* * *

Layla led us to the harbor, where numerous ships were docked.

Among them, one vessel stood out—large and luxurious.

It must’ve been Layla’s pride, the Luna.

The crew aboard greeted her warmly, and she returned their greetings with a casual nod and a bright smile.

“About earlier—don’t take it to heart. Southern sailors are notoriously superstitious. The sea’s a place of endless uncertainty, after all.”

“I tried to understand, but you smashed that guy’s head, Layla.”

“You may try to understand, but I couldn’t let it slide. How dare anyone insult my only comrade?”

Her unwavering loyalty brought a smile to my face.

She had changed since I last saw her.

Before leaving the capital, Layla had been as petite as Jeanne.

Now, she stood tall, a fully grown woman.

Only after standing next to her did I understand why the sailors mistook me for a child.

“Layla, have you ever dealt with a Kraken?”

Descending the stairs from the deck, Jerome interrupted.

Despite his insolent tone, Layla didn’t seem to mind as she answered nonchalantly.

“Fighting a Kraken on the open sea is nearly impossible. But to reach the labyrinth, we’ll have to encounter one. The waters around the labyrinth are filled with reefs—one wrong move, and the ship will capsize.”

“Then what do we do?”

“While I steer, there’s only one thing you need to do: make sure the Kraken doesn’t attack the ship. Think you can manage that?”

Her words left me utterly speechless.

How were we supposed to fend off a Kraken as massive as an apartment building?

Judging by Jerome’s expression, he felt the same.

Layla, however, seemed thrilled, grabbing both our hands and raising them high.

“I’ve always missed this sense of camaraderie. Ever since I joined the Luna Guild, I’ve been far away.”

“Do you understand we might die, right?”

“Wouldn’t it be lucky to die on the sea?”

“Maybe for you, Layla!”

At my sharp retort, Layla laughed heartily. Jerome, watching with a faint smile, asked,

“By the way, Layla, I noticed some cannons on the ship. Can I take a closer look?”

“Of course! The cannons are one of the Luna’s prides. Rotte, show this gentleman to the cannon room.”

Nodding, Rotte led Jerome away. Layla, watching them with curiosity, poked my side and whispered,

“So, what’s the deal between you two?”

Her eyes sparkled with mischief, clearly eager for gossip. Meeting her gaze, I replied calmly.

“I have no idea. Not a clue what this is.”

---

The journey, which began in daylight, continued late into the night.

Despite how close the labyrinth seemed, it was much farther than anticipated.

Without Layla’s help, we likely wouldn’t have even made it there.

Since boarding, I’d been suffering from seasickness.

One of the crew offered me a glass of rum, claiming that even one sip could knock me out and cure the nausea.

Desperate, I accepted. As promised, it put me to sleep until nightfall.

Swoosh, swoosh.

The sound of waves woke me.

Through the small window, I saw the dark sea.

Wrapping a shawl around myself, I stepped outside.

The crew standing watch were dozing off. I carefully avoided them and climbed to the deck.

Staring at the quiet night sea, the events of the day replayed in my mind.

Clutching my shawl tightly, I thought to myself,

‘If I lack the courage to confess my feelings or beg for his attention… what am I supposed to do?’

I had never really thought about what kind of relationship Jerome and I had.

I was too preoccupied with finding Maya’s Stone to care.

So when Layla asked me about us, my mind went completely blank.

Playing husband and wife while sharing a bed, yet without love—could there be a more contradictory relationship?

The faint remnants of alcohol made my head spin.

‘Why am I the only one struggling with thoughts like these?’

Frustrated, I shook my head, trying to push the feeling away.

It annoyed me that Jerome remained so carefree while I was the only one agonizing over this.

I didn’t want to think about it anymore.

Rubbing my chilled forearm, I let out a long sigh.

“They say there are only two types of people who sigh at the sea.”

“…”

“Those whose children have drowned in it, or those who have fallen in love themselves.”

Hearing the sound of footsteps behind me, I glanced back.

Jerome, who must have arrived unnoticed, casually stood beside me.

I gazed at him in silence before clutching my shawl tightly and speaking.

