Across the Sea, Where Hope Lives

“…Why are you suddenly curious about what lies beyond the sea.”

“Have you never wondered about that even once.”

“…….”

Vanessa said nothing, but Jenoise couldn’t hold herself back and continued chattering.

“Do you think other races aren’t curious about what’s over there.”

“For them, investigating that kind of thing would be a piece of cake.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Elves and lycanthropes had far superior physical abilities compared to humans, and sirens could move far more freely underwater.

Jenoise truly was curious.

“Guess they’re not.”

“They don’t need to be.”

“Everything they need is right here.”

“But still, if there’s a place you’ve never been to, you’d want to go.”

“Other races aren’t overflowing with curiosity like us.”

“…Really.”

“Unless the place they’re living in suddenly becomes inconvenient, other races would never even think to go there.”

“That’s a shame.”

Jenoise stared into the air with lingering regret, and Vanessa grew sick of seeing that expression.

“I really hate that damn curiosity of yours.”

One of the reasons humans were looked down upon was exactly that curiosity.

That pointless curiosity that made humans question things no other race bothered to wonder about had caused them countless trouble throughout history.

Because of curiosity, humans doubted others and threw themselves into dangerous places, so the other races had done everything they could to suppress those instincts.

When she was young, she didn’t understand that, but now she did.

Jenoise was clearly itching to go see what lay beyond the sea herself.

Even though she had no strength at all.

Vanessa had no choice but to speak harshly.

“Get a grip.”

“You don’t even know what’s there, yet you want to go.”

“It’s definitely dangerous.”

“But what if it’s the opposite.”

“What if there are lots of good things.”

“Like what.”

“There could be races that don’t exist here and, um….”

Jenoise glanced at Vanessa and then continued.

“There could be a world where humans can enjoy so many things too.”

“…….”

“A world where if you work hard, you get fair rewards.”

“A world where you can eat delicious things like chocolate whenever you want.”

“A world where, if luck suddenly comes your way, you can accept it purely.”

Jenoise wanted to speak proudly of her thoughts.

But she knew her words were unrealistic, so her voice grew smaller and smaller.

By the time she finished speaking, her voice was as tiny as a mosquito’s.

“Mm, I know I’m imagining something ridiculous.”

“But you know it too.”

“Imagination is the only thing we’re allowed to do.”

“If I couldn’t even dream of something better than this life, I would’ve died a long time ago.”

Vanessa still said nothing.

Jenoise worried about what she might be thinking, but she couldn’t stop talking.

As if possessed, she continued with a soft but firm voice.

“Vanessa, listen.”

“I know this is way out of line for a s*ave to say, but… I really want to be happy.”

“I’m sick of working nonstop until my back breaks.”

“I want to roam the streets freely, even for just one day, see the sea, eat delicious food until my stomach bursts.”

“…….”

“And when that happens, I want you to be there with me.”

“I don’t think I could be truly happy without you.”

“I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore, but what I mean is…”

Jenoise hesitated, then gently took Vanessa’s hand.

“Vanessa, stay my friend forever.”

“…What.”

Vanessa, unsure how to take those words, couldn’t help feeling shaken.

“That’s your conclusion.”

“We don’t know when we’ll ever be happy, so we should be friends forever.”

Jenoise’s eyes were incredibly serious.

Vanessa let out a short laugh.

“You’re really something else.”

Jenoise clung to Vanessa’s arm and beamed brightly.

“It’s fine because you’re always so reliable.”

The two looked at each other and laughed for a long time.

And that night, Vanessa had a dream that felt like a lie.

In her dream, Jenoise wasn’t wearing her usual worn-out clothes.

Working in the kitchen, she normally wore clothes soaked with water and spices, but in the dream she was dressed beautifully.

Her soft clothes had not a single splash on them, and she wore sturdy-soled sandals.

A thin gold bracelet even adorned her wrist.

Jenoise and Vanessa met around lunchtime and ate together in a restaurant full of humans, then wandered through the streets excitedly.

As sunset approached, they walked along the beach, looking out at the emerald sea.

Time passed without them noticing, but it didn’t matter.

No one was watching them.

