It was late at night by the time I finally reached the inn. Sophie had fallen asleep in my arms and looked to be sleeping quite comfortably. When I entered the suite, my maids were actually up waiting on me and went right to work preparing a bath. I reluctantly woke Sophie up, who was very confused at first but quickly turned as red as an apple as she realized she had fallen asleep.
I chuckled as I let her down. "No need to feel embarrassed. You have had a long day. Annie and the girls are getting the bath ready. Let's bathe, eat, then sleep, okay? You can spend the night with me."
Sophie lowered her head and nodded, and followed behind me. But I could feel her gaze poking me in the back of the head as we walked. It was quite the intense stare. I wonder if she has something to say? Well, if she wants to talk, she will talk. I will not force her to say anything if she does not want to.
But now was my chance! I could fluff the fluff without seemingly being weird! As I finished undressing, I walked over and hugged Sophie from behind: "Sophie, let me wash your hair and back, okay?"
For some reason, Sophie's face became even redder, but she quietly nodded her head. A strange girl indeed blushing over everything. But I have to say this softness was just too much. If I was not worried about being seen as some kind of perverted freak, I would have already pushed my face into this fluffy goodness.
But I restrained myself and continued to do the job I had assigned myself to. I took great care to make sure to be gentle while washing Sohpie's hair. I have a lot of practice, so I am confident in my hair washing. Rachel even said her hair felt extra smooth when I washed it for her. This was not really a lie, though, either, because I like to inject my mana into the hair and let it primate to the scalp. It seems magic has extra benefits that not many or none actually know about.
Seeing how Sophie had been quiet this entire time. I finally decided to lighten the mood a bit. "So from today forth, we will be living together. Treat the place as your home. Although I feel that you won't, it does have to be said: do not bully the maids. They are just like you or me."
"I wouldn't…. Bully… anyone…." Sophie's voice started off big, but I guess she got embarrassed by her sudden shout that the rest of her words got quieter and quieter.
"I figured as much, but what needs to be said should still be said, no? Anyway, do not dwell too much on what happened today. Forget about that count. I am pretty sure he is raging right now but not at you. You see, I kinda told him a white lie. I said my magic would disappear once I left the house well…. Hehe." He should never have angered me. If he did not do anything to my friend, he would still be sipping his expensive wine and indulging in the many wives he has. I, for one, do not care what he does as long as he does not harm those that I see as friends and family.
But to think that my first fully official day in the capital, and I am already bringing a girl home. If I was a boy, I am sure my parents would be jumping for joy. But I am sure even if that was not the case. If I had told them the story about what happened, my mother and father would take Sophie in, in a heartbeat. They are kind and generous, after all.
Sadly I can not save every person I come across that is in need of help. Such a job is too big for a single person to handle on their own. The lives of those people in the slums need the kingdom's help to restructure in a way that does not interrupt their daily lives. It might seem inhuman, and if this was Earth, I would be bashed on social media for being biased, human rights violations, and whatnot, but I would move all the people who do not wish to work into a section of their own while helping only those who wish to better themselves. Maybe seeing the different forms of treatment will cause them to rethink their path in life.
Those with criminal histories would need to be reformed unless they have already done their time. A city this size that can be considered its own small country back on Earth really needs to be reformed with a stricter system. But I am sure this would gain backlash from the nobles who, like the count, use the slums as a base of operation for their dirty work.
No one would want the hub to hide their dirty dealings to be taken away from them. It would be too risky. But to come up with explanations on why the slums should stay around was something they would really have to work hard at. I mean, who can really come up with a good reason to continue letting the slums stay a dirty place where things hidden by society keep happening?
All in all, the only correct path on anything would be to do what can be done without giving too much. There is a fine line between helping those in need and taking care of them forever. Providing education and means to get better jobs is really the only route. At least this is my take on things. I would if I could take in everyone who wished to have a better life and work hard at it. But sadly, I do not have such means.
"Ummm…. Faith, are you done…?" I heard Sophie's soft voice and realized I was so lost in my thoughts that I was directly fluffing her tail this entire time.
I could feel my cheeks heating up as I let out a dry laugh and scratched my head. "Haha… Sorry. Let's get in the bath."
"But you haven't washed your body yet…. I-I can wash your back for you…." Although she stuttered, Sophie stood right up and pointed to the seat for me to sit down. I guess she wants to repay me.
But I have to say this…. Thank god I have tough skin. Sophie's idea of washing someone's back is like using sandpaper and scrubbing it as hard as she can against the skin. Was this punishment? It was punishment, wasn't it!? I will make a mental note not to fluff the fluff anymore. My poor back wouldn't be able to take it.
After a nice hot relaxing bath, the two of us retired to my room, where I went against my own pledge and happily dried and combed Sophie's tail and hair. She did not seem to mind, although her cheeks were bright red the entire time. After a while, the silent Sophie finally seemed to be willing to talk as she turned her head to face me. "Faith, I never did properly thank you…. You not only gave me a stranger a helping hand when I was being dragged away by those men, but when I was kidnapped, you came and rescued me from the hands of the count, even knowing you could suffer repercussions. I really do not know how to thank you for everything."
"What thanks is needed? We became friends, and that is all that matters. No friend of mine will be allowed to suffer if I can help it. And if I can't stop it, I will use force like I did today, and once I talk to Adel, I am sure you will never have to deal with such things ever again. You can live your life the way you want to from now on. You can stay with me for as long as you like. Go to the academy, find the thing you want to do, excel at it, and then when you are ready, go off and do your own thing. Maybe one day, I will be handing you off to the person you are going to marry. Ahh, they grow old so quick.." I faked crying into my sleeve, causing Sophie to finally give me a genuine smile and giggle.
"Are you my parent now?" Sophie jabbed at me. It was good to see her smiling finally.
"Far from it, but I do want you to know you have someone to support you now. I will do what I can to help. I lived my life with very few people I could call friends. Adel was my very first true friend outside my own family. Now you are my second. I hope we can support each other. That is normally how friends work, no? We confide in one another and seek advice. Joke with one another and even fluff each other's tails." Yes, I slipped in the last part, but I couldn't help it. Her tail was so soft and fluffy.
Sophie's face turned slightly red as she looked at my tail and pursed her lips. "I can only shine yours…."
""Pfft!""
We both looked at each other and began laughing. I can see my friendship with Sophie will be a good one.
