Mordred placed her hand on Mara's head with a playful, almost protective gesture before turning toward the door. Cecilia followed her, also giving a brief wave goodbye.
"See you soon. And don't get into too much trouble," Alice said in her warm, familiar voice, staying beside Mara.
Mordred simply raised a hand in farewell, and without turning back to look at them, the two of them walked out through the inn's door.
Now that they were gone, Mara noticed that even though she had only known them for two days, she already missed them.
It wasn't just the sex—though she had to admit that it had been, without a doubt, unforgettable—but the genuine human contact they had given her.
It had been the most real human connection she had ever experienced with anyone in her entire past life.
And that, added to the fact that they were the first people she had met in her new life—aside from Alice, who was now her boss—made their absence weigh heavily in the air of the room.
"Oh, dear, don't be sad. I'm sure they'll be back before you even realize it," Alice said in a soft, comforting tone as she drew closer.
"…I'm not sad," Mara replied, making a slight pout that contradicted her words.
Sometimes I think she really can see through that bandage covering her eyes, Mara thought, a faint suspicion growing stronger in her mind.
"Changing the subject, Alice… could we continue the tour of the inn? It's almost evening, and I'd like to take a bath," Mara asked, feeling her body still warm and sweaty from what had happened in bed with Rae and Emi.
"Oh, you're right, thank you for reminding me, dear. We should finish the tour as soon as possible," Alice replied, heading toward one of the doors on the first floor.
The room was right next to where Alice had fetched her outfit earlier. It didn't have much more than a small basin of water, a bucket, and a rustic drainage system that led outside the building.
"You can bathe here, dear. You can start washing while I go get the clothes Mordred gave you," Alice said calmly as she left the room.
They just left and I already miss them, Mara thought, feeling a slight pang of sadness. But just as Alice had said, they would be back sooner than she imagined.
Mara began taking off the clothes Alice had given her and proceeded to bathe.
Although it wasn't a bathtub or a shower like in her past life, bathing this way wasn't a big problem either.
She took her time, letting the cool water bring down the heat in her body.
Just as she finished rinsing, she heard a soft knock on the door.
"Mara?" Alice's voice came from the other side, followed by the sound of the door slowly opening.
Even though Alice's eyes were covered by the bandage, Mara couldn't help feeling "watched" by her, though she also had to admit that the situation stirred more lust in her than discomfort.
I wish it were night already so I could do it again with Alice, she thought to herself, secretly hoping that desire would become reality.
"Thanks," was all she said, watching as Alice left the room as if nothing had happened.
After finishing her bath, she dressed in the clothes Mordred had given her—ones she honestly felt much more comfortable in—and left the room.
In the hallway, she found Alice talking to a girl with short black hair, pale skin, and eyes deeply marked by dark circles.
When Alice noticed Mara's presence, she turned her head toward her as if she had seen her and motioned for her to come closer.
"You came out of the bath just in time, Mara. Let me introduce you to Reiko," Alice said, presenting the girl standing in front of her.
Mara simply extended her hand in greeting.
"Hi, I'm Mara. And starting today, I'll be working here," she said, putting on her best friendly smile.
"…Nice to meet you," replied the pale-skinned girl with the sad gaze.
And here I thought I was the one with the peculiar look, Mara thought to herself, with a touch of irony and amusement.