* * *
Everything about spending the night alone with the Grand Duke in this unfamiliar place now felt strikingly real.
At the entrance, steam rose gently from a large water basin, where warm water flowed steadily.
It was a hot spring.
“Oh.”
Suddenly, Ed remembered the Grand Duke mentioning last autumn that he’d discovered a stream in the North that produced warm water.
Maybe the Duke could tell he’d recalled that moment, because he took Ed’s hand and led him forward.
“I set this place up so we could relax together. What do you think? Do you like it?”
Like it? That was an understatement.
One side of the space looked like a natural cave wall, while the other was adorned with carved natural marble.
The interior of the first floor was spacious, unique, and beautiful.
A metal staircase, both ornate and sturdy, led to the second floor, which was decorated primarily with warm-toned wood.
The stark contrast between the two floors gave the place a distinct charm, offering a refreshing change of pace.
Unlike the grand, orderly castle, this place made Ed feel like they had truly stepped outside their usual world to spend leisurely time together.
“But… wasn’t the timeframe too tight to build something like this?”
After all, “last autumn” was only about half a year ago.
Korea might be famous for its “bbali bbali” (hurry-hurry) culture and ability to throw up buildings overnight, but the northern part of the Empire was quite the opposite.
Accustomed to long winters spent lounging in front of warm fireplaces, Ed was genuinely surprised.
“I gave it my all so we could be here together as soon as possible, my Grand Duchess.”
The Grand Duke replied playfully and led Ed up to the second floor.
Out of the five rooms, he opened the center door, and Ed’s eyes widened.
Beyond the large window, snow-capped northern mountains stood tall, and below, a clear lakeside sparkled in view.
The room itself was spacious and warm, with a fireplace gently crackling, perfect for gazing into the flames.
It was a beautiful and cozy room.
“Do you like it, Grand Duchess?”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
“And how about this?”
The Grand Duke opened a large window and took Ed’s hand, guiding him out onto the terrace.
As they explored the small garden-like area, they descended a wooden staircase—where Ed couldn’t help but gasp in awe.
Below them was an open-air hot spring.
In the middle of a space enclosed by tall, massive rocks, a large marble bath was built.
Warm water constantly poured down through a curved wooden aqueduct between the rocks, filling the tub to the brim.
Red flower petals floated on the surface, releasing a lovely fragrance.
As Ed explored the space, warm water splashed gently over the marble floor, tickling his feet.
He stepped back quickly to avoid soaking his shoes, and the Grand Duke guided him over to where lounge chairs had been set up.
“You’ll need energy before getting in.”
Opening a basket on the table, the Grand Duke revealed a feast of delicious food and wine.
Everything was perfectly timed: the soup still steaming, the meat warm, and the fruits and dainty desserts fresh and appealing.
Ed chuckled and poured wine into a glass.
“But isn’t it dangerous to bathe after drinking?”
“That’s why I prepared something light, alcohol-wise. But still, just one glass, to be safe.”
“But with a view this good, one glass surely won’t be enough. Please, just a little more.”
The wine shimmered a rich red under the outdoor lamp.
When Ed gently clinked his glass against the Grand Duke’s, the latter chuckled in surrender.
A breeze rustled the trees, cool and refreshing.
Time spent with the Grand Duke was so peaceful it left Ed completely relaxed.
“This is amazing. Shall we dip our feet in the water?”
“If that’s what you want, then of course.”
Still chatting, Ed slipped off his coat.
Though he felt a little regretful about undoing the outfit his maid had so carefully dressed him in, he couldn’t just leave without experiencing the hot spring.
He rolled up his trousers, removed his shoes, and sat on the marble edge of the tub, dipping his bare feet into the water.
The warmth wrapped around his feet, melting away all tension from his body.
As he gently swayed his legs, the water rippled and curled back around them.
A single flower petal floated by and landed on his foot.
Ed smiled and nudged it with his toe.
“Now I understand why His Grace wanted to bring me here before the scent of the flowers disappeared.”
The night sky was dark and calm.
The silence of the evening was serene.
The stars, whispering softly above, glowed gently, and the fragrance of blossoms carried on the breeze was fresh and sweet.
