- ONE HUNDRED CHAPTERS!!! Thanks for sticking with me this far!!! And now, back to the story. -
The following morning, Saito went for a morning run. He hadn't done so since moving into the manor, and he was happy to take in the sights at dawn. The air was cool and crisp, the ground soft beneath his shoes. Running gave Saito a sense of clarity, at least when he wasn't being forced to do it by a tyrannical drill instructor.
At the crest of the big hill, Saito could see the entirety of his property. Taking in the vineyards, the forest, and the manor itself, he still could hardly believe it was all his. Saito had truly come far since being brought to this world. He was deep in thought, taking in the breeze, when he heard a familiar cooing. Saito looked around confused, then noticing the growing shadow around his body. Looking up, he burst into a wide grin as a blue dragon surged downwards toward him. It was Sylphid!
It landed with a thud, the ground shaking enough to knock the boy off his feet. Sylphid brought her head down, nuzzling Saito with her head in his chest as he pat behind her ears. "Sylphid!! How've you been, girl!?" Saito asked happily. She licked his face in response, chirping with equal enthusiasm. "What're you doing all the way out here? Where's Tabitha?"
"Here," said a voice. Saito looked up to see the blue haired mage dismounting from her dragon's back. "Hey Tabitha!" He raised a hand in greeting. "It's good to see you! Or should I call you Queen Charlotte now?" "Tabitha's fine," she replied, landing on the ground and helped Saito to his feet. In a burst of light, Sylphid turned into Illococoo, complete with an elegant blue dress. "I've missed you, Big Brother!" Said the girl, hugging him tightly.
"Mind your manners," said Tabitha. "You still have your strength moments after you transform." Illococoo looked puzzled, then realizing she just how tight the hug was. Upon his release, Saito took a deep breath before laughing. "It's alright, I missed you too, Illococoo." The dragon girl smiled widely. Tabitha gave a small smile of her own and raised a fist to Saito. The boy gladly bumped it with his own.
"So what brings you both out here? Not that I'm complaining, but what about your Kingdom?" Asked Saito, a little confused. "Mother is watching over for the day," Tabitha replied. "She's doing much better now, and said I needed a break." That seems to be going around, Saito noted to himself. "I'm glad she's doing well. I was actually just finishing up my run. If you both wanna follow me back to the manor, I'll make some breakfast! We've got a lot to catch up on." Illococoo nodded vigorously, "Oh yes! I'm hungry, Sis!!"
"My Lord!" Jacques came sprinting up the hill, breathing heavily. Saito was surprised to see him, "What's up? Did something happen?" "Something has happened on the grounds! Please come quickly!!" The group followed the old man to a patch of grass surrounded by hedges. Louise was already there waiting. "Saito! There you- Tabitha!? What're you doing here!?" The mage was stunned to see the Queen of Gallia in her presence once more.
"Look!" Jacques pointed to a spot on the ground, where water seemed to be rising and filling into a small pool. The steam indicated it was quite warm. "What is this?" Asked a concerned Louise. "The hot water seems to give off steam from the ground." Illococoo hid behind Tabitha, "It's the ground's wrath! I'm afraid of dying!!" Saito, knowing what this was, simply smiled. "It's not gonna hurt you, Illococoo. It's just a hot spring," he said.
"A hot spring?" Asked Louise. Tabitha opened her book, "A natural phenomenon in which boiling water gives off steam, or the action of bathing in its water." Louise blushed slightly, "B-bathing?" Saito walked to the pool's edge. Removing his shoe, he stepped gingerly into the water. It was warm and pleasant. "Wow... This feels really good!!" He said. "The temperature's just right. I didn't know there'd be hot springs in this world."
"Supposedly they're very good for the skin," Jacques commented, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "I've heard of them being used in other lands as rejuvenation pools." "That's not too far off. It's a very relaxing experience," Saito replied. A thought came to him, "Well then, why don't we have a little party?" "A party?" Louise raised an eyebrow. "Sure, I was planning on inviting Guiche and some of the others once we settled in. But since Tabitha's here visiting, no reason we can't invite them sooner! I'm sure Kirche would love to see you too," Saito nodded to Tabitha.
