After returning to their lodging and visiting the second-floor massage shop separately, Florencia looked for Ludwig in the cafe connected to the lobby. They had agreed to meet here and go to the hot springs together…… A lobby employee who saw her looking around approached.

“Madam, are you looking for someone?”

“Um, I’m looking for my husband. He said he would wait here.”

“Ah, might you be Duchess Fernandid?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Hearing it from someone else’s lips made the fact that she was married to him feel more real. The employee guided Florencia with a friendly attitude.

“Through this door is our inn’s pride—the indoor hot spring. Your husband stepped out briefly but asked us to guide you when you arrived.”

“Oh, thank you!”

The white door with a golden doorknob looked thick but opened surprisingly smoothly. Florencia, who had left her clothes in the changing room, carefully stepped barefoot with a large towel wrapped around her body. Entering, she was surprised by the remarkably large size despite being an indoor hot spring, and was immediately enveloped by the hot steam rising from the spring water.

The marble floor of the hot spring was flawlessly smooth. The lion-shaped statue erected at the edge of the large central bath was impressively detailed. Interestingly, hot water continuously poured from the open mouth of the lion standing on two legs. Carefully unwrapping her towel, Florencia stepped into the wide bath where warm spring water bubbled up.

‘Is it because it’s not winter? Such a large hot spring with no one in it. There seemed to be quite a few guests staying at the inn……’

Immersing herself in the water with a subtle floral scent, fatigue that hadn’t fully dissipated from the massage alone melted away. Sitting alone in the lake-sized bath, Florencia slowly looked around. Red and pink rose petals were scattered on the white marble floor alongside golden faucets. Now that she noticed, the same colored petals could be seen floating gently on the water’s surface. That must have been the source of the pleasant fragrance in the water. The facilities were so visibly luxurious that she almost felt guilty being the only guest.

‘I wonder if the men’s hot spring is also full of rose petals like this. I should ask.’

Would Ludwig be enjoying the hot spring now too? Florencia lightly tapped the white wall adjoining the hot bath.

Just then, the door opened, and she heard someone entering.

Florencia looked in that direction. Though the steam obscured her view, even the vague silhouette seemed impossibly large to be a woman, making her tense up.

‘Surely…… a man hasn’t entered by mistake?’

I’m the only one here right now! Alarmed, she retreated deeper into the water with only her head exposed. It was when she approached the edge to retrieve the towel she had left there.

“Laura.”

Seeing the person who had somehow come right beside her, Florencia nearly fainted in surprise and let out a yelp.

“……Lu, Ludwig?”

Ludwig laughed lightly as he sat on the edge of the vast marble bath.

“Why are you so surprised? May I join you?”

Despite asking politely, he removed his robe without waiting for an answer. As his sculpture-like n*ked body was revealed, Florencia reflexively turned her head away. Her eyes widened as he unhesitatingly strode into the water and sat right next to her.

“But, Ludwig…… this is the women’s bath……”

“Who said it’s the women’s bath?”

“Then, could it be…… I entered the wrong place?”

She looked around in shock. Ludwig let out another low laugh.

“This is a private facility that only married couples can use by reservation. The gender-separated hot springs are in the outdoor area.”

“Private facility……”

“I’ve rented it for our entire stay. So, no one will come except you and me.”

“That’s nice,” he said as he leaned back comfortably. His long hair flowing over his broad shoulders and the way he slightly raised his eyebrows were excessively languid and seductive. When facing his bare face that he showed only to her, all of his proper appearance during the day seemed like a lie. Florencia was convinced he would have done extremely well had he become an opera performer.

“Where are you going?”

“Wait, Ludwig…… just a moment.”

Sensing something dangerous about the situation, Florencia tried to slip away to the opposite side, but Ludwig simply stretched out his arm and pulled her small body back with a simple motion. Though the hot steam provided some cover, the soft body lines were still visible below the water’s surface. Despite the spacious area that could accommodate dozens of people, he deliberately embraced Florencia and sat her on his lap. The sensation of wet skin rubbing together was too vivid. She could even feel his heavy manhood and the surrounding pubic hair against her b*ttocks. As she shifted her hips trying to sit slightly away, Ludwig held her firmly in place and feigned innocence as usual.

