TGDHC Chapter 160

Chapter 160 – A Gentle Touch

“Your Highness, I brought hot water.”

“Thank you, Leta.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I carefully dipped my feet into the silver basin.

Ugh.

A small groan slipped out.

Maybe it was because I had been going back and forth between Goldrain and the lakeside so much—my legs were unusually swollen today.

When Leta added rose oil to the water, a faint fragrance rose almost immediately.

“I’ll massage them for you.”

“No.”

I stopped her as she rolled up her sleeves.

“It’s fine. If I soak them a bit, it’ll loosen up. You should go rest now.”

“When Your Highness finishes the foot bath, I’ll prepare your bed—”

“That’s enough! I can dry my own feet. Go on, quickly!”

I practically pushed Leta out of the room.

There were supposed to be scheduled shifts, yet Leta worked from morning till night with no sign of resting—so I had to force her out like this.

With my feet soaking in the warm water, I leaned back on the bed and opened a letter from Countess Selvanise.

This was the second letter she had sent after receiving my reply to the first.

My answer must have felt like a positive sign, because the countess was even more eager to meet.

「…If you allow it, I would like to invite Your Highness to Selvanise. …Once autumn comes, the mountain paths start to freeze early, so I am already anxious. If you accept, I will clear my schedule anytime.」

How far was Selvanise from here, I wondered.

I was curious about her face, and if her territory was truly as beautiful as she claimed, I wanted to visit.

While thinking about whether I could make time, the warm water melted my feet until I grew drowsy…

…and fell asleep.

Warm, fragrant oil wrapped around my calves.

Large hands stroked down from top to bottom, gentle but firm.

When fingers pressed into the knotted muscles, the tension slowly melted and blood flowed through my legs again.

“Mmh… that feels nice.”

I murmured half-asleep—and heard a soft laugh.

“…Loic?”

At that, I finally realized the gentle touch on my legs and opened my eyes.

When I pushed myself up on one elbow, I saw a tall figure sitting below the bed.

“Please lie down.”

A strong, warm feeling rested beneath my foot—Loic’s thigh.

Blinking a few times, I saw Loic sitting with one knee raised, my foot resting on his leg while he massaged me.

“What are you doing?”

“Your legs are very stiff.”

Rolling up his sleeves, Loic used his long fingers to gently knead my calf.

“A—!”

“Just endure it a little. It’s better to loosen it now, even if it hurts.”

His soft voice soothed me.

The sensation was too pleasant to refuse.

I relaxed completely, admiring the thick tendons on his arms as he stroked my legs.

Only after carefully drying my calves and feet with a soft towel did Loic move the basin away.

Feeling grateful—and a little embarrassed—I couldn’t resist teasing him.

“Loic, thanks… but aren’t you getting a bit too bold?”

“Me?”

Loic raised an eyebrow.

“Touching your sleeping wife’s calves without warning.”

He casually lowered my skirt, which had ridden up to my knees, as I narrowed my eyes at him.

“You used to jump like a startled kitten even when I touched your hand.”

Loic’s lips curved into a soft smile.

“So you dislike it?”

He leaned forward, bracing one arm on the bed as he drew closer.

His mischievous eyes curved gently.

“See? You’re way too skilled now.”

Laughing, he pulled a stool and sat in front of me.

“…I learned it all from you.”

He murmured in his low, pleasant voice, then gently held my fingertips.

“May I speak honestly?”

I nodded.

“Even now, my heart trembles just from touching the tip of your fingers.”

His dark eyes shimmered softly.

Feeling shy, I bit the inside of my cheek.

“I don’t think you’ll ever truly become ‘skilled.’”

Loic traced the bones of my hand with his thumb, then lifted it and kissed the back gently.

He really had gotten skilled.

Still smiling at my teasing, Loic hesitated a moment, lips parting slowly.

“…I heard you met the prince earlier.”

“Norton told you?”

He nodded, gripping my hand slightly tighter.

“When Count Facio visited before… I clearly stated that I have no intention of divorcing.”

His hand felt even hotter than before, so I stared at it without thinking.

Maybe he misunderstood my reaction as anger, because he rushed out desperately.

