Angie didn't have a male friend that she could see often enough to call a boyfriend. The peaceful community they lived in had an overwhelmingly larger number of girls than boys.
When she was sixteen, she had met a few boys, but now she hardly had any contact with them. There was no separate school for young men over seventeen. There was a large chapel in the form of a church or cathedral, and there was only a meeting for embroidery and reading every Sunday.
Now that she thinks about it, it's strange. Not only boys but since when... She feels like girls her age are gradually disappearing. Is it her imagination?
“Master Kai can listen. But...”
"But?"
“Kai might not want it.”
“I guess you want me to... do something.”
His tone was deep and affectionate as usual. And as usual, it was hard to read what he was thinking. The pleasant low notes continued.
“Tell me. What do you want?”
“...”
“I’m not going to listen to you anyway – there’s nothing more foolish than jumping to conclusions like that, Angie.”
"But...."
“If you don’t tell when asked, you’ll definitely regret it. You’ll always regret it when you think back to the moments when you missed an opportunity.”
He muttered quietly as if he were talking to himself as if he had experienced it himself. Angie blurted it out without realizing it.
“I want to see... Kai.”
This time, there was silence. A strange oppression that made it hard to breathe began to gradually weigh on Angie's heart. It was like a black river. A black current that floated a box of secrets in the dark that no one should ever speak of, something that everyone took for granted.
Angie opened her quivering lips with difficulty, then tried to scoop up the spilled water with her tongue.
“I’m sorry, I said something... Please just pretend you didn’t hear me...”
“I’ll prepare it.”
Angie almost collapsed on the spot at the young master's subsequent words.
“Your eighteenth birthday present.”
“Ah... But... that...”
“I won’t be able to have it ready by Wednesday. It might take a few days.”
“Ka, Kai...”
“But don’t tell anyone.”
“Yes? Yes, yes! I, I will do that.”
“Go ahead and get out. If you’re late, Louis will come up.”
At the urging to go now, Angie hurriedly left the room. But she had to stand in front of the door for a long time to calm herself down. Her heart was pounding and fluttering wildly.
The Master wants to show me! To me! My God, is this a dream? I thought it would never happen!
Angie tried not to show her inner joy as she greeted Mrs. Dunst and got into the carriage. She sat in the carriage, lost in thought. As the excitement of joy subsided, her mind became complicated. It was because of something the young master had suddenly said while reading Macbeth.
"Me too. I'm like Macduff... I was born before the full moon, ripped open by my mother's womb. That's why I'm so abnormal. My mother eventually died."
He seemed to have a deep sense of guilt over his mother's death. But even if his birth was truly connected to her death, it was not the Lord's fault.
Poor Kai. He's so lonely and miserable. That's why those thoughts keep growing inside her. Edward is also sick, so they can't meet much...
She wanted to stay by his side as long as he wanted, just like she had been doing until now. She wanted to read books to him and share stories of various things. The two of them had an incredibly good rapport.
Although she didn't dare tell her parents, Angie felt a kind of destiny from him. She didn't dream of being presumptuously equal or of being able to be a man and a woman. However, regardless of status, gender, or superficial things, if there were souls that were well-matched, she even had the audacious thought that maybe the young master and herself were one of them.
She hoped he get well soon and be free. She hopes Kai is happy.
Angie felt that seeing the young master like that would make her happy. She truly felt that way.
In three days, Angie would be eighteen. Patrick and Laura prepared a birthday dinner for their only daughter three days early. They work as caretakers at the cottage during the week, so they come home late and have no time to prepare food. The dinner table, where the family of three sat together, was filled with Angie's favorite foods, delicacies that were only eaten on special community celebrations.
“Daughter, did you receive a lot of gifts at the gathering this weekend?”
“Yes. There are still many things I haven’t solved yet.”
“After dinner, take your time and relax. There’s no rush.”
Father and Mother looked at the boxes stacked neatly on one side of the living room with happy expressions. The population of Cullinan Island, which was about ten thousand, was divided into several large colonies, and within those, there were dozens of villages by region, and within those, there were several small communities.
