Adela had not fully understood the naming hierarchy until she arrived at the residence itself. Compared to the surrounding homes scattered through the quiet residential district, Epsilon V and Eta XXVI's house was enormous, almost resembling a noble estate rather than an ordinary residence.
Elegant white walls curved around a wide courtyard lined with silver trees and carefully arranged pools of still water. The architecture remained distinctly Concerto in design.
The realization settled quietly in her thoughts as palace guards escorted her through the gates. Even the guards communicated silently, occasionally exchanging telepathic connections that vanished moments after beginning. The entire culture functioned differently from Spheraphase in ways that constantly caught her off guard. At this point, she honestly felt like accidentally offending someone was inevitable.
Without thinking, Adela almost opened her mouth to thank one of the guards but remembered the taboo.
No speaking between sunrise and sunset.
Instead, she carefully focused on the strange telepathic sensation Delta II had linked her to earlier. It felt awkward at first, like reaching for invisible strings she could barely understand. Then suddenly, the connection formed.
[Thank you.]
The guard glanced at her before nodding politely. The connection disappeared almost immediately afterward like a rope quietly untied. No lingering thoughts remained. No emotions leaked through.
These taboos were terrifyingly easy to break. One careless moment and she could violate sacred law.
The doors to the residence opened smoothly after that, revealing an interior somehow even larger than she expected. Servants dressed in soft white garments moved silently through the halls while pale sunlight reflected softly against polished stone floors. Decorative instruments lined parts of the walls like sacred ornaments rather than entertainment. The atmosphere somehow felt noble without being oppressive.
Several servants immediately bowed.
A woman standing near the entrance stepped forward gracefully. Judging by how the others subtly deferred to her, she was clearly important. Her outfit looked slightly more formal than the others, decorated with silver accents woven into the fabric. Calm gray eyes studied Adela carefully.
The woman opened a telepathic connection.
[Welcome. I am the head maid of this residence.]
Adela blinked. The mental communication still felt strange.
[The Regio Leader informed us that you cannot speak Latin. So we will focus on Spheran for your comfort.]
Adela nodded slowly.
[Thank you.]
The woman gave a polite incline of her head.
As they walked deeper into the residence, Adela slowly began understanding how telepathic communication actually worked. It was not communal the way she was used to Sapphire Bond. Instead, it resembled tying two invisible strings together temporarily, forming a private connection between minds. Once communication ended, the metaphorical knot disappeared entirely. Unless someone willingly connected with her, she could not hear them.
Several maids nearby appeared engaged in conversation. Adela could tell they were communicating with one another mentally, yet she heard absolutely nothing. Whatever they discussed remained entirely private.
Though, judging from their occasional glances, they did not seem particularly happy.
Discordant. The word lingered unpleasantly in her mind. Apparently, being rhythmically irregular was not exactly popular here.
Eventually, the head maid guided her to a bathing chamber near the rear of the residence. The room itself looked beautiful in an oddly sacred way, centered around a small white pool filled with gently steaming water. Aromatic scents drifted through the air. Silver candles burned quietly around the edges while smooth stones decorated the floor.
The atmosphere felt ceremonial. Several maids quietly stood nearby waiting. Adela looked between them, at the pool and then back at them. She was about to ask why they were still standing there when she remembered that she couldn't speak.
One of the younger maids noticed her hesitation and quickly opened a telepathic connection.
[Is something wrong?]
[Why are you all still here?]
The maid blinked once like the answer should have been obvious.
[We are supposed to wash you.]
Adela paused.
[Wash me?]
The maid nodded naturally.
[Once you undress, we will as well. Then we will assist you.]
Adela stared for a moment. That was unexpected.
[I can wash myself.]
The maid immediately looked mildly confused.
[Bathing alone? Bath time is sacred for us. People are washed by either their partner or a virgin caretaker.]
She gestured lightly toward the others.
[Single men are washed by virgin men as well. No one bathes alone.]
Adela stayed quiet. That was definitely different. Still, nudity itself did not bother her.
She had long gotten used to situations like bathing alongside Elyonari, Asenane, Phaenora and Narisva. Compared to that, this barely registered as uncomfortable. What fascinated her more was how deeply ritualized something as ordinary as bathing became in Regnum Musicae.
After a moment, Adela simply accepted it.
Slowly, she removed her clothing and set everything aside neatly. The maids remained composed and respectful, treating the process with almost ceremonial normalcy rather than embarrassment. Then Adela stepped carefully into the warm pool, immediately feeling the tension in her muscles ease slightly beneath the aromatic water.
A moment later, the maids quietly prepared to begin assisting her.
Adela quickly noticed something strange as the bath continued. The women assisting her kept glancing at her body, though they tried to remain subtle about it. Compared to the lithe, elegant figures common among the women of Concerto, Adela stood out noticeably. Her physique carried visible strength, muscle and faintly defined abs beneath an undeniably graceful shape.
The maids used warm cloth soaked in aromatic water and carefully applied oils, treating the process less like ordinary cleaning and more like ritual care. Gentle fragrances lingered against her skin while practiced hands worked with surprising professionalism. Still, even through their composure, Adela noticed several lingering looks. A few maids seemed especially distracted whenever their eyes wandered.
It was subtle yet obvious enough. Some of them liked women. Honestly, that part did not surprise her much.
Phaenora openly liked women and after spending enough time around her, Adela had learned to notice certain things. What surprised her more was simply seeing it play out so casually and naturally here. Nobody acted embarrassed or secretive about it.
Eventually, the washing finished.
The maids respectfully stepped back while one carefully handed Adela a long white towel embroidered with delicate silver thread. She wrapped it around herself naturally before stepping away from the bath. Warmth still lingered faintly against her skin from the scented water. Her eyes drifted toward a large wall mirror nearby.
For a second, she did not recognize herself.
She had always considered herself ordinary before becoming Aeterium. She was not unattractive, certainly, but nothing exceptional compared to people like Narisva or Elyonari who seemed effortlessly beautiful without trying. Appearance simply never mattered much to her.
Now, that was harder to accept.
Her long crimson hair now stretched well past her waist against her darker skin tone. Her amber eyes carried a faint glow that felt subtly unnatural. Even the shift caused by becoming Aeterium had changed her appearance more than she realized.
The tan surprised her most.
Originally, she had been nearly as pale as Narisva yet the Aeterium transformation darkened her skin naturally, leaving her with a warm tan complexion that somehow suited her absurdly well rather than looking forced. Combined with her physique and sharper features, the result looked… unexpectedly stunning.
[Huh.]
That was honestly the most reaction she could manage.
Behind her, several maids quietly admired her appearance as well. One looked away quickly when caught staring too long. Another awkwardly pretended to reorganize oils nearby. Adela almost found it funny.
Turning toward them, she carefully used one of the still-open telepathic connections.
[Are there clothes I can wear?]
Several maids began smiling. Apparently, that question excited them more than expected.