PBPGD

CHAPTER 119

"This is unreal," Lia breathed out.

Claude pecked her cheek, looking out into the sea as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "This is the ocean. It looks empty, but it's filled with endless mysteries."

The ocean was much more incredible than what she had seen in books. From the clouds hanging at the edge of the horizon to the waves crashing irregularly against the sand, it was unlike anything she'd ever experienced.

She slowly walked forward, taking in the fresh air and crisp sounds of the seashore. The fine grains of sand felt soft under her feet.

The four-hour drive was so worth it.

Distance-wise, Del Casa was closer to the ocean than she expected, but the high mountain range was an unexpected hindrance in reaching the Evelin Beaches to the east. Thus, the seashore was preserved in its most natural state.

"So, what do you think?"

She looked at him, at a loss for words. What could possibly describe what she felt right now?

Lia's path finally ended where the waves washed up on the sand. The white foam rushed forward, wetting her toes. She hitched up her skirts, relishing the strange texture of seawater.

Where does all this water come from?

It was a totally different sensation from when she dove into the river for the first time. "I feel cold and hot at the same time," she said finally.

"That's exactly right," Claude replied. The ocean was cold, but the sun blazed hot above them. Holding hands, they began to walk alongside the ocean.

They didn't need to voice the fact that they were happy, for they could feel it down to their very essence.

Lia simply looked out into the ocean, transfixed by its beauty just as Claude was transfixed by hers.

Their residence was a vacation home that the first Duke Ihar had built by the seaside. Claude joked that it hadn't been lived in for at least a hundred years, his teasing streak making a return.

Lia didn't pay heed to what he said until she saw the building with her own eyes.

"Is this... supposed to be a castle?"

"I believe it was, yes. A very long time ago."

"This is bigger than Princess Rosina's guest palace! How is this a 'vacation house'?"

"That's what it's called," Claude said with a shrug. "I never said that it was small."

They climbed up the stone stairway that led into the castle from the beach though of course, Lia's feet never touched it.

The view from Claude's arms as he stalked up the stairs along the cliff was spectacular.

It was like the stuff of dreams, the sunlight scattered like jewels on top of the unfathomable deep blue surface.

It was in a league of its own. Lakes and rivers paled in comparison to this giant body of water.

"Welcome, my lord. My lady." Owen greeted them happily at the front door. Other attendants were busily unloading the car with Ivan.

"Thank you for all your work, Owen. It must have been a handful."

"It's my duty, my lady."

Owen had led a group of attendants in renovating the house for the past month, cleaning it thoroughly as well as repairing all the furniture.

They covered the beds and couches with custom ordered sheets, replacing everything from the carpets to the cutlery with brand-new shipments.

The outside walls and gardens retained some of the old touches, however. Owen explained that they had only weeded the gardens and cut off the rogue ivy branches that crawled into the house, leaving the grounds looking more like an ancient castle than a vacation home.