Beach Ball 1

"Papa! Where were you!?" Gracie questioned with a cute pout, obviously angry as her father left her in between such an important moment of building sandcastles. Behind her, there were 5 sandcastles, with the bigger one surrounded by 4 smaller ones.

At the top of the middle one, a girl wearing a crown was drawn which Gracie seemed quite proud of since one could see her puffed-up chest behind that pout.

Ace then glanced at Maeve who was smirking at him, obviously enjoying her little nightingale confronting him.

What Maeve didn't expect was Ace smirking back at her before looking at his nightingale with a beaming smile on his face.

"Ehehe~ Look what I brought" Ace spoke as he showed a green-colored ball to Gracie.

"I heard there is a very popular game called the beach ball people usually play when they are on the beach, So I quickly left to buy this ball so my little Gracie can play beach ball!" Ace revealed and Gracie's eyes shined in excitement.

"Really!?" Gracie questioned as she ran towards Ace and grabbed the ball.

"Hehe~ Have I ever lied to you?"

"Papa! You are the best!" Gracie exclaimed before hugging Ace's waist and Ace patted her head before glancing at Maeve and smirking provocatively.

"Tch!" Maeve clicked her tongue while Ace sighed inwardly.

He was lucky that he saw few boys playing this game and quickly bought a ball or else, he would have to deal with his nightingale's wrath.

That's scary.

Even for Ace.

"Let's Go! Let's go and play Beach ball!

Yay~" Gracie exclaimed to which Ace nodded.

Maeve also had an interested expression as this was her first time hearing about this game. The three walked towards the net where 4 boys were playing the game.

"Gracie, since we don't know about the rules, I think we should watch those tra- I mean, those brothers playing there before we play, Okay?" Ace suggested.

"Okies~" Gracie replied before extending her hands towards Ace, telling him to pick her up. Ace did as he was told obediently and Gracie wrapped her little hands around Ace's neck cutely.

Ace planned to continue to watch those boys play before getting Maeve's help to make them get the fuck out of there but one of the boys noticed them watching and the whole group came to greet them.

"Hello, brother. My name is Antony Wilson, would you guys like to join us?" the man, who looked like the leader of this group introduced and invited. His movements looked refined and noble, and not once, did he glanced at Maeve in an inappropriate way, well, other than trying to steal a few glances sneakily but for Ace and Maeve, it was a common occurrence, so they didn't mind.

As soon as Antony said those words, his friends furrowed their brows, but with Antony's single stare, they nodded silently and Antony smiled back at Ace.

The man named Antony was someone around 23 years old, he had sharp features that could charm any average girl. With black eyes, black hair, a thin nose, and a well-carved face, he looked like a prince of a kingdom. He wore black-colored shorts, and though his body didn't look very well trained it didn't look unfit either.

The others in the group were also around the same age, wearing similar shorts of different colors, everyone introduced themselves properly and courteously but, Ace being Ace, didn't bother remembering any of their names.

"Nice to meet you all, my name is Maeve Vorste, he is my husband, Ace Vorste, and she is our daughter, Gracie Vorste" Maeve introduced.

"Hello~" Gracie raised her small hand and greeted with a beaming smile.

"She is adorable" Antony smiled.

"We know" Ace answered back, narrowing his eyes as he glanced at Antony.

One guy has already tried to hit on Gracie, there was no world where Ace won't be vary of these people now.

Maeve just shook her head in hopelessness as she noticed Ace tightening his hug around Gracie and looking at Antony defensively. She still can't believe that this man managed to rule over an Empire.

"Oh, umm… uh-Nice to meet you, Mr. Ace" Antony replied with an awkward laugh.

"I am guessing that you here to play Beach Ball?" he questioned.

'No shit genius! 'I am guessing that you here to play Beach Ball'" Ace snorted inwardly.

"Yeah, but we don't know much about the rules" Maeve replied, knowing very well what Ace was thinking.

