Preparations for the Sacred Bath

Enveloped in warm, moist air, dense steam blurred her vision.
In the vast, luxurious bathtub, fresh flower petals floated on the surface, releasing a delicate fragrance.
The girl’s fair skin, soaked in warm water, took on an alluring pink hue from the heat.

Her slender fingers glided lightly over the calm water, stirring tiny ripples.
Her long silver hair was pinned up high.
Gazing at the reflection of the elven maiden in the water, Selina sighed softly after a long silence.

Truth be told, as a man, she’d never found bathing special.
Back then, her method was rough and swift: wet the body, slap on some soap, scrub, rinse, done.
But now, as a girl, that once-simple routine had become far more complex.

Selina submerged herself fully in the warm water.
The bathwater was much hotter than what she’d used as a man, yet her sensitive female body seemed to crave this warmth.
Soaking in it felt like shedding all defenses and strength, leaving her limp, basking in a moment of peace and comfort.

Contrary to the expected embarrassment or struggle, facing her now fully feminine body didn’t trouble Selina—her restored memories as Kant notwithstanding.
The reason was simple: what’s done was done, and all she could do was accept it.

Karina and the Elven Ancestor God’s approach showed its effect here.
If Kant’s memories had carried over immediately upon reincarnation, she might have been overwhelmed with shame facing this delicate, youthful body.
But after five years of living fully as a girl, many feminine habits had become muscle memory.
Confronting her body candidly no longer felt daunting.

Though she felt a twinge of nerves removing her undergarments, when Tsui Bis pushed her into the bathroom, the blushing elven maiden in the water’s reflection snapped Selina to clarity.
Indeed, no matter her past, she was now undeniably a fragile, adorable elf girl—a settled fact.
At least until she faced the Ancestor God again, her gender was unchangeable.

Even if the masculine part of her mind felt ashamed, the five years of feminine memories wouldn’t vanish or be fake.
Humans’ greatest strength was adaptability.
Perhaps during her memory-less time, her body had already adapted to being an elf princess.

Fully submerged, only half her head above water, Selina watched a cute rubber duck float by.
Puffing her cheeks like a pufferfish, she stewed in frustration.

Holding her breath, she exhaled slowly, bubbles rising with a gurgling sound.
Maybe being an elf girl wasn’t entirely bad.
At least now she could relax fully, free from status concerns, indulging in comfort.
Even acting childish or throwing tantrums seemed normal for her now.

Maybe being a girl wasn’t so bad?

The absurd thought surfaced briefly, only to be swiftly rejected.
Though five years as an elf princess had accustomed her to a girl’s life, her male memories spanned forty years.
Those years were filled with hardship and ridicule, but denying them would render her past lives meaningless.

Being a girl was nice, loved by all, but her ultimate goal was to be a dashing uncle—the kind who charmed women effortlessly.
They say a transmigrator’s goal is to build a harem.
With her noble character, a harem was out of the question, but she couldn’t end up as part of one, could she?

Lost in these wild thoughts, Tsui Bis’s voice came from outside the bathroom.

“Your Highness, have you finished bathing?”

Her tone carried concern and doubt.

This time, the princess’s bath had taken unusually long.
Normally, Selina loved inviting Tsui Bis to join her, but this time, she’d insisted on bathing alone, even refusing assistance.
The rejection stung Tsui Bis, though she understood that as the princess grew, she needed personal space.
Still, this bath was taking too long, and Tsui Bis worried—her frail princess might faint from soaking too long.

Hearing the tentative reminder, Selina snapped out of her reverie.
She shook her head, as if to cast out the chaotic thoughts, then stood abruptly.
One hand instinctively covered her chest, the other reaching for a towel.

Perhaps moving too quickly, she lost balance while grabbing the towel and fell back into the tub.
A loud splash echoed, catching Tsui Bis’s attention.
Unsure of the situation but prioritizing the princess’s safety, Tsui Bis ignored Selina’s earlier request, flung open the door, and rushed in.
There, she saw the princess sprawled in the water, looking aggrieved and disheveled.

In the princess’s chambers, Selina sat quietly before a vanity mirror, her expression resentful.
Behind her, Tsui Bis gently dried her wet silver hair with a clean towel.
A girl’s long hair required meticulous care after washing, a task Selina, as a princess, didn’t handle herself.
But simply sitting there, letting others fuss, left her restless and bored.

Being a girl was such a hassle…
Being a man was better—washing hair was a quick rinse, done.
Now? An hour to bathe, another half-hour to dry and style—utterly wasted time.

Gazing at the elven maiden in the mirror, her emerald eyes sparkling like pure gems, Selina recalled Karina’s visit after today’s etiquette training.

“So, tomorrow I’m to undergo the Sacred Bath?
Who knows what trap that scheming Ancestor God has set for me?”