Published: August 15, 2025
Before I knew it, Tunica Pendragon, the bath attendant of Granado Castle, was there.
She always wore a fluffy, elusive smile, but now her eyes were not smiling. Her intense presence made not only Nanny Ella but even Lord Cyrus and me hesitate.
“Tu-Tunica...?”
Tunica stuck out her tongue playfully.
“Sorryyy. I overheard the commotion with excitement, thinking it was some big fuss, but the story was so interesting I couldn’t help myself.”
She said that and then approached Ella, who was crouching on the floor. Kneeling down, she looked into her face and whispered gently.
“Nanny Ella, from what I’ve been hearing, you seem to think you’re bullied because you’re unattractive, and that Lady Marie is loved because she’s beautiful—is that right?”
“...That’s correct.”
Ella responded, and Tunica nodded with a smile.
“Yeah, yeah, I think there’s some truth to that. Romantic feelings, especially from men to women, mostly start with appearance. That’s a fact, a truth.”
What was Tunica trying to say? Was she siding with Ella...? Just as I wondered suspiciously, Tunica suddenly grabbed Ella’s wrist firmly.
“So, that means you should become beautiful too. Leave it to me!”
“Eh—eh? Wha?”
“Beauty magician Tunica Pendragon’s full beauty-up course! Step right up, miss!”
“Eh? E...eeehhh?”
Tunica pulled Ella up by the hand, who was genuinely bewildered, and dragged her out of the room. From beyond the door came Ella’s distant screams of “Eeeeeh?”
Soon after,
“Wow, she really looks slimmer than she is. Splendid!”
“Aaaahhh!”
An awful scream echoed.
Lord Cyrus silently covered his ears.
Um... what should I do?
Beauty-up time? She said she was going to make Ella beautiful?
What on earth was Tunica thinking?
More out of curiosity than worry, I quietly headed toward the bath.
That said, this was Marquis Dario’s villa, and the bath wasn’t as spacious as Granado Castle’s. I had been using it these past two days, but it was a typical Dilz wealthy household’s bathroom — just a bathtub barely large enough for one person and a jar filled with hot water.
It seemed Tunica had brought her usual beauty supplies and immersed Ella in the bath.
Through the door, I heard Tunica’s cheerful voice.
“Now, first we’ll use this special bath additive to make your skin nice and pretty.”
“W-What? What’s this?”
“The ingredients are milk and honey. They’re highly moisturizing and will make your skin smooth and supple.”
“I didn’t ask about the ingredients!”
“And chamomile flowers to soothe inflammation and calm the skin. Also, sulfur powder—”
“Su-l-fur?”
“Yup, also called Epsom salt. It’s not exactly salt though. The fancy name is magnesium sulfate.”
“...???"
“This helps relax muscles and soften the skin. Then, lavender essential oil for relaxation. It’s a set that basically softens everything!”
“...Um, a-anyway, do I really have to get in...?”
“Yes, you must.”
Tunica answered instantly with great force, and Ella had no more to say.
I didn’t even have to eavesdrop to guess what would happen next.
Afterward, Tunica gave Ella the full beauty treatment. First, a scrub to remove old skin cells, followed by an aroma oil massage. Meanwhile, her hair was wrapped in a thick treatment, her face moisturized with cream... then makeup and dress-up began.
Certain it would take hours, I left the place.
I saw Ella again late that night.
We were all gathered in the dining hall. Tunica had called everyone together, and we sat at our seats, sipping tea, simply waiting for something to happen. Suddenly, I caught a whiff of lavender. Thinking someone had brewed herbal tea, I looked at Wolfgang, who shook his head.
He then pointed toward the door.
“Tunica just brought Ella in.”
And there she was at the entrance, being led by Tunica into the dining hall.
...She was a woman utterly unsuited to a facility like the marquis’s villa.
Or rather... who was she?
A woman I didn’t know.
She was stunning.
Her soft, silvery hair spread gently and smoothly. Though her hair tended to flick outward somewhat, combined with her purple dress, she looked like a snowflake. Her plump cheeks were framed beautifully, blooming elegantly.