After traveling for about five hours, they arrived at the hot springs in the Inares region, the most recently developed area in Limburg.
Pristin, who got out of the carriage, gazed at Jerald with a look of disbelief.
“I never thought we would come here.”
“We’re the only ones here for now,”
Jerald said with a proud expression on his face.
“The villa was completed not long ago.”
“A completed villa? Why am I hearing about this for the first time?”
“Well, because I kept it a secret.”
Pristin looked blankly at Jerald.
“I’ve been preparing this since before our marriage. Since you would be pregnant, we wouldn’t be able to go on a honeymoon right away.”
“Your Majesty had it all planned out. Impressive.”
“When it comes to you, I’m always meticulous.”
Jerald spoke meaningfully and then gently wrapped his arm around Pristin’s shoulder.
“Let’s go in. I hope you like it.”
Pristin thought she would definitely like it even though she hadn’t entered yet. It was because she knew how delicately Jerald prepared every little thing for her.
And when she entered the villa with a pounding heart, Pristin realized that her thoughts were not wrong.
“Wow, it’s so pretty.”
The villa was all decorated to suit Pristin’s taste. The clean, white-toned interior was as splendid as if a miniature palace had been transplanted there.
Pristin looked all over the place with an amazed expression. She couldn’t believe he produced such a perfect result in a short period of half a year.
“If you’re already this impressed, I’m in trouble.”
“Why?”
“Because I put even more effort into your room.”
Following his meaningful words, when she went to her room, she understood what Jerald meant. The room was filled with cute and delicate items, from a luxurious music box adorned with small jewels to intricately crafted glass figurines.
She thought she could spend a lot of time just looking around the room. But unexpectedly, something else caught Pristin’s attention.
“What’s that?”
It was the bed where Pristin’s gaze stayed. Red roses were placed on the white bed in a heart shape.
Jerald replied, a little shy but confidently,
“A small event to commemorate our honeymoon.”
“Hmm, seeing that really makes it feel like we’re on our honeymoon.”
Pristin smiled and touched the rose petals on the bed.
“How romantic. How did you come up with this?”
“It wasn’t difficult. I just expressed my sincerity.”
“You always know what to say.”
“Let’s get ready quickly and go to the hot springs first. It gets cold after sunset, and you might catch a cold.”
Ever so thoughtful. Pristin nodded with a smile.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
After wrapping a sheet of thin white fabric around her body, Pristin came out. Jerald, who belatedly came out and discovered Pristin, hurriedly put a shawl around her.
“What if you catch a cold?”
“The hot spring is right in front of me.”
“Still. You’re going to catch a cold.”
And with that, Jerald wrapped her completely up in it. Of course, he was worried about her catching a cold, but more than that, he didn’t want anyone else to see her bare.
It was something that no one would ever wish to happen, and even a woman would not be pleased about it. However, Pristin was unaware of this situation and simply thought Jerald was being odd. The two headed affectionately to a hot spring near the villa.
“Ah!”
As soon as Pristin dipped her foot into the hot spring, the steaming water scalded her foot. She quickly pulled her foot out, letting out a small cry.
Seeing this, Jerald asked,
“Is it hot?”
“A little bit.”
Pristin nodded.
“I think I should go in a bit slower…”
But before she could finish her sentence, Jerald plunged his foot into the hot spring. Pristin’s eyes widened in surprise. Wasn’t it hot for him?
Pristin stared at Jerald like a person watching a strange phenomenon. Jerald smiled at her.
“Why the look?”
“No… Isn’t it hot, Your Majesty?”
“Not really.”
He was naturally less sensitive to extreme temperatures.
“Is this hot?”
“…You’re amazing.”
“You come in too.”
“It’s too hot for me.”
“You can sit on my lap.”
“What? That’s not…”
But before Pristin could finish her sentence, Jerald scooped her up and sat her on his lap. Her feet were still out of the water, so she wasn’t directly touching the hot spring water.
However, she couldn’t help but think this was unnecessary. Because…
‘This position is too provocative.’
Especially since the clothes they were wearing for the hot spring were practically non-existent.
Pristin involuntarily squirmed, and Jerald asked, smiling languidly,
“Why are you embarrassed?”
“Yes?”
“Your face is turning red, too.”
