Whitney came out to the sea and tried to cool her head by dipping her feet in the refreshing water. If she had been good at swimming, she would have plunged her whole body in.

Instead, she lifted the hem of her dress and splashed in the water. The night sea had already turned pitch black, with nothing visible, and the moonlight softly illuminated the surface of the water.

Whitney’s gaze, which had been quietly looking at the night sea, turned to something floating in the water.

‘What is that?’

Not expecting anyone to be swimming in the night sea, she squinted her eyes even more to figure out what was gently gliding through the water as if drifting.

The moment she saw the beautiful blonde hair going in and out of the water, she immediately recognized who it was.

‘Lord Cheston.’

She took in the sight of him swimming gracefully, seemingly enjoying the quiet night sea. The surface of the sea where the moonlight shattered was beautiful, and the sight of Cheston wandering above it seemed unreal.

She stood there, clutching the hem of her dress, her gaze fixed, forgetting the fact that she was secretly watching him. Hoping she wouldn’t be noticed by him in the darkness, she took in the scene like a painting.

Fortunately, he didn’t seem to notice her presence and continued to enjoy his own time. Did he have something troubling him too, like her?

Whitney’s curiosity welled up, but she quickly suppressed it.

The beach, away from the palace where many eyes followed, was truly quiet.

‘Let’s go back before he notices.’

He would feel unpleasant if he felt disturbed. Although it wasn’t intentional, the situation had become one of secret observation, so it was right to return to her room before he finished his private swim.

The waves came up, wetting her ankles. As the waves rose higher to her calves, she pulled up her skirt even more and turned to step out of the water.

“Whitney Orlean.”

Just as she was about to leave the beach, a low voice came from behind. Her steps stopped, and her head turned back.

Water dripped from his wet hair.

His face, bathed in moonlight, was beautifully sculpted. The moisture covering his entire body changed his atmosphere quite differently. She gripped her skirt tighter, resisting the urge to wipe away the dripping water.

“I didn’t know you enjoyed swimming.”

“There’s nothing better when feeling stuffy.”

Whitney strained her neck to keep her gaze from dropping from his face. It was obvious that his upper body was bare, as his shirt and clothes were in his hand.

“You said the night sea was cold. You should go back and warm up quickly.”

“I came to cool my complicated head, but thanks to someone, it was useless. I wonder who the lady thinks that someone is.”

Hmm.

He had indeed sensed her presence.

She was in a difficult position. She hadn’t meant to disturb him, but anyone who saw that sight would have been transfixed. However, she couldn’t just say that to him.

“So, how was the view from your peeping?”

“I-I wasn’t peeping…! At first, I didn’t know it was you, and I was just trying to figure out what was swimming.”

“And after that?”

“…I couldn’t take my eyes off because I was envious of your swimming skills.”

“Whatever it was, it seems I captured the lady’s gaze.”

The conversation seemed to be taking a strange turn, but it was true that he had captured her gaze. He put on his shirt over his wet body. The wet shirt clung to his body, revealing his form.

Whitney turned her head and cleared her throat.

“Then I’ll head in first.”

“It would be better if you didn’t.”

He put on his jacket and stepped towards her, speaking. The sea breeze carried his scent, and Whitney’s gaze moved to him once again.

“It’s best not to wander alone. Even now, it seems there are those following me, aiming for my neck.”

With a slight smile, he walked past Whitney. Perhaps due to his long legs, the distance between them quickly widened.

“…!”

At those words, she immediately stuck close to Cheston. Then, she looked around, preparing for any possible attack. If there was someone targeting his neck, she was ready to throw herself to protect him.

After escorting her to her room, Cheston made his way to the study. He kept finding himself smiling. Why was the fact that she couldn’t take her eyes off him making the corners of his mouth twitch, when she was the woman who kept complicating his thoughts?

Whitney always drew a line with him. He hoped that her boundaries, which always reminded them of their contractual relationship, would crumble.

He had to admit it now. That he wanted something more than a contractual relationship with her, and perhaps it had been that way since she first reached out her hand to him.

After all, it was none other than her who had planted hope in him.

