What Remains in the Damaged Place - Side Story 1 (3)

“Oh, just waking up now?” Roziela greeted them with a bright, knowing smile as they headed toward the dining room.

Lirette’s face flushed instantly at the memory of what had just transpired. But unlike her, Valderion seemed completely unaffected by the conversation. He pulled out her chair for her to sit, his expression calm.

“You both must have been more exhausted than I thought,” Roziela continued. “It’s rare for even Rion to sleep in like that.”

Her innocent remark seemed far more innocent than usual, making it even harder for Lirette to keep a straight face.

Even Valderion, who rarely showed amusement, let out a soft laugh.

“I wasn’t asleep.”

Why would you say that?! Lirette quickly reached under the table and pinched his thigh in protest. Valderion, however, simply took her hand in his and intertwined their fingers, ignoring her attempt to scold him. Roziela, noticing their quiet exchange, signaled for the servants to bring out the meal. Her eyes widened slightly in realization.

“What?” Valderion asked, his tone casual.

Roziela’s face lit up as the realization fully dawned on her.

“Ohhh,” she said with a grin. “I see now. I’ve been terribly oblivious, haven’t I?”

Lirette could only look down, her face burning with embarrassment.

“Why? You think a newlywed couple has any sense of night or day?”

Between the two cousins, Valderion and Roziela, the conversation flowed easily, while Lirette sat in the middle, feeling progressively more flustered as the topic continued. Though both of them appeared completely calm, the more they spoke, the more embarrassed Lirette became.

Roziela finally noticed how much Lirette was squirming, and let out a loud, hearty laugh. Thankfully, the conversation soon shifted to the lavish meal spread across the table.

It was clear they were in a coastal city—there was an abundance of seafood. From mussels cooked with vegetables to buttery scallops and a fish dish so plump with meat that Lirette wasn’t sure what type it was. The variety of fresh ingredients overflowed on the table, creating a feast for the eyes and stomach.

“Eat plenty, Lirette,” Roziela said, kindly instructing the servants to serve her, but Lirette couldn’t even meet her gaze. After the earlier conversation, it was too obvious what Roziela’s real intention was behind the seemingly innocent encouragement.

Meanwhile, Valderion, showing no intention of asking anyone for help, meticulously prepared her food himself, placing it neatly onto her plate.

Lirette found herself smiling. It had been so long since anyone had shown her this much care and attention.

“Well, what do you plan to do today?” Roziela asked, peeling a shrimp from its shell and looking up with casual curiosity. “Actually, a famous jeweler from Geneva is visiting this afternoon. If you’re up for it, you could come with me. Who knows? You might see something you like. It wouldn’t hurt to ask your doting husband to buy you something as a wedding gift, right?”

Lirette, mid-bite, didn’t have the chance to respond, but Valderion, as if expecting this, quickly answered for her.

“We’re going to the beach.”

“The beach?”

“Yes. Someone’s been excited about dipping their toes in the water since yesterday,” he teased, his voice filled with amusement.

Lirette blushed, rubbing the back of her neck with embarrassment as she let out a shy laugh. I wasn’t that excited…

“Well, the weather’s perfect for it,” Roziela remarked, and Lirette turned to look out the large windows that lined one side of the dining room. The sky was as clear and bright as Roziela had said, with sunlight filtering through the leaves of the long, slender trees outside.

After breakfast, Lirette changed into a light dress. Despite being early spring, Fellini was warm enough that the temperature barely dipped, even in winter.

She couldn’t quite recall the last time she wore a summer dress. The thin fabric left her arms exposed, and she found herself awkwardly adjusting the sleeves, unfamiliar with the sensation. Valderion, having also changed, was wearing a sheer poet shirt that seemed just as light and airy as her dress.

Since the beach was only a short walk away, there was no need for a carriage. Unlike other stretches of the coastline, this beach was part of Roziela’s private estate, so they didn’t need to worry about security or unwanted attention.

The sand beneath their feet was soft and inviting, absorbing each step like a gentle cushion. Lirette found herself stumbling a few times, the ground shifting unexpectedly beneath her feet. But with Valderion by her side, steady as always, she eventually reached the point where the water met the shore.

As the waves foamed and rolled in, only to retreat just as quickly, she watched in quiet wonder.

“You said you wanted to go in,” Valderion reminded her.

“I do… but…”

She hesitated, unsure about stepping into the water with her shoes on.

Noticing her dilemma, Valderion knelt down. One knee touched the sand, while the other bent up at a right angle, and he gently pulled her toward him.

“Oh!”

Lirette’s bottom landed on his thigh, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. A soft laugh bubbled up from his chest as he supported her, bending down to untie the laces of her shoes.

With a soft swish, the fabric slid off her skin as he slipped both shoes off, leaving her feet bare. Without warning, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her to where the waves gently lapped at the shore.

The moment her feet touched the water, she shivered.

The coldness of the sea rushed over her heels, an unexpected shock to her system. She bowed her head, watching the waves push forward, engulfing her feet before retreating once more, leaving behind only wet sand.

The salty breeze blew through her hair, and she tucked a loose strand behind her ear as she stood there, captivated by the rhythmic dance of the water around her feet. The coolness as the water covered her ankles and the lightness when it receded were refreshing sensations, each bringing a different kind of joy.

“It feels amazing,” she whispered, clutching the hem of her dress as she took a few steps forward, her feet splashing softly against the shallow waves.

The gentle sound of the water as it splashed with each step echoed with a crisp, refreshing tone, almost as if she were performing a delicate dance with the sea. Freed from any invisible chains, her steps looked like those of a graceful dancer, liberated and carefree. Valderion, standing just beyond the reach of the water, couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.

