The scene was indeed awkward to start up with and I was not the right person to mingle in their conversation. I took a sneak peek at Captain Kenny’s expression, his eyes reddened furiously, as if someone was about to be killed instantly without any delay. The evil aura emitted from his body blended in the atmosphere, creating a deadly and lethal scene that made the whole crew avoided being any nearer from him, not even Chast.
“Shoot, Capt’n is ‘literally’ angry,” Sylvester whispered towards the other crew who was sitting nearby.
“I can’t believe it. This is the first time for me to see such intense killing aura gathering around him,” Rio added, his voice somewhat trailed off.
“I can see the worse is about to come. Hmmm, a war... A world war...” Artney muttered slowly, mimicking a fortune-teller.
“What are you? Mammy???” I monologue, a bit pissed.
Captain Kenny who remained silent just now finally commanded, “If you feel like camping here, please continue so, and Scar, don’t forget to pay for the compensation to the ship guarding chief.”
“If ye want an inn, I’ve rented wan fo us. Let’s go,” Renka uttered. “A room can only hold three people. Since we hav 23 people including me, I’ve rented 8 rooms fo each o’us. One room will hav two people and that’s uh, since when did’ya recruit anotha memba, capt’n?”
“Seriously, she’s... my... my mother,” Captain Kenny mumbled, a bit disgusted.
“What’s with the tone?” I whispered to myself.
“Oh, I see. Nice to meet’cha Mrs. Rogers,” He answered.
“I’m sorry. I’m no longer Mrs. Rogers,” She answered, a bit sad.
“And that proves that she’s no longer my mother,” He answered boldly.
All of them synchronically uttered shockingly, “Capt’n!”
I didn’t hold back and slapped him swiftly, “If I were Maria, your word is very offensive.”
“I know. I still can’t forgive her for creating a ‘hell’ for me,” His eyes shone maliciously, giving a sharp glare directly towards my eyes and then, he fled.
I was left remaining frozen from my stupid misbehaviour that I hurt him without giving a slight thought of his feeling when he did his best to convince me and console me when I was down. It was too late for forgiveness, even though he was walking on his normal pace; somehow I felt as if the distance began to grow between us. I had created a wall between us once again right after a wall of awkwardness after the accident kiss was broken. Tears filled my eyes once again as his figure started to diminish from me and everything became blurred due to my tears that were filling my eyes.
“Don’t worry, sis. Capt’n understands that... Just let him settle his feeling now, kay,” Chast gave his cute grin towards me that calmed my heart for a bit.
“It’s okay, princess. It’s not entirely your fault. Just let him go for this time,” Fredrick had his right hand on my left shoulder.
“It is okay, Eleanor. It’s my fault by the way. Just go for him,” Maria smiled.
Everyone got their own rooms and Maria and I shared the same room. That night, Captain Kenny didn’t show up at dinner time. I was worried whether I slapped him too hard or whatever. I couldn’t finish my feast that night and left half of my food remained untouched. I trotted in the hallway and searched for him everywhere. At the balcony, in his room that he was sharing with Fredrick and Hardy, in the kitchen, in the living room, everywhere inside the inn but I still couldn’t find him. Finally, I got out of the inn and searched for him outside of the inn. It was pitch-black and I could see nothing. Suddenly, I felt a hand touching my right shoulder from behind. I swiftly turned around and saw a figure of a guy giving a sly grin towards me, “Hey, lady. What are you doing here alone? Want my company?” I quickly shifted his hand away from holding me shoulder and tried to find something to defend myself with.
“Whoa, what a violent girl we have here. Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle,” He approached nearer.
“What do you think you’re doing, pervert?!” A well-known voice was heard from behind him.
“What the hell? You have any problem with me, lil’ boy? Don’t try to act like a hero,” The man shoved him hard that made him fell on the ground.
“What kind of a man would hurt such a delicate child,” I threw a pebble at him but he managed to dodge it and attacked me with all his might.
“Get away from her!” The boy that I met with Captain Kenny just now spanked him hardly at his back but the man was too strong to actually punch him on the stomach that made him barely moved.
“Don’t worry, lady. I’ll treat you nicely,” before I realized it, he was already on top of me, tearing my clothes.
“Captain!” I screamed at the top of my lungs with tears watering my eyes.
An image of a sturdy figure abruptly appeared and pulled him away from me, shoving the man away from me and countered his attack by a heavy punch on the face. Captain Kenny was holding a gun on his grip and was pointing it directly at the man’s head.
“What do you think you’re doing towards my girl, you son of a bitch?” His hazel eyes shone like those of a devil, glaring at him with intense disgust carved vividly on his face.
The man tried to fight back but Captain Kenny was stronger since he’s the one who wielded the title ‘the Devil of the Sea’.
“Should I give you my judgement for hurting my girl?” He chocked the man’s collar tightly that made him barely able to breathe.
“Spare him! Please!” The words slipped out from my lips.
He threw the man hastily on the ground and warned, “If I found you trying to rape a girl again, I’ll make sure that I’ll cut your ***** (censored)!!”
The man fled as fast as lightning until his figure was no longer seen in the horizon. Captain Kenny took of his coat and wrapped me with it, saying, “I just can’t take my eyes off of you.” Then, he went towards the boy and asked, “Boy, what’s your name?”
