When Eine returned to the dining area, the male protagonist had already left. She asked several nearby servants, but they did not know his location. After a brief rumination, Eine recalled her peculiar encounter with him two days ago. Despite her uncertainty, she climbed the stairs to the upper deck.

  Brightness greeted Eine at the main deck's entrance as sunlight grazed her skin, and a cool breeze fanned her cheeks. Immediately, she noticed two figures standing by the ship railing, observing the cloudless skies. The female figure's gaze followed her male counterpart's. Yet, her concentration was not on the sight above but the bck-haired young man beside her.

  Eine recognized the fervent glimmer in the young girl's amethyst eyes. Though she had not experienced the emotion, she had seen enough depictions in her original world to understand the meaning behind the intensity. Eine realized the raven-haired young girl's feelings would not be reciprocated—doomed to wither before they could bloom. Yet, she still dreaded having to once again disrupt their two-person orbit. However, she had no choice since her pn and life were both at stake.

  "I pray I am not disturbing you, milord." Eine motioned for Cecil and Mariam to stay back and glided toward the pair.

  Elias tilted his head, gncing back. "You did not," he replied. The pcid countenance revealed no hints of his thoughts on her sudden change of heart. "How can I assist you, Lady Estel?"

  "If I may borrow some of your time, milord." Eine lifted her head, locking eyes with him. She then shifted her gaze to his female companion, wearing her commercial smile. "I would like a short private chat with your commander. I hope you will not mind the minor inconvenience, Miss Cra."

  "N, no, midy. I would not dare." The raven-haired young girl lowered her head, concealing her expression.

  "Go on ahead, Cra. I will rejoin you ter," the male protagonist reassured her.

  "Yes…" Cra's shoulders shivered. She then bowed and withdrew.

  Eine believed the young girl had misinterpreted her intention. Though she expected the reaction, she still experienced a twinge of guilt for breaking them apart. Eine gnced at the bck-haired young man before her. If it were not for the cursed circumstance threatening to derail her pn, she would prefer to avoid Estel's future archnemesis until their destined collision