The corridors inside Sunset Fortress were not spacious.
The walls were built of rough gray stone, with only a dim wall lamp burning every so often along the way.
Wendy followed beside Astreia, neither fast nor slow, as they walked from the third floor of the Main Keep down to the ground level.
Along the way, countless fragments of memories about Sunset Fortress flashed through his mind.
In the setting of Witch’s Conquest, Sunset Fortress was not merely a military stronghold.
Backed by volcanic ridges, the mountain springs here were naturally heated by geothermal energy, creating the Hot Spring Sanctuary that was renowned across the entire Erashia Continent.
Before the war broke out, this place was a coveted resort for nobles; it was said that even many picky Dwarven Lolis and nature-loving Elven Maidens would travel thousands of miles just to soak away their fatigue in the steamy waters.
Unfortunately, war changed everything.
“Wuhu! This feels so good~ If not for the hot springs, I wouldn’t bother coming to this godforsaken place to polish my resume. Following that ‘Northern Lioness’ around every day, there’s really no future in it.”
“Isn’t that the truth? Last time I was on leave, my mom dragged me to the Royal Capital, and from a distance I caught a glimpse of Her Majesty the Queen. Even though she’s the Princess Royal’s younger sister, that figure, tsk tsk, so petite and delicate—absolutely adorable. I just want to scoop Her Majesty up and give her a good cuddle!”
“You two, keep your voices down. This is the Princess Royal’s territory! But honestly, if Princess Royal’s chest were a bit smaller, and she was a bit shorter, just judging by her face, she’d actually be a real beauty…”
The sharp voices of young girls came from around the corner at the bathhouse entrance, drifting clearly into the ears of Wendy and Astreia.
Wendy paused, instinctively glancing at the Princess Royal beside him.
But Astreia’s expression was wooden, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.
She merely held his hand and continued forward.
As the two turned the corner, three young female officers, fresh from the bathhouse, bodies still wrapped in half-tied towels and steaming with heat, ran smack into them.
The air froze in an instant.
The relaxed, contented looks on the three girls’ faces were instantly replaced by terror; their mouths hung open wide enough to fit a fist, looking just like three hens being strangled.
“Uh…A-Astreia, Your Highness? W-Why are you here?”
One of the bolder girls stammered out, her face pale as a sheet.
Wendy could feel Princess Astreia’s hand suddenly tighten around his, the strength of her grip making the back of his hand ache.
Yet, after only a second, her grip loosened again.
Astreia waved her hand expressionlessly, signaling the three girls—whose souls had all but left their bodies—to hurry along.
There was no trace of anger in her manner, as if she was already used to such scenes.
“Th-thank you, Your Highness, for your mercy!”
The Three Young Female Officers looked as if they’d been pardoned, not daring to even wonder who the boy beside the princess was.
They hurriedly lowered their heads and stumbled away at top speed, as if afraid Astreia might change her mind at any moment.
Watching the three girls flee in panic, Wendy suddenly felt a strange sense of sympathy for the Princess Royal beside him.
He unconsciously tightened his grip on her hand.
She was clearly the eldest daughter of the Valoran Kingdom, and should have been first in line for the throne.
But because of this world’s twisted beauty standards—because of her tall, sensual figure—she was alienated by the people, criticized by the nobles, and ultimately lost her chance at the crown.
Instead, her younger sister, with a body more in line with the “petite” mainstream ideal, ascended to the throne as Queen.
How absurd—and how…tragic.
“I’m fine, Wendy.”
Astreia sensed the warmth and strength in his palm, turning her beautiful face slightly as she tried to force a smile for Wendy.
But in that smile, there was no warmth—only an unmistakable trace of melancholy.
At this moment, Wendy opened his mouth, but found he had nothing to say.
Comfort?
Sympathy?
He was nothing but a defeated, exiled Prince now—what right did he have to lecture an officer of another nation, or presume to heal the wounds in someone else’s heart?
Thinking this, Wendy could only compose himself and silently follow Astreia into the women soldiers’ bathhouse.
Whatever little fantasies he’d had about the famed Hot Spring Sanctuary and the women’s bathhouse vanished in an instant as he took in the scene before him.
This place was worlds apart from the steamy, idyllic springs he had imagined.
The wet stone floor was covered in messy footprints, the air thick with a mixture of steam and the cheap scent of soap.
Several large pools steamed in the corners, but buckets and washcloths were scattered around their edges, and one corner was piled with a heap of uncleaned clutter.
It was clearly just a public bathhouse—one that wasn’t even cleaned often.
The difference between this and a civilian inn was staggering…
It really killed any curiosity about exploring the unknown.
Seeing his disappointed expression, Astreia’s cheeks flushed slightly, a hint of awkwardness and embarrassment showing through.
“This place…is a bit messy. I-I’ll help you tidy up…”
As she spoke, she started to roll up her sleeves.
“Forget it, Astreia.” Wendy reached out to stop the Princess Royal.
“You still have plenty of military affairs to handle tomorrow. You should get some rest tonight. I just need a quick wash—no need to go through all this trouble or make any special arrangements.”
Upon hearing this, Astreia’s emerald eyes softened as she looked at him.
“Wendy…you really are so considerate.”
“Uh…alright, alright,” Wendy, a bit flustered by her sudden sincerity, quickly lowered his head and tried to brush it off with a joke, “Why are you still standing here? Want to watch me undress?”
As he spoke, he gently nudged Astreia out the door.
Hearing the soft click of the door closing, Wendy leaned against the cold door panel, his heart pounding inexplicably faster.
Across two lifetimes, he could count on one hand the number of times someone had praised him so sincerely.
In his previous life, as a fresh graduate thrown into the grind of society, he had tasted all the warmth and bitterness the world had to offer.
After transmigrating, though now a Prince, he was still bound everywhere by the strange rules of this matriarchal world.
A heartfelt, genuine compliment like Astreia’s was truly a first.
Outside the door.
Astreia was startled by Wendy’s joke, taking two steps back before she finally steadied herself.
Soon, the faint rustling of clothes and the soft sound of untied sashes drifted from inside.
An inexplicable attraction tugged at her mind, making it impossible to pull her attention away from the door.
Astreia’s heart leapt into her throat.
The lessons in loyalty, honor, and etiquette she’d received since childhood, the Chivalry she’d always upheld, were all being tested as never before.
The Princess Royal straightened her back, sternly reminding herself to maintain proper humility and decorum—she must not overstep even a little.
But…
[Splash…]
When the clear sound of water reached her ears, Astreia couldn’t help herself—she gulped.
Her reason screamed, “Do not look, do not listen,” but her body made the most honest choice.
The Princess Royal held her breath, rising on tiptoe, and pressed herself gently against the thin wooden door.
The cold door could do nothing to cool her burning cheeks and soul.
Her ear pressed tightly to the crack, greedily listening for every sound from within.
After all, Prince Wendy of the Cavalier Kingdom was famed across the entire Erashia Continent as an unparalleled beauty since childhood!
That breathtakingly beautiful face…
That figure that could drive countless women mad with longing…
Right now, just a door away, bathing in the nude!
Astreia clutched her chest, feeling as if her heart might explode…
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