Author's Note:

Sometimes, I hate my over-active imagination. On one hand, it allows me to create amazing and complex stories. On the other hand, I could only create complex stories because my brain doesn't turn off.

You'll probably figure out the reason for my rant in chapter 6 when I ever posted it up.

Anyway, the quick popularity of this fiction astounds me. I guess you guys have been waiting for a story like this for a while, huh?

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"Young Master, please lift up your arms so that I may relieve you of your sleeping gown."

Solemnly, Tanaka did so, even though he would rather go back to bed, but Clarisse had already ironed his school uniform and packed up his textbooks so he would feel bad for letting her preparations go to waste. Looking up at the maid after she had slid his gown off, he wasn't bothered seeing her dead-like face, making her expressions nearly impossible to read. Tanaka had long figured out it was more of a condition rather than an intentional thing, especially since she was always kind and gentle to him. She smelled like sugar and flour and baked goods, and sometimes cookies, and Tanaka became completely attached to her since she reminded him of home from his last life.

Clarisse was apparently his assigned and permanent caretaker and was absent due to some trouble with her family. Her mother was sick, she had told him, so she had to help out with the small bakery they owned to make ends meet. No one else in her family knew how to work the stove other than her and the second oldest, but the second oldest had to attend her classes and no one in the family wanted to ruin her perfect attendance record. Especially since the school was rather prestigious and demanded much more from their scholarship students.

So Clarisse temporarily went home to man the stove while her mother was recovering from her sickness and Amir briefly replaced her as Thomas' caretaker for the weekend.

Apparently, the unrealistically handsome and good-looking young man was the butler that his brother (Edward) had so 'generously' lent to Thomas. Probably to show off though Tanaka liked Clarisse's demeanor a lot better. She's a lot more sincere in her actions than Amir, who does everything rather cynically with a tinge of ridicule.

It's a wonder how Edward didn't see it whenever he asked Amir to do his bidding, but that's not really Tanaka's problem.

Either way, a week and a weekend had already passed since Clarisse's return and a lot of things had changed since then... at least to many of the people working in the manor. On Tanaka's end, he continued his usual routine of sleeping, eating, sleeping, eating, and sleeping again. It left Clarisse absolutely baffled when she came back from her time off to see her young master, who she had practically raised since he was a toddler, turned into a sloth.

Immediately, she pulled Amir off to the side after the second day of witnessing her young master's lethargy and asked what had happened during his time as her replacement. The dark-skinned handsome butler could only shrug, also clueless about the cause of the drastic change in the young boy's personality.

Many of other maids and butlers had made their suggestions and guesses to the frantic Clarisse, but no one was really sure why the youngest of the Rosetta's became so... lazy.

At first, Clarisse thought that the child was probably ill with something, so she sneaked in a doctor when all the Rosettas were occupied with other events outside of the manor. Fortunately, the doctor had declared Thomas to be very healthy despite the increased frequency of naps.

Then Clarisse feared that the young master was probably struck with some kind of lethargy curse, so she called in a friend the next day who specialized in jinxes. Fortunately, Thomas was also cleared for curses, though he looked very bewildered having to be introduced to a Jinx Breaker.

After checking everything that could possibly ail the young boy, she had no choice but to be content with her current young master... though there was not much for her to complain about in the first place.

Other than his lethargy and listlessness, Young Master Thomas had become quieter and surprisingly obedient. His eyes that were full of darkness and spite are now lucid and mellow. They used to burn desperately and hateful at everyone and everything, but now they hold a tranquil characteristic, one that left people feeling secure and serene.

As the maid and main caretaker who had served the youngest master of the Rosettas for several years, this kind of change is like day and night for Clarisse. She was very unwilling to believe that the young master could suddenly change his entire demeanor in the few days that she had been gone, but what else could she have done? Nothing (at least, physically) is wrong with her young master. Though... Amir did tell him that young master had been scolded by his father once again before the child had changed his attitude...

Feeling Clarisse's strong glare from above his head, Tanaka looked up at the maid with unfamiliar eyes. Clear and limpid, Clarisse would not really recognize them if it wasn't for the fact that they were attached to the young master's face. Even so, she couldn't find it within her to resent the change, though she couldn't help but feel guilty despite so.

Along with the lethargy, Young Master Thomas also had become... kind. Exceedingly so.

