“I don’t love you and I never will reciprocate those feelings of yours.”

Clutching the soft cloth of his nightgown, Briar covered his mouth with his free hand as he welcomed the daylight with a round of coughs. Heaving and lungs trying to grasp air, the young master was close to biting his tongue to silence himself. Another fit was coming as he inhaled a quick breath. Briar braced himself for the worst.

“Briar, I don’t love you the way you want me to.”

If he had to describe these fits he had since he reached the age of fifteen, it would be similar to fireworks humans created and let loose on the eve of a celebration. Gradually bursting inside, filling his lungs before blooming red tainted his clothes in vivid colors like the lights illuminating the sky on a clear night. And like fireworks, they completely die out and all that’s left was the scent of blood on the cloth.

“Not this again…” Lifting his palm to see the dust of what was pristine salt glittering under the light in hues of pink and blood red, Briar stood from his bed to wash it away. The metallic and salty taste is enough to make him gag. Scary it was to think he would soon be akin to powder that lit up the fireworks into the sky. His sole existence is only a memory in others once he passes away and would become a legend—the last one of his kind to ever roam the seas until the same shores he once swam in engulfs every living thing on earth. Drowning and suffocating them in massive waves, oblivious of how it all came to be. After all, the secrets of the children of the ocean have remained shut for hundreds of years.

Setting down his hand onto the porcelain bowl filled with water, he watched with dead eyes as the salt-like dust immediately dissipated. Not wanting to mule over it, the young master walked away and went towards his suitcase settled on the side of his bed. He hasn’t unpacked since he instantly collapsed and went to sleep as soon as his body hit the mattress. Eyeing the lilac-toned shirt and matching full-length trousers that stopped at the knee, Briar took it out with a small pout on his lips.

Will this be fine today? He wondered to himself, clicking his tongue at the image of him wearing the new pair of clothes he bought last week together with his aunt.

Briar never thought he would be out of town with another soul that wasn’t his aunt or butler. Impulsive his decision may be, Briar thought it was too late to regret and curse himself for not thinking it twice, thrice. He didn’t know Castriel and what his hidden agenda was. Yet, it was too late to run now and say it was all a mistake on how he agreed to come with him to the countryside. He wouldn’t want to upset the museum curator, much less have him be the talk of the town once word got out. Besides, Castriel was indeed handsome and a true gentleman.

Might as well lavish myself with dashing men before I pass away… Briar mused, chuckling lightly at the idea as he got dressed. It would be sad if they all drowned once I’m gone. They would have a hard time finding someone else to clean up their mess. Even the gods they worship can’t possibly save them from the wrath of the sea.

“Briar?” A muffled voice came from behind the door. It was Castriel, no doubt. The man who whisked him away from civilization—the man whom he wanted to like. Tying his hair with a ribbon, Briar hurriedly hid his dirty nightgown and opened the door with a welcoming smile.

“Good morning, Castriel.”

As radiant as the sun, the blond man’s handsome face was refreshing to gaze at in the early hours. Briar couldn’t help but smile at the museum curator, who took a single step into his room, yet remained there by the doorway. There was an unspoken rule in courting in the land of Verendus, one that both were aware of and that was to never enter unless given permission.

“Good morning, Briar. Um…” Cobalt hues scanning the room, Castriel crossed his arms across his chest then directed a small smile at the younger man. “Did you happen to sleep well? I heard coughing and thought you may have caught a cold due to how it was freezing last night.”

Oh? He heard me?

“O-oh, it was nothing…” In an attempt to brush off the sorcerer’s worries, Briar stepped up to him and patted his shoulder. “I slept just fine. I was… I choked on my own spit, that’s why.” At the explanation, Castriel seemed amused but at the same time concerned. It did sound like a hilarious scene, but the young man would rather ridicule himself than tell him he was coughing out blood and salt-like dust.

“You… choked on your own—”

“Never mind that. Shouldn’t we be heading down? I can help you cook breakfast!” Grabbing the sorcerer by the arm, Briar pulled him along after shutting the door behind them. “I make a good fish omelet.”

Breakfast was served at the same time the sun rose to the sky, kissing the ocean farewell momentarily. Castriel proved his cooking skills once again, impressing the young master with how he chopped up vegetables at an incredible speed. Briar indeed had a splendid time watching him as he removed the thin bones from the fish for his omelet.

