It's been a while since I've written, but here's another chapter!
A quick second after Gaius swallowed his chocolate, footsteps could be heard from the forests surrounding the hot springs. The footsteps only got louder as Frederick unsheathed his sword and stared at the source. Everyone picked up their weapons and shimmied towards the middle of the water, forming a huddle. They crouched in the water as none of them were wearing clothes. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped and all there was to hear was a giggle or rustle in the bushes every now and then.
"Who goes there?" Frederick the wary is the first to speak. Dead silence afterwards. Frederick waded through the water, sword in hand. He had almost reached the bush, until a familiar voice was heard.
"i just wanted to see the effects of my curse!" Henry said, popping out from behind the bush.
"And, I just wanted to see through those bubbles…" An embarrassed Tharja said once she stood. Her eyes slowly gazed at Robin's defining qualities. Sure, she couldn't see through the bubbles, but just seeing Robin's eyes was enough for her.
Everyone sighed in unison. "Henry, you can stay, just go get a towel." Tharja mumbled a curse and left quickly. Henry went back to his tent and retrieved a pair of revealing smallclothes. He picked up a towel and made his way back to the hot springs, slightly nervous.
The minute he stepped foot into the water, he could feel the nervousness and anxiety start to fade. Anna's salve does wonders! She must be a witch! Henry thought. After he opened his eyes, he noticed everyone's gaze on him.
"What curse were you speaking of earlier?" Robin asked. Oh no… Henry thought.
"And what was Tharja doing here?" Chrom inquired. This is bad
"And what on earth are you wearing?" Frederick Catechized. Is there any other choice?
Henry sighed, perhaps the truth must come out of him instead of them. "One of you put me up to the task of magically altering an item in which you have all now savored in. Not gonna tell you who though, you'll have to figure it out yourselves." Everyone looked at each other, trying to figure out who amongst them did it. Henry took off his scandalous 'clothing' and settled into the water. He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder.
"You must tell us, Henry," Chrom said. Henry looked at his client.
"I promised him I wouldn't tell. Code of honor!" Henry grinned. Everyone sighed, exasperated.
"It was either Ricken or Gaius," Chrom stated. He looked at the two for a confession.
"Me? No…" The two accused said in unison. Robin looked at his secret lover skeptically.
"Henry, can you tell us what kind of curse you planted on this item?" Robin asked, not breaking his eye contact with Gaius.
"Uh… He wanted me to make everyone tell the truth…" Henry said, putting his hands behind him and secretly signaling Tharja. Tharja, hiding behind yet another bush, saw the signal and stood. She tip-toed her way around the pool of water, collecting pairs of smallclothes. She finished collecting the smallclothes and hurried back to her tent, unnoticed.