Chapter 46: A Matter of Modesty

“Is there really a need to be so shy?” the Doll-like Maiden murmured, a hint of confusion in her voice.

Youka’s words were, in fact, true.

A year prior, on the very night Xiamiya had summoned Youka from the Starfall Palace, Youka had meticulously examined Xiamiya’s body, inside and out.

As the Grand Steward of the Starfall Palace, it was Youka’s duty to understand the physical condition of the new master.

Only by comprehending her master’s physical state could she provide better service, education, and training.

During the initial period after her summoning, the Demonic God had suffered fractured arms due to an attack.

Consequently, Youka had been responsible for managing Xiamiya’s daily routines, including bathing and personal care.

The Doll-like Maiden, therefore, knew Xiamiya’s physical condition by heart.

It was precisely for this reason that Youka felt a slight bewilderment.

Her master’s body had long been thoroughly seen and even intimately explored by her. Her master was well aware of this.

So why, then, was she suddenly so shy now?

‘Sometimes, it’s truly impossible to understand what goes on in this generation’s master’s head.’

“It’s not the first time I’ve helped you bathe. Is it really necessary to be like this? Wasn’t it always like this before?”

****

“No, it’s different, okay?”

Xiamiya, averting her gaze with a guilty conscience from Youka’s questioning stare, couldn’t help but mutter softly.

She was well aware that Youka knew her body intimately.

But that didn’t mean Youka could just look whenever she pleased, did it?!

“Before was before, and now is now, alright? Back then, I had no choice but to let you help because my arms were broken, but after that… didn’t I stop letting you help?”

“Wasn’t that because you were concerned about my appearance?”

Though Youka existed in an energy form, her physical manifestation was undeniably that of a young man.

Youka could certainly understand Xiamiya’s reluctance, given her strong human consciousness, to be bathed by someone who appeared to be a boy.

But now?

The situation was entirely different, wasn’t it?

“Master, this body I inhabit now is also that of a girl. There’s no need for you to be shy.”

Patting her enviably full chest, Youka stated this as a matter of fact.

Regrettably, the Demonic God still shook her head in response, her rainbow-colored eyes filled with a conflicted expression.

“That’s not how it works…”

“Then how does it work?”

“This…”

The cherry-haired girl was momentarily speechless, unsure how to explain herself. She merely glanced at her own body, a hint of self-consciousness in her gaze.

****

Watching Xiamiya, flushed with embarrassment and curled into herself, Youka frowned, feeling a touch of awkwardness.

After all, if Xiamiya wasn’t cooperating, it would be difficult for Youka to help her clean herself.

Though she couldn’t fathom why Xiamiya was still so shy about Youka seeing her naked, Youka quickly devised a solution in her mind.

Youka swiftly thought of human bathhouses.

In such places, one might feel extremely self-conscious stripping naked alone, but if everyone else around them was also unclothed, the feeling of shame would vanish.

‘My master is shy, presumably because she isn’t wearing clothes, while I am?’

‘That makes sense. Now, I also possess a physical body, no longer merely a soul form like in the past.’

****

With this thought, Youka smiled faintly, temporarily setting aside the soap and towel she held.

“I understand.”

“Hm? What do you understand?”

“Since Master feels shy bathing alone, I’ll join you.”

“Hm?? Eh?!”

Upon hearing this, Xiamiya stared at the Doll-like Maiden in utter astonishment, a flicker of panic instantly crossing her beautiful face.

“No, no, I’m not…”

Alas, it was too late to speak now.

Youka, firm in her internal judgment, quickly put her plan into action.

“Hey! Wait, you…”

At that moment, under the Demonic God’s wide-eyed gaze, our Doll-like Maiden slowly raised her hands and began unbuttoning her blouse, one button at a time.

Without a hint of self-consciousness, she gently removed her clothes.

Even in undressing, Youka’s movements remained fluid and graceful, as if she were performing a magnificent dance, each step imbued with a touch of allure and mystery.

