Chapter 46: A Tender Moment and Lingering Scars

A soft ‘splash’ echoed through the quiet room, the gentle gurgle of water filling the air.

A soft sigh, warm and intimate, brushed against Lovelenica’s earlobe, causing an involuntary shiver to run through her.

‘No, this isn’t right… How did things escalate to this point?’ A jolt of alarm ran through Lovelenica as she suddenly recalled vaguely agreeing to Lucia’s request moments ago. Thus, Lucia was now in the process of bathing her.

Lucia knelt behind Lovelenica, her hands circling around Lovelenica’s shoulders. With nimble, almost jade-like fingers, she meticulously unfastened each button of Lovelenica’s nightgown, one by one. As the pristine white skin was gradually revealed to Lucia’s gaze and her top slowly slipped away, Lovelenica felt an involuntary blush creep across her cheeks.

Though Lucia truly harbored no ill intentions towards the ailing Lovelenica, just as she had previously stated, her gaze nonetheless lingered for a fleeting moment upon the twin peaks enveloped in pristine white fabric that rose before Lovelenica.

Lovelenica’s usual nun’s habit was quite restrictive, concealing her figure entirely. It was only now, with her outer garment removed, that the generous fullness of her form was revealed, appearing even more ample than Lucia’s own.

‘No, no, no! What am I even thinking about? I shouldn’t be comparing myself to Teacher in such matters!’ Lucia vigorously shook her head, forcefully dispelling the errant thoughts from her mind.

Nevertheless, Lovelenica had clearly not missed Lucia’s momentarily lingering gaze.

“Hey! What—what are you looking at?”

Stripped of her top, Lovelenica hastily clutched her nightgown to her chest, shielding her front and leaving only her neck and back exposed. The blush on her face intensified.

“Please, don’t… don’t look everywhere…”

“My apologies…” Lucia retrieved the towel she had steeped in warm water. Gently, she lifted Lovelenica’s slender wrist and arm, intending to begin wiping from there and gradually move upwards.

It was only then that Lucia truly noticed Lovelenica’s skin was not entirely pristine. Though undeniably fair, it bore a scattering of small scars, particularly on her back, where several long, distinct marks crisscrossed.

These scars were the indelible marks left by Lovelenica’s years of undertaking missions in her human form, battling against various illusionary creatures. Unlike Lucia, Lovelenica, in her human guise, possessed no inherent self-healing capabilities.

While other nuns within the Church were proficient in healing magic, such spells could not guarantee the complete eradication of scars. The marks that still marred Lovelenica’s skin were testament to severe injuries that had proven impossible to fully mend.

Lovelenica’s human form possessed but a single life. Any disability sustained would be largely permanent, and if she were ever to be slain, this human vessel would be irrevocably lost to her.

As the warm towel gently swept across Lovelenica’s back, Lucia’s jade-like fingers rested with a touch of tender pity upon the scars that had defied complete eradication.

Truthfully, individuals holding the vocations of nun and mage typically did not sustain such extensive injuries. Most avoided close-quarters combat with their adversaries, and were often afforded the protection of knights during skirmishes. Lovelenica, in this regard, was a stark exception.

So, why had the Church chosen to entrust Lucia to Lovelenica’s tutelage?

It was because only by becoming a ‘Head-Slaying Nun’ could Lucia’s extraordinary regenerative abilities, her formidable physical constitution, and the holy fire that purified all be unleashed to their absolute peak. She was incapable of wielding that sacred flame from a distance, its power harnessed solely in close combat. This, then, was the true reason the Church had entrusted Lucia to Lovelenica’s guidance.

Now, observing the multitude of scars adorning Lovelenica’s body, Lucia truly grasped the immense effort Lovelenica must have poured into her training over the years.

Unlike Lucia, Lovelenica lacked self-healing capabilities. Each encounter with an illusionary creature was fraught with extreme peril, and every scar etched upon her skin bore witness to a life-or-death struggle.

In stark contrast, Lucia possessed potent self-healing abilities, mending every injury without leaving a trace. Once her rank advanced to a certain level, she would even be capable of regenerating severed limbs.

At this realization, Lucia began to understand, at least in part, why Lovelenica had pushed her so rigorously during training. It was because Lovelenica herself had forged her strength and grown through countless battles of that very nature.

Confronted with Lucia’s own regenerative abilities, Lovelenica clearly wished for her to adapt to similarly brutal combat scenarios ahead of time.

Though Lucia’s mind was now awash with a myriad of thoughts, Lovelenica, the subject of her contemplation, remained utterly oblivious.

After all, these injuries belonged to her original body; she possessed only fragmented memories of those battles and thus perceived no inherent danger in them.

All she could feel was the warm caress of the towel gliding across her back, every inch of her skin being tenderly cleansed.

An immense sense of relaxation washed over her, and the accumulated tension and weariness of the past days found a subtle, welcome alleviation.

For ever since arriving in this world, Lovelenica had felt profoundly alone.

Not only was she dependent on others, living under their roof, but she was also utterly without support. Her own sister harbored only the desire to utterly destroy her through Lucia’s hand, and even her sister’s human retainers had dared to torment her.

Now, to have someone like Lucia, who genuinely cared for her, brought Lovelenica a profound sense of ease.

Yet, Lovelenica knew, with a heavy heart, that she had deceived Lucia—the very Lucia who placed such implicit trust in her. ‘Still… for now, let me simply indulge in this fleeting moment of peace.’

Soon, Lucia had meticulously cleansed Lovelenica’s arms, back, and neck. Lovelenica even felt a slight cooling sensation alleviate the warmth in her head.

As for the front and lower regions, Lovelenica would not permit Lucia to continue.

“Let’s stop here, Lucia. You needn’t bother wiping anywhere else for me. Thank you, I already feel considerably more comfortable.”

“There’s no need for thanks, Teacher. I’m just glad you feel more comfortable.”

Lucia replied softly, then carried the towel and basin back to the bathroom. Indeed, to proceed further would have been truly inappropriate.

Knock, knock, knock—

“Miss Lucia, the desserts are prepared.”

Moments after Lucia had set down the towel, a knock echoed at the door. Opening it, she found the maid, who had arrived with the desserts she had requested earlier.

The maid stood respectfully at the threshold, holding a gleaming silver tray laden with an assortment of small cakes and cookies. As Lucia accepted the tray, she did not forget to offer her thanks.

“Thank you.”

“It is my honor to serve you, Miss Lucia.”

****

Meanwhile, on the other side of the residence, Imeline was stealthily navigating the corridor, draped in her cloak of invisibility. While the garment rendered its wearer transparent, it did nothing to muffle sound. Furthermore, a maid seemed to appear at regular intervals along the hallway, necessitating extreme caution on Imeline’s part.

Imeline had already finished her survey of the second-floor corridor. Unable to gain entry into any rooms, she had been restricted to merely observing the hallway. Now, having descended to the ground floor, she activated her ‘Eye of Truth,’ intending to ascertain whether the Crimson Family’s estate concealed any hidden basements or secret mechanisms.

However, just as Imeline stepped into the grand hall, a female voice suddenly resonated from the main entrance.

“Ah, the scent of a little mouse.”