Chapter 160: A Gentle Touch
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 160: A Gentle Touch
“Your Highness, I have brought the hot water.”
“Thank you, Reta.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I carefully dipped my feet into the silver basin.
Aaah.
An involuntary groan escaped my lips.
Perhaps it was because I’d been busy shuttling between Gold Lane and the Valpid lakeshore lately, but my legs felt particularly swollen today.
As Reta added rose oil to the water, a delicate fragrance immediately wafted up.
“I will give you a massage, Your Highness.”
I stopped Reta as she began to roll up her sleeves.
“It’s alright. I think just soaking them will relieve the tension. You should go and rest now, too.”
“But once you finish your foot bath, I must prepare you for bed—”
“That’s enough! I can dry my own feet. Go on, hurry!”
I practically forced a hesitating Reta out of the room.
There was surely a rotation for the maids on duty, but Reta never seemed to think of resting from morning until night. I had to be forceful like this just to get her to take a break.
With my feet submerged in the hot water, I leaned back against the bed and opened the letter sent by Countess Selvanis.
It was the second letter to arrive since I had sent my initial reply.
Perhaps seeing my response as a positive sign, the Countess was now much more proactive in her request for a meeting.
「...If you would permit it, I would like to invite Your Highness to Selvanis. ...Many of the mountain paths freeze over as soon as autumn arrives, so I find myself feeling quite anxious already. If you would only grant me the honor of your visit, I will clear my schedule for whenever you are available.」
I wondered how far it was from here to Selvanis.
I was curious to see the Countess’s face, and since her estate was said to be beautiful, I did feel a desire to visit at least once.
As I sat there contemplating whether I could fit it into my schedule, my feet felt as though they were melting into liquid, and sleep suddenly came clawing at me.
The warm, scented oil felt like a soft shroud around my calves.
A large hand delicately stroked my calf from top to bottom. As long fingers firmly kneaded the knotted muscles, the tension I’d been holding onto vanished, and the blood began to circulate through my legs again.
“Mmm... that feels so good.”
I murmured in my sleep, only to hear a low chuckle.
“...Loik?”
Only then did I register the gentle touch on my body and snap my eyes open.
Staggering slightly as I propped myself up on my arms, I saw a large silhouette sitting at the foot of the bed.
“Stay lying down.”
I felt the sensation of firm muscle beneath one of my feet.
Blinking a few times, I saw Loik resting my foot on his thigh, one knee propped up, as he massaged me.
“What are you doing?”
“Your legs are very cramped.”
Loik had his sleeves rolled up, and his long fingers were gently kneading my calves.
“Bear with it for a moment. Even if it hurts, it’s better to work the tension out now.”
His soothing voice calmed me.
It felt far too good to decline; my entire body was growing pleasantly languid.
I indulged in this luxury, watching the thick veins stand out on his sturdy arms every time he stroked down my calf.
Only after Loik had meticulously dried my calves and feet with a soft towel did he push the silver basin aside.
Feeling both grateful and a little guilty, I found myself teasing him.
“Loik, I’m grateful, but... haven't you become a bit of a rogue?”
“Me?”
Loik arched an eyebrow in confusion.
“Touching your sleeping wife’s legs so boldly.”
I narrowed my eyes at him as he nonchalantly pulled down the hem of my skirt, which had ridden up to my knees.
“At first, you used to jump if I even touched your hand.”
The corners of Loik’s mouth curled into a soft smile.
“Do you dislike it, then?”
He leaned toward me, bracing his arms on the bed.
His sultry eyes curved gently.
“See? You’ve become far too skilled at this.”
Loik let out a hearty laugh, then pulled up a stool to sit in front of me.
“...I learned it all from Annette.”
Muttering in that pleasant voice of his, Loik carefully took hold of my fingertips.
“May I be honest with you?”
When I nodded, he spoke in a slightly lowered voice.
“My heart still races even if I only touch your fingertips, Annette.”
His dark eyes, half-lidded and languid, shimmered.
Feeling a tickle of shyness, I bit the soft flesh inside my cheek.
“I don’t think I’ll ever truly become 'skilled' at this for the rest of my life.”
Loik stroked the knuckles of my hand with his thumb before lifting it to his lips for a soft kiss.
You really have become skilled.
Loik smiled at my silent accusation, but then his lips twitched a few times as if he had something else he wanted to say.
“...I heard you met the Prince earlier.”
“Did Norton tell you?”
Loik nodded and squeezed my hand a little tighter.
“When Count Pacio came last time... I made it clear that I have no intention of getting a divorce.”
For some reason, his hand felt much hotter than before, and I stared down at our joined fingers.
Perhaps thinking I was angry because I didn't respond, Loik began to speak in a bit of a rush.
“It’s true. The talk of divorce was just something that came up long before we were even married. Since then, I haven't discussed a single thing with Rondoris. You mustn't misunderstand...!”
