Chapter 45: A Delicate Proposition and a Stealthy Escape

“Teacher, you’re still feverish, and taking a bath now could make you catch a cold. How about I help you wipe down instead?”

“Eh?”

Hearing Lucia’s sudden request, Lovelenica was momentarily stunned, unable to fully process it.

“This… this isn’t really appropriate…”

“Teacher, you’re ill. Please, allow me, your student, to take care of you.”

“Lu-Lucia… this is incredibly rude of you… What if Lovelenica doesn’t want you to touch her body?”

Imeline’s voice trembled with annoyance. She was aghast at Lucia’s sudden request; surely, helping someone wipe down their body was something reserved for those with a very close relationship? When had their bond deepened to such an extent?

Moreover, Imeline herself was still in the room. Was Lucia truly planning to wipe down Lovelenica right in front of her?

“Oh, I’m sorry…”

Lucia seemed to realize her request had been abrupt and improper. She hastily explained to both of them, asserting that her intentions stemmed purely from respect and concern for Lovelenica, and that she merely wished to look after her, harboring no ulterior motives.

“Truly, I have no improper thoughts about Teacher. I simply want to care for her.”

“Just forget it. Let the Crimson Family’s maids handle something like this.”

Imeline remained determined to dissuade Lucia. She knew, of course, that Lucia harbored no such intentions towards Lovelenica, but who could say if Lovelenica felt the same way about Lucia?

Lovelenica’s true motives were still unknown. What if Lovelenica *did* have designs on Lucia?

In short, it was out of the question. Imeline would not permit them to engage in such acts right under her nose.

However, upon hearing Imeline suggest that the Crimson Family’s maids assist, Lucia became even more reluctant.

“How can we let the Crimson Family’s maids do this? They already don’t think highly of Teacher. Just look at Teacher’s room; it’s a far cry from the others. How could they possibly care for her with any sincerity?”

Hearing this, a slight twitch pulled at the corner of Imeline’s mouth.

‘Lucia is either foolish or incredibly naive,’ she thought. ‘So she *did* notice the disparity in the room’s decor, yet instead of growing suspicious, she’s merely concerned that Lovelenica is being treated differently within the Crimson Family.’

“Indeed, I wouldn’t want those maids touching me either. I’ll just manage it myself.”

The Lovelenica from before her transmigration was someone with strong personal boundaries, even a bit of a wallflower. She rarely participated in university dorm activities or company gatherings after starting work. The thought of complete stranger maids helping her change or wipe down her body was even more unpalatable.

However, just as Lovelenica was about to rise from the bed, her feet suddenly felt weak, and she stumbled forward.

“Teacher, be careful!”

Fortunately, Lucia was quick-witted, catching Lovelenica as she pitched forward.

‘Wh-what’s happening…? Why do I feel so weak, even just walking…? It must be Liliana’s curse, right?’

‘Hmm? What is this, so soft? And it smells so good…’

Lovelenica felt her head bump against something incredibly soft. Looking up, she caught a glimpse of a pair of full, prominent peaks directly before her.

“I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!”

Realizing what had happened, Lovelenica quickly scrambled back onto the bed. ‘I truly didn’t mean it! My foot just slipped!’

“LOVE-LE-NI-CA!!!”

Imeline clenched her small, pink fists, glaring frantically at Lovelenica, her eyes practically spitting fire. She couldn’t believe Lovelenica would take advantage of her friend like this.

‘It was intentional, absolutely intentional!’

‘This is a compliance test, isn’t it? A way to gauge Lucia’s level of control, right!?’

Jolted by the sudden collision, Lucia’s small face was instantly tinged with a blush.

“It’s alright, Imeline… Teacher didn’t do it on purpose. She’s just too weak.”

‘It seems the compliance test was a resounding success.’

“Teacher, you can’t even walk steadily. Please, stay in bed. I’ll help you wipe down.”

“…Mm.”

After the recent minor incident, Lovelenica felt her cheeks flush with heat, her heart seeming to quicken its pace. She even found herself unconsciously recalling the softness from moments ago. Briefly losing her train of thought, Lovelenica could only offer a soft ‘Mm’ in response to Lucia’s words.

“You… you two…”

Watching Lovelenica and Lucia blush at each other, then seemingly come to a mutual understanding so quickly, Imeline’s anger flared.

‘That woman is definitely acting! Lucia! Snap out of it!’

Imeline cried out in her heart, yet it was futile now. Seeing Lucia’s current state, unless she could find decisive proof that Lovelenica was truly wicked, there was no way she could ever convince Lucia.

“Fine… I’ll just step out for a moment then… Lucia, come here, I need your help with something.”

“Oh, alright.”

Hearing that Imeline needed her assistance, Lucia quickly stood up. It was a good chance to calm herself down, and she could also conveniently fetch some water later.

Imeline tugged on Lucia’s sleeve, leading her to the bathroom door, and began to whisper her plan.

“I’m not very familiar with your teacher. If you insist on helping her wipe down, I’ll step out for a bit. In a moment, could you open the door for me and ask the maids outside to bring some desserts or something? I’ll be wearing my invisibility cloak and will slip out through the doorway.”

“Eh? Didn’t Julie say we shouldn’t wander off? Won’t anything happen if you go out?”

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen. I’m just going out to wait; I won’t wander around.”

‘Not wandering around’ was a lie. Having finally made it to the Crimson Family’s mansion, she definitely needed to conduct a thorough investigation. If she didn’t uncover something soon, Lucia would be utterly devoured by that woman.

“Alright then.”

Despite still feeling a little worried, Lucia agreed to help Imeline. After all, Lovelenica probably wouldn’t want someone she wasn’t close to seeing her body.

Once they had agreed, Imeline donned her invisibility cloak, and Lucia pushed the door open, creating an opening for Imeline to slip out.

After the door opened, the maids standing in the hallway turned their gaze towards Lucia.

“Miss Lucia, do you have any requests?”

“Uh… I’m feeling a bit hungry. Could you bring some desserts?”

“Certainly, Miss Lucia. We will prepare them right away.”

“Oh, and when you return, just knock on the door and I’ll take them. You don’t need to bring them inside.”

“Understood.”

While Lucia conversed with the maids, Imeline, cloaked in invisibility, had already slipped out of the room and into the hallway.