Chương 362: Chapter 344. Hot Springs Dip 1

Anna Ericsson's Point Of View" Your skin is so smooth and light... How exactly did you do something like that?"" It's because Our Husband spares no expense for us! These hot springs are basically our 2nd bath! I've even heard that he's been looking to add a private one behind our mansion if a vein of water travels near there."" He really does spoil the both of you, doesn't he?" Sarah was having a conversation with Princess Melissa. All of the Princesses had joined Sarah, Emily, Ruby and I in the hot spring today.

It's been 4 days since both Royal Families had arrived here in Paradise. Since then, John has been busy running around from point A to point B at the whims of the Nyx family. Charlotte eventually explained that it was a plot from her mother and sister to give her more time with John. While this isn't too big of an issue, the fact that John has been troubled by it hasn't been sitting well with me. Sarah just said to not mind it, since they're leaving tomorrow, but I can't help feeling the way that I do."

So, Anna, you and Sarah both have been using this place since you came back from Zana, right?" While I was thinking about the past few days, Queen Crystal had managed to sneak up to the left side of me, perhaps I'm becoming too lax? I should've have seen her coming." Yes, Darling thought that the springs were a great relaxation tool for us to have. Though he usually ends up just taking a quick shower at night, seeing as he has so much work to do as the Town Lord of Paradise and Fief Lord of the Roselands."

I tried not to make a big deal of it, but I couldn't help but mention him being swamped with work. Queen Crystal seemed to pick up on what I said." Ah? I see... Are you jealous by chance?"" Jealous?"" Yes, jealous, from what I understand, he's been spending pretty much all of his free attention on both you and Sarah, right?" Queen Crystal looked at me while she adjusted her wet towel that was wrapped around her body in a calm manner.

Her reasoning irritated me, as if the only issue I could possibly have with our guests would be that they're taking Our Husband's time away from us. The subtle shift in my expression seemed to betray what I was thinking." Oh? Have I upset you, Anna?"" Somewhat, Que-"" No, Anna. We already decided on this, in here, we're only women, speak your mind and feel free to call me by name. I've been doing the same, haven't I?"" Fine, Crystal.

While I admit, Our Husband does spend his free time mostly on us, however, what bothers me isn't that. I understand that he'll eventually have to spend his time and attention elsewhere in the future. My issue is that you, our guests, haven't been able to give him time to rest." Queen Crystal's face changed from a self-assured confidence to surprise from my words. Did she really not notice?" He's always seemed so energetic while spending time with us though?""

That is because he feels he needs to do a good job acting as a guide for you all. Our Husband isn't a very extroverted person. I can count the number of times he's ventured outside on his own here on 1 hand."" Oh my? He doesn't even try to look around and appreciate what he's done here?"" Only as far as the fact that our people are enjoying what he's done."" But... Why?"" Because he's of the firm belief that his job's purpose is to serve our people.

Until he's made Paradise the town he envisioned when he first arrived, he's been working tirelessly for that... Only stopping when interruptions had come his way."" And that would be us?"" I don't mean to be disrespectful, You-"" "Crystal", Anna. And you're not being disrespectful, you're being honest. That's a good quality to have, you know? Not many people would so brazenly speak their mind to me, even if I said it was okay to do so. Your family is quite special in that regard."

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. I couldn't tell if she was teasing me and My Family, or if she was serious." You're right, Mom, if only I knew how much fun being here is, I might've usurped Char's resume and tried to get the job myself." Princess Melissa must've finished her conversation with Sarah, she wondered over to Crystal and me as our conversation progressed." What was that, Mel? My job is mine!"" Oh, calm down, Char.

I didn't mean that I'd steal him from you, I'm just talking about how nice this place is. The most surprising thing about this week that we've spent here is that he's adamant that there's still work to be done. I mean it's already close in quality to a Capital City."" How he envisions Paradise in the future is still something that Sarah and I can't grasp completely no matter how many times he explains it."" Even you 2 don't understand?""

I don't understand it either, and I'm the one who's closest to him when he makes those decisions." Emily joined in the conversation as well. Slowly but surely, all of the girls were flocking to Queen Crystal and me, it seems that speaking about John just causes them all to flock to the source. For the Queens and Princess Melissa, this was more due to fascination than the romantic feelings shared by Ruby, Emily, Charlotte and Alice.

