Revenge Comes with Interest - Chapter 30

Terran was speechless. A duel? Grace seemed desperate because things weren’t going her way. Still, he was curious what kind of duel she had in mind.

“A duel? With a gun or a sword?”

“Not that kind of violent duel.”

“I’m good at everything. Better than most in every way.”

Yes, congratulations, Your Grace.

Lea wanted to argue, but there wasn’t really a flaw she could point out. That alone made it all the more frustrating. Still, this one thing, she was confident about.

“So, tell me what kind of duel you want.”

“Swimming.”

Lea answered confidently. In fact, the Hamilton family estate had a bathhouse that was a full 100 meters long. The water was quite deep as well.

Because of that, she had grown up learning to swim simply by spending time in the water.

“From what I know, Grace is afraid of water.”

Oops. She had forgotten about that part.

“I… learned. Humans are capable of growth, aren’t they? After getting sick, I realized there’s nothing to be afraid of anymore.”

The lies came out so smoothly, even she gave herself chills. She felt disgusted at how well she was pulling it off.

“Hmm, I wonder if the duke’s estate has a bathhouse that’s 100 meters long and two meters deep. I can’t remember. You used to avoid it because you were afraid of the water, remember?”

Since she had already lied, she figured she might as well commit to it. She wasn’t in a position to hold back.

“What do you think the most powerful noble house in Lubeck is made of? Of course we have a bath like that.”

“Perfect. Then let’s race. The winner gets one request granted. How does that sound?”

“I accept.”

Terran agreed so easily that Lea’s confidence started to waver.

Wait. Don’t tell me he’s good at swimming too?

No one could possibly be good at everything. Maybe he was just trying to intimidate her.

But Terran’s expression lit up with excitement. Whatever his reason, it was a relief that he didn’t reject the idea.

He even looked like he was looking forward to it, which made her feel a little better.

“I’ll see you tonight.”

“Looking forward to it.”

Lea hurried back to her room. As she closed the door behind her, another thought struck her.

Wait. Grace was afraid of water?

Still, the body responds to the mind. Even if Grace couldn’t swim, Lea could.

But there was another problem.

What am I supposed to wear?

She hadn’t thought about that detail at all.

Back at the Hamilton estate, it had only been her and Sarah in the bathhouse, so she had bathed naked. But now she was racing against Terran. She definitely needed something to wear.

It was Pauline who helped her find the answer.

“You can just wear your undergarments. You’re engaged anyway, and honestly, I think it might work to your advantage.”

“How would that be an advantage?”

“By distracting him. With your gorgeous figure…”

Pauline made an exaggerated expression as she spoke.

That only works on a normal man. Terran is not one of them.

Even if she stood completely naked in front of him, he wouldn’t react.

Actually, thinking about it that way, it meant she didn’t need to worry. He wouldn’t care what she wore, since a woman’s body had no effect on him.

Still, going in completely naked wasn’t an option. Lea pulled out every outfit she thought might work for swimming.

“A slip would cling to your legs once it gets wet.”

“You’re right.”

“Miss Lea, one day you should design clothes that women can wear when they go swimming at the beach or in rivers.”

“That’s actually a great idea. But Pauline, I need something for tonight.”

The two of them thought for a while. Eventually, Lea’s eyes lit up with an idea. She chose a pair of modest underwear, knee-length bloomers, a chest wrap, and a corset.

“Thin fabric will cling to the skin once it’s wet and look even more revealing.”

“But if you wear the chest wrap under the corset, it won’t be as noticeable, even when it gets soaked.”

“No outfit stays completely dry in water, but I think this is the best option.”

Either way, it was going to be awkward stepping into a bath with Terran. Still, once the race began, she wouldn’t have time to worry about that.

I have to win, no matter what.

With her determination sharpened, Lea began to prepare.

Late at night, Lea walked toward the bathhouse with Pauline, wearing a bathrobe over her chosen outfit. Her heart was pounding with every step.

Is this how men feel before a duel?

The air grew thick with humidity as the sound of gently trickling water reached her ears.

It was finally time to see the legendary bathhouse of Lubeck’s most powerful noble family.

Well, it’s not much different from ours.

The massive bath was surrounded by grand marble columns that made the space feel like a temple.

In one corner stood a statue of a goddess holding an enormous vase. Water flowed endlessly from its mouth.

