Chapter 73
“Floria, I love you.” As we made our way to the castle, it wasn’t the joy of returning home that lingered in my heart—it was those whispered words, pounding against my heart.
The moment we reached the castle and entered the building, the concerned maids and ladies-in-waiting poured out to welcome the Grand Duchess.
One attendant, who had lost sight of her, bowed in apology, but even as I looked at them, I could only force a polite smile and say I was fine.
Floria’s thoughts were somewhere else entirely.
“I love you.”
Love. That he loved me.
The word “love” felt strange. No one had ever told me they loved me before.
And that person was none other than Aidan.
Without realizing it, Floria stole a glance at Aidan.
Her heart keeps fluttering, beating off-rhythm.
Her dizzy thoughts were interrupted by the head maid.
“Your Grace, we’ve prepared warm water in the bath.”
“Ah…”
“Your body is cold, and your lips are pale.
You could catch a cold that way.
I thought it best you bathe.”
“I will. Thank you for preparing it.”
Though we returned to the castle as quickly as possible, my body was still cold.
With the maid’s help, I removed my wet clothes and slipped into a robe.
“Shall I help you bathe?” “No, I’ll do it myself.”
I declined the maid’s offer and entered the bathing chamber alone.
Steam curled up from the large basin, already filled with hot water.
As I removed my robe and bent to scoop water to sprinkle over my chilly body, the door to the bath opened.
Click.
Was that the maid entering? I usually bathed alone, but today—having gotten lost outside—she may have come in to check on me.
“You can handle it…”
I began to say, but my words caught in my throat.
The one who appeared was none other than Aidan.
Clad in a black robe, the firm muscles of his chest were visible through the front. First, I noticed the rugged body of a man skilled with sword and bow—and then his glinting dark eyes.
“Aidan. Are you planning to use the bath?”
This was the place I always used.
The Grand Duke had his own separate bathing quarters.
Why choose this one…? “If you intend to bathe, go ahead. I… I’ll wash elsewhere.”
Standing naked under the relatively bright lighting, I felt embarrassed.
I reached toward the robe I had cast aside.
Then he stepped forward, grabbed my hand.
“It means nothing without you here.”
“But…” “Are you ashamed?”
My cold, pale cheeks warmed instantly—whether from the heat of the water or embarrassment, I couldn’t tell.
The blush spread from my cheeks, along my delicate neckline, down to my full chest.
A smile touched Aidan’s lips.
“Are you embarrassed now?” I nodded.
I was embarrassed.
Though not the first time I’d been naked before him, I’d never met him stripped like this from the start.
Always in the bedroom, under dimmed lights, clothed when we touched.
To meet Aidan completely defenseless, naked like this, was different altogether.
“It’s… this is a bath.”
Not the bedroom for conjugal relations.
He lifted one eyebrow.
“Yes, it’s a bath.”
“A place to cleanse the body.”
“Then cleanse your body.”
The man slid off his robe, revealing his rigid nudity hidden beneath.
Under the bright light, it was hard to look away.
A masculine body.
His sculpted muscles were striking.
Seeing such a strong body—even in contrast to my soft skin—made the blush deepen.
Just watching was dizzying. It felt strangely thirsty, perhaps from knowing the smooth, firm texture even without touching.
Maybe it was the steam. But before I could even sway from the dizziness, he grasped my wrist and pulled me in.
My fragile body was drawn swiftly into his arms.
“I’ll wash you.”
“You don’t have to, Your Highness.”
“I must.”
“….”
“I need to check, make sure you haven’t been hurt—that nothing pains you—so I can rest easy.”
“Is that truly your intention?”
If that were true, I would have already seen his arousal.
Between his strong thighs, his male organ bobbed, impossible to avoid noticing.
Thick, long, undoubtedly hard—it was already darkly engorged, pressing against my soft thigh.
It was enormous—so enormous I could hardly believe I had let it fill me every time.
“To see you naked and not be aroused is…”
His hand traced from my shoulder to my shoulder blade, down the hollow of my spine.
A shiver ran through me; I felt I might collapse.
“My self-control isn’t strong.”
Yet his other hand never let me go. “Does this hurt?”
“There’s no injury. My thigh twinges slightly from horseback riding after a long time, but that’s all.”
He narrowed his eyes, as if doubting.
“Please believe me.”
“I’ll see with my own eyes.”
Aidan seated me on the edge of the bath and knelt before me.
It was a posture I had seen before.
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