The water in the bath was unlike a natural stream; it could not reflect the maid's features behind him. Shade could only see her blurry, swaying shadow stop behind him on the surface.
"Knight, forgive us. We failed to prepare properly to receive a guest, and we offended you at the gate just now."
A familiar voice spoke cautiously:
"Because we were poorly prepared, we miscalculated the time and caused you to arrive early. We are truly sorry."
"It's nothing, really. Since I accepted the Duchess's commission, waiting a little longer is no problem."
Shade answered, then saw the shadow on the water grow clearer and clearer. Then he felt strands of hair brush over the top of his head before trailing across his shoulders above the water.
The maid behind him bent slightly and spoke softly by Shade's ear, as though worried that the Duchess might overhear. The spacious Hot Spring Bathroom was empty, and even her lowered voice came through with perfect clarity:
"The Duke's manor has very strict rules. Maids who make mistakes receive severe punishments."
Even without turning around, even though he could not clearly see the reflection on the water, Shade could guess that after saying this, Tifa had gently bitten her rosy lips.
The warm, damp breath she exhaled as she spoke lightly brushed against Shade's ear:
"So, Knight, could you please refrain from telling Duchess Galina Cavendish about our mistake?"
Only at this moment did Shade begin to wonder whether the conversation at the manor gate just now had been deliberate or accidental on the part of this beautiful maid.
"Please rest assured. I swear on a knight's honor that I will not tattle. Your hospitality has been very thorough."
Then his words were interrupted rather rudely. There was fear in that voice,