Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 57: A day in the life of a maid – Second half.

''Phew...''

We just got released by Claire. I can't believe she rambled that much about Miss G... The only reason she stopped was because she had a class to attend. Though...

''I thought you had class as well, saintess?''

Sitting on my right is still Luxia. She has been grinning since earlier, or more like, she hasn't stopped grinning.

''I didn't say I had, did I?'' Luxia replies.

''...I see.''

Without Claire - The talking machine, the three of us, including Nydia, spend the time quietly. As I'm immersed in my memory, trying to remember as much SCP lore as possible, Luxia suddenly puts her hand on mine.

''Your hand is really smooth, huh?'' She says, leaning closer to me.

Nydia looks quite flustered, and perhaps Luxia knows that and wants to tease her; she comes even closer to me until our shoulder touches.

''...''

Did she learn how to massage somewhere? I thought I would be uncomfortable, but this is quite relaxing...

So Luxia holds my hand up and plays with it for a while, with me enjoying it from start to finish. This is much better than the crown princess's touch... 

Eventually, she opens her mouth again.

''This makes me remember that night... I also held your right hand tightly like this.'' Luxia smiles softly.

''Huh?!'' While Nydia has her eyes wide open. ''W-What do you mean by that, saintess...?''

''Hm? I visited Miss Maid one night, and we held hands together, just that.''

''Ugh...''

Yeah, no. That stirs up quite a misunderstanding, pinkhead. As I'm about to speak up, a voice sounds inside my head.

Master, she only held my left hand that night.

Thanks, Peln.

''We did nothing inappropriate.'' I speak up firmly. ''And the saintess held my left hand that night, not right hand.''

''...Ah, yes. It was your left hand.'' Luxia looks at me suspiciously.

''So you still held hands together...'' Nydia pouts slightly. It's kind of cute.

When I nudge Nydia slightly and put out my hand, she immediately grabs it, and a smile blooms on her face. Just like that, I am now somehow holding hands with two girls on a bench.

''...''

I need to think about my romance as well, don't I?

The main reason is, of course, Chloe. I don't want to leave her hanging there forever, with Nydia as well. I know I am comfortable with a girl since I don't hate skinships like this, even Chloe's lewd touches sometimes. But there's still the problem of my feelings... And if I were to start dating, I need to choose someone...

This is too complicated.

Maybe I should start hanging out with them more often? Hm... I need to consult someone about this, someone who has experience...

But before that.

''Saintess, can I ask you a favor?'' I speak up.

''Yes?''

''Could you massage my wings for me?''

Immediately, both Nydia and Luxia widen their eyes.

''I thought you hate it when people touch your wings...?'' Nydia asks.

''The saintess's touch is comfortable.'' I reply.

''T-Then, let me do it too!''

''...Okay.''

So I spread my wings out, and each of them grabs one. Luxia seems slightly overwhelmed by the unexpectedly big size of my wing while Nydia receives it calmly.

''Nyahahahah, alright, Miss Maid, prepare for my ultimate massage—''

---

''Uuu...''

Overall, Luxia's touches felt like heaven, which is ironic because her name is Luxia Neveah, but I digress. I should probably ask her to do this more often. As for Nydia...

''Don't worry, you will get better.'' I speak up.

''I'll practice... Sorry for the terrible massage.'' Nydia replies timidly.

When I grab her hand, she immediately returns to being fluffy and happy again. What a switch.

Either way, we broke up with Luxia as she had plans at the church. Now, we're coming back to the dorm for lunch. By the time we get home and prepare the meal, Chloe should come back soon enough.

While I'm thinking that, Nydia suddenly closes the distance between us. When I look to the side, she has already wrapped her wing around my waist, and although she keeps a straight face and looks forward, I can still see her face getting hotter in real time.

''...It's cold today, isn't it.'' I speak up.

''A-Ah, yes.''

''...''

''...''

''Hey, um... What do you want to eat for lunch?''

''Salmon sandwich.''

''Mhm. I'll make it for you.''

''Thanks.''

Nydia's lips curl up at that, and we keep walking in the snow.

This cozy feeling... Might not be so bad, I suppose.

After arriving at the dorm, Nydia once again borrows the kitchen to make our lunch while I go to Chloe's room to do some basic cleanings. Waiting for the elevator to come down, I hear someone's voice behind me. 

''Wait, Aurora~!''

''Oh, Ch—my lady.''

''Why so formal all of a sudden...? Either way, let's go up together.''

So we enter the elevator and return to Chloe's room. After chatting for a bit, Nydia comes in with a tray of food again, and we enjoy the delicious lunch together.

Once that is done, I excuse myself to go outside for some potato chips.

''I'll go with you.'' Nydia says.

