[Phone call]
[Date Transcript]
???: The pirates attacked the ship!
The shouts echoed through the luxurious cabin. My maid quickly covered the door, shutting out the noise from the dark room.
She sobbed and helped me change into the maid suit I had prepared. The coarse fabric is not delicate, but the design is simple and graceful. I pointed to the chinese bellflower pattern in the skirt.
MC: Is this the maid’s outfit of the Bellflower? It’s quite beautiful.
(Fun fact: It’s not any bellflower, it’s Chinese bellflower which is Lucien’s official ‘lucky flower’)
Maid: Miss how are you still joking…
Seeing her shed more tears, I patted her shoulder soothingly.
MC: Luna, don’t worry.
MC: The raid of the Bellflower proves that the purpose of today’s banquet has been achieved, and the family’s plan has succeeded the first step.
MC: All I have to do is take advantage of the chaos to mix into their ship and gather information according to the Duke’s instructions. There won’t be any danger.
Luna: But that crew are the strongest pirate on this sea. They have taken the map fragments of the other two families.
Luna: What if they find out that they got a fake fragment from us?
Luna: Knowing that the duke is wily, how can you offer yourself to complete this task…
I hurriedly shut her mouth.
MC: This trip is risky, but I have to give it a try. This may be my only chance to leave the family.
Luna: If you want to call off the engagement, there must be another way. Why do you have to take a risk?
MC: Since the Duke has promised me this condition, I must make good use of it.
MC: What’s more, risk-taking will create opportunities and countless possibilities.
It will also make me more determined to choose this path.
I looked at the vast sea through the porthole. the waves rolled up and down, attracting people to the farther depths of the sea.
I grew up as a noblewoman with a good education and abundant wealth from childhood, but I never gained true freedom.
Daily routine, and even the lifetime of happiness will be under the control of the family.
But those unknown seas, mysterious continents and the far east as recorded in the scrolls. I want to see for myself.
A sudden knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, a code word for the pick-up. This meant the operation was going well and I had to move quickly.
Passing through the chaotic cabin, I stopped at the fork in the corridor. I know that there is a secret passage at the end of the left turn, and the small boat prepared in advance is there.
The palms of my hands slowly broke out in a cold sweat, and I subconsciously pinched the bottle hidden in my sleeve, which flashed with colorful light.
I heard that this is magical creature discovered by a bard – hallucinogenic butterfly. If something goes wrong, I can use it to stun the enemy.
I took a steady breath and walked into the corridor. Suddenly there was a figure standing not far away, as if looking out at the sea.
How could anyone else be here? Has my ship been found? I stopped immediately, but the man seemed to turn around knowingly.
The sunlight outside the porthole jumped over his figure, it was a strange man.
His handsome face is angular and cold, the slender eyebrows and eyes are shrouded with a faint smell of danger.
It makes people feel inexplicably intimidated, and can’t help but want to see more
I looked at him warily and saw that he was dressed in a decent dark court dress. Was he a nobleman who had come to the banquet?
With this in mind, I must get rid of him quickly. So I deliberately put on a rude appearance and lowered my voice.
MC: What are you looking at? Have you never seen a pirate? If you know what you’re seeing, get out of here!
However, that handsome man did not move at all, and the corners of his lips also raised a little.
I was a little anxious that if I delayed any longer, it would be too late to dive into the pirate ship.
I cleared my throat viciously and scraped through the pirate stories I had seen in my mind when an inspiration came to me.
MC: Still not leaving, are you?
I walked up to him quickly and reached out to pick up the man’s chin.
He was surprisingly cooperative, his dim eyes fell on me as if he was looking at something interesting.
The inexplicable look made my heart tremble. I steadied my guilt and exerted my fingertips slightly.
MC: I tell you, pirates are not easy to mess with. But looking at your young body, why don’t you come back with me to serve our captain?
???: [Laughs]…
This time he really laughed, but there was no ripple in his dark eyes, only a touch of mockery on the corners of his lips.
I didn’t have time to say anything when there was a sudden sound of hasty footsteps in the corridor, and a group of pirates rushed in and surrounded us closely.
The leading pirate came out and nodded respectfully to the man in front of me.
Pirate: Captain, the stuff is already in hand.
Captain??
Before I could recover from the shock, the pirate who reported had pulled out a machete and put it on my neck.
