So you changed my face temporarily with magic?

Suddenly, a conversation I had with Igelto a few hours ago came to mind.

Because I had changed his appearance with magic without consulting him first, he couldnt hide his outrage, and his face distorted.

I meticulously explained to him why I had changed his appearance while he was unconscious.

An elfs comparatively extraordinary appearance attracts attention.

My rationale pacified Igelto, but his face still wore an uneasy expression.

His Excellency is quite late.

Lida spoke to me as if she were thinking out loud.

Alastair and I always had dinner together. Yet the time for dinner had almost wholly passed when Lida mumbled when he still didnt arrive.

Yes, I guess his work is keeping him very busy.

I replied nonchalantly, turning a page.

It has been a long time since I read a romance novel.

Whenever I was visiting the Duke of Agernia and bored, Lida would hand me a romance novel to appease me.

I dont particularly like romance novels, but I felt compelled to read because of Lidas sincerity.

At least the romance novels were a hundred times better than accounting and catalogue books in this mansions study.

How far have you read?

The two went to a masquerade ball.

I turned the pages for a while.

It wasnt very interesting, but it was worth reading as a diversion.

Umm? Lady, I think the Duke is coming?

As I looked out of the window along with Lida, I saw a carriage with the Agernian crests seal coming in from a distance.

I closed the book and laid it down on the table.

Lida, can you bring Alastair to me?

Yes, milady.

At once, the maid left. She opened the door and went outside without feeling a sense of awkwardness.

Usually, it wouldnt make sense for a visiting noblewoman to request the Dukes presence, lord and master of the mansion of where she is staying.

However, this mansion was anything but typical when it came to me.

The attendants here take everything as law and put my words above Alastairs.

The reason is simple because Alastair authorized such a policy.

Treat Serina as the owner and true master of the mansion.

After a while, Lida came up. But Alastair was nowhere to be found.

Wheres Alastair?

ErrThat He asks to see you after washing.

What?

Youre going to take a random bath?

My eyebrows lifted slightly at the absurdity.

Why, all of a sudden?

I dont know. He didnt look particularly dirty.

Tell him to do as he likes. What can I do if he wants to wash up?

I wanted you to match my dress

An unexpected idea popped into my mind, but it was something that had to be done anyway.

I needed a dress to wear at the Kings International Banquet, so I wanted to go shopping.

Would I choose Alastairs suit?

While Alastair was washing up, I pondered about what to wear at the banquet.

Not paying attention to the time, I soon heard a knock.

It was Alastair.

He knocked lightly, came into the room, and snugly stuck next to me. Serina, did you call me?

so wet.

How hurried you came? Alastair didnt even dry himself off properly.

His body seemed to be roughly dried, but his head was wet.

The shirt was getting wet because of the water that fell off his soaked hair.

I felt strange for some reason to see his flesh explicitly through his wet shirt.

Why didnt you dry your hair?

You called, so I came as soon as possible.

Alastair grinned with real joy. But there was a nagging suspicion at the back of my mind, and I frowned.

Something didnt add up. If you wanted to come as soon as possible, wouldnt I have to come as soon as I called you?

Instead, you did something else and then came.

If youre going to take a shower, you should at least finish your task.

I laughed at this ridiculous indecisive behavior that was neither this nor that.

Go to the bathroom and get a towel. Ill dry your hair.

Are you sure?

Alastair opened his eyes wide in surprise.

You dont want to?

No, Ill bring it.

Is it strange that Im going to dry your hair?

Alastair blinked at me with an astonished expression.

Well, I didnt think it was bizarre.

It is not like I hadnt pampered this Duke only once or twice.

I reasoned that it wouldnt be wrong if I took care of him this time.

Alastair went into the bathroom attached to my room and brought a soft towel.

I took the towel, stood up from my seat, and put Alastair in the chair where I was sitting.

He looked a little stunned.

Why are you donning such a blank expression?

Im sorry.

No, you dont need to apologize.

I could already feel the dampness seep into the towel.

I moved the towel around to absorb the moisture from his wet hair.

I didnt do anything special while drying his hair, but Alastair hummed and mumbled blissfully that it felt good.

My ears were flattered by his praise.

I heard you called me.

It was nothing much. Lets have dinner.

Ah. I must have come too late. Im sorry.

You dont have to be sorry for that. What did you do today?

Flinch.

I was drying Alastairs hair, so I felt it acutely when his body stiffened.

Not much.

I snorted inwardly.

Only

Do you know how I am feeling right now? I wanted to lift the mirror in front of him.

For some reason, hes lying.

What the hell have you been doing?

Really?

***