Chapter 37

"Taking a bath while the sun is high is also quite special."

The person, after washing their body, immersed themselves in the bathtub and said so.

Amelia, sitting a couple of shoulder-widths away, let out a sigh.

She glanced sideways at the woman.

She felt that the woman was quite elderly.

Her face was etched with wrinkles appropriate for her age, but each feature was well-defined.

Her body, wrapped in cloth, was firm and looked very healthy.

Her lustrous blonde hair was tied back to keep it from getting wet.

She had the appearance of a kind old lady, but the skin on her cheeks and shoulders, which peeked out from under the cloth, had a youthful elasticity. Several old scars were visible, which left an impression on Amelia.

(Who could she be...?)

She was clearly different from the people Amelia had met in the bathhouse before.

There was a sense of composure and dignity about her.

From the start, she had not used polite language, which led Amelia to conclude that she was not a servant but someone of high status.

"Don't stare so intently, it's embarrassing."

"Ah, I'm sorry!"

Amelia quickly returned her gaze to the front.

The woman laughed softly, as if she had seen something amusing.

"Miss, you have a curious face. Who might you be?"

"Y-Yes! I am Amelia Hargreave, who recently married into the Hernberg family."

"Hmm... Amelia, is it?"

The old woman narrowed her eyes and looked at Amelia with interest.

"I see... So you are the one...?"

"Um...?"

"Oh, my apologies. My name is..."

The woman paused for a moment, as if thinking, and then said:

"...Carol. I am a distant relative of the head of this household. When I visit this area, I often drop by."

"I see, a distant relative of Lord Logan. Nice to meet you, Lady Carol."

"That's fine, no need to be so formal. I dislike stiffness. Just call me Carol."

"O-Okay, Carol."

Carol nodded in satisfaction.

Amelia thought she was a bit hard to pin down, a bit eccentric.

"The bath here is quite special, isn't it?"

"Yes! I could enjoy it every day without getting tired of it."

"Is that so, is that so? That's good to hear."

"Do you often come here, Carol?"

When Amelia asked, Carol sighed.

"I've always loved Eastern culture. When I was young, I used to bathe here almost every day, but in recent years, I've been busy with various things... I haven't been able to come as often. However, my doctor recommended it for therapeutic purposes, so I've started coming again recently."

"Therapeutic... Is something wrong with you?"

"For the past week, my shoulders have been stiff and painful."

"Stiff and painful."

"Yes."

Carol tapped her shoulder gently.

"I heard that warming up improves blood circulation, so I've been coming here."

"I see..."

Amelia placed her hand on her chin in thought and then hesitantly offered:

"Um, this might be presumptuous... but..."

"Hmm?"

"I have a medicine that might help with shoulder stiffness. Would you like to try it?"

Earlier, she had made a vow.

She wanted to be of help to Logan.

Since Carol was a distant relative of Logan, Amelia wanted to be of assistance.

"Hmm... What kind of medicine is it?"

Carol leaned forward with interest.

"Well, it's a mixture of Ramu leaves, Languri flowers, and Bumeil grass. It's a topical ointment that helps reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation. I have some left over from a batch I made for back pain the other day, so I could give it to you..."

"Made... Did you make it yourself?"

"Yes... My hobbies are plants and alchemy."

When Amelia said this, Carol chuckled.

"You are just as I've heard, interesting."

"You know about me?"

"Of course, I've heard many things."

"Rumors..."

"Cheerful and clumsy, not very composed for a lady, and then..."

"Ah, that's enough, please, I beg of you..."

Amelia covered her ears and shook her head, her face turning red.

Carol chuckled again at her gesture.

"...Well, it's a good combination."

"Combination?"

"That's a different story. So, where can I get this medicine?"

"Yes! I can give it to you today or tomorrow, whenever it's convenient for you!"

"Then, can I come tomorrow? I have a few errands to run today."

"Of course! Where should I bring it to...?"

"Can you come to the garden?"

"The garden!"

Amelia's face lit up.

"I'll come, I'll come! Even if I catch a cold or get a serious injury, I'll drag myself there!"

"No, that's a bit much. Just rest if you need to."

Carol's face showed that she found Amelia a bit odd.

"Then, see you in the garden tomorrow."

"Yes! What time...?"

After setting a specific time, Amelia promised to give the medicine to Carol.

Unaware that this strange connection would lead to unexpected developments.

I managed to complete it just in time.

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