Leaning back on his hands, Ed splashed at the water and lowered his gaze.
The light from the outdoor lamp cast a secretive shadow over the wall, spilling into the vast marble bath.
The clear water, filled with billowing steam, felt intensely peaceful yet somewhat hazy as the warm sensation rose from his feet.
It was as if he were being pulled into a dream…
Just then, a towel gently descended upon Ed’s shoulders.
Lifting his head, he saw the Grand Duke sitting beside him.
His profile was deeply shaded under the soft, low light.
Though Ed himself had rolled up his white shirt and black pants into a somewhat playful outfit, on the Grand Duke, it looked like a masterpiece.
‘A bit unfair, isn’t it?’
After all, he was the one who had spent more time getting ready today.
Leaning his head against the Grand Duke’s shoulder, Ed lightly kicked his leg with his foot.
Splash—a dull sound echoed as water droplets leaped from the surface, leaving marks on his trousers.
“I didn’t expect such a welcome.”
“Isn’t it all the more refreshing and enjoyable because it’s unexpected?”
“Then what about this?”
Ed laughed against the Grand Duke’s lips as they met his.
At the sound of his laughter, the Grand Duke, who had slightly pulled away, pressed his lips back against Ed’s.
This time, it was a much deeper, wetter kiss.
“Ahh… Mmm.”
He didn’t know how many times his trailing, unfinished moans repeated.
Ed tangled their tongues together while stroking the heat radiating from the firm body pressed against his.
‘Is it because we’re in a strange, unfamiliar place?’
He felt both strangely exhilarated and sinful…
The fear that someone might see them sent shivers down his spine, yet at the same time, he didn’t want to let go of the body against his—a contradictory emotion.
When their lips met, parted slightly, then pressed firmly together again, Ed shuddered.
His consciousness blurred as if someone had stirred his mind roughly, and a red heat blossomed across his nape and cheeks.
A feverish heat boiled up from deep within his stomach.
Before he knew it, Ed was nestled in the Grand Duke’s embrace, submerged in the water.
It took him a moment to realize that his clinging, damp clothes had been completely removed, and another moment to register that he was seated on the Grand Duke’s sturdy thighs, his chest being sucked.
Though only their lips had been wet, the slight intoxication, the warm water wrapping around his body, and the breeze brushing over his head awakened every single cell in his body.
And the sight of the Grand Duke, drenched all over, kept stealing his gaze.
When the Grand Duke pulled away after kissing his shoulder, Ed thought it was time for another kiss.
“Haaah, Your Highness!”
……So he hadn’t expected his hole to be sucked like this.
He had clearly been leaning against the large bath wall, but before he knew it, the Grand Duke had gripped Ed’s waist and lifted him into the air.
Just as Ed uttered a confused “Huh?”, water cascaded down his body with a rushing sound.
In an instant, Ed was laid down on the towel-lined bottom of the bath.
Unable to process the sudden turn of events, Ed was startled once more when warm flesh touched his softened, pliant hole.
His legs tensed up tightly.
It was hot.
Scalding and wet.
Since his body had been submerged in warm water just moments before, he thought he wouldn’t feel the heat much… but as the Grand Duke’s tongue touched him below, the warmth that had enveloped his body now surged like a fireball swallowed deep in his stomach.
A firm hand spread his thighs wider, revealing the damp, moist cleft between his buttocks.
As the Grand Duke began sucking in earnest on his sensitive spot, Ed could no longer hold back.
There was no room to worry about being heard or to feel ashamed of his helplessness.
“Your Highness! Ah, Your— Haaa!”
But no answer came. Instead, the Grand Duke, still in the bath, hooked Ed’s legs over his shoulders and pulled him closer.
Ed’s body drew nearer to the Grand Duke, his movements restricted and held in place.
Not content with just licking around his hole, the Grand Duke probed inside with the pointed tip of his tongue, making the leg draped over his shoulder twitch and splash in and out of the water.
Droplets flew everywhere each time.
“Ahh… Ahn.”
Ed’s chin trembled.
The strength drained from his entire body, and his mind melted away as if being sucked into somewhere deep.
* * *
