Chapter 79

Finally, I managed to return to the capital city.

Moreover, it seems I have three days off starting tomorrow. I'm so happy.

However, there is one problem.

"Quwaa~ Quwaa~"

Amelia peered into the office from the window, letting out a mournful cry.

While listening to the captain, I could feel her gaze piercing through the window, making me feel uneasy.

Why is Amelia outside? She can't pass through the door and enter the room.

"Quwaa~ Quwaa~ Quwaa~"

Amelia's mournful cry echoed through the office.

"Alright, Amelia, I understand."

Even the captain, who was in the middle of a conversation, stopped to speak to Amelia.

"I'll ask for the room to be renovated so Amelia can enter. It might take some time before the work starts, though."

"Quwaa..."

The griffin-lion, which is said to grow as large as a horse or even larger. Even if we renovate and she can pass through the door, in the near future, this office might become too small for her.

However, Amelia is so lonely, and it would be pitiful to leave her outside. The worst-case scenario would be for me to stay outside all the time. It's a difficult problem.

While I was thinking about this, Urgas, who was standing next to me, pointed something out.

"Hey, Lislis, if Amelia can't pass through the office door, she probably can't enter the dormitory either, right?"

"Ahh!"

A major problem was revealed. She can't possibly sleep outside alone at night.

I glanced at Amelia—

"Quwaa~"

Amelia started to cry quietly, her eyes slightly teary. Despite being a pampered girl, the thought of sleeping outside is too pitiful.

"Amelia, it's okay! I'll sleep outside with you."

"Quwaa~"

There's a thin layer of snow outside, but it's fine. Surely, Amelia will warm me with her feathers!

As I declared this, Liette called out to me.

"Wait, Mel. You can stay at my house. Please, don't camp outside."

"Ri, Riette...!"

"I would have lent you a room if my house was bigger."

"Zara too...!"

The kindness of everyone was deeply touching.

For now, I decided to stay at Riette's family home.

Then, Zara made a proposal.

"Mel, would it be okay to make an appointment to visit the Countess of Evhardt during your three days off?"

"Ah, yes. Thank you very much!"

The Countess of Evhardt is Riette's maternal grandmother's family, where Zara leaves her lynx when on expedition. We had planned to visit before, but our schedules never aligned.

"Then, I'll ask when I go to pick up Blanche. I'll send a letter to the Countess's house once the schedule is set."

"Understood. Thank you very much."

It seems I won't have to endure the cold.

After that, we dispersed.

"I need to go back to the dorm to get my clothes and get permission to stay out overnight."

"I'll write the permission here and have a servant deliver it. I'll lend you my clothes."

"No, that's too much, and Riette's clothes... I don't think they'll fit."

Riette is tall and slender, about a head taller than me.

And she has a curvy figure. I don't think I can wear her clothes.

We are the same age, yet why is there such a difference in our body types? It's a mystery of the human body.

"...It's impossible. I can't wear Riette's clothes at all."

"Oh, um, y-yeah."

An awkward silence.

Clearly, I have to go back to the dorm. Amelia's fruit should have arrived by now.

"Ah! Then, I can lend you my childhood clothes. I think I still have them!"

"Childhood... clothes..."

"Ah, sorry."

Indeed, Riette's childhood clothes would fit me. However, childhood clothes...

"Because I want to talk to Mel slowly! It would be a waste of time to go back to the dorm!"

"Riette..."

What a thing to say. If there's a reason like that, I can't refuse.

"But, wouldn't it be a bother to suddenly show up?"

"My house is always welcome to Mel."

"Amelia too?"

"Of course!"

"Thank you."

And so, I decided to stay with Riette for a while.

◇◇◇

The clock tower in the city rang, signaling the night.

The surroundings were completely dark, and the people on the streets were hurrying.

Riette and I headed to the Lichtenberger Marquis's house in a carriage.

Amelia followed us, flying in the sky.

This was my second visit to the Marquis's house, but I was still nervous.

We were greeted by many servants and told to wait in the guest room with Amelia—

"Pancake, is that you?!"

The old butler, who brought tea and snacks, was accompanied by the fairy Album.

