abcnovels
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
[What a wonderful bath!]
As soon as the public bath opened, Mia arrived in high spirits.
The public bath in the girl’s dormitory of St. Noel Academy is a natural hot spring, with water drawn from deep underground.
Upon seeing the bathtub filled with hot water in the empty bathhouse, Mia’s face lit up with a big smile.
[Isn’t this heaven?]
(Mia-sama, you really like baths, don’t you)
Anne let out a gentle smile, after seeing the joyful Mia
Surprisingly, there aren’t that many people in noble society with the habit of bathing. In fact, there are very few.
To begin with, volcanoes are scarce on the continent, making natural hot springs very rare. In order to take a hot bath, you have to go to the trouble of fetching water and boiling it, which many nobles saw as pointless.
They thought: “Why not just wipe oneself with water?”
In fact, it was the working class that was more interested in baths. Unlike the aristocracy, who had plenty of entertainment, the common people didn’t have much to look forward to.
The public bathhouses scattered throughout the city became a popular option for the common people.
Meanwhile, Mia was known to be the biggest bath lover in the country. It was the only luxury she indulged on.
Since she asked for water to be boiled almost every day, her love for bathing was well known among the maids.
It wasn’t like that from the beginning though. At least, it wasn’t like that in the previous timeline.
But….. two years of prison life changed her.
She was only given a bucket of cold water once a week. …..After two years dealing with that, she began to miss hot water.
However, no matter how much she asked, she couldn’t touch hot water until she was put in the guillotine.
Because of that memory, the reborn Mia wanted to bath every day.
Even though she knew indulging in luxuries would lead directly to the guillotine, she could not suppress her desire.
Anne was puzzled after hearing Mia’s wish.
Why would Mia, the Imperial Princess, want to take a bath, which is supposed to be a thing for common people?
She had such doubts, but after seeing Mia so confortable in the bath, she ran around the city, looking to improve the bath environment, looking for renowed bath herbs and getting hot water from rare hot springs.
As a result, ….., Mia unwittingly obtained it.
A lustrous and radiant skin.
A beautiful and smooth glossy hair.
However, Mia, who was simply satisfied with taking a bath every day, was oblivious to that.
She didn’t realize she was secretly attracting attention in the social circles for being like “the goddess of the moon”.
(I wonder why people keep telling me I have beautiful hair and skin recently)
That was the extend of her thoughts.
[Well then, I’ll wash your body, Mia-sama]
[Yes, if you please]
While gently rubbing Mia’s back, Anne checks on Mia’s skin condition.
(The trip was very long, so your skin may be a little rough.)
Fortunately, the water in this bath is said to be good for rough skin and recovery from fatigue. A light massage with herbal soap and a little time soaking in the water should be enough.
(I wonder who Mia-sama wants to approach)
Although the question was avoided earlier, Anne’s curiosity know no bounds.
(I though for sure she liked Ludwig-san, but…..)
Anne shook her head.
(In any case, I have to take perfect care of her body, so, no gentleman will resist…..)
After washing Mia’s body, she carefully washed her hair. She also checked for split ends on it. There was no problem with color and gloss.
[Hum. I’m done washing you, Mia-sama]
Anne said, after nodding her head satisfied.
[Thank you for your hard work, Anne]
Mia turned around in a good mood, but then she though of something.
[Oh, yes. It is my turn to wash your back now.]
She said with a smile.
[What are….? There is no way I could ask the princess to wash my back.]
[You don’t need to hold back. There is no one else here and you must be tired. It is my way of thanking you for everything you have done for me.]
For Mia, Anne was an important ally and loyal subject.
However, above anything, she had with her a debt of gratitude she could never repay, for she had stood by her side, until the moment of her death.
Mia forcibly made Anne sit down and hastily washed her back.
[I’m done. Let’s go in.]
Just when she was about to enter the bathtub.
[Mmmm, you two sure get along well.]
A soft voice reached Mia’s ears.
Author’s Note:
Thank you very much for your reviews.
I can’t write a thank you answer on the reviews, but I can write a note here, so I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you. I’m very happy. Thank you very much.