Chapter 77

I had been staying in Boyar for several days. The meals were good, and the accommodation was excellent. As Boyar is a famous resort, there was no shortage of things to see.

'You said you would come.'

However, I felt bad for other reasons and glared at the door. Why won't it open? I even told you where my room was, and I mustered the courage to speak. You promised to come and play.

'You have plenty of time.'

The more I thought about it, the more resentful I became, and I hugged the pillow I was holding even tighter.

I could understand if Karl was busy. I'm not so petty that I can't understand such things.

But Karl, except for the first and second days, had been staying at the resort. He rarely came out of his room, except for occasional outings with the baking club to nearby tourist spots.

I believed him when he said he would come when he had time, but I haven't heard from him yet.

'That's too much.'

It's despicable to make someone expect you and then leave them hanging like this. It's fortunate that he's keeping his promise not to go to the casino, but why isn't he keeping this promise? Should I have made him swear on his fingers? Promises should leave some evidence.

'Should I really go first?'

I shook my head to dispel the thought that suddenly came to mind.

The urge to go to Karl's room had already risen several times. But I had to hold back. It wouldn't look good for a lady to go to a man's room. It's important to maintain a balance of push and pull without showing too much eagerness.

Yes, it's really important. Not just me, but my sisters and nanny also said so. It's definitely the right thing to do.

- Knock knock

And finally, my endless patience bore fruit. Karl came first, after all. It seemed he was trying to push me away for a moment, but there was no way. Karl can only be by my side.

The resentment and disappointment melted away instantly, and a sense of satisfaction filled my heart.

"Yes, come in."

"It's me, senpai."

But the feeling quickly subsided. The one who opened the door and entered was not Karl, but Lady Louise.

"Oh, Lady Louise."

I was disappointed but didn't show it. She came to see me for a reason, and Lady Louise is a decent junior.

"Come in. What's the matter this morning?"

"Louise here, we're going to Sapphire Beach. Would you like to come with us if you're free?"

As Louise asked cautiously, my mind raced. When she said "we," she meant the baking club, and if it's the baking club, Karl is included.

The place is the beach we tried to go to on the second day but failed. There's a minor difference in the name—Sapphire Beach instead of Emerald Beach—but it's a minor issue, so it doesn't matter.

"Brother said he was disappointed that he couldn't go before and really wants to go this time."

I smiled at her words. Although Karl, who is a bit gruff, probably wouldn't say such a thing, it's as good as a promise to go to the beach with Karl. I also liked how Louise was giving credit to Karl.

"Sure, I'll go with you."

It was a chance to finally wear the swimsuit I had bought but never used.

You praised my dress as beautiful before. You'll like this too. You definitely will.

***

I was summoned by Louise while I was sleeping. This time, she wants to go to the sea.

"Senpai Margarete is also going. I think Brother would like it if you came too..."

I thought about refusing because going to the sea was a bit troublesome, but I couldn't refuse because Margarete was going. I already had a bad experience of rejecting Margarete's proposal for the Kraken hunt, so I didn't want to miss out again.

If I missed it once, I could say it was just a matter of timing, but if it happened twice, she might think I was avoiding her. Margarete, who is secretly sensitive, could easily think that. Fortunately, it's not the same green algae-infested sea we saw during the Kraken hunt.

The beach is called Sapphire Beach because it shines like a sapphire. Isn't the sea originally blue?

'At least it's better than green.'

What does it matter what it's called? As long as the sea looks good, that's all that matters.

"Isn't this better?"

"The Emerald Beach felt more like a work of art. The refreshing feeling is better with blue."

When we arrived at Sapphire Beach, the others' reactions were also good. No matter how unusual the color of the sea, it's only interesting the first time you see it. Eventually, it always returns to the familiar blue.

"This is a great place. Does Karl like it?"

While the club members were chatting and throwing Einther into the sea, a slightly trembling voice came from behind me. She was trying to sound calm, but there was a strange tension in her voice.

I turned around and saw Margarete, who was always confident, but now seemed stiff.

