🎂🎂🎂
A short carriage ride away from the capital, a lake lies at the foot of a small mountain. It’s larger than a pond or spring, and a narrow river flows from it through the capital. The lake is on the other side of the palace, so I hadn’t known it existed.
My lord husband was busy for a time after the assignment and has finally secured a day off. So there we are. Because it’s summer!
The sun is already beating stronger and hotter compared to when we left home that morning, so the breeze across the lake feels nice and cool as we alight from the carriage. With the mountains in the background, the lake reflects the surrounding forest and shines an emerald green. A small waterfall hides between two trees on the opposite bank.
“This area supplies water to the capital and is managed by the government, so most people can’t come here. I got special permission for today, so let’s enj— Wait, wait, wait.” My lord husband grabs the hem of my dress just as I try to lift it over my head.
Underneath is a swimsuit he bought for me. It resembles a fitted dress and leggings and feels like a complete outfit, so I don’t understand why I have to wear another layer over it. Tabitha told me to keep the top dress on until we reach the lake, and I did. Why can’t I take it off?
My lord husband hastily yells an instruction, and the guards move a slight distance away. Tabitha and Rodney both sigh before beginning to unload our things from the carriage.
“A-All right. It’s fine now.”
“Yes!” I kneel, slipping out of the dress.
“Huh?!” He’s still gripping its hem as I start to remove my shoes, my bare feet sinking into the rough sand. The sand here squeaks!
“It squeaks, my lord!”
“Huh, what? You’re too fast!” He lowers my dress as I dash ahead. The sand squeaks more as I run toward the water.
Wow! The middle of the lake looks so blue, yet when I step in, I realize the water’s clear. So cold! And the sand doesn’t squeak underwater! My feet feel heavy as I push through the rippling shallows.
Wearing a short-sleeved shirt and knee-length pants, my lord husband finally catches up to me and lifts me by the waist. “The lake is dangerous, with lots of hidden deep areas, so don’t let go of my hand.”
We splash forward together, the water gradually reaching his waist and all the way to under my chest.
When I was the Monster King, I was much bigger than my lord husband. And I had more legs. As Abigail, I have only the soles of my feet against the lakebed. When waves pushed against me in the past, I stood steadier, more of my body in contact with the bottom. Or maybe the Monster King was simply stronger. For it, walking in water was no different from walking on land.
But Abigail’s body feels light amid the heavy water, which is a strange sensation. “My lord! I can float if I jump!”
He laughs. “This section looks fi— Huh?!”
I jump, and suddenly, all I can see is water.
The view reminds me of the bottom of the spring in the forest, the sunlight forming a web above me as fish and crabs flit by, everything in translucent shades of blue and aquamarine. I loved admiring such scenery on my walks.
The lake is just like that. Dazzling sunlight softens in the water. Oh, here’s a tiny crab too.
The only difference is that I can’t feel the ground. My bare feet extend in front of me and I can’t touch the lakebed. Before I can figure out what’s happening, someone grabs my sides and yanks me upward. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and come face-to-face with my lord husband.
“Abby! Did you inhale water?!” He appears shaken.
“My lord! I floated!”
“No, you sank?!”
But my feet weren’t touching the ground?
✦ ✦ ✦
🎂🎂🎂
AT last, after repeatedly reminding me not to move from my spot, he shows me how to swim. He paddles toward the center of the lake, lifting one cheek out of the water at the same time he raises an arm. On his return, he demonstrates another style where his face remains above the surface.
I think I’ve learned the strokes well enough, yet he insists that I practice kicking and holds my arms as he walks backward. It’s fun!
“You okay…?”
“I’m”—I gasp—“floating!”
“Erm, yes. Because we’re in deeper water. Don’t let go…” He still looks skeptical.
“My lady!” call Tabitha and Rodney from shore.
I latch onto my lord husband and turn to look. Rodney is pulling a long string from a bucket. He grips both ends, then swings…
“My lord! That’s—! Look! So big! So many!”
The string forms several loops as it sails through the air, creating lots of big and small bubbles! All drifting upward! Wow!
Tabitha waves with a smile. The guards arrayed along the shoreline are all laughing and clapping too.
“Hurry! Hurry, my lord!”
“Leave it to me!” He grasps my upper arms and laughs as he heads back to shore, my feet brushing the lakebed.
The wind shifts, bringing the bubbles toward us. They’re so delicate and sparkly.
The sky is blue, the lake green, and the splashes of water glimmer with light.
I glance up to see my lord husband grinning at me, and his kind smile shines brighter than the sky or lake. I can’t look away.
This must be beauty. I love this!