Terrun was seeing Grace’s bare body for the first time. His first thought was that she resembled a porcelain doll, perfectly sculpted from white clay.

Her slender neck, round shoulders, moderately full chest, abnormally thin waist, and smoothly extended arms and legs all formed a harmoniously curved, beautiful body.

If her strategy was to distract him, it was somewhat successful. Despite his efforts, his eyes instinctively sought Grace.

“Relax your muscles. Watch and follow me.”

“Okay… I’ll try.”

Terrun and Leah did some simple exercises together.

In the army, these morning exercises helped loosen tight muscles, preventing shock when entering water or doing strenuous activities suddenly.

Leah followed his movements closely.

‘She’s adorable.’

Seeing the petite Grace mimicking his movements was endearingly cute, yet her face displayed a serious determination.

“I wonder how well Grace has learned to swim.”

“I’ll do my best.”

‘I used to be like a seal. I never lose in water.’

Leah modestly responded, but her confidence was at its peak.

“Let’s state our conditions before the race.”

“Sure.”

Leah was waiting for Terrun to say this, to clarify the purpose of today’s challenge.

“Ladies first!”

Terrun crossed his arms, waiting for Grace to state her condition, already guessing what it might be.

“Please ensure that my advertisement gets published in the newspaper.”
Leah didn’t need to explain in detail; he knew the reasons all too well. In society, there weren’t many things a woman could do on her own.

“Alright.”

“Now, Terrun, tell me what you want from me.”

“Hmm, I want to sleep with Grace.”

“What?”

“I want us to sleep together in my bed.”

Leah wasn’t particularly shocked by Terrun’s request. After all, they had already shared a bed in the cabin and at Aidan’s villa.

Sleeping in the same bed with a man who couldn’t do anything was certainly manageable.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes. It’s okay. But you have to graciously accept defeat. You must fulfill the agreed condition without complaints.”

“I swear on the honor of the Courtois. And you, Grace?”

“I swear as the fiancée of the Duke of Courtois.”

Terrun shivered at Grace’s response. The same words, yet they were so charming from her. He almost stole a kiss from Grace before even starting the competition.

He was also surprised by Grace’s boldness. She must have known what he meant by ‘sleeping together,’ yet she agreed without hesitation. Was she that confident in her swimming? Despite his belief that he knew everything about Grace, she was proving to be a constant enigma, revealing new aspects of herself. That was what he liked about her – she sparked curiosity and brought vitality.

“Both of you, get ready!”

At Polly’s command, Terrun and Leah positioned themselves side by side at the center. As soon as Polly shouted ‘start,’ they had to plunge into the water.

“Get set!”

Polly raised her arm and shouted, the smile vanishing from their faces.

“Start!”

Both dove into the water without hesitation.

Polly stood at a spot where the first to reach her would be declared the winner. As expected, Terrun started to take the lead.

But as soon as Leah jumped into the water, she sensed something was wrong.

‘Why isn’t my body moving as I want?’

Wasn’t it the head that governed the body? Scientific books said so. Once the brain dies, it’s over.

‘I was good at swimming. Remember!’

It was strange. Her arms flailed and legs kicked, but she didn’t stay afloat. Rather, she started sinking.

‘Why are my arms and legs acting independently?’

Her brain remembered, but her body seemed to reject the water.

Leah kept sinking.

Trying to resurface was futile.

‘I can’t breathe.’

Leah sank like a waterlogged sponge.