The Abandoned Prince Heals an Enemy Soldier on the Frontlines, Only to Discover She’s the Seventh Imperial Princess - Chapter 06: The Abandoned Prince… Would Actually Prefer This

Chapter 06: The Abandoned Prince… Would Actually Prefer This

Since ancient times, there has been a concept known as mixed bathing.

A beautiful tradition where men and women share the same bath, deepening their bonds in the warm waters.

However. 

In reality, it’s mostly just an illusion.

Most young men who walk into a mixed bath dreaming of romance only end up finding a bunch of middle-aged dudes or, if they’re lucky, some elderly ladies.

But. Not. Today.

Because right now, I was—

“…This is beyond perfection.”

“H-Hey, Reyshel. Stop staring so much…”

“I do not mind if you look as much as you wish. My body has nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Mother, you make it sound as if I should be ashamed of mine!!”

Before me stood two breathtaking beauties.

Sure, they had towels wrapped around their chests, but that didn’t hide their presence.

Not even close.

Every slight movement caused their voluptuous figures to shift, and with every step, their chests bounced with a “dopan!”

It was a sight to behold.

And their figures were both incredible—but in different ways.

Rosemary’s body had a toned, athletic look—probably from training.

Meanwhile, Alcarion had a naturally perfect body, as if she had been born divinely sculpted.

One was the beauty of discipline.

The other was the beauty of effortless perfection.

Neither was better than the other.

Both were masterpieces.

“Enough!! I told you to stop staring!! Hurry up and get in the bath already!!”

“Wait, hold up. You have to wash yourself first before getting in the water.”

“Hmm… T-That’s true. If we don’t clean ourselves first, we’d dirty the bath for those who enter after us.”

Next to the massive bath—large enough to fit at least dozens of people—there were several smaller shower stalls.

Apparently, this bathhouse was exclusive to the imperial family and those they personally approved.

There wasn’t yet a public bathhouse for the knights, soldiers, or maids.

The reason Alcarion had joined us today was to experience the bath for herself.

If she found it useful, she planned to construct an even larger bathhouse in the imperial castle for the knights, soldiers, and maids.

And that one would have way more showers.

Even though baths were relaxing, most people here considered showers to be enough.

And yet, just because I casually mentioned how great baths were, Alcarion immediately approved the construction of multiple bathhouses.

Her decisiveness, action speed, and the Empire’s technology were seriously on another level.

“I-I’m warning you, no peeking!”

“Haha, yeah, yeah. I got it.”

The shower rooms were separated by walls.

I stepped into the one next to Rosemary’s.

A large mirror stood before me.

Agarham had mirrors, too, but their quality was… well, let’s just say far from impressive.

Meanwhile, the Empire’s mirrors reflected every detail with stunning clarity.

“…Damn. I really haven’t changed at all in five years.”

My ash-gray hair, inherited from my father, had grown long enough to tie up…

But my height was the same, and even my face hadn’t changed much.

Thanks to years of running across battlefields, my lean body had developed some muscle.

“Hmm… Looking at myself like this, I really am a pretty boy, huh?”

My facial features, inherited from my mother, were ridiculously well-proportioned.

If I ever grew taller, I could probably outshine top-tier idols.

“With this face, it’s not too surprising that Alcarion and Rosemary fell for me, huh?”

“My love for you is not based on appearance alone, dear.”

“…Eh?”

Hearing a voice behind me, I turned around—

And somehow, Alcarion was standing right there.

“Wait. Hold up. Say that again— WHAT!? W-Why—!?”

“Shh. Keep your voice down, or Rosemary will find us.”

She spoke calmly, as if her sudden presence in my shower stall was perfectly normal.

“Since we’re here, I thought we could wash each other’s bodies.”

“A-Ah… I-I see?”

“Yes. Bathing together and washing each other’s backs is a form of deepening bonds, correct?”

Now that I thought about it, I did say something like that when I asked for the bath to be built.

But still—this situation is on a whole other level!!

“I won’t do anything inappropriate. If you truly dislike it, I will give up…”

Alcarion, as always, kept a stoic expression, but there was a slight hint of sadness in her voice.

…How am I supposed to say no to that!?

“Rather, please do!!”

This was, of course, only to avoid hurting Alcarion’s feelings.

