Chapter 239 – New System

I headed to the Royal Castle with Marie—that is, Rosemary in disguise. Although the report was to be given by Rosemary, it wouldn’t do for me not to be present.

We met with King Melvin in the salon and recounted the events that had transpired.

“…I see. So it was Helfried.”

King Melvin closed his eyes and murmured as if to himself.

“However, this matter will be meaningless without my father’s approval.”

At Rosemary’s words, King Melvin nodded and turned to face me.

“Theodore. You and Rosemary… are you truly fine with this?”

He looked directly into my eyes as he asked. It felt like he was both confirming and testing my resolve.

“There are no issues. I will take responsibility for everything that has happened up until now, and everything that will happen from now on.”

I answered clearly while looking at King Melvin, and he nodded.

“Very well. When it comes to Rosemary’s current situation, the root cause lies partly in my own negligence. Though I have entrusted her to you, I will not hesitate to offer my assistance.”

“Thank you.”

When I bowed my head, King Melvin suddenly smiled, and a relaxed atmosphere filled the room.

“Still. Two members of the royal family marrying into the same household—that’s unprecedented, isn’t it?”

At Rosemary’s joking words, King Melvin gave a wry smile.

“Perhaps it is. However, it is commensurate with your achievements. But to speak plainly, as a parent, there is a part of me that feels relieved. Some may view this as a reward for you, but that is not how I see it.”

Well… the royal family was originally like relatives anyway. There might be various perspectives regarding Rosemary’s marriage, but the reality is different. I certainly heard King Melvin’s words. That was enough.

Now then. With five fiancées… the intervals between their turns to sleep beside me at night have become considerably longer.

So, we discussed the future among myself and the girls, and decided on arrangements—or rather, a new system. We would begin implementing it starting today.

I absolutely must properly address Grace’s blood-sucking reaction relief and perform Circulating Ki for Ashley and Claudia. There’s also the aspect of treating my fiancées as equally as possible.

Therefore, after returning home and having dinner, two people would be on either side of me in the Japanese-style room. One person during bath time. Then, two people on either side in the bedroom before sleeping. By rotating one person at a time in each location, everyone would get sufficient time at least once.

Since it was Rosemary’s first day, she would join me at bedtime, so first, I spent time interacting with Marlene and Claudia together in the Japanese-style room.

Claudia sat close beside me, while Marlene was in a position where I could hold her. Marlene was originally a Shrine Maiden apprentice. The two of them get along well. Marlene was in quite a good mood.

“Hehe…”

Claudia stroked Marlene’s hair, and Marlene smiled back at her. The way they smiled at each other made them look like close sisters, but at times like these, Claudia sometimes revealed an expression befitting her accumulated years. In other words… a smile similar to Mother’s… So, rather than sisters, they gave the impression of mother and daughter.

I included Marlene in Claudia’s Circulating Ki, and the three of us circulated our Magical Power. Both of their bodies were small and slender, and even when they leaned their weight on me, it wasn’t heavy at all.

Marlene, who had been looking at me, seemed to notice something and tugged lightly on Claudia’s sleeve.

“Hm? What is it, Marlene?”

Following Marlene’s pointing finger, Claudia let out an understanding “Ah.” What Marlene had indicated seemed to be around my ears.

Marlene stood up and brought an ear pick.

“Hmm. I see.”

“That’s right. Shall we do it together then? Theodore, would you rest your head on my lap?”

Marlene nodded repeatedly at Claudia’s words. Claudia patted her own lap. Following their suggestion, I laid my head on Claudia’s thigh.

Receiving a lap pillow from Claudia, I had my ears cleaned slowly.

“Does it hurt?”

“…It’s fine. The pressure is just right.”

Claudia carefully cleaned my ears with the same calm smile she had shown Marlene. Marlene, lying down beside us, had an innocent smile and gently blew on the cleaned ear to make it even cleaner. It was unbearably ticklish.

“Ah. I remembered something.”

Irmhild, who had been watching the scene, spoke.

“Hm, what?”

“That I might have been put to sleep by Claudia-sama before. Memories from when I was little are very hazy, though.”

“I did take care of small children in the Labyrinth Village too.”

I see. Well, regarding her background as a goddess… The reason Claudia’s smile reminds me of Mother’s probably stems from that aspect.

I spent a relaxing time with Marlene and Claudia until bath time.

And then, bath time. I hadn’t intervened regarding the order, but it seemed Ashley would be first to join me.

“Excuse me.”

Ashley, who entered the bathroom… wasn’t in swimwear but was wearing white garments.

They were the clothes used by the Shrine Maidens and Clerics of the Moon Temple during their spiritual training Water Rituals. I was wearing the Cleric version. Ashley was wearing the Shrine Maiden training garments.

When we were searching for potential candidates for bathrobes to use at the hot spring facility, a Shrine Maiden stationed at the ritual grounds had suggested these as an option. We had them lend us enough for the Party Members.

To describe their shape, the Shrine Maiden version was like a one-piece that exposed the shoulders and back. It was close to the garments worn by women in ancient Greece. That was called… a chiton, I believe? Well… it’s a white garment that gives a pure impression. I think it suits Ashley well.

If they had been convenient to use, we would have adopted them as they were, but the hem was slightly too long, making them unsuitable for swimming, so we would have to work on the shape a bit more for them to serve as bathrobes.

