Big Liar

(Ailena’s Perspective)

In the distance, the young lady was engaged in a water fight with Olivia.

Closer by, Margaret and Elizabeth were building a sandcastle, each activity perfectly matching their personalities and styles.

Meanwhile, I sat in a rigid sports pose under the parasol, still as a turtle.

I couldn’t help it…! This outfit is just too embarrassing! Staying like this at least eases my mind a bit…

“Wow… you’re still here.”

Perhaps tired from playing, the young lady and Olivia returned to the parasol.

“Seriously, hiding here is just wasting a perfect day.”

Classic Olivia…

But… please, let me have some peace!

“…”

My silence left Olivia at a loss.

Seeing me like this, the young lady sat beside me, her head bowed deeply.

“Sorry, Ailena.”

…Why is she apologizing?

“I thought you’d enjoy the beach, but I didn’t expect… you’d hate it this much.”

“…?”

Am I not upset about this overly revealing outfit? How did it become about hating the beach?

But she didn’t give me a chance to explain, her face full of guilt:

“If you really hate it, I’ll take you back… No, let’s just return to the ducal estate. I’ll arrange a carriage now, and we’ll go together.”

How did things escalate like this?

It’s a rare girls’ bonding day. How could I let her leave with me? That’d be too antisocial.

Plus, she seemed to be enjoying the beach… Cutting it short would be such a letdown.

I hurriedly spoke up:

“Young lady! It’s not that I hate the beach, it’s just…”

Before I could finish, she cut me off:

“But you’ve been sitting under the parasol, looking so uninterested.”

I have been sitting here, unmoving…

“Ailena, you don’t need to say anything. I understand… You just didn’t want to ruin our fun. It’s okay, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to force yourself.”

No! You don’t understand! Not at all!

“Margaret, where’s the nearest place to rent a carriage?”

She grabbed my hand, ready to drag me away right now.

“Hm… Probably the small street a kilometer southeast.”

“Ugh…”

Frustrated, I tugged at my ponytail. Caught up in the moment, I blurted out a lie.

“I’m fine! Really fine! I was just… feeling a bit off earlier, but I’m totally okay now!”

“Really?”

She eyed me skeptically.

“Let’s go back to the ducal estate…”

“No, really! Come on, young lady, let’s play!”

I stood, grabbed her hand, and ran toward the sea.

In my haste, I didn’t notice the young lady and Margaret exchanging a thumbs-up behind me.

(Caterina’s Perspective)

…This isn’t good.

At my request, Ailena stood before me, completely bare.

Her fair skin and silver hair framed the blush on her face, so captivating I couldn’t look away even a millimeter.

Tears brimmed in her eyes, her golden gaze veiled by a sheen of water, both pitiful and stirring improper thoughts.

In short, absolutely irresistible.

“Gulp…”

My throat moved unconsciously… thankfully, Ailena didn’t notice.

“Ugh…”

Her trembling whimper struck my heart.

“Ngh…”

I stared at her… No need to check; my eyes were probably bloodshot.

What a sight…

I silently thanked Margaret.

—In our private call earlier, she’d given me advice:

“Since your little maid sees you as a kid and isn’t interested, why not take the lead and act mature? That might make her see you differently.

Don’t worry, with a kind-hearted girl like her, a bit of assertiveness will easily sway her… As for how to sway her, I don’t need to teach you, right?”

“…Young lady?”

Did I stare too long and make her suspicious?

“Ah… Ahem, I’m coming over, Ailena.”

I feigned calm, holding the bikini swimsuit and stepping behind her.

…I’d prepared a more conservative swimsuit, but Ailena tugged at my heartstrings so much I couldn’t resist wanting to tease her.

Dressing her was a first for me, so I savored it, letting my fingertips glide over her skin, greedily inhaling her scent, wanting my body to memorize her feel.

…Her round backside was fully exposed before me.

Unable to resist, I gave it a pinch.

“Yah!”

Maybe it was my imagination, but her gasp sounded faintly pleased.

…Anyway, I thoroughly indulged my hands and eyes.

But Ailena was too reserved… After putting on the bikini, she stayed crouched under the parasol.

How am I supposed to enjoy the view… I mean, enjoy summer like this?

I need to get her out…

I exchanged glances with Olivia and Margaret, then sat beside Ailena.

…Swaying Ailena? I’ve got that in the bag!

Just you wait, Ailena, get up already!

The plan went smoothly. Caught up in the moment, Ailena grabbed my hand and ran to the sea.

I quietly gave a thumbs-up to Margaret, who’d played along, and she returned it.

…Honestly, I had a tiny worry… a faint chance Ailena genuinely didn’t like the beach.

“Hahaha~”

But seeing her splash in the water, forgetting her earlier embarrassment, that worry vanished.

Pfft.

Dodging her water gun, I laughed from the heart.

She’s usually so mature, yet now she’s giggling like a kid… Well, by age, she is a kid.

But her usual maturity makes it hard to see her as one.

She must really love the sea…

For her, always working hard for me, this might be the best reward.

“Mmph… Young lady, you’re mocking me!”

Misreading my laugh, thinking I was teasing her missed shot, she puffed her cheeks.

So cute, I wanted to tease her more.

“That’s right, Ailena, your aim’s awful. Such bad technique.”

“…Then I’m getting serious! Don’t blame me, young lady!”

“Come on, but you’ll never beat me, Ailena.”

“Hmph! We’ll see who wins!”

I felt so light…

I wished this moment could last forever.