Chapter 174: Our First Bath Together…?

I carried her the moment she said it.

Not because she ordered me to.

But because Evelina asking for something like that—so casually, so confidently—was incredibly endearing.

Her arms slid around my neck the instant I lifted her, like it was the most natural thing in the world. She leaned comfortably against my chest, completely unconcerned about the servants scattered throughout the palace halls.

They saw.

Of course, they always would.

But just like she said, none of them interfered.

Most of them immediately lowered their heads the moment we appeared.

Smart.

Evelina’s tail lazily swayed behind her as we walked, occasionally brushing against my leg. Her body was warm—still radiating the lingering heat from the black flames. The scent of scorched fabric and faint demonic magic clung to her skin.

For some reason, she decided to keep it despite dispelling her transformation.

She noticed me glancing down.

“Enjoying the view?” she murmured.

Her ruined tunic barely held together anymore. Between the burns and the tears from the fight, there were… a lot of gaps.

I cleared my throat.

“Very.”

“Mhm. Of course you are.”

Her fingers lightly traced the back of my neck, kissing me on my neck as she lost all inhibition. Her succubus transformation really took a lot from her. And well… I guess the fight also did a number on her with how much demonic magic she used.

The walk to her chambers wasn’t long, but Evelina seemed to enjoy every second of it. She rested comfortably in my arms like she had no intention of moving anytime soon.

When we finally reached the massive double doors to her room, the guards immediately stepped aside. They didn’t seem to care that their usually composed lady was now draped over someone.

Well… they’d already heard the stories, anyway. Even if they tried to speak up, Evelina would kill them. And even if they targeted me specifically, they didn’t think they could take me down either.

The doors opened.

The moment we stepped inside, Evelina sighed in satisfaction.

“Finally.”

Her room was massive—almost unnecessarily so. Velvet curtains, towering windows, a large bed that could easily fit five people, and an attached bathing chamber separated by carved obsidian panels.

Rich nobility really had a flair for drama.

I started setting her down.

Her grip tightened.

“Nope.”

“Is there anything else you need?”

“You promised a reward.”

“I also promised to bring you to your room.”

“And you did.” She smiled sweetly. “Good job.”

Her tail curled around my wrist.

“But I’m still dirty.”

“So… a bath?”

“Yes.”

She tilted her head.

“You’re helping.”

I stared at her.

She stared back.

Completely serious.

“…Well, what package did you want?” I smirked mischievously.

“Mmm.”

Her eyes glowed faintly.

[Euphoria Bloom]

The effect hit weaker this time—probably because she was exhausted—but it still sent a pulse of heat through my chest.

I narrowed my eyes.

“That’s your answer?”

She grinned.

“Why, really, expect me to ask for something tame? I’m a succubus, Cael.”

Before I could respond, she slipped out of my arms.

Or rather—she tried to.

Her legs buckled immediately.

I caught her again before she could hit the floor.

She laughed softly against my shoulder.

“Okay… how do you even deal with something like this? It feels like my whole body’s fighting against me. I mean, I know how to move, but using my body just for combat like that is definitely… ugh.”

Her body was still trembling from the fight. The demonic energy inside her was finally settling, but the strain of forcing her barely conditioned body into immediate combat had clearly taken its toll.

[Photographic Memory]

That made sense. Her father had trained her for all kinds of situations, but she was still specialized in magic. Her physical prowess would normally have developed later in the story—at least, it would have before I intervened.

“Come on.”

This time, I carried her toward the bathing chamber.

Steam already hung in the air; one of the servants must have prepared the bath earlier. The wide stone tub was full, the faint hiss of pipes and machinery making it clear what kept the water warm.

Evelina hummed in approval.

“Perfect.”

I set her gently on the edge of the bath. She loosened her ponytail, then, with a light touch of her finger, dismissed her clothes.

In an instant, she stood bare and beautiful before me. Every burn and injury had vanished, though the faint stiffness in her movements showed the pain had not. Then she stepped into the tub—a bath large enough to hold a small party—and sank into the water.

“What’re you waiting for? Take off your clothes already. I’m not the only one who’s a mess after that fight.”

I glanced down at myself.

She wasn’t wrong.

My chest and shoulders were streaked with smoke residue, and my arms had a few shallow scratches where her attacks had licked past me during the fight. Still, I wasn’t exactly hiding anything.

“Awfully demanding for someone who couldn’t stand five seconds ago,” I said, crossing my arms loosely.

Evelina leaned back against the curved edge of the tub, the water rising just beneath her shoulders. Wet strands of her white hair clung to her collarbone as she watched me with half-lidded eyes.

Her tail lazily swayed across the surface of the water.

“Mhm. And yet you’re still standing there instead of leaving,” she murmured. “Interesting.”

I sighed.

“You know me…”

“You switch between quippy and obedient in a whim…”

She wasn’t wrong about that either.

With a quiet shake of my head, I took off my remaining clothing and stepped closer, letting the steam curl around us. Her tail flicked again, sending small ripples across the water, brushing against my leg.

“You know,” she said softly, resting her chin against her hand, “most people would be a little more flustered right now.”

“That wouldn’t be appropriate for how much we’ve done already,” I replied.

“Mmm.” Her eyes glinted. “Just small talk~.”

I lowered myself into the bath. The water was hot—just short of scalding—but perfect for aching muscles. The heat seeped into me almost instantly, easing the tension from the fight.

Evelina visibly relaxed the moment I settled in across from her. For a second, neither of us spoke. Steam hung between us, curling around the faint glow of the lanterns, softening the edges of the room.

Then she slowly slid closer.

Not subtle in the slightest.

“Y’know… I’m quite surprised we’ve never taken a bath together yet.”

“Well, you were always busy with your work after all.”

“You’re jealous of my work now?”

Evelina purred as she slid closer, the warm water wrapping around us. She eased herself onto me, swinging her legs over my waist until she was snug against my chest.

Her bare skin was hot on mine, and her fingers traced slow, teasing patterns that made it very clear what she wanted.

“Y-Yeah…”

Evelina laughed at my reply.

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