Kael and Suzanne walked side by side down the wooden pier, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly against the rhythmic crash of waves. The ship waiting at the end of the dock was nothing short of spectacular — a massive private merchant vessel, its hull gleaming under the last glows of sunset.
Polished white wood, golden accents, and intricately carved railings caught the light as if the ship itself had been born from wealth. Silk banners fluttered in the ocean breeze, each marked with a family crest Kael didn't recognize — a golden swan on a field of deep red.
"This is your ship?" he asked, amused. "You didn't mention you were sailing a palace."
Suzanne smiled faintly, her heels clicking lightly against the deck as she stepped aboard. "Oh, I didn't mention who I really am, did I?" she said, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. "Well… I'll tell you when we're alone."
Kael followed her up the ramp, his gaze casually drifting over every detail — the ornate railings, the disciplined rows of sailors, the faint scent of perfume even in the sea air. It was elegance and power mixed together.
"Take your time," he said, his tone smooth, teasing. "I prefer a mysterious woman anyway."
Suzanne stopped mid-step, turning slightly toward him. Her eyes met his — and for a brief second, the world seemed to still.
The fading light reflected in Kael's irises, revealing faint specks of starlight swirling in the depths of his gaze. Suzanne's breath caught unconsciously. For a heartbeat, she forgot who she was supposed to be — or what kind of game she might be playing.
He smiled faintly, breaking the spell.
"Well, if you say so," she murmured, composing herself with a small smirk. "Now follow me."
She turned and led the way across the deck. The sound of her soft steps against the wood mixed with the faint creak of ropes and the distant calls of sailors preparing the ship to depart.
Kael walked a few paces behind her, his eyes half-lidded as he surveyed the ship. Several armed guards stood at attention, their uniforms sharp and matching, each with a polished rifle or saber. Their glares burned holes into him as he passed, but Kael barely spared them a glance.
'They're tense,' he thought. 'Maybe they sense I'm not just some flirt from a restaurant. Smart.'
They descended a set of polished stairs into the lower deck — and the contrast was startling.
Suzanne's private quarters were unlike anything Kael had expected to see on a ship. The room was massive — easily the size of a ballroom — with velvet curtains draped over tall windows, chandeliers swaying gently with the ship's motion, and golden-framed mirrors reflecting soft candlelight.
A grand bed rested at the far end, surrounded by silken sheets and embroidered cushions. Books lined the walls, and a crystal decanter filled with red wine sat beside two glasses on a nearby table.
Kael whistled lowly. "This isn't just wealth," he said, running a hand along the carved doorframe. "This is old money."
Suzanne smiled knowingly, removing her gloves one finger at a time. "Let's just say… my family has influence. In several seas."
He turned to her, intrigued. "Influence, huh? Sounds dangerous."
"Only to those who stand against it." Her tone was soft but sharp, like velvet hiding a blade.
Kael chuckled. "I like that answer."
He moved toward the window, gazing out at the darkening horizon where the sun had nearly vanished beneath the sea. The reflection of the stars began to shimmer faintly across the water — and in his eyes, those same stars danced, glowing faintly against the dim room.
'So,' he thought with a slow grin, 'a noblewoman with secrets, a ship full of guards, and a husband named Luther waiting somewhere out there. This world might actually be fun after all.'
He turned back to her, expression unreadable yet teasing. What happened next surprised him.
She stepped forward to the center of the cabin, the gentle sway of the ship giving her movement a subtle rhythm. The faint lanternlight flickered across the polished wood, throwing golden shadows as the hooks of her dress slipped from her shoulders. The fabric cascaded down in a soft whisper, pooling at her ankles.
She stood there—bare from the waist up, her skin catching the warm glow of the room. Her floral-designed panties were the only thing she kept on, a delicate pattern against her tan complexion that hinted at wealth and taste.
Suzanne turned slightly, letting her hair spill down her back as she faced Kael. Her lips curled into a teasing smile.
"You like what you see?" she asked, her voice a low, playful hum over the creak of the hull.
"I'd be lying if I said no," Kael replied, leaning back in the chair beside the small round table. His tone was calm, eyes steady—not a hint of fluster, only quiet amusement.
Suzanne's laughter filled the cabin, soft and melodic. "But you don't seem interested," she said, arching a brow. "That's a first. Most men would've pounced by now."
Kael tilted his head, that same easy smirk forming. "That would be boring," he said, resting his elbows on the armrests. "I prefer women who make the first move."
"Oh, you do?" she said with mock disbelief, lips quirking. "Well then… we shall see."
Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked toward the adjoining door. Her bare feet padded softly on the wooden floorboards as she disappeared into the bath chamber, the sound of running water following soon after.
Kael exhaled, his gaze drifting to the small table near him. A folded map lay open there, edges worn but carefully inked. He reached over and pulled it closer, eyes scanning the detailed markings.
It was a complete chart of East Blue—coastal lines, trade routes, and small notations that only a high-ranking merchant or noble would have access to.
'Impressive,' he thought, tracing his finger over the delicate lines of the map. Each island, each current, was drawn with precision—clearly the work of a master cartographer.
'They're richer than I expected. Not many people can get their hands on something like this.'
He leaned back in his chair, the faint sway of the ship beneath him soothing his thoughts. Outside, the soft crash of waves brushed against the hull, the rhythmic motion of the sea matching the steady rise and fall of his chest.
'What's my plan again? I came here for a ship, not to play house,' he mused, his eyes half-closed. 'But… ending it here would be dull. Let's see where this goes.'
From beyond the closed door, the faint sound of splashing water reached his ears—gentle, steady, like rain against glass. Kael's lips curved slightly.
The corners of his mind teased him with ideas, but his focus stayed sharp. He folded the map neatly, treating it with the same precision he used in battle, and set it aside.
The golden lantern above him flickered, swaying with the rhythm of the tide. A gust of ocean air drifted in through the small circular window, carrying the faint scent of salt and perfume.
Kael leaned back, resting his head against the chair's wooden frame, eyes wandering to the ceiling beams.
His thoughts drifted—not on the woman, but on the endless blue beyond these walls.
'A vast world filled with pirates, marines, and monsters of the sea,' he thought, his smirk widening. 'And me—a god among men, Yeah… this might be fun.'
The ship creaked softly, as if in agreement.
TO BE CONTINUED