"Did something happen on the island?" Charles asked, puzzled. They had just escaped, so why did Elizabeth look so distressed?

  "Answer my question," Elizabeth pressed again.

  "No," Charles's hand subtly moved to his gun.

  Elizabeth's expression turned to disappointment, and she self-mockingly whispered, "How useless. Why don’t you just act already?"

  "What are you talking about—"

  Before Charles could finish, Elizabeth suddenly lunged forward, and his gun instinctively aimed at her abdomen.

  In a surprising turn, Elizabeth kissed him deeply, causing Charles to hesitate, his finger poised on the trigger.

  The other crew members on deck exchanged glances before quickly retreating.

  Feeling the sweet softness enveloping him, Charles finally pushed Elizabeth away after a few minutes, looking at her with a strange expression. "What’s going on?"

  He was aware of Elizabeth's feelings for him, but was this really the right moment for such things?

  "Charles, do you know? From the first moment I saw you, I was interested," she confessed.

  "Don’t let my calm demeanor fool you; I’m really not good with emotions. I might come off as a bit blunt."

  "Why is this girl suddenly saying all this? It feels like a farewell," Richard thought, sensing something was off.

  Furrowing his brow, Charles pulled Lily out of his pocket. "Lily, go get the doctor."

  Watching the little white mouse scurry across the deck towards the cabin, Charles turned back to Elizabeth. "If there’s trouble, tell me. I’ll help you."

  Elizabeth shook her head, glancing at the rapidly disappearing island. Her eyes conveyed a mix of urgency and resignation, and her voice was unusually frantic.

  "I don’t have time to explain. When you return, remember to give me back my artifact. If you don’t mind, try to find me and spend time with me when you’re back. Life at sea is too dangerous; I don’t know how much longer I have. I want someone by my side before I die. Charles… goodbye."

  As she finished speaking, Elizabeth’s tall figure began to fade, becoming transparent and collapsing onto the deck.

  Seeing this, Charles instinctively reached out, arms wide open.

  In a flurry of sparkles, Elizabeth vanished from his embrace. From the spot where she had disappeared, two small objects fell to the ground.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Charles quickly caught them—one was a delicate earring, and the other was a small human eyeball with tiny hands and feet.

  Staring at the blue pupil, memories flooded back to the eye he had seen peering through the cracks of the wall when they first arrived on the island.

  Then he recalled Elizabeth’s words when she had been wearing the eye patch: "One eyeball is missing. Phew, that island is too dangerous. Just making it out alive is a blessing. So terrifying."

  The luster of the eyeball quickly faded. The tiny white hand gently stroked Charles’s palm before it shriveled and dried up. Soon, the eyeball became lifeless.

  Charles stared blankly at the eyeball, as if understanding something profound.

  "Captain, did you call for me?" the doctor approached.

  After a moment of silence, Charles handed the eyeball to him. "Can it be put back into its original socket?"

  The doctor examined the eyeball with his iron hand. "No, it’s been inactive for a long time."

  With a sigh of disappointment, Charles carefully closed his palm. "It’s nothing. Let’s head back."

  ---

  Margaret opened her eyes, nestled in a soft, fluffy blanket, staring blankly at the ornate crystal chandelier on the ceiling.

  It had been some time since she returned home, yet she still felt a sense of unreality, as if she were truly back.

  "Miss Margaret, your clothes for today are here."

  Seeing her awake, a maid approached, holding a silk gown.

  Margaret squinted and stretched lazily before jumping lightly off the bed.

  The waiting maids respectfully stepped forward, eager to help her out of her nightgown.

  "It’s fine, I can manage myself," Margaret declined their assistance.

  The head maid waved her hand gently, signaling the hesitant maids to step back.

  This had happened several times since Margaret returned; her attitude towards the household staff had dramatically changed.

  Previously, while she was kind-hearted, it was mostly towards small animals, ignoring the servants entirely. Now, however, she was completely different—she cared for them and even inquired about their well-being.

  With her graceful figure, pretty face, and just the right amount of makeup, the silver silk gown shone under the light, exuding an air of elegance and nobility. The pearl of the island had returned.

  Her exquisite features left even the female maids nearby momentarily entranced.

  Margaret looked at herself in the mirror, playfully twirling around with a faint smile. "If Mr. Charles saw me like this, he would be so surprised his jaw would drop, hehe."

  The maids exchanged glances; ever since her return, Margaret had often mentioned someone named Charles. They wondered who was so lucky to catch her attention. If the island’s many suitors found out, they would surely be envious.

  "Gina, how did you hurt your hand? You should take the day off. If the butler asks, just say it was my idea," Margaret said, lifting her skirt and trotting towards the living room.

  "Good morning, Mother!" Margaret gently embraced a beautiful woman.

  Carita affectionately stroked her daughter’s smooth long hair. "In three months, you’ll be seventeen. Why are you still sleeping in?"

  "Age doesn’t matter; I’m still your daughter!" Margaret smiled, playfully pouting at her mother.

  "Hurry and eat breakfast; I made it myself," Carita said, pulling Margaret down to sit beside her.

  Margaret smiled at her mother, elegantly taking a silver spoon and sipping a spoonful of milk.

  The sweetened milk was delicious, causing Margaret to squint her eyes in delight. After a few sips, she began to attack the other delicacies on the table.

  Baked beans in tomato sauce, sausage sandwiches, warm fried eggs—each bite filled Margaret with happiness.

  Seeing her previously picky daughter enjoy her meal so heartily brought tears to Carita's eyes. How much had her poor daughter suffered that she could savor such a simple breakfast so much?

  Noticing her mother’s sadness, Margaret swallowed her food and took her hand, saying, "Mother, don’t be sad. Look, I’m back safe and sound."