NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17 - Episode 17: First Day of Noble Work
Episode 17: First Day of Noble Work
Talarine and Olmiroi worked silently. They’re siblings, so ideally, I’d want them to talk privately, but we caused a commotion, so we had to make it clear that we were “working.” The servants of this house, who seem to be nobles’ attendants, naturally referred to us as “lowly,” without any hint of disdain, as if it were expected.
…They’re there. If we don’t do anything, we might end up being punished.
We meticulously sprayed high-pressure water on statues with broken hair, fingers, decorations, and cracked or chipped parts of clothing collars. Occasionally, when the gardeners or visitors came by to check, I had Talarine and Olmiroi give them a word of caution about the possibility of splashes, dirt, and fragments flying. It seemed amusing to watch the dirt quickly wash away, and people gathered from afar, so I had them act as a signboard and barricade.
I understand the feeling a bit. Even on the internet, you can’t help but watch videos of high-pressure washing to clean floors or roofs, machine cleaning, or car washing.
“Let’s take a break and hydrate. I’m sorry we only have one, but please share it. .”
“Oh, thank you! I’ll drink from my brother!”
“…I’ll use this.”
Olmiroi remained expressionless the whole time, but Talarine’s changing expressions were amusing. Markea had put useful items in a rag bag and brought them over. Two cups, two cups per person, brushes in a bucket, scissors, polish, a spoon? What’s that for? And a utensil carved from wood, often used for serving soup. We poured water into the two cups and the utensil and drank.
“……”
“Huh!……!!”
After confirming that I drank, the two of them began to drink. Olmiroi remained expressionless, but Talarine’s expressions changed amusingly. It seems my water tasted good.
“It’s delicious! Thank you so much!”
We had been working continuously for a few hours, so this should be allowed. I’m covered in mud from working close to the statues. You should be able to tell by appearance that I’ve “worked hard.”
“I’ll go to the restroom for a bit.”
“I’ll come with you!”
“If no one stays here, someone else might come. Please take it easy and try not to speak too loudly.”
We filled the empty containers with water, asked the servant for the restroom location, and took a break. There might be a lot to talk about, and I don’t have much time… But rushing might be rude? Well, there’s also the potential for trouble like Pakis, so… Hmm… In the end, I returned to a natural state without being too obvious about it.
Talarine-chan, who was shyly smiling, could be seen in the distance. It feels awkward to disturb her, but I still have to go back to work.
“Welcome back!”
“Let’s get back to work. Let us know if you get tired.”
“Yes!”
Honestly, I feel like cleaning the toilet I just went to was dirty, but what’s ordered is to clean the statues. Thinking about Pakis makes my stomach ache, but I still have to do the job entrusted to me. After all twelve statues are cleaned, the nobles arrive.
“Oh! You’ve done well! I didn’t expect the dirt to come off so much!”
“Thank you.”
“Stay overnight today. You’re praised for being able to prepare good baths.”
“Understood.”
The bath I was guided to was made of some kind of metal. It’s not a pedestal or porcelain, but it’s a facility that wasn’t at Boss’s place.
“Ahh, this bath is great!”
“…Thank you.”
I don’t know why, but I’m watching the bath with the nobleman. No, it’s probably to ensure hot water is available at any time. I’m Frim-chan, the water heater.
And there are no maids or servants. I had told the attendant, “I’ll go in alone,” so it seems like I’m not even being counted as one person.
“Your water is infused with magic and tastes good, penetrating to the core of the body.”
“Thank you.”
Different people react differently to my water. Some, like Boss, are amazed by how delicious it is, while others, like the innkeeper’s wife, don’t know what’s good about it but say it has a good reputation among guests.
What’s different about it from normal well water? Frim-chan might also be a filter, not just a water heater or a high-pressure washer.
“…How’s the work going?”
“There were some troubles, but it’s going smoothly. We’ve completed the cleaning of about twelve statues.”
“Your magic works well. Alright then.”
I don’t want to see a naked old man, but the nobleman is wiping himself in the bath.
“Pakis, speaking of which, seems to have lost his temper… What happened?”
“Pakis used to be my former boss, but Boss assigned him as my subordinate… I’m sure that didn’t sit well with him.”
He seems to be in a good mood, but Lord Bursa is like an uncle to Pakis. He might become Pakis’ ally and educate me. Did he create a situation without attendants and my guards for that purpose? I want to believe there’s no risk to my chastity, but there’s still a possibility. Even though the job is halfway done, there’s a chance I might get beaten, if not killed…
“Oh well, can’t be helped. Just don’t think too badly of it, blame it on Dugga.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Pakis is at that age where he wants to rebel, and he has reasons to rebel.”
I don’t want to be killed out of rebellion against Boss Dugga… But it seems he’s not angry with me specifically.
“I see, how’s the temperature of the water?”
“Could you make it a bit hotter?”
“Sure, I’ll add some hot water.”
“All right.”
There was no violence in the bathhouse, and we ended up staying in a large room with beds arranged. Logan and Markea were already there———but Pakis wasn’t present.