27 Relaxation (2/2)

”Can I wash my clothes in the bath?” I asked.

”No,” Maisen replied succinctly.Seeing my confused look she continued.”You could wash your clothes by the river.But then you'll be walking around in wet clothes,” she noted.”The staff at The Noble Lady provides you with a bucket of water, right?Well, you could use that to wash your dirty clothes and hang them up by the window to dry.Obviously, you can't do that to your only set of clothing.So, we'll go shopping for clothes after our bath,” she suggested.

”Sounds good to me,” I replied.

”Okay, I know it's been a long day at the dojo and you will probably want to spend more time relaxing in the bathhouse.But the longest we can stay there is for an hour. When the bell tolls, I'll meet you in front of the bath house again and we'll spend the next hour shopping for clothes and whatever else you need before we return home,” Maisen said.

”What if I decide to leave the bath sooner?” I asked.

Maisen looked at me with a confused expression; since the use of the bathhouse was a luxury for the common folk, most people would try to stay as long as possible.”Well, if you hate bathing that much then just call me by my name and tell me that when you're leaving the bath.I'll leave the bath immediately and join you,” she answered in a neutral tone of voice.While it was true that she would be very disappointed if I decided to leave early, she would be Honor-bound to accompany me whenever I leave the bathhouse.The decision to leave would be mine, not hers.

”Okay, let's go in,” I said and walked past the guards.Again, I noticed the faint hue of red and blue auras indicating that the guards were magically equipped.I received a pop-up that read, ”Magic detection SUCCESSFUL.+50 XP.”Buoyed by the unexpected experience gain, I smiled warmly at Jenga and paid the one silver admission fee.In exchange, I received a thick white towel from the hostess.I saw an entrance on both sides of the booth but there was no indication as to which opening I should enter.I looked back at the hostess.

”First time visiting, milord?” Jenga smiled. ”Your lordship should enter through the right,” she said.

”Thank you,” I replied sheepishly and walked through the right entrance.I entered a small corridor that emptied in a large chamber filled with benches and lock boxes.Not surprisingly, no one else was in the room.After all, very few commoners would have the free time to take a bath during the late afternoon hours.

I looked at the lock boxes until I found one with a blue button.I pressed my right thumb against the white identifier stone to open the box.I quickly took off my dirty clothes and squeezed them into the box.I locked it and then wrapped the white towel around my waist.

Even though I was naked I didn't feel cold.The air in the room was moist and warm.I saw another corridor on the opposite end of the chamber and I entered the corridor.I walked along the corridor until it emptied into the public bath.I looked around and saw a large pool with a wooden partition at the left end.There were a few patrons in the water but none paid me any attention.

Mindful of the slippery floor, I walked slowly until I reached the bath and dipped my left toe into the water.The water felt very warm.I slowly stepped into the water.The pool was about three feet deep and the ground inside the pool was very warm.

I waddled across the water until I found a free spot next to the partition.I turned around and sat down with my back leaning against the partition.I sunk deeper into the water until my head was under and I started washing my filthy hair.Unfortunately, I forgot to bring soap.I scrubbed my hair and scalp continuously until I could no longer hold my breath.I quickly rose back to the surface and pulled my hair back.I then scrubbed every part of my body within my reach until I felt reasonably clean.I was thoroughly enjoying my bath and decided to get my money's worth by staying in the bath until the hour was up.

Dong!When the bell finally tolled to mark the change in the hour, I reluctantly got out of the water.The hour I had spent in the public bath was relaxing and refreshing.I dried myself with my towel and slowly returned to the lock box chamber.Once I retrieved my clothes I exited the bathhouse and found Maisen waiting for me. I noted that her skin had turned bright pink, like a cooked lobster!I looked at the back of my hand and saw that my white skin had turned into a similar color.

”Milord, we need to hurry before the shops close at the next change in the hour,” my bodyguard said.

”Lead on,” I nodded.