Chapter 28 - The Mermaid Princess's Little Brother

Translator's Note:

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The Ring of Silver〘3〙

 

 

The following morning, Julius awoke to find himself alone. Though he hadn't slept late, the others were already gone. As he dressed, Theo returned from the dining room and informed him that Fernan had left for a meeting with an important village elder to discuss the future of the potato. And with that, today would be a day for just the two of them—Theo and his elder brother.

 

Julius nodded absently. His thoughts had grown dark, twisting everything into something bitter. He felt no longer needed. Somewhere deep inside, another part of him whispered that this was nonsense, but he couldn't listen. Fernan had always brought them along on his travels, claiming that children and beautiful youths inspired trust. There had been times when Theo was sent away, but never had Fernan left him behind.

 

Fernan, the scholar, had traveled far and wide, explaining how potatoes were easy to grow and simple to prepare. He'd shared that the plant had been called "the devil's root" because of the toxins in its eyes, but assured them they could easily be removed. He had given away the precious seed potatoes for free, asking only that they be spread to as many people as possible. For money, he sold dyes, just enough to cover the costs of their travels, but he never asked for payment for the potatoes.

 

Now, left behind in the quiet of the morning, Julius felt lost. He ate breakfast but soon found himself longing for sleep again. He buried his heavy head in the pillow, wishing only for a dreamless slumber.

 

"Brother, will you come with me to lift the curse from the mask? Or do you want to go to the stream behind the village? There's this big fish swimming there—you can catch it right away!" Theo exclaimed, his hands stretching wide to show the size of the fish, the cursed mask they had bought the previous night dangling from his other hand. In Theo's shining eyes, one could almost see the fish splashing in the water.

 

"Let's go to the stream…"

 

Despite everything, Julius thought, he would be able to live with Theo. Even if he parted ways with Fernan, he could still recover. Even if Fernan refused to remain friends and their bond was severed completely...

 

***

 

The sun shone high and bright at noon, yet the shade remained cool. The soft green carpet of grass, damp from the earth beneath, was soothing. As Julius watched Theo splash in the stream, sparkling droplets flying around him, he almost forgot his hunger. This year had been kind, but just two winters ago, many had perished. There was little time to waste—potatoes must be spread, and people must be prepared for the hard times ahead.

 

Perhaps the man who worked so hard for the good of others had neglected him. With nothing to do and no role to play, Julius felt despondent, hugging his knees to his chest.

 

"Something's still not right with you, brother. Should we go to the church?"

 

"No, it's fine. There's no curse. I was just lost in thought."

 

"About what?"

 

Julius glanced at Theo, who had just stepped from the stream, drying his feet. His small white feet, now on the grassy bank, were spotless. In contrast, Julius noticed the faint mark on his own leg—the trace of the anklet he had worn for so many years. Once it had left a tan line, but now that it was removed, the mark would fade in time, though the past would not.

 

"I was thinking... maybe we should travel just the two of us from now on. I wondered if that might be better."

 

As he spoke, his chest tightened. He thought he could live without Fernan, but could he? He might survive, certainly. But after they parted, would his days ever again be so bright? The future seemed a dark cave, with Theo the only beam of light beside him. With Fernan, the world would have glowed with brilliance...

 

"Theo!"

 

Julius called out as Theo suddenly dashed away, running fast towards the village. He had hoped Theo would say something in reply, but the boy remained silent as he fled.

 

(Why so suddenly...?)

 

Julius had avoided looking Theo in the eye, so he hadn't understood what was going through his mind when he ran. But he could imagine. The parting would surely be hard on Theo, who had grown so attached to Fernan.

 

"Theo…"

 

Julius thought, I am truly a poor brother. Yet all he could do now was sit and cry softly, whispering "I'm sorry" to the empty air.

 

***

 

Not long after Theo had run off, Julius stood, intending to follow him. He wished to rush after his brother immediately, but he needed time to wipe away his tears.

 

"Julius? Are you there?"

 

The voice that called from the other side of the grove was so familiar, so dear, that for a moment, Julius thought it must be a figment of his imagination.

 

(Fernan!)

 

Julius, who had been wiping his face with a towel, suddenly wanted to hide. If he saw Fernan now, he would surely break down again. Yet his body refused to move, and all he could do was clutch his cold hands together. Emerging from the shadow of a large tree, Fernan appeared, his stubbled face roughened after just one day. The short whiskers were hard to discern in color, but as they grew, they would take on a faint blue sheen, just like his hair. At first, that hue had frightened Julius, but now it had become dear to him.

