Published: August 1, 2025
When we arrived at the sandy shore, the crew of Baltandels dispersed. Luhab was a tourist spot, but apparently, unlike Dilz Royal Capital, there were no large hotels. Only guesthouses with rooms for a few people, so everyone stayed separately like this.
“I've reserved a familiar inn where Marie and I can stay alone. It's a bit of a hike up the mountain—are you okay with that?”
“Yes, I’m confident in my legs and feet.”
I started walking lightly along the beach... or tried to, and—whoa!?
“W-w-wait... m-my shoes are sinking...!”
What is this? The sand is so soft!
No, the grains are small and fine. It’s completely different from dirt ground, soft like freshly fallen snow. Each step I took, I stumbled and wobbled, and Lord Cyrus held my hand to steady me.
“So, Marie, this is your first time walking on a sandy beach?”
“Y-yes. The sand at the seaside is completely different from the gravel by the river, isn’t it?”
“Coming in heels was a mistake. I’m just hot in boots, though...”
As he said that, he looked around as if searching for something. Soon, his gaze fixed on a particular spot.
I followed his line of sight...
Some young ladies, probably locals of Luhab Island, were playing in the water wearing almost nothing but underwear.
Sunlight sparkled in the splashing water, their skin gleamed brightly. Their swaying cleavage and bare legs... while they giggled and frolicked, Lord Cyrus watched quietly.
“...Hey!”
I poked his side firmly with my index finger.
“Ugh!?”
“Really, what are you looking at? You have your fiancée right here, but you're being so shameless.”
Lord Cyrus jumped, surprised more by the unexpected poke than pain, and hurriedly started to explain.
“I-it’s a misunderstanding! I was just looking around to see if there were any stalls because your outfit looked hard to move in here. Then I saw people dressed coolly and thought, ‘Nice, I wonder where they sell that,’ and that’s all there is to it!”
“Trying so hard to make excuses just makes it more suspicious.”
“I’m not suspicious!”
Lord Cyrus shook his head vigorously. I smirked and turned my back, saying, “I wonder.”
He hurriedly chased after me, and I looked back at him with a smile.
“I’m joking. I was just pretending to sulk and teasing you a little.”
“R-really? Just pretending?”
He clutched his chest, groaning as if his heart was in pain. Seeing him so flustered made me think he might have actually been a bit distracted— but even if that were true, I wouldn’t get angry. I’d heard from Tunic, the bath attendant, that men’s glances are just instinct; there’s no need to get upset. Instead of raging every time, a light pinch is the perfect response.
“I really am joking. I believe you only have eyes for me.”
I said with a smile.
Besides those girls, many locals and tourists were on the shore, all dressed lightly to beat the heat. On this tropical island, that level of exposure was probably everyday wear. Some even had their stomachs and the tops of their thighs completely bare—awkward even for a woman to know where to look.
“The locals wear their usual clothes, but tourists are in swimsuits.”
“Swimsuits... that’s clothing specifically for playing in the water, right?”
“First time seeing them? Well, Dilz doesn’t really have the custom of water play.”
Lord Cyrus explained.
“Swimsuits only appeared recently after the sewing technology revolution, which brought various fabrics and designs to the world. They’re quite common in countries near the equator, but since they don’t sell well in Dilz, the Granado Trading Company doesn’t carry them.”
“Dilz stays cool even in summer. Besides, that level of exposure in public is a bit much for me, too…”
I stopped speaking as a half-naked man passed right in front of me, and I hastily covered my eyes. Neither men nor women in Dilz ever walked around showing that much skin.
Ah, just seeing that makes my heart race.
But we were going to stay on this island for over a whole day. I would have to get used to this scenery.