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It was unclear how much time had passed. Perhaps it was already midnight.
In the spacious bathing chamber, gentle ripples continued to glide softly across the water's surface, maintained at a perfect, comfortable warmth through the subtle magic enchantments.
The humid air was thick, filled with the mingled scent of the three intertwined figures.
"Bokue-sama..."
At the edge of the bath, the silver-haired maid—normally the very image of composure and disciplined elegance—had completely lost any trace of her usual self-assurance.
She clung desperately to the young man before her, repeating his name like a mantra, her soft lips painted in an alluring shade of mature red. Her usually cool eyes now flickered between passionate fervor and faint confusion.
Venelana sat gracefully nearby, legs crossed elegantly. She leaned her cheek casually against her palm, watching with a satisfied smile, while her other hand idly moved beneath the water, keeping herself warmed and ready.
"How are you holding up, Grayfia-chan? Think you can still handle it?"
The teasing tone in her voice caused the silver-haired maid, whose consciousness had begun to blur, to snap back briefly into focus. She tried to shift her gaze toward the older woman's voice, but was met by Venelana's playful snap of fingers.
"My, my—looks like our dear Grayfia-chan still has a bit of energy left. Bokue-kun~ Why not kick things up a notch?"
What...?
In her muddled state, Grayfia couldn't quite grasp what "kick things up" exactly entailed—but she didn't have to wonder long.
In an instant, she found herself lifted effortlessly from the warm water. The cold floor pressed suddenly against her back as her view shifted upwards, staring at the ceiling in astonishment.
Wait... Surely he wasn't going to—?!
By the time Grayfia realized what was about to happen and tried to voice a weak objection, it was already too late.
A relentless storm of sensations overwhelmed her, wiping away all coherent thought, extinguishing what remained of her rationality in an instant.
Why... why is this happening...?
Just before her consciousness faded entirely, that single thought flickered briefly through her mind.
Yet, despite that confusion, she had no desire to stop—nor any way of stopping herself.
"Ah—hold on."
At the edge of the bath, Bokue noticed something wasn't right. He quickly halted his movements, pulling Grayfia gently back into his embrace to carefully inspect her condition. After a brief moment, he turned his head, an innocent, questioning look on his face as he addressed Venelana.
"Grayfia... seems to have fainted."
"...Oh?"
Venelana stopped her own movements and raised an elegant eyebrow. She stood, droplets of water cascading softly down her body, and moved beside the boy, tilting her head slightly as she observed the unconscious silver-haired maid closely.
"Well, from a certain standpoint, our Grayfia-chan is still something of an inexperienced girl, after all. She can't handle such intense 'combat' yet. You really are a wicked one, Bokue—pushing a girl so far..."
Despite her words, there was clear satisfaction and delight evident in Venelana's tone.
Bokue was speechless.
Wasn't Venelana the one who had urged him to "kick things up a notch" in the first place?!
"Hmm, but we can't just leave poor Grayfia-chan unconscious like this," Venelana continued thoughtfully, pretending sudden distress. "After all, the entire purpose of tonight was to ensure she'd keep our secret. If she's in this state tomorrow morning when she meets the others, it'll be obvious at a glance, right?"
Then, her expression suddenly brightened, and she raised one delicate finger with an elegant smile.
"Ah! I have an idea! Bokue-kun, you have a way to heal injuries, don't you? Why not use that on Grayfia-chan right now?"
Her transition—from mock reproach to feigned distress and finally to pleased realization—was impossibly smooth, clearly premeditated and rehearsed.
Bokue shot Venelana a sideways glance of disbelief, though he obediently complied. Soft golden light surged forth from his palm, carefully placed against Grayfia's abdomen.
"…I get the feeling you've planned this entire thing out from the very beginning, haven't you?"
"Hmm? Of course not~"
Venelana hummed innocently, settling herself comfortably at his side. She cupped her hands beneath the bath's surface, collecting a palmful of faintly cloudy, cream-colored bathwater. Bringing it delicately to her nose, she inhaled deeply with a satisfied expression.
"It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision, you know. Call it improvisation, perhaps? After all, otherwise tonight's events would have been completely exposed, right? Besides, everything I said earlier was entirely sincere. Grayfia-chan is a wonderful girl—dedicated, obedient, and always knows precisely how far to go. Although sometimes her prudence can be frustrating, I genuinely hope Grayfia finds a suitable partner soon. I'd hate for her entire life to be spent solely serving others as a maid and peerage member."
"Your sincerity feels suspicious," Bokue commented dryly.
At this remark, Venelana's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by an exaggerated pout as she puffed her cheeks, gently poking his face in feigned indignation.
"What's that supposed to mean? Don't you believe your dear Auntie Venelana? Hmm?"
"Suspicious. Definitely suspicious."
Bokue stubbornly maintained his stance.
Venelana didn't truly want an argument, so she merely chuckled lightly and dropped the subject.
At that moment, the gentle glow of healing energy beneath Bokue's palm slowly faded.
"Alright, that should do it."
"…Mm…"
As though waking from a deep slumber, Grayfia released a faint murmur and slowly opened her eyes.
She blinked groggily, taking in her surroundings—the familiar bath, familiar ceiling, and the comforting warmth enveloping her body. As clarity gradually returned, she recalled what had happened moments ago.
Right. She'd passed out.
"Ah, Grayfia-chan, you're finally awake. We were starting to worry something might have happened," Venelana's voice carried genuine relief and concern. "How are you feeling? Anything hurting or uncomfortable?"
"No, nothing like that…"
Grayfia shook her head slightly, pushing herself upright with some effort, before leaning wearily onto Bokue's shoulder, eyes lowered beneath long, trembling silver lashes.
"But… I've done something unforgivable towards Lady Rias… I no longer have the right to face her..."
"Nonsense."
Venelana gently interrupted her.
Gracefully, she mirrored Grayfia's position, settling herself onto Bokue's other leg and softly resting her head on his opposite shoulder. Both women now flanked him, forming a perfectly symmetrical, intimate scene.
"Rias is a kind-hearted child—she'll understand eventually. Perhaps now isn't quite the right time to tell her everything, but if we handle it gradually, she will accept it. For now, let's keep it our secret, shall we? I'll help you protect it, Grayfia-chan. And you'll do the same for me, right?"
She smiled knowingly, her voice soft yet full of implication.
"After all, we're all accomplices now."
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