That could be the way to praise a man, but that is not the obvious way to compliment a lovely lady.

..Huh..

He had never been in a relationship nor had he seen a woman this close. It was a long way to go to teach someone who didnt even know that such feelings existed in the world. Moreover, the road to the capital was getting shorter.

Shall we concentrate on beauty instead of the ability?

Beauty. Theyre all pretty.

Tell me more about it.

This time, Kalcion leaned his back and scanned her features as if he was enjoying a painting.

Hmm.

It seemed to have become more difficult because beauty was included in the standard of viewing.

You were having a better view of my eyes that way.

Ah, thats how it is. Then, your straight nose is beautiful.

Uh-huh.

Your red lips look pretty because theyre thick.

Great.

Its fascinating that your jawline falls smoothly without a single square. Ah, I mean, thats why you look pretty.

It was starting to unravel one by one. Kalcion easily made them out.

Finally, the Northern Dukes eyes seemed to have begun to open. Selena nodded as if she were a parent whose child had finally met with her expectations.

Right, right.

I find you charming because your neck is so thin and long, and you dont have any blemishes on your skin.

Okay, well, I think you definitely recognized that Im pretty. What do you usually do when you see something pretty?

..? When I see.

A difficulty, again. However, Selena was not frustrated.

Like when you land your eyes on beautiful flowers in a garden?

What do you see?

So pretty that

She couldnt think of anything more.

She felt stressed. Similar to the time when she couldnt even make a joke when she filmed a close-up entertainment program for three days, and when she was so tired that she couldnt even joke around.

Was there really something called pretty in the world? Wasnt beauty an illusion? Was she trying to convince Kalcion of the illusion?

She straightened her shoulders.

Uh, lets get to it slowly. I cant think of anything because Im low on sugar.

Do you need a snack?

I need a chill.

A mental evocation to escape the curse of beauty.

Kalcion opened the carriage window very steadily, letting the cold air and soil dust from the field to venture in. She could thank him in many ways.

***

The carriage arrived in a very small village at sunset.

Dunfel, where they had lunch, was fairly a large city. Selena realized only when she looked at the new town.

It was so small that there were several houses lined up on both sides of the road. The carriage was standing on the side of the road.

We will lodge here for one night and leave tomorrow morning.

Here?

If you looked out of the window, you could spot the Saindart Mountains shining under the early moonlight.

This is the best place to stay on the street.

When Kalcion knocked on the door, the knights opened it from outside.

An old man was waiting in front of the carriage. At first glance, he seemed to be an ordinary person, far from a caretaker. The village seemed too small to deploy a caretaker than an old man, who appeared to be the village representative.

Behind the man was a small crowd likely to have come from the entire village town.

Welcome, Your Excellency, the Duke. Please come in.

I must have given you a hard time to get things prepared.

There is no such thing that pleases me other than the honor of serving His Excellency.

It seemed he was the first person to deliver such an etiquette phrase.

Then, I will show you the way.

There was nothing too decorative about the welcoming.

Thanks to Kalcions unnecessary kindness in opening the window, she was covered in slight dirt, but it was the same with all the people anyway.

The arrival event ended wordlessly, unlike the manager in Dunfel. Kalcion did not even ask for the old mans name. It was just a village he was passing by. Selena followed them with ease.

She saw houses with the sign Dormitory beside her. The carriage stood in the courtyard of the largest and tallest house among them.

Theres a place where we could wash ourselves in, right?

Judging from the appearance of the villagers, it didnt seem they had a good time to wash off themselves.

I have prepared a bath for you two. Ill guide you to the well.

It didnt seem like one could even wash up. She heaved a sigh, walking into the building.

It was a one-night stay, but there should be no inconvenience in the Dukes residence. The maids and servants followed, carrying the luggage.

The bath water is prepared over there.

The maids guided Kalcion and Selena together.

Do they have two bathrooms?

She wasnt so sure. Eventually, they guided them to a well, not a bathhouse.

Dont tell me. You didnt think we could take a bath together since we slept together, did you?!

She flinched as she walked into the bathroom with an uneasy mind.

She was half-way right.

There were two tubs placed in an empty space separated by a screen in the middle. It avoided the need to go into one tub, but it was no different from taking a bath together.

Although there was a screen, shadows could be seen through because light was filtering in from both sides.

In the same..room?

Selena blushed as Juna sent her a subtle look.

Yes.. I guess this is what that old man had prepared when he was told that the Duke and you were coming. You appear to not like it.

Normally, the maids would say it was good. But, in case there was a spy, Selena had to act her part nicely now. Just like how she did in her thin garment.

She actually wanted to run away, but she was working now. This was just acting. She opened her eyes, which she had closed for a while in the hopes of calming herself.

Oh, great.. Im nervous.

Aw, youre nervous, now?

But.. its our first time having a bath together.

What do you mean together? To be exact, youre doing it separately in the same place.

Junas face was already burning. Selena, internally, felt more ashamed than what she expressed outwards.

She hardened as she shifted her gaze to the side. Kalcion had already walked off to the left space, and now, he was in the middle of throwing off his clothes, oblivious to ones gaze. It was habituated with this.

..Um, is it okay to be seen like this?

She felt a sudden rush down her spine. When they made eye-contact in the carriage earlier, she was evaluated as a warrior. It was often the case that the pride of a great actor was reduced.

The space itself was shabby, but thanks to the efforts of the fast hands of the maids, in a short period of time, the bathroom looked quite elegant.

The doors were covered with high curtains, while the floor had the same rugs used in the castle. Someone laid a lace atop the table and lit a fancy candle.

The old-looking wooden tub was covered with a white cloth before water was poured in. The bath was made fragrant with bath bombs and some petals. At this point, it seemed like they intentionally created this atmosphere.

The maids knew that the background was a must to set the mood. Everything was prepared.

This is enough.

The background was laid out, so all she had to do was wait for the moment to start the game.

Selena trudged over to the other side, removing her clothes and handing it over to the hands of the maids. With every piece of cloth she removed and passed over to the maid, shivers ran through her body.

It took a while for her to slip off from that heavy dress. Meanwhile, Kalcion was already undressed and was lying down in the bathtub.

Let me start the shoulder massage.

The voice of the maid at the other side was heard lightly through the thin veil.

Wait.

Of course, Selenas voice was clearly heard.

At first, the servants at Kalcions side, who thought it was a word to Selenas maids, began to falter when there was no movement on the other side.

.Ah. D-Did you say that to us?

Yes. I know its your duty, but I dont want another woman to lay her hands on my Duke. Everyone, please leave.

Huh? Bu-But my job..

Duke?

Embarrassed, the maids looked back at Kalcion. Kalcion was equally embarrassed.

However, there was a principle which stated that they would have to listen to Selena. Kalcion sent the maids out with a flick of his chin. Selenas servants were still there.

So, what do we do now?

Kalcion spoke up from beyond the screen.

Ill serve you.

You?

Yes.

She simply washed up before wearing a thin garment that she wore under her dress. The cloth was attached to her figure, but it was decent compared to the translucent nightwear last time.

It did not reveal all of her body lines, and even though only the wet parts were making out her curves, the candlelight was too dim to see them.

She beckoned her maids out. The maids bowed silently before quickly moving out of their seats.

At the end of the line of maids, Juna gave her a knowing-smile. Pretending to be naive, Selena perked up a smile at her before sending her away.

Now, there were only two people left in the room, Kalcion and Selena.