Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 238: The Hot Spring and the Duke’s Daughter
An unexpected accident occurred during Rest’s bath in the open-air hot spring.
A completely unforeseen development—yet, in some ways, a cliché.
He had encountered Celestine Crocus.
“W-Wait… This is the men’s bath… Or—hold on, did I accidentally wander into the women’s bath!?”
“Please, calm down, Rest. This inn has only one open-air bath. It is shared between men and women.”
“What!? A… mixed bath!?”
Could it be that this hot spring was designed to fulfill the ultimate fantasy of men everywhere?
A view of the moon, the stars, the sea—and now, a naked girl. Wasn’t this a bit too much to take in at once?
“Calm down… You’re panicking. Stay calm. Breathe…”
Rest held a hand over his chest, trying to control the rapid pounding of his heart.
If it had been Viola or Primula who appeared, he wouldn’t have been this shocked. He was used to bathing with them regularly.
Even if it had been Yuri, he wouldn’t have been this flustered—given her carefree nature, she’d probably just barge in without a second thought.
(But Celestine… I never expected her to come here…!)
Celestine, the epitome of a refined lady, sharing a bath with a man was unthinkable.
The only exceptions would be family or a husband.
“Or… wait. Maybe someone of Celestine’s status just doesn’t care if a ‘lowly’ man sees her? Like, does she see me as nothing more than an animal…?”
“Not at all. You’re a count, Rest. I would never think of you as lowly.”
“I SAID THAT OUT LOUD!?”
When did that happen?
At what point did he start voicing such foolish thoughts?
Mortified, Rest forced himself to regain composure.
“Uh… did you not realize I was in here before coming in? If that’s the case, I’ll leave—”
“No, this isn’t some kind of accident. I came in because I wanted to talk with you, Rest… Now, may I share the bath?”
Celestine shivered slightly.
She had been standing in the cold air all this time, and her body was getting chilled.
“Ah—sorry! Please, go ahead!”
Rest quickly scooted to make space.
Not that he needed to—there was already more than enough room.
“Then, excuse me.”
Celestine gracefully picked up a wooden bucket and poured warm water over her towel-wrapped body.
Even such a simple act was elegant, making it clear she had been raised in a completely different world than Rest.
(She’s… really graceful. No, I mean her movements! Not her looks!)
Viola and Primula were well-mannered, but they didn’t possess Celestine’s level of refinement.
The difference between a marquis’s family and a duke’s was more significant than he had thought.
“…If you keep staring at me like that, I’ll get embarrassed.”
“Wah! S-Sorry!”
Flustered, Rest quickly turned his head away.
The water had soaked into Celestine’s towel, clinging to her figure and emphasizing her ample curves.
He had unintentionally burned the sight into his mind—an extremely rude thing to do.
“Excuse me…”
Celestine stepped into the bath, slowly submerging herself.
She sat a short distance away from Rest and let out a deep, soft sigh.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a hot spring bath. I never thought I’d get to experience one here.”
“…So you’ve been to a hot spring before?”
“Yes. A few times while inspecting the southern regions of the kingdom.”
The southern part of the Iwood Kingdom was mountainous and had many hot springs.
Rest had never been there, but he thought it might be nice to visit one day with Viola and the others.
“So… you said you had something to talk to me about? What is it?”
Trying to ignore the awkward tension, Rest steered the conversation to the main topic.
His head felt like it was overheating, and he wasn’t sure if it was from the bath’s warmth or the half-naked beauty sitting nearby.
“Yes… I have something important to discuss with you today.”
Celestine turned to him with a serious expression.
“I should tell you in advance that this matter has already been approved by His Majesty the King, the Crown Prince, Marquis Rosemary, my father the Duke of Crocus, and even Viola and Primula.”
“……?”
So Viola and Primula already knew?
And if even the king and crown prince were involved, it must be something serious.
(Wait… if it’s that important, why are we discussing it in the bath? Isn’t that weird!?)
“Rest.”
“Y-Yes…?”
“You are to marry me. I look forward to our engagement.”
“……Huh?”
Rest blinked, unable to process the words.
Had he misheard her?
But before he could even think of questioning it—
“Rest, you and I are to be married. From now on, we are engaged. Please take care of me.”
“WHA—!?”