chapter 35
The ship creaked softly as it cut through the dark waters.
Waves lapped rhythmically against the hull, almost hypnotic in their repetition. Lantern light swayed gently with the movement of the sea, casting shifting shadows across the deck.
Most of the crew had settled into their duties or found places to rest, but a few remained restless. Long voyages had a way of stretching time itself.
Then—
Chris clapped his hands together loudly.
Chris: "Alright, everyone. By tomorrow evening, we'll reach the next kingdom."
A grin spread across his face.
Chris: "So why not make tonight… interesting?"
Several soldiers looked over immediately.
Marco raised a brow.
Marco: "Interesting how?"
Chris gestured dramatically toward an open section of the deck.
Chris: "Campfire. Right here. Middle of the ocean."
A pause.
Chris: "Warm food, light, and games."
Some soldiers laughed instantly. Others exchanged uncertain looks.
Fun? During a dangerous voyage?
Strange. But welcome.
---
Nearby, Guinevere's attention shifted toward Tomasi.
He sat quietly near the railing, one handkerchief pressed lightly against his mouth. Even now, his breathing looked uneven.
Without a word, Guinevere walked over and handed him a small vial.
Guinevere: "Here."
Tomasi blinked in surprise before accepting it.
Tomasi: "…Thank you."
Guinevere crossed her arms lightly.
Guinevere: "How far now?"
Tomasi uncorked the vial slowly.
Tomasi: "The next kingdom…"
A quiet cough interrupted him.
Tomasi: "…That should be our destination."
Guinevere nodded faintly, though her gaze lingered on him longer than usual.
Then—
Guinevere: "You know why I never wanted to become someone like you?"
Tomasi looked mildly surprised.
Tomasi: "Oh?"
A faint smile touched his lips.
Tomasi: "You're sharing personal thoughts now?"
For once, Guinevere didn't immediately shut the conversation down.
Instead, she leaned lightly against the railing.
Guinevere: "I'm ambitious."
Her tone stayed calm.
Guinevere: "I want to live."
A small pause.
Guinevere: "I don't want to die young… like you."
For a moment, silence passed between them.
Then Tomasi smiled softly.
Not offended. Not angry.
Just understanding.
Tomasi: "…I understand."
And strangely—
the tension between them eased.
Not friendship. Not trust.
But something quieter.
Mutual understanding.
---
Later that night—
A fire crackled at the center of the deck, sparks drifting upward into the dark sky.
The crew gathered around loosely, warmth flickering across tired faces.
Chris rubbed his hands together excitedly.
Chris: "Alright!"
He pointed dramatically toward the group.
Chris: "Truth or dare!"
Marco stretched lazily beside him.
Marco: "Finally. Something other than staring at water for hours."
Chris's gaze drifted toward the Princess.
She remained composed as always, though curiosity flickered faintly in her eyes.
From farther back, Marco noticed immediately.
Marco: "…What's he doing?"
John stepped beside him quietly.
John: "What are they talking about?"
Marco shrugged with a grin.
Marco: "No idea."
John frowned slightly.
John: "…Huh."
---
A moment later—
The Princess and Guinevere stepped forward and sat near the fire.
A ripple of surprise spread among the soldiers.
The Princess? Playing games with them?
Even Guinevere?
Completely unexpected.
Chris looked delighted.
Chris: "Now this is getting interesting."
Before the game could begin, another voice spoke up.
Esabell: "May I join too?"
Chris blinked.
Then smiled brightly.
Chris: "Of course, Miss…?"
Esabell: "Esabell."
Chris pointed dramatically.
Chris: "Welcome, Miss Esabell!"
A few soldiers cheered jokingly as the bottle spun for the first time.
---
It landed on a soldier.
Chris leaned forward immediately.
Chris: "Alright. Why did you join the scouts?"
The soldier hesitated.
Then answered quietly.
Soldier: "My family was poor."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Soldier: "After the curse of the gods… surviving became impossible."
His voice tightened.
Soldier: "My child died because we had nothing."
Silence fell.
Soldier: "I joined because I don't want others to suffer like that."
His eyes lowered.
Soldier: "I wanted to protect innocent people."
The deck became completely still.
Even Chris lost his playful expression for a moment.
Then he nodded slowly.
Chris: "I hope one day…"
A faint smile appeared.
Chris: "…we can make that wish come true together."
Cheers erupted around the fire.
Louder this time.
Heartfelt.
---
The bottle spun again.
Slowly—
it stopped in front of the Princess.
John stiffened immediately.
