Chapter 291 - Wild Fantasy
The brightness was so sudden, Seren nearly screamed despite herself. She did not expect him to suddenly light up the lamp and candles without telling her. Instinctively, her hand tried to cover her chest and she clenched her legs together, as if she could really hide herself from letting him see her naked body. She also shut her eyes, not even daring to look at Drayce—she knew he was naked too and she was not ready to see him like that. In the cover of darkness, she was able to somehow accept her nudity, but for him to be able to scrutinize each and every inch of her body under the light… She could not stay calm at all!
Drayce smirked at her reaction but did not say anything further to tease his wife. He climbed out of the bed and pulled the robe that was thrown next to the bedside table. He then rang the small bell on the bedside table to call for the servant standing outside the bedchamber. Within the royal residence, there was always a servant prepared to attend to their royal needs regardless of the time of the day.
They heard the servant standing outside of the door knock. "You called, Your Majesty?"
"Arrange hot water in the bath," Drayce instructed.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the servant replied.
Drayce walked towards his robe that had fallen on the floor. He picked it up and wore it as he didn't wish to embarrass his wife since she was trying her best to not look at him.
Through the corner of her eyes, Seren could see what he was doing. She saw him put on his robe, standing with his back facing her. He was busy tying the belt of his robe.
When he was about to turn around, Seren averted her gaze and pinned her it at the mess they made on the mattress. She kept her eyes lowered while listening to each of his footsteps as he walked towards her. Seren felt anxious about being seen naked, and she did her best to hide her body, even curling her body to a ball with her hands tightly wrapped around her. The sticky feeling on her skin bothered her, but she paid more attention to the fact that she could seemingly feel his hot gaze studying her body.
"My Queen, no need to hide yourself. This won't be the only night we will be spending together as husband and wife, and it will not be every night that I will turn off the lights. On those nights, you will get to keep your veil on. Though it is dismaying that I cannot see your face, I can make do with appreciating your body," Drayce said, unabashed as he stepped towards her.
His bold words only added to her embarrassment. Of course, Seren didn't deign to give him a reply.
It happened that the servant standing outside the bedchamber had returned to inform them, "Your Majesty, the bath is ready."
Drayce did not talk and simply scooped Seren in his arms to lift her.
"Dray!" she let out a tiny squeak. Although she was startled to be carried in his arms, she still refused to remove her hands covering her chest. Both of their skins were sticky with sweat and something else, and to have their bodies pressed together like this was making Seren's face burn red, even her veil was unable to hide her shyness.
"I will help you clean yourself, my Queen," Drayce informed her before striding in the direction of her side chamber where the bath was located.
"I-I am capable of washing myself," she protested in a weak voice.
"I believe my Queen is truly capable. So next time, you can help me wash myself in the King's chamber," Drayce said with a light smirk, not giving in to her adorable protest.
After carrying her inside the side chamber, Drayce first checked the temperature of the water before gently placing her on one side of the tub. Seren let out a soft cry as her tender skin hit the water, and she realized she was aching on certain parts of her body.
"Wait here," Drayce said and stood up to get a washcloth for her. Not even once did she look at him as she focused on her futile effort of covering herself, not minding the stickiness on her hand, chest, and stomach caused by Drayce's release.
Drayce returned with a fresh washcloth among the things arranged near the tub. Though Seren did not see any of her servants, she found that everything she needed for her bath had been arranged on one side.
"I will be washing myself together with you, my Queen," Drayce said in a teasing tone. "I suggest you close your eyes as I will be removing my robe now."
Seren closed her eyes before he could even finish his sentence, causing him to grin again. Only after she felt her husband join her inside the bathtub did she hesitantly open her eyes. The water reached his waist, and thankfully, it was murky with the oil essences and flower petals mixed together with the water, thus she could not clearly see his lower regions.
Drayce came towards Seren, kneeling in front of her as he caressed her shoulder, tracing her collarbones and the marks of his kisses along the way. With a satisfied smile, he dipped the washcloth on the hot water and squeezed the extra water after taking it out.
"My Queen, how can I wash you like this?" he asked gently, but the later part of the question had a tinge of warning in it. "We won't be leaving this chamber if you do not take your hands away."
Sensing that hidden warning, Seren slowly moved her hands away, exposing her soft mounds to his eyes. However, she could not meet his gaze and kept her eyes on anywhere but her husband.
Drayce grinned inside, seeing how easy it was to convince her. At the same time, an errant thought came to him, causing his mind to wander.. 'Will a day come when my obedient wife will protest my words? Once she gains confidence in herself and realizes how much power she holds over me, will she take control over our marital bed?. Won't it be heavenly if my wife dominates me and makes me obey her in a way no one else can ever do?"