“Do you have some illness that makes you say unnecessary things when you’re about to die?”
“You don’t have to be shy about it. After all, you did save your i. Should I help you become a man, little brother?”
“I’d rather not. I’ll treat you as a sick person from now on.”
“Yeah, yeah, enough idle chatter. Although there were times when I had to act as a honey trap to get close to targets, so I guess I don’t mind repaying the favor–oh, but now that my body has reverted to being a teenager’s, does that make me a virgin too? My body is inexperienced, but my mind is well-versed…isn’t that a bit awkward?”
“I’m already tired of this, so can we move on?”
“Yes, yes, go ahead.”
Lucia laughed cheerfully while crossing her legs in a relaxed manner.
This was likely her true personality, and she seemed to trust Kurtz to some degree in how she interacted with him. However, her nonchalant responses made it difficult for him to react appropriately.
Brushing aside those feelings, Kurtz cleared his throat lightly.
“For now, I’ll act as a noble’s son while you play the role of my maid. As a commoner, I won’t be able to do anything.”
“You’re right. One’s appearance and attire greatly influence the impression given to others.”
Social status and position held great significance.
Nobody would lend an ear to the words of a commoner child.
However, if properly dressed as a noble child, the situation changed.
People would be somewhat inclined to listen and be persuaded by the words spoken.
If Kurtz, disguised as a noble’s son, walked around alone, he may arouse suspicion for other reasons. But with Lucia by his side as a maid, they would not seem suspicious, firmly establishing the impression of “a noble’s son” to others.
“I suppose it would be better if I called you ‘young master’ then?”
“Ah, please do.”
“And how should you address me?”
“……Wouldn’t it be fine to just use your name?”
“How about ‘Big Sis Lucia’?”
“Absolutely not.”
“But if we’re going with you being a pampered, naive noble child, it would fit for you to call your maid ‘Big Sis’ in an overly familiar way, no?”
“……I have no intention of doing that kind of act, so don’t give such specific examples.”
Heaving a deep sigh, Kurtz pinched the bridge of his nose.
“For now, hand me the clothes so I can try them on and check the sizing.”
“……You can’t be planning to change go in that state?”
“This state? Ah, you’re right.”
Looking down at his current attire, Kurtz nodded in agreement.
Not only was he dressed in tattered commoner’s clothes from living in poverty, but walking through the underground sewers had left him in a terrible state.
Putting on new clothes in this condition would only make extra work of having to wash them right after.
“In that case, I’ll go wash up first.”
“Okay. I’ll join you then.”
“I’m about to get angry.”
“There’s a serious reason for it. Having lived as a commoner for so long, the grime is stubbornly ingrained and hard to remove fully by yourself. There may be areas you miss that could make others suspect something is off from the smallest details.”
“……That’s actually a perfectly valid reason.”
“Of course I have my reasons for suggesting it. Also, I want to bathe because the smell bothers me.”
“Couldn’t we just bathe separately then?”
“You’re supposed to act as a noble’s son, right? Such people have others take care of everything for them. If you showed any reservation or shyness around your maid, it would seem out of character.”
Speaking from the experience of her intelligence gathering activities, Lucia advised him seriously.
“So you’re to strip without objection.”
“…………I understand, if you insist.”
“Good, it’s nice when you’re obedient.”
Lucia smiled and patted Kurtz’s head as he made a reluctant expression.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
However—Kurtz later thought that may have been a mistake.
“Ahhh, it’s kind of fun, like having a little brother!”
Lucia hummed cheerfully as she vigorously scrubbed Kurtz’s head.
“Now now, young master Kurtz, any sore or itchy spots?”
“…………No issues.”
“Why the sullen look?”
“I’m not sulking, I’m just closing my eyes to avoid looking backwards……”
Indeed, Kurtz sat slumped in the chair with an exhausted expression.
“I already told you I don’t mind.”
“Please don’t completely ignore the fact that I do mind.”