When their wet skin pressed together, their warm body temperatures transferred to each other. She had thought the water temperature was just right until now, but it suddenly felt so hot that breathing became difficult. It seemed strange that a person’s body temperature could realistically be so hot. Taking advantage of a brief moment when she was released from Ludwig’s embrace, she caught her breath, but then he brought a bath sponge and fragrant soap.

“Laura, I’ll wash you.”

“Ludwig, please…… I can do it myself.”

“What is there to be shy about between a married couple? We’re husband and wife now.”

But it’s still embarrassing…… Florencia mumbled quietly. Pretending not to hear, Ludwig lathered the sponge with soap bubbles and began scrubbing her all over.

“I need to soap you up, so move your arms, Laura.”

Under his touch, which was disguised as helping her bathe but was closer to gentle caressing, her soft n*pples quickly hardened and stood up. This was precisely what embarrassed her most. Without saying a word, Ludwig turned the sponge sideways and delicately rubbed around the small n*pples. The smooth sensation of soap bubbles and the warmth of his fingertips touching through them felt indescribably sensual. By the time Ludwig had washed her entire body, she felt as if her body was melting away.

‘When the Duke does something, do exactly the same thing back, Miss.’

When the heat pooling below spread throughout her body and filled her head, Florencia finally remembered Tilda’s words.

“I, I want to…… do it too.”

Do what? He gestured with his eyes as if asking what she meant. Florencia hesitated briefly but firmly made up her mind and spoke more clearly.

“……Today I want to wash you too.”

“You want to wash me?”

An interesting light appeared on his handsome face, followed by an unexpectedly casual response. Do as you please.

‘Ugh, this is embarrassing.’

Florencia positioned herself between Ludwig’s legs, facing him. The edge of the hot bath was shallow, at a precarious depth. Trying not to look down, she started soaping from the top with the bath sponge, but it didn’t go as well as she thought. Unlike his skilled hands, hers kept slipping over his firm chest.

“It’s my first time being bathed by someone, and it feels quite nice.”

Ludwig leaned back, looking quite relaxed. He occasionally stretched his arm to playfully touch Florencia’s n*pples. She tried her hardest to avoid his gaze throughout, but somehow their eyes kept meeting whenever she looked up. Each time, his gesture of stroking her head was gentle, and his steady gaze was filled with love. But beneath his long lowered eyelashes, undisguisable passion rippled, and those eyes also seemed somewhat teasing.

“Do you realize you’ve been washing the same spot for the third time?”

His voice finally asked with evident playfulness, as if he’d been patient enough. Embarrassed to touch his lower body, Florencia had been circling the same area repeatedly.

“I-I’ll do other parts too.”

As she hurriedly lowered her arm, Florencia accidentally touched somewhere and jumped back in shock. She had felt a particular part of Ludwig’s solid body that was too large and firm. It was even standing er*ect like before they had relations. I’m sorry……! She quickly removed her hand, but the hot sensation of the thick column remained on her palm.

“Laura.”

Meeting his eyes at that moment, he burst into light laughter.

“How will you live your whole life being this embarrassed by your husband’s c*ck?”

She felt more upset at his teasing tone, as he showed no signs of embarrassment himself. Trying to keep up with someone like him…… was impossible.

Florencia felt much hotter than before. Though the bath soap lathered well and had a pleasant fragrance, for some reason she could barely smell it and felt like suffocating from his scent so close by.

“……I want to go back to the room now.”

She felt pathetic for failing to properly do what everyone else supposedly did, but wanting to escape the situation, she walked toward the towels on the opposite side. When the water deepened midway, making her steps slower, she regretted choosing the wrong direction but was determined to get out somehow.

“Florencia.”

The bath was so vast it felt like crossing a lake. When Florencia finally reached the edge, he had somehow followed and approached right behind her. As she bent forward to grab a towel, a large hand reached from behind, gripped her lower abdomen, and pulled. Her delicate skin, fitting perfectly in his hand, felt as soft as flower petals that would be crushed if squeezed too hard.

“Are you deliberately running away to tease me?”

“Hnngh, Ludwig……”

Hot skin pressed against her from behind. He tilted his head and took her small earlobe into his mouth, nibbling it finely before using the soft inner membrane of his lips to suck it thoroughly.