Chapter 45

The cook dropped the dough he had been kneading and rushed forward to greet Maxi.

"My lady! What brings you to the kitchen so early in the morning?"

Maxi gave him an awkward smile as she made her way to the fireplace. "I-I woke up early, and I l-left the room so as n-not to disturb the l-lord. Is it a-all right if I s-stay here?"

The cook seemed flustered that the lady of the castle would ask such a thing. He nodded so vigorously that Maxi worried his head might come loose.

"Of course! We've just finished baking bread and making rabbit stew. Would you like to have your breakfast now, my lady?"

"Y-Yes, please. I-I'd also like to w-wash my face. C-Could I have a b-basin of water and a t-towel?"

"Right away, my lady."

The cook promptly poured a mix of hot and cold water into a basin and brought it to her along with a clean linen cloth. Maxi sat at the table next to the fire and washed her face. Next, she dipped her fingers in the water and ran them through her tangled hair.