[Ahhh~ So blissful~~~]

I sank my whole body into the hot water. The moment I slipped into the tub, all the absurdities from the labyrinth dissolved like mist.

[Nothing beats a good soak.]

Once immersed, I never wanted to leave.

With a contented sigh, I grabbed the *Beginner’s Guide to Labyrinth Exploration* beside me to pass the time.

Might as well use this bath to skim what monsters and bosses awaited below~

[Monsters grow vicious past Floor 20. And the Floor 30 boss? A giant silver tendon...]

*SLAM!*

That’s it. I’m done with this book. My interest in the labyrinth just evaporated.

[My lord?? Are you in there?? I’m coming in~~]

Tia’s voice suddenly rang from beyond the door.

[Wait!! Coming in?? Now??? I’m bathing!!]

Before I could react, Tia stepped in wrapped only in a towel.

[Uhh... Tia, isn’t this a bit... inappropriate?]

[Inappropriate? Aren’t I your fiancée?? Hold on—I’ll grab something.]

This blessing hit too fast! Was I really about to... do *that* with Tia?!

While my mind raced with excitement, Tia dumped a heap of unidentifiable objects into the bathwater.

She dipped a slender leg to test the temperature, then slid in fully.

[So cozy~~~~]

[Tia~ What did you just dump in??]

[Those? Aerin’s old silver tendon mushrooms. They were going bad, so I used them for bathing. Rumor says they whiten skin, boost vitality...]

The mushrooms floated up around us.

Every last one came from Aerin’s discarded luggage—we’d asked her to sort the useless stuff. But bathing in them?! Who thinks this is normal?! Doesn’t it feel disgusting?!

*(Imagine a tub overflowing with wriggling silver tendon mushrooms while reading the dialogue below.)*

[Tia~~ Are you still jealous of Aerin??]

The awkwardness forced me to change the subject.

[N-no way!! A primary fiancée like me has endless tolerance!]

[Really?? I actually had a gift for you...]

Tia’s eyes instantly sparkled.

[For real? What is it?]

She leaned closer.

[W-wait, don’t—!]

Before I finished, she’d thrown herself against my chest, soft warmth pressing into me.

[My lord... Gifts don’t matter. Your arrival was heaven’s greatest gift to me.]

Her whisper melted against my skin.

[Is that so...]

This engagement was inescapable now. Time to step up.

I summoned my inventory, searching for Tia’s present.

***Ring of the Creator’s Grace***

*INT +399 | All Skill Levels +10*

[Withdraw] A sapphire ring materialized in my palm.

[It’s late... but take this. No more sulking over it.]

I slipped it onto her finger.

Tia hugged me tight, every breath trembling against my neck.

[TIA!!! What’s taking so long????]

Aerin’s voice boomed from outside.

Disaster! If she saw us, I’d be pounded to paste! Gotta hide—

[I’m bathing with my lord! Almost done!! He gave me a gorgeous ring—way prettier than yours!]

Tia’s tone dripped with smugness.

WHAT?!? TIA, YOU TRAITOR!! And stop fiddling with those mushrooms while dooming me!!

Why did watching her delicate fingers toy with the silver tendons make me... react?

[WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE????]

*CRASH!* Aerin kicked the door off its hinges.

[Wait!! It’s not what it looks like—Tia, explain!]

I shot her a desperate look.

[Ahhh~~ My lord makes me feel soooo good~~~~]

WHAT ARE YOU BLABBERING?! THIS’LL GET ME KILLED!!

[PUPIL!! YOU PERVERT!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO TIA????]

Aerin rolled up her sleeves, storming toward me.

[I didn’t do anything!! I swear!!]

[The evidence is right here!! You can’t— Wait!?]

Mid-rant, her foot hit a bar of soap. She skidded straight at me.

[LOOK OUT!!!!]

Bathroom falls are no joke! I lunged to catch her.

[Th-thanks...]

Aerin’s face flushed crimson as she stared up at me.

[Umm... could you move your hand first?]

[Huh...? Why’s this silver tendon mushroom... wriggling...]

[...]

Aerin stared at me. I stared at Aerin.

PERVERT!!!!]

She shoved me headfirst into the mushroom-choked bathwater.