‘Just being by my lord’s side is something I must be thankful for.’
Whenever unpleasant feelings arose in her heart, Kayla continuously reminded herself.
It was fortunate enough to be able to protect him.
Just being able to help him was something to be thankful for.
But as time went by, her desires began to grow.
She wanted to become closer to her lord.
She wanted to give him more help and advice.
And she wanted to receive more praise and affection.
However, the moment the necklace was placed around Erina’s neck, Kayla clutched her aching chest.
“I am… just a companion…”
Even as she said it to herself, she felt a wretched feeling.
At first, she was content with a simple master-servant relationship.
At some point, she wanted to become a companion who stood by his side.
And now, she hoped for a relationship beyond mere companionship.
But it was only her wishful thinking.
“Master…”
When she saw the light emanating from the necklace, Kayla’s heart ached.
She was certain it was a gift meant for her.
When would she receive a necklace?
If she did, what would she say?
But Kayla’s expectations were completely shattered.
Seo-Hyun gave the necklace to Erina, not her.
Was it an audacious expectation?
‘Why…’
Why hadn’t she met her lord earlier?
If she had formed a bond with him before Erina, the positions might have been reversed.
No, she might have even pushed her away and become his sole companion.
Her lord surely wishes for this too.
‘I trust you more than Erina.’
She could never forget those words.
The genuine feelings he had shared only with her. Seo-Hyun did not trust Erina.
At first, she couldn’t understand why he kept her by his side.
But watching her closely, she understood.
‘My lord is afraid of Erina…’
As much as it pained her, she acknowledged that Erina was an opponent she couldn’t defeat.
That’s why her anxiety grew.
For now, Seo-Hyun held the leash, keeping her in check.
But as time passed, who knew what she might do.
One day, she might act recklessly and cause chaos.
Ultimately, she might even harm her lord.
Thus, Kayla made a solemn vow.
She would make Seo-Hyun stronger than Erina.
‘My master trusts me.’
She would definitely separate that woman from him.
And she would be his sole companion.
Kayla held onto this wish, unable to tell anyone.
She resolved to endure and persevere for the day her dream would come true.
But today, she couldn’t overcome her feelings of loneliness.
So she decided to do something she usually wouldn’t.
***
Norton Village was a more challenging environment than the capital.
But it had one redeeming feature.
It had an open-air hot spring.
“Phew…”
As I immersed my body in the hot water, the tension eased and my body relaxed.
Since falling into this world, I had always been on edge and sensitive.
On the other hand, there was no way to relieve stress.
At least during a bath, I felt good.
It felt like the vitality was returning to my tired body from all the hunting.
As the warmth spread, my eyes closed.
I felt a sudden urge to take a nap.
“No, I can’t fall asleep.”
I endured the drowsiness and calmly enjoyed the hot spring.
I felt happy thinking about falling asleep in bed with a refreshed body.
I was the only one in the open-air bath.
Using a bath the size of a basketball court alone, there was no need to be mindful of others.
Suddenly, I checked the inside of my thigh. The black mark was still there.
“I really can’t get rid of this…”
Because of this useless mark, I couldn’t show my body recklessly.
Even when taking a bath, I had to make sure no one was around before I could enter.
The Goddess had bestowed her blessing to help me, but now it was more of a hindrance.
Still, just in case, I covered my lower body with a towel.
It would be troublesome if I got caught.
While I was thoroughly enjoying the bath, I heard someone’s voice from the entrance.
“May I come in…?”
The door was closed, so I couldn’t see the person’s face.
But from the voice alone, I knew who it was.
“Kayla. I’m still in here.”
The person who spoke in that sweet yet clear tone was the only one I knew.
She must have come for a bath.
The open-air bath was co-ed, after all.
Still, it felt a bit awkward to bathe together with a woman.
“Just wait a moment. I’ll finish up soon…?”
Suddenly, I heard the door opening.
Footsteps accompanied by splashing water echoed.
Through the thick, white steam, a figure appeared.
“Wait…?!”
Kayla was covering herself with just a single towel.
