“It’s not so bad. I get Seollal off. Sometimes my birthday, too.” He glances around anxiously, as if worrying that Yeomra might be listening in. It’s not exactly unlikely. “Well, I hope that you’ve been enjoying the cruise together.” He rises. “Just off for a quick stretch of the legs myself. Navigating these waters can be a tiring business…If you and your son are ever interested in watching how this ship is piloted, the bridge is on Deck 8, just past the spa. We’d be happy to have you.”

Seokga only relaxes when the captain has walked off. He’s cradling Hwanin protectively and, in that moment, realizes his brother has stopped crying and is instead staring up at him with those ridiculous, star-studded eyes.

“What do you want?” Seokga mutters in annoyance, but finds himself delicately adjusting his tiny bonnet and slipping sunglasses. Jeoseung’s sun is disgustingly hot on the sundeck, and he checks Hwanin’s exposed arms and toes to make sure they’re not burned. He relaxes slightly when he sees that they’re fine. “You look ridiculous, brother,” he informs Hwanin. “You should see your hat. Absolutely atrocious. A disgrace to the pantheon.”

There’s an ache in his chest when the baby stares cluelessly up at him. Although he’ll eventually regain his memories, his stomach knots with the knowledge that this child knows nothing of Seokga’s ancient betrayal, or the years of resentment festering between them. For a moment, he longs for the adult Hwanin. He misses fighting with him. They would never again be brothers that casually hugged and laughed, but they’d developed a new kind of brotherhood—one built on insults. For thirty-three brief years, it had almost been glorious. But only now does Seokga realize that.

And one can’t exactly insult a baby or blame a baby for machinating a series of events that led to Hani’s death. Some of his bitterness begins to unwind, and Kisa’s question—about the Ship of Theseus—comes back to him. Is this the same Hwanin? Will he ever be the same Hwanin again, even when his memories come back?

Perhaps this could be a clean slate for both of them.

Hesitantly, Seokga smiles down at the baby. It could be magnificent, a terrific story of redemption wherein he raises Hwanin like his own, and Hwanin—when he regains his memory—is entirely indebted to him…Perhaps Hwanin might even offer to share his throne…

Seokga’s smile abruptly drops as Hwanin sticks out his tongue and begins to float up into the air.

Chapter Nineteen

Kisa

Guilt thrums through Kisa’s blood as she enters the sick bay to see little Kun-woo waiting expectantly by the reception desk. The ten-year-old’s head barely reaches its top. He’s holding a teddy bear, and hugs it tight as Kisa approaches.