Convince Me

Complaints…

That was all Artie had in her mind right now as she walked along the hallway towards the archduke's chamber. She just finished her tasks in the stable and rested a little, preparing to indulge herself in the baths later. However, she was fetched by Monique for a different reason.

Artie Shen was the daughter of a wealthy family before she flew to her death. Walking around while smelling herself as if she was a bag of used diapers… was not something she wanted to do in her life. Well, the stable wasn't really that smelly… but some horse dumped a big pile on her earlier.

"Greetings to Lady Shen!" The two guard ducal knights standing outside the hallway going to the archduke's chamber greeted her, but she only smiled like she was being forced to do so. Even if the smile was ugly, they didn't seem to be fazed by it as if they knew it was coming.

"La… Larkin should be inside, right?" She pointed in the direction of the chamber.

"Yes, Lady Shen." One of them answered, only getting a nod from her before they watched her pass them by. The smell on her was undeniable, but they didn't really react to it. Though one of them followed her image with his eyes. "Lady Shen is very hardworking for the daughter of a lord."

The other knight turned to take a look as well. "You're right, but Lord Ellis does work a lot as well. I think our archduchy will be in good hands soon. Lady Shen's aura is so clean… unlike… her..."

The other knight grew quiet as well, turning his head back to where they should be looking. "It's best not to speak of a vile existence like her. Just stories of her make me feel fueled by rage." He clenched his fist like he was going to punch someone.

"It's not ideal to be swayed that way. It's her quest to fill the archduchy with hate."

"Really? Is that why everyone just moved on to forget her?" He watched the other knight nod in confirmation. He then sighed and relaxed his hand. "Then, I should do the same… no wonder the archduchy felt like they weren't bothered by her at all. Forgetting her is denying her power…"

…

Artie actually paused in her steps when they started talking. It was as if she wanted to hear them complaining about her smell so she could complain to Larkin as well. However, they spoke of someone else that was not to be named, but Artie knew who the woman could be.

'It's probably the princess that gave birth to Miel and his siblings. At this point, I'm not even allowed to call her their mother. I wonder how painful it would be for a woman to be denied of her children?' Artie only sighed as she continued walking.

There were things that the household couldn't tell Artie and things that the higher-ups wouldn't dare tell her as well. Right now, Artie was stuck in this state where it would be better for her not to know… based on their preferences. As for her own, she would really like to know more.

She had no idea if there was to be a wedding, but she knew that she would be compared to the princess as soon as it happened. It was also the time when she should understand the talks and gossip to the fullest. However, what was to know if no one would let words slip their lips.

"Larkin…?" Artie knocked on the door, seemingly forgetting something. She only realized her mistake when the door opened with a crack, and Larkin stared at her through the opening. Her eyes twitched, and her lips tried to fake a sweet smile. "Y-Your Grace..."

"That's not my name."

"???" Artie twitched and broke into a chuckle. "Okay, okay. So that's how it is..." She then flattened her fingers together and had them against her cheek. A mischievous smile then curled her lips. "You asked for me, Larkin? I hope you didn't forget what I was doing earlier."

Larkin pulled back and opened the door for her to enter. Unlike the last time, he had yet to change into his sleepwear. Instead of walking to the tea table at the side, he went to a decorated door at the side, which was so easy to miss as it seemed to mirror a wall panel.

He twisted the knob and pushed the door open. "This way."

"Where are you taking me?" Artie's brows rose. The warm draft coming from inside seemed to tell her that the place was filled with steam. However, as Larkin opened the door for her, she obliged to walk inside first. The place didn't seem to be ominous at first, even delightful.

If she regarded the castle baths as one of the best places in the castle, then she had surely missed out on this more refined miniature. It was smaller than the castle baths, but its decor and finish were a lot relaxing to the eyes. Compared to the bland cream color, the walls and floor here were almost pink.

What's more, the water seemed to be sparkling as it glittered at the ripples created by the water pouring from the strange-looking goat head statue at the far side of the bath.

The bath was as wide as the floor, with a few stones keeping the water from spilling. There must be a special machine that would drain a part of the water so the goat head could continue bringing water into it. Of course, the shelves at the side were not ignored, especially the clean folded towels.

'Towels?' Artie paused as she suddenly began thinking of the room instead of taking in its beauty. She seemed to be… inside the archduke's private bath?

She then turned to Larkin with wide eyes. "Erm, why am I here? Why are we here?"

"You have been bothering the seneschal for a bath. Now that I am offering my private bath to you, you wish to decline?" Larkin only hummed as he began to remove his coat. "Put your hand in the water. It might convince you."

"Convince me?" Artie turned to the water and slowly kneeled down to reach out. When she dipped her hand, the water was warm unlike the cool water in the baths. Moreover…

"It's glowing!" Artie exclaimed as her eyes widened in disbelief and amazement. The water glowed around her hand, and it seemed to be giving her a very relaxing feeling. It seemed to be imbued with magic, but such an effect would never be coming from a demon's magic, right?

She then looked over her shoulder and saw Larkin not paying attention to her as he was stripping at the side. Her eyes flickered before she turned away, only entertaining herself with the look of the glowing water and the reflection of her beet-red face.

'Oh, my God, it's happening!'