The Seed Thief

Vol. 1 Chapter 3.4

In the stillness of the house, Lulu muttered in a dazed voice.

"Am I...dirty?"

The golem standing beyond the window nodded eagerly at Lulu's muttering. Stuck by an inexplicable sense of betrayal for no reason, Lulu conjured a magic light ball to smash it—only to pause, staring at her hands instead.

"Really dirty."

Perhaps as a result of recent events, dirt was trapped under her fingernails and in the crevices of her palms. She had been so preoccupied that she failed to notice the foul mixture of old sweat and gritty sand that had permeated her clothes since yesterday.

Lulu looked at the sleeping Er. The contemptuous glint in his eyes as he glared at her right before falling asleep, resembled the way the villagers gazed at her.

'Being hated is inevitable.'

This person also had a home to return to, so he must feel resentful for being forcibly brought here. Though unavoidable, Lulu couldn't help feeling saddened by that fact.

He was the first person to set foot in this house since the forest witch left. She only intended to keep him for a short time, but she hoped, at least, he wouldn't hate her too much during his stay.

After sitting motionless for a while, Lulu finally stood up and went to her room. She started rummaging through the row of drawers spanning the length of an entire wall.

"I think I put it in here."

Lulu opened all the drawers and dumped their contents onto the floor till various unidentifiable items formed a small hill...

"Found it!"

In her hand was a white, fist-sized piece of soap. Lulu brought it to her nose and sniffed, sensing a subtle floral aroma.

When the forest witch was alive, Lulu experienced soap for the first time. It was amusing how bubbles formed when it soaked in water, and the fascinating scent made her hold it all day. The witch said if she liked it that much, she could have it. Lulu then kept the soap deep in a drawer like the world's most precious treasure, taking it out several times daily to savor its scent.

Lulu went outside carrying a dry cloth and soap. Soon enough, she came across a clear flowing stream. Lulu took off her clothes and entered the stream without hesitation.

"Ugh, cold!"

The stream's water chilled her, though summer. Trembling, Lulu lathered the soap and washed herself. Contrary to her worry, bubbles formed abundantly from the old soap. Usually, she'd bathe hastily and leave, but this time she rinsed slowly and meticulously – from hair ends to under fingernails.

Only when her lips were on the verge of turning blue did Lulu get out of the stream.

"Achoo!"

Wiping herself dry, Lulu hugged her shivering, naked body and returned home. Er still lay in deep slumber in the living room corner. Lulu rummaged through her room, often content with wearing whatever was available. But since another person entered her home for the first time, she wanted to wear proper clothes.

After searching through the closet for a while, Lulu found a thin cotton nightgown under a mountain of collapsed clothes. She put it on and collapsed onto the bed.

It had been a tiring day. And after washing up, the fatigue rushed in quickly. But her eyes refused to close.

Turning over in bed, Lulu saw Ervandas sleeping on the living room floor beyond the open door, emitting regular breathing. Silently watching him, Lulu rose from the bed.