Chapter 23

After the incident of walking around town, I became hesitant to go out, and for a while, I spent my days in the mansion and the garden.

Rias seemed to have become busier, and we only met after dinner.

Just when I had finally gained some favor with Aidan.

If this continues, I might forget about Rias again.

"Rias is late again today."

In the room where we drink tea after dinner, even after the tea time had ended, he still hadn't returned.

Looking out the window, I could see the carriage, but only the faint light of the gate guard was visible in the dark night.

It was pouring rain. The rain occasionally hit the window.

If it's raining this hard, he shouldn't come back, but even on days of thunderstorms and heavy snow, Rias always returns to the mansion.

"Should I send a letter telling him not to come back...?"

I don't know if he would listen, but if there's a sense of duty, I want to ease it a bit.

"Earlier, it was reported that he left the palace."

"Yes."

I was a bit late.

He should be back soon.

When I left the room, the butler and the servants had already started preparing.

It's autumn. If he gets wet in the rain, he'll be cold, so they were boiling water.

I stood in the center of the servants lined up at the entrance.

Since his schedule is irregular, I rarely greet him, but I at least want to comfort Rias when he comes back drenched in the rain.

"Madam, are you going to greet him?"

The butler stood beside me and bowed respectfully.

I've been talking to this elderly butler a lot lately while studying about the mansion.

"Rias won't catch a cold, but this rain is quite something."

"I thought you might be pleased."

"Is it something that wives do every day, to greet their husbands?"

"Each house is different, and so is ours."

The butler's firm response suggests that Rias might have given him some instructions.

While we were talking, the outside became noisy.

The door opened, and Rias and his attendants entered with the sound of heavy rain.

It felt like the humidity in the mansion suddenly rose.

"Welcome back, sir."

The servants bowed. Rias raised his hand in response and handed his coat to the butler.

"Is everything well?"

"Because of the rain, you spent the day inside the mansion."

He must be talking about me and Aidan. He always asks about this.

"Welcome back, Rias."

"——Synthia!"

Rias lifted his head as if startled.

His hair was wet, making him look younger. His fiery red hair, now the color of autumn leaves, was partially covering his forehead, which is why he didn't notice me right away.

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice... ah."

He reached out his hand but then quickly pulled it back, realizing it was wet.

"It must have been a terrible rain. It looks like you swam here. Is there no roof at the carriage stop?"

If he gets this wet every time he gets in and out, there's room for improvement.

"No, I did some fieldwork today. ——I came back without changing."

"Oh... in this rain."

It's a tough job.

Hot days, cold days, rainy days, snowy days. I deeply respect people who work outside.

"Have you eaten?"

"I had a light meal."

"Sir, would you like some light refreshments?"

Rias nodded, and the butler gave instructions.

"Synthia, you haven't gone to bed yet?"

It was 9 PM. A bit early to sleep.

I laughed and said,

"Aidan is asleep, but it's still a bit early to sleep. ——Would you like to join me?"

"Yes! I'll change quickly."

"You don't have to rush."

I took Rias's hand. How long had he been in the rain? His face was paler than usual, and I was worried, but his hand was unusually cold.

"Synthia... you'll get wet."

"You're quite cold. Take a proper bath and warm up before you come back, okay?"

I emphasized this because he might just change and come back.

Rias nodded silently.

While waiting for him to have tea, Rias came back looking like he had just stepped out of a steam room.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

He must have rushed, as his hair was still a bit wet.

I went to meet Rias at the door and looked up at him.

The slightly damp hair and the good smell of soap. ——I couldn't help but reach out and touch his hair.

Feeling a strand, I realized it was still wet.

"It's still wet. Is it always like this?"

I have quite long hair, and it's fine and soft. It tangles easily, so I always leave it to the maid, who dries it skillfully.

Does Rias not have someone like that? Tilting my head, Rias let out an unnatural breath.

"......Ah, that..."

What's wrong? Is he having trouble breathing?

"Are you okay?"

"Ah, sorry. I was holding my breath."

What's that about?

He might be tired.

I led Rias to a seat.

I asked a maid to bring a towel and went behind Rias to dry his hair.

I could have left it to the maid, but I wanted to touch it. The same hair color as Aidan...

As I dried it, the texture was very similar. Neither too thick nor too thin, bright red hair.

I suddenly noticed. Rias hadn't moved at all.

"Rias? Relax."

"Th-this..."

Looking at him, Rias was covering his face with both hands.

"Ah, did you not like it?"

If he looks that embarrassed, I probably shouldn't have done it. I thought it was fine because the maids were watching with a smile.

"I don't dislike it!"

Rias denied it forcefully.

If he doesn't dislike it, I'll dry a bit more.

"Is the pressure okay?"

"Yes. ——You're very good at it. It's gentle... and feels nice."

Hehe. I always do this for Aidan.

Speaking of which, Aidan likes it when I stroke this spot—

"......Ah."

What.

Rias quickly covered his mouth.

His ears and neck were completely red.

I just touched behind his ear, but he made a really cute sound.

It would be mean to point it out, so I pretended not to hear and put the towel aside.

Deciding to change my approach, I started to massage his shoulders.

"——Wow. They're really tense."

He must have been extremely busy, and he must have been at his desk for a long time.

"Synthia, you'll hurt your hands."

"They're not that weak. Doesn't it feel good?"

"It feels... good."

As I massaged his rock-hard shoulders, I could feel the tension gradually easing.

It's like pouring water on a hot stone... my slender arms might not be enough for this overly tense body.

Ah, right.

I gently infused my hands with a bit of magic and pressed slowly.

I could feel the tense muscles gradually relaxing.

I didn't know healing magic could be used for shoulder pain. It's too versatile.

Rias let out a long, deep breath. Seeing him relax made me happy.

It was quite enjoyable to work on this.

After massaging for a while.

—Good.

It's soft now.

Thinking that, I looked at Rias, and to my surprise, he was asleep.

I hadn't noticed because it was so quiet. How long had he been asleep?

He must be really tired. For the commander of the kingdom's knights to be this defenseless... no, it means he trusts me this much.

Still, it's the first time I've seen Rias's sleeping face.

He looks young when he's sleeping. Despite being tired, his well-defined face was making soft snores.

Quietly, I took the blanket. I signaled the maid standing by the wall to leave, and she nodded and quietly left.

She didn't have to leave, but...

I covered Rias's shoulders with the blanket and thought.

I could leave it to the maids or attendants, but since I went to all this trouble, I wanted to watch over him.

I sat beside him to make sure he didn't fall and get hurt. Even while sleeping, he didn't move much. Maybe his abs are well-trained.

The sound of Rias's soft snores and the rain from the window.

A quiet, peaceful time passed.