No Land for Princes(s) (ONC2024 Entry)

Chapter Ten: Secrets of The Hot Springs

For three days, they stuck to the more wild parts of southern Switang until the rains came. Their scenic path was unexpectedly swept away by a flash flood, forcing them to return to the main road. Drenched by the cold downpour, they sought shelter. Taeyang's maps indicated an old inn a mile out of their way. With their spirits nearly washed away, they unanimously agreed to find it.

Either The Sacred Hole was closer than they'd expected, or they'd already been off course. No one could be sure, though Taeyang and Chaleek argued about it long after accounts were settled and their four rooms were paid for. Goda and Ryo shared a room, of course. Rocio assumed Jieun would bunk with her until Jieun blurted out she would feel more comfortable with Chaleek. That left her with Taeyang, because Candle-Eyes' room had only one bed.

The staff of The Sacred Hole were all old women with the kind and wise expressions of tree sloths. One such woman offered laundry service for a few extra coin and encouraged the troupe to utilize the inn's indoor hot springs. Like the rooms, Taeyang paid for the service and ordered everyone to meet at the springs in ten minutes.

Chaleek and Jieun stared at one another from across their rented room. Both held towels and slippers provided by the kindly old woman who showed them in.

"I'll... I'll see you down there."

Jieun left the room in a hurry and rushed downstairs. She ran to the first smiling old woman she saw.

"Are the springs co-ed?" She hoped beyond hope, they weren't.

"Why yes, our beloved springs are divided into three sections. One for women, one for mixed groups, and a private spring." The old woman grinned, her teeth large and gapped. "Your friends are already in the shared space.

Jieun bowed.

"You seem like a modest young woman. Try not to let your loose Bawikyan friend lead you astray. Those people have very strange ideas about nudity and sexuality."

Jieun blushed and the old woman grinned harder.

"The three sections are clearly marked."

Jieun walked down the hall, each step leaden as she contemplated what she should do. The Prince had always wished to experience a hot spring, but the opportunity never arose during his time sequestered in Castle Hwipalam. Jieun was desperate to dive in, but, unless she could slip under the waters unnoticed, there would be no way to conceal her secrets from any onlooker.

By the time she reached the doorways, marked in blockish Switang characters, she could hear Taeyang telling one of his tales. The man seemed to never run out of stories.

Jieun took a deep breath, stepped forward, and was snatched off balance by Rocio. Wrapped in a towel barely long enough to maintain any level of modesty, the taller woman dragged her through the doorway to the women's spring. There was a room cut into the natural rocks with a long bench and cubbies for belongings. Shoving Jieun towards a cubby, Rocio sat.

"What are you doing–"

Jieun's eyes bulged out of their sockets and her cheeks grew red-hot at the sight of Rocio, the woman's leg propped up in a very unladylike manner.

"That," Rocio answered, shaking her head. "Taeyang is in rare form tonight, and you're so innocent it would be ridiculous to expect him to be a gentleman."

"I'm not innocent," Jieun responded, voice high and shrill. "Will you cover up, please."

Rocio furrowed her brow in confusion, then glanced down at her exposed lower half and laughed wickedly.

"This is what I'm talking about." She slapped her inner thigh, making Jieun flinch. "I have nothing you haven't seen before, though I've got slightly more in the chest area than you. You're so pure, the lechers probably fall all over themselves to get to you."