Another Start

“You’ve been painting for a while, Miss Natalia. How about some afternoon tea? I’ll set it up over here for you,” Laura spoke up in a small voice as she pushed over a silver cart.

“That would be nice. I could use a break…and I guess so can Reiner,” I replied. I’m so thankful to have Laura as one of my maids. She is such a perfectionist.

“I heard that you have a nickname for Mister Reiner,” Laura started to shyly make conversation while she set up the afternoon tea table.

“Oh yes, I do actually. I…don’t use it much when other people are around…” I replied. I didn’t tell her that we promised to use his nickname only when we were alone.

“We, the staff, have been pestering Mr. Reiner for his nickname so that perhaps we could use it to call him too, but he’s been very stubborn about telling us and won’t let us give him a nickname either. Even the older maids and butlers have nicknames…” Laura went on with her story of Reiner.

“I see…” I replied as I crooked a brow at Reiner. He looked away immediately.

“All done. Please let Mr. Reiner give me a call if you want anything else. I’ll be happy to assist you as always. The weather is very nice today, Miss Natalia, so please enjoy your time outside,” Laura said after she had completed setting up the afternoon tea set. She bowed a little before pushing the silver cart away leaving me alone once more with Reiner.

“Come here, R. Let’s have afternoon tea together,” I said excitedly as I gestured for him to take a seat at the afternoon tea table. I love having afternoon tea with Reiner. More accurately, I love doing most things with him…his presence relaxes me.

Reiner came over and sat where I had indicated. Reiner’s face was a little red, I guess he’s feeling a little shy from Laura’s story about him. I wonder if Reiner has a real nickname that other people like his friends or family calls him by.

I walked to stand behind him before wrapping my arms around his neck and shoulders. I leaned my head on his a little and I could feel his soft red hair against the side of my face. He feels so warm in my arms and he smells so simple and clean.

“What are you doing, Natalia?” Reiner asked as his body stiffened.

“Hugging you…what else?” I replied lazily.

“Stop it, Natalia. Someone might see us,” Reiner said sternly as he started to disengage my arms from his upper body.

“Relax. No one is here…” I replied, refusing to let go of him.

“If someone see us like this, there will be nothing but trouble,” Reiner continued to protest.

“Are you scared?” I continued to tease him.

“I’m not scared for myself, I’m scared for you,” Reiner replied seriously. He’s so adorable.

“Then there’s no need to be scared. Let’s talk about something else…what about that story Laura just talked about you being so stubborn to give your nickname?” I changed the subject.

“…I don’t have a nickname,” Reiner said flatly.

“Really? That can’t be. Well, I don’t have a nickname either since I hated all the nicknames people came up with for me. It’s always Nat, Natty or Talia…I wouldn’t say that I’m a big fan of those names…”

I replied as I laughed. We do have something in common, I guess.

“You should sit down and have some cake and tea,” Reiner said softly as he tried to gently untangle my arm from his neck.

“In a bit…do you like the nickname I gave you?” I asked curiously as I tried to keep my arms around his neck.

“I do…” Reiner replied a little shyly as he looked away.

“Then why don’t you let the others call you R too? It’ll probably make them feel closer to you,” I suggested as I softly stroked his soft red hair. Just as I had thought before, it feels like I’m stroking an orange fox.

“…I only like it when you call me that,” Reiner replied softly, so soft that I almost didn’t catch it.

“I see…so you don’t like it when other people call you with that name, right? Hahaha! My little fox is so loyal and cute!” I cried out with joy. I couldn’t stop laughing.

“You seem to be in a good mood…” Reiner stated his observation before smiling a little at me.

“Of course, I am!” I replied joyfully.

I finally ceased my embrace and sat down in the chair opposite him on the afternoon tea table. Laura and the kitchen staff prepared so many things for me including pepper mint tea, scones, clotted cream, various cakes, sandwiches, and macarons. I didn’t remember when my next health check-up was, but the results would probably be off-the-charts unhealthy based on what I have been eating. Oh well…

The red velvet cake caught my attention, so I decided to try that first. It tasted decent enough, but it was a little too sweet and the texture was perhaps too dry? I was suddenly reminded of the cakes that Reiner used to bake for me. Since he’d been busy spending time by my side, he probably didn’t have time to bake any cake…or do anything else for that matter.

“Open wide…” I instructed Reiner as I offer some red velvet cake for him on a silver fork.

“Umm…I can help myself,” Reiner refused as I had expected.

“Of course, I know a man your age can feed yourself. Regardless, I’ve decided to feed you, so open your mouth…” I said stubbornly. When it came to the race to see who the most stubborn person in the room was, usually I would be the winner. This time would be no different. I will continue to point this this fork at his face and stare at him until he does exactly what I say.

In the end, Reiner sighed loudly as he gave in and allowed me to feed him the red velvet cake. I smiled at him a little when he ate from the fork I offered. This must be the joy of training a fox, I thought and couldn’t stop myself from giggling.

“Does it taste good?” I asked Reiner after I had fed him.

“I think so…” Reiner replied.

“Really? I think it’s not as good as the one you used to bake for me,” I replied with a sad smile.

“Should I bake for you tomorrow?” Reiner offered while flashing me a bright smile.

“Umm…you have to be with me most of the time though…” I stated my slight concern. I didn’t want him baking at night or super early in the morning just so I could have a taste of his cake.

“In that case, why don’t you help me bake? We can be together while we bake and maybe you could pick up some new skills as well. Sounds good?” Reiner suggested brilliantly. I was starting to like all his ideas.

--To be continued…