The Marchioness added as she studied Yurina’s face.

“By the way, your mom is coming too.”

This time, Yurina didn’t know what she was thinking when she said that. But she didn’t have to worry anymore. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded her head.

“If Ray says he agrees, then so be it.”

The decision to go on vacation was made in just one day.

* * *

Through the window of the carriage, the emerald-colored sea began to appear.

The sea with a clear horizon without a single island. The vast sea, which seemed to touch the sky, was the pride of the Carthia house.

Not only the nobles, but also the commoners said that they would like to visit Carthia Villa at least once before they die.

Raynard, who during the carriage ride looked more at Yurina than at the landscape, exclaimed as soon as he happened to see the sea.

“Wow.”

Yurina, who was reading a book, turned towards the sound and looked out the window. Today, a golden sun shone in a clear sky without a single cloud. With each wave, the emerald-colored sea shone in the sun and shimmered with many colors.

Yurina came to Carthia Villa about two or three times a year to spend time. Seeing the sea every year, she got tired of it and didn’t seem to be very impressed.

This time, her gaze was more focused on Raynard, who was hanging out of the window and smiling like a child.

He said that he had never seen the sea since he was born, and could hardly take his eyes off the water. His red eyes lit up in the sunlight, and his white cheeks flushed with excitement.

Just like when he was a child, he didn’t shout it out loud, but Yurina could see the excitement on his face.

Yurina opened her mouth and asked him who couldn’t take his eyes off the sea.

“What do you think?”

“That is amazing. Not at all like rivers and lakes.”

He answered in a tone higher than usual, and his gaze was still directed outward. It was unusual considering that he always made eye contact with her when he spoke to Yurina.

He was so amazed.

“Can I swim there?”

“Not worth it. The water on this bank is not very deep, and there are many children running around. It’s kinda chilly today, don’t you think?”

“Ah, of course. That must be it.”

Raynard replied in a sad voice. Yurina silently watched him straighten his hair in the sea breeze.

Golden hair shone in the sunlight streaming through the open window. The sounds of seagulls came from afar and the smell of the salty sea tickled the tip of the nose.

Just three weeks ago, Yurina sat with him unconscious. Now she couldn’t believe that he was spending time with her so peacefully.

Yurina glanced at Marchioness and Betsy, then covered her shoes with the hem of her dress. When she hit his boot with the toe, Reynard’s eyes turned to Yurina.

Very surprised, he immediately wanted to counterattack, and hit Yurina on the toes. Despite the secret and tense exchange of blows, bright smiles shone on their faces.

“If we don’t swim, can we at least go to the beach? Shall we go for a walk when we arrive? What do you think?”

Inside the dress, his feet slowly moved up. Yurina hurriedly tried to avoid his feet, but he grabbed Yurina’s left foot with both feet.

His ankles touched her bare ankle bone, where wasn’t even stockings on. He slowly rubbed Yurina’s ankle with his. Scorching heat rose from where he touched her.

‘It’s just his legs, but I don’t know why my breath catches and my face turns red, as if he kissed me.’

It was the same with Reynard. His chest rose and fell under his neat shirt.

Yurina saw Raynard press down on his lower lip with his thumb while looking at her as if desiring something, and then tap his right foot on her leg.

“What’s happen?”

Marchioness Carthia, who had been napping next to Yurina, opened her eyes and asked, apparently feeling uneasy. Yurina clutched her burning cheeks and dodged her mother’s gaze.

“Nothing. My feet were numb, so I twitched and accidentally stepped on Ray’s foot.”

“Reynard, are you okay?”

“Oh, it’s all right. It was my own fault that I stretched out my long legs.”

“How can you be so arrogant about your long legs?”

Marchioness Carthia covered her mouth with her hand and laughed out loud.

“We’ll get there soon, so be patient.”

“Yeah.”

Yurina glanced at Reynard. Raynard, smiling softly at the Marchioness, noticed her gaze and pursed his lips, as if he wanted to say: ‘You started first.’

Roughly interpreted, it seems that he said so. But again, that wasn’t wrong, so Yurina had nothing to say.

“So how about a walk? Are we going?”

Raynard tapped Yurina’s shoe again when he saw the Marchioness close her eyes. Yurina moved her legs as far as possible and looked at the sea, avoiding his gaze.

“Let’s see what mood I’m in.”

“Hm.”

He made a sound of pain as if he was displeasure, but Yurina pretended not to see his expression and closed her eyes. His feet were clearly away, but the area around her ankle bone that he had touched was still as hot as if it were on fire.