Haruto was in his room playing games on his phone after his visit with Kei had concluded. Aki was waiting her turn to play since they were taking turns but Haruto had played the game enough to master it so it took some time for him to die. He eventually decided to just let Aki play while he left to wander around the palace.
Not everyone knew about him being a human yet so he put on his disguise and left his room. He walked down some halls while trying to think how they managed to build the place with the limited technology available. He made a loop around the palace and decided to go somewhere he had never been before. He made his way to the training grounds were the guards of the palace hung out when they were off duty.
It took a little bit of time to reach the place but once he arrived he had spears pointed towards him before they relaxed and lowered them.
"Sorry, we thought you might have been an intruder. The queen told us that you'd be living here from now on so I'm sorry for our men's reaction to your arrival."
"You're being pretty formal. I'm cool with you guys being relaxed when I'm around. I'm not like some big name person so I would prefer if you were just yourselves."
"….Really?"
"Yes?"
"Let's go!"
They all relaxed and cheered when Haruto said that and that left him extremely confused.
"I'm sorry for that it's just that we're normally told to be formal around palace guests so it feels nice to be able to be ourselves and not have to be on complete guard. I don't even understand why they want us to be on guard, there hasn't been an incident for years so it's kind of pointless if you ask me."
"Everybody I've met here are really nice so it's hard to imagine any problems happening here."
"You can thank…Shit, what was his name again?"
"Did someone make world peace, or rather forest peace with everyone?"
"Yeah but his name's slipping my mind right now. Hey! Do any of you remember the peace maker guy's name?"
The elf guard asked his companions if they remembered the peace maker's name.
"No, it was something complex I think so I couldn't be bothered to remember."
"Same here."
"Wasn't he short? That's all I remember."
"Hmmmmm…I think he had like six names but can't actually remember them."
The elf guard sighed and decided to give up trying to remember.
"So anyway, I never introduced myself. I'm Reine, and you are?"
"Haruto, it's nice to meet you."
"That's a strange name, just like the princess's."
"I've had a lot of people tell me that…"
"Well we were all planning to hit the baths soon so would you like to join us?"
"Sure I guess."
Reine and Haruto talked for a little longer before the guards left to go to the baths. They all got undressed and wrapped towels around their lower halves. They walked into the room that held the baths and started jumping in one after the other trying to make the largest splash possible.
"C'mon Haruto! Let's see what you can do!"
"Okay then."
He got a running start and jumped in only making a little above average splash. He popped his head out from under the water and began laughing.
"I guess I lose then."
"It was still pretty good."
"Thanks."
They began relaxing in the baths and talked about some small things before he noticed something on the side where no one was.
"Hey, I'll be right back. I have this feeling there's something I'm forgetting…"
"Oh, okay. Go do what you have to do."
He moved over to where he had noticed the strange thing in the bath and was greater with a familiar female elf under the water holding her breath.
'That's right! She uses the bath at this time! I totally forgot!'
He reached down reluctantly and tapped her head. She jolted out of the water with fear and quickly used Haruto as a shield.
"Um…Hitomi? Are you good?"
"Of course I'm not! I wasn't expecting the palace guards to suddenly jump into the baths while I'm still here!"
"Okay, okay. Calm down. They can't see over here too we'll since it's more steamy on this side."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, but they can still hear us so be quiet."
"Hey! Is everything good Haruto?"
"Uh, yeah! I'll only be a little longer!"
"Okay then!"
Haruto sighed to himself and tried to not look at Hitomi's busty figure.
"I can help you get out of here if you want."
"…..Yes please…"
"Okay, just stay behind me for now. When I tap you, dive under the water and stay there until I tap you again. If I begin moving without tapping you again just continue following me. Okay?"
"This doesn't sound to safe…"
"It'll be fine! Trust me. Now let's begin operation HHETB! Otherwise known as…Wait what did I have it stand for again?"
"Who cares?! Just get me out of here already!"
"Fine, fine!"
Hitomi stayed right behind Haruto and followed him through the bath and he got close to Reine as it was the least populated area of the bath. Reine noticed him and waved while Haruto quickly tapped Hitomi.
"H-Hey Reine!"
"Is something wrong? You seem pretty tense."
"Nope! Perfectly fine."
"If you say so. C'mon let's get back to our conversation."
"Ah, um actually I'm not feeling to great suddenly so I think I'll leave."
"Do you want me to take you to our nurse? She'll get you better in no time!"
"No, I'm fine. I think I just need some rest."
"Okay. I won't keep you here then, go on."
"Thanks, see you Reine. I'll talk to you again soon."
"Same here."
Haruto walked away while Hitomi followed him the water but he quickly came to a stop which made Hitomi hit her face into his butt. He mouthed sorry to her and had stopped since someone had suddenly darted across him. He tapped Hitomi's back when they're wasn't many people around so she could get some air.
"Are you okay? If you need air at any point just grab me or something so I'll know."
"Little do you know I can hold my breath for a long time-way longer then you can I'm sure!"
"B-Be quiet! Let's keep going."
He continued moving through the bath until he reached the edge that led to the doors and got out to continue hiding Hitomi. While walking by he saw some guards using their wet towels as weapons and attacking each other. Hitomi and Haruto managed to reach where they put their clothes and quickly got dressed.
"I promise I didn't see anything."
"…"
"Okay then. Guess I should expect that."
Hitomi walked away and they both went to their rooms pretending nothing had happened in the baths.