Episode 26.
Reunion (5)
The two of them didn’t seem interested in each other at all. The conversation they shared across the instruction sheet, which outlined the potion details, was purely professional—utterly devoid of warmth or even the slightest hint of a smile.
Even so, Temia’s anxious heart wouldn’t settle. The longer they spent together, the more on edge she became.
Each time their voices rose in discussion, she worried the mood might shift suddenly. The frown on his face, laced with confusion or irritation, sent chills down her spine.
She couldn’t let her guard down just because there was no visible emotional exchange. Even if Kaili had once been engaged to that man due to family pressure and held no personal feelings for him, fate had a way of twisting unexpectedly.
Temia knew better than anyone that Kaili didn’t harbor feelings for the mage. But what about him? Who could say? What if this chance meeting stirred his interest, and he chose to use his influence when a political marriage was discussed again?
Falling for someone who loved another would be foolish—but this man didn’t seem like the type to care about public opinion. He wasn’t the kind to waver under someone else’s judgment. He always stuck to his own calculations, no matter what.
Before she knew it, her wary glances had turned into a fixed stare, and the hand holding her pen was pale with tension. Every nerve in her body was directed toward the two of them, determined not to miss even a single moment.
“Temia, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“You look pale. Maybe you should go upstairs and rest?”
Lowell, unable to watch any longer, reached a hand toward her. She was sweating and visibly unsteady—anyone would assume she was ill.
But Temia, now highly strung, instinctively recoiled as if the hand was about to grab her by the neck. She gasped—and then came the unmistakable snap of something breaking.
—
A suffocating silence fell.
Temia only snapped back to her senses when she noticed a bright drop of blood forming on the mage’s hand.
What… what had she done?
“Ah… I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to! I was just startled and… my mind wandered…”
A thin, long scratch left by her fingernail marked his hand. The burning sensation from when she had slapped his hand away still lingered on her palm.
What a massive overreaction…
Anyone would find that suspicious. But the shock had left her mind blank—she couldn’t even form a proper excuse. Saying “I was surprised” wouldn’t be enough when there was blood involved.
The man stared at her silently, then stepped closer.
He must be angry. Of course he would be. Even if Kailey is here, she’s just a client to him. I embarrassed him in front of a customer…
Temia, stricken with guilt, lowered her gaze. But the man didn’t hesitate. He leaned in close, suddenly grinning.
“Hey, Temia.”
He waved his injured hand cheerfully.
He’s smiling? When he should be furious?
As Temia stared blankly, unable to process the situation, he continued in a light, teasing tone:
“If it’s hard, you could’ve just said so. Using violence on a delicate guy like me? Look at this poor, tattered hand.”
“W-What?”
“I mean, why are you so tense? You scared me. Is it because your friend is here? Embarrassed to show your work mode?”
He tilted his head toward Kaili, who was sitting silently nearby. Temia quickly shook her head.
“Or… maybe your crush knows the guy? You look so serious—like you’re the one making the love potion yourself.”
“Th-That’s not it!”
“Oh? Then why were you staring at me like that? Could it be… Temia, are you in love? Is that why you’re so invested in this potion?”
The ridiculous suggestion made her brows furrow, and for the first time in a while, she lifted her head sharply.
Just as she was about to snap back, she realized how close he had gotten.
“Feeling a bit more relaxed now?”
He was so near that she could feel his breath. In her line of sight were the mage’s deep red eyes—like streaks of blood, or gleaming rubies. His steady, unwavering gaze was fixed entirely on her.
Realizing that made her feel oddly itchy on the inside. Before she could pull away, Lowell gently took her hand. His touch was soft, not forceful, and his warm grip was unfamiliar. This time, she couldn’t bring herself to shake it off.
“Well, today’s schedule was a bit much. Your hands are freezing. You really should go rest instead of pretending you’re fine.”
His tone was casual, almost normal. Despite what had just happened, he was treating her like always, and that surprising kindness made her heart melt.