She looked like a cute, fluffy weasel, but she was a mischievous fairy.

She approached me, but—

"Quwaa!!"

"Guwaa!!"

Amelia stepped on Album's head, interfering. Album wriggled and struggled, but Amelia showed no mercy.

Well, just enough, please.

I was offered tea and snacks, so I gratefully accepted.

Amelia was also served fruit.

I focused on the dessert on the plate.

It was about the size of a fist, fluffy, and dusted with powdered sugar. It was a dessert I had never seen before. I asked the old butler nearby.

"Excuse me, what is this dessert?"

"That is a cream puff."

"A cream puff, you say."

Apparently, it's a dessert with custard cream inside a thin, baked pastry. Hmm.

"How do you eat it?"

There were no knives or forks. Perhaps, you eat it with your hands?

"Pick it up and take a big bite."

"Take a big bite?"

"Yes. It's the Marquis's favorite, and he eats it every three days."

"I see."

If the Marquis eats this dessert every three days, it must be very delicious. I decided to try it as the old butler instructed.

When I picked up the cream puff, it was heavier than it looked, probably because it was filled with cream.

To prevent the powdered sugar from falling, I took a big bite.

"…Wow!!"

The pastry was crispy and light, with a very fragrant buttery aroma. Unexpectedly, the custard overflowed with just one bite. It was elegantly sweet, rich but not cloying.

I couldn't believe such a delicious dessert existed. I couldn't help but ask the old butler.

"The Marquis said the same thing."

"Is that so?"

I thought I might get along with the Marquis when it comes to desserts.

Album, who was being stepped on by Amelia, was saying, "Give me a bite," but I ignored her.

After enjoying the delicious cream puff, Riette returned.

"Mel, Amelia, I'm sorry to keep you waiting… Oh."

Noticing Album being stepped on by Amelia, she instructed the old butler to take her to the Marquis.

Album was taken away with teary eyes, muttering, "I wanted to eat pancakes and cream puffs…" I felt a bit sorry for her, but then I remembered being hung upside down by her, and my sympathy quickly disappeared.

Album was taken away by a servant, and the room became quiet.

"By the way, the bath is ready, so you and Amelia should go together."

"Thank you!"

Apparently, the Marquis's house has five baths. They were lending us the largest one, which was spacious enough for Amelia.

"Everything is prepared for you."

"Thank you, for everything."

"Don't worry about it."

Amelia's eyes were sparkling with excitement. I'm glad.

We were led to the bath by a servant.

The entrance had heavy double doors, which the servant opened simultaneously from both sides. This spacious room would easily accommodate Amelia.

"Milady, Miss Amelia, this way, please."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

"How many assistants do you need?"

"Assistants?"

"Yes. Someone to clean your body, someone to dry you, and someone to take care of your hair—"

"No, thank you. I can do it myself."

"Understood. Please call us if you need anything."

"Y-Yes, thank you very much."

It seems that noble people take baths with the help of servants. I learned something new.

As we entered, the door slowly closed.

I was amazed by the size of the bath. The changing room alone was larger than my dorm room.

White, fluffy towels, change of clothes, and undergarments were laid out. Combs and essential oils were also arranged.

"Wow!"

"Quwaa~"

I decided to wash Amelia first, so I entered the bath without taking off my clothes.

"Wow!"

"Quwaa~"

It was huge!

The bathtub was so large it looked like a lake, with a wide marble washing area. The walls, ceiling, and columns were all white, and water gushed from a lion's mouth. It was a flowing bath.

I washed Amelia while playing with her.

I thought I was cleaning her well, but when I rubbed soap into her feathers, the dirt came off.

"Miss, do you have any itchy spots?"

"Quwaa, Quwaa~"

Amelia said, "I'm not suffering, keep going," and then, "Thank you for washing me." What a sweetie.

After washing her, I poured water over her and encouraged her to soak in the bath first.

When Amelia got into the bathtub, the water overflowed. About half the water spilled out. Since it was a flowing bath, it would fill up again soon.

I took off my clothes and washed my hair and body.

I hadn't had a proper bath during the expedition, so it was very soothing.