Book 15: Chapter 2
Hot springs are a nice place. Gazing at the sea of flowers below while soaking in the hot springs, enjoying food and wine from Troy City with the company of a beauty in my arms, not to mention the gentle breeze was a most blissful experience. I suddenly realised why Freya prioritised ensuring the denizens had food and hot water. It was because the comfort they provided weakened one’s resolve to fight; the comfort of soaking in the hot water practically erased my determination to do anything. The North and whatever else could be saved for later. I was reluctant to move around as I soaked in the hot water.
Luna rested on me with a blissful smile. She cherished such moments, as we know we couldn’t be intimate once we returned to the North. Once we were in the North, Luna would be my personal servant behind me with a smile, not my wife.
I wrapped my arm around Luna. She rested on me in silence and allowed me to freely run my hands across her body. With an affectionate smile and tone, she said, “It feels so blissful… My Prince… I finally feel I am alive after soaking in the hot springs…”
I nodded in agreement. I could still feel the warm running water despite my scales. I caressed Luna’s body. It was partially me flirting with her and partially feeling sorry for her. I stroked her skin that revealed her purple veins. I whispered, “We can’t do this in the future, Luna. Once we reach the place I live, we won’t be able to do this…”
“I understand, Your Majesty; I understand. I do not have any right to be by your side, either. I do not have that right due to the things I went through in the past. Regardless, I am somebody who has died once, so as long as I can be by your side, watch you from behind and feel your breaths, I am satisfied.”
Luna’s smile was void of any malicious intent. It was so heart wrenching that I choked on my words. I hugged her tighter, and she hugged me back more blissfully as she giggled. Caressing her head, I softly apologised, “Sorry, sorry, I’m really sorry.”
“Do not be, do not be, Your Majesty. I could not ask for anything more than to know you are alive. I no longer have anywhere to go or anyone who could provide me with a shoulder to lean on in this world. You are the only one who can provide me with bliss. I will be happy as long as I can see your smile. Your Majesty, I will feel most blissful, as long as you are with me, for I will be able to gain infinite strength and confidence.”
I nodded. From my embrace, Luna gently took hold of my hand. She giggled: “I wonder how Miss Lucia and Miss Nier are doing now. The two of them used to be very unfriendly with each other. Has their relationship improved after giving birth?”
I shook my head with a helpless smile. Their relationship always remained the same, neither worsening nor improving. They still disliked each other and were still unwilling to be by my side at the same time. With that said, when one of them ran into trouble and I was absent, they would assist each other. My beef with it was they only help each other to a certain degree; they wouldn’t help all the way, so not even I knew if their relationship was good or not.