Rain-Soaked Regret and Devotion

As night descended that day, Claire skipped through the castle corridors, humming a cheerful tune. Her mood was exceptionally bright.

“Good evening, good evening!”

After all, according to her meticulously laid plans, she would soon spend an intimate night with Seraphina.

“Gus,” Claire paused at a door, extending her foot for the servant to help her with her boots. “Is the carriage ready?”

“All prepared, Miss.”

“What about the dormitory? Has Seraphina emerged?”

“She is already waiting outside the dormitory door, Miss, ensuring no other servants are alarmed.”

“Excellent.” Claire flicked her hair, a smile of utter control gracing her lips. “You are truly reliable, Gus. I’ll give you an extra quarter’s salary once this is done!”

“It is my honor, Miss.”

Pausing by the door, Claire waited for the servant to open it, taking the opportunity to admire her evening attire in the full-length mirror.

‘Hmph hmph hmph~’

A deep blue gown, a matching stand-up collar and small tie, a deep blue cloak with gold trim, paired with a white pleated-collar shirt… ‘I’ll surely captivate you, my dearest little bat~’

Though the distance was short, Claire decided to personally fetch Seraphina, stepping into the carriage herself.

Partially, she was simply too eager to see the object of her affection. Moreover, by personally rescuing Seraphina from the hell she had deliberately created, she could demonstrate extreme care, perhaps achieving twice the result with half the effort!

Just as Claire basked in her self-satisfaction, a solitary raindrop struck the carriage roof with a soft ‘ding-dong,’ followed by the steady patter of rain.

Gus, driving the carriage, opened the canopy above his seat.

“Miss Claire, it’s raining.”

The rain fell heavily, quickly turning the road into a muddy mess, impeding the carriage’s progress. The scent of damp earth permeated Claire’s nostrils, stirring a growing unease within her.

‘Seraphina… is she waiting for me at the door? Is anyone with her?’

“No, Miss,” Gus replied, intuiting her meaning despite Claire’s unstated question. “We must hasten.”

Cracking his long whip, the steed neighed, and the carriage lurched forward with increased jostling.

Normally, this short journey would take mere minutes. But today, for some reason, it felt unusually long.

Thus, when the blue building finally emerged faintly through the rain and mist, Claire immediately leaned out of the carriage, heedless of the splashing raindrops, and peered towards the dormitory entrance.

As a former attendant, her eyesight was excellent. This allowed her to witness a sight that made her heart seize in her chest.

In the heavy rain, beneath the black night, a disheveled figure with white hair huddled by the dormitory gate, clutching their knees, trembling and curled into a ball.

Perhaps hearing the carriage’s approach, the white-haired figure slowly lifted their head from their knees, revealing a pitiable face marred with injuries.

The moment their eyes met, Claire was overcome with regret.

Without waiting for the carriage to fully stop, Claire leapt out, rushing past the mud and rain directly to Seraphina’s side.

“Seraphina…”

On closer inspection, Claire’s heart pounded even harder. Covered in mud and ravaged, the maid outfit that should have been pristine was now torn to shreds. Her delicate feet, which should have been encased in white silk shoes, were bare in the muddy water, trembling uncontrollably.

“Claire… it’s you.”

Seraphina managed a strained smile as she looked at Claire.

“I heard them say someone from town was looking for me. I thought it might be an acquaintance, but it’s you.”

“The rain is so heavy. Quickly, let’s get back in the carriage before you catch a cold.”

Her soft words pierced Claire’s heart like arrows.

“Waaah—”

Her knees hitting the mud with a thud, Claire embraced Seraphina tightly in the pouring rain, weeping uncontrollably.

‘I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry…’

****

“Seraphina… The hot water is ready. Come quickly.”

“Mm.”

Lowering her head, Seraphina stepped into the steam-filled bathroom.

“Slowly, be careful not to slip.”

Claire quickly moved to meet her, gently prying apart Seraphina’s arms, which were wrapped around her body, and unzipping the back of her maid uniform.

In an instant, Seraphina’s skin, glowing with a frosty tenderness, was fully exposed. Naturally, this also revealed the ‘gifts’ bestowed upon her by the servants earlier, when she had been locked in the attic.

“…Seraphina, I had intended to feign ignorance, but I can no longer bear the prick of conscience,” Claire confessed. “Tell me, who did this?”

“…There were too many people then. I can’t quite remember.”

“Confound it!”

Consumed by fury, Claire completely abandoned her noble decorum. “These insufferable beasts! I will make them pay!”

“Mm…”

Seraphina responded weakly. Hearing her voice, half of Claire’s reason instantly returned.

“Come, sit down first.”

With a subtle movement, Claire brought over a wooden stool and, supporting Seraphina’s body, weakened by the rain and beatings, gently helped her onto it.

“I’ll rinse you off.”

“Thank you.”

“Then I’ll take off my clothes too.”

“Okay.”

There was no hint of the anticipated intimacy. Seraphina was now like a frightened rabbit, allowing Claire to do as she pleased.

Quickly shedding her meticulously prepared ‘victory uniform,’ Claire picked up the showerhead, tested the water temperature, and, confirming it was suitable, turned to Seraphina.

“Um… here I go.”

“Okay.”

The warm water soaked Seraphina’s battered body, washing away the pain and mud from it.

“What happened today… I’m sorry.”

“Why are you saying sorry?”

“N-nothing. This is Krieg territory, after all. I cannot shirk responsibility for you ending up like this…”

Seeing that most of the mud had been rinsed away, Claire turned off the showerhead.

“How do you feel? Better?”

“Much better.”

“Then… do you still have the energy to bathe?”

Bending down, Claire brought out a basin of shimmering liquid from behind her.

“Um… I want to make it up to you.”

Claire knelt, leaning forward, immersing her hands in the liquid. Then, she slowly lifted them, drawing out long, viscous strands.

“They say… this is a method of service from another world, quite popular among nobles…”

Enveloped by the sticky sensation, Claire’s eyes glazed over, her body leaning forward as her hands reached upwards, ‘exploring’ her own vast landscape.

“If you still have the energy, please lie down on the air mattress behind me.”

Watching the ‘mountains and rivers’ before her gradually become lustrous, reflecting a captivating shimmer under the bathroom lights that made one’s heart race, Seraphina was speechless.

“What’s wrong, Seraphina? Are you still tired?”

“N-no… no… I’m… I’m fine…”

Contrary to Claire’s guess, Seraphina had no other thoughts at the moment. She was simply concentrating all her will, striving to suppress a phantom limb that had long been lost.

“Really, don’t worry about my feelings…” Claire took Seraphina’s arm, pulling her towards the air mattress. “As long as it makes you feel better… as long as you are willing to accept my intentions…”

Today, she had indeed done many things to wrong Seraphina. But no matter what, her sole purpose was to express her sincerest feelings to the one she loved.

“Claire is willing to do anything…”

Sitting together, Claire leaned against Seraphina’s arm, offering her own magnificent landscape entirely.