Chapter 36

"Phew..."

As soon as Amelia sank into the grand bath of the Hernberg mansion up to her shoulders, she let out a sigh as usual.

Ever since she had married into this house, she had been visiting the bath almost every day, to the point where she had become quite addicted to it.

No, it wasn't just an addiction.

It had become an integral part of her daily routine, just like eating meals every day.

When she took a bath, all the unpleasant things and worries seemed trivial.

Washing away these things along with the accumulated fatigue had become Amelia's daily pleasure...

"It's hotter than usual..."

With cheeks as red as tomatoes, Amelia muttered.

It felt as if her head was boiling, and her whole body was filled with heat.

She knew the reason.

"Ugh... embarrassing..."

With a splash, Amelia submerged herself up to her nose.

It was because of last night's dream.

She had been shown a vivid dream where she was embraced at the waist and kissed by her husband, something she had never experienced before.

It might be a common scene for an ordinary couple, but this marriage was a contractual one.

Given the current situation where they hardly had any physical contact, it was a dream that was too stimulating for Amelia.

"Lord Logan's face... I can't even look at it properly...!!"

Covering her face with both hands, Amelia shook her body in the water, looking like a naive young girl.

Steam rose from her body, and her ears were as red as her face.

Before long, she felt lightheaded.

As she got out of the bath and sat on the edge of the tub with only her feet in the water, she gradually calmed down.

"Ugh... I must have shown such a pitiful sight..."

Muttering to herself, she recalled what had happened yesterday.

Logan had found her weakest point, acknowledged it, and embraced her... and she had ended up crying loudly like a child, despite her age.

She had always tried to act mature and avoid being seen as childish, but she had ended up displaying the exact opposite, a shameful and ugly scene.

But...

"I was so happy..."

For a long time, she had hidden her deepest feelings, and to have them accepted...

To be told that he was on her side, that it was okay to feel safe, and that it was okay to cry...

She was truly, truly happy.

Relief, happiness, acceptance, liberation... all these emotions flowed out with her tears.

After her body could no longer lose any more water, her tears finally stopped.

While rubbing Amelia's back, Logan said,

—Even though it's a contract, we are a married couple. If you have any troubles or worries in the future, please don't hesitate to tell me.

(I am being cherished...)

With this strong realization, Amelia's lips involuntarily curved into a smile.

"Ah, no, no..."

Her face had become slack again.

She moved her cheeks to try to regain her composure.

"Anyway..."

With a splash, she submerged her slightly cooled body back into the bath.

"I need to be of use to Lord Logan..."

She muttered in a firm tone.

While she wasn't sure if her abilities could help Logan, she wanted to be of some assistance.

(Just as Lord Logan helped me...)

With this strong resolve, she was thinking.

Then, a sound like a bell ringing came from the changing room.

(...Is someone coming?)

She wasn't particularly surprised.

She had shared the bath with others several times before.

Whether it was a maid, a cook, or a cleaner, she had met several servants this way.

The previous master had adopted the Eastern culture of "naked camaraderie," where social status didn't matter.

Of course, the baths were separated by gender, so no one of the opposite sex had ever come in...

After a while, the sliding door opened with a creak.

Just as Amelia was thinking about leaving to let the new person in,

"Oh, what a surprise, we have a guest today."

The person said upon seeing Amelia.

Today, I have some time, so I might be able to craft another chapter.

Probably around 7 PM (as usual).

If you found this interesting, are curious about what happens next, or are encouraging me to keep updating, your bookmarks and ratings (☆☆☆☆☆) would be a great motivation...!