Residence of Aphrodite
“Haah—! Finally back!” Aphrodite let out a cry of relief as if she had just escaped a disaster.
At this moment, all she wanted was to crash straight onto the super soft Bed in the Bedroom and sleep until the end of the world!
“Milady, please rest for a while first in the Lounge.” Bella’s voice remained as calm and steady as if it were a programmed response.
“Bella will prepare the bathroom for you right away.” Having said that, she turned and quickly walked deeper into the Residence.
“Mm-hmm…” Aphrodite replied weakly, dragging her legs that felt as if filled with lead, before flopping onto the Sofa in the Lounge with a “plop.”
Ah! That familiar, cloud-like softness! Heaven!
Aphrodite felt like she was about to melt right then and there!
As for the Core Mystery, the candidate Saintess, that damn Plan… all of it could go to hell! Right now, she just wanted to be a Recluse Fish, far from the world’s troubles.
Meanwhile, Bella’s footsteps lightly echoed as she crossed the Corridor, heading straight for the bathroom.
But when she passed through the Living Room, her steps paused.
Her gaze fell on the gentle glowing orb in her palm—the Black-haired Girl hidden away by magic.
“Almost forgot about this…” Bella frowned slightly.
Letting this mysterious “Sleeping Beauty” stay in the Living Room was obviously not appropriate.
With a slight motion of her fingers, an invisible force gently lifted the orb, guiding it to an unused Guest Room on the second floor.
Pushing open the door, Bella carefully placed the orb on the soft Bed.
“For safety’s sake…” Bella began quietly chanting under her breath. Instantly, an almost invisible faint purple light shield enveloped the entire room.
It was a simple Barrier isolating the room from the outside world, equipped with a Soundproof Effect to ensure the girl’s sleep remained undisturbed and to prevent her from wandering off and causing trouble once awake.
Having done all this, Bella nodded with satisfaction, then turned and hurried toward the bathroom, starting the water, adjusting the temperature, and scattering fresh Jasmine Petals with smooth, efficient motions—a level of professionalism that was almost shocking!
Aphrodite curled up on the wide Sofa, completely unaware that her once elegant Black Dress was now torn and tattered, stained with dirt and sweat, filthy beyond recognition.
Yet, these flaws, like dust-covered gems, only added a fractured beauty to her exquisitely near-perfect face.
Her long eyelashes fluttered gently under the warm yellow wall lamp, her breathing slowly deepening and lengthening, signaling that she had fallen into a light sleep.
“Milady, the bathroom is ready.” Bella’s gentle voice sounded at the Lounge’s door.
Holding a neatly folded set of Soft Pajamas, she was about to say, “The water temperature is just right…” but stopped mid-sentence.
Her gaze fell upon the small figure curled on the Sofa.
Under the warm yellow light, Aphrodite looked both heartbreakingly fragile and stunningly beautiful.
The shredded Black Dress outlined her battered form like a fallen angel who had endured worldly suffering but still stood strong.
Even Bella, accustomed to Aphrodite’s beauty, felt as if her heart was lightly tapped by something unseen.
Her fingertips tingled, itching to grab pen and paper to forever capture this breathtaking scene.
As long as it was Lady Aphrodite, no matter the form… she was utterly captivating… truly cunning.
Bella sighed softly in her heart, her eyes flashing with a tender obsession.
But that obsession was soon overtaken by a stronger sense of responsibility.
No!
No matter how beautiful the scene, there would be plenty of chances to recreate it later.
The urgent task now was to help Milady bathe!
With that thought, Bella quickly approached the Sofa, gently pushing Aphrodite’s shoulder, her voice soft and low, “Milady Aphrodite, it’s time to get up and bathe. The hot water is ready.”
Aphrodite frowned, emitting a discontented whimper like a disturbed kitten.
She sleepily opened her eyes, her blue gaze foggy and unfocused for a long moment, making her look like an exquisite puppet who had lost her soul.
Bella knelt down to meet her eyes, smiling warmly and encouragingly.
“The hot water is ready. If you’re still very tired, feel free to sleep during the bath. Leave everything else to Bella.”
Her words were brimming with confidence.
When it came to bathing Aphrodite, Bella was unquestionably an expert!
This was Bella’s privileged time!
Her inner self swelled with pride.
“Bath… yeah… bath,” Aphrodite mumbled, still drifting in a haze, not hearing the latter half of Bella’s sentence at all.
She struggled to climb out of the Sofa, half-supported by Bella as if she were a wandering spirit, heading toward the bathroom.
