After returning from the art museum, Alice went back to her room to prepare for work. The library maid appeared almost immediately, as if sensing Alice’s presence.
“Orders from the boss~,” she said. “He wanted you to visit his room as soon as you were back~.”
“But I’m supposed to start work—”
“Boss made it clear that this comes first~. Please go to the boss’s room, okay~?”
Alice grimaced. She wasn’t a Hatter, so she didn’t technically need to listen to him…but it would be stupid to ignore an egotistical mobster who had cornered her with a crony. She didn’t want grudges later.
Alice gave a reluctant nod. “Blood first, then straight to work. Do you mind starting without me?”
“Not at all~. See you soon~!” The maid bowed and breezed out, cool as you please.
When Alice arrived at Blood’s room, she saw the usual Faceless guards standing outside the doors. She took a breath.
“I heard that Blood called for me. Can I go in?”
“Oh, it’s you~.” One of the guards casually knocked on the door. “Boss, she’s here~.”
“Send her in.”
The two guards stood aside. Alice pushed through the door.
Blood sat behind his desk, seemingly buried in more paperwork. He didn’t even look up when she walked in.
“Did you enjoy the art museum?” he asked coolly. “Did the Gravekeeper allow any information to slip?”
Alice scowled. “If you wanted a spy, you shouldn’t have sent a librarian.”
His lips curled at the snub. “Then you’re not interested in changing jobs. Too bad—I’d be happy to make you an intelligence officer.”
“It doesn’t look like you have time to jerk me around right now.”
Blood finally dropped the papers in his hands and sighed. His lifted his blue-green gaze.
“I’m busy—our organization is new. Anyway, have a seat. Some rare tea just came in, so I thought I’d forgo the sweets and listen to your stories of the museum instead.”
“Uh…I didn’t see anything that special.” Although not strictly true, considering the paintings were magic, she assumed Blood already knew that about his enemy’s territory.
Alice shot him a suspicious look, but she could tell he wasn’t going to let her go until they’d gone over what he was interested in. She lowered herself onto the red sofa.
Blood grabbed a bell and rang it once; a maid appeared in the room seconds later.
“You rang~?”
“I’d like tea. The leaves should be… Hm. What would be best?”
Then he hadn’t actually decided on the tea. Seeing Blood rest his chin on his hands in thought, Alice cut in.
“Maybe you wouldn’t mind if I chose the tea?”
“Oh ho? You?”
“Yeah. If my conversation’s taking the place of sweets, then I would know what kind of tea goes best with it, right?”
Blood seemed to enjoy her longshot reasoning. He gestured to the maid.
“Bring several different blends. If the young lady wants to choose the tea for my tea party, then I want to watch.” He let a chuckle slip, but he didn’t seem to have time to say anything else; he dropped his eyes back to his papers as the maid made her exit.
The Hatter syndicate is young, she thought, a rehash of his earlier words. No wonder he was overloaded. She sat in silence as he worked.
A few minutes later, the maid carried in a tray covered with an assortment of teas. The different cans and bottles were arrayed like the contents of a treasure chest.
“Sorry to keep you waiting~. Which one will you have~?”
Alice poked through the cans. “If you have a preference,” she called to Blood, “now’s the time to say it.”
“I’m just looking forward to what you choose.”
Ever since staying in Heart Castle, Alice had been influenced by Vivaldi and Blood’s interest in tea. She considered herself something of an expert. But the wide selection that stared up at her from that tray was daunting enough to make her hesitate.
She saw classic Darjeeling, Assam, Uva…along with herb teas and what she guessed were original blends. It took her a while just to go over the brands.
And she was…worried that Diamonds Blood was just as picky as Hearts/Clover Blood. He probably didn’t have a lot of tea parties here, based on the wasted condition of his garden, and the fact that good leaves were probably hard to come by with all the strife in the country. She guessed that this high-quality tea was his personal collection.
She eventually narrowed her choice to two options. But when she glanced up, Blood’s face was still tilted down, his hand quickly scratching out some notes with a pen. He didn’t so much as peek at her.
The guy never seemed stressed from all his work, even if he was obviously overloaded. If he knew how much Alice considered his feelings in picking the tea, it might leave a bad taste in his mouth. He was a proud man.
But she did consider him—silently—as she compared the two cans in her hands. She eventually handed one to the maid and returned the other to the tray.
“Could you brew this up, please?”
“This~?” the maid asked, staring at an unopened herbal tea. “Are you sure this is the one you want~?”
“Yeah.”
The maid carried out the overflowing tray, Alice’s chosen can resting on top. Alice’s lips curled into a small smile as she watched the maid leave the room.
Of course the maid would doubt her decision—Alice had chosen a relatively common tea that she could probably buy at a normal store. But Alice had special memories tied up in that brand…so it was important to her.
It’s good for a relaxing drink after work, she thought. The old Blood said it was one of his favorite herbals.
That Blood had never looked tired, but he’d recommend the tea to her when she was exhausted with everything at Heart Castle. “I’ll bet you want something calming,” he’d say as he brought out two cups.
She smiled, enjoying the bit of nostalgia. But then she frowned, since that hadn’t been so long ago that it warranted nostalgia.
She wondered what would happen if she mentioned those memories to Blood. He’d probably make a weird face.
“Sorry to keep you waiting~,” the maid called as she reappeared, her tray now bearing a teapot and two cups.
Blood finally looked up from his work. His eyes followed the maid’s hands as she poured the tea with practiced ease.
The steaming, amber-colored liquid released a refreshing fragrance into the room. The smell alone had a healing effect on Alice.
Blood seemed to feel the same. He stood from his desk and headed for the sofa opposite her.
“Herbal tea?” he asked.
“Yeah. Smells nice, right?”
“I can’t say I dislike the smell.” The maid left the room as Blood lifted a teacup and inhaled deeply.
Alice picked up her own cup and took a sip. The warm, soothing liquid rolled over her tongue, flashing her back to the last time she’d had it. Her face relaxed unconsciously. “Delicious,” she murmured.
“Agreed—it’s a favorite of mine among the herbals. I’d used all mine up; a new supply only came in last period.”
“Oh yeah?” she asked politely. “I love the smell, and it’s so easy to drink.”
“Hn.”
Blood had requested conversation over the tea, but he seemed to have forgotten that. He just slowly sipped, which made Alice follow suit.
He finally returned both the cup and saucer to the tray. He folded his hands together and fixed his eyes on her.
She didn’t sense harassment or hostility in his gaze—but he did seem restless. Like he was searching for something. She waited, but he didn’t say anything.
Finally, Alice broke the eye contact. She stood from her sofa.
“I should be getting to work,” she murmured. “And you’re obviously busy here—”
“How do you know so much about me, young lady?”