As if sensing his gaze, Lirette lifted her eyes from the water and looked toward him.

“Come in with me,” she urged.

“I’m fine here,” he replied.

“Why?”

Valderion smirked as he responded, “I’ve never been one to enjoy willingly stepping into the water.”

Lirette paused her playful splashing, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. “Really?”

“Really.”

“But every time in the bath…” she muttered, her words trailing off as realization dawned on her. She clamped her mouth shut, embarrassed, while Valderion chuckled softly, brushing his windblown hair back.

It wasn’t hard for him to guess what she was thinking. After all, there had been plenty of times before their wedding when he had pulled her into the bath—or vice versa.

“It wasn’t the water I enjoyed so much as other things,” he teased.

Lirette pretended not to hear, turning her head and feigning distraction. Valderion’s smirk deepened, but he let the topic drop.

Though he initially intended to just watch her enjoy the water, Lirette eventually persuaded him to join in. Soon, both of them were splashing around in the sea, tugging and pulling each other until they both fell over, soaking wet like drenched mice.

Lirette, lying on top of Valderion, swept her wet hair away from her face and burst into laughter.

The sunlight reflected off the water, casting a glow around her that made her smile even more radiant. Valderion couldn’t resist pulling her closer, wrapping his arms around her shoulders, and pressing a kiss to her lips.

Their shoes, neatly placed on the white sand nearby, shimmered in the golden sunlight. The sound of waves lapping at the shore, the distant cries of seagulls, the sparkling water, and the gentle breeze—all of it created a moment that felt timeless and serene.

***

It wasn’t long before the salty breeze of the coast, the cool air blowing through the curtains, and the feel of their bodies intertwined became a familiar part of their mornings.

Without the interruptions that were once so common, their intimate moments had become more leisurely, and now there were no barriers to enjoying each other fully.

As a result, Lirette often found herself in a dreamy, half-awake state in the mornings. She would think she had woken up, only to find herself drowsily moving with him until she drifted back to sleep, only fully waking up much later in the day.

“Is it urgent?” Valderion’s voice broke the silence.

“Yes, sir. It requires your immediate attention. I wouldn’t have interrupted otherwise, but it’s a telegram from Mr. Moses,” the servant explained.

By the time Lirette was fully awake, Valderion was already conversing with one of his attendants, his expression focused as he reviewed the documents that had been handed to him. It seemed like something urgent had come up from the capital.

Returning to the bed, Valderion sat beside her and threaded his fingers through her silver hair, gently massaging her scalp. The sensation lulled her, threatening to pull her back into sleep.

“Looks like I won’t be able to spend time with you today,” he said softly.

“Is there a lot of work?” she asked, sitting up slowly.

Valderion nodded. “Yes, unfortunately. You should get up and eat, though.”

After they both washed up, they headed to the dining room together. As usual, Roziela was already waiting for them, sitting with a glass of bright red wine in hand, even though it was still early in the day. She had mentioned before that her duties managing the trading company had caused her to drink more frequently, and now wine had become a regular part of her meals.

“Busy as always, I see,” Roziela remarked after hearing about Valderion’s work schedule.

She took a sip of her wine and then turned to Lirette with a curious expression. “Lirette, do you know how to ride a horse?”

“Horses? No, I don’t,” Lirette replied.

“Well, how about learning today? I recently received a new horse as a gift, and I was planning to take her out for a ride tomorrow anyway.”

“Do you know how to ride, Roziela?” Lirette asked, surprised.

“Of course. I’ve been riding since before I came of age,” Roziela said with a proud smile.

“Oh, I see,” Lirette murmured, suddenly feeling a bit unsure.

“I think you should give it a try. You don’t get to come on a honeymoon just to stay in the bedroom all day,” Roziela encouraged with a playful tone.

“You should listen to her,” Valderion added, borrowing Roziela’s words. “It would be a shame to spend all your time in the bedroom on a honeymoon.”

Lirette couldn’t help but smile at the playful jabs. With a mix of excitement and a touch of nervousness, she nodded, ready to embrace the new experience.

Since it was her first time riding a horse, the equestrian attire felt unfamiliar and awkward, making her hesitate a bit. As she approached the garden, where Roziela was already standing, she noticed a man with a pleasant demeanor next to her.

He was the riding instructor who would be assisting Lirette with her lessons.

Although Lirette had assumed the instructor would be a woman, and was momentarily flustered by the discovery, she soon regained her composure. Having Roziela nearby also helped, and the instructor maintained a strictly professional distance. Their conversations were solely focused on horseback riding, and thanks to the instructor’s impeccable manners, Lirette never had time to feel uncomfortable or uneasy.

“Wow…!”

At one point, Lirette, startled while mounting the horse, reached out and grabbed the instructor’s shoulder.

The instructor, seemingly used to such encounters, calmly accepted her touch without batting an eye. He courteously supported Lirette’s hand as if she were a lady, helping her adjust her posture more comfortably.

“Now, ma’am. Don’t forget what I told you. Just gently pull the reins.”

“Isn’t there a chance it might suddenly take off…?”

“If the horse were excited, yes, but not now. Just a slight pull, and it’ll walk.”

At his words, Lirette lightly tugged on the reins.

With a soft snort, the horse turned its head and began to step forward, one hoof after another.

Clip-clop.

The sound of the hooves hitting the grass-covered ground was slower than expected. Gradually, Lirette relaxed, lifting her hunched shoulders bit by bit.

Meanwhile, Roziela, who had already gotten the hang of it, was joyfully galloping around the garden like a fish in water.

Watching her friend’s freedom, Lirette felt a pang of envy and found the courage to push herself a little more. She wobbled a few times, but thanks to the instructor’s steady presence beside her, she managed to avoid any mishaps.

***