent in some way Master! Or I will never forgive myself for this oversight!" She begged.
I guess this is something akin to honor for her and she sees it as a catastrophic failure on her part.
Tapping my chin to think for a moment, "In that case… Could you check with Queen Guiying if he is really who he say he is and what she wants to be done with him?"
"It will be done, Master," She assured me. "But such a simple thing can't be enough! Is there anything you might desire? This one will work hard to fulfill it!"
I thought for a moment more, "In that case, it should be tea time now. Could I trouble you for some tea and snacks to be brought here as well as to Lian Li and Brendan? Those two should still be in their room."
Without raising her head, she gestured behind her, "I had already prepared them, Master. I hope tea with sandwiches and cakes would fit your palette this afternoon?"
I looked up to see Gamma galloping down the stairs with two large trays of said snacks balanced perfectly in her hands.
"I had also instructed Delta and Beta to deliver Mistress Lian Li and Master Brendan's share to their room. The same goes for Mistress Cai Hong as well that had been set aside for when she wakes up from her nap."
Girl, you're too efficient.
The centaur stopped beside the elf, bowing her head as low as she could while still maintaining her balance of the trays.
"Master, please forgive this incompetent one as well. For us to let you suffer such humiliation is unforgivable on our part."
Geez, you too?
I need to come up with something that will absolve them of their guilt. I really didn't think it was that much of a deal in the first place but it's not like I can't understand their sentiments.
Ah, I got just the thing.
I hammered my fist into my palm, "In that case, I have an order for all of you. Ah, but could you two raise your heads first?"
"We… We are unworthy of raising our heads in your presence, Master," Alpha stated.
"Hmm… I feel like it's kind of rude that you aren't looking at the person that is talking to you. Are you two perhaps making fun of me?"
Both of their heads shot up, panicking.
"That is not our intention, Master!" Gamma cried, her panic almost making her drop her tray of snacks so I reflexively reached out to steady her.
"There, that wasn't so hard, was it," I chuckled, taking the trays from her to hand it to Diao Chan and Eris who had been waiting behind me.
"Ugh… We truly are not worthy. Thank you for your benevolence, Master," Alpha bowed again before raising her head. "What was it that you would ask of us?"
"Simple thing, really," I assured her. "Just make sure those guys don't disturb any of us for the rest of our vacation."
All they need to do is make sure their timetables and ours don't clash and that should be fine, that should be easy, right?
The wolf girl's eyes widened, glancing to Gamma who had a similar expression before turning back to me.
"Is… Is that your order, Master?" The wolf youkai maid asked.
"Hmm? I said it didn't I? Yes, it is."
She bowed her head, "It shall be done Master, I will personally see to it."
I nodded to her and the two of them made their way back to the villa, whispering in hushed voices.
Eris tilted her head at me, "Did they do something to you, Master?"
I chuckled, "Don't you think they're quite insufferable? I wouldn't want to spend any time near them if I can help it."
"I see… So they irritated Master to that degree…" Diao Chan muttered to herself while pouring out the tea for me.
"Hehe, I did tell you trouble always comes to find you, Onii-sama!" Elaria laughed.
I rolled my eyes at her but chose to say nothing since it was true.
Diao Chan handed the cup of tea to me, "Master… Would you mind if I helped them handle those people a bit as well? I might be able to help them to distract the maids to… Distract them."
"Oh? I don't see why not. Just be careful, ok?"
"Of course, Master. I shall take my leave for now," She bowed before running after Alpha and Gamma.
Well, since she's gone…
"Should we continue where we left off after our tea, Eris?"
The swordswoman nodded her head enthusiastically.
"Ohh! Could I join in too, Onii-sama?" Elaria asked excitedly.
"Of course," I nodded before turning to Odriana. "Do you want in too?"
"Fufufu~ If little brother doesn't mind handling three of us at once?"
I told them it wouldn't be a problem and they got especially happy about it, the three girls starting to whisper plans to one another.
I wonder how Brendan and Lian Li are doing with their potion too?