It had nothing to do with the fact that a goddess-tier beauty was offering to wash my back.

…Absolutely nothing to do with that.

I turned my back to Alcarion, letting her start.

She took some soap, lathering it up until it foamed.

And then—

Squishh.

“WHA—!?”

Squish, squish. Bounce, bounce. Jiggle, jiggle.

Something incredibly soft and silky-smooth began rubbing against my back.

It didn’t feel anything like a sponge.

T-This is…!!

I couldn’t see it.

With my back turned to Alcarion, I had no way of confirming what it was.

But—I knew.

A man’s instinct is terrifying.

“A-A-A-A-Alcarion…?”

“Yes, dear?”

“Uhm… something very soft is rubbing against my back right now…”

“Oh? Are you curious about what it is?”

There was no way I wouldn’t be curious.

But until I turned around and saw for myself, I wouldn’t know for sure.

Was this what people called Schrödinger’s cat?

“I’m very, very curious.”

“Then, why not see for yourself?”

“—Yes!!”

With high hopes, I spun around eagerly.

And then—

My vision went completely dark.

A moment later, I realized what had happened.

I had turned too quickly and ended up burying my face into the softness in question.

There was also a sweet fragrance filling my nose.

I panicked and tried to pull away—

But before I could—

“My, my… You really are a needy little one, aren’t you?”

Alcarion wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

I couldn’t see a thing.

But I felt it.

The warmth. The softness.

At that moment, I understood.

I was surrendering myself to Mother Earth herself.

“There, there. What a good boy you are.”

Alcarion gently stroked my head, just like a mother would soothe her child.

I felt an overwhelming urge to just give in and call her “Mommy.”

“…Hmm, I wouldn’t mind.”

“Huh?”

“I am your wife, but if you wish, I can also be your mother. Feel free to depend on me as much as you like.”

So this was it.

My goddess (Mommy) was right here all along.

“Alcarion!! No—Mama!!”

“Yes, my dear? What is it?”

I threw myself into Alcarion’s embrace, fully prepared to step into adulthood.

Until now, I had barely held myself back through sheer force of will—but I had reached my limit.

From this moment on, I would become a beast.

“I love you!! I adore you!! Please go out with me!! Then marry me!! And let’s have lots of kids together!!”

“Yes, of course. From now on, I am both your wife and your mama. You may depend on me as much as you like.”

My self-restraint shattered, and I proudly displayed my sharpened sword to Alcarion.

“Oh my… Despite your cute appearance, you are quite the fierce one down here.”

“Hah… hah… Alcarion!!”

“Mama won’t run anywhere. Now, come here.”

Just as we were about to express our love for each other in the tiny shower stall—

“Reyshel, you’re taking quite a while… is something wro—”

“Ah.”

“Ah.”

Both Alcarion and I froze.

“N-N-N-N—”

“W-Wait, Rosemary. This is, um—”

“Rosemary, Mama is about to engage in some motherly playtime with Reyshel. Go ahead and get in the bath first.”

“W-WHAT, ALCARION!?”

Alcarion calmly stated the entire situation without a hint of hesitation.

Rosemary let out a bloodcurdling scream.

“WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TWO DOINGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!?!?!?!?!?!”

Rosemary’s scream was so powerful that the mirror in the shower room shattered.

Even the shower nozzle malfunctioned, causing hot water to spray everywhere.

W-WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED!?

“Hmm, a Dragon’s Roar, perhaps? As expected of my daughter, who has inherited my blood so strongly. With her constant training, it seems she has begun awakening to the power of the dragon.”

“Wait, WHY ARE YOU IMPRESSED!?”

And so, Alcarion and I were subjected to a full hour-long lecture from Rosemary.

After that, we awkwardly finished our bath together as a group.

By the way—both of their massive chests floated beautifully in the water.

Since the shower was broken, I offered to help with the repairs, and Alcarion readily agreed.

Little did I know…

That this decision would lead to another disaster.

―――――――――――――――――――――

[Afterword]

A Random Tidbit

Author: “It’s fine because nothing was shown. It’s fine because they didn’t do it. It’s fine because I didn’t write it in detail. …At least, I hope it is.”

If you thought “Alcarion is the best,” or “Damn it, they were SO CLOSE!!” or “S-Safe…?” then please leave a comment, bookmark, rating, or review!