Chapter 21
Franz moved forward with utmost care, making sure his footsteps didn't make a sound. For some reason, it felt like the right thing to do. His steps halted in front of the door, and his gaze slowly shifted toward the narrow gap.
What the...? She's asleep?
Through the crack, Arian was slumped over her desk, fast asleep. That must mean the voice he'd heard earlier was just sleep-talking.
But that voice was kinda weird...
It still echoed vividly in Franz's ears. Arian's quickened breaths, that desperate tone.
He furrowed his brow but soon let out a deep sigh. Suspecting people wasn't a good look—especially not Arian. She helped him out a ton, after all. No matter what, he had to trust her more.
Having sorted his thoughts, Franz slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside. That's when it happened again—Arian's voice leaked from her lips.
"Ah, no... no more... don't let my tea get cold..."
She was frowning deeply, as if trapped in a nightmare. Just as he'd suspected, the voice from the hallway was sleep-talking.
Still...
Was it that traumatic?
It was just some cold tea. But if it was bad enough to haunt her dreams, it must've really gotten to her. He'd have to hold back for a while.
"Arian, sleep at home."
Franz tried to wake her. By the standards of a black-haired guy from the 21st century, dozing face-down on a desk would leave your neck and back stiff, and you wouldn't even recover properly from the fatigue.
But Arian didn't budge. She was like a living corpse.
Well, she's been working hard.
With the Tower Master away, his secretary must've been run ragged. Waking her felt kinda cruel.
But leaving her like that was no good either.
Hmm...
After some agonizing, Franz decided to put her in his own room. Just one door over from the Tower Master's office, and it had a bed. Sure, he'd have to crash on the sofa himself... but that was fine. Better him be uncomfortable than her.
As Franz wiggled his fingers in the air, Arian's body floated up lightly from the desk. She didn't stir at all. She must've been dead tired.
He carried her into the room, gently laid her on the bed, tucked her in, and slipped out.
Time to crash myself.
Two days out and about had worn him down. Back when he traveled as the hero party's mage, this would've been nothing. Had his stamina tanked that much?
Franz lay on the sofa, using his robe as a blanket. The desk corner felt oddly slick and damp, but he had no clue. Probably never would. Arian's perfect crime.
Screeech—thud.
As soon as Franz shut the door behind him, Arian cautiously opened her eyes.
Did he buy it...?
She hadn't been asleep at all. Just pretending. Even the sleep-talking was on purpose. She'd sensed Franz might've overheard midway.
Seems like I fooled him...
But she couldn't fully relax. What if he knew everything but was playing along to avoid awkwardness? If so...
Then I'll just die.
No future in sight, no matter how she thought about it.
Haah...
Arian sighed, pulling the blanket up to her chin. Franz's scent hit her like a wave—zap!—electricity tingling through her body, head spinning.
Come to think of it, the pillow, the blanket, the bed—everything around her was Franz's.
This won't do...
Arian's night stretched on, long and endless.
The early dawn light was just breaking when Franz woke a bit earlier than usual. Sleeping on the sofa made it hard to sink deep, and with sunlight creeping through the window, his eyes naturally opened.
His body felt heavy, but his mood was decent enough.
But good moods don't last.
Is it okay to just lounge like this...?
Franz's brain kicked into work mode. After a year of nonstop grinding, idleness felt alien. The clerks were pulling their weight now, so things should ease up even more.
Was this workaholism? Resting was harder than they said.
To shake off the unease, Franz started brewing tea. He poured hot water from the kettle into a cup. Arian always did it for him, so doing it himself felt nostalgic.
Soon, he savored the steaming cup. Hot tea was a luxury for the time-rich, but today was fine, right?
That's when it happened.
The firmly shut door opened, and Arian emerged from the bedroom.
Franz looked at Arian.
Arian looked at Franz.
Their gazes naturally met.
Franz set down his cup and spoke.
"Sleep well, Arian? I tried waking you yesterday, but you were out cold, so I put you in my bed."
"Yes, thank you. I slept great. But... what are you drinking right now...?"
"Woke up early, so I made some tea?"
"You mean... steaming hot tea...?"
Arian's head tilted diagonally, her eyes losing focus. Like something out of a horror flick.
What's her deal now...?
Ah...
Franz realized too late. Arian had been traumatized by the cold tea thing. Nightmares and all. And now here he was, sipping hot tea right in front of her. No wonder she was pissed.
"Arian, it's not like that..."
"My tea must've been that bad...? So bad you have to gulp it down cold to stomach it...?"
Not wrong, but...
Saying that would hurt her feelings for sure. So Franz pivoted.
"I brewed this myself. Want a cup?"
"...Sure."
Arian hesitated, then sat beside him. Her lips were pursed out a good three inches, like her complaints were bubbling up. If he didn't smooth this over now, it'd drag on for days.
Franz grabbed another cup and poured for her. Steam rose as hot water filled it.
"It's pretty good, right? I'm just too lazy most times—doesn't mean I can't brew."
"Now that you mention it, I've never seen the Tower Master brew tea before."
Arian lifted her cup daintily to her lips. Then murmured softly.
"...It's good."
"Told ya. But I'm too lazy for it usually. Keep doing it for me from now on."
"You'll just let it go cold again."
"That was 'cause I was busy before. Now we've got clerks, more free time. Obviously hot."
"...If you say so..."
A faint smile crept onto Arian's lips. Like she wanted to hide it, she took another sip.
Seemed her mood had lifted.
Phew, crisis averted.
Franz sighed inwardly, picking up his cup. Bathed in morning sunlight through the window.
How much time passed in that leisurely bliss?
Arian stood and said,
"Tower Master, the tea was great. But I need to pop home quick."
"Sure, take your time."
"I'll be fast."
"Whatever."
With that, Arian left the office. Franz stared at the closed door, lost in thought.
Something's off...
No matter how he turned it over, Arian wasn't acting normal. Usually, she'd scowl and unleash sarcasm the second their eyes met in the morning. Not today. And after the tea? No complaints—just praise, even a polite thanks.
Hmm...
Maybe something good happened.
Nothing came to mind, so he dropped it. If it was important, she'd say later.
Slurp—
Damn, the tea was top-notch.
A short while later.
"I'm back."
True to her word, Arian returned in no time. But her outfit was different—brighter, more put-together. Like she'd dolled up.
Is today some special occasion?
As Franz pondered, Arian approached.
"Tower Master, um... looks like we're out of tea leaves. Maybe...?"
"Oh, yeah? Go buy some."
Arian's expression slowly hardened.
But hey, wasn't that why he hired a secretary?