The Sleeping Devil

Vol. 1 - Chapter 11 - The Terrifying Tea Party

A few days later, I was invited to Dior's salon for the first time.

I don't know what my brother said, but it's surprising how smoothly he arranged this meeting.

It's unexpected, to say the least, almost anticlimactic.

As I sat on the long bench alongside Didier, I noticed a table filled with meringue pastries we had made the other day.

"Could it be... Brother?"

"Oh, what are these called? Their name?"

"They're called meringues. Meringues."

Since they don't seem to have cookies here, it should be fine to just call them meringues.

Although I answered instinctively, I didn't expect to continue the conversation like this...

"What are you whispering about? So, what brings you here today?"

My spine straightened as if struck by lightning.

We meet every day during meals, but it has been about two years since we last faced each other like this.

Dior's fiery red hair and lips suit her fierce demeanor perfectly.

Right now, though, I can't bring myself to look her in the eye, imagining something completely different.

"This is a confection called meringue that Sheriel recently created. It finally turned out well, and she said she wants Mother to try it as well."

Dior replied, "Oh..." while covering her mouth with a fan, and she scrutinized the meringues with suspicion.

"It looks similar to sugar candies. Are you the one who made these?"

"Yes, they are easier to eat compared to sugar candies..."

What a situation... I was hoping that I could somehow push this onto Cork.

At this rate, I'll end up becoming a glutton obsessed with food in others' eyes.

Prompted by Didier, I reluctantly put one into my mouth with my twitching cheek. I don't think I'm smiling convincingly due to the nervousness, but the evenly piped meringue is beautiful. It crumbles crisply and melts away smoothly.

It seems that Cork's meringue-making skills are improving rapidly.

As if saying it can't be helped, Dior takes one and puts it in her mouth, then her eyes widen, and she freezes.

"How is it? Could this be useful in high society?"

Didier, with a smile reminiscent of a shady merchant recommending a dangerous item, is really only twelve years old.

But more importantly, what does Dior think? That's what I'm most curious about.

"Well... If you made this. Well, it seems you've awakened to quite a peaceful talent, which is reassuring."

"A cook made them. I just provided a little advice."

"But that advice is the most important, you know? It's valuable because it's something ordinary people wouldn't come up with."

Phew, it seems like it's okay for now.

After all, even the recipe is from my past life's memories, so it's not something I came up with...

For now, I've decided it's better than being regarded as dangerous.

"By the way, I heard Mother has recently come up with a new beauty treatment."

"Oh, that? It's not something I came up with. It's something recommended by a foreign merchant, so I'm trying it out."

"A foreign merchant? Can they be trusted?"

"The products I had were all genuine and top quality. Besides, it's like a simple folk remedy, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to give it a try."

Simple, you say, Mother? But she doesn't seem completely obsessed with it to the point of death.

What on earth is going on?

"What will you do if it doesn't work?"

"I've had a large tub prepared that can fit my entire body. I'll try soaking in it next time."

That's definitely splatter territory!

"Uh, um, may I ask something?"

"What is it?"

"Well... Are you using blood for this? Several maids have collapsed, and it's dangerous for Dior-sama too."

Her cause of death must be related to this. It would be strange if she didn't fall ill with such an unknown and demonic-like beauty treatment.

"I provide proper compensation to the maids. Resting for a while will replenish their blood. But what do you mean by 'dangerous'?"

"Using someone else's blood is dangerous. If the person has an illness, it can be transmitted. Even if the person doesn't show symptoms, they can still carry the disease."

The atmosphere instantly freezes. I feel like I could be shot dead just by her gaze.

Even Didier, my reliable ally, remains silent and gazes at me with a perplexed expression, making me break out in a cold sweat.

"Why do you know such things? Illness and affliction are brought about by impurities, you know? Are you suggesting that my maids are harboring impurities?"

I feel the pressure I felt when I first came to this castle piercing through me.

Honestly, it's incredibly frightening.

I managed to go from being the "hated lover's daughter" to just the "troublesome relative's child."

But no, there's a possibility that Dior could die during this period. I want to eliminate the causes as much as possible.

It's scary and troublesome, but I can't back down here.

"I suppose diseases can be transmitted from person to person, right? There's a risk of infection through the air or blood. If you would reconsider the current beauty treatment, I would like to propose an alternative method."

I anticipated that she wouldn't give up easily. That's why I had a few options in mind, things from my previous life that don't exist in this world.

"Yes, let's give it a chance. It does have a slight odor, after all..."

Phew, I managed to find a starting point. Now I just have to produce results.

