Arrival at the Roze Tail Mansion
The horse from the Roze Tail family galloped steadily away from the village, heading toward the outskirts. Watching the scenery shift endlessly outside the window stirred an odd feeling in me. For someone like me, who'd spent all thirteen years of my life in that one village since being born into this world, it felt like something out of a fairy tale.
"We're here. Come on down."
Before long, we arrived in front of a grand mansion, and Lady Roze Tail spoke in her gentle tone. Stepping out of the carriage, the estate's full splendor hit me all at once—something I'd only glimpsed through the window before.
"Whoa..."
Damn, noble mansions really were on another level. I'd figured a baron's place, being at the bottom rung of nobility, wouldn't be that impressive. But boy, was I wrong. The place was huge—stupidly so. And this was going to be my home? I still couldn't wrap my head around it.
"Family head, welcome back! You found the young miss, thank goodness...!"
As the three of us reached the mansion's entrance, a man in a tuxedo burst out. He looked to be in his late thirties or early forties. Judging by his outfit, he had to be the family butler.
"Ugh."
The problem was his tuxedo— pristine but somehow off-putting on a gut level. Why the hell were there frills on that thing?
"Yes, luckily she was in the village. This boy here found Tiabel for us."
"Our benefactor, then! No wonder...!"
No sooner had Lady Roze Tail spoken than the man's eyes widened. He bowed deeply to me.
"I am Dian Percival, head butler of the Roze Tail family. Thank you so much for finding our precious young miss."
"Name's Aren. Just did what needed doing, so no need to make a fuss."
Maybe it was because I'd already gotten a dozen thank-yous on the carriage ride over, but I felt awkward and waved him off. Besides, it wasn't like I'd done anything heroic.
"Aren will be staying with our family from today onward, so make a note of it. Inform the staff as well."
"Pardon? Staying with us?"
Whoa, Lady Roze Tail didn't mess around. Most people would at least set up a proper introduction, but she just dropped it like a bomb. The butler's face twisted like he'd been smacked upside the head.
"...And that's why I brought him home. Make sure no one treats him lightly."
"How tragic... I'll keep that in mind."
Lady Roze Tail whispered as quietly as she could, and the butler replied in a voice just barely audible, before suddenly glaring at me with intense eyes. What the hell were they talking about?
"Take this child to the reception room after giving him a proper bath. Dress him in something nice."
"Understood. This way, Young Master Aren."
"Huh?"
I'd been calmly following Lady Roze Tail when this ambush hit out of nowhere, leaving me dazed. Wait—what? Who was washing who? Sure, I looked like a rat that had rolled through a sewer, so a bath made sense. But hand my body over to some stranger with icy hands? Gag.
"I'll wash myself, thanks. No need to help."
"......"
I instinctively covered up and backed away, refusing politely. I could feel Lady Roze Tail's gaze, but it wasn't judgmental. She stared at me thoughtfully for a long moment, then nodded.
"...If he's fine with it, no need to trouble ourselves. Just lend him the bath and some clothes."
"Yes, ma'am."
Phew. I let out a sigh of relief and followed the butler's lead.
"See you later, Aren!"
"Yeah."
I replied to Tiabel's cheerful send-off from behind.
Splash, splash, splash—
"Wash up outside first, then soak in the tub. I'll leave clothes and a towel outside for you. We'll handle what you're wearing now."
"Thanks."
Percival had already filled the tub and stepped out, explaining kindly. I bowed in gratitude, stripped down, and went in.
Slosh.
"Ahh... it's been forever since I had a proper bath."
Pouring the warm water over myself, my body screamed with bliss. Last time I'd call "washing" was probably a week ago—midnight downpour hit, so I bolted to some deserted corner, stripped naked, scrubbed with my bare hands under the moonlight. What a shitshow that was.
Sploosh.
"Ohhh...!"
After scrubbing off every last bit of grime, I sank into the tub, letting out a groan like I'd downed a shot of liquor. This was it. This was a bath. I'd forgotten the cozy embrace of hot water for thirteen years. Reuniting with it now brought tears to my eyes.
"Hoo..."
