Astrea spent a considerable amount of time on the bathtub/ pool— Forty-five minutes to be precise.
Now he was on a chair, his head leaning back as the previous maids washed his hair.
The braided part of his hair had been loosened, and slicked back for easier access.
'The hell?'. Astrea wondered in amazement, they had been washing his hair for about thirty minutes now, a lot of shampoo had been used.
That when Astrea tried to keep count, he started to get dizzy.
But Astrea knew why.
Unlike the rest of the Bethel clan who all had violet hair red eyes. He had red.
The reason was because, when Astrea was seven, his father died while protecting him.
His father crouched over Astrea, the blade peirced through his heart, the blood running across the blade and dripping into young Astrea's hair.
His father was a superhuman at a very high rank, and his blood had even gained sentience.
Ever since his blood had latched into the head of the boy, refusing to come off no matter what type of shampoo used. Whether natural or supernatural.
That's why his hair scarlet hair was so vivid and seemed to be perpetually soaked in blood. Because it was.
After washing his hair, the maids dried it, then braided the front part again. This time adding a golden figure.
The figure's hand were crossed in front of it's chest to form a X, the figure had on a hood and on it's back were a pair of wings raised high— this was the symbol of the Bethel clan.
Then the maids picked out clothes for him, it was a simple suit with the clan's symbol sewn on it.
Then the maids brought out earrings, it was in a leaf shape bending into an arc. For a moment Astrea wondered how he was supposed to wear it.
But the maid solved his dilemma when it earrings were placed inside the cure of his ears.
Not to lie, Astrea felt extremely comfortable. Most likely due to his trait.
『 Materialistic (A): You are addicted to material things, specifically gold. And if you are deprived of it, it may cause death.
This trait can be evolved. Devour the necessary materials to Evolve it. 』
When Astrea first saw the description, his face soured. Reading the last words, he wondered how the lack of gold, could cause him his life.
Checking himself in the mirror, Astrea couldn't denial that he looked good, with his clear skin, high cheek bones. He was most definitely a lady charmer.
Just then one of the maid, having orange hair and a pair of orange eyes. Brought over a pair of ring holders. Seeing it, Astrea resisted the urge to slam his face with palms.
'How many jewelry does this dude have'. Astrea couldn't help but turn green with envy, if he had all these in his past life, who knew how many...
Astrea quickly stopped his fantasy before heis little soldier stood at attention in front of the maids. His reputation was at the gutters as it is.
"Put it away, I don't need it".
The maid showed an expression filled with disbelief, but that didn't stop her from carrying out the orders.
Just then Astrea felt a sharp pain in his chest followed by the notification.
『 Your trait [Materialistic(A)] has been activated. 』
"..."
The pain surged higher the further the maid moved away. Astrea swallowed a lump in his throat before calling out to her.
"O-on second thought, let me get a look at". Astrea said, trying to steady his voice.
The maid had an annoyed look on her face, but complied nevertheless.
Astrea quickly selected a thumb ring. As the ring slid into his thumb, the pain died out, giving way to overwhelmely relief.
After that little episode, Astrea turned to the maids.
"Lead the way".
Although he was free in the morning, he still had to meet his fiancee.
---
The Bathel clan's sprawling Estate was located on the sprawling hills of Skyhard city.
The Estate was pained with white, red and purple colours and occasion matte black finish.
Astrea was currently moving through the sprawling halls of the Estate. His twin maids besides him.
Along the way members of the clan greeted him, but Astrea couldn't detect any hint of respect on both their tone and posture.
He could even sense displeasure.
Two maids passed by him and started to gossip when they deemed that they were out of earshot.
"Such a rotten man". The one of the right holding a bucket of water said to her companion.
Then the other retorted. "Emily said that he ordered her to strip and he started to wank his little toy. Spraying sparse fluids across her body".
Although they were whispering, their voices managed to reach Astrea's ears.
Despite the fact that it wasn't him who had done it, a strange anger shimmered on his chest.
'Lies, that maid spilled tea across his golden table, and he had only ordered her to strip and clean the table with her clothes'.
But from the passing maid's words, this so called Emily had twisted the story.
Suddenly, as if responding to his anger a memory slithered to the forefront of his mind.
Specifically a name.
Astrea abruptly turned his head to the side, glaring at the orange haired maid— her name was Emily.
She currently had an expression filled with fear as she stole glances at him.
Before Astrea could lash out at her. He heard a voice call out to him.
"Astrea".
He had arrived in the garden, where his fiancee was waiting for him.