Chapter 79

After finishing a meal that filled both our stomachs and hearts, we leisurely drank the tea that Leen had prepared for the three of us.

"Well, it's about time to take a bath," Vincent said.

"Your clothes and towels are already prepared in the bathroom," Leen added.

"Yuri, would you like to take a bath with me today?"

"Let's do it tomorrow, shall we?"

Hmm, it seems that taking a bath with both of them has already been decided.

I blinked a couple of times at their smiling faces and then nodded.

Suddenly, Vincent picked me up from the chair and carried me over.

"Vincent, you haven't cleaned up yet?"

"Didn't Leen just say? Today is a special exemption. You can be a guest today."

We passed through the washroom where I had just washed my hands and opened the door to a changing room with a door leading to the bathroom.

In the changing room, there was a basket, and inside were my and Vincent's change of clothes and towels, just as expected.

However, there was something very eye-catching on top of it...

"What's this?"

If I'm not mistaken, it's a rubber duck, right?

Didn't a certain group from Johnny's call it the Captain as well?

"It's a bath companion. It's a toy modeled after a duck, a type of water bird."

"Duck"

So, it's a duck after all.

It's a variation of the English word 'duck,' right?

...The magic continent, it seems, isn't just a figment of my imagination. Where do these things come from? Can I investigate?

"Alright, let's get in."

As I tilted my head looking at the Duck Captain, Vincent had already stripped and undressed me, and we both got into the bath with the Duck Captain.

Ah, well...

I was quickly washed, and I washed Vincent's back just like I do with Uncle Odd. After rinsing off the bubbles, I sat on Vincent's lap and soaked in the bathtub.

Embarrassment?

I've already reached a state of resignation.

Besides, if I were to drown alone, that would be a problem. A child my age can drown in just thirty centimeters of water.

As long as he's not a pervert who lusts after me, it's fine.

On the contrary, I appreciate the great muscles.

I don't intentionally look, but I'm not young enough to scream either.

I definitely don't want to deal with the lower body stuff again.

Still, the Duck Captain floating in the water is quite soothing.

I tried to make it change direction by creating waves with my hand, but it was quite difficult. Hmm.

At some point, Vincent also joined in, steering the Duck Captain, and we enjoyed the bath like children.

After all that, we got out of the bath and changed into pajamas.

Not the usual dress, but separate top and bottom pajamas. Interestingly, they had the same pattern as Vincent's.

"Matching, huh?"

"Yeah."

While I was struggling to button up, Vincent had already finished and was tidying up the towels and other things.

"Well, let's brush our teeth and go to bed," Vincent said.

"Okay."

We stopped at the washroom right after the bathroom and brushed our teeth.

For some reason, Vincent even checked and finished brushing my teeth for me.

Vincent is really like a dad.

We reported to Leen that we were done with the bath, and she led us to the bedroom... but it was the couple's bedroom.

"Yuri's room will be ready by next time, but for today and tomorrow, let's all sleep together," Vincent said.

"My room...?"

"We need a room for when you have secrets to keep from Dilnan. There's an extra room, and Leen is preparing it with enthusiasm."

Wait a minute. How much money are you planning to spend on a child you don't even know?

"Leen apparently wanted to prepare a girl's room. Please humor her."

"But..."

"It's fine. If you come over occasionally during your breaks, that's enough. Don't worry about it, child."

No, no, no. This isn't the kind of issue at all!

"Besides, I find it more fun to have a girl around.

---...Yuri, do you know about your body?"

"Huh?"

Vincent suddenly looked very serious. What about my body?

I tried to recall, but nothing specific came to mind, so I shook my head.

"Yuri, you are a neutral body. You are neither male nor female right now. And when you grow up, you can become either. You have a special constitution."

What? ...I wasn't a girl?

Given Vincent's serious expression, it doesn't seem like a joke.

Moreover, since Vincent is a doctor, he wouldn't lie unless it was a special case.

"It's fine to stay as you are for now. But in the future, you will have to choose one. If you want to stay in the Northern Demon Castle, you should be male, and Dilnan will likely raise you as such, regardless of your awareness."

"Choose..."

"It's a decision you can't avoid in the future. So, learn how to live as a girl here."

This revelation was unexpected, but maybe it's good that I heard it here.

And if that's the case, Vincent and Leen's kindness is very much appreciated.

I realized I have a lot to learn.

I need to take a more proactive approach to learning.

"...Okay, thank you very much."

"Learn a little bit at a time."

There's a bit of a knot in my heart, but I won't forget this kindness and will try to repay it someday.

Thinking this, I nodded, and Vincent patted my head with a smile.

"Good night."

I was led to the prime spot in the middle of the bed.

The super soft bed and the sun-scented blanket.

My body, warmed by the bath.

Vincent's presence and lullaby, and the soothing rhythm of patting as a bonus—how could I not fall asleep? No, I can't!

So, good night!