Escorted by the Wilshire guards on their boat, Albert returned to the Amphitrite where the she was taking a strategic angle of being able to fire cannons without being broadly seen behind a giant rock amidst the sea, her bow barely protruding, the carved goddess blending with the shape of the rock. However, the cannons that had been heard for few moments, were now silent as the ship deck. Albert's heart was shivering, and his thoughts were torn like a feather left in the whirlwind. He was able to imagine what had happened after the hour given for his negotiation passed; Alex had ordered to start the attack and the men followed his orders. That's probably when Serena stepped in with the royal seal revealing his intentions so the crew must have become very infuriated by the captain's true goal and declared some kind of mutiny, ceasing the fire and waiting for Albert's return. The bout stopped alongside the ship and the royal officer demanded he go alone first, calling the guards when everything is settled.
The young officer was welcomed by Alice's long face. Sadness and disappointment were written all over her features as she watched Howard directing the ship with the aid of Vincent and Serena. This sight was enough to assure him that his guesses were true.
"Where is Alex?"
Albert asked in fear, guilt wrenching his heart although he believed it should not. Howard replied in a solemn tone.
"The Captain's real intentions were revealed to us thanks to Lady Serena and now he is held in his room. What about the negotiation?"
He digressed quickly, the topic obviously hard to discuss right now. But it was just as hard for Albert who stammered with his words:
"There is only one deal that would be accepted by the enemy."
Howard raised his head to hear the conditions. Albert pointed to the guards still waiting in their boat by the ship explaining the deal in brief words. Few minutes later, the Wilshire's guards boated the ship. The two fighting sides confirmed the deal and the enemy's guards barged into Alex's room accompanied by Howard. The ousted captain raised his head slowly and stared coldly at the men; their clothes exposed their identities so he prepared to welcome them with his pistols but when he saw Howard in their tows , silent like a dead man, he left his guns aside on the table. The guards surrounded him, rudely demanding his escort them without troubles. Alex did not utter a word, much to the troubled crew's surprise and walked with them without resistance. None of his previous men dared to look him in the eye. They undeniably loved and respected their captain, but they also loved and cherished their families and people as well. They had set off for this journey, with a confidence that nothing could break but losing many of their comrades for the first time had softened their hearts. They wanted to lose no more and at the same time, they eagerly wanted to safe their people, believing this battle was their only option and they gladly took the offer. But their captain was exposed to be no better than the Wilshire they had headed to fight. Although they were convinced that shame and regret about surrendering their captain was about of place, they could not but lower their heads as their leader was taken away. Seeing Alex being captured by the Wilshire's soldiers with his own men's consent , taken from his ship as a prisoner weighed heavily on them. Howard addressed for the last time the man who used to be his captain:
"I am sorry Captain Alex, but this is for my people's sake."
Alex did not reply, he did not even look at his first mate as he painfully spoke the words but when he passed by Albert, he stopped for second despite the soldiers orders. Albert turned his head, ready to run away but this was his choice, the least he could is face the man he had surrendered for certain death. The stare he was given left him petrified, it was the same dead almond eyes yet piercing every pore in his body sharply like a thousand knives. He felt he was washed over by an icy wave, freezing his existence, yet the hint of amusement in it seemed complimentary. Alex then continued walking leaving the ship to face his vague destiny.
