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Shin doesn't think love can be bought, earned, or even prayed for. But now, Shin finally understands the feelings that raged while he was guarding the Sea God as Lord Shin from Lotus House. The emotions that emerged every time he looked at that sleeping face.
"I didn't know a god had so much free time."
Shin chuckled at the Emperor's words. "It seems like the Emperor is busier than I, a god, huh."
The Emperor shrugged. Shin smiled. Two years had passed, and the Emperor was much different from the last time Shin saw him when the boy played the role of the sleeping sea god. His body had grown, his facial lines were charismatic, and his voice had become more profound. However, when they were alone like now, the Emperor looked like a younger brother that Shin loved.
"Are you bothered, eh? I just wanted to see you because it's been long since we met."
"We've been together for a hundred years."
Shin nodded. Only then did he realize that they had never had a proper conversation during those hundred years.
The Emperor continued, "I still often imagine my people who I left behind." His tone dropped to sadness.
"If you feel guilty, you can blame me."
The Emperor gasped. "How could I blame the Sea God who saved me instead."
The tragedy after Shin gave his soul to the Emperor still often played in his head. The Emperor who had a very kind heart, the Emperor who did not leave his people behind, the Emperor who was dying. Shin fulfilled the Emperor's wishes to stay alive so he could protect his people, but what happened was that the Emperor and Shin forgot their people and also forgot each other.
"Why did that happen?"
Shin bit his lip. It was always the Emperor who was beloved by the Sea God most of all. So Shin gave his dragon's pearl, his soul, because he loves him.
"I think," Shin replied, "there's no curse more twisted than love."
The water dragon appeared, a sign that Shin had to return to the sea. They parted, and before Shin slid down, the Emperor chuckled and said, "At least, when you took the trouble to look after me for a hundred years, curse me a little."