It took a while before Ayla finally calmed down and withdrew from the embrace. Levi pretended to not notice her wiping her eyes as she sat atop his bed and huddled into a tight ball, her arms wrapped around her legs. Her etiquette instructors no doubt would’ve had a conniption at the sheer impropriety. She watched him closely, a quiet intensity to her gaze, as if she was afraid that he’d disappear if she took her eyes off him even once.Levi, for his part, freely admitted that he had no idea what to do next. His features were schooled in a solemn expression, even as internally he floundered for what to say.Thankfully, a knock sounded at the door, breaking the silence. The servant had arrived with their tea. Levi went to collect it at the door, not wanting the servant to enter and see Ayla in her current state. He muttered a quick thanks before closing the door behind him, moving to set the tray down on the nightstand next to the bed.In a practiced motion, he poured out two cups of tea from the ornate teapot and handed one to Ayla. He took care to imbue the porcelain with a sliver of magic in case she spilled it, but he needn’t have worried. Her hands didn’t shake at all as she accepted the cup.As one, they lifted their cups and sipped their tea. The servant had impeccable timing; the tea had already been steeped and rested to the ideal drinking temperature. Levi felt himself relax slightly as the warmth rushed down his throat and pooled at his core. It was a nice blend: a smooth black, slightly malty, with a lovely floral note adorned with a light tinge of honey. For several seconds, they simply drank their tea, neither of them saying anything.