The Pirate King's Daughter - Chapter 28

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

Chapter 28
Does Kiiis really think I’d choose Young Lady over him?
“If you don’t believe me, Young Lady—”
I interlaced my fingers with Kiiis’s hand. I felt him stiffen.
“Then let’s say we’re dating from now on.”
I smiled, crinkling the corners of my eyes to meet his gaze, and watched his sharp eyes widen in shock.
Seeing both cheeks flush pink, I felt like I’d just shattered the pride of some haughty princess.
“…You won’t regret it? That woman isn’t even nobility.”
Young Lady spoke in a strained voice. Her eyes were reddened, as though unfamiliar with rejection and wounded by it.
“Status doesn’t matter when you care for someone.”
I’d struck the final blow. Young Lady snorted and turned on her heel, abandoning her post.
“Kiiis.”
Barely outside, and already this. I wanted to tease him about finally understanding the appeal of the courtesan’s charm, but Kiiis opened his mouth with a terrifying expression.
“I told you to wait at the Inn. Why did you come out?”
“Well, that is—”
“There were knights around that woman. What if they’d tried to drag you away by force?”
“No, I don’t think she’s quite that uncouth…”
Kiiis didn’t give me time to finish. He pressed on.
“So. You choose me, and then take her side?”
“What are you talking about! Why would I take another woman’s side! You’re the only princess I want!”
I blurted it out before things could spiral. Everyone knows that the more aloof a princess is, the harder she is to appease once she pouts.
“What? Princess?”
Kiiis stared at me, dumbfounded, at the title that had slipped from my lips.
“Did you just call me a princess—”
“What I meant was! Well, they have their actual statuses, so I’m just using similar titles. Berto’s a marquis’s daughter, Perian’s a count’s daughter.”
“You’re lying through your teeth.”
Same thing every time. Of course I lie constantly.
“If you’re not busy, want to grab some Pudding while we’re here?”
“How carefree of you.”
There he goes being sarcastic while agreeing to sit down. So difficult, I swear.
After indulging in dessert, we stopped by a general store and a doll shop to buy things, then headed back to the Inn.
“You don’t have to escort me back. If you’re going to do this, just come grocery shopping with me.”
“That won’t work. Ever since you and Berto escaped from the Underground Prison, the Navy’s been all over the place. Better to be careful than sorry.”
Not that there’s any risk with my appearance changed.
“Wait.”
Kiiis stopped me in my tracks. He grabbed my arm and pulled me into an alley, hiding both of us.
“What? What is it?”
I peeked out and saw two Navy soldiers talking with the Inn proprietor in front of the building.
“They’re pirates committing acts of terrorism. Do you know anything about them?”
One of the Navy men showed a Wanted Poster and asked. The Inn proprietor waved his hands dismissively.
“Impossible. I haven’t seen a hair of them.”
“The Commander has issued an order. We must search the interior. We appreciate your cooperation.”
The moment the Commander was mentioned, the Inn’s doors swung wide open.
The Navy’s influence was simply too strong on this island.
“They absolutely won’t recognize us, so don’t worry.”
As the Navy men entered the Inn, Kiiis turned to me and spoke.
“Even if you’re questioned, act as naturally as possible. Just trust me and follow.”
“Where are we going?”
“There’s an abandoned Cabin in the forest. Looks like an old forest keeper’s place. We can hide there for a while.”
I grabbed the hem of his robe as he tried to leave the alley.
“What about the others?”
“I’ll take you first, then go find them.”
“You need to tell them fast. They’re scattered everywhere. If you take me deep into the forest, it’ll be too late by the time you get back.”
“Don’t worry so much. Even if our identities can’t be verified, the magic to change appearance hasn’t been publicly known, so there’s no real danger.”
He told me not to worry while being far more anxious himself.
“That’s why—”
I took hold of his face, which kept glancing back at the Inn, and made him look at me.
“Nothing will happen. You find Dilshad and Perian. I’ll go to Berto. You don’t know exactly where the Cave is anyway.”
“But—”
“Even if worst comes to worst and I’m exposed, I have Pudding now. Pudding, you can take down a few Navy soldiers, right?”
“Of course. No human can withstand my poison.”
Kiiis still looked unconvinced, unable to bring himself to agree.
“We’re comrades. We have to get through this together. I don’t want to be a burden. So trust me.”
“…Come to the Plaza with Berto. Wandering the forest will raise suspicion.”
I smiled.
“Got it.”
“Don’t run, act calm. If someone threatens us, this time you can’t just flee. Pudding can’t block bullets.”
“I said I got it. Now go.”
I pushed Kiiis on his way. He took heavy steps, turning back to look at me over and over.
I stripped off the newly bought Robe entirely and headed toward the Cave at a brisk pace.
The Cave was at the foot of a Cliff at the end of the Coastline, hidden behind a massive boulder so completely invisible from outside.
I steadied myself on the rock and scrambled up, just as Berto emerged from the Cave entrance.
He’d worn trousers for easier movement and now appeared as a man.
“Berto!”
He was carrying a large Bag of Smuggled Goods. The moment he spotted me, he climbed the boulder swiftly, as though the weight meant nothing.
With his bulk, you’d think he’d be clumsy. Surprising.
“Why did you come out instead of staying at the Inn?”
“The Navy is searching the Inn right now. I think it’s better we leave the Smuggled Goods where they are.”
No matter how much we’d changed our appearance, being found with contraband during a search meant prison for certain.
“Where are the others?”
I took the hand Berto offered and crossed over, after which he relit the Torch he’d extinguished.
“Kiiis is looking for them. We’re supposed to meet at the Plaza.”
We carefully hugged the Cave wall, avoiding the sections where seawater pooled.
“This Cave is too risky to hide in anyway.”
“There’s an abandoned Cabin in the forest. We can revise our plan there, rest for a bit, and escape at night.”
As we ventured deeper, my body began to shiver. The air reeked of cold stone dust mingled with salt spray.
It felt utterly different from the underwater passage we’d escaped through before.
‘It’s different from the Underground Prison, but…’
My chest felt tight. I should’ve waited outside instead of coming in.
“Tatiana.”
Berto drew closer and lit the path directly ahead of me with his Torch.
Breathing in the cool breeze that emanated from him and watching the flame dance, I undid a single button at my collar.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Soon we arrived at the place stacked high with Smuggled Goods.
Berto handed me the Torch and opened the Bag, returning the items he’d packed to their proper places.
“Gems like this would be obvious if embezzled. The Commander—does everyone know but just pretend not to?”
I spoke while examining the contraband.
Enormously ornate Diamond Necklaces gleamed even in the Cave’s darkness.
“Berto, have you ever embezzled anything?”
“Saying I’m not innocent doesn’t mean I’m a bad person.”
“Really? Never pilfered anything small? Never accidentally took a pen bought with subsidies home and forgot to return it?”
“What…?”
He stopped what he was doing and stared at me in bewilderment, then suddenly burst into loud laughter.
“What? Why are you laughing like that?”
I was about to feel annoyed when I suddenly realized: this was the first time I’d ever heard Berto laugh this hard.
From the eldest among us came an unexpected boyish charm.
“Stop laughing, will you?”
“Hah, sorry.”
His large hand came down and ruffled my hair gently.
“Let’s go now.”
I took the hand he offered and tried to exit the Cave, but he didn’t move.
“Come on. Why aren’t you coming?”
Berto looked down at our joined hands, then extended his other hand.
“The Torch.”
I was about to hand it over when I froze.
That wasn’t what he meant. No matter how comfortable Berto had become, there were limits to misunderstanding.
‘How embarrassing…!’
I tried to pull my hand back quickly, but he tightened his grip.
“Let me escort you. I’ve been clumsy because I’m not used to dealing with young noblewomen.”
“No, I can walk alone, ah!”
As I stumbled backward, my leg caught on the heap of Smuggled Goods.
Berto dropped the Torch and wrapped his arm around my waist, catching me. The fallen flame flickered across his face, casting dancing shadows.

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