TSMMT Ch 154

The Bath

Being treated as a femme fatale who seduced even a dragon was utterly absurd. Preposterous.

[Dianna] "That is ridiculous. Besides, he is just a child, five years old at most..."

[Guiscard] "A child? Do you have any idea how long dragons live? Even a hatchling has lived over a century."

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "See? And this song proves it."

He grumbled, the song of romance between a human and a dragon clearly grating on his nerves.

Tarascus? That young dragon was enchanted by me? Isn't he simply amused by an intriguing creature?

[Guiscard] "He could very well be in love with you."

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "Ann... you must realize your own charm."

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "You are captivating, enough to bewitch anyone."

Crimson flushed her cheeks at those embarrassing words.

Turning his head, Guiscard squeezed her hand tightly. Heat flooded her hand as if wrapped around a warm stone. Dianna stared blankly at his reddened ears.

What is this...?

Her heart pounded uncontrollably.

Was being called beautiful... always this thrilling?

She was completely at a loss.

---

Shedding her dress, Dianna prepared to bathe.

Retaining old traditions, Count Novara's castle possessed a grand communal bathhouse, which the Count and Countess generously offered to the royal couple.

[Countess] "We haven't used it in ages. Hoho."

[Dianna] "..."

[Countess] "That is precisely how I ended up giving birth to five children, you know?"

The Countess whispered unwanted details, revealing precisely where her daughter—Dianna's friend—inherited her eccentric personality.

Regardless, out of consideration, Dianna was permitted to use the bathhouse alone.

The bathhouse was lavish. Infused with aromatic oils, the water exuded a delightful fragrance while streams spewed from the carved maw of a dragon statue.

The white sculpture stood as an intricate masterpiece, while the turquoise marble flooring comprised stones precious enough to be deemed jewels in their own right.

Lush greenery and trees adorned one side, while a mosaic depicting the open sky spanned the ceiling.

It was a luxurious, magnificent, and stunning haven. Yet standing inside, she merely released a quiet sigh.

[Dianna] "Wasted water... wasted fuel... wasted stone... wasted artistry..."

Having grown accustomed to her duties as Queen, everything struck her as excessive extravagance.

What if steam loosened the ceiling's mosaic tiles? Besides, consuming all this water for a single person?

Having adapted to Lodbrog before returning to Panborough, Panborough's opulence felt foreign.

Still, soaking in the warm spring water melted her tension away.

Ah, it is good to be alive.

Surprised by the sudden thought, Dianna reflected on her mindset.

Come to think of it, thoughts of cruel fate or longing for death no longer crossed her mind. Instead, her focus remained squarely on her present feelings and future path.

Have I changed...?

It seemed she genuinely had. Many events had spurred this shift: living a different life, punishing the brother who had ruined her past, taking proactive initiative, speaking her mind, and... receiving Guiscard's confession.

Dianna hugged her knees. Perhaps due to the hot water, her face flushed crimson.

Why now, of all times? How am I supposed to face him later?

Shaking her head, she sought a distraction, and a splendid idea struck her.

With this much water, could I summon a water spirit?

It was natural spring water, not artificial storage. Summoning a water spirit would complete her contract with all four primary elements. A spirit summoner commanding all four basic elements, even if strictly low-tier, was still a monumental feat.

Drawing a deep breath, she submerged beneath the water's surface.

Must I submerge completely like in a lake?

Closing her eyes, she recalled the sensation of summoning the fire spirit.

Focus. Hold your breath and concentrate.

Water rushed into her nose and mouth, causing sharp discomfort.

Unable to open her eyes or draw breath, she felt surrounded entirely by water. Just as her air faltered, ringing giggles echoed in her ears.

[W. Spirit] "What's this? We were so pouty because you only played with Sylph!"

[W. Spirit] "Are you finally paying attention to us?!"

Opening her eyes, Dianna saw tiny girls giggling as they observed her.

As the water spirits extended their hands toward her, she reached out in return. Just as the contract formed, her body was suddenly hauled upward out of the water.

[Guiscard] "Ann!"

Splattering water, Dianna looked up at Guiscard standing before her.

Before she could utter a word, her feet slipped on the slick marble floor. Attempting to catch her, the two bodies tumbled together in a tangled heap, water rushing up her nose once more.

[W. Spirit] "Oh my, she's going to drown completely!"

[W. Spirit] "Drowning, drowning!"

Snickers from the water spirits echoed around them.

Falling backward awkwardly, Dianna grasped his hand to pull herself up, coughing heavily. Fortunately, aside from swallowing a gulp of water, she was unhurt.

[Guiscard] "What on earth were you doing?!"

