𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓽| 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 19

This isn't something you can help me with.

Her words rang through Shanks's mind as he watched her sprint away. Hanabi's eyes furrowed in worry, pursing her lips. Astonishment washed over everyone's faces as they all stared at the passage Rue went on. Aisha prepared to chase after was held back by Yue. The child squirmed in Yue's grip, trying to escape to reach her mother.

Drowning out everything, the Red-Haired captain clenched his fist, the feeling of the silver-haired woman's warmth still lingering.

A deep frown settled upon his face. His mind played Rue's distress, her frantic nature, just an overall panic. Since their meeting, she had attempted to refuse any kind of help. It didn't matter how much assurance he tried to give her, she created distance between them. During their game, he figured that this woman wanted to gain something or else she wouldn't have gone through the trouble to wager her secrets.

He had seen many sides of her, she was a quiet one. A woman shrouded in mystery, a radiant beauty, but with so many secrets.

And so many sorrows.

It became an obvious fact that sharing things about herself was off-limits. Even though she kept her promise of no deception, she still seemed reluctant to reveal anything.

Especially when Jinovia was mentioned.

The captain's gaze landed on Aisha who cried out for her mother in Yue's arms. Aisha's shoulders shook as small whimpers escaped her lips; Yue rubbed her back offering her words of comfort. As he approached them, he gently laid his hand on her head ruffling her locks.

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Aisha lifted her head to Shanks. "Why can't I see Mommy?" she uttered in a whisper, her breath shaky. She rubbed her eyes roughly,"Mommy, ok?"

Though Shank's smile was filled with assurance, his thoughts wondered the same thing.

Shanks's thoughts stopped as a roar ripped through the air. It froze their blood, chilling their bones. Everyone on the scene didn't make a move, the air thickening at every second. Aisha's hand gripped tightly on Yue's coller, pupils shaking at the curling sound.

Without another thought, the redhead sprung into action and immediately went in search of the silver-haired woman. In a blink, he was gone, leaving his crew with confusion, yet no followed suit.

Seeing Hanabi ready to follow, Yue grabbed her friend's hand. However, Hanabi yanked herself out of her friend's grip; Yue flinched from her friend's fiery glare. Though Hanabi's voice was low, it had an edge to it as she spoke for only her friend to hear, "You're hiding something."

The knight was certain her friend knew. They've served their mistress for years, knew her habits, favourite meals, hobbies; they knew everything that was necessary for a woman of the palace.

Yet that also met that Rue kept secrets from them.

Hanabi couldn't shake away the sentiment, a feeling that crawled at her back. She waited and waited as her gaze slowly became slightly distraught yet a tinge a hope within them.

However, all her hopes crashed as Yue's silence confirmed what she had already guessed. Her friend's gaze lowered as she looked anywhere else beside Hanabi's blazing brown eyes.

"I'm sorry," Yue began her eyes shut tightly, "I can't say."

Yue watched as Hanabi gritted her teeth while huffing in frustration. A tinge of pity reflected in her gaze, Yue distracted herself by running a soothing hand on the weeping child.

Soon Yue shifted her gaze in the distance with a frown. Though the lanterns above them enabled light into their view, nothing simmered anyone's worries at the moment. It was not like she wasn't allowed to tell her friend. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't reveal the truth.