"Lord Yuujin, how about we dance a tango?"
Princess Snake's gentle, expectant gaze rested on Yuujin as she spoke.
"Tango?"
"Though I'm better at martial arts, I haven't really tried dancing before."
Yuujin wore a look of slight discomfort.
"Hehehe…"
"No worries. If you've never tried, then let me teach you, Lord Yuujin."
"With your intelligence and elegance, I'm sure you'll pick it up in no time."
"Come on, don't refuse—give it a try with me."
Princess Snake, full of enthusiasm, pulled Yuujin to the center of the grand hall, giving a quick signal to a few maids on the side. The maids immediately picked up various musical instruments, filling the hall with a graceful, flowing melody.
Unable to decline the princess's warm invitation, Yuujin placed his hands around Princess Snake's waist and delicate hand, matching her steps as they started to dance.
"Left, right, left, right… Yes, just like that."
"As expected of Lord Yuujin, you're learning so quickly."
"Oh, not at all, it's all thanks to your excellent guidance, Princess."
The tango they danced was a popular form of ballroom dancing. Though Yuujin hadn't tried it before, after a couple of rounds with Princess Snake, he'd more or less gotten the hang of it.
The princess continued to shower him with compliments, and Yuujin humbly returned a few of his own. They shared a knowing smile, a silent understanding passing between them.
The maids played with all their heart, while Yuujin and Princess Snake swayed back and forth in each other's arms in the grand hall, like two graceful butterflies dancing among flowers.
The scene was picturesque, the atmosphere warm and harmonious. Whether or not Yuujin was aware, Princess Snake felt a happiness and satisfaction she had never known before, as if her soul were floating up to the heavens.
Though famed as the greatest beauty of the Underworld, who really understood the sadness within Princess Snake's heart?
As the Goddess of Serpents, she'd been alive for over fifteen hundred years. While this wasn't considered long for a deity, it was an undeniably advanced age for a woman.
She was, after all, a normal woman, vulnerable to the loneliness of endless years. She longed for companionship, for a man by her side!
Yet the Snake Way had rarely seen visitors over the centuries. The last time someone had passed through was five hundred years ago, when King Yemma had traveled this way.
Her desire for a man had nearly become an obsession. She'd even thought of detaining King Yemma back then, but he, oblivious to her intentions, had simply indulged himself and left without a second thought, leaving Princess Snake utterly frustrated.
Despite his lack of charm and his rotund form, King Yemma was the only man to pass through in centuries, so he had still lingered in her thoughts.
However, with Yuujin's arrival, her feelings for King Yemma faded like smoke.
It's not about what you know but how they compare. Princess Snake realized that she had been blind all along—compared to the dashing and refined Lord Yuujin, King Yemma was a poor comparison, like garbage you'd find in a toilet! He could rot for all she cared!
Wait, no… she was a noble princess, a dignified lady. She shouldn't be thinking such unrefined things.
She had to remain elegant, not vulgar!
"Princess, is something wrong?"
Sensing her unusual expression, Yuujin asked.
"No… nothing. Let's continue, Lord Yuujin."
Blushing, Princess Snake quickly regained her composure.
With King Yemma now tossed out of her mind, Princess Snake decided to focus her whole heart on the Yuujin before her.
Noticing her reaction, Yuujin's lips curled into a faint, enigmatic smile…
"How wonderful, Lord Yuujin and the Princess!"
"Look, look, Chi Chi, let's give it a try too—it looks fun!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
Watching Yuujin and Princess Snake dance, Goku and Chi Chi's eyes sparkled as they eagerly tried to mimic the moves. Though Chi Chi's steps were decent, Goku stumbled clumsily, constantly stepping on Chi Chi's feet, struggling to keep up, until the two young girls ended up tumbling together on the ground.
In the days that followed, Yuujin, Goku, and Chi Chi stayed in Princess Snake's palace. They spent their days singing, dancing, and chatting, attended to by a host of maids. Life was so comfortable that they nearly forgot their journey to King Kai's planet to seek his guidance.
It didn't matter to Goku was content just being wherever Yuujin was and Chi-Chi was content with wherever Goku was, enjoying the feast and fun every day.
As for Yuujin, he had grown rather fond of the time he'd spent with Princess Snake. He didn't feel like leaving at all!
But the allure of pleasure is a hero's grave. Staying here forever would not be an option, and it was about time to depart.
One day—
"Chi Chi, my… my tail, don't grab it!"
"But Yuujin gets to hold it—why can't I?"
"It's… only for Yuujin. Not for you, Chi Chi."
"You're so stingy! I want to grab it! I want to grab it!"
Splashing around in the hot springs, Goku and Chi Chi bickered and played, while Yuujin, soaking nearby, could only shake his head helplessly.
These two girls were always bursting with energy.
But maybe this was for the best. Though Goku had always been cheerful around him, she had always lacked a playmate of her age. Since Chi Chi joined them, she had become even more lively.
Despite their constant bickering, the two had become inseparable friends.
"How do you feel, Lord Yuujin?"
The sweet voice of Princess Snake drifted over, and Yuujin smiled slightly.
"Quite good."
Two adorable maids were carefully bathing Yuujin, while Princess Snake, wrapped in a towel, gently massaged his shoulders from behind. This scene had repeated several times over the past few days, so Yuujin was quite comfortable with it.
Whatever Yuujin's feelings, Princess Snake's cheeks were flushed with a soft pink as her delicate hands trembled slightly.
Ah, what a perfect, strong body! She wanted it so badly!
As Princess Snake cried out in her heart, Yuujin suddenly spoke up:
"Princess, we've already disturbed you here long enough. I plan to leave soon with Goku and Chi Chi. Thank you for your care these past few days."
To be continued…
I am posting another Dragon Ball fiction from my alternate account. The fic is likely the best project I have ever done as a translator, so do check it out. It is a multiversal fic with Dragon Ball as the main world. A Saiyan's Journey Begins From A Dream by SenatusAlpha.