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "Do you intend to drown in a bathhouse? Are you that desperate to leave me?"

His sharp rebuke snapped Dianna back to reality as she realized how her actions appeared to an onlooker, quite literally like someone attempting self-drowning.

[Dianna] "I was not trying to drown..."

[Guiscard] "Then why?!"

[Dianna] "I felt I could form a contract with water spirits, so I tried."

His expression turned fierce like a snarling predator. Suppressing an outburst, he asked through gritted teeth.

[Guiscard] "Fine. So... did you do it?"

[Dianna] "I did."

[Guiscard] "You did?"

Facing his incredulous expression—which practically screamed, Is it truly that easy?—she offered a proud smile. She had never anticipated surviving her ordeal would yield such benefits, yet the contract was forged nonetheless, leaving her beaming with contentment.

[Guiscard] "Good grief..."

He trailed off, a strange silence settling over the space.

Just as she prepared to ask what was wrong, realization struck her. She was completely nude, wearing absolutely nothing.

Though she hoped the water would veil her, the bath's shallow depth, designed for sitting, submerged her only to her thighs, leaving everything completely exposed.

Naturally so, as no one bathed fully clothed. Yet wet hair clinging to her skin made her feel absurdly self-conscious.

Retreating into distraction, her habitual response to awkward situations, Dianna wondered why Guiscard was even here.

Shifting her gaze from her fully exposed legs, she looked up at him. Unfairly, he wore trousers, though his unbuttoned shirt revealed his bare chest.

As she startled and met his gaze, a pair of violet eyes stared down at her with a subtle, simmering heat.

Attempting to break the heavy heat, she asked in a bright tone.

[Dianna] "Why are you dressed like that? Why are you..."

[Guiscard] "To bathe."

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "It appears a cute little scheme was orchestrated behind my back."

[Dianna] "A scheme?"

She knitted her brows. He turned his head away as if witnessing something unspeakable.

I am the one caught unawares while bathing, so why is he acting like that?

Irritation flared softly within her as he grumbled under his breath.

[Guiscard] "I had no intention of peeping or laying a hand on you, least of all sharing a bath. Why on earth would I..."

She had never assumed him capable of such vulgarity anyway. As she offered a cool nod, Guiscard wore a thoroughly deflated expression.

A strange tension lingered despite the absence of overt hostility. Dianna instinctively shielded her body while Guiscard strained to avert his eyes. Though they had shared intimacy as husband and wife repeatedly, exchanging kisses and embraces naturally, he exercised cautious restraint merely over her nudity.

[Guiscard] "I interrupted you. Continue what you were doing."

[Dianna] "Very well."

She answered softly. Yet upon seeing him step out of the tub only to sit at its edge, she spoke in utter disbelief.

[Dianna] "What are you doing...?"

[Guiscard] "What if you slip again? The floor is slick. I refuse to watch that happen."

Granted, she had slipped earlier. But watching her bathe? Was he a pervert? Dianna stared at him in astonishment.

Watching openly instead of peeping makes it acceptable? I am completely naked.

Having acted as if looking at her nudity was forbidden, he now felt entitled to watch openly.

A wave of indignity washed over her, prompting her to lower her shielding hands.

Fine, let us each mind our own business.

Dianna sat demurely, enjoying the warm spring water once more. It had been long since her body felt this relaxed. Closing her eyes, a soft flush touched her cheeks.

His gaze proved distracting initially, yet sitting at a distance, he merely guarded her against slipping.

Spurred by mysterious stubbornness, she relaxed even further. Drowsiness washed over her relaxed limbs, yet she wished to savor the tranquility a while longer, a luxury unattainable on the journey back to Lodbrog.

And once they returned…

What shall I do upon returning? How should I proceed?

As she nodded off, Guiscard approached with steady footfalls and scooped her into his arms, releasing a low sigh.

[Guiscard] "Past or present, you remain utterly indifferent."

She dozed drowsily. Wrapping a robe around her, he carried her out of the bathhouse in his arms.

[Maid] "Your Majesty..."

[Guiscard] "No attendance is required."

His low voice echoed.

Ah, this is quite embarrassing…

Yet her eyes refused to open. Cradled in his arms, she felt overwhelmingly safe and secure.

Settling onto the bed, the cool sheets brought a pleasant sensation. As she rubbed her face against the plush, soft texture, a low sigh reached her ears. The touch of his hand caressing her wet hair felt intoxicatingly gentle.

[Guiscard] "Ann."

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "Ann... are you sleeping?"

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "You are a damn infuriating lady."

Opening her eyes, she spoke in a frigid tone.

[Dianna] "I hear everything."

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