Islaw felt the tremors in Agnes's body finally begin to subside. He gently pulled away from the embrace to begin the tasks the woman at the market had described. He stood up and headed straight for the kitchen to do whatever was necessary to help his poor wife recover quickly.
His first priority was to sponge her body with lukewarm water and change her into fresh clothes. He took a small basin, filled it with water from the tap, grabbed a clean white towel, and brought them back into the bedroom.
He moved with hesitation; he truly knew nothing about these things. His handsome face was a mask of innocence and confusion, but for the sake of his beautiful wife, he pushed himself to remember and understand every instruction he had been given.
He set the basin on the small, old table beside the bed, unbothered by how rickety the wood felt beneath the weight. He sat beside Agnes, watching her face while he gently brushed a stray lock of soft, messy hair away from her eyes.
"I'll... I'll take care of you, Agnes," he whispered softly.
He began by soaking the small cloth in the warm water before gently dabbing it against Agnes's smooth but pale cheek. As he cleaned her face, he couldn't help but stare at her beauty.
It was perhaps the first time he had actually looked at her this closely for a long time. He noticed how her forehead wasn't too wide, how her dark eyebrows were straight yet perfectly shaped, and how her large eyes perfectly suited her face. She had a straight, narrow nose and delicate lips. The word perfect was the only thing that came to his mind.
"You're so beautiful," he murmured in a low voice.
He continued his task, moving the damp cloth down to her neck and wiping it gently. Next, he began to remove her clothes. He froze for a moment, seeing her nakedness for the very first time.
In truth, he had never seen anyone like this, even among his own kind. He was stunned by the beauty before him, and something inside him made his own body feel warm. But he pushed the feeling aside and focused on his task until he finished dressing her in clean clothes.
Once he had tucked her under the blanket, he returned to the kitchen to cook. Agnes had taught him once how to make rice porridge, and that was what he intended to prepare. He was busy at the stove when Cholo finally arrived. He felt a sense of relief; he knew the boy understood much more than he did.
"Hey, hey! Agnes is s-sick!" Islaw ran to meet Cholo, tattling like a worried child.
"What? Where big sis are?"
"What?" Islaw frowned, tilting his head.
"Where is big sis?"
"In the room. She's sleeping."
"Why you not caller me?"
"Huh?"
"Why didn't you call me?"
"I... I couldn't l-leave her."
"Is she okay now?" Cholo asked, hurrying into the bedroom to check on her.
"She's not as h-hot anymore. And she stopped s-shaking."
"What did you do?"
"I w-wiped her with a wet towel and c-changed her c-clothes," Islaw answered. Cholo's eyes widened, and then he let out a grin.
It was a strange, mischievous grin.
"W-why?" Islaw asked, suddenly nervous.
"You saw big sis naked?" Cholo teased.
"Hmm-hmm," Islaw nodded slowly.
"Whoa, Big brother. Look at you taking your chances," the boy teased, poking Islaw in the ribs.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing. It's good you knew what to do."
"I was t-taught."
"What's that smell? It smells good," Cholo said, sniffing the air as he looked around.
"I'm cooking for Agnes."
"Wow, impressive. Big sis will surely get well soon since you're the one looking after her."
"Really?" Islaw's face lit up, his heart leaping with joy.
"Of course."
Islaw didn't reply and simply smiled. After talking with Cholo, he went back to the kitchen to finish the porridge. He was in the middle of stirring when he suddenly heard a loud thud and a strange noise coming from the bedroom. He ran inside immediately.
"Oh no, Big sis!" he heard Cholo exclaim.
"Agnes, Agnes!" Islaw's face was full of terror. He saw Agnes slumped on the floor, some white substance coming out of her mouth.
"W-what is that?" he asked, immediately cradling his poor wife.
He didn't understand what was happening, but his heart felt a sharp, pinching pain seeing her like this. His wife was suffering, and he felt helpless. He wanted to take all her pain away, but he didn't know how.
"She's vomiting. Her stomach is throwing up everything she ate," Cholo explained.
"W-what do we do?"
"I don't know! But whenever I'm sick and throwing up, my mother rubs my back and gives me water."
"G-get water!" he barked at the boy.
Cholo didn't argue; he scrambled out of the room to get a glass. Islaw placed his warm palm on Agnes's back and began to rub it gently. He noticed her body slowly relaxing until the vomiting stopped.
"Poor Agnes," he pouted, using his hand to wipe her lips.
"I-Islaw?" Agnes stared at him weakly, her eyes squinting as if trying to recognize him through her haze.
