The doorway creaked open again, but this time it wasn't Alex returning from the bathroom. Instead, Frey, the ever-reliable maid, stepped into the living room. Her eyes landed on Xiaomara nestled comfortably on the couch.
"Oh, Frey," Xiaomara greeted, looking up from her book. "Your master just came back."
Frey's brow furrowed slightly. "I see him. He's in the bathroom, isn't he?"
"Yup, getting rid of that mountain stink," Xiaomara chuckled, wrinkling her nose playfully.
Frey nodded once, her gaze towards the bathroom door for a fleeting moment. Then, with a determined set to her jaw, she announced, "Perhaps I should start preparing dinner for Master Alex."
A mischievous glint entered Xiaomara's eyes. "Wait a minute, Frey, I want to join you in the kitchen this time."