Whenever a birthday came around, the neighbors would all gather at the chapel in the middle of the village to celebrate the birthday and give various gifts and food. They would also share the birthday cake baked by the baker, Mr. Thomas, and blow out the candles.
“Wow, this is made with strawberries from Mary’s Farm, right? Mom’s special dessert!”
Angie's eyes sparkled as she took a bite of her mother's strawberry pie. The filling, made with crushed fresh strawberries mixed with sweet almond butter and cream cheese, was amazing. The icing cookies sprinkled with nuts were also full of rich flavor.
The family of three sat at a small kitchen table, sharing dessert and tea. Overhead, a shaded candle glowed dimly. The moonlight was so bright that there were often times when even the candles were not lit. Most of the villagers went to bed around ten at night and woke up before dawn.
“By the way, Angie, are you taking good care of your master? How is he doing these days?”
“Yes, he is always the same. He is good to me...”
She didn't mention the conversation she had with Kai about his birth and birthday presents. She could have said something about presents, but she felt that she would be reprimanded for her bold request. Fortunately, her mother didn't ask her about him anymore. Angie quickly changed the subject to the song she would be teaching the children at the chapel meeting next week.
“What song are you going to sing?”
“I’m thinking about this and that. There are also many nursery rhymes about the sea and the night...”
Angie rested her head on one hand and stared out into the dark woods and the even darker sea beyond. A sudden sense of alarm came over her.
She must not go beyond that sea. It is very dangerous beyond where the wind stands. Just like the man Elliot died mysteriously and was washed up on the waves before...
But the waves reflected in the moonlight were incredibly beautiful. The black waves, which had been preserved since time immemorial, gently surged and receded, creating a gentle melody. A faint humming flowed from deep in Angie's throat. It was a melody she did not know.
“Mom. Did Dad ever sing this song to me when I was little?”
At Angie's humming, the couple locked eyes and tilted their heads.
“It’s the first time I’ve heard that song, Mom. Do you know it?”
“I don’t know. Where did you hear it?”
“I don’t know. I just suddenly remembered. It’s strange, I’ve never learned a song like this.”
It wasn't that it wasn't, it was really strange. Tears welled up in Angie's eyes. A yawn followed right after, so neither of them thought her wet eyes were strange.
“It’s late. Go to sleep.”
Then her father wished her a happy birthday once more, gave her a warm hug, and kissed her forehead goodnight. Angie dragged her body to her bed in a pleasantly drowsy manner. Just as she was about to fall asleep, the melody from earlier came to mind again.
It's strange... No one has ever sung a song like this before.
Habit was scary. She started to fall into a deep sleep even though she didn't think she was that sleepy.
Sunset over the sea after the wind and rain have passed.
The stars twinkle quietly,
The crescent moon in spring is as beautiful as a painting,
My dear, your eyes are even more beautiful.
Somewhere, a warm and sorrowful melody was lingering at the edge of her consciousness and then disappeared. The hazy memories came rushing in like a sudden wave and then disappeared without a trace.
When she was sixteen, she had met a few boys, but now she hardly had any contact with them. There was no separate school for young men over seventeen. There was a large chapel in the form of a church or cathedral, and there was only a meeting for embroidery and reading every Sunday.
Now that she thinks about it, it's strange. Not only boys but since when... She feels like girls her age are gradually disappearing. Is it her imagination?
She has friends who she can chat with while embroidering or sewing, but somehow they don't seem to be there. And adults...
The islanders always seemed happy. They always cared for each other, complimented each other, and shared everything. They never talked behind each other's backs, took sides, or openly slandered others who had different tastes or opinions. They always smiled affectionately at each other and did not hesitate to hug each other.
But often, there were times when she felt a strange sense of discomfort in that excessively harmonious peace. How can she express that feeling? It was as if people were putting themselves on the stage of a play. There was always a strange sense of goodness in them. She guessed she could call it excessive goodness.
If there are any boys of the same age that she can be close with...
