Chapter 240: The Hot Spring, the Duchess, and the Moon
“What can I say… she’s quite an adorable person, isn’t she? Rest.”
After the discussion regarding her engagement concluded, Celestine let out a slow sigh. The setting was once again the open-air bath, where Rest had exited the water, his face flushed red, and was likely now dressed and returning to his room.
(He possesses the power to change the battlefield single-handedly, surrounded by not just one, but perhaps two or even more beautiful women. Yet, despite all that, he remains so innocent. I can understand why Viola and the others have such feelings for him.)
“Ah… this is no longer necessary.”
Celestine removed the towel that had covered her body. Her chest was full, her waist elegantly slim—a body that had been meticulously cared for, now exposed beneath the night sky.
(Rest… you were watching my body all along, weren’t you?)
With a wry smile, Celestine folded the damp towel and placed it beside the bath. Women are surprisingly sensitive to the gazes of men. She was well aware that, while Rest tried not to look, he had been stealing glances at her figure.
(If it were Prince Rodel, he would have been staring without any restraint. No, if I were to appear before him in such a state, my virtue would be long gone.)
Rest, who pretended to be oblivious despite his interest in women, appeared quite charming in Celestine’s eyes. His personality wasn’t bad either. With Viola, Primula, and Yuri all adoring him, she had no complaints about him as a potential husband.
(If Rest were to refuse my marriage proposal, I would have no other options. I must find a way to be accepted…)
With Rodel’s rebellion leading to his execution, Celestine found herself without a fiancé. As a Duchess with royal blood, she could not marry just anyone. At the very least, her partner must be a Count or higher, or perhaps a member of a foreign royal family.
(The Crown Prince is already married. Although it hasn’t been publicly announced yet, it’s only a matter of time before he has children… If he were to take a concubine, it would only cause political turmoil. Prince Andrew clearly has no intentions of marrying into the royal family.)
Moreover, most noblemen of Count rank or higher within the country were already engaged. If the Crocus Duke House sought a match, they would likely agree, but it would mean breaking an existing engagement. And marrying into another country was out of the question. If she were to wed into the neighboring Geisel Empire, it might yield diplomatic advantages, but given the current situation, it would be tantamount to becoming a hostage—a near-certain death sentence.
(In other words… marrying Rest would be my best option…)
Celestine did not seek an ideal marriage. Still, if possible, she wished to marry someone completely opposite to Rodel—someone without arrogance, a man who possessed kindness. While Rest might not be the ideal, he certainly met her criteria. In fact, she believed that he would face even more hardships than she would, allowing them to share their burdens.
“Perhaps I won’t be refused… but I should probably refrain from pursuing him any further, right?”
Celestine playfully poked at her breast with her fingers. If the sensations from the hot spring had been in vain, she was prepared to resort to nighttime visits as a last measure. However, judging by his earlier demeanor, it was unlikely that Rest would refuse a marriage proposal.
“It wouldn’t be fair to Viola and Primula to intrude on their feelings, so perhaps I should just behave myself for today.”
Whether that decision was a stroke of luck or misfortune for Rest, only the moon, gazing down at the hot spring from the night sky, knew the answer.