Clop Clop Clop Clop

  The road was rough, heavy footsteps eg as hooves struck the solid ground. Twes traveled towards one dire, a certai engraved on their doors and intricate patterns engraved with silver and gold.

  The wheels tio spin round and round, a green sery to be seen as the trees stood proudly by the roadside. Soon, the verdant background grew sparser and sparser, the colors beige and blue taking its pce as the horizon opened.

  "Good... It seems like the town is just in view." ［Abraham］

  "It's been some time. I'm gettied." ［Vilma］

  The married couple eheir eyes swimming out of the gss window and into the view slowly unfolding. It wasn't just them, Grey and Yuna's eyes also started to waowards the distance, sav the beautiful sight.

  It has been a few days sihey arrived in the Beldon Marquisate, and after a couple days of staying over at the city of Gilm, they are now heading towards another one of the towns uhe Marquess' jurisdi, the port town, Lista. The pce Grey has been looking forward to.

  "Waah..." ［Yuna］

  Of course, as it ort town, it wasn't only the town which was in sight, the vast and boundless blue sea also graced everyoh its presehe moment Yuna's eyes saw it, she could only open her mouth in astonishment.

  Like the sky above, the sea was just as beautiful. The waves tossed and turned, sweeping the sandy beaches white foams f as the waves rushed over the surface. The waters sparkling as it basked uhe afternoon sun.

  It has been a few years since Grey has seen the sea too, but rather than the sea, the sight he was fasated by the most was the one by his side. The pure and i excitement and astonishment of Yuna as she gazed towards the horizon was quite a sight to behold.

  "Fufufu! Miss Yuna, is it perhaps the first time you've seen the sea?" ［Vilma］

  "Ah, un... Do I look weird...?" ［Yuna］

  "No, not at all. Rather, it's quite refreshing to see you with su excited look. It's no wonder Mister Grey fell for you." ［Vilma］

  Well, it only took a siatement from the Maress for Yuna's focus to shift from the sea back to herself, her faow blushing red. After all, Yuna was quite the fun person to tease.

  Several minutes passed and after a long ride, the carriages started slowing down, soon ing to a stop. In front of the carriage were high walls and rge gates as usual, a few soldiers standing guard. It was a quispe.

  A few more mier, the carriages met its final stop, a rge mansion to be seen outside the windows. The doors opened wide and the servants bowed politely, a few figures exiting the rides soon after, light footsteps eg all over the pce.

  "Your Excellencies, we'll be going ahead and unload the baggage."

  "Alright. Just make sure to not be th with them. There's a couple fragile things in there. It would be troublesome if they were to be broken." ［Abraham］

  "Uood."

  Oer another, servants came out of the gates and unloaded the baggage the party brought. Most of them were clothes, utilities, and some basiecessities. Evehey all took great care of them, handling them properly like true professionals.

  They have finally arrived at the mansion, but a certain figure couldn't take her eyes off a certain dire, her mind wandering in another pce. It was her than Yuna who still hasn't had enough of the sea, not minding anything else.

  "Oh? What might my adorable Yuhinking right now?" ［Grey］

  "Ah, Grey... It's nothing..." ［Yuna］

  "Nothing, you say... Are you sure it isn't the big blue sea out there? It looks so wonderful, doesn't it? I wonder how is to swim there..." ［Grey］

  A teasing smile on his face, Grey asked Yuna as he patted her head. The tter, on the receiving side of Grey's teasing, only got her face flushed in sileno matter how much she tried to hide it, it was obvious that she was raring to go.

  "Mou... You're teasing me again..." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Sorry, sorry, it's just so fun. I 't help but tease you when you're wearing such expressions on your face." ［Grey］

  "Mou.. It 't be helped... It's my first time, after all..." ［Yuna］

  "I know, I know, and that's why we're heading there right now." ［Grey］

  "Eh?" ［Yuna］

  Grey didn't expin himself any further. He simply lifted his hand from Yuna's head, turned around, and headed towards where the Marquess and Maress who were still instrug the servants, leaving the still puzzled Yuna by herself.

  "Missus Vilma, Mister Abraham, I would like to go sightseeing outside of town with Yuna. Would that be alright?" ［Grey］

  "That's alright by us, but... Don't you want to rest first? It was quite a long journey, after all. Even just an hour would suffice." ［Abraham］

  "I appreciate the thought but as you see, we're still fine and dandy. In fact, we could still run a couple dozen kilometers if we wanted. Hahaha." ［Grey］

  There was no point in arguing. Being High-Rahemselves, a simple carriage ride is not oo tire them out. Both the Marquess and Maress uood Grey's point and all they could do was nod in silence.

