Journey to the Capital (2)
The second day dawned.
The train had raced along the rails through the night, and by now they had passed the one-quarter mark on the way to the capital.
"Yaaawn~"
"You're awake."
Having slept poorly, Orion rose late, and Karen greeted him as he did.
"Did you sleep well—whoa, you already bathed?"
Rubbing his eyes as he stepped out into the corridor, he found himself face-to-face with her, fresh from the bathing facilities. She wore a white bathrobe, water droplets still beading and falling from the ends of her hair. The soft pink flush across her pale cheeks, paired with her usual image, lent her an unexpectedly alluring air.
"I did. It varies from person to person, but a morning bath clears my head."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
"It's free now, so you should use it as well. You went to bed last night without washing, didn't you?"
"Uh... there are two bathtubs?"
"No. Just the one."
At a glance, the bathing facilities in the lead car held only a single tub. Even for the train's owner, space was limited; everything had to be kept as compact as possible. Which meant, in other words, that he would have to step into the very bathroom she had just used.
Feeling awkward, Orion decided to bathe later and changed the subject.
"So, uh. Boss, don't you normally have attendants help you bathe?"
"What is that look for? You're looking at me as if I were some incompetent fool who can't even bathe herself."
"Oh, come on. Why do you always make me out to be the bad guy? I was just curious. I haven't seen any of the maids around."
"Is that so? Then I must have misunderstood."
In truth, Orion had thought exactly that about ten percent of the time, but he pretended otherwise.
"It's nothing special. Ordinarily I do receive bathing attendants, as you said, but I'm not so inflexible that I need them even here. Calling them one by one is a bother, and how many people could even fit in that tiny space? I simply wash alone."
Tough as nails.
"Ah, right—Boss, you're just as lazy as I am, aren't you? I'd forgotten."
"What did you just say?"
"I didn't say anything."
Karen eyed him with suspicion, then let out a sigh.
"And breakfast?"
"I'll pass today. I ate a lot last night, and honestly I'm still a bit motion-sick. Don't really feel like eating."
"Is that so. Then I suppose I'll make do with a cup of tea this morning as well."
"No, Boss, you can eat if you want."
"I don't particularly feel like it either. Besides, we're scheduled to stop around midday. We can get off and eat then."
"Oh, so we get to look around another city?"
"Yes. The engine needs to cool, and we'll be taking on other passengers as well, so we'll have a little over half a day."
Since coming to this world, Orion had never traveled to another region. People lived much the same everywhere, of course, but he expected he would still find some novelty in it.
"At any rate, rest easy knowing that. There's no paperwork today, so you needn't bother trying to help."
With that, Karen stepped into the bedroom to change. Afterward she took her usual seat at the desk—apparently the most comfortable place for her.
One detail, however, caught Orion's eye and refused to let go.
"Uh, Boss?"
"What is it?"
"You're just going to sit like that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your hair. You need to dry it. You're going to soak the whole chair."
Even if she refused to call the maids, he hadn't expected this. Changing clothes alone clearly wasn't enough—her hair was still dripping wet.
"It's fine. If I pin it up like this, it will do."
Karen twisted her hair up in a towel and secured it.
That is definitely not going to cut it.
"Haaah."
Orion sighed and walked over to her. She had towel-dried it well enough that water wasn't actively dripping, but her hair was long. A man with short hair might leave it and be fine; she was not. And in the dead of winter, no less—it was practically begging to catch a cold.
"Hm? What is it?"
"Leave it like that and it'll never dry."
Orion unwound the towel from her head. Jet-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall.
"A hair dryer—I mean, whatever you use to dry your hair. Where is it?"
He had occasionally seen the servants using one. It didn't look much like a modern hair dryer, but it was a tool that blew hot air all the same.
"Over there."
He followed her gesture and found a magic tool with a magic stone set into the back.
"This thing? Weird-looking."
Orion picked it up and returned to her.
"Oh? Not too heavy for you?"
"It's a bit hefty, but nothing I can't handle."
For a hair dryer it was absurdly heavy—like lifting a dumbbell. Without Orion's strength, even two hands would have struggled.