This young master that she did not recognize is quiet and curious. On days that Clarisse could coax him out of bed, she would always find him distracted with sometime new. Whether it would be the artwork or artifacts inside the manor or something outside that had him staring through the window for hours. He was also very considerate and suddenly polite, even to the servants. If he wanted something, he would say 'please' and 'thank you' in the most formal tone possible. It made many maids and butlers uncomfortable at first (including Clarisse) but they all somehow got quickly used to it when Young Master Thomas continued to refer to them that way. Much to their bafflement, their young master also had started to try to become independent. He would clean up his messes on his own, try to carry his plate to and from the kitchen, and take his baths on his own. Of course, they really couldn't let him-- even if he's the unfavored son of the Master, he's still a Rosetta, nonetheless.

Fortunately, this had only lasted a few days before he gave up on trying completely. The young master would still say 'please' and 'thank you' when he saw them working or helping him. It honestly made them very happy to be acknowledged for their hard work and the sincerity on the young master's young and adorable face only made them more satisfied.

But out of all the servants employed under the Rosetta's, the only people that Young Master Thomas had actually taken liberties with were Clarisse, of course, and surprisingly... Amir.

They thought that seeing the aloof and cold Amir carrying the young master during that one lunch hour was a one-time thing. They couldn't imagine seeing the cynical youth doing such a thing willingly, though many of them later on had succumbed to carrying the youngest master when he's sleepy or tired (which is often). Amir was one of the most excellent butlers employed to the Rosetta household but was also one of the youngest as well. He was assigned to Young Master Edward by the Madam and Master due to his skills and good looks, but many of the servants knew that outside of his professional and controlled facade was a very indifferent and apathetic man. He's amiable and pleasant to all of his co-workers, but by no means sincere and caring. The only people that could be considered to have a friendly relationship are probably Conrad and Clarisse... and apparently Young Master Thomas as well.

Ever since the young master's drastic change in personality, it seemed that along with the lethargy comes the troublesome trait of the young master sleeping... everywhere, to be precise.

In the gardens, the sitting room, the cupboard, the stairs, under the dining room table, in the middle of the hallway, in one of the linen closets-- wherever the young master could fit in, he had the ability to sleep there also.

The first time the young master had abruptly disappeared, Clarisse was beside herself with worry. Nearly everyone in the manor had participated in looking for the youngest master after Clarisse couldn't find him herself after an hour of looking. Then, Amir suddenly showed up with the child sleeping in his arms peacefully. It wasn't until later, when everything had settled down, did Amir finally tell her where he had found the young master. Apparently, he somehow bypassed the lock on the garden shed and slept near a bag of potting soil...

Since then, once every other day, there would be a manhunt for the young master (though Clarisse had tried her very best to keep an eye on the child, Young Master Thomas would still somehow disappear from her sight), and every single time, Amir seemed to be the only one that could find him within half an hour. The servants of the Rosetta manor couldn't help but stare at the unusual pair whenever the young butler came back with the youngest master, especially since Young Master Thomas looked rather peaceful and content in Amir's strong arms.

Either way, the relationship between the young master and the handsome young butler was rather strange, but nobody really dared to ask anything about it. Not even Clarisse, though she knew both her young master and Amir well enough (even if Amir still had many secrets that she couldn't hope to dig into). She didn't really think that they would be compatible enough to be left even in the same room, much less have such close contact with each other with only a weekend to fortify their bond.

Though she said close contact, Amir was actually still aloof about Young Master Thomas' existence. He never actively sought out the youngest master of the Rosetta family and only after an hour that no one had found the young master, would he start looking for the child as well. But Clarisse liked to think she had sharp eyes, and for a moment, when Amir had accidentally held the young master closer due to the small child almost sliding off his shoulder, there was a flash of... tenderness that Clarisse had never seen before.

Of course, she had never commented on it and had only said her usual thanks when the supposedly cold butler had given her the young master to be washed and tucked in.

"...Clarisse?"

The said maid snapped out of her thoughts as she looked down at the tender face of her young master. Though a little embarrassed by her distracted thoughts (which didn't show on her face, as always), Clarisse quickly finished tying the young master's tie with a speed that indicated years of practice and helped the young child into his jacket.

For a while, the young master had been swaying on his feet, his large and half-lidded eyes blinking rapidly every now and then, and Clarisse couldn't help but smile apologetically. Due to the Master's instructions, she had no choice but to wake up the child a couple of hours earlier from his usual sleep schedule. Ever since the change, the young master had stopped attending breakfast with the rest of his family and it absolutely broke her heart when he told her, "They never really waited for me to come down. If I don't have to eat with them, then I might as well get more sleep before going to the academy." The young master in the past would always wake up early in the morning to eat with his family, though they would always either ignore him or sneer at him. It seemed that her young master had finally given up on considering the Rosettas as his family...

