episode_0291

“…Right now, the one in the bathroom must be Edan, right?”

In front of the Blackwood family’s grand bathhouse, I checked the clothes that had been discarded in front of the bathroom before entering.

Judging by the size of the clothes, the faint scent, and the faint stains, it was undoubtedly Edan’s training uniform.

And seeing that there were no other clothes in the basket, it was clear that only Edan was inside. Besides me, the only other person who could use the bathroom with Edan in this mansion would be Harold.

“Harold confirmed that he went into the study earlier.”

It would be awkward in many ways if I went in naked and it turned out to be someone other than Edan.

Once Harold went into the study, he wouldn’t move for at least three hours, so he would probably be sitting like a statue until dinner.

With that in mind, I carefully placed my clothes in a slightly conspicuous place and entered the bathroom. Just in case someone else tried to come in, they would see our clothes and turn back.

-Creak.

“….”

As soon as I opened the bathroom door and entered, the first thing I saw was Edan’s back. There was no one else.

Edan probably noticed who had come in when the door opened just now. Although he was soaking in the tub with his back to the door, he probably didn’t know exactly who it was.

“…Father?”

“Excuse me, Young Master Edan.”

“Oh, it’s Lilith.”

“Yes, Young Master Edan.”

There was still no particular reaction, just a normal response.

He probably thought I had come in to serve him. …Of course, my intentions were completely different.

“Are you here to help me bathe? Or do you have something urgent to say?”

“No, I just came in to bathe with Young Master Edan, so please don’t worry.”

“Oh, we’re going to bathe together….”

I subtly mentioned that I was naked now, and for some reason, his reaction seemed somewhat subtle.

He seemed quite surprised when I came in to just push his back before, but now it was different.

On one hand, it was somewhat satisfying to see this reaction…but on the other hand, it was a subtle feeling.

‘Is it because it’s nothing unusual for me to come into the bathroom with him now?’

After washing and even seeing each other naked, coming into the bathroom together seemed like an everyday occurrence, judging by his attitude. It made me feel a bit uncomfortable.

Well, even if I felt uncomfortable, there was nothing I could do about it, so I just silently complained in my mind.

And in the first place, coming into the bathroom like this was to cross that ‘final line’ with Edan, so I had to endure it here.

-Creak, creak.

“….”

-Thud, thud.

“If…if you’re uncomfortable, should I leave first, Lilith?”

“Didn’t I say I came in to bathe with Young Master Edan? Are you planning to leave me alone and go out?”

“…Sorry.”

Where on earth was the exclusive maid who would kick out the owner who entered first and take over the grand bathhouse?

I deliberately made some noise while washing myself so that it could be heard, then rinsed off and quietly moved to the spot opposite Edan in front of the tub.

-Splash.

“….”

“….”

The sound of water flowing out of the tub onto the floor, accompanied by a slightly raised surface.

Edan, sitting across from me, subtly avoided my gaze, his face turning red enough to be recognizable even from a distance.

“Do you really need to be embarrassed now that we’re both naked?”

“…Lilith, are you trying to seduce me?”

“In a way, it could be considered seduction. …I didn’t come here to say that I wish Lord Edan would cover me right now or anything like that.”

“To be covered… I never forced you into anything like that.”

“Yes, that’s true. That’s why I still trust you. Even though I’m displaying my physical charm in front of you like this, Lord Edan, you have the self-control not to take advantage of me recklessly.”

“….”

Edan, unsure of how to respond to my words, quietly reaches towards his lower body. I also deliberately avoid eye contact and casually continue the conversation.

“Lord Edan.”

“Oh, yes. Lirilis.”

“Do you remember when I first ‘rewarded’ you about two years ago?”

“…If it’s a reward, then… that…”

“I’m referring to the time when I allowed you to touch my chest during your naive days.”

-Whisper, whisper.

“…I remember, so you don’t have to remind me like that.”

Turning his gaze slightly away from the mark made by two pieces of local fabric, Edan recalls memories from about two years ago.

“In that case, do you also remember the conditions I set when I allowed you to do that?”

