Adelaide loved the beach. It wasn’t even that she was excited to go swimming, that was just a bonus. No, what she loved about it was the never ending selection of swim wear that she could change depending on her mood and current sense of style. Truly, fashion was an amazing thing.
Splayed out on top of a towel, laying in the sand, the blonde was more than happy to enjoy some time in the sun, relaxing as her sister worked on some new project beside her. She wanted to spend as much time as she could with her sister before the older girl had to leave her.
They’d arrived in Marina the day before and the two girls had chosen to enjoy a day to themselves, seeing as they were going to be separated from now on. The thought brought a small frown to her face as she glanced over at the brunette beside her from over her sunglasses. Adelaide was so used to having her sister by her side, and now she was having to come to terms with her being separated, with a whole kingdom between them!
Add in the fact that she was supposed to be getting married? She wasn’t too thrilled about this whole situation. She hated being restricted and this whole lack of choice when it came to her spouse wasn’t really something she was looking forward to.
In her own sense of rebellion, not long after her and Ana had arrived in Marina, she snuck out and started learning about some of the more popular bars in what was to be her new home. It had been quite a fun night, having led her to spending a few fun filled hours with a handsome stranger before she had to sneak back into her room to get some much needed sleep.
“Anaaaaa,”
she drawled suddenly, pushing herself up so she was resting on her elbows.
“Are you planning on working all day, or if I decide to get up and go swim, will you come with me?”
she asked, in a sing-songy voice, trying to use her puppy dog eyes on the elder girl.
The beaches of Marina were always a sight to see. Much different than the cooler cities of Faydin, with its mountain views. Don’t get him wrong, Will loved his home. His kingdom was something he loved and was proud of, but he couldn’t help but long for the beaches of his best friend and cousins' home.
Standing barefoot in the sand was not something the fair blonde was used to, toes digging in the sand as he stared out across the water, watching the waves. In just a pair of shorts, Will wasn’t too sure if he was going to actually swim or not, but at least he was prepared.
The weather was perfect and he’d be a fool if he turned down his cousin’s invitation to spend the day at the beach. While he’d come to Marina for business, seeing as both him and Mateo were to be engaged soon, he figured this would be the perfect time to sneak in some relaxation before his life became…stressful.
“I will admit, the beaches are beautiful.”
Will spoke, breaking the silence between the two men before his cousin could say something stupid to ruin the peaceful atmosphere.
Mateo had gone straight for the water upon their arrival, while he was more than happy to stay on the shore, with the water licking at his ankles as the waves came in.
“Are you man or fish, out there?”
he called out, a smirk on his face as he raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight.
He took a few steps further into the water, submerging his legs up to his calves. Tilting his head back and closing his eyes, he inhaled, enjoying the warm breeze against his face.
“You ready for all this?”
he mumbled, not really sure if his cousin would hear him. It didn’t matter in the end. If he was being honest, he was really just talking to himself.
He wasn’t against getting married, but he wasn’t thrilled about it either. Especially since the whole thing was arranged, and he hadn’t even met his future wife yet. Although, that was supposed to be changing soon.
He sighed. It was for the good of his kingdom. That’s all he needed to know.
Mateo had never been one for tradition, and the creeping engagement was a constant thorn in his side. As he stared out across the sparkling waters of Marina, he couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration. He felt an exhilarating rush as he plunged into the cool, inviting waters of the beach. The sensation was a stark contrast to the warmth of the sunbaked sand he had just left behind. The water enveloped him, providing an invigorating escape from the weighty thoughts of impending engagement and royal duties that had been pressing on his mind.
As he moved deeper into the sea, the waves gently lapped against his skin, their rhythmic motion almost therapeutic. Swimming had always been a solace for him, a place where he could find freedom and clarity. With each stroke, he felt his muscles working in harmony, his body slicing through the water with ease. The ocean was a place where he felt alive, where the burdens of his royal title seemed to dissolve, if only temporarily.