  Well, there isn't much frey and Yuna to do in the mansion anyway. It was better for them to wander around whilst they see if everything was alright. Worries were the furthest things from their minds. They were Grey and Yuna, after all.

  "Then, we'll be going now." ［Grey］

  "Keep safe, you two. And don't waoo far." ［Vilma］

  "Yhness, we'll send you a carriage by su. I hope you enjoy your time in the bead sea." ［Abraham］

  "Yeah～." ［Grey］

  Casual like parents seeing off their child, Grey turned around once again, waving his hand carefreely as he returo the still puzzled Yuna. The tter simply waited for him, eyes full of wonder and fusion as she looked Grey in the eyes.

  "Then, shall we get going, Midy?" ［Grey］

  Yuna eechless, uo respond to Grey's words. She simply took the hand which was exteowards her, holding it tightly as their fingers interlocked with one another. It was warm and f, a wonderful sensation.

  Their steps started eg once more, two figures heading out of town with their hands side by side. And when Yuna finally regained her senses, she started asking Grey questions, but the tter simply smiled at her in response, making her even more curious with the passing of time.

  Walking through the streets and passing through the gates, it didn't take too long befrey and Yuna were out of town, a couple trees and bushes greeting them from time to time, sparse like the green meadows.

  The salty sea breeze, the sound of waves, the foaming waters, and the radiant sun above. Each step they took, their feet sunk slightly in the sandy beach, the shifting sands rolling about as they were blown by the winds. As there was to see was blue and more blue, the sea and sky intercepting by the horizon.

  Crabs, snails, starfishes, turtles, and the seagulls above. The beach wasn't void of life either. As the waters sparkled, as the two could see was a blue paradise. They could only admire the beautiful sery in silence.

  Yuna was frozen, not moving a single inch as her silver hair fluttered in the wind and her blue eyes were glued to the simirly blue sea. A light chuckle could be heard as Grey fawned over his adorable girlfriend.

  "Yuna～ Yuna～ Yuna～" ［Grey］

  She was so frozen, in fact, that she couldn't even hear a single word of what Grey was saying, only looking at the sea. Though Grey was happy that she liked the sea, he was also a little hurt that Yuna wasn't answering him.

  Well, there was no other way but to take back the frozen princess. Only a single opped up inside Grey's head, one he couldn't help but do. It was necessary, after all. Yep, it was necessary, not a sierior motive in his mind.

  A mischievous smile on his face, Grey slowly leaned closer towards Yuna, and as pyfully as one be, he pecked her soft and rosy cheeks with his lips, a soft sensation pressing on him.

  "G-Grey?! Wh-What are you doing?!" ［Yuna］

  Like a sleeping, fairy tale princess woken up by her prince charming's kiss, as soon as Grey pecked her cheeks, Yuna quickly came back to reality, blushing profusely like an i little girl, her eyes filled with surprise and fusion as he backed off a little distance away.

  Meanwhile, Grey was only chug to himself as he watched various expressions unfold over Yuna's pretty face. The sulking young man was no more, only a happy youth left, eyes filled with warmth and joy.

  "It's because you were frozen. I had no other choice." ［Grey］

  "What do you mean you have no other choices?! You just wao tease and kiss me, didn't you?" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha, you got me, you got me, But is there something wrong with a man wanting to kiss his lovely girlfriend?" ［Grey］

  "Uuu... No... There's nothing wrong with it..." ［Yuna］

  Yuna tried to retort but she was quickly outwitted by Grey. After all, it wasn't the first time they kissed or anything of the sort. She just got embraced because it suddenly came out of nowhere. She had no time to prepare her heart.

  "Well, enough about the kiss and all... What do you think of my surprise? The sea, I mean..." ［Grey］

  "Eh? Don't tell me..." ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, I p quite some time ago. It took me quite a while to prepare and some help from Fritz, but I'm gd we're finally here. Do you like it?" ［Grey］

  Judging from Yuna's expressions, Grey already knew what Yuna's answer would be, but he still wao hear it directly from her mouth. His eyes were beaming with expectations as he looked at her warmly.

  As for Yuna... Well, there was o ask. She had no idea at all that Grey was w so hard just to surprise her, and standing in that moment now, she could only feel happiness, a bright yet gentle smile blooming on her face like spring blossoms.

