The Pirate King's Daughter - Chapter 20

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 20
The Naval Alliance Base resembled a small fortress.
Berto and I were dragged past a circular plaza where a statue of some unknown general stood, and behind a grandiose building with a rounded dome.
What awaited us was a place guarded by armed Navy personnel.
“Ah…….”
As I descended the stairs inside, my entire body screamed that something was terribly wrong.
My head spun. My stomach churned. Every muscle in me trembled.
“Walk straight.”
When I stumbled, the Navy officer restraining me yanked harshly.
A cool, damp air pressed against my skin. The stench of mold pricked my nostrils.
Father—no, the Navy—had shoved me into the Prison.
My heart dropped like a stone. I could still see the back of his figure.
If I didn’t grab his pant leg now, I’d have to endure the bitter cold and rotting moisture alone.
“Wait, just a moment!”
Clang—the Prison door locked shut.
I seized the bars desperately, reaching through them, but Father didn’t even glance back as he turned to leave.
“No, no. Don’t go. Please.”
“Tatiana?”
Berto, sensing something amiss, approached and placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Gasp……!”
“What…….”
I was muttering like I’d been possessed, but when I saw Berto’s startled expression, my words trailed off.
‘What a mess.’
It was all because of that dream. A trauma I’d buried long ago had surfaced and taken hold of me without warning.
He pulled my trembling body close.
“……Come here.”
Berto spread one of the two blankets thickly across the floor, then draped the other over my shoulders.
“Sit here.”
I looked at the cramped space and unfolded the blanket.
“Tatiana, I’m fine, so just sit down. You’re freezing.”
Berto stopped me and folded the blanket again.
“……Why cling to chivalry when you’re locked in a Prison?”
As I spoke carelessly in my suffocating frustration, Berto simply looked at me with quiet eyes.
Only then did I realize what I’d said.
“Sigh…….”
I covered my face with both hands.
“I’m sorry. I’m not in a good state right now.”
“This is too much for you to bear alone.”
Berto spoke calmly, as if soothing an angry child.
“Don’t apologize—I know you meant no harm by it. Rest a little and you’ll feel better. Come here.”
“……This is infuriating.”
I bent my knees and unfolded the blanket again. It was better than before, but my hands still trembled faintly.
“If you get cold, tell me. But this isn’t……this isn’t about the cold.”
“I know.”
We sat side by side on the folded blanket.
I hugged my knees to my chest. I knew the stone walls would feel damp and cold if I leaned against them.
‘Calm down for a moment. Think about what to do.’
Soon after, someone found our Prison cell.
It was a Navy officer I’d never seen before, but the badges plastered across his jacket made his high rank unmistakable.
“I can explain the matter of the Pirate Flag.”
Berto rose abruptly and approached the bars.
Even with the iron barrier between us, when Berto—all 190 centimeters of him—stepped forward, the officer flinched.
“It belonged to a pirate who occupied my homeland. My adoptive father, a merchant, couldn’t manage long voyages with his own vessel, so we had no choice but to use that ship.”
I waited without much hope.
The Navy was obsessed with catching pirates. With clear evidence before them, there was no way they’d release us. Just as it had been in the original story.
The intimidated officer, emboldened by Berto’s courteous demeanor, opened his mouth.
“Then why did you attempt to flee? And how curious—Aura users and mages on such an unremarkable little island. Quite the suspicious coincidence, wouldn’t you say?”
The Navy officer made a cutting remark that was unfortunately true.
“Fine then. If you help us capture those two, I’ll spare you and that woman in the back from execution by beheading.”
“……You’re asking me to betray my comrades.”
“Loyalty among pirates?”
The officer scoffed and clicked his tongue.
“Does calling it ‘survival’ make you feel better?”
I watched Berto’s back and couldn’t see his face, but I could tell he was furious.
The veins in his fists stood out as he clenched them with all his might.
“Ha, what’s with that insolent look?”
The offended officer snatched a pistol from the Navy man beside him and shoved it through the bars, prodding Berto with it.
“Kneel this instant, or I’ll shoot.”