Albert could not move, what was that look Alex had given him? Was he at fault? Why did it feel like he was mockingly congratulating him for growing into a man who can at last make a decision and stand by it? was it a wicked decision? He only wished to prevent unnecessary bloodshed, he did it for everyone's' sake aside from his personal feelings... was not this true? The boy wanted to escape that turmoil of emotions chocking his heart, he turned his back seeking refuge in his room but stopped unconsciously at Alex's empty room, its door still open. Alex was gone forever from his life, just as he had wished through his entire life and for a good purpose as well, not out of selfishness so why could he not feel happy? He could not even smile for striking a good deal and carrying out his duty. What was he feeling at the moment? He could not tell but it was certainly a mixture of terrible feelings, not a single pleasant one. Oh how he hated this weakness in himself but was not this weakness what made him different and able to go on despite all the hindrances he continuously faced? And now, he had thrown it away for his own satisfaction and in the name of his jealously, he would by a liar if these two things had not made sealing the deal with Iris Wilshire easier. Albert entered the empty room trying to erase this horrible feelings, as if looking for a justification amidst the numerous books and chess pieces. Remembering the conversation he had with Alex in this same room, he tried to convince himself that what happened was for the people's sake only, for the princess's protection and everyone's happiness. He turned to leave but his foot slipped by a paper thrown into the floor; it was a picture. Albert held it to inspect it. It was not the one with Alex and his fiancée. In this other photo four people stood together, carefree smiles adorning their faces and lighting their young untroubled features. Albert could not understand as he gazed at Alex alongside his fiancée holding his arms in a bridal happiness. Vincent was beside her and the last person standing by Vincent's side was the unmistakable woman adorning her shiny blond hair with a rose. She had the same beauty just as now, but the cruelty she bared now was replaced with a softness more befitting the rose she adorned her hair with. They all seemed happy together and Alex clearly did not mind that beautiful golden – haired woman standing alongside him, her eyes soft and caring. Albert held the picture hands shaking with a sudden bout of anger and depression. He could not understand, why did it come to this? Why could not this friendship enjoy another day of harmony? Iris had killed Claudine giving up Alex and herself to an obsessional hatred, and the dream Alex had shared with Vincent was torn and fell apart before they were able to step one step closer to it. But was he not the same? Did he not step on the dream he shared with Alice and thwarted away?
***
The ship was waiting for the Wilshire Family to fulfill its part of the deal and release the sacred water. Albert was standing on the deck, resolved to see things to its end so the sacrifice would not be wasted in vain, watching the towering walls embracing the family's palace. The green and golden scenery failed to calm his heart and ongoing feelings of guilt. He thought the sight of endless water merging from hidden spring will justify the deed and save everyone, himself needing this salvage the most. After a while of deep calmness, Vincent joined him.
"I am glad the Wilshire had agreed to give us the water."
Albert spoke, the hefty silence tormenting him. He just needed a word, a statement of redemption that what he did was right.
"On the expense of a man's life. But I am not surprised that she had agreed."
Vincent replied waiting for what will happen next. The comment, though not meant to, irritated Albert so he said with a bit of aggression:
"Alex's life is no more valuable than the other sailors who had died too!"
"I agree."
Vincent honestly spoke much to the officer's surprise who was waiting for a brutal chiding. But the man was not finished talking as he went on:
"Let me tell you this one thing, Albert."
Vincent spoke facing his young friend seriously, as he was carrying a heavy load that he had finally the chance to free himself of it.
"I know Alex did not want you to know this, but I feel obliged after what had happened to tell you, though it will be to your dismay and his. Albert, it was Alex who recommended you to be the royal officer onboard his ship. He would not agree with any other names, just as the king would naturally not agree to a young inexperienced boy on such a mission. He had forgotten about your father's services to the kingdom and about his family but Alex... he wanted you to see the world just as you father had wished for you."
Vincent concluded his confession, knowing he was leaving behind a man shaken to his core. Albert's dream to board a ship and travel the world was realized thanks to the man he had just delivered to the enemy... but why had not Alex told him? If he had then perhaps nothing of this would have happened. But no... He knows himself... if Alex had told him then he would have never agreed to the mission, was not this what Alex thought? Was not that what was going to happen? Yes. Albert answered himself, because he knows how much his heart is weak and how the capacity it had to hold dreams and hopes was the same as the capacity to harbor jealousy and spite. The young man covered his face, laughing bitterly into his palms. He had just assured himself that he was simply afraid to hold responsibility for his own actions and decisions and thus left them to be directed by the wind of fate, blowing wherever it desires to carry them while blaming others for his misfortune. Albert glimpsed through his fingers at the mighty island ahead. He felt her giant steady rocks and towering height mocking him. Even in her wrongdoings, Iris Wilshire had a conviction he could not hold himself to. In their hatred and desire for revenge, both Alex and her were sheer and true while he, pursuing a beautiful dream was a mere pawn for destiny, a pawn with two hearts... he had tainted the purity of his dreams, he had failed the people waiting for him even if he was to succeed in his mission. Suddenly, as he was shaking hiding his face in his hands he found his lips moving in promises and prayers... He will not be a coward, he won't live with two hearts anymore. He will not lie to his feelings and will frankly reach to his heart's depth and cherish its true desires. He will not act as the way these swiftly born yet deeply rooted feelings imply, he will act according to his own free will, according to his own beliefs. He made a decision and he will be ready to hold its responsibility, to answer for Alex's life... He will see the promise to its end with a firm resolution... Albert prayed that no other confused agitated him shall ever appear again.