I Tamed the Monstrous Prince - Chapter 33
Chapter 33
That ominous premonition proved correct sooner than I expected. A single shriek was followed by the shattering of something, then the groans of servants. The ground began to tremble, like a charging boar or a massive bear.
The thumping sound echoed down the hallway, growing closer. Then, with a splintering crash, the sturdy door burst open, split in two.
“Huh?”
Emerging from the wreckage, stark naked, was Cesar.
“Uh…eek!”
Like a kingfisher diving for its prey, he made a beeline for the bed where I sat. Fresh from the bath, he radiated warmth and dampness.
Flustered, I found myself trapped in his embrace as hurried footsteps approached.
“Your Highness!”
It was Mercedes. But as she drew near, Cesar’s arms tightened around my waist, his fingers trembling.
“Um, I, uh…”
This was mortifying. I tried to cover him with the linen sheet, but the damp fabric refused to cooperate. I averted my gaze, trying my best not to look, but my eyes were drawn to him like metal to a magnet. It was the first time I’d seen a naked man my age.
As a child, I’d occasionally seen the servant boys, or the knights of the house, undressed. But as I grew older, such sights became increasingly rare.
His body, twice the size of my petite frame, was on the cusp of manhood. Lean, toned muscles rippled with each breath. I fought the urge to reach out and touch them.
And that color… his smooth skin was a rich cream, like ivory, and the water droplets clinging to it shimmered like iridescent jewels…
‘Good heavens, what am I thinking?’
I recited scripture in my head, trying to regain my composure. ‘Merciful Lord, you who save us from our sins… protect us from the temptations of evil…’
“Perhaps a bath is too much for His Highness.”
Mercedes brought a fresh linen sheet and draped it over him.
“Let’s stop this for now.”
She began to dry him and dress him.
“Wait a moment.”
“Why?”
“He hasn’t been properly washed yet.”
“But…” Her eyes darted back and forth. I stared at her, a strange sense of unease settling in as her expression hardened.
“If it distresses him this much, perhaps Your Highness could assist?”
“Me?”
Was she suggesting I bathe Cesar?
“You are the one who wished for him to bathe. Come now, let’s not let His Highness catch a cold.”
He couldn’t stay soaked like this, but still…
“I’ve never done anything like this before.”
I’d done laundry, but I’d never bathed another person. Wouldn’t I just be in the way, clueless about what to do?
Mercedes shook her head, her expression filled with a strange certainty.
“It is a wife’s duty to attend to her husband. Your presence alone will be a great help.”
“Oh, alright…”
And so, it was decided. I changed into simpler clothes and accompanied them to the bath.
Even in its dilapidated state, the palace was still a palace. I was awestruck by the lavish bathing chamber and its impressive facilities. Most astonishing was the hot water flowing from metal pipes.
Servants primed the pump, and with a gurgling sound, hot water gushed forth, filling the large copper tub. I’d heard the palace was originally designed with various magical contraptions, and this hot water system was one of them. It was said to have been created by Cosimo Flores, the great mage and ancestor of my father, the founder of the Flores family.
I knew the effort required to obtain hot water. Heating it over a fire all day, then carrying it to the rooms, was a costly and labor-intensive process. Even for noble families, using hot water freely was a luxury, a blatant display of wealth.
I spent some time marveling at the ingenious magical device, touching and examining it. As I expressed my amazement, the bath preparations were completed. Cesar had changed into a bathing robe. I was immensely relieved he wasn’t still naked.
