A Calm Before the Storm

Light streaming through a gap in the curtains woke me.

I felt like I'd slept better than I had in ages. So deeply that I hadn't even dreamed.

My right arm felt warm enough to make me sweat.

Curious, I looked over and found Azu sleeping beside me, breathing softly.

She was using my right arm as a pillow, clinging to it.

No wonder it was warm.

I tried piecing together the previous day, but everything after arriving home was hazy.

I remembered Alexia using my chocolate, but…

I must have given in to sleepiness and lay down on the bed after that.

Had Azu been with me at the time?

I couldn't sit up like this. I felt bad waking her when she was sleeping so soundly, but I had to.

I tried shaking Azu's shoulder with my left hand, but she didn't budge.

If anything, her grip on my right arm tightened.

"Hey, Azu. Wake up."

I shook her shoulder a bit harder, and she finally opened her eyes.

She looked at me with the unfocused gaze of someone not yet awake.

Then she bowed her head deeply.

"Good morrrning…"

Not an ounce of energy.

She sounded like someone on the morning after a sleepless night.

Though she'd seemed to be sleeping soundly just a moment ago.

"Let go of my hand. And go wash your face."

"Mmm… Okay. I will."

As we talked, she gradually came to, and her speech sharpened.

Her hands released my right arm, and I was free.

Azu's body heat had kept it warm, but the cold air turned it frigid in an instant.

On cold nights, Azu might make for a decent hot water bottle.

Azu climbed out of bed. She was down to a slightly wrinkled set of innerwear. Her outer clothes had fallen to the floor beside the bed, probably from getting too hot in her sleep.

She shivered at the chill.

She dressed hurriedly and left the room.

(Nothing happened, right?)

I had absolutely no memory.

I looked down and checked, but my clothes were barely disturbed.

The bed showed no signs of having been tossed around, either.

Good grief. I let out a sigh.

Chasing the pointless thought from my head, I pulled out a change of clothes.

I'd gone to sleep without bathing, and felt somewhat grimy for it.

There was nothing urgent on the agenda. After a morning bath, I'd tackle the household chores all at once.

I grabbed my change of clothes and a towel and headed for the bath.

A tempting aroma drifted from the kitchen, tickling my nose.

Someone was already preparing a meal.

(I wonder if there's a portion for me.)

With that thought, I opened the bathroom door and found Alexia inside, half-undressed.

Her skin, flushed from the hot water, looked dewy.

She was wearing only her undergarments, apparently in the middle of drying her hair.

Alexia seemed to deliberate over what to say, but then recalled that, given her position, there wasn't really a problem. She swallowed whatever it was.

"You're up? I just got out, so it's still nice and warm inside."

"Good. That helps."

Alexia finished dressing as she spoke.

Then she held out a towel.

"It's not like I'm in a position to get angry about you seeing me naked. But could you at least help me dry my hair?"

"Sure."

She could dry it with magic if she wanted, but women's dedication to their hair was formidable. That much was clear from how well hair products sold.

Outside of emergencies, it was probably better for the hair to skip the magic.

I took the towel and blotted the water from Alexia's hair.

Her hair was a fiery red, sleek and free of split ends.

Evidence that she took meticulous care of it.

While I dried her hair, Alexia held still and left herself in my hands.

Once I'd mostly finished, she ran her right hand through it.

Her hair flowed smoothly along her fingers.

"Mm. That'll do. You're actually quite skilled at this, as expected from someone with deft hands."

"Is there really a skilled and unskilled way to do this?"

"Who knows? Put the clothes you take off in that basket. I'll wash them later."

"You will?"

"… What's that look for? Something strange about it?"

Alexia was, technically, a former noblewoman.

Her combat abilities had been outstanding from the start, but her domestic skills had been catastrophic. I'd done everything for her.

She could cook now, but to think she'd volunteer to do laundry of all things. I felt an emotion I couldn't quite name welling up inside me.

"No, please do."

"It was actually odd that the master was taking care of his slaves' needs. The support is appreciated, of course. The three of us talked it over and decided that when we're home, we should pitch in with chores. Lying around just makes you more tired."

When I assigned quests to Azu and the others, they were away from the house a lot.

When they came back, I'd figured they were exhausted and handled things for them, but maybe I'd been overdoing it.

For Alexia especially, some physical activity seemed to do her good.

"Good attitude. In that case, I'll take it easy."

"Please do. The magic stone in the bath still has plenty of power, so take your time warming up. Don't drain the water, though. I need it for laundry."

Alexia opened the door to leave.

But just before she closed it, she caught her foot and nearly stumbled.

That wasn't like her at all.

Apparently, calm as she'd looked, she'd been a bit rattled.

I reheated the bath water with the fire magic stone and enjoyed a hot soak.

The grime seemed to melt away along with the fatigue.

I spent a while savoring the morning bath, then got dressed.

Plenty of sleep and a thorough soak.

All that was left was a meal to refuel, and I'd be in perfect shape.

As Alexia had instructed, I put my dirty clothes in the basket and headed for the kitchen.

The earlier aroma now mingled with the slightly sweet smell of baking bread. That alone was enough to make me hungry.

When I reached the kitchen, I could hear sizzling and voices.

"Alexia-chan, don't overcook the eggs or the bacon!"

"I know that!"

"The bread's done!"

It was a bit chaotic, but Elza was at the center of it, directing the breakfast preparations.

Finn sat at the table, watching the three of them work.

I took the seat across from her, and she glanced my way.

"Morning."

"Morning. You look chipper."

"Yeah. My head's clearer than it's been in a while."

"Hmph."

She laughed through her nose.

A salad was already set out on the table.

"Did you make this?"

"I was roped into it."

Finn said with a sour look.

Her expression said don't ask.

Before long, breakfast was ready.