I panicked and rushed toward Berto, who showed no sign of backing down.
“We have already surrendered and are in custody. If you fire that gun now, it would be murder. Please proceed with a formal trial.”
“Tatiana.”
I wedged myself between Berto and the gun, and he pulled me backward with such tremendous force that I tumbled head over heels.
‘You’ll die if you’re shot, but I won’t.’
“What are these bastards talking about? Pirates demanding a trial? It’s hilarious thinking you have any hole to escape through.”
The officer laughed mockingly and tossed the gun to the man beside him.
“Go on, don’t lose hope. Who knows—maybe those three deserters will show such pathetic loyalty and try to rescue you.”
Having left his final taunt, the officer turned to leave the Prison.
‘Get out already.’
I flipped my middle finger at him, but a massive hand caught it entirely.
When I turned my head, I saw Berto with a terrifying expression.
“Hey, I’m old enough to curse, aren’t I?”
Berto sat me down on the blanket, then stood with his arms crossed, looking down at me.
Even knowing he had an upright nature, his sheer size made him feel threatening.
“Why did you do that?”
“No, I was just a bit irritated……. I’m sorry. From now on, I’ll only use proper, refined language. I’ll watch my gestures too.”
“I’m asking why you stepped in front of the gun barrel for me.”
Ah, that’s what he meant. I thought I was being scolded for the cursing.
“That was just…….”
“Just?”
Berto’s golden eyes gleamed like a beast stalking its prey.
“No, not just. I’m rather soft-bodied compared to you, right? I was just trying to mediate somehow…….”
“Don’t ever do that again.”
His heavy voice pressed down on my small, fragile frame.
“Answer me.”
“Yes.”
Like a criminal, I lowered my head, but peeked at Berto with just my eyes.
“Sigh…….”
When our eyes met, he swept back his short hair as if exasperated.
I quickly looked down again.
“Leave anything physical to Kiis, Dilshad, and me. Perian knows to stay out of it anyway.”
Berto flopped down beside me as he spoke.
“And I don’t know what you always think of me, but I don’t care what you say or do. Cursing, anything.”
He’d even said it was fun when I’d conned people at the tavern before, after all.
So maybe he’d indulge this too.
“Well, I’ve been thinking about how we could get through this crisis.”
“Another reckless plan like when you destroyed the mast?”
Berto, who’d suffered fixing that, hit the mark with frightening intuition.
“No, listen to me. Honestly, even at a glance we look suspicious. And now the Pirate Flag appears as clear evidence.”
“So?”
“They’ll never let us go. You know that better than anyone—you were a Navy Commander.”
“That’s true, but……Tatiana, when your eyes shine like that, it frightens me. Please, calm down.”
His expression didn’t change, yet he lied.
“I’m being perfectly rational right now.”
“What do you want to do.”
“Escape from here.”
Berto looked at me silently.
Just like him, nattering away and then suddenly pressuring someone that way. Truly, a former Commander.
“First, we…….”
“No.”
“But listen to me…….”
“Don’t even dream it.”
Berto shook his head firmly.
‘How do I convince this stubborn man.’
In the original story, the Navy kept us imprisoned for a long time and set an execution date without following proper procedures.
We escaped later, but only after throwing ourselves into chaos, and by then too much time had been lost.
“Kiis is out there, so let’s trust him and wait. And keep quiet.”
I glared hard enough for my eyes to roll back, but Berto pretended not to notice.
‘Why would I wait for someone already on the wanted list.’
I dropped my head low, burying my face in my knees.
* * *
The Plaza of the Naval Alliance Base.
Three women of striking beauty passed by, and the Navy men stared with their mouths hanging open.
Among them was one brave enough to live up to a knight’s honor.
“Ladies.”
The Navy officer blocking their path offered a gentle smile, his manner relaxed, but the tips of his ears, flushed crimson, couldn’t hide his embarrassment.
“…….”
“…….”
“Is there something we can help you with?”
Two of them said nothing, while Perian, with her short chestnut hair, asked with a warm smile.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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