Angie's consciousness returned to 'her male friend'. She tried to get up from her seat but stopped awkwardly. Something flashed through her mind. It was not that she didn't have a friend of the opposite sex.
Angie already had a friend of the opposite sex, even if the other person might not see her as a friend. At that moment, a cool voice broke the long silence through the curtain.
“...Angie?”
“I don’t want to have it, but there is one thing I want.”
“What is that? If it’s something I can help you with...”
The islanders always seemed happy. They always cared for each other, complimented each other, and shared everything. They never talked behind each other's backs, took sides, or openly slandered others who had different tastes or opinions. They always smiled affectionately at each other and did not hesitate to hug each other.
But often, there were times when she felt a strange sense of discomfort in that excessively harmonious peace. How can she express that feeling? It was as if people were putting themselves on the stage of a play. There was always a strange sense of goodness in them. She guessed she could call it excessive goodness.
If there are any boys of the same age that she can be close with...
Angie's consciousness returned to 'her male friend'. She tried to get up from her seat but stopped awkwardly. Something flashed through her mind. It was not that she didn't have a friend of the opposite sex.
Angie already had a friend of the opposite sex, even if the other person might not see her as a friend. At that moment, a cool voice broke the long silence through the curtain.
“...Angie?”
“I don’t want to have it, but there is one thing I want.”
“What is that? If it’s something I can help you with...”
“Master Kai can listen. But...”
"But?"
“Kai might not want it.”
“I guess you want me to... do something.”
His tone was deep and affectionate as usual. And as usual, it was hard to read what he was thinking. The pleasant low notes continued.
“Tell me. What do you want?”
“...”
“I’m not going to listen to you anyway – there’s nothing more foolish than jumping to conclusions like that, Angie.”
"But...."
“If you don’t tell when asked, you’ll definitely regret it. You’ll always regret it when you think back to the moments when you missed an opportunity.”
He muttered quietly as if he were talking to himself as if he had experienced it himself. Angie blurted it out without realizing it.
“I want to see... Kai.”
This time, there was silence. A strange oppression that made it hard to breathe began to gradually weigh on Angie's heart. It was like a black river. A black current that floated a box of secrets in the dark that no one should ever speak of, something that everyone took for granted.
Angie opened her quivering lips with difficulty, then tried to scoop up the spilled water with her tongue.
“I’m sorry, I said something... Please just pretend you didn’t hear me...”
“I’ll prepare it.”
Angie almost collapsed on the spot at the young master's subsequent words.
“Your eighteenth birthday present.”
“Ah... But... that...”
“I won’t be able to have it ready by Wednesday. It might take a few days.”
“Ka, Kai...”
“But don’t tell anyone.”
“Yes? Yes, yes! I, I will do that.”
“Go ahead and get out. If you’re late, Louis will come up.”
At the urging to go now, Angie hurriedly left the room. But she had to stand in front of the door for a long time to calm herself down. Her heart was pounding and fluttering wildly.
The Master wants to show me! To me! My God, is this a dream? I thought it would never happen!
As Mrs. Dunst said, she thought she would not see the Master again for at least several years before she was completely healed, and perhaps even before she stopped talking to him!
Angie tried not to show her inner joy as she greeted Mrs. Dunst and got into the carriage. She sat in the carriage, lost in thought. As the excitement of joy subsided, her mind became complicated. It was because of something the young master had suddenly said while reading Macbeth.
"Me too. I'm like Macduff... I was born before the full moon, ripped open by my mother's womb. That's why I'm so abnormal. My mother eventually died."
He seemed to have a deep sense of guilt over his mother's death. But even if his birth was truly connected to her death, it was not the Lord's fault.
Poor Kai. He's so lonely and miserable. That's why those thoughts keep growing inside her. Edward is also sick, so they can't meet much...
She wanted to stay by his side as long as he wanted, just like she had been doing until now. She wanted to read books to him and share stories of various things. The two of them had an incredibly good rapport.
