One of the garden pavilions offered a stunning view of the flowerbeds and fountains. Cassian sat on a stone bench, swinging his legs in the air, while Captain Marcel stood before him, hands clasped behind his back.
The Shoreless Sea floated calmly between them, its surface rippling gently.
Marcel took a deep breath.
Now's the time.
Studying Cassian from afar wasn't yielding enough answers. It was time for direct questions.
"Young master," Marcel began, choosing his words carefully, "I'd like to ask you some questions about… that water sphere that follows you everywhere."
Cassian tilted his head, curious.
"Sure! What do you want to know?"
"How do you pull things out of it?" Marcel asked. "It's a fascinating artifact."
Cassian shook his head, smiling.
"It's not really an artifact. The Shoreless Sea is part of me."
So it's not an artifact, Marcel thought, mentally adjusting his understanding.
"The Shoreless Sea…" he repeated aloud. "That's an interesting name. Is it really an ocean?"
"Yeah!" Cassian replied enthusiastically.
Marcel's eyes widened slightly.
In the pavilion's shadows, Ingrid, quietly cleaning, froze. The Silent Circle members hidden in the bushes and behind trees tensed.
Is that even possible?
"And not just any ocean!" Cassian continued, growing more animated. "The Shoreless Sea contains **everything** that ever was, is, will be, and even what will never be! It's all in there, somewhere!"
Marcel felt his breath catch in his throat.
What?
He tried to stay calm, but his heart was pounding.
"I… forgive me, young master. Could you repeat that? I want to make sure I heard correctly."
"The Sea contains everything!" Cassian repeated cheerfully. "Everything that ever was, everything that is, everything that will be, and even everything that will never be! Isn't that amazing?"
Marcel swallowed hard.
If what Cassian says is true…
He now understood why the king was so interested in him. Why Cédric had insisted so fiercely on bringing him to the palace. Why he'd placed such tight surveillance around him.
The Captain had had his doubts at first. But hearing it from Cassian himself changed everything.
But how did he know about Cassian two weeks ago? How did he know he had to meet him?
"Although," Cassian continued, interrupting Marcel's thoughts, "what the Sea spits out can't go back in. Well, living things can't. Objects can."
He pointed at the five humans standing at a respectful distance.
"That's why they're still here. I can't put them back in the Sea."
Marcel turned to them.
The five adults waved at him amicably, smiling oddly.
"Hey, Captain!"
Marcel quickly looked away, preferring not to engage with these… creations.
This Sea is fascinating, he thought. I'm not even sure I fully grasp what "contains everything" really means.
Cassian suddenly leaned forward, his turquoise eyes gleaming.
"Captain, you're always so nice to me. You bring me gifts, play swords with me, teach me tons of stuff…"
He grinned widely.
"You can ask for anything! I'd love to give you something back!"
Marcel's eyes widened, surprised.
Anything?
He glanced around. Ingrid was there. The Silent Circle members were hidden but present.
"Everyone, leave," he said firmly.
Ingrid blinked, startled.
"Uh… of course, Captain."
She bowed and started to walk away.
"I said EVERYONE!" Marcel roared suddenly, raising his voice.
In the bushes and behind the trees, the Silent Circle members exchanged uncertain glances.
Then, reluctantly, they began to withdraw, retreating to a safe distance.
Cassian looked at the Captain curiously but didn't question his thoughtful expression.
Marcel stayed silent for a long moment.
There's so much I could ask for.
Buried dreams resurfaced in his mind.
Eternal youth. The strength of a thousand men. An artifact capable of destroying entire armies. The resurrection of a loved one.
But he knew that if he truly abused this opportunity, what he asked for could cause massive problems.
Problems I'm not equipped to handle.
He mentally crossed out the requests that were too extravagant, too dangerous, too ambitious.
Finally, he made a decision.
"I know what I want," he said calmly.
Cassian smiled.
"You didn't need to think so hard for so little!"
So little? Marcel thought, almost incredulous. I could've asked for something that threatens the balance of the kingdom or the world itself!
He steadied himself, clearing his throat.
But before he could speak, Cassian interrupted.
"Oh, wait! Ask the Shoreless Sea directly."
Marcel blinked.
Then, under his astonished gaze, the Shoreless Sea began to change shape.
The water twisted, molded, gradually taking on a human form.
Marcel's own form.
A watery, translucent copy of the Captain materialized, sitting on the bench beside Cassian, facing the real Marcel.
The Captain froze, his mouth slightly open.
That's… me?
The watery copy nodded politely, as if to say, "Go ahead, speak."
Marcel shook his head, pulling himself together.
"Alright."
He cleared his throat again, then began to speak.
But he phrased his request carefully. Vaguely. Using euphemisms, indirect phrasing, barely veiled metaphors.
"I'd like to… regain my vigor. My strength from before. Especially in certain… nighttime activities. You understand?"
The watery copy nodded slowly.
"The years have been tough. My body isn't what it used to be. I'd like to regain… the ability to perform certain tasks with the energy of my youth."
Another nod.
"Particularly in bed."
The watery copy nodded vigorously, as if to say, "Ah, now I get it completely."
Cassian, meanwhile, tilted his head in confusion, utterly lost by what the Captain was saying.
Vigor in bed? Why does sleeping need vigor?
Finally, after Marcel finished explaining his request as indirectly as possible, the watery copy extended its hand.
And a small vial appeared in its translucent palm.
It was elegant, made of crystalline glass, containing a faintly glowing golden liquid.
Marcel took it carefully, as if it were the most precious thing in the world.
"I… I only need to take it once?" he asked, his voice slightly trembling.
The watery copy nodded in confirmation.
Then it dissolved, reverting to the usual floating sphere.
Cassian looked at the vial curiously.
"That's it? That's a really modest request, Captain!"
If only you knew, Marcel thought, clutching the vial to his chest. If only you knew how precious this vial is to me.
He looked at it like someone gazing at their hope incarnate.
---
Hidden behind a distant tree, a more experienced Silent Circle member watched the entire scene.
It was Gregor, the team leader, a man in his fifties with salt-and-pepper hair. His piercing gray eyes missed nothing.
I didn't know the Captain of the Royal Guard had such a problem, he thought with a hint of amusement. Interesting.
He began to withdraw discreetly to report this information.
Marcel, sensing the spy leave, sighed in relief.
If that bastard wasn't here, I might've asked for something else too.
Suddenly, he heard something.
Laughter.
Barely suppressed.
He turned sharply.
Cassian's five humans stood at a distance, hands clamped over their mouths, shoulders shaking with stifled laughter.
I completely forgot about those guys.
They didn't usually react much, but apparently, they'd understood.
One made an obscene gesture with his hands, mimicking something, and the others burst into laughter.
Marcel gritted his teeth, his face turning red with embarrassment.
Cassian, meanwhile, looked at the Captain with admiration.
He's so humble! Just taking a plain vial, probably with no big effect. The Captain's truly a noble man!