I sighed as I looked at the sun that was setting over the sea. I closed one of the books I had just finished reading. The only thing I'm grateful for is that not all the books were explicit.

I gazed at Fier who seemed to be enjoying herself with one of the baby toys Maria gifted. I then decided to get some biscuits from the bag to eat. After all, taking breaks between reading has always been refreshing.

6 more hours and the midnight boat will finally arrive. Then that would be 5 hours at sea before reaching Ikona, the mainland. Then after that, 7 hours riding a carriage...

I already feel so exhausted just thinking about it.

I lazily tossed a piece of cookie into my mouth. It tasted sweet, but not too sweet. Albert is a talented cook in every aspect huh, I can see why Maria married him.

I then stared into the horizon again. Why can't life be as peaceful as it was right now?

I looked at a few fishermen who were tidying up from what seemed to be a successful day of fishing.

One of them seemed to have noticed my gaze and waved at me with a huge grin on their face. I lazily returned the greeting with a small wave. The fisherman then returned to tidying up the nets.

I will never understand how these people never get tired of doing whatever they're doing every single day.

Even I get tired of committing arson and go on hiatus once in a while. I looked behind me to see the store owner hand me a glass of water.

"Hydrating yourself is important, young man. Stretch your muscles while you're at it. You've been sitting the whole time since 12 noon. If I'm right, you're waiting for the midnight boat aye? By the way, the water is on the house." She said as she put a hand on her hip, as if expecting me to drink water now. I hesitantly drank the contents of the glass and stood up.

"Good boy. Now just walk around a bit before sitting down again. Youth shouldn't be wasted via just sitting without even drinking water." She said with a tsk before taking away the glass and leaving me there standing awkwardly.

I was gonna sit again but she glared at me before I could do so, which led to me taking a few steps back and forth as her glare finally turned into a look of satisfaction, which was what I took as a sign that I can sit down again.

I sighed in relief before glancing at Fier who was now giggling at me. Yes yes it must be a really funny situation to you, you fetus that does nothing but wail and drink milk.

I looked at the clock on the shop's wall and noticed that a good 30 minutes had passed. Time really does pass by when you're doing something...

A good 30 minutes more and it will be 5 hours from when the midnight boat will arrive.

~~~~

The boat had finally arrived. And it was ENORMOUS. Like, I don't mean as huge as Titanic but, it was huge enough to accommodate 20 carriages, 10 carts and an estimate of 300 people.

And right at the very hood of the ship was the magentic flag of Adarin. It was a breathtaking sight I felt like I could stare at it forever.

"Hard to take your eyes off, aye boy?" The shop owner from a while ago said as she popped up beside me.

"Ahh yes..." I said quietly.

"After all, it lives up to it's name. Sirenia." She smiled as she looked at the flag on top of the ship. I quietly studied her face and just continued staring when she looked at me.

"Do you want to miss the boat again?" She asked as she nudged me towards the ship, causing me to slightly tumble.

"Go ride my beautiful ship, young man." She said as she waved at me.

I guess she used to be the captain of this ship. Seeing as how she kept on staring at the ship with endearing eyes from a while ago.

"I'll be taking my leave then... Ah, uhm, thanks for the water." I said before running to the ship, Fier in one arm and my bag in the other.

I was pretty sure I was never going to meet that lady again to be honest. I just felt it in my gut. This meeting was similar to kids meeting a new friend at the playground, only to not meet them again, and eventually forget them.

When I climbed aboard the ship, I decided to look back at the port and saw the lady waving at me.

I replied with a small wave. It wasn't that bad of a meeting. Especially since she was my type. It's almost a waste, but oh well.