Chapter 4

"Eh? I can do as I please in this palace?"

I was told this by Ruri, a maid under the command of Astaloth.

"Yes. His Majesty the Demon King has no intention of forcing marriage upon you, Yuria. Furthermore, he wishes for you to first recover your health, and then spend your time as you see fit."

Ruri respectfully relayed the message from her superior.

However, at that moment, I, who had died from overwork in my previous life and was on the verge of overwork in this one, had no interest whatsoever in the words 'no intention of forcing marriage.'

More importantly!

—The fact that the demons would grant me freedom after I had been overworked by humans!

"Really, I can do as I please?"

I grabbed Ruri's shoulders and shook her.

Surprised by my enthusiasm, Ruri still managed to respond.

"Yes, that is what I have been instructed. His Majesty wishes for you to spend your time freely as a guest in this palace."

Ruri bowed respectfully once again.

As I watched her, I began to daydream. The kind of free time I had always longed for since my days as Chika in my previous life! Just taking a rest, enveloped in the soothing scent of aromatherapy. Oh, I want to make jam too. And the time to read my favorite books and dream of different worlds...

What should I do...

—I will live the slow life I have always dreamed of!

I let my thoughts drift there.

One day, I was looking at my face in the mirror.

"You look quite worn out."

Indeed, Yuria's features are good. Long silver hair, skin as white as snow, and gentle green eyes that soften the cold impression of the silver strands.

However, my hair has lost its luster and the ends are split. The dark circles under my eyes haven't fully gone away. My skin is dry, and my hands are rough.

I have been so busy with my duties as a saint that I haven't been able to take care of these things.

"At twenty, this is unacceptable."

Perhaps I should cut my hair shorter. And then, moisturize it with some good oil...

"...Oil."

Suddenly, an idea struck me.

"Floral water can be used as a toner. And during the process of making it, you can also extract aromatherapy oils. And for my hair, camellia oil would be best. I want it."

Floral water, also known as hydrosol, is made by steaming flowers or herbs with water in a distiller. It can also be made with a simple steamer. The various beauty components in the flowers dissolve into the water, making it an inexpensive toner. At the same time, a small amount of aromatherapy oil can also be extracted.

And the oil. As a former Japanese person, I have a straightforward thought that camellia oil is the best for hair. Moreover, Yuria's hair is long and straight. So, I think simple camellia oil would be the best.

"If I talk about aromatherapy oils and camellia oil, it starts with flowers. What kind of flowers are in the garden?"

Looking out the window, I noticed many roses blooming in the garden.

"Roses for floral water and aromatherapy oil are high-end. They are supposed to be very effective for the skin."

Well, if I were to be picky, I would choose Damask roses, but I can compromise.

I rang the bell, and Ruri, my assigned maid, came to the door after a short while.

"Ruri, come in. I want to go out to the garden. Can you help me change?"

From the other side of the door, Ruri replied, "Of course," and the door opened. She bowed and then pushed a small, portable table with a bowl of water and a towel into the room.

I followed her lead and washed my face and mouth with the water.

Next, Ruri opened the door of what seemed to be a closet. Inside, there were only a minimal number of clothes.

—So few!

I must have shown my surprise on my face. Ruri explained with a wry smile.

"Due to the sudden nature of the situation, we couldn't prepare clothes that fit Yuria's body size. We also didn't expect the humans to force you into a carriage with just the clothes on your back... We have prepared some loose-fitting clothes that should fit anyone for now."

While apologizing, she pointed out a few items that I could wear outside and let me choose.

"You're right. My situation itself is unusual. Rather, I'm causing a lot of trouble for the demons. ...I'm sorry."

As Ruri dressed me, I lowered my head.

"Yuria, don't apologize! And please don't make that face. Right now, Lord Astaloth is enthusiastically having suitable clothes made for you! Please look forward to it."

After dressing me in a simple dress, Ruri turned to me and smiled.

"By the way, what should we do with your hair?"

As Ruri led me to the dressing table, she asked.

"I want to pick roses outside. So, please tie it up simply so it doesn't get in the way. Look, the ends are damaged... Please style it in a way that doesn't strain my hair."

I sat down and showed Ruri the damaged ends of my hair.

Seeing the damaged ends, Ruri tilted her head sadly and frowned.

"Oh... I will inform a hairdresser to come and trim your ends later."

While saying this, she gathered my hair into a simple braid on the side, tied it back, and then decorated it with a lace ribbon to add a touch of elegance.