Chapter 432: Sisters
Chapter 432: Sisters
"So, are you finally planning to sell that potion recipe?"
Inside Madam Padfoot's Tea House, Isabelle leaned her cheek on her hand, idly stirring her cup of milk tea with a spoon as she gazed at her boyfriend with a smile. "Do you think it will be a success?"
"Who knows?" Albert took a sip from his own cup, replying calmly. "It would be great if it works out. By the way, it's quite lively here in the tea house today."
"Well, yesterday was Valentine's Day," Isabelle remarked.
"Yes, it was Valentine's Day yesterday," Albert said, giving his girlfriend a deep look, remembering how Isabelle had specially prepared Valentine's chocolates for him last year, but this year, she had skipped it altogether.
"Some things are more intoxicating than chocolate, aren't they?" Isabelle seemed to see through Albert's thoughts and smiled as she glanced in a certain direction.
Following Isabelle's gaze, Albert turned to look at the couple kissing at the next table and instantly understood what she meant.
Before Albert could say anything, the door to Madam Padfoot's Tea House was pushed open, and Kenneth Towle walked in, looking around before making his way towards Albert's table.
"You're early," Albert commented, pulling out his pocket watch to glance at the time.
"Sorry to interrupt your date," Kenneth said, his eyes shifting between the two of them. A meaningful smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
As soon as he sat down next to Albert, both Albert and Isabelle turned their gazes on him, causing the smile on Kenneth's face to freeze. He suddenly felt a sense of discomfort and stood up again, awkwardly laughing, "Maybe I'll come back later."
Kenneth could clearly see the disdain in their eyes. After all, no one wanted their date to be interrupted, and with half an hour still left until the agreed-upon time, he felt like he was intruding.
With good sense, Kenneth took his leave.
"What's he doing here?" Isabelle took a sip of her tea and asked.
"Kenneth Towle is the middleman," Albert said casually.
The couple chatted for a while longer, and Albert noticed Isabelle glancing out the window and waving to someone outside. He turned, curious, and saw Katrina drifting by the tea shop like a lost soul.
Noticing Albert's raised eyebrow, Isabelle explained, "I called Katrina over. She's been under a lot of academic pressure lately."
"I've suggested that she drop a few classes and get a normal schedule," Albert said indifferently. It was only natural for Katrina to feel overwhelmed when she had chosen to take twelve classes.
"She just needs to adjust her mindset and have some guidance," Isabelle sighed softly, her eyes fixed on Albert. Suddenly, she fell silent.
"You're a good sister, looking out for your sister like that," Albert said, understanding Isabelle's implication and thinking of his own sister. He couldn't help but sigh as well.
He would probably do the same if he were in her shoes.
"You really get me, Albert. I remember you have a sister, too," Isabelle said with a smile.
"Yes, a rather troublesome sister," Albert said, glancing at Katrina as she approached their table. "You look exhausted. Make use of the Time-Turner wisely, and take a seat. What would you like to drink? It's on me."
"I think I've been using the Time-Turner too frequently," Isabelle said to Katrina. "Don't worry about the cost, order the most expensive thing on the menu. He's about to strike it rich anyway."
Katrina was still a bit dazed, not quite grasping the situation.
"Are they on a date?" she wondered, observing the couples in the tea house.
Albert shook his head. "I think she's just tired of studying, which is why she feels so worn out."
That's how it was for him in his previous life when he studied English.
Katrina looked at the couple, unsure of what to say.
"My advice still stands," Albert said as he sipped his tea. "Drop some of the classes you don't particularly like. There's no need to make your life so difficult."
Katrina remained silent, quietly sipping the tea Isabelle had ordered for her. As she listened to their conversation, her mind was still blank, and she hadn't yet figured out why Isabelle had asked her to come here.
Was she supposed to listen to their ramblings? Or did Isabelle want Albert to convince her to drop a few classes and get back to a normal sleep schedule?
Just then, the blank-faced Katrina blurted out, "Are you two on a date?"
The question caused a momentary pause, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," Katrina said, getting up to leave. But Isabelle reached out and stopped her.
"Have some sweets, it'll make you feel better," Isabelle sighed, ordering a slice of cake for her.
It was more than just 'not feeling well'; Katrina looked like she was on the verge of a breakdown.
Albert shook his head inwardly at Katrina's state.
"You should make better use of your Time-Turner," Albert advised. "Don't always use it to rush to classes and do homework. Taking twelve classes is already demanding enough. You need to learn how to relax and take proper breaks instead of constantly doing homework and exhausting yourself like this."
"Are you lecturing me?" Katrina asked impatiently, only to be cut off by Isabelle, who stuffed a piece of cake into her mouth.
"I'm sharing my experience," Albert said, looking at Isabelle as she prepared to feed Katrina another bite of cake.
"Don't do that," Katrina complained, clearly annoyed. "Stop treating me like a child."
"Who's fault is it that I have to worry about you all the time?" Isabelle popped the cake into her own mouth and smiled at Katrina. "Do you feel better now?"
"I'm fine," Katrina protested.
"If you're truly exhausted, you should get some proper rest instead of pushing yourself to this state," Isabelle said. "I often see Albert napping in the Room of Requirement."
"I'm just taking a short break," Albert corrected her.
"Okay, a short break," Isabelle said with a smile, her eyes sparkling. "Then we can rest together, drink tea, and enjoy some sweets."
"You're not worried about gaining weight?" Katrina grumbled.
"I make time to exercise," Isabelle replied without hesitation.
As Katrina stood there, momentarily stunned, she heard Albert murmur to himself, "It's about time."
"What's about time?" Katrina's mind was still processing when a graceful woman in her thirties walked into the tea shop, accompanied by a young man Katrina didn't recognize.
(End of Chapter)
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