"So that's why. Sorry I didn't realize sooner."
The servants always grunted and strained when they carried it; now he understood.
"Heh. I wasn't fishing for an apology. But you're right—there's no stand to rest the thing on in here, either."
And so the hair-drying began. Orion activated the magic tool, and hot air flowed out just like a hair dryer.
"You're being pretty cooperative about this, though."
"What are you talking about?"
Karen had entrusted her hair entirely to him. The warm current passed through the strands, gradually restoring their soft, glossy sway.
"Nothing. I figured you'd complain about me touching your hair."
"Hmph. If you're offering, why would I refuse?"
"Don't most people hate it when someone else messes with their hair?"
"It depends on the intent. Other reasons might be different, but having my hair dried is something I'm long used to. I don't think much of it."
"Right—the maids do it for you every day."
Starting from the crown of her head, he worked his way down her back, drying as he went. There was no particular technique to it; he simply moved the tool whenever a section felt dry enough.
"Not too hot?"
"It's perfect. Honestly, having you do it is more comfortable—I don't even have to move."
Orion was wielding the dumbbell-like dryer with complete ease. Technique or not, he could place the airflow exactly where it needed to be.
"Haha. What other guard knight in the world dries his lady's hair like this?"
"Planning to boast about it? I am grateful, though."
"Hmm. You're being awfully agreeable today."
"Your motives are impure. I simply make a point of offering thanks promptly when thanks are due."
Light banter passed between them as he worked, and at last her hair regained its usual glossy sway.
"There. All done. How is it?"
"Thank you. Much more comfortable. You prove useful in the strangest places."
"Strange places? I'll have you know I'm useful in plenty of ways."
"Hmm. I'll take that under advisement in due time. For now, you may truly rest. We'll be arriving at the stop soon enough."
"Yes, yes~"
Orion set the dryer back in its place and took a moment to admire his handiwork. Twenty-odd minutes of focused effort.
"Mm. Nice."
He nodded in satisfaction—and without thinking, rested a hand on her hair, stroking it once or twice.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Karen fixed him with a sharp glare.
"Uh, just... checking that it turned out okay. Your hair really is nice."
It had been a completely unthinking gesture, and Orion stammered slightly in his fluster.
"Hmph. In light of your efforts, I'll let it slide this once."
"Oh—so if I dry your hair next time, I get to pet it again? Not that I would, of course."
"Hmm. I'll think about it."
"She didn't say no."
Apparently the impulsive hair-drying session had pleased her more than expected. Karen let his words slide and opened a newspaper.
"I intend to read. Off with you."
"Aye aye~"
Around midday, the train pulled into the scheduled station right on time.
"Haaah—how long has it been since I breathed outside air?"
Stepping down from the train, Orion drew a deep lungful. Cold air filled his chest and left again.
"This is not my territory. I would prefer you mind your conduct."
"Come on. It's not like I go around causing trouble every day."
"That's exactly how it looks to me."
"What?! Aren't we supposed to trust each other?!"
Bickering back and forth, the two of them passed through the station. Ahead of them stretched a line of people standing in formation, as if preparing for some grand welcome. Karen's brow furrowed.
"Sir Leopold. What is the meaning of this?"
The man called Leopold stepped forward. His wavy mustache gave him the unmistakable look of a swindler. He offered a gentlemanly, courteous bow.
"I heard Lady Karen would be arriving, so I prepared a small reception. I trust it meets with your approval?"
"It looks like nothing but empty theatrics. Clear it from my sight at once."
At her sharp tone he clicked his tongue where she couldn't see, then dismissed the lined-up procession.
"I prepared it with the utmost sincerity out of consideration for Lady Karen, yet it fails to please you. How truly regrettable."
"Spare me the nonsense and go attend to your own business. I did not come here to see you."
Karen ignored him and made to continue on her way. At that moment his hand reached out.
"My, after such a long absence, how could I possibly—"
Thud!
Orion's hand shot out and caught the man's wrist. Act first, think later. Leopold's face twisted—but Orion paid it no mind whatsoever.
"Boss. So who is this guy?"