CHAPTER ONE

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CHAPTER ONE

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CHAPTER ONE

   IT'S PORT DAY.

   Which meant the possibility of the Atlas coming to Port Leandre was little but a girl could only hope. She knew that she shouldn't believe the rumors that came from the pub, especially when it came from the slurring words of drunken sailors. Though it depends on the eyes of the beholder whether it's true or not.

   And she would like to be the first to witness.

   It wasn't natural for her to wake up at the crack of dawn. But if it meant watching the ships arriving at the harbor and the crews coming into port, listening in to the stories from across the seven seas. She'd do anything to be close to having that kind of feeling.

   The feeling of being a pirate.

   It was common knowledge that women were not allowed to become pirates. Their jobs belong either within the kitchen, cleaning the sheets, dusting the... dusts, or for pleasure. Unless they're a woman of higher rank, then all they had to do was to sit still and look beautiful while the peasants did all the work. She scoffed.

   Estelle was more than that.

   She's not some mere servant they could push around and do whatever they wished. She was meant to set sail on a ship! Sailing across the sea with the wind in her hair and traveling to no end. Earning endless riches and treasures and having her name known, famous or infamous. She was prepared for whatever the world decided to throw at her.

   From a far distance, she could hear the sound of her roommate's voice calling for her yet she didn't move a single muscle to move from her spot. The Atlas could arrive any moment and she shouldn't miss it.

   "There you are, Estelle!"

   The blonde turned around and spotted Vivien. The said roommate. She watched the girl trudged up the hill and huffed in exhaustion. "I was beginning to worry that you ran away. Again." She sighed.

   Estelle snickered. "You and I both know that I won't be able to leave port without my brother knowing, Vivi." She said. "Besides, as if I'm going to leave him here in the clutches of the wicked Princess Wisteria."

   "The Princess is not a horrible person, Estelle... Should I remind you that she's the reason why you're still living at the palace—"

   "Yeah, at the servant's quarters."

   "Rather than having to live in the streets or work at Madam Hetti's Menagerie."

   "I'd rather be a pirate." Estelle grumbled beneath her breath. She heard the grass rustling beside her and felt Vivien's presence, though her glistening eyes remained glued to the absence of the ship, still waiting for her to appear. "Just imagine, Vivien. To be on a ship — and not just a ship but The Atlas. Sailing to where your heart's desire. We could have all the fame and riches! Everyone will know our name!"

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