The leather belts suspended from the four corners of the carriage cabin turned the jolts from the wheels into a rhythmic, swaying motion.
Whenever a wheel rolled over a deep rut, the portion of the shock that the slack in the leather belts couldn't absorb shuddered through the seat and into my rear.
The carriage windows were covered, with soft light filtering through the white curtains. I had been told these curtains were woven from the silk of Silk-insects that had been fed the Magic Stones of monsters with high defensive power; apparently, they were sturdy enough to repel arrows.
Opposite me, Big Sister Therese and Lina sat side by side.
Big Sister Therese peered toward me with a gentle smile. Whether she possessed a powerful core or was simply accustomed to carriage travel, she didn't seem the least bit bothered when the seat bounced. However, her chest swayed in time with the movement, making me feel embarrassed to look at her straight on.
Lina’s slender body bobbed up and down with every bump. Because Big Sister Therese remained so perfectly still, the contrast between them was impossible to miss.
Mira sat next to me. Every time we hit a bump, her body brushed lightly against mine. She was soft and warm.
After we finished discussing the itinerary and our future plans, I leaned my head back against the seat. Though the vibrations were intense, drowsiness washed over me, likely because we had set out before sunrise.
"Lord Rein, over here."
Mira looked at me and patted her lap.
It was a little embarrassing, but I decided to take her up on the offer.
◇◇◇
I was told the journey to Ahrensberg would take four or five days by carriage. We would spend each night at post stations along the highway.
This happened on the very first night.
We arrived at the station in the evening. It was a mid-sized, two-story inn situated right along the road—one of the places we had selected in advance. I had heard during the trip that choosing the finest establishment would invite prying eyes into our social status, while choosing a low-class one would make our discrepancy with the Escort Unit too conspicuous. Thus, they had chosen an inn with just the right balance. Since it was a highway connecting major capitals, there were plenty of options to choose from.
"I have arranged for us to stay together. For security reasons, it would be difficult to put Lady Therese in a separate room, so she will be joining us," Mira said as we walked down the hallway.
"If we're of the same gender, we've shared rooms often enough before, so it won't be unnatural," Big Sister Therese replied.
Wait, "same gender"??
The room was more spacious than I expected, featuring wooden floors, simple rugs, and a single window. Four beds were lined up in a row.
Mira checked the room and quietly drew the curtains. I set down my luggage and removed my wimple. My hair was sticking to my neck from sweat.
Lina also removed her wimple with a look of relief. Her long golden hair and pointed ears were finally exposed to the air. They must have felt cramped after being pinned down for so long. Since I had been wearing mine all day too, I understood the feeling well.
"I shall fetch some hot water," Mira said before leaving the room.
After a while, she returned carrying a steaming basin with both hands. She placed it quietly on the floor, turned back to close the door, and turned the key.
"Please, go first, Lord Rein."
The basin was placed at my feet. The steam wafted up toward my face. After being shaken in the carriage all day, I felt as though my back and rear were covered in sweat, even though I hadn't been physically active.
"I shall assist you."
Mira dipped a cloth into the hot water. Her movements were efficient and practiced.
"...Me too."
Even Lina got off her bed and stood right beside me. Her small hands began to undo the buttons of my tunic one by one. For some reason, Big Sister Therese was staring at us with wide eyes.
Wait—what?
"N-No, I'll do it myself! I'm not... I'm not a child anymore...!"
My voice cracked, even to my own ears. I hurriedly snatched the cloth from Mira's hand and pulled the basin over to the other side.
"I—I can do it! Really, I can...! Everyone, turn around!!"
My cheeks were burning. Even without a mirror, I knew my face was bright red.
Mira stepped back two paces and bowed.
"My apologies."
Her voice was as serious as ever, but a faint blush had colored her cheeks.
After confirming the three of them had turned away, I turned my back to them and shed my tunic. It fell to the floor with a soft rustle. I dipped the cloth into the hot water and wrung it out. Moist heat traveled down my neck.
Face, neck, arms, chest—each time I wiped, the water turned slightly cloudy. The splashing of the water echoed in the room louder than I expected. In between, the sound of the damp cloth sliding over my skin overlapped with the splashes.
Gulp.
Behind me, someone swallowed softly.
The presence of the three of them filled the room with an atmosphere that defied words.
After I had redressed, I said in a voice as normal as I could manage, "...I'm finished."
"Then I shall use the water next."
Big Sister Therese picked up the basin and carried it to a corner of the room. She pulled up a chair and sat down with her back to us.
Wait, here?
I reflexively buried my face in my pillow.
The sound of rustling clothes reached my ears, followed by the faint sound of water being absorbed by cloth. For some reason, those sounds seemed incredibly loud.
(So this is what it's like...)
I pressed my face deeper into the pillow so no one would hear me. The fabric felt cool and pleasant against my overheated skin.
"I'm finished. Mira, you're next."
At the sound of Big Sister Therese's voice, I timidly raised my head. She was already back in her usual attire, and only her hairline was slightly damp.
While the other two were getting their water, I pulled the covers over my head. I thought with a dazed mind that this arrangement really shouldn't be happening unless we were actually all the same gender.
◇◇◇
The next morning, while the world outside was still a pale blue, we prepared for departure.
I stood by the window of the inn, finishing my preparations. I combed my hair and put my wimple back on. Since there was no mirror, I had to do it by feel. Mira was busy packing. Her gaze flickered toward me for a moment before she immediately returned to her task.
Lina was sitting on the edge of her bed with her wimple on her lap, staring at it intently.
"...Lord Rein."
"Yeah?"
She held the wimple out toward me with both hands.
"I can't... do it well by myself..."
Her voice was even thinner than usual.
"...Please."
I felt like she had been able to do it by herself before we left Werl Territory, but I wondered. Was she looking for a bit of physical contact?
"All right. Sit down."
Lina sat on the edge of the bed and turned her back to me.
I stood behind her and gathered her long golden hair with both hands. It felt cool and silky to the touch. I carefully bundled it and tucked it inside the wimple.
Then came the ears.
I cupped one ear in my palm and tucked it firmly beneath the fabric.
"Nnh..."
A small sound escaped Lina. I reflexively stopped my hands.
"Ah... sorry, did that hurt?"
Without shaking her head, Lina answered briefly.
"...It's okay..."
Was I being too forceful? I returned my focus to my hands and tucked the other ear inside the cloth as gently as possible.
"..."
This time, she seemed fine.
Finally, I adjusted the edges of the wimple. Her long ears were completely hidden, making her look like a normal nun-in-training to any outside observer.
"...Thank you... very much."
Lina said softly without turning around, then stood up.
◇◇◇
The carriage continued its journey along the highway.
We spent several more nights at similar post stations. Even though I had been so restless that first night with the hard pillows and the unfamiliar ceiling, by the time we had moved through two or three different stops, it had become a natural part of the journey.
Because I couldn't see the scenery outside, I was quite bored, but I distracted myself by talking about Lina's training as an apprentice maid or discussing recovery magic with Big Sister Therese.
I tried asking Mira what kind of training she was undergoing as well, but for some reason, she remained evasive. Was it something she couldn't talk about?
However, on the final night—during our only camp of the trip—I would finally catch a glimpse of the results of her training.