Chapter: 76
It had been a few days since I arrived in Boyar. The meals were decent, and the accommodations were fantastic. With Boyar being a well-known resort, the attractions were nothing to scoff at.
‘He said he’d come.’
However, for some reason, I felt off and glared at the door for no good reason. Why isn’t it opening? I even told him which room I was in. I mustered up the courage to say it. He promised he would come by!
‘He has all the time in the world.’
As my frustration grew, I hugged my pillow tighter.
If Carl was busy, I could understand. I’m not that narrow-minded after all.
But aside from the first two days, Carl had been cooped up in the resort. If he wasn’t hanging out with the pastry club visiting nearby attractions, I hadn’t seen him outside his room at all.
He assured me he would come when he had the time, and I waited on that promise, yet still no word from him.
‘So unfair.’
How could he get someone’s hopes up like this and leave them hanging? He seems to be sticking to his promise about not going to the casino, which is at least a relief, but why can’t he keep this promise? Should I have crossed my fingers back then too? As expected, promises need evidence.
‘Should I really go first?’
That thought popped into my head, but I quickly shook it off.
I’d already had the urge to visit Carl’s room a few times. I had to hold back, though. It isn’t proper for a lady to barge into a man’s room. Playing the waiting game and showing a bit of patience is essential.
Yeah, it’s really important. It’s not just me thinking this; my sisters and the nanny said the same thing. This is definitely the way to go.
— Knock, knock.
And finally, my endless patience bore fruit. Carl came first after all. He might’ve been trying to keep me at bay, but naturally, Carl had no choice but to come to my side.
All that bitterness and disappointment melted away in an instant, replaced by satisfaction that filled my heart.
“Yes, come in.”
“Senior, it’s me.”
And then… plummeted! The person who walked in wasn’t Carl, but the young lady Louise.
“Oh, Lady Louise.”
I felt let down but didn’t show it. She must’ve come for something, and besides, Louise was a pretty decent junior.
“Welcome! What brings you here so early?”
“We’re planning to go to Sapphire Beach, and if you’re alright with it, would you like to join us?”
Louise’s cautious inquiry sent my mind racing. When she said ‘we,’ she must be referring to the pastry club, which meant Carl was included.
Plus, it was that beach I had hoped to visit on the second day but flubbed. Just a minor difference, it’s Sapphire Beach instead of Emerald Beach, which really isn’t important.
“Your brother said he wished to go since he couldn’t last time.”
A smile crept across my face automatically at those words. I doubt blunt Carl would’ve said that, but it’s almost like a confirmation. And I liked how Louise spun it to make it sound like his idea.
“Sure, let’s go together.”
Finally, I get a chance to take out the swimsuit I had bought and not worn yet!
He complimented me saying I looked beautiful in a dress. He’s totally going to like this too. No doubt about it.
—
I was suddenly summoned by Louise while I was sleeping. This time, it’s to go to the sea.
“Senior Marghetta is also coming. I think it would make him happy if you join too…”
Going to the sea was somewhat of a hassle, and I thought of declining, but since Marghetta was going, I couldn’t refuse. I had turned down Marghetta’s offer once already due to the Kraken hunt, so I didn’t want to do it again and risk having a bad vibe.
If I miss out once, it can be attributed to bad timing, but twice? That might make Marghetta think I’m intentionally avoiding her. Given how sensitive she is under that tough exterior, there’s a fair chance she’d think that way. Thankfully, we’re off to a different spot and not that alga-fested sea I grew tired of while searching for Kraken.
This place, Sapphire Beach, sparkles like a sapphire. But, isn’t the sea supposed to be blue?
‘Better than green, I suppose.’
Well, it doesn’t really matter what it’s called as long as it looks nice.
“I think this place is better.”
“The Emerald Beach felt more like looking at a piece of art than actually being at a beach. The blue hue really gives off a refreshing aura.”
Upon our arrival at Sapphire Beach, the other’s reactions were pretty upbeat. Sure, a unique color of the sea is intriguing at first, but you always come back to the familiar blue.
“It’s as splendid as its reputation! Carl, do you like it?”
While watching the members playfully toss Ainter into the water, I heard a slightly shaky voice from behind. Although she tried to sound calm, there was an odd tension in her voice.
