The Wicked Lady's Tea Party -5-
The central hall of the mansion after baths. The ladies descended the stairs, drying their wet hair with towels, dressed in the pajamas prepared in advance, making their way to the center of the mansion.
"So refreshing~"
"Right? It felt amazing."
"Me too..."
"Oh yeah, Hanna, why is your butt so huge? Yuria doesn't look like that, but you've got some serious weaponry..."
"No, it's just from all the exercise I do..."
"What?! Oh... oh... uh-huh, is that so?"
Rosanna hummed a tune as she came down, followed by Yuria, Hanna, and Shartia, all wafting the fragrant scent of shampoo, their footsteps light on the floor.
"Haa... this is the life~!"
I'd already finished my bath and was lounging on the sofa, my mouth agape as I watched the beauties descending the stairs.
Whoa...
Truly, as beauties certified by the author, their otherworldly allure left me nodding in awe.
They're seriously gorgeous.
Angelic faces you'd believe without question. Even bare-faced and simple, the four women gliding down the stairs were overwhelmingly stunning. Rosanna in her middle years. Yuria drying her damp hair. Hanna's curvaceous figure in white pajamas. Even Princess Shartia exuded an indescribable aura.
I gazed at the descending ladies and turned to the men beside me. It might seem crass, but I had to acknowledge what deserved it. Kyle and Malik were strapping guys, after all.
"Aren't they all just too beautiful...?"
"So, centering it on the Desmont family for a bathhouse business..."
"That's solid, but realistically, Desmont's public image isn't great. If we branded it under Histania, maybe..."
"Target the commoners as our customer base—win the people's hearts. Gradually rehab the image, then expand to nobles. Start premium for quick ROI."
"True..."
"I'll back it with personal funds. Exclusive franchise rights to my operations as a condition..."
They showed zero interest.
Are they eunuchs?
I stared seriously at Kyle and Malik, deep in heated debate in their white pajamas. No way, I thought. I wasn't asking anything grand. Greedy as I am, I wasn't broad-minded enough to play matchmaker. I just wanted to brag about how pretty my friend was, but these two didn't spare a glance.
Impressive focus on work, sure, but how do you ignore stunners like that right in front of you? Kyle and Malik were like monks ignoring predator's prey, laser-focused on business.
I let out a small chuckle and glanced at Darbarb, fixated on Rosanna.
"Family head."
"Beautiful..."
"Family head?"
"Even after getting shot down five times, confessing steadfastly was the right call."
Overhearing Darbarb's romantic saga by accident, I flashed a dizzy smile and rose from the sofa to fetch the Young Lady from the third-floor women's changing room.
Great show, now back to work.
"Yuria."
"Yes?!"
I lightly stopped Yuria, who was towel-drying her pink hair, and asked.
"No one else on the third floor besides the Young Lady, right?"
"Yes, that's right!"
"I'll go get her then."
"Okay!"
-Step.
"Ah, Ricardo!"
Yuria called out as I climbed the stairs, offering a shy smile and greeting.
"Today was so much fun. I was super nervous and scared at first, but I'm glad I came...!"
"Glad to hear it. Thanks for enjoying yourselves—makes me happier. And..."
I brushed her damp hair back, smiling faintly.
"You look truly beautiful today."
"P-Pardon? Y-Yesyesyesyes?!"
Her face exploded red as she ducked her head, frozen in place.
I fiddled with her wet hair, gave her giggling shoulder a gentle rub, then headed up to the third floor.
Before the door to the quiet third-floor women's bath. Standing at the forbidden zone's entrance, barred earlier by gatekeeper Malik, I swallowed hard and cautiously parted the red curtain blocking the door.
Moist floor water and warm bath steam brushed my face. I sighed in relief—they'd loved it, unexpectedly. High-status nobles, I figured they'd hate something like this.
I'd joked about sneaking into the women's bath, but really, I wanted to gauge their reactions. Feared it might flop as too bold. Worried turning the familiar tea party into a training retreat would irk them. Hard for a guy to read women's minds.
"Ha..."
Relief washed over me with a small smile. I stepped deeper into the steamy changing room to find the Young Lady hiding somewhere—can't end the tea party booze-up without the star.
Knocking considerately on the wardrobe door in case she was awkwardly dressed.
-Knock knock.
"Young Lady."
"..."
"Here to escort you."
No reply. I edged closer, peeking through the gap in the opposite wardrobe.
"Pfft!"
I burst out laughing at the Young Lady on the floor.
"Young Lady!"
"Eeeek..."
She'd tossed the white pajamas aside, head trapped in some unfamiliar set—arms flailing in the sleeve holes.
Why skip the silk ones I gave everyone for this weird getup? No clue where she got it, but the black-and-white patterned pajamas had me cracking up.
"What are you doing?"
"Eeeeng... save me."
"No... pffahaha, why are you wearing it like that? Where's the one I prepared?"
"Too stuffy, hate it. I'm the star today—can't be the only one in drab."
"Fair enough."
Feeling bad for not considering her, I nodded and carefully freed her head from the pajamas.
With a pop, she escaped, shaking out her messy hair and exhaling.
"Hoo. Saved thanks to you."
"Glad you're alive. But where'd this come from?"
I held up the pajamas, head tilted in question. Black-and-white embroidered patterns. Hooded with cotton horns on the cap.
Cow pajamas, huh.
The Young Lady who'd procured cow PJs tilted her head with a small smile.
"Secret."
"Pardon?"
"It's a secret."
She giggled and reached out.
"Dress me."
World's cutest aegyo from the realm's strongest—I pretended to resist as I slipped the animal pajamas over her head. Sleeves already on, no wardrobe malfunction, but glad for the cute view.
Changed into cow PJs, she sat on the floor, shoulders shaking.
"Booze."
"In moderation."
"Booze. Booze."
"Young Lady."
"Eeeek! Let's go!"
I stroked her head and slowly led her out.
The drinking session continued. Top-shelf liquor had Kyle, Malik, and Darbarb grinning, arms around shoulders, Darbarb chattering happily about old tales, gauging their reactions.
-Rowen that guy, still the same?
-Father hasn't changed.
-Knew he was stubborn, but you must have it rough.
-Not at all. Young Lady's learning from the Duchess.
-Mommy! Booze...!
-Clink!
-Guhk!
-Call me Mommy, and when an adult pours, you don't grab like that—didn't Mommy tell you?
-Heehee... right.
Yuria and Hanna sat awkwardly sipping.
"Sunbae."
"...Huh?"
Tipsy Hanna eyed Ricardo making snacks alone in the kitchen.
"Sunbae, what do you think of the butler?"
"Wha...?"
Caught off-guard, Yuria fidgeted with her glass, eyes darting.
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"Playing dumb?"
Hanna twisted her glass with a wry smile, then spilled her pent-up feelings under the alcohol's sway—calmly sharing what Ricardo meant to her.
"Sunbae, here's the thing."
Hanna gazed at Ricardo, lips parting.
"I really like the butler."
Like crazy.
"I like him."
So yeah.
"You better watch out, sunbae. I'm not that nice."