As I let myself be carried by Kitty, who was walking briskly, I pondered.
Maybe it's just my imagination, but I don't feel suited for swordsmanship...
After every practice session, I end up covered in mud. Isn't that unusual? I thought swordsmanship was about fighting elegantly and smartly, not getting dirty.
In the game, my character used to show off, saying, "Hmph! Behold my splendid sword skills!" and acted all cool.
"Young Master, Sevran-sama is here."
"Hmm?"
As Kitty lowered me, I raised my head to see Sevran-onisama walking down the hallway.
I waited to greet him after Kitty put me down. When Brother arrived in front of me, he was smiling.
"Fran, were you carried again?"
"Yes..."
I'm busted. How embarrassing! I thought I could get away with it because there was some distance, but my cheeks turned red.
"Actually, we were concerned about Fran-sama dirtying the mansion."
Kitty, the most capable of all, came to my defense!
Well, it's not that I didn't want to walk after practice. It's just that I didn't want the areas I walked on to get dirty from the mud. Our house is too big.
"Indeed, you're covered in dirt. Why do you end up like this after swordsmaship practice? ...Cleansing Magic."
Sevran-onisama tilted his head and chanted a spell. A gentle breeze blew, and both the mud and sweat vanished. I was reborn!
Apparently, Cleansing Magic is something all nobles can use. Since I'm only six years old, I can't use it yet, so I usually get cleaned up in the regular bath. Thanks to Brother Sevran, I feel refreshed.
"Thank you, Brother."
"Yeah. By the way, were you on your way to the bath, Fran? Didn't you go yesterday too?"
I went. Since I had free time yesterday, I went there twice.
Ever since I remembered my past life, I've wanted to take a bath at least once a day. Before that, I didn't really care about it.
Because we have magic, there isn't much need to take baths. So Sevran-onisama's puzzled reaction is pretty normal.
"...Are you going again today?"
"Yes. Thanks to Sevran-onisama helping me get clean, I'm planning to take a bath now."
"I see... Well, I'll join you."
"Really? Together?"
"Yes, together."
"Yay!"
I'm happy! Being alone is nice, but the bath is so spacious that I felt a bit lonely!
Sevran-onisama, who had been patting my head with a smile, said something to the attendant and actually came to the bath with me.
In front of us is a luxurious bath!
It's like a pool, with plenty of water, glistening gold, and jewels embedded in it. It's incredibly... well, incredibly extravagant! Not exactly calming!
It's an extravagant item that we rarely use, yet it costs a lot. It's something only nobles would have. I don't really understand, but I'm itching to swim.
"Come this way."
"Mm."
I stepped into the large bucket filled with abundant warm water.

Sitting cross-legged, I wait while Kitty pours water over me.
The attendants stand by, and Sevran-onisama, who has entered the bath, looks surprised and says to me:
"Eh... Fran, aren't you getting in?"
"Father said big baths are off-limits for me."
When my father saw me going to the bath twice, he firmly declared, "Fran is small, so he might drown! No baths for him! If he wants to bathe, he should call for his father!" So, both I and the maids had no choice but to comply.
And when I finally called for father, he was conveniently not at home due to work. What a trap! Honestly!
"Would you like me to wash your hair too?"
"Mm... Yes, that would be nice."
I close my eyes tightly, hands on my face. As Kitty moves, I hold my breath, and then water pours over my head with a splash.
With both hands on my face, I squeeze my eyes shut. As I sense Kitty moving, I hold my breath, and then splash! Warm water pours over my head.
"Pwaaah!... Haah, haah. Mm, it's fine."
Splash!
"Pwaaah! Haah, haah."
"I see."
We really need to invent shampoo hats!
Sevran-onisama, observing my struggle, seems to understand something.
"Fran."
"Pwaaah... What is it?"
"Do you want to get into this larger bath over here?"
"Urk."
Yes... I really want to. But I made a promise with Father, and I know that if I were to drown, Kitty and the others would get scolded.
If I were still the me who didn't remember my past life, I'd probably mess up. Then, I'd end up drowning, and Kitty and the others would lose their jobs...
"I... I can endure it."
I sit cross-legged in the bucket, biting my lip.
As I grumble inwardly, another bucket filled with water is placed in front of me. Brother Sevran steps out of the bath and sits there.
"Sevran-onisama... ?"
"...Yeah, this might be quite enjoyable. But my shoulders are getting cold."
"Exactly! Exactly! The shoulders get chilly!"
Finally, someone who understands the downsides of the bucket bath! And it's Brother, of all people!
"Um, Sevran-onisama, if you're feeling cold, maybe you could try this!"
"Ohh... ah, Fran, Brother's body doesn't even fit in the bucket, let alone his legs sticking out."
"Ah, Sevran-onisama is bigger than me. Oh, then I'll just pour the water for you!"
Since he was enjoying the bucket bath so much, I had to help him out!
I quickly got out of the bucket and scooped up water from the big bath into the pot that Kitty had given me. I gently poured it over brother Sevran.
"How's the water temperature?"
"Ah, it's very nice. Thank you."

"Would you like more? I'll pour some more! Just wait!"
After pouring water on him twice, Brother Sevran had me sit in the bucket and poured hot water on me.
"Hehe, it's fun to take a bath with Sevran-onisama!"
"Yes, it's fun for me too. Just be patient about the big bath for a little while longer. I'll take care of it."
"What? Yes!"
I wonder what he means by "take care of it." Maybe he's wishing for me to grow. But right now, I'm enjoying this lively bath with Brother Sevran, like a training camp or a hot spring!
A few days later, I was thinking that the bath was being remodeled, and sure enough, a partition was added to one end, creating a raised area where I could reach the bottom.
"Father has also given his permission, saying that it's safe there. Let's take a bath together again."
Brother Sevran came to tell me that, but I couldn't hold back after being told that! I grabbed his hand and went into the bath with him, and I thought:
My shoulders are warm!