“It’s true. That talk of divorce was from before we got married. There has been absolutely no discussion with Rondoris afterwards. Please don’t misunderstand…!”

To calm him down, I patted his heated hand softly.

“I’m not misunderstanding anything. I already knew about the divorce talk.”

His anxious voice quieted at that.

“I also heard the prince was rude to you. I won’t let it go.”

Loic carefully searched my expression.

“Did it upset you a lot?”

Seeing his trembling lashes, I couldn’t help but smile.

“It didn’t upset me.”

He studied my face, as if trying to confirm my sincerity.

“Really.”

Meeting his eyes, I added:

“No need to scold the prince. He probably said it in anger because he was worried about his sister… and he apologised anyway.”

At the word worried, Loic frowned.

“A prince worried about a princess? They’re not close enough for that.”

“More importantly, Loic, are you feeling unwell?”

I pushed his black fringe aside and placed my hand on his forehead.

“That’s strange. Why have you been so warm lately?”

“I’m not sure.”

Loic leaned heavily into my palm.

“The mage says nothing is wrong, but… sometimes I get this surge of heat.”

Seeing my concerned expression, he smiled gently.

“The mage said it’s nothing serious, so don’t worry.”

Is it because of a lack of… physical affection?

“Do you want a hug?”

He bit his lower lip, then nodded.

“Come here.”

He lowered himself from the stool and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me in.

Heat rushed against my body like hugging a sun-warmed boulder.

He leaned so heavily that I almost toppled backwards.

“Ah!”

Loic quickly caught me with one arm around my waist and the other bracing the bed.

“Sorry, Annette.”

As he straightened, something crinkled beneath him.

Loic picked up the crushed paper with a puzzled look.

It was the countess’s letter I had been reading.

“Countess Selvanise sent it.”

When I mentioned the invitation, Loic’s eyes softened.

“Will you accept?”

“I’d like to… but Cecilia is busy, so I’m not sure if I can make time.”

I added that I might have to go alone, though I didn’t love the idea of travelling by myself.

Loic thought for a moment, then said,

“…About the Everin Forest villa I mentioned before. It’s very close to Selvanise.”

When I tilted my head, he continued, licking his lips lightly.

“Shall we go together? To the villa?”

“You?”

His throat bobbed slowly as he swallowed.

“A-Annette is delicate… travelling all the way to Selvanise in one day might be too much. If we go to the villa first and rest overnight… then you can visit the countess the next day.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll wait at the villa until you return.”

“You’ll probably need to stay at the countess’s manor at least one night.”

Truthfully, the countess’s suggested schedule would take almost a week.

“…Then I’ll stay at the villa one more night.”

“You’re too busy for that.”

“I’ll manage.”

Loic insisted, sounding almost flustered.

“I often go there for border inspections anyway. It’s practically the same as going together.”

“I’d feel too guilty.”

“Think of it as a break. Everin Forest is beautiful in spring… and actually, also in summer.”

A vacation.

Come to think of it, I had been working nonstop in Pogen Village too—barely had time to enjoy anything.

‘It sounds nice but…’

I thought through the schedule.

“But will it really work? You don’t have many free days. If we’re going, we’d need to leave the day after tomorrow.”

“I’ll arrange my schedule. Don’t worry.”

While gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, Loic paused.

“What about you, Annette?”

“What about me?”

“For the… consecration day. You’ll have to spend all your time in the carriage.”

“Consecration day?”

What was that?

I blinked in confusion—Loic’s brow tightened briefly before he smiled faintly.

“Nothing. If that day works for you, it works for me too.”

“Thank you—for going with me.”

I had secretly felt nervous about going alone, so his offer made me genuinely happy.

“May I lean on you now?”

Before I could answer, he slowly leaned in and rested his head on my shoulder.

“Oh—right! Prince Lucion is still staying at the castle. Is it okay to leave while you have a guest?”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Loic grumbled that even giving the prince a place to sleep was generous enough.

“Annette, you’re far too softhearted. It worries me.”

He nuzzled like a spoiled puppy, his loose hair brushing my neck and tickling.

“You’re only supposed to be soft with me…”

“I’m softest with you, so don’t worry.”

Feeling like a giant puppy was clinging to me, I gently stroked his warm back and smiled.