Thus, such situations, like the one today, were happening daily and disrupted the private time Daymond had so eagerly anticipated.
“If you really hate it, you should have said something earlier. Shall we leave now?”
“Really?”
Daymond’s eyes lit up, mistaking her words for a joke.
“If you really dislike it, what can I do? We’ll have to sleep outside as before.”
Responding in his tone, Daymond’s brows furrowed. He had casually suggested staying in the carriage, but teasing Anne about sleeping outside was entirely in jest. There had never been a problem with their lodging.
“There’s no need to sleep outside. From tomorrow, we’ll stay in mansions under the Grand Duke’s, not in someone else’s house.”
In fact, Grand Duchy Cromund had mansions prepared in various regions for their stays during business trips, meaning they had quite a few residences similar to the capital that often lay idle. Originally, they intended to stay in these properties, but due to invitations, they ended up visiting noble houses instead.
Anne couldn’t help but laugh.
“So that’s what you wanted? Alright. Starting tomorrow, we’ll properly decline invitations. You won’t get angry?”
Anne replied while gently touching her husband’s hand. Daymond’s lips curled upward, which he quickly brushed away with his hand.
“I could never be angry with you.”
Daymond lightly held Anne’s wrist and hastened their pace.
That night, they enjoyed the hospitality of their host. In the comfortable room they were assigned, they fully showed their good relationship.
*
The carriage with the Grand Duke and Duchess continued on its journey without rest. Exactly one week after leaving the north, they arrived in Yantilia, a major city near the port.
When the carriage window was opened, a large city with colorful rooftops spread out beneath a cliff came into view. The city, where they arrived sooner than expected, was far more magnificent than Anne had anticipated.
Anne spent the whole time leaning on the window frame, gazing outside.
“It still feels like midsummer here.”
Even though the weather had turned quite chilly in the capital and the leaves were falling, this southern location seemed far from winter.
“There’s practically no winter here. Just late autumn, maybe.”
“It’s fascinating that there’s no winter.”
A city where snow never fell. Anne took a deep breath. Even though summer air in the north was different, the air and wind here were distinct.
Surprisingly, the air tasted slightly salty, as if she could taste it by simply sticking out her tongue. This exhilarating aroma deepened Anne’s smile.
After a long drive along a tree-lined road, they finally stopped at a large mansion built on a hill overlooking the beach.
“This is where we’ll be staying.”
“Oh my, here?”
Anne almost stumbled when she looked up at the mansion as she was escorted out of the carriage. As always, her caring husband was there to catch her in time.
Daymond, who appeared as composed as ever, always found her wife adorably clumsy. At their first meeting, he thought Anne was a typical noble lady who never showed her emotions. However, he soon discovered her surprisingly clumsy and girlish side, which he found incredibly lovely.
“You seem to have a surprisingly careless side.”
“If I look like I might fall, you’ll catch me, won’t you?”
He was always attentive to his wife, quick to notice and support her if she even slightly stumbled. Anne adored this about him.
In front of the couple engaged in a pleasant conversation, the servants cautiously bowed their heads in greeting. Anne gracefully acknowledged their greeting before slowly turning her attention to the mansion.
The mansion, supported by several large columns, was reminiscent of a temple in its pure white splendor. Red rose vines climbing the walls creating a picturesque scene. Furthermore, a gracefully laid pebble path led to an open view of the sea at its end.
The room they were guided to by the attendants was equally beautiful. The first thing that caught Anne’s eye was the large window across the room, offering a glimpse of the blue sea beyond.
Anne swallowed her amazement and rushed to the balcony. As she expected, a beautiful garden unfolded below the elevated view. Beyond the lush lawn lay the endless sea.
After giving instructions to the attendants bringing in their luggage, Daymond joined Anne at the balcony.
“What do you think of the sea, seeing it for the first time?”
“So, that’s the sea.”
Even while she was answering, Anne was captivated by the picturesque view from the balcony. The sun that had been burning brightly, was now hovering over the middle of the sea, signaling the evening approaching. The sea, tinted red by the sunset, looked as warm as a hot spring.
“It’s so beautiful, I can’t take my eyes off it. But whose villa is this?”
Anne asked in curiosity, as she didn’t think they had purchased a property here. Daymond chuckled as he handed his coat to a servant.
“Madam Angroanne Chromund.”
“It’s….mine?”
Anne’s eyes widened in surprise at his answer. Daymond smiled contentedly.
“It’s a gift from me. I bought it in your name so you can see the sea whenever you wish.”
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