Since it would be difficult to unilaterally break the contract, she wouldn’t be able to cut ties as she pleased. He wanted to keep her by his side, like the lush greenery of midsummer.

As if she would always remain fresh and green even as the seasons changed. Because of Whitney, many things had changed for him, and he had found purpose.

It was okay to see her constantly trying to distance herself from him. After all, they were in the same place, so no matter how far she tried to run, it would still be within the palace.

Through her, he had come to understand what kindness was, what hope was. He now also seemed to understand what his mother always meant by holding someone in one’s heart. He didn’t need to find a way to capture her heart.

As he undressed from his wet clothes to take a bath, he gazed at his blue eyes in the mirror. Whitney Orlean liked his face. She felt sorry for his scarred body.

She tried to protect him, feeling an inexplicable guilt. Although he had said he disliked both pity and sympathy, if it meant he could hold onto her, he didn’t mind.

The capital was overflowing with people for the long-awaited royal banquet. Those who had received invitations were all spending their time waiting for the gates of the Kingdom of Reowen to open so they could attend the ball.

Whitney looked in the mirror, feeling extremely nervous.

‘He told me not to leave his side, but who knows what the queen might do.’

Until now, His Majesty the King had been there to protect them, but today was different. Whitney bit her lip anxiously as she glanced at the clock.

‘It’s okay. I can do this.’

She knew what was going to happen and had thought of countermeasures. If worst came to worst, she could use the immunity granted by His Majesty the King.

It was the most precious item to her, but if Cheston’s life was in danger, she would not hesitate to use it.

Whitney wore a snow-white dress with blue accents. She had considered wearing something else because the color of the dress reminded her of him, but she didn’t. Everyone knew about their engagement, and she needed to stand out at this banquet.

“Lady Orlean. Are you ready?”

Cheston extended his hand to her. Whitney took his hand and whispered softly.

“Your Highness. Please don’t leave my side. You understand, right?”

He smiled slightly.

“I shall obey your words. There will probably be many people targeting you at today’s banquet.”

“…Me?”

“Now that you’ve become the prince’s fiancée, everyone will be desperate to dance with you once.”

“Princess Violet is here, so I should be fine. They probably won’t even pay attention to me.”

“Not everyone thinks the same as you do.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure no one dares to approach us, looking down on you and me.”

Whitney squeezed his hand tightly as she spoke with determination.

“If I glare like this, no one will dare come near us, right?”

“Just look at me. There’s no need to give attention to others. That’s enough.”

As he said, truly no one approached her.

From the moment Whitney entered the banquet hall, she kept her eyes fixed on Cheston. She didn’t even look at what drinks were on the table or what delicious snacks were available.

Although she could feel people’s laughter and gazes, Whitney remained steadfast.

She maintained a resolute expression as if determined never to take her eyes off him. The sparkling chandeliers and the sight of people dancing to the music caught the corner of her eye, but she didn’t turn her head.

She moistened her throat, sipping the lemonade Cheston had handed her.

“You’re doing well. Keep your eyes on me like that.”

He smiled brightly, encouraging her determination. As the two whispered to each other, the gazes of people looking in their direction gradually increased.

“I’m keeping my eyes on you too. Ah, don’t look back under any circumstances.”

“…Why?”

“My unpleasant brother is standing there. It looks like he’s about to approach.”

His hand naturally wrapped around Whitney’s waist. As the distance between them shortened, Whitney’s head tilted up.

“Shall we run away from him then?”

“That’s not a bad suggestion. But before that, we should make our mark.”

Cheston downed the lemonade in Whitney’s hand in one gulp and set it down on the table. Soon, led by his hand, they stood in the center of the stage.

To the gentle waltz playing, their joined hands found their places. With his hand on her waist and her hand gently grasping his extended one, he moved softly, meeting her gaze.

“Don’t be nervous. Even if you stumble, others won’t notice.”

“…Why is that?”

“Because I won’t let that happen.”

Whitney naturally followed Cheston’s lead, continuing the dance. All eyes were drawn to their elegant and flawless dance line.

They had certainly made an impression on people as he wanted, but the problem lay elsewhere.