Royal Baths.
Steam rose in wisps from the white jade pool, where four Sea Cat-shaped stone sculptures stood at the edges, spouting warm spring water from their mouths. The splashing sounds echoed under the dome, mingling with the faint scent of sulfur carried by the vapor.
This was the hot spring bath used by generations of the Alabasta royal family, said to wash away fatigue. Vivi had just dipped her feet into the water when Mikita plunged in with a splash, drenching her face.
The woman leaned casually against the stone pool wall, her lemon-shaped earrings swaying in the steam, toes kicking up small splashes. "This hot spring feels amazing—way better than baking in the desert heat."
Vivi wiped her face with the back of her hand, her water-blue hair now half-soaked and clinging to her shoulders. Watching Mikita's carefree demeanor, her mind churned with unease.
They had once been enemies—this woman had even hunted her down. Yet now they were sharing the royal bath together. Who would believe it?
And all of this was because of that man named Ryan.
He had killed Crocodile. With the Seven Warlord's obstruction gone, the colossal time bomb had been defused and detonated elsewhere. The rebel army learned the truth from her father, the rebellion was quelled, and the nation could finally breathe again.
Steam continued to rise from the water's surface. Vivi lightly tapped the surface with her fingertips, watching as Mikita propped one leg on the pool's edge, toes wiggling leisurely. That awkward feeling welled up inside her again, and she sank deeper into the water. When the warm current brushed past her chest, her cheeks inexplicably grew hotter.
She had promised to pay any price. From Mikita's example, she knew exactly what that price would be.
"What's on your mind? Your face is as red as a ripe apple," Mikita suddenly nudged Vivi's shoulder with her elbow, displaying a familiarity that felt almost reckless.
Vivi wobbled from the nudge, water splashing onto her chin, and she quickly retreated. "N-nothing..."
"Nothing?" Mikita raised an eyebrow, leaning closer with a knowing smirk. "I bet you're thinking about Mr. Ryan, aren't you?"
Vivi's face flushed crimson instantly, the blush spreading down to her neck. She frantically sank deeper into the water. "D-don't say such nonsense..."
"I'm not talking nonsense." Mikita grinned, her eyes drifting toward Vivi's collarbone as she deliberately drawled, "I heard every word of Her Highness's 'any price' promise."
Vivi's grip on the pool edge tightened. Mikita's blunt words only deepened her inner turmoil, her ears burning fiercely.
"What... what kind of person is Mr. Ryan?" Vivi bit her lip, her voice barely a whisper, yet she couldn't help asking.
"Who knows?" Mikita leaned back against the pool wall, hands behind her head, feet still splashing in the water. "I've only been with him for a few days."
That was the truth—she genuinely didn't know Ryan's background. Following him guaranteed her safety, though the only downside was his seemingly endless energy when he got going.
Vivi glanced at the carefree Mikita and deliberately changed the subject. "What are your plans now?"
"With Baroque Works disbanded and Crocodile dead, what plans could I possibly have?" Mikita put away her smile, speaking frankly, "I'll just follow Mr. Ryan for now. He's so strong - sticking with him can't be wrong."
Seeing Mikita's matter-of-fact attitude, Vivi felt some of the turmoil in her heart gradually ease.
Just then, steady footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor, tapping rhythmically against the stone floor as they drew nearer.
Vivi instinctively looked up to see Ryan walking in draped in a black coat. The sound of his boots grinding against the floor was particularly distinct in the quiet space.
"You... how dare you come in?!" Vivi abruptly shrank deeper into the water, flustered as she tried to grab the towel by the pool's edge. The redness from her ears spread down her neck, even her shoulders above the water surface turning pink.
"Well now, we were just talking about Mr. Ryan." Mikita remained much calmer than Vivi, leaning lazily against the pool wall with amusement sparkling in her eyes. She kicked her feet in the water, deliberately splashing some droplets. "Barging in like this - aren't you afraid Her Highness will call the guards?"
Ryan ignored Mikita, his gaze fixed on Vivi. The water level just covered the girl's shoulders, making her delicate shoulder lines appear even softer. Her long hair swayed gently with the water's movement, sometimes concealing the curves of her chest, other times pushed aside by the current to reveal small patches of smooth skin. A water droplet still clung to her collarbone.
Clearly unprepared for anyone's intrusion, Vivi's mouth hung slightly open, her blue eyes filled with the panic of a startled deer. Her instinctive attempt to shrink deeper into the water only created ripples that made those subtly visible curves even more alluring.
Ryan stopped at the pool's edge, his eyes resting on Vivi's face as a faint smile touched his lips. "Naturally, I've come to collect my payment."
Vivi's face flushed crimson instantly, her fingers clutching tightly at the carved edge of the pool. The word "payment" now felt like a red-hot branding iron, making her tongue stumble. "R-right now?"
"Or else?" Ryan leaned slightly forward, his gaze skimming over the girl's damp hair ends, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Or does Her Highness wish to go back on her word?"
"I don't!" Vivi hurriedly looked up, her eyes meeting Ryan's bottomless gaze before darting away like she'd been shocked. Her voice became as faint as a mosquito's hum. "B-but this is..."
"No buts." Ryan cut off Vivi's words, raising his hand to untie his coat. The black fabric slid from his shoulders, revealing the dust-stained white shirt beneath. "Perfect timing for a bath."
Vivi's face flushed several shades redder again as she hastily turned her head away, staring fixedly at the Sea Cat stone carving by the pool. She didn't dare even glance sideways at Ryan, yet her ears involuntarily picked up the sounds from behind - the soft clicks of shirt buttons being undone one by one, the rustle of fabric against skin, and the dull thud of clothes being casually tossed onto the stone platform.
A splash of water made Vivi's shoulders tremble almost imperceptibly. She could clearly feel the ripples gently lapping against her back as Ryan entered the bath. The warm water seemed to grow somewhat restless with his movement.
"Mr. Ryan must be exhausted, right?" Mikita's voice carried deliberate attentiveness, followed by the sound of water splashing.
Vivi stole a sidelong glance and saw Mikita had already sidled up to Ryan, her hands gently kneading his shoulders with a shrewd yet ingratiating smile. "I've practiced this skill—guaranteed to make you feel perfectly relaxed."
Ryan said nothing, merely letting out an almost imperceptible hum of acknowledgment, tacitly permitting Mikita's ministrations.
She might lack substance, but she certainly excels at providing emotional comfort!
Mikita's murmurs and the rhythm of her massage were unmistakably clear, making Vivi's heart pound faster. She felt too unsettled to sit still or move, frozen in her original posture, her fingertips tightening their grip on the carved edge of the pool.
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