Although she didn't dare tell her parents, Angie felt a kind of destiny from him. She didn't dream of being presumptuously equal or of being able to be a man and a woman. However, regardless of status, gender, or superficial things, if there were souls that were well-matched, she even had the audacious thought that maybe the young master and herself were one of them.
She hoped he get well soon and be free. She hopes Kai is happy.
Angie felt that seeing the young master like that would make her happy. She truly felt that way.
***
In three days, Angie would be eighteen. Patrick and Laura prepared a birthday dinner for their only daughter three days early. They work as caretakers at the cottage during the week, so they come home late and have no time to prepare food. The dinner table, where the family of three sat together, was filled with Angie's favorite foods, delicacies that were only eaten on special community celebrations.
“Daughter, did you receive a lot of gifts at the gathering this weekend?”
“Yes. There are still many things I haven’t solved yet.”
“After dinner, take your time and relax. There’s no rush.”
Father and Mother looked at the boxes stacked neatly on one side of the living room with happy expressions. The population of Cullinan Island, which was about ten thousand, was divided into several large colonies, and within those, there were dozens of villages by region, and within those, there were several small communities.
Whenever a birthday came around, the neighbors would all gather at the chapel in the middle of the village to celebrate the birthday and give various gifts and food. They would also share the birthday cake baked by the baker, Mr. Thomas, and blow out the candles.
“Wow, this is made with strawberries from Mary’s Farm, right? Mom’s special dessert!”
Angie's eyes sparkled as she took a bite of her mother's strawberry pie. The filling, made with crushed fresh strawberries mixed with sweet almond butter and cream cheese, was amazing. The icing cookies sprinkled with nuts were also full of rich flavor.
The family of three sat at a small kitchen table, sharing dessert and tea. Overhead, a shaded candle glowed dimly. The moonlight was so bright that there were often times when even the candles were not lit. Most of the villagers went to bed around ten at night and woke up before dawn.
“By the way, Angie, are you taking good care of your master? How is he doing these days?”
“Yes, he is always the same. He is good to me...”
She didn't mention the conversation she had with Kai about his birth and birthday presents. She could have said something about presents, but she felt that she would be reprimanded for her bold request. Fortunately, her mother didn't ask her about him anymore. Angie quickly changed the subject to the song she would be teaching the children at the chapel meeting next week.
“What song are you going to sing?”
“I’m thinking about this and that. There are also many nursery rhymes about the sea and the night...”
Angie rested her head on one hand and stared out into the dark woods and the even darker sea beyond. A sudden sense of alarm came over her.
She must not go beyond that sea. It is very dangerous beyond where the wind stands. Just like the man Elliot died mysteriously and was washed up on the waves before...
But the waves reflected in the moonlight were incredibly beautiful. The black waves, which had been preserved since time immemorial, gently surged and receded, creating a gentle melody. A faint humming flowed from deep in Angie's throat. It was a melody she did not know.
“Mom. Did Dad ever sing this song to me when I was little?”
At Angie's humming, the couple locked eyes and tilted their heads.
“It’s the first time I’ve heard that song, Mom. Do you know it?”
“I don’t know. Where did you hear it?”
“I don’t know. I just suddenly remembered. It’s strange, I’ve never learned a song like this.”
It wasn't that it wasn't, it was really strange. Tears welled up in Angie's eyes. A yawn followed right after, so neither of them thought her wet eyes were strange.
“It’s late. Go to sleep.”
Then her father wished her a happy birthday once more, gave her a warm hug, and kissed her forehead goodnight. Angie dragged her body to her bed in a pleasantly drowsy manner. Just as she was about to fall asleep, the melody from earlier came to mind again.
It's strange... No one has ever sung a song like this before.
Habit was scary. She started to fall into a deep sleep even though she didn't think she was that sleepy.
Sunset over the sea after the wind and rain have passed.
The stars twinkle quietly,
The crescent moon in spring is as beautiful as a painting,
My dear, your eyes are even more beautiful.
Somewhere, a warm and sorrowful melody was lingering at the edge of her consciousness and then disappeared. The hazy memories came rushing in like a sudden wave and then disappeared without a trace.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment