He lives alone in the mountains, and only leaves his pearl castle to visit the sea. Since he was a child, he’d come the day before his birthday, waiting to greet his family on their return from a long voyage across the ocean. Sixteen years have gone by since they left him in the castle, with only the servants to keep him company. Sixteen years, and it seems his soul has disappeared, and his skin is pale as if the blood beneath is not red, but silver.

Still, each year, he waits for his family. He waits for his heart to return.