Which in turn were quite different than the worry that Sarah and I had when speaking about him. While he'd always have our support, the fact of the matter is, we could never picture the things that he's been able to do since taking over as the Lord of Paradise along with being this Fief's Lord. Sure, he hasn't actually done much to the land that surrounds us yet...

But with his working and personal relationships with the Counts, we can expect that to change in time, he tells us that the ideas he has will take years to do, but all Sarah and I can picture is fantasies that young boy or girl could think of. A good example being the ice cream. When he first explained it, Sarah and I were lost. And when he finally showed it to us, we still almost couldn't believe our eyes. It was like he turned fantasy into reality. I'm sure he can do it.

Just like I'm sure the townspeople will also. We'd almost stop and wonder how he would sell the idea to our people until we remember what he's already done here in Paradise. Then it all seems to fall into place so quickly and so naturally." It seems you're all having a hard time just admitting that he's a genius." Aqua finally chimed in to speak. She, Sarah and Alice had been leaning back onto the wall of the spring and listening to the conversation.

With confident a smile and eyes filled with pride, Aqua certainly made an entrance." What do you mean, Queen Aqua? I don't have any issue admitting that Matthew is a genius... I just find it vexing that I can't see his vision, it makes me feel like I've failed as a Secretary for him."" Now, now, Ms. Emily. That feeling isn't exclusive to you. Do you know what Matthew says he thinks about you and the Humans that he's brought into Paradise to My Husband?"" Hm?"

Emily seemed to surprise to think that her name had come up during discussions with King Warrick. If only she knew how much Aqua has spoken about her, as well as what she's planned for her future wedding." You see, he's spoken about how he's felt that he's failed you on several different matters. The biggest being that he couldn't convince the family members from the hundred or so that stayed to give Paradise a chance instead of leaving for Kuga.

He also feels guilty for having no real choice than to have you as his Secretary."" But I wanted to be his Secretary?"" Yes, I know, Dear. But you're only saying that now. There're going to be times where you'll be placed in a room full of Demons, Dark Elves... Maybe even some who feel even worse emotions about Humans than the average for those Races. The future right now is uncertain for him, and he frets about how to protect you and his people." Emily's eyes were full of shock.

I guess John never did explain exactly how he feels to anyone besides Sarah and me... Maybe we should see if he can sometime?" And that goes for Alle as well. Do you know how much he regrets allowing you to go to Zana with him? Or those 2 Maids? It "eats" at him, he says."" I chose to go of my own volition though!"" That may be the case, but he was in charge of protecting you and you ended up almost becoming a blood sacrifice as well as being involved in the dangerous battle to stop the Evil God in the first place.

He has certain thoughts creep into his mind apparently. Things of the "what if I hadn't gotten there when I did?" variety." Alice was shocked to hear what Aqua had said, before even allowing Alice to think about it, Aqua turned to Ruby and began to speak to her." Ruby, he's mentioned you as well. He sees you as a Friend, that's great for you, that's a way to enter his heart. however, he's also been crushed by that in a way. You see, he constantly thinks about how he treats you. If he's actually doing enough.

I suggest you think about that moving forward. Before Ruby even had a chance to say anything, Aqua quickly turned to Charlotte and began to speak to her as well. It looks like she possesses a plan for this bath." Charlotte, he's said a few things about you as well. Maybe not as extreme as Alle's case, but he worries quite a bit if you actually are enjoying your time here in Paradise. Things like "is she able to speak her mind?" or "should I give her mandatory breaks so she can rest and acclimate to here."

His thoughts bounce around quite a bit." Charlotte started to blush at Aqua's words. That must be due to John's insistence to treat Charlotte as Princess as much as he can." What I'm trying to tell you all is that he's only capable of doing so much, in fact, there's going to be more that he can't do than the opposite. If you truly wish to be his Wives, you'll need to understand that every man has the ability to be great, but they'll also falter and doubt themselves.

It'll be your jobs as his support system in this crazy world to bring him peace of mind and warmth. You should remember that going forward, okay?"" Yes!" The girls replied in unison. Aqua simply smiled as Queen Crystal could do nothing but shake her head at her fellow Queen's words.