After soaking for a few minutes, I figured it was time to get out. I wanted to linger, but people were waiting. Gotta start off on the right foot with the folks I'd be freeloading off.
"Urk...!"
As I stepped out, a dark, floating mass at my feet made me grimace. At first I thought it was seaweed, but nope—pure filth, sand, and dirt sloughed off my body, clumped together. Holy shit, was I that disgusting? Tiabel held hands with this mess and didn't bat an eye. Tough stomach on her.
"Let's see, a scrub brush for cleaning..."
I couldn't leave this nasty sight for the staff, so I looked for a tool to tidy up. Luckily, a thin brush lay nearby on the floor. Good enough—I sat down and got to scrubbing.
A few minutes in...
Creeeak.
"Young Master Aren, I heard a noise from inside... Oh?"
"Ah."
The bathroom door swung open without warning, and my eyes met Percival's. There I was, buck naked, scrubbing the floor of his bathroom. His expression screamed, What the fuck are you doing?
I scratched my cheek awkwardly and explained my pitiful situation.
"Sorry. I dirtied the floor, so I was just cleaning up a bit..."
"......"
Percival's face changed in an instant. He looked at me with a mix of pity and something deeper...
"In the Roze Tail household, we don't trouble our guests over a little dirt on the floor. Please don't worry about it and come out. No one will blame you, so relax."
"Pardon? Oh, uh, sure..."
His demeanor was so refined it bordered on elegant as he ushered me out. What just happened? At least I wasn't pegged as some punk caught doing wrong. Silver lining.
"Please wear these."
Percival pointed to neatly folded clothes on the changing room table.
Finally free from those rag-ass clothes. The things were so worn and torn they couldn't even keep out the winter chill. Good riddance. The brothel girls catcalled me nonstop over the holes, so no good memories there. Thanks for nothing—never again.
"...Huh?"
I unfolded the clothes Percival handed me with a beaming smile, and my brain short-circuited. What was this, a hidden camera prank? Why the fuck were there frills everywhere?
It reminded me of Percival's own tuxedo—no, worse. Lacy frills hung off it like tatters. This was... men's clothing?
No way in hell I can wear this.
I knew I wasn't in a position to be picky about food, let alone clothes. But this? This crossed a line. To anyone else it might look fine, but slipping into it would strip away some vital piece of my manhood.
"Um, Percival."
"Dian is fine. What is it?"
"Sorry, but could you swap this for something else?"
I threw caution to the wind and asked for a change. It caught him off guard; his eyes widened, head tilting.
"The clothes? Is the design not to your liking? It's quite fine quality, you know."
I knew that. The fabric and stitching screamed high-end ready-to-wear. But no matter how pricey, if it didn't match the wearer's taste, what was the point? Give me a plain shirt and pants—cheap was fine. Anything beat those rags a hundred times over.
"No, it's not that. Just... doesn't suit me."
"Doesn't suit you..."
I couldn't flat-out call the design a disaster, so I beat around the bush. Dian stared at me blankly for a long moment. Probably stunned that a slum rat like me was picky about clothes. Holding back a lecture, maybe.
That thought had just crossed my mind when...
"Hic...!"
"Dian?"
A sniffle escaped him, like he was choking back tears, and he started rubbing his eyes with his sleeve. Something was off. I looked up at him...
"No, Young Master! What qualification does one need to wear clothes...? Please don't think such sad thoughts!"
"Huh?!"
Crazy. He burst into full-on tears. What the hell? Why was he bawling? Did I say something tragic? I just asked for different clothes because they didn't suit me. Where did "qualification" even come from? I never said that!
"Please, wear it! This outfit was born to be worn by you!"
"No, come on...!"
It wasn't custom-made or anything. Ready-to-wear doesn't get that dramatic. I wrestled with him as he tried shoving the clothes into my arms, spouting nonsense. Strip naked and pull this shit?
"Hic, alright. If you insist..."
"Phew."
Thank god I won the tug-of-war. I scored a plain white shirt and pants. Imagine facing Lady Roze Tail or Tiabel in that frilly getup. My head spun at the near-miss. Dodged a bullet—no embarrassing cosplay for this slum boy.