Volume 4, Chapter 66 – An Intoxicating and Bitter Taste

Translator Note

Anastasia Pov

In the spacious bathhouse, there was only the sound of flowing water.

Amidst the swirling water vapor, an incredibly mature young woman sat by the edge of the pool. Beside her was a girl with her black hair coiled up high, her features as delicate as a doll’s. It was hard to imagine that these two elf girls, with their vastly different figures, were only twenty or thirty years apart in age.

These were, of course, Anastasia and Fia.

Although Fia was here on business—if erasing the Sinner’s Mark could be considered business—this was the first time they had sat together by the pool, wrapped only in bath towels…

No, in a broader sense, it wasn’t the first time. In the past, when I served her in the bath, we had also sat together like this. But in the past, only I had sat by the edge of the pool, while she sat on the steps below. And there were always other maids like Colita with us. To be sitting alone with her on the same level like this was definitely a first.

It made it hard to know where to look.

On the surface, Anastasia maintained a proper demeanor, but her heart was pounding. Because Fia was completely unguarded and much shorter than her, from her perspective, she could see everything on Fia’s chest with just a slight downward glance. To be fair, Fia’s development could only be described as slightly undulating, but even so, it was enough to push up the thick, wet bath towel a little, allowing one to see the mysterious and subtle, shallow valley, glistening with smooth water droplets.

If it were an ordinary person, they would surely have felt a sense of regret, thinking things like “what’s there to see” or “how pitiful.” But not Anastasia. She only felt that this size was exquisite and cute, as if it held a magical power that drew her eyes. It seemed that with just one glance, her gaze would be deeply sucked in.

No, this should be the most perfect proportion in the world. There is nothing more endearing than this. In her heart, Anastasia thought that compared to her own “bloated” body, her master’s body was the most exquisite work of art in the world.

Whether it was her smooth, fair back that outlined a delicate curve, or her skin that always emitted a faint fruity fragrance, or even her alluring profile, everything was filled with fantasy. Just having her sit beside me like this, I have to use all my self-control to remain restrained. Otherwise, I would surely be thinking of getting handsy, just like those countless rude new maids I’ve driven away—serving Fia was like a war. If one was not careful, those maids who dressed her, or even washed her clothes, would do presumptuous and infuriatingly lewd things.

Of course, in the eyes of an ordinary person, especially her master, they would not notice these things. After all, it was just helping her put on clothes and stockings; skin contact was inevitable. But in Anastasia’s eyes, even skin contact should have its limits. She could tell at a glance which people were working seriously and which were using work as an excuse to satisfy their sordid, lewd desires.

I will not be as unruly as them.

“Anastasia?”

Suddenly, Anastasia noticed something waving in front of her eyes. She focused and found that it was Fia’s hand. She had been lost in thought for too long.

Seeing Fia’s face, now so close to hers, Anastasia shyly turned away.

“Ah… I-I’m sorry, Your Highness. I was distracted.”

“It’s not to the point of needing an apology. I just wanted to say, could you lower your head a little?”

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“Sister Ana is too tall! It’s very difficult for Sister to check.”

Just as Liti had said, when they were standing, Fia’s head only reached Anastasia’s chest. Although sitting could reduce the gap to some extent, Fia still had to look up and raise her hand to touch the Sinner’s Mark on her left cheek, which prevented her from seeing the whole thing.

So that’s how it was.

Anastasia instantly understood. In the time she had been distracted, Fia and Liti had said a lot. And she hadn’t heard any of it, having been thinking about those reckless maids and her master’s soft, delicate body under the bath towel… how outrageous. She was a disqualified maid.

But it couldn’t be helped. Anastasia quickly defended herself. Fia was too dazzling. Just having her sit beside her was enough to make her imagination run wild… whether it was her petite and exquisite body, or her cold and indifferent temperament, or even her completely unguarded manner, like a small, weak animal that could be kneaded at will, everything about her was like an invitation, making one want to hold her tight.

Her master had no idea how dazzling she was.

Resisting the urge to touch Fia, Anastasia did her best to restrain her restless heart. She turned her face away and lowered her head, allowing the Sinner’s Mark on her left cheek to appear clearly in Fia’s vision. And then, she felt Fia’s cold and slender fingers brush against her cheek.

