Winter Swan

Kail sat down leisurely and smiled as Silje blinked in awe. She knew it was going to be beautiful, but the scene in front of her was much more than what she could ever have imagined.

Fresh air, the blue Scandinavian ocean, and the fjord.

Her heart beat fast as she gasped for breath.

It was amazing.

The beauty she witnessed out the window was otherworldly. Silje couldn't take her eyes off the windows. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life and she wondered if she was dreaming.

Kail grinned, looking at Silje like she was a young child going on a picnic for the first time. At first she thought he was laughing at her, but when he caressed her hair, she flinched in surprise. When she turned to him, Kail said to her in a gravelly voice, "Just enjoy this moment."

She wasn't sure if he meant anything by it, but he just smiled.

Clink.

Silje suddenly heard a clear sound and realized that Kail was bringing them a bottle of champagne and two crystal glasses. He expertly filled the glasses with ice and smiled at her.

"Let's celebrate our first trip to the fjord together."

He popped the bottle and filled the crystal glasses with a golden liquid. When he handed her the glass, Silje shrugged.

It was only champagne, so why not?

She took a sip and the crisp bubbles exploded in her mouth.

"Sure, why not? When will I ever get another chance to drink such expensive champagne?"

She grinned and turned towards the window again.

The sunlight brightened the inside of the yacht. With the smooth taste of her drink and enjoying the stunning scenery outside, Silje felt unbelievable happiness. She never dreamt that she would be able to experience something so luxurious.

They sailed for over an hour and a half, but to her, it only felt like a few minutes. Deep green forest, white waterfall, and the calm ocean. Silje felt like a female lead in a romantic movie.

While they enjoyed the ride, Kail ordered the chef to prepare a catered meal for them.

"Now, it's lunchtime."

When Silje turned around, she gaped at the table. Beside the minibar, tray after tray of food were organized in a buffet style. There were French dishes, salmon steaks, giant lobsters, and caviar.

Looking at her surprised face, Kail bit into an apple with a loud crunch.

"Now, eat, my princess."

He grinned as he leaned against the railing.

Silje replied to him in a low and annoyed voice.

"Stop calling me princess or else I might stuff that apple into your mouth. Well, I was hungry anyway, so thanks."

She started to eat as she was very hungry. Kail laughed out loud and patted her head. He murmured, "Sure, sure. Eat, little girl."

Silje ignored him. Some people might laugh at her, but this was the best meal she ever had in her life. A long time ago, her adoptive father Frank took her to a hotel restaurant in Oslo once, but it couldn't compare to what lay in front of her.

Once she started tasting the dishes, she couldn't stop.

There was a simple but fresh salad, salmon steak, and freshly-made cake paired with a fruit dessert.

She ate it all. The food was so good that Silje even forgot Kail was standing nearby.

Watching her enjoying the meal, Kail smiled happily.

"Slow down. I won't steal your food. It's all yours."

Silje felt perfectly comfortable around him and it surprised her. One thing was certain; she felt like she could show him all of herself.

Silje wondered why. Was it because he had seen the worst moment of her life already? She remembered the time she was covered in milk and beaten up by the other kids. She was bleeding everywhere, and her hair was a mess.

Silje coughed and turned to the window.

"Thanks for lunch."

"You're welcome."

Kail grinned and added, "Now, let's continue enjoying the fjord."

While she watched happily, Kail brought her a cup of coffee. She felt relaxed and enjoyed the ride. When she finished her hot drink, Kail suddenly touched her shoulder and pulled. When she flinched in surprise, he said to her, "I think we've had enough of watching through the windows. Let's go out."

A strong ocean wind blew at them. Kail went to the deck and watched the ocean with a blank face.

Fjord.

Silje stared at the unbelievable scene in front of her.

She wanted to be here forever, and she wanted this moment to last for an eternity.

They didn't say much to each other, but as they looked out the ocean together, Kail and Silje felt close. They were together, and this moment belonged to them only.

"…Fjord. I want to hear the song by Solveig."

"Well, I don't."

When Kail replied abruptly, Silje turned to him curiously. He looked at her and gave her a quiet explanation.

"What I mean is, I don't have to listen to it. To be honest, I feel like I am Peer Gynt. Peer Gynt was mesmerized by the girl named Solveig. Unlike him, who was with her at the beginning and the end of his life, I will be with you for the rest of my life. You are the reason why I live, Silje."

Looking at her impatiently, Kail pulled her by her hands and kissed her. Silje trembled at her own desire.

She was enthralled by Kail. Ass they were surrounded by the magnificent fjord at this moment, she was captivated by him.

Silje leaned against Kail and closed her eyes.

***

Solveig's song.

It was a famous song from Peer Gynt.

The story was about a farmer from a small town in Norway. Peer Gynt, fell in love with a girl named Solveig. They get married, but to make money, Peer Gynt left to travel to a faraway country. After many years, when finally returns home, he finds his wife Solveig, now an old woman, still waiting for him.

At the end of the play, Peer Gynt closes his eyes as he listens to his wife sing for him.

Solveig's song.

In the yacht, her song was playing quietly.

Winter may pass, and spring may disappear.

Summer too will vanish, and then the year.

And then the year.

But this I know for certain: you'll come back again.

You'll come back again.

As I promised, you'll find me waiting then.

You'll find me waiting then.

Looking out the fjord and listening to such a beautiful yet sad song, this moment felt surreal to Silje.

'I will never forget this moment…'

She saw Kail looking at her and her heart swelled up. This was the happiest moment of her life.