The Doll-like Maiden’s slender fingers caressed her garments, the soft fabric gliding between her fingertips, emitting a faint fragrance. Her movements were light and practiced, devoid of any hesitation, as if she were presenting a meticulously choreographed performance that left Xiamiya staring, utterly dumbfounded.

One by one, the garments slipped away and were casually tossed into a nearby basket.

The Doll-like Maiden’s flawless physique gradually revealed itself.

Her skin, like snow, was fair and delicate, radiating a subtle glow as if covered by a sheer veil.

Her curves were elegant and captivating, her figure slender and tall, making one yearn to explore further.

Youka’s back was straight and erect, its lines smooth and graceful, like a perfect sculpture, displaying her nobility and elegance.

Her hips were full and rounded, with soft, alluring curves that inspired longing.

Her ample bosom, once freed from her clothing, stood proudly, appearing temptingly shy amidst the swirling mist.

****

And when the Doll-like Maiden finally cast aside her white undergarments, standing naked before Xiamiya, her beauty was beyond words. Her entire being exuded an inexpressible charm that drew one’s heart to her.

At this moment, the Doll-like Maiden in the steamy bathroom was like a blooming flower, emitting a captivating fragrance that stirred the soul. Every one of her movements was filled with charm and seduction; an ordinary person witnessing this scene would surely be instantly captivated, unable to extricate themselves.

Furthermore, after removing all her clothes, Youka did not shyly cover herself like a young girl.

Instead, she confidently walked, step by step, towards Xiamiya, gracefully entering the bath and approaching her stunned master.

“Now, Master, you needn’t feel shy, need you?” Youka said with a smile, her silver eyes brimming with confidence.

On the other side, Xiamiya, who had been staring intently at Youka’s body, remained frozen in a daze.

It wasn’t until the delicate fragrance from Youka’s body wafted into the cherry-haired girl’s nostrils that the Demonic God finally snapped back to reality.

Immediately, her already flushed face turned the color of a ripe red apple.

“Hey, hey, hey!! You, you, you?! How can you be so shameless?!! Why did you suddenly strip naked?!! Aren’t you embarrassed?!”

“Shameless?”

Murmuring the word, Youka tilted her head in confusion before replying with a perfectly straight face:

“Not at all.”

“Eh?”

“We are Calamity Demons. In our consciousness, there is no such thing as shame. Besides, all Calamity Demons, when unleashing their true forms and fighting with full power, are unclothed. If we felt embarrassed then, how could we possibly fight? Master, you don’t need to bother with those human cultural dregs…”

“But we live in human society now!” Xiamiya interrupted Youka indignantly.

“If we’re living in human society, please try to respect their customs, okay? You’re a girl now, after all. How can a girl just casually strip in front of others? And so decisively, too…”

As Xiamiya spoke, a flicker of displeasure crossed her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Youka’s confusion deepened.

“I understand what you mean, Master. But strictly speaking… I am not disregarding human society’s customs.”

“What do you mean, ‘not disregarding’? Didn’t you just casually take off your clothes? So shameless…”

“That’s because only you are here. If others were present, I wouldn’t strip so casually.”

“Eh?”

Facing the Demonic God’s astonished gaze, Youka sincerely placed a hand over her chest and gently explained:

“You are the master of my Starfall Palace; everything in the Starfall Palace belongs to you. I am no exception. You are my master, not ‘others.’ My body inherently belongs to you. As long as you command it, within permissible bounds, I can do anything for you. What does taking off my clothes in front of you amount to? Is there a need to be ashamed?”

“Uh, this…”

Staring at Youka, who had approached her, Xiamiya lowered her head, speechless.

Seeing this, Youka smiled and said, “So now, may I have the honor of bathing you, Master?”

As she spoke, she produced a towel and body wash from seemingly nowhere.

“…”

Upon hearing this, Xiamiya looked at the Doll-like Maiden, whose expression was sincere and tinged with anticipation.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Xiamiya slowly nodded.

“Alright… just, be gentle…”

“Of course.”