Everyone gathered around the table to share a delightful dinner, after which it was ti to take a bath. But before that, Henry and his siblings headed to the training area, as they claid that a knight’s duty was also to be able to move and act even if it was right after eating.
That did not apply to ilin though.
“I already took a bath yesterday, so I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
“No no, that won’t do. That was yesterday, and today is today.”
She was currently arguing with Vanessa.
ilin had always hated taking baths, while Vanessa would not allow that, especially after her usual training coupled with the violent fight with Mira. Vanessa found it outrageous to not take a bath after all that, and was insistent on keeping the house guest in a presentable condition.
“Then I’ll take one tomorrow. That’ll be even better.”
Not even ilin believed the words out of her mouth as she attempted to run away, only to find her escape blocked by a Holy Knight’s shield.
Seeing the unexpected obstacle made ilin take a quick evasive maneuver, which also happened to be her downfall as Vanessa jumped in to take hold of her, after which other maids also gathered to restrain her and take her away.
“That was an! You traitor!!”
The maids carried ilin off to the bathroom as she shouted with indignation, and Mira just watched that while pretending not to know what she was talking about. But then it was Mira’s turn.
“Thank you for your assistance, Lady Mira. Allow to accompany you to the bathroom as well.”
Vanessa also wanted to take Mira there.
That made her freeze in place. Usually Mira would have happily obliged and taken a bath with all the maids, except for one factor that was different here.
It was ilin, a girl who knew Mira’s true identity. Then again, considering her usual behavior, ilin would not think much of taking a bath together.
The main issue was how loose her mouth tended to be.
It was only a matter of ti before ilin would bring up how gleefully Mira took a bath with her and the maids, and if soone like Kagura happened to be present, she would forever look at Mira with disgust.
“No, I just…”
At the sa ti, it was a bit late to start worrying about such things. Still, Mira wanted to cling to her past dignity and began to stamr, which Vanessa noticed.
“Or…could it be that you also detest baths, Lady Mira..?”
Vanessa cared for her guests wholeheartedly and would not allow them to remain in an unwashed state. In response Mira rapidly shook her head “No no no, that’s not it, I love taking baths!” and tried to find a way out.
“It’s just…right, the garden. I’m still a bit worried about it. We had to nd it in a hurry, rember? I’d like to go see how it’s holding up so far, but then I might get dirty again being there, so I figured I’d wait until later to take a bath.”
She rapidly mouthed off the first excuse that occurred to her, and it seed like focusing on the garden made it especially effective, as Vanessa’s stern gaze softened.
“In that case I’ll go with you too!”
Or rather, it ended up being too effective, as Vanessa was the main maid in charge of the garden, and she also wanted to see how it was doing.
“Oh, you don’t have to…or rather, you know, I might end up using so secret summon…”
Special abilities kept secret were common in this world, not just amongst spellcasters. Even the Adams Family had a few passed down through their lineage. And as a servant of the Adams Residence, Vanessa was well aware of that, and rescinded as soon as Mira hinted at it.
“If that’s the case…I understand.”
She turned around, looking a bit disappointed, and headed to the bathroom instead.
Once she was gone, Mira let out a sigh of relief, and then headed out to the garden, to give at least so credibility to her excuse.
(Hmmm… Maybe I should’ve gone on the offensive instead when that happened…)
She gave the lawn and plants a cursory glance, as she had claid she would do, and then switched gears to review her fight with ilin, thinking back to the abilities she used, the timing of her summons, and the general tactics she used and the alternatives that could have been more effective.
The fight itself had provided plenty of information, as expected from a formidable opponent like ilin. Mira had been able to try out various new abilities and tactics, and get clear results on how effective they were, and what she could improve. There were also plenty of other things she wanted to test in the future.
She continued thinking about random things like that as she wandered around the garden.
“It’s Miraaaaaaa!”
“Co with us, we’ll take a bath together!”
Then suddenly loud voices ca from the training area, as four small shadows scurried out into the garden. They were the kids who had just finished their post-dinner training and were heading to take a bath, which was when they spotted Mira and tried to bring her along.
“Hey hey, don’t pull on like that, I’ll go, okay?”
Cinthia and Rosemary clung onto Mira’s arms and began tugging on her. anwhile the boys Ryan and Fabian were looking at her with starry eyes, begging her to tell them stories of her adventures while they took a bath.
Henry and his parents were a distance away, looking at her apologetically, but also lowering their head slightly, entrusting her with the kids. By then there was no way for Mira to back out.
By the ti Mira got there, ilin and the maids had already finished bathing, as they were nowhere to be seen. She was slightly disappointed by that, as she even had the perfect excuse of saying she just wanted to watch after the kids. But then she looked around and nodded in approval, saying “Now this is good!” being impressed by the bath that looked straight out of a hot spring resort.
It really was a magnificent bathroom, which made sense for the mansion of a noble family. And then her admiration was interrupted by the excited voices of children. Despite the nice bathroom, she would not get to enjoy it calmly.
(Sohow I feel like I keep ending up having to watch over kids lately…)
Regardless of those thoughts, she still took care of them, and once they all settled down, the third son Fabian began insisting on hearing about Mira’s adventures, the places she had visited, or dungeons she went through. She obliged, telling them about the Forest of Praying Children, the Abandoned City in the Sky, the Libra Fortress, the Ancient Underground City, and so on, eventually getting carried away and even telling them things that happened back when she was still Danbulf.
“That’s so cool! I also want to go to a bunch of dungeons when I beco an adventurer like you!”
Fabian was deeply inspired by all those stories, dreaming about experiencing similar adventures himself. He already pictured himself becoming a world class adventurer, finding a legendary treasure, then buying a flying ship to go on even more adventures around the world.
“That’s splendid. Then the first step will be becoming stronger, so you can not only protect your companions, but yourself as well.”
Children had nearly endless potential for their futures, and Mira reaffird that as she patted Fabian’s head. He replied with a bright smile while saying “Yes, I’ll beco really strong!” showing he was also confident he could attain the future he dread of so dearly.
Next to him was Ryan, who looked rather pensive. his eyes locked on Mira as he thought *”I guess strong n are always better.”*
“Umm umm…you were also in the fight against Chira Clauzen, right? Does that an…did you get to et Jack Grave there?!”
When Mira was largely done telling her stories, the eldest sister Cinthia asked that. She was still young, but her eyes were already full of admiration.
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