Jerald lifted his hand from the hot spring water and caressed Pristin’s cheek. His hand, warmed by the hot spring, made her cheeks even redder. Perhaps because of that, Pristin’s face turned even redder, and she smiled awkwardly.
“No, it’s just… the position right now is a bit…”
“A bit?”
“Embarrassing.”
“Why would it be embarrassing? We’re married.”
“But other people are watching…”
“Other people? Who?”
Jerald asked with an expression of genuine curiosity, and Pristin looked around as if to say, “Don’t you know?” But all she saw were people standing far away with their backs turned.
…They were definitely closer just a moment ago.
While Pristin was confused, she heard Jerald’s laughter. …He’s always strangely thorough about these things.
“Is it okay now?”
“Do you like it like this?”
“Yes. I like it,”
Jerald answered honestly.
“It feels like we’re very close.”
“…That’s true, but.”
“Do you not like it?”
“…That’s not it.”
She didn’t dislike it. It was just embarrassing to be like this outside in broad daylight.
Pristin, having adapted somewhat, cautiously dipped her foot into the hot spring water. It was still hot, but she seemed to have built up some tolerance, as it was more bearable than before.
Pristin looked at Jerald and smiled.
“This is nice. Being like this.”
“You said it was embarrassing earlier.”
“But now no one is watching.”
“Then can we do something even more embarrassing?”
Just as Pristin was about to ask what that would be, Jerald pulled her into a hug and kissed her. Pristin hesitated for a moment but soon reciprocated, smiling as she wrapped her arms around him.
The heat and humidity of the hot spring made their skinship even more stimulating. Jerald breathed hotly as he pressed closer to Pristin. The atmosphere became thick with anticipation.
As Pristin gently stroked Jerald’s back, she suddenly felt his lips move down to her chin. Only then did she realize that Jerald was quite aroused. Of course, she was in the same state, caught up in the moment.
When Jerald’s kisses reached her neck, Pristin called out to him with a strained voice.
“Your Majesty…”
“Haa…”
“Jerald.”
Pristin said with a mix of pleasure and distress.
“Not here.”
She didn’t dislike the situation at all; in fact, she enjoyed it very much. But even if everyone had their backs turned, this wasn’t the place for it. Jerald looked up, not understanding.
“What?”
His husky voice sounded dangerous.
Pristin swallowed hard and whispered,
“That…”
“What?”
He was teasing her, knowing full well what she meant.
Pristin furrowed her brow slightly and answered vaguely.
“That…”
“What?”
He knew everything, but he seemed to playfully ask.
Pristin slightly narrowed her brow and replied vaguely.
“That one.”
“What’s that?”
“Oh, come on…”
And while waiting for an answer, Jerald couldn’t hold back his impatience and kissed Pristin deeply again.
After a while, when they both looked up, their eyes were even more heated than before.
With a slightly relaxed expression, Jerald smiled and said,
“Don’t worry.”
But that didn’t mean he was going to stop.
Jerald took advantage of the momentary lapse and pulled Pristin into another kiss.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
In the end, the original purpose of the hot spring bath was seriously distorted.
Pristin was certain that she had spent more time kissing and being intimate with Jerald than actually enjoying the hot spring.
Of course, that could be considered another way to enjoy the hot spring.
“Shall we go inside now?”
After having a thoroughly enjoyable time and reaching the point where their bodies could no longer withstand the heat, the two finally left the hot spring.
Pristin was a bit surprised to find that she had adapted to the initially unbearable heat.
Come to think of it, the position of empress was similar. At first, she thought she could never adapt with just the power of love, but now she was doing quite well.
“Is there anything you want to eat for dinner?”
It was already time for dinner. Pristin smiled slightly and said,
“I think Your Majesty has already prepared everything.”
“Still, choices are necessary. You need to choose.”
“I want to eat seafood dishes.”
“Good.”
Jerald winked at the servant, and soon the servant disappeared tactfully. Jerald gently embraced Pristin’s shoulder and made eye contact.
“Shall we take a bath together before dinner is ready?”
“We just had a hot spring bath.”
“A hot spring bath and a regular bath are quite different.”
Pristin chuckled at Jerald’s response as if she couldn’t help it. He was always subtly mischievous, but she didn’t mind.
“Okay.”
After all, when it came to Jerald, she was just as mischievous as he was.
