"Can you at least try to explain what’s happening?" Loraine asked as they ran, a bit annoyed by her best friends antics as they dashed through the corridors. "I know it’s urgent and all, but its not like there’s not enough time to get a few words out." She said, her words finally getting through to the blonde haired maiden as she turned back to look at her, a small laugh escaping her throat.

"You’re right, I suppose I was in a hurry then," Sarah said, a small smile tugging at her lips as she began to brief Loraine on the situation.

"To be honest, I’m not really sure as to why Margret called you. She didn’t really sound mad this time, more like anxious as she desperately wanted you to come to her for something." Sarah explained, a surprised look blooming onto Loraine’s face as she raised a brow.

"She’s in the kitchen as we speak," She spoke, "It could be that Margret wants you to help with the cooking." Sarah said with a teasing grin, a sweet light laugh escaping her throat as Loraine’s face contorted with confusion.

"Me? She wants my help in cooking?" Loraine asked with a raised brow, "I’ve never stepped foot in a kitchen all my life, and now she wants me to do something about it?" She said, baffled at the prospect.

’Well...that’s not entirely true, I did cook in my past life, but I can’t tell them that.’ She thought internally, glancing at her hand which was still grabbed by Sarah as they ran through the corridors.

’I guess I could take this as an opportunity to use [Cooking Excellence] for the first time, I’m a bit nervous, but more so excited to see what I can do with this.’ Loraine thought with a small smile, looking forward to finally laying her hands on some culinary magic.

The scent hit her nose first, a slight twitch resulting from the rather pleasant smell. As she neared the kitchen, the sounds of Margret shouting began to come into view, paired with the sounds of flames bursting and pans sizzling, a small sweat breaking from Loraine’s face.

’Does she ever calm down?’ She thought, a small sigh escaping her lips.

"I got your back if she dares try something, just stay behind me okay?." Sarah said, looking at Loraine as she gave her a reassuring smile. Loraine blinked in surprise, having forgot that Sarah always protected her from Margret’s antics.

A small laugh escaped Loraine’s throat, finding her best friends resolve so heart warming, even though she no longer needed it. Still though, she didn’t want to tell her that, not yet atleast.

’Eh...? Did I say something wrong?’ Sarah thought with a raised brow, finding Loraine’s rather confident behaviour a bit strange. She had never seen that care-free attitude from her before, especially not when they were approaching the scariest woman in the mansion at the moment.

’I almost forgot that Sarah still thinks of me as weak, even though I’m no longer that person.’ Loraine thought, a small smile forming on her lips as she gently patted Sarah’s head. Sarah blinked in surprise and confusion, a small flush blooming on her cheeks as she was visibly taken aback by this.

"Thanks Sarah, I really appreciate it~" Loraine said with a sweet tone, taking a few steps back as she walked behind Sarah, her hands coming to rest on her shoulders. "I’ll be counting on you, okay?" She said with a grin, enjoying how oblivious Sarah was to her growing strength.

"Someone’s rather cheerful today..." Sarah noted with a side glance, looking at Loraine over her shoulder with a gaze of someone who felt that something was off, but wouldn’t directly question it.

They arrived inside the kitchen, the chefs and cooks furiously at work as they hurried to prepare the dishes, the fact that the Vincent family had arrived bringing them great fear and a frightening sense of urgency.

They needed to cook this food fast, and it needed to be good!

"There you are!" Margret said, noticing the two women arrive as she walked over to Loraine. She took a moment to glance at how she was hiding behind Sarah, with Sarah having a fierce and protective glare, daring Margret to try getting to Loraine while she was there.

’These two....’ Margret thought with a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose, visibly annoyed at how much they cared for each other.

"Whatever," She said, looking up at Loraine who had a deadpan expression on her face, no visible reaction forming on her features as she stared back at Margret, the suddenness of it all worrying her a bit.

"One of our cooks are rather absent today, due to an accident that occurred in the kitchen." Marget said to Loraine, who’s ears visibly perked upon hearing this information.

’An accident?’ She thought, a puzzled look forming on her face, but she shook it off, continuing to listen. Sarah who was there as well was rather puzzled as well, she hadn’t heard of an accident happening in the kitchen, a look of doubt playing on her features.

She glanced back at Loraine for a moment, their eyes meeting each other for a moment as they both silently agreed that this was rather weird.

"I want you to come and help these guys prepare the food." Margret ordered, her voice firm as she placed a hand on her hip. Loraine remained silent for a moment.

’I guess Sarah was right, looks like I am cooking today.’ Loraine thought with a smile. ’I just hope I don’t get myself ’cooked’ in the end of it all, I gotta impress nobility here after all.’ With that inward remark Loraine spoke up.

"I understand the task miss Margret," Loraine spoke, "But are you sure you want me to do this? You know I’ve never cooked before, right?" She asked, curious to see how Margret would react to this.

"I’ve never held a knife with the purpose to create, so I want to ask you and warn you that I will not be eligible for how these delicacies might turn out."