The fact that she found comfort from the man she resented most bruised her pride. Maybe that’s why she quickly pulled her hand away and replied curtly,
“Why are you suddenly acting like this? Don’t try to be nice now.”
“I’m just worried someone might think I’m some abusive boss. Reputation matters, you know?”
“Oh, come on. Since when do you care about stuff like that?”
“Hmm… since today?”
“Ugh, forget it. I’m fine now. Just go disinfect your hand and finish the commission already.”
He nodded and stepped back, heading toward Kaili’s table to continue.
“But don’t think this is over. You hurt Temia, so you owe her.”
“W-What do you mean?! It’s just a scratch. I’ll put some ointment on it!”
Even as Temia growled under her breath, he smirked shamelessly.
“Nope. I’m adding interest to this debt.”
“I’ll pour the potion on you—then we’re even!”
“Too bad. I plan to make full use of this hand until it heals. Do you know how valuable this hand is? Once the request is done, I’ll decide what to make you do. If you have preferences, speak now.”
“It’s not even that bad! Just finish your work already.”
Only then can I send Kaili away and make sure she never comes back here.
Temia, regaining her composure, gave the mage a cold glare. Cleaning up this mess would take extra effort—but once her head cleared, she knew exactly what needed to be done.
Even if she now owed him a favor for helping her recover, she’d put that on hold for later. Right now, she couldn’t afford to make a mistake—not when something more important was on the line.
Once the commotion died down, the atmosphere relaxed. Kaili threw a loaded glance at Temia but held back, silently signaling they’d talk later. For now, she returned to the potion consultation. Temia, too, focused on gathering ingredients per the mage’s instructions.
“So this is the base amount, and we’ll divide it by dosage?”
“Yes. Does it have an expiration date?”
“It doesn’t last too long, so I’ll label it on the container for you.”
“Perfect. Please finish it that way.”
As the conversation continued, Lowell scribbled a few notes on the order sheet. Meanwhile, Kaili’s eyes lingered on his face.
Temia’s heartbeat grew louder with each second Kaili looked at him.
It felt like it echoed in her ears.
“Um… have we met before?”
Kaili tilted her head curiously and spoke, and Temia’s hand clenched tightly around her pen.
What’s that supposed to mean? Don’t tell me… did Kailey remember something?
“Would there really be someone else who looks like me? I’m not that forgettable, you know.”
The mage’s breezy reply made Kaili’s face crumple in visible discomfort. She waved her hand dismissively and took a step away from him.
Thanks to that, the pen in Temia’s hand was spared further abuse.
Despite the blatant reaction, the mage only shrugged. Once the final adjustments were done, he stood and gathered the papers.
“Everything we need is here. I’ll go make it now. It’ll take some time, so just wait here.”
He headed to the lab with Lerry but paused and looked back, as if something had just occurred to him.
“You two seem close. Why not catch up while I work? You don’t seem to be in a rush, and it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Wait—didn’t he just say he was going to make me do extra chores?!
Temia shot him a sharp glare, but Lowell, busy reading the documents, didn’t notice.
“I figured I should let you handle the customer. If anything else goes wrong, it’ll be hard to fix. Oh, and there’s a bundle on the shelf near the entrance. If you’re hungry, feel free to have something from there. I already checked—it’s nothing weird.”
“What? Why are you acting suspicious—”
“Hmm. It’s yours anyway, so eat it or don’t. Doesn’t matter to me. I’m sure I gave it to you before, right?”
With that cryptic comment, he vanished upstairs.
Temia stared blankly down the now-empty hallway.
“…Food? What’s he talking about?”
Curious, she went to check the shelf. Inside the bundle was a neatly packed basket of cookies.
Cookies? I guess it’s safe if he offered them to a guest… But maybe I should try one first, just in case.
So Temia brought the basket to the table and sat beside Kaili. The sweet aroma was inviting—it would go well with tea.
With the man out of sight, peace returned for a moment. Temia decided to make the most of it and enjoy the long-overdue time with Kaili.
But first, there was something she had to ask.
“Kaili. What did you mean earlier when you said he looked familiar? Do you know that mage?”
