Chapter 1992: Watching the Sea
There’s an old saying from my past life: “So rich they only have money left.” In a way, being penniless but able to stay in a luxurious hotel could also be considered a form of poverty, couldn’t it?
“Alright, everyone, please return to your rooms to rest. We have the trading house and the docks to visit tomorrow,” I said. We had booked four superior rooms, each as magnificent as this one.
Leoman and Bailing Ding would share one room as mercenaries, the twin nuns would share another as maids, the werewolf mother and daughter would share a third as pets, and Older Brother Jayad and I would share the last room.
Lorna didn’t require a traditional bed, but ever since she became a pure soul, she had preferred to live like humans, eating meals, sleeping in beds, and, in her words, experiencing what it felt like to be alive.
So, she should have been in the same room as Older Brother Jayad and me. However, Lorna had another habit: she enjoyed taking walks at night, especially in a new place. Her curiosity would lead her to fly directly out from the balcony.
After everyone else returned to their rooms, only Older Brother Jayad and I remained. The atmosphere seemed a bit ambiguous. I tucked my long, golden-black gradient hair behind my ear and tentatively asked, “Brother, want to take a bath together?”
“Huh? Don’t I always bathe with Parul?” Older Brother Jayad asked, perplexed, which instantly dispelled much of the ambiguous atmosphere.
“I mean, here, in the hot spring on the balcony!” I said, blushing, pointing at the bath. Being alone with Older Brother Jayad in such an open-air environment for a bath was a first. The unfamiliar surroundings made me feel quite stimulated.
“Of course, if Parul likes,” Jayad replied, quickly taking off his Catalan robe. He had found it uncomfortable to wear for a long time, and his disguised youthful appearance had also reverted to his true face.
“Ugh, I don’t have any strength. Brother, help me undress,” I said, sitting on the bed. Ever since I had paid the price for casting spells three times in quick succession, I had been in a weakened state, lacking energy and simply resting in the carriage.
“Alright,” Jayad smiled. In his memories, Parul always seemed so sickly. Helping her change clothes was something he had done not long ago, and the thought brought him a touch of nostalgia.
He gently helped me take off my formal wear, unfasten my underwear, and remove my panties. I lifted my leg, allowing Older Brother Jayad to help me take off my stockings as well.
This inevitably exposed some of the scenery between my legs. Older Brother Jayad glanced at it and quickly lowered his head, not daring to look further, primarily fearing he might lose control.
My face flushed, but I playfully used my stocking-less foot to tease my brother. If he couldn’t hold back, it would be exactly what I wanted – I would have him replenish my magic right then and there.
However, his self-control seemed to be even stronger. Despite my direct provocation, he managed to restrain himself, his face flushed. Just as I was about to make another move, Older Brother Jayad scooped up my completely naked body. “Aren’t we going to take a bath? Stop playing.”
“Ah!” Being pressed directly against Older Brother Jayad’s chest made me feel even more captivated and intoxicated. This continued until Older Brother Jayad walked directly to the balcony and stepped into the hot spring.
A cold wind blew in, making me shiver. The weather was still quite cold, but Older Brother Jayad quickly placed me into the hot water, and I couldn’t help but let out a soft groan from the comfort.
Older Brother Jayad leaned against the edge of the bath, holding me in his embrace. From this position, he could directly see the outside scenery: Valencia’s port, which was brightly lit even at night, with countless ships coming and going.
The edge of the bath offered a clear view of the outside. Only at a slightly higher position was there a glass railing to prevent guests from accidentally falling. This completely open design was truly novel.
However, this also meant that if someone flew by from outside, or if someone suddenly climbed down from the upper floors, I, who was bathing, would be completely exposed. In this world, such things were not impossible. This sense of excitement made me shrink into the hot water, pressing tightly against Older Brother Jayad.
“Parul, so this is the sea,” Older Brother Jayad remarked, looking at the distant port and ships. “It’s truly boundless.”
“Hm? Brother, you’ve never seen the sea before?” I was taken aback. It seemed he truly had never seen a real sea; today was his first time.
“Yes, I’ve only heard of the ocean in conversations. Father didn’t accompany me last time when Parul solved the Sturgeon No. 3 incident by the sea. If I had known it would be so dangerous, I should have gone with you.” Jayad said.
“Then you can look to your heart’s content now. It’s late today, though. If we see it during the day tomorrow, the scenery should be even more beautiful,” I chuckled. If my brother wanted to see the sea, I could accompany him all day.
“I used to hear people chatting about how romantic it is for couples to go on vacation to the seaside, watch the ocean, and swim together. Back then, I couldn’t imagine what the sea looked like at all.”
Older Brother Jayad continued to sigh with emotion, then he glanced at me in his arms and smiled. “It is indeed a very romantic thing. They didn’t lie to me.”
“Hmph!” I reached out and pinched Older Brother Jayad’s chest muscle to hide my own shyness. “If Older Brother Jayad wants to see the sea or swim together, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Genoa, where we’re going, is by the sea.”
“Back then, I also couldn’t imagine living in such a luxurious inn. I’d attended a few noble banquets and thought that was the height of extravagance, but I never expected there to be so many new things.” Older Brother Jayad sighed again.
In truth, in terms of luxury, those noble lords were even more so. Although the inn had invented various novelties, they were all for the sake of making money. For nobles, this kind of life was their daily routine.
After witnessing the Hessen family’s towering palace, the numerous maids, private guards, a grand garden on a high-rise building, exotic beasts, and a pond for ornamental fish, all kept warm by magic even in winter, I felt that this inn was just average. It had many gimmicks and novelties, but it wasn’t truly extravagant.
“And I’ve become a diamond merchant! I never imagined I’d have such a display back then, bringing maids and guards with me. If my past self saw this, his first reaction would probably be to try and steal it?” Jayad said with a wry smile.
“You’d probably get caught, Brother,” I joked back. Fortunately, in a small place like Cando City, even the wealthy were only moderately rich. If it were someone who could afford guards, Older Brother Jayad might have made a mistake and been killed.
“Oh, right, Brother, we also need to choose a ship to depart tomorrow. What kind of ship do you like?” I looked at the harbor, where there were sailing ships, paddle steamers, and even more advanced large cargo ships.
“I don’t know much about ships. Why are you asking?” Older Brother Jayad countered.
“Because I’m dealing with ships right now,” I replied.
