TBATE-ALLIANCE

Chapter 31

Arthur Eralith POV

I sat on the edge of the bath as water poured out of the spout. Gliding my hand through the water, which was almost full, I tested the temperature of the water.

"Here, put these in," I heard Tess say.

I turned my head toward her, seeing her standing before me completely naked with rosy cheeks, a warm smile, and her hair tied up into a bun. After our little session in the bedroom, we decided to bathe together. My eyes looked her up and down, admiring her beauty. Even with her showing a little, she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. My gaze fell on a glass jar of pink flowers she held in her arms.

I slightly tilted my head to the right in a curious manner, "What are they?"

"There are scented flower pedals," She responded, gesturing to the jar. "They're supposed to help you relax while taking a bath."

"Huh," I said, looking at the pedals with interest. I reached out and said, "Let me see them."

Tess opened the jar and grabbed a handful of the pedals before she placed them in my hand. I brought the pedals close to my face, giving them a sniff. My brows raised in a pleasant surprise, smelling how sweet they were.

"Wow, these smell good!" I exclaimed.

Tess giggled, "Told you. Just toss them into the water, and they will do the rest."

I nodded, reached out, and turned off the water with my free hand. I tossed the pedals into the water and watched the pedals' color slowly spread across it, giving it a light pink tint. The scent from the water began to rise, filling my nostrils with the sweet aroma of the flowers.

I looked back at Tess at the sound of her putting the glass jar down. She walked over to the tub, and I stood up, looking at her with a warm smile. She walked right up to me, placed her hands flat on my chest, leaned up, and gave me a kiss with those soft lips of hers. I leaned forward, deepening the kiss and placing my hands on her hips. We slowly broke the kiss, and Tess looked at me with a smile before her eyes flicked to the tub.

Tess took her left hand off my chest and gestured to the bath, "You get in first."

I nodded, took my hands off her hips, and turned to face the bath. I stepped inside, feeling the relaxing warm water wrap around both my feet, and sat down. I looked at Tess and reached my left hand out for support, helping her get inside the bath, as I didn't want her to fall. I continued supporting her as she slowly sat in front of me and leaned back against my chest. She hummed happily, and I smiled in bliss, feeling her warm skin against mine as we both physically relaxed from the warm water and sweet scent of the pedals. I wrapped my arms around her, not holding her too tight as I didn't want to risk hurting her or our unborn child, and held her close.

Tess leaned her head back against me and hummed, sounding relaxed, with her eyes closed. "I'm so happy to have you back," She said.

I smiled, kissing the top of her head, "It's good to be back. I've missed you, Tess."

We continued to sit there in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying each other's embrace. Feeling her beside me, being able to be next to the love of my life, helped take my mind off the war.

"What have you been up to while I've been gone," I said, finally breaking the silence.

Tess opened her eyes, shrugged, and looked at me, "Nothing much. I've mostly been hanging around the castle with Mom. She hasn't been partaking in the council meetings as much lately since she's been keeping an eye on me."

I nodded, "I see. And how is everything going with the council?"

Tess sighed and looked forward, "I don't know. Mom hasn't really been telling me much." She looked back at me, and I could see worry behind her eyes, "She wouldn't even tell me about you. She would just say that you're fine but nothing else, that I shouldn't be worrying and stressing myself out."