"Clarisse?" Tanaka called out once again since it seemed that his maid had started to pinch his poofy cheeks. It's something that she would usually do whenever she's distressed or upset.

It took a while for Clarisse to find out what her hands were touching since she was lost in her thoughts. "Oh, my apologizes, Young Master Thomas!"

"It's fine, Clarisse. I don't mind," Tanaka said truthfully. If it makes the maid feel better by touching his cheeks, as long as she doesn't pinch too hard, he doesn't mind. "Clarisse, why do I have to be up so early?" Tanaka couldn't help but ask since she basically carried him out of his bed without telling him the reason why. Usually, he wouldn't be up until 8 o'clock in the morning since his classes started at nine and by carriage ride, it would take about 15 minutes to get to the school.

But now, it's close to 6 o'clock instead, and Tanaka could feel his entire body protesting about being awake. He had settled into a strict routine (at least, strict for him) for the past week and he was not very happy to have to break off from it, but since it was Clarisse, he didn't make a fuss.

"That's because... Master wanted to talk to you..." Clarisse admitted hesitantly. After all, for the Master to have actually paid attention to his youngest son, the son he had always neglected, she couldn't imagine the reasoning to be anything but terrible.

"Father did?" Tanaka questioned with confusion seeping into his voice. He had gotten used to calling the old geezer 'father' because... well, not because he acknowledges the guy as his father, but because he doesn't know the old man's name. It was the same with the mother as well. Because Tanaka never went and found out what her name is, so he had been calling her 'mother' instead. But Edward is Edward and Katherine is Katherine. He didn't want to call them him 'brother' or 'sister' unless it was necessary.

Anyway, that old geezer is calling him? What did he do this time? He had been 'avoiding'-- well, he doesn't really care enough for them to really be sensitive about their presence in the manor, but he hadn't really seen Thomas' father for quite a while now. He couldn't imagine what the old man wanted now. And the fact that he had to sacrifice his sleep for it puts him in a bad mood.

"Do I have to go?" Tanaka asked rather miserably, looking up at Clarisse with his hazy and sleep-teary eyes. Seeing how unhappy and tired her young master looked, Clarisse hesitated on saying 'yes' to her exhausted charge.

"I'm afraid you have to, Young Master Thomas," an elderly voice interrupted, causing the other two in the room to turn their head towards the door. With salt-and-pepper hair combed back, allowing Tanaka to see his wrinkled forehead more clearly and his twinkling blue eyes often hidden by his spectacles, Henry, his father's personal butler, stood near the bedroom door with one hand on the knob and the other on the frame.

Seeing that he had their attention, Henry smiled apologetically to the youngest master, the laugh lines on his face becoming more prominent than before. "The Master had sent me to retrieve you both since he's becoming impatient."

Henry had been with the Rosettas before Thomas was even born and had served both his great-grandfather and his grandfather before. Now, he served his father, though the current Master of the Rosetta often lost his patience with Henry due to his slow speed, which generally comes with his age and Henry has been around for a long time now. Steadily, his father had been trying to replace Henry with younger butlers to help him with his work, which the elder man didn't mind since he acknowledged that he was not as young as he used to be.

If Tanaka could voice his own opinion, he thought that Henry's ability to sneak into any places without making a sound was a great sacrifice for his speed. Neither Clarisse nor Tanaka had heard the butler approach, much less open the door into the room.

Either way, seeing that he really had no choice but to attend breakfast with his 'family', Tanaka could only comply despite feeling miserable because of it.

Witnessing the young master's obedient but gloomy figure slumping ever so slightly, Henry softened even though he was already very indulgent with the youngest Rosetta. "Come here, I can tell that young master is tired. I'll carry you until we reach the stairs." Bending down with his arms out, the elder man gestured the young boy over with a dotting expression. Immediately, Tanaka perked up. There's nothing that he could do about being summoned by his father, but that didn't mean he would have to make the situation hard on himself.

In the fastest speed that both Henry and Clarisse had seen him in, Tanaka pitter-pattered into the arms of the older gentlemen, allowing the elder to heave him up and to settle him down on his hip. Despite Henry's old age, beneath his black and white butler suit were firm muscles that had surprised Tanaka at first, but he didn't think much of it as he easily leaned down with his head resting on the older man's broad shoulders. Tanaka could smell the distinct scent of charcoal and English tea and silverware and old books, and while the combination was rather strange, the transmigrator was completely comfortable with it.

