Angelina didn't take Aphrael to warm up immediately; instead, she took her to change clothes. Aphrael wore only tight leather armor, and without her windproof cloak, even her extraordinary constitution wouldn't have protected her from the cold. Since Angelina's size was similar to Aphrael's, she lent her a white fur coat. Ethan wasn't sure if underwear was included, and he certainly couldn't ask or check.
When Ethan saw Aphrael again in the captain's cabin, she had transformed. The white fur coat complemented her elegant demeanor, making her look like a goddess.
"Wow! That outfit suits you perfectly, Miss Aphrael. You look like a goddess!" Ethan genuinely praised her, casting a grateful glance at Angelina, who smiled back knowingly.
Once they were seated, Ethan began making tea while Angelina chatted with Aphrael.
"Miss Aphrael, are you feeling warmer now?"
"Thank you for your help! I feel much warmer, actually a bit too warm. The heating here is excellent. I should have come sooner," Aphrael smiled gratefully.
Ethan chuckled, "All credit goes to my wife. Each room has insulated walls and two iron stoves for heating. The outer layer of the stoves is wrapped in stone, which not only prevents fire hazards but also retains heat. Even if the fire goes out, the stones release heat slowly, maintaining comfort. Plus, these iron beams and pots on top can heat water, ensuring hot water is always available. I'm preparing something special for you with this hot water. Can you guess what it is?"
Aphrael, puzzled by Ethan's enthusiastic description of the stoves, realized he was highlighting his wife's contributions. She smiled, "I can't guess, but I can tell your wife is very resourceful. The setup here is impressive—simple yet extremely practical. I'm so comfortable I could fall asleep."
Ethan felt a wave of pride hearing Aphrael praise Angelina. He was indirectly complimenting Angelina to ensure she felt appreciated and to strengthen their bond in front of this beautiful guest, preventing any potential misunderstandings. He also needed Angelina's help to entertain Aphrael and build a rapport for future benefits. He couldn't explain all this to Angelina, so he had to rely on these subtle praises to show his intentions.
Angelina, unaware of Ethan's thoughts, was simply happy to be complimented. "Miss Aphrael, you're so kind! Ethan wanted to show off his invention—milk coffee. But you ended up complimenting me!"
Aphrael's interest was piqued. "I'm just being honest. I've never heard of milk coffee before. I must try it!"
"Believe me, it's delicious—both fragrant and smooth!" Angelina enthused.
"Fragrant and smooth?" Aphrael repeated, intrigued.
"Yes! If we had more coffee, I'd drink it every day!" Angelina exclaimed.
"That sounds amazing!" Aphrael's eyes widened.
Ethan, listening to their animated conversation about coffee, felt a bit awkward. He didn't understand how a discussion about coffee could elicit such a range of expressions and excitement. To him, this was typical behavior for women, unlike his sister Sophia, who was cold and calculating.
Taking advantage of their conversation, Ethan finished brewing the milk coffee and brought it to the table. "Please, have a taste."
"Thank you! I can't wait!" Aphrael eagerly took a sip. "Mmm... it's delicious—fragrant and sweet! Lord Ethan, if you don't mind, please teach me how to make this milk coffee. I want to bring it back to my sisters in Alberia."
"Of course! It's no problem," Ethan agreed. "Since we don't have fresh milk here, I used milk powder, which doesn't taste as good. When we return to Marrow City, I'll let you try the real thing."
"Really?" Aphrael's eyes lit up.
"Absolutely! You're my friend," Ethan emphasized.
Aphrael's expression turned thoughtful. "You mentioned earlier that enjoying your hospitality requires compensation. But now you're calling me a friend. Does this mean I don't need to pay?"
Ethan paused, realizing the elven perspective on friendships and transactions. "I see your teacher has taught you well. But don't worry. For us humans, this is just a cup of coffee and doesn't require payment."
Aphrael's face turned serious. "My teacher always said that if humans don't ask for compensation, they have greater intentions. Lord Ethan, do you have such intentions?"
Ethan internally cursed her teacher's wisdom, which likely stemmed from many bitter experiences. While his intentions weren't purely altruistic, he couldn't admit it. "Your teacher may be right or wrong. But rest assured, I'm not like that. For me, friends are friends, and transactions are transactions. This coffee is a gift, not part of any deal."
"Then why provide clothing, warmth, and delicious milk coffee?" Aphrael asked sincerely.
Ethan sighed, "As I said, because we are friends. For us humans, these gestures are trivial and don't require compensation. Frankly, I didn't intend to become friends with you!"
Aphrael, sincere in her gratitude, said, "I appreciate everything you've done for me. I came prepared to offer compensation. Though I don't have the gold coins you humans value, as I was swindled out of all my money on the second day I arrived on the continent. Instead, I can offer you valuable information. Please believe me, it could be very important to you. I hope you'll accept it."