The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 43.2

“Yes, I’ll prepare right away,” Sophie replied, her eyes twinkling, and she rushed off to the kitchen.

“Mistress! It’s an urgent matter. Such tasks should be left to the maidservants.”

Evelyn sniffled and crinkled her nose as she held Libe.

“What could be more urgent than bathing my son right now?” Her cheerful voice was enough to melt hearts, and both Belina and Arthas couldn’t help but smile.

Evelyn carried Libe in her arms and walked briskly outside. The eagles and knights followed closely behind her. She coldly smiled at the intense gaze that clung to her from behind.

****

“Madam, wouldn’t the grand bathhouse be suitable for the young master to enjoy some water play?” Belina suggested, and Evelyn nodded. Holding her son’s hand, she headed towards the grand bathhouse located at the back of the garden.

“Madam, I’m following behind,” Belina whispered, causing Evelyn to slightly turn her head.

“You’re persistent,” Evelyn chuckled as she noticed the subtle curl at the corner of Belina’s lips.

Splash, splash.

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter.

“Human, I shall never leave this place forever,” the eagle, with its wings outstretched, floated above the water and mumbled. Everyone burst into laughter, amazed by his remark.

“Yes, have it your way,” Evelyn said, smiling, as she lathered soap and gently massaged Libe’s hair.

Whether it was the warm water or the touch of his mother’s hands, it was hard to tell, but Libe relaxed and only blinked his eyes.

After towel-drying his hair a few times, the child peacefully fell asleep.

“Madam, the young master will be put to rest in the stargazing chamber. It seems he’ll sleep for quite a while.”

“Yeah, I’ll join him there in a little while.”

As the eagle soared high, Evelyn burst into laughter. When the eagle and Sophie disappeared with the child, Evelyn lifted her skirt up to her knees. She immersed her legs and feet, which were scorched from venturing into the dark forest, in the warm water, involuntarily letting out a groan.

“How far will you endure?” she thought to herself.

The surroundings gradually grew dim.

Sophie and Belina caught a glimpse of the stoic figure of the chamberlain standing next to the open-air bath.

“Madam, the Countess wishes to meet you.”

Splash, splash. Evelyn only playfully splashed the water with her feet and didn’t respond to the chamberlain’s words.

That’s when it happened. The knights and maidservants all bowed simultaneously.

“Your Highness, have you returned.”

Evelyn was taken aback by the man, who had returned sooner than expected. Ilya, dressed in a black robe, had come directly here after returning from the dark forest. Evelyn hastily stood up, pulling down her skirt.

“Your Highness, you’ve arrived.”

“…”

Ilya removed his robe and scanned Evelyn up and down.

Why is he glaring at me like that right after coming back? It’s intimidating.

Feeling uncomfortable meeting his gaze, Evelyn lowered her eyes.

“I greet Your Highness,” the chamberlain deeply bowed, finally turning his gaze away.

“It’s been a while, Chamberlain. But what brings you here?”

“Countess Seilce, wishes to see the Mistress, so I have come to escort you.”

Ilya chuckled upon hearing those words.

“To think that they would send you all the way here for such a trivial matter is embarrassing for me.”

“It’s my duty, Your Highness. What trouble could it be?”

“I appreciate your consideration.”

He turned his body and called over a maidservant standing by his side.

“Change the water here. Bring fresh clothes as well.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Evelyn smiled slyly and spoke to Ilya, “Your Highness, should I also prepare dinner?” Ilya narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her while Evelyn glanced briefly towards the chamberlain, prompting Ilya to smirk as if he understood.

“Yes, let’s bathe together and have dinner,” he said.

What? Bathe together… Evelyn was taken aback, looking at his face in surprise. His usual cold expression revealed nothing.

As the maidservants began filling the tub with fresh water, Ilya started removing the armor he wore under his robe. Evelyn quickly lowered her head, unsure of how to react. The maidservants and Belina standing beside her also blushed and didn’t know what to do.

“What are you all doing? Leave at once without peeking at His Highness,” the chamberlain scolded, and the maidservants snapped into action.

“There’s no need for bathing assistance, so everyone should retreat,” Ilya commanded as he continued removing his armor. Reluctantly, Evelyn approached him and stood in front of him.

“It’s too heavy for you to carry,” he said.

Ilya placed the discarded armor on a rock next to the tub.

He looked directly at Evelyn, then casually threw off his loose shirt, leaving himself bare. Blushing crimson from her neck to her face, Evelyn covered her face with her hands.

“Chamberlain, how long are you going to stand there?”

Ilya asked, and the chamberlain, trying to control his expression, replied,

“I shall take my leave now.”

Splash!

As soon as the chamberlain turned around, Ilya, now completely naked, entered the bath. Hearing the sound of overflowing water, Evelyn slightly widened the gap between her fingers and stole a glance outside.

“Chamberlain, it seems like my aunt is quite liberal in her ways,”

Ilya remarked, causing the chamberlain to slowly turn around.

“Yes, Your Highness. Please speak.”

“How about hosting a tea party? Invite the noble ladies and young ladies,”

She removed her hands from her face and looked directly at him.

“It seems like she’s more eager to find my wife than I am.”

A tea party hosted by the Countess Glan.

Evelyn had something she needed to uncover there.

With a feeling that things would be resolved more easily than expected, Evelyn smiled discreetly.