The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 110

Their footsteps made soft, shuffling sounds in the sand. When Artizea glanced back, she saw two sets of footprints stretching behind them. Cedric’s bare, and her own in sandals.

“Are you having fun?”

“What? Oh, surfing? Yeah, I guess.”

“‘I guess’? You seem to like it more than that.”

Cedric smiled and pressed down lightly on Artizea’s hat just as a breeze picked up.

“I do like being active. Why the pout?”

“I’m not pouting.”

Cedric wanted to touch her cheek, but since his hands were still wet from the sea, he restrained himself.

“How about we head back to the villa after we have some snacks?”

“But it’s only three in the afternoon. Really, you can play more if you want.”

Artizea was being sincere. It wasn’t as if she was bored of sunbathing, and she didn’t want Cedric to stop just for her sake when he was clearly having such a good time. Besides, some of these activities were only possible here in the South. Who knew when they’d get the chance again?

She’d rarely seen Cedric having so much fun. Since they’d come all this way to enjoy themselves, she wanted him to get the most out of it, even if she couldn’t join in as much as she’d like.

But Cedric just shrugged, unconcerned.

“I can surf again tomorrow morning. In the afternoon, let’s go diving at the cottage, just the two of us.”

Artizea hesitated. Pavel had lent them a separate villa, though ‘cottage’ made it sound humble, it was really a lovely little house built on a calm, shallow cove. 

There, even she could enjoy playing in the water. She loved quietly floating under the surface, admiring the beautiful underwater scenery, even if it was hard for her to hold her breath for long.

“Alright.”  

Cedric smiled.

Soon, they reached Duchy Riagan’s mansion. It was not the main house, but the beach house, which was still quite large thanks to Pavel’s frequent visits. 

Servants waited by the side entrance that opened onto the beach, bowing as the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess in her straw hat approached.

Cedric said.

“Could you bring out some snacks for everyone on the beach? And cold drinks, too. Pavel looks worn out.”

“Yes.”

“I need to get cleaned up, so could you bring me a towel and a robe?”

He headed toward the fountain in the courtyard, rather than asking to have a bath drawn.

A servant hurried after him, carrying a towel and a robe. In the garden, there was a fountain with fresh water, perfect for rinsing off sand after the beach. Cedric scooped up water and poured it over himself several times, then stripped off his wet tunic and trousers.

Artizea rinsed the sand off her feet, too. Even though she was already warm, the water still felt icy, but Cedric didn’t seem to mind dousing himself with it.

When a servant handed Cedric the towel, he dried off quickly, pulled on the robe over his bare body. He then looked over at Artizea, who was now blushing furiously.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

Her eyes flicked away. She couldn’t help but feel embarrassed by how casually Cedric had undressed, even though they were married and the only outsider around was a servant. 

Cedric was used to attendants for his baths, so it shouldn’t have mattered. But her cheeks still blushed.

“What’s wrong?” 

Cedric asked again and held her from behind. The perceptive servant quickly disappeared.

As Artizea bent to pick up her fallen hat, her body was lifted to the air.

“Ah!”

Cedric swept her up off the ground. She flailed her hat in surprise, her face heating up again.

“Why are you blushing so much?”

“I don’t know.” 

She let out a pout, as she placed the straw hat on his damp hair. Cedric laughed and kissed her lightly.

The short kiss quickly deepened. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer by the back of his head. 

Cedric’s lips tasted faintly of salt, there must have been some seawater left. Artizea gave a playful little bite and grumbled.

“I don’t remember you being someone who stripped down just anywhere.”

Cedric blinked in surprise. Only after saying it did Artizea realize what had actually been bothering her.

“You used to insist we couldn’t do this, but now that we’re married, you stripped right away. I’m still shy, you know.”

Cedric’s wide grin only made her more annoyed, so she pinched his cheek.

“Showing off your body in front of everyone.”

“I didn’t do that.”

“Taking your clothes off all the time. I can’t even manage a swimsuit.”

“We’re at the beach! Who here is more covered than me?”

He had a point. There was no better outfit for swimming than a close-fitting tunic and shorts, and it wasn’t like she was asking him to stay out of the water.

Still, Artizea couldn’t help but pout again. She felt proud that people admired him, but also a little jealous. She hadn’t even gotten to see enough of him herself.

Carrying her inside, Cedric strode straight to their room. The sun had nearly dried him already, only his hair needed a quick towel.

“Aren’t we going to join everyone for snacks?”

“Let’s go to our room.”

“Ced.”

“You need to get used to this, so you won’t be embarrassed anymore.”

In other words, he was planning to strip again.

Artizea’s face turned red again. She pinched Cedric’s cheek once more. 

She really, really wasn’t expecting this. But she wasn’t really resisting. She wanted it, too. 

Even if she was a little worn out.

Their bedroom was the most private guest room at the far end. It was not typically used for special guests but chosen by Pavel as he didn’t have to worry about formalities between them.

Cedric set Artizea down on the bed. Even the briefest touch of his lips left Artizea breathless, clutching at the collar of his robe. 

The one layer gown was quickly discarded, and his sun-bronzed body pressed hers down. She’d told herself last night that she was too tired for anything but holding hands for a few days, but that resolve had already vanished from her mind.

Now, she fully understood why Cedric had insisted they didn’t need elaborate plans for the honeymoon. Honestly, they might not have even left the house if it weren’t for coming all the way South.

But the afternoon sunlight in the South was beautiful, and the undrawn curtains filled the room with a radiant glow pouring down on their bare bodies. 

Artizea was deeply embarrassed. She was both captivated by Cedric’s sculpted physique and having her own pale, slight body so fully exposed.

And yet, the heat in Cedric’s gaze soon made her forget her embarrassment and warmed her body. He looked at her as if she were the most beautiful thing in the world.

Artizea gasped and wrapped her whole body around him. She felt her body accept him and let herself be swept away by that dazzling happiness.