“I mean, you saw me naked when you had me undress earlier, right?”
“Of course I was considerate enough to avoid looking directly……”
“Oh, I was pretty confident about my body so I thought you might try something weird, but you’re actually treating me like a proper gentleman. You’re really a good guy!”
“I don’t need your thanks, just wrap yourself in a towel…”
“But that would get in the way. I need to wash my body too.”
“Don’t you have any sense of feminine modesty?”
“No.”
“You answered that in two letters way too quickly…”
“Alright, I’m pouring the hot water over your head now, so keep your eyes closed.”
As if speaking to a child, Lucia poured the hot water over his head. Each time, his bare skin felt the contact of her body and the obvious sensation of her ample chest pressed against him, making him terribly uncomfortable.
“Okay, head’s done. Next is washing your body.”
“Absolutely do not wash anywhere other than my back……!”
“Or what, were you getting excited imagining your Big Sis naked?”
“Who’s calling you Big Sis? I may look like a child, but I’ve explained that I’m twenty-seven internally.”
“Not that much different from me, age-wise. Either way, I’m the older-looking one.”
“Don’t start getting hung up on silly things like that……”
“Well, at first I felt it was weird being back in my ten-year-ago body. But then I thought about how my hair’s glossy again and my skin is smooth, and it boosted my spirits!”
“Regardless of your rejuvenation, at least let me wash that area myself……!”
“I don’t mind that, but I’ll still need to check and make sure you cleaned everywhere properly, including the front.”
“Are you seriously saying that?!”
“If you want to be truly cautious, you need to check for any stains or dirt, even on underwear and undergarments. Keep fussing and I’ll have to give you some special maid service tonight.”
With that vaguely threatening remark, Lucia firmly grasped Kurtz’s body.
It seemed he no longer had a choice in the matter.
“Just get it over with quickly……”
“Very well. Tell me if anything hurts as I wash you.”
As Lucia washed his body, Kurtz resigned himself completely, slouching deeply once more.
The next day.
After properly resting in a real bed and recovering from exhaustion, Kurtz and the others proceeded with further preparations.
“–There, perfect!”
Holding scissors and a comb, Lucia exclaimed with satisfaction.
Hearing her voice, Kurtz slowly opened his eyes to look in the mirror.
His formerly unkempt hair had been neatly trimmed to a lovely length. Properly styled without being overly flashy, a faint citrusy scent wafted from the hair oil applied.
“This is……rather surprising.”
“Heh, isn’t it? With your naturally handsome features, a simple style suits you better than trying to follow trends. As long as you don’t mess up, you’ll be able to pull off the disguise perfectly.”
Lucia proudly puffed out her chest, admiring her own work.
While Kurtz had done some disguising himself in his previous life through self-study,
he was still impressed when Lucia explained how small details like hairstyle, scent, and mannerisms could drastically alter the impression given and what people remembered.
“It would’ve been better if you were a bit taller and more filled out though……”
“Don’t make comments about a commoner child’s physique.”
“But based on your physical age of ten, you’re way too petite and lightweight. Some might find it suspicious……”
Kurtz had always been rather small, even among commoner children. Added to his childhood of struggling to get proper nutrition, his growth was stunted.
The last time he had revealed his age to Artesia, she was surprised, saying she thought he was even younger.
“I’ll explain that recent illness prevented proper exercise and meals, stunting my growth. The frontier Baron Trifen’s son was in similar circumstances, so in my last life he rarely interacted with outsiders until he recovered. It’s a convenient back story to use for faking a higher status up to that level.”
“Oh, you really think things through thoroughly, don’t you young master?”
“……Why are you praising me while picking me up?”
“You’re just the perfect portable size and weight for carrying.”
“Don’t casually pick me up for such a silly reason……”
Hoisted up by Lucia, Kurtz furrowed his brow in dissatisfaction.
Although he had the appearance of a child, his true age made him feel complicated emotions.
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