章 24: Chapter 24:- Indulging in Nostalgia
On Earth, the ubiquity of plumbing and the advent of the industrial era made it commonplace for individuals to indulge in daily baths. Even those residing in the lower rungs of society had access to these simple comforts in the privacy of their own homes. However, in this alternate world, such a luxury was far from being the norm. For the middle and lower classes, a full bath was often a luxury they could ill afford.
Instead, these classes frequently resorted to what they had on hand - dampened towels and washcloths, often imbued with rudimentary cleansing herbs or oils. A single bucket of water, used judiciously, sufficed for their daily cleaning rituals. It was a means of preserving water, a valuable resource, and avoiding the expense of a more extensive bath.
Public bathhouses dotted the landscape of most developed cities, offering the tantalizing promise of full immersion and thorough cleansing. However, a steep entrance fee - a whole gold coin - was enough to deter many. For the average middle or lower-class citizen, it was an extravagance that they could not justify.
Some individuals, unswayed by the need for privacy or societal judgment, opted to bathe in natural bodies of water such as rivers, ponds, or streams. While this method allowed a more comprehensive wash, it came with its own set of problems. Lack of privacy was a significant issue, especially for women. The ever-present threat of prying eyes lurking behind nearby foliage was enough to make many think twice.
Furthermore, the upper echelons of society - the nobility and the wealthy - perceived such practices with disdain. To them, bathing in public bodies of water was unrefined and distasteful. Thus, it became a boundary that further emphasized the socio-economic divide, relegating the act of bathing to a luxury for the privileged and a matter of careful consideration for the rest.
Isabella, the Demon Empress, held a particular fondness for bathing. An inveterate habit, it was something she had indulged in quite luxuriously when she had her private hot spring back in her former life of prestige. However, the trials of her life as a slave forced her to forego this indulgence. Her journey from the Flaming Dominion Empire's capital to Emberfall city with William was marked by frugality, with bathing replaced by the brisk cleaning efficiency of wet towels shared between her and Aimee.
Unlike her, William managed to maintain a semblance of his bathing routine by retreating to a nearby stream under the cover of darkness. But for Isabella, such an option was untenable. The fear of prying eyes, of vulnerability in a compromising situation, kept her firmly within the bounds of their makeshift camp.
When William had rented a house upon their arrival, the first thing that caught her eye was the large, inviting bathtub. It promised the luxury of privacy, of immersion, of letting the warm water cleanse her of the accumulated grime and stress of their journey. She had refrained from joining William on his shopping excursion, choosing instead to indulge in this long-missed luxury.
She and Aimee spent hours in the bath, their laughter and playful banter echoing off the tiled walls. The sheer pleasure of being able to luxuriate in a bath, to feel the warm water enveloping her, to finally be able to scrub away the physical evidence of their arduous journey, it was invigorating. As a woman, Isabella had always placed great importance on cleanliness and grooming. Bathing was more than just a physical act, it was a ritual, a means of self-care that she found both enjoyable and necessary.
The sentiment was shared by William as well. Despite his frequent bathing excursions to the stream, the experience was far from ideal. The chill of the water, the unease of bathing under the open sky, and the constant vigilance required for his safety and privacy were all factors that detracted from the tranquility of the act. The prospect of a warm, private bath in their new home was as much a luxury for him as it was for Isabella.
"Sigh... This... this is the sweetest reward for all my exertions," murmured William, settling comfortably into the capacious tub hewn from a unique, obsidian-black rock. The bathtub, square in shape and elegantly designed, was roomy enough to accommodate two adults with ease.
Immersed in the balmy water, William felt a sense of soothing tranquility washing over him. The bathtub was a marvel of arcane craftsmanship, embedded with two magical artifacts. To the side of the tub lay a deep blue orb, no bigger than a fist, possessing the astounding ability to fill the bathtub with water. The activation process was simple: infuse a smidge of mana into the orb, and it would swiftly spring into action, filling the tub with crystal clear water. An accompanying red orb, when similarly activated, would heat the water to the perfect, soothing temperature.
William couldn't help but marvel at the luxuriousness of these accommodations. "Now it all makes sense," he thought, "why the rent for this house is a staggering thousand gold coins per month." He hypothesized that these two unique artifacts, with their magical capabilities, must be worth a small fortune.
This was no ordinary dwelling. The majority of houses in this world didn't boast of such opulent bathing facilities. Those without such luxuries often came with significantly reduced rent, provided you were comfortable living in proximity to public baths. However, for someone like William, who valued his privacy and comfort, this house, with its exquisite bath, was the epitome of domestic bliss. The ability to indulge in a warm, relaxing bath at any moment was indeed a precious luxury.
As William luxuriated in the balmy waters of the bath, he let his mind wander. "Once I've accumulated enough wealth," he mused, "I must secure this property permanently." The house had cast a spell on him with its allure; its tranquil ambience and luxurious amenities made it a perfect abode. Moreover, he noticed that both Aimee and Isabella seemed enamored with the place too. It was as if they were all drawn to its comforting embrace, making it feel like home.
