Eventually, the conversation that had been drifting aimlessly continued with casual jokes exchanged privately. The faces looked as if they had completely forgotten the story of Andert they had been raising their voices about just moments ago.

However, rumors with a thousand feet and even wings soon crossed the ears of those involved.

As always, Andert didn’t mind what others were talking about. Besides, it was true that he loves Chloe, so it wasn’t a fabricated rumor. And since the size of his heart was clearly much larger, the expression “unrequited love” wasn’t entirely wrong either.

He was just curious.

What would Chloe be like at school, something he didn’t know? And what would you be like after graduating when this season passes again?

Of course, he wanted to share all those seasons together. Continuously from now on.

“Did you wait long? I’m sorry. Seeing Kate off took longer than expected.”

Just then, Chloe’s voice approached softly.

Andert, sitting on a bench overlooking the blue beach, pointed to one side as if there was no need to hurry.

“Chloe, shall we walk over there?”

“To the sea?”

“Yes. Specifically, just to the boundary where the waves crash.”

Chloe, who looked at him as if his suggestion was unexpected, promptly took off her shoes.

It was her first time walking barefoot on the beach where her feet sank into the sand. Few people had come to the autumn-tinged beach for swimming. As she carefully stepped on the crunchy sand grains, he spoke to her.

“I believe I heard that Miss Kate’s honeymoon is scheduled for two weeks.”

“Yes. To be exact, she’ll return in two weeks. She’ll arrive the day the cruise ship returns to port in Larcel.”

Chloe answered with a smiling voice, looking at the ship floating on the vast sea.

The cruise ship that Kate had boarded with her groom just a moment ago was moving away in the distance. The sudden but welcome news of her friend’s marriage had come two months ago. And the bride, who married the son of a shipping company based in Larcel, also departed for her honeymoon on that cruise ship.

Chloe had arrived in Larcel, a coastal city in the east, yesterday morning. Of course, Andert was with her. It was he who first suggested going together when he heard Kate was getting married.

“But Andert, will your schedule really be okay?”

“If it’s okay with you.”

“That’s not what I meant. Larcel isn’t exactly close.”

“There’s no problem, Chloe.”

Chloe looked uncertain, having to give up a few days of classes to make time.

But Andert adjusted his schedule spanning a week, including the weekend. It was longer than he had initially estimated. However, Chloe also gladly accompanied him this once for a vacation that wasn’t quite a vacation.

Walking on the beach they had arrived at, the passing time felt only regretful. One day had passed on the train to Larcel, the next attending the wedding, and today the sun was about to set soon.

Now that the wedding, which was the initial purpose of coming here, was over, he wanted to spend time just the two of them. After all, they didn’t have to take the train back to the capital for another three days.

They reached the boundary where the incoming waves broke into white foam. The seawater, colder than expected, tickled the tops of their feet repeatedly. After watching the waves that soon reached their ankles for a while, Chloe asked.

“Where shall we go next? I think there must be many other things to see in Larcel.”

The place Chloe arrived at, following Andert after brushing off the sand from her feet and clothes, was a quiet beach. It was a stark contrast to the bustling area with the harbor where they had just seen Kate off.

Chloe calmly looked around the surroundings where the sound of waves was particularly loud. But for just a quiet seaside, everything seemed excessively neat. Then Andert, who had turned his upper body slightly, pointed to a white roof.

“This is the villa where I’m staying. Though yesterday was my first time coming here too. I wanted to invite you here for dinner.”

Dietrich-owned villas were located throughout Artion.

Chloe knew this fact but had never visited one directly. The walking path along the beach that looked unusual was probably because this was Dietrich’s private property.

“Welcome, you must be very tired from your long journey! Please, come inside.”

The caretaker couple, who rushed out, guided Chloe to a table set up outdoors. From her seat, the sea was clearly visible, with the sun already setting.

Chloe, who had been gazing at the distant horizon, soon turned to face the opposite side.

