Russell set her down and removed the blanket that had been wrapped around her.

Then, he lifted her up again.

Both of them were completely naked.

Cecilia suddenly became conscious of him as their bare skin pressed together. She awkwardly stared into the air.

He stepped into the hot spring—one side seemed to have been naturally carved into tiered stone steps.

He bent forward just enough for her hips and back to touch the water slightly.

“How is it? Too hot?”

“It’s fine.”

Russell slowly lowered her into the water.

When seated, the water came up to her chest.

He sat across from her.

Cecilia sniffed the air.

The peculiar smell reminded her of something—boiled eggs.

‘The smell of a hot spring…’

The free trade city of Iria was famous for its hot springs, which played a significant role in Iria’s growth. The rumor that hot spring baths could cure all ailments had drawn many nobles there.

In Iria, hot springs were abundant and accessible, even for commoners. However, there were exclusive baths only for the wealthy upper-class nobles, who could afford expensive memberships.

The water in those springs was milky white, with a distinct smell.

Cecilia looked down at her submerged body. The cloudy water obscured her view.

‘Hot spring memberships are expensive, and this is a private spring?’

Her gaze wandered around the space until she noticed a piece of furniture midway between the lift mechanism and the hot spring.

It looked like a dresser.

As she studied it intently, Russell followed her gaze.

He glanced at the dresser before speaking.

“Come to think of it, there probably aren’t any towels. I should’ve brought some… Can you stay here alone?”

“Who else could even come in here?”

“No one. Absolutely not.”

“As long as it won’t take long… I’ll be fine.”

The moment he stood, Cecilia lowered her gaze.

But her curiosity quickly outweighed her embarrassment.

She discreetly looked up again.

She watched his back as he walked out of the hot spring.

‘How is a man’s backside so beautiful?’

She marveled at the sight.

His hips moved gracefully with each step, with no hint of excess flesh.

Her eyes traveled upward along his back.

‘Hm?’

There were red marks on his shoulders and upper back.

‘Wounds… oh.’

She quickly averted her gaze.

Those red marks were from her.

Her face burned with embarrassment.

Wanting to hide, she submerged her face halfway into the water.

Moments later, she heard the lift mechanism activate.

Lifting her face out of the water, she idly kicked her feet in the spring.

Water splashed noisily, the sound echoing.

Like a child playing in the water, she splashed around until she felt warm.

She climbed onto the edge of the spring. The cool air quickly cooled her heated body.

Cecilia glanced at the dresser, lost in thought.

It was probably empty, a place to store towels and other supplies.

‘This hot spring hasn’t been used in a long time.’

In her previous life, she had no idea there was a place like this beneath the sitting room.

‘That fireplace mechanism… It’s not something just anyone could activate.’

The one with the authority to access it had never once entered her sitting room in her past life.

‘My room… Who used it before me?’

She sank into the water, letting it cover her up to her neck, and rested the back of her head against the stone edge of the spring.

The warm water quickly chased away the chill in her body.

‘Ah…’

She furrowed her brow.

The inside of her thighs stung. It felt tender and sore.

The memory of the heavy pressure that had filled her resurfaced, making her face flush.

‘This is… strange.’

She began to doubt whether this life truly mirrored her previous one.

Too many things had changed.

Her thoughts gradually faded.

Drowsiness swept over her.

‘I’ll just keep my eyes closed.’

She thought the hot spring was wonderfully warm.

“Cecilia!”

Hearing her name called urgently, Cecilia jolted awake and opened her eyes.