The bathtub was filled to the brim with warm water and foam. Steam rose gently, slightly fogging the edges of the nearby mirror.
Max lay back inside, his arms resting along the sides, completely relaxed.
"…yeah…" he murmured, closing his eyes.
He let his body sink a little deeper into the water.
"…I definitely overreacted about protecting Chloe…"
Chloe's image came back to his mind. Calm. Smiling. Teasing him.
The knocked-out orc.
The black cloak. Sophie picking it up like it was nothing.
Max let out a long sigh.
"I'm being way too paranoid…"
He ran a hand over his wet face.
"She can take care of herself… and pretty well, too."
He slid a little deeper into the tub… until the water reached his chin.
"…I really needed this…"
And then, without thinking much about it, he submerged completely under the water.
Silence. Bubbling. Isolated.
For a moment… everything disappeared.
…
And suddenly—
WHOOM
A gust of wind tore through the castle. Far too violent.
