Chapter 5 Encounter with the King

At night, after having their light meals, Princess Areza wanted to change her clothes, but her problem was that she had no spare clothes to replace her worn-out hunter outfit.

It was as if Lady Dianca heard her thoughts, because she came after a minute carrying a medium-sized wooden box.

“Are, these are your first set of clothes,” Lady Dianca said kindly as she placed the wooden box on the bed near her.

Princess Areza’s face suddenly glowed as she looked at Lady Dianca and smiled warmly. “I was actually wondering how I could change my clothes tonight. You are such an angel, Lady Dianca.”

Lady Dianca smiled back, shaking her head softly. “Nah, it is simply my responsibility to make sure every one of you here in the andaruni is dressed well—for the liking of our dearest King.”

Hearing what she said, Princess Areza suddenly remembered the handsome face of the King—the man she used to know only by reputation and believed to be a heartless tyrant. Curiosity burned within her chest, overpowering her caution for a brief moment.

“Lady Dianca,” Princess Areza asked in a whispering tone, leaning in closer. “Is he really that tyrant?”

“Shh! Don’t ever ask that again! You might be beheaded just for letting such words cross your lips,” Lady Dianca replied quickly, placing her index finger over her own lips to silence the young woman. She glanced around the quiet hall to make sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. “...But he is,” she added in a very low voice, her eyes darting back to Areza.

Princess Areza suddenly fell silent, her eyes growing wide with shock. Lady Dianca gave a short, muffled laugh at her reaction, patted Areza’s shoulder gently, and then turned to walk out of the andaruni.

Looking down at the wooden box, Princess Areza’s thoughts quickly diverted from what Lady Dianca had said to her intense curiosity toward the contents of the gift. As she opened the lid, the first thing she saw was smooth white silk, neatly folded on top of other garments. She picked it up and was surprised to realize it was a sexy, long sleeping gown that felt like soft air against her fingers. She smiled to herself, knowing this was exactly what she needed tonight to get a good night's sleep.

With the sleeping garment held carefully in her hands, Princess Areza roamed around the dimly lit hallway looking for the bathroom. Instead, what her keen eyes saw was a grand, glowing chamber featuring a big, swimming-pool-like marble bath filled with clear, steaming water.

“Too grand for a simple bathroom,” Princess Areza thought to herself as she stepped inside the archway. Although she was a princess herself, the palace of King Severo was ten times bigger and far more lucrative than her own family's palace in the Carkas mountains.

Finding the space completely empty, she removed her dusty clothes, set them neatly aside on a stone bench, and dipped her body into the warm pool. She giggled softly as she felt the refreshing water embrace her tired skin. No one else was around, she noticed, so feeling safe and alone, she floated her body gracefully on the water's surface and closed her eyes. She even smiled, thinking how lucky she was that the other andaruni women had already taken their baths ahead of her.

She was enjoying the quiet momentum when she suddenly felt the distinct presence of someone stepping into the marble room. Thinking that it might be one of the other andaruni women coming in for a late dip, she did not bother to open her eyes. Instead, she spoke out in a happy, welcoming tone.

“Good thing you came! At least I have a companion here now. It is so lonely to take a bath here all alone.”

The newly arrived person did not reply, nor did they make any sound as they stepped closer. Wondering why her companion remained so quiet, Areza opened her eyes, ready to offer a warm smile to the newcomer.

However, in total shock, she almost gulped down a mouthful of water as she abruptly stopped floating and put her feet back down on the marble floor. Horror and disbelief instantly filled her eyes.

The man, who was standing like a powerful God with nothing covering his muscular body, spoke in a firm tone, yet his dark eyes glinted with undeniable amusement.

Upon hearing those deep, commanding words, Princess Areza’s eyes grew even wider in astonishment. She froze in the water, completely unable to move or breathe properly.

“As you said, bathing alone is lonely. So, let me join you, woman.”

The gorgeous, naked man walked down the submerged marble steps and stepped straight into the water, coming right toward her. Yet Princess Areza remained in a completely dazed state, staring at him with total shock written across her face.

“Aha... you are the new andaruni woman. The Carkas lady who killed a deer in the mountain,” the man said, grinning wickedly as he stopped right in front of her, only an arm's length away.

Princess Areza gulped some much-needed air into her lungs, trying desperately to gather all her courage so she could speak and escape the area.

“Apologies! I... I did not know that this was your private pool! Please don't have me beheaded! I am still young, and I only wanted to refresh myself... and this pool was what I saw,” Princess Areza tried to explain, stammering over her words as her face burned hot.

The man’s deep laughter filled the spacious marble bathroom, echoing off the high stone walls. With dark amusement dancing in his glowing eyes, he shook his head slowly.

“Why would I behead such a beautiful face? I would rather ravish you and enjoy your company than see you dead,” he said in a husky whisper that sent intense shivers straight down Princess Areza’s spine.

The man reached out, his hand moving to cup her delicate face, but Princess Areza quickly stepped backward in the water, avoiding his touch.

“I... ahmm, excuse me! I am already finished bathing. I must go now. Thank you, Your Highness, and again, my deepest apologies. I promise I will not commit the same mistake again!”

She bowed her head quickly and prepared to swim out toward the edge of the pool, but before she could make a move, the man’s strong arm reached out, capturing her slim waist and pulling her body flush against his chest.

“I will let you escape tonight without ravishing your beautiful body, my dear Carkas lady,” he whispered directly against her right ear, his lips brushing her skin as he gently nibbled her earlobe. “...But next time, I won’t.”

Shaking uncontrollably with nervousness, Princess Areza closed her eyes tight and took a deep, trembling breath, praying her heart would stop hammering against her ribs.

“Go now... before I change my mind,” the man whispered once more, releasing his grip on her waist.

With that permission, Princess Areza immediately swam out to the edge of the pool, grabbed her white silk gown, and scampered out of the premises as fast as her legs could carry her, while King Severo’s deep laughter boomed merrily inside the marvelous bathroom.

Standing alone in the warm water, King Severo was thoroughly amused and mystified by such a rare beauty. As he raised a hand to caress his chin, a strong glint of lust and mischief shone clearly within his dark, divine eyes.