It was a little itchy, but more than that, it was a comfort that made her want to let out a groan of pleasure in her heart. She could clearly feel Fia’s fingertips slowly tracing the patterns on her cheek, those careful, concerned fingertips warming her heart.

If she could, Anastasia wished that this moment could last forever. But reality would not change with her will. She knew what was permissible and what was not. Fia had just beaten up the Elf King in the afternoon, and now she was going to erase her Sinner’s Mark tonight. This would only intensify the conflict between father and daughter. Just as her own father had berated Fia because he saw her as an extension of Yelido, the Elf King also saw her as an extension of Clark, and even as Veronica’s stain. If he knew that her Sinner’s Mark had been erased by Fia, he would surely be enraged.

Then it would be even more hopeless to expect him to sit down and talk with Fia tomorrow.

With her head still lowered, she said softly in a hesitant tone.

“Your Highness, I think we should wait a little longer on erasing the Sinner’s Mark…”

Anastasia did not doubt Fia’s ability to erase it. Fia could even take on hundreds of thousands of monsters; erasing a magic seal would be nothing. As for persuading Fia not to, Anastasia knew without asking that the possibility of her agreeing was slim. During their month-long journey, whenever Fia sat beside her, she could feel her gaze on the mark on her face. The thoughtful expression in those ruby-like eyes had already said a lot.

“Are you worried that this will make Yelido angry?”

“…Mhm.”

As she couldn’t see Fia’s face, Anastasia could only nod honestly.

“It’ll be fine as long as you don’t appear before him tomorrow. If he can’t see you, he won’t know that your Sinner’s Mark is gone… I see. So this mark isn’t like a ‘tattoo,’ but a magic seal. I wonder if this will work.”

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Tattoo? What was that?

Hearing a word she had never heard before, a question mark appeared above Anastasia’s head. Since Fia had lost her memory, she had often heard strange words from her. At first, she had been unaccustomed to it, but now she had gotten used to the feeling. Since her master was not saying anything bad, it was fine. That being said, she still hoped in her heart that Fia could teach her that strange language.

Anastasia gave a wry smile.

“Everyone in the Royal Castle knows that there is a maid with a Sinner’s Mark by your side. If it were to disappear from my face, the news would soon reach His Majesty.”

“You just have to stay in the palace. If any maid dares to talk about this, I’ll fire her! Yes, I’ll tell Colita when we get out, and have her give the order.”

Even without seeing her, Anastasia could imagine Fia nodding with deep conviction, just like a child. There was not a trace of the emotionless person from the past.

If she had to choose between the two Fia’s, she felt she would choose the current one. The former was also very good, but she had been too cold, making her afraid to speak casually. The current Fia was very easy to get along with. Sometimes she would feel that she was really talking to her own younger sister (and not her master).

To have such a considerate, wise, mature, and cute younger sister, it was only logical that the other maids in the Royal Castle would be envious of her.

“But if you don’t make up with His Majesty, won’t I have to stay in the palace all the time and not be able to go out with you, Your Highness?”

“It’s fine. I have a way,” Fia said with full confidence.

“What way?” Anastasia couldn’t help but feel curious.

“For example, after disguising you with illusion magic, I can carry you out the door?”

“Eh…”

Although Anastasia was stunned, she did not immediately reject it. In that instant, her heart wavered uncontrollably. She remembered the newlyweds she had accidentally seen in a church in the past. The man would carry the woman horizontally, and the woman would have a look of happiness on her face. Although Fia’s words certainly did not have that meaning, she still couldn’t help but put herself in that position for a small moment.

And then her cheeks suddenly flushed.

No, no, I should be the one carrying Fia. Otherwise, the picture would be too strange.

“Sister Ana has no resistance to Sister at all. Your face is all red. Won’t you fall for her in an instant? It’s not a good thing to be so easily won over,” Liti teased from Anastasia’s other side, dangling her porcelain-white calves.

“Her Highness Liti, what are you saying.”

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“Hmph, hmph~ You know exactly what I’m talking about, Sister Ana. I’m going out first. I’m getting dizzy from soaking for too long.”

