Chapter 6: Colors

The young prince and future king sighs bordly, once again his thoughts are filled with his siblings. After Yeosang had left their father had announced to the kingdom that he had passed away due to an illness. However when Kiyeon had left, the king didn't do anything. The citizens had assumed that she too had either died or ran away. Since he has been alone, Taehyun has been engulfed in his studies. Like his brother, he also has a fascination with astrology and cartography.

“Taehyun. Are you even listening?” The voice belonging to his father snaps him out of his thoughts.

He looks up at the king from his breakfast and shakes his head. “Apologies father, I didn't sleep well last night.” The prince says sheepishly. It's not a complete lie, just not the truth.

The king only nods and goes back to eating.

“Excuse me, i'm not very hungry..” Taehyun says getting up from his seat and bowing to his parents before leaving the dining hall, heading to his room.

Once in his room he locks his door and goes over to his desk. His parents haven't heard anything about his siblings, however a few days ago while in the village he heard that there is a new assassin aboard the pirate ship 3Winds who was described to look like his sister. He hopes that it's a fluke and she really didn't become a pirate.

Sitting down he pulls out a spell book from his desk drawer. Unknown to everyone, the young prince also has a strong interest in magic and acquired spell books and scrolls. He flips through the pages of the book until he finds a certain spell. A locator spell.

He grabs a map and unrolls it, laying it down flat on his desk. He closes his eyes, muttering a phrase under his breath and holds his hand over the map. His eyes open to see that two small dots are on the map. “It finally worked.” He says a smile breaking onto his face.

However he watches the two dots move slowly but surely along the map. “They are traveling by sea..?” he mutters and looks at the direction they are moving. “The western seas? Why are they travelling there?” he questions as the dots disappear as the spell has drained some of the prince's energy.

A yawn escapes his lips as he puts the map and spell book away. He grabs a piece of parchment and a pen. He writes quickly yet carefully.

Kiyeon, Yeosang.

I hope you guys are safe. I doubt this will ever be in your hands but i miss you both so much. Mom was heartbroken after you left noona but she understands why you did. But father, he hasn't spoken a word about your disappearance. It's sad to think that he doesn't care about you. At least with hyung he announced that he died, but the kingdom has been asking questions. There are rumors that you became a pirate noona. Is that true? If it is… i hope you are at least trying to be safe. I hope you guys are together and safe and please write soon

Love you

-Taehyun.

He folds and sets the letter in a drawer full of other unsent letters to his siblings. He shuts the drawer and sighs, leaning back in his chair he stares at his ceiling.

“I miss you” he says softly, a few tears slipping from his eyes.

Back on the Treasure, the twins have not left each other's sides. Spending most of the day in Yeosangs room looking over maps and star charts the two have caught up. Yeosang tells stories about his adventures with the crew to Kiyeon sharing about all the trouble she got into back at home.

“He seriously tried to lock you in your room?” Yeosang asks with a laugh.

“Yeah. He said I had to start acting like a princess so I did the natural thing. I picked the lock and snuck out of the castle to the gardens.” She says smiling.

“Always the rebel.” Yeosang teases, poking her in the side.

“No stop!” She squeals as he knows she is ticklish. She quickly gets up and runs across the room, her brother running after.

“Just let me hug you!” He says laughing.

“You’re gonna tickle me more.” She protests and evades him with a laugh.

He stops and smiles at her. “There It is.” He says.

“What?” She asks confused, a smile still on her face.

“Your laugh and smile. I missed it.” He says softly, tearing up a bit.

“Yeosangie..” she says pouting and hugs him. “We are together now. That’s all that matters..” she says softly and feels a few tears hit the back on her neck.

“I know… I just wish sometimes I never left you…” he says softly crying.

Kiyeon smiles a bit and rubs his back gently. “I know.. but you get to be who you are here.. you go on fun adventures with your friends and get to explore. And now I can join you.” She says smiling as she pulls away to look at him. She wipes away his tears and kisses his cheek. “I love you.” She says smiling.

“I love you too sis.” He says smiling back and wipes his eyes. “Are you hungry?” He asks.

