The Pirate King's Daughter - Chapter 26

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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 26
When I said I was fine, Kiis fumbled for his robe.
‘So he was asking because of what happened last time.’
I spoke to Kiis, who was about to wrench open the wardrobe.
“That’s not it. Even if I know someone, I can’t help but be startled when they leap through the window without permission.”
“Ah…….”
He let his arm fall.
“Sorry. I thought you were having another nightmare.”
Kiis worked his jaw without speaking, unable to push the words out easily. Every time he’d tried to ask about that day, I’d dodged him.
“I’ll keep watch outside, so don’t worry and sleep with the window open.”
His attempts to confuse me again were starting to irritate me.
“I can sleep with it closed. I just couldn’t sleep and wanted some air.”
“……That’s a relief.”
Kiis walked toward the window as if to leave.
“You could use the door.”
“I want some air too.”
He moved toward the moonlight caught in the windowpane.
A bad memory surfaced. That night, the last time we’d said goodbye before leaving for the Battlefield.
“Wait.”
My mouth moved before I could think.
It appeared in the original work. He ate the Poison I sent and hovered at death’s door. Yet still, he trusted me.
I’d stopped him, but I had no idea what to say.
I couldn’t say it wasn’t me—so apologize? For what? For sending the Poison?
The foolish original me had actually apologized to him. This fool who’d worried only about Kiis even while Underground.
“I’m scared.”
As I kept my mouth shut, Kiis suddenly spoke.
“I’m afraid to get air alone, so keep me company.”
“Really, you.”
He used to just pretend to be cool, but now that he’s gotten older, he knows how to comfort like this.
“I can’t go through the window.”
He immediately walked over and opened the door wide.
“It’s funny, really.”
The funny part was me, stepping out without resistance even though I didn’t know why.
* * *
“Here, try to copy me. Damn, this sucks. It won’t go away?”
Waiting for breakfast in the dining room on the first floor, I spoke to Berto.
“……Tatiana, I don’t understand why you do this every time, but I’m not as pure as you think.”
Berto, now transformed into a woman with striking short black hair, sighed.
“If some man starts hitting on you, I’m going to punch him instead of talking. Since we can’t cause trouble, hurry up and copy me.”
According to what Dilshard told me, the three of them had been receiving advances from countless men. I’d only glimpsed them yesterday, but their beauty was certainly enough to justify it.
“But Tatiana, would any man approach her with those forearms?”
Dilshard pointed to Berto’s arms and asked.
“Hmm…….”
Berto was breathtakingly beautiful.
But due to the nature of the Artifact that transforms the original form into a female version, Berto was even taller than me in my male form. The muscles had shrunk to match the smaller frame, but they were still enormous.
“No. Even if the disparity is striking, there must be men with that particular taste.”
I was certain of it. When I’d come down the stairs earlier, I’d seen the men in the dining room glancing at Berto.
“Is it that strange?”
When Berto lifted her arm and flexed, the sound of fabric tearing rang out.
“Very strange. You should wear my clothes instead.”
Kiis said as he entered the dining room—I hadn’t noticed when he’d come down.
Kiis was actually the closest in height to Berto when she’d transformed into a woman…….
“Sister, you’re so pretty!”
At my words, Kiis immediately turned to head back to his room.
“Wait, sorry. I wanted to tease you. I’ll stop.”
He gave me a sharp look before sitting down as if granting me clemency.
“How do I look? Really handsome, right? I was shocked when I saw myself in the mirror.”
“You are handsome, but a bit…….”
Dilshard trailed off.
“A bit? Why?”
Perian answered instead of my question.
“You look delicate. It’s unavoidable since your original form is on the gentle side.”
“Delicate is good, isn’t it?”
“You should probably exercise a bit.”
Berto said bluntly.
That’s when I understood what he meant. He was saying I looked like a soft-handed nobleman.
“Your meal is served~”
The innkeeper brought out a generous breakfast.
