Hoo…
I feel alive again.
After leaving the shower area, Yuuri headed straight for the bath. She tested the water temperature, then slowly slipped in, submerging herself in the warm currents. She let the comforting heat seep into every inch of her skin, and the tension that had gripped her body for days finally began to ease.
Her whole body felt limp, as if she might melt into the soothing bathwater.
It was almost too comfortable—she felt like she could just soak here forever, never wanting to leave.
For Yuuri, who was used to traveling and sleeping rough, a hot bath was a rare luxury.
Before she let herself get dizzy from the heat, she decided to indulge in this moment of relaxation for just a little longer.
Of course, even while relaxing, Yuuri never forgot the most important thing.
That was the fundamental difference between her and the other people in the bath.
On the side of her neck and shoulder was the black flame mark that symbolized her status as a Cursed One. If someone in the bath noticed it, she would only have two choices: knock everyone else out or immediately escape from the bath and dress before more people saw.
So, before getting in, Yuuri had deliberately chosen a corner far from everyone else. She submerged her whole body in the water, leaving only her head above the surface. It looked a little strange, but not enough to arouse suspicion.
Her eyes inadvertently swept across the other side of the bath. A woman was skillfully wrapping her long hair in a towel, revealing a smooth, slender nape.
Yuuri instinctively turned her head slightly. Her own jet-black hair hung naturally down her back. She reached up and brushed her hair over her shoulder—now it perfectly concealed the telltale mark of her curse.
Though sitting against the edge of the bath would have hidden the mark anyway, it never hurt to be careful.
After another casual sweep of the bath to confirm that no one was paying attention to her, Yuuri finally let herself relax, ready to enjoy this rare peace.
Just as she was about to close her eyes and enjoy the moment, a flash of white entered the corner of her vision.
Hm?
Yuuri turned her head a little. At some point, Iris had come to her side, imitating Yuuri’s posture and sinking into the water, with only her little head poking above the surface.
Silvery-white hair floated under the water, framing the small head above, making her look just like a white jellyfish drifting in the bath.
So this girl could go underwater after all. Yuuri remembered last night when Iris stood on the riverbank but didn’t get in the water. She had thought Iris might be affected by water and that’s why she didn’t go in.
But now, it seemed Iris had simply chosen not to go in.
However, the surface of the water didn’t ripple at all when Iris entered. Not even the slightest disturbance.
The water was water, and she was herself. Even though she was submerged, there was no contact at all between her and the water.
Yuuri had half expected this, but when it actually happened, the Little Evil God looked a bit aggrieved.
“Damn it… uuu…”
Was Iris making weird noises?
Forget it, it’s not important.
Just as Yuuri was about to close her eyes again, a searing gaze landed on her face.
She didn’t have to guess. It was definitely Iris.
Now what?
She turned her head slightly and met a pair of moist red eyes, filled with longing.
“Yuuri-chan~” Iris’s voice was soft and wheedling, “Just for a little while, really, just a little bit. Lend me your body, so I can enjoy soaking too. I promise, just a little while, that’s all.
Pretty please, Yuuri-chan~”
Ahaha…
She knew Iris would say something like that as soon as she opened her mouth.
Just to get into her body, Iris… you’re actually throwing aside your dignity as an Evil God to act all cutesy?
Yuuri wasn’t falling for that.
“I told you, don’t even think about borrowing my body.”
“Cheh, stingy.”
Iris puffed out her cheeks and grumbled in dissatisfaction.
She’d expected Yuuri to refuse, but this was way too blunt—she didn’t even try to spare Iris’s feelings.
Fine, then. Now she could only blow bored bubbles at the water’s surface. Of course, no matter how hard she blew, the water remained perfectly still.
So annoying~
Not only Yuuri-chan, but even this bathwater was giving her no respect.
The silvery hair behind her head fluttered restlessly, almost frizzing in irritation.
Yuuri noticed all this, of course. Iris was supposed to be an outsider, an Evil God, yet at this moment she looked just like a sulky little girl who’d been denied her candy.
Watching Iris pout, Yuuri’s lips twitched ever so slightly, a faint smile spreading across her eyes like a pebble thrown into a still lake, softening even the corners of her mouth.
Yuuri herself didn’t realize her emotions had slipped through, but Iris caught the moment in an instant.
The Little Evil God’s lips curled up. “Really, you look so much prettier when you smile. Yuuri-chan, you always keep such a stern face—I wish you’d smile more.”
Was she smiling?
Yuuri immediately forced her face back to normal and flatly denied it.
“No, you’re seeing things.”
“Ehh… So stubborn.”
The Little Evil God rolled her eyes. “You’re stubborn even about this. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that?
If you’re always like this, Yuuri-chan~ it’s really hard to get along with you.”
Hard to get along with?
For a moment, Yuuri was stumped by the question.
“What’s wrong, not talking? Did I hit the nail on the head?”
“No.”
“Hm?” Iris hummed in confusion. “If not, then why’d you go quiet?”
“I don’t know…” Yuuri stared into the hazy steam, her gaze a little distant. “No one’s ever tried to get along with me, so I wouldn’t know…”
As soon as the words left her lips, it was Iris’s turn to be at a loss. Those crimson eyes flickered, as if she hadn’t expected that answer. She opened her mouth, but only managed a dry “haha,” trying to smooth over the awkwardness that suddenly hung in the air.
They were both silent for a long moment. Then, suddenly, Iris stood up and moved in front of Yuuri, bowing her head as if to touch their foreheads together.
What was she trying to do?
Yuuri instinctively tilted her head away, dodging the attempted snuggle.
“Don’t dodge! Let’s snuggle, okay? I want to see all the memories Yuuri-chan’s been through these years.”
“I refuse.”
“Ehhh… I just want to know more about you, Yuuri-chan.”
“No way!”
Yuuri instantly scooted away, eyes wary, putting some distance between her and Iris.
Seeing Yuuri’s firm attitude, Iris could only click her tongue in frustration.
“Tch, fine, I won’t look if you don’t want me to. Who even cares.”
She huffed and turned her little face away in a pout.
Even as she said that, though, Iris was secretly plotting.
If Yuuri-chan won’t let me see fair and square, then I’ll just wait till she’s asleep and sneak a peek.
Hmph~
*****
After leaving the bath and drying off, Yuuri got dressed and left the bathhouse. She bought some black bread for dinner, then finally returned to the inn.
After eating, she lay on the bed but didn’t go to sleep right away.
Her body felt much better after soaking in hot water, and now, with her mind unusually clear, she began replaying everything that happened in the black market today.
Brol… and those knights from the Lord’s manor.
They didn’t seem connected at all—so why were they colluding together, and so clearly targeting her?
What was really going on here?