Eternal January {T.K}

2.

Dated: November 16, 1896
From: Gyeongseong Naval Base, South Korea

To the one whose letter found its way to me before the sea did,

I trust this note reaches you in better order than your own, which seems to have wandered far from its intended path—though I must confess, I’m quite grateful for its little detour. It is not every day that a captain, receives such charming words on matters of blossoms and petals.

Forgive me, for I have yet to introduce myself. I am Kim Taehyung, captain of the navy here in Gyeongseong. And though we are strangers, I feel it only right to return your misplaced letter—a note you intended for someone much closer to your heart than I, I’m sure. But before I do, allow me the pleasure of addressing a few musings of my own.

You spoke of a flower shop—though I suppose it might be presumptuous of me to assume that it is yours, yet the care with which you described the arrangement of blooms, the “fresh dew on the lilies” and the “velvet touch of magnolia petals”—ah, it all but gave you away.

I find myself curious as to what you would say if you knew this letter landed in the hands of a man far more familiar with water than the grace of tulips.

I dare say, I rather enjoyed reading your words—more than I expected. How strange it is, that a few sentences meant for someone else could offer me such comfort.

As for returning this letter… well, I suppose I could have handed it to the nearest postman, but where’s the fun in that? Consider this my way of prolonging the inevitable—after all, how often does fate intervene in such curious ways?

If you are not too busy arranging roses or speaking sweet nothings to daffodils, I hope you might indulge me with a reply.

Who knows, perhaps this misplaced letter will be the first of many. And if, by chance, you find yourself curious about the life of a man who sails far more than he stays ashore, I might be inclined to share a tale or two.

Until then, I remain—
With all the respect due to a stranger,
Captain Kim Taehyung
(A man far too intrigued for his own good)

P.S. I trust you’ll pardon my forwardness, but I must say, the thought of your flower shop has left me wondering—how would a navy captain look standing among all those delicate blooms? Perhaps one day I shall find out.