  "Un... I like it, but..." ［Yuna］

  "But...?" ［Grey］

  "But I like Grey more. I love you." ［Yuna］

  A radiant aiful smile. Such was how Yuna ended her statement. bi with the perfect sery behind her and the sea breeze blowing ever so gently, yet another picturesque picture was engraved deep into Grey's mind.

  "Hahaha. Are y to get back at me for teasing you? Sorry, but you're still too inexperienced with teasing, my love." ［Grey］

  "Mou... At least act like you're flustered, you know... It's always me who always gets flustered. It's frustrating..." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Better luext time, then." ［Grey］

  "Just you wait! I'll really get you someday!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. I'm looking forward to it." ［Grey］

  Well, even with the lovely and romantic atmosphere looming over them, the two still thought of teasing one another. Right now, rather than boyfriend and girlfriend, they only seemed like a pair of childhood friends teasing one another.

  Of course, both their hearts were rag quickly at the moment. Smiles and ughter were all over the pd different expressions of joy and happiness were painted on their faces. Yuna was especially sulky as she tried to show her dissatisfa.

  "Well, now that we're here... What do you want to do, Yuna? I have a list of things prepared, but... What do you think?" ［Grey］

  "A list? I have a look?" ［Yuna］

  "Sure." ［Grey］

  At Yuna's request, Grey quickly took out a long list of activities from his "Iory". From beach games, swimming and diving lessons, surfing, piid even some extreme sports. There was a lot to choose from and quite a lot of variety as well.

  If there was something missing, it would be the swimsuits. They are still in the making in Marianne's workshop and would still need a few days. Though Grey wahem done before heading to Lista, there was only so much he could do about it.

  It was quite difficult choosing them as well without Yuna's prese was fortuhat Grey knew what kind of designs Yuna liked, otherwise, it would have been a huge disaster. Thank God for his amazing memory.

  "Hmm... You sure prepared quite a lot, haven't you?" ［Yuna］

  "Of course, I want you to have the best experience, after all. It's only natural that I prepare at least that much." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! I see... Then, we py in the sea first? I just want to spsh around and all that stuff!" ［Yuna］

  "Well, if that's what Midy wants, then so be it. Your wish is my and." ［Grey］

  Like children who had just seen the sea for the first time, as soon as they came to an agreement, both of them quickly took off their boots and headed out to the sea, their feet feeling the cold waters as the waves graced the sandy shores.

  "Grey, what are you waiting for? e on!" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, yeah, ing～!" ［Grey］

  Crashes and spshes echoed in the air as the waves tossed and turned. Grey and Yuna ran around barefoot on the sea, watg the sea roar and the fishes swim, ughing and giggling as the waves spshed by them.

  The one having the most fun was her than Yuna. As it was her first time in the, she viewed everything with eyes full of curiosity. She was like aed child, eyes sparkling as her head turned left and right, eyes looking far and near.

  "Grey, Grey, look! Look at what I foundー" ［Yuna］

  Spsh

  Excited as one be, Yun picked up a starfish she found ying on the seafloor, but before she could even finish her words, the rude waves spshed her on the fad let her taste the infamous saltiness of the seas.

  A plop resounded in the air as the starfish she was holding onto was dropped bato the sea. Her hair was now down and clothes drenched, saltwater dripping ever so slowly. She was just like a puppy, shocked and fused.

  "Hahaha. You really ought to be more careful." ［Grey］

  "Uuu... So salty..." ［Yuna］

  "Well, it's the sea, after all. Here let meー" ［Grey］

  Spsh

  Another wave spshed and now, Grey's fad hair was drenched. And it wasn't just any normal wave. It was an artificial one which the lovely dy made with magic. A mischievous smile could now be seen painted over her face.

  Grey's form was even funnier. As there was both sand and seaweeds in the wave of seawater Yuna spshed her with, he looked a little hirious. The young dy couldn't help but giggle, looking at the masterpiece she created.

  "Really now... Is this how yoing to py it?" ［Grey］

  "Hehehe! That's for always teasing me." ［Yuna］

  Yuna giggled softly, showing off a little bit of her tongue. Grey couldn't eve mad at her. If anything, he was only smiling as he removed the sand and seaweed on his hair with a little bit of magic, looking at his pyful young dy before him.

  "Haah... Remember, you're the one who started it. Don't go sulking on me now, alright? I won't be going easy on you." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! I could say the same for you. I'll be the one winning this time." ［Yuna］

  "fident, aren't we? Well, let's see about... that!" ［Grey］

  Of course, Gry isn't just simply bag off from the challenge. Before they k, a little game yed betweewo, spshing waves towards one another. Not just simple waves, but ones reag a couple meters i. It was yet another one of their extreme games.

