"If you need anything, please ring this bell at any time."

Alex handed Theo a service bell and exited the room.

On the desk, steam rose gently from a cup of tea. The tea had been poured by one of the maids before Alex and his attendants left. Its delicate fragrance filled the air, and the liquid shimmered with a radiant, reddish-gold hue.

Even though Theo wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about tea, he could tell this was no ordinary blend; its value was unmistakable.

Manifesting into his physical form, Lodbrok elegantly lifted the teacup, bringing it to his lips with a refined air.

"For all the bothersome antics, this tea is a fine compensation. As expected, luxury goods are far more abundant here in the capital than in the barren north."

Lodbrok smiled contentedly, savoring the tea, while Theo shrugged, his gaze fixed on the scene outside the window.