"Would you like to join us? I'll brief you about the rules"

"That would be great"

(Author: Okay, so the rules here, well, I'll be honest, I have never played beach ball or volleyball before, so the rules might be a little different from what you know, but well, I can always say that they are in a different world so different rules. I won't waste time explaining the rules, so… well, just keep a basic beach ball scenery in your mind, thank you.)

Antony continued, "So, with this, I guess you know about almost every rule of the game, in case I did miss some, we'll learn while playing" and Maeve nodded. She pretty much had a basic understanding of the game after watching it, but after the explanation, it was clearer.

"So, should we start our first game?" Antony questioned and Maeve nodded.

"How should we divide teams?" one of the guys questioned.

"Me, Maeve, and Gracie in one team, and you 4 in the other" Ace replied.

"Eh? Mr. Ace, though Antony's explanation made it sound like it's easy, the game actually isn't that easy. It's your first time, I don't think you will be able to play against us, I suggest we should mix up the teams for a fair and fun match" A thin-looking man with sharp eyes spoke.

"Astut, mind your words, it's their first game. Let them play however they want" Antony instantly countered the thin man named Astut, before turning towards Ace with a smile.

"We will do as you say, Mr. Ace"

Ace nodded indifferently before walking towards the net. Gracie was brimming with excitement and was ready to move as soon as Ace placed her on the ground.

"Papa! We have to win! Okay?"

"As you say, my little princess" Ace nodded before walking behind her with a smile. Maeve also followed the two and in the next minute, the stage was set.

"Alright Gracie, here, punch the ball like this and try to push it over that net" Ace demonstrated as he passed the ball to Gracie.

Gracie, of course, grabbed the ball as quickly as possible and repeated what Ace just said.

*Bam*

Though not perfect, Gracie was able to pass the ball to the other side, and as soon as she did, she squealed in joy.

"Papa! I did it! I did it!" Gracie quickly dashed towards Ace and jumped at him in excitement. Ace hugged the little girl jumping at him and ruffled her hair in celebration.

"Good job! You were amazing!"

Maeve, who watched the two celebrating, sighed in defeat before speaking.

"You guys do know that the round isn't over yet, right?"

And as she said that, the ball was already high in the air, while Antony was preparing to hit the ball.

As the ball fell down, Antony bends his knees, trying to jump higher, Ace and Maeve could see those hidden smirks on his friends' faces and prepared to receive a smash.

*Puff*

But contrary to everyone's expectations, Antony just passed the ball lightly as if he wasn't even trying to score a point.

Maeve received the ball with a confused expression but the ones who were most confused were Antony's friends. They rushed towards Antony and questioned him in a rushed but low voice.

"What are you doing!? What about our plan!?"

Antony calmly looked around before speaking loudly, "What are you guys talking about? It's their first time playing this game, we have to take it lightly. I suggest you should also play lightly as well" Saying that he turned towards Ace and smiled.

The game continued and though annoyed, none of Antony's friends dared to reject his orders and played lightly.

Gracie received and passed most of the balls, causing a big and wide smile to appear on her face as she jumped in joy, "Papa! I scored again! I scored again! Hahaha!"

Ace smiled in reply before praising, "Ohoho~ My little champion~ Way to go~"

Maeve also clapped in celebration and the more she did, the more Gracie puffed her little chest and placed her hands on her waist, and closed her eyes with a prideful expression.

"He He He, this game is too easy!" Gracie exclaimed and Ace couldn't help but chuckle.

As the three were celebrating their victory, a soft and refined voice was heard and everyone turned around.

"Wow, this game looks fun, can we play with you guys?"

As he heard the voice, a smirk appeared on Antony's face and he turned around. A breathtakingly beautiful girl with emerald colored eyes and blonde hairs appeared along with her 2 friends.

"Oh, where are my manners? Let me introduce myself, my name is Elizabeth Grimore, it's a pleasure to meet you all" Saying that, she bowed nobly with an alluring smile while her emerald green eyes made contact with Ace's golden eyes.