With his head down, Tanaka didn't see the endearing expression on both Henry's and Clarisse's face (though her facial muscle barely twitched). Nowadays, there was no one in the mansion that could deny Young Master Thomas when he wanted to be carried. Sometimes, the young master didn't even need to ask to be carried-- many of the maids and butlers are very willing to spoil the young boy whenever he asked for affection. Henry and Amir, despite their strict and professional personalities, were not any different from the rest.

Also, since the young master is more sleep deprived than usual, Henry knew that the young boy would be more idle-minded and distracted. If he let Young Master Thomas walk to the dining room from his room, the journey would probably take about half an hour when they could easily get to their destination in ten minutes. It's also the Master's fault for placing Young Master Thomas' room so far from the main parts of the manor, but there's nothing that the old butler can really do anything about that.

With a small gesture, Henry had Clarisse take Thomas' school bag and with the young master in tow, they left the bedroom and strides down the hall towards the staircase. Along the way, even though it was obvious how tired and heavy-eyed the young master is, the little one would always say his greetings and wave to the passing servants as they moved closer to their destination. The maids and butlers doing the morning chores could only happily greet the small boy back, absolutely smitten by their young master's drowsy and sleepy attitude.

Eventually, the party of three made it to the stairs and Henry had no choice but to put down the young master on his feet. While he could make it down the staircase with the young boy in his arm, there was a chance that the other Rosettas would see him spoiling their youngest. Considering their low opinion of the little one, he doubted they would be happy about it no matter how loyal he is to the Rosetta family.

Of course, Young Master Thomas understood and didn't complain as he climbed down the stairs leisurely with Clarisse on one side and Henry on the other. As soon as they entered into the dining room, Henry separated from them to serve by the Master's side while the maid and the young master pair headed towards Tanaka's usual place on the table just a few chairs away from his (Thomas') mother.

While walking up to his spot, he saw the two maids serving by his mother's side and the young maid, one of several that took care of Katherine, pouring tea into his sister's cup. Right next to his older brother, Edward, is the tall and handsome figure of Amir, who had his head lowered, his back straight, and one arm folded in front with a dish towel. The perfect image of a butler. Momentarily, Tanaka saw the butler's eyes flashed towards him and the transmigrator was able to wave a greeting to the older male before going up into his seat.

It wasn't any surprise to Tanaka to see that everyone was already eating without having the courtesy to wait for his arrival, but as soon as he was seated, his father put down his eating utensil and stared harshly at his youngest son. Tanaka was frankly surprised by his attention, even if the old geezer was the one that originally called him awake in the first place.

"Thomas," the old man voiced out, a tinge of anger and fury. It echoed around the large room, leaving many people tense, especially the servants watching the ordeal. There was a strange, satisfied look on Edward's face as everyone on the table stopped what they were doing. "I've heard you haven't been doing well in your studies..."

Not doing well is a bit of an understatement, was the thought that passed through Tanaka's mind as he stared at his father with indifferent eyes. To be blunt, he hadn't done anything in regards to his lessons. Tanaka had ignored homework, slept through lectures, avoided participation, sometimes skipped classes, and had been using his textbook as a pillow. He doesn't care about history. Math is something he has already graduated for. Politics is boring. Literature and Writing class even more so. The only thing that he found interesting was Magic Theorem.

Since his previous world doesn't have a twinge of magic in the air, he was initially interested in the theory and scientific reasoning behind it.

If he remembered correctly from playing The Noblest of Love, Astria (the country the game was centered around) was the most magically advanced country in the entire continent. And the magical academy that Tanaka is currently enrolled into is the top magical school in Astria located in the capital, The Holy City of Evadne. Evadne Academy, his school and the school that the heroine would find her true love in, is not only a teaching academy but also a research academy. Many scholars traveled from all over the continent of Ariadne to study at the academy and explore all the research notes in their ever-expanding library.

In a very non-Tanaka-like manner, the young transmigrator was looking forward to Magic Theorem class. In the game, as you play the heroine of The Noblest of Love, you would only take classes when there was a specific skill-set you wanted to improve. Magic Theorem would allow the heroine to increase her mana supply and while he was not looking to use magic for himself (it sounded like work), he was very interested in what the professor had to say. The scene had always faded into black whenever lecture started and skipped to the end of the period.

Unfortunately, Tanaka ended up being disappointed.