''No need. It's cold outside.'' I reply.

''We can just hol—never mind. Don't stay out for too long.''

''...Okay.''

Chloe looks puzzled, so there's that.

Now, I need someone to consult. Someone I know who has experience in romance...

---

''...''

''...''

''...So, why did you call me here, supervisor Aurora?''

Naturally, I am now sitting in a café with Claudia Heisenberg, the homeroom professor of class 1-A.

''I have something I need to consult you.'' I reply, taking a sip of hot chocolate.

Claudia also sips her black coffee before opening her mouth. ''Are you finally interested in admission now?'' She smiles lightly. ''Wise decision, Aurora. You are a rare talent, on par with any other student in my class. It's a waste to let such a person work as a maid.''

For the longest time ever, the academy has been trying to get me to study here as a student, even offering numerous scholarships and support if I were to join. At the forefront is Claudia, of course.

Now, I have no interest in that, simply put. I don't have the time or the mental capacity for it.

''No.'' I shake my head. ''I want dating advice.''

''...''

''...''

''Hah... Are you serious?'' Claudia strokes her temple while shaking her head. ''Why me?''

''You are the only person I know who has experience.''

''...I'm still single.'' 

The professor bites her lip with a pained expression.

''Why? You look pretty enough.'' I tilt my head. It is a genuine question.

''Are you flirting with me...??''

''No.''

''Are you telling me no one wants to date me because I have a bad personality even though I look pretty enough?''

''No? I think it's because you didn't try.''

''...Really?''

''Yeah. Most of the time, I think you need to be proactive if you want a relationship.''

''Hm... Wait, aren't I supposed to give you advice...?''

''Oh.''

''...''

''...''

---

In the end, I didn't get meaningful advice from Claudia, so I bought some potato chips and went back to the dorm. Then, I spent the whole noon discussing SCPs with Chloe. We were able to narrow it down to a few options, which was good because the timer was closely approaching zero.

Now, the sky has turned dark, and Nydia has already gone to make our dinner.

knock—! knock—!

''I'll go answer the door.''

I stand up from the couch where I and Chloe were sitting and walk to the door. Behind it is an extremely nervous-looking attendant.

''I'm terribly sorry to inform you, but the water heating system of our building was broken just a few moments ago.'' She says. ''We will immediately send someone with a fire attribute to your room if you want to use a hot bath tonight.''

I turn back to Chloe, and she shakes her head.

''No need.'' I tell the attendant. ''Lady Amelia will do it herself.''

''A-Ah, I understand. Please have a good night, and I apologize for the inconvenience.''

The attendant bows and excuses herself.

''The bath is dead.'' I flop down the couch. ''We'll probably need to call someone for Nydia's bath later...''

As for my bath, I usually use the one inside Nydia's room for this body, while my main body uses Chloe's bathroom, sneakily, of course. 

''Use my bathroom tonight, Aurora.'' Chloe speaks up casually.

''Why?''

''It's bigger, more comfortable, and I can adjust the water temperature better than any attendant. Sounds attractive?'' She grins at me.

It's true that she has phenomenal fire magic control, and while I do have the same skill as her, my proficiency is still low.

''Fine.''

''Then take a bath first; I'll go in later. Nydia will take quite long, after all.''

As Chloe stands up, I look at her suspiciously.

''You didn't order her to make a slow-cooking dish just to do this, right...?''

''No way. How would I even break the heating system in the first place?''

''...''

Chloe shrugs and goes to the bathroom. I follow her. Chloe fills the large bathtub with water and begins to heat the thing with fire magic.

After confirming the temperature with me for a while, she speaks up.

''Enjoy the bath. I'll be on the balcony if you need me again.''

''Thanks.''

''You're welcome.''

Once she gets out, I close the door and begin taking off my clothes. I have another set of maid uniforms in my inventory, so these go straight into the washing machine.

''Hah...'' 

As I dip myself into the large tub, a sigh closer to a moan escapes my mouth. The hot bath feels incredible, especially in cold weather like this. I wonder if it would feel even better in a hot spring...

Gradually, my mind drifts away in the comfortable bath, and I stare blankly at the snow outside the window. The surrounding sounds seem to be muffled. I guess this is a thing with owls? Or not?

Either way, I'm quite tired of hearing too much too loudly already, so this is good...

knock—! knock—!

''My lady, dinner is ready~''

''...''

''My lady...?''

''...''

''My lady, are you alright??''

''...!!''

My body suddenly jumps up as the door flings open. 

What happened?!

When I turn around, I see a stunned Nydia standing at the entrance of the bathroom, her sharp eyes wide open, blinking repeatedly while looking at me.

''...''

''...''

When are you going to stop staring and get out...?