A Famous Traitor and Treacherous Genius

293 – Bloody Engagement Ceremony (4)

As soon as you press the click switch, the magic stone on the ceiling starts spouting fire.

As soon as you pull the faucet up and click, water pours downward.

When you turn it in the direction where the red dot is painted, hot smoke comes out of the water, giving off warmth.

‘This is it.’

If there is one thing I think I did best while embracing the empire’s culture, it would be this bathing culture.

‘It is no exaggeration to say that they defected to the country because of hygiene.’

The Kingdom of Nostrum has used a lot of resources when it comes to bathing.

And bathing was only possible in limited places and where there were many people.

After boiling in a large porcelain bathtub, moderately cooled hot water was poured, and this process had to be repeated by several maids until the bath was complete.

‘In the past, water was boiled using magic.’

It is said that in ancient times there was something called a public bathhouse.

As a magical kingdom, it is said that wizards were mobilized to control the temperature of the water and purify it.

‘But that’s also an old story.’

However, it is said that public bathhouses disappeared due to various hygiene issues.

‘Considering that wizards are now a privileged class, they probably thought it was low level to provide hot water and purification magic to commoners.’

It is unclear whether it is really a sanitary issue, or whether wizards who have seen too much dirty water are forcing the public not to use magic to purify contaminated water.

‘A commoner’s bath is to simply stir one’s body in the river and come out.’

Instead of soaking the body in hot water and soaking the skin to easily remove contaminants or other dead skin cells, bathing was all about submerging the body in running water and wiping it off with your hands.

I couldn’t help but feel cold, so I had to grit my teeth and wash my body.

‘It’s possible for nobles to take a bath with money.’

Therefore, bathing was a privilege of the wealthy class who enjoyed luxury and pleasure.

Taking a bath every day was a luxury in itself, and many people considered simply soaking in hot water a once-in-a-lifetime privilege.

However, magic engineering alchemy made it possible for anyone to enjoy that privilege with just one click.

There was no need for numerous maids to assist in bathing, so all they had to do was collect water before bathing or clean up after bathing.

‘Even the nobles felt awkward at first, but soon got used to it.’

One of the advantages of Orosol Academy was that each private room had a small bathtub.

The rapid spread of imperial culture was thanks to Orosol Academy, and in particular, it was thanks to those who experienced the toilet and shower culture going to their hometowns and spreading it widely.

‘I rarely bathe naked, and even if I did, there are times when I want to bathe alone without worrying about what others think.’

Although it doesn’t mean much now, there were cases where bathrooms with bathtubs had a big impact on students who didn’t want to leave Orosol Academy’s dormitory and go to their hometowns.

Why?

‘Among the nobles, there are those who like to take a quiet bath alone.’

This is because there is no need for a separate maid to enter the bathtub with imperial-style hot water facilities.

This is because even if there is no one to take a bath, you can warm up your body just by clicking the faucet, unless you are unwell.

Why don’t I want someone next to me?

Not confident in your body?

Or is it because you are embarrassed to be naked even with maids next to you?

Since bath attendants are usually the ones to do it, if a male noble takes a bath, a dangerous situation may arise.

There may be many reasons, but there is at least one situation like this.

“Astacia.”

“…”

I want to spend time taking a bath alone with someone I like or as a couple.

“Are you angry?”

“Who in the world bathes like this?”

Astasia, sitting in front of me, is grumbling with her whole body her turning red.

“She was wearing a maid’s uniform for a long time, but he grabbed her by the waist and came into her bathtub with her.”

“You can’t come in naked.”

“I’m saying this as if it’s obvious, but don’t you think this is even weirder?”

Astasia points to her own clothes and her mine.

“Where in the world do people come into the bathtub with their clothes on?”

“I’m here.”

“Is it okay as long as I wear clothes?”

“Even if the water doesn’t touch our skin, it’s not bad for us even if we’re still wearing clothes, right?”

The bathtub is quite spacious, but not large enough for two people to sit side by side.

“Astacia.”

Therefore, if two people enter the bathtub at the same time, they should lean against the end of the bathtub and face each other –

“Do you not like this?”

“It’s okay to meet face to face, but this isn’t that bad either.”

I have Astasia sitting in front of me now, holding her waist with both hands, and she has no choice but to sit down with her face buried in the crook of her neck.

There is no sign of dislike.

It’s just that while Astasia is uncomfortable doing this with her clothes on, she’s also looking forward to when she comes in without them.

“Astasia. I know very well why you are anxious.”

“Are you saying I’m anxious?”

“Of course. I’m hugging you from behind like this, but you’re not letting go.”

Astasia is someone who can escape from me as much as she wants.

But of course he doesn’t move away, and she doesn’t even try to turn away from me and look at me.

“Astasia. No matter what the world says, there is only you by my side.”

