Im not saying that Ill be putting someone here. My ability

Thats good.

It is?

Aendydn hesitated as if he hadnt expected Kaywhin to respond that way. Kaywhin continued speaking.

Please watch over us closely. So that I dont make any mistakes and so that my wife can be perfectly happy.

My wifes happiness is more important than anything.

Aendydn silently scanned Kaywhins eyes.

You really mean it.

Arent I a bother to you?

You are.

Kaywhin replied too quickly. He chuckled when Aendydn appeared to be flustered.

But thats not as important as my wifes happiness.

Yelena returned from the carriage. She was awkwardly hiding her left hand behind her back.

Ahem, shall we get on the boat then?

Yelena held onto Kaywhin with her right hand and led him to the boat. She gave Aendydn a sharp look as she did so. It was a look that threatened him not to get on the boat with them.

Go away.

Aendydn shrugged and stepped back.

The boatman launched the boat. The boat drifted towards the middle of the lake slowly and smoothly.

Boat rides at night are quite scenic in their own way. The water seems calmer too.

I see.

I like that its less windy. The stars are pretty too

Yelena was spouting out whatever came to mind, while on the inside, she was waiting for the right timing. She had been hiding flowers behind her back for this very moment.

Why am I so nervous?

She had planned everything so enthusiastically, but now that she was actually executing the plan, she was suddenly nervous. Her heart was racing and her mouth was dry. It didnt even cross her mind that Aendydn had insisted on helping her with the proposal.

As Yelena was taking deep breaths, Kaywhin turned his head as if he was looking around at the lakes scenery.

Now.

Yelena mustered up her courage and was about to whip out the flowers.

Huh?

Yelena blinked. In a flash, glowing objects crowded around the boat.

Fireflies?

There werent just a few of them. Dozens of fireflies hovered over the lake, encircling the boat.

Yelena stared at the spectacle, in a trance, before snapping her gaze towards the shore.

Could it be?

It was dark, but Yelena thought she could see Aendydn from afar, waving his hands and then giving two thumbs up.

How in the world did he no, thats not important.

Yelena came to her senses and looked at Kaywhin, in the middle of the quiet lake, surrounded by the encircling fireflies.

This was no time to be hesitating. Yelena brought out the flowers.

These are

Enchanted flowers. According to the merchant, they wont wither for one hundred years, no matter where you put them.

Kaywhin.

A soft breeze blew. Yelenas hair slightly tickled her forehead.

Still holding the flowers, Yelena continued speaking.

Will you marry me again?

She must have done away with her bashfulness; her voice came out without shaking.

And would you live happily with me for one hundred no, forever?

Actually, perhaps she was still a bit bashful.

Yelena kept her gaze fixed on the flowers, unable to look at Kaywhin. Kaywhin accepted the flowers and then replied.

Of course.

Yelena may have been imagining it, but his voice sounded a little shaky.

***

The castle was bustling the morning of the wedding. Aendydn came looking for Yelena as she was getting ready for her makeover.

Could you spare me a moment?

How did you do that at the lake? Yelena asked Aendydn as soon as they reached the garden. She had been curious about it since last night, but had no time to ask him about it.

Actually, let me ask you this while Im at it. Just what have you been up to these past five years and where?

No matter how much she thought about it, she had never heard of a place that teaches people how to control fireflies.

Instead of answering her question, Aendydn stopped in front of a tree. Then, he climbed it in a flash. It only took him two steps to climb up.

Yelena looked up at him with eyes that asked, What the heck is he doing all of a sudden?

Remember when we were kids? Aendydn asked from his place atop the tree.

?

We would occasionally climb trees when there was a full moon. To see the moon closer.

We sure did. And only I got in trouble.