Take me home | Seongjoong

The Test

The morning sunlight broke over the harbor of Silverport, casting long shadows across the crowded docks. Ships of all sizes rocked gently in their moorings, their masts swaying as the early-morning tide whispered against the shore. Seonghwa stood at the edge of the bustling wharf, watching the organized chaos of merchants and sailors moving through the narrow streets and market stalls. His gaze lingered on The Black Siren, a sleek and imposing ship anchored at the far end of the harbor. It was a vessel that exuded both danger and intrigue, just like its rumored captain.

He'd spent half the night thinking about the decision. A part of him was still uncertain. Could he really do this? A prince pretending to be a commoner and joining a pirate crew? The risks were enormous, but his heart hammered with excitement, a thrill he had never experienced inside the castle's walls. His life as Seonghwa, the prince, was behind him. Here, he was simply Seonghwa, a man seeking freedom.

But first, he had to find the captain.

Seonghwa pulled his cloak tighter around him and began weaving his way through the docks. The air was thick with the smell of salt and fish, and the noise of traders haggling over cargo filled his ears. He approached a group of sailors, hoping to gather information about the elusive pirate leader.

"Captain Hongjoong," he asked, his voice measured but casual. "I need to find him."

The sailors exchanged looks, their faces darkening as soon as they heard the name. One of them, a tall man with a weather-beaten face, laughed under his breath. "Hongjoong doesn't just talk to anyone, mate. If you're looking for him, you better have a damn good reason."

Seonghwa offered a small nod of acknowledgment but didn't back down. "I have business with him."

The sailor snorted, shaking his head. "Good luck with that. He's not the type to be found wandering the streets. Try The Drunken Gull tavern later tonight. If you're lucky, you might spot him. Or... get thrown out for asking too many questions."

Seonghwa's jaw tightened in frustration, but he thanked the sailor and moved on. His first attempt had failed, but he was determined. He spent the next few hours combing the docks, asking around in different taverns and marketplaces, each time receiving a similar response. No one knew exactly where the captain was, and those who did were reluctant to share. It seemed Hongjoong's reputation extended far beyond his ship—he was a figure of both fear and admiration.

By midday, Seonghwa's patience was wearing thin. The sun beat down, the salty breeze doing little to cool him as he wandered through the alleyways near the docks. He considered heading straight to The Black Siren, but approaching the crew without the captain's permission would be reckless. He needed to get to Hongjoong directly, and that meant following whatever leads he had left.

Finally, after hours of wandering, Seonghwa found himself outside the doors of a small, dimly lit tavern called The Rusty Anchor. Unlike the other places, this one was quiet, almost too quiet. The smell of stale ale hung in the air as he stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. A few patrons sat hunched over their mugs, and at the far corner, Seonghwa spotted a man who matched the vague descriptions he had gathered throughout the day.

Captain Hongjoong.

Hongjoong wasn't a tall man, but he exuded confidence. He sat with one leg propped up on a chair, a lazy grin playing on his lips as he listened to one of the men at his table. His hair was dark, a shock of it falling over his brow, and his sharp eyes were aware of the room despite his relaxed posture.

Seonghwa took a deep breath and approached the table. As he drew closer, Hongjoong's eyes flicked to him, briefly assessing the new arrival with an uninterested glance.