Chapter 94

Waiter Cain

"Welcome to the Mitichurian family garden!"

Cain, wearing black pants, a white shirt, and a dark gray vest, greeted the guests with a smile. As soon as the gates of the duke's estate opened, people from the town began to enter the garden. Multiple round tables set up in the garden were already prepared with light refreshments, and Cain, along with other waiters, walked around with trays of drinks, serving the people. They collected empty plates and brought new dishes of food.

It was supposed to be the early morning when the royal family in the castle was giving a greeting to start the flower festival, but the people who came here first might be more interested in the snacks than the flowers.

"Cain-sama, the food on that table is running low. Please gather the remaining dishes and clear the table."

"Madi-senpai, understood."

When Cain arrived at the Shirirea mansion in the morning, the nearest salon to the first-floor entrance was prepared as a break room for the servants. While changing into the provided uniform, he was called by Madi, a senior he often worked with part-time at school. Cain was surprised to find that other noble students also worked during the break, but he felt relieved to see a familiar face.

"Excuse me, I'll be changing the plates."

"Wait, wait! I'm going to eat that!"

"Me too, me too."

As Cain picked up the plates with little food left, people who thought they would be cleared away extended their plates. Cain elegantly used the serving tongs to distribute meatballs in tomato sauce and sandwiches to each person. He stacked the empty plates on his arm and headed towards the used dish collection area. While walking, he also collected extra plates from people and kept an eye out for anyone who needed help or guidance. Suddenly, something light bumped into his thigh.

He quickly adjusted the plates he was holding with both hands and looked down to see a girl around five years old sitting on the ground.

"Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"

"Umm, sorry..."

While holding the plates, Cain squatted down and spoke to her. She apologized with a face that looked like she was about to cry. Looking around, he saw other children's feet under the tablecloths. It seemed that several children were playing hide-and-seek in the garden.

"Hey, it's dangerous to run or play hide-and-seek here."

"You'll get scolded..."

"No, you won't."

Today, the garden is open to the general public, and even a small child understands that the people serving and guiding are nobles. The girl seemed to think she would be scolded for bumping into a noble.

"Hey, look over there."

"Huh?"

Cain adjusted the plates with one hand and pointed to another waiter with his free hand. The girl looked in that direction and tilted her head.

"What is that person carrying?"

"He's carrying drinks on a tray."

"Yes, that's right. What do you think would happen if you bumped into him?"

"I think I would get scolded..."

"No, the tray would tilt, and the drinks would fall."

"Would I get scolded for ruining the drinks?"

"No, the drinks would spill on you. You might even get a bump on your head if a glass hits you."

As Cain said this, the girl quickly put her hands on top of her head, perhaps imagining a bump. Seeing this, Cain smiled nostalgically.

"That person was carrying drinks, but there are also people carrying hot dishes. If you bump into them, you might get burned. If you bump into someone like me, who is carrying plates, they might fall and break, cutting your hands or feet."

"Ouch!"

This time, she started rubbing her hands. Seeing Cain and the girl talking, a boy who had been hiding under the table also came out and slowly approached.

"Hey, if you play hide-and-seek or run here, you might get hurt. If you bump into someone, you might cause someone else to get hurt by dropping dishes."

"...Sorry. We won't play in the dining area."

"Sorry, I suggested we play."

Seeing the children apologize sincerely, Cain smiled and patted their heads, then pointed to a flower bed further in.

"That area has no tables and fewer people, so it's a good place to play. But don't touch the flower beds; it's dangerous."

"Are the flowers dangerous?"

"The branches that stick out are cut to make the flower beds look round and neat from the outside. They are sharp and can hurt you if you touch them."

"Ouch!"

"Ouch!"

Cain made a low voice and said it would hurt, and the children laughed and said it was scary, hiding their heads with their hands. They waved goodbye to Cain and slowly moved towards the flower bed.

After standing up and holding the plates with both hands again, Cain carried them to the used dish collection area.

"Hey, you're pretty good with kids, Cain-sama. Do you have younger siblings?"

"No, I don't."

At the dish collection area, Cain met Madi. He lied as if he were breathing out. He didn't know where Dian's existence might be revealed to Julian. Madi was a senior he had become quite familiar with through part-time work, but he couldn't be careless.

"By the way, I'll be going back to my hometown after the flower festival. I'll bring you last year's textbooks."

"Thank you! That will help a lot."

Madi was a third-year student. Cain had asked if she could give him her textbooks after learning about her through their part-time work. Many students had already disposed of or sent their textbooks home, so he had almost given up. Thanks to the long break at the start of the school year, he would be able to get the textbooks.

"I won't ask you to pay for the textbooks, but when school starts, treat me to dessert for lunch."

"Of course."

"Alright, let's work hard and earn some money here first, Cain-sama!"

"Yes, Madi-senpai. Let's work hard!"

Madi called Cain "Cain-sama" because of his noble status, but in other aspects, they spoke almost informally. Cain found this amusing and liked it.