Awaiting us at the harbor was a fully prepared sailing ship, ready for departure.
「Th-this ship is quite large.」
「We’ll also transport the necessities for our life there at the same time.」
Claudia-san’s explanation made sense.
Indeed, a remote island villa is not a place one frequently goes to. Perhaps it is visited two or three times a year. Although the staff periodically checks the villa, they don’t stay overnight, so keeping provisions there permanently isn’t feasible.
According to rumors, other maids arrived a few days ago to clean the villa and make other preparations.
Meanwhile, the four girls were completely enchanted by the vastness and beauty of the sea.
「The sea breeze feels delightful!」
「The weather is clear—no complaints!」
「Swimming would be so refreshing!」
「Even Simone’s massive frame seems dwarfed here.」
Everyone’s spirits were high.
Charlotte, having been here many times, was more accustomed—
「Now! That island you see over there is our destination! It holds even more breathtaking sceneries!」
She was the most enthusiastic.
After loading our belongings onto the ship, we set sail.
The voyage would take about an hour, and most of us were experiencing it for the first time, adding to the excitement.
「Amazing! It’s much faster than I expected!」
「Usually, I fly through the skies, so this is refreshing.」
「I’ve never been on a ship before.」
Except for Kiara, who had sailing experience, the rest of us gathered at the edge, gazing out at the sea. Kiara, observing this, remarked, ‘Everyone’s like children’ but she clearly wanted to join in. She should have just jumped right in.
By the way, Charlotte had a similar reaction and missed joining Martina and the others who were genuinely enjoying themselves. Truly kindred spirits, those two.
And at that moment, I witnessed Claudia-san conversing with another maid aboard the ship. Her expression was somber, unmistakably she just received some bad news.
「A-ano, Claudia-san, is something wrong?」
「Bale-sama. Well, something interes—no, I mean, things have become quite troublesome.」
Areh?
Didn’t she almost say it was interesting just now?
「So, what happened?」
「It seems Lawrence-sama has cut short the joint exercises and is heading this way.」
「Lawrence-san?」
In that case… he must be concerned about the contents of that letter after all.
「Rest assured, Bale-sama.」
「Huh?」
「I’ll ensure that your sweet moments with Charlotte-ojousama remain undisturbed.」
「…………」
Wait, what’s this schemer saying!?
Just as I was about to interject—
「Well, for Lawrence-sama, who’s been working tirelessly since joining the knighthood and hasn’t had a proper break, spending time on this island—his first since childhood—will be a good rest.」
…Hmm?
Was that the plan all along?
Comforting Charlotte, who feels lonely due to her absent parents, and simultaneously worrying about Lawrence-san, who’s become workaholic—
「Well, it seems I’ll enjoy it too. A situation where wishes come true.」
—though I can’t be certain if he’ll even make it here in time….. Well, maybe there’s no need to think so negatively.
And so, as we continued, we finally arrived at the island.
Our vacation was about to begin.
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