Terran was dumbfounded. A duel? It seemed Grace had become impatient as things weren’t going well. However, he was curious about what kind of duel she wanted.

“A duel? Guns or swords?”

“Not that kind of violent duel.”

“I’m good at everything. Besides, I excel in all aspects compared to others.”

‘Yes, you’re excellent. Your Grace.’

Even if she wanted to argue, there was nothing specifically to fault, which was frustrating. But Lea was confident about this one thing.

“Tell me, what do you want to duel me in?”

“Swimming.”

Lea answered confidently. In fact, the Hamilton trading company’s mansion had a 100-meter-long bath. Of course, it was quite deep as well.

Because of that, she had naturally learned to swim while bathing since childhood.

“As far as I know, Grace is afraid of water.”

‘Oh no! I didn’t think of that.’

“I… learned. Humans are beings that strive, aren’t they? After being sick, I found that there’s nothing to fear in this world.”

The lies flowed so smoothly. Even as she spoke, she felt so despicable that it gave her goosebumps.

“Hmm, I wonder if there’s a bath about 100 meters long and 2 meters deep in the Duke’s mansion? I can’t remember. I never went to the bath before because I was afraid of water, right?”

She decided to be bold with the lie since she had already started. Now wasn’t the time to be picky about things.

“What do you take the first noble family of Rubeck for? Of course, we have a bath of that size.”

“Then that’s settled. Let’s have a match. How about the winner gets their wish granted?”

“Alright.”

When Terran readily agreed, Lea’s confidence wavered.

‘What? Don’t tell me he’s good at swimming too?’

There couldn’t possibly be someone who was good at everything in this world. Terran was probably just trying to gain the upper hand.

But life returned to Terran’s face. Whatever the reason, it was fortunate that he didn’t dislike it.

Rather, it seemed he was looking forward to the swimming match with her, which made her feel good.

“See you tonight.”

“See you then.”

Lea quickly went up to her room. Suddenly, a doubt arose.

‘Grace was afraid of water?’

But the body is meant to be controlled by the head. So even if Grace couldn’t swim, Lea should be able to do it well.

However, there was another problem.

‘What clothes should I wear for swimming?’

She hadn’t considered such details.

When bathing at the trading company, it was just her and Sara, so she used to do it naked. But for a match with Terran, she needed to wear something, but what?

* * *

The person who gave a clear answer to Lea’s dilemma was Pauline.

“Just wear your underwear, right? You’re engaged anyway, and strategically, it seems advantageous?”

“Strategically advantageous?”

“To distract the Duke’s attention. With your voluptuous figure…”

Pauline said with a lewd expression.

‘That only applies to normal men. Not Terran.’

He wouldn’t even flinch if she stood naked in front of him.

‘No, on the contrary, it means I don’t need to worry about it, right?’

Since he was a man who wouldn’t be affected by seeing a woman’s naked body, it didn’t matter what she wore.

Still, being completely naked was too much. Lea laid out all the clothes she could wear for swimming.

“The chemise will have its skirt soaked and wrapped around your legs in the water.”

“You’re right.”

“Miss, later on, you should make clothes that women can wear when swimming at the beach or in rivers.”

“Oh? That’s a good idea. But right now, tonight is urgent.”

The two pondered for a while. Then Lea’s eyes sparkled as if she had found an answer. She chose panties, knee-length underpants, a chest cover, and a corset.

“Thin fabric will cling to the skin when wet, which would be even more embarrassing.”

“Wearing a chest cover and corset won’t show even if it gets wet, right?”

“There’s no completely waterproof clothing, but this seems to be the best option.”

It would be embarrassing one way or another to enter the bath with Terran. But once the competition starts, there won’t be time to worry about the opponent.

‘I must win at all costs.’

Lea raised her fighting spirit and began preparations.

* * *

Late at night, Lea headed to the bath with Pauline, wearing a bathrobe. With each step, her heart was pounding.

Was this how men felt when dueling? Just then, the distinctive humid smell of the bath and the sound of trickling water could be heard.

It was time to see how grand the bath of Rubeck’s first family was.

‘Well, it’s similar to our bath.’

The antique marble columns surrounding the enormous bath made it look like a temple.

In the corner stood a statue of a goddess holding a large vase. Water continuously flowed from that vase.

Also, on all four sides of the bath, there was a narrow railing where people could sit.

Right there, Terran was waiting for her, immersed in the water.

“You’re here?”

“Yes.”

