The Sleeping Devil

Vol. 1 - Chapter 14 - Battle Against Dior

The day of the final battle had finally arrived.

Didier had also come along, but he would have to wait alone for a while.

"Thank you for waiting. Now that everyone is here, let's proceed without delay."

"I've been kept waiting for so long. Be prepared if it doesn't work."

While enduring the piercing pressure, I led them to the familiar room.

It was located not far from Dior's room, a bit further inside.

Upon opening the door and entering, the scent of roses faintly filled the air.

"This is... Oh, it's not a bloodstained bucket."

"No, it's a bathtub."

I promptly corrected their misunderstanding. To think it had such a dangerous name...

Since I was allowed to do as I pleased, I had the room that was almost turning into a torture chamber remodeled into a bathroom.

Fortunately, the so-called bucket was originally intended to be made of white porcelain, so I had it shaped like a familiar bathtub and covered the room with tiles.

"It's not blood, but you will be soaking in hot water."

"In hot water? You won't get clean just by doing that. I don't like water because it dries out my skin."

"Don't worry. I've prepared moisturizers as well."

Reluctantly, Dior had her dress removed and seemed to have gotten into the bathtub.

Sheriel waited behind a folding screen just in case. She had warm water prepared, slightly warmer than body temperature, with a few drops of oil and essential oils added.

Since rose petals were floating on top, it looked visually splendid.

"Ah, it feels surprisingly good. It has a nice fragrance."

"As you will sweat a lot, please drink this."

It was a sports drink-like concoction made by adding lemon, honey, and a little salt to water. The maids also liked it, so it should be fine.

"Oh, it tastes delicious. It's easier to drink than regular fruit-infused water. Are you feeling dizzy?"

"Yes, for now. But rather than me, you should get in. If there's any danger, it's better for you, the young one, to perish first."

"Eh..."

Indeed, I, who was not to be trusted, was entering my first self-made bath. It was reasonable to take some precautions.

With nervousness, my clothes were also removed, and I headed towards the bathtub. Although it was a bit deep for me, I sat down on the edge of Dior's feet.

"Ahh~"

It had been a long time, no, it was my first bath in this world. It felt so good that I couldn't help but savor the phrase "washing away the fatigue of life."

"Since you seem to have sweated quite a bit, I will remove your makeup."

"You're going to remove my makeup? Well, it's not like I care about such things when dealing with children."

Dior reluctantly agreed once again. Though she had a lot of pride, her interest in beauty seemed to prevail.

As instructed, the maids carefully massaged Dior's face with freshly squeezed plant oil. They lifted the makeup with an oil cleanser, and then wiped off the oil with a silk cloth lightly wrung out in water.

Next was cleansing. They whipped up a high-quality plant oil soap that was made as a trial, creating a thick foam, and gently washed her face without their hands directly touching the skin.

"Washing my face with soap, what do you take me for? But this soap has a nice fragrance. Did you make this too?"

"Yes, I just made it yesterday. It's safe to use on the face,

"So you can use it all over your body."

"By the way, I've noticed that the maids' skin has improved recently. Does it have an effect even with regular soap? But wouldn't that just dry out the skin?"

"As part of the product testing and practice for the maids, I had them use several different ones."

"I see. Then there's hope."

Dior, lying down with her eyes closed, exuded an incredible charm even from the perspective of someone of the same sex.

Perhaps due to wearing a corset on a daily basis, her waist was slender, and her arms and hips had a slight plumpness that accentuated the abundant curves unique to women.

And her splendid bosom... Now it was time for the goddess to experience shampooing.

"I will wash your hair. I have also made a new shampoo, so it will make your hair glossy."

"You, your hair has been shining like platinum lately. Wasn't it reaching its limit?"

Although I was being praised, I couldn't rejoice wholeheartedly.

Hoping that she would be satisfied, Sheriel also had her hair washed together with Dior.

It was an improved shampoo made with a new soap, honey, and salt. It left the scalp refreshed and itch-free.

After that, they thoroughly sweated, washed their entire bodies with soap, and then received a massage on a bed while their bodies were still warm.