Chris smirked.
Chris: "Interesting."
Before anyone else could speak, Esabell raised her hand slightly.
Esabell: "May I ask something?"
Chris: "Go ahead."
Esabell turned carefully toward the Princess.
Esabell: "Has anything been bothering you lately?"
A pause.
Esabell: "Something making you feel… uncertain?"
The Princess froze slightly.
Her gaze shifted.
Straight toward John.
Their eyes met.
And suddenly—
the noise around them seemed distant.
Princess (quietly): "…Yes."
John's chest tightened instantly.
Relief. Fear. Hope.
All at once.
Chris scratched his head awkwardly.
Chris: "…What kind of question even is that?"
Guinevere laughed softly beside them.
Guinevere: "My turn."
---
The bottle spun again and stopped at Guinevere.
Chris leaned forward immediately.
Chris: "Commander—what's your type?"
The soldiers nearly exploded.
Marco almost choked.
Guinevere didn't react at all.
Guinevere: "Someone persistent."
A pause.
Guinevere: "Someone who doesn't run away."
Her smirk deepened slightly.
Guinevere: "And someone powerful."
Chris blinked.
Chris: "Powerful how?"
Guinevere: "One question at a time."
Chris groaned dramatically while the soldiers laughed.
---
Eventually—
the bottle stopped at John.
The Princess watched him quietly.
Then—
Princess: "…I want to ask this one."
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
Even Marco noticed.
John looked up slowly.
Their eyes locked.
Princess: "…Earlier…"
Her voice lowered.
Soft enough that almost nobody else could hear.
Princess: "…What you said back in Stonehaven…"
A faint hesitation crossed her face.
Princess: "…Was it true?"
John froze.
His pulse jumped violently.
For a second, the world around him disappeared completely.
Only her voice remained.
John: "…Yes."
The answer barely left his lips.
But she heard it.
Clearly.
Across the circle, confusion spread among the soldiers.
Nobody fully understood what had just happened—
but everyone could feel the tension.
Guinevere noticed immediately.
A knowing smile crossed her face.
Guinevere (quietly): "…Interesting."
Marco leaned toward another soldier dramatically.
Marco: "What is happening with those two?"
The Princess looked away slightly afterward, though a faint warmth lingered across her cheeks.
John's heartbeat thundered in his ears.
No one else understood.
But somehow—
it felt like she had said far more than a single question.
And he had answered with far more than one word.
---
The game continued.
Laughter returned. Voices rose again.
But something between them had changed.
Subtly. Quietly.
Irreversibly.
---
Eventually, the bottle landed on Esabell.
Esabell: "Truth."
Chris immediately protested.
Chris: "Boring! Take a dare!"
Guinevere smirked.
Guinevere: "You can't force her."
Chris clasped his hands dramatically.
Chris: "Please, Miss Esabell!"
Marco burst out laughing.
Marco: "Make her do a handstand!"
The soldiers laughed loudly while Esabell covered her face in embarrassment.
Chris waved it off.
Chris: "Forget the handstand."
A grin spread across his face.
Chris: "Sing us something instead."
Esabell blinked.
Esabell: "…A song?"
---
After a moment—
she nodded.
Esabell: "…Alright."
The deck quieted.
Then she began to sing.
🎵 "Through the waves and stormy skies,
We sail as one, our hearts arise…" 🎵
Her voice carried beautifully across the ocean.
Bright. Warm. Hopeful.
Even the soldiers listened quietly.
🎵 "Hand in hand, we face the fight,
For love, for life, for what is right…" 🎵
Marco clapped along enthusiastically.
Chris grinned proudly.
Even Guinevere's expression softened slightly.
And the Princess—
for once—
smiled openly.
Then—
Esabell reached a high note.
Sharp. Clear. Piercing through the night sky.
And below deck—
something moved.
A ripple spread unnaturally through the darkness beneath the ship.
Tiny glowing blue eyes opened.
Watching.
Listening.
Then suddenly—
A creature launched upward.
Small. Wet. Unnatural.
It landed directly on Esabell's head.
Esabell: "W-What is—?!"
At first glance, it almost looked harmless.
Tiny. Strange.
Almost cute.
But then—
its glowing blue eyes brightened violently.
Chris's expression changed instantly.
Chris: "Miss Esabell!"
His voice snapped sharply across the deck.
Chris: "Don't move!"
The soldiers froze.
Marco stared in disbelief.
Guinevere rose instantly, all amusement gone.
And then—
BOOM!
...CHAPTER 35ENDS...