Summer Is For Falling In Love
7. Intend To Protect

Holland felt the clothes chosen by Miel were too excessive for him if only used for coastal walks. However, Miel insists that Holland must appear to shine until Esther will be lured to her again.

Holland doubts whether Miel's decision is really the right one. However, when the sound of shoes clashing with marble echoed in a room, the air suddenly heated up, and Holland was unable to wince.

Inside both eyes were as red as blood, drowning in a red lake; a cult of his heart. With a light and thin summer dress, but has a lot of lace and accessories that look so matched with his blood-colored hair, almost similar to dusk later on, then captivating, and charming, stolen heart, unable to divert attention.

Holland silently bit his lips, holding a pounding on his chest that started to craze.

Once again, the sound of shoes echoing on the marble floor returned to the air, disturbing Holland's daydreams for being too enamored.

"You ... are so beautiful, Miss Esther," Holland praised after being speechless before.

Esther smiled softly, like cotton flying in space. "So did Mr. Holland, you were so stunning."

Holland suddenly wanted to praise Miel and raise her salary for already helping Holland in her clothes.

"Thank you very much." Holland replied nervously. "Then, will we leave now, Miss Esther?"

Holland reached out his right hand and slightly bent his body, resembling a call to a dance to the dance floor. Holland did so in the hope that Esther would be immersed in her second pseudo-dance on the shoreline.

Esther did not hesitate when she received Holland's hand. Instead, he smiled gently and tightened his handrails, feeling each other's warm body temperature, which was imprinted and difficult to fade.

In the end, both of them came out of the villa and approached the shoreline. The sun in the sky is shining even though the clock is still pointing at the number nine, it makes sense because the moon is still in early summer.

"I remembered that I met you on the beach" Esther said, opening the conversation for the first time.

At first glance, Holland was surprised because he was too engrossed in daydreams, swirling around in his noisy and messy mind just from holding hands. Even so, a sweet smile was carved on the lips, beautifying the real painting canvas.

"really so. I was shocked at that moment."

"Master Holland did see me with widened eyes." Esther gave a pause to give her slowness in the air. "Then you ask me who I am and why I'm on this beach."

"It makes sense because this beach is the private beach of Marchioness Sephien. I think I'm the only one who has access to this, because I think Auntie wants me to relax for a while before my coronation to be the ruler of the territory."

"Unfortunately, I'm here, Mr. Holland."

Holland looked at the waves in the distance with a smile as sweet as honey, holding hands on Esther's fingers, ignoring the strange feeling in her chest, ignoring the shame and nervousness, and just do what Holland wants to do.

"Rather than being said to be 'unfortunately', it is better to use the word 'luck'. Because, ever since I met Miss Esther, I've been so impressed with you." The woman who filled the recesses of her heart for the past few days. "Miss Esther is so free even though you have an unusual title embedded in your name. Not only that, you also survive very strongly in economic conditions that are almost collapsed. That alone proves how much I admire you."

Esther, who has a bead of eyes as bright as gold as a lantern at night, is imprinted with tenderness in it when she meets the eye with a bead as red as blood.

"Just amazed?"

Holland shook his head. "Not only that. I am indeed amazed at Miss Esther, but Miss is also the one who made me fall in love like this. To imagine a day without Miss Esther is pretty sad."

"Mr Holland has a knack for saying embarrassing things, huh?" Esther looked away, but no doubt that the two white cheeks contrasted with the red hue that looked friendly. Not the heat of the season, nor the heat of the sun in space, but the heat of Holland's sweet words.

"really?" A red hue also spread across Holland's cheeks. Didn't Miel tell Holland to do whatever Holland wanted? So, why does Holland feel that something is different?

Shamed, Holland turned his eyes away, but occasionally glanced to the side, wondering if the woman's cheeks had returned to their normal color or not.

"True, Mr. Holland," called Esther, making Holland decide to look at the woman directly. "I don't know Mr. Holland's identity yet. How could her lover not know anything about her partner?"

The red hue rose when Esther was unsettled to acknowledge Holland as her partner.

Holland cleared a small thud, driving away the shame. "I'm sorry for hiding my identity. Because I just don't want to burden you."