Mateo floated on his back, letting the gentle waves rock him. The sun's rays danced on the water's surface, creating shimmering patterns that played across his face. He closed his eyes, taking in the sounds of the ocean, the distant call of seagulls, the whispering wind, and the soothing splash of waves against the shore. Here, he felt a deep connection to the natural world, a stark contrast to the structured, often stifling life at court.
Opening his eyes, Mateo gazed up at the clear blue sky, feeling a rare sense of peace. The water felt like a second home to him, a place where he could truly be himself without the constraints of royal expectations. It was in these moments, surrounded by the vast expanse of the ocean, that he found the strength to face the challenges ahead.
His thoughts drifted to the engagement, a duty he was bound to by birthright. He knew he had to comply, yet his rebellious spirit sought any opportunity to reclaim his freedom, if only in small ways. The nights spent drinking, flirting, and carousing were his acts of defiance, a way to assert his individuality in the face of an arranged future. But here, in the embrace of the sea, he felt a different kind of strength. One that came from within.
Will spoke, breaking the silence between them. Mateo had expected a snide comment, but this was a rare moment of peace.
“Maybe a bit of both!”
Mateo shouted back, grinning. He loved the water and the freedom it represented unlike the chains of duty and expectation waiting for him by Father dearest. He truly treasured his kingdom but under his own circumstances. Sure, overthrowing his father with a queen by his side was one strong way of doing it but at the same time
As he swam, Mateo thought about the engagement. He wasn't against marriage, but the idea of an arranged union felt like a trap. Nights filled with drinking, bedding babes, and hitting clubs had become his way of rebelling against the future that was being forced upon him. His cousin Will, suffering the same fate, often joined him in these escapades. It was their way of clinging to their last vestiges of freedom.
'You ready for all this?' his cousin mumbled, barely audible over the sound of the waves.
Mateo sighed, feeling the weight of the question. He wasn't ready, not really. The engagement was for the good of his kingdom, a strategic alliance. He knew it was necessary, but that didn't make it any easier to accept. The thought of settling down, of being bound to someone he didn't know, was suffocating.
“Ready or not, here it comes,”
Mateo muttered to himself but loud enough for William to hear if he wanted. The rebellion inside him simmered, but he knew he had to face his duty eventually. He just hoped that somewhere in this arranged marriage, he could find a sliver of happiness. Much like his cousin who was in the same predicament. Hearing his cousin contemplate, he swam back to shore, he spotted Will still standing in the shallows, a contemplative look on his face. Mateo waded over, shaking the water from his hair.
“We’ll get through this, cousin,”
he said, clapping Will on the shoulder.
“But until then, let’s enjoy the sun and the sea while we can."
The blonde scanned the beaches for any sign of fun that may lay ahead, and to him that meant babes. Babes in bikinis to be specific.
“To freedom,”
Mateo echoed, lifting an imaginary glass. For now, the beach was their escape, a temporary haven from the responsibilities and expectations that awaited them and Teo just spotted their white flag. He noticed a grey great dane, sniffing around in the sand behind them, surely that belonged to someone. His eyes followed the trail till they landed on a gorgeous blonde in a striking red bikini with who he assumed was her companion. With a click of his tongue, he grasped the back of Will's neck and pointed,
"Tsk tsk, I spy with my little eye... two hot chicks right ahead,"
he chuckled, guiding his cousin's gaze there,
"To our short-lived freedom, brother... what do you say?"
He will be plenty out of habits with a wife glued to his side in the coming days...
The beach at Marina was a picturesque escape, a momentary refuge from the looming reality of her engagement. Anastasia DeFonseca sat comfortably in her little sandless bed, her art supplies spread around her as she painted the breathtaking sea landscape ahead. She watched the waves crash gently against the shore, the horizon blending seamlessly with the sky. Though she wasn't a fan of swimming, the beach provided endless inspiration for her artwork.
Behind her, Regulus, her sister's black labrador, lay down casually, his eyes following his owner, Adelaide, as she enjoyed herself in the sun, beside them. It was evident her beloved half-sister loved the beach, not just for the swimming but for the endless selection of swimwear that she could change depending on her mood and sense of style. Today, she lay on a towel, soaking up the sun, occasionally glancing over - she could feel them grazing her from behind as Ana proceeded with her work of art.
