A Hidden Queen

Chapter 11

Joe sighs as she meanders down the docks of Port Adsecen. It has been a little over a year since she has been captured and forced to live on this spit of land. It was funny, but Joe felt like she would much rather be marooned on an island with a single shot than be stuck living with her grandfather. She rubs at her temples. Overall, Josephine could not complain. Smithen had kept his end of their agreement, so Josephine kept hers. She could not say that their relationship became better overnight, but as time went on, they had come to much better terms. Josephine smirks as she thinks that it sounded silly to her. They still fought, and they fought on the littlest things too. Like how Josephine insistent on wearing her hair down or braided instead of up under a hat. Or how she refused to wear the fancy, overly tight dresses that Smithen has stocked her closet with, preferring the common everyday dress that a townswoman would wear. The fights were petty and always ended with the excuse that as a granddaughter of the King's Governor should be dressed more appropriately. Joe huffs, shaking her head at the folly of it all.

Josephine pauses in her stroll. Her gaze flowing over the harbor. She came to the docks regularly, longing to be close to ever moving water. A sea breeze blew about her, flowing over her hair and dress. She knew it was a futile attempt to keep her hope of being rescued. It has been a year, and no one has showed up to whisk her away. But damn if she did not desperately cling to that hope.

Josephine sighs, turning away from the water. Her stroll takes her further down the docks, to where many different ships were tied off. Her eyes gazes upon the sleek, ocean driven vessels that were tied up nearby. She could almost feel the bobbing of the deck under her feet as she watched the lines grow taunt before slacking. A cat call brings Josephine's eyes down to the men that bustled about the docks. Several were gazing at her lustfully. Joe pauses, leveling them with a hard stare. She may know how to hold her own in a fight, but that does not mean she had the strength to fight off several men. They grin at her, making kissing noises.

"Get back to work!" A man yells.

Josephine looks up to see a man standing on the deck of one of the ships. He snarls at the men as they continue their tasks with grumbling. The man on the deck eyes her for a second before tipping his hat towards her. A sigh of relief pushes past Joe's lips. She runs a shaking hand through her hair. She forgets at times that she is dressed like a proper lady. Gone are the pants and baggy shirt. And gone is the protection of having the respect of men. Josephine shakes her head, pushing the nasty thoughts away. Giving the working men a wide birth, she continues her leisurely walk down the docks.

It was odd at times. She thinks sadly. How lonely she felt. She was surrounded by people, her grandfather, and his servants are a constant presence within the house. Then there were the military men that come and go, but Josephine still felt alone. She sighs, gazing back out over the horizon. It was different on a ship. You worked closely with the men and woman of the crew; you drank and laughed, you cared for one another. It was a family. And not having it left a black whole within Josephine's soul. Josephine lowers her head as silent tears start to draw lines on her cheeks. She raises her head, keeping her eyes closed, as an ocean breeze pushes against her body.

"Hey!" A deep voice echoes.

Josephine snaps her eyes open, turning her attention to the voice. He was a sailor. His white naval shirt was undone, hanging open and showing off a muscular chest. Josephine takes note that the man was average, being about 5'11 and trim. His blond hair was braided, ending between his shoulder blades. A blue ribbon was tied loosely to the end. Her breath catches as she gazes into the man's pale blue eyes. They darted over her body, lingering on certain areas. She takes a step back, hardening her stare.

"What do you want?" Josephine asserts.

"I was about to ask you the same little lady. Most people, such as yourself, doesn't come around these parts. Are you lost?" He questions with a toothy grin.