Chapter 57

Sara's welts were marks made when she was struck forcefully with a flexible rod about the thickness of a finger.

In my past life, I had many similar marks, so I understood them well.

"When did this happen?"

"…Yesterday."

I examined Sara's body closely.

The welts on her buttocks were prominent, but there were also healing scars on her abdomen, chest, and thighs.

She had been beaten regularly.

However, it would be difficult to pursue the baron using these physical injuries as evidence.

Beating with a whip in the name of discipline was common in both my past life and this era.

My father had forbidden corporal punishment by tutors and servants, so I had never been beaten.

But the use of violence during education was still common, even with my father's strict instructions.

Judging from my past experience, Sara's welts would heal and disappear in a few days.

But especially the ones on her buttocks would likely sting when she took a bath.

That's probably why Sara didn't like taking baths.

"Hmm."

I glanced at my mother. The maid was not around, so she was undressing herself.

The clothes for meeting other nobles were not designed to be put on or taken off alone.

My mother seemed to be struggling a bit.

As a result, she hadn't noticed Sara's injuries yet.

"…While we have the chance."

"What do you mean?"

"Shh, it's a secret?"

I whispered in Sara's ear and cast a healing spell using magic power borrowed from the spirit.

Even if using magic would prevent her from growing taller, it was more important that Sara's pain be relieved now.

Sara's injuries were not severe.

Compared to healing missing limbs, the magic power consumed by the healing spell was minimal.

In an instant, Sara's injuries were completely healed.

"Does it still hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt. Amazing."

"Shh, it's a secret?"

"Okay, okay. I understand. …Thank you, Lady Rulia."

"You're welcome."

I patted Sara's head.

Then, I went to the bath with my mother, who had taken off her clothes.

The large bathtub, which could easily fit twenty people, was filled with warm water.

Near the bathtub, there were large buckets for Caro and Korko, also filled with warm water.

"Kyaukyau," "Kokkou."

Caro and Korko happily jumped into the buckets.

"Wafu!"

Daw also tried to jump into the bathtub, but

"Daw, no. Wash your body first."

"…Waf."

He looked disappointed when my mother stopped him.

"Wafu."

Daw came and sat next to me.

"Do you want to be washed?"

"Waf!"

"I can't help it!"

"Sara will wash you too."

Sara and I washed Daw with my mother.

Daw was very large, so it was quite a challenge.

"Daw, lie down."

"Waf."

"Put your head flat on the floor."

"Waf."

We made him lower his posture to wash his back and head.

My mother was the main one doing the washing, while Sara and I focused on the spots she missed.

"Daw is so cute. Hehe."

"Yep. Daw is cute."

As we washed Daw thoroughly, I suddenly noticed something.

"…Daw, have you gotten more white hair?"

"Waf?"

I thought I saw white hair mixed in with his golden fur.

It was possible that he had always had some white hair.

"Mother, Mother. Has Daw gotten more white hair?"

"…I'm not sure."

"Is it a problem?"

"Wafu?"

Daw looked at me with a shocked expression.

"Hmm. Daw is only five, so it might not be due to aging."

"That's a relief, right?"

"Waf."

"But why has he gotten more white hair?"

"Sometimes an animal's fur color can change as they grow. It's not common in dogs, though."

Sara and I listened to my mother while washing Daw.

"What kind of animals change color?"

"Well, horses, for example. Have you seen a gray horse?"

"Yes, a white horse."

"Right, a white horse. But gray horses are often born brown."

Perhaps Daw was a gray dog whose color was changing as he grew.

"Daw, it's not due to aging. That's a relief, right?"

"Wafu."

Daw wagged his tail happily.

"Ah, we can't forget Daw's tail."

"Right, we'll clean it."

Sara and I took turns washing his thick tail.

"It gets thinner when we wash it, doesn't it?"

"Right, but even if it gets thinner, Daw's tail is still thick."

"Indeed."

After washing his tail, we moved on to his belly.

"Daw, roll over."

"Waf."

We made him lie on his back and washed his belly.

"Really. There's more white fur on his belly."

"I think it used to be more golden."

"Waf."

Sara and I scrubbed his belly, and Daw closed his eyes in contentment.

"We need to wash his paws too."

"Wafu~"

While Sara and I scrubbed his belly, my mother washed his paws.

"We need to clean between the pads too."

"Waf~"

"His claws… haven't grown much. Maybe they get worn down during walks?"

"…Wafu."

Daw wasn't paying much attention to what my mother was saying.

He was very relaxed and making happy "waf waf" sounds.

After the washing was done and the soap was rinsed off,

"Kyun."

Daw made a sound as if he was reluctant to leave.

"Next, it's Sara and Rulia's turn."

"Okay, let's wash!"

I ran to my mother, but

"I can wash myself."

Sara seemed to be hesitant.

"No, Sara, come here too."

"Yes."

Sara and I were washed from head to toe by my mother.

During this time, Daw sat quietly and watched us.

"Hey, that's strange."

"What is it?"

"Sara, you don't have any injuries?"

"I, I don't."

"Good. That's a relief."

My mother looked puzzled.

"Mother, what's wrong?"

"I was planning to call a doctor to treat Sara's injuries. But it seems the measles made it impossible, right?"

"Right?"

My mother was examining Sara's body again, more closely.

She seemed to have known that Sara was being beaten by her parents.

"Good. If you don't have any injuries, that's fine."

She smiled.

Perhaps she had suggested the bath to check the extent of Sara's injuries.

"Mother, let's wash your back!"

"Thank you."

Sara and I washed my mother's back together.

After we finished, my mother was still washing her hair. It took a while because her hair was long.

"Rulia, Sara. You'll catch a cold, so go into the bathtub first."

"Okay," "Yes."

"Watch Daw so he doesn't drown."

"Wafu."

Daw eagerly headed to the bathtub before us.

The moment he got in, water spilled over the edge.

Following Daw, Sara and I entered the bathtub.

"It's warm!"

Sara said happily.

"Indeed. It's warm and feels good."

"Wafu."

Daw also seemed to be enjoying it.

Since he was so large, he probably didn't get to use the bathtub often.

"Sara, do you like baths now?"

"I like them if they're warm. Hehe."

"…Were they always cold?"

"Cold."

Sara said this while petting Daw.

"Doesn't the manor have a bathtub?"

"There is, but Sara isn't allowed to use it."

"Is it cold?"

"Yes. But it's been warmer recently."

Ever since Marion got sick, Sara had probably been washed with cold water, even in autumn and winter.

Even in warm seasons, the cold water must have stung her whip marks.

"That must have been tough."

In my past life, I was often doused with water when I smelled bad.

I had experienced the same thing.

Winter was truly terrible.

The holy maiden would laugh happily as I shivered uncontrollably from the cold.

Cold water stung the wounds.

"Sara, you've been through a lot."

In my past life, I had the spirits and the goat, and I had magic.

That's how I survived.

"Sara is brave."

"…Really?"

"Yes, you are brave."

I patted Sara's head, and she smiled, saying, "Hehe, hehe."

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