Chapter 20: Chapter 28: A Warning in the Water

“Th-that is… I can undress myself.”

Seeing Xiluo’er’s blushing, bashful expression, Eve didn’t press the matter.

‘It doesn’t matter who takes off her clothes,’ Eve thought. ‘I’ll see everything eventually anyway.’

As she watched Xiluo’er shyly turn and slowly begin to undress, a peculiar glint flashed in her narrowed eyes.

The logic of bathing early to sleep early was perfectly sound, but for Eve, it was merely an excuse.

She could use this opportunity to understand Xiluo’er on a deeper level. The more she understood, the more firmly she could hold her in the palm of her hand…

Of course, she wasn’t some kind of devil. She had perfectly legitimate reasons for her actions.

The incident at the restaurant had made Eve realize that danger could befall Xiluo’er if she wasn’t watched closely. So, as long as Xiluo’er stayed by her side—always—and was cared for and protected by her, nothing of the sort would happen again.

Yes, that was it. This was all just to protect Xiluo’er. Nothing more.

****

Xiluo’er had to admit, sinking her entire body into the enormous bathtub was a delightful experience.

But today, for the first time, she loathed just how large the tubs in the Adventurers’ Association’s bathhouse were.

Because of its size, when Eve pulled her into the bath to soak with her, she couldn’t think of a single excuse to refuse.

Amidst the hazy steam, Xiluo’er and Eve sat in the tub, one in front of the other.

Being smaller, Xiluo’er fit perfectly between Eve’s legs.

Leaning back against Eve’s flat chest, her gaze fell upon Eve’s parted, outstretched legs.

The slender limbs, submerged in the warm water, had taken on a rosy tint beneath their pale white skin.

Her legs were bent naturally, enclosing Xiluo’er’s body within their curve.

Though she was still a little shy, Xiluo’er couldn’t help but admire what a fine pair of legs they were.

It was just… the sensation against her back was hard to describe.

Xiluo’er subconsciously compared Eve to Rona from when she’d ridden the horse with her.

The difference was… quite significant. Yes.

“Haaaah…”

Eve let out a long sigh, her entire body relaxing in the hot water.

“The City Lord’s Mansion has been so busy lately. I don’t know how Rona keeps up with it all.”

A thought stirred in Xiluo’er’s mind at the mention of Rona’s name.

“Miss Rona does seem to be busy all the time,” Xiluo’er commented, following Eve’s lead.

She didn’t have high hopes, but a little probing might just yield some information.

“Not always. It’s just that with the recent disappearances, everyone in the mansion is on high alert.”

“After all, another case occurred just half a month ago.”

Half a month ago…

“Miss Rona is a very righteous person. She seems to take this disappearance case very seriously.”

Unexpectedly, after she said this, Eve fell silent behind her.

“It’s not just for that reason… From what I understand, Rona made a friend named Keli after she came to serve in Karna City.”

“A year ago, Keli also disappeared. The City Lord’s Mansion searched for a long time but found no clues.”

“She’s a member of the City Guard, yet she was powerless to help when her own friend vanished. I imagine Rona has been blaming herself ever since.”

There was a story like that?

She had only said a few words to follow Eve’s conversation, yet she’d stumbled upon such a revelation.

If someone turned to the dark side and joined a cult because their close friend disappeared… that seemed plausible, didn’t it?

Xiluo’er was already imagining the possibilities.

“Then, Miss Rona, she…”

Unwilling to let the opportunity slip, Xiluo’er carefully chose her words, trying to subtly coax more information out of Eve.

With her back to Eve, she failed to notice the deep whirlpool of emotion swirling in the other girl’s eyes.

‘Ever since she stepped into this bath, this child hasn’t stopped talking about Rona…’

‘Is it because they spent some time together at the City Lord’s Mansion?’

After all, Eve hadn’t been there when Xiluo’er was taken to the mansion.

‘Ah, it seems keeping Xiluo’er by my side truly is the safest option.’

“Xiluo’er, you seem quite concerned about Rona, don’t you?”

“So interested in your Miss Rona?”

Xiluo’er jumped, and not just because she had been cut off mid-sentence. More importantly, Eve had leaned forward and whispered the words right beside her ear.

Having someone do that so suddenly was truly terrifying!

“Ah, um, not really. We were just chatting…”

Noticing that Eve’s expression seemed off, Xiluo’er worried her true intentions had been exposed and immediately began to explain.

“But if we were just chatting, there are so many other things we could talk about, aren’t there?”

Well…

Xiluo’er was at a loss for words. In the next instant, before she could say anything, the world spun around her.

A great splash echoed through the tub as warm water spilled over the edge from their sudden, forceful movements.

When she came to her senses, Xiluo’er found herself pinned beneath Eve.

Eve held both of her hands above her head, looking down at her with a benevolent smile.

Her soaked white hair clung to her face and chest, with some strands falling forward, tickling Xiluo’er’s face.

“If we’re just chatting, you can talk about me, Xiluo’er.”

“That would make Sister Eve very happy, you know.”

Eve deliberately emphasized the words “Sister Eve.”

Wh-what was this…

Pressed down by Eve in such a position, Xiluo’er didn’t dare move.

The girl’s slender, underdeveloped body was on full display before her, but Xiluo’er was in no mood to appreciate the view.

Though Eve was smiling, Xiluo’er felt there was something else hidden in her expression.

Was it her imagination? Why did Eve look a little… jealous?

No, no, it had to be her imagination. It had to be.

“Okay… Sister Eve, please don’t be angry.”

“I’m not angry.”

Xiluo’er’s pitiable expression seemed to restore some of Eve’s reason. She gently patted Xiluo’er’s head, then pulled her back into a sitting embrace in the tub.

That… that scared me to death…

Despite being in a warm bathroom, Xiluo’er felt a cold sweat about to break out on her forehead.

‘No, wait. Eve wouldn’t act so strangely without a reason. Could it be… could this be her way of warning me not to have any ulterior motives concerning Rona?’