Chapter 42 - Chapter 41: It's Bath Time! Everyone Gather Round ②
"Haa, this is seriously paradise..."
"Yeah, it really is great..."
"I never thought we'd be able to take baths this early on in this village..."
Since it would be a serious matter if a monster attack occurred during bathing, the male retainers made sure to stagger their bathing times.
Yuri and Bart, who were in the first group today, had already finished their baths, and now it was the turn of Pence, Radley, and Edgar.
Pence and Radley, who had stayed in urban areas as mercenaries, and Edgar, who came from the village head's family, had all experienced bathing before.
However, after losing their respective places—the mercenary bands and the home village—they had been far removed from the opportunity to bathe. For them, the existence of this public bathhouse was a blessing.
"...Haa."
"What's wrong, Pence? Why the sighing?"
"Nah, I just thought I should probably find me a wife soon."
As expected, these were the topics discussed here as well.
"Well, we've finally found a territory where we can settle down, plus we're retainers now, and on top of that, we even have farmland. All that's left is a wife."
"You're in the same boat as me, Radley."
Pence was approaching the big milestone of 30, and Radley had already passed it. Both were at an age where they felt the need to hurry toward marriage.
"Well... the thing is, actually..."
"What!? Don't tell me you've found someone!?"
Pence turned toward Radley with a look of astonishment.
To put it bluntly, Radley was an ugly man. He had also aged considerably. The expression he wore now, smiling as if slightly embarrassed, was honestly hard to call attractive, even as a compliment.
Such a man was making remarks hinting at a woman. For Pence, who considered them fellow bachelors, it was a tremendous shock.
"Look, I often look after Rick and Dant for work, right? And because of that, their families sometimes invite me over for dinner since I've been helping them out."
Radley continued to speak, smiling with a smug, joyful look.
Incidentally, despite being young, Rick already had a wife and children, while Dant was still unmarried and lived with his older sister. It seemed Radley was occasionally invited to their dinners.
"And then, Gina, Dant's older sister—she asked me if I wouldn't marry her. She's a fine-looking woman, and she said she'd be willing to marry an old ugly guy like me, so I told her I'd be delighted if I was good enough for her."
"Ah, Gina-san. She is indeed cheerful and caring; a wonderful woman. Congratulations, Radley-san."
"Hehe, thanks, Edgar."
Edgar, who remembered everyone's faces clearly as the coordinator for the farmers, appraised Gina, who was to become Radley's wife. Radley, having his partner praised, showed a happy face.
Pence, on the other hand, still wore a shocked expression.
"...Are you serious? You're getting married before me?"
"What's this? You're not gonna congratulate me?"
"No, I think it's a happy occasion, but... why hasn't a good partner appeared for me?"
"It's because you handle everything so smoothly that you lack charm. From a woman's perspective, there's probably no reward in taking care of you."
"That's... I can't deny that."
Pence slumped in depression after having a part of himself that was both a strength and a weakness pointed out.
"I think Pence-san is a handsome man, though. I'm sure you'll find a good partner soon."
"Shut up, you're the one who's in a good atmosphere with Anna."
"Wh... Th-that's not true!"
"It's useless to try and dodge it. It's completely obvious how you're both conscious of each other and stealing glances during meetings."
"Is that so... I've been found out... This is troublesome."
Even as he said this, Edgar looked somewhat happy.
"Tch. Every single one of you is bragging about your love... Haa, the Captain of the Retainers married Mai, and I hear that bastard Bart is popular in Retovik, so am I the only one left...?"
Pence let out a sigh filled with melancholy, having lost the comrades with whom he could share the loneliness of a single man.
.....
It wasn't just the men who indulged in romance talk at the bathhouse. On the women's bathing days, the interior of the bath was enveloped in glamorous and bright voices.
"Mai-san, your body is so toned and your skin is so supple, it's wonderful. The Captain of the Retainers is so lucky to have such a young and beautiful bride. I bet you two are very affectionate, aren't you?"
"Oh stop, let's not talk about us as a couple, it's embarrassing."
