The Girl Running the Bathhouse (9)
"Are all the employees gone?"
"Yes... I explained that we're closing the inn and paid them all their wages..."
"And what about that thing I mentioned yesterday?"
Yesterday, I'd told Della to pick two employees from the inn staff if anyone wanted to work at our bathhouse. But with no one left, it looked like there were no takers.
"No one was interested. Probably... because the pay is less than what they made here."
"Yeah... figures. Working 'here' is an easy way to make money, so regular jobs probably don't cut it for them."
Della nodded silently.
"Someone came forward to buy the inn, so I closed the deal right away. Here."
I set a heavy coin pouch down on the table.
"This is yours. Just shy of five hundred gold coins."
"F-Five hundred coins...?"
Della's eyes widened in shock, her lips trembling.
"We'll put most of it in the bank after taking out what you need. Too risky to keep that much on hand. We'll open an account too."
"Master... this is... too much... And... the inn was yours..."
"Why would the inn be mine? It's yours. Don't say silly things. I don't want the money."
"Master..."
Della sniffled, tears streaming down her cheeks again. So many tears...
"Kinda worried, though. Now that you've got money, you might quit the inn."
At my joke, Della laughed through her tears, droplets pooling briefly in her dimples before spilling over.
"Crying and laughing at the same time makes your butthole what again?"
"It gets looser...?"
"Was that it? Eh, something like that."
Della wiped her tears with the back of her hand, smiling as she let out a long sigh.
"Well, now this place is... done."
She gazed around the rundown inn hall with eyes full of mixed emotions. The inn passed down from her grandfather's time. The place where she'd lived her whole life, longed to escape, and once dreamed of owning.
"If you're regretting it now, I can buy it back."
"No... it's not regret... just... so many memories with Mom..."
Della's voice choked, trailing off. But she soon finished brightly.
"It's fine. I can keep it in my heart. The inn disappearing doesn't erase the memories."
Della hopped up cheerfully from her chair, picked up the urn, and walked over to me.
"Let's go, Master. To our home."
I wrapped an arm around Della's shoulders and stepped out of the inn. Just before mounting the Hell Horse, she glanced back one last time. Seeing the three-story building with all lights out brought back memories of our first arrival. The tasteless fried fish, the shady vibe. Della lifting her skirt to prove her virginity. Our attic chat and the loan shark's thugs getting beaten in front. And... last night's tangle with Della.
I had memories worth calling that here too.
"Master. Let's go now."
Della, staring blankly up at the inn, murmured through endless tears. But she wore a definite happy smile.
"Della. Keep that up and your butthole'll get loose."
"It already got loosened last night..."
"It doesn't loosen from just one quick go. Takes constant work."
"Oh... is that how it is?"
We laughed as we mounted the Hell Horse. We'd stop by the bank to deposit the money in Della's name, then head back to the inn—our home.
"Oh, right! Master!"
Della, riding in front, suddenly yelled.
"Crying and laughing makes hair grow on your butt, not loosens it!"
"Oh yeah. That's right."
"Pervert...! You knew and pretended not to!"
Della pounded the back of my head against her chest in a playful tantrum. I chuckled, pulling her close and groping her breasts.
"Guess I'll have to check next time if hair really grew."
Della bowed her head, murmuring softly.
"Mmm... do whatever you want..."
We finished everything and returned to Rosens late morning.
Della and I passed the inn and headed north to bury the urn. The north road to Fribourg had a fork leading up the mountain to the abandoned castle where Idwild had hidden. Midway up was a spot with a killer view. We settled under a big tree overlooking the Buren River and the mountains beyond.
I stomped the ground roughly, digging a pit big enough for the urn in seconds. Della gently placed it in, caressing the lid for a while.
"Dad. You were... a bad guy I hated... but thanks for letting me be born."
Della spoke in a drained voice, no more tears.
"Don't harass Mom in heaven... find another woman and live a healthy, happy life."
She shoveled dirt in with her bare hands.
"If Mom visits my dreams saying you harassed her... I might dig you up and toss you in the river... so rest easy..."
A Della-style eulogy, full of love-hate for her dad and pure devotion to her late mom.
We fully buried the urn and returned to the inn.
"No more crying now, Master."
"Good. Was wondering when you'd stop."
"Hehe."
As we entered, the employees gathered to comfort Della. She smiled and thanked them. With that, Della's father's funeral rites were complete.
I wanted to give her more time to grieve, but the bathhouse opening was days away. Knowing that, Della let me drag her straight to the bathhouse with Ukun.
"I'll handle maintenance fully for the first month, but after that, you and Balder manage it yourselves. So pay attention. Of course, nothing'll break anyway."
Ukun showed Della and me every facility in detail. Basic principles, water flow, equipment use, everything. Della jotted it all down in a little notebook without missing a word.
At the same time, she listed immediate needs for Pelle: bulk towels, simple drinks, perfumes, soap, sponges, toothbrushes, toiletries, cleaning supplies.
Pelle ordered from city suppliers, asking Mollo for hard-to-get items.
Marim plastered the city with help-wanted flyers for bathhouse staff. Our inn was famous, so applicants flooded in.
I gave Della full hiring authority. She set a day and interviewed all day. Her criteria were odd: over forty, married with family only.
Asked why, she said young singles might quit over minor gripes. But Idwild spilled the real reason.
"She's scared a young pretty girl might come and hit on you..."
"Cute, Della."
"So sweet and pretty..."
Idwild gazed fondly at Della interviewing applicants.
Suddenly struck, I hooked my arm around her neck.
"Wha— Bertrand... what..."
"Hey, milk cow. What the hell did you teach Della? Huh? She's totally corrupted by you."
Idwild wobbled, breasts jiggling.
"What'd I do..."
"That... hand massage orb thing! Right?!"
"Oh... Della was so lonely, and it felt good when I tried it..."
"Why'd you try it?!"
Della glanced over, clearing her throat.
"Um... sorry, but could you be a bit quieter?"
"Oops. Sorry, Della."
"Hehe... sorry..."
I released Idwild's neck, whispering as I linked arms.
"Anyway... don't teach her weird stuff."
"Mmm... okay... but why's it weird... it's just relieving urges..."
"Talking back now...!"
I pretended to flick her forehead. Idwild squeezed her eyes shut, then peeked one open slowly.
"But... I wanna relieve my urges too... when are we doing it again...?"
"After we sort the bathhouse. Busy with that."
"Hehe... I'll wait... you said try backdoor last time... practicing..."
"You were the one who suggested it first."
"Anyway... hehe... tell me a day before... need to prep..."
This milk cow was steeped in black magic inside and out, lewd beyond belief...
The bathhouse regular staff ended up as two middle-aged men and women. Meanwhile, Ukun whipped up a single-story passageway linking the bathhouse and inn. Now guests could use the bathhouse for an extra fee.
On opening day, predawn, Della buzzed around tensely, checking for misses or dirt.
"Master... what if we open and no one comes...?"
"No way. Tons'll show. Might even have a line."
"What if too many come and I mess up or guests get uncomfortable...? Haa... so scary..."
Della bit her nails, face pale, listing every worry.
"Don't worry. Ukun and I'll help."
"If some human asshole complains it's not to their liking, I'll dunk 'em headfirst in the tub myself!"
Ukun bellowed, flexing his massive muscled arm.
Soon, the sun rose over the eastern mountains across the river, and the bathhouse officially opened.
Della peered anxiously at the three-way intersection to the city, despair crashing over her face.
"Aah... what do we do, Master..."