There was an odd and melancholy sound in the room that had been swallowed by the darkness. Despite the darkness, Anchhi began her exploration and made sure that no place escaped her observation; after all, it was a so-called royal edict from the Princess that she didn't dare to disobey.
Without her notice, Anchhi's foot collided with the large flower pots on either side of the elaborate entryway as she urgently searched for the bracelet.
"Ouch!"
"Who's there?" a husky voice echoed in the dimly lit room.
Anchhi immediately clamped her mouth as her whole body froze when she heard that voice.
She was stunned for a while and continued blinking her eyes before grabbing the hold of the doorknob.
"How come you were late?" The voice approached once more. "Since you are already here, give me a massage." The owner of that voice demanded lazily.
"Massage?" Anchhi flinched her brows in bewilderment. Her forehead was already covered with sweat droplets.
"Is this man, whoever he is, taking me as a maid?" She turned to face the figure of that man, who was resting his arms on the stone pool's ribs, enveloped by white curtains.
Anchhi's eyes had slowly adjusted to the darkness and she could see his long black wet hair that covered his upper back.
"You dare to show me your defiance?" His masculine tone thundered throughout the room once more.
Was it necessary for Anchhi to abide by his order? In that man's perspective, of course she should follow his instructions without any ifs and buts!
"That nasty Princess really made me look like an idiot." She gritted her teeth every now and then, internally cursing YanYan with detest.
"I'm very sure this man won't let me leave unless I comply with his demand." Anchhi closed her eyes tightly before opening them and threw a heavy sigh.
She slowly took light steps toward him, and upon reaching near, Anchhi stretched her hands to get hold of his tight muscles. She applied varied levels of pressure on his muscular areas with her fingers, thumbs, and palms of her hands.
Anchhi slowly shifted her one thumb underneath his wisdom tooth, about to press upwards. That's when he knew something was wrong and snapped his eyes open, grabbing her wrist in the process.
She was taken aback by his action.
Anchhi had heard about this pressure technique for lulling people to sleep but she had never tried it. And now when she was about to make a move, he caught her red-handed.
The moment Anchhi was caught, she was seized and immediately thrown into the stone pool right away, even before she could make any sound.
"SPLASH"
Anchhi's whole body was soaked, and she didn't hesitate to irk on him. "Are you completely insane? Why did you throw me in here? I almost drowned." Her eyes locked with his intense black gaze, she was still gasping for air.
His lips curled up, into a devious smirk. "Are you so desperate for the death penalty that you even dared to talk with me in such a loud tone?" He walked closer to her and with his each steps, Anchhi could trace a sense of familiarity upon seeing him. There she recognized, he was the man in black she had encountered for the first time in the woods.
Shuo Jin suddenly cupped her neck with his palm as he moved closer to her, and a low choking escaped Anchhi's lips as a result.
She immediately closed her eyes, begging him to not kill her. Her shoulders were shuddering in his presence and heartbeat thumping beneath her chest.
He had delivered her a death threat in their second encounter, as far as she remembered, but who knew if Shuo Jin would take it seriously?
"How did you get here?" Shuo Jin gave her a piercing stare that made it impossible for her to remain still.
And when she opened her eyes, his gaze were on hers. "I am looking for the princess's bracelet."
Hearing that, Shuo Jin let out a dark chuckle before slowing releasing his grip and made her turn around, pulling her into his embrace.
His chin rested on her shoulder and his both arms gripped her tightly from behind. Anchhi, on the other hand, could feel the strain mounting within her, but she collected the strength to eventually say, "What exactly are you attempting to accomplish? Leave me." Anchhi fought to free herself from his hands, but the more she strained, the more he gripped her.
"You tried to put me to sleep just now, which indicates you have some ulterior motives. You even pretended to be a maid and ventured into this bathhouse. Are you not afraid of dying?"
Anchhi could feel his warm breath brushing against her earlobes at this very instant. Hearing him, she flinched her brows. "Stop making irrational assumptions! I've previously stated that I'm merely here to look for the princess's bracelet." Anchhi screamed.
"And if I had any intentions to kill you then I would have done that in our first meeting." She further contemplated. Shuo Jin slowly loosened his hold and let go of Anchhi.
But, what he did after that could literally kill her!
Shuo Jin grabbed her hair and submerged her head underwater. Unable to ponder upon anything, Anchhi had immersed herself inside the water.
She attempted to grab his arms and twist them but couldn't do so. Then, she swung her one leg side to side and hit him. Shuo Jin had grabbed her leg by that point and again, Anchhi used her another leg to push him, making him fall into the water.
When he was submerged inside the water, Anchhi forgot that he had the hold of her one leg. Despite the fact that she was successful in pushing him, her action caused her to fall on top of him.
They couldn't help but osculate their lips at that time. They accidentally locked lips, Anchhi landing on his top. She froze. Her pupils dilated in horror.
Their bodies being so close to each other, she could smell his masculinity mixed with the fragrance of delicate rose petals.
On the other hand, Shuo Jin's heart beat faster and faster as Anchhi's fair face drew nearer to his. The surging tide of lascivious tremors evoked from her sensations, he had never known he was capable of feeling sensually.
Shuo Jin pushed her before letting himself feel anything further. Breathing deeply, both of them remained standing, panting heavily and gasping for air.
Unlike before, they maintained a distant distance between them as steamy hot ambience surrounded them. A sensual tension has arisen between them!
Anchhi hung her head low in embarrassment. Redness has sprung across her face. She strolled away from the scene, lifting the hem of her damp waist-skirt and sauntering towards the door.
Anchhi pushed to open the large door and dashed to her chamber without looking back.
Playfully caressing Anchhi's touch with the tip of his thumb, Shuo Jin chuckled. Heaven only knows what this intimidating man was harboring inside his brain!
Moments later, he also walked out of the bathhouse on his black satin bathrobe, making his way.
This time, the royal maids began gossiping when they saw both Anchhi and the First Prince, Shuo Jin, emerge from the bathhouse. They even predicted that they took a bath together after seeing their bodies drenched.