"Good morning, fiery Princess," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep, yet carrying that familiar, teasing edge.
Salviana froze, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson as she tried to pull her hand back. But before she could, Alaric's hand shot out, capturing her wrist with a firm yet gentle grip.
"And where do you think you're going?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips now.
"I—I didn't realize you were awake," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh, You woke me up the best way I want to be awoken," he admitted, his smirk widening as his thumb brushed over the back of her hand. "I was just curious how far you planned to go."
She looked away, mortified, but he tugged her closer, pulling her flush against him.
"You seemed… invested," he teased, his tone dropping to a low rumble that sent a thrill down her spine.
"I—" Salviana couldn't find the words, her embarrassment rendering her speechless.
Alaric chuckled softly, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead. "Don't be shy now, Salviana. If you wanted something, all you had to do was ask."
His teasing tone made her groan, burying her face in his chest to avoid his gaze. But even as her embarrassment burned brightly, a small smile crept onto her lips.
Alaric, ever the infuriating yet irresistible man, never failed to disarm her with his charm.
Salviana hesitated for only a moment before silently deciding, Fuck it. She reached for him again, her fingers curling around the blanket as she prepared to explore further.
But before she could touch him, Alaric took a sharp breath and gently stopped her, his large hand wrapping around hers.
"Not yet," he murmured, his voice soft but firm.
Her brow furrowed, and she bit her lip, unsure whether to feel rejected or frustrated. "Why not?" she asked quietly, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability she hadn't intended to reveal.
Instead of answering directly, Alaric tilted her chin up to meet his gaze, his silver-gray eyes warm and filled with something she couldn't quite decipher. "Why don't we bathe together instead?" he said, his lips quirking into a playful smirk.
For a moment, Salviana wondered if she was overthinking everything. Maybe he was just teasing her, as he often did.
But the thought lingered, heavy and undeniable—was Alaric avoiding intimacy with her?
It had been weeks, over a month, since they'd been married. They had grown closer, laughing and sharing small moments that had gradually built a foundation of trust.
She'd begun to feel like she truly knew him, like they were finally opening up to one another. But when it came to physical intimacy, Alaric always seemed to keep her at arm's length.
He would tease her endlessly, initiate touches that sent her heart racing, only to stop halfway, leaving her flustered and confused.
She studied his face now, searching for an answer in the curve of his smile, the softness of his gaze. Was he hesitant? Guarded? Or was she imagining it?
"Come," he said, pulling her from her thoughts as he guided her toward the bathroom, his hand warm and steady in hers.
His teasing tone returned as he added, "The princess deserves nothing less than to be pampered, don't you think?"
Despite her lingering doubts, Salviana couldn't help but smile, letting his words soothe her unease. She followed him, their footsteps echoing softly in the grand, tiled bathroom.
The air was cool, but the warmth of the steaming bath he prepared quickly enveloped them.
Alaric led her to the edge of the tub, his movements unhurried as he began to undress her. His fingers brushed her skin as he loosened the ties of her gown, sending shivers across her body.
There was no urgency in his touch, only care, as though he were unwrapping something fragile and precious.
"You'll catch a chill if we don't hurry," he teased, his voice a low rumble that made her blush.
Salviana rolled her eyes, though her heart skipped a beat. "I think you just like ordering me around."
"Perhaps," he admitted with a grin, slipping her gown from her shoulders. "But you don't seem to mind."
She stepped into the bath with his help, sinking into the hot water with a soft sigh. Alaric joined her shortly after, his movements graceful despite his size.
He settled behind her, pulling her gently back against his chest.
For a while, they simply sat there, the warm water and his steady presence lulling her into a sense of ease.
He began to wash her hair, his fingers massaging her scalp with a tenderness that made her heart ache.
"You spoil me," she murmured, closing her eyes.
"You deserve to be spoiled," he replied softly, his lips brushing her temple.
For a moment, Salviana let herself forget her earlier doubts. Alaric had a way of making her feel cherished, even in the smallest gestures.
But as his hands moved lower, tracing slow, lazy circles along her arms and shoulders, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling at the back of her mind.
Why was he holding back?
"Alaric," she began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes, my love?" he asked, his tone light, though she could feel the slight tension in his body as he awaited her words.
She opened her mouth, ready to ask the question that had been weighing on her, but his fingers found the sensitive curve of her neck, and she shivered under his touch.
"Relax, Salviana," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. "Let me take care of you."
And just like that, her resolve crumbled. She leaned into him, letting his hands and his voice chase away her doubts, at least for the moment.
Whatever was holding him back, she would face it in time. For now, she allowed herself to be cherished, to bask in the warmth of his affection.
As the steam swirled around them, mingling with the soft light of the flickering candles, Salviana closed her eyes, choosing to trust that one day,
Alaric would let her in fully. For now, she was content to savor the way he made her feel, like she was the center of his universe.