Pirate: Who are you? Captain, get rid of her?
The man glanced at me, grabbed my fingertips mischievously, and pushed the blade from my neck away with the other hand.
Captain: This is our new crew.
His slender fingertips seemed to brush my palm, and he leaned down close to my ear.
Captain: Miss Liar, as you wish. Come on board with me and serve me.
Until I was carried on the pirate ship, the man’s unintelligible chuckle still echoed in my ears.
How did the captain of the Bellflower happen to be there? Did he find out about the plan?
My heart was pounding as I mentally reviewed the situation until the pirate leading the way stopped abruptly.
In front of him was a door without any carvings, and he knocked respectfully three times
Captain: Come in.
The door opened in response and my shoulder was pushed hard as the door closed heavily behind me.
There was not a single light in the dark room, the damp and unusual silence left my heart in suspense.
Captain: Eddie, let’s invite our guests to sit down.
As soon as the words left his mouth, a rustling sound like water snakes crawling on the ground came from the darkness, making my scalp tingle with fear.
My instincts told me that something was approaching me, and when I subconsciously stepped back, a sticky, soft touch wrapped around my waist.
The next second, the force suddenly increased, a sudden sense of weightlessness swept through my body, and the emptiness beneath my feet made me realize that I was being lifted into the air by something!
MC: Ahh!!
The thing moved around my waist and then jerked away. I unexpectedly landed on a fluffy cushion
A short whistle sounded, and a few beams of faint purple light suddenly lit up, allowing me to gradually see the scene in front of me.
The lighting embedded in the wall swayed gently with the sea, and the low-key and gorgeous flannelette furniture looms in the dim light, with unspeakable mystery.
The handsome captain was sitting on the sofa opposite to me.
Captain: Eddie, it seems that our little guest doesn’t satisfied with your hospitality.
I froze and followed his gaze, glancing at an octopus tentacle thicker than a human leg swinging in the air.
My body instantly shivered, the huge octopus suctioned on the wall, staring at me with its round eyes.
MC: Ahh-!
Is that the thing that was wrapping around me just now?
In a panic, my fingers touched a lamp on a low-legged table, and an eerie squeaking sound came from it.
I turned my head mechanically, the lamp contained a lantern fish with sharp teeth, glowing with a layer of purple light!
This terrible man, he actually used lantern fish as a lamp?
Captain: Don’t worry, they don’t hurt people – at least, not the honest one.
His reassuring words were more like a warning. Hearing his words, I breathed in calmly.
MC: Captain, I would like to explain to you about what just happened on the noble ship.
He seemed to smile when he heard my words.
Captain: I’m all ears.
I rubbed my lips. Although the original plan did not work out, I also got on the boat, as long as I found a way to stay without being suspected.
MC: I am a maid of a noble family.
The moment the lie came out, I subconsciously looked at the huge octopus. Seeing it lying obediently on the spot, I was slightly relieved.
MC: I have always admired the name of the captain and wanted to become a pirate with you, so I sewed this clothes in secret.
Captain: You said, you have always admired my great name?
I nodded hastily. He leaned over from the table and poured a bottle of wine into the goblet, holding the glass and shaking it lightly.
Captain: Do you know my name then?
MC: …
MC: I, too, would love to know the name of the captain.
I pretended to be aggrieved, and quickly organized the words in my mind.
MC: When the noblemen mention you, they will appear frightened and dare not mention your name at all, so I-
Before I could finish speaking, a beautiful hand came into view.
Captain: My name is Lucien.
I was stunned for a moment, then reacted abruptly.
MC: Lucien??
MC: Are you the Baron Lucien who was called a genius by all the big noble family, but suddenly left home to set up his own business?
Lucien: …That prefix seems a bit cumbersome.
Lucien: But I think the person you are talking about does seem to be me.
Lucien: It looks like you know me?
More than just knowing…
When I think of that secret past, my heart beat a little faster for no reason.
At a party when I was young, the elegant young man I admired stood upright under a brilliant sun.
He is a nobleman, but has a mysterious aura different from the nobility. Unexpectedly, time has passed and he has become a pirate.
MC: …I often hear your name mentioned by the ladies, many of them adore you.
Lucien: Adore me?
Lucien: Does that include your lady too?
