After a warm dinner, Lucan looked at Maris. She was undeniably dirty and clearly needed a bath. Her clothes were tattered, and her skin was covered in grime.
Lucan went to the bathroom, filled the bathtub with water, and used magic to heat it to the perfect temperature.
"Maris, come here," he called out. When she arrived, he looked at her with a gentle but firm expression. "Take a bath and clean yourself."
Maris looked at the water, flinched, and took a step back. "Um... I don't want to," she said softly.
"Why not?" Lucan asked, puzzled.
"It's... I don't want to... It's scary," she said, shaking her head.
Lucan paused to think. He realized that a bath was a luxury only the rich could afford. Nobles bathed daily, while ordinary people bathed twice a week, once a week, or even less frequently. Maris was likely one of those who rarely bathed, unfamiliar and uncomfortable with the idea.
"You need to clean yourself, don't you?" Lucan asked gently.
"Um, well... I can clean myself at the well. I can go there," she said, turning to leave, but Lucan gently stopped her.
"Wait," Lucan sighed. "First of all, it's night. Second, it's cold. Be a good girl and take a bath here, in warm water. You'll like it."
Maris looked at Lucan, then at the bath, and nodded hesitantly. She grabbed his hand and asked, "Will you come with me?"
Lucan nodded, "Okay, I will. So, go and take off your clothes."
Lucan hadn't bathed in the last two days, so it was a good time for him to bathe as well. He had no inappropriate interest in her, so it didn't matter take bath with 10 years old.
He took off his clothes, leaving only a towel to cover his private parts. Maris, with some reluctance, took off everything, standing nude and vulnerable.
Lucan looked at her and frowned, noticing many scars on her body. "Maris, come here," he said, kneeling down.
Maris walked over to him, and when she was close, Lucan put his hand on her head and cast a healing spell. A soft, warm light enveloped her.
All the scars on her body disappeared, making her skin flawless and smooth.
"Um... This... all the pain disappeared," Maris said, stunned.
"I made it disappear. From now on, there won't be any pain," Lucan said with a reassuring smile.
Maris's eyes filled with tears as she cried. Lucan couldn't help but think, Why is she always crying? Such a crybaby. But he understood her feelings and why this was such an emotional moment for her.
After this, he wrapped a cloth around her lower body and led her to the bath. He helped her into the tub, making sure she was comfortable.
He made her sit on a small stool and poured hot water over her body, using a wooden bucket.
"Ky..." she screamed, startled by the sensation.
"Was it too hot?" Lucan asked, confused. He knew he had made the water the right temperature.
"No... It's... strange," she said, her voice trembling.
Lucan realized it was her first time experiencing hot water. He poured the water more gently this time, letting her adjust to the sensation. After a few moments, he took a soft cloth and soaped it up, then began to gently scrub her skin, removing the layers of dirt and grime. He was careful and methodical, making sure not to miss any spots. He washed her back, her arms, her legs, and even her feet. When he got to her hair, he used a mild shampoo, working up a lather and massaging her scalp.
Maris began to relax, her initial fear giving way to a sense of comfort. The warm water and gentle scrubbing felt soothing.
After thoroughly cleaning her, Lucan rinsed off the soap with more warm water. He then poured water on himself, soaped up, and washed quickly. After rinsing away the soap, he took Maris by the hand and helped her into the tub, joining her in the hot water.
The warmth enveloped them, and Lucan leaned back, closing his eyes. Maris, too, seemed to be enjoying the bath, splashing the water gently and smiling.
"It's nice, isn't it?" Lucan asked, opening one eye to look at her.
Maris nodded, a genuine smile on her face. "Yes, it's very nice."
They stayed in the bath for a while, enjoying the warmth and the peace it brought. For Maris, it was a new and pleasant experience.
When they finally got out, Lucan wrapped Maris in a large, fluffy towel, drying her off carefully. He then handed her his shirt, which fit her eniter body perfectly.
"Here, put these on," he said.
Maris took the shirt and got dressed.