~•|•~
"Is this the boat we're going to use?" asked Inez, looking at Lennox with surprise.
Lennox smiled at Inez. "Yes," he replied. "Do you like it?" he asked.
Inez didn't answer immediately. She just watched the boat in silent admiration. It was quite a luxurious boat compared to the other boats docked at the Chete River. It had a hood that protected the passengers from the sun, and even with one look, Inez knew that the materials used were the best.
Inez turned to Lennox, who was still waiting for her answer. The girl nodded slowly. "Yes. It's very good, Lennox."
Lennox's smile grew wider. He was clearly pleased with Inez's answer and the familiar greeting used by the girl.
"Your Highness," called a knight who approached them. He gave Inez a quick glance before finally looking at Lennox again. "You're really going to row the boat by yourself?" he asked.
"Yes. Leave us," Lennox replied while waving his hand. The knights were being a bit redundant about his safety. He climbed into the slightly swaying boat first, then turned to Inez, who was watching him. Lennox held out a hand. "Come on!" he invited.
Inez took a quick glance at the swaying boat. She was a little hesitant. This is the first time she is going to get on a boat.
"Take it easy," Lennox said reassuringly. "It's just swaying when you get on. I'll give you a hug then," he continued, which made Inez smile embarrassedly and immediately welcome his hand.
"Hup!"
Lennox hugged Inez's waist before the girl stepped on the inside of the boat, making Inez's body stiffen instantly.
"It doesn't feel sway, does it?" Lennox asked Inez who swallowed saliva nervously. He grinned faintly.
"N-no," Inez replied, averting her gaze from Lennox. "Thank you," she said. She quickly sat down on a nearby bench, while Lennox untied the rope that tied the boat to a log.
Inez's eyes widened as the boat began to move forward. She turned around and found Lennox reeling in the rope.
"Le-Lennox, is it going to be okay?" Inez asked a little frantically.
Lennox laughed a bit. "Hey, Inez, this is the sequence. Hold a minute, I'll join you soon," he said.
Inez gripped her dress tightly. She couldn't take her eyes off Lennox. A few seconds later, the man stepped out confidently and sat opposite Inez.
"My heart almost gave out when you stepped on the boat," Inez said, clutching her chest.
Lennox gave a small chuckle. He started rowing the boat alone. "It's true. This is your first time on a boat. You're adorable, Inez."
"Eh?" Inez was surprised. However, Lennox's dark blonde hair stole her surprise quickly. She cleared her throat briefly and turned her gaze in the other direction.
They were not the only ones taking a boat ride on the Chete River. Many other couples also went on dates in the same way because this river flow was not too strong. Plus, the scenery around the river was also pretty.
"What do you like, Inez?" asked Lennox suddenly.
"Me?" Inez looked at Lennox again. "Umm, I like sewing and playing the piano while singing."
"Really?" responded Lennox, quite surprised. Inez did not look like a girl who liked to play the piano while singing.
"Yes, Your--Lennox," Inez said with the corners of her lips twitching.
"Haha... should I invite you to the palace to show off your precious performance?" asked Lennox again, smiling sweetly at the girl.
"Huh? Then... I'll have to study harder," Inez replied, making Lennox burst out laughing.
"You're too serious, Inez," Lennox chided to the girl, who responded with a tight smile. "Besides that, what else do you like?"
Inez did not answer immediately. She paused for a moment as she looked at Lennox. "You," she replied, which made Lennox pause, and then he laughed again. That behavior made Inez feel embarrassed. She couldn't hide her red face. "God, everyone is looking at us, Your Highness!" she exclaimed.
"Leave it alone. Let them know that Inez Cal Buford can make the crown prince laugh like this," Lennox replied between laughs.
Inez furrowed her brows as Lennox continued to laugh. She suddenly stood up impulsively, making the boat sway slightly. "Ah!" she was startled.
"Inez!" exclaimed Lennox alarmed and immediately stopped his laughter. "Don't stand there! You're throwing the boat off balance!"
"Uh, where should I go?" asked Inez nervously. Her pupils seemed to be spinning as she felt the boat swaying. Before Lennox could answer, Inez had already taken the first step.
"Don't--!"
And...
Byur!
~•|•~
Dante sat under the small tent while reading a newspaper published by Beetheaven Publisher that featured the current state of the war and the Marquess of Verthall, his father. Occasionally, the man looked towards the river, where the boat carrying Lennox and Inez had almost reached the center of the Chete River.
"Good morning, Capt. May I join you?" greeted a beautiful girl. Her long blonde hair was braided forward, displaying an elf vibe.
Without taking his gaze off the newspaper, Dante replied, "Sorry, I don't want--"
"You'd better see who you're talking to first," the girl cut in again, making Dante let out a long sigh and turn his head. The girl smiled a simple smile. "Hi?" she said casually.
She is the Lady of Spencer, Clarissa Moira Spencer, the daughter of a Marquess north of Schubert and a childhood friend of Dante and Lennox. Although not from the royal family, Dante could not go easy on the daughter of one of the families that had helped the kingdom's economy for centuries.
"Lady of Spencer," Dante drawled.
"Isn't that nickname too formal for a childhood friend?" asked Clarissa. She glanced at the empty chair beside Dante. "May I join you?"
"Yes, just go ahead," Dante replied dryly. Afterward, he went back to reading the newspaper and ignored the beautiful girl who was expected to be the rose of this spring.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you," Clarissa said after sitting down beside Dante. She looked at the man, whose expression had not changed. "You're always busy on the battlefield," she added.
"Because that's my job," Dante replied in a flat tone.
Clarissa gave a small chuckle. "You've changed a lot from my childhood memories. You used to be a cheerful child who liked to make silly jokes, just like His Highness."
"That was just childhood," Dante replied again. "Humans are changeable," he added.
"I see, yes..." Clarissa smiled wryly and looked down at her dress. She cleared her throat briefly and looked at Dante again. "So, when are you going back to the war?"
Dante suddenly turned to the girl. He snorted harshly afterward. "Didn't you say a moment ago that I was on the battlefield too much?"
"Well..."
"In about two weeks, or sooner," Dante replied as he straightened the newspaper he was reading. However, before he could refocus on the newspaper, the sound of rippling water and the hysterical screams of people immediately caught his attention.
"Ah... there's an overturned boat," Clarissa said, hiding her surprise with her hands as she looked at the river.
Dante glared.
It was the boat he had been watching for.
"Damn," cursed Dante, throwing the newspaper he was holding and immediately running with all his might towards the river.
"Dante! Where are you going?" Clarissa shouted. However, Dante didn't turn around or even answer. So, the girl decided to run and catch up with Dante.
~•|•~
"Oh my God, it's His Majesty's boat!" exclaimed the people who witnessed the incident from the riverside without intending to help.
A moment later, people's attention immediately turned to the man who ran towards the river and started swimming alone without a thought.
"That's Captain Dante!" exclaimed a man who recognized Dante.
"The captain will save His Highness!" added another.
Clarissa, who had just reached the riverside while lifting her dress, paused to digest the current situation. Dante was swimming at full speed in the river. However, none of the people there were moved to help.
"What are you doing?! Call the knights and river guards! Quickly!" exclaimed Clarissa anxiously to the nobles.
"A-alright, My Lady!"
After making sure one of the nobles went to call the knights and river guards, Clarissa looked at the river again. "Dante," she murmured worriedly.
———