I wandered through the manor's backyard that morning, inspecting the new coin production. The small workshop smelled faintly of sap and warm earth.
Women worked under a shaded awning — melting tree wax and mixing it with root starch to shape Orshek's new coins.
One of them, her sleeves rolled and hands stained amber, looked up as I passed. She smiled shyly before returning to her task — pressing thick starch from freshly dug roots. The sight was oddly satisfying, a reminder that even wealth could grow from soil if guided by will.
From the far side of the yard came the sharp, steady rhythm of boots and shouts. The knights were training.
Curiosity tugged me forward. Elias spotted me and grinned.
"My lord! Care to join us? A prince should look fit — helps impress noble ladies at parties!"
The men laughed, and I instinctively pressed my hand against my stomach — it had grown softer than I liked. A little embarrassed, I joined the drill anyway.
We ran through the cobbled streets in formation, our boots thudding like drums. Townsfolk turned to watch — a rare sight, their lord running alongside soldiers. Soon, children joined in, their laughter bright as morning. They began chanting to our rhythm:
"Left, right, raise your pride!
Orshek strong, side by side!"
Their melody echoed through the streets, light and proud. I felt it then — the pulse of a living town.
Two hundred infantry, eighty archers, and a few hunters, I thought. Still far from enough to defend a growing realm.
If only I could increase our population, expand our strength without drawing the envy of nearby powers. Growth always came with a price.
When the run ended, Elias clapped my shoulder."Do this daily, my lord, and no sickness will ever find you."I laughed. "Then I'll hold you to that."Sweat cooled against my skin as I returned to the manor. Natalia was just stepping out of the washroom, holding a towel.
"The water's ready, my lord," she said softly.
"Thank you," I replied with a tired smile. "You always know what I need before I do."
She looked away, a faint pink rising on her cheeks. The morning sunlight framed her in gold, and for a moment, neither of us moved. I reached out and gently took her hand. She froze, surprised — then her expression softened.
"Just a moment," I murmured, then i grab her hand and push her in bathroom with me.
We stood together in quiet warmth — the scent of soap, the soft hum of water, and the rhythm of our breaths filling the air between us. For a long moment, neither of us spoke. It was enough just to exist in that fragile silence, where the world outside could not intrude.
Natalia glanced up, her voice barely above a whisper. "My lord… I still have work to do."
I smiled faintly. "And yet, you're still here."
I ignored her words and leaned in, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. She responded instantly, matching my intensity. The kiss grew rougher, more desperate, as our hands wandered over each other's skin, tracing warmth and breath in the quiet space between us, I remove her cloths gently and squeeze her boobs
Then I lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around my waist, her hands resting on my shoulders as our lips stayed locked in a deep kiss. Our skin met in a rush of warmth, every touch sparking a wordless connection between us.
I felt her warm boobs poking me, with each touch deepening the pull between us as we sank together into the bathtub.She let go completely moving her hips roughly up and down, jumping and splashing water moaning little "hmm ahmm".
Just then a knock broke the stillness.
"My lord?" Martha's voice came through the door. "I was looking for Natalia — breakfast preparations?"
"She's helping me with something else," I called back quickly. "Please have someone else handle breakfast today."
When the footsteps faded, Natalia sighed, half flustered, half amused.
"You always know how to cause trouble, my lord."She increased her speed to complete the process fast, moving her hip and jumping with hand on her mouth to stop moans.
I chuckled. "Blame Elias. He said training builds courage."
By the time I emerged from the bath, Zevra entered my chamber with a stack of parchment.
"My lord, you weren't in your study, so I—" She froze mid-sentence, eyes widening when she realized I was still in a towel and Natalia was standing half naked in the bathroom. Her face turned crimson. "I—I'll return later!"
Before I could explain, she darted out, nearly dropping the papers.
Natalia sighed, smiling faintly. "Perhaps next time, train with less… enthusiasm."
I laughed under my breath. "Women are the same everywhere — even in another world."