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nChapter 60

nAs I felt every time, the servants here seemed to be much more nervous in front of Izek than when Ellenia or her father were present.

nI held Izek’s shoulder tightly and looked around, with the servants moving busily. It was my first time here.

n“Is this your room?”

n“It’s shabby, but it is.”

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nAre you being sarcastic?

nMy husband’s place, which I had entered for the first time since I came here, was much grander than I had imagined. It wasn’t as fancy as I thought, but it was a place decorated with a rustic look.

nThe fur on the smooth black marble floor looked fluffy.

nThrough the square balcony, you could see the entire view of the mansion and the city at a glance like a kaleidoscope.

nThere was also a shining lighthouse at the Port of Elmos.

n“It’s just cool. It’s like a fortress.”

n“These days, it’s a fortress.”

nThere was no decoration on the wall. I thought there might be a portrait of his deceased mother, but nothing was found.

nThere wasn’t even a tapestry.

nI remembered his father said he liked art, but he must be different in many ways.

n“My lord, it’s done. M-My lady….”

n“Call Ronja.”

nI was stunned by the servant’s voice and came to my senses as I stopped looking around the room. Izek sent away all the servants and took me to the bathroom.

nI was literally puzzled.

n“Wow…….”

nAs soon as I entered the hot steamy bathroom, I couldn’t help but admire it. This was my husband’s private bathroom. You’re a real Dyke, aren’t you? What bathroom is more fancy than a room?!

nThis wasn’t just a fancy bathroom. It was a private open-air bath with hot spring water!

nThe gold-plated walls, high marble bath, and, above all, a large window on one wall were impressive.

nThe window occupied half of the wall and was covered with thick curtains.

nIf I soaked my body here and opened the window, the scenery would be amazing.

n“Watch your step.”

nWhat was going on?

nIzek left me sitting on a small staircase leading to the bathtub.

nWhat am I supposed to do? It’s safe here, so you want me to wash up safely in your bathroom?

n“My lady, are you all right?”

nI guess that’s what it is. Why is he always out of focus? That’s not what I meant!

n“Oh my God. Did you hurt your foot?”

n“I made some mistakes. It’s okay now.”

nAlthough, my chance was gone. Ugh, my progress!

nWhile I swallowed back the bitter tears, Ronja made a fuss over my feet and busily stripped me off.

nIt took time to take off the fancy dress, accessories and underwear. Her friendly and delicate touch made me feel grateful.

n“I’m going to take off the bandage. They said it would be good for healing wounds with holy water.”

nThey? Oh, the servants. It must be great to pour that precious holy water into the bathtub. What a bath for a paladin.

n“Don’t get hurt next time, my lady. It’s a waste if your pretty feet are scarred.”

n“Yes, I’ll be careful. Thank you.”

n“Well then, I’ll leave you alone.….”

n“Huh?”

nAren’t you here for my bath?

nTo my puzzled expression, Ronja also made the same puzzled expression, instead of holding up my naked clothes.

n“Are you uncomfortable?”

n“No, I don’t know why you’re here.….”

n“Ah, the Duke asked me to help you take off your clothes. And he told me to come out right away.….”

n“Oh…”

n“It’s nothing bad. If the Duke had touched your dress, it would have been ruined.”

nThat was true. The reasonable Ronja finally smiled and left. I climbed up the stairs, holding my head, with only a gown hanging on me.

nDid this mean that just because I was a girl who played around with monsters, I should stop being a child and wash myself alone?

nDon’t tell me, don’t tell me you want me to stay with you–

nNo, no, that’s not it. Even if I begged him, he wouldn’t accept.

nHe was a jerk. A cold-hearted jerk.

nYou arrogant bastard! I’m still a lady!

nI sat down and dipped my legs in the warm water, sighing in pleasure. The languor spreading from the tip of the toes was not bad. If I bathed in a place like this every day, I’d feel like a Roman emperor.

nThe bathtub was so big and beautiful. You could even swim.

n“My only condition is, tell me you’ll remember me…”

nI hummed and splashed against the water.

nOh, I want to see Popo. Griffin and the dragon. I shouldn’t show that for the sake of their safety.

n“Tell me you’ll remember me, standing in nice clothes, looking at the sunset, baby……tell me you’ll come see me again, even if it’s just your wildest dream…….”

n“There are times when I’m truly confused whether I’m married or I have a child for a wife.”

n“……Ahhh!”

nThe hum turned into a scream.

nScared, I stopped playing and turned around to see my husband, not knowing when he came in.

nStanding with one arm hanging over the bathtub railing, he looked so arrogant and hot.

nBut, why was he wearing only a white gown?

