Chapter 31
Lincia’s eyes widened and she waved her hands.
She urgently pursed her lips and pointed to his hand.
When Harvich held out his hand, Lincia began writing letters on his palm.
Because he had gripped a sword since childhood, his hand was covered in hard calluses.
But whenever Lincia’s fingers moved across his palm, he felt as if those rough calluses were melting away.
Because I want to wash.
“I’ll call a maid to help you.”
No, I can manage on my own.
Harvich was about to say he was worried, but Lincia’s sentence wasn’t finished yet.
Each time more letters were traced onto his palm, the ticklish sensation doubled.
Barely resisting the urge to pull his hand away, he waited for her to finish.
It’s bedtime for everyone else, isn’t it?
They were maids who probably hadn’t been kind to Lincia.
She must want to spare them by bathing alone.
“Aren’t you still a patient? If you go into the bath and collapse…”
Lincia lifted her head and looked at him.
Her eyes met Harvich’s, and she moved her hand again.
“If you truly say you don’t need a maid, then I will go into the bath with you.”
At Harvich’s flat voice, Lincia’s eyes trembled.
Her lips kept moving as if to ask what he meant by that.
Her hand clutching his collar looked pitiful, but Harvich chose to ignore her resistance.
“I’m relieved that you understand my concern.
While you bathe, I’ll turn my back, so don’t worry.
If your condition worsens, call for me.”
Lincia’s violet eyes quivered as if to protest, but he had no intention of listening.
“Ah, since you cannot speak, I’ll have to think of another way.”
Lincia seemed to realize how firm his stance was.
Biting her lip, she traced another solution into his palm.
I’ll clap my hands.
“Understood. Then I’ll prepare the bathwater.”
***
The man had a stubborn side.
Preparing the bathwater was one thing.
But Harvich even brought a bathrobe, as if he truly intended to wait inside until she was done.
As she changed into the robe he had prepared, Lincia’s face burned.
Of course, robes made for bathing were supposed to be thin, but this one practically revealed her skin.
She grabbed Harvich’s shoulder.
“Are you finished preparing?”
When Harvich started to turn, she hugged him from behind.
Taking his hand, she wrote on his palm.
Don’t look back.
Harvich stiffened and nodded.
The bathroom was spacious, with a large tub fixed against one wall.
Beside it was a small table for bathing supplies, where attendants usually washed hair or poured oils.
“If the temperature isn’t right, tell me. I’ll fetch warmer water.”
Peeking from behind him, Lincia stretched her arm to dip her fingers into the water.
She felt his gaze on her hand.
A low sigh escaped him, followed by a slow voice that echoed in the bath.
“The towel and robe are on the table beside the tub.”
When Harvich moved to sit near the table, Lincia tugged his arm.
“Do you have something to say to me?”
Go stand against the opposite wall. I’d rather see your back.
As soon as her fingers left his palm, Harvich clenched and unclenched his fist several times.
“Understood.”
Obediently, he walked to the wall and stood straight.
Regret hit her as she watched his back.
I should’ve just asked him to call Anna… or at least a maid…
Lincia slipped off the robe and stepped into the tub.
Each movement made the water splash over the edge.
The sound bothered her.
Every time water spilled, the man’s rigid body twitched slightly.
Her heart raced.
She knew he wasn’t the kind of man to turn and look at her.
They had already shared a bed as husband and wife, so showing her bare body shouldn’t matter.
But even so, she was overwhelmed by embarrassment.
Even that first night together—if not for his sweet words and the kisses showered across her skin that made her dizzy—
Thinking of it now, Lincia’s face flushed bright red.
Her movements grew frantic.
Sharing the same space like this made her thoughts wander.
She opened the small drawer of the table and pulled out a vial of oil to rub into her hair.
The bottle was heavier than expected, perhaps because Anna had refilled it.
Since she had only just recovered from her sickbed, it was natural that she dropped it.
The glass shattered on the floor.
With a loud crash, the sweet scent of acacia filled the air.
Startled, Lincia turned her head and saw Harvich, who had also turned at the noise.
His crimson eyes were fixed on her.
“……!”
Her face burned.
She wanted to shout What are you looking at? Turn around, I’m fine!
But no voice came out.
She mouthed I’m fine over and over, but instead of leaving, Harvich strode toward her.
Panicked, Lincia pushed against him, but he didn’t budge.
Instead, he came closer.
Their eyes met.
“Did you break the glass?
It’s dangerous, so please calm…”
His gaze naturally drifted down the curves of her body.
At the same moment, Lincia pushed harder, making Harvich lose his balance.
His body lurched forward.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
There was a dull thud of body against tub, a splash of water, loud noises—
But no direct impact hit her.
“……”
“……”
When she cautiously opened her eyes, she saw the man, drenched like a wet rat.
One hand gripped the tub wall, the other braced against the floor.
His face was closer than she expected, making her shoulders shrink instinctively.
She was too shocked to even scream.
The bathroom was filled with the sweet acacia scent.
And she realized she was naked, clinging to him.
Her violet eyes shook violently.
“……You.”
“……G-get out! M-move!”
The voice that finally escaped her lips was faint and weak.
If he hadn’t been so close, he might not have heard it at all.
Lincia beat her fists against his chest.
Each movement made the bathwater splash and spill over.
“W-wait.”
