Chapter 67
Humming happily, Arian set off for work. The sky was clear, the breeze cool, the air fresh—it was truly a day that felt like something good was bound to happen.
However, that good mood didn't last long. She remembered what had happened yesterday.
'Yesterday was absolute hell.'
It was so terrible that her humming stopped on its own. The problem was Franz had been absent since morning, supposedly attending some Elf festival. The day had been hell for Arian because she hadn't seen Franz all day.
But what about today? Franz must have returned, so she could stick by his side all day.
'Should I bury him in work?'
That didn't seem like a bad idea. If she increased his workload enough to make him work overtime, their time together would naturally increase.
Plus, by helping him with his work, she could rack up affection points. It was truly killing two birds with one stone, a win-win situation, hitting two targets with one shot.
Humming happily.
With such a perfect plan, how could she not hum? Indeed, today was a truly good day.
At that moment, Arian had forgotten an important fact. On days when she felt unusually good like this, something bad always happened.
Entering the Magic Tower, Arian coincidentally ran into Ellin. Though Ellin was just an ordinary office worker, when it came to love, she was like a mentor. Arian had followed her advice so far, and her relationship with Franz was steadily growing closer. It was truly boundless trust.
In truth, Arian hadn't followed even ten percent of Ellin's advice, but it was undeniable that their relationship was somehow improving.
And yet, surprisingly, even that dismal ten percent of advice she *did* follow was not without its own problems, often stemming from Ellin's rather unconventional suggestions.
Arian subtly leaned her ear towards Ellin. It was her way of telling Ellin to whisper if it was something no one else should hear.
Ellin glanced around, then whispered softly.
The Magic Tower Master said...?
K-k-kiss?! Of course not yet...!
Just *go for it*! The Magic Tower Master will fall for you in one go. I swear!
K-kiss him aggressively...? The words were not just vulgar, but downright lewd. How did Commoners even use such language? Arian couldn't even imagine how depraved their lives must be.
Anyway, kissing was out of the question. That was something that should happen naturally, between two people, under soft lighting, after a sweet conversation.
Kissing Franz under soft lighting, and then naturally, all the way to bed... Ah, no, that wouldn't do... At the lewd thought, Arian's legs involuntarily twitched.
Secretary, I'll head in first since I've arrived. Good luck today.
Oh, yes. You too have a good day.
With Ellin gone, Arian soon arrived at the top floor.
'Is he still asleep?'
If he was still asleep, she'd sneak a peek and then leave. Or perhaps, as Ellin suggested, she could actually try kissing him....
*'Just a little bit might be okay, right...?'*
Arian, with such hopeful dreams, headed straight for the Magic Tower Master's Office.
Magic Tower Master... Sir...?
Fearing any noise, she carefully opened the door and spoke softly. But what met her eyes wasn't the Magic Tower Master, but a long-ear. The long-ear with green hair was sleeping on the sofa.
In such a bewildering situation, Arian froze on the spot.
*'Why is an Elf here...?'*
Since she was in the Magic Tower Master's Office, it was clear Franz had brought her. But why? She couldn't possibly guess the reason.
Then, a single word suddenly popped into her head.
Festival.
A festival was clearly an event for drinking, chatting happily, and having fun. What if Franz had been drinking there, had had fun with the Elf, and then had brought her back with him?
*'...No, no, that can't be right.'*
Hadn't she vowed to always hear Franz out before deciding anything, after the Hero incident last time? She wanted to avoid another argument caused by baseless speculation.
Inhale. Exhale.
Arian took a deep breath, calming her racing heart.
Once she had calmed down somewhat, she deliberately knocked on the door, making sure it made a sound.
Knock-knock.
Magic Tower Master, it's your Secretary.
She even spoke aloud, just in case the Elf hadn't woken up. With such large ears, she'd surely hear well, so this much noise would definitely wake her.
Arian subtly poked her head through the crack in the door. And just then, her eyes met Hera's, who had just woken up.
Their gazes crossed in the air, and a brief silence fell.
H-huh?!
