Two weeks later, the renovations were finished, and it was time to show it off.
The client had brought his bride with him.
"I wonder what it is that you wanted to show me~ I'm really looking forward to it~"
"You're speaking in monotone, Sylphy. Could it be that you've secretly gathered information and already knew in advance?"
"Ehhhh? What are you talking about? I have no idea."
While flirting with the girl who was speaking in extreme monotone, the client walked through the snow.
"While we were separated, that meek and obedient Sylphy had turned into a liar. Thinking about it, it might be something to be happy about. But if you can tell such a huge lie like this, I'm worried that you'll lie again in the future."
"Uuu... But it's your fault, Rudi. You used Ariel-sama's name, and even until the end you didn't say anything about it to me."
"Sorry about that."
It seemed that their flirting wasn't going to stop.
"Since you didn't say anything, I got worried you know. I mean, since you're cool, Rudi..."
"You thought I was cheating? I'm surprised."
"No, I mean, look, I'm, you know, I'm not really, look, I'm small so..."
The moment he saw his bride's anxious expression, the client made a weird face and clung to her.
"Whaat, you're worried about your chest? Don't worry, you know, uncle(I) is someone who believes in equality, and I'm different from bastards who discriminate. Uhehe."
"By uncle, you mean... Ah-, wa-, don't suddenly rub me, I said no.... We're in front of people!"
"You're right. I'm sorry."
By the time he arrived in front of the house, the client was downtrodden like a dog who had been scolded until his tail drooped. The bride fixed the position of her sunglasses while saying "Geez." a little angrily.
"You need to pay attention to the time and place. That kind of thing is for nighttime, when we're in bed! Okay?"
"Okay, Sylphiette-san. It won't happen again."
"Ah, b-, but if it gets to the point that you can't hold back anymore... ummm, -mumble mumble-"
"Whaat? I can't hear you... Uncle's ears are pretty bad, you see."[6]
That pair went to look at the house.
--Before-- The rocks had moss growing on them and the walls had ivy. Here and there the windows would be broken and a broken door was set against the wall near the entrance. The Rudeus Mansion had an atmosphere that seemed like a witch lived there. ---
--After-- The mossy rocks were cleaned up nicely, and the walls had fresh white paint applied to them. The darkened roof whose original colour was unrecognizable was coated with a bright green, and at the entrance were double doors that were a dignified dark brown. The shining and golden lion at the door was like a guard dog. ---
Seeing this, the bride brought a hand to her mouth.
"How is it?"
"Uhm, umm."
"I made the colour of the roof similar to the colour your hair used to be. Though it's something you might hate, it was something I quite liked after all."
"Eh? Ah, okay. Haa~..."
It was probably closer to her ideal than she had imagined. With her hand still at her mouth, the bride let out a voice of wonder and looked at the house.
"Come now, please have a look inside."
At the client's suggestion, the two of them entered. A mat for drying feet was left at the entrance.[7] You could tell from it the client's worry and regret over this world's shoe-wearing culture.
"The right is the dining room, and the left is the living room. Which should we look at first?"
"Umm, then, the dining room?"
"The dining room then! Very well. I'm sure you'll be quite pleased with it. Please go ahead and have a look."
It was said in a tone like a certain[8] country's car salesman, the client exuded nervousness. They entered the room.
The large room had undergone a complete makeover. First of all, there was a large, long table in there. Though there weren't any ornaments, it was a table large enough to seat 10 people. There was white wallpaper plastered to the walls, and in the corner of the room were flowers growing in a flower vase. The large fireplace was repaired, and the new red bricks were accented.
"Wahhh, it's amazing."
"We can have our meals here, or otherwise in the living room."
"What's such a long table used for?"
"You can probably use it for when you invite people over."
"Ah, I see. That's right. We'll also have guests, huh."
The bride took off her sunglasses and scratched behind her ear. With a loving expression, the client rubbed her head.
"Well then, the next room is this way. It's the living room."
At the client's suggestion, the two of them moved to the living room. It was a large, warm, and family-oriented room.
There was a sofa that was placed around the fireplace. Near the sofa, on a small table, a water jug and cup were left there. The craftsman understood the client's wish for a 'relaxing home', and you could see glimpses of his artisan's spirit in this room.
"This room is kind of, wonderful, isn't it? Can I try sitting down?"
"Of course! Mnn ahh, don't say it, the seat is a little tough. However, it seems that it'll become softer with use."
"I haven't sat down yet, you know... Or more like, Rudi, your tone has been weird for a while now."
"I'm a little nervous, you see."
The bride meekly sat on the sofa.
"It's not really that hard, is it?"
"Really? Thank goodness."
The client sat down near the bride. Like that, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Their faces were turned to each other. Their gazes overlapped. The bride gently closed her eyes...
The client stood the bride up.
"S-, shall we head to the next room? The next one is the kitchen. Let us have a look at this Rudeus Mansion's prided cooking facilities."
"Mm-, mmm!"
The kitchen. In addition to the furnace that was already there, a set of the newest cooking equipment were sitting in the room. The table was large enough that even if you killed a huge boar and brought it home, you could prepare it on the table. On the furnace was a commonplace, and large pot. There were also commonplace earthenware barrels and jars, for storing things.
"This place is normal."
"It's pretty normal, huh."
The client had suddenly made a serious face, and the bride nodded with a serious face. After this was the laundry. They went down the hallway and entered it. When they did, the bride tilted her head.
"Huh? It's small, huh."
There was a large bucket, and a washboard. There was also a few baskets left there. Though there would be no problems doing laundry with just this much, they were a bit bothered by it. In particular, the door that was further into the room.
"Please have a look."
The client opened that door. When he did, it was shocking. There was a large bath in there. A large bath had been created.
--Before-- An empty room without even a furnace. A room a little wide for laundry, and a spartan secondary kitchen. ---
--After-- The floor was covered in tiles, and a large bathtub that was filled with a lot of warm water. Water flowed along the inclined grooves. A plain, stone-built room was transformed into a tasteful bath. ---
"Umm... Could it be, that this is a bath?"
"As expected of Sylphy. So you knew about baths?"
"Ah, mmn. While I was in the royal palace, you know...? But this is the first time seeing such a big one. Is this what they call a hot spring?"[9]
"Spas are a little different."
The bride couldn't contain her surprise. The client looked at her expression affectionately. From his expression, you could hear the voice of his pitch black heart; "I'm looking forward to baths -disgusting laugh-".
"It's been filled up so that I can show you, but I plan on draining it normally."
"Mn. Umm... Later on, show me how to get in, okay? Wah!"
The client embraced his bride. It seems that somehow or other, at his bride's sudden words he was overcome with emotion.
"Geez, what is it...?"
"No, I was worrying about how to get permission to bathe with you, so I unconsciously..."
"'How'? A bath is something you don't get in alone, right? Ariel-sama would always get in with an attendant, after all. That's why I have bathing experience as well. I washed Ariel-sama after all."
"...According to a certain culture, the husband and wife wash each other's bodies, you know. Did you know this?"[10]
"So that's how it is... It's a bit embarrassing, huh? But, I'll try my best."
After having that conversation, they walked up the stairs to the second floor. The roof that seemed like it would leak had been restored and now displayed its bright wooden surface. The client immediately headed to the door further in.
"For now the only room I've prepared on the second floor is this one."
"...Ah, amazing."