Back in the bath

Vel found himself in the bath again, looking at Rose and Lynn, who were still holding each other’s arms. Both looked embarrassed, but Lynn far more so than Rose. The latter looked only slightly bashful, while Lynn was blushing furiously and not meeting the maid’s eyes. Rose was first to break the silence. “Well, it looks like the two of us are going to grow… close.” It hit Vel, he had pulled both of them into the vision with him, they had both seen how they made love in in front of a roaring fireplace. He was surprised at Rose’s reaction, she seemed to just accept that she had been granted a glimpse of the future.

Lynn’s eyes finally darted back up to Rose’s, and the little maid wasted no time going in for a kiss. His sister initially froze, but suddenly melted into the kiss, returning it enthusiastically. When they pulled apart, his sister was first to speak. “Yes, well, I can see why, I suppose.” Both women giggled. Vel breathed a sigh of relief. “Come here, both of you.”

They settled in next to him, one on each side, and he draped an arm over each. He gave Rose a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations, my love.” She seemed confused at first, and Vel realized that she didn’t know the full implications of the vision. He quickly explained, and her expression turned from surprise and confusion to delight. Lynn hurried to congratulate her as well and the two leaned over and embraced in front of Vel’s chest. It was a very sweet moment, Vel could easily see how they’d grow as close as they would.

When the embrace broke, they settled back in under his arms and Rose’s hands fell to her stomach. “You really did it, my Lord. You got your poor, innocent maid pregnant.” The smile on her face made it quite clear she did not mind one bit, Lynn chuckled. “He sure is a lecherous lord, is he not. Getting three of his sisters pregnant, and now his maid too.” The maid’s face briefly scrunched up in thought. “So, you are pregnant as well, my Lady?” Lynn nodded happily. “Yes, I am, we only just found out too. And please, call me Lynn. I think the two of us can afford to be informal, knowing what we know.” She tried to sound nonchalant, but blushed and stumbled over her words a bit at the end. “Thank you, Lynn. And congratulations to you as well, then. I look forward to us carrying our love’s children together.”

“So, Zari. I assume that will be your choice, my love.” Rose nodded and kissed his chest. “Yes. And thank you for letting me name her. I have always wanted to have a daughter and give her that name.” Lynn posed the question before Vel could. “Might I ask why?” Rose smiled at her. “Of course, my Lady. It was my name once, before I was sold to a broker in the empire.” Both Vel and Lynn were shocked by this revelation. Vel barely managed to form a coherent sentence. “They changed your name?” Their outraged reactions seemed to amuse Rose. “Sort of. The broker wanted me to take a name that would be more imperial sounding. I picked Rose myself, Zari means rose in Ardalian.” Neither Vel nor Lynn were quite sure what to say to that, Vel tightened his arm around her and pulled her a bit closer, giving her a kiss on top of her head. “Worry not, my loves, I like Rose. Zari was a nice girl, but in truth I stopped being Zari even before I left my homeland. I think I left her behind when my family sold me to the school. And I love being Rose. Rose is the woman who fell in love with a handsome lord and will get to bear his child.” Vel and Rose shared a proper kiss, a tender one. When they broke apart again, she had more to say. “And I thank you, my love, for giving me this chance.” She looked down at her abdomen and stroked it. “Our Zari will get to remain Zari, she will never be ripped away from her family.” Vel didn’t know the right thing to say, but he did know the right thing to do. He placed his hand on top of Rose’s and their fingers interlocked. He could feel how much it meant to her.

The remainder of their stay in the baths was very pleasant, with the three of them cuddling close and talking about the future, old memories, and so on. Vel left feeling both clean, refreshed, and energized.