“…If I won a match against your father in a sword duel, you would let me touch it.”

“You remember it well. Recently, I noticed that you’ve been touching me without the conditions I set, so I thought you might have forgotten.”

“…Part of it was you tempting me.”

“Yes. And part of it was you not being able to resist your desires and covering me.”

“….”

Seeing Edan quietly pondering, it seems he is somewhat aware of his actions. Lately, he has been getting closer to me without meeting the condition of ‘winning against Harold in a duel.’

Of course, I shouldn’t be encouraging Edan’s antics… but the first experience is always significant in various ways.

I hoped that he remembered the meaning of when I first allowed him to touch my chest.

“Lirilis, you said you have a preference for strong men.”

“….”

“So, the start was when I said I would allow you to touch my chest if you could win a match against our father, the strongest man in Blackwood Manor. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s correct. I’m glad you remember it well.”

“…In this case, it seems like the one who doesn’t remember is the problem. After all, I only wielded my sword sincerely because of what you said.”

“….”

“Thanks to you, I’ve reached a level that I couldn’t have imagined before. I’m truly grateful for that.”

Well, even though today’s duel was against Harold, in reality, Edan’s skills are objectively not lacking.

In fact, compared to other students of his age, he is at an unbelievable level of proficiency. Edan himself is probably well aware of that.

Within the swordsmanship department, there was no one to rival him except for the top-ranked student, Gethmyr Shagat. He always maintained a slight advantage against students ranked from 3rd to 5th place.

Having become a Sword Expert during this summer vacation, the gap between him and the other students who are not Heroes would widen even further.

It may seem like he is being overwhelmed by facing the Empire’s youngest Sword Master, Harold, who has broken all records. But in reality, even if Edan were to bring Gethmyr Shagat instead of himself, Harold would easily be brought to his knees.

Therefore, my demand for Edan to “win at least one round” by removing all restrictions may have seemed unreasonable. If I am making such a demanding request… it is only right to mention a definite reward that can fuel his enthusiasm.

“The words I gave to Edan were not just an excuse to protect my ‘saintess qualification.’”

“….”

“A strong man… or rather, I was attracted to Edan’s transformation into a stronger male.”

“….”

“That’s why I sincerely hope for Edan’s next victory. In the duel with Harold, where there are no penalties or restrictions, I mean a victory that Edan can achieve in at least one round.”

Up to this point, there was no significant change in expression. It was just verbal support.

And from now on, it was not just words for Edan, but a story about a real “reward.”

“If Edan can achieve such a victory… I don’t think I will regret giving him my ‘everything.’”

“E-Everything…?”

“Yes, everything.”

“Everything… L-Lilith’s, everything…”

Edan repeated my last words as if possessed by something.

The feeling of Edan’s heartbeats reaching me through the water was surreal. Even though we were so far apart that there was no way I could hear it.

…Perhaps, it was just my heartbeat.

“Of course, to someone like Edan, all of me, a mere maid, might just be a trivial amusement.”

“W-What are you saying! Lilith is not just a mere maid to me…!”

“For a swordsman, it is a law to prove oneself with a sword. If Edan truly has feelings for me, I believe he will show the appropriate skills to win me over.”

“….”

‘At this point, he should be sufficiently motivated.’

Deciding to deliver the message from the bathroom was to further stimulate Edan’s imagination. Showing my body while speaking would be more effective than just saying “everything.”

It was like attaching a cross-section of a masturbator to a product description on an adult goods site… No, scratch that. Even thinking about it was too lewd.

Anyway, Edan would now only have thoughts of defeating Harold in the next duel lingering in his mind.

Of course, if Harold is not an opponent that can be defeated with sheer willpower… but Edan still believes he can somehow manage it.

“I look forward to it, Edan. The moment you confidently take my most precious first experience with your skills.”

“…Yes. I look forward to it, Lilith.”

“That’s all I have to say. I’ll leave first, Edan.”

“….”

– Changing room.

After leaving Edan in a state where he “cannot come out of the bathtub,” I left him in the large bath and exited the bathroom first.

Now… all I could do was pray that Edan was as eager as I was in his desires.