The one speaking familiarly to Mai in the bath was Gina, who was soaking in the water next to her. She was Dant's older sister and the intended wife of Radley.
As one of the female retainers, Mai also made an effort to get along with the women of the territory as much as possible. Thanks to that effort, the number of people she could speak with quite closely had increased.
"Compared to that, look at me; my stomach and bottom have become all squishy."
"Oh, but I think there are many men who like women who are plump and have a sense of maternal embrace. Isn't that the case for Radley-san too?"
"Kyaa! Where did you hear that?"
Gina let out a high-pitched cry, her face turning red as she waved her hands frantically.
"The two of you have become a complete topic of conversation among the women of the territory. Congratulations."
Since both Radley and Gina spoke about it proudly to those around them, the news of their marriage had already spread considerably throughout the village. It was too late for Gina to be embarrassed and surprised.
"Ufufu, thank you... Radley-san is a kind and good man. The way he's a bit clumsy is also wonderful."
"That's true, he is a good person."
Because of his unique face and strong accent, Radley tended to be misunderstood, but Mai also thought he was simply a kind and good man.
On the other hand, Gina was also a bright and kind woman, and her features were charming and cute. As a comrade since the mercenary days, Mai was happy that Radley had found a good marriage partner.
As Mai and Gina talked, the other women gathered around, and they began to talk noisily, teasing and congratulating Gina on her decided marriage.
The women of the Arqvist territory had all built such positive relationships.
As Mai watched the conversations of the villagers with a heartwarming feeling, the next person to speak to her was Anna.
"Radley-san's marriage has been decided too. How wonderful."
As a live-in retainer, Anna had been given a private room in the Noein mansion and could use the mansion's bath, but because she wanted to become friends with the women of the territory, she came here on the days the public bathhouse was open.
"And when are you going to get together with Edgar-san, Anna?"
"Eh... That, I-I don't quite know yet-shu."
Anna's face turned bright red, and she accidentally tripped over her words. The fact that she and Edgar were conscious of each other had long been discovered and pointed out by Mai.
"If you don't decide on marriage soon, Edgar-san might start looking at other girls, you know?"
"T-That's impossible! Edgar-san isn't that kind of person!"
The moment she defensively shielded Edgar like that, it was painfully obvious to Mai that Anna was head over heels for him.
"If you think so, then hurry up and get together."
"U-Uuu... but I don't know what to say..."
As Anna sank her mouth into the water with a bubbling sound and looked down, Mai spoke with a wry smile.
"You don't have to worry so much; if you convey your honest feelings in unadorned words, it'll be fine. Then Edgar-san will surely accept them properly."
"...That's true, isn't it. I understand. I'll do my best."
"Yes, I'm looking forward to hearing a good report."
.....
"Uiii~, this is paradise."
The one who let out an impression like an old man while soaking in the hot water was Noein.
He was in the bathroom of his own mansion. For a bathroom in a small mansion, it was quite spacious, allowing two people to enter with plenty of room.
Noein, who had loved baths since childhood, had a particular obsession with the bathroom when building his mansion and had allocated a budget for it. This was the result.
Inside the bathtub filled with plenty of warm water, Noein leaned back.
The one who caught his body was Matilda.
Since the time he lived in the annex of the Kivileft Earl's house, Noein had bathed with her. That habit, naturally, continued even now.
"It's warm, it's soft, it's heaven."
"I am happy that you are pleased with my body, Noein-sama."
As a racial characteristic of the rabbit-folk, "large breasts" could be cited. Of course, Matilda was no exception to this.
Therefore, in the spacious bath, Noein indulged in a way of relaxing that could not be shown to others, burying the back of his head between Matilda's abundant twin peaks to immerse himself in a feeling of paradise.
This had been Noein's bathing style since long ago, and Matilda, who loved him from the bottom of her heart, naturally accepted this—rather, she was happy to be able to entrust her body to him.
The other retainers and villagers had no way of knowing that their respectable lord engaged in such a bathing routine every day. This was a secret known only to Noein and Matilda.