Of course, Shade was not the only one awakened by the footsteps. Miss Sivie Aurora was still curled up against Shade's chest, her eyelashes trembling as she sleepily looked toward the door:
"Bella, good morning. How was last night? I had a lovely time. Oh, you aren't blaming us for not calling you, are you?"
"Sivie, you actually..."
The Twelfth Order Great Witch wrapped her arms around Shade's neck with a lazy smile, slithering upward like a pale, smooth snake before kissing his forehead:
"Bella, let me teach you the Witches' rule: when everyone is facing a plate of afternoon tea pastries, if you do not reach out in time and only care about being reserved, all that will be left for you in the end is an empty plate."
"Meow~"
The cat poked its head in through the doorway and peered into the room. It wanted to have breakfast with Shade.
Shade was very relieved. At least at the breakfast table that morning, the Witches tacitly avoided discussing what had happened the night before. Instead, they all congratulated Miss Belinder on her impending advancement to the Twelfth Order.
This successfully preserved Shade's image in Miss Feliana's and Fiona's eyes. Only midway through breakfast did he notice that the women would occasionally look at him with strange expressions.
Later, the radiant blonde Miss Writer sitting beside him reminded him:
"The maids are all talking about how you brought two Witch Apprentices into your room at once. It is currently the most popular topic in both the manor and on the ship."
After all, they did not dare casually discuss the Great Witches.
"Hm?"
Shade hurriedly lowered his voice and asked:
"Wait, everyone knows?"
"Everyone except Emilia and Angelina knows, indeed. But I imagine Emilia and the others will hear about