Sharing the Same Room...?
Sharing the same room...? The Evergreen Grand Duke's procession pushed onward even through the dead of night. The carriage carrying Marian and Chloe was no exception, halting only when absolutely necessary. Linger too long and they'd be late—a humiliation beyond measure—and the knights, with their iron constitutions, could manage a month on minimal sleep without serious trouble.
But not Marian.
"I'm so tired..."
For Marian, this was her first long-distance carriage ride, and by the evening of the first day, she was already wilting away. A perfectly natural reaction. Curled up with her ear pressed to Chloe's bosom as the carriage jostled along, her back ached and her whole body throbbed.
"I told you to sit up straight, didn't I? You've been ignoring me lately—that's why you're getting punished."
"But..."
"But what?"
"Nothing..."
Seizing the moment, Chloe lightly scolded her, and Marian, who had been about to retort, clamped her mouth shut. She couldn't bring herself to admit she'd endured it all just to hear Chloe's heartbeat.
"Ugh..."
Still, exhaustion was exhaustion. Marian made a pitiful face and thumped her lower back—when the carriage suddenly lurched to a stop.
"Enjoying a peaceful journey, Teacher? My lady?"
Viola peeked in through the door, offering a polite greeting despite the pitch-black night surrounding them.
"What's going on, Viola?"
"We'll be modifying the carriage for a bit. It's about time for you both to get some rest."
"Modifying it?"
"Yes. Would you mind stepping out for a moment?"
"Got it. Come on, my lady. Let's get down."
"Mm..."
Marian, still rubbing her sore back, climbed out, thumping it all the while. Viola slipped into the now-empty carriage and began tinkering with various mechanisms, completely rearranging the interior.
First, she pulled out the wide seat where Chloe and Marian had been sitting, extending it into half a flatbed. Then the seat where Marian should have been, extended to form the other half.
Next, the ceiling. That suspiciously plush layer overhead—she used a pulley to lower it down, settling it perfectly atop the flatbed. A soft bed, complete.
"What... is this...?"
Even Chloe had never seen anything like it. She knew long-distance carriages came with various features, but this level of ingenuity? Beyond imagination.
"All set. Hop back in. In this configuration, the built-in gravity artifact keeps things steady and comfortable—perfect for a deep sleep."
"Who told you that?"
"The Duchess."
Magic and alchemy truly knew no bounds. Chloe stuck out her tongue in disbelief, staring at the carriage, then...
"But I'm not sleepy."
"Eh...?"
She'd given a subtle jab, but...
"Chloe, come on! Hurry!"
"Fine, no choice..."
With Marian like that, Chloe couldn't very well say she wasn't in the mood to sleep out of embarrassment.
"Viola, grab our nightdresses from the luggage compartment. Can't sleep in traveling clothes."
"Yes, Teacher."
With a sigh, Chloe gave Viola her instructions and stepped into what was now a miniature bedroom. Soon, Viola handed over the nightdresses, and Chloe drew the curtains shut. Blackout material, and night besides—no one could see in.
"My lady, let me help you undress."
"Okay."
"..."
Marian's oddly amused reaction was a touch awkward, but that wasn't the priority now. Chloe stripped her down to a simple bra covering her budding breasts and her panties, then hurriedly slipped the nightdress on to cover her—no one would see anyway. Once Viola packed away Marian's discarded clothes neatly in the travel bag...
"Your turn, Chloe. Undress."
"Pardon...?"
Marian made a bold suggestion.
"I'll help you dress too."
"I'm twenty-two, my lady. I can manage clothes on my own just fine. Don't trouble yourself."
"Undress."
"..."
No, bold didn't cover it—this was coercive.
Can a person change this much in just a few days?
Marian still had her innocent side, no doubt. But that cold, forceful personality lurking within was small yet undeniably present.
"Chloe."
Suddenly, Marian grabbed Chloe's wrist. The grip surpassed Chloe's own strength effortlessly.
No helping it, then...
Furrowing her brow slightly, Chloe gave in and began undressing. Today's outfit was the simplified style favored by the gentry. With each button of her shirt popping open, her ample breasts swelled visibly fuller. The hem still tucked into her skirt constricted the lower part, while the upper burst open in strange harmony.
Marian just smiled faintly at the sight. She adored it. Loved it utterly. Chloe's beauty.
She wanted to drink it in a little longer, but...
"My lady."
"Ah, right."
Chloe, now stripped down to her signature black lace lingerie fluttering ethereally, extended her hand. A petulant how long are you going to just stare?
"Arms up a bit?"
With a soft chuckle, Marian helped Chloe into her nightdress. That night, Chloe fell asleep without looking at Marian—a timid act of defiance.
I'm this mad! Even if we're sharing space in similar nightdresses, I'm so mad I don't even want to look at your face. A rebellion utterly lacking in conviction.
"Goodnight, Chloe."
"..."
Marian ignored the defiance entirely. Pressing her chest to Chloe's back, she draped an arm over to hug her from behind. Chloe had chosen not to face her, which left her defenseless against the back hug.
This isn't so bad.
Marian felt a swell of satisfaction as Chloe gradually settled into her embrace. Good thing I threw that tantrum for growth potion when I was little.
# Night of the 14th day.
Tomorrow, they'd reach Arundel Viscountcy—the destination so close now. Brumen and the knights, surviving on minimal sleep as they worked tirelessly, wore faces lit with the joy of nearing journey's end.
And that night too.
"Chloe."
"..."
"Why are you mad again? Because I said I'd help you change? You do it for me every day. So why can't I?"
Chloe refused to look at Marian's face. Or rather, she couldn't.
As Marian said, Chloe had dressed and undressed her nearly every day—bathing her, lathering foam, applying lotion, toweling her dry.
Isn't this the height of hypocrisy...?
Was she being overly sensitive? But Marian's eyes held unmistakable impure intent...
For me? This is just my job. I've never lusted after her.
Complicated thoughts tangled in her head. So she chose to look away. Lecturing to her face would be pointless anyway.
Besides...
If she faced her and fell asleep...
Who knows when she'd try to kiss me next.
Second-worst to the absolute worst. Kissing Marian would be disastrous. Marian voluntarily pressing her chest to Chloe's back for a hug? Tolerable alternative. Neither ideal, but here in foreign lands, where Chloe had to shadow her charge closely...
She couldn't leave Marian alone on some flimsy excuse like being together is burdensome.
"Chloe, look at me. I've been sleeping staring at your back this whole time. Really?"
Would someone ask if it was right to leave Marian sleeping so lonely? ...
"Huh? Chloe? Chloooe."
Marian didn't seem the least bit hurt. Excited, even. Whispering right by her ear on purpose...
Anyway, Chloe just hoped this journey to Arundel would end quickly.
The next day, around noon...
"Welcome! From the Evergreen Grand Duchy? Yes, yes—bring the honored guests inside at once. Come in!"
The party finally arrived at Arundel Viscountcy Castle.
And only then.
"Ah."
Chloe realized one small problem.
This wasn't one-way. Round trip. She'd endure this ordeal on the way back too.
No, that wasn't all.
What about when we return to the Grand Duchy...?
No, not even there.
"Pardon? Sharing the same room...?"
It was enough to drive her mad.