Turning around, I found Marghetta, confidently smiling but somehow stiff like a board.
‘She’s the one who’s embarrassed the most.’
I couldn’t help but smirk at her awkwardness.
I noticed this at the fair banquet as well, but Marghetta often seems embarrassed even when she actively puts herself out there. Still, her courage to keep pushing forward is incredibly impressive.
“Yes, I like it.”
“Fufu, I’m relieved! The blue hue is beautiful, right?”
“I meant the red.”
“W-what?”
Marghetta’s red swimsuit matched her hair perfectly. Considering she was a duchess always trying to maintain a dignified image, this bikini was particularly daring.
Her face turned crimson as I praised her, and her speech got flustered. She seemed startled when my compliment veered into her territory.
“It’s really pretty, Mar.”
“T-t-t…”
“If I hadn’t seen you, I would’ve regretted it.”
That saying about someone looking like they’ll burst? I get it now. Marghetta’s face was so crimson it looked like lava. She stuttered a bit and then looked down. Her defenses were notoriously weak!
“R-right? This is my first beach trip with Carl, so I made a special effort.”
But after a while, she lifted her head, donning a mask of nonchalance. How brave, striking back instead of crumbling under pressure, a totally new Marghetta!
“Is that so? I’m glad you dressed up for the occasion. It’s a shame that others can also see it.”
“Y-yes… Thank you…”
Too bad she seemed unable to withstand a second round of compliments. Yet, achieving this level of progress is still commendable. It seems like Marghetta trained herself a bit.
As Marghetta fell silent, Louise walked over from the water, clearly drenched. She seemed to have been hit by a water bomb! Did those mischievous kids throw Louise into the ocean? Maybe a wave knocked her down?
‘Oh, she’s wearing pink.’
I noticed when she wore a dress too, but pink really suits her well. Probably because it matches her hair color so much.
“Oh? You haven’t changed yet?”
She tilted her head, looking at me still dressed casually unlike Marghetta.
“I’m fine. It’s still a bit cold because it’s morning.”
“Oh, I apologize! We should have come at lunchtime instead.”
“It’s all good! I never liked going into the water anyway. Just watching suits me fine.”
Though that’s what I said, the weather wasn’t cold, and it’s not that I disliked getting wet; it’s just that I had some inconvenient complications about stripping down.
“I shall offer you as the final offering to the eternal blue sky!”
That terrifying voice still echoed in my mind, almost making me cringe. Kagan, that punk, left me with a nasty curse!
‘If he was going to die, he should’ve at least done it gracefully.’
That bastard’s final blow hit me directly. I thought I was done for back then. Whatever he did to that sword, I couldn’t heal from that wound he left behind.
Even with magic and divine powers that could heal severed limbs, it was tough to just stop the bleeding and stitch the flesh. Although I didn’t care much about the scars on my back, I bore a long scratch on my upper body from that incident.
Still, looking back, I’m thankful none of my limbs were severed. I could’ve easily ended up losing an arm or earned the moniker ‘Red-legged Carl.’
“I’m glad your face is fine… You don’t have anything else to brag about but that.”
“Did your head get hit or something? How’s that your first comment?”
It’s a relief, just as Hecate said; I didn’t get any facial wounds. If I had, I would’ve been stuck wearing a mask. What a nightmare that’d have been!
In the end, I only got my torso sliced up. Considering that five out of the other seven fell to Kagan that day, this injury is surprisingly light.
“So stick with me. I’m planning to rest a bit and then go back in.”
“Perfect! I was thinking of heading in later too, so it’ll be the three of us.”
As Louise and Marghetta’s voices shook me back to reality, I carefully touched the area on my torso through my clothing. It used to throb painfully just to touch it, but now, it feels fine—a relief, really. Kagan’s curse seemed to last about two years; that was far too long!
“Oops, I laid out a mat here!”
“Thanks.”
I nodded towards Louise, who was patting the mat with her palms. Since we came to chill, let’s leave the unpleasant memories behind.
“Is it weird for a wife to worry about her husband’s face?”
“Wife?! Enough with the nonsense. This pain is driving me crazy.”
…Yeah, let’s stop here.
For some reason, perhaps because the anniversary of their deaths was approaching, my thoughts were all over the place. Not that I’d forget to pay respects, but still…
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