I recall the tingling sensation I felt when assigned to a project on the brink of failure.

First, let's assess the current situation...

"Then, please lend me one of Dior-sama's maids for a little while."

"Fine. Do as you please."

"Making a deal with Mother, huh? You're quite something."

"Isn't it more concerning that you're okay with it? You mentioned soaking in a tub filled with the maids' blood, didn't you?"

"Well, it's in bad taste, right? And it must smell awful."

Is that all?

It seems the Beriard family has a slightly different sense of perception.

Among the maids who accompanied us, there were two who collapsed recently.

"Now, let me ask you about Dior-sama's regular skincare and makeup routine."

"Madam cleanses herself with cleansing magic before going to bed, followed by applying oil."

"Cleansing magic?"

"Yes, since Sheriel-sama hasn't completed her baptism, she only uses a warm towel for now, but once she develops resistance to magic, she would cleanse herself with magic."

"What about bathing?"

"You mean a bath?"

Come to think of it, she hasn't taken a bath yet, has she?

It's strange that there's no concept of bathing and I wondered how they managed.

Apparently, bathing is not a cultural practice in this world. They cleanse their bodies with magic instead.

That's so convenient! Isn't it amazing?

"Since you don't soak in hot water, could you please show me, even if it's just your hands?"

They don't need buckets or towels. One of the maids extended her arm and took out a short staff.

Wait, could this be the first time I'm witnessing magic in this world...

The maid chanted a long incantation, and water emerged from the staff, enveloping her arm. After a moment, it disappeared without a trace.

I wanted to cheer and get excited about witnessing real magic, something I hadn't experienced since my past life, but the maid continued to calmly talk about their otherworldly practices, diverting my attention.

"That's it. Normally, the three of us pour magic into a dedicated magic circle and cleanse our entire bodies. Then, you rest on a massage bed, and we massage your entire body with scented oil. As for your hair, we wash it with magic twice a month to maintain its luster."

Wow, it's easier and better than in my previous life.

In Sheriel's imagination, Dior stood at the center of a magic circle in the darkness, surrounded by maids kneeling around her, performing some suspicious ritual. But she decided not to delve into that delusion, assuming it's a more legitimate culture than blood pacts.

However...

"Twice a month!?"

"The cleansing magic removes dirt by transferring it to the water and then eliminating it. So if the dirt doesn't transfer to the water, it can't be removed. That's why we wash your head with hot water in a bucket like young ladies do once every two months."

Oh, right... they just quickly rinse with water.

No, that's not it. Washing once every two months is a problem, isn't it?

But the maids continued to explain matter-of-factly as if it were normal.

The cleansing magic has both water and fire attributes, and the temperature is adjusted when casting the spell.

If you're a mid-ranking or higher handmaid, you can wash your entire body alone, but if you have less magical power, you need a few people to assist with the magic circle.

"What about the face?"

"We gently wipe it with a damp cloth. Before applying makeup, we apply oil and then use a brush to apply white powder. Recently, after wiping with water, we apply blood with a brush and then wipe it again before you go to sleep."

Oh... that's something else...

I wasn't particularly beauty-conscious in my previous life. I didn't wear makeup every day or obsess over cosmetics, even though I was a shut-in. But I did take care of myself to some extent, so I'm confident that I can achieve some results with my knowledge. I started planning in my head.

I asked about the tubs, the facilities they were creating, and other cosmetic-related matters, and then sent the maids home for the day.

"Are you interested in beauty, Sheriel? Even without doing anything, your skin is soft and fair, your lashes are like snow, and your sapphire-blue eyes are as clear as glass. You look like an angel."

"Thank you, dear brother. You're also beautiful, like a devil."

I casually brushed off his words and started writing down each item on the paper I received during the lesson. I had to write small to save paper, but Didier complained, saying, "You're wasting it... You should be able to remember that much."

Paper is valuable in this world. It's not made from wood or animal skins but from petals of magic flowers, or so I've heard.

"Well, there's this and that... and I think moisturizing is needed... But do I really need it? Hmm, I wonder where I can get it?"

"What's the matter? Do you want something again? Should I get it for you?"

Could Didier provide what I need? Maybe...

"Dear brother, could you introduce me to a reliable merchant? I won't waste money. It would be helpful if they specialize in beauty products and have a wide range of items. It's necessary for our mother's sake."

"Well, that makes it your second request for me, then."

Although I felt a slight chill from the word "request," I had no choice but to rely on Didier for now. After all, I still only know a few servants in this world.

"A merchant, huh... Come to think of it, I recently found an interesting one. I think it'll be useful."