She was breathtakingly beautiful.
It was so overwhelming that I couldn’t look directly at her.
I had seen her body once before when we made a contract.
But that time, she only showed a glimpse through her collar.
She had never revealed her body so openly like this.
Moreover, Kayla’s body was stunning even compared to other women.
I hadn’t noticed because she always wore a robe, but now she had only a towel.
Her flawless, smooth skin and figure were wrapped in a white towel.
Her black hair and flushed cheeks completed the picture.
The expression “beauty that could topple a nation” wasn’t an exaggeration.
“I’m sorry. But I have something to discuss with you alone, Seo-Hyun-nim.”
Her desperate voice had a charm that drew people in.
She probably didn’t intend it, but it was extremely disconcerting from my perspective.
“Can’t we talk later?!”
Talking now would be difficult.
I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to concentrate at all.
With nowhere to rest my eyes, I couldn’t lift my head.
“Just for a moment, it’ll be fine. I’ll leave shortly…?!”
Suddenly, there was a loud noise, and a column of water shot up.
Something had fallen from the sky, creating a massive splash.
And then, I heard a familiar voice.
“What are you doing?”
In the center of the bath, where the commotion had erupted, stood someone I knew well.
“Erina…?”
I had thought she finished her bath before me and was resting in her room.
But there she was, in a light dress, holding a longsword, standing in front of me.
Confused by her sudden appearance, I watched as she approached Kayla with her sword drawn.
“You…”
“Ugh…?!”
A chilling, murderous intent filled the air.
The peaceful atmosphere was gone, replaced by tension and silence in the now chaotic bath.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I did nothing wrong.”
Kayla’s eyes met Erina’s with a defiant look.
She even tilted her neck as if daring her to do something.
The standoff continued with neither backing down.
In the end, I had to intervene.
“Stop it.”
“…”
I had to prevent a sword fight in the bathhouse.
As soon as I spoke, Erina lowered her sword, and they distanced themselves from each other.
But their gazes remained locked. The silent battle of wills continued.
“I said stop.”
“Ah…!”
I approached Erina and lightly tapped her head.
Only then did her sharp gaze soften and her eyes return to their usual roundness.
“Put the sword away. What if someone sees?”
“It’s fine. I’ve been watching to make sure no one comes.”
So, she had been watching me bathe the entire time.
No wonder no one had come in while I was in the bath.
I thought it was just a coincidence, but now I understood the real reason.
Her shameless confession was a bit infuriating.
I smacked her head once more. With a sharp sound, a soft whimper echoed.
“Ouch…”
It wouldn’t hurt her anyway.
She wouldn’t feel any pain from just a tap on the head.
Yet, she held her head, eyes welling with tears.
Feigning pain, she looked at me with sparkling eyes.
The image of her crying in my arms a moment ago was still vivid.
I wished that had been the end of it, but Erina had boldly admitted to stalking me.
Her brazen attitude left me speechless.
Normally, I would have scolded her severely.
But today, I was too exhausted. I didn’t have the energy to be angry.
I didn’t want to clash with Erina anymore.
“Why don’t you ever listen?”
“Because I have to protect you.”
What did protecting me have to do with spying on me in the bathhouse?
The problem was that Erina’s expression was utterly serious.
My only time to relax, the bath, had turned into a farce, leaving me no choice but to laugh bitterly.
And it wasn’t just Erina who was a problem.
“Kayla.”
“Y-yes…!”
“What did you want to talk about that you came here?”
Kayla knew I was in the bathhouse.
Yet, she ignored my words and came in anyway.
Barely covered by a towel.
She certainly hadn’t come just to talk.
But now, she was silent, unlike before.
She had said she wanted to talk alone, so it seemed difficult to speak now.
“I’m sorry…”
“Haah…”
I didn’t even have the energy to talk to both of them.
I didn’t want to scold or nag them.
All I wanted now was to rest peacefully.
So, I said something I would never normally say.
“Let’s all just take a bath together.”
“What…?”
“Get in quickly. The water’s getting cold.”
At this point, I decided to just let things happen as they would.