The smile on the corner of his lips was even more curved, and there was a hint of playfulness flashed in his expression. I subconsciously avoided his gaze and muttered in two words.
MC: …Of course.
He smiled and wordlessly swirled his glass, I’m not sure what he was thinking.
Lucien: You said you wanted to follow me and become a pirate, right? So what’s the benefit for me to keep you?
MC: The benefits?
I blinked and subconsciously pointed at the octopus named Eddie.
MC: Is that octopus any good to you?
As soon as the words fell, it squinted and looked at me. I shrank my fingers guiltily, only to see it suddenly slid to the table.
After its body suddenly changed color, it spit out a mouthful of ink and filled the ink bottle.
MC: :…
I thought about it for a while, and then showed my sincerity.
MC: There is a book written in the eastern countries that said, if you know yourself and your enemy, you’ll never lose..
MC: The captain has been out of the aristocracy for a long time, and his understanding of them is out of touch. I happen to be able to fill this gap.
MC: I think not only I can help you to fight against the nobles, but also help you to go to the legendary mysterious continent.
I watched his face carefully, trying to make my words sound credible, but he only looked at me and smiled without saying a word.
Just when I was a bit overwhelmed by his gaze, he turned his wrist and handed me the wine glass he was playing with in his palm.
Lucien: Since you are so sincere, it seems that I have no reason to refuse.
Lucien: But to be my crew, there has always been an unwritten contract.
Lucien: That is…
Lucien: Drink a glass of poisoned wine to prove your loyalty to me.
MC: Po-poison?
Lucien: Don’t worry too much, your loyalty will be the best medicine to save your life.
Lucien: As long as you don’t betray me, you will never taste the excruciating pain that comes when the poison kicks in.
I couldn’t help clenching my palm, watching the glass of wine that was slightly swirling
Lucien: Miss Liar, you are hesitating.
The low voice is like a snake with a hook, showing a provocative interest. He held his chin in one hand and slowly raised his eyebrows.
Lucien: Your determination, is that all?
MC: …Of course not!
I immediately stretched out my hand, grabbed the cup with my fingers, and handed it over Lucien’s fingers, but he didn’t let go.
Lucien: Have you thought about it?
When I looked at those dark eyes, I felt like a prey being drawn into a trap step by step, with no way to escape.
There was a rapid throbbing in my chest, but I still held the glass tightly.
This is the closest I’ve come to freedom, and there’s no turning back for me.
I bit up my lower lip, made the effort to snatch the glass of wine, and drank it down in one go.
The corners of Lucien’s mouth curled up in a good mood.
Lucien: Well, welcome aboard, Miss Liar.
I wiped off the wine stains from the corners of my lips and decided to look back.
MC: The captain has given the octopus a name, should I be called so carelessly?
He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he had heard something interesting, then smiled and extended his hand to me again. I put down my glass and slowly but firmly took the palm of that hand.
MC: Captain, my name is MC.
Soon, I was assigned a job – taking care of Lucien’s daily life. I was a little surprised and confused, but it was certainly a good opportunity.
As long as I can get close to Lucien, I can quietly rummage for some useful information or even map pieces while he sleeps.
All it takes is to take advantage while he sleeps…
But Lucien doesn’t sleep.
I struggled to hold open my eyelids, reached out and patted the lantern to wake up the dozing lantern fish.
Lucien is always idly flipping through the book in his hands, occasionally marking something with a quill.
The windows have long been clear of stars, and the ship is so quiet that you can only hear the sound of the waves rolling in.
Why in this peaceful and quiet atmosphere, this man is not the least bit sleepy?
I couldn’t help but yawn, and opened my eyes to meet with a pair of amused eyes.
Lucien: You looks sleepy, do you want to rest first?
Lucien: I don’t need much sleep and probably won’t rest until very late. So if you’re sleepy, go to sleep and don’t force it.
His warm breath hit my face, causing me to become a blushing mess. I hurriedly took a step back and stood up, shaking my head.
MC: I’m here to serve you, how can there be any reason to rest before you?
The poor excuse seemed to please him, and he tapped my forehead lightly with the corner of the book with a low smile.
Lucien: Since you drank the “contract wine”, I have decided that you are on my ship, so there is no need to rush to prove your capability to me.
Lucien: Or is it…
He paused, his eyes lowered a little.
Lucien: Do you have any particular reason why you have to stay here?
