The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 2.2

“Nobles usually stay in first class. How did you end up in second-class?”

“We didn’t have ti… I told you I’m not a noble.”

Rosette quickly changed her words after almost saying they didn’t have time. She had nearly fallen for the boy’s leading question. Rosette narrowed her eyes and gave the boy a prim look. The boy wore a teasing smile. Seeing that smile, Rosette sighed softly. He was somehow disarming.

“Only breakfast is provided. If you want lunch or dinner, you need to request it the day before or use the restaurant. You can also make weekly requests.”

“Is there a café besides the restaurant?”

“Yes. To the right of the restaurant door is a general store, and to the left is a café.”

Before they knew it, they had arrived at their room. The boy unlocked the door with a key and carried their luggage inside. His quick, nimble movements were as cute as a squirrel’s. After moving all the luggage, the boy stood at the door, looking at Rosette with sparkling eyes. Rosette tilted her head and asked.

“Is there anything else you need to tell me?”

“Uh… no.”

The boy’s expression faltered at Rosette’s words.

Hmm, I think I made a mistake.

Rosette gently stroked her chin and narrowed her eyes. Despite having finished his task, the boy lingered awkwardly. What could it be? What was keeping him from leaving?

“Ah.”

Rosette let out a small exclamation and lightly hit her palm with her fist.

It’s a tip.

She hadn’t thought about it at all since servants had always handled tipping for her. Taking out her wallet, Rosette fell into another dilemma. How much should I give?

1 bronze? No, that’s too little. 10 bronze? Still not enough… 1 silver? 1 gold seems excessive, but is 1 silver appropriate?

After much internal conflict, Rosette took out 1 silver. As soon as he saw the shining silver coin, the boy’s eyes widened.

“Thank you very much!”

His previously mischievous attitude completely disappeared, and the boy bowed repeatedly until he left the room, wearing a broad smile. Seeing him like that, Rosette gave a wry smile. It seemed she had given him too much.

Well, better to be generous.

Rosette shrugged and busily explored the room. Actually, it was almost embarrassing to call it “exploring” since the room was quite small.

“This room is really tiny.”

“Yeah. It’s smaller than my room.”

Evan nodded in agreement. It was such a small room that one could reach any part of it within five steps, regardless of where they started. A dining table visible as soon as you open the door, a bed behind it, and a small table by the window. Rosette frowned and sniffed the air.

“And there seems to be a strange smell too…”

“What kind of smell?”

“Something like rotten wood.”

“Well, it’s made of wood. There’s also a cobweb on the ceiling.”

At Evan’s words, Rosette shrank her shoulders in horror.

“Are th-there spiders too?”

“Hmm, I don’t see any spiders. They must have moved out.”

Rosette, who had tensed up at the mention of spiders, gradually relaxed her shoulders again. After thoroughly confirming with her own eyes that there were no insects, Rosette began spinning around the room. Her short hair fluttered gently in the breeze. Flopping down spread-eagled on the bed, Rosette said to Evan.

“Evan, this room is really…”

“Perfect!”

“…You think this room is perfect?”

Rosette turned to look at Evan with great excitement. Evan seemed puzzled.

“Didn’t you dislike it for being small and dirty?”

“No! That’s why I like it. You don’t read many books, Evan, so you wouldn’t know, but travelers usually stay in small rooms like this! Stories seem to emerge from such small, smelly, damp rooms. Maybe I could write an amazing story here too.”

Rosette couldn’t hide her excitement and spun around the room as if dancing.

“Rosette, you’re not good at writing.”

At this blunt statement, Rosette gave Evan a sidelong glance.

“Well, that’s because I’ve been cooped up at home my whole life. I might be good at it here. And how would you know if I write well or not? Have you seen my writing?”

While they were chatting lightly as usual, someone knocked on the door. The smile completely disappeared from Rosette’s face. As she stared tensely at the door, the boy’s cheerful voice came from outside.

“It’s me! I brought some hot water in case you needed it.”

It was the boy who had carried their luggage earlier. Just to be safe, Rosette put on her robe and gestured to Evan. Evan nodded and opened the door. Fortunately, only the boy was outside. The boy was smiling brightly, his hands full with hot water. He quickly entered and placed the bath water in the bathroom. Rosette was wondering if she should tip him again, but the boy beat her to it.

“This is just a service. A person shouldn’t be too greedy.”

Rosette smiled awkwardly at the boy who winked at her.

“Right, thank you.”

“By the way, my name is Levit. If you need anything, please call me anytime. Well then, rest well.”

Levit properly introduced himself, bowed politely, and left.

“The power of silver coins is really… Ahhh! Evan, what are you doing!”

Rosette couldn’t finish her sentence and let out a small scream while covering her eyes. Evan was boldly taking off his shirt and unbuttoning his pants. Blood rushed to her face the moment her eyes caught his unusually thick thigh on one side.

“They brought bath water. I need to wash.”

“Even so, h-how can you…”

Rosette’s face turned red, and she didn’t know what to do. Evan tilted his head and guessed the rest of her sentence.

“How can I bathe first? Then you go first, Rosette.”

“No. That’s not what I meant…”

Rosette couldn’t finish her sentence and squeezed her eyes shut. After pondering Rosette’s unfamiliar reaction, Evan asked with a bright smile.

“Then, shall we bathe together?”

“….”

Rosette threatened that he’d be in big trouble if he came in, then immersed herself in the bathtub. Perhaps because the water from the tap wasn’t cold but lukewarm, mixing in just a little hot water made it possible to soak in hot water. Rosette gathered some water in her hands and carefully smelled it. The water smelled of salt, making her wonder if they were using purified seawater. Even this felt romantic. Rosette relaxed, fully immersing her body in the water.

“Haah…”

Rosette tilted her head back and let out a sweet sigh. The muscles were already complaining of fatigue from the most intense movement she had experienced in her life. Thinking she would inevitably suffer from muscle pain tomorrow, Rosette immersed herself deeper into the water.

***

“Rosette.”

“…”

“Rosette!”

After finishing her bath, Rosette had laid her warm body on the bed and was nodding off when she was startled awake by a voice calling her. Evan was calling her plaintively from inside the bathroom. Rosette answered, half-asleep.

“What is it, Evan?”

“I’m a bit scared.”

All he had to do was wash, what could be scary? Rosette let out a small sigh.

“What are you scared of?”

“I think I’m bleeding.”

At the mention of bleeding, Rosette bolted upright. She strode to the bathroom and flung open the door.

“You’re bleeding?”

There stood a handsome man, wet and looking at Rosette with reddened eyes. The bathtub was too small for his large body, so Evan’s upper body was exposed. Trying not to look at his muscular body, Rosette rushed forward and asked worriedly.

“Where, where are you bleeding?”

“I’m not sure, but the water is red.”

At Evan’s words, Rosette looked down. True to his words, the water was dyed bright red, looking ominous. But this was…

“…This is water from the hair dye, Evan.”

“But my hair is brown now.”

“The dye must be reddish-brown, that’s why.”

“Still, I might be bleeding somewhere. Can you check for me?”

Splash! Evan tried to stand up, gripping the bathtub. Rosette covered her eyes in horror.