"Xio, you're back? How long had I been working?" Fors seemed not to notice the doll in Xio's arms. She lazily greeted her, too indolent even to turn her head and glance at the clock hanging on the wall.
"Over an hour." Xio gave Fors, who looked as though she wanted to sink into the sofa, a cold look. She found a spot that would not be easily dirtied and set down the doll in her arms, carefully adjusting its joints so it could stand steadily there.
"If I really put my mind to it, I'm actually pretty fast!" Fors muttered to herself. Xio's face immediately darkened as she said:
"So your book is finished?"
At those words, Fors wore an expression that said, "Are you trying to kill me?" She replied speechlessly, "How could it be that fast? Even a short story needs a hundred pages or so. If I keep up today's efficiency, I could probably... finish it in about ten days?"
"Why was that a question?" Xio stared intensely at Fors, but Fors looked completely exhausted as she said:
"That just now completely burned me out. I need at least two days—no, at least three days of rest before I can write again!"
"Oh." Xio nodded and said no more, but this time, Fors froze.
If it had been before, Xio would definitely have grumbled a few words. Why was she being so straightforward today?
Come to think of it...
"Where did you go just now?"
"I went to see Mr. Panredax and asked about the reason for your condition. I also took on a task worth a hundred commissions." As she spoke, Xio took off her riding boots, which had lifts inside and heels outside. Wearing them out gave her a little more confidence, but they