Chapter 10: We Tried Taking a Bath Together
As night fell, around the time the mansion was enveloped in silence, I headed to the bathhouse.
Being able to relax while soaking in the warm water is a precious, rare moment of peace in these hectic days, and I’m truly grateful for it.
The spacious bathhouse, filled with billowing steam, was quiet and serene.
Soaking in the bathtub, I closed my eyes and recalled the events up until now. For this past year, ever since I was reincarnated, I’ve done all sorts of things to try and change my circumstances as a villainous noble.
Since Liese and Maria came to this mansion, my daily life has certainly become more lively. And the fact that their health has been restored is, for me, the greatest joy of all.
However, the work of a noble lord, which I’m not used to, is more demanding than I expected, and I’m swamped with administrative duties.
Protecting the domain doesn’t just mean deciding on taxes; it also involves reorganizing military affairs, managing merchant tariffs, resolving the problems of various people, and so on.
The duties of a feudal lord, which had been neglected until now, are now being brought to me.
I’m spending my days carrying out the work presented to me by Arnaud.
As a villainous noble, these are problems I wouldn’t have faced if I had just done as I pleased. However, to earn a plentiful amount of gold as a noble, it’s necessary to properly establish a political system.
Still, I’d managed to get through the year without any major problems. That was something I could be truly relieved about.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of a door in the distance.
“Lord Serios, excuse us!”
Opening my eyes at the voice, I saw Liese and Maria peeking in from beyond the bathhouse door. Liese, though her cheeks were slightly flushed, wore a bright smile, while Maria looked this way, seeming somewhat apologetic.
Both of them were naked, not even wrapped in towels.
“What in the world are you all doing?!”
When I asked, a little surprised, Liese vigorously raised her hand and answered.
Her petite, yet developing, chest came into view, and I hurriedly averted my gaze.
“We’ve come to help with Lord Serios’s bath! It’s a Maid’s duty, after all!”
“No, I’m quite fine on my own, but…”
Just as I was about to say that, Maria spoke with a gentle smile.
“Lord Serios, please, allow us to look after you. We wish to repay Lord Serios, to whom we are always indebted. Besides, Lord Serios, you are still a child. Liese is a child too, so it’s perfectly fine. Why, I could even…”
Maria seemed to be on the verge of saying something rather unsettling.
“What are you—?!”
“Fufu. As a way for you to Amae, I’d be happy to, every single day.”
“What are you saying?”
“Fufufu, please don’t concern yourself. Since this is such a special occasion, I was hoping we could spend this evening together.”
I was at a bit of a loss for words, but I couldn’t find any reason to refuse their offer, so I reluctantly nodded.
“Well then, please allow me to wash your body.”
“Eh?”
“Lord Serios, please step out of the bathtub.”
Liese led me by the hand, taking me to the washing area where Maria was waiting. Sandwiched between the beautiful mother and daughter from front and back, they washed my body.
My body, which had begun to transition from that of a boy to a young man, couldn’t help but react to the sight of the two of them. Maria, who was standing in front of me, made sure Liese couldn’t see.
“Lord Serios, how is the pressure?”
“Ah, it’s fine.”
“And me? And me?”
“Ah, yours feels good too, Liese.”
Liese scrubbed my back with considerable force. Even her still-young chest made my heart pound. Is it really okay to have my body washed by the otome game’s main heroine? In front of me, Maria-san, who exuded an adult charm, gently washed my head.
With no way to resist being washed by the two of them, I could only close my eyes and endure it.
“Well then, shall we head to the bathtub?”
“Yeah.”
They also lightly washed themselves and then sat down on either side of me.
“Lord Serios, you’ve been working really hard lately, haven’t you?”
“Eh?”
“Indeed. The sight of you working so diligently for everyone is truly admirable.”
It seems the two of them came to the bath to show their appreciation. Still, I think this mother and daughter are far too lacking in caution.
If I were a genuine villainous noble, I would have had my way with them by now.
“Is there anything you’d like us to do for you?”
“No, I’m fine…”
As I replied with a slight laugh, Liese puffed up her cheeks in the bath.
“It’s a rare chance for me to dote on you~!”
Seeing her like that, Maria also said with a smile,
“Liese, you should Amae on Lord Serios in moderation, alright? Lord Serios, I apologize for Liese’s impertinence.”
“No, I don’t mind. Rather, seeing you both full of energy is a relief for me as well.”
In the bath, we chatted about trivial things.
Liese recently started studying cooking. Her specs know no bounds; she’s not only studying but also continuously adding skills like Maid work, cooking, and sewing.
While she talks about what she’s learned, she speaks very joyfully, and Maria, smiling, adds her gentle voice as if to supplement the story.
Rather than the conversation itself, my gaze kept being drawn to their skin, and as I repeatedly tore my eyes away, I thanked God for my youthful body.
Well, no… emotionally and physically, it’s actually pretty rough, but since my ‘junior’ is still ‘mini,’ I’m managing to hold myself back.
Amidst the steam, Liese suddenly looked up and said.
“Lord Serios, you’re so incredibly kind, aren’t you? You saved us, and it’s all thanks to you that we can be together like this!”
“…I’m just happy that you all are safe.”
At those words, Maria said in a gentle voice.
“Lord Serios, thank you so very much. For us, being able to live such peaceful days like this is our greatest happiness.”
Though I was a little perplexed by those words, I settled back into the bath and said quietly,
“I also like seeing you all laugh. That alone is enough for me.”
Honestly, I already wanted to get out of the bath.
Before I knew it, Liese had started to laugh quietly in the bath.
“Lord Serios is really so cool, isn’t he? Right, Mother!”
“Yes, he is.”
The moment Maria said that with a soft smile, I felt a somewhat ticklish sensation and let out a small sigh in the hot water.
“You two, you’ll get dizzy from the heat soon. Let’s get out.”
As I said that and got out of the bathtub, Liese and Maria also hurriedly followed.
As we were leaving the bathroom, Liese, while wiping her face with a towel, said with a beaming smile.
“Let’s take a bath together again, okay, Lord Serios!”
I nodded with a wry smile.
“If I feel like it.”
And so, our lively and slightly unsettling bath time came to an end. Lately, Liese has become more assertive, and Maria keeps trying to spoil me in one way or another.
The way those two are getting close to me is abnormally… way too close!!! I only want to protect them and make them happy; it’s not like I want to make them do these kinds of things!!!
Flustered, I somehow managed to escape from the bath.
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Afterword
Hello, this is the author, Iko.
That’s all for today.
Starting tomorrow, I’m thinking of moving the plot forward a bit.
Thank you always for your support (๑>◡<๑)