Chapter 105

Cyrus was stunned for a moment before she realized what was happening. Her ears turned red as she tried to politely refuse, but Segalot didn't give her the chance.

His Holiness the Pope meant something like, "It's been a long time since we last met, and I miss you dearly. Let's have a late-night chat by candlelight."

He stared at him with those beautiful, gilded eyes, earnestly and sincerely hoping he would stay. It made it impossible and difficult for the man to refuse again, as if a thread connected them, one that could not be easily broken.

Finally Cyrus could only slowly say, "But every night before I go to bed, I wash my face, brush my teeth, take a bath, change into soft pajamas, and hug a fluffy pillow to sleep... There's none of that here."

I have a lot of trouble before going to sleep, please let me go.

Segalot: "I'll have someone prepare new toiletries and pajamas for you. As for bathing, I have a bathhouse here where you can soak for a long time, or even swim."

As the most esteemed pope, his residence was equipped with the finest amenities, including a bathtub and hot water.

Cyrus made a final attempt to persuade him, "This... isn't a good idea?"

Segalot chuckled, his golden eyes seeming to hold the twinkling stars of the night sky, his deep, magnetic voice almost ringing in her ears under the tranquil moonlight. "There's nothing wrong with it."

His Holiness the Pope is indeed quite irresistible.

It wasn't a feminine kind of beauty, but rather a charm and charisma that mature men exude at all times—a sensory impact.

So, Cyrus was stunned again.

He stared at Segalot, then looked away, his ears turning red. He scratched his cheek and stammered, "Well, okay then, but you have to tell Judas."

Otherwise, Judas would have been waiting for him at the Holy See.

Segalot: "I'll send someone to inform your butler to stay here for the night as well, don't worry."

Cyrus nodded upon hearing this.

Segalot gave the order, and several of the golden-armored knights guarding outside left. Their efficiency was astounding; they returned shortly afterward with everything prepared: toiletries, changes of underwear...

Men's underwear on the Western Continent comes in several styles. The most common type is underwear that resembles summer shorts, short enough to reach the upper thigh, thin and loose, with only one tie at the waist, and not much concern about size or style.

This is the style of underwear that His Holiness the Pope ordered to be brought.

Cyrus clutched the waist tie of his bra, pouting slightly. He would never wear this style of bra; he always wore specially made square-shaped ones...

Although this underwear looks custom-made, can a non-tight-fitting one be the same as a tight-fitting one?

Obviously not.

But at the same time, Cyrus was also somewhat relieved—thankfully, His Holiness the Pope hadn't ordered anyone to bring another type of loincloth-style underwear, which would have been even more uncomfortable and shameful.

He rummaged around for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Why aren't there any pajamas?"

Segalot: "Just wear mine. Pajamas aren't like underwear, you can't always have new ones ready. Would you mind?"

Cyrus had no such concerns or discomfort, so she shook her head and said, "No."

A barely perceptible smile flickered in Segalot's golden eyes. He found a matching black bathrobe and handed it to Cyrus, saying, "I'll take you to the bath."

"Good."

Cyrus followed behind His Holiness the Pope, carrying some items.

The bathroom wasn't far from the study. The water inside had already been heated, and steam filled the air as soon as you entered. A series of steps led down around the bathtub, and there were round stools, a wooden tub, and a low table beside it...

Looking further around, there are also ornamental plants.

After observing Cyrus came to a conclusion. "Your Majesty, do you bathe frequently?"

Segalot raised his right eyebrow slightly, seemingly surprised by his words: "I'm not used to having body odor... Perhaps others think bathing is something not to be encouraged, but it varies from person to person."

Cyrus nodded.

Most people on the Western Continent believe that bathing will ruin their health, but some disagree. Practice makes perfect, and no one else can make this decision for you.

People who don't like to bathe will try various ways to make themselves look more presentable in daily life; wearing dried flowers or spraying perfume are some of the methods they can use.

As Segalot watched Cyrus neatly folding clothes on the low table, he suddenly asked, "Do you need me to come with you?"

Cyrus nearly dropped his new underwear into the bathtub, quickly shaking his head and saying, "No need! Your Majesty, please leave."

Segalot nodded without changing his expression, then pointed to a rope hanging beside the bathtub and said, "This line connects to the bell outside the door. If anything happens, just shake it, and someone will come in."

"Okay, I understand."

Upon hearing this, Segalot turned and left.

Cyrus breathed a sigh of relief, and after making sure that the things on the low table wouldn't fall, she stripped naked and soaked in the bathtub.

It's rare to feel this relaxed while traveling.

So he enjoyed himself in the bathroom a little longer, and when he came out, his whole body was flushed and pink from the steam of the hot water... especially his cheeks, neck, and round little earlobes.

He himself was completely unaware that after putting on the new underwear and tying it up, he felt it was a bit too big, so he loosened the straps and tightened them a bit more, and then put on His Holiness the Pope's robe... which was also too big.