“It’s good.” Castriel hummed, taking another bite of the omelet on his plate. Glowing with pride at the compliment, Briar chuckled lightly as he

But today was another day of interrogation, mostly by Briar. He hadn’t forgotten his task and why he was here in the first place. He still hasn’t discerned whether Castriel Persimore was a friend or foe… Whether it was worth the effort of killing him or not.

Washing down the taste of fish with his glass of orange juice, the young master set his utensils aside and cleared his throat. “Castriel, may I ask… On what beach did you happen to see me?” He waited in silence as the museum curator finished chewing his food, observing his face for any odd reaction. “You didn’t expound much on that.”

Brows quirked up, Castriel glanced up from his meal to regard the question. “On what beach?” He echoed. Once Briar nodded in confirmation, he continued. “It was in Khervock. I was there for an auction and saw you through the inn’s balcony that night. I’ll never forget that sight.”

So, it was in that little town up north. Resting his chin on the palm of his propped hand, Briar bit his lower lip in deep thought. That was four months ago. He saw me in Khervock that evening, which means he didn’t see me in that form. Thank goodness…

“What about you? What were you doing in Khervock that night, Briar?”

Blinking twice, the young master pointed at himself. He didn’t expect Castriel to fire back a question. “Me? I… was accompanying my aunt to one of her parties. Since it’s a long journey from Amias, we had to stay the night at one of her friend’s houses. It was hot that evening so I went on a stroll and ended up on the beach.” Eyeing the curious sorcerer, he pointed a finger at him. “I bet you haven’t tried swimming there yet.”

“No, I haven’t.” was his simple reply, stabbing his fork into the omelet. “I haven’t swum in the ocean at all since I was born. The nature of my job isn’t one where I can relax for days and I haven’t got the chance to do so…”

“Are you joking?” Briar has never heard of such an absurd thing in his life. Most of the men he met were either infatuated with the ocean or hated it with a passion. To hear Castriel, a man who ventures into different lands in the name of discovery, hasn’t tasted the salty waters or splashed some waves, was astonishing. “You haven’t been to the beach and swim? Never ever?”

Nodding, Castriel’s attention was back on his meal instantly. The tips of his ears were faintly red. This didn’t go unnoticed by Briar. A giggle bubbled up his throat but decided against prying further.

“I see.”

“Yet…” Halting on his actions, Castriel put his fork down and gazed into Briar’s eyes. “Even if I haven’t indulged myself in it, the ocean has brought us together. If Khervock wasn’t by the sea, I wouldn’t have been graced by you. Maybe fate has brought us closer to one another for a reason…”

“Fate, huh?” Briar repeated softly, a ghost of a forlorn smile on his lips as he gazed at the orange pulps floating in his glass. To hear the sorcerer say that the ocean has brought them together made his heart pound faster despite it sounding a bit far-fetched. “I guess it did. Considering how far we live apart, we still managed to cross paths. Fate is indeed terrifying, but intriguing.” Seeing the sorcerer grin, Briar’s own lips spread into one.

“I’m glad it has given me the chance to meet you.”

This time, the young master let the giggle escape his lips, capturing the sorcerer’s undivided attention. The man’s gaze rooted on the smile, ears keenly taking in the melodic laughter.

“How can you keep a straight face while saying such things?”

“But… is it the truth?” Bewildered, the sorcerer made a face. “Am I not allowed to say such?”

Briar laughed once again before clearing his throat, hand in a dismissive motion. “No, no, it’s fine. It’s one of your charms, I guess.”

“T-thank you.” Looking away, Castriel coughed. “Anyway, do you… want to go out and have a picnic? I know a place nearby where you can watch the sea and smell the flowers. Would you like that?”

Briar saw no harm in the suggestion, curious about what the place had to offer. He was going to spend more of the incoming days alone with the museum curator. Confirming that the sorcerer didn’t see him in the waters somehow calmed his anxiety down, walls lowering slightly. Plus, a picnic is a great opportunity to get to know his suitor better. And perhaps a change of scenery might heal his heartaches, slowly.

“That… would be lovely, Castriel. I’d love to go.”