“Wow...”
I groaned involuntarily as we reached Palanobo.
It wasn't because of the humidity and heat I felt on my skin upon our arrival.
The bright sun, the stunning landscape, the lively people…it was all enough to impress.
I looked around and raised my hands to protect my eyes from the sun.
"Bill Bill, what's this filth?
Disgusting?"
Leon pointed to the bracelet on my wrist.
I had hidden it with the sleeves of my dress, but raising my hand revealed it.
I quickly lowered my hand and tried to cover the annoying bracelet.
'I really hate this bracelet.'
I felt wronged that I had fallen victim to this mysterious bracelet.
“I can't take it off easily...”
“Shall I take it off for you?”
I shook my head violently, terrified.
His eyes were shining strangely.
Even though the bracelet was now covered, my wrist felt cold and I pulled up the sleeves of my dress to cover it more.
Leon's villa at Palanobo was remote, requiring a long carriage ride.
Even if the place was chosen to avoid people's eyes, the road was very arduous.
When I felt exhausted and wanted to return to Aster, we finally arrived.
The beach was so stunning that my tired eyes widened.
I forgot my fatigue, took off my shoes, and ran towards the beach.
I felt the soft touch of sand under my feet.
The warmth of the sand seeped from my toes into my body.
In front of the vast sea, I felt involuntarily happy.
I opened my arms and ran like a dog through the snow.
“First time seeing the sea?”
Leon's cutting words spoiled my feelings.
“First time?
No, of course not.”
Was I too excited?
I've been to the sea before, but today I felt strangely excited.
“I hate getting my clothes dirty with sand.”
Leon spoke as he stepped cautiously.
She laughed playfully and grabbed his arm, making him stumble.
"Yes?!"
Leon tried to regain his balance, but fell on the sand.
He frowned as he looked at the sand on his clothes.
I extended my hand to him.
He looked at me for a moment, then turned his head and extended his hand.
When I caught it, he pulled me hard, and I fell onto the sand.
"Hey!"
I screamed as I raised my head, my face covered in sand.
"Hey?"
I blinked as the sand covered them.
Sand got into my eyes and I closed them tightly.
I felt a soft hand touch my face.
Leon's hand was carefully removing the sand.
"Sorry."
Leon muttered quietly.
I opened my eyes slightly to look at him.
Why is he laughing so brightly if he's sorry?
“Hmph.”
I shook the sand with my hands and got up strong.
“I have to go take a shower.”
Leon got up and stood next to me.
I looked at him, made a “hmph” sound again, and walked quickly.
He suddenly grabbed my arm.
“I'm dirty with sand, carry me.”
'Carry you?'
“What?
If I carry you, I’ll die.”
Leon jumped at my words.
If you're going to jump like that, why are you asking me?
“Your Highness!”
Suddenly, a huge man laughing loudly approached and hugged Leon.
Leon pushed the man away.
"What is this?"
The man laughed slyly and looked at me.
His features suddenly froze.
He stared at me with a hostile look, then turned to Leon and said: “Who is this...”
“Zeus, isn’t this the first time you’ve met her?
This is Her Highness the Duchess.”
Kalsen interrupted Zeus and spoke quickly.
Ah, this Zeus?
I was disturbed by his momentary hostility, but when I heard his name, I automatically nodded.
In the novel, he disliked Bella inteny.
“Zeus runs this villa in Palanobo.”
“Ah, the villa manager.”
I repeated his words.
Zeus's eyes gleamed with hostility.
"Zeus, what's wrong with your eyes?
Did Leon do something wrong?"
Zeus waved his hand in confusion, and his eyes turned into the eyes of a gentle sheep.
“No, Your Highness, how dare I?”
Leon pointed at me.
Zeus looked between me and Leon and then sighed resignedly.
“Your Highness, hello.
I am Zeus.”
“Yes, I'm honored.
The place is amazing.
Staying here seems like it will cleanse even evil hearts.”
“…Do you mean that my heart is evil and dirty?”
What is this quick response?
I felt suffocated.
In the novel, he was full of paranoia and attacked others, especially Bella, which made his actions seem refreshing.
But the problem is that I'm Bella.
“Zeus, you are exaggerating.”
When Leon muttered firmly, Zeus' face turned pale.
I pretended I didn't hear and shook my head.
“I didn't mean to.
Talk together, I'll go wash up first.”
I left it to Leon and entered the villa.
My annoyance with Leon disappeared.
I hummed a song and finished my shower.
“Madam, Zeus has been waiting for a while.”
“Hmm… I don’t really want to meet him.”
I muttered to myf, but Amy heard and asked carefully, “Zeus may be extreme and volatile, but he's not bad.
If you're uncomfortable, I'll ask him to leave.”
“You heard that?
But it's rude to fire someone who's waiting.”
I also wanted to show my kindness to Leon's followers.
I let him in.
Zeus entered with a hard face.
“What's wrong?”
“I apologize for my previous rudeness.”
His face didn't look apologetic, but he did say apologetic.
It seemed that Leon scolded him severely.
Leon is the only one who can control him.
“Okay, I understand.”
She smiled sweetly and nodded.
His stiff face began to shrink.
Did I do something wrong?
Shouldn't I understand?
His hand was clenched tightly.
My shoulders shrunk involuntarily.
He stood for a while, then sighed deeply and said: “Relax, I will leave.”
He left without waiting for my response.
When he came out, my shoulders relaxed.
I didn't want to face him again.
Fortunately, he only manages this villa.
If he was in Aster, I would have fled to the capital even if I wasn't the real Bella.
“Ah… not easy.”
She sighed and left the bedroom to have dinner with Leon.
Quiet days passed in Palanobo.
Zeus, the most annoying person, disappeared after the first day, and all was quiet.
Every morning, we ate breakfast together, strolled down the beach where the waves sparkled like jewels, and dipped our feet into the endless sea, laughing.
Leon's spontaneous words made me laugh carefree.
If I could keep a moment forever, I would choose these moments without hesitation.
I will leave the bleak future aside, and keep this sea and us.
Leon's laughter began to creep into my heart like blue waves.
“I hate the cold so much.”
“I hate the cold too.”
We looked at the vast sea horizon, then Leon suddenly spoke.
“I hate cold winds.”
“I hate the feeling of my ears freezing.”
“I hate chapped lips.”
Leon laughed and looked at me.
“But your lips look soft now.”
I reached out to touch his smiling lips, but stopped in the emptiness.