The water sloshed against the aged, battle-scarred wolf's fur as she sidled up to her charge's… No, her friend's side. Jaria made for poor company, in her opinion, but Melly still needed friends, even if her focus was currently elsewhere. Resting her heavy head on the feline's shoulder and giving the princess a warm nuzzle of affection, she sighed, "My lady, you are not relaxing. If not here and now, when would you allow yourself such a thing?"
"When I'm dead," Melly said with quiet calm, closing her tired blue eyes. Her voice was soft but cutting. "I'm allowing this because of my respect for you and your sense of duty. This is still a waste of time, though."
Jaria hesitated to press further at this point, social graces never being her strong point. After another few moments of peaceful silence, she spoke again, "Let me attend to you, then? You seem fatigued. Would a good massage ease the weight of these troubles from you?"
Melly did not reply; instead she simply flicked her ear and gave the canine warrior a small, reassuring purr. Jaria smiled faintly and stepped back, clearing enough space for the princess to float freely. Moving close enough to the edge of the pool to set herself down on the slick stone, she extended both paws to the cat.
With practiced grace, Melly lifted her torso out of the water, letting it dribble off her. A shudder went through her form as she gripped one of Jaria's paws, pulling herself up and against the wolf's smooth hide. Shifting to lay across the warrior's lap, the princess slowly settled into a comfortable position. Jaria, glad for the opportunity to do something that brought comfort to her liege, began to gently massage the feline princess's muscles while she strained her ears for the rustling of the third member of their party.
As soon as Jaria sensed his spying, she eased down Melly's spine, brushing aside her soggy tail to give the mouse boy a clear view of the full extent of the cat's bare fur, still glossy with moisture. Jaria hoped the princess would forgive her manipulation, but, unlike Melly, she wanted more than simple revenge. The wolf wanted to secure the future of her homeland, and for that, it needed a king. Nils, once he matured, might be able to fill that role. Until then, however, he must be tutored in all he needed to know if he was to become an effective leader. And, above all, he must want to be king.
Not exactly a purveyor of deft political acumen, Jaria knew she could at least rely on one thing most males desired to tempt him into the role: a beautiful queen to warm his bed. On top of that, she figured it might do Melly some good to have someone other than her guard doting on her. Even the most dutiful royal guards couldn't stand seeing one's monarch worn down by stress and conflict, especially with nothing more comforting than vengeance on the horizon.
Careful to keep up the pretense of a massage, the canine teased the feline's thighs apart, hoping the rodent was enjoying the show.