"Stay outside." Dew ordered in his neutral yet authoritative voice.
The servants that were attending the Emperor with the bath, left at once after getting told, not forgetting to do respectful bow before exiting the room.
Dew had dismissed both Sigurd and Adelheid before asking the attendants to prepare for his bath, now only a warm bath could settle his bad mood.
He soaked in the vast round sunken bathtub situated at the center of the room that resembles an indoor swimming pool.
A fresh floral scent mixed with some herbs entered Dew's noise, that made him take the most of that, enchanting smell, he leaned his head back on the edge that was carved exquisitely, his sky-blue eyes that could fade the otherworldly glow of the shimmering water of the tub, was closed.
His long lashes glistened with moisture, each delicate strand shimmering in the soft light. A single droplet clung to the tip, hesitating for a moment before surrendering to the gravity. It traced a slow path down his rosy cheek, the blush of his skin deepened by the warmth of water in which he had lingered.
'This still feels like a dream, a dream that is eternal. I hadn't expected to be used to those attendants that fast. On the first day I had a dumbfounded expression, when those attendants entered the bathhouse with a tray full of scented oils, some exotic fruits and wine whose aroma was lingering in the air.'
Dew reminisced about that time when he had asked the attendants to arrange a bath for him on the night of his first day. He saw that the attendants didn't leave him alone, instead brought those things and stood at their usual position, waiting for him to give them his permission to start assisting him with his bath.
He slowly completely soaked under water, curling to himself, focusing his mind on the troubles that were rising, 'Anyway, now is not the time to think about those things, the day when Adelheid is going to make her first move is soon, the banquet, where the major plot took place.'
'This part of the novel didn't affect much, the delegate from Vespera Empire visiting during the banquet is the same, though I didn't know of the man that Sigurd mentioned who was roaming in the Eldoria,...could there be something I'm forgetting?'
As he remained submerged, lost in contemplation, bubbles began to rise around him, forming delicate, fleeting clusters in water.
Dew emerged from beneath the water after an extended immersion, he lifted his head, water cascading from his hair and shoulders, his bare self stepped out from the bathtub.
Not at a long distance from the tub was a low table on which there was a soft towel gown, which Dew wore before stepping in his room, the servants that were waiting outside the room swiftly approached the Emperor, ready to assist him in dressing.
*In Emperor's court meeting*
A scene that seemed to be recreated, a situation where the three vessels stood bowing at the same position from before; the Duke with his sharp narrowed eyes staring at the Emperor, likely to be waiting for Dew to speak who sat on the mighty throne of the ruler.
'Ah, now I understand why Eberhardt didn't take his responsibilities and squandered on beautiful women, enjoying his life to the fullest in the luxury.' Dew voiced out in his mind with a bit of envy.
"Your Majesty! , this time really is not our fault, the suppliers that we had made a contract with, ditched us, they also took the advance money!!" Rainer blurted out, clearly frustrated at their situation.
"Yes, Your Majesty, the herbs supplier backed out on us, they had told us that since the amount of herbs is a lot, they need 2 days time to arrange it and that the advance payment had to be done for such huge amounts as they could not afford loss, but then...." Matthias explained what had happened, his eyes brimmed with sorrow.
"...And coincidentally, a rumor started spreading that Duke Heydrich is going to start a new trading business, which is of herbs and potion." Lothar also pointed out some things, although his voice is timid, it contains significant information.
At this point, Sigurd broke into laughter, all the other eyes present in the room shifted on him, they only saw an image of a tall handsome man, laughing charmingly, showing his canine teeth, his eyes slightly curved.
One could be mesmerized by that sight, if it was on earth he could become an actor, ruling the acting industry with that face of his along with that attractive body of his.
Though, no one here seems to feel like that, especially the vessels, who cried out internally, 'WHAT IS HE LAUGHING AT NOW?? IN THIS SERIOUS SITUATION!! IS HE LAUGHING ON US???'. The vessels had concluded in their mind- Duke Wurttemberg has personal grudge with them.
Dew spoke asking the same question that the vessels had, "Why is the Duke laughing? Is he finding this circumstance amusing?" Although Dew's voice sounded normal, Sigurd couldn't miss the sarcasm in the Emperor's tone.