“Andert, is this your first time seeing the sunset here too?”

“Yes. I saw the sunrise this morning and thought you would like it. That’s why I wanted to come here together even more.”

Andert, who swallowed a well-cooked pea, calmly agreed.

He had been concerned about Chloe seeing Kate off on her honeymoon. What must she have felt… watching her friend being congratulated and happy.

So he wanted to show her this place. If nothing else, Chloe would like the sky dyed in various colors.

“It’s truly beautiful, thank you, Andert.”

Even after the caretaker couple had cleared the table settings neatly, the two remained in place. Their laughter melted into the pleasantly cool breeze.

When Andert checked his watch, it was approaching 9 PM. If Chloe wanted to return, he naturally planned to escort her to the hotel. But if not, he wanted to stay here with her until they returned to the capital.

“Chloe, how about spending the remaining days in Larcel here?”

The proposal was straightforward. As if it meant nothing more than resting comfortably for the remaining vacation on this quiet and beautiful beach.

Chloe gently put down her empty glass. Yesterday, she had stayed at a hotel near Kate’s wedding venue. And Andert had also joined the party that continued until midnight. But after saying goodbye in front of the hotel, he had turned toward the villa.

Since they had agreed to meet again, Andert maintained a gentlemanly attitude, not crossing a certain line. Just like now. Perhaps that’s why she often felt as if she held all the choices in their relationship.

Coming up to the second floor about ten minutes later was the same. Chloe had decided to stay here until they returned to the capital. Her steps, emerging from the bathroom after a while, approached the window.

Beyond the half-open window was a completely black night sea. And there was someone on the walking path leading to the beach. No, to be precise, it was Andert walking toward the villa.

‘Is he returning after getting some fresh air?’

Chloe quietly watched the figure approaching under the window. At that moment, Andert, with the completely darkened background behind him, looked up.

Chloe, whose eyes met his as he immediately noticed her gaze, felt embarrassed. Though unintentional, it felt like she had been caught secretly peeking. Her earlobes heated up in the awkward situation, but Chloe didn’t avert her gaze.

As they gazed at each other quietly, the sound of crashing waves endlessly surged in.

Though the exterior lights illuminated the surroundings, the man’s expression in the shadows wasn’t clearly visible. When Chloe slightly furrowed her brow, he raised his hand as if to indicate he was coming up. Andert disappeared from view, and soon the faint sound of the entrance door opening and closing was heard.

Chloe turned away from the window.

As time passed, her heart leaning toward Andert became uncontrollably clear. Nevertheless, she hadn’t readily expressed it outwardly because she wanted to be cautious this time. But from earlier, something kept knocking at her heart.

When the cream-colored slippers lingering at the threshold took one step into the hallway, he was just climbing the last stair.

“Chloe?”

Andert, who recognized the silhouette standing at the door, crossed the hallway with large strides.

After finishing his shower, he was on his way back from a walk, unable to sleep as he was. His long-legged strides had already reached the bedroom door where he’d shown her.

‘Sleep well, Chloe. Rest comfortably and I’ll see you tomorrow.’

If he followed through with his resolution, he should leave after giving such a proper greeting. He had to pass through this hallway to get to his room anyway.

But he couldn’t easily take that one step.

It wasn’t just him who began to break free from the tightly controlled restraint of reason. Like waves surging over the calm autumn sea contained in her eyes, fierce currents rose. Though outwardly he had maintained calm control, suppressing everything churning underneath, his self-discipline crumbled silently.

Andert knew. How he was looking at her right now.

His gaze, which had been circling her face with hair still damp from bathing, soon turned to Chloe’s eyes.

A silence continued where neither could speak first. As the suffocating stillness lengthened, Chloe also grew tense. But she didn’t want to break the mood with unnecessary words.

She stared at the rippling blue eyes for a long time. The look he no longer concealed overflowed with all kinds of emotions.