Even after Leovold left I couldn't keep my mind on taking the herbs Ayse gave me, my mind constantly wandering back to the kiss Leovold had given me.
It was just a brief kiss, barely one if you think about it was still a kiss no matter how you look at it. Maybe that flirting in his office wasn't all in my head after all...
Sighing to myself I raised myself from my bed, stumbling on weakened legs to prepare the tea I knew I needed. As I waited for the water to boil I sat heavily in my chair the pouch sitting in my hands and as I stared at it I remembered the way he grinned back at me, his elf ears slightly pink when he chuckled. I smiled only to jump when the water in the teapot started to boil and I quickly moved towards it, nearly tripping on the blanket as it slid from my shoulders.
Muttering under my breath I stepped over it picking up the teapot by the handle before I started to pour water into my cup. Setting the teapot down I sprinkled the herbs into the water and as they dissolved I sighed to myself, moving back to the chair.
"I need to stop overthinking this. I probably still have a fever and it's playing tricks on my mind." I whispered picking up a cup before I blew on it, taking a careful sip. "Ugh still pretty bitter but if it helps me...I guess I can stomach it."
In a few minutes the cup was empty and I raised myself on still weak legs, moving to the table before I set the cup down. As I returned to my bed I knelt, grasping the fallen blanket and once I straightened I wrapped it around my shoulders. I made it to my bed as the effects of the tea started to make me feel sleepy and after I curled up my eyelids began to slowly close on their own. Less than a minute passed before I had fallen into a light doze not even hearing the light knock at my door.
"Serla, are you awake?" Leovold called out, knocking again when he received no response. After waiting patiently for a few seconds he sighed, choosing to open the door. As the door swung open he found the room silent, well almost except for the sounds of light breathing. Once he stepped through the open doorway he could see Serla's head just poking out from under a blanket. A tiny smile on his lips me moved towards the bed just as she shivered and he realized why; she was lying on top of most of her blankets with only one wrapped around her.
It wasn't until I felt a blanket being tugged out rom under me that I stirred, opening my eyes to find an elf staring at me with his fingers still clutching one corner of my blanket. "Wh...what are you doing?" I mumbled and he gave me a slight smile, his cheeks a brilliant red at being caught.
"I'm trying to help you. Sleeping on top of your blankets seems a little strange to me unless you like being cold." Leovold pointed out and I sighed, climbing from the bed and he gave me that same smile. As I watched, letting out a yawn at one point, Leovold rearranged my blankets until he gave me a nod. Curious even if I was still pretty annoyed at being woken I climbed back into bed and without a pause Leovold actually covered me until only my head was visible.
"Thank you?" I whispered, not understanding why he had entered my room without permission but as I started to drift back to sleep I heard his boots as they returned to my door. Before he left the room Leovold gave Serla a glance to find her already asleep and he shook his head, amazed at her ability to fall instantly asleep.
Leaving her, Leovold took his time walking back to his office.
"I wonder when she'll be well enough to work again." Leovold muttered, reaching his office. Though as he unlocked the door he couldn't help thinking back to the smile Serla gave him when he fixed her blankets.
She actually has a lovely smile when she has a reason to. Wait, am I thinking about her because I still want her to agree to be my assistant or do I actually enjoy her company?
For once in his life Leovold found the answer wasn't as easy as getting someone to spy on Serla. Spending a few minutes sitting at his desk, Leovold sighed arms crossed behind his head.
"Never thought I'd say this but I have to find out if I do like Serla. Otherwise it will drive me crazy." Leovold said, leaning back in his chair. "But I might wait until she's fully healed before I start. I really don't want her sneezing or coughing all over me."