With that, Liti quietly leaned in to Anastasia’s ear and whispered.

“Good luck, Sister Ana.”

“…?”

Anastasia looked up at Liti, only to see her wink playfully, one eye closed. She clearly didn’t want Fia to hear. She added with a silent lip-read.

「You have to go for it~」

With that, Liti left the bath with light and cheerful steps.

Go for it… how could I possibly do that?

If the people outside knew that this was what Her Highness Liti was really like, their eyes would surely pop out in shock, especially those suitors who were after her for her innocence and kindness. In a way, they were pitiful people to be pitied, because she, like herself, had also become a captive of Her Highness.

“What did Liti say just now?”

Hearing Fia’s call, Anastasia quickly turned to look at her. At this moment, Fia’s large red eyes were full of confusion.

If it had been the former Fia, those eyes would have been a cold color that was hard to read, making one afraid to lie. But now, Anastasia had a little more leeway. She averted her gaze, not daring to meet Fia’s, and said against her conscience.

“N-nothing. Her Highness Liti was just telling me not to worry.”

“Is that so? Her expression didn’t look like she was saying anything good. Oh well. Next, I will try to erase your Sinner’s Mark with my blood. It might hurt a little. You’ll have to endure it.”

“Your blood?”

Anastasia knew that Fia’s blood had the ability to heal wounds, but the Sinner’s Mark was a magic seal, not just a mark tattooed on the skin. Even if she used her blood, it was hard to say if it would be effective.

Fia, in turn, placed her hands on Anastasia’s shoulders and gently pushed her back.

“Alright, alright. How will we know if we don’t try? Lie down first.”

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“I understand…”

More than obeying the order, Anastasia was actually more embarrassed by Fia’s current posture. To have her shoulders held down and be pushed back by her small hands was just like… like being pushed down. She even imagined for a moment the powerful image of Fia straddling her, her eyes gazing down at her, and then leaning down to command her—tonight would surely be another sleepless night.

Unfortunately, things did not develop as she had hoped. After she lay down, Fia just knelt properly by her side, and then, remembering that she had left Laevateinn outside, she stood up and walked out of the bath to get it.

Her expectations had been dashed.

No, I was just overthinking things too much.

What am I doing?

Both disappointed and annoyed, and at the same time, a little shy from having been made to lie down, Anastasia’s mind recalled what Liti had said: “You have to go for it.” She was not an ignorant fool. Liti was surely telling her to take this opportunity to make some more intimate moves and slowly close the distance between them. However, that was too despicable. And she also understood that Fia only saw her as an older sister and had no romantic thoughts. She was the only one who looked at her with special eyes.

If it really came to that, and she went for it and confessed her feelings, or if she didn’t handle the distance properly and was found out, Fia would surely tactfully reject her, right? Instead of creating a rift between them, it was better to maintain their current relationship. Even if it was just one-sidedly, looking up at her from afar, as long as she could watch her from this close distance, she would be satisfied. She and Fia were from two different worlds. To ask for more would only lead to loss.

Although Anastasia knew this, a sense of indescribable wistfulness still rose in her heart. She couldn’t help but wonder, if she had explained her hidden feelings to Fia before she had met Claire, would the result have been different now?

Anastasia did not know the answer. She just gradually closed her eyes, which were looking up at the ceiling.

Until the sound of the bathhouse door being pushed open sounded, and Fia returned to her side.

“What’s wrong? You seem to have a lot on your mind, Anastasia.”

“No… it’s nothing.”

Anastasia opened her eyes and gave a wry smile. Her lively azure eyes reflected Fia’s tilted head and confused expression. Just as she had thought, she was the only one who was overthinking things. Fia’s curious face was filled with ignorance.

She seemed to be too greedy.

It was still too early for these things. It was better to continue to bury them. To enjoy the afterglow of the dazzling sun like this was not bad either. Like a strong, mellow liquor, it was warm and intoxicating. Even just a light sniff was enough to make one feel content.

Comforting herself thus, Anastasia carefully hid the feelings in her heart. Her eyelashes and her gaze, together, gently lowered.