2 Comments

translator: mii

editor: ASplashOfMusic, Sleepchaser

Upon exiting the bar and lounge, Vio, Legion, and Jill walked along the hallway. “Your timing was perfect, Legi. Thank you.”

“Uhh, what did I do?” asked Legion, a confused expression on his face.

Jill replied, “That person’s unscrupulous gaze earlier was making Young Master uncomfortable. Your arrival made for a good excuse to leave.”

“So that’s what happened. I’m honored to have been of help. Where are we going after this? I shall accompany you.”

With a bitter smile, Vio announced, “I’m heading back to my room. Seriously, I thought taking a trip to the bar would be a refreshing change, but I can’t stand the smell of cigars. It makes me cough, so I don’t like it. Things may also become complicated if that person shows up again, so I’ll stop going to the lounge.”

“Yes, please don’t force yourself. Cigars aren’t indispensable in men’s social gatherings, and you shouldn’t get sick because of them.”

“I should take a bath first. The stench has stuck to my hair and clothes.”

Vio was sensitive to odors. He wouldn’t be able to sleep if he went straight to bed right now.

“If so, then I have the perfect thing for that. Please use this.” Legion held up a small paper bag.

“What is that?”

“Incense. I will light it in your room.”

“Sure.” Vio nodded. But he also wondered when Legion had left to buy that.

Once Legion lit the triangular incense, a refreshing citrus scent filled the room.

“Oh, this is a nice scent.” 

“I’m happy to know you like it.” Then Legion timidly asked Vio, “By the way… are you in a better mood now? Or are you still angry at me?”

Vio glared at Legion before pouting. “Did you buy this because you still worry about what happened in the evening? Then you shouldn’t have bothered. Just agree to share a bath with me, and everything will be solved.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“I feel nervous.”

“I can still understand if I were a member of the royal family or the head of my family, but I’m the second son, okay? What is it about me that makes you nervous?”

Legion grew overwhelmed, not knowing how to respond. But afterward, he looked as though he had come to some decision and opened his mouth, saying, “Lord Violant, please be a little more conscious of your charm.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“That is exactly what I’m trying to say! To put it simply, bathing with Lord Violant is like being asked to take a bath with a pure maiden. I can’t do it!” Legion exclaimed in desperation, becoming more embarrassed with every word that left his lips. At the same time, his face turned a bright red.

“A… pure maiden?” Vio thought he had misheard, but then Jill nodded in full agreement. Face dead serious, Legion continued, “Please imagine this. What if an innocent girl who’s around fifteen years old comes in while you’re taking a bath?”

Vio tried imagining it, but if a girl were to do that to him, he could only think of her as a scheming person trying to mislead the public and force him to take her as his wife. In such a situation, he would’ve called his servants in a haste and driven her away.

Hm? Or maybe I’d think that I’m lucky?

But that would depend on what kind of person the girl was. Vio considered it a little longer and came to a conclusion. “Innocent girls won’t do that in the first place,” he declared.

“It’s just an example. What if that girl asks you to take a bath together?”

“Even if she only said it as a joke, jokes regarding this topic aren’t something that can simply be taken in good nature, so I’ll make her stop. I’ll tell her she should only say those things to the man she loves or her husband once she gets married.”

“That’s not what I meant…” Legion heaved out a deep sigh, completely at his wits’ end. Then with a tired look, he once again asked, “Then, how would you feel if a more mature Flora were to invite you to share a bath with her?”

“Huh?!” Vio adopted a serious look. “That’s… I definitely won’t stand for it. I will do my best to escape.”

“That is exactly how I feel with the thought of sharing a bath with you.”

“I see. I think I can somehow understand, but… I’m a man, you know?”

“Lord Violant is different.”

Vio was now confused. But one moment later, he realized a possibility. “Hey, Legi. While I don’t think this is true, do I look like a girl?”

“A girl? I think people will mistake you as one if you dress in feminine clothes, but you don’t look like one when you dress normally,” Legion answered honestly.

Mixed feelings swirled in Vio’s chest regarding what Legion had said about him being able to pass off as a girl. But he was at least relieved by the fact that he still looked like a man. However, there was one thing he couldn’t understand. “It’s good that I don’t look like one. But then, why did that man from before come to greet me?” Vio muttered.

When Legion heard this, an incredulous expression appeared on his face. “What do you mean?”

“I extended my right hand for a handshake, but instead, he kissed the back of my hand. I’m the second son of my family, so a handshake should be enough, and yet—”

“What…?!” Legion looked shocked. Then the next instant, he bowed and left the room before coming back with a wet towel. “Please excuse me.”

“Uh…” Vio stared at Legion, who began to wipe his right hand with a towel, his eyes blank. “Just what happened to you all of a sudden?”

“It’s become filthy. I can’t forgive this.”

“Well, you’re right in a sense. The mouth does contain a lot of  germs…”

Legion shot Vio a look of disbelief. Vio asked him what the matter was with his gaze. However, Legion only shook his head as if he had given up and retracted the towel. And Vio still couldn’t understand his behavior. “Hey, did I say something wrong?” he asked.

“It’s nothing, Young Master. Even though you’re typically a smart boy, your extreme denseness is also a part of your virtue. Please don’t worry since we’re always by your side,” Jill calmly stated.

“…Okay? I don’t get it but alright.” Although still mystified, Vio nodded once. Then he finally processed the meaning behind Jill’s words and frowned. “Hey, that isn’t praise, right?”

Jill shrugged and didn’t answer. Legion also had a complex expression on his face, as though he’d abandoned all hope in Vio understanding. 

As Vio watched the two exchange resolute nods like they had decided to do their best, he left out.