Hot Springs
"...You said it wasn't a mixed bath. ...Not mixed ...you said."
The hot spring managed by the knights of Graniph Fortress.
Naturally, the knights of the fortress also use this bath, and mixed bathing is out of the question here.
The baths are divided by gender; although the ceiling is open and you can view the sky, high walls prevent any peeking, and even though it’s a hot spring, the threat of monsters still exists, so the area is constantly monitored by knights.
However, at the hot spring located even higher up in the mountains, which is a private bath exclusively for the royal family, things are a bit different.
Despite the ongoing supervision, this hot spring is a mixed bath where both men and women can bathe together.
"Why did Princess Razelia allow us to use this secret hot spring? And to make matters worse, we can't even bring towels... I... didn’t hear about that."
Habermesia, with her white skin turned a delicate pink, is timidly soaking in the hot spring away from us. She wraps her arms tightly around her body, and out of embarrassment, she occasionally submerges her face halfway into the water, blowing bubbles.
Honestly… we’ve seen each other naked countless times. There’s no need to worry about such trivial things now. Why is she so embarrassed?
Nonetheless, this hot spring, despite its slightly off-putting smell, has a smooth texture, and the warmth penetrating from deep within is unparalleled.
Ah… it’s relaxing.
The fatigue accumulated from our training journey seems to be melting away.
Yes, this is truly wonderful.
"...We should be grateful for Princess Razelia’s consideration. I never expected that royal family members would willingly lend us their private hot spring."
Christina, her skin slightly flushed pink like Habermesia, quietly expresses her gratitude towards Razelia. Her body, hidden by the water, is well-toned and healthy thanks to daily training, adding to her attractive appeal.
When I direct my gaze towards her, she blushes and becomes shy, but she only averts her eyes without trying to escape.
Ah, by the way, there are only three people in this private hot spring: me, Christina, and Habermesia.
Other members, especially Mayurerica, had refused to bathe with me, saying, "E-even if we’re engaged, I can’t show my skin before marriage! It’s so, so indecent!" So she is likely now bathing in the female-only bath in the middle of the mountain with Hildegard and Lapana.
Also, as a member of the royal family, Razelia cannot bathe with me, her subordinate and a member of the opposite sex. Well, she gets along well with Hildegard and Mayurerica, and she has been frequently talking to Lapana recently, so she’s probably having a good time over there.
"Ah, I’m grateful to Razelia. Even though she could have kept this private hot spring all to herself, she kindly suggested we use it."
"Yes, I thought Razelia-sama would be more grand and bold… Oh, not that it's a bad thing. It’s just… from interacting with Razelia-sama during this training journey, I’ve felt that she is a wonderful woman who, although she has a grand and assertive side, also possesses a delicate side that can consider others."
I hope Christina can get rid of her habit of becoming stiff around Razelia.
Christina and I were having such a heartfelt conversation when…
"Habermesia."
"Eh! Me!? W-what!?"
"We’re in a hot spring. Don’t stay so far away; could you help me wash my back?"
"Wh-what? M-me? I have to? W-wash your back?"
"What’s the matter? Is it so unpleasant to wash my back?"
"It’s not that I don’t want to… but… If I wash your back, it means I have to get out of the water… and be completely exposed…"
We’ve been in the same bath for quite a while now. Are you still not used to it?
Or is it that you dislike being ‘ordered’ to bathe together? But didn’t you expect mixed bathing?
"Besides! You washed your body before getting into the hot spring! Why do you need to do it again?"
"Rinsing your body lightly before soaking in the hot spring is common sense. What are you talking about? I want you to wash my back… Is that not okay?"
"U~tsu……"
Habermesia, flustered by my direct gaze, quickly averts her eyes.
Then.
"Since Habermesia seems unwilling, I’ll do it."
"Ah..."
Christina, stepping in to take Habermesia’s place, stands up from the bath. She gently presses a wet towel against my back, which she has soaked in the hot spring, as she sits in the chair provided at the edge of the bath.
"Well..."
"How does it feel, Master? Is the pressure right?"
Her breath is close.
Christina’s expertly adjusted pressure with the towel feels pleasant.
However, there’s an interruption.
As expected, it’s Habermesia, who was hesitating to take a step forward earlier.
"Wait! I-I’ll do it! I was asked to!"
“Kyuuuu......"
"It seems you’re feeling a bit faint... Christina, could you take care of her?"
"Yes, Master! Leave Habermesia to me! Please continue to enjoy the hot spring."
After successfully washing my back, Habermesia, who had her head washed and received a light massage, seemed to have reached her limit. Her previously light pink skin was now completely red, and she had slumped down onto the floor of the bath.
Christina gently picked up Habermesia and, saying, "Please leave Habermesia to me. Master, continue to enjoy the hot spring," quickly left with her.
…Did she notice that I was enjoying the hot spring?
It seems I can’t keep secrets from Christina.
After enjoying a few minutes alone, the door to the entrance made a sound.
…Who could it be?
"Razelia… What are you doing here?"
I was surprised.
Why is Razelia here?
I had assumed she was with Mayurerica and the others in the middle hot spring.
She wasn’t wearing a single towel.
Despite that, she stood there boldly.
With each step she took, her ample chest swayed, and she unabashedly displayed her well-toned, muscular limbs.
I involuntarily averted my gaze.
Why is she here?
"Don’t be so tense. I simply wanted to join you… so I came."
"But…"
"You don’t need to look away. My naked body isn’t of much value anyway."
Razelia’s voice, unusually lacking its usual strength, was weak.
"I am royalty. No matter where I go, I can’t escape the bloodline of royalty."
She seemed unusually… vulnerable.