Hera startled, covering her ears with both hands. Pressing them down, she managed to fold them in half, somewhat concealing them.
Arian was dumbfounded by her appearance.
*'Why is she acting cute...?'*
Where on earth did Franz pick up such a seductive creature? Sometimes, it seemed he had an exceptional talent for charming women.
If he had such skills, he should charm *her* first. It was truly baffling why he kept eyeing other women when there was a perfectly good one right beside him.
Haaah-.
Arian sighed at her own predicament and entered the Magic Tower Master's Office.
Pleased to meet you. I am Arian, the Magic Tower Master's Secretary.
As she was Franz's guest, Arian greeted her politely. But upon closer inspection, her face seemed strangely familiar.
Then, she remembered something that had happened a while ago. While she was organizing documents in the Magic Tower Master's Office, Franz had once brought in a woman wearing a hooded robe.
*'It's *that bitch*...!'*
No, no, that's too harsh. 'Bitch' is too vulgar. 'Female.' Yes, that's better.
Anyway, from her features to her green eyes, she was an exact match. It would be unbelievable if they weren't the same person. Of course, she had only caught a fleeting glimpse, but there was no way she could forget the face of the woman Franz had brought.
Hmph-.
'At this point, wouldn't it be safe to assume they're in *that* kind of relationship?'
But there was no definitive proof yet. If she had caught them sleeping in the same bed, it would be one thing, but the Elf in front of her had been sleeping outside of it. Franz didn't seem like the type to be so heartless as to make someone he'd slept with sleep outside.
Have you seen the Magic Tower Master, by any chance?
He drank a lot last night, so he's sleeping in his room...
Aha, he drank a lot, you say. Yes, thank you.
Arian left Hera behind and headed straight for Franz's room. It seemed the claim about him drinking a lot wasn't a lie; Franz was still deeply asleep, long past his usual waking hour. The faint scent of fruit wine emanating from him only solidified her conviction.
*'Is he really such an idiot...?'*
She had been so annoyed just moments ago, but seeing his sleeping face, her irritation melted away. If this was love, she thought it was truly cruel. She would never be able to win against him like this.
But what could she do? The one who falls in love first is always destined to lose.
When she came to her senses, Arian found herself slowly approaching Franz. His peacefully sleeping face gradually filled her vision.
'This isn't right....'
It was something one shouldn't do to someone who was asleep. Moreover, it was completely contrary to her romantic ideals.
But her body wouldn't listen. As if her brain had been stolen by love, her body moved towards him on its own.
Soon, the distance between their faces narrowed until she could feel his breath. Realizing there was no point in resisting further, Arian gently closed her eyes, hoping he wouldn't wake up.
Smooch-.
In the silent room, a fresh and sweet sound echoed. The scent she perceived through her nose was that of tart yet sweet fruit wine. It was Arian Phrygia's first kiss.
Soon, their lips parted, and Arian slowly opened her eyes.
*'Huh...?'*
But then, a huge problem arose. He had woken up at some point and was blinking his eyes.
Startled, Arian quickly snapped her head back.
Arian...?
His sleep-laden voice was truly captivating...
*'...No, this isn't the time for such thoughts...!'*
Arian, just now...
T-the Magic Tower Master drank alcohol, so I just sniffed to check, just in case...!
With that, Arian hastily fled from the room, and then from the Magic Tower Master's Office. Hera tilted her head, looking utterly bewildered, but Arian had no time to pay attention to her.
Upon reaching the Secretary's Office, Arian leaned her back against the wall and slid down, crouching on the floor.
I'm crazy...! I'm insane...!
Why on earth did I kiss him there? How am I ever going to face him again...?
Oh, I don't know. I really don't know anything anymore.
**
Arian had rushed out of the room. It seemed she was quite angry about his drinking and oversleeping.
'Did I eat too much fruit yesterday...?'
A strong fruit taste lingered on his lips, prompting that question.
Well, he must have just eaten too much yesterday. Franz thought so and dismissed it.
He was completely unaware that Arian had just kissed him.