Moonlit Shores

𓆉 Chapter 8

The next day, Seungcheol was working in the garden, which would serve as the venue for the Spring Festival. The space opened up toward the ocean, offering a sweeping view, and he stood there with Joshua, organizing the flower arrangements for the event. They had spent hours sorting flowers, choosing which colors and types would best complement each other. Finally, as they arranged a bouquet, Seungcheol turned to Joshua with curiosity.

"How've you been, Joshua?" he asked. "Do you like it here, working at the castle?"

Joshua paused, surprised by Seungcheol's interest, but offered a small smile. "It's... comfortable," he said carefully. "Though honestly, I didn't imagine I'd end up here. I had different plans at first."

Seungcheol raised an eyebrow. "Different plans?"

Joshua hesitated but then continued, "Yeah, I had planned to start my own business. I was really close to making it happen, but then my father fell ill, and I had to find a stable job right away to support him and my family. That's how I ended up here. It's a good position, but sometimes I wonder what it would've been like if things had gone differently." He let out a soft sigh, a hint of regret in his voice.

Seungcheol frowned, feeling a strange tug at his heart. "I'm sorry to hear that, Joshua," he said quietly. "I... I never really thought about how someone might have to give up their dreams for family. It must've been hard."

Joshua gave him a small, understanding smile. "It was at first. But when my parents surprised me at the castle one day, my father was healthier, and I realized that maybe giving up my dream wasn't so bad. Working here has helped my family more than a small business would have."

As he listened, Seungcheol's mind drifted to his younger brother, Chan. He wondered what life would be like for him.

Would Chan be happy staying at the castle, living up to royal expectations?

It was something Seungcheol had always taken for granted, but Joshua's story made him realize how different other people's paths could be.

Just then, another servant, Jihoon, walked over, carefully carrying a crate of flowers that they had ordered. He set it down beside them and nodded politely. "Here are the flowers you asked for," he said with a slight bow. Then he looked over their work with a slight smile. "The arrangements are really coming along. They look great."

Jihoon is someone who Seungcheol is more familiar with around the castle. Jihoon's parents used to be his parents' shoe shiners and the two would end up playing around, since his parents brought him along.

Seungcheol chuckled and waved off the formality. "Jihoon, no need for that. We're all working together here. There's no need to be so formal all the time," he said warmly. "In fact, why don't you join us? We could use the extra help."

Jihoon looked a bit surprised but nodded. "Of course, Your Highness. I'd be glad to help."

The three of them worked side by side into the evening, arranging flowers, laughing, and exchanging stories. Occasionally, the king and queen would stop by to check their progress, offering words of encouragement. However, Seungcheol's brother, Chan, never showed up, even though their parents had specifically asked him to observe. Seungcheol sighed, brushing off his frustration and focusing on making the evening as enjoyable as he could for his helpers.

When they finally called it a night, Seungcheol made sure to thank Joshua and Jihoon for their hard work. After, he returned to his room and he pulled out a bracelet he had made from small seashells and pearls. He put it on his wrist, then grabbed the matching one and slipped it on his other wrist. Excitement bubbled inside him as he ran down the stairs, passing the guards and his parents, who were speaking to them by the door. He didn't stop to explain, merely sprinted down to the beach, not wanting to waste another second.

Once he reached the shore, he slipped off his suit jacket, kicked off his shoes, and dove straight into the ocean, swimming quickly. He waited, eyes scanning the waves for any sign of his mer-friend. The minutes stretched on, turning into an hour, and then another. He watched as the sun began to dip below the horizon, coloring the sky in warm pinks and purples. Seungcheol's heart felt heavy, a mix of hope and worry.

As he turned to leave, he murmured, "Is this how you felt yesterday, waiting for me?"

Just then, he heard a familiar voice call out, "Seungcheol!"

He spun around to see Jeonghan swimming toward him, a radiant smile on his face. Relief and joy surged within him as he swam to meet him, pulling Jeonghan into a tight hug without thinking.

Jeonghan froze for a second, blinking in surprise before his arms instinctively began to move around Seungcheol. But just as he was about to hug back, Seungcheol pulled away, chuckling awkwardly, realizing what he'd done. Both of them laughed softly, hiding behind the rock to regain their composure.

"So... about yesterday," Seungcheol began, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. I got caught up in planning for a Spring Festival. I didn't mean to keep you waiting."

Jeonghan gave him a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Seungcheol. You had responsibilities. I understand," he said gently. "Without any way to communicate, how could you have known?"

"Oh, did you see the seashell I left on the rock?" Jeonghan asked, eyes bright with curiosity.

Seungcheol smiled, lifting his wrist to show him. "Yeah, I did. And I... I made it into a bracelet," he said, holding up his wrist so Jeonghan could see the small seashell mixed with pearls.

Jeonghan's mouth fell open in surprise. He stared at the bracelet, admiring the way the seashell gleamed against Seungcheol's skin. "It's beautiful... but, wait, is that..." He trailed off as Seungcheol took off the matching bracelet from his other wrist and gently slipped it onto Jeonghan's.

"I made this one for you," Seungcheol said, his eyes sincere. "Now we both have one. It felt... right, you know? Like something we could have to remember each other by, especially when we can't see each other."

Jeonghan looked down at the bracelet on his wrist, lifting his arm slightly to let the sunlight catch the shimmering pearls and seashells. The warm hues of the setting sun made it glow, casting a faint gold onto the delicate bracelet. For a moment, he felt his heart swell with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite name.

"I... I love it," Jeonghan whispered, glancing up at Seungcheol with a soft blush. "Thank you."

Jeonghan looked back down at the bracelet, then into Seungcheol's eyes, his heart pounding as he smiled. "It's perfect," he murmured.