Chapter 7 Ellie's first bath

After Ellie finished eating the cookies, she started eating the cake, and her reaction shocked Flora.

When Ellie tasted the first bite of the cake, she was so stunned that she fell to the floor, lamenting why she had never tasted anything so delicious in her life before.

Seeing the reason for the child's lament, Flora couldn't help but laugh.

After they finished the cookies and cake, which took over an hour.

Flora, noticing the dust and dirt in her room and realized.

"How about we take a bath then?"

Ellie was very dirty, and her clothes were very old.

Moreover, she was only wearing a loose shirt with no underwear.

This made Flora feel discomfort every time the little girl jumped around.

"Uh...yeah..."

Ellie, hearing Flora's suggestion to take a bath, responded softly, lowering her head and fidgeting with her fingers.

Seeing this, Flora wondered and asked.

"Don't you want to take a bath?"

Ellie didn't respond but nodded slowly instead.

Flora paused slightly before remembering,

'Ellie is a cat... Even though she looks human, she probably still has some feline traits...'

"Ah... Then let's just wipe you clean."

Feeling awkward, Flora suggested another method to clean her up.

At least using a damp cloth to wipe her body would help clean her up.

Maybe once Ellie got used to the water, she would agree to a bath.

"Yes... Yes..."

Ellie replied softly, still looking anxious even with this method.

Flora sighed before ringing the bell and calling the maid to prepare warm water and a small cloth.

Once everything was ready, Flora closed and locked the door with a lock that only she had the key.

The reason she had it was because the servants in this house didn't respect her at all.

Whenever she needed privacy, she locked the door with this lock.

She had to have it specially made by a craftsman from outside the city.

The reason she was treated this way might sound absurd,

'She is a daughter who took the life of her mother after being born.'

As a child who took her mother's life, her father treated her coldly, and since her father, the owner of this house, treated his daughter coldly,

it was no wonder the servants would be unwilling to serve her.

Thinking about this again gave Flora a headache before she stopped caring about it and turned to Ellie, who was now hiding behind the headboard with a pillow as a shield.

But her hiding was quite clear because her ears and tail were sticking out from behind the pillow.

Flora laughed again at Ellie's behavior.

"Ellie, come here and take off your clothes."

Ellie, called out, flinched before slowly emerging from behind the pillow and walking over to her on the bed.

Seeing the footprints on the bed, Flora sighed but she didn't even think about scolding Ellie.

She didn't want to scold a brave child who had survived on her own since birth.

Moreover, living in the forest, things that seemed normal to us might not be normal for Ellie and there might be things she didn't know as well.

Ellie slowly took off her shirt hesitantly while Flora prepared the cloth with warm water.

Seeing a soap for bathing, Flora chose not to use it since she wasn't sure if Ellie's skin would react badly. Although Ellie looks like human, she wasn't entirely the same as us, Human.

When Flora turned back, she saw Ellie standing naked, waiting for her.

She gently used the damp cloth to wipe Ellie's body.

Every time the damp cloth touched Ellie's skin, she flinched.

This made Flora feel a bit guilty.

But it was necessary to clean Ellie's body.

Otherwise, it could lead to infections or illnesses, which couldn't be allowed.

"Is the water too cold?"

Seeing Ellie flinch each time, Flora couldn't help but ask,

"Ah...yes, it's a bit too much for me."

"Then bear with it a bit, and next time I'll prepare warmer water for you."

Flora finished speaking and hurriedly continued wiping Ellie's body.

Finally, when she finished wiping Ellie down, Flora went to her wardrobe and took out several of her childhood clothes.

Though they were old, they were still in good condition. They should be fine for a day or two.

Tomorrow, she would take Ellie shopping for new clothes and underwear.

Being a girl and not wearing underwear to protect her private parts from being seen isn't acceptable.

"Ellie, which one do you want to wear?"

Flora asked as she brought out five outfits.

"White, please."

Ellie chose after a moment of consideration.

The outfit Ellie chose was a dress with a skirt that had small pleats and lily flower patterns along the edges.

Seeing that Ellie had chosen a dress, Flora helped her put it on.

"Ellie, you look so cute."

Flora complimented Ellie after seeing her wearing the white dress from Flora's childhood.

With Ellie's green hair, which resembled the color of a pear, her white skin appeared even more radiant.

And the lily flower patterns on the dress do emphasize the innocence and youthfulness of the little girl.

"Is... is it true?"

"Yes! Now Ellie looks like a little princess who has stepped out of a fairy tale."

Flora praised Ellie, making Ellie blush deeply from embarrassment and lower her head, her fingers fidgeting from the sudden praise.

Seeing Ellie's adorable reaction, Flora felt a pang in her heart before she jumps out hugged Ellie tightly.

Startled by the sudden hug, Ellie tried to push Flora away but eventually accepted her fate.

Flora spent a long-time teasing, hugging, and playing with Ellie until it started to get dark.

She then realized it was time for dinner, and as she was about to ring the bell, there was a knock at the door.

"Miss, the master had sent me to announce a message 'You should join the family dinner.' "

"I understand."

Flora responded before sighing.

She had forgotten that today was the day her family would have dinner together, which happened every week.

"Ellie, I'm sorry, but I won't be able to have dinner with you today."

"Is it... important?"

"Yes, very important."

Flora replied with her eyebrows furrowed.

'Father called for a family dinner today.'

'What important matter could there be...'

'No, it's probably about my fiancé as usual.'

While Flora was lost in thought, Ellie, noticing how stressed Flora looked, moved closer and wrapped her tail around Flora's arm.

She did this because Ellie had started to trust Flora more and wanted to comfort her, though she didn't know how to comfort others beyond being close.

She had never had friends or someone close before.

She also feels bad, seeing someone she knew facing a difficult situation.

But as an outsider, she can't do anything.

Ellie snuggles her head gently against Flora's arm.

"Thank you, Ellie."

Flora said, rubbing Ellie's head.

"This big sister will be fine."

Flora said with a fake smile she had forced it up.

Ellie, the innocent child, seeing the smile, felt a bit relieved.

"I'll call the maid to bring food for you, and then I'll join the family for dinner."

"Understood."

Ellie replied before walking to the sofa, having just noticed that Flora's bed was now covered with her footprints.

Flora, having settled things with Ellie, rang the bell to call the maid to bring food for Ellie and instructed her to change the bedding.

"Well then, I'm off."

With that, she left the room.