However, he was still not used to Riley taking care of him and remained guarded even around her, making it difficult to maintain a composed demeanor in her presence.

Not that he disliked it; the situation was just unfamiliar, awkward, and confusing.

He never imagined someone would feed him porridge.

“Eat up.”

Finally giving in to Riley’s insistence, Gibnen opened his mouth. Riley promptly fed him the porridge and smiled contentedly.

The sequence of Riley offering the spoon and Gibnen accepting it continued. Gibnen felt confused, as if he had reverted to a child, while Riley acted like a skilled servant, swiftly preparing the medicine.

“You seem experienced.”

“?”

“You must have done this often.”

“Ah, yes, when I lived at the Eadalin mansion, Claire was often sick.”

“Did you cover for the servants?”

“I did sometimes, but not often. I mostly watched how the servants took care of Claire.”

Riley opened Gibnen’s mouth and pushed in the medicine, following up with candy to combat the bitter taste.

“I’m relieved you’re better than yesterday. Your fever is still rising, but at least you’re conscious.”

She then picked up a wet towel and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Wasn’t it troublesome to wipe the sweat, dry it with a clean towel, and prepare new clothes every time?

“Starting tomorrow, you should go back to the academy.”

“I’ll decide that depending on your condition.”

“Why are you even absent? You seemed so committed to your studies at the academy.”

“?”

“Attendance affects your grades. Missing a lecture tomorrow will impact your scores.”

“It’s okay. It couldn’t be helped. You’re more important than the academy.”

Gibnen looked at Riley intently. Riley tilted her head and asked,

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I didn’t think you were the type to say such embarrassingly intimate things.”

“…I just stated the fact. Naturally, you’re more important than the academy.”

“…”

“So you’ve always had this kind of personality.”

“?”
“Usually you’re so considerate; it’s really a contrast with how you’re sulking now, you know?”

“People are complex and multifaceted by nature. Don’t you think your usual polite and gentle temperament is the polar opposite of your stubbornness now?”

“I know. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing; I actually like it. I feel like I understand you a little better now.”

“……”

“It’s just, this side of you seems more fitting for your age. It feels fresher and more interesting. I feel more comfortable around you now. Normally, you seem like a perfectly groomed adult, which made me more cautious.”

“So you’re saying I’ve been uncomfortable to be around.”

“That’s not it. I just find this side of you more approachable.”

Gibnen sighed softly.

He had definitely tried to show only his organized and polished side in front of her. Always perfect, affectionate, and considerate.

Gibnen awkwardly laid down, taking a long time just to lie on the bed because his body wouldn’t cooperate. Had Riley not supported him, he would have fallen in a ridiculous manner.

‘How did it come to this?’

Gibnen felt that his once-thought-perfect plan was now flawed.

Especially the plan to show only a perfect and polished self in front of Riley seemed to have evaporated.

He had never shown this side to anyone other than his family, like Salk and Mrs. Sophia. He had erected walls and interacted with people only through his manufactured persona. Revealing this side was tantamount to tearing down his walls.

And Riley? It wasn’t so much revealing as it was getting caught.

Fortunately, she seemed to prefer his usual character over his polished persona.

His head felt warm, perhaps because he was sick.

“Will you be here tonight?”

“Well, if the fever goes down, I plan on sleeping in my own room.”

“Don’t go.”

“You used to say you couldn’t let me go; now you’re impatient?”

“Since it’s come to this, see it through to the end.”

“Okay.”

“Just don’t nod off while sitting. If you’re sleepy, lie down properly on the bed.”

Riley smiled and straightened his disheveled hair.

“Alright, I will.”

The magician regularly visited to apply magic that enhanced his recovery and checked if his magical energies were tangled.

Thanks to that, by nightfall, Gibnen had recovered enough to sit up on his own.

He still suffered from high fever, headaches, cold sweat, and organ damage, but the fact that his body was starting to move was a good sign. He was still in a critical condition, though.

While Riley went to take a shower, Gibnen sat on the bed and read a book.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve had a moment like this.’

The upside of being sick was getting a break from stressful human interactions and magical tower work. Of course, resting in good physical and mental condition would be ideal, but that was impossible unless he relinquished his position as the tower master.

Knock knock.

“Master, it’s Salk.”

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Salk entered.

“How is your body feeling?”

“Better than yesterday.”

“I heard that the young lady has been nursing you diligently all day.”