Chapter 16: A Quiet Night
"Ah..."
I sighed with a relaxed voice while soaking in the bath. After returning from the Adventurers' Guild, I immediately prepared the bath. I placed a magic stone in a recess in the wall to raise the temperature, added water from the faucet to lower it... adjusting it like that.
Today, I made the water a bit hotter.
It feels like the tension and fatigue from diving into the labyrinth, whether it's the first time or a long time since, are being melted away in the hot water.
...How should I put it? Even though I understand it logically, there's a part of me that feels something different, like my thoughts are spinning around in my head.
Oh right, I completely forgot to ask for information about the alchemist. I need to be more attentive. When I go to the guild next time, I'll make sure to confirm it. I have many things to do, like arranging furniture and tidying up the garden. I mustn't forget.
"Theodore-sama."
As I gazed at the ceiling lost in thought, a gentle knock came from the changing room.
I took a deep breath and shifted my focus.
It's okay. I can accept things like this and move forward.
"Yes, what is it?"
"I have prepared your change of clothes here."
We conversed through the door.
"...Thank you. I think you understand, but please let Grace use the bath as well."
If I don't say that, she might end up going outside to take a bath even though we have a magic stone and a bath at home.
Some people say that it's unthinkable for servants to use the same bathroom as the master, or to have them eat at the same dining table. The steward and Catherine are like that.
It may be correct as common sense, but I have no intention of leading such a rigid lifestyle even after coming here, and there is no one who insists on such things now. It should be enough as long as they understand it externally or as a matter of dignity. There was no such thing when I lived with my mother either.
"Thank you very much. However, is it really okay?"
"...It's fine. We used to do the same when I lived with your mother."
"Yes, that's right. It brings back memories."
On the other side of the door, she seemed to have smiled a little.
"We used to take baths together in the past."
"...Did that really happen? I don't remember it well."
"Because Theodore-sama was very small. It's no wonder you don't remember."
That's a story from before I turned five, huh?
What I remember is not so much bathing together but rather Grace helping me with my bath. It was only for a short while after I was taken in by the Earl's family.
In the Earl's household, it was the duty of the servants to assist the children of the employer with their bathing and changing clothes, and Grace followed that rule as well... But after a while, I told Grace that we both didn't need it anymore.
The reason goes without saying. It was because the bruises and injuries never stopped. I didn't want to show those things to Grace.
However, I distinctly remember the sad expression Grace had when I told her she didn't have to help because I could do it myself.
"Oh, if it's alright with you, would you like me to wash your back like we used to?"
That... I wonder. Grace's voice had the tone of someone who had come up with a good idea.
...But really, I'm no longer at an age where I need help with bathing.
However, the initial reason for refusing no longer exists. If I had made Grace feel lonely because of that, I feel like it's okay to let it go today.
"It's been a while... I guess it's fine."
I wrapped a cloth around my waist and answered while sitting on the edge of the bath.
"Excuse me then."
I glanced at the bathroom door over my shoulder, and Grace rolled up her maid's sleeves and entered the bathroom.
She wet the cloth, poured liquid soap on it, and lathered it up, washing my back carefully.
It was not exactly liquid soap, but rather something similar to soap. I bought it at the market on the way back.
In the section called "Twilight Forest," which can be reached from around the 20th basement floor, there is a tree called Sabonatree growing naturally. The sap of this tree is quite excellent, and when mixed with preferred fragrances and agents, it can be formulated to be used just like soap.
"There are scars on your back."
"They're from a long time ago."
The new bruises would have already disappeared.
I have some idea about the scars that are said to be located where Grace touches me.
Her slender fingertips gently trace the scars.
"Grace... It tickles a bit."
"...I'm sorry for that."
Even though she apologized like that, for some reason, she reached her hand around my shoulder and lightly hugged me.
"...Grace?"
"――I'm sorry. This is also the same as before. Today, occasionally, the recoil from releasing the curse tool comes back... I know I can calm down like this. Please let me stay like this a little longer."
In the past, was it the same? There were times when Grace would come back from hunting and embrace me, and we would sleep together.
I have vague memories of those times. But I remember Grace. I was anxious, but as long as I was with Grace, I could sleep peacefully at night.
It was during the time when my mother passed away, before my father found out. My father was away in Termwills at that time... so he found out about my mother's death quite late.
Anyway, I didn't rely on anyone. Was Grace trying to imitate my mother? She would head into the forest in a liberated state, hunting monsters and animals... and that's how we survived.
The reason why I slept while being embraced by Grace back then... I understood it as Grace being anxious herself... and caring about me.
"Besides... Lately, Lord Theodore seems to be running alone, no matter how far. If I don't keep an eye on you like this, you might end up going somewhere someday. Please... don't push yourself too hard."
Could it be that the anxiety... is connected to the recoil of the vampiric impulse? Am I forcing Grace to do things she doesn't want to?
Or maybe, even though Grace says this, she's doing it because I seem to be emotionally damaged from today's events?
"I'm not pushing myself too hard. ...It's you, Grace, who came with me to the labyrinth. If you don't want to, just say so."
Grace probably wouldn't approve of me going to the labyrinth alone. Well, I understand that.
That's why I want to hear her true feelings properly.
"Even Lady Lisa used to fight monsters to make a living, didn't she? I think it's fine for me too. So I have no complaints about delving into the dungeon itself. Besides, this time I'll be able to accompany Lord Theodore. I can understand it much more than when I was at that house."
"Well... if you say so."
For a while, Grace was embraced from behind, but soon she pulled away and said:
"Thank you. I feel more at ease now."
"Yeah. I feel more at ease too."
"...Were you worried after all?"
"...Not to the extent of worrying. Grace, you're the same, right?"
"Yes. I don't think I was wrong."
That's also the same as Grace. It's not necessary to ask each other about how much they're thinking deep down inside, and it's not good to touch upon it either.
It's better to accept that and move forward. I don't want to be the one who gets robbed, but I also don't want to become someone who takes things away, like those people. I don't want to fall as low as them.
Warm water was poured over my shoulder, and the foam on my back was rinsed away.
"...Should I wash your hair too?"
"Ah... Well, in that case, please do."
Today... I want to spend time slowly with Grace as if we've truly gone back in time.
As Grace washes my hair, I think about such things.
After this, Grace will also take a bath. Then... let's cook together. It's different from the past when I relied on Grace for everything.