And their premonitions proved correct.
Alexio and Adelina stood in their sodden clothes before the billowing curtains of steam rising from the hot spring, exchanging uncertain glances.
"Well, hurry up and remove those wet things before you both freeze to death." Mrs. Tiziana's voice carried the brisk authority of someone who would brook no argument. To her mind, this was a perfectly natural request for a married couple—two people who had surely seen each other's bodies countless times by now.
The problem, of course, was that Alexio and Adelina were not a real couple. They had most certainly *not* seen each other's private parts.
An awkward silence descended between them. Adelina felt heat creeping up her neck that had nothing to do with the steam. She was so mortified she half-wished the ground would open and swallow her whole.
"My goodness, are you *still* shy with each other?" Mrs. Tiziana smiled indulgently, clearly finding the young couple's hesitation charming rather than suspicious. However, the fact that she continued to stand with her hand extended made one thing abundantly clear: the woman had no intention of relenting.
Adelina remained frozen, unable to move. It was Alexio who broke the stalemate.
Without ceremony, he began to undress. The outer garments came off first—jacket, shirt, each item peeled away with casual efficiency. When his hands moved to his undergarments, Adelina spun around so fast she nearly lost her balance. Even so, that fleeting glimpse of her husband's bare form—the broad planes of his back, the lean musculature—was enough to set her cheeks ablaze.
"I'll assist the princess myself," Alexio said, his voice carrying the easy authority of a man accustomed to being obeyed. "In the meantime, Mrs. Tiziana, would you prepare a change of clothes for us both?"
"Oh my!" The housekeeper's face lit up with delighted surprise as she gathered his wet garments. "You want to help her *personally*? How romantic!" She clutched the damp bundle to her chest, practically glowing. "I had no idea I was interrupting such a tender moment. I'll leave fresh clothes by the entrance—do take your time. *Ho-ho-ho*."
*Take your time.*
The words hung in the air, laden with implication. Mrs. Tiziana was clearly encouraging them to linger together in the hot springs, to enjoy each other's company in... whatever way newlyweds might.
Adelina's face, already crimson, darkened to something approaching scarlet. The housekeeper merely smiled knowingly and departed, the door clicking shut behind her.
The moment they were alone, Adelina's shoulders began to tremble. She stood rigidly in place, back turned, acutely aware that she was now sharing a room with a completely naked man. Every nerve in her body seemed to be firing at once.
Alexio, by contrast, appeared utterly unruffled. She heard the soft splash of water as he descended into the hot spring, followed by a contented sigh.
"You should undress."
His voice, calm and matter-of-fact, made her flinch.
"W-what? Undress?"
"As Mrs. Tiziana said—you'll catch cold if you remain in wet clothes much longer."
"T-that's true, however..."
"If you're embarrassed, I'll keep my eyes closed until you're fully submerged." A pause, weighted with amusement. "After all, the princess has already seen my body. Consider this fair compensation."
"I wasn't looking on *purpose*!" The accusation cut through her paralysis, and she whirled to face him before she could think better of it. "You were the one who suddenly removed all your clothes without warning!"
"Really?" Alexio had settled into the steaming water, only his head and shoulders visible above the surface. His expression was the picture of innocence—if innocence could wear such a knowing smirk. "I could have sworn you were quite interested in my body, given how long your gaze lingered. But if you'd like another look, I don't mind at all."
He tilted his head, as if preparing to rise from the water.
Adelina spun away again, heart hammering.
"I *didn't* look."
"Of course you didn't." His low chuckle rippled through the steam. "And I won't either. So stop worrying and get in the water."
She stole a cautious glance over her shoulder. True to his word, his eyes were closed, his head tilted back against the stone edge of the spring. He looked perfectly at ease, savoring the warmth.
After a moment's hesitation, Adelina began the laborious process of removing her sodden garments.
Mrs. Tiziana had been right—her body was growing colder by the minute, the wet fabric clinging to her skin like an icy second skin. The prospect of that steaming water became more enticing with every passing second. She kept glancing nervously at Alexio, but his eyes remained shut, his breathing slow and even.
Emboldened, she worked faster.
Noble ladies' garments were never simple affairs—layers upon layers of buttons, laces, and fastenings that required nimble fingers even under ideal circumstances. Waterlogged fabric made everything infinitely worse. Each piece clung stubbornly, refusing to release its grip. By the time Adelina finally freed herself from dress, petticoats, and undergarments, her arms ached and she was breathing hard.
She exhaled with relief.
And looked up.
Alexio's eyes were open. He sat in the water exactly as before, watching her with unabashed interest, his expression one of calm appreciation.