MC: No, not at all!
Lucien: There’s no need to panic. But MC reacted so much as if I was right.
He curled his eyes in a good mood, as if it was really a harmless joke, but I always felt that there was something else hidden in that smile.
I thought for a moment that if I insisted on staying and made Lucien suspicious, it would be a lost cause.
MC: Then I’ll go back first.
Lucien: It occurred to me that I’ve been feeling exhausted every morning lately.
I stopped my steps in confusion
Lucien: There were times when I slept so deeply that the morning meeting got delayed
There was a slight movement in my heart. Could it be that early morning was his time to sleep? But why did he say that? I always feel that he’s not the type to be careless…
Looking at the face that seemed distressed, I decided to go along with his words.
MC: Do you need me to sleep here to wake you up more conveniently?
His lips pursed up in a nice arc, as if there was no calculation.
Lucien: Then I’ll trouble you.
MC: Back then, there was a small room in my lady’s room for me to rest, but there doesn’t seem to be one here?
Lucien: We can’t compare to the nobles, we don’t have that many rooms here.
Lucien: But there are still places for you to rest.
He tapped the soft couch next to the bed, as if it’s a natural thing.
MC: …do you mean to let me sleep beside your bed?
Lucien: Is there anything wrong?
My ears suddenly became hot, but I swallowed my refusal to those magnanimous eyes.
MC: …then I’ll go to sleep first, and you should rest early too.
I felt strange when I said those words. But when I saw that Lucien had withdrawn his eyes, I lay down on the soft couch.
In the silent space, there is the rustling of flipping books from time to time, like a flying butterfly walking and stopping at the tip of my heart.
I thought that this would make me awaken to the dawn, but that night, I slept very soundly.
Since then, I have repeatedly tried to hold on until Lucien went to bed, but it’s all ended in failure.
When I slept until the next day, Lucien came back from a morning meeting and sometimes brought me a breakfast.
I always felt something was wrong with this way of living together, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
But the good thing is that during this period of observation, I have mapped out the layout and personnel of the ship. This kind of information is valuable enough for attacking the ship
As planned, all I had to do was apply the secret liquid to the wooden cork of the bottle, and a specially trained fish would go in and send the information back to the family.
And so the next problem arose.
I was asked to serve Lucien personally, which meant there was no time to write information.
Looking at Lucien’s gentle and elegant profile, I was in a trance for a moment.
Could he have discovered my plan early on and kept me by his side?
For a moment, I had the inexplicable illusion of not knowing exactly who was spying on whom.
Lucien: You seem to be staring at me for a long time, is there something wrong?
I looked back and found Lucien putting down his feather quill
MC: I saw that the captain seemed to be writing something very important, and I thought it was amazing.
He followed my eyes and fell on the handwriting on the table-it was really just some unimportant schedule.
He faintly swept a glance at my feigned admiration and tapped the table with his finger.
Lucien: Do you know how to read?
I quickly shook my head, feeling “embarrassed”.
MC: But my young lady likes to read books, so I’ve picked up some interesting stories. I’m interested in literacy.
MC: If possible, could the captain please teach me to write?
Lucien: Before that, I’m curious – what stories have you heard?
I froze at his question, but carefully recalled the books I had seen in the reading room.
MC: For example… The legend says that there is a big fish that can fly in the sky in the far eastern countries.
Lucien: It’s the Kun (鲲).
MC: You know?
Lucien: Would you believe me if I said I had seen it with my own eyes?
His tone was calm, and for some reason I nodded without hesitation. He seemed a little surprised, his eyes bloomed with a bright smile.
Lucien: When I left my family, I boarded a ship headed to the East.
Lucien: We have been drifting in the sea for several months, so long that I am about to doubt the existence of an Eastern country…
Lucien: Then, we finally arrived there.
MC: What’s the world like in the east?
I looked at Lucien expectantly.
Lucien: There were many magicians who could do magic, and they worked together to create an illusory continent.
Lucien: Everything on the continent is very realistic, with dense forests, vast grasslands, and deserts.
Lucien: What impressed me the most, though, was the big fish that can fly like you said.
MC: And are they really shaped like whales?
Without answering, he drew on the paper with his pen, and a “whale” swimming in the sky gradually appeared.
I can’t help but feel emotional.
