Chapter 66: Bathing

“And I will do everything in my power to help you.”

At this point, Lady Catherine’s tone, gaze, and actions were nearly reverent, as if she regarded Roman before her as her most precious treasure, wishing she could offer up everything she had to him.

Roman had to admit, he too had his vanity, and in this moment, he felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

Lady Catherine had a voluptuous figure and charming looks—undoubtedly a beautiful, mature woman in her prime.

On the path of the Extraordinary, she was a powerhouse just at the threshold of the Sanctuary, and few across the Continent could rival her strength.

She was even more than twice Roman’s age, plus a few more years.

Yet now, she instinctively lowered herself, almost prostrating before him, her gaze filled only with pure infatuation—or perhaps the devotion of one longing for something dearly desired.

To have such a Noble Lady go this far for him, and for her to be, in a sense, his ‘mother’…

Roman swallowed hard, and almost as if compelled by some unseen force, stepped forward and pressed a gentle kiss to Lady Catherine’s forehead.

“I won’t let you down.” He spoke softly as his lips left her skin.

In the following hour or two, Lady Catherine explained to Roman many things he’d never heard before: for instance, where to start mobilizing the Magic Circuit for the highest efficiency and best results, how the body fluids of the Extraordinary contained the purest Magic Power, and various methods for using ‘Life’ in conjunction with external objects.

Before he knew it, the high-hanging moon was already suspended in the night sky, its clear radiance pouring down.

Roman couldn’t help but raise a hand and stifle a yawn.

Seeing Roman’s sleepy, adorable appearance, Lady Catherine quietly and gently arranged the mess of items on the table one by one.

“That’s all for today.” she said tenderly.

“Alright.”

Roman stood up, but immediately felt his head buzzing.

The long period of thinking, coupled with carrying things back and forth, had drained his energy.

Even though he now counted as an Extraordinary, having to memorize so much in one go still left him utterly exhausted.

Dragging his light, floating body, he originally wanted to just flop onto the bed and sleep soundly, but Lady Catherine suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“That’s not a good habit.”

Lady Catherine’s disapproving voice sounded near his ear.

Right after, he heard: “At the very least, you need to take a good bath before sleeping. Otherwise, you won’t feel truly refreshed after you wake up.”

Held tightly by Lady Catherine, Roman could only let her have her way, muttering weakly in protest: “Don’t want to bathe…”

“It’s alright, you just need to rest.”

Lady Catherine traced his brows with her finger, her breath fragrant as orchids as she spoke close to his face.

Roman’s consciousness gradually faded, and he lost control of his body, completely collapsing into Lady Catherine’s arms.

Roman’s body was light, soft and boneless to the touch.

As she held him, a faint, tranquil scent like orchids from a secluded valley wafted from him.

Lady Catherine cradled Roman’s delicate shoulder with one arm, hooked his knees with the other, lifting his slender, taut calves into the air.

The pair of enticing feet, still wrapped in shoes, kicked gently in the air as she walked.

Silently, she carried him into the bathhouse. Seeing the round pool steaming with heat, Lady Catherine nodded in satisfaction, then gently laid Roman on a nearby lounge bed.

Amid swirling mists, Lady Catherine’s clothes slipped to the floor, piece by piece.

In the hazy, damp air, her fair, dewy skin peeked through the mist, her curves winding like a landscape painting, peaks and valleys rising and falling in graceful succession.

When Roman awoke again, the first thing he felt was that his whole body was enveloped in mist, and the drops on his forehead—he couldn’t tell if they were sweat or beads of condensation.

Looking to his left, for a moment he thought he had arrived at the Bathhouse of Rome, able to see golden pillars and brilliantly colored walls and floors in a single glance.

Then he realized he was lying in a pool—or rather, a hot spring—his whole body basking in a sense of liberated comfort.

The aches from sitting too long were gone, replaced by pure relaxation.

His once-smooth long hair was now damp, draped over his forehead, shoulders, and bare back.

The strands carried the scent of shampoo.

As Roman’s muddled mind gradually cleared, he suddenly realized—was he taking a bath?

Who had brought him here—and even washed his hair?

Reaching up to touch the bun of hair by his ear, Roman was pondering this when a few bubbles suddenly fell from above his head.

“Eh…”

“Good child, you’re awake?”

A familiar voice sounded from behind.

Roman’s lips parted, but for a moment, he didn’t dare utter a word.

“You are…”

Lady Catherine’s voice at that moment reminded Roman of a mermaid from myth; just hearing her made his heart flutter and his will waver.

“Close your eyes first, I haven’t finished washing your hair yet.”

Feeling the foam falling on his head, Roman obediently closed his eyes.

“Hiss…”

However, the White Flower in his right eye was now one with his body, their senses intertwined.

Eyes could close, but the White Flower had nowhere to hide…

“Use your Magic Power to protect it.”

Lady Catherine gently reminded him from behind.

Roman immediately recalled the technique Lady Catherine had taught him that night.

Azure Magic Power slowly emerged over the White Flower, enveloping it and isolating it from everything outside.

“This trick is quite handy.”

Lady Catherine’s hands ran through Roman’s long hair as she spoke softly from behind him.

“When I was out and about, I’d always use this kind of Magic Shield as a precaution against sudden danger. You should try to maintain it more often.”

“Okay.”

Roman replied obediently.

At this moment, he was soaking in the hot spring, not daring to move an inch, afraid that if he turned around, he’d see something he shouldn’t.

The Noble Lady, right now, could it be…

Fortunately, before his mind could wander further, Lady Catherine suddenly leaned in close.

Roman’s back immediately pressed against two soft, pillowy mounds—swelling like balloons, yet as tender as sponge cake.

Roman instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

At the same time, he distinctly felt the touch of a towel.

Clearly, the Noble Lady was not a careless or wanton person; at least she wasn’t bathing with him completely bare.

He simply relaxed completely, letting her hands move through his hair, the scent of foam spreading across his body.

Feeling her fingers weaving through his hair, Roman couldn’t help but softly remind her.

“Could you use your fingertips to massage my hair…?”

He still couldn’t change his habits and blurted it out.

“Like this?”

Lady Catherine immediately grew more careful, her fingertips gliding through his hair, feeling much more comfortable than before.

“Mmm… thank you.”

Relaxed, Roman leaned back gently, ending up resting directly against Lady Catherine’s snowy peaks.

“Hehe…”

Instead of feeling shy, she let out a satisfied chuckle.

“I used to regret not being able to nurse a child here, but now, at least my darling can use them as a pillow.”