𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓽| 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 21

Regrets.

Everyone has them, everyone has encountered it at least once in their lives.

Rue had many, but this one might be her biggest one yet.

She crushed the newspaper, creating crumples on the sheets of paper. Her pupils trembled, and heat filled her gaze as she clenched the newspaper.

Her gaze remained on a captured picture of a shirtless Shanks smiling brightly at the woman in front of him. Though her back was turned, her silver hair was the most prominent feature seen. She read each line of the article, over and over.

At a small table on the deck, Yue and Hanabi watched worriedly as their mistress paced around the ship frantically, turning the pages. While Aisha ate her meal happily, munching quietly.

Eventually, Rue went to the side, gripping into the railings of the boat. Her hands tightened on the metal, her knuckles slowly turning white.

The seas are as blue as the sky. The sun shone on the waves, shimmering under the gleam. The waves gently guide the ship to its destination. However, the beauty of the ocean couldn't simmer the rapid beats through her rib cage.

A week already flew by since she allied herself with Shanks. Though she had to get over the little if she had to put it simply, feeling that began to bloom.

No, she forced herself to uproot any chance of letting those feelings bloom.

However, unfortunately for her, it seemed like her hard work to stay low, to stay hidden began to fall apart. Thanks to whoever took the picture, her and Aisha's lives might be in danger.

Rue's pupils dilated at the thought of it. The numerous possibilities, conclusions anything her mind gathered up if this photo fell into Caspian's hands.

The thought of her ex-husband finding her brought a chill up her spine, the air felt thick, and the air from her lungs felt intoxicated.

He would never allow her to be free ever again.

"Sister!" Yue's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Though Rue's body shook, the warmth from her friend's hands brought comfort. Meeting her gaze, her friend's hazel eyes were etched with worry, " I've been calling you, but you weren't answering."

Rue opened her mouth to speak, however, nothing came out. Instead, she responded with a smile, though Yue decided the unease of it. "Is this about that photo?"

With a shaky nod, Yue took the newspaper from her hands taking a good look. Soon, Yue's lips spread into a warm smile. Placing the newspaper under her arms, she took Rue's hands, giving them a gentle squeeze. "I'm sure no one would recognize you. It could be anyone with the same hair colour as yours."

Though Rue knew she was trying to reassure her, she couldn't shake her doubts and fears. Yue was right, it could be anyone, but Rue's features aren't just anyone's. She wasn't some needle in a haystack, instead, she stood out like a sore thumb. She squeezed her crystal, thankfully, no one could see her face since her back was turned.

Yet, again, doubts hung above her like a cloud. Her mind flashed with many possibilities of the outcomes of her ending.

Her thoughts went years back, to her days in the palace.

At the time, luxury was abundant and overflowing. A life with jewels, expansive clothing, and delicious food was a life anyone wanted to live.