"By the way, Ram—why did you two come here?"
"With all the commotion, how could we not notice? Emilia-sama was very worried about you," Ram replied.
"Doesn't that leave the mansion empty?"
"Rest easy—Roswaal-sama has returned, and Beatrice-sama is there as well."
"Right."
They chatted lightly on the way back and soon reached the village entrance, where a silver figure stood anxiously waiting.
"Shichen! Rem! Are you alright?" Emilia hurried over, eyes bright with relief.
"Do I look like I'm not?" Shichen turned as she neared and showed himself off.
He was spotless—not a scratch, not a speck of blood or dirt. It was as if he hadn't done a thing. Rem beside him, however, was another story.
"But Rem… she doesn't look alright," Emilia said, gaze full of worry.
"Emilia-sama, I'm fine. The blood is all mabeasts'," Rem said softly.
"That's good…"
Emilia exhaled, then immediately asked, "Mabeasts? What happened with mabeasts?"
"Don't panic. It's been handled—nothing to worry about," Shichen said, patting her shoulder.
"How can it be nothing? Tell me—don't you dare keep this from me!" Emilia scolded, glaring.
"Alright, alright—let's talk on the way. Rem and I would really like a bath," Shichen said, hands up in surrender.
"That's more like it… though we might not head back just yet," Emilia said, stepping aside to reveal Petra and several other children, along with villagers.
"Big brother! Are you okay?"
After a round of thanks—which delayed them a bit—they did make it back to the mansion. Roswaal was waiting at the front gate to receive them.
Shichen had already explained things to Emilia on the way; he left it to Ram to brief Roswaal. It was her job, after all.
Est and Beatrice, as carefree as ever, didn't even show worry about him. He knew they trusted him completely, but still—couldn't he at least get a welcoming pounce when he returned? A double little-loli hug—that would wipe away all fatigue.
Once Ram had the bath drawn, Shichen headed alone to the extravagant bath hall. It was enormous—absurdly spacious—with a marble-like stone tub. It was co-ed in principle, but everyone drained and refilled the tub after use—nobles' wastefulness on full display. Then again, what's the point of wealth if not to indulge?
Steam filled the room. There was no heating system in this world; they used fire-aspected mana ore. If you can imagine it, it can be done.
Without hesitation, Shichen stepped into the tub, sinking into the hot water up to his chest and settling against the edge. Heat wrapped around him; every trace of exhaustion melted away, his mind unwinding—though he wasn't especially tired.
Bathing wasn't something he preferred… unless someone joined him. He'd thought about bringing Est—that would be pure bliss—but Betty would undoubtedly tag along, too. Bathing with Betty wasn't the issue; she'd just get up to mischief, and Est might even bait her into… things. That wouldn't do. He didn't intend to suffer.
After soaking a while, he was about to get out when bare footsteps approached, slap-slap on the wet tile. Whoever it was didn't bother to conceal themselves—and they were barefoot.
Shichen didn't bother checking who it was. In this mansion, whoever came was fine. He even wondered if Betty had snuck in. But when the figure entered and he turned, he froze.
"Rem?"
"Yes," Rem nodded, walking over. Shichen couldn't help taking a longer look—she wore only a bath towel. It hid her chest, though the elegant line of her collarbones drew the eye; below, it covered half her thighs, the calves just peeking, with a hint of baby-soft roundness. The towel was white—but her skin was whiter still, with a soft pink glow. Despite her calm voice, she wasn't calm; her face held a faint blush.
"Rem, what are you doing here?" Shichen asked.
He'd imagined several possibilities—Rem hadn't been one of them.
"I… I came to scrub your back," Rem said at the edge of the pool, head bowed, voice small.
"…Don't tell me Ram put you up to this?" Shichen didn't brighten—he frowned.
"No… I came because I wanted to."
His brow relaxed. "You knew I was here?"
"Mm…" Even her ears were turning red.
"To repay me?"
"Yes…"
"I didn't do anything worth this kind of repayment."
"No. Without you, I couldn't have done anything," Rem said, lifting her head, face crimson but gaze earnest.
"Even so, you don't need to repay me like this. You know what this implies, right?"
"P-please don't worry. I'm not doing it to repay you. I truly want to—and I think it will make you happy."
"Anyone would be," Shichen admitted honestly.
"That's good, then." Rem exhaled in relief; beneath the towel, a certain rounded outline fluttered. She really did outshine Ram there.
"Since you insist, I won't pretend to be noble," Shichen said, turning and sitting up straight with his back to her.
"Yes!" Joy flickered in Rem's heart. She knelt by the pool, hands trembling as she pressed them to his back. Shichen didn't react; she, however, shivered inside. She'd never touched a man before. Shichen's back was entirely different from her sister's—form and feel alike.
Taking a deep breath, Rem steadied herself and began kneading his shoulders to ease his muscles. Feeling her small, deft hands, Shichen relaxed, leaning against the rim with his eyes closed.
"Rem…"
"Yes."
"Why did you… suddenly want to do this? You know this isn't just a simple massage, right?"
Given who they were—and where they were—this wasn't something she should be doing.
"I know… but I want to make you happy."
"You want to make me happy, huh… If you're happy, I'm very happy."
"Then I'm happy like this," Rem said with a faint smile.
"…"
"Don't worry—I only want to do this for you. I won't do it for anyone else, including Roswaal-sama," Rem added quickly.
"I wasn't worried," Shichen shook his head.
He knew Rem wasn't someone who'd do this for just anyone out of gratitude. Which meant—he'd found his way into her heart.
"That's good…"
"Don't celebrate too soon. Even if you make me happy, I'm still going to lecture you," Shichen warned.
"Mm. Then please lecture me properly afterward," Rem said, sounding genuinely pleased.
"…You have that kind of kink?"
"No!" Rem denied, flustered.
"Then why so happy?"
"Because… because you see me as an individual."
"What nonsense? Who else would I take you for?"
"No—Shichen, maybe you don't realize. Rem is weak, full of flaws, can't do anything right, can only…"
"Stop." Shichen cut her off, opening his eyes to look back at her.
"Shichen?"
"If you keep going, I will lecture you. You say you can't do anything right? Then who does all the housework? Who just took down a horde of mabeasts?"
"But without me, you could have…"
"Forget what others can do. The point is you did it. Not anyone else."
"I…"
"Why are you so lacking in confidence?" he pressed.
"Rem is a useless, talentless oni, the one who holds the clan back. No matter how I try, I can't reach Sister. If I want to catch up, I can only… run faster," she said softly, voicing her heart.
"Rem, you're not useless or talentless. In my eyes, you're exceptional—far stronger than your sister."
"Only you would think that…" Rem pursed her lips, secretly pleased.
"What do you mean? Everyone in this house thinks so. You do the housework—are you going to deny that?"
"It's just chores… Sister would do them better."
"There you go again… Why do you worship your sister so much?"
"I… Shichen, would you be willing to listen?" Rem hesitated, then asked.
"Mm."