MC: They must be very free…
Lucien: Why do you think so?
MC: Because although they are obviously sea creatures, they can break away from the ocean and soar in the sky.
Lucien: Then you should know, the body temperature of Kun needs to be maintained at a specific temperature for a long time.
Lucien: If they don’t return to the depths of the ocean in time, the sunlight may kill them at any time.
Lucien: Do you still feel that Kun, who is bound by temperature, is very free?
He looked at me with a little more scrutiny.
Lucien: Perhaps from their point of view, they would consider flying into the sky as an adventure.
Lucien: Or perhaps if it weren’t for capturing birds to feed on, they would not have made the choice to travel the skies.
I was stunned, as if led to open a door I had never peeked into, and instinctively stumbled back.
MC: But they can at least choose when to fly into the sky, and when to dive back to the bottom of the sea.
Lucien: Rather than saying that it is a “choice”, I prefer that it is their instinct to survive, and the constraints of nature.
Lucien: Since it is instinctive and restrained, there is no such thing as “freedom”.
His tone was objective, without any preaching or opposition.
MC: By your words, it seems that there is no “freedom” in this world.
Lucien’s gaze sank, and he relaxed against the back of his chair.
Lucien: Does MC think everyone on the boat is free?
I don’t know why he asked this all of a sudden, but remembering the dashing and easy-going crew, I nodded honestly.
MC: You never appear to restrain them.
Lucien: But they are still my crew, working for me.
Lucien: I do not restrain them because I know that their goals and mine are the same.
Lucien: With a consistent mindset, the ship will not deviate and will always sail in the same direction.
The evening sun outside the porthole outlined his stubbornness so clearly that I seemed to have a vague understanding of what was going on.
Lucien: Maybe your “freedom” exists in some ideal world.
Lucien: But in this sea, someone is bound to hold the power.
Lucien: If someone feels pain or confusion in the midst of this, then perhaps what she has to do is to find a way to turn the course of the world in the direction to which she aspires.
He spoke slowly and seemed to hide a lot of unsaid words. There was an inexplicable sense of loss at the bottom of my heart, and I didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Suddenly, there was a lively noise from the deck, and it should be said that the pirates who were exploring the sea returned with a full load.
Lucien got up and walked over, casting an inquisitive glance.
Lucien: I will have a small celebration party with the returning men.
Lucien: You look a little tired, for today you don’t need to serve me.
When he finished and was about to leave, I opened my mouth in a spontaneous manner.
MC: After you got the third map fragment, why didn’t you send the fleet to the mysterious continent?
Even if the family plans to let him take the fake fragments, he should order the fleet to set out to explore. Could it be that he knew from the beginning that the fragments were fake?
Or is it that he didn’t grab the map for the mysterious continent? Does he also have his own aspirations?
I had a lot of questions at the bottom of my heart, but I didn’t ask. Lucien paused for a moment and then disappeared at the end of the corridor.
I lowered my eyes. The lifelike Kun on the paper spreads its wings and soars quietly.
I stared out at the sea as the ink-like waves rolled out in white ripples.
After Lucien left that day, I considered for a long time whether to write down the information and throw it into the sea. But these days, Lucien’s words are always on my mind, which disturbs me very much.
I vaguely felt that perhaps the map fragments could be put to better use if they were in his hands.
I even hope this mission fails and the intelligence fish is swallowed up by a bigger fish, and everything gets back to peace.
But why do I think this way? Perhaps the answer has taken root inside me, I just don’t dare to read it in detail.
The night sea breeze is very cold, I rubbed my arms intended to go back to inside, when a loud noise came from the distance.
I followed the sound and saw a cluster of dazzling fireworks rising on the dark horizon.
It’s the signal of the family!
This beautiful cluster of fireworks means: the plan goes well, the attack will be at dawn tomorrow.
My breath felt like it was stagnant. Suddenly, there was a warm breath enveloped me.
Lucien: Did you see it too?
I don’t know when Lucien came to me, and the light in the distance cast a little spot in his eyes, like an untouchable miracle.
My heart was inexplicably tugged, as if there were some hard to hide emotions screaming out.
MC: Lucien, may I ask a question?
This is the first time I have called him by his name. He didn’t care at all and kept a faint smile.
MC: What would you do if… someone wanted you to hand over the fragments your map?