Adelina froze.
She stood completely naked before him—every curve, every inch of her skin exposed to his gaze. The shock was so complete that she couldn't even summon a scream.
The man, utterly shameless about his broken promise, inclined his head with a hint of smugness.
"Ah, well. You really shouldn't trust verbal promises, Princess."
"Duke of Pembroke, you are *insufferable*!"
The reproach burst from her lips as she plunged into the water, creating a wave that splashed against the stones. There was no point in hesitation now—the prospect of continuing to stand naked before him seemed far more terrifying than simply sharing a bath.
Alexio's smile widened with satisfaction, as though he had anticipated precisely this reaction.
"Good. I'm glad you didn't delay."
"You know, Duke of Pembroke," Adelina said, settling into the water up to her chin, her voice carrying an edge that was unusual for such a well-bred princess, "you are truly an *odious* man."
Seeing her pout, Alexio closed his eyes again and allowed himself a quiet grin.
He had proposed this marriage intending to steal his stepbrother's bride—a calculated move designed to infuriate his stepmother while simultaneously advancing his own interests. It had been a matter of pure strategy.
_And yet..._
*This is surprisingly amusing.*
Perhaps this marriage was proving far more profitable than he had initially anticipated. And unexpected gains, Alexio reflected, were always the most pleasant kind.
---
Adelina's eyes drifted open.
She remembered clearly how her body had softened in the warm embrace of the hot spring, how the tension had melted from her muscles as drowsiness crept over her. She had nearly dozed off, lulled by the heat and the gentle sound of water lapping against stone.
Everything after that, however, had been erased from her memory.
She sat up slowly, blinking into darkness.
Night had fallen completely. The only source of light was the soft glow of the bedside lamp on the nightstand, casting a small circle of warmth against the surrounding shadows.
_It must be very late._
Someone had carried her here—transported her from the hot springs directly to bed while she slumbered. The logical conclusion was obvious: it had been Alexio. She turned her head toward his side of the bed, expecting to see the familiar shape of his body beneath the covers.
The space was empty. Undisturbed.
A strange hollowness settled over her—something that felt uncomfortably like disappointment. There was no trace of the man who had so naturally claimed this bed, insisting that newlyweds ought to sleep side by side. It seemed almost *wrong*, somehow, that he wasn't there.
The realization that she had grown accustomed to his presence in such a short time was... unsettling.
Adelina pushed back the covers and padded across the cool floor to the door connecting her chamber to his. She hesitated for only a moment before raising her hand.
*Knock, knock.*
"Duke of Pembroke?"
She wanted to thank him—not only for carrying her to bed, but for the afternoon spent fishing together. Despite what she suspected was a demanding schedule, he had taken time for her. She wanted him to know she was grateful.
No response came.
"Duke of Pembroke?" She called again, leaning closer.
This time, she pressed her ear gently against the door—and it swung inward at her touch, offering no resistance at all.
Adelina started, retreating half a step. She hadn't intended to enter without permission. But the room beyond remained silent, and after a moment's internal debate, a thought occurred to her.
_Come to think of it, the Duke was the one who entered my room without asking first._
By his own laws of justice, she was perfectly entitled to do the same.
Taking a steadying breath, she pushed the door fully open. The heavy wood swung smoothly, silently—evidence that the servants maintained even the hinges with meticulous care. She peered cautiously inside, surveying the space.
Empty.
_He's not here either._
Given the absolute darkness blanketing the villa, it had to be well past midnight. The Duke was neither in her bedroom nor his own quarters, and a thread of worry began to wind through Adelina's chest.
_"Even as an adult, you often caught colds!"_
Mrs. Tiziana's scolding voice echoed suddenly in her memory. The housekeeper had mentioned Alexio's susceptibility to illness—how he would retreat to this villa whenever he fell sick, seeking peace away from the bustling estate.
*What if he caught cold after diving into the water to save me?*
True, she hadn't actually been in danger—the water was shallow, and she could swim. But that didn't diminish the nobility of his instinctive action. And if he was now suffering because of it...
Determined to find answers, Adelina turned back toward the main chamber. It was terribly late; she felt a pang of guilt at the thought of ringing the bell and rousing poor Sophie from sleep.
But before she could reach the bellpull, a sound reached her ears.
Voices. Quiet, urgent—filtering through from somewhere in the corridor beyond.
The words were difficult to distinguish, muffled by distance and closed doors, but fragments drifted through clearly enough.
"My child... is worried..."
Adelina stilled, her heart skipping.
That voice—rich, feminine, unmistakable—belonged to none other than Helena Crino.
Alexio's cousin.
---