Chapter 17: Yes, Master

-Ronan-

Ara's head pokes up from the other side of the counter, and all I can see is her apprehensive eyes staring back at me. Normally, I'd be able to dodge a bowl flying straight at me, but I'd been distracted by her, and now I'm covered in eggs.

Her hair is covered in egg yolk, and I burst out laughing. She stands and looks like she's trying to hold it in, but then she bursts out laughing, too.

"I'm so sorry," she says, lifting a strand of her hair. "I didn't mean for that to happen."

"I'm not so sure about that," I joke, taking my phone and wiping it off on the remaining dry parts of my suit.

She starts to wipe the counter, still snickering. While I never thought I'd start my morning like this, I'm glad about her 'accident'. She's smiling again, and after that initial outburst, I was seriously thinking I'd have to punish her again.

The thing is, punishing her would mean punishing myself, too.

"Leave it," I tell her. "