Chapter 232: Heroine in Hot Spring
"Phew…"
Maris sighed contentedly as she sank into the warmth of the women's bath. The soothing sensation of the hot water enveloped her tired muscles, and she tried to relax despite the chilly air that wafted through the open window. Outside, snowflakes drifted lazily down, creating a serene and picturesque scene. The snow-covered landscape was a stark contrast to the steamy, inviting water of the bathhouse.
Maris closed her eyes and tried to ignore the tug of thoughts about the men's bath on the other side of the wall. Her mind wandered, pondering what Lucan might be doing at that very moment. It was a little awkward not being in the bath with him. They had shared many baths before, and she missed his presence.
"Wow, the water is so white!" Hima's voice broke through Maris's reverie, her tone filled with genuine amazement.
"It's cold outside… Ah, it's hot!" Fiona's voice followed, her initial discomfort quickly giving way to pleasure as she adjusted to the bath's temperature.
"Everyone, make sure to rinse off properly before entering the bath," Xue Lan reminded them.
Maris couldn't help but overhear their conversation, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Lucan. The separation, though temporary, felt oddly unsettling. She wanted to share this moment of relaxation with him.
"How's it on the other side, Lucan-sama?" Maris called out, leaning closer to the wall that separated the men's and women's baths.
"It feels good. Winter is indeed perfect for hot springs," Lucan's calm and relaxed voice came through, making Maris's heart flutter a little.
Maris sighed again, her thoughts lingering on the water's warmth. "But how does the hot water come from the ground? Is it the goddess's blessing?"
"No, hot springs and the goddess aren't directly related," Lucan's voice replied with a hint of amusement. "The water is heated by magma flowing underground, which warms the groundwater until it erupts to the surface. But in a way, it's still a testament to the goddess's work, as she created the principles of this world."
"Ah, as expected of Teacher Lucan. You're so knowledgeable," Bethy said, her voice full of admiration. She was sitting on the edge of the bath, her legs dangling in the hot water.
"Yes, I didn't know that," Fiona added, sounding both impressed and curious.
Maris felt a pang of envy. She had missed the chance to bathe with Lucan recently, and the memories of their shared moments in the bath came flooding back. She remembered the way he would tease her, the quiet conversations they'd have, and the warmth of his presence. A tinge of sadness settled over her.
The bath was meant to be a relaxing experience, yet Maris couldn't shake off the feeling of longing. She wished she could be with Lucan right now, sharing in the warmth and tranquility.
Just then, Xue Lan's voice rang out, "Bethy, don't splash too much. We don't want to accidentally make a mess."
"Okay," Bethy said.
Still, Maris's thoughts kept returning to Lucan. The more she thought about it, the more she felt a strong urge to be with him. Her wings twitched with the impulse to fly through the wall and join him in the men's bath.
"Maybe I should just… visit him," Maris mused aloud, her wings beginning to stretch out. She had a sudden, wild idea of breaking through the wall and surprising Lucan.
"Maris, what are you doing?" Xue Lan asked, her voice laced with concern. She noticed Maris's movement and quickly realized what was about to happen.
"Wait! What are you thinking?" Hima exclaimed, her voice filled with alarm.
"I just want to join Lucan-sama. It's not like it would hurt anyone," Maris said, her voice tinged with determination. Her wings unfurled fully, casting a soft, ethereal light.
"Maris, you can't!" Fiona's voice was firm but worried. "It's not appropriate. Besides, it might cause a scene."
Maris hesitated, her wings fluttering in indecision. She really wanted to be with Lucan, but her friend's were right. She knew they were right; it wasn't just about her own desires. She had to respect the boundaries and the proper etiquette of the situation.
"No, I can't do that," Maris finally said, her wings folding back reluctantly. She felt a mix of disappointment and acceptance. "You're right. It wouldn't be right to just barge in."
"Thank you for understanding," Xue Lan said, her tone relieved.
Maris nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed but understanding the necessity. "I guess I'll just have to wait until later to share the bath with him."
Just as Maris was about to settle back into the water, Xue Lan's voice suddenly rang out again, this time with a hint of panic. "Oh no, I think I've slipped!"
There was a muffled thud, followed by a loud splash. The next thing Maris heard was a series of spluttering sounds and Xue Lan's clumsy attempts to regain her balance.
"What happened?" Maris asked.
"I'm okay, but I think I've dragged Hima down with me!" Xue Lan's voice was somewhat muffled, but it was clear she had fallen into the water with a splash.
Maris and her friends exchanged worried glances and laughed.
Then as Maris relaxed in the bath, she couldn't help but think about how much she missed being with Lucan. The warmth of the water reminded her of their shared moments, and she longed for the day when they could enjoy such simple pleasures together.
Eventually, Xue Lan was managed to get out of water, "Well, that was quite a tumble. I'm sorry, Hima. I didn't mean to drag you into the water."
"It's okay, Teacher Xue," Hima replied, her voice soothing. "It was an accident. Let's just enjoy the rest of our time here."
Maris smiled softly, glad to hear that Xue Lan and Hima were okay.
As the evening wore on, the snow continued to fall outside, adding to the serene atmosphere. Maris found herself reflecting on the day's events and looking forward to the future. She was thinking how could she have bath with Lucan again.
[Next 53 Chapters are all about fights... If you don't want to read right scenes, and just wan to enjoy the peaceful, slice of life, and Heroine with Lucan then skip 283th chapter. After 283th chapter, everything is about Lucan and Maris's love story and some more woman.]