'She's the most embarrassed.'

I couldn't help but smile at her. I've noticed this before, at the exhibition banquet. Margarete often feels embarrassed by her own actions, but her determination to move forward is truly admirable.

"Yes, I like it."

"Hehe, that's good. The blue is beautiful, isn't it?"

"I said I like red."

"Huh?"

Margarete's red swimsuit, which matched her hair. Even more daring, a bold bikini that contrasted with her usual dignified image.

When I praised her without reservation, her face immediately turned red, and her words came out muffled. She must have been surprised that I suddenly focused on her instead of talking about the sea.

"You really are beautiful, Margarete."

"T, t, t..."

"I would have regretted it if I hadn't seen it."

I understood why there was a saying that if you poke someone hard enough, they'll burst. Margarete's face turned so red that I wondered if it could get any redder. She only moved her mouth a few times before bowing her head. Her vulnerability to attacks hadn't changed.

"T, that's right? It's my first time going to the beach with Karl, so I paid special attention."

But after a while, she lifted her head and smiled as if nothing had happened. She didn't fall to the attack but counterattacked, a different approach from before.

"Is that so? It's a good thing you paid special attention. It's a shame to show it to anyone else."

"Y, y, yes, thank you..."

Unfortunately, she still couldn't handle it twice. But being able to handle it twice is a significant improvement, so Margarete must have trained herself.

As Margarete fell silent, Louise, who had been in the sea, approached. She was drenched, as if she had been hit by a water bomb. I doubt those crazy guys threw Louise in, but she must have been hit by a wave.

'Pink.'

I had the same thought when she wore a dress. Louise really suits pink. It must be because it matches her hair color.

"Hey, you haven't changed yet?"

Unlike Margarete, I was still in my regular clothes, and Louise tilted her head.

"I'm fine. It's a bit cold in the morning."

"Ah, I'm sorry. We should have come at noon."

"It's okay. I don't really like going into the water anyway. Watching is enough."

I said that, but it wasn't really cold, and I don't dislike going into the water. It's a cliché, but I have a bit of a problem with showing my upper body.

"To the eternal blue sky, I will offer you as my final sacrifice!"

The terrifying voice that still echoes in my mind made me almost frown. Kagan, that bastard, left me with a final scar.

'I'll die with dignity.'

His last attack cut me deeply. I really thought I was going to die. I don't know what he did to his sword, but the wound he inflicted at the end was extremely slow to heal.

Even with the power of magic and holy energy, which can heal severed limbs, it was a struggle to stop the bleeding and regrow the flesh. As a result, a long scratch appeared on my upper body, though I don't particularly mind the scar on my back.

Still, I'm lucky that one of my limbs wasn't cut. If the recovery hadn't been so poor, I might have lost an arm in the new era or become "Red Leg Karl."

"At least my face is fine... I don't have much else to be proud of."

"Did you at least get a head injury? That's all you can say."

Yes, as Hecate said, it's fortunate that my face wasn't injured. If my face had been injured, I would have had to wear a mask. How could I have lived with that?

Just my torso was cut. Considering that five out of seven of us fell to Kagan's hands, it was a surprisingly light injury.

"Then stay with me. I'll go back in after a short break."

"That's good. I was planning to go in later, so we'll be three."

While I was lost in thought, I heard Louise and Margarete's voices and snapped back to reality.

I gently touched the part of my body where the scar was. In the past, it would have been painful just to touch it, but now it doesn't bother me, which is a relief. It seems Kagan's curse had a shelf life of about two years. It lasted a long time.

"Here, I've laid out a blanket!"

"Thanks."

I nodded slightly at Louise, who was patting the blanket. Since we came here to relax, let's not dwell too much on bad memories.

"Is it strange for a wife to worry about her husband's face?"

"Wife, let's stop there. The wound is throbbing, and I feel like I'm going crazy."

...Yes, let's stop there.

Maybe it's because their anniversary is approaching, but I'm having all sorts of thoughts. I wouldn't forget to pay respects, even without these thoughts.