"Agnes, i-it's me, Islaw."
"How are you, Islaw?" she smiled faintly, placing her palm against his cheek.
"W-why are you w-whispering? Why are you so weak?" he asked, tears welling in his eyes. His heart was overflowing with worry.
"I'm fine, Islaw."
"No, you're n-not okay."
"I'm fine. Don't worry. W-wait... have you eaten yet?" she asked. He shook his head. "I'll cook for you."
Islaw could feel how frail Agnes was, yet she was still trying to stand up to cook for him. She nearly collapsed several times, and each time, he caught her. Instead of letting her force herself, he sat her back on the bed and made her lie down. She was always thinking of him. This time, he wanted to be the one to take care of his wife.
"Islaw, you need to eat. I have to cook."
"Don't worry about me. I'm okay. You're the one who is s-sick."
"Didn't I tell you? I'm fine."
"You're not okay. You have a f-fever."
"Big brother, here's the water!" Cholo skidded to a stop beside them. "Hi, big sis." Agnes gave the boy a weak smile.
"D-drink some water, Agnes."
Islaw helped Agnes sit up, propping her head against the pillow behind her. He took the glass from Cholo and held it to Agnes's pale lips. He was incredibly careful as he let the sick girl sip the lukewarm water. It was the only thing he knew how to do for her.
"Thank you, Islaw. You too, Cholo."
"No problem!" the boy said, standing tall.
Agnes didn't say anything else, just smiled. A moment later, her eyes drifted shut as she slipped back into sleep. But before she drifted off completely, Islaw felt her hand reach for his. She interlaced their fingers together.
He couldn't help but smile at his wife's touch.
Agnes frowned slightly as she opened her eyes. She hadn't been woken by the morning sun hitting her eyelids, but by something soft gently stroking her forehead, as if brushing her hair upward.
As her consciousness returned, she felt the familiar throb in her head and the lingering weakness in her limbs. However, when Islaw's handsome face came into view, all the physical discomfort seemed to vanish. In fact, she felt an immediate sense of relief.
"Good morning, my Agnes," he greeted her with a smile before kissing her forehead, which took her by surprise.
"W-why did you kiss my forehead?"
"I don't know."
"Why don't you know? You should know why," she asked, puzzled.
"I really don't. Y-you shouldn't be asking me; you should be the one who knows."
"What? Me?" The confusion on her face deepened.
"I only l-learned the forehead kiss from you."
"From me?"
"Hmm-hmm. Cholo told me that you always kiss my forehead before you l-leave the house for work," he explained, leaving her mouth agape.
Note to self: Cholo can't keep a secret.
"I kissed you on the for-forehead because you g-give them to me too." Islaw gave her a bittersweet smile.
She found herself smiling back.
"Why do you always kiss me, anyway?" He pouted even more and tilted his head. He was so cute!
"Do I really have to explain it to you, Islaw?"
"Hmm-hmm."
"To be honest... I don't really know the reason either," she admitted, shyly scratching her head.
The truth was, she wasn't entirely sure why kissing Islaw's forehead had become her routine every time she left. She knew it wasn't just because he was adorable; she had deep feelings for him, but she didn't want to speak too soon. She was afraid of misinterpreting her own heart, so she wasn't ready to confess directly to Islaw yet.
"I-is that possible? You don't know why you kiss me?"
"It's because you're so cute," she answered simply, pinching his cheek. "Have you eaten? I'll cook for you if you haven't." She made a move to get up, but he stopped her.
"I already cooked, Agnes."
"Really? That's wonderful."
"I m-made you porridge because you're sick. H-how are you feeling, anyway?"
"My Islaw is so sweet." She playfully squeezed both of his cheeks this time. "I'm okay, Islaw. My head still throbs a bit and my body is a little weak, but I can manage—not like yesterday."
"Really? I-I was the one who took care of you!" He raised his hands, looking incredibly proud of himself.
"Is that so, Islaw?"
She was stunned to find out that Islaw had been her caregiver. She hadn't known who looked after her while she was burning up with fever. She had assumed it was Cholo since he knew what to do, whereas Islaw still had so much to learn. But it turned out Islaw was the one who stepped up.
"How did you take care of me?"
"I w-wiped you with l-lukewarm water, I undressed you, I dres—"
"What?" she couldn't help but react. "You undressed me?!" she asked, eyes wide.
"Hmm-hmm," he nodded, giggling, while she sat there in a daze for a moment.
A thousand thoughts raced through her mind.
"Y-you saw me naked? Did you dress me? Did you... do anything else?"
