Lazarus Peirsaly

14. No More to Learn

Time seems to pass quickly as I get into the monotonous routine. Just like before, every day is the same. Is it passing quickly actually? Maybe I just don't care enough to keep track of it since it's all the same. Wake up, weapon practice, bathe, eat, work, go home, eat, bathe. Of course there's the visit to Hiev, but even that began to feel apart of a routine, making it bland. I don't remember how long it's been since I was tasked with moving out.

My body is constantly sore from all the work. My stamina has been improving, but it's expended as soon as it recovers. I can tell my movements have been getting more graceful, thanks to the help of Synlie's lessons. If I was properly rested, I'm sure my body would feel lighter. Unfortunately it isn't, so it's as if stones are tied to my limbs with how heavy they feel from the constant physical strain. My fingers are a little red from the strings of the harp, my eyes have small bags and I think I've gotten thinner. I hope I don't start gaining muscles, they wouldn't look right on a dainty lady like myself...

Luckily, my body runs on autopilot and I'm functioning without thinking about it much. I'm able to get lost in thought while going about my routines with minimal mistakes. There has been the occasional mishap like messing up some batter or dropping a tray, but nothing too severe. I think I've been getting better at baking, but I don't even pay attention to how my creations turn out. Like a drone, I do it without much mind.

Before I realize it, the workday has come to an end.

"Are you feeling alright, Ansietria? Your eyes look lifeless, you know! It's kind of scary, you're just moving about like an undead!" Vela puts a hand on my head to check for a fever.

"You don't need to worry. This much is nothing."

"You say that, but you're worrying me and the boss! You're doing a very good job, but it's like you're always zoned out and tired!"

"That would be because I am."

"What?! Why didn't you say anything until now! You could collapse, you know!" Was I supposed to say something?

"Yes." Agnor leans against a wall and crosses his arms, a hint of worry on his face.

"No one asked."

"Even so, you need to be more vocal about how you feel! It gets busy, so we can't always see how you're faring..."

"Speaking of which, why don't you two get tired? Isn't it hard working for so long?"

"Just good usage of our breaks. I can teach you some!"

"You can take breaks?"

"...Excuse me? That's a joke, right?!" Vela looks at me in shock.

"No."

"What's wrong with you?! Of course we have breaks! Have you really been working nonstop?!"

"I have. No one told me we had any breaks."

"I thought it was common knowledge... I'm sorry, it's on us for not telling you... Come with me, let's go take a nice relaxing break as my apology!" Vela wraps an arm around my shoulder and starts pulling me along.

"So I don't have the right to refuse..."

Today isn't one of the days I hang out with Hiev, so I suppose it's fine. She leads me out of the Bakery, leaving behind Agnor to close up. Since I've gotten used to pushing my body, the walk isn't as painful as before. She starts walking with me through some part of the kingdom that I rarely ever visit. Orders don't come through here much. It's a little nicer than middle class but not extravagant enough for high class, so it's stuck in some weird spot in-between the two.

"Here we are! A favorite spot of mine!" She motions to a house.

"Is that not someone's home?"

"It is! It's my second home! Come in!" She leads me inside.