Chapter 22
During Franz's dispatch, Arian had a conversation with Elin, a clerk.
The conversation began with a small question from Elin.
As Elin handed over the processed documents to Arian, she asked, "Do you perhaps... dislike the Tower Master?"
"Pardon? Why would you think that?"
Arian was simply dumbfounded.
It was one thing for Elin to bring up such a topic out of the blue, but there was no reason for her to ask such a question.
If she had asked whether Arian liked him, it might have made sense, but asking if she disliked him was out of place.
Of course, if Elin had asked if Arian liked him, Arian would have prepared a letter of resignation, thinking this fox had finally shown her true colors.
"You're always so kind to us, but you seem to be angry with the Tower Master all the time. That's why I asked."
By "us," Elin clearly meant the newly hired clerks.
Indeed, Arian had been kind to the clerks.
It was the mindset of a noble, a duchess's daughter, taking care of those beneath her, and showing respect for their passion to work hard.
Compared to that, always being angry with the Tower Master was...
'It's embarrassing...'
Embarrassment was the only reason.
Even when offering a simple greeting of "good work," Arian was anxious that her true feelings might be discovered.
So, to hide it, she lashed out in anger instead.
In the end, Elin's observation was accurate.
To others, Arian's behavior must have seemed like she disliked Franz.
And if things continued this way, Arian's love would surely end in failure.
'No, it can't be.'
This was a love that had persisted since they first entered the Magic Tower as peers.
Even when he left as the magician of the Hero's party, there wasn't a single day when she didn't think of him.
Arian's lips quivered before slowly opening.
"Elin, the truth is... I'm in love with the Tower Master. But out of embarrassment, I end up getting angry. If it's alright with you, could you help me...?"
For Arian, having such a conversation was a first in her life.
Noble ladies always gathered to engage in petty competitions, boasting about whose family was more prestigious.
Despite the enormous difference in status between a commoner and a duchess's daughter, Arian was willing to do anything to win Franz's heart.
"Of course! I'll help you in any way I can!"
Elin's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Women were known to be unable to resist meddling in others' affairs, especially when it came to matters of love.
From then on, Arian and Elin conversed whenever they had the chance.
During this process, Arian experienced severe culture shock.
'How can they be so bold...?'
Did common women not care about their pride at all?
She couldn't understand how they could bare their hearts so completely to men.
But as she listened, she found their methods surprisingly reasonable.
Gradually, Arian's old-fashioned thinking began to shift towards a more open-minded approach.
"You don't have to express your feelings in words. Just make sure you're on his mind."
"H-how do I do that?"
"Just go out together when you have free time... Though I'm not sure how nobles spend their leisure time."
"I see."
In essence, the important thing was to spend time together.
Of course, she had to show subtle signs of her affection during those times.
'This is difficult...'
For Arian, it was like being asked to become the complete opposite of who she was.
Naturally, that wouldn't be easy.
But she had to do it somehow.
To avoid ending this long-harbored love as unrequited.
And so, in the present, Arian spoke to Franz.
"Tower Master, um... it seems we're out of tea leaves. Perhaps..."
"Oh, is that so? Go buy some."
Arian faced a high barrier from the start.
Her mouth twitched, about to spout harsh words.
But she held back.
It was truly a remarkable improvement.
Of course, Franz was unaware of Arian's efforts.
Seeing Arian's face harden, Franz thought to himself.
'Maybe she doesn't want to go out?'
In a way, buying tea leaves was also a kind of errand.
And errands were something Franz had thought should be eliminated since he was a tower member.
So it was a contradiction.
He had assigned to his secretary something he had vowed to eliminate.
"Arian, I'm sorry. That was thoughtless of me."
"Then..."
Arian's heart swelled with anticipation.
She had dressed differently than usual and had been careful with her words today.
Surely, any person would have noticed the meaning behind this.
But Arian's expectations were shattered by Franz's next words.
"Right, you stay inside and do your work. I'll go buy them myself."