Cyrus glanced down, rolled up her sleeves, and found that the waist area was loose, like she was wearing a woman's nightgown, but it was indeed a man's robe, only it wasn't open, and there was a pair of loose pajama bottoms underneath.

Cyrus doesn't plan to wear pajama pants anymore because they slip down when she wears them, and they're too loose at the waist and too long in the legs, making them too cumbersome.

Suddenly having to spend the night outside still presents many inconveniences.

--For example, after washing his boxer shorts, he wandered around the bathroom, unsure where to hang them, and finally had to tug on the rope hanging above the bathtub.

A faint clanging sound came from outside the door.

A moment later, soft footsteps came from the doorway again. Just as Cyrus thought it would be a servant or a golden-armored knight pushing the door open, she looked up and saw that the person who entered was His Holiness the Pope.

Standing in the center of the bathroom, Cyrus, slightly embarrassed under Segalot's gaze, clutched her four-cornered bra. "Why is it you...?"

Segalot subtly averted her gaze from Cyrus's neck and said calmly, "I'm not used to having too many people guarding this place at night."

Now, when you go outside, neither the servants nor the golden-armored knights have been seen; they are nowhere to be seen in sight.

"You can tell me anything, don't be shy."

Cyrus would probably never have been so embarrassed in front of any servant or golden-armored knight. His face flushed, he half-raised his hand, which was tightly clutching his undergarment, and said, "I'd like to find somewhere to hang it up..."

Segalot smiled slightly, his expression softening. "Come with me."

After finally hanging up the underwear, Cyrus followed His Holiness the Pope into the bedroom.

Black Sugar was already waiting inside. As soon as he entered, it jumped off the soft sofa, circled around Cyrus with its huge body, and then rubbed against him affectionately, its long tail hooking around his ankle.

While Black Sugar's head, Cyrus looked around at His Holiness the Pope's bedroom.

This is a very simple room, mainly in black and red tones, with an exquisite and elegant layout, comfortable and tidy.

The most eye-catching feature was a large bed by the window, with bedposts at each corner and soft, pale red curtains draped around it, swaying gently in the slight breeze seeping in through the open window...

For some reason, Cyrus suddenly felt her face flush again. "Shall we... shall we sleep together?"

Segalot: "If you mind, I can sleep on the sofa."

"Ouch."

Black Sugar tilted its head sensitively; wasn't the sofa for it to sleep on?

Cyrus gently scratched the little head between Black Sugar's ears and could only whisper that she didn't mind.

He then watched as His Holiness the Pope walked to the window and closed it tightly, before turning around and patting the large, obviously soft and fluffy bed.

Come here.

Cyrus let go of Black Sugar's ear and walked over.

Black Sugar jumped onto the sofa in two steps, lay down, and yawned as if she wanted to sleep.

After climbing into bed, Cyrus breathed a sigh of relief without making it obvious. Fortunately, there were two blankets, so she didn't have to sleep in the same bed; otherwise, it would have been too strange.

He crawled into a blanket but didn't lie down immediately. He leaned back against the pile of pillows, and as soon as he relaxed, he sank into the soft mattress. His bare calves and ankles made intimate contact with the smooth fabric of the sheets, and the unfamiliar scent filled his nostrils... making him feel a little awkward.

Although it's winter, the room is very warm.

Cyrus had initially pulled the blanket up to his neck, but after a while, he silently pulled it back down a little. He looked out of bed and saw His Holiness the Pope take out three and a half tall candles, light them, and place them on a small round table not far from the foot of the bed. He then turned off the bright lights in the room.

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The room instantly darkened.

The warm candlelight flickered softly, and the silvery moonlight streamed in through the window, spreading evenly over the bed, creating a serene beauty.

Through the pale red gauze curtain, Cyrus saw Black Sugar resting on its front paws, its golden eyes slightly narrowed; it would probably fall asleep soon. His Holiness the Pope slowly walked to the bedside, raised his hand to lift the gauze curtain, and leaned down—

Her slightly wavy black hair gently fell onto another quilt, and she lay down on the mattress as well... The distance between them seemed infinitely close at this moment.

Cyrus turned her head and said, "Your Majesty, please tell me about the imperial family."

"Curious?"

"Hmm." Cyrus nodded. "In exchange, if there's anything you want to know, I'll definitely answer it for you if I know the answer."

Segalot turned to the side, his voice deeper in the night. "The royal family of the Saint Airo Empire isn't too complicated. The king and queen have three sons and one daughter. The queen's favorite is her youngest son, Kashu Gales, whom you've already met..."

The words flowed slowly away with the moonlight.

Finally, to the soothing, almost hypnotic voice of His Holiness the Pope, Cyrus gradually slid off the pillow and sank into the soft, fluffy bed.

His consciousness was light and hazy. He vaguely heard His Holiness the Pope sigh softly, and then the warm blanket was pulled up with an almost imperceptible force, gently covering his neck.

It felt as if something cool was slowly brushing against his cheek, yet it also felt like nothing was happening...

Segalot withdrew his index finger, gazing at the sleeping face beside him. His golden eyes gradually deepened, and it was unclear what he was thinking.