CHAPTER 266: THE BATH

He could already hear multiple angry footsteps rushing up the stairs.

As the cold north wind blew through the broken wall, the papers and pages of books fluttered wildly around her.

The icy breeze whistled and passed over Reks, who could only stare helplessly at the wrecked room.

...

"Ahhh—! This feels amazing! The best!"

With a loud splash, Shiao Yi dove into the bath and came up with a delighted grin.

Beside him, Dominic sank into the water as well and let out a long satisfied sigh.

Changing the bathtub to a larger one had definitely been the right decision.

The amount of water needed had increased a lot, but now that the water supply and plumbing systems were well developed, so filling the bathtub had become much easier.

There was no longer any need to haul water from the well.

Just by turning a faucet, they could have as much water as they wanted.

The old well was still used for taking care of the horses, washing clothes, and cleaning vegetables in the garden.

This water system had been built after hearing about such things from Shiao Yi’s world.

Mr. Vundo and the chancellor had worked together to make it happen.

It seemed, the world where Shiao Yi come from was an incredibly advanced society that was far beyond what they could imagine.

Although Shiao Yi’s world had no magic, they realized that some of Shiao Yi’s technology could still be adapted with creativity.

One of the key elements that made this possible was the production of magic stones.

Though they had no electricity, the machines and equipment could run using the magic power stored in these stones.

Because of this, people like Aaron, Mr. Vundo, and many other engineers had thrown themselves passionately into researching and developing new uses for them.

Dominic didn’t understand those complicated technologies very well, but he could clearly see how Rosaria was becoming a more prosperous and comfortable place to live.

And the benefits of that progress were also spreading to its allied and neighboring nations, like Nabradia and Dalmasca.

Even though monsters and magical beasts would always remain a threat, Dominic now found himself hoping for a world where everyone could live in peace and happiness, a world free from war.

If someone had told him a while ago that he would ever think like this, he would never have believed it.

Back then, Dominic had cared about nothing and no one.

He never opened his heart, living only to fight and survive.

He had always believed that his life would end one day torn apart by a beast or struck down by an enemy’s sword.

But Shiao Yi had changed all of that.

Since the day Shiao Yi appeared before him, Dominic’s world had gained color, warmth, and meaning.

His once empty existence had become bright and alive.

He pulled Shiao Yi close in the warm water, wrapping his arms around him and holding him gently against his chest.

Shiao Yi didn’t resist, instead, he relaxed and leaned back into Dominic’s embrace.

The scent of soap rose from Shiao Yi’s damp, glossy black hair, and Dominic pressed his nose against it, breathing in deeply.

Shiao Yi always kept his hair short.

Even when Dominic asked him to grow it longer, saying he liked it that way, Shiao Yi would laugh and cut it again, saying it only got in the way.

"There was sand everywhere, even in your hair," Dominic said softly. "It finally feels clean again, doesn’t it?"

The sand from the vast desert they had just crossed was fine and clingy, sticking to their skin and getting deep into their hair.

It had been uncomfortable.

So the first thing they did when they returned was take a bath together, washing each other’s bodies and hair, scrubbing away the sand and the grime from travel.

Shiao Yi rested against him without a care, completely unguarded and Dominic had to fight hard to control the desire rising inside him.

He knew that Shiao Yi doesn’t like it when they’re doing it in the bath.

Shiao Yi often said that the bath was a place meant for relaxation.

He would pout and complain that he couldn’t truly unwind if he had to worry about Dominic trying to make a move on him.

Still, Dominic believed that the real reason was something else, that Shiao Yi disliked how his moaning voices echoed loudly in the bath.

Shiao Yi, after all, was quite shy.

Later that night, they finally settled down in the bedroom.

From this point on, Shiao Yi always became a little restless, standing up, sitting down, and fidgeting for no clear reason.

Dominic caught him gently, holding him still and thinking through everything that still needed to be done.

The bath was finished.

Lambard had already returned after taking care of Marengo.

And since the dinner was over,

Eline had cleaned up the kitchen and gone home.

They had shared tea after the meal and Jude had also left.

Now, the only two people in the house were Shiao Yi and Dominic.

On the bedside table sat a pitcher of water and a small bottle of new scented oil.

Both the front and back doors were locked tight.

Tonight, Dominic thought, no one would be let in, not even if it were Prince Romas or the King himself.

He wanted nothing more than to be close to his beloved Shiao Yi, to share quiet warmth and affection without interruption.

Dominic leaned over him, careful and gentle, trying to keep his excitement under control.

Shiao Yi looked up at him with slightly flushed cheeks and shy bright eyes that made Dominic’s heart tighten.

Even after all the time they had spent together, Shiao Yi still blushed like the first time, carrying that same innocence that made Dominic fall for him again and again.

Dominic smiled softly, touched by the familiar sight.

Shiao Yi could be shy and awkward, but also calm and steady in the moments that mattered.