"Yes, Addie? Is there something you want?"
she inquired without even looking back at the blonde as she was determined to finish the final touches.
Marina's beaches were a stunning display of nature's beauty, characterized by their pristine, golden sands and crystal-clear waters. Stretching along the coastline, these beaches offered a perfect blend of serenity and vibrant activity. Tall palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, their fronds casting dappled shadows on the sun-drenched shore.
The waters of Marina were a captivating shade of turquoise, glistening under the sun's warm embrace. The waves lapped gently at the shoreline, creating a soothing, rhythmic sound that provided a tranquil backdrop for those seeking relaxation. In the distance, the horizon seemed to merge seamlessly with the sky, creating a breathtaking vista that could inspire even the most jaded hearts. Dotted along the beach were charming, rustic beach huts and colourful umbrellas, offering shade and respite to visitors. The air was filled with the scent of saltwater, mingled with the fragrant aroma of tropical flowers that grew in abundance along the dunes. Seagulls called out as they soared overhead, completing the idyllic coastal scene.
Anastasia's thoughts drifted to the engagement that loomed over her like a dark cloud. She was only going through with it because of her duty to the kingdom of Astrae. She knew her responsibilities and the importance of this alliance, but the idea of leaving her sister and the life she loved behind was almost unbearable. These three days at the beach with Adelaide were her last moments of peace and freedom, and she intended to cherish every second.
Looking over the sands, she saw Sirius, her imposing jet-black great dane that sat up straight, watching over his sister Andromeda who was a grey great dan who was wandering around to see what she could catch and find. The dog was making her way closer to two males which often happened a lot. Dromeda had a habit of bumping into strangers who eventually attempted to pat her, that is. The female dog was huge and appeared scary but she was such a cuddling puppy and will succumb to any attention and scratches she could get. Unlike her brother who was watching over her, ready to pounce at the first sign of ill will, his protective instincts heightened in the unfamiliar setting.
Adelaide's drawl broke Anastasia's concentration and train of thought. Her gaze this time returned as Regulus propped himself up at the sign of Adelaide propping herself up on her elbow. She laughed,
"Even Reggie knows you are up to no good with that question."
With a shake of her head, Anastasia smiled, setting down her brush for a moment.
“You know I'm not a fan of swimming, Addie,”
she replied softly.
“But I'll join you on the shore. I can't resist those eyes of yours,"
glancing over at Regulus, who seemed to share her sentiment, his tail wagging gently.
Despite her misgivings about the engagement, Anastasia knew she had to fulfil her duty to Astrae. But for now, she could put those thoughts aside and enjoy this precious time with her sister. The sea, the sand, and Adelaide's laughter were all she needed at this moment, a brief respite before the inevitable separation and the weight of her royal responsibilities took over.
Adelaide's laughter echoed across the beach as she jumped up and ran towards the water, her carefree spirit infectious without a doubt.
Ana followed along right behind her as the labrador followed his owner and sat right beside Ana who let herself sit on the sand right where the rippling waves crashed against her legs and lower half. It felt refreshing but that was as close as she was going to get. She leaned back to rest on her palms backwards till she felt her companion's warm breath behind her as he kept an eye out on his sister still, ensuring the peace was undistributed.
The princess, took a deep breath, savouring the salty air. These were the moments she would hold onto in the days to come, a reminder of the love and freedom she cherished. She knew her path was set, but for now, she could still enjoy the simplicity of the present, surrounded by the ones she loved most.
The blonde squealed in delight at her sister's agreement. Hurriedly shifting so she was sitting on her knees instead, Adelaide clapped her hands together happily.
"Yay!! Thank you Anaaaa~"
she sang. Pushing herself to her feet, she grinned as her faithful guardian Regulus quickly clambered to his feet and came to stand beside her.
"Whose such a good boy, hm? Whose a good boy?"
she cooed at the canine, reaching down to lovingly scratch behind his ears, earning a rumbled noise from the lab as he leaned into her hand.
