You, Who’s Kind Only To Me - Chapter 19

“No, I’m from the South.”

“Oh, my, but your skin is very fair.”

“Don’t people from the south… look like this?”

“Umm, generally! Because they often work under the sun, most of us have a deep tan like mine.”

Of course, nobles are a bit different, but still, many have a lighter peachy tone.

Marie promptly grabbed Ren’s chemise strap without hesitation.

As Ren, who had been listening attentively to her words, not noticing that her clothes slipped and slid, remembered the most typical southerner that she knew.

“But that person didn’t look like that.”

Noticing the discerning look in Ren’s eyes, Marie burst into laughter, realizing that she was talking about none other than the one and only Duke Daverid.

“The Duke is quite famous. According to the butler who has been with him since he was just the Young Duke, he has been like that since he was very young.”

Lowering her voice a bit more, she added,

“But never, ever mention anything about skin color in front of the master.”

“Why…?”

“He doesn’t like it. He thinks that if you’re from the South, you should have skin as well ripened as a golden field.”

Whispering a secret known to everyone except strangers, she giggled.

“He used to roll around under the scorching sun during his knight training, yet he just turned red.”

“Ah, I see.”

Ren, who had just learned one of the few secrets of the perfect Duke, exclaimed softly.

Marie’s expression changed as if it was unknown when she had whispered such a secret, then guided Ren to the bathroom.

Ren belatedly realized that she was already naked and her eyes widened.

“Please, slowly immerse yourself, starting from your legs.”

The scent of roses filled the spacious bathroom.

A rosy glow returned to Ren’s face. It was the first time she had touched water after coming ashore.

As Ren sat on the ledge of the bathtub, rose petals floated gently in the water as she cautiously dipped her toes into the bath. A strange sheen spread across her skin as the water made contact.

Marie, who had turned around briefly to prepare the bath salts, turned back to see Ren, whose skin seemed even more radiant, and tilted her head in surprise.

“Are you feeling hot?”

Shake-shake-

Silently, Ren shook her head and cupped her hands, raising them above the calm water, a single rose petal floated serenely.

Marie, who had been observing her closely, smiled at the sight of Ren, who somehow appeared even more lively just by being in the water.

Unlike ordinary girls, who merely dipped in briefly to prevent their skin from becoming too wrinkled, Ren stayed in the bathtub for quite a long time.

Noticing her reluctance to leave at the end, Marie realized that the new Miss enjoyed bathing.

“You must be very tired. Since there’s no particular schedule for today, you can rest well.”

Marie, who tidied up Ren’s bedding, said.

Ren’s wet hair, gently dried by the touch of the maid’s hand, felt soft and fluffy. Ren asked the question she had been most curious about since arriving at the castle.

“Are there many beds like this here?”

“Beds? Well… perhaps at least a hundred?”

Oh my, it was indeed true. And they were huge, too.

“In that case, what do people do in these beds here?”

It was the duty of a servant to provide an answer to any perplexing question posed by their charge.

Ren, thinking of her small attic bed, tilted her head in bewilderment, signifying that she didn’t know what one would do with so many beds of this size.

“Oh, so,….”

The maid blinked slightly, seeming a little flustered, as she cautiously examined the Miss’ expression.

Ren’s appearance was truly perfect. ‘Marriageable age,’ ‘lovely,’ ‘ young Miss’!

“Usually… unless it’s a maid like me who’s tidying the bedding, it involves… nighttime activities.”

“Nighttime activities?”

“That, hmmhmm! It’s about helping the master to, um, to get a good night’s sleep.”

Ren inwardly marveled, ‘So it’s like singing a lullaby.’

A rosy radiance spread across her cheeks at the thought of singing. If it was about singing, she was confident.

“Thank you for telling me, Marie.”

Seeing the bashful Miss, Marie swept her chest and grinned. Oh dear, the master really should have given some hints about this in advance!

“If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call for Marie!”

Content with her accomplishment, Marie confidently backed out of Ren’s room and quickly disappeared down the hallway.

* * *

Creak–

Night descended.

Squeak, squeak.

Bare feet settled on the dark hallway. The soft silk dress barely made a sound as it brushed the cool air of the corridor. With only a few candles flickering, the corridor remained quiet.

Whoooo. A breeze from somewhere caused a vigilant knight to turn his head.

Swoosh. A streak of pink hair fluttered past, but the knight seemed to have noticed nothing and turned back to his position.

Glowing faintly in the darkness, smooth feet with white ankles ascended the stairs step by step.

Swish, swish. Along with the sound of the flowing fabric, a hint of blue trailed behind the end of the pink hair, dissolving into the darkness.

A pair of blue eyes that seemed to feast on the night fixed on one spot. A woman stood in front of the door at the end of the stairs, deep within the highest floor, extending her hand.

Creak,

The door opened.

Ren carefully closed the door behind her, taking in the vague silhouette of the spacious room as she glanced around. The furnishings were minimal, fitting for a room where the owner of the castle resided. Although the room appeared incredibly expansive and luxurious, the absence of unnecessary decorations seemed to offer insight into the man’s character.

However, one peculiar aspect was the presence of stained glass decorations scattered throughout the furniture. When illuminated, these ornaments sparkled in various colors, but at the moment, they emitted a faint blue hue, perhaps contributing to the overall cool and pale atmosphere of the room.

As Ren surveyed the room with a slightly intrigued gaze, she suddenly raised her arm to a gust of wind.

“…!”