NOVEL NEXT Chapter 33 - Episode 033: Little Girl, Cool female knight playing around at home
Episode 033: Little Girl, Cool female knight playing around at home
As Maria walks hand in hand with Tina, they hear many voices.
“Waah!”
“Hey!”
“Haa!”
Those were the voices of children.
More than in an orphanage, Tina’s eyes see through the splendid fence, children in similar attire, although with slight differences between boys and girls, doing something.
“What are they doing?”
“That’s the schoolhouse. They must be practicing magic now.”
“Schoolhouse?”
Maria was surprised that Tina didn’t know about the schoolhouse but explained calmly while glancing at the inside of the fence and maintaining a composed expression.
“A schoolhouse is a place where children around Tina’s age gather to learn various knowledge together.”
“I see.”
Although Tina sometimes learns basic reading, writing, and simple knowledge from Ack when there are no customers, she didn’t even know that there was such a place as a schoolhouse.
She curiously watches children around her age trying their best to use magic.
And since she hardly ever interacts with children her age, she became interested.
“Do you want to go?”
“Just for a little while.”
“Why don’t you consult with Mr. Ack when he comes back?”
“…”
Although Tina answered Maria’s question honestly, she couldn’t respond to the next words.
Even though she felt useless enough and was being a burden to Ack by being carried on his back, she wondered if it was okay to cause more trouble.
Young as she was, Tina understood that going to the schoolhouse would cost a lot of money.
For herself, who couldn’t do anything, her current life was luxurious enough. Moreover, wanting to go to the schoolhouse was too selfish.
Maria, from Tina’s appearance, guessed that she had never had the opportunity to know about the schoolhouse, and there was the possibility that she and Ack were not related by blood.
“You’ll be fine. Mr. Ack will listen to you properly. Besides, if you go to school, you might be able to help Mr. Ack more.”
“Okay. I’ll try asking.”
“Please do.”
Deciding to consult with Ack when he returned, Tina’s mind was made up.
Twenty minutes of travel by carriage.
Finally, the group arrived at Maria’s house.
“This is my house.”
“It’s big…”
Tina, getting off the carriage, was overwhelmed by the sight of the large mansion she had never seen before. Even Snow looked up in awe at its size.
Maria’s house was located inside the inner gate of the city gate, in an area where nobles and wealthy merchants lived.
Maria worked as a knight despite not wanting to. A knight, even at the bottom, was a member of the nobility. And if they were as outstanding as to serve as the leader of a unit, they would be equivalent to a higher class of nobility.
Maria didn’t need such a big house, but in the aristocratic society, a mansion corresponding to that position was necessary.
Therefore, although she was reluctant, she had the mansion built and left the management to the servants.
“Welcome back—”
When Maria and the others entered through the magnificent double doors, the maids, dressed in maid uniforms, froze in place, unable to move.
“Take a bath with these children. Is it ready?”
“…”
The maids remained silent, unable to respond to Maria’s words.
And for good reason. Maria had never brought anyone home before.
Furthermore, most of the maids were assigned from their original homes. They have known Maria since she was little. They thought that there was nothing they didn’t know about Maria.
Naturally, there shouldn’t have been anyone Maria would bring home. However, she had actually brought someone home. Moreover, a young girl. Whose daughter could she be? What kind of relationship does she have with someone? Could she possibly be Maria’s hidden child born without her knowing?
Various questions arose and disappeared in her mind, and the confusion in her brain wouldn’t settle. The shock was immeasurable.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah, y-yes. It’s prepared.”
The steward, who manages the maids, somehow regained his composure and replied. As expected from someone who has been in charge of people for many years, he recovers faster than the other maids.
“I see. Let’s go then.”
Without much concern, Maria leads Tina and the others to the bath. The maids still couldn’t believe what they were seeing as they watched them leave.
In the changing room, they undressed Tina and opened the door to the bathing area. There, they found a bathtub many times larger than the one in the café.
“Wow!”
“Kyu!!”
“Kuku!!”
“Kururu!!”
Tina’s eyes sparkled unusually as she looked at the bath. Snow and the others were also excited because they loved baths.
Seeing their heartwarming behavior, Maria chuckled.
“Swim.”
Naturally, when children see such a big bath, they want to swim. Tina and the others immediately try to jump into the bathtub.
However, Maria, using her physical abilities, quickly catches up and holds Tina’s shoulder to stop her.
“Wait a moment.”
“What?”
“Don’t you do something before taking a bath at home?”
“That’s right.”
Remembering what Maria and Ack had told her, Tina recalled that they wash their bodies before soaking in the bath. That’s the rule of the household.
“Let me wash your back.”
Maria washed Tina’s back, Tina washed Snow’s back, Snow washed Chiffon’s back, and Chiffon washed Soufflé’s back. They all washed each other’s backs.
Maria couldn’t hide her cheeks loosening at the adorable sight.
“Wash.”
“That, that sounds nice.”
Once they finished washing, they turned around and washed each other’s backs.
“Are you done?”
After making sure Tina had cleaned her body thoroughly, she asked eagerly.
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
With permission granted, Tina jumped into the bathtub.
Then, Snow and the others followed suit.
“Kyaa kyaa!!”
“Kyuuu!”
Tina and the others began to swim happily in the large bathtub.
“Phew…”
Maria soaked in the bath, smiling as she watched their enjoyment.