After a while, feeling thoroughly relaxed and refreshed, William emerged from the bath, wrapping himself in a warm, fluffy towel. He padded downstairs, his senses immediately assaulted by the delectable aroma of food wafting through the air. 'Isabella certainly works swiftly,' he thought in wonder. Barely an hour had passed since their shopping expedition, and she had already whipped up what promised to be a sumptuous meal.
As he neared the dining table, he glimpsed Isabella ferrying an array of dishes from the kitchen, while Aimee, their little helper, carried smaller bowls with a look of intense concentration on her face. Her eyes twinkled with happiness as she proudly contributed to the meal preparations. William found this sight intensely heartwarming, a poignant reminder of a simpler, happier time. He could vividly recall when his own family was intact, with his elder brother doting on Aimee, and his sister-in-law crafting culinary delights in their homely kitchen. Those moments of love and togetherness tugged at his heartstrings, filling him with a profound sense of nostalgia.
Isabella watched as William stood transfixed in front of the laden dining table. His face held a faraway look, as though he was sifting through the sands of his past, and a faint smile flickered on his lips. However, what caught her attention were the glistening tears that welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over.
A whirlpool of questions churned within her. 'What tragedy unfolded in his life? What could have possibly happened to my sister? And Aimee...what has turned this innocent child into a mute?' The patience that she'd been carefully nurturing now seemed to have reached its threshold. She needed answers.
"Cough!" A sudden, unobtrusive cough from Isabella broke through the silence and disrupted William's reverie. She gestured towards the kitchen, suggesting he should wash his hands before they commenced their meal. As she spoke, she laid two tantalizing plates of thinly sliced, perfectly fried chicken onto the table. The mere sight of the golden, crispy chicken fritters was enough to awaken a ferocious appetite within William.
Obliging, William sauntered towards the kitchen to cleanse his hands, his senses keenly aware of the delightful fragrances wafting around the room. As he returned to the table, he found Isabella had ensured everything was in place for their meal. She had positioned herself across from him, a protective arm around Aimee, her gaze on William filled with anticipation. It was as though the very air around them held its breath, ready for the revelations that were to unfold.
With a reverent, "Thank you for the meal," William began to eat. His taste buds were instantly rewarded by the explosion of flavors in his mouth, and his eyes sparkled with satisfaction. He didn't rush, but savoringly took more morsels of the food, experiencing the blend of tastes with each slow chew.
Seeing his reaction, Isabella ventured to ask, "How is it?"
"It's truly delightful," came William's calm response. His steady gaze met hers, assuring her that he was relishing every bite. He made a conscious effort to slow his pace further, savoring each mouthful and allowing the variety of flavors to play on his palate.
Meanwhile, Isabella, too, began to partake in the meal. She ensured Aimee was well fed, feeding the child with loving spoonful's, while simultaneously enjoying her own food. The extra chili she had added to the dishes had given them an intense, fiery kick. As a demon, she naturally had a preference for food that set her senses ablaze, for regular, mundane food seemed far too bland. It was a taste preference she shared with Aimee, who also relished the spicy meals. Isabella's only worry had been if William would find the spiciness overpowering, but to her pleasant surprise, it seemed like he was thoroughly enjoying it.
Once their satisfying meal was over, William instinctively rose from his seat and moved to clear the dishes. "Let me do it," Isabella offered, attempting to stop him.
"No, no, it's alright," William protested gently. "You must be weary after cooking such a wonderful meal. I will take care of the dishes."
With a small nod of acceptance, Isabella relinquished the task to William and walked towards the living room, where she noticed a visibly tired Aimee, her small eyes half-closed in drowsiness.
'It's time for Aimee to learn to speak. Tomorrow, I must request William to purchase a few children's storybooks for her,' Isabella thought, her eyes softening at the sight of the sleepy child. Carefully lifting Aimee in her arms, she ascended the stairs toward the second-floor bedrooms. Since Aimee was still quite young, Isabella had decided it would be best for her to share her room for now.
Upon tucking Aimee into bed and making sure the child was snugly wrapped in a soft blanket, Isabella descended back down to the living room. To her surprise, she found William was already done with the dishes and comfortably settled on the plush couch. The efficiency with which he handled household chores impressed her.
Settling herself on the couch across from William, Isabella maintained a silent demeanor, her gaze intense and probing. Noticing her silence, William broke the quietness. "Is there something you need?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.
"We need to talk," Isabella replied with a grave tone that echoed in the room, punctuating the seriousness of her intentions. From the somber inflection in her voice, William could surmise the direction this conversation was about to take. Truthfully, he had always dreaded delving into his past. The haunting memories still lingered, occasionally infiltrating his dreams and turning them into nightmares.
He let out a deep sigh, the weight of his unshared history pressing on his heart. "It's about time, I suppose," he finally conceded, acknowledging the elephant in the room.
His admission was followed by Isabella's quiet demand, her voice laced with a determined curiosity, "I want to know what happened." It was more of a plea than a question - a plea for truth, understanding, and, perhaps, a deeper connection.
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