Kays Translations

Chapter 411: The Relationship Between the Two

Dinner ended on a reasonably successful note. Afterwards came bath time, and I intended to use the opportunity to bathe with Axel and Ijidol and press them for answers.

However, something unexpected happened.

“Huh? Fabienne is taking a bath with us too?”

“Yes. I brought a swimsuit, so there shouldn’t be any problem, right?”

Fabienne’s eyes wavered uncertainly. She was probably uneasy about being left alone. I was the only person here she could truly rely on, while I was already close to Axel and Ijidol and knew Caro as well. It would take a little longer for Fabienne to become comfortable with everyone.

“Alright, Fabienne. Let’s take a bath together. Nero, could you check the bath time for us?”

“It will be in thirty minutes.”

Nero swiftly took out a pocket watch and checked the time. It seemed he had already memorized the schedule. When did he do that? Did he check during dinner? As expected of Nero.

While we waited, I prepared my swimsuit. I was glad I had brought it; there had been few chances to bathe properly on the journey to House Mulan’s estate. I intended to make the most of this opportunity.

When bath time arrived, Fabienne and I naturally bathed together. A servant who had accompanied us from House Heine skilfully erected a partition between us.

Even though I knew I could not see through it, my gaze kept drifting towards the partition. That was simply how boys were. Mira looked at me as though to say, “I can go over there. Is there a problem?” and trotted over to Fabienne. Guh…

Once I had changed, I entered the bath with Nero. It was about the same size as the bath at House Heine. Perhaps baths had a standard size.

“There doesn’t seem to be a shower magic tool here. Have they not spread this far yet?”

“It appears so. I think it’s a wonderful magic tool, though.”

“The only way to spread awareness is by word of mouth. It’d be nice if we could advertise it.”

“Advertise?”

“Ah, no, it’s nothing.”

Advertising would require printing technology. Copying everything onto paper by hand would be far too inefficient. With so many varieties of magic tool in this world, it was strange that printing magic tools did not exist.

Then it occurred to me: literacy rates were probably low. Written advertisements had little value if few people could read them. That would have to improve as the education system developed. If every child could attend school, literacy would naturally rise.

While I was lost in thought, Fabienne entered carrying Mira. The accompanying servants were also wearing swimsuits, so there was nowhere awkward for my eyes to settle. Even so, my gaze still wandered a little.

Fabienne glanced around the bath and then lowered her voice.

“There isn’t a shower magic tool, is there?”

“Kyuu.”

“It seems so. Ah, I can help wash your hair. Believe it or not, I’m good at producing water with magic.”

“Oh my, then I’ll be counting on you. Julius-sama, you really can do anything.”

Her pleased tone told me I had made the right suggestion. Washing Fabienne’s long silver hair would be difficult, but using magic to produce a shower-like stream would make it much easier.

With the servants’ help, I immediately began washing Fabienne’s hair. She apparently had not been able to wash it properly during the journey. I had thought it looked clean, but the rinse water was dirtier than expected. Afterwards, however, her hair gleamed beautifully.

“Julius-sama, you’re quite skilled at this.”

“Well, yes. I’ve used this method to wash my hair and body while travelling.”

“Um… from now on, would it be alright if we bathed together even during our travels?”

“Wha—! If you’re fine with it, I don’t mind, but…”

Was this really all right? We would not always have a private place to change while travelling, and without one, there would naturally be nowhere to change into swimsuits either.

Freshly washed and refreshed, Fabienne nestled against me. People in this world matured rather quickly in certain respects. It was a little troubling.

“Should we install a shower magic tool?”

“I think that would be wonderful, but don’t we lack the tools needed to make one?”

“That’s the problem. We have neither the equipment nor a workshop, and preparing everything for a single tool would be wasteful. What should we do?”

“I know! Why don’t we borrow the magic-tool workshop in the territorial capital?”

“I see, that’s an option. I’ll consult with them later.”

Fabienne looked delighted. Seriously, my future wife was far too adorable.

On our way to the salon after the bath, we unexpectedly ran into Axel and Ijidol. Seeing Fabienne and me still flushed from bathing, their eyes and mouths opened wider than I had ever seen. Were they all right?

“J-J-J-Julius, don’t tell me…?”

“Yeah. We just took a bath together.”

“Wait, you… What an outrageous thing to do…!”

“Outrageous? We were both wearing swimsuits, so there’s no problem.”

“Swimsuits?”

I explained swimsuits to the two of them. As they listened, their bright-red faces gradually returned to normal, and for some reason they sighed with relief. I was becoming very curious about what sort of person they thought I was.

“Oh, so that’s what you meant. Could you show me this swimsuit sometime?”

“Of course, I don’t mind. If you wear one, we could all take a bath together.”

“All together…?”

Axel’s face reddened, so I could more or less guess what he was imagining. He was clearly interested. This was the perfect moment to press him.

“By the way, Axel, how far have you gotten with Caro?”

I stepped half a pace closer. Axel immediately looked away—the reaction of someone hiding something. Beside him, Ijidol lowered his gaze and raised both hands helplessly.

Axel clearly did not want to admit anything, but as his friend, I needed to settle the matter for Caro’s sake.

“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about! Right, Ijidol?”

“How far have you two progressed?”

“What?! Betrayal?!”

Axel had plainly not expected that answer. His eyes widened as he stared at Ijidol as though he had just seen a demon. Ijidol could only smile wryly.

“It’s not betrayal. Just give up already. I think everyone’s noticed by now.”

“Caro still thinks no one has figured it out, though.”

“You two really are alike,” Fabienne giggled.

They truly were a well-matched pair. Axel looked from one of us to another before his shoulders slumped in defeat. Complete victory.

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