Chapter 58: Bias in History

Renji had been planning to take a bath anyway. After all, the lingering scent of alcohol clung to him after drinking so much at the banquet.

Led by Grayfia, he soon arrived at a massive bathhouse.

It wasn't just an ordinary bath—it was a grand hot spring, stretching across the vast room like a natural hot spring resort.

Seeing such luxury, Renji couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The power and wealth of noble families truly allowed them to enjoy privileges beyond imagination.

"Thanks for leading the way."

Taking the fresh set of clothes from Grayfia's hands, Renji nodded in appreciation.

Without wasting time, he walked into the bathhouse, set his clothes aside, and rinsed himself before stepping into the steaming hot spring water.

Just as he leaned back to relax, the sound of the door opening reached his ears.

Frowning slightly, Renji turned his head toward the entrance.

He had assumed that Sirzech or Zeoticus had come to join him.

But what he saw completely defied expectations.

The one standing at the entrance was not Sirzech—

It was Grayfia.

She hadn't left.

Instead, she quietly closed the door behind her and took a step forward.

Then, without a word—

She began removing her maid uniform.

"Grayfia, what are you doing?"

Although the sight of her flawless, snow-white skin was undeniably tempting, Renji quickly swallowed and tensed up.

Hurriedly, he raised his hands in an attempt to stop her.

"A-Are you drunk?"

Grayfia didn't respond immediately.

Instead, she calmly continued undressing before wrapping herself in a towel and stepping into the hot spring with him.

Renji couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and helplessness.

As the chief maid of the Gremory family, she was someone highly respected—even revered.

Why was she acting like this?

The usual composed and dignified Grayfia would never do something like this.

That's when realization hit Renji—

Alcohol.

He suddenly recalled the faint scent of wine on her breath earlier.

Could it be… that Grayfia, who was normally composed and mature, lost her usual restraint when she was drunk?

Was this her drunken state?

As that thought passed through his mind, Renji suddenly remembered something else—

The golden egg floating above her head.

He had noticed it earlier with his system—a five-star golden egg.

The condition to unlock it?

Having Grayfia wash his back.

With that in mind, Renji exhaled sharply and decided to take the opportunity.

"Grayfia," he said, "since you're already here, can I trouble you to wash my back?"

If she was truly not in her usual state, then this might be his only chance.

To Renji's surprise, Grayfia didn't refuse.

Instead, she smiled softly and moved behind him.

Her hands, delicate yet firm, pressed against his back, gently scrubbing his skin.

Her touch was softer than he expected.

Trying to distract himself from the warmth of her fingertips, Renji decided to strike up a conversation.

"By the way, Grayfia," he said, keeping his tone casual, "are all members of the Gremory family present at the banquet?"

He was curious.

In his past knowledge, there was supposed to be another person—

Millicas Gremory.

Grayfia and sirzech's son.

But strangely, Renji hadn't seen him.

"Yes," Grayfia responded, "including Lady Rias, Lord Zeoticus, Lady Venelana, and Lord Sirzech. All four members of the Gremory main family were present."

Renji froze.

Four?

"What about… your son?" he asked, turning his head slightly.

In doing so, he found himself dangerously close to Grayfia's face.

Their eyes met—

He could feel her breath against his skin.

For a brief second, the tension in the air grew heavier.

But Grayfia simply blinked and gave an unexpected response—

"Renji-sama, you must be joking."

Her voice was steady, yet there was a strange softness to it.

"I don't know where you heard such a rumor, but I have never been married, nor do I have a child."

"Not married?"

Renji's mind went blank for a moment.

He stared at Grayfia, trying to find any signs of deception—but there were none.

She was serious.

This revelation shocked him even more than her sudden entry into the bath.

In the original timeline, Grayfia had been Sirzech's Queen—his most trusted servant and his wife.

Yet right now, she's claiming she's not married to him?

Even more shocking was the fact that—

Millicas Gremory does not exist.

Something had changed.

Renji's knowledge of this world's history had suddenly become uncertain.

Had his presence altered the course of events?

If so—

How much of the future was still the same?

###

As Renji sat in silence, Grayfia's expression softened.

A vague, unclear figure flickered in her mind.

A man—

A presence so familiar, yet completely unknown.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall his face.

But there was one thing she remembered—

A promise.

A promise that one day, he would return for her.

And until then, she would wait.

She had always believed in that promise.

Even if she didn't know who she was waiting for.

...

Despite his inner confusion, Renji chose not to dwell on it for now.

He continued chatting with Grayfia about other topics, subtly gathering more information.

By the time they finished bathing, his mind was still filled with unanswered questions.

As he walked back to his room, towel draped over his shoulders, he let out a long sigh.

"Forget it," he muttered to himself.

"The most important thing right now is getting stronger."

He had more than enough on his plate.

For now, he would focus on what was in front of him.

With that thought, he entered his room—

His eyes gleaming as he finally reached out for the five-star golden egg.

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