MTFBMP Chapter 24

But for now, I was supposed to be oblivious to what lurked beneath the surface of the ship, and I was supposed to be oblivious to Dion’s connection to the pirate island.

 

Not surprisingly, I recognized the owner of Pirate Island in the portrait.

 

“I’m thinking of leaving without docking.”

 

He wants to make this deal without the island’s owner knowing.

 

I nodded, mulling over the new information.

 

This was also bad news for me. If I failed to secure the pet, I was going to split up at that point.

 

“Well, that’s going to cause quite a bit of grumbling from the crew, is that okay with you?”

 

“We secured as much as we could at the last docking. If Anthele’s information is correct, we shouldn’t be short of anything.”

 

Jade’s tone became pointed. Deliberately setting the atmosphere.

 

‘Though it would have been nice to see his name.’

 

Still, after all these years of haggling at inns, I wasn’t afraid of this kind of mind game.

 

I picked up the teacup in front of me, not at all intimidated. The cup was engraved with an elegant pattern, and the tea leaves smelled like they were quite expensive.

 

“If we turn around, we might be running out of time.”

 

The map was already clear in my mind.

 

“If we’re going to use the boat to get to the market…”

 

I deliberately feigned a leisurely pace to give myself an edge at the negotiating table.

 

“We’ll need to buy at least another day’s time.”

 

The time it would take to travel by boat from White gold Beach to the Imperial Market, was something I’d gleaned from working at the inn.

 

“The entrance to the market will be blocked for three days around the full moon.”

 

When I finished, I set my teacup down.

 

“So it’s really important to get the dates right, isn’t it?”

 

I glanced back and forth between Dion and Jade, then smirked.

 

“I do know that the place in the middle is a pirate island.”

 

I could see their faces harden as they eyed me warily.

 

“I don’t care what kind of boat you take to get to Pirate Island, it’s what happens next that counts.”

 

I’d have preferred to dock, but it didn’t matter. There were two routes, and they had to take one or the other.

 

“I was very clear, I’m going to give you limited information in small bites. Not all at once.”

 

“You’re right, Jade, you should back off.”

 

Dion interrupted the conversation.

 

“Now, then, Anthele.”

 

Dion clasped his hands together on the table. They definitely felt heavier than Jade’s. I forced myself to sit up a little straighter and more upright.

 

“Let’s write a contract.”

 

“…What?”

 

I couldn’t believe he’d suggest a contract.

 

“I can’t have anything with strings attached.”

 

“Of course not.”

 

“Your grandfather swore an oath, but it’s only a verbal promise. I want something more tangible.”

 

Sigh. I glance over at Jade, and he’s already holding up a parchment.

 

‘I never thought I’d get to take a parchment from someone else.’

 

It was a refreshing experience. I unwrapped the parchment on the spot and checked the contents.

 

The contract had the expected clauses. It wasn’t particularly long. 

 

At the top of the list was that I was to lead the way to the Empire’s secret market, as promised at the outset.

 

It was all in neat handwriting, but one sentence at the bottom of the page was shaky, as if it had been hastily scribbled.

 

“Here…, the part about having breakfast together.”

 

Bleep, bleep—

 

Everyone in the cabin turned to look out the window.

 

‘What’s wrong with them?’

 

I’ve come to accept that these behaviors are all Adelaine’s doing.

 

“I’m supposed to be having breakfast with the Captain here.”

 

I said, raising my voice, so I wouldn’t be lost to the birds.

 

Glancing at Dion, I said Captain, and this time Jade responded. I could feel his eyes scanning me.

 

Not sure what was wrong with calling the owner of the ship Captain, or why everyone was reacting so strangely.

 

“You’ll be dining with me during the morning to get the day’s information, is that a problem?”

 

“Just the two of us?”

 

“Yes. Just the two of us.”

 

The question would be why, over breakfast in private?

 

The seagull cawed again, but didn’t look toward the window.

 

Somehow, it felt like there were four of them talking instead of three.

 

“I don’t care what kind of information you want, just take your pick.”

 

They’re probably trying to get information about…, about Simon’s journal. I pushed down my heightened senses that he didn’t mean anything by it.

 

“Is there anything else you’d like to tell me?”

 

“Uhm. Just a moment.”

 

It was a scratch, but since I’d gotten the contract, there was one more thing I needed to point out.

 

“The part about who’s responsible if the other defaults on the contract.”

 

Dion squinted at me, as if he hadn’t expected me to point that out.

 

“Doesn’t it say how we’re to be held accountable, specifically?” asked Anthele.

 

“Well, you’re on my ship, and you’re pointing that out.”

 

Are we negotiating for our lives? The tension that had been slowly ebbing away snapped back.

 

“So you’ll have to write that part yourself, Anthele. I’ll comply.”

 

The unexpected terms left me speechless. The contract was working out far more in my favor than I had expected.

 

“I’ve written down all the clauses we want. You can write whatever you want underneath it. I’ve got one with the same thing.”

 

“Aren’t we supposed to decide right here and now?”

 

“No, we can take our time, because if we rush into it, we might regret it later. We’re at sea, after all.”

 

There’s nowhere to run, which means there’s no need to narrow the net.

 

“By any chance, did the other sailors all sign contracts and come aboard like I did?”

 

“Well, technically, Anthele signed the contract after boarding the ship.”

 

Being snarky.

 

“There are a few sailors who do, but usually they don’t need a contract, as I have more hired hands who are part of my household.”

 

“But what about…, the chef?”

 

Outsiders on board with contracts. And if one of them happens to be a Rhodon? Perhaps we should watch them more carefully.

 

Dion’s eyes widened slightly, as if I’d said the right thing. He blinked, his expression steadying, then repeated.

 

“That’s right. How do you know that?”

 

“It’s just a hunch, I guess. I’ve seen so many people that I just feel like they’re from different places…”

 

Unable to be honest, I stuttered.

 

“It doesn’t have to be hard to show, I just wanted to see it for reference.”

 

“Oh, it shouldn’t be hard, I’ll get that from Jade.”

 

So the other crew members are being managed by Jade, except for me.

 

So was Jade an ally or an enemy? Did Jade intentionally or unknowingly bring this man named Rhodon aboard?

 

For now, it seemed it couldn’t hurt to be cautious.

 

“So, can I call it a day, then?”

 

There was no need to rush to sign, and unless there was more information to be gleaned, I wanted to call it a day.

 

“Sure. I’ll head out first.”

 

With that, Dion rose from his seat as if he had no further business. A quick glance at his teacup showed that he had barely taken a sip or two.

 

“Excuse me, Captain.”

 

I called out to Dion, who was just about to leave the navigation room. Standing in the doorway, I turned toward Dion, who was also looking back, and spoke.

 

“There’s one more thing I’d like to ask of you.”

 

“Yes. Go ahead.”

 

“As I told you last time, I don’t feel comfortable staying here just as a guest.”

 

“You have enough on your plate as it is, and let me just say that I won’t let anyone mess with you.”

 

“That’s not what I want.”

 

“You mean you want to blend in with the crew and do your job?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Dion gave me a look of utter incomprehension.

 

‘You don’t understand, do you? Is this what it’s like to be raised as a noble?’

 

It was a moment of detachment.

 

“Of course, I wouldn’t want to work for no pay,” I said.

 

But I had plans of my own.