"We can't really test it out here," Esme said after a moment's thought.
She reached for Azel's hand to pull him along but hesitated halfway with her cheeks tinting a bit. "Let's go to the alchemy testing room."
Azel sighed but nodded, allowing himself to be led as they walked toward the staircase that connected the research wing to the lab floors.
"So," Esme began casually, "did Sybil confess?"
"Yes." Azel answered quickly. "I assume you were the one who put her up to it."
"Yeah, I did," Esme admitted, not even pretending to deny it. "She didn't know the difference between love and attraction, so I… fixed that."
They climbed the stairs, Esme speaking faster now that she had an audience. "And we became friends too. So I guess that's nice. I hope you guys will be a happy couple."
Azel didn't reply. He just exhaled through his nose, staring straight ahead. How was he supposed to save a heroine that didn't want to interfere with the other one?
