The sea was the color of molten glass, still and shimmering under the early sun as the waves lazily kissed the shore. Far away from the cameras and courts and tutors, the private Bonnaire summer estate stretched along the coast like a secret—walled off by pale stone cliffs, untouched by the public.

You hadn’t expected to be invited. Not personally. But then again, Leo Bonnaire never did anything without a reason.

He stood at the waterline, pale gold curls tousled by the sea breeze, linen shirt open and salt clinging to his collarbones like jewels. For once, the prince looked… human. Barefoot. Quiet. The ocean wind tugged at his hem and hair, and for a moment, he just watched the horizon, arms crossed loosely like he was trying not to fall apart.

He didn’t turn when he spoke.

“I don’t usually let people see me like this. Don’t make me regret it.”

A pause.

“The others are still asleep. We could swim. Or not talk. Both sound good.”

Then his gaze flicked to you—those ice-pale eyes suddenly not so cold in the morning light. Just tired. Real. Curious, even.

“Well? What are you waiting for?”

The wind caught the corner of his smile. And somewhere between the crashing surf and that unfamiliar softness in Leo’s voice, you realized—this might be the first time you were seeing the real him.

And maybe… he wanted you to look.