As if he wants me to cling to him like this and hug him tightly.

“There will be, no. I can’t imagine Astasia not being by my side. I can’t even imagine having another woman by my side, much less her.”

“…Really?”

“Of course. The people who say they were one of the Knights of Gray Gibraltar or that they were Gray Gibraltar’s concubines are all just delusional disorders.”

“Delusional disorder…”

“Because it’s just a dream.”

“Is it a dream?”

“That’s right.”

Even if it did, it is an erased history that no longer exists.

“Wouldn’t you know it if one person said it was a dream, even though 10 or 100 people were telling similar stories? No one is wrong, and even the target is accurate?”

“I guess there was a world like that. But Astasia. Did I meet you in that world?”

“…I don’t know.”

I don’t know.

It is the same as what Virgo’s eldest daughter said, and it is difficult to find even if you collect all the information said by many people who have experienced nostrum in dreams since William Tale.

“If I could experience the dream world, I would have known it clearly, but imperial people cannot see the dream world even if they drink false gold.”

Since all information must depend solely on the memories of the Nostrum people who experienced the dream, if they say ‘Astacia is not present’ in their memories of the experience, the information cannot be found.

“Gray. I listen to the story of the world in my dreams, and I am so happy right now.”

“Because I’m next to you?”

“There is that, but… A world without me next to Gray Gibraltar is just a ‘dream.'”

“…”

In the dream, Astasia was not next to Gray.

“I like it too.”

“Yes?”

“Because it was just a dream. Because sharing this warmth with you right now is reality.”

A dream is just a dream.

“The human named Gray Gibraltar was greatly influenced by his father. No matter what others may think, sons grow up greatly influenced by their parents, especially if they are of the same gender.”

Parents are the mirror of their children, and Gray Gibraltar learned from Crimson Gibraltar’s life

Although he is more like the Crimson Gibraltar before the return than the current Crimson Gibraltar, a gaunt traitor and a scoundrel, he learned a lot from his current father

‘If only I had learned how to kill enemies and become stronger from my father before his return.’

For now.

“From my father, I learned how to love one person passionately.”

The person I am now has learned many new things from my current father through his new appearance

“I learned how to care for my family, and I learned how to embrace my own people. I also learned that people can change.”

“…”

“The one in the dream, the last guardian of Nostrum, must have been very different from the beginning. His mother would have been Carmen…Gibraltar, not Charlotte Gibraltar, so he must have learned from watching his two mothers that a man can love multiple women, etc.”

“Then…I feel a little sorry for Queen Carmen, but for me, this is a golden opportunity.”

Astasia laughs bitterly.

“Because my father showed you that he loves only one person, and you, who grew up watching that, are now loving only me like this. …Is it greed?”

“Gibraltar that does not love only one person is not Gibraltar.”

I held onto the trembling Astasia a little stronger.

“It’s not just because of the blood of Gibraltar, but I’ve never even imagined having anyone else than you by my side.”

“Why?”

“My two arms exist to hug just one person like this.”

“…”

Astasia quietly holds my hand.

“Really, you’re not bringing in other women, right?”

“Of course.”

“Will you continue to love only me?”

“Of course I have to say, but that’s a bit difficult.”

“What?”

Astasia immediately turned her head.

“In this situation-“

Side.

She turned her head and kissed Astasia right away.

Astasia frowned at first, but soon closed her eyes and quietly relaxed.

“…I’m sorry to think that forgiveness can be achieved with a kiss. Hmph.”

“Is it not okay to kiss your child goodnight?”

“Yes?”

“I’m not sure because I haven’t had a child yet, but I’m worried that when my child is born, he will definitely end up like my father.”

“…Ha.”

Astasia sighed at my words her her her her.

“…Really, even if you’re playing a prank, you’re doing that kind of prank.”

Reaching back with her hand, she squeezed my cheek.

“You were surprised.”

“It’s revenge.”

“Revenge?”

“This is punishment for you who doubted me because you were deceived by the false image of the world that others spoke of.”

I stroked Astasia’s stomach and rested my head on her shoulder.

“This is a trivial revenge on you for thinking that I was in love with someone of the opposite s*x and for making me feel insecure by comparing the me in the false dream world with the me in reality. You doubted me.”

“…”

“All I love is my family. And among those who are not blood-related, the only other person I love is you.”

I lightly pulled Astasia’s left hand

“Do you need proof?”

I lightly bit my fourth finger, leaving a tooth mark.

“…It’s a bit small for a ring, though.”

Astasia giggled and turned her body.

“Then, can I also make teeth marks?”

“Where?”

“Hmm, I don’t know.”

I slowly laid down, and Astacia nestled herself on top of me, stretching her arms behind my neck.

“…Everything?”

Astasia grinned and revealed her fangs.