Rita had originally thought that when Cecilia mentioned bathing together, it would be one of those ambiguous scenes where two beautiful girls, smooth and bare, end up accidentally brushing against each other while squeezing into a single bath tub.
But when she actually followed the maid into the bathing room—no, the Bath Palace—she realized that not just two, but twenty people could easily fit inside.
Thick steam hovered above the massive stone bath, the marble floor gleamed with a sleek black shine, and several baskets, already packed with bathing supplies, were neatly arranged beside the stone benches, waiting for their owners.
No doubt about it, this empty Bath Palace was prepared exclusively for Cecilia alone.
Damn those rich people!
Rita’s own bathing routine usually involved squeezing into public baths or spending a few copper coins to have the innkeeper deliver a bucket of hot water.
She had never even dreamed of such a luxurious Bath Palace, let alone seen one.
“You can leave now. Don’t come back in.” Cecilia ordered, and the maid leading them immediately nodded and retreated, closing the door behind them.
Cecilia then looked at Rita as if she were waiting for something.
Rita returned the gaze with an innocent, confused expression.
Cecilia sighed, then enunciated each word clearly.
“Help me change.”
“Huh? Oh…” Although she knew there should only be the two of them in the room, Rita glanced around to be sure.
When she confirmed Cecilia was speaking to her, she awkwardly nodded and stepped closer.
Cecilia seemed to anticipate Rita’s hesitation.
She turned her back and said, “Start with my hair.”
Rita raised her hand, but for some reason, her fingers trembled slightly.
Such a simple act as removing a hair ornament now felt incredibly clumsy.
Her fingertips brushed against Cecilia’s long hair.
Although it wasn’t her first time touching it, the sensation of golden strands flowing through her hands made her throat involuntarily tighten.
“Lady Cecilia, the maid who guided us here should be the one serving you during your bath, right?” Rita spoke, half out of curiosity and half to drown out the ambiguous sound of water flowing between them.
“Yes.” Cecilia replied casually.
“Then why me?”
“Because you are mine.”
That phrase—so ambiguous and easily misunderstood—stirred something in Rita.
She didn’t answer.
Instead, she placed her hands on Cecilia’s shoulders and parted the honey-colored hair that fell down her back.
Under the faint glow of the night, the translucent strands resembled curtains being drawn back, exposing the slender nape of the girl’s neck.
The bones formed a gentle hollow beneath the skin.
Below the white porcelain-like hollow, faint bluish veins meandered beneath the surface.
So sensual!
It was just an ordinary sight, but somehow it felt overwhelmingly so.
Rita’s breathing quickened unconsciously, and her hands froze. “But I don’t know what to do.”
“It’s okay. No one is born knowing everything. I will personally guide you.” Cecilia remained calm and composed. “Don’t stop moving.”
Rita continued untying the ribbon at the back of Cecilia’s neck.
Her knuckles accidentally brushed against Cecilia’s skin—it was cold, so cold that any sarcastic thought Rita had about the word “guide” froze completely.
“You will see and learn much more while by my side.” Cecilia brushed aside Rita’s ignorance and lifted her arm to make it easier for Rita to free the long dress from her body.
Rita loosened the fastenings on the girl’s back.
With a soft click, the close-fitting garment slipped to the floor.
Standing behind Cecilia, Rita couldn’t see what lay ahead, but the curve of the back—like sand dunes shaped by the northern wind—made her cheeks flush.
“Why me?”
The same question, but with a different intention.
“I’ve already answered that, Rita. I want you to remember what I said.”
Was she referring to their first meeting, when Cecilia claimed she had no employer and was foolish but brave?
“I still don’t understand why you trust me so much.” Rita knelt behind Cecilia, her hands gently grasping the last layer of fabric, pulling it down to her knees.
“I don’t trust you, just like you have no loyalty to me. What you want is power and money. But luckily, I have enough money to buy all your time, and my offer is higher than anyone else’s.”
Cecilia stepped forward, freeing herself from the fabric in Rita’s hands, then gathered her hair and turned to face her.
“Especially since I don’t know how much time I have left.”
Rita had no mind to listen to Cecilia’s words.
The overwhelming sight before her froze her thoughts.
Everything—was exposed!
A small chest that could be opened with one hand, a slender waist curve as fragile as if it could be toppled with a mere push, and beneath the collarbone, a faintly glowing, mysterious, intricate pattern.
Huh? Does the princess also have silver markings? Though the location seemed off.
No! Doesn’t this princess have any shame?!
Well, maybe not.
Cecilia bit her lower lip slightly, her fingers trembling faintly, and a subtle blush coloring her skin.
Facing Rita like this, Cecilia was shy too.
The last time Rita misunderstood the phrase “become mine,” Cecilia’s reaction had been amusing.
Rita truly feared Cecilia’s aura, but sometimes, when the innocent princess tried to act composed, Rita found her endearing.
Cecilia gave Rita a slight glare. “Fold my clothes neatly and put them in the basket. Give them to the Laundry Worker when you’re done. And—are you waiting for me to help you undress?”
Helping the princess bathe wasn’t as complicated as Rita had imagined.
She picked up the lessons quickly.
She used a small bucket filled with hot water to wet Cecilia’s body, applied various scented bath liquids mixed with spices to her hair and skin, then rinsed it all off—pretty much like a normal bath.
What troubled Rita most wasn’t the different bath liquids for different parts of the body, but the act of applying them.
Though the purpose was different, having to touch Cecilia’s body directly made her bashful.
So, she got scolded quite a few times that evening.
“Use a little more pressure.”
“You didn’t wash the inside of the thighs. Do you serve your guests this timidly?”
“Ugh… um… don’t be so lewd with your hands, I’m not your guest!”
Before long, Rita’s shyness broke down into utter frustration.
So many things to do!
She really wanted to pin Cecilia under the water and give her a good thrashing, then spread her wings and fly away.
No, better not.
Just thinking about it was enough—she didn’t have that kind of courage anyway.
Smack.
Cecilia raised her foot and gave Rita a little kick on the butt.
“You stopped moving. Were you secretly badmouthing me in your heart?”
“No, no.” Rita shook her head desperately, massaging lightly near Cecilia’s ribs with a resigned expression.
“Then what were you thinking about?” Cecilia pressed.
“Nothing.” Rita made up a reason on the spot. “Just thinking that the pattern on your chest… is kind of unique.”
As soon as she spoke, she clearly felt Cecilia’s body tremble violently.
Then Cecilia’s eyes changed completely.
Cold, angry, unfamiliar, and… fearful.
“Rita.”
Cecilia climbed up from the plush blanket she’d been lying on, quickly moving away from Rita, retreating to the corner.
“What… exactly are you?”
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