Page 17

The day has turned into night, I woke up from my deep nap.

The view in front of me looked different from usual. The ceiling was made of wooden planks and the candle lanterns that lit up the room felt different.

My eyes still felt heavy and the drowsiness in my eyes made me want to continue sleeping.

However, the sound of the door opening woke me up completely. Mio in simple clothes entered the room and approached me.

"Good evening, Lily-sama" Mio greeted while carrying small equipment in her hands.

What is this?

Why did my fine hair suddenly stand on end and my feeling became uneasy?

"Lily-sama, there are a few things I want to ask," Mio was now in front of me. The candle lantern in the room slightly showed Mio's annoyed expression.

"Lily-sama went to town with permission from Rommel-sama, right?"

"Ah!" suddenly my body felt cold after hearing Mio's question.

"Lily-sama?" With a cold gaze, Mio started walking closer to me.

Cold sweat soaked my head thanks to Mio's gaze who stared sharply at my face.

"Ehehe.." I chuckled a little without answering Mio's question.

"As I thought, no wonder Rommel-sama didn't pick up Lily-sama when she was in town. They even went straight back to the Main Mansion," Mio said in an annoyed tone.

Hmm?

This is a little strange.

Mio should scold me, right?

I wiped the sweat dripping down my forehead a little.

"Lily-sama, sorry if this is inappropriate but do you want to take a bath together in a hot spring?" Mio asked.

"A hot spring?" I asked.

This is the first time I know there is a place like that.

"In this town, there are several inns that open public baths. Ah! Don't worry Lily-sama! The men's and women's baths are separate. Moreover, several officers supervise inside."

Taking a bath together?

I think it's quite an interesting experience. Usually, I just take a bath alone by wiping the important parts of my body without thinking about other things like hot water.

"Ah! But what about my clothes?" I asked.

"Fufu.. don't worry, Lily-sama! This yours loyal Maid has prepared something for Lily-sama!" Mio confidently stroked her chest.

Seeing Mio's happy expression, I couldn't help but feel a bad feeling about this. It felt like I was going to become a living doll to satisfy her curiosity.

Ugh, I didn't want to do it but my body felt sticky with sweat.

My feelings were against this but my body was too honest in this situation.

"Mio, don't overdo it!"

"Atata!!"

Behind Mio, Mio's mother was seen carrying a towel and clothes in a small wooden box. Mio received a small punch from Mio's mother.

"Forgive my daughter, Lily-sama. If something related to Lily-sama's cuteness happens then Mio will lose control like this" said Mio's mother.

"And Mio.. please watch your behavior! After all, Lily-sama is your Master!"

"Uuuh.. I know that but.. isn't this outfit cute?" Mio took off the clothes she brought. I didn't notice the clothes before Mio pointed them out.

The clothes were not much different from the Shrine Maiden model except that there was an additional frilly fabric that looked like the seams of a Maid uniform.

"These clothes.." Mio's mother fell silent after seeing the clothes Mio brought.

"I think it suits Lily-sama very well. Good job, Mio!" Mio's mother continued enthusiastically.

Uh, it seems like I can't avoid the fate of becoming a living doll.

"And.. if Lily-sama wears such cute clothes. It seems like we should bring weapons just in case."

Eh?

Why do we have to bring weapons into the hot spring?

"Fufu.. of course, Mama! Protecting Lily-sama's cuteness and purity is my main duty!"

For some reason, Mio's mother and Mio had the same opinion on this matter.

I followed their request and rushed to the hot spring. The city view at night has its uniqueness, especially with the shops that operate at night.

"Um, Mio.. can I ask you something?" In the middle of our journey, I remembered the conversation of my family's exclusive merchant.

"What is the red district?"

Hearing this question, Mio's mother and Mio were shocked and looked around.

"Li-Lily-sama! How did Lily-sama know those words?!" Mio was very panicked and grabbed my hand to speed up our walking speed.

"Eh? Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Siiihhh!! Don't be so loud Lily-sama. Those are rude words! Who taught Lily-sama those words?"

"Rude words?" I was a little confused by Mio's words.

Is the Red District a rude word?

If it's a rude word, why does our family's exclusive merchant often talk about it?

"Ahem! Listen carefully Lily-sama! The Red District is a phrase that refers to a place specifically for adults. Children are not allowed to know about that place, let alone enter it!!"

"Eeeh?? Why?" I was getting more and more curious about the Red District.

"T-That's because.. ugh! How do I explain this, Mama?" Mio seemed to have given up on explaining the Red District.

"Lily-sama, for now, the Red District is a taboo spoken by the kingdom's nobles. However, if Lily-sama is curious about that place, we can visit it after taking a bath together," replied Mio's mother.

"Mamaaaa!!" Mio panicked even more when her mother explained about the Red District.

"Mio, children tend to be curious about things they don't know yet and they will be determined to find out if they don't get an answer. Isn't Lily-sama in this city without using her family's horse-drawn carriage and walking to the city?"

Eh?

How did Mio's mother know about it?

"And remember! Rommel-sama entrusted Lily-sama to you with the guarantee of her safety as her Maid.. understand?!"

M-My father entrusted me to Mio? No wonder Mio asked about it earlier.

"Well, the Red District is indeed a place prone to trickery and danger. So, Lily-sama must be careful when passing through that area. Knowing the location of the Red District is not too bad to be on the safe side, right?" said Mio's mother while looking at Mio.

Oh, so that's the reason.

I now understand this place called the Red District. In short, the Red District is a dangerous place and is specifically for adults.

But, why does it have to be adults?

"Uuuhh.. T-That's true but.." replied Mio who agreed with her mother's opinion.

"Don't worry, Mio. I'm not interested in that kind of place. I'm just curious after hearing my family's exclusive merchant talk about their visit to the Red District," I said.

Hearing my words, Mio's mother smiled at Mio.

"Right? This is much safer than not explaining it at all," said Mother Mio.

"Uuuuh, I can't imagine what would happen if Lily-sama went to a place like that and an exclusive merchant huh.. it seems like they will experience something bad next month.. fufu.." suddenly Mio's facial expression became cold.

"Ah! haha.. haha..?? W-We have arrived at our destination. Look at this Lily-sama.." without realizing it, our journey had arrived at our destination and Mother Mio's voice seemed to be pressed by something.

In front of us was a large lodging building called "Fox Heaven". When we entered the main door, several white-tailed fox girls wearing Maid uniforms greeted us. The bushy tails that swayed and the cuteness of the furry ears that twitched felt very soft to look at.

"S-So cute..." Without realizing it, those words came out of my mouth.

Wait a minute!

I-Is this a picture of myself when I became a Fox Shrine Maiden?

I-I became cute like that?

I-It can't be this cute, right?