The blue haired mage looked up from her book, gave a small smile and nodded, "I'd like that." Illococoo inched toward the water, putting her foot in like Saito. She gave a big smile at the pleasant feeling. Saito turned to Louise, "We can also invite Mon-Mon and Tiffa, maybe even Henrietta will wanna come down!" Louise looked unsure, "I-I think Lady Henrietta has better things to do with her time than come look at a puddle..." "Oh we're not gonna look at it," Saito replied, a glint in his eye. "We're gonna be bathing in it."
"Wait, what!?" Louise turned crimson. "Yay!! Bath time!!!" In an instant, Illococoo leapt into the water, making a big splash. She resurfaced and spat out water like a fountain, smiling broadly at the others. Everyone else was soaked and had expressions ranging from exasperation to sheepish smiling.
Later on, after everyone had changed clothes and eaten breakfast, Saito sent out notices to their friends at the Academy. Everything would be set up by the next day, so they could come down anytime. The boy was personally helping the serfs convert the pool into a wider, reinforced one. Going off of how the hot springs looked in his own world, the design was simple and easy to put together. However there was a slight problem.
"There's only one bathtub," Louise noted, walking over. Saito nodded, "We're not sure much water is under the ground. Or if it can spread out further. For now, we'll stick with one tub and have everyone go in at different times. First the women, then the men." Louise looked at him suspiciously.
"What?" He asked. "Are you sure this isn't some kind of scheme to get all of us girls naked at the same time?" She asked, a look of distrust on her face. Saito scoffed, "Who do you take me for, Guiche? I'm not gonna spy on anyone!" At that exact moment at the Academy, the blond haired boy sneezed suddenly, not knowing why.
"Is Tabitha all settled in?" He asked. Louise nodded, "She's staying in the guest bedroom with Illococoo, though when I left she was in the library." Saito smiled to himself, "That sounds about right." "But don't change the subject," Louise said. "Why the sudden desire to have a party?" "Honestly, it's for us," Saito replied. "Ever since we got here, we've done nothing but clean and renovate. And now suddenly there's a hot spring on the property? It's like the universe is telling us to have a break!"
"Perhaps you're right," Louise acquiesced. "Things have been a bit...busy around here." She looked up to see Sylphid flying overhead, watching the workers lay out stones around the pool. "Sylphid, don't get any ideas!" Saito yelled out, warning the dragon. As if on cue, she turned mid-air and flew back over the manor. "I swear, she's like a child sometimes," Louise sighed. "Well technically, she is one," Saito shrugged. "Good point..." she replied.
Dinner was served at sundown. Saito still wasn't comfortable having a maid around, so he and Louise prepared and served the food themselves. Illococoo devoured everything on her plate, while Tabitha was a bit of a slower, more polite eater. "What do you want to make for tomorrow, Saito?" Asked Louise, pouring herself a little more wine. "I dunno," Saito replied, bringing his plate to the kitchen. "There's gonna be a lot of people. Tabitha, any ideas?"
The girl shrugged, cutting the meat on her plate. "Roast pig on a spit," she said. Saito blinked, "That would definitely feed a lot, but how much does one cost?" "I'll run to the market tomorrow morning," said Tabitha. "My gift to you both." Louise smiled, "Thank you, Tabitha." The girl simply nodded in response.
Illococoo leaned back in her chair, stomach full of food, passing out from a food coma. "Time for bed, I think" said Tabitha, pulling her 'sister' away from the table. "You need help?" Asked Saito. But Tabitha shook her head, "Got her. Thank you for the meal." The two walked away as the boy cleared away the plates.
"You're a good cook," Louise noted. "I was always good with the basics, but I've had to improve since I know you prefer the finer things," Saito grinned. "I don't need anything fancy," she replied, bringing the glasses to the kitchen. "With you, I've learned to appreciate the simpler things." "Not sure if that's a compliment or a jab at me," Saito muttered.
"Don't be so sensitive," teased Louise. "I actually kind of like this. Using my hands to help prepare something I'm going to be eating. It's kind of... fulfilling." "Don't let your sister hear that," Saito joked. "She'll say you're 'besmirching your Nobility by cavorting with Peasants', or something like that." Louise burst out laughing, "That does sound like something Big Sis Eleanor would say!"
Saito laughed along with her, "Right?" "Although I already suspect she thinks that, given how she's told Mother and Father of our living situation," Louise noted, helping to wash the dishes. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there," Saito replied. "For now, I just want to enjoy this quiet, simple life." "I like the sound of that," Louise leaned slightly against Saito, nudging him in the side. The boy smiled, nudging her back.