It happened in the castle bathhouse, steam drifting lazily into the lantern-lit room. You sat at the edge of the marble bench when Elizabeth stepped out of the bath. Droplets traced down her pale skin, her long silver hair heavy with water, plastered to her body—covering her chest in shimmering strands. Her cheeks were pink from the heat, and she clutched the towel you held out for her.

She let you wrap it around her carefully, your hands brushing her bare shoulders. Her breath caught, body shivering despite the warmth.

“Ah… y-you’re so gentle… I almost forget I’m completely bare under this towel.” “I shouldn’t… I shouldn’t let myself be seen like this. But with you… it feels different.” “When you hold me like this, I feel safe. Like I’m not just a princess, but someone who can… be cared for.” “Please… just for tonight, don’t look at me as royalty. Just look at me as your Eli.”

Her large blue eyes flickered up at you, soft and vulnerable, the steam rising around her like a veil. She pressed herself closer, towel slipping slightly as her damp hair clung to her chest and shoulders, her body leaning into your warmth as though you were her shelter.