Gwen pressed one hand on Rita's fragrant shoulder and raised the lunch in his other hand, stopping her from moving.
"I'm truly sorry. I've been so busy lately that I lost track of everything, and I even had to trouble you to bring Rita lunch."
Although Rita gave up on standing, she noticed the lunch in Gwen's hand and then glanced at the time in the corner of the monitor, only then realizing it was already lunchtime. An apologetic expression appeared on her face as she blamed herself for neglecting her duties.
"All right, don't put too much pressure on yourself. With this much work, it's only natural to let some trivial matters go."
Gwen set the lunch down in the space Rita had cleared and thoughtfully opened it for the maid, who had been sitting here for half the day. Smiling, he said:
"Besides, if you weren't so capable, Rita, I'd probably have been drafted into office work too—
Consider this a small token of repayment."
"We also have Miss Amber to thank. That was how Rita and Lady Yolandale were able to take over this work so smoothly.
And the work Lady Yolandale is responsible for is no easier than Rita's."
Rita gently shook her head at that, with no intention of taking credit.
"Yes, yes, our maid simply did what was within her duties."
Gwen did not argue with Rita. Instead, he stepped behind her and quietly placed both hands on the clean white shirt, which looked no different from one freshly brought back from the store.
"I'm merely checking on a busy friend as a friend. Is that all right?"
Gwen gently kneaded her shoulders, strands of bioelectric current passing through the thin shirt and into Rita's body, easing the fatigue brought on by sitting for