Chapter 80

After walking past rows of towering trees, Karentina reached the place the maid had described and stopped in her tracks.

The sea stretched out before her in a fan shape, rippling with waves so clear they looked like spilled blue soda. The soft, pale sand was bordered by tall trees, and the brilliant morning sun made the entire view look like a painting. She had never seen a sea this breathtaking in all her life. Every part of it was awe-inspiring. There wasn’t a single detail that didn’t feel wondrous. It was the kind of beauty that words could hardly capture.

She breathed in the salty ocean air, slipped off her shoes, and stepped barefoot onto the soft sand.

“How beautiful.”

Norman flopped onto the sand as though it were her personal spot, clearly feeling her duty was done.

A dog that dealt with the stress of motherhood through morning walks and a bit of sunbathing—it was oddly amusing. Karentina stifled a laugh and wandered closer to the shallow waters. Maybe it was because of yesterday’s rain, but the sand and rocks near the shore were still damp, and tiny droplets of dew clung to the grass.

She dipped her hand into the gently rippling, transparent water.

The cold, crystal-clear water tickled the back of her hand, and for a moment, it felt like she could melt right into the scenery. A quiet walk along the beach, just taking in the view. It was no wonder people sought healing in places with such beautiful scenery. She couldn’t help but smile.

‘Hm? What’s that?’

She thought she had caught a glimpse of a shell with a strange, enchanting shape. It resembled Stella’s peachy cheeks and was shaped like a star.

Karentina reached out to pick it up, but stopped when she noticed the coral nearby.

It was a sea creature she had recognized before.

A crown-of-thorns starfish. Covered in sharp, poisonous spines, even the slightest brush against it could cause excruciating pain. When she had been stuck in her room, reading had been her only pastime, especially books about sea creatures. That knowledge had stayed with her, almost instinctively. After a brief moment of hesitation, she stood up, thinking she might go grab a net.

It was then.

With a splash, she was suddenly swept off the ground and into the air.

“Huh? What—?”

Startled, she kicked her legs, and the splash soaked the hem of her skirt. As a light, clean scent of soap wafted through the air, Karentina’s eyes widened in surprise.

“My lady. Were you planning to swim since dawn?”

Ignis’s voice was low and sharp, clearly filled with anger, and it made a chill run down her spine.

“Your Highness? Me? A swim, all of a sudden… what are you talking about?”

“Look under your feet.”

“Huh?”

‘Ah, is all this fuss just because of that crown-of-thorns starfish?’

She frowned slightly and let out a weak chuckle.

“Did you even know what that starfish was before reaching out your hand?”

“I did see it. A crown-of-thorns starfish. That’s why I was just getting up to grab a net…”

“….”

Ignis, who had looked dumbfounded just moments before, now furrowed his brows again.

“You act just like Stella. I can’t take my eyes off you for even a moment.”

Karentina stared up at him, completely baffled by the way he was suddenly treating her like a five-year-old.

“Alright, I understand. Now, will you please put me down?”

He had slung her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing, lifting her effortlessly.

“Kyaah! Your Highness?! I told you, I’m fine!”

When she lightly tapped his shoulder in protest, he gently set her down on the soft sand with a quiet sigh.

She narrowed her eyes and glared at Ignis. The two of them locked eyes, exchanging cold stares. If she were such a nuisance, he could’ve just walked away. Why rescue her only to make her look like a soaked mess?

Karentina grumbled to herself as she wrung out the soaked hem of her skirt.

The cold seawater clung to her skin, sending a shiver down her body. Without realizing it, she wrapped her arms around herself for warmth.

‘I need to head back soon.’

Suddenly, a warm flame bloomed around her.

Golden flames, glowing like sunlight, swirled and danced gently around her. In an instant, her soaked skirt was completely dry. Ignis had used his magic to surround her with heat, evaporating every drop of water.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Karentina smiled sheepishly as she thanked him, but Ignis flinched and quickly turned his head away.

“…It’s nothing.”

This man really never knows how to speak kindly.

She pouted, sticking out her lower lip at Ignis’s curt tone before realizing that his clothes were also wet.

‘Did he rush to save me without noticing his clothes were getting drenched… because he was afraid I might get hurt?’

Whether from a morning workout or not, his wet shirt clung to his pale skin, hanging slightly open. The way water dripped down his body was unexpectedly seductive, and she couldn’t help but stare. Noticing her gaze, Ignis instantly conjured flames and dried himself off. His normally composed brow furrowed tightly, clearly irritated by the lingering salt on his skin.

‘Huh?’

Karentina suddenly realized his hair was still wet. She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and gently dabbed at his damp bangs.

“…!”

Ignis’s red eyes flickered in surprise.

“Oh, I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable. Your clothes were dry thanks to your magic, but your hair’s still wet… I was afraid you might catch a cold because of me.”

“I’m fine.”

Something about his sharp, piercing stare made her too nervous to continue. She dabbed at his damp hair a few more times, then slowly pulled her hand away.

That’s when Ignis suddenly caught her hand in his.

‘Huh?’