The young girl fidgeted as she held a boat in her hand. The boat was made of wood and meticulously crafted by a skillful expert all for her sake.

The young girl looked at the young boy sitting in front of her with big, innocent eyes.

She hoped hed ask in kind what she was holding in her hands like last time, but it looked like the young boy had no profound interest, merely turning his head away and not sparing her a glance.

Hey, um With great difficulty, the young girls small lips parted.

The young boys intense purple eyes looked toward her direction; the young girls heart thumped erratically and she forced down dry saliva stuck in her throat.

She lifted her hands above the table and pushed the wooden boat in her hand toward the young boy.

Its a present. Its something I treasure dearly, smiled gently.

The young boy gazed at the wooden boat with disinterest. His gaze averted and looked at the young girl. He had noticed that whenever their eyes met, hed see her face heat up and turn red.

Present? he asked with a cocked eyebrow.

Yes, the young girl nodded with a soft smile. Its the pirate boat Dimi will use to sail around the whole world in the future.

..

The young boy looked at her, his expression somewhat strange.

The young girl tilted her head, wondering if she made a blunder and said something weird.

The young boy let out a woeful sigh.

Youre talking about that cousin of yours again, he said

Ah well Dimi made the boat.

The young boys eyes narrowed. So why are you giving it to me?

She smiled. Because I treasure it the most.

Why do you keep giving away things you treasure to other people? You did this the last time we met.

Because I want to see them smile with happiness and and because I felt sorry for taking the feather last time

Her voice became smaller and smaller toward the end till it was equivalent to a buzzing flys voice.

The young boy, black hair illuminated by the sun, furrowed his brows. He showed no signs of willingness to take her present.

The young girl studied his expression. She made a disappointed face and slowly pulled back the wooden boat toward her.

The young boy stretched his hand out.

Since youre giving it to me, Ill take it, but only this time. Dont give me something like this again he said softly.

The young girls face once dyed with sadness lit up.

Smiling gleefully, she said, Dimi said that the person who conquers the sea conquers the world.

Thats the first time I ever heard of that.

But because he says that Arundell has no interest in that kind of thing, so well never know if itll happen.

..

He didnt reply to her words, yet the young girl smiled innocently.

Rihannan, it looks like you and His Majesty have a close relationship, the young girls mother said to her daughter not long after.

Rihannan beamed a smile.

Her mother, Anastasia Alessin, said that theyll be able to visit the palace regularly.

She didnt understand what her mother meant but she somewhat understood the gist of itshed be able to maintain a close relationship with the black-haired boy.

She liked that.

Rihannan hoped to see him again.

He was more mature than her childish cousins back in Chrichton.

They were young then, the boy and the girl, unaware of the destined tragedy theyd face in the future.

***

When Rihannan opened her eyes, it was already the crack of dawn. What she saw first thing in the morning was a pair of purple eyes looking back at her.

She laid on the bed, head resting on his arms and embrace.

Rihannan blinked; she hadnt shaken off her drowsiness yet.

They stared at each other for a while.

Igor when did you get up?

Not too long. Perhaps an hour ago? Igor stretched out a finger and rubbed her soft eyebrows.

And what were you doing for that one hour? Rihannan asked gently.

Just waiting for you, Igor smiled.

Waiting for me?

Yes. I was waiting for you to wake up.