“Tatiana, I’ll come to your room after we eat. I meant to apply the Scar Ointment earlier, but you’d already come down.”
“Got it.”
I nodded absently and took a big bite of bread thickly spread with butter.
* * *
“The scar will leave a depression. But it’s not one of those scars that causes lasting pain, and the color will fade gradually, so don’t worry too much.”
Lying face-down, I turned my head to look at Perian.
He was cleaning his hands and putting things away.
“As for dresses with open backs…… you can wear them, but there will certainly be people who gossip.”
“I won’t wear dresses like that.”
Perian closed his bag and raised his eyebrows, forcing a smile.
“You’re beautiful, so no matter what dress you wear, you’ll shine.”
Perian brought the Bandage.
As I sat showing him my back, he wrapped it with practiced skill.
“No. There’s no reason for me to wear other dresses. I won’t be returning to High Society.”
“What do you mean…….”
After the treatment was finished, I opened the wardrobe and took out a shirt, leaving Perian with a bewildered expression on his face.
“It means I’m not returning to the Empire.”
Perian’s face stiffened at once.
After fastening all the buttons, we faced each other, and he quickly pulled on a new Mask. The Mask of a worried expression.
“Tatiana, what’s the reason for such a sudden decision? Are you afraid of the journey ahead because of the monster and being imprisoned?”
“I never planned to go back from the start. I’m thinking of finding a place to settle and parting ways with you all once I’m ready.”
“……May I ask why?”
“Duke Fray’s House is guilty of Treason. He tried to kill the Crown Prince. Even if I’m lucky enough not to be executed, a commoner’s life is better than being the daughter of a Family Annihilated for Treason.”
It was the truth. But Perian would be hard to convince with such a reason.
If I killed Kiis here and it wasn’t discovered, it wouldn’t be Treason.
“Even if I don’t lose my noble status, you know how I’ve been treated.”
Despite being the Empire’s only Duke’s Daughter, Duke Fray’s Daughter never received a proper marriage proposal.
The only men who would take an interest in her marriage were trash like her or from undistinguished families.
Her reputation was disastrous and her future was bleak, lacking even the ability to support herself.
“You said it yourself. I’m beautiful. So in a new place, I could catch even a worthless lower-ranking nobleman if I wanted.”
“…….”
“Or I could use my jellyfish to find treasure and live grandly on my own.”
I had no intention of searching for treasure, but with Pudding by my side, independence was no longer frightening.
“But Tatiana, now that you’re with us, you don’t realize it, but a young woman living alone in an unfamiliar place is very difficult.”
“You’d prefer if I came back with you?”
“Of course. We’re friends.”
Even knowing what kind of person Perian was, he had the attitude of someone easy to deceive.
“Then as a friend, just wish for my happiness.”
Perian looked troubled.
I hadn’t originally planned to reveal anything, but I’d felt throughout the morning that Perian was being overly attentive to me.
‘It’s probably because of Berto.’
Living together, we can’t help but grow closer even without intending to.
If that happened, Perian’s wariness would only intensify, so I’d deliberately broached the subject to reassure him.
“So stop staring at me. I really have no interest in your lives.”
“I don’t know what you mean. We’ve been together for quite a while now. I’m only concerned about you.”
So he was going to play dumb to the end?
“So am I.”
“Hm?”
“I’m concerned about you all too. Otherwise, wouldn’t I have protected you from the Siren with my life and saved Berto as well?”
I reminded Perian of the times he’d helped me.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention to the others that I’m not going back to the Empire.”
Kiis…… I’m not sure about, but Berto would genuinely worry about me.
From Perian’s perspective, it was best if I simply disappeared quietly of my own accord.
“You understand, right?”
“There’s no need to report a friend’s secret to my lord.”
Perian smiled gently as always.
A slight doubt crept in. Was this man truly necessary for Kiis’s throne?
He looked like the backstabbing type.

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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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