Considering that it's the middle of the school year, the professor had already passed the origin and functionality of magic and went straight to elemental affinity and magical diversity. Everything he had lectured was very shallow and Tanaka immediately lost interests once the professor started buttering up to some of the more reputable nobles in his class.

Since class had disappointed him, Tanaka tried reading the textbook instead, but he also found himself dissatisfied by the content.

For a research academy, they sure didn't make any progress in understanding magic. After stalking around the library for a couple of days, the transmigrator quickly found out that current research is more focused on creating new and convenient spells for the country to use (for war, is implied in between the lines) or exploring the more mysterious elements that some people have like space and time (which Tanaka think is dangerous and stupid, but that's just his opinion).

Frankly, irritated by the lack of research in concern towards the nature of magic in their bodies (such as why can some people use magic and not others? Why are some more adept at magic than others? Where does the magic originally come from? Can our bodies make it or do we use it from another source?), Tanaka stopped caring for school altogether.

His indifferent attitude towards school had been continuing for a week now. Tanaka wasn't surprised that one of his teachers had reported his behavior to someone in his family.

Nonetheless, Tanaka stayed silent despite being directly addressed by the old geezer. He doubted that anything he could have said would appease Thomas' father.

"Thomas, I had told you not to disgrace us with your ineptness," the older man proclaimed coldly, his face subtly red with displeasure. Tanaka could only lower his head in submission, though he had no intention of doing anything about his so-called 'ineptness'. The importance he put in regards towards his 'father's' opinion is nonexistent. "I don't want this to happen again. If I get another report from the academy about your misconduct, there will be consequences."

"Don't be so harsh, Father," Edward suddenly spoke out, which startled Tanaka at first since he didn't expect his older brother to be on his side of the matter. "Thomas has a five-tiered magic aptitude. To expect anything more out of him is rather unrealistic."

...Ah, nevermind. This sounded more like Edward.

His (Thomas') mother snort rather ungracefully. "The only reason Thomas is enrolled into the most prestigious magical academy in the entire Continent of Ariadne is because of your father's generous influence. Otherwise, the Headmaster wouldn't allow such a talentless boy to attend their classes in the first place. If Thomas can't work hard to earn his place, then how do you think that makes us look?"

"Yeah," Katherine easily agreed with ridicule in her eyes. "Thomas is just too useless. I don't even understand why father even bothered in the first place."

Though Tanaka was not even bothered by these poison-filled comments, he could somehow feel Clarisse trembling right next to his side.

Obviously, the maid felt that these harsh insults were quite unnecessary. She could barely keep her face from turning red in indignation. Even Henry became stoned-face near the Master's side at the careless remarks being said out loud.

Regardless, Tanaka looked over towards the maid, not paying attention to the hurtful words being thrown in the air carelessly as he stared at his caretaker's dead-like expression. Though nothing was being shown on her face, if he looked down at her clasped hands on her lap, he would have noticed how white and bloodless they were. Tanaka was slightly worried that she may have been digging her fingernails into her palms, so he reached over and wiggled his small, soft hand into her larger, work-roughed hands. Clarisse immediately loosened up, not wanting to hurt her young master with her strength (which is not very little, considering she used to carry bags of flours for a living).

Content with the fact that the maid is not hurting herself anymore, Tanaka turned around back to the family, just in time to pay attention to what the old geezer was saying to him. "As punishment for your poor performance in the academy, you will be grounded. For a whole week, you're not allowed to leave your room under any circumstances."

Slowly absorbing the so-called punishment his father had inflicted on him, Tanaka tried his very best not to seem eager. Judging by Amir's nearly inaudible cough, Henry's amused glance, and Clarisse's subtle and exasperated sigh, he probably didn't do a good job.

To anyone else, the punishment would seem depressing and horrible, but to an introvert like Tanaka, it sounded like a reward. Even back in his old world, his family (especially his mother) wouldn't allow him to stay in his room for long periods of time. He would be forced to spend some of his days outside either with his family or friends for a few hours before he could crawl back into his happy lair. Now the old geezer wanted him to be locked inside of his room for a whole week (not including the times he had to go to classes)?

Tanaka once again lowered his eyes, since he had no complaints about what his father had said. To anyone that didn't know the young master well, they would think he was downcasted by the condition of his punishment. To all the servants who had been playing hide and go seek with the youngest Rosetta for the past several days, they all knew that the young boy had no grievances towards this type of punishment.