  It was fortuhat Yuna wasn't wearing thin clothes. Otherwise, all which should not be seen would be revealed to the world. Still, her clothes started stig to her body, carefully highlighting her slim aiful figure.

  The waves tinued spshing and the sun tio beat down on the blue sea, the afternoon passed by quickly and before they k, a winner was decided. Yuna lost, but not because of Grey, but rather, because of the saltiness of the sea.

  Of course, they weren't just simply pying around. They also observed the sea from time to time, watg the schools of fishes swim around and the iing roations produg loud noises as the wages crashed towards them.

  "Look Grey! I found something stra's a funny-looking sea worm! It's quite big too! Like, very big!" ［Yuna］

  "A sea worm...?" ［Grey］

  "Un! Look! It's funny looking!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna ughed like a little child, tinuing to look at the strange creature moving about slowly by the sea floor. And though Yuna was wrong for calling it a strange worm, looking at it from her perspective, there was er way to describe it.

  "Oh... A sea cucumber, huh..." ［Grey］

  "Eh? These worms are cucumbers?" ［Yuna］

  "No, silly, that's just what it's called, but these are quite good, you know? They are especially delicious when cooked with redients." ［Grey］

  "Eh?! Really?! Should we catch a lot of these strange worms, then?! I want to know what they taste like!" ［Yuna］

  Not even g about its worm-like appearance, Yuna quickly got excited at the mention of the word "delicious". She was jumping up and down, spshing water around the pce, her eyes sparkling ever shtly.

  "Well, maybe ime. They're already preparing di the mansion, after all. And.,.. I don't really know where we'll find a lot of these things. For now, let's just enjoy the sea, alright?" ［Grey］

  "Okay! But it's a promise, okay? We'll catch them ime!" ［Yuna］

  "Sure, sure, let's ask the fishermen about them ime." ［Grey］

  "Un! Deal!" ［Yuna］

  It wasn't particurly hard to vince Yuna about giving up on searg for sea cucumbers either. She still wao spend a lot of time spshing about, and most importantly, spending time with Grey. She was already satisfied.

  Time passed quickly once more, and before they k, the sky finally turned red, gold, and amber. The sun is about to disappear into the horizon, casting a beautiful refle over the seawater as it slowly but surely sets over the horizon.

  "So beautiful..." ［Yuna］

  The fun time was already over. Though not exhausted, Grey and Yuna simply sat down on the sandy beach, the tter leaning her head on the former's shoulders, watg the beautiful su unfold and basking in the gewilight.

  "Grey..." ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Is something wrong?" ［Grey］

  "No... I just wao hear your voice..." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. What's with that? It's not like I'm disappearing, you know? I'll always be by your side no matter what." ［Grey］

  Yuna had gone back to being a gy little kitten once again, snuggling close to Grey and burrowing her fa his chest, listening closely to his heartbeats. An act which made the tter pat her head before he even noticed his hands move.

  The two tio watch the su, watg the day end, and soon enough, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the air. Nearing them was a luxurious carriage nearing the Beldon household's crest, a familiar face leading it.

  "Oh, looks like it's time to go home." ［Grey］

  "Ehh... But I wao py more..." ［Yuna］

  "The's go explore more tomorrow. I'm sure there's still a lot to see." ［Grey］

  "That's a promise, okay?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, I promise." ［Grey］

  A light versation drifting in the air, Grey and Yuna slowly stood up from the sandy bead with a flick of a finger, warm wind and water swirled around them, ing their clothes and drying them soon after.

  "e to think of it, Grey, I also saw another weird thing ier. It's very wiggly and creen. It was staying still too." ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Are you sure it wasn't just seaweed?" ［Grey］

  "Uuu... I'm not sure... Maybe...?" ［Yuna］

  "Maybe you just saw it wrong?" ［Grey］

  "Uuu... I don't know anymore..." ［Yuna］

  Words drifted afloat the salty breeze, getting quieter and quieter as two figures went further and further. It was a light versation, Grey and Yuna tilting their heads as they tried to figure things out.

  The sun tio set until the amber sunlight was no more. The moon and stars took its pd darkness once again engulfed the world. Still, the waves tio spsh, the waters sparkling ever so beautifully uhe starlight. It eaceful.

  CHAPTER 217 END