Arc 1: The Only Blossoming Flower

Chapter 3: Flattering

The sun rises from the dark, glowing brightly upon the day, showering its orange warm light to revolve the dark. The birds chirped melodically, the earlier empty streets were now bustling, everyone got to work.
Yesterday was full of events. I, for one, didn't expect Milim to choose Guy of all people to be her babysitter, though I'm complaining, Guy is certainly one of the best choices. Not saying that I do not trust Frey and her disciplinary skills on Milim, this was originally for adding guests, Guy wasn't exactly on my list, but there's no turning back now. I mean, Guy seems to be a fine man, I should also trust him. Who knows? He might ask for alliances, and I only have to deal with him until the festival and today.

I was quite perplexed how Diablo reacted to Guy's arrival at Tempest, he seemed to be twitching once he heard the news, forcing himself to remain calm. I wonder why up until now, maybe Guy and Diablo must've had a scandalous past with each other.

However, a new day means new work, if everyone's already started their day, I should as well.

I walk into my same old office, narrowing my eyes as I glance at the amount of stacked papers on my desk. Yawning as I walked in and closed the door, stretching and blinking my eyes to keep myself from feeling drowsy, gazing at the window's where sunlight streams into the room, and the views behind my desk that displayed the outskirts of Tempest.

Sighing, I took my pen and dipped it in ink, taking a paper from the stacks and read through its contents.

After a few hours, or minutes, I've oddly been feeling drowsy today, my eyelids feel heavy and are occasionally narrowing, making me halfly fall asleep, and because of this, I'm unable to focus on my duties. I even wore my glasses to help with it, yet it isn't helping with anything.

「Raphael... why am I feeling drowsy today...?」

『Answer: Unknown.』

「Seriously?」

『To help cope with this feeling, I suggest taking a break from your work and ease your mind.』

「Maybe you're right...」

I buried my hand in my hair, yawning as I leaned heavily on my chair. Closing my eyes as I almost fell right asleep, that urge being interrupted by a knock on the door. My eyes perked up awake, having a small headache from the sudden sentient, rubbing my eyes as I spoke for the individual to come in.

Laying my attention back to my work, wearing my reading glasses in hopes of being able to focus more. Not noticing who I allowed to come into my office, personally estimating it was either Diablo or Shion to start their own day and give me their usual report.

"Good Morning, Rimuru."

I looked up to see who it was, and surprisingly, it was Guy, carrying a tray of snacks and tea. How nice...~
"Guy? What is there anything you may need here?" I asked, putting down my pen. "Oh, nothing, I just thought bringing you some snacks while working could keep you at ease for a while." He smiled, placing the tray of snacks on the small table in the center of my office, placing a plate on my desk before keeping his own self comfy, he latched himself on the couch and grabbed one of the snacks he bought and bit it as he hummed in satisfaction.

I blinked my eyes, stunned by his casual behavior, not only that, but Guy of all people decided to seemingly act like a servant of sorts.

Say, I thought he was so prideful, he wouldn't even dare to even do a small favor to someone that isn't him. However, I do appreciate his kindness today.

"Quite the amount of workload you got there, are you not working yourself too hard?" Guy eyed the neatly yet unrealistic amount of paperwork on my desk. "Yeah...It gets to me sometimes, but I have to deal with it either way." I sighed, continuing my work, I grabbed on a snack and picked up my pen. Dipping it on ink as I signed it and placed it on the stack where I'm finished with.