She was grateful for a place to bathe that didn't involve sharing the space with others. Back home, it was a quick reminder of what was and was not appropriate behaviour befitting a woman of regal bearing. So many things were already pushing against that line, but she had handled them as gracefully as she could. Sharing a hot spring, however, was the boundary at which she would not willingly cross.

Hot springs were meant to be private as far as she was concerned, and she would take her privacy by the horns and into her own control. Which meant investigating the pleasant rumour of the quiet springs away from the undoubtedly noisy and rowdy shared pools.

It'd give her time to think. That was what she'd thought as she'd managed to claim the spring to herself. At least for the time being. For the gods knew how long that would last and ultimately, it wouldn't be the fair princess at all, but rather a prince in her stead.