"Huh?" He tilted his head again, his handsome face a picture of pure confusion at her questions.
That put Agnes at ease. Based on his reaction, he clearly didn't understand the implications. He likely hadn't done any of the things she was imagining. Moreover, she had great trust in Islaw; he wasn't like other men who only pursued women for their bodies. Ironically, the only thing Islaw actually wanted from her was a baby.
"Agnes, your chest is so big. It's s-swollen! And there's a big m-mussel stuck between your thighs. I-I tried to pull it away earlier but it wouldn't come off. I didn't f-force it because you started biting your lip. I think you're h-hurt so I stop pulling it out."
"Son of a—" She squeezed her eyes shut, not knowing what to say to this fool.
"What was that?" Islaw jumped slightly when her stomach growled. "Did you fart, Agnes?"
"No! What do you take me for? Someone with no manners who farts in front of you?"
"Well, Cholo does it." Islaw said with a shrug.
Agnes didn't argue and just let out a soft laugh. A moment later, she clutched her stomach, which was protesting from intense hunger. She hadn't eaten since yesterday morning; an entire day had passed while she did nothing but sleep.
"Are you in p-pain?" Islaw immediately tried to comfort her, his face etched with deep worry. "D-does this hurt?" He very carefully placed his palm on her stomach and rubbed it gently.
She couldn't answer him right away because her gaze was locked onto his. Seeing the concern in his soft eyes made her emotional. She couldn't help but feel moved knowing that Islaw—who was so innocent about the world—had been the one to care for her when she needed it most.
"Thank you, Islaw. I didn't expect you to put in so much effort to look after me when I needed care and affection. Thank you for not leaving me, Islaw."
"O-of course, I'm your husband."
"My, I'm so lucky to have such a husband. Kind, understanding, hardworking, cheerful, thoughtful, and caring! Even if you are a bit stubborn." She squeezed his cheeks for the third time.
"I-I'm not stubborn anymore!" He pouted and shook his head, even his shoulders seemed to wiggle in protest.
"You know, Islaw, I want to confess something to you."
Suddenly, all the memories of their first meeting came back to her. She would never forget how, at first, she didn't want to be wed to a merman—that pity was the only reason Islaw was even inside her house. But now, everything had changed.
"W-what is it?"
"Did you know that our marriage was actually an accident?"
"An accident?"
"Yes, Islaw. I didn't actually mean to kiss you. At that time, I didn't know that if a woman kisses a merman, it means they are wed."
A shadow of sadness crossed Islaw's face.
"Y-you don't love me?" His eyes grew misty, and he looked ready to cry.
"To be honest, Islaw, on that day, I wanted to end my suffering because of all the bad things happening in my life. That's why I was under the sea—to end my life."
"But you suddenly appeared," she added quickly. "You saved me from my wrong decision to give up. I kissed you... I didn't know why I did it, but it was like something pushed me to kiss your lips."
"W-what pushed you?"
"I don't know. Maybe it was just me. I don't know, but in that moment, all I wanted was for our lips to touch," she recounted, unable to stop a soft laugh as she reminisced.
"Since then, we saw each other more often until we ended up in the same house. I'll admit, I didn't plan on taking you seriously. I thought what I felt was just pity. I told myself we would eventually part ways because you'd go back to where you came from."
"No!" Islaw shook his head, looking like he might wail at any second.
She took his face in her hands.
"That was then, Islaw. But now that you've found a place in my heart, I realize I can't bear for us to be apart. You were my light when I was fumbling in the dark. You became my happiness, Islaw."
"My Agnes."
"Before, when I came home, I was met with a lonely house. But now, you're the reason I smile every time I return. I'm so happy I met you."
"Really, Agnes?"
"Of course, my Islaw."
"Yay!" He clapped his hands, beaming with joy.
"So don't go getting upset with me anymore, okay?"
"I-I'll cancel my p-plan to be upset." Agnes smiled as Islaw's grin widened. She was about to speak, but her stomach growled again.
"Did you fart?" Islaw's right eyebrow raised.
"I told you, it's not a fart! I'm just hungry." Agnes chuckled.
"Oh no, you're h-hungry? I'll get you f-food!" He scrambled to get off the bed.
"No, stay. I'll serve myself. I can do it now, and you need to rest."
"No way! Y-you're not well yet. Now that you're s-sick, it's my turn to take care of you, Agnes."
"Islaw..." She looked at her husband with deep emotion and couldn't help but pull him close, kissing him passionately.
She didn't regret becoming Islaw's wife.