Vella returns in time to join Lenore and Alaric for dinner, but she retires immediately after, drained from a long day of working and preparing for another day of the same. Lenore feels a bit bad for having called Vella to Barrowmere to work, but at the same time, it's been nice to see her sister again. She should prepare gifts to thank her for the work she's doing and the effort it takes for a single person to handle these repairs—not that she's very sure about how difficult the work is.
Well, it's something she can ask Alaric about. Maybe he knows what kind of gifts are good for mages.
In the meantime, Lenore keeps track of the time. She doesn't want to be late getting to the kitchen to pick up that medicinal tea for Alaric. It consumes her focus to the point that she can't start any other tasks, and she instead asks Eva to adjust her hair to make sure it still looks proper before dismissing her for the night.
Eventually, Lenore decides that it's okay for her to be a bit early when she goes to the kitchen. If she takes her time walking there, then she might not be early anyway. So, she starts heading that way, trying to keep her pace on the slower side. Even then, she manages to be early.
However, the servants who handle evening cleaning tasks and prepare late-night refreshments as needed while they set up ingredients for the next day welcome her, finding a place for her to sit amidst the bustle of their tasks.
"Did you want us to brew the medicine early, my lady?" one of the maids asks.
Lenore shakes her head. "No, I'm fine waiting. Just make it at the time you already planned to."
"That herbal blend smells like it's going to be bitter," another servant says. "It might not be a bad idea to include something to help chase away the flavor."
Since she hasn't thought about that part and only worried about getting Alaric to drink something that'll improve his sleep for the night, she agrees. "I'll follow what you think is best."
After all, she has no reason not to trust the workers in Barrowmere. So far, they've only shown her kindness, or at the very least respect. Even watching the kitchen staff work from the side makes her feel at home. Home in a way that she hasn't experienced in too long. They're efficient, but at the same time, they laugh and talk with each other like old friends. And Lenore realizes that they likely are old friends, depending on how long each one has worked here.
Before living with her uncle, Lenore was too young to really socialize with other nobles. Then, after her uncle took her to live with him, she never had the chance to go out and socialize. Seeing the servants interact and work together leaves her feeling rather lonely. It would be nice if she could make friends, too. Maybe with other nobles in the duchy, who she can invite to tea parties, and then be invited in return.
Well, once winter is over, she'll have to socialize a lot during the emperor's birthday, especially during the banquet that acts as the highlight of the festival held to celebrate. If she does a decent job, then it might be easier for her to step into high society within the duchy. It would at least be less stressful, since the stakes wouldn't be nearly as high.
"Ta-da!" A servant gestures to a silver tray that holds a teacup with a cover on it to keep its contents warm and a small plate of semi-sweet snacks. Shortbread cookies with jam in the middle, if Lenore isn't mistaken.
She stands up and takes the tray, thanking the servants before she leaves the kitchen. Considering how seriously Alaric takes his duties as the duke, she's certain he must still be in his study. She also suspects that he doesn't plan to take a break and properly sleep. That, or he's distracting himself with work to avoid sleep for some reason.
Either way, it's not a good habit.
The knight standing guard outside his study is relaxed, only perking up when he spots Lenore. "Are you here to see the duke, my lady?"
"Yes, I have some tea for him."
The knight knocks twice on the door. "The duchess wishes to see you."
Lenore hears Alaric's muffled voice from the other side, then the knight opens the door to let her in.
"Do you need something?" Alaric asks, setting his papers aside and folding his hands on top of his desk.
"I brought you some tea and cookies." She places the tray in front of him. "Well, it's more of a medicinal beverage than it is plain tea."
Alaric brings the tray closer, then lifts the cover from the teacup. His nose wrinkles at the smell. "May I ask why?"
Lenore grips the fabric of her skirt with her hands to keep herself from fidgeting. She rehearsed her explanation in her head dozens of times so the words flowed easily. "You don't look well-rested lately. I asked Wirvoth for something that would help you sleep. As for the cookies, the kitchen staff thought that it would be nice to have something with a better taste to help with the flavor of the medicine."
Alaric's eyes widen a bit in surprise, but Lenore wouldn't have noticed if she hadn't spent so much time memorizing his face and the subtle shifts of his expressions every time they're together.
"You could've had a servant send it."
If she just arrived in Barrowmere, Lenore would see this as a rebuke. However, she now hears that there's curiosity behind his words. Not anger. "I wanted to bring it myself."
"Why?"
That's the same question that Lenore has been asking herself. There's no obligation for her to interact with or take care of Alaric. However, she came up with the answer after a lot of consideration. So, she smiles.
"Because I want to spend more time with you and keep you healthy."