Promptly, the Master went back to reading his newspaper, nonverbally declaring the conversation to be over. As soon as everyone else went back to finishing their breakfast, a maid finally came forward with Tanaka's own plate of food. He waited a while for Clarisse to arrange his plate and give him his glass of milk, he immediately dug into his food. Just as he was shoveling his eggs into his mouth--

"Thomas!" Tanaka froze in mid-chew, turning his head towards his mother, who had shouted his name in indignation and disgust. She had a baffled and irritable look on her face and seemed even more repulsed when she looked directly at his face. "Have some decorum! Must you eat like a pig?!"

...Oh right. Since he had been having breakfast by himself lately, he stopped caring about his manners. Clarisse and the other servants had not made any comments towards his eating habits, so he continued consuming food as if he had been starved for weeks.

Not wanting to argue with the women, he started to eat his food slowly and carefully, his head lowered once again as if chastised.

"Young Master Thomas," Clarisse called out softly, causing Tanaka to look up at the maid. Seeing the pretty but emotionless face of his caretaker, he noticed a wet towel her hands. Automatically, he raised his chin, allowing Clarisse to wipe off some of the food smeared on his young face. This was nothing unusual for Clarisse to do for the young master since he had been eating his food more vigorously for the past week, and because he had been more lively whenever he ate his food, it was rather sad for the maid to see her young master treat his breakfast so cautiously now. It had always made the cooks so happy to have their food so sincerely enjoyed and they had always given him extra proportions because of it.

He's much too skinny, one of them have proclaimed out of worry, and Clarisse, since she had seen her young master naked before, could only agree. Fortunately, the child had been eating more lately and seemed more satisfied with the amount of food given to him.

After thirty minutes of clinking silverware and small talk in between the Rosetta family (excluding Tanaka), everyone had finished their breakfast (even Tanaka, despite the fact that he had started late) and started preparing for their respective errands. Both Edward and Katherine had said their goodbyes to their parents, leaving with their personal servants by their side while heading towards the carriages prepared for their departure to school. Both the Master and the Madam had also left for their own carriages, leaving Tanaka seated alone inside the large dining room.

After a moment of silence, the voices of the Rosetta's gradually faded as their carriages move further away from the manor, Clarisse finally stepped up with her expression empty but her voice rather emotional. "Young Master Thomas, should we head out?"

Hearing the suggestion, Tanaka frowned slightly, though it looked more like a pout on his childish face. The first class of the day does not start until 9 o'clock, but it's currently around 7 AM, much too early for him to start traveling to the academy. The reason why his sister and his brother left early was so that they could socialize with the other noble children. From around 7 to 9 AM, the school would allow their students to spend some time in the salons before class. During that time, they could interact and create connections among their peers, which sounded like a lot of work to Tanaka. He had no intentions of buttering up to people he's not familiar with.

"Sleep?" Tanaka proposed instead, looking up at his maid with his large and sleep-weary eyes.

Clarisse stared at the pleading face of her young master for a few seconds before conceding. Nowadays, it was impossible for her to look into those eyes and say 'no' without a guilty conscious. "Only for an hour. Then, you would have to be on your way to school."

Tanaka nodded obediently in agreement before sliding out of his seat. Clarisse could only watch in amusement that instead of heading towards the stairs, he drifted towards the nearest butler instead. Of course, her young master was always looking the next opportunity to be as lazy as possible. Why head up the stairs himself when he could easily hoodwink any of the servants to carry him back to his bedroom?

Much to her amusement, the unfortunate victim ended up being Sven, who looked surprised at seeing the young master approach him. Nonetheless, once Young Master Thomas held out his arms towards Sven, nonverbally asking to be picked up and carried, the butler dropped what he was doing and reached down for the young boy. After Tanaka was settled cozily in Sven's arms, he tucked his arms in between their bodies and laid his head on the other's chest. The poor older man seemed baffled all the while as the child made himself comfortable and Clarisse had to refrained herself from giggling due to the bewildered expression on her colleague's face.

With a gesture and some instructions, she led the befuddled butler towards the young master's bedroom upstairs, the morning rays shining through the window brightening the day.

...--------...

Author's Note:

Editor-chan and I are actually debating on a chapter where I could conveniently put Tanaka in a onesie/footie pajamas ('Because he's too cute!' so Editor-chan had gushed). Editor-chan wanted a bunny, or a duck, or a Snorlax onesie.

I told her 'isn't that a bit too much,' but apparently, Editor-chan is pretty gung-ho about the idea. I didn't have to heart to tell her that, considering the time period this story is based on, onesie/footie pajamas were probably not invented yet. What do you guys think?