“Very.” She says smiling.

He takes her hand and they leave the room together and go to the meeting room where the officers eat and hold meetings. Everyone else is already there and there’s an extra chair.

“We were wondering when you two would show up.” Yunho says smiling as the twins sit down.

“Kiyeon. You already met Seonghwa-hyung, Hongjoong-hyung and Yunho-hyung. This is San, mingi, wooyoung and Jongho.” Yeosang says pointing to each member respectively.

She waves a bit at them as a fellow cook brings out some food that San had prepared earlier.

“This has been a good few days. Granted, Yunho and I were captured by that Psycho Songmin but in the end we won as usual. And our fine navigator has been reunited with his sister.” Hongjoong says standing, holding his cup. “We don’t know what we will face in the western seas, but I know we'll make it out together. As a team, a crew, and as a family.” He says and the group toasts.

“I’ll drink to that.” San says smiling.

“Don’t get wasted this time Sannie” Wooyoung teases with a smile.

“Oh babe… I won’t get wasted.” San says, laughing a bit.

The others laugh and cringe at the couple.

As the night goes on, everyone shares stories and memories they have had together. However Seonghwa notices that Hongjoong seems slightly on edge.

“Hongjoong-ah.. you ok?” He asks softly in the captain's ear.

“All traces of that spell were removed right?” Hongjoong whispers back as he looks at Kiyeon who is laughing at something Wooyoung said.

“Yes. I’m positive. Now try to enjoy yourself.” Seonghwa scolds lightly causing the captain to smile a bit.

“Alright alright.” He says rolling his eyes a bit.

“So Kiyeon-ah. Are you gonna stay on the ship with us?” Yunho asks looking at her.

“If that’s ok with you guys. I don’t want to leave Yeosangie again.” She replies with a smile and nudges her brother.

“Please stay. Can she hyung?” Yeosang asks looking at Hongjoong who nods. The officers cheer and drink again.

Hongjoong watches the girl and his eyes narrow slightly when he watches her eyes change from grey to blue for a split second. ‘Somethings not right’ he thinks and sips his drink.

After the dinner everyone starts heading to bed. Kiyeon tells Yeosang she’ll be in soon before heading up to the deck. She leans against the side railings and looks out at the now dark water.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” A voice says and she turns to see Hongjoong.

“Yeah. I’ve always loved the ocean. Granted I could never really visit it but I always heard stories and saw pictures.” She says looking back out at the water. She’s wearing simple pants and a short sleeved shirt and shivers a bit as a cool breeze hits her.

The captain smiles slightly and takes off his own red coat. He places it over her shoulders with a smile.

She turns and looks at him. “Thank you..” She says softly, slightly embarrassed as she wraps it around her thin body.

He nods and looks out at the water with her. It's silent except for the sound of the wind and waves. It's comfortable. It's natural.

“I don’t think I’m normal.” She says out of the blue.

“Are any of us?” Hongjoong jokes lightly.

“You saw my eyes change color didn’t you?” She asks not looking over at him.

The captain's smile fades. “Yeah.. I did.” He says and looks at her.

“It’s not because of the spell that was put on me.. they have always been able to do that. It was one of the reasons the king never let me leave the castle. He didn’t want the kingdom to think I was a freak.” She says softly.

“You aren’t a freak. It’s just different. You could ask Seonghwa about it. He might know.” He suggests and she looks at him.

“Maybe.. Yeosang always said that when my eyes changed color it was entrancing almost. I don’t remember exactly how he described it.” She shrugs a bit.

“Well, I find it interesting and unique. Don’t dwell too much on it.” Hongjoong says gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. “From what i saw, your eyes only changed for a second but i couldnt look away. It looked like the ocean on a sunny day..” he says softly and looks out at the dark sea surrounding them.

The former princess nods with a blush and takes off his coat. “Thank you. I’m gonna go get some sleep.” She says bowing her head a bit before walking past him and down to the cabins.

The captain watches after her with a slight smile. Looking back out the water he thinks of where he's seen eyes like that.

“Sirens..” he mutters and heads back to his room quickly.