Vanessa was staring absentmindedly at Jenoise’s footprints in the sand when she suddenly spotted her on the other side of the beach, waving wildly.

‘Hurry up.’

In front of Jenoise stood a large ship.

When the two sat facing each other, the ship departed.

The wind was gentle, and the waves shimmered beautifully.

They stood on deck, staring endlessly at the wide ocean.

They had no idea what awaited beyond the horizon, but nothing about it scared them.

Instead, they were thrilled.

And just as they finally reached what lay beyond the sea, Vanessa woke up.

Even after waking, Vanessa stayed dazed for a long while.

The feeling of her hair moving in the dream wind, the sensation of stepping onto the ship, everything was so vivid.

As she shifted unconsciously, Fren, who shared the bed with her, asked sleepily:

“…Vanessa, is something wrong.”

“Oh, Sir Fren. Did I wake you.”

Vanessa gently patted Fren’s arm.

“Sorry. I just had a strange dream.”

“Mmm… really.”

“Please go back to sleep.”

Half-asleep, Fren didn’t think too much about her behavior.

Vanessa sighed in relief.

She had been terrified he might ask what kind of dream she saw.

‘What a stupid dream.’

All because Jenoise said nonsense during the day.

Vanessa lay back down, trying to sleep again.

Then suddenly, her cheek felt wet.

She wiped it with her palm and realized she was crying.

“…What is this.”

She muttered without thinking, then quickly shut her mouth.

She glanced nervously at Fren.

Thankfully, he was fast asleep.

Vanessa wiped her tears thoroughly with her sleeve and pulled the blanket over herself.

But the tears didn’t stop.

She rubbed her eyes again and again, trying to understand why she was crying, but as always, she had no idea.

It was suffocatingly frustrating, but the next day things were even worse.

‘What do I do.’

Her reflection in the mirror showed a swollen face.

Vanessa glanced back at Fren lying in bed.

There was no way she could hide this like last night.

Her heart pounded.

‘Maybe I’ll have to tell him what I talked about with Jenoise.’

Vanessa anxiously waited for Fren to wake up.

But one hour passed, then two, and he still didn’t wake.

It was unlike him, but she couldn’t waste this chance.

Sneaking out, she iced her face.

“Mm….”

Fren finally woke around lunchtime.

By then, Vanessa had completely restored her usual appearance and knelt beside his bed, asking gently:

“Are you awake.”

“…Good morning, Vanessa.”

“It’s not morning. It’s already noon.”

“Really. I slept like a rock.”

Fren slowly sat up.

“I’d like some tea.”

“Is there anything else you need.”

“I think I’m a bit hungry too.”

“I’ll bring food right away.”

It was unusual for Fren, who normally headed straight for the bath, to ask like this, but Vanessa quickly brought a meal.

Steam rose from the omelet made with fresh eggs and the tea infused with pink flower petals.

Still in pajamas, Fren carefully chewed each bite.

Vanessa admired the empty plate.

“Looks like the omelet turned out really well today.”

“Did it. It tastes the same as always.”

He sipped his tea and nodded.

“Strangely, I’m very hungry.”

Fren was about to order more food when his eyes met Vanessa’s.

She was observing his face closely.

He asked:

“What is it.”

“Nothing. I’m just relieved. I’m glad your cold passed without any trouble.”

“…….”

Fren stared at her for a moment, then faintly smiled.

“Yeah. I’m glad too.”

“Shall I bring more food.”

“Yes. I’d like some bread this time.”

Vanessa brought a basket full of chewy bread.

Fren split a piece open and slathered it with jam.

Vanessa offered to do it, but he shook his head.

After spreading jam on two halves, he handed one to her.

“You eat too.”

“Thank you, Sir Fren.”

They ate together.

When half the bread was gone, a royal messenger arrived.

He unrolled a scroll and announced:

“Eo the Elder was executed last night.”

Fren covered his face with his palm, as though truly grieving.

The messenger continued with sympathetic eyes:

“And Princess Daphne requests your presence.”

“Please accompany me to the palace immediately.”

Unlike the messenger, Vanessa, standing beside Fren, could see clearly.

She saw the faint smile tugging at Fren’s lips.