Strong Motivation (2)

‘…The one in the bath right now is definitely Ethan, right?’

In front of the Blackwood family’s large bath. Just before entering, I checked the clothes left outside the bathroom one last time.

The size of the clothes, the faint stains, and the lingering scent-there was no doubt they were Ethan’s training uniform.

And since there were no other clothes in the basket, it was certain that Ethan was the only one inside. After all, aside from me, Harold was the only other person in this mansion who could use the bath with Ethan.

‘I already confirmed Harold went into his office earlier.’

It would be awkward if I went in naked only to find someone other than Ethan inside.

Harold, once he enters his office, usually doesn’t move for at least three hours, so he’d likely be sitting there like a statue, handling mansion affairs until dinner.

With that thought, I neatly placed my own clothes in a slightly noticeable spot before stepping into the bath-just in case someone else came by, they’d see both our clothes and turn back.

*Click.*

“…….”

The first thing I saw upon opening the bathroom door was the back of Ethan’s head. No one else was inside.

Ethan must have noticed someone entering from the sound of the door, though he couldn’t see who it was since his back was turned while soaking in the tub.

“…Father?”

“It’s me, Young Master Ethan.”

“Ah, Lilith.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

His response was calm, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

He probably thought I’d come in to assist with bathing or something. …Of course, my intentions were entirely different.

“Did you come to help me wash? Or is there something urgent you need to say?”

“No. I simply came in to bathe together with you, so please don’t mind me.”

“Ah, ah… T-to bathe together…?”

I subtly hinted that I was currently naked, but his reaction was oddly muted.

I distinctly remember how startled he used to be even when I just came in to scrub his back. But now…

Part of me was happy about this reaction, but another part felt strangely conflicted.

‘Does this mean sharing a bath with me has become so normal for him?’

His attitude almost seemed to say that after everything we’d done-sucking, licking, and seeing each other naked-sharing a bath was just part of daily life now.

It stung a little, though I couldn’t exactly do anything about it other than silently grumble to myself.

Besides, the whole reason I’d come into the bath was to push Ethan past that “final line,” so I had no choice but to endure it.

*Scrub, scrub.*

“…….”

*Splash, splash.*

“…U-uh, if it’s uncomfortable, should I leave first, Lilith?”

“Didn’t I say I came in to bathe with you, Young Master Ethan? Are you really thinking of leaving me here alone?”

“…Sorry.”

Where in the world would you find an exclusive maid who kicks out the master who entered first and takes over the bath?

I deliberately made sure my washing sounds were audible before rinsing off and stepping into the tub across from Ethan.

*Splash.*

“…….”

“…….”

The sound of water spilling over the edge and hitting the floor.

Ethan, sitting across from me, awkwardly averted his gaze, his face flushed enough to be noticeable even from a distance.

“There’s no need to be shy about nudity at this point, is there?”

“…Lilith, are you teasing me right now?”

“In a way, you could call it teasing. …Though I didn’t come here to say something like, ‘Young Master Ethan, I wish you’d pounce on me right now.'”

“P-pounce?! I’ve never forced myself on you like that.”

“Yes, you say that. That’s why I still trust you. Even if I flaunt my naked body in front of you like this, I believe Young Master Ethan will restrain himself and not recklessly take me.”

“…….”

Ethan, unsure how to respond, quietly moved his hands below the water. I deliberately avoided looking in that direction and continued speaking nonchalantly.

“Young Master Ethan.”

“Ah, yes. Lilith.”

“Do you remember two years ago, when I first gave you a ‘reward’?”

“…Reward? You mean, that…”

“Back when you were still immature, I allowed you to touch my chest.”

*Jiggle, jiggle.*

“…I remember, so you don’t have to shake them in front of me like that.”

Ethan, averting his gaze from the ripples caused by the two mounds of flesh, recalled the memory from two years ago.

“Then, do you also remember the condition I set for allowing that?”

“…If I won a single sparring match against Father, you’d let me touch them.”

“You remember well. I was worried you might have forgotten, seeing how often you touch them these days without fulfilling the condition.”

