The bath was warm, the steam rising in delicate waves from the surface of the tub. Joe exhaled deeply, muscles loosening as he sank further into the fragrant water. A few herbs floated lazily around him — household medicinal blends meant for recovery, but nothing special.
"Hah... This is the best they've got?" he muttered, eyeing the soft glow of the tier-3 healing solution. "This is the wealthiest house in the kingdom, and still no tier-4 elixirs?"
It wasn't spoiled arrogance. In his previous world, Joe had access to the finest spiritual medicines in the continent — his status as a master guaranteed it. Still, considering the body he now inhabited, even these lesser herbs felt rejuvenating.
Leaning back, he allowed his mind to wander.
'Icarus must have started his little drama by now,' he thought with a grin. 'Probably already declared himself the new leader. Poor guy doesn't realize... I planned for all of it.'
The door creaked.
Joe's eyes sharpened. His relaxed posture tensed like a coiled spring. 'An assassin? Already?'
Without a second thought, he reached for the short dagger hidden beside the tub, slid silently across the slick floor, and pressed himself to the wall.
A soft rustle — and a figure in a purple maid's dress slipped through the door.
Joe lunged.
The girl let out a shriek as he pinned her from behind, the cold edge of steel pressing lightly to her throat. "Well, well," he whispered smoothly, "did you come looking for me?"
"TRAVIS?!" Aria's voice trembled, more from fury than fear. "You brat! Put that thing down before I report you to the Duke!"
Joe blinked, lowering the dagger as realization hit. "...Aria?"
He backed off quickly, tossing the dagger aside with a sheepish cough.
Aria spun around, flushed and fuming. "You scared me half to death!"
"Sorry," Joe said, flashing the most apologetic, wide-eyed look he could manage. "I've been on edge. All that solo training… and nightmares. I thought someone broke in to harm me."
Aria blinked, thrown off by his sudden change in tone. Travis — no, Joe — had never acted like this before. The spoiled, sharp-tongued brat she served was acting like… a frightened child?
"You... had a nightmare?" she asked, hesitantly approaching.
He nodded, curling his arms around his knees and looking away.
She knelt beside him, unsure. "I… didn't mean to upset you. I should've knocked. I just brought clean clothes."
"I'm sorry," Joe mumbled, voice soft. "It's just been hard lately."
The emotional bait worked.
Aria, who had spent years enduring Travis's teasing and arrogant commands, suddenly saw him in a different light. For once, he wasn't the tyrant in the house — just a vulnerable boy struggling with something she couldn't understand.
Her hand brushed his shoulder gently. "There, there. Big sis is here now. Do you want me to bring you something sweet?"
Joe lifted his head, hiding his smirk. She called herself "big sis." Perfect.
"Can I… get a hug?" he asked quietly.
Aria hesitated for a heartbeat, then wrapped her arms around him. "Of course. Big sis is here."
"And a kiss?" he whispered, resting his cheek against hers.
Her face went bright red.
"W-what?!"
"Just… on the cheek," Joe said with a small, embarrassed smile. "It helps me calm down."
She hesitated, fidgeted, then gave him the quickest peck she could manage on his left cheek.
He beamed. "Both sides, please."
"Y-you're really pushing it, you know!"
But still, she gave him the second one.
Joe grinned inwardly. 'She's too kind. So easy to tease.'
Before she could pull back, he gently took her face in his hands and returned the gesture — one kiss on each cheek, slow and deliberate.
She stared at him, stunned. "You…"
"I feel better now," he said sweetly.
There was a knock at the door.
"Young Master Travis," a guard called. "The Duke requests your presence for dinner."
Joe sighed. "Got it. I'll be there shortly."
Aria quickly handed him a change of clothes, keeping her eyes averted. Her face was still flushed — and not just from the steam of the bath.
Joe chuckled, then added playfully, "Next time, knock louder. You might catch me in an even worse state."
She scowled and turned to leave. "There won't be a next time."
But as she closed the door behind her, she paused — her fingers brushing her lips. 'He really did look… kind of cute just now.'
Joe leaned against the wall, smiling. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt just a little more at ease.