Chapter 192: Yesterday’s Situation and a Banquet for the Master

"I will wash your body, is that alright?"

Cathy asked with a smile.

Last night’s matter was apparently seen through before coming to the room.

...

Cathy and Yuki wiped my body and Gejia who woke after me with cloths.

Cathy especially wiped my lower body carefully, or rather frequently.

Her face is red but she floated an expression wanting something.

Yuki is wiping Gejia’s body.

The two seemed to be talking about the body’s tattoos and chains.

"Yesterday was terrible. No matter how much time passed you did not return and even when Muriel-sama called with magic there was no reply..."

Cathy talked looking up at my face.

"Muriel-sama shut herself in saying I’m bad, I did something like driving Master out so I’m bad... Thinking what if I’m abandoned, if something happened to Master’s body, thinking in a bad direction... That spread to us too..."

Cathy stopped her hands and hung her head.

"If Rosina-sama was not there I don’t know what would have happened to us."

Tears floated in Cathy’s eyes who wiped my body again.

She remembered yesterday I suppose.

"Rosina-sama submitted a search request to Helene-sama. And she comforted us saying the castle people will search."

Hee, Rosina huh.

But telling Helene might have been a bit clumsy.

"I see, I really made you worry."

When I said that while stroking Cathy’s head Cathy blushed.

"Really, I’m really glad..."

Immediately she suddenly broke her expression and hugged my stomach.

For a while she nuzzled her cheek against my stomach as is.

The slight wetness is Cathy’s tears perhaps.

"I-I’m sorry. I’ll continue."

Cathy released her face, rubbed her eyes with both hands, then looked up at me with a full smile.

Then she continued wiping my body.

...

"Master, lunch is prepared in the dining hall."

Finishing wiping my body Cathy said while dressing me.

"Nn? Lunch?"

"Yes, it is already noon."

When I heard that from Cathy I looked outside the window.

The sun had already risen high.

Uo!

Today wasn’t a day to go to the castle from morning?

"Today Rosina-sama was entrusted by Helene-sama to come to the castle from evening."

Cathy told me that as if seeing through my impatience.

"Therefore please enjoy lunch slowly."

Cathy said especially emphasizing "slowly" and "enjoy."

On that face she floated a mischievous smile.

Is she planning something.

When changing finished Cathy bowed her head.

"「Excuse me.」"

Then accompanying Yuki who was already finished changing and helping Gejia she left the room holding the bucket.

Looking at Gejia she wore a large blue robe.

This time not a short one like Birga’s but properly length to below the knees.

"Are you wearing something underneath?"

I purely wondered so I asked.

"No, I wear nothing underneath. Because of the chains. Each time I move my limbs I feel them and it is annoying. When I have leeway in magic power I will take them off."

Gejia answered me while muttering to herself.

But there was something I cannot let pass in that content.

"Those chains, can they be taken off!?"

"Nn? Aa, they can. These tattoos too."

Gejia said as if it were nothing.

"Th-then Yuki also..."

"That one is no good. Too little magic power. I also have to use Mother and older sister."

Mother and older sister are those two Pe-Dules.

"I see, Yuki’s is no good."

"Well if we investigate there might be a method. Certainly it is pitiful to be like this for life."

Perhaps my degree of depression was severe Gejia said as if comforting.

"Aa, that’s right. I want to do something. Well let’s think from now."

I stared at the door Yuki left.

"Master, wasn’t lunch prepared?"

Gejia changed the topic.

"Aa, that’s right. Then let’s go."

I headed to the dining hall accompanying Gejia.

We crossed the corridor and came in front of the dining hall.

Then I opened the dining hall door.

Then...

"「「「「「「「「「Master, happy birthday!!」」」」」」」」」"

The Dules inside raised their voices all at once.

What is it?

I was startled and froze there.

In front of me who opened the door Dules are on left and right making a path to my seat.

On the right from near in order Muriel, Rosina, Cathy, Ilma, Helma.

On the left Sophia, Sara, Yuki, Sheena lined up.

At first the Dules floated smiles but seeing my reaction they became anxious faces.

"Etto, what is this?"

Not understanding I asked Muriel.

"Ano, we thought to celebrate Master’s birthday... did it not please you?"

Muriel asked peering at my face.

"No, I said I don’t know my birthday..."

Certainly Yuki should have said that.

"Yes, so we thought to make the day Master came to this world the birthday. Yesterday was that day I heard from Tiria... that, we decided on our own, I’m sorry!"

Muriel’s voice grew small midway and at the end she bowed her head in a large voice and apologized.

I see, that’s how it is.

"No, it is my birthday. Thank you, Muriel. Everyone too, thank you."

I gave thanks then made Muriel raise her head and walked the Dules’ path.

The Dules looking relieved floated smiles more than earlier and bowed their heads when I passed in front.

Are?

The three To-Dules are not there.

"Tiria, Rina, Yanica are not there."

"Yes. Later."

Muriel who followed behind me answered.

Even though everyone is gathered is there a reason they cannot come out?

This time are they behind-the-scenes roles?

Now usually in the center of this dining hall there is a long thin dining table.

At meal time I sit alone in the farthest seat and Dules sit on both sides.

Now those dining tables are removed and in the farthest a three-person dining table is placed sideways.

On it a square box is placed and further a cloth is draped over that.

When I went to the one chair placed in the middle of the far side of that dining table I sat in the chair Muriel pulled.

Then the Dules facing this way bowed their heads all at once then started moving.

The six Sophia, Cathy, Ilma, Helma, Yuki, and Sheena entered the kitchen and Sara went outside from the door I entered.

Then Muriel and Rosina stood beside the table.

"Then please enjoy the cooking."

When Muriel said that to me she and Rosina raised the box placed on the dining table.