“Tell them to add a third: those about to be torn apart by a Kraken.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the ship tilted violently, and I almost lost my balance.

If Jerome hadn’t grabbed me by the shoulder at the last moment, I would’ve toppled backward.

Gathering the courage to ask the question that had been haunting me since yesterday, I spoke hesitantly.

“What about you?”

“Hmm?”

“Why are you searching for Maya’s Stone?”

When Jerome had previously asked me why I wanted the Stone, I hadn’t been able to answer—because explaining it would mean confessing I was in love with him.

While I hadn’t been able to respond back then, I did have my reasons.

But the more I thought about it, the more curious I became about why Jerome was enduring this long journey.

I extended my fingers one by one as I questioned him.

“To stay alive?”

“Not a chance.”

“Then for some sense of duty?”

“Not interested.”

“If it’s not that, then what is it?”

His nonchalant replies annoyed me, so I shot back in a sharp tone.

For a moment, a flicker of light danced in his eyes.

Then, to my surprise, Jerome muttered in an astonished voice.

“Did you grow taller?”

“What? Really?”

“Stand properly. Straighten your back.”

Caught off guard by his comment, I straightened my posture, my heart pounding.

As he adjusted my shoulders to help me stand upright, Jerome gave a faint smile.

“You have. Your eye level’s slightly different. At this rate, you might be towering over me soon.”

“Would you be okay if I grew taller than you?”

“Hmm? Doesn’t matter to me.”

No matter how much I grew, I doubted I’d ever match Jerome’s height.

Still, the idea of even a little growth brought me comfort.

Unlike me, who was visibly pleased, Jerome sighed as if he found the thought regretful.

“I’ll admit, I feel a little let down. I kind of wanted you to stay my little Jeanne forever.”

“…That sounds more like something you’d say to your child.”

“True. Maybe I should’ve been the one to give birth to you.”

“There you go again, saying terrifying things like it’s nothing…”

The thought of having Jerome as a parent made me shudder.

As I grimaced, Jerome laughed—a rare, hearty laugh.

Our conversation fell silent, leaving an awkward stillness between us.

“Why don’t you kiss me these days?”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Even to my own ears, I sounded disappointed.

Jerome, watching me intently, casually slid an arm around my waist.

“Did I agree to take charge of all the kissing?”

“It’s just… You used to cling annoyingly close, but now you’re all distant, and it bothers me.”

“If you’re so eager for a kiss, why don’t you do it?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

As usual, I pushed at Jerome’s shoulders, but this time I hesitated.

How could I claim I’d make him fall in love with me if I kept pushing him away?

If I wanted to pull him in, I had to be decisive.

“Fine, sure. Lower your head a bit.”

The smile that had lingered on Jerome’s lips vanished.

He stared into the distance, his throat bobbing as if he was unsure what to say.

After a long silence, he flicked my cheek lightly with his knuckles.

“Don’t just brush your lips against mine and call it a kiss, okay?”

“Why are you like this? Thanks to you, I’ve had plenty of practice.”

“Practice, huh?”

“Stop teasing and lower your head already.”

It would’ve been a lie to say I didn’t want to run away.

But I knew that if I backed down now, I’d never be able to face my feelings honestly again.

Sensing I wasn’t joking, Jerome closed his eyes and leaned down.

Just as I mustered the courage to press my lips to his, the ship jolted violently as if struck.

Jerome, wrapping his arms around me, was flung against the wall.

Boom!

Jerome groaned in pain. If he hadn’t instinctively shielded me, I would’ve been the one to hit the wall.

As the ear-splitting shriek of a creature rang out, rain began pelting the deck.

While I repeatedly asked if he was okay, Jerome nodded absentmindedly and spoke in a calm voice.

“Jeanne, go wake the navigator. Right now.”

A Kraken, larger than anything I could’ve imagined, finally revealed itself.

Its sheer presence was enough to make my knees weak, its many legs thrashing through the air.

Jerome, pushing me behind him, wore a smile laced with irritation as he stepped forward.

“Your husband has some frustration to work out from missing that kiss.”

* * *