Inside the palace.
Steam from the bathhouse condensed into fine droplets on the carved stone pillars, while the Sea Cat Stone Carvings gurgled as they poured forth spring water.
"Your Highness," came Igaram's steady voice from the entrance, carrying a hint of barely perceptible anxiety. "You've been soaking for quite some time now. Do you require assistance?"
Vivi, currently cradled in Ryan's arms with her lower back pressed against the cool pool wall, stiffened at Igaram's voice. She bit down hard on her lower lip, using all her strength to steady her voice, though it still carried an unmistakable tremor. "N-nothing's wrong... Igaram, Miss. Valentine and I are just playing in the water... Don't come in, and d-don't let anyone approach..."
Ryan's fingers trailed down through Vivi's soaked hair as he chuckled softly, deliberately blowing a breath against her ear and watching the skin there instantly flush pink.
Vivi's breath hitched sharply, nearly letting slip a fragmented whimper.
"But Your Highness, your voice sounds unusual..." Igaram hesitated outside, the sound of his boots scraping against the stone floor particularly clear. "While the hot springs are pleasant, soaking too long can cause dizziness. You should come out and rest soon."
"I know!" Vivi's voice suddenly rose sharply before quickly dropping again as if pricked by a needle, carrying a faint, tearful quality. "I-I'll be out soon! Stop disturbing us!"
The footsteps outside paused briefly before finally fading into the distance. The bathhouse fell into silence once more, leaving only the intermingling sounds of three people's breathing and the water.
Ryan looked down at Vivi in his arms. The young princess's cheeks were flushed with an intoxicating rosy hue, her blue-tinted eyelashes trembling damply, her lips red from being bitten yet still pressed tightly together, refusing to let out any sound.
"Your Highness is more resilient than I imagined," Ryan suddenly chuckled lowly, his arm tightening slightly to pull Vivi closer against him, his tone carrying a teasing note.
Vivi turned her face away, avoiding Ryan's gaze, biting her lip without speaking. The droplets clinging to her eyelashes rolled down, indistinguishable whether they were spring water or something else.
Seeing this, Ryan's smile deepened. He turned to look at Mikita behind him, his tone casual yet carrying an undeniable command. "Put in more effort too. Don't waste the princess's time."
Mikita had long since moved closer and was now kneeling in the water, her Lemon Earrings casting fragmented light through the steam. A shrewd smile graced her face as she spoke in an ingratiating tone, "Don't worry, I guarantee we won't delay Her Highness's matters."
As she spoke, Mikita's fingertips lightly touched Vivi's ankle, causing the latter to shiver again.
Vivi squeezed her eyes shut, not daring to look at Mikita, much less at Ryan. The warm spring water felt like scalding magma rising through her limbs, making her dizzy and disoriented. She could only allow Ryan to hold her tighter.
This situation was utterly absurd.
She was the princess of Alabasta, the pearl cherished by her people, yet here in this hidden corner, she was completely at the mercy of these two... But the words "any cost" were branded on her tongue, making her swallow back all words of resistance.
....
The next day at noon.
Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the Persian carpet. Vivi sat before the dressing table, wearing a water-blue silk nightgown that draped to her ankles. The collar was embroidered with delicate silver thread patterns, making her exposed shoulders appear even paler.
The mirror reflected the girl's still-flushed cheeks. As she picked up the peachwood comb to tidy her loose hair, yesterday's scenes uncontrollably flooded her mind.
In the steamy hot spring, Ryan's hands wandering along her waistline, Mikita's teasing fingers tracing her skin, and her own breathless whisper of "any price"...
"Mmm..." Vivi abruptly closed her eyes and buried her face in the cool silk sleeve. The faint scent of incense from the fabric couldn't suppress the burning heat in her ears.
As the princess of Alabasta, she had been educated since childhood to be reserved and dignified, with every gesture conforming to royal etiquette. Yet yesterday's scene in the bathhouse had been like a scorching storm, completely overturning her understanding.
The mingled breaths of three people, the murmuring water, Mikita's deliberately created sounds, and Ryan's final teasing remark about "resilience"... every detail made her ears burn.
Knock knock knock—
The door was gently tapped, followed by Cobra's voice: "Vivi, are you awake?"
Vivi hurriedly sat up straight, hastily smoothing her hair with the comb, and replied hoarsely: "Awake... I'm awake, Father."
"Why is your face so red?" Cobra entered holding a rolled parchment map, frowning with concern at his daughter's flushed cheeks. "Did you not rest well last night?"
"No!" Vivi immediately shook her head, her fingers nervously tracing the jade bottles on the dressing table. "It's just... a bit hot."
Cobra walked behind Vivi, observing her evasive eyes in the mirror. His broad hand gently rested on her shoulder as he smiled without pressing further, changing the subject: "By the way, have you seen Mr. Ryan? After we dealt with Crocodile yesterday, I wanted to thank him, but he disappeared. I planned to hold a banquet to properly host him and express our gratitude for his help."
Vivi's hand holding the comb suddenly stilled. A flicker of panic showed in her mirrored eyes before she quickly lowered her head, murmuring softly: "Mr... Mr. Ryan has already left."
"Left?" Cobra sounded surprised as he placed the map scroll on the table, the parchment rustling as it unrolled. "Didn't he mention 'payment' to you before? How could he leave without a word? I prepared generous rewards - even if he wanted gold or territory, as long as we can repay this kindness..."
"Father!" Vivi suddenly looked up, her cheeks red like ripe pomegranates, even her ears glowing with heat. "He... he doesn't want those things."
Cobra paused, then laughed heartily: "So he's a righteous man who seeks no reward! Saving a nation yet asking for nothing - truly a rare good person."
Gently stroking his daughter's head, Cobra continued in a warm tone: "You've worked hard this time, Vivi. If not for you..."
"For Alabasta, it wasn't hard." Vivi interrupted, her voice slightly choked. Warmed by her father's palm, the shame and panic in her heart suddenly felt lighter.
Yes, she had made that promise for the sake of her country. No matter how shocking yesterday's events had been, it was a price she, as the princess of Alabasta, had to bear.
Cobra looked at the determination in his daughter's eyes and patted her shoulder with relief. "Alright, change your clothes and come out. The ministers are still waiting to discuss post-war reconstruction with you."
After the door closed, Vivi finally let out a sigh of relief and turned back to the mirror. The girl reflected in it had slightly reddened eyes, but the earlier panic was gone. She stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open. A hot wind carrying the scent of the desert rushed in, tousling the ends of her hair.
From the distant harbor came the faint sound of sails being raised. Vivi gazed at the horizon where the sea met the sky, thinking silently, "Mr. Ryan must have already left Alubarna by now."
Those hidden, burning memories were carefully tucked away in her heart, leaving only a silent sigh that dissipated in the hot wind.
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