The next day, William avoided me completely. He wouldn't even look at me. Sitting at the table with everyone felt uncomfortable since William was so obviously ignoring me. I began to wonder if I should just avoid the group altogether to prevent this awkward atmosphere. Luckily we would be leaving tomorrow so I wouldn't have to endure this much longer. However, I can't help but feel a bit sad that William was acting like this.

Hypatia noticed my depressed mood and pulled me away to speak to me privately. She smiled at me, "Is something wrong?"

How could I admit to a Queen that William confessed to me on the beach and I flat out rejected him?

I scratched my head, "Ah, nothing's wrong. I just did something and now I feel incredibly awkward. I'm just a bit stressed at the moment, but it's really nothing."

She nodded, "I see. Stress is a deadly thing you know. You shouldn't take it lightly." Her smile turned a bit mischievous, "I could help you relieve your stress. It may not help your current situation, but at least you will feel a bit better."

I looked at her suspiciously. I seem to recall a public bathhouse where she liked to relieve her stress. Although... Maybe I am just misunderstanding the situation. She may have just been trying to be a good host even though she herself isn't interested in those illicit affairs. Plus, she is a Queen. I bet she's not even allowed to do anything like that.

Perhaps I am just judging her too harshly?

She leaned over and whispered into my ear, "You know, we have a private beach that only the King and I know about."

My face lit up, "A private beach?"

She giggled and nodded, "Yes. I usually go there to bathe in the sunlight fully nude."

Weird. But okay.

She scooted closer to me, "Would you like to come with me to see it?"

I nodded enthusiastically, "I would love to!"

A secret beach? Sign me up! I bet there are rare seashells there that I can sell for a lot of money when I return.

I followed her through the castle and out from some secret passageways. We found ourselves outside surrounded by trees. The pale moonlight shone on the hidden beach making it seem mysterious and ethereal. It was truly breathtaking.

"Wow… It's so beautiful."

The Queen smiled slyly and began undressing. I paused when I realized she was stripping completely. She climbed into the water and turned back to me, "There's only one rule here. No clothes allowed in the water." Noticing my hesitance, she added. "It is a tradition bestowed upon us by the gods."

Well… I suppose that's not super strange. I mean, I am used to bathing naked with females. This isn't that different… So why does it feel so… Odd? Is it because she reminds me of my friend from my previous world?

I shrugged and started taking off my clothes. I entered the water and sighed in relief as the water embraced me. It was not too cold and not too warm. Now I totally understood why she liked skinny dipping so much. It was particularly calming.

She swam over to me with an enticing smile. She reached out and grabbed one of my arms. As she brought it out of the water, she studied it closely. I opened one eye as I watched her carefully caress my arm.

She spoke in a low and earthy voice, "So many scars… Under the moonlight it looks quite beautiful."

For some reason, I felt strange by the way she was touching me. Maybe this Kingdom is just more touchy feely. It's probably just the culture here.

I disregarded her suggestive rubbing, "Are scars more accepted here?"

She nodded softly, "Scars are highly valued. Each one tells a story and your skin is much like a book." Her finger slowly traced up my arm to my shoulder, "I just wonder how this story may end…"

For some reason, my mouth felt dry, "W-Well I'm glad that this Kingdom accepts scars so easily. The Kingdom where I am from is totally different. If a woman has scars they think that she won't be able to get married. It's a bit oppressive there."

Her finger now swept across my shoulder blades, "Oh my… Well that won't do. Perhaps you would be better just staying here… I'm sure my husband would agree willingly. We could find you a very well respected job."

"Uhh.." My mind was suddenly blank as a felt her finger trace down my spine. Then I felt her grab something too casually. I tensed up immediately, "EEP!"

THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL THIS IS PART OF THE CULTURE!

I pushed her away in a panic, "Just what are you touching?!?"

Before I could run away, her other hand swept around my waist and pulled me closer. I froze when I saw her face close to mine, "Don't worry… You can touch me too…"

WHAT THE F*CK IS THIS SH*T?!

I immediately turned bright red from embarrassment. I pulled myself away from her grip and scooted away. I know I said she seemed like my friend from the other world, but there's no way in hell that friend would ever act like this!!!

"No way!"

She didn't seem offended, but only more interested. "And why not? Didn't you say that you enjoy the freedom this kingdom has to offer?"

"Yes! But I didn't mean this!"

She tilted her head, "Do you not find me attractive?"

"I-I do! But that's not the problem!!!"

"Then what is the problem? Do you have a problem with me being a girl?"

"NO!" My voice cracked, "I-It's not like I dislike girls either. In fact, I have no preference… B-But that's not the point!"