The official bathrobes to be sold at the hot spring were ordered to be in a form like culotte skirts with gathered hems. What Ashley was wearing now was exactly the same as the garments used by the Temple Shrine Maidens.

“Then, I’ll wash your back.”

Ashley lathered up the Savona Tree soap with a washcloth and slowly scrubbed my back.

“After you’re done, I’ll wash your back too, Ashley.”

“Thank you. Then, I’ll be in your care.”

Just as Ashley had done for me, I washed her back with the washcloth.

“And then, um… I’ll wash your body.”

Ashley said, looking somewhat embarrassed.

“Then, I’ll wash my hair in the meantime… and after that’s done, I’ll be soaking in the bath.”

“Yes…”

Ashley nodded, her cheeks reddening. I washed my hair with the shampoo made from Savona Tree sap, thoroughly washed my body, and then got into the bath. After a while, Ashley entered the bath as well.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Ashley walked through the bath and came close to my side.

…Since the Shrine Maiden training garments are white, when they get wet, they create quite a stimulating sight… but well, that’s part of it being training wear, I suppose. Areas like the chest apparently have double layers of cloth, so they’re reasonably well protected.

Even so, areas like the thighs had the cloth clinging tightly, revealing the skin tone beneath the garment… Hmm. I better not think about it too much.

“Then, come here.”

“Yes.”

I drew Ashley close to my chest in the bath and performed Circulating Ki. She let out a small, contented sigh. When I closed my eyes, she wrapped her arms around my shoulders and leaned her body against me.

I ran my fingers through her wet hair and gently stroked her cheek.

“Mmm…”

As I continued the Circulating Ki, Ashley, perhaps due to the comfort and the warmth of the bath, began to breathe softly as if falling asleep. Since we had set the bath to a lukewarm temperature to allow more time, she probably wouldn’t get overheated, but I’ve heard it’s not good to sleep in the bath.

Ashley also often stays up late studying noble etiquette and Magic, accompanying me in deciphering codes while working hard on her own studies. With training and Labyrinth Exploration too, she might be tired.

“Ashley?”

“Mmm… Ah, I’m sorry. Was I asleep?”

When I called out softly, she opened her eyes slightly.

“Are you a little tired?”

“No… It’s just that when you perform Circulating Ki on me, Theodore-sama, I feel incredibly at ease. So when I closed my eyes, I started to doze off. It’s like it reminds me of when I was little…”

“…I see.”

I returned a smile to Ashley. With five people, bath time is one person each now… Hmm. Let’s take our time and perform Circulating Ki.

After finishing my bath with Ashley, I left the bathroom. Until it was time to sleep in the master bedroom, everyone spent their time as they wished. In my case, I continued deciphering Mother’s notes. Playing cards is fine too, or spending time on embroidery or studies. Although my hands are occupied, it’s also time for everyone to spend as they please.

“…Right then.”

I stretched lightly and stood up.

“Are you retiring for the night?”

“Yeah. I’m starting to get sleepy.”

Grace asked. For sleeping tonight, Grace and Rosemary would be the ones on either side of me.

The bed was becoming rather cramped for six people to sleep in. So, I had used Wood Magic to modify it into a larger size, so now it’s designed to allow everyone to lie down and sleep comfortably.

“Mmm. Well then, it’s about time for us to return to our rooms too.”

Sheila said. It seemed they had been enjoying cards with Claudia, Irmhild, and Seraphina.

“Good night, Theodore.”

Said Seraphina.

“Yeah. Good night.”

“Good night.”

“Good night.”

Sheila, Irmhild, and Seraphina left the room.

I lay down on the bed. Everyone else came onto the bed as well. Everyone in their nightwear is quite a feast for the eyes. Since it’s after bathing, the scents of soap and shampoo tickle my nostrils.

Ashley and Claudia lay on either side of Marlene. Marlene, surrounded by Ashley and Claudia, looked very happy.

…And so, naturally, that meant Grace and Rosemary would be lying beside me.

“Somehow, this is… Sharing a bed with someone feels strange… Was it to address the reactionary resolution and perform Circulating Ki that we started this?”

Rosemary in her negligee seemed somewhat unsettled.

“Well, yeah.”

“You’ll find it enjoyable once you get used to it.”

Grace chuckled softly and gently rested her cheek against my shoulder.

“…Is that so?”

Seeing that, Rosemary also moved closer.

Perhaps because they’re the two older ones… the stimulation is quite strong in various ways. Rosemary has a good figure, but Grace has also… grown larger compared to last year. I won’t say in what, though.

Feeling such soft sensations on both sides, I turned off the lights. When I started the Circulating Ki, Rosemary beside me trembled slightly. Her heartbeat seemed to have quickened just a bit.

While sleeping, Rosemary shifted, and her hand touched mine. Rosemary’s body reacted slightly. I gently held her hand, and Rosemary didn’t pull away.

Like this, with Grace and Rosemary. Together, I’ll continue the Circulating Ki until we fall asleep.

The warmth and softness on both sides would keep me awake if I focused on them, so I decided not to think about it too much. That’s right… The hot spring. I’ll think about the hot spring.

Anyway. Soon, all the Magic Tools will be gathered, and the hot spring preparations will be complete. Then, finally, it will be time for the unveiling. I need to properly think about the greeting speech and arrangements.