"Yes, you are! It's definitely you!"
she carried on as she waited for Anastasia to finish putting her supplies away.
"My good boy would never think such mean things about me, now would he?"
she continued, only to gasp in pretend outrage at the huff and side eye she received. She crossed her arms, pouting.
"Betrayed, by my sister and dog! I see how it is..."
she nodded.
"I'm going to find Andromeda! Surely she'll swim with me and love me!"
Adelaide laughed loudly, giving Regulus a final scratch and a wink to her sister before she turned on her heel and darted off towards the great dane that was wandering the sands by the water.
The water was clear and the sand a bright match to the picture's perfect view. Despite her upbeat front, the blonde couldn't believe that this was supposed to be her new home. It just seemed so surreal. She almost felt like she was going to wake from a dream at any moment. Part of her wouldn't mind it...But she knew it was real. Soon enough she would be married and expected to be prepared to become a queen upon her husband's ascension to his throne. As her feet hit the water, she slowed, enjoying the feel of the waves lapping at her ankles. It was a beautiful country...here's hoping she could actually find some sort of happiness here. Away from home...away from her sister.
"Not the time Addie!"
she muttered to herself suddenly, giving her head a quick shake. She needed to snap out of this! Focus on the here and now, not the future. It would be here soon enough.
Looking around she tried to spot her sister's dog, knowing the female had a tendency to wander off. Although Adelaide was confused at how such a large dog could be so slippery.
"Andromeda!"
she called out, cupping her hands around her mouth to amplify her voice. Turning, she blinked in surprise before she grinned, having spotted the canine. She'd been traveling further and further away, happening upon two young men.
Young men that just so happened to be alone...
A smirk took over her grin. Some last minute fun in the sun before she signed away her freedom? Count her in!
"Ana!"
she grasped her sister's arm as the elder made her way to the blonde's side, Regulus running up beside her.
"Dromeda seems to want to make friends, and I think we should definitely follow her example."
she purred, eyeing the two in the distance. She couldn't make out their every feature, but she could definitely see the well sculpted forms that weren't hidden from view.
Will rolled his eyes fondly at his cousin's shout back. Truly the man was in his element, leading him to wonder if his biology leaned more towards the fish side. He doubted there would be much shock if one day they all found out that Mateo did indeed have gills on the side of his neck. In the meantime though, he had to admit that his cousin was right. He needed to focus less on the future and more on enjoying his limited freedom while he still could.
He rolled his eyes fondly as his cousin made an imaginary toast to freedom, though he still joined in, raising his own fake glass to the toast.
"Oi!"
Although Will almost regretted agreeing once he realized that his cousin planned to enjoy his final moments with the women that he spotted further down the beach. With a grumble at the grip on his neck, his gaze followed Mateo's. He had to agree that they were both beautiful, but that was where the agreement ended. He didn't begrudge the other his choice on how to enjoy his freedom, the blonde just found that he didn't share the same interest in how he spent his nights or his taste in women. So he resigned himself to playing wing-man for his friend, although it was the sight of the large dog wandering that caught his attention before he could speak.
"Seems your pretty girls have some company."
he said, nodding towards the canine. The blonde girl had made her way to the water before joining the larger dog, with another two following soon after as the second girl came to join the first.
Absentmindedly he shrugged Mateo's grip off his neck, considering the two. The blonde seemed to match his cousin's preference, meaning she was blonde and also seemed to have caught sight of them, whispering to her friend. The friend on the other hand, William could admit that she was beautiful beyond belief. The way she held herself spoke volumes about her character, and he could admit that that was definitely attractive. Maybe playing wing-man wouldn't be so bad. As long as Mateo was more interested in the blonde, but he didn't think that there would be too much of an issue there.
"I think we've been spotted in return."
he observed, shoving his hands into the pockets of his shorts. He considered his cousin's words once more before he sighed, giving in. What the hell. It wasn't like he had anything to lose at this point, he was already set to be engaged, what did talking to two girls on the beach hurt?