"Then why?"

"Because I have a boyfriend!"

I am loyal! LOYAL!

She paused and crinkled her eyebrows together in confusion, "Boyfriend? What does a friend have to do with this?"

I shook my head, "It doesn't mean friend. A boyfriend is like a lover."

"A lover? Well I have many of those too."

My mouth dropped at her shameless remark. I continued to talk in a panic while stepping back for each step she stepped forward, "I mean that he is like my husband! We aren't married yet, but we are exclusive. It's kind of like marriage. You know that man who has a fake smile and seems warm, but is actually really terrifying and cold? He is the one who has golden eyes that looks like he could kill you and not even care."

"Oh. Him." She smiled, "I see. Well I don't mind about that."

"Huh?"

She nodded, "Yes. He can join. I find him attractive as well."

KJFAKLGJF OSJFDKLAJFKDLS!!!!!

"NOOO!" I shouted in a panic.

"No?"

"Absolutely not!" I added, "Plus you have a husband!!! What would he say?!"

She giggled, "Oh, he is okay with it."

My mouth dropped in shock.

She nodded, "He even expressed interest in that boyfriend of yours. I think he is even bringing him over to join the fun."

THEY ARE F*CKING SWINGERS!?

I don't like to kink shame, but… WHAT THE F*CK!

She paused and looked over, "See. There they are now."

I looked over to see the King and Dante standing on the shore looking. Dante had on an indifferent expression as he stared at me in shock. Although he looked calm, I could tell his mind was completely blank from the strange scene. I covered my face in a panic and sunk further into the water.

Dead. I want to be dead. Can I just drown now? Yeah… That'd be better than having to deal with this huge embarrassing misunderstanding.

The King threw off his clothes and jumped in the water. He smiled back at Dante, "Come on in! Join the fun!"

FUN?!

Dante and I both had on the same speechless expression which showed us both thinking:

What.

The.

F*ck.

I dashed out of the water quickly, grabbed the transparent robe, threw it around me, and grabbed Dante's hand. As I ran away, I heard the King shout, "Wait! Where are you going?!"

I shouted back, "My back hurts! I have a cramp! I have a headache! It's that time of the month! I have homework to do!" I kept shouting wild excuses one right after the other as I pulled Dante away.

Dante's face was frozen as I dragged him away. He was so startled by the scene that he couldn't even appreciate the fact that my robe was see-through. We stopped to catch our breaths. He muttered, "What… Was that…"

I looked up in a panic, "They are swingers!"

His face twitched, "S-Swingers?"

I wanted to cry. Dante and I just started going out! We didn't need anything like this to spice up our relationship quite yet!!!

Dante froze, "So that's why… The King kept…"

I nodded, "Touching your muscles and making strange remarks? Oh yeah. They are a pair of crazy a** swingers."

Dante's face turned extremely dark.

___________

The next day our carriages were packed up as we prepared to leave the Kingdom. The Queen and King came to see us off. Prince William bowed to them, "I thank you for your hospitality."

The Queen smiled at him, "It was our pleasure to have you here. If you ever want to come back for a visit, just know there will always be a room for you at our castle."

William smiled and nodded, "Thank you. I will remember that."

The King put his arm around the Queen and smiled at William, "Prince William, I really enjoyed our talk. I look forward to the day when you are King. I can tell you will be the best King the world has ever seen."

William tried to contain his grin. He bowed respectfully trying to keep on his air of indifference, "I look forward to working with you in the future as well."

The Queen looked at Dante and I and smiled, "The same goes for you two… If you ever want to come back for some…" She paused and smiled seductively, "Fun. Just let us know. We would be more than willing."

The King chuckled, "Oh, yes. We could pick up where we left off."

Dante and I turned stiff. As we said our goodbyes, I pushed the others quickly. I had never been happier to enter into a carriage before. Dante and I sat with dark expressions as the others sat back smiling nostalgically.

Since the King had complimented William, he seemed to be in a much better mood. It was as if he was never rejected a few days before. William spoke with a smile, "I'm not sure why I had such a poor impression of them and their Kingdom. It was actually quite nice. Next time I shouldn't judge so quickly."

Mary nodded, "I agree. The public bathing houses were quite relaxing… It's a shame we don't have something similar."

Millie crossed her arms, "It wasn't so bad I suppose."

William turned to Dante and I noticing we were being strangely quiet. He spoke, "Didn't you two like it?"

I looked up with a dazed expression, "Huh? Oh… Yeah. It was great."

Dante added, "Good."

William smiled, "Then next time would you two like to come back with me?"

"No." We said simultaneously.