Chapter 498: Enchantingly Silky Hair

It was still far too early in the season to be bathing outside. So, instead, I decided to borrow the bath that was being cleaned. There was even a shower here, after all.

As Fabienne and I made our way toward the bath, Mira, sensing something, came literally flying over.

“Kyuu, kyuu!”

“Now, Mira, I’m not going to play with Fabienne. We’re about to test out something new I made.”

“Oh my, and what sort of experiment might that be?”

“Mother!”

Mira was not the only one who had come over. That made sense, since Mira had spent the morning with Mother. Lately, they often stayed by her side, perhaps out of consideration, as though they did not want to intrude on my time with Fabienne.

…No, that was not it. A piece of dried fruit was stuck to Mira’s cheek. I see. Mother had been feeding them snacks.

Mother’s eyes then turned toward the things in my hands.

“Julius, what are you holding there? Is it a new potion?”

“No. This is called shampoo and conditioner—a daily-use product for washing hair. I’ve just finished making it, so I was about to test it.”

“And that’s why you and Fabienne were headed to the bath. My, my, I see. I quite misunderstood.”

What sort of misunderstanding was that supposed to be? I didn’t even want to ask. Could she really have thought I was about to do something indecent with Fabienne in the bath? Outrageous.

Well… to be fair, I would get to admire Fabienne in her swimsuit, so I wasn’t entirely without ulterior motives.

Mother tilted her head thoughtfully, as though considering something.

“Julius, Fabienne dear, would you mind if Mira and I joined in and tried it as well?”

“Kyuu?”

“Of course, Mother.”

“But of course.”

Apparently, Mother considered my behaviour suspicious and had no intention of leaving us unsupervised. At the same time, she was clearly curious about the new hair-washing product.

After sending for Mother’s swimsuit, we finally headed toward the bath. I nearly panicked when she tried to go without one.

Sadly, this was also where we had to part ways with Nero. He asked to be excused, and I could hardly force him to join us when everyone else would be wearing swimsuits.

“Nero could’ve just come along with us,” I muttered.

“Kyuu.”

“He’s already part of the family, after all,” Fabienne added.

Remembering how firmly Nero had refused, Fabienne gave a wry smile. I was probably making the same face. Why did he have to be so stubborn?

“Have I kept you waiting?” Mother asked.

“No, we were just about to begin. Since we’re only washing our hair, the shower will be enough.”

“All right.”

“Then I’ll go first. It should be fine, but just in case.”

As I began to wash my hair, Mother immediately lent her hands. Truly a mother through and through. Fabienne also joined in to help.

Thanks to them, it didn’t take long at all to finish.

“After rinsing out the shampoo, we work in the conditioner. It is more effective if we leave it for a while, so we can wash everyone else’s hair in the meantime. The shampoo seems to be working perfectly.”

Next came Fabienne. This time, Mother and I worked together on her long hair. What a task it must be for women to manage this on their own.

Once the conditioner had been worked through Fabienne’s hair, it was Mother’s turn. Naturally, Fabienne and I washed hers together.

“To think the day would come when my son and future daughter-in-law washed my hair,” Mother said with a chuckle.

“Well, usually the servants do it, after all.”

“This shampoo feels quite different from soap, doesn’t it? My fingers glide so smoothly through it.”

“I adjusted it to improve that. Soap tends to leave hair rough and stiff—it’s not good for it.”

Soap was enough to clean hair, but I had always thought it did more harm than good. I had never paid much attention, but the women usually applied some kind of oil afterwards. Whether that truly helped, I could not say.

I rinsed Mother’s hair thoroughly and worked in the conditioner. Everything was ready.

“Last is Mira—come on over.”

“Kyuu!”

All three of us washed Mira together, and their entire body quickly puffed up with suds. We scrubbed and lathered their coat before working in the conditioner. Judging by how content Mira looked, they did not dislike shampoo at all. I was glad they were naturally clean.

“And that’s that. By now, it should be about time to rinse mine out.”

“Then let’s see how it feels. I’m excited.”

“So am I.”

Their voices sparkled with anticipation. The shampoo alone had probably made them realise that this was entirely different from washing with soap.

For me, it was more a wave of nostalgia—“Ah yes, this is how it felt.”

Good thing I had developed the shower as well; it made rinsing hair effortless.

“My goodness!”

“This is…!”

Mother and Fabienne ran their hands over my hair again and again, savouring the silky texture with wide-eyed wonder.

“Um, may I have my head back now? Next is Fabienne.”

We switched places, seating Fabienne to rinse her hair.

Yes, it was as smooth as silk. The kind of hair you could never get tired of touching. Opportunities to run my fingers through her hair had been rare, so I couldn’t resist indulging now.

“Um, Julius-sama?”

“Julius, that’s a bit much. Don’t overdo it.”

“M-my apologies. It just felt so incredibly smooth…”

“Well, I can hardly blame you,” Mother admitted.

Even so, she herself was gently stroking Fabienne’s hair as well, though with a tender, caring touch. Ah, so that’s how you’re meant to do it. I’ll have to take notes.

After thoroughly enjoying ourselves, we moved on to Mother. This time, Fabienne and I rinsed her hair together. Fabienne herself seemed entranced.

“It’s just like silk…”

“You think so too, Fabienne?”

So it was not just me. The effect truly was astonishing, although that was probably natural when the ingredients were also used in magic potions. The results were on an entirely different level.