Meanwhile, back inside Gremory Castle, the two Heavenly Dragon girls had departed immediately after confirming tomorrow's meeting location.
After all, throughout their long dragon lives, they'd spent most of their time living freely—recklessly, even. Otherwise, they never would have pulled that stunt of wandering onto the Great War battlefield and swallowing all three faction leaders one after another.
Of course, that incident had gotten them killed on the spot, their souls sealed away into Sacred Gears. Having been cooped up for so long, now that they were finally free again, naturally they wanted to enjoy their freedom to the fullest.
Staying in a castle? Well... the Gremory estate was certainly luxurious, but it couldn't quite compare to the freedom of sleeping under the stars with the earth as your bed.
And so, time slipped by until evening arrived.
As dinner concluded, the deep curtain of night once again descended upon the Underworld.
Inside a bedroom on the castle's second floor, Bokue sat by the tea table near the window, gazing somewhat absently at the nighttime scenery of the Underworld outside.
This was one of the rare moments in his day when he actually felt like he had nothing to do.
After all, based on their usual routine back on Itogami Island, everyone would gather at the old schoolhouse after dinner and head straight into the newly renovated and expanded bathhouse for a thoroughly enjoyable... couple's bath. Times however many people were involved.
But since they were currently at the Gremory estate, household rules dictated that those of higher status used the bath first.
And since Venelana was currently managing the entire Gremory household, she was technically the acting head of the family.
In other words, right now the castle's bath was Venelana's personal time.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just then, a rhythmic knocking came from the door.
Bokue turned toward the sound, just in time to see the door being gently pushed open from outside. A crimson-haired girl stepped in, closing the door behind her before waving at the young man still seated by the window with a smile.
"Good evening~ Do I look weird at all right now?"
"?"
A giant question mark materialized above Bokue's head.
From what he could see, the person who'd entered was clearly Rias. Her appearance and voice matched perfectly, and she was even wearing the Saikai Academy uniform.
So what did "Do I look weird at all" even mean?
He had absolutely no idea what she was talking ab— hm?
As if suddenly noticing something, Bokue blinked.
The next instant, his figure vanished from the sofa. In the blink of an eye, he stood before the "Rias" who had just entered. Curious, he leaned down slightly and placed both hands on the "girl's" shoulders, examining her closely for a couple of seconds.
"...Auntie Venelana?"
Bokue suddenly blurted out.
"Oh my!"
The "crimson-haired girl" who had been smiling just a moment ago seemed slightly startled by this address. Her delicate shoulders trembled as she covered her mouth in surprise, eyes widening at the young man standing mere inches away.
"I thought Mommy's disguise would be absolutely flawless—but you saw through it immediately, Bokue-kun. Is it really that obvious?"
"Well, your eye shapes are completely different from Rias's. Even with eyeliner, I can still sort of tell..."
Bokue quipped casually.
Although Venelana and Rias looked extremely similar as mother and daughter—even down to their hairstyles—their eye shapes were distinct. Rias had sharper, more upturned eyes that gave her a spirited look, while Venelana's eyes sloped gently downward, appearing softer and warmer.
These opposite characteristics meant no amount of makeup could fully conceal the difference.
Bokue had expected this observation to disappoint the elegant woman.
But to his surprise, Venelana simply nodded thoughtfully, murmuring to herself.
"Then perhaps the effect later will be unexpectedly good."
"What effect?"
Bokue had no idea what she was talking about.
But Venelana didn't answer. She simply tilted her face up with a gentle smile.
"Oh~ nothing. I just came to let you know the bath should be free soon. We can head down to wash up shortly."
"Mm... hm?"
Bokue was about to agree when another giant question mark popped up above his head—even bigger than the last one.
Wait. The reason he was waiting in his room was because he was supposed to use the bath with Rias and the others after Venelana finished.
But if Venelana wasn't in the bath right now, then who was using it?
Could it be...??
❁❁❁❁
At that same moment, in the large bathhouse on the lower floor.
Splash—
With the sound of water, a brown-haired figure rose from the empty bath, sending droplets cascading back down and creating ripples that pushed the rose petals floating on the surface outward in gentle waves.
Pat, pat, pat...
Apparently having soaked long enough, "Venelana" stepped barefoot out of the pool and up the stairs. She casually retrieved a large bath towel that had been pre-hung on one of the Roman columns flanking the bath, wrapping it around herself with a single elegant motion.
Wrapped in the towel, she walked out of the bathhouse and into the castle corridor.
Just then, the sound of girls' laughter drifted from a connecting hallway in the distance. The just-emerged "Venelana" turned to look.
It was Bokue and the others, just coming down from upstairs. Her beloved daughter "Rias" was among them. The timing was perfect.
"Oh—it's Lady Venelana."
At that moment, Akeno Himejima, walking at the front of the group, noticed the freshly bathed "elegant woman" ahead. She stopped and bowed respectfully.
"Good evening, Lady Venelana."
"...Mm. Good evening."
The "elegant woman" nodded lightly, though her tone seemed slightly cold.
Her gaze swept over the arriving group—especially the "crimson-haired girl" beside the young man. She pressed her lips together almost imperceptibly.
But she continued speaking anyway.
"I'm finished with the bath. You may go in now. I'll be returning to my room."
With that, she turned to leave.
Just then, "Rias" suddenly spoke up.
"Good night, Mom."
The moment those four words left her lips, the "Venelana" walking ahead froze mid-step.
About half a second passed.
"Good night."
...Huh?
Watching the elegant woman's retreating figure, Akeno Himejima—standing on Bokue's other side—couldn't help but tilt her head.
Was it just her imagination, or was Lady Venelana acting a little strange tonight?
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