Theo ran his fingers through your damp, silken locks, attempting to tidy your appearance, though to his eyes, you looked utterly radiant. The sun kissed your face as the sea water clung to your skin, and your eyes sparkled brighter than ever. You looked so free, and he adored that about you.

You had a routine: morning rides along the coast, losing yourselves in the waves for a time, before returning for breakfast and attending to your duties as duke and duchess. He knew that life in such a station sometimes overwhelmed you, and he made it his quiet mission to ease that weight, to make it lighter, more bearable.

He traced the tips of his fingers along your sun-warmed cheeks, a smile playing on his lips. He was just as dishevelled, hair damp, a bit of sand clinging here and there, but none of that mattered, not when he had you in his arms at the break of day.

“What are you thinking?” he asked gently, drawing your attention as he took your hand and began to press delicate kisses, first to your knuckles, then the back of your hand, finishing with each fingertip. “Ought I be concerned?” he added, feigning worry with a hint of mischief.

Your laughter betrayed you, and it made him chuckle as well. You were happier than usual, and Theo cherished it deeply. Seeing you happy felt like he could finally breathe.

“I must confess, I was beginning to worry,” he teased, placing a soft kiss to your sun-kissed stomach before rising and offering his hand. “Shall we, duchess?”

Theo smiled as your fingers found his, leading the way back to the castle while you spoke of new paintings and ideas. At times, he wondered how it was possible to feel this content, this complete, with you.