Esther covered her lips with her hands. "Is your rank so high that it will burden me? Are you the royal family?"

"No, no. I come from the Duke Floral family, my name is Holland Delano Floral, and will be crowned Duke one month to come."

Esther simply stared at Holland with an undefined highlight. After that, he lowered his head, looking at his two legs wrapped in orange-colored shoes.

"I'm so embarrassed" said Esther.

"Thy? Why?"

Holland frowned and tightened his handrails. "There's nothing wrong with your status from the Baron family, Miss Esther."

"However, you will be the ruler of the duchy one month ahead."

"Wantas, why? I told Miss Esther my social status wasn't to make Miss Esther feel burdened. But I do trust you."

Esther raised her head. "Confident me?"

"As your partner, of course I have to trust you, right? I believe in Miss Esther, even if I reveal my social status, Miss Esther's behavior will not change for me. That's what I like about you, Miss Esther. Therefore, there is no need to feel burdened. Instead, lift your head and hold your body, trust yourself. You are my partner."

Laughter slowly rose in the air. The unrest in his chest slowly disappeared.

Not without reason Esther felt so anxious. Holland is the future Duke and Esther is the daughter of the Baron, isn't the social status gap both high enough? Floral was a family of knights and successful administration, while Descartez was a family that was on the verge of collapse. When the two are joined together, the opinions of the people will strike him down.

Nobles are very fond of hot rumors demanding one. Esther will be said to be an accomplished seductress to save her family from destruction. Or it could be, other opinions such as Esther's desire to occupy the position of Duchess so as to raise her social status.

Esther never liked gossip. He just sat behind a desk, wrote a novel, and ignored everything. Imagining that her name would be inside the gossip center left Esther feeling overwhelmed. But, just calm down. Esther trusts Holland to protect her.

Esther looked at Holland's red bead with confidence. "Mr Holland, I have a request."

"What is that, Miss Esther? I'll gladly grant you if I can." The soothing smile on his face made the heartbeat seem to stop beating.

"Protect me."

Protect me from the dangers that threaten to be by your side.

Esther knows for herself that if she is weak, her position can be easily overthrown, and her family will falter if she missteps. Therefore, Esther will ask for help from a strong person, a person who is able to herd people's opinions, then subjugate them in one word.

Holland continued to carve a smile on his lips, as if understanding the meaning of the two words Esther spoke. "It's easy, Miss Esther."

However, suddenly Holland knelt down in front of Esther, his fingers scouring the smaller fingers in front of him, bringing him to his lips for a friendly sniff.

"Miss Esther Descartez, I, Holland Delano Floral, as the knight of Floral, will vow to protect you. And so, stack everything on me, Miss Esther. If you are in danger, I will be your shield and sword, until life comes."

Again, the back of the hand.

Esther was amused when a touch of Holland's lips landed on the back of her hand, but held back. Instead, a smile splattered on her blushing lips.

"Thank you, Mr. Knight."

Holland raised his head while straightening his body. "It's no big deal, Miss Angel. You're so sweet. I hope Miss Esther doesn't mind being with me."

"Of course!" Esther answered enthusiastically, then sniffed to get into a warm embrace.

Holland was surprised, but positioned himself to receive a sudden hug. Both of her hands wrapped around Esther's waist, and the curves of her neck drowned Esther's face. Tingly it felt, the gurgle in his chest was beating ungodly, the desire to be sucked lips were directly up to the surface.

However, Holland recalls advice from Miel that he should not overdo it, and just do whatever he wants with Esther's own permission.

"Miss Esther."

"Yes?" esther answered without raising her head, still drowning herself in the man's neck.

"Can ... I kiss you?"

Esther did not answer. Instead, Esther withdrew from her embrace and reviewed the smile.

Holland shared a smile before giving a soft, unhurried, little kiss that meant keeping, not hurting.

Both of them, who were sharing their vows of loyalty in a piece of kiss, felt thousands of butterflies flying inside their bodies.

...***...

I re-read this before the Noveltoon post, and you know what? I really enjoyed reading Holland and Esther's interactions! you are too, right?!! I was immersed in the story I made myself (。。・///・。)

July 2nd, 2023