I jumped straight into the tub, and water immediately splashed everywhere. Half the area inside the curtains was soaked, especially Claire, the maid attending me at my side—her palace clothes were almost completely drenched.

Claire clearly hadn’t expected this move from me. She was utterly shocked, frozen in place, not moving at all.

Truly, my eyes were in for a treat, feasting on ice cream. Palace clothes are all made of silk, and once they get wet, they become almost semi-transparent. Combined with the way wet silk clings to the body, Claire’s exquisite, curvaceous, and fiery figure was now almost completely revealed before my eyes. Although she still wore undergarments, it didn’t stop my desire from being ignited.

“Ah~!” Claire finally snapped out of it, covering her chest with both hands and crouching down. Heh, a normal girl’s reaction.

“Your—Your Majesty.” Claire pouted coquettishly, but didn’t dare say anything more.

“Aha, it was an accident.” I had feasted my eyes and now laughed smugly. “Don’t blame me, Claire.”

I can’t deny, taking a steaming hot bath in the dead of winter is truly a pleasure. Especially with two stunning beauties attending to me—it’s like being in a fairyland.

“Let me help Your Majesty wash your back.” Claire, after all, was a bit more mature than Grace, and quickly recovered from her embarrassment. She picked up a bath cloth and began to wipe my exposed shoulders.

“Whew!” The comfort was so intense, it felt like my soul was about to float away. My pores, under the effect of the hot water, were greatly expanded, and all my fatigue was almost completely dispelled.

“By the way, Claire, you’ll catch a cold like this.” I looked at her delicate body with ill intent, grinning slyly. “Why not come in and soak together? It’ll help ward off the chill.”

“I—I wouldn’t dare.” Claire looked terrified, barely daring to glance at me, and her hand movements slowed down.

“Let Grace help me wash.” I glanced at Grace, who had recovered but was still standing there dumbly. I liked her shy, timid look.

“Y-Your servant…” Claire’s face instantly turned crimson, and she bit her lip, whispering, “Th-this isn’t proper.”

“Hmph, what I say is the rule.” I pretended to raise my voice a bit, but just that little bit was enough to make the two girls not dare resist any further. Inwardly, I scolded myself—wasn’t this method a bit too despicable?

But that thought quickly vanished. Claire didn’t dare defy me anymore and was already loosening her robe. Her face was full of embarrassment, her little wet, red face looked like it could drip water if you pinched it.

My breath nearly stopped. Such a delicate, enchanting body was enough to steal my soul. Coupled with her shy, half-concealed manner, my desire flared up again. Down below, there was another sudden reaction.

Suddenly, Claire’s body began to tremble. I immediately realized—though there was a brazier outside the tub, it was still winter after all. I felt a pang of guilt and said with concern, “Claire, hurry and get in, it’s cold out there.”

Claire’s gaze suddenly showed a hint of gratitude. She gracefully stepped into the tub, her movements gentle and elegant, unlike my clumsy splashing that had soaked everything.

She shivered all over. I cursed myself inwardly—damn, it’s so cold outside, and I didn’t let her warm up with a hot towel before coming in. The sudden temperature change is the easiest way to get sick.

I hurriedly used a bath cloth to rub her body vigorously, which would help stimulate circulation and lower the chance of illness. At the same time, I said, “Claire, I was too impatient. Please don’t get sick, that would be terrible.”

Claire didn’t dare accept such an honor, and quickly cried out, “Your Majesty, no, please, let me do it myself.”

But I wouldn’t let her, stopping her struggles as I helped her warm up. Even I didn’t expect that, in such intimate contact, I didn’t feel the slightest bit of desire. I just wanted to make sure she didn’t get sick.

Claire seemed to sense the sincerity in my eyes and stopped resisting, her gaze now sparkling, no longer fearful as before. Only, when my hand brushed over sensitive spots, she couldn’t help but let out a couple of soft moans.

“All done.” I let out a breath, leaned back against the tub, and said seriously, “Tomorrow, have the imperial physician prepare a remedy to ward off the cold, and make yourself some ginger vinegar soup to drink.”

Thanks to all those TV dramas, at least I knew the doctors serving the royal family are called imperial physicians.

“Th-thank you, Your Majesty.” Claire looked at me gratefully.

“Grace.” I turned and smiled at her, who was staring in shock. “Are you jealous? Want to come in and soak too? Bare it all with me?”

“Ah?” Grace was so thin-skinned she couldn’t handle my blatant teasing. Her limbs went weak, and she stammered, “I—I wouldn’t dare.”