 

"Fernan... Why are you here?"

 

"When I finished my business and returned to the inn, Theo came running, tears streaming down his face. He thought you and I were planning to leave him behind."

 

"...What?"

 

Fernan gave a crooked smile, closing the distance between them. He reached out to touch Julius's face. Startled, Julius dropped the towel, but Fernan bent down to pick it up. Instead of returning it, he held it firmly.

 

"You said something like, 'From now on, we'll travel just the two of us,' right? Theo misunderstood and came to me, sobbing, saying he'd work harder if only we wouldn't abandon him."

 

"How could that be...?"

 

Fernan's eyes were locked on his, and Julius was stunned by his words. He hadn't been clear about who "the two of us" referred to, but he never imagined such a misunderstanding could arise.

 

"Come on."

 

"A..."

 

Fernan handed back the towel, but swiftly took Julius's hand. Without hesitation, he led him deeper into the woods, and Julius, obediently, followed.

 

"Why do you think Theo misunderstood?"

 

"Fernan… wait, stop..."

 

"It's because he knows we're so close that no one could come between us. That's why he feared being the one left behind. That's what he told me."

 

As Fernan guided him down the forest path, Julius imagined Theo's tearful face. The boy must have been scared, overwhelmed by the thought that he might truly be cast aside.

 

"Let me go... I need to go to Theo!"

 

"Theo may act younger than his age sometimes, but he's smart and sharp-witted. I trust his instincts. And about my feelings... he was right."

 

Fernan continued to pull Julius along the stream, forcing him to nearly run through the grass. Julius was panting now, struggling to catch his breath. The further they walked, the harder it became to breathe, and his chest burned with a pounding heart that echoed through his entire body.

 

"Don't worry about Theo. I explained the misunderstanding to him. He's off playing now as if nothing happened."

 

Finally, Fernan stopped, taking a deep breath of the forest air. He wasn't as winded as Julius, but he seemed troubled. A rare expression of worry crossed his usually stoic face, emotions flickering like shadows.

 

"I pulled you into a relationship when you were struggling and at your worst. You're kind-hearted, hard-working... and so beautiful that everyone adores you. Lately, things haven't been right between us, and I wondered... maybe you regretted getting involved with me."

 

"Fernan..."

 

"I was scared you'd want to leave me one day..."

 

Under the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, Fernan touched his cheeks, brushing aside Julius's bangs. His touch was tender, the way one handles something precious. Though Fernan could be insistent and brash, his fingertips were always gentle.

 

"I... I'm just a boy... and I used to be a prostitute..."

 

"I'm no saint either. But you... you're special."

 

Fernan's forehead rested against Julius's, their breaths mingling, the warmth from one passing to the other. Julius's face, flushed from the heat of the sun and Fernan's closeness, grew even warmer as the warmth spread between them.

 

"Julius... I've never been in love before. Only this year did I learn what it truly means. The desire to sleep with someone who catches your eye and a relationship with someone you never want to lose—those are two very different things."

 

"…"

 

"Isn't it ironic? The harder you try to be your best for the one you love most, the more it seems impossible. I never imagined I'd be such a coward. Every day, I worry that I'll do something to make you hate me."

 

Julius hesitantly reached out, his hands trembling as they touched Fernan's back. He wasn't brave enough to embrace him fully, but his fingers clung tightly to the fabric of Fernan's shirt.

 

"I'm sorry... I like you too much. When our eyes meet, it hurts inside, and sometimes I just can't act normal..." Julius murmured, realizing something in the process.

 

Love, that once seemed a distant luxury, had quietly taken root in his heart, blossoming in the days when survival was no longer a constant threat, and hunger did not gnaw at his body. Overwhelmed by unfamiliar feelings, he was nearly crushed by their weight.

 

"Wondering what your partner truly thinks of you... It's terrifying when you start to dwell on those thoughts, isn't it? Because you can never truly see what's in someone else's heart."

 

"I'm sorry. I've been acting strange, getting jealous, and thinking only of the worst..."

 

Julius finally found the courage to fully embrace Fernan, his arms wrapping around the man's back, now warm from the sunlight filtering through the trees. Knowing that his beloved had been thinking of him brought Julius an immense sense of peace. He wanted to share his own feelings now, to ease any worries in Fernan's heart. He longed to see Fernan's smile again, always.

 

"I love you. It's the first time I've loved anyone other than my younger brother. I don't want to give you up to anyone... I want to stay with you, always."

 

As soon as he spoke the words from his heart, he found himself wrapped in Fernan's strong arms.

 

 

 

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