Chapter 54: Massage Technique

The wooden cabin in the orphanage was simple yet tidy.

A wooden bath tub took up most of the space, with several bars of soap prepared in advance by Iana and two towels as soft and comfortable as silk placed nearby.

Iana tested the water temperature with her fingers and nodded in satisfaction.

“Come in. The water’s just right.”

Lillian stood hesitantly at the door of the cabin, her body leaning slightly backward, her right hand gripping the doorframe tightly.

“Maybe… maybe it’s better if I just wash myself,” she stammered.

Iana glanced back at Lillian, her crimson eyes full of displeasure, like a mother scolding a disobedient child.

“This time, I’m teaching you how to bathe and massage others, not how to wash yourself.”

“To… to bathe others?” Lillian’s mouth fell open in surprise.

“Of course. In the future, as a wife, wouldn’t it be normal for you to help Ethelrina prepare the bath water and give her massages and baths?” Iana said with a sly grin—anyone could tell she was up to no good.

At the mention of bathing and massaging Ethelrina, a peculiar feeling stirred in Lillian’s heart, and a faint blush tinted her fair cheeks.

Lillian nodded slightly, agreeing with Iana.

“Good, then take off your clothes,” Iana said seriously.

“Eh, you… you want me to take them off now?” Lillian looked at Iana shyly.

“Of course. Do you usually bathe with your clothes on?”

“N-no, of course not. I’m just a little embarrassed,” Lillian said, clutching the hem of her yellow-and-white short skirt and turning her head awkwardly.

“What are you afraid of? Worried I’ll do something bad to you? Don’t worry, with your figure, I wouldn’t want you even if you begged.”

“You… you… you…” Lillian was so flustered by Iana’s words she couldn’t say a complete sentence for a long time.

“Who said I like you,” Lillian snapped, turning her back to Iana, her ears nearly burning through.

“Your… your figure isn’t great either.”

“All right, all right, my bad. I shouldn’t have mocked your figure,” Iana said helplessly, apologizing first.

After all, she had more important things to do.

A glint of cunning flashed in Iana’s eyes.

She wasn’t simply teaching Lillian how to approach Ethelrina.

After all, this was Ian’s affair, and what did it have to do with Iana?

What she really wanted was to use these “techniques” to get back at Ethelrina.

“You shouldn’t always be following me around,” Iana muttered to herself.

“All right, don’t stand outside any longer. Come in quickly before the water gets cold,” Iana called to Lillian by the door.

After hesitating for a while, Lillian locked the door tightly, ensuring no one outside could see inside.

Then, she slowly began removing her clothes.

The yellow-and-white dress slid down along her smooth, slender waist.

Iana raised an eyebrow, deliberately dragging out the tone as she commented, “Not bad. At least you’re not completely flat.”

“Y-you… shut up,” Lillian panicked, grabbing a towel to cover her chest like a cornered rabbit.

“All right, all right, I won’t tease you anymore.” Iana shrugged and, like Lillian, took off her clothes before stepping into the bath tub.

The warm water lapped over her shoulders.

She sighed in comfort, “Get in quickly. Don’t blame me if the water gets cold.”

Lillian bit her lip, hesitating for a long time before finally, as if making up her mind, carefully stepping into the tub.

The water rippled lightly with her movement.

When their knees touched underwater, Lillian recoiled like a frightened rabbit.

Iana grabbed Lillian’s small foot with a teasing glint in her crimson eyes.

“What are you dodging? If you can’t handle this little contact, how am I supposed to teach you massage techniques?”

Lillian bit her lip, sounding like a wife being reluctantly coerced, “I… I understand.”

Iana released her hand and lazily leaned against the edge of the tub.

“First, the water temperature has to be just right—not too hot, not too cold.”

Lillian nodded earnestly, taking mental notes.

These lessons were all useful.

“Next is the massage technique.” Iana suddenly reached out and gently placed her fingers on Lillian’s shoulder.

“The Dragonkind’s muscle structure is very different from humans, especially around the shoulders and back. Those areas tend to get stiff easily.”

Iana’s palm pressed on Lillian’s shoulder with a moderate amount of force, helping her relax the tension in her body.

Then she slid her hand slowly down Lillian’s smooth back, kneading the stiff parts gently.

Feeling Iana’s touch, Lillian gradually relaxed and even let out a soft hum without realizing it.

“Feels good, right?” Iana curled her lips.

“This is the standard technique.”

“Mm.” Lillian blushed but nodded, enjoying the sensation.

“But these are just the basics,” Iana suddenly lowered her voice and leaned close to Lillian’s ear.

“If you want to make Ethelrina even more comfortable, you can try a different spot.”

“For example, here.” Iana’s fingertips slid to Lillian’s waist and lightly tickled.

Lillian’s body jolted sharply, splashing water everywhere.

She covered the spot Iana had touched, her cheeks burning red.

“W-what are you doing?”

A mischievous smile curved Iana’s lips.

“This is one of the sensitive spots for Dragonkind. I’m sure Ethelrina would love it if you touched here.”

Lillian widened her eyes in surprise, “I… that’s not proper, is it?”

“What’s wrong with it? It actually adds some spice to your relationship.”

“Think about it—if you massage Ethelrina until she’s all tingly and weak, won’t she be completely at your mercy?”

Iana said seriously, as if imagining the scene where Lillian subdued Ethelrina.

The smile never left her face.

Lillian lowered her head and stirred the water with her fingers, seemingly conflicted.

But soon, a barely perceptible smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

“Are… are there other sensitive spots?”

Iana’s eyes lit up, “Of course!”

She enthusiastically grabbed Lillian’s hand and began explaining in detail the Dragonkind’s anatomy—where they got itchy, where the slightest touch would make Ethelrina jump.

Lillian listened intently, nodding now and then, occasionally whispering questions.

The steam hung thick in the bathhouse.

Their laughter mingled with the sound of water, making the atmosphere exceptionally intimate.

***

On the back mountain of the orphanage, Ethelrina leaned against a stone tablet.

She covered her aching head with both hands, as if recalling something.

This trip, she had wanted to visit the Saintess Family to meet the Head Maid Ian had mentioned, but she found nothing.

Moreover, whenever she saw Iana avoiding her, a strange emotion welled up inside her.

She felt as if she was no longer herself.

“Will I ever see you again?” Ethelrina looked at the characters engraved on the stone tablet, her gaze tender yet filled with sorrow, her voice breaking with hesitation.