The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate
Chapter 86: The Bathhouse

Chapter 86: The Bathhouse

The three ladies had donned on a two-piece outfit before setting off. Esme felt utterly comfortable in the long-fitted, soft, matte silver gown she wore, and it had a daring split that flirted with her waist on both sides.

Each step she took revealed the pair of high-waisted leggings beneath, like a surprise event for anyone watching. Althea had worn something similar, but in red, while Revana settled for a dark, long-fitted tunic and a pair of high-waisted leggings with reinforced knees.

As the three of them head deeper into the damned, Esme noticed the glances that were being swept their way. Some were filled with attraction, others sparkled with curiosity, and a few were tinged with jealousy – though she couldn’t quite grasp what warranted such envy since clothes like this was a normal thing here.

"Revana, where should we show Esme first?" Althea asked, "should we visit the bathhouse? Should we show her the waterfall? Oh! Should we go for a quick snack in one of the best–"

"Bathhouse," Revana shut her sister up. "I chose the bathhouse because I want to go there. It’s been a long time since I actually took a break from being the Alpha’s beta. I can’t remember the last time I soaked in something other than my own sweat."

"Bathhouse it is!" Althea turned to Esme with bright eyes. "Have you been to a bathhouse? We can just snag our own private tub and order all the goodies they have there."

Esme only listened curiously, as she’s never been to a bathhouse. There was just something about Althea’s bubbly enthusiasm that reminded Esme of Vivienne, and a smile crept onto her face as she absorbed Althea’s excited ramblings about the luxurious treatments they would enjoy.

When they finally arrived at the place, Esme stepped into the grand archway of the bathhouse, alongside Revana and Althea who gladly led the way. The moment they crossed the threshold, the air immediately turned warm and fragrant, with the soothing scents of lavender and rose petals.

The soft murmur of flowing water filled the air, accompanied by the occasional tinkling of laughter from distant chambers. The three ladies’ heels clinked on the polished marble floor as they approached, which glowed under the golden light hanging on the brass lanterns.

Above, an ornate domed ceiling was painted with scenes of beautiful goddesses reclining in the lake, their serene features mirrored in the atmosphere below.

Revana’s movements held a more authoritative air to it, her eyes already sweeping the layouts of the room, as if scouting for hidden dangers rather than preparing for relaxation. Althea on the other hand, was naturally all lightness and excitement, while Esme was more fixated on the beauty of where she was.

Althea’s dress rustled as she spun to face Esme, "Isn’t it glorious?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she took in the plush cushions and the mosaic tiled pools. "I heard they use oils imported from the southern seas, and the water comes from the natural hot spring beneath the earth."

Esme nodded, though her attention was fixated towards the central bathing tub. It was vast, stretching almost the length of the room, the surface smooth as glass, disturbed only by the gentle flow of water cascading from dragon-shaped spouts carved into the wall. At its center, a marble platform held a delicate statue of goddesses holding a jar from which warm water endlessly poured, creating ripples that shimmered like molten gold under the soft light.

Esme had never seen anything like it, and as she followed the two women towards the side of the huge tub, three female attendants in flowing white robes were waiting on them. Recognizing Althea and Revana, they exchanged warm greetings, turning to Esme to equally do the same thing.

"Are we charging from the shadowspire?" One of the young attendants asked. She had a mark close to her collarbone, almost like Althea’s.

"Yeah," Revana responded. One stepped forward, offering Esme a robe made from the softest linen. She let them unfasten her clothes and dress her in the robe, the fabric cooling her skin before they moved to undress Althea and Revana with the same practiced efficiency.

Once dressed, the three women descended the wide, marble steps into the bath, the warm water immediately soothing Esme’s aching muscles, easing the remaining strain in her legs.

Althea had discarded her robe and dipped her head into the water, resurfacing with a delighted laugh. It sent droplets of water scattering around her, and she wasn’t the slightest bit ashamed of submerging naked with them.

Eventually, Revana and Esme equally discarded theirs to fully enjoy the effect of the water. The bathhouse was specifically for women and girls, so they didn’t have to worry about intruders.

"They say these baths can heal even the most stubborn wounds," Althea said, drifting towards the edge of the pool where her sister sat. Beside her was a stone basin that held bowls of fragrant oils. She selected a bottle of amber-colored liquid and poured a generous amount into the water, the scent of sandalwood and jasmine filling the air.

"Oh! This scent reminds me of Donovan," Althea turned to Esme and her sister.

The mere mention of his name made Esme revisit the earlier morning, when he massaged her aching legs.

She shook that thought aside, refusing to welcome the tempting thoughts of him, and his impressive massage work.

Althea eventually got out of the tub, slipping her robe on before exiting the room, only to return a few minutes later with three glasses, and a rare bottle of wine, reserved only for special guests. An attendant followed closely behind, holding a bowl of sliced fruits and grapes.

Esme’s eyes widened at the princess treatment she was receiving. She slipped on her robe later on, only to have her nails polished and painted by the attendants, while Althea and her sister rolled their hairs up. Forget princess treatment, the palace definitely didn’t treat her like this.

If she could get this kind of treatment, she wouldn’t mind training everyday.

As they settled comfortably into the warm embrace of their bath, the serene moment was suddenly interrupted by the soft echo of footsteps approaching. Glancing at the entrance at the same time, their gazes fell on two pretty women who stepped through the entrance, their figures framed by the golden light filtering through the steam.

Both were dressed in elegant silk robes embroidered with delicate patterns, their hair arranged in intricate braids that spoke of their status.

"Hell no," Revana muttered, a frown settling on her face as she recognized the women immediately – Lady Naya from the House of Terrain, and Lady Macbeth from the house of Thornes.

The air seemed to chill slightly despite the warmth of the bathhouse, and Esme could feel the sudden shift in tension among her fellow companions. Althea’s light-hearted demeanor had vanished, her expression growing tight, while Revana’s gaze flicked towards the approaching women, her usual sharpness returning as she observed them with quiet disdain.

"Well, well, well, isn’t this a curious sight," Naya’s voice was smooth but laced with a high hint of mockery as she stood near the edge of the bath. "I didn’t expect to find such... company in a place like this."

Macbeth’s voice trailed behind her, her gaze sweeping over the three women already in the bath, "Indeed," she added, her tone dripping with false sweetness. "I wasn’t aware that they allow just anyone into this bathhouse. But I suppose standards have been slipping recently, haven’t they?"