I Got Married to a Yandere Queen
Chapter 33 - 32 - Moonlit Waters

Chapter 33: Chapter 32 - Moonlit Waters

He turned his head, curiosity flickering in his gaze—then froze.

Light footsteps on the grassy ground came to a stop just a few meters from the edge of the lake. Beneath the pale moonlight stood the figure of Ashtoria, carrying several pieces of folded cloth—a thin tunic and rolled-up trousers in one arm, along with a neatly folded towel.

With just one glance, Riven immediately understood her intention.

She wanted to bathe.

Riven, who was already soaking in the lake—naked, with only half his body hidden beneath the surface—felt a sudden discomfort rise within him. His face stiffened, and he called out quickly, "Stop!"

Ashtoria paused and looked at him, puzzled. "Why?" she asked, her voice as calm as ever.

Riven cleared his throat awkwardly, lowering his gaze. "What are you trying to do?" he asked, even though the answer was obvious.

Ashtoria raised one brow slightly, then replied casually, "I want to bathe with you."

The words struck him like a slap. His face flushed with heat. He wanted to tell her to wait her turn, or perhaps go to the other side of the lake—but before he could speak, a sudden realization flashed through his mind like lightning.

’Shouldn’t I be happy to bathe with a woman this beautiful?’

He cursed himself silently.

’Damn my foolish virgin self.’

With a faint tremble in his tone, Riven finally gave a small nod, though his eyes remained fixed on the middle of the lake, avoiding her entirely.

’She just wants to bathe,’ Riven reminded himself. ’Stay calm. Don’t embarrass yourself. She’s still wearing underwear.’

The soft rustle of fabric being set down on a stone reached his ears.

Riven kept staring ahead, motionless. He could hear Ashtoria’s steps approaching the edge of the lake, then the delicate sound of water parting as she entered. But when he turned his head, almost unconsciously—

He froze.

Ashtoria stood just steps away, the moonlight illuminating her stunning silhouette. Her wavy crimson hair cascaded down to her back, blending with the night’s shadows framing her figure.

She wore nothing.

Not a single stitch of clothing covered her flawless curves—a beauty so perfect it seemed unreal. Her porcelain skin reflected the moon’s silvery glow with a soft sheen, yet bore traces of her past—scars hidden in places normally covered by clothing.

Those scars—whether from battles or something far darker—only heightened the contrast with her exquisitely elegant face, like an untouchable painting from ancient times.

Riven’s eyes traced her features—those deep eyes, red lips that always seemed to hold hidden meaning—then slowly traveled downward to her shoulders, to the tempting swell of her ample chest, further down to her—

His heart pounded so loudly he could hear it.

His body suddenly burned hot despite the cold water.

Panicking, Riven spun around abruptly. "W-Why aren’t you wearing anything?" he asked, his voice nearly cracking.

Behind him, Ashtoria merely tilted her head. Her voice, soft as the night breeze against his neck, replied, "I’m here to bathe. Of course I removed all my clothes." She sounded perfectly calm. "Why are you panicking? Your heart is beating so loudly I can hear it."

’What kind of answer is that?’ Riven screamed internally, trying to calm himself.

Even after turning away, Ashtoria’s image remained seared into his mind like an indelible painting. That beautiful face. Those scars. Those tempting curves. Those twin peaks. And...

Riven plunged deep underwater, the lake’s chill doing nothing to soothe the fire raging through him. ’Why is she so calm?’ he wondered, watching bubbles rise to the surface. From her earlier words, Ashtoria clearly wasn’t the type to casually undress before others—was she some naive noblewoman? ’Or... does she not even see me as a man?’

When he resurfaced, gasping for air, the sight before him stole his breath. Ashtoria was leisurely washing herself, water streaming down her porcelain skin glowing in the moonlight.

Riven quickly turned away, steadying himself. ’Calm down. Don’t let her see your... current condition.’ Suddenly, the image of his little sister Mira flashed through his mind—how humiliating it would be if the girl woke and saw them like this. ’Pervy big brother!’ would become his eternal nickname.

"Why are you turning away?" Ashtoria’s clear voice broke the night’s silence. "Are my scars... so horrifying you can’t bear to look?"

Riven nearly choked. What?

"Don’t you know," he rasped, "that men and women who aren’t married or lovers shouldn’t bathe naked together?"

A pause. Then Ashtoria’s innocent reply: "No."

’Damn it all!’ Riven cursed inwardly. ’Why am I restraining myself and looking so pathetic?’ With determined movements, he turned back—and let his eyes roam freely over every curve of Ashtoria’s body—from the crimson hair clinging to her shoulders, to her full breasts with rosy peaks, her slender waist, down to...

.

Suddenly, Ashtoria froze.

Her usually serene eyes widened when she accidentally glimpsed "something" between Riven’s legs. For no discernible reason, her pale cheeks flushed crimson, her normally unshakable composure crumbling completely.

Moving swiftly, Riven leapt from the lake, water dripping from his lean yet muscular frame. He hastily dried himself and dressed, while Ashtoria remained motionless, her face still flushed as if she’d just understood something she’d never known before.

The night air suddenly felt unbearably hot.

Riven stood at the lakeshore, water streaming from his firm body onto the ground below. The night air that should have felt cool instead burned against his skin, as if scorched by the gaze he’d just shared—and by Ashtoria’s sudden transformation.

The woman who had been so composed now bowed her head, her blush reaching the tips of her ears. Her damp red hair partially hid her face, but Riven could still see how her usually expressionless lips had parted slightly, her breathing quicker than before.

’So... you can feel embarrassed?’ Riven thought, almost laughing at her dramatic change. But his amusement died when Ashtoria peeked at him again—her deep eyes, normally so tranquil, now sparkled with something familiar: curiosity.

And that was more dangerous than anything.