Lucien: Then I need to know if this person has chosen the same course as me.
He didn’t deny it, but put forward another hypothesis.
I followed his eyes to the sky, where there was only black smoke after the fireworks dispersed, trailing a long trail.
MC: If you take away the map of the nobles, aren’t you afraid that one day it will be too difficult to defend against so many opponents?
Lucien: If the captain is afraid of wind and waves, his ship will only be stuck in the same narrow sea.
Lucien: Should I end up being swallowed by the wind and waves, it only means that I’m not fit to sail on the sea.
Lucien: The ocean is objective, and I will accept all its judgments.
He said calmly, as if standing at the edge of the storm, but still able to arrogantly look down on everything.
MC: So no matter how it will end, you are able to accept it with self-confidence.
Lucien chuckled, not caring about my somewhat offensive words.
Lucien: Do you wish to follow a captain who is not self-confident?
Without waiting for an answer, a crew member came running and whispered something serious in Lucien’s ear. When he looked up again, Lucien’s expression was a little more austere.
Lucien: It seems that I can’t hear your answer tonight, remember to tell me tomorrow.
MC: Lucien！
I stopped him.
MC: Come to the wine cellar before dawn. I want to answer you today.
A touch of golden light broke through the thick fog, and I sat in the corner of the wine cellar, somewhat expecting that person to appear, but was also afraid if he would really appear.
Finally, familiar footsteps sounded at the door. I clenched my fist and unscrewed the bottle in my hand, a butterfly flew out and landed on the shoulder of the visitor as the door opened.
The next moment, his body was slightly swayed, and before he fell, I rushed out to hold him.
His sudden fall brought me to sit on the ground, the pain from the collision between my body and the ground reached my heart.
I couldn’t help but raise my hand to trace Lucien’s outline and smile bitterly.
MC: I finally see you sleeping, but it’s a pity that the time is now.
I took out the hidden handcuffs and tied his hands to the post, worrying that they might strangle him, I loosened the tightness.
After all this, I pulled a chair to sit in front of him, took a deep breath and calculated the time in my mind.
With the countdown in my heart, the deep, bottomless pupils slowly opened up. I tried to pull out a smug smile.
MC: Captain Lucien, you are too confident.
I dared not look directly at him, picked up the wine and approached him. His breath at my fingertips made me lose concentration for a moment.
Pretending to be calm, I squeezed his chin and put the goblet to his mouth.
The sound of teeth clashing with the goblet was heard, and the liquid spilled out one after another running down his red lips, splashing on Lucien’s neat clothes and bare chest.
Lucien: [coughs]…
Pieces of hair fell on his forehead with his movements, covering his indifferent eyebrows
I provocatively raised my foot and stepped on his body with a deliberate expression of being in control. He did not avoid my eyes, and even slightly raised the corners of his lips.
Lucien: I thought you’d be a little more prepared.
I suppressed the ups and downs in my heart and showed a look of disapproval.
MC: As expected, you already knew about it.
MC: Let me guess, you suspected my identity from the very beginning, didn’t you?
MC: And you know the fragment is fake, right? That’s why you’re holding back.
He lightly pursed his lips and the smooth color was reflected in my eyes.
Lucien: I think you’re only half right.
Lucien: There are many reasons why I keep you around.
Lucien: And these reasons always changing from moment to moment due to your actions, it keep adding up.
Lucien: At first it was just a curiosity as to how much a pampered noble lady could do on her own.
He suddenly let out a chuckle as if he thought of something.
Lucien: She did something, yet it’s not much and determined enough.
Lucien: So afterward, I wondered why you came here.
Lucien: Most recently, I wanted to know the answer to that question.
A string in my heart suddenly broke, and his words from last night echoed clearly in my ears
Lucien: Do you wish to follow a captain who is not self-confident?
Rays of morning light fell through the skylight, startling my wavering heart. I gritted my teeth and shrugged my shoulders as if I didn’t care.
MC: I don’t care. All you need to know is that the nobles will be attacking soon.
MC: By the way, you just drank poisonous wine, if you hand over the fragments, I will spare your life
Lucien: You really don’t care?
Lucien: Then you could’ve waited for the nobles to attack and found the fragment in the chaos, or simply killed me.
Lucien: Don’t tell me, smart as you are, you didn’t think of that.
