#049

Five days’ ride west of the Mount Tesnia range leads to the sea. The Sascatina Sea to the west is known as the birthplace of Goddess Aksha, and the west of the Duke Refellon’s territory borders the sea.

In other words, if you travel straight down from the Marquess’s territory, you will reach the Duke’s territory.

The northernmost part of the Sascatina Sea has a peculiar topography. This region, where the coldest waters of the western sea flow, rarely receives rain.

As a result, arid plains stretched from the forests, eventually forming a desert created by the dry air, appearing to collide with the sea.

This area, originally belonging to Duke Refellon’s territory, was difficult to cultivate due to its soil characteristics and was largely abandoned, with very few inhabitants. Only a small, ancient ethnic group that had lived there for generations eked out an existence, but as merchants and mercenaries traveling between territories began to establish a kind of encampment, it became a small city.

People called this region, inhabited only by those who did not settle, ‘Dadin.’ It meant ‘wandering place’ in an ancient language.

Duke Refellon implicitly acknowledged this as the domain of wanderers and did not exercise any control. Therefore, Dadin was a neutral territory, vaguely outside of governance.

After a full ten days of riding, they finally emerged from the plain of dry grass. The crimson soil gradually turned yellowish, and soon sand spread out. A salty wind blew from beyond the sand dunes piled high like mountains.

“It’s a strange terrain. Don’t places by the sea usually get a lot of rain?”

Lasano was the first to exclaim in admiration. The fatigue from several days of sleeping outdoors seemed to have temporarily lifted from his face. He had surprisingly adapted well to sleeping rough, but the journey itself was undeniably tiring.

Kiyen answered. Gazing towards the sea, hidden by the sand dunes, he opened his mouth.

“Places with low temperatures might not. It’s peculiar that a city would form here.”

While explaining indifferently, Kiyen did not take his eyes off the sea. Come to think of it, Kiyen must have seen the sea a very long time ago. Cullen himself hadn’t seen it in years… he must be curious.

“The distances between territories are particularly vast in this region, so mercenaries and merchants seem to have found a way to settle. Since it’s a place where people traveling from various places gather, someone might know about the god Akesis. There are also indigenous people who have lived here for a very long time.”

“I see.”

A flock of large-billed sea eagles flew by in the distance. These birds, with their sharp beaks and wings as large as a small child, were a local specialty. Kiyen’s expression softened as he watched the birds in the sky. Cullen hesitated, then made a decision.

Dadin was only an hour away from here, so taking a short break to look at the sea wouldn’t be a waste of time. Wouldn’t it be better for everyone?

That was truly all.

“How about we take a moment to look at the sea, Kiyen?”

Kiyen finally tore his gaze from the sea. Instead of refusing, he stared intently at Cullen with his elongated pupils and, as if bestowing a favor, granted permission.

“Fine.”

The wind, mixed with sand, gently blew through Kiyen’s hair. The bothersome sea breeze seemed to have little effect on Kiyen, as his long blonde hair scattered elegantly instead of tangling. The sight was pleasing.

Kiyen dismounted with a leap. Holding the reins, he stepped onto the sand barefoot. Cullen followed behind him, and Lasano quickly fell into step beside him. Arne, struggling to lead the two horses, followed them from behind.

“You don’t seem like it at all, but you must be very affectionate to your lover, Cullen.”

Cullen almost faltered at the word ‘lover.’ Concealing his agitation behind a poker face, Cullen retorted. The hand holding the reins tightened.

“…What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Ahaha, you’re even blushing!”

“I am not.”

Lasano did not stop his chatter.

“You say you’re not? It’s been widely rumored since we were at the Marquess’s castle that you two are romantically involved. Moreover, I’ve already witnessed it. Isn’t that right, Arne?”

“Huh? W-well, I… I didn’t see much…”

Arne, visibly flustered by the sudden question, tried to feign ignorance. As if his agreement wasn’t particularly necessary, Lasano continued.

“You must be shy. But Arne, as you saw, Kiyen slept right next to Cullen for the past ten days. They look like lovers to anyone.”

Arne found it difficult to pretend he hadn’t seen that either and fell silent. Cullen looked at Kiyen’s retreating back. Though he was close enough to hear the conversation, he seemed uninterested. Cullen paused, then spoke.

“I merely made a place for him to sleep.”

“Yes, and you so diligently laid out Cullen’s blanket on the floor. Then you slept leaning against a tree yourself.”

“…Everyone knows how particular you are.”

That was truly all. Cullen had felt it since they were at the castle, but Kiyen seemed to find comfort near him, the one he was most familiar with among them. Besides, it was Kiyen’s duty to protect him, so it was unavoidable that he stayed close to Cullen.

Furthermore, Kiyen never slept on the bare ground. Providing a blanket was only natural.

“Yes, yes, of course. This is a new side of Cullen I’m learning about.”

His words were met with a response that completely disregarded what Cullen had said. Cullen gave up on the conversation and decided to catch up to Kiyen.

Kiyen stopped at the highest point of the sand dune. His white robe fluttered in the wind. He looked as if he could disappear without a trace.

The mirage-like scene felt somehow unsettling, so Cullen quickly walked to his side. He dismounted and pulled the reins. As he hurried to stand beside Kiyen, the sight Kiyen was looking at came into view.

An open, boundless sea stretched out before them.

The deep blue, with no end in sight, was close to navy. White foam created by the waves shimmered in the distance, and the surface, imbued with golden light, sparkled. Kiyen’s colors were everywhere.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. This is the first time I’ve seen it from such a low vantage point.”