During the usual oil massage, moisturizer was applied to the face with floral water, and a scented oil was gently blended in.

Meanwhile, Sheriel dried her hair and dressed herself, only taking care of her appearance.

Dior's hair was also carefully dried, and when all the steps, including the finishing hair oil, were completed, a maid handed her a handheld mirror with trembling hands.

"Oh my, oh my, oh my!"

An unfamiliar high-pitched voice resonated in the room. Dior didn't take her eyes off the mirror for a moment, captivated by her own reflection.

"This mirror isn't enchanted with time magic, is it? Such a thing doesn't exist, right? Is it your gift? No, this touch, it's real. Have I rejuvenated by five years? And this hair, it's not something that exists in this world, right? Oh, you were here. But still, my hair is the best. I used to be the most beautiful in this country, but now I've become the most beautiful in the world. Oh, how sinful."

Dior's facial features were impeccably sculpted, with well-defined features that didn't require the use of eyeliner or mascara.

However, her skin appeared hardened with open pores, and the thick layer of white powder she had piled on top of the oil made her seem older.

Yet, with just one half-body bath and cleansing, accumulated waste materials were eliminated, and the pores that had been excessively open became less noticeable due to proper moisturization.

However, there were still areas that were slightly rough and damaged from years of accumulated burden and dirt. It would require diligent care.

"If you continue for a few more days, you will become even more beautiful. I plan to continue developing moisturizers, so if possible, please refrain from dangerous beauty methods..."

"Yes, yes, that's fine. I've tried various things, but nothing has shown results as quickly as this. You must have talent in this, I'm sure. Oh dear, what should I do? How many years has it been since my skin felt like this?"

Her unheard-of fast-paced voice resonated in the room, with her gaze still fixed on the handheld mirror without wavering.

The maid struggled to dress her in a light dress and lightly dusted some powder.

"I think a thin layer of white powder is sufficient. Now, let's have Didier see you."

To get Dior, who refused to let go of the handheld mirror, out of the bathroom, they forcefully guided her. Even while moving through the hallway, Dior's hand continued to touch and play with her flowing red hair. The crimson hair deepened in color, reflecting the sunlight and flickering like flames.

When they arrived at Dior's own room, Didier, who seemed to have been reading a book, quickly looked up.

"Well, well, well. I never knew I had a sister."

"Well, well, well! Didier, you think so too, right? The cosmetics Sheriel made are amazing. I initially thought soaking in the bath would be strange, but it turned out to be unexpectedly pleasant, and look at my skin and hair!"

"Oh, Mother. If you're too beautiful, people will start talking about demons and such again."

"That's true, it's troublesome. Being too beautiful is also a sin. But it's fine, beauty is justice."

What is this farce?

Sheriel's soaked head in the bath was completely left out of this unprecedented lively conversation.

"Sheriel, what are you doing? Sit down quickly. Come on, all of you, prepare the tea."

...I feel like I was called by my name for the first time.

As soon as Dior sat on the sofa, she became captivated by the handheld mirror again.

The maids who had worked hard on the preparations and rehearsals started preparing with cheerful efficiency.

"Dior-sama, do you think these products will sell?"

"Sheriel, call me Mother."

Suddenly, Dior lifted her gaze from the handheld mirror, revealing a beautiful face devoid of malice, making my cheeks involuntarily flush.

"Yes, Mother..."

"Well, then, will they sell... It's a waste to teach it to others. But it will certainly bring in considerable profit. The upper-class nobles will easily shell out gold coins. The question is how to sell them."

Honestly, I thought it would be difficult due to cultural and infrastructural issues, so I was delighted to the point of wanting to jump for joy.

However, indeed, the question is how to sell them. It would be best to consult with Bergar and Rainer about that.

After discussing various matters for a while, Dior suddenly mentioned trying on dresses, so Sheriel and the others quickly left the room.

Having soaked in the bath for the first time in a while, Mary carried me, and I fell asleep immediately.

Unaware that the same farce awaited me as soon as I woke up.