Published: August 1, 2025
"Hello—"
I called out in a light tone. At the heavily guarded castle gate, the boy looked puzzled. It was Thomas, the gatekeeper of Granado Castle. After a moment of curious expression, his eyes widened in shock.
"Ah, Anastasia!? What’s with that outfit?"
He wasn’t commenting on the sudden visit, but on my clothing. Even though it was a cheap one-piece dress, it was definitely women's clothing, with sample buttons on display.
"Hmm, just thought I’d try wearing it again after a long time."
"Have you stopped pretending to be a boy? It’s not that your mother said something again, is it...?"
He asked very hesitantly.
Come to think of it, he had visited the Shadelan Family before and had witnessed my mother’s 'doll play.' Everyone involved knew about it, but maybe he sympathized with me more than anyone else.
Feeling a bit awkward, I gave an ambiguous, sheepish laugh. Thomas didn’t press further and awkwardly turned his back.
"I think Lady Marie is in the library right now. I’ll show you the way."
"Wait, no! I’m not here to see Marie today."
"Huh? But master is at work—"
"Not the count either. Um... Miss Tunic. If she has some free time, could I meet her?"
The young gatekeeper furrowed his tanned brows, genuinely puzzled.
Miss Tunic is not only a specialist in baths and beauty but literally the "guardian of the bath." She manages the firewood and fuel stocks of Granado Castle as well as the sanitation of the waterways that run through the grounds. Although the actual work is done by housekeepers and footmen, the final checks and responsibility lie with Miss Tunic.
Despite her odd behavior, she holds a top-class position among the attendants. Despite her odd behavior.
She seems busy... To her, I’m just the wife’s relative of her employer, or rather, someone temporarily staying here, receiving her care. I was prepared to be turned away, but the moment she saw my face, she broke into a wide smile.
"Oh my, oh my, Anastasia. Long time no see. How have you been?"
She didn’t say a word about my outfit. Her aura remained uniquely peculiar as always. I relaxed my shoulders.
"I’m well. Sorry for dropping by so suddenly when you’re busy."
"It’s fine, I’m on break now. What can I do for you?"
"Um... I wanted to... buy some cosmetics."
Miss Tunic’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Since she didn’t react further, I changed my explanation.
"I got this lipstick from someone. It’s a very vivid red, but when I put it on bare-faced, it looks off. So I wanted to get some foundation and blush to match, but then I remembered I lost all my belongings back home."
"Heh. I’m not a cosmetics shop, you know."
"I know, but I can’t buy anywhere else. See, I’m still pretending to be a boy in the shopping district—"
"If you say it’s handled as miscellaneous goods at the workshop, maybe we can stock it. Going to the neighboring town is also an option."
Miss Tunic’s expression didn’t change at all. She saw through my lies and was waiting. Finally, I said it.
"I don’t know what to buy or how to apply it. At the Shadelan Family, mother always bought and applied it herself. I’ve never put on makeup by myself..."
—A broad smile appeared behind me, like the sound of a cheerful chuckle.
She didn’t ask who sent the lipstick, whether I’d quit dressing as a boy, or why I wanted to wear makeup.
She simply opened the door leading to the bath, took my hand, and whispered softly with a gentle smile so kind it felt almost eerie.
"Understood. I’ll prepare the beautiful skin bath immediately."
"Huh? A bath? I just wanted makeup—"
"Leave it to me, Tunic. I will teach you all the magic of how women transform."
A fresh and sweet floral scent radiated from her.
My blonde hair, which had been washed only with well water and soap for months, was now smoothed with mysterious detergents and oils, shining and fluffy. The finished hairstyle wasn’t extravagant at all. She braided a pale sky-blue ribbon into it and tied it up in a simple half-up style. That alone made me look as radiant as if I were wearing a jeweled tiara.