I Transmigrated as my Bias's Messenger Bird - Chapter 15
Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace, the night sky flashed past the windows, elongated to match the high floor. The Emperor frowned as he watched the new sigil shine brightly against the night sky. His bushy eyebrows knitted together.
“What is that?”
Only after the Emperor spoke did the Crown Prince, who had just turned to look outside the window, tilt his head and respond. “It seems like magic shot from the Mage Tower.”
“We waste our efforts on such needless endeavors.” The Emperor muttered softly, his gaze piercing as he looked at the Crown Prince. “You said that an otherworldly being arrived today…?”
“Yes. She was welcomed by the Tower Lord and escorted to the palace.”
Prince Edin finished speaking, his eyes settling. After a momentary deep breath, he spoke again.
“…How long must this continue?”
At the Prince’s query, the Emperor’s eyebrows arched slightly. “How long?”
“…Yes. How long can we continue these meaningless receptions for guests?”
“Impudent child.” The Emperor rose from his seat. “Have you forgotten, it was for this reason alone that I made you crown prince, not your brother. Don’t you realize that all of this is for the eternal strength of the Alucina Empire?”
Prince Edin swallowed his words. However, the Emperor’s anger did not abate.
“Even just pandering to that arrogant Tower Lord’s whims makes me furious, and now you’ve stirred things up within me?”
“…I apologize.”
“What’s so difficult that you dare to act out?”
“…”
Acting out. Edin sighed softly at the Emperor’s definition of his concerns as ‘acting out.’
“I don’t want to hear anymore! Leave!”
Edin bowed his head. His gaze fixed on the floor seemed utterly empty.
***
The third floor was silent.
Though I could faintly hear cries as if someone was searching for something on the first floor far away, there was no one on the third floor. The corridor, adorned with an elegant beige carpet, was illuminated by soft wall lights.
‘The Well is supposed to be at the end of the corridor…’
I moved quietly down the hall. The narrow, dimly lit path stretched ahead. As I walked along, relying solely on the small lanterns on the wall, I could feel the air growing damp.
The humid air smelled faintly of grass, and at the end of the path hung a piece of cloth.
I carefully pulled the cloth away and stepped inside. It was a square-shaped space. Except for the lanterns, one at each corner, the only light in the room came from the moonlight streaming in through the small window.
The cold air coming in through the windows created mist, making only the very close surroundings visible. It was like a dream.
‘Is this a hot spring?’
I inwardly hummed with delight as I approached the central spring. I bent down slightly and tested the temperature of the water with my hand. It wasn’t as hot as I expected, but it was pleasantly warm.
‘Now, let’s get in.’
I carefully slipped off my dress and slowly stepped into the bath, and immediately felt a hot rush of energy coursing through my body.
“….Ah, refreshing.”
My voice echoed in the space. I wonder if this is what it feels like to rent a luxury open-air hot spring by yourself.
Feeling unexpectedly delighted, I hummed a tune and swam forward, kicking my feet like in a dance. I put my head under the water, stretched my arms out in front of me, and cut through the current…
…?
I was suddenly pushed by something.
‘My hand got pushed…?’
It wasn’t just the flow of water; a strong current within the water pushed my hand away. For some reason, I felt goosebumps on my back and when I slowly raised my head from the water.
“…”
There was a slightly furrowed brow and turquoise eyes staring intently in my direction.
It was silent. The droplet running down my chin fell onto the surface with a small ‘plop,’ echoing through the space like a knock.
‘…Why the hell are you here…’
As my gaze fell upon Rai’s upper body, seated within the spring while I was in the middle of undressing, a chill ran down my spine.
Internally, I might have been screaming, but no sound was coming out of my mouth. It was almost as if I had passed out with my eyes open. Unsurprisingly, my face went blank.
“Hmm…”
Rai let out a small sigh and looked me over with a languid gaze. His gaze trailed from my eyes, down to my chin, shoulders, and even the rippling surface of the water. After slightly furrowing his brow and closing his eyes for a moment, he finally spoke.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Rai pronounced each word slowly and softly.
