The Bath Towel Incident
I’ll just wait inside.
It’s better than standing in the hallway making myself look guilty.
With that thoroughly self-approved justification, Julian reached for the doorknob.
Click.
His eyebrows lifted.
What?!?"It isn’t locked?"
He paused a heartbeat before cautiously pushing the door open.
The bedroom greeted him in hushed panache.
The furniture was reasonably tasteful rather than lavish, positioned around the room with exact proportions. There was a soft, sweet scent of flowers floating in the air, making you feel relaxed and at home.
From somewhere in the far depths of her mind, a gentle stream of running water endured.
Until then Julian hadn’t realized it, but then something suddenly surprised him.
Had left the bedroom door unlocked no less...
Even the bathroom door hadn’t been properly slammed shut. She’d left it slightly open just enough for the noises of the shower and light spray to be heard through, into the bedroom.
Julian stood frozen.
He didn’t even have a chance to introduce himself.
When...amen. And in that split second...
The door to the bathroom swung again.
Felberta left the bathing room area, a large white soft bath towel securely wrapped around her after her shower.
A veil of warm steam followed her into the room. Tiny droplets of water clung to her long, raven-black hair before slipping over the graceful curve of her neck and across her smooth, fair shoulders.
The thick white towel was wrapped firmly around her mature body, reaching the middle of her thighs. Though it concealed her modestly, it couldn’t completely hide the elegant contours beneath. It hugged the gentle fullness of her breasts before tapering along her slender waist and flaring over her shapely hips, subtly outlining the graceful silhouette of a grown woman.
Her long, toned legs extended beneath the towel, their fair skin still glistening with lingering beads of water. Every step she took was calm and poised, carrying the quiet confidence that came naturally with her tall, statuesque frame.
A few damp strands of black hair framed her beautiful face, softening the sharpness of her usually aloof expression. The warmth of the bath had left a delicate flush across her cheeks, making her crimson eyes seem gentler than their usual icy intensity.
Fresh from her shower, she possessed a rare, effortless elegance. There were no expensive gowns or jeweled ornaments adorning her—only a simple white towel and the lingering scent of soap—yet she looked every bit as captivating as when she stood in regal attire.
Julian instinctively froze.
His gaze stayed for a short moment only before he swiftly collected himself. Not her beauty alone, but the combination. Felberta, the untouchable, so cold now in just a bath towel, her defenses down for the first time since He knew her, so softly that She surprisingly looked human.
Luckily...
His composure was by far superior to the average.
Fortunately...
His own control was quite impressive for average human people, he always said.
Had he been someone lacking restraint...
The situation might have become far more embarrassing.
Felberta also froze.
The instant she noticed Julian standing inside her bedroom, her beautiful crimson eyes widened in disbelief.
A heartbeat later...
The icy calm that usually surrounded her completely disappeared.
They quickly transmuted to burning rage now.
"What are you doing here?!"
Felberta spoke with eyes blazing red as she directed her stare at him.
Her knuckles whitened against the towel wrapped tightly around her body and the coldness of her voice would give an ice-lover a Shivers.
Julian quickly raised his hands into the air in a gesture of submission.
"Whoa there, take it easy there.
Settle down, will yeah?
I can explain.
He wore the picture of innocence, as though he had been wrongfully accused.
"I knocked several times, but you dont answered."
"The door wasn’t locked, so I came in to make sure you were alright."
He gave an awkward cough before adding with a perfectly serious expression,
"And besides... I was worried some shameless pervert might sneak in while you were taking a shower."
"So I came to check first."
Felberta stared at him.
Silence filled the room.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three...
Without saying a single word, she slowly lifted one slender finger...
And pointed directly at Julian.
The meaning couldn’t have been clearer.
You’re the pervert.
Julian’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He looked around dramatically before pointing at himself.
"Me?"
"You think I’m the pervert?"
He sounded genuinely wronged.
"I’m a dignified gentleman."
"How could I possibly peek at you?"
"I came here out of concern."
"You’re treating kindness as if it were a crime."
His righteous expression was so convincing that anyone unfamiliar with him might actually have believed every word.
[Crazy... completely baseless accusations.]
[I’m a doctor with a benevolent heart.]
[How could I possibly have such despicable thoughts?]
[This is nothing more than judging a gentleman with the mind of a petty person.]
Felberta remained utterly silent.
Her expression only grew colder.
Without another word, she calmly reached toward the decorative vase resting on a nearby cabinet.
She lifted it with both hands.
Julian’s eyelids twitched.
"..."
"Let’s be reasonable."
"I can explain."
He instinctively took two cautious steps backward, already preparing to make a strategic retreat.
The atmosphere instantly became dangerous.
His survival instincts immediately took over.
He spun around and bolted toward the door.
"I’ll come back later to treat you!"
His voice echoed down the hallway as he disappeared from sight almost instantly.
Only after Julian had completely fled did Felberta slowly lower the vase.
She stood motionless for a few moments, taking several deep breaths before walking to the bedroom door.
Click.
She firmly locked it.
Leaning lightly against the door, she closed her eyes.
A complicated expression appeared on her face.
Every time that shameless man showed up...
Her emotions became impossible to control.
Instead of calming her heart...
He always managed to stir it into complete chaos.
At that moment...
She only wanted to hit someone.