Each side of the bath had a narrow ledge where someone could sit.

Right there in the bath, Terran was already waiting for her, his body submerged in water.

“You’re here.”

“Yes.”

As soon as he saw Grace, Terran rose from the water.

His broad shoulders, firm chest, and strong arms and legs were sculpted with muscle.

His stomach and waist were smooth and lean, not a single trace of fat in sight.

Why is this man flawless even in appearance? And with his wet hair clinging to his face, Terran looked different.

He looked… seductive.

Wait, there is a height difference.

Lea was tall for a woman, but Grace had a smaller frame. For a moment, Lea felt it was unfair. But it didn’t matter. She would beat him with speed in the water.

“I’ll be the judge,” said Pauline, holding a large towel and moving to the other side of the bath.

Lea took off her robe. She wore a corset, knee-length bloomers, and her hair was tied neatly on top of her head. She was completely ready.

But the way Terran looked at her made her even more nervous. His gaze was intense and unfiltered.

It was the first time Terran had seen Grace’s bare figure. What came to mind was that she looked like a porcelain doll, delicate and perfectly crafted.

Her slim neck, rounded shoulders, softly curved chest, unusually narrow waist, and long, graceful limbs formed a flawless silhouette.

If her plan was to distract him, it was working. He could not take his eyes off her, no matter how hard he tried.

“You need to loosen your muscles. Watch me and follow along.”

“What? Oh… alright.”

They stood facing each other and began to stretch together.

Terran explained that it was a simple routine done in the military. It helped the body adjust to sudden physical movement and water exposure.

Lea followed his movements without trouble.

She’s adorable.

Watching Grace mimic his stretches with such seriousness in that small body was charming. Her face, though, was full of determination.

“I’m really curious to see how well you swim now that you’ve learned.”

“I’ll do my best.”

I used to swim like a seal. No one could beat me in the water.

Lea answered humbly, but her confidence was overflowing.

“Let’s set our terms before the race begins.”

“Alright.”

This was exactly what Lea had been waiting for. It would make the purpose of this competition clear.

“Ladies first.”

Terran crossed his arms and looked at her, already knowing what she would say but waiting for her to speak it aloud.

“I want you to let my advertisement be published in the newspaper.”

He didn’t need an explanation. He already knew how little power a woman had in society.

“Agreed.”

“Now it’s your turn. What do you want from me?”

“I want to sleep with you.”

“What?”

“I want you to spend the night with me. In my bed. Just the two of us.”

Lea was not very surprised by his request. It didn’t seem like a big deal.

They had already slept together in the same bed at the cottage and at Aiden’s villa.

She had no problem sharing a bed with a man who could not do anything.

“Alright.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m fine with it. But the loser must accept the result without argument. The winner’s request must be honored, no exceptions.”

“I swear on the honor of House Courtois. And you?”

“As the fiancée of Duke Courtois, I swear.”

Terran felt a thrill at her words. How could something so simple sound so lovely coming from her? He almost kissed her before the race even began.

He was also surprised by her courage. She must have understood exactly what he meant by “sleeping together,” yet she accepted it without hesitation.

Was she really that confident in her swimming? He had once believed he knew everything about her, but lately, she kept surprising him.

Every time he thought he had figured her out, she showed him something new. That was what made him love her. She made him curious and brought energy into his life.

“Both of you, get ready,” called Pauline.

Terran and Lea stood side by side in the center of the bath. When Pauline shouted the signal, they would dive in.

“Ready!”

Pauline raised her arm, and the smiles faded from their faces.

“Start!”

They both jumped into the water at the same time.

The first to reach Pauline’s end of the pool would win. They had to swim with all their strength.

As expected, Terran took the lead right away.

But as soon as Lea entered the water, something felt wrong.

Why isn’t my body moving the way I want?

Wasn’t the brain supposed to control the body? That’s what the books had said. Once the brain stops working, everything ends. The brain rules everything.

I know how to swim. Just remember it.

But something was off. Her arms moved and she kicked, but her body didn’t float. In fact, she was sinking.

Why are my arms and legs moving separately?

Her mind remembered how to swim, but her body was refusing to listen.

Lea sank, deeper and deeper.

She tried to push herself up, to break through the surface, but it was useless.

I can’t breathe.

Her body dropped like a soaked bundle of cotton.

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