The Heart and The Sword ~Part One~ // HIATUS

Chapter Six : The Pirate and The Queen

With every passing second, they approached the port more and more. Sylvia was anxious beyond words. She didn't know if her ship had returned, if everyone on it was well, if they were still looking for her or presumed she was dead. Her head was spinning and she hoped Thalya was doing well. If word got out that the queen fell overboard, she was sure the dukes came running, looking for every opportunity to rule the kingdom themselves. She just hoped her little sister didn't give them the chance.

-Now that you're almost home, will you tell me your real name, Julya? Morgan asked with a smirk.

He was leaning against a barrel of water near Sylvia and had his arms crossed over his broad chest. She gave him a small smile.

-I'll let you simmer just a little longer, she said.

Morgan rolled his eyes and approached her, leaning against the railing.

-You are one cruel woman, he joked.

-So I've been told, she smiled at him.

The crew began yelling orders at each other, preparing to dock.

Her heart thundered in her chest as her people finally began to notice the ship approaching. Some gawked, and some ran away quickly. A few of them got the attention of some passing knights. The men sprung into action, quickly approaching the docks, swords drawn. They didn't seem to pay attention to who was on the ship. She wasn't hidden. Her arms were resting on the wooden railings, her whole body returning to the posture it used to have, despite the pain in her side. Her back straightened, and her head was held high.

Morgan watched her closely, unbothered by the knights who were already yelling at them to sail away. The walls he saw crumbling down the day they found her came back up, a cold mask slipping on her face.

Once they docked, despite the harsh yelling of the knights, Sylvia began speaking, attracting their attention.

-Stand down, she ordered loudly.

The knights fell silent, shock painfully obvious on their faces. They knelt, remaining quiet, most likely unsure of what to say.

-Shut the fuck up, Morgan said, the words slipping without his approval.

She turned to him and smiled softly.

-Have you figured it out yet, Captain?

He remained quiet. He didn't know what to say. He didn't fear the knights or the dukes or anyone that has lived their entire lives on land, but this dreadful feeling settled in him. For the past two weeks he had flirted and mocked and cussed and undressed with the damn queen. The fucking queen of Yuglaesil was the one he told his crew to leave for dead or kill when they stumbled upon her.

Alrin, witness to the interaction, knelt behind Sylvia.

-Your Majesty, please forgive us for the way we have behaved in the time spent with you. It is an honour to have you on our ship.

Good thing he had Alrin, because Morgan was speechless, just like the rest of his crew. They all went silent when Alrin's words reached their ears.
Sylvia turned to face the man and smiled at him.

-Do not fret, Alrin. You have greatly helped me in the last two weeks.

She turned back to the knights on the docks.

-I'm sure you were informed I fell overboard on my journey. Because of that, I am quite injured. Find a carriage for me.

Alrin began giving orders to prepare the stairs for her, while the four knights facing the ship began racing to prepare everything. Sylvia turned to Morgan and couldn't help the soft giggle that escaped her. He was certainly surprised, to put it plainly.