Pushing open the carved wooden door, the warm, moist steam mixed with a familiar, soothing fragrance greeted them.
In the huge white stone bathtub, clear hot water rippled gently, with a few fresh Jasmine Petals floating on the surface.
Soft Towels were neatly placed on the low bench by the tub’s edge.
Aphrodite stood at the tub’s edge and quickly peeled off her tattered, almost performance art–worthy dress.
Her fair skin was exposed to the warm air, the curve of her chest subtly rising and falling with each breath.
The perfect waistline extended down to the uniquely feminine belly, then to the slightly lifted hips, and finally to a pair of long, shapely legs…
Her gaze drifted downward to her feet.
They were beautiful feet, with rounded, delicate toes tinged with a healthy pale pink glow.
The arch was elegant and smooth, the pale skin of her instep revealing faint blue veins beneath—a fragile beauty.
At this moment, those feet were resting on the cool, smooth tiles, toes curling slightly as if eager to feel the comforting touch of the hot water.
She had seen this body many times, but examining it so closely still felt unreal.
But there was no time to think now; she just wanted to relax.
Aphrodite lifted her foot and stepped into the bath.
Those jade-like feet submerged first, stirring tiny ripples.
The warm water immediately wrapped around her cool toes and arches, bringing a sigh of comfort straight from her heart.
She gently stretched her toes, feeling the water’s tender massage as if the exhaustion of days past was being drawn out from her toes bit by bit.
“Splash—”
Aphrodite plunged fully into the water, the warm bath immediately enveloping her entire body, from toes to the crown of her head!
“Uwaaah—! I’m alive again!” Aphrodite couldn’t help but exclaim in satisfaction, feeling as if every pore was cheering.
Her tense nerves unfurled like tea leaves steeped in hot water.
Heaven! This was true heaven! Nothing was more delightful than soaking in a bath after a long day of exhaustion.
“Milady, Bella will help you wash your back now.” Bella’s voice carried a light, brisk tone from the doorway.
She stepped in lightly, her face full of the serious expression of “This is Bella’s duty.”
Aphrodite was about to respond with an automatic “Mm,” but the next second—
Her eyes widened like copper bells!
Bella calmly and naturally began unbuttoning her own outfit with no hesitation!
The collar of her maid uniform was undone, revealing the straps of her inner garments and a small patch of delicate skin…
“Wait! Bella! What are you doing?!”
With a “plop,” Aphrodite sank completely underwater, only her flushed face and terrified eyes visible!
Why was she suddenly undressing?!
Although she knew Bella had often bathed this “empty shell” before, now! Now Bella was here in person! Conscious! Aware!
Having Bella strip naked and wash her?! Just the thought made Aphrodite’s shame meter explode, as if steam was about to burst from her head!
She didn’t dare to look up at Bella’s expression, turning her head instead, staring at the petals floating on the water: “I… I can do it myself. You… you should go out first.”
“Then… very well, Milady.” Bella’s hands stopped mid-motion, hanging in the air.
“I’ve prepared everything…” Bella’s voice remained calm.
Aphrodite only heard the faint sound of footsteps, then the soft thud of a Towel being placed gently on the low bench by the tub.
“Please… take your time.” The footsteps receded, and the door was softly closed.
Once she confirmed Bella had truly left, Aphrodite exhaled deeply.
The bathroom was left to her alone.
Steam filled the air, the silence so profound she could hear her own heartbeat.
She relaxed her body, leaning against the smooth edge of the tub, letting the warm water wrap around her.
She cupped water in her palm, pouring it gently over her neck and shoulders, the sensation making her eyes flutter shut in comfort.
“Ah… this is life… What kind of days was I living before?”
Aphrodite glanced down at the water’s surface.
The ripples reflected a blurred outline.
“From now on… is this really how I’m going to live?”
Having lost most of her memories, she felt a strange sensation looking at her current body.
“Whatever, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there… At least, for now, I’m safe.”
When alone, thoughts easily wandered.
Slowly, her mind drifted aimlessly.
The Core Mystery, the candidate Saintess identity, the Sleeping Beauty girl, and that so-called Plan of hers…
“Ahhh! So annoying!” Aphrodite felt her head beginning to ache again.
At that moment, a thought suddenly jumped into her mind—unrelated to the Core, the Black-haired Girl, or the candidate Saintess, but to something Bella said as she left:
“Please… take your time.”
That tone… seemed… too calm? Calm to the point it felt off?
Aphrodite’s clear blue eyes snapped open, a flicker of doubt flashing within.
Wait… could it be that girl Bella was actually… angry again just now?