Lucien: Or is it…
Lucien: MC has gone soft?
I gritted my teeth and met his scrutinizing gaze.
Lucien: Is MC trying to avoid this fight because she’s worried that I’ll get hurt?
I froze, and my fingertips trembled lightly.
He knew about everything.
I knew I couldn’t convince him, it’s impossible to challenge his firm confidence and arrogance.
So I chose to self-righteously scam him, forcing him to hand over the fragments and keep him safe.
So much so that I forgot that the man in front of me was already standing on the top of the food chain, and every step I took happened to fall into his trap.
MC: Lucien, I don’t want to hurt you.
MC: I am sorry that the information has reached the hands of the nobles, and I…
Without waiting for me to finish, he sighed helplessly.
Lucien: It seems that MC does not have enough confidence in her captain.
Lucien: Since I saw through your purpose from the beginning, I naturally wouldn’t gamble on the entire ship’s life.
Lucien: The fact that you are transmitting information is true, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a countermeasure.
Lucien turned his wrist and calmly broke free of the handcuffs. My vision shifted violently, and when I opened my eyes, his familiar breath bumped into me.
The first rays of morning light scattered in, the sound of a horn was heard in the distance, and I blinked in bewilderment at the person on top of me.
Lucien: This noble lady, it seems that the short pirate trip has not given you enough experience, and you don’t seem to be able to survive well in such an environment.
As soon as the words were spoken, the sound of neat footsteps came from outside the room.
Pirate: Captain, we have all the ships under our control, what should we do?
Lucien: [Shout] Tell them that it is not too late to hand over the fragment.
Lucien: [x2] Don’t try to cheat or the next time we see them, they won’t be so lucky.
The sound of the crew’s footsteps gradually faded away, and I chuckled untimely as I watched the sunlight cast from the window net overhead.
Lucien: You seem happy?
MC: I’m not happy, I feel lucky.
MC: Lucky to have met you, so that everything still has room to turn around.
MC: But Lucien, next time I will try to solve the problem and find the right course by myself. I won’t rely on you anymore.
MC: But until then, I accept all your punishments.
MC: Throw me off the ship or be a slave for life… Or simply let me die from poison.
MC: After all, I did lie to you and tie you up to scam you. Oh yes, I also lied to you just now. What I fed you was just ordinary wine.
A low chuckle came from overhead and Lucien leaned in close, tracing and tickling the side of my face with his fingers.
Lucien: Is that how you trust me? Believe I poisoned you?
I reacted with a sudden jolt.
MC: Is the poisoned wine a trick??
Lucien: It’s just that you obviously have a hidden purpose and pretend to be calm, so I want to tease you.
MC: You…
Lucien: Although the poisoned wine is fake, I hope that the original contract can come true.
Lucien: Because for the first time, I desperately wanted to know where a person would want the world to sail to.
The pleasant breath spread between my lips and teeth, tinged with hot temperature, setting off ripples on my heart.
Lucien: [whisper] So, my punishment is… Let me be your only captain forever.
- AHHH WHAT A GOOD DATE. Personally i think the writing can be more polished but eh, it’s still a pretty fun date. Also i’m adding some vid clips bc I love how sly he sounds in this one LOL.
- I LOVE how this date is basically them in reversed role from the Main Story. I teared up a bit at the part where MC choose to ‘deceive/scam’ Lucien to protect him because that’s exactly what Lucien did in Main Story. They’d rather be the ‘bad guy’ so actual bad guys won’t hurt the other :””. And just like how MC in main story knows that Lucien has his own purpose, but still trust him that he won’t hurt her. Lucien too, despite knowing that MC has her own purpose, in this date he choose to trust that she won’t hurt him. It’s true that he’s cunning enough that he can in fact escape, but he still trust her that he let her tied him up and gave him a ‘poisoned’ wine so that he can talk calmly with her.
- Another my fav thing about this date is how we get a peek of Lucien’s view on ‘freedom’. How he believes that there’s no such thing as ‘absolute freedom’ yet he can’t help but crave for it (Lucien also get impressed at the flying fish). He seeks power to gain more freedom. Just like how he climbed up rank in BS so he can research more freely and get more information. He seeks power but not to abuse them, that’s why MC in this date believes that the map fragment would be better if it’s in Lucien’s hand.
- …anyway before it got too long, thanks for reading~