"...Pardon?"
Arian doubted what she had just heard.
No, in a way, this was normal.
Considering how she had acted towards Franz until now, she was nothing more than a secretary who spoke rudely, certainly not someone he would see as a woman.
It was the consequence of her own actions.
So if she wanted something to change, she had to act without expectation.
"Tower Master, I, I, I..."
But suddenly trying to change wasn't easy.
Though she had the thought in her mind, it got stuck in her throat and wouldn't come out.
"What is it? Do you have something to say?"
"...Please let me help you choose the tea leaves."
"Oh, is that all? I thought it was something else. When should we go?"
Success.
It was a success.
In the end, being honest as Elin had suggested was the right answer.
Although Franz's head was filled with nothing but magic, causing a few trial and errors, it was ultimately a victory for Arian.
"The nearby shop should open soon, so that would be a good time."
"Alright, I'll get ready then."
Franz said this as he entered his room.
Left alone in the Tower Master's office, Arian carefully sat on the sofa.
It was the sofa where Franz had lain down to sleep yesterday.
His scent, still lingering on the sofa, wafted up subtly.
Arian's legs fidgeted restlessly.
* * * * *
Franz, having entered his room, changed into suitable clothes for going out.
As the Tower Master and the lord of the territory, he couldn't help but be mindful of others' gazes.
'I hope this is okay?'
He was worried about Arian.
She had changed overnight as if possessed by someone from the 21st century.
He hoped nothing had happened to her, or if something had, that it wasn't serious.
By the way,
'I wonder why she suddenly wants to go out.'
Usually, when he suggested eating out together,
─ W-why would I eat out with you, Tower Master?!
...She would reject him quite harshly.
So for Arian to suggest going out first, it was puzzling what wind had blown her way.
Finally ready to go out, Franz left his room.
His gaze naturally turned to Arian.
Arian was sitting on the sofa with a slightly flushed face, smoothing out her skirt.
Her breathing seemed oddly labored.
As if she had a fever.
"Arian, are you feeling unwell?"
"Huh? Ah, no. I'm fine."
Arian's eyes were shaking as if an earthquake had struck.
Franz's suspicion deepened.
He wondered if something really was wrong with Arian.
"Let's go now."
"Yes, let's."
The two left the Magic Tower together.
Franz found the cool morning air strangely pleasant.
For some reason, it felt like he was starting the day productively.
"Arian, you haven't had breakfast, right?"
"No, I don't usually eat breakfast regularly."
"Then shall we grab a sandwich while we're out?"
"If you're having one, Tower Master..."
In the end, she was saying she'd eat if he did.
Franz led Arian to a nearby sandwich shop.
It was a place he often visited when he woke up early.
"Oh my, Tower Master, it's been a while since you've come!"
"Yes, well, I've been busy."
"Oh? But today you're not alone?"
"What do you mean, not alone?"
"I mean the young lady next to you, Tower Master. She always came right after you left and bought the exact same thing."
Franz's gaze turned to Arian.
He was puzzled about what this could mean.
Arian shook her head vigorously from side to side.
She didn't even care that her hair was becoming a mess.
"T-Tower Master, shall we buy the sandwiches now?!"
"Yes, let's do that."
Well, she must have her reasons.
Franz didn't want to pry into his secretary's private life.
Soon, the two sat down in a nearby park with their purchased sandwiches.
Perhaps because it was early morning, there were only a few people in the park.
They began their simple breakfast in an atmosphere so quiet it was almost palpable.
There wasn't much conversation.
They just chewed their sandwiches in silence.
This was understandable, as the two had rarely eaten together before.
So it was natural for there to be an awkward atmosphere.
In the end, they finished their meal without exchanging a single word and stood up.
"Shall we go buy the tea leaves now?"
"Y-yes, let's."
They headed to a tea shop not far from the park.
And there, Franz saw her.
"...It's been a while, hasn't it?"
It seemed the Saint had also run out of tea leaves.