The boy who was half conscious answered, “K-Keith Flamingson.”
“I owe you one, Keith,” He grinned, giving the child a boost to get up. “Then, do you have any parents?”
They boy hesitated from answering at first but then, he answered, “My father was killed and my mother died right after being raped by a robber. I was brought up in an orphanage nearby.”
“Have you ever betrayed or will you betray others?” He asked again.
“I will not! That’s the most unforgivable act!” He answered confidently.
“Then, will you be one of my crews?” Captain Kenny finally stated his real intention.
The boy was astounded by his sudden question and finally answered, “THANK YOU, MASTER!”
“Then, be sure to be ready by tomorrow. We’ll be leaving before noon. Be sure to come at the harbour. Go to a ship with a mermaid carving on it,” He responded.
“I will, master!” Then, he finally left though his stomach was still hurt due to the last punch.
Captain Kenny went straight towards me who was still shivering and wiped my tears with his cunning fingers.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself from feeling what Maria might be feeling without thinking of your own feelings,” I cried.
He hugged me while stating, “Are you an idiot?! Just to apologize for that trivial matter, you almost give me a heart-attack! I can’t forgive myself if anything happened to you!”
“I’m sorry...” My tears drenched his white blouse.
“No, you don’t have to. Please don’t cry anymore,” He brushed my hair and hushed me from sobbing.
Somewhere from afar, Renka had accidentally witnessed the whole incident right after the rapist left the scene. He gritted his teeth and balled his fists for not being able to save me before Captain Kenny came for my rescue. And finally, he left us alone.
That night, I quickly returned to my room without Maria or anyone spotted me and quickly changed my ripped blouse for a new one. I still had Captain Kenny’s large coat with me. The door of my room was knocked abruptly. I headed towards it and opened.
“Yer okay? Nothin’ happened to ya, right?” Renka anxiously asked while holding both my shoulders.
“I’m just fine, what are you talking about?” I played dumb since I didn’t want him to know the truth.
“I’m sorry zat I didn’t manage to get to ya in time. If he weren’t nere, who knows what would’ve happened too ya,” His expression turned gloomy. “I’m the worst brotha eva lived!”
“Please stop blaming yourself, Renka,” I tried to smile.
“I love ya. I juz dunno what I might do if he wasn’t nere,” His expression turned gloomy. “But, eitha way, you’ll juz see me not moe than a brotha.”
“I’m sorry, Renka,” I answered timidly.
“It’s okay. It’z not yer fault ta begin wif anyway. I am not fo ya,” He then fled.
I was greatly astounded by his sudden confession. Somehow, I felt sorry for him and felt very guilty since I even dared to tell him about my dream knight and such while he kept holding his feelings for me. Oh God, how stupid I was back then! I headed towards the balcony, where I thought the breeze might ease my tangled feelings for a bit. I couldn’t believe my eyes since Captain Kenny too, was there, probably reflecting his behaviour towards his mother.
“Hey,” I greeted, adjusting my position beside him.
“Hey,” He monotonously replied, without looking at me.
“So, what’s our captain’s doing here?” I tried to be friendly as possible.
“Playing flash-backs in my head,” He answered nonchalantly.
“Which one?”
“The first time I met you on Mammy’s house,” He giggled abruptly.
“What?! What are you giggling for?!” I could feel that my face was hot from blushing.
“You want to hear it?” He was now facing towards me.
“Yes, please,” I retorted, a bit interested.
“My first impression, I was wondering who’s the beauty on the balcony who was hanging the laundry and suddenly, my mouth slipped. I called for you for like three times but you didn’t seem to notice me. I thought that you were deaf so, I tried to make fun of you but then you suddenly noticed. You were so dense back there,” He giggled, covering his mouth with his right hand.
“How mean...” I moaned.
“But time sure flies. It’s been half-a-year since you joined this crew. The crews become attached to you,” He grinned mildly, facing the beautiful scenery upon us which there, constellation shone beautifully.
“I guess so,” I paused. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure?”
“Well... uh... never mind,” My face suddenly flushed bright red.
“What is it?” Captain Kenny grew curious quite instantly.
“Well uhh... have you... have you ever kissed someone, before... you know,” I didn’t manage to finish the sentence but Captain Kenny somehow understood what I was talking about.
“Well, to tell you the truth, nope. I have no interest in any particular girl until recently,” He answered.
“Really?! Who’s that girl?”
I peeked at his face for an answer but then, I saw his face was kind of pissed and his face was a bit ruddy, “How can a person who reads love stories could be so dense?” Then he left, feeling very irritated.
I had no idea that my question would make him be that angry. I was just merely asking. My heart was thumping non-stop which in my mind, was thinking, “Could it be that I’m the girl that he was referring to?” I should be angry or upset but unfortunately, my heart jumped in joy. I didn’t know why I was so happy. Wasn’t it an offense if he loves me or vice versa? Wasn’t he my enemy? The one I hated most back then? The one I always quarrelled with. But why, I couldn’t help myself from grinning. But then I finally understood. I finally came to my senses that I was in love with him. I was head over heels for him. I want him. I want him to be solely mine. I wished to hold onto his words, to believe that I was the girl he was referring to. But, what if it was someone else?