nWhere’s that naked assassin costume? I’m not disappointed at all.

n“Why are you so surprised? Did you make trouble?”

n“Oh, no. You…….”

nThe fact that you just showed up in a gown, and that I’m sitting right next to you with a gown on my bare body, how could I be okay?

nAnd this is your private bathroom.

n“Let me see your feet first.”

nHe didn’t seem to care.

nThe man approached me, who was frozen in a daze. He lowered his upper body and lifted my leg up. In the meantime, my mind became increasingly filled with terrible premonitions.

nI think he wanted to wash me off.

nYes, washing me. That’s all right. However, the problem was washing him.

nOnly his face needed washing, really!

n“I’d rather you let it soak. Wait a minute.”

nI couldn’t just blow this opportunity away in vain.

nWhen else would I be alone in the bathroom with him?

nWith such determination, I turned around and stared intently at the back of the man who touched the jade jars at the side.

nJust take it off… No, it might make a difference today.

nShould I say I’ll wash him while he washes me?

n“I forgot to tell you to bring a separate bottle of perfume. I want you to hold back even if your hair smells like me for a while.”

n“I like the way you smell.”

nIt’s all the same. Don’t you think so? I don’t care if my hair smells like a man as long as I can build a castle tonight, hehe.

n“You don’t like anything.”

n“I’m being honest.”

n“Yes, I’m sure you are. Take off your gown.”

nWhy, why do I suddenly feel like I’ve been attacked first?

nIzek, who was folding up my robe sleeve to my elbow with an indifferent look, glanced back at me.

n“What are you doing? Take off your gown and go in.”

n“…If you do this all of a sudden, I’ll be embarrassed.”

nThere was a cold silence that could hardly be expressed in words.

nUgh, it’s dangerous.

nI quickly lowered my eyes and began to take off my gown.

nDidn’t I tease you a lot today? Even though you’re a terrible character who can tear me to death at any time.

nI could feel the gaze at my back. Was he looking at the scar? To cover up quickly, I flipped my hair back and pushed my body into the water.

nDamn it, I forgot about this scar. I hope this doesn’t get in the way.

nLast time, he only saw the top of my back…

n“Is it right to wash your hair first? How do women usually go in order?”

n“I usually start with the head.”

nHis rough fingers dug into my hair.

nThe feeling of his massaging my scalp was strange. Is he going to tangle up all my hair?

n“It’s too long. I don’t know where to start.”

nI was getting scared.

nUnlike my previous life, where my hair was smooth and straight, my current hair was not only curvy but also very thick, so I had to wash it very carefully.

nIf you brush it randomly, it’ll get tangled and never come undone.

nBut wasn’t it too much to ask this ignorant knight to do such delicate work?

n“I will….”

nI tried to say I’d take care of it, but the next spooky voice caught my tongue.

n“Why, all of a sudden, are you scared?”

n“No! I’m telling you. Apply the foam from the end and brush it gently with your finger.”

nI am a doll. A doll held by a bored assassin’s ruthless grip.

nI mourned my poor hair and closed my eyes tightly to the flood of water on my head. I was an ascetic who was being baptized in the waterfall now.

n“Uhn…!”

n“Sorry. Does it hurt?”

n“Ah, it’s okay.”

nThe tangled part of the end caught on his finger, which stung my scalp.

nGet some foam on it and brush it! I’m worried that I’ll lose half my hair.

nI heard a low sigh and a clattering sound. Sneakily glancing back, my husband was frowning at his palms. The shape of the veins on his thick forearms were noticeable.

n“I’m not used to this kind of thing.”

nWhy was he saying such obvious things? When did he ever have to wash someone?

nIt was just glorious that I was the first person he experimented with, even though he’d never even washed a dog before.

n“Are you okay? Hang in there even if I’m a little clumsy.”

nSuddenly, a strange feeling came over me. It felt unfamiliar.

nHis grip on my soaked hair was rough and clumsy, but careful and sweet.

nI didn’t know if it was right to say sweet.

nIt was now a familiar thing to get help even washing my body. In Romagna, servants used to follow each move. Every single day of my life, from every little act to big ones, were reported and known.

nServants who had been engaged in such work all their lives have been surprisingly skilled and delicate.

nNevertheless, I had never felt this way before.

nCome on, wake up. You have to be careful. Don’t be mistaken. You know it’s quick to turn kindness into violence.

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n“Isn’t it hard?”

n“It’s not that hard. I didn’t know that hair would be like this. It’s not a spider web.”

nAre you saying it’s hard or not? Ah, you’re a twisted guy anyway.

n“My neck hurts a bit.”

n“I’m telling you, I’ll get there from the heads to the end.….”

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