Sham of the Sea

Chapter 11

The same evening, Yeji paid a visit to Y/N's hammock to mumble some words of apology while the other woman settled down. Nayeon grimaced at the pitiful form of the quartermaster while sympathy welled up in Y/N's chest.

Yeji looked like a kicked puppy and Nayeon had assured Y/N that their captain's scoldings were not too delicate either, so this apology felt wrong to Y/N. Of course, Yeji would assume Y/N could read; anybody would do so when faced with a person claiming to be a royalty.

Yeji had tried to protect their ship from an unknown enemy, and Y/N could not be mad at the pirate for that. So she forgave Yeji right away. She was too busy being occupied with the thought that her baby had stopped hurting altogether to be mad at a pirate who would not hesitate to pull Y/N's guts from her body if prompted.

In the beginning, Y/N had been worried that something could have happened to her baby, but then she listened to its heartbeat on her wrist and relaxed again.

Y/N wanted a little girl. She pondered a good name every night before she fell asleep and while she was busy scrubbing the deck.

A few days after the incident with Yeji, Y/N left the ship to venture into town together with Minji, Tzuyu, and Nayeon to stock up on provisions. Y/N did not care if she joined them, but she appreciated the earth beneath her feet and the distance from the devious captain. Yet, spying around still proved to be troublesome. Minji's eyes followed Y/N around with an underlying warning shining in them.

During their walk through the modest harbour town, Y/N made the surprising observation that Minji became their little group's leader and managed things Y/N would have initially thought Nayeon would. The former princess' involvement with the pirate world and her secure step in it baffled Y/N. It was fun to watch Minji ordering around Nayeon whose bored face made her look half dead.

Tzuyu skipped merrily next to Y/N. From time to time, the pirate pointed funny fruits or objects out to Y/N when she was not humming some shanties under her breath. Their trip was uneventful, even when some dark shadows and grim-looking pirates passed them.

Minji bought some books that Y/N had to carry, a new telescope for their captain and also some things she needed for her pistols. During every stop at a booth, Y/N idled next to the pirates and stared into the crowds. The best game to play in a place with pirates was to take care not to cross eyes with the wrong person.

This town called Red Water Port was larger than the last one they had been to and it harboured a bunch of rough-looking people, but no naval soldiers. By the looks of it, it was a pirate territory, so asking for help here could cost Y/N's life. She knew she should wait longer, but every day she feared the toll it took on her sanity to be around the pirates.

She also would have to explain her kid dilemma to Jennie soon. Before it became too apparent, she should be gone.

Someone closed up on the pirates bothering the old seller lady that argued about her prices. It was a woman with a little child at her hand, and Y/N immediately stepped aside to let her pass. Her gaze got caught by the girl's eyes; eyes as clear as the sky. When Y/N stared at her in awe, the tiny girl that was just old enough to walk halted to observe her back.

Y/N estimated the kid to be around two to three years old. She gave a soft smile. She did not dare touch the kid, but gave a modest wave. At that, the little one broke out in a huge grin with not all teeth yet developed and Y/N felt her heart melt all.

She sheepishly lifted her eyes to the mother, who stopped to look around. When their gazes met, she regarded Y/N with narrowed eyes. Within a second, the mother's expression slipped to shock as Tzuyu turned around at Y/N's side to check on her.