I patted the back of his hot hand to calm him down.
“I don’t misunderstand. I already knew about the divorce talk.”
At my words, Loik’s agitated voice dropped to a whisper.
“I heard the Prince was rude to you. I won't let this slide.”
Loik carefully searched my expression.
“Are you very upset?”
Seeing his eyelashes tremble, I let out a small laugh.
“I’m not upset.”
Loik watched me closely, as if trying to confirm if I was telling the truth.
I met his gaze and said, “There’s no need to scold the Prince. It seemed like he only said those things in the heat of the moment because he was worried about his sister... and he apologized to me, too.”
Loik furrowed his brows at the word 'worried.'
“The Prince worrying about the Princess? They aren't the type of siblings to share such affection.”
“More importantly, Loik, are you sick?”
I brushed aside Loik’s black bangs and pressed my palm against his smooth forehead.
“That’s strange. Why is your body so hot lately?”
“I’m not sure myself,” Loik said, leaning his forehead heavily into my hand. “The physician said there’s nothing wrong with me, but sometimes I get feverish like this.”
Seeing the worry in my eyes, Loik’s eyes curved softly.
“The Mage said it wasn't a big problem, so don't worry too much.”
Is it because we haven't had enough physical contact?
“Should I hold you?”
At those words, Loik tucked in his lips and nodded.
When I opened my arms, Loik leaned forward from his stool and wrapped his arms around my waist.
A wave of heat washed over me, as if I were hugging a boulder baked in the sun.
Loik leaned into me much more heavily than I expected, and my body swayed, pushed back slightly.
“Whoa!”
Loik quickly supported my waist with his large hands and braced one arm against the bed.
“I’m sorry, Annette.”
Flustered by his own weight, Loik straightened up, and a rustling sound came from beneath him.
With a curious look, Loik picked up the crumpled letter from under his hand.
It was the letter from the Countess I had been reading until a moment ago.
“It’s from Countess Selvanis.”
When I mentioned that she had invited me to Selvanis, Loik’s eyes softened as he asked, “Are you going to accept the invitation?”
“I’d like to... but Cecilia is so busy, I don't know if I can make the time.”
I mentioned that the journey might be a bit lonely since I might have to go alone, and Loik fell into thought for a moment before speaking.
“...The villa in Evern Forest I mentioned before. The Countess’s castle is very close to it.”
When I tilted my head, wondering what he meant, Loik licked his lips and spoke.
“Shall we go to the villa together?”
“You too, Loik?”
His prominent Adam's apple moved slowly up and down.
“Well, you are delicate, Annette... traveling all the way to Selvanis in a single day might be a burden on your body. How about we go to the villa, rest for a night, and then you visit the Countess’s castle the next day?”
“Then what about you, Loik?”
“I’ll wait at the villa until you return.”
“I think I’ll have to stay at the castle for at least one night, though?”
In fact, according to the schedule the Countess proposed, even a week wouldn't be enough.
“...Then I can just stay at the villa for another night.”
“How can a busy man like you do that?”
Loik spoke with a hint of urgency.
“It’s a place I visit often for border inspections anyway, so it’s almost as if you’re just accompanying me.”
“Still, I’d feel too guilty.”
“Think of it as a vacation. I told you Evern Forest is beautiful in the spring, but it’s actually quite a sight in the summer as well.”
A vacation.
Come to think of it, I had spent all my time in Pogen Village working, so I hadn't had much chance to enjoy the scenery.
I’d love to, but...
I pondered the schedule and said, “But are you really okay with this? I don't have many free days, so if we go, we’d have to leave the day after tomorrow.”
“I’ll adjust my schedule, so don't worry about that.”
Loik reached out to tuck a stray hair behind my ear, then paused.
“Are you sure you will be alright, Annette?”
“What?”
“Well... you’ll have to spend the entire Sacrament Day inside a carriage.”
What’s that?
As I blinked in confusion, Loik’s brow furrowed for a split second before he broke into a bright smile.
“It’s nothing. If you’re fine with it, I think that day would be perfect.”
“Thank you for coming with me.”
Inwardly, I had been a little nervous about going alone, but Loik’s company immediately lifted my spirits.
“Can I hold you now?”
Having said that, Loik leaned in slowly and eventually rested his head on my shoulder.
“Oh, right! Prince Lucion is at the castle. Is it alright to leave when we have a guest?”
“Don't worry about things like that.”
Loik grumbled that the Prince should be grateful just to have a place to sleep.
“You’re far too soft-hearted, Annette. It’s a problem.”
As he nuzzled me like a spoiled child, his loose bangs tickled my neck.
“You should only be soft on me...”
“I’m softest on you, Loik, so don't worry.”
Feeling like a large puppy was clinging to me, I smiled and gently stroked his broad, warm back.