Chương 294: Chapter 293: Celebration II

Homers"My lord, my lady. The therapists are ready for you," said the green-haired young girl as she appeared in front of us. It had only been a few minutes, yet several patrons had already been led away for their treatments while others took their places—like the elderly couple now seated where the Husks had been. They looked around with quiet wonder.

"Alright," I said as I stood, then glanced at my husband. He did not move. I gave him a pointed look. If he had not come, that would have been one thing—but since he had, he would at least try a treatment. Baron Husk himself had done them; there was no reason Elias could not do the same. After a moment of hesitation, he rose. It was wise of him—otherwise he would have heard quite a bit from me.

"It was lovely meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Kadal," I said before following the girl with Elias.

"My lord, my lady, please change into the spa robes provided inside," she said, stopping before a beautifully carved black door. Inside was an elegant changing room with polished wood shelves and tall mirrors. I selected a robe in my size and changed. Elias did the same, though he looked hesitant.

"I won't be doing more than one treatment," he said. I gave no reply and stepped out. The girl led us down a flight of stairs and into another room, this one built entirely of smooth stone. Even the massage beds were carved from it. A narrow slit in the wall allowed water to flow through the room in a winding channel, its soft sound mingling with the faint glow of blue-white emotion mist drifting above it. The entire space felt serene, almost sacred. Two therapists stood ready.

"Baron Homer, Baroness Homer. I am Zaina, and this is Rachel. It is our honor to serve you," said the middle-aged heralden woman.

"We are looking forward to it," I replied warmly. I loved massages. Elias, however, looked distinctly unsure.

"Do I have to remove all my clothes?" he asked.

"Only if you wish to, my lord," she replied with a gentle smile, and I could see relief wash over him. They removed our robes. I wore nothing beneath mine; Elias kept his undergarments.

"Please lie on the beds." I lay on the warm black stone, surprised by its comforting heat. My face rested in the cushioned hollow as silence filled the room—until warm oil touched my back. Then skilled hands began to move. Almost immediately, something changed. The sensation was deeper than any massage I had known. My thoughts softened. My breath slowed. And then—my emotions began to rise. Memories. Feelings. Long-buried fragments of my life surfaced gently, guided by those steady, calming hands.

Nothing was overwhelming—only released, eased, and allowed to pass through me. It felt… cleansing. I did not know how long it lasted. When the hands finally stopped, I opened my eyes to find tears slipping down my temples. I turned my head slightly—Elias lay on the next bed, wiping his own eyes in quiet wonder. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"It is the best experience I've ever had. Thank you," he said softly.

"It is our pleasure, my lord," the therapist replied before she and her partner left the room. We remained there for a few minutes, absorbing the lingering calm, before rising and putting our robes back on. Outside, two attendants were waiting.

"Baroness Uda, please follow me for your facial," said the green-haired girl. I would have liked to speak with Elias about what we had experienced, but there would be time for that later. He gave me a quick, affectionate kiss on the cheek and followed another attendant down a different corridor. I followed mine. The next room was smaller, with a carved wooden bed and neatly arranged shelves of tools and bottles.

"My lady," said the petite blonde therapist.

"Take good care of me, Miss Bevna," I said, reading her name tag.

"You are in good hands, my lady." She asked me to lie down, then placed her hands gently on my face.

"For your skin, the Brin facial would be ideal." It was precisely what suited me best. I gave a small nod. As she worked, I glimpsed the faint colors of emotion mist blending into the creams she prepared, like an artist mixing pigments. When I closed my eyes, a different sensation unfolded—quiet, introspective, soothing. I felt layers of tension soften, replaced by clarity and calm. By the time she finished, I felt renewed.

I asked for a mirror, but she politely refused—the spa preferred clients to see their final results at the end of the full experience. Still, when I touched my face, I could feel the difference immediately—soft, smooth, almost unreal. The third treatment was an aromatic body wrap. Warm oils and herbs enveloped me, and once again emotions rose and flowed through me—this time stronger, deeper, until I released them in silent tears. When the therapist returned later, I felt emptied, lighter than I had in years.

The fourth treatment—a hydrating hair ritual—felt like a gentle embrace that restored everything the previous one had drawn out. Warmth, balance, comfort. By the end of the fourth treatment, I felt whole again. Reborn. I wondered whether the fifth could truly improve on that.

"It may feel complete," the attendant said as we approached the final door, "but you will understand after the last treatment, my lady." The door was different—plain copper, unadorned. Inside, a simple chair stood over a basin filled with petals and mist. A woman knelt beside it with a small wooden box.

"Please sit, my lady." She washed my feet with scented water infused with citrus, mint, and sandalwood. The scents alone felt transcendent. Then came a gentle stone exfoliation, slow and rhythmic. And finally, a warm massage. It was subtle, grounding—drawing everything together. The previous treatments had opened, released, and restored me. This one centered me. When it ended, I felt deeply at peace.

"Narthian foot ritual is complete, my lady."

"Thank you. I will never forget this," I said sincerely. A few minutes later, I was guided to a quiet relaxation room. When I entered, I stopped. Elias stood there—and he looked at me as though seeing me for the first time in years.

"You look as radiant as you did on our wedding day," he said softly, stepping closer.

"You are not looking bad yourself," I replied with a smile. He truly wasn't. There was a lightness in his eyes I had not seen in a long time. He drew me into a gentle kiss—warm, affectionate, filled with rediscovered closeness. It deepened for a moment, then softened again as we rested our foreheads together. For the first time in years, I felt the quiet spark between us glow again. We sat together on the cushioned bench, hands intertwined, simply enjoying the stillness.

Caena Elsewhere in the spa, Caena watched the rising currents of emotion with awe.

"They are extraordinary," she whispered as streams of shimmering feeling flowed upward like light. These were not merely desire or pleasure—they were layered with love, trust, nostalgia, and joy. Stronger. Richer. The spa was working far beyond expectations.

"It is as though we are harvesting emotions like crops," she murmured. And the patrons? They left lighter, happier, renewed. Exactly as intended.

"If this continues," Caena said, "the establishment will advance far sooner than expected."

"Good," I replied.

"Because we are spending a great deal to make it so." But it was worth it. Every part of this place—every scent, every stone, every moment—had been designed to give people something they could not find anywhere else. An experience they would remember for the rest of their lives. And tonight would be the beginning of something even greater.

"Everything ready?" I asked.

"We are ready for the first night."

"Good," I said with a small smile.

"Make it unforgettable