Pirate Princess

Unusual treasure

„Uhm Captain?" Gibbs cleared his throat „we took a lil' souvenir from Blackmane's ship" he grinned and revealed another big treasure chest.

„It's locked but pretty heavy and probably filled with lots of gold" Henry added enthusiastically. A big smile spread out on Orion's face: „You bloody geniuses! Henry, you know what to do"

Henry nodded and instantly began to fiddle on the lock, keeping the chest closed. We watched in anticipation as he put one ear one the chest and moved the small tool in his hands inside the lock.

Finally it made a clicking noise and everybody cheered.

Henry carefully opened the treasure chest, we took a curious step closer and the treasure chest revealed...

„Books??!" Gibbs asked angrily „Who keeps freaking books in such a big treasure chest??"

The pirates groaned and let out various curse words that I am not going to explain any further a this point.

I carefully made my way over to the chest and picked one book up.

The cover was a little dirty but other than that it was in perfect condition. The title said: „The life and strange surprising adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of Tork, Mariner"

I continued reading: „Who lived eight and twenty years, all alone in an un-inhabited island on the coast of America, near the mouth of the great river Oroonoque; having been cast on shore by shipwreck, wherein all the men perished but himself. With an account how he was at last as strangely delivered by pirates"

That sounded actually quite interesting. My thoughts were interrupted by Orion looking at me with a surprised expression: „You can read?"

I blinked at him in confusion at first until I realized that the whole crew was now strangely staring at me.
„Uuh yes?" I answered and saw Orion's face light up: „Fascinating"

I couldn't help but chuckle at their stunned faces, was it really that hard to believe that I could read?

„Maybe those books aren't useless after all" Waddley exclaimed and the pirates nodded their heads in agreement.

„Will you read something for us?" Orion asked and the crew cheered: „Yes please, will ya?"
I looked at the book that was still in my hands and smiled: „Alright"

I was actually curious too about the adventures of Robinson Crusoe and reading would be a welcome change to the boring routine on this ship.

The pirates quickly gathered around and got comfortable on the floor, looking at me excitedly. I giggled at the sight of grown men sitting in fron of me like small children, excited to be read to.

I cleared my throat, opened the book and began reading: „I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York, of a good family, tho' not  of that country, my father being a foreigner of Breman who settled first at Hull..."

I don't know how long I spent reading but I felt my eyelids slowly flutter and my yawning becoming more frequent. Some pirates had fallen asleep and I finished the chapter I was reading before telling them that I could continue the next day if the wanted. I got up and Orion accompanied me to my cabin.

„Thank you for doing that. I could listen to you read forever" he said and I felt my cheeks heat up. He brought one hand up and gently brushed my cheek and twirled a strand of my hair between his finger, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

I felt myself instinctively lean into his touch a little, enjoying the feeling of his wam fingers against my skin. He sighed before backing away. Much like he had to physically pull himself away in order to stop.

I felt my heart sink and looked at him in irritation: „What's wrong?"
He made a painful expression and bit his lip: „I don't think you want to..." he began and cleared his throat „I mean: Everything is complicated enough as it is..."

I raised one brow in confusion: „How do you know what I want?" I asked softly and his eyes finally met mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Helloo,
What did you think of this chapter? Did you like what Amelia is doing to the normally gruff pirates?
Any suggestions or thoughts? Let me know!❤️
Also please vote if you enjoyed this chapter, it'd mean the world to me🦋
Have a nice day!