Corrin's POV

We strip down in separate changing rooms. I exit hesitantly since part of me is feeling self-conscious about the big ugly scar on my abdomen. I know both Kaze and I have numerous battle scars, but he doesn't have anything as big as this. It's trivial, but I wonder if he'll still think I'm beautiful with something like this. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, so I step out with a towel wrapped around my naked body.

When I enter into the bathing area, I can through the steam that Kaze is already sitting in the bath leaning against the wall. His eyes are closed with his posture relaxed. I walk over to the edge that he's sitting by. "Um, Kaze?"

"Hm?" He looks right at me and smiles. "So, are you ready to relax? Come sit next to me please."

My cheeks are feeling a bit red, and I clutch the towel tighter to my body. When I look closer, I notice that he's not as stark naked as I thought. What?! I ask, "Kaze, you're wearing shorts?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

My face is feeling hotter by the second, and it isn't the heat. "Um, I'm…not wearing anything."

"Well, that's fine. It's just the two of us." Standing, he strips the towel away from my body. His bare skin is damp, and his green hair is dripping with water. His abdominals and pectorals are well sculpted from ninjutsu training with scars, old and new, decorating his skin.

Conflict is part of both our lives, but he's known it longer than I have. He was serving the Hoshidan royal family already when I was locked up in the Northern Fortress back in Nohr. I don't know why I'm thinking of this when I'm completely naked in front of him.

I must look lost in thought since he asks, "Corrin, are you ok? I guess I can take my shorts off since like I said, it's just the two of us."

"Ok." He steps out from his shorts revealing his well-proportioned assets and sits back down in the water. It leaves me feeling a little dizzy as I sit down next to him. I wrap my arms around my mid-section to hide most of the scar.

Apparently, he can see right through me as he says, "You don't have to feel self-conscious about it you know. You're still a beautiful woman, and I love you the way you are." He gently pulls my arms away and holds my hand. His grip is firm enough to distract me from more self-depreciating thoughts.

I smile a bit. "Thank you Kaze. I love you too." I lay my head on his shoulder and mutter, "How long do you wanna stay in here?"

"I'm not sure. Are you in any pain?"

"Not really. I mean, the pain is there, but it's dull." I look him in the eyes. He's frowning and furrowing his brow. I know he's worried, but what can I say to reassure him? "I'm sure it'll clear up in a few days. Besides, I've received excellent treatment from you. Your knowledge of medicinal herbs really does wonders. So, don't worry so much, okay?"

He lets out a sigh. "My love, you know that's impossible for me because I am always concerned about your well-being."

That is true. Before we were wed, Kaze served as my retainer, and he followed me endlessly to ensure my safety. Interestingly, it was only after he made his pledge to become my retainer, did I notice what a wonderful man he was. When I was about to take a walk one day, he confessed his true feelings for me. I will never forget what he said to me: "My liege, my love, I adore you with all my being. I promise to treasure you forever and to keep you in my heart always." He swore to uphold that vow for the rest of our days, and he's done so. By gods, he's done so.

Kaze's POV

I reach out to her face and stroke her cheek. I find it soft and warm from the steam and continue to caress it. She responds by letting out a relieved sigh. I drape my arm around her shoulders, and we just sit there in silence for a minute. We really don't do this much since we both started to rule Valla together. Of course we see each other often, but having some real quality time together is rare. It hasn't disrupted our marriage, but there are times I wish we could relax together more often.

I'm lost in thought when Corrin calls, "Kaze? What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing. I just wish we could spend more quality time together like this. We're both so busy that we just don't relax much."

She lets out a giggle. "I agree with you there. It looks like it's going to get busier though." She cranes her neck up and her lips brush mine. I return the favor by touching her chin and kiss her a little harder. Her unique taste is wonderful, and it makes me want to taste more of her. She's still recuperating though so it's probably not the best idea to do anything.

When we draw apart, she asks, "What are you so tense for?"

I have to calm myself down. If I don't, then my body will only do the natural thing and respond accordingly. "Oh, well, I don't know."

She brushes her hair back with her fingers and asks in a sultry voice, "Were you perhaps hoping for something?"

My heart is beating out of my chest now, as we're looking intently at each other. What do I do about this?!

"Well, this is entertaining! Mind if I join in?" I hear a familiar man's voice from across the bathing area. Oh gods. It's him.

A man with blue eyes, white hair, and tanned skin stands at the opposite end of the bath. He wears a wry smile on his face, but the most distinguishing feature is the eyepatch he wears over his right eye. He's completely naked, but shows no signs of embarrassment.

Corrin screams, "What are you doing here, Niles?!" Flustered, she immediately covers her breasts with her arms and squeezes her legs together.

He chuckles. "Oh, nothing. I just came here to relax. I had no idea I'd get to see the Vallite Queen's wonderful body today. Shall I teach it something good?"

She shrieks louder, "Niles! Have you no shame?!" She snatches her towel from the floor and runs back into the changing room.

I can only say, "Niles, have you taken leave of your senses? Besides, what are you doing here?"

He raises his eyebrows. "Well, it's only natural that if Lord Leo is here, I'm here as well. I am his retainer after all."

"I see." I stand up and put my shorts back on. "I'm taking my leave right now. I need to check on Corrin after you behaved quite crudely towards her. Don't you think she's been through enough?"

He smirks. "Aw, but that flustered look is so wonderful on her. Besides, a little more pain won't kill her."

I can only let out an exasperated sigh. "You're a sick person." I turn and take my leave.