“…Half the time, it’s because Lilith teased me.”

“Yes. And the other half is because Young Master Ethan couldn’t resist his desires and pounced.”

“…….”

Ethan fell silent, which meant he was at least somewhat aware of it. Lately, the frequency of our intimacy without him fulfilling the condition of “winning against Harold” had been increasing.

Of course, as the one indulging his whims, I wasn’t in a position to complain… but the first experience was still important in many ways.

I wanted him to remember the significance of when I first allowed him to touch my chest.

“Lilith, you said you liked strong men.”

“…….”

“So, if I could win even one match against Father-the strongest in the Blackwood mansion-you’d let me touch your chest. That was how it started, right?”

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

“…In this case, forgetting would be the real problem. Honestly, the reason I started swinging my sword seriously was because of what you said back then.”

“…….”

“Thanks to you, I reached a level I never could’ve imagined before. For that, I’m truly grateful.”

Well, even though he lost today’s spar because his opponent was Harold, Ethan’s skills weren’t objectively lacking.

In fact, compared to other students his age, his progress was absurdly fast. He probably knew that better than anyone.

Within the swordsmanship department, aside from the Hero Gyeotmwa Josyegigot, no one could rival him. Against students ranked 3rd to 5th, he consistently maintained a slight edge in victories.

Now that he’d bloomed into a Sword Expert during this summer break, the gap between him and the other students (excluding the Hero) would only widen.

It was just that his opponent happened to be Harold-the youngest Sword Master in the empire, a man who shattered every record-making Ethan’s losses seem overwhelming. Even if Gyeotmwa Josyegigot were brought in, Harold would still make him kneel effortlessly.

So, my demand for him to win “even one match” against Harold with no restrictions might have felt unreasonable to Ethan. But if I was making such a demand… it was only fair to offer a reward that would truly ignite his motivation.

“What I told you back then wasn’t just an excuse to protect my ‘qualifications as a Saintess.'”

“…….”

“Strong men… or rather, watching you, Young Master Ethan, grow stronger was genuinely attractive to me.”

“…….”

“That’s why I sincerely hope for your next victory. A single win against Master Harold in a spar with no penalties or restrictions.”

So far, his expression hadn’t changed much. Just words of encouragement.

But what I was about to say next wasn’t just words-it was about the real “reward” meant solely for Ethan.

“If Young Master Ethan can achieve that victory… I think I’d be willing to give you ‘everything’ without regret.”

“E-everything…?”

“Yes, everything.”

“Everything… Lilith’s… everything…”

Ethan repeated my last words like a man entranced.

Through the water, I could almost feel the pounding of his heart. Even though, at this distance, there was no way I could actually hear it.

…Maybe it was my own heartbeat I was feeling.

“Of course, the ‘everything’ of a mere maid like me might just be trivial amusement to you, Young Master.”

“W-what are you saying?! Lilith, to me, you’re not just some maid…!”

“A swordsman must prove himself with his blade. If Young Master Ethan truly has feelings for me, I believe you’ll show me the strength worthy of taking me.”

“…….”

‘This should be enough motivation.’

I’d deliberately chosen the bath to deliver this message because I wanted to stimulate Ethan’s imagination further. Simply saying “everything” wouldn’t have the same impact as saying it while showing him my body.

Like how adult toy websites include cross-section diagrams of their products to entice buyers-no, cancel that. Even I thought that was too lewd of a comparison.

Anyway, this would ensure Ethan’s mind would be occupied with nothing but thoughts of defeating Harold in their next spar.

Of course, Harold wasn’t an opponent you could beat through sheer willpower alone… but if it was Ethan, I believed he could somehow pull it off.

“I’ll be looking forward to it, Young Master Ethan. The moment you rightfully claim my most precious first experience with your strength.”

“…Yeah. I won’t let you down, Lilith.”

“That’s all I wanted to say. I’ll take my leave first, Young Master Ethan.”

“…….”

*Splash.*

Leaving Ethan behind in the bath-still in a state where he “couldn’t get out”-I stepped out first.

Now, all I could do was pray that Ethan would be as driven by desire as I hoped.