~Chapter 95~
Before the royal guard inside could even announce the visitors, Commander Polcan of the Royal Guard opened the door.
Sensing the presence of a considerable number of people, Polcan’s aura was tense and grim.
“Duke of Gwinted. Can you explain this situation in a way that won’t cause misunderstanding?”
“The head maid was murdered in my mansion. As a matter of procedure, an investigation of outsiders is unavoidable. I ask for your understanding.”
“If you’re treating the royal sword and the honorable Royal Guard like common criminals, even a duke will not be let off lightly. You’d better think carefully whether you won’t regret this decision.”
The tension—ready to draw swords at any moment—was broken by the unhurried voice of Crown Prince Kyleus.
“I was going to say goodbye before leaving anyway, so let him in.”
Though his tone was calm, he allowed only Rishar inside, leaving the other knights outside to face the royal guards.
Rishar bowed slightly to Kyleus, who was looking out the window, and approached, with Polcan following.
When Rishar was three steps away, Kyleus turned with open displeasure.
“So, you want to investigate my knights?”
“It’s to formally exclude them from suspicion.”
“You would trample the honor of the royal family, and block the Crown Prince himself?”
Rishar hadn’t blocked him at all; the path to the gate was wide open.
“Seeing the Duke so aggressive, are you planning to imprison the Royal Guard?”
“No. The investigation will be polite and quick.”
He didn’t expect to find the culprit this way. But if he found even a small clue, he intended to dig until he found the truth. More importantly, this was to make it clear to Kyleus that Rishar wouldn’t overlook anything that happened in his house.
Kyleus’s lips curled.
“To suspect the royal family—how will you make up for this insult?”
“I have no intention of offending Your Highness. Just a few questions and a light physical inspection. No rudeness will occur.”
“If you’re so sure, why not start by investigating me?”
Polcan stepped in front of Kyleus.
“Your Highness, please scold the Duke’s arrogance and punish us for failing to stop him.”
If Ancia were here, she might have called it a show and looked for popcorn, but Rishar’s deep blue eyes fixed on the Crown Prince’s red eyes, which looked oddly amused.
“It’s just a formality. You may refuse.”
When Rishar stepped back, Kyleus eased the atmosphere with a light laugh.
“Before I leave, sharing a dinner with the Duke and Duchess might not be bad. There’s plenty of time before evening, so I won’t object to my knights spending time with yours.”
“Thank you for your permission.”
“Then check me first. I can’t allow any negligence in guarding the Crown Prince.”
From the confident attitude of the Royal Guard commander, it seemed this investigation would likely end without results.
Still, it couldn’t just be ignored.
“Duke, I won’t forget this.”
“I ask for your cooperation.”
“Ugh… I’m dying, really.”
When she realized Rishar wasn’t by her side, Ancia felt a moment of disappointment, but then was glad he didn’t see her trembling legs like a newborn deer.
Even just sitting up in bed made her groan from muscle pain. She wanted to hide what had happened the night before, but the worried looks of her affectionate maids made her confess.
When Ellie realized why healing magic stones had been scattered everywhere, her face turned as red as Ancia’s while silently cleaning up. Bianca, slower to understand, eventually caught on and exploded in outrage, calling Rishar a beastly duke.
Ancia wanted to forget about it quietly, but with news of a dinner that night, she had to fix the muscle pain somehow.
“I feel like I can’t even hold a spoon like this.”
Her small hands trembled so much it was almost pitiful.
“I’ll massage you, my lady.”
“Ah, thank y—kyaa!”
When Bianca rolled up her sleeves and grabbed Ancia’s arm lightly, a scream escaped.
“I told you to be careful with your brute strength. My lady, I’ll massage you gently.”
“Okay, ple—”
Ellie scolded Bianca and gently held Ancia’s shoulders, but even that made Ancia groan in pain. Flustered, Ellie decided to get an ointment for muscle pain, while Bianca also ran off to mix herbs.
Watching Ancia suffer, Julie carefully spoke up.
“My lady, I know a quick way to ease muscle pain. But it’s something commoners usually use.”
“Really? What is it? If it’s massage, I can endure a little pain.”
“It’s not massage, but you’ll have to ride in a carriage. Can you bear it?”
Though she knew the carriage ride would make her pain worse, it was better than dropping her fork during dinner and drawing the Crown Prince’s disapproval.
“Yes, please.”
“Then we’ll leave immediately.”
“What about Ellie and Bianca?”
“They know the place.”
With Julie’s help, Ancia became curious about this place only the maids knew.
“Water park…”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, nothing. Just, it’s such a wonderful place.”
Arriving with Julie at the place that would quickly ease her pain, Ancia saw a bathhouse combined with a play area, reminding her of a small water park.
Inside, steam and herbal scents hit her, so strong it seemed to wash away fatigue.
Books had never mentioned such a place. It looked like a public bath with several pools.
“These are herbal baths, each with different effects.”
“That’s why it smells like herbs.”
Changing into a thin gown with the staff’s help, Ancia was puzzled to find the place empty. Julie explained with a small bow:
“They change the water once a day—this is that time. I hurried so you could have the first bath.”
Wow, Julie’s so thoughtful.
In Korea, Ancia wouldn’t have cared if others were there, but she appreciated the gesture.
When she went to step into a nearby bath, Julie suggested one further inside.
“If you pay extra, you can use it alone for an hour. I asked them to add plenty of herbs good for muscle pain.”
“Thanks, Julie.”
The water was hot, but bearable. She submerged slowly, keeping her mouth shut to avoid groaning.
By the time she sank up to her shoulders, her body felt like it was melting. With this, she could move fine later.
Without healing stones, she couldn’t have even made it here. She now saw their value.
Feeling drowsy, she noticed Julie still in her maid uniform.
“Julie, aren’t you hot? You can wait outside.”
“No. No guards are allowed in here, so as your maid, I must stay.”
“Then at least take off your… huh?”
It was odd to ask her to strip and stand guard. If she was going to change, she might as well bathe too.
“Oh, right. Come in, Julie.”
“I can’t. Sharing a bath with you would be disrespectful.”
“Come on, you were ready to share with strangers. Thanks to you, I have it alone, but it’s too hot to just stand there.”
Clapping lightly, Ancia grinned.
Hesitant, Julie finally changed into a gown, but chose a different bath.
Timing herself with an hourglass, Ancia realized her hands weren’t trembling. Even kicking underwater showed her pain was much less.
“Wow, Julie! This place is amazing! It’s already starting to not hurt.”
“Yes. Rest for ten minutes, then soak again for the best effect.”
“Julie… your face is as red as a boiled octopus. Are you okay?”
“I think Ellie or Bianca must have arrived. May I switch with them?”
“Yes, you definitely should.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Watching Julie leave looking relieved, Ancia stepped out to cool off.
“Wow, herbal baths are incredible.”
She could walk on her own now. Another soak and she’d be ready for dinner.
Wearing a thick robe over her wet gown, she curiously looked at the dried herbs and decorations around the bath.
She didn’t notice the large shadow quietly approaching as she hummed a light tune, enjoying the moment.
