Of course, protest was protest, but as a little kitten, there was not much she could do.
Hissing at Xenovia was useless too. After all, those two had known Rod even earlier than she had.
"Sister Griselda told us to keep staying in Kuoh, saying the higher-ups want to use this chance to sit down and have a proper talk."
"So for the time being, we've been left here as bodyguards for those important people."
Irina said cheerfully.
The reason Irina was this happy was actually because, during the few days before the talks officially began, they had been allowed to move around Kuoh freely.
For the two of them, who had not had a single day off since becoming Holy Sword wielders, this was practically the best gift imaginable.
After all, what poor overworked soul on a 996 schedule would not be thrilled to hear they were getting paid leave? Rod would absolutely give that a thumbs-up.
"If you're staying, then stay. There are still a few empty rooms here anyway."
Because the plot had changed, Xenovia had not fallen into self-destructive despair, and since Rod had long ago handed the three Holy Swords over to Griselda, Irina no longer needed to make a special trip back to the Vatican to report in.
Still, this was probably Griselda's own little consideration as well.
After all, she surely felt in her heart that she had wronged the two of them.
"Hehe, I knew you were a really good person, Rod. But it's fine, we've already picked our rooms."
Irina said with a grin.
"You really don't treat me like an outsider at all. But don't casually say I'm a good person from now on. I don't like hearing that."
"Got it. But you're still as weird as ever. A girl says you're a good person, and you actually get unhappy about it. Is this that 'good guy card' you told me about before?"
"As long as you get it."
Rod walked over to the sofa and sat down, then called out to Raynare, his household cook.
"Make something for me to eat."
"Huh? Th-that, with so many people watching, isn't it a little inappropriate?"
Raynare's face suddenly turned red.
"?"
When Rod put up a question mark, it was not because he had a problem. It was because she did.
"I-I'll go right away."
Raynare quickly realized Rod had not meant it that way and immediately lowered her head and hurried into the kitchen.
"Make me a bowl too. I didn't quite eat enough at dinner. If I'm hungry, my stomach will feel awful tonight."
Xenovia did not bother being polite with Rod either.
"Then make one more... actually, forget it. Just make however many servings there are people."
Rod said, glancing at Lavinia, whose eyes held a trace of expectation.
Not long after, the three fallen angels portioned out the cooked ramen, and soon the whole house was filled with the sound of noodles being slurped.
Watching the satisfied expressions on everyone's faces, Raynare felt a little sense of joy rise in her heart.
Maybe she really was suited for being a chef.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the girls went off one after another to bathe.
Rod did not bother competing with them downstairs. Instead, he returned to his own bedroom.
His master bedroom had a private shower room.
A lot had happened from yesterday to today, and on top of that, Katreya had bullied him in the workplace yet again.
Although Rod had cleaned himself up a little before coming back, it still felt uncomfortable to just go to sleep like this.
But just as Rod had started lathering himself with soap, he saw the glass door of the shower room being pulled open from the outside.
Lavinia, wearing only a set of underwear, walked in with a yawn.
When she saw Rod, her pale silver-blue eyes lit up slightly, and a happy expression appeared on her face.
"I didn't expect little Rod to be here too."
"That should be my line. Weren't you downstairs?"
Rod asked helplessly.
Although a man was supposed to be open and easygoing, it was still rather awkward to be stared at like this by someone with Lavinia's slightly absentminded nature.
Still, Rod at least had the kind of physical confidence that would put other men to shame, so he was not too stiff about it.
But after hearing Rod's words, Lavinia merely tilted her head in confusion.
"There were too many people downstairs, and I didn't want to squeeze in, so I came over here. But I didn't expect you to be here too, Rod."
A happy smile appeared on Lavinia's face.
She clearly had not understood the implication in Rod's words.
"Then let's wash together~"
After saying that, Lavinia started taking off her clothes.
Before Rod could react, she was already standing before him with complete openness.
"I'll soap you up. If you don't wash properly, your body will end up all smelly~"
Snatching the soap from Rod's hand, Lavinia walked behind him and began earnestly scrubbing him.
And seeing how unreserved she was, Rod finally stopped feeling awkward and simply began enjoying Lavinia's bath service.
Before long, the sound of rushing water rang in his ears.
It had to be said that having someone help scrub your back really was much more convenient. After all, it was hard for one person to wash every part of their own back, and over time grime would inevitably build up.
"You have to rinse one more time, or it won't do."
After saying that, Lavinia lathered more soap behind Rod's back.
"Rod, crouch down a little. If you stay too tall, I can't reach."
Although Rod did not really understand what Lavinia meant by not being able to reach, he still did as she said.
After all, he had no objections to being served by a beautiful girl.
A moment later, feeling an overwhelming softness press against his back and slide gently across it, Rod could not help sucking in a breath.
"Hiss~"
"Lavinia, where did you learn that?"
"I learned it from manga. I heard boys really like it when girls do this. Do you like it, Rod?"
"I do. I really do."
Hearing that, Rod could not help sighing inwardly.
Japanese manga really was something else. There really were things worth learning from it.
Especially when it was a focused, beautiful girl like Lavinia. Rod could only hope there would be more bathing like this in the future.
Even though he had already received Katerea's rather enthusiastic welcome before coming back today, Rod no longer felt quite so restrained.
"By the way, Lavinia, your period..."
Judging by the fact that even his earlier behavior had not made Lavinia reject him, it was only a matter of time before things progressed further.
But before he could finish, Lavinia shook her head.
"Not yet. It seems there are still two or three days left."
Hearing that, Rod immediately calmed down.
It was not that he could not have pushed things further, but he knew his own limits. He would not do something that might hurt Lavinia.
"Hehe..."
As if sensing Rod's mood, Lavinia let out a soft laugh behind him.
"I also learned a lot of other things from manga. For example... like this..."
By the time Rod realized what was happening, Lavinia's nimble little hands had already begun their first climb.
"..."
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