Kiyen’s voice was soft as he looked down at the magnificent view, which seemed like a collision of desert and sea. Cullen made a suggestion.

“Since we’ve come this far, how about we go down?”

Kiyen looked at Cullen quietly. As he gazed at him, as if observing him, Cullen began to move first. He took a step, and his boot sank halfway into the sand with a soft poof. Lasano, following behind, recoiled.

“You want to go down? How difficult it will be to climb back up!”

“Then Lasano, you can stay and watch the horses.”

Lasano let out a sound of exasperation and looked at Arne, saying, “It’s boring to be alone. Arne, stay by my side.”

“Yes? Yes, I understand.”

As always, Arne showed no sign of opposition and meekly obeyed. Kiyen looked at them alternately, then released the reins and began to follow Cullen. Watching his bare feet sink into and emerge from the sand, Cullen let out a tiny, silent laugh. Unbeknownst even to himself.

After walking for twenty minutes, they reached the sea. The beach that opened up, unlike the southern beaches, was covered only in round pebbles.

Cullen scanned the ground. He couldn’t find any shells, crabs, or conch shells that he wanted to show Kiyen. Nor were there any beach jewels, which he sometimes found if he was lucky.

Kiyen walked slowly towards where the foam was breaking, stepping on the pebbles. His feet touched the transparent seawater.

“The water is still cold.”

Saying that, Cullen paused. At some point, Cullen realized he kept worrying about Kiyen.

“I do not feel cold or heat.”

Even though he had no need to.

“You probably don’t get sick either.”

“Correct.”

Cullen suddenly thought of another question. If Kiyen didn’t feel cold or heat, what about other things?

Did he… feel pleasure?

The subtle sexual desire he had felt after waking up from his near-death sleep had subsided. The distracting thoughts hadn’t vanished, but his desires weren’t running wild like that. At least, not like they had then.

Pain had clearly been present, but Cullen had undeniably felt pleasure during their time together. It was so unbelievable that he sometimes wondered if it had been a dream.

However, he didn’t know how Kiyen had felt. Kiyen had expressed curiosity about how Cullen felt, but after that, he had shown displeasure at Cullen’s words, so the opportunity was lost.

The curiosity, which had suddenly grown, made Cullen’s lips tremble. He recalled the earlier moment when Lasano had called them ‘lovers.’ He felt confused. It was true that he relied on Kiyen a little, but he didn’t know if that was related to things like this.

What could all these feelings possibly be?

“Do you feel the cold easily?”

At that moment, Kiyen asked a question. Cullen looked up at him. He was so still, bending to touch the seawater, that for a moment, Cullen wondered if it was a hallucination.

“Are you asking me?”

“Who else is here besides you?”

His chest tickled. Kiyen rarely asked him such personal questions. Had the distance between them narrowed?

Surely, a little.

This trivial fact made Cullen feel strangely elated. He was surprised at himself.

“I don’t feel the cold easily. I grew up in the north, so I’m actually weak to the heat.”

“I thought that was why you gave me a blanket.”

Kiyen seemed to have interpreted it that way. Cullen, pleased that his actions were remembered, curved the corners of his lips ever so slightly, too much for anyone to see. The sun beating down on his head was scorching, yet it only felt warm.

“You don’t have to do that next time.”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t have to lean against a tree to sleep.”

Kiyen said it plainly. Cullen’s eyes widened slightly.

“……What?”

“It’s bothersome, isn’t it? It’s fine if you sleep next to me. You don’t seem to toss and turn in your sleep.”

Cullen was flustered. He froze, unable to speak for a moment.

“But that… isn’t that too intimate?”

“What is?”

Kiyen looked at Cullen as if genuinely puzzled. Faced with his innocent gaze, Cullen found his words.

“Sleeping together… it’s not something one does with just anyone.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s an intimate act. You have to be someone you trust, someone close enough to entrust your life to… to be able to sleep without discomfort, don’t you think?”

Kiyen still looked uncomprehending.

“I don’t sleep anyway. I merely close my eyes. I cannot kill you, and you cannot kill me.”

“But….”

Cullen couldn’t find a retort. If he said he felt tense around Kiyen, Kiyen would ask why.

And Kiyen… wouldn’t understand, not like this.

He wasn’t human. He was someone who suggested kissing and sex as solutions, so of course.

“Yes, I understand.”

Kiyen tilted his head, then pulled himself out of the water.

“Let’s go. We’ve wasted enough time.”

“Yes.”

As Kiyen stepped onto the sand, Cullen slowly approached him.

“Please wait a moment.”

“……?”

Looking up at Kiyen, who was gazing down at him with a puzzled expression, Cullen knelt. He took out the black cloth he wore around his wrist and extended his hand.

“Sand sticks to wet feet.”

Kiyen’s blue eyes stared at him wordlessly. Like when he had put on shoes, Kiyen, still watching him, extended his foot.

Cullen took hold of his foot, which was white and soft, without a single blemish. Quietly, almost reverently, Cullen meticulously wiped his foot. Kiyen, who had opened his lips as if to say something, ultimately remained silent.

Finally, having removed all the moisture, Cullen lowered the cloth and looked up at the Dragon.

A faint curve, which had appeared on his face earlier, reappeared on his lips.

“It’s done, Kiyen-nim.”

Kiyen remained silent. His calm golden eyes ringed his pupils, shining softly. Beyond the deep, dark black of his pupils, Cullen couldn’t possibly know about the faint confusion that flickered there.