Terran came out of the water when he saw Grace.

His broad shoulders and firm chest, arms and legs covered in muscles.

Additionally, his smooth abdomen and waist were so devoid of fat that it was hard to take one’s eyes off them.

Why was this man’s body perfect too? Especially with his hair wet, Terran looked different from usual.

How to put it, he seemed somewhat sensual.

‘Wait, there’s a height difference.’

Lea was tall for a woman, but Grace was short and had a petite build.

Lea momentarily thought it was unfair, but in the end, it would be over if she could overpower him with swimming speed.

“I’ll be the judge.”

Pauline headed to the opposite side of the bath, holding large towels for the two.

Soon, Lea took off her bathrobe. The corset and underpants, her hair rolled up into a bun – all preparations were perfect.

But Terran’s gaze as he looked at her appearance was so intense that she became flustered instead.

Terran saw Grace’s bare body for the first time. His first impression was that she looked like a porcelain doll well-crafted from white clay.

Her slender neck and round shoulders, moderately perky breasts, abnormally thin waist, and smooth arms and legs. It was a beautiful body with graceful curves.

If it was a strategy to distract his attention, it had somewhat succeeded. Even when he tried to look away, he instinctively sought out Grace.

“You need to loosen your muscles. Watch me and follow along.”

“Yes…? Alright.”

Terran and Lea faced each other and did some simple exercises.

He said it was a morning exercise they do in the military, loosening tense muscles so that even if you suddenly enter the water or do intense exercise, your body won’t be shocked.

Lea followed his movements well.

‘Cute.’

Grace following his movements with her small body was extremely adorable. On the other hand, her face was filled with determination.

“I’m curious how well Grace learned to swim.”

“I’ll do my best.”

‘I was a seal. In water, I won’t lose to anyone.’

Lea answered modestly, but her confidence was at its peak.

“Before we compete, let’s state our conditions.”

“Alright.”

Lea waited for Terran to say those words. It would clarify the purpose of today’s duel.

“Ladies first!”

Terran crossed his arms and looked at Grace. He already knew what condition she would state, but he needed to confirm.

“Please make it possible for my advertisement to be published in the newspaper.”

There was no need to explain the reason in detail, he knew better. In society, there weren’t many things a woman could do alone.

“Very well.”

“Terran, tell me what you want from me.”

“Hmm, I want to sleep with Grace.”

“What?”

“I want to sleep alone with you in my bed.”

Lea wasn’t too surprised by Terran’s request. What’s the big deal about that?

She had already slept with Terran in the cabin and shared a bed at Aiden’s villa.

She could sleep in the same bed with a man who couldn’t do anything as much as she wanted.

“Alright.”

“Alright?”

“Yes. Alright. But you have to gracefully accept defeat. You must grant the desired condition without complaint.”

“I swear on the honor of the Courtois. What about Grace?”

“I swear as the fiancée of Duke Courtois.”

Terran felt a thrill at Grace’s answer. How could the same answer be so lovely? He almost stole Grace’s lips before the competition even started.

He was also surprised by Grace’s boldness. She must understand what sleeping together means, yet she accepted without hesitation…

Does she have that much confidence in swimming? He thought he knew everything about Grace, but lately, he doesn’t seem to know her at all.

Just when he thinks he knows her, a new aspect is revealed. That’s why he liked her. She gives people curiosity and invigorates them in turn.

“Both of you, get ready!”

At Pauline’s words, Terran and Lea took their positions in the center. When Pauline shouted ‘Start!’, they had to dive into the water without hesitation.

“Get ready!”

As Pauline raised her arm and shouted, the smiles disappeared from both their faces.

“Start!”

The two dove into the water simultaneously without anyone taking the lead.

They had to swim frantically to reach where Pauline was standing first to win. As expected, Terran started to take the lead.

However, as soon as Lea dove into the water, she sensed something was wrong.

‘Why isn’t my body moving as I want?’

Wasn’t the head supposed to control the body? That’s what it said in the science books before. When the brain dies, it’s over for a person.

‘I’m good at swimming. Come on, remember!’

It was strange. She was moving her arms and legs, but her body wouldn’t float. No, rather, it was sinking into the water.

‘Why are my arms and legs moving separately?’

It felt like her brain remembered, but her body was rejecting the water.

Lea kept sinking into the water with a gurgle.

No matter how hard she tried to get out of the water, it didn’t work as she wanted.

‘Ugh! Can’t breathe.’

Lea sank like a water-logged cotton ball.