Chapter 21 The Benefits of Yuzu Bath and the Story of Two People

As soon as we were ready, we each went into the men’s and women’s baths.

After washing our bodies, we soaked in the hot water. Today’s bath is… a yuzu bath.

I had only recently learned that yuzu exists in this world. Today, I went to the trouble of ordering some from a place where it is a specialty so that I could take a yuzu bath.

Several large yuzu were floating in the bath. I could have sliced ​​the yuzu into slices, but this time I wanted to make an impact, so I just put the yuzu in the bath whole.

By the way, I had also turned the men’s bath into a yuzu bath.

Hehe. Yuri-san is probably surprised right about now.

As I got in the bath, the refreshing scent of yuzu gently tickled my nostrils.

I took a deep breath of the fresh citrus scent and exhaled, “Hah~”.

 I folded my arms on the edge of the bathtub, rested my chin on it, and closed my eyes.

The scent of yuzu enveloped me and I felt relaxed and happy…

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎

When I got out of the bath, Yuri was already relaxing at the table.

As soon as I sat down in front of him, he spoke.

“Today’s bath was really good. At first I was surprised by the appearance, but… it felt like my body was warmer than usual.”

“Really? It promotes blood circulation, so it’s good for poor circulation and helps prevent colds. Also, we fought monsters, so it’s a prayer to ward off evil.”

“To ward off evil?”

In the world of my previous life, it was believed that strong scents ward off evil spirits.

 The bus guide on the hot spring tour in my previous life had told me that yuzu baths were actually considered seasonal baths to ward off colds and pray for good health for the year.

Today we had fought a monster, so I thought it would be perfect.

I couldn’t say anything about my previous life, so I gave a vague explanation that “There’s a superstition that strong scents ward off evil,” Yuri nodded in admiration.

“I see. That’s interesting.”

“Right? Baths are pretty interesting.”

“You really like baths, Miss Lydia. Is there a reason why you started to like them?”

“Eh?”

“Actually, why did you want to create a bath in the first place?”

“…”

I was a little at a loss for words at the casual question.

The reason why I started to like baths, you know.

That would mean going all the way back to my previous life, and I’m not confident I can explain it well right away…

 “…Would you like something hot to drink for now?”

“? Yes.”

I quickly retreated to the kitchen and made a hot drink using the yuzu that I hadn’t used in the yuzu bath and honey.

I poured the finished drink into a cup and handed it to Yuri.

“Here you go. Please have some.”

“Oh, thank you.”

A refreshing hot drink of yuzu and sweet honey. The faint sweet scent of honey was pleasant, and after a sip, I felt my already warm body warm up even more.

I took a sigh of relief and thought about how to talk about my past life.

After a while, I quietly began to speak.

“A long time ago, baths were a place for me to escape.”

…This is the story of “me” in my past life.

I lost my parents when I was young and was taken in and raised by relatives. I didn’t end up being bullied by my new family and living a miserable life…  My new family was just normal and kind, and I was able to live a peaceful life, so I’m still grateful to them.

Still, of course, there were times when I felt sad about not having my parents around. But I felt somehow reluctant to show that sadness in front of my new family.

In those times, when I took a bath, I could be alone, and unconditionally be my true self. I could just soak in the hot water and not think about unpleasant things.

The bath was my one and only safe place, as I carried my sadness with me.

Maybe that’s why I came to like baths.

Even after I was reincarnated, baths were certainly a source of healing. Whenever I felt tired from my duties as the prince’s fiancée, I would head straight for the bath. Taking a bath helped me forget about the unpleasant things, and it also relieved the fatigue of being queen.

 “When I’m in the bath, I’m allowed to be alone, I don’t have to think about anything, and it’s soothing. That’s why I fell in love with it.”

“…”

“When you’re living desperately every day, there are times when you want to run away, and you want a place to relax at those times, right? That’s why I hope that the baths I provide can be a place of relaxation and an escape for someone…”

I gradually became embarrassed and broke out into a strange sweat. Maybe I’ve said a bit too much…

However, contrary to my impatience, Yuri nodded again, impressed.

“Miss Lydia, you run a bath café that helps people of your own volition. Thank you for telling me something difficult to answer.”

“No, not at all.”

Yuri frowned, mocking himself.

 “Miss Lydia, you have a clear goal, it’s really amazing.”

“Really?”

“I just joined the Knights because my parents told me to…”

“Really?”

When I asked him again, he lowered his eyes and nodded.

“I didn’t start out with a special goal like you. I couldn’t go against my parents, and I couldn’t disobey orders, so I just became the commander of the Knights…”

“…”

“That’s why I respect you for forging ahead with your own will.”

Yuri didn’t seem to want to say any more, and closed his mouth. It seemed like he had a deeper reason.

Yuri is probably a serious person, so he probably feels guilty about joining the Knights for no reason.

 “There doesn’t have to be a special reason. After all, the fact is, many people have been helped by Yuri-san.”

“…I hope so.”

“It really is. You protected me from the monster just now, didn’t you? It was the first time I’ve been helped like that. That’s why I was happy.”

There’s the situation in my previous life, and in this life. As the daughter of a duke, I’ve never relied on my father, the head of the family, so I haven’t had much experience of being helped by anyone.

So when my engagement was broken off, before I thought “I want to get in the bath quickly, so I’ll just admit my guilt!” I’d never thought “I’ll ask someone for help” so I thought “Okay, I want to get in the bath quickly, so I’ll just admit my guilt!”.

No one had ever helped me before, so I was quite happy that he took my hand and protected me from the dragon.

 “There are many people who have been saved by Yuri-san, so you should have confidence.”

“… I never thought of it that way, but Miss Lydia is right. Thank you.”

“No way~. Hehe. This is the first time I’ve ever talked so much.”

I wonder if the yuzu bath has the effect of encouraging conversation. Or maybe it’s the reassuring effect of Yuri-san listening to me sincerely.

“I ended up talking too much too. Sorry for talking so strangely.”

“I didn’t think it was strange, but… So, can we keep what we talked about today as our secret?”

“Of course, that would be great.”

“Then let’s make a pinky promise?”

“Y-yes?”

“Like this”

I held out my pinky finger and intertwined it with Yuri-san’s.

“Pinky promise…”

It’s strange.

 I’d had plenty of opportunities to hold hands with Yuri up until now, but now my fingertips feel hot as I touch them.

Maybe the effects of the bath are starting to take effect all of a sudden. I wonder if that’s what they were doing.

“I’ve cut my finger.”

With that, he took his finger away.

After a short pause, Yuri spoke with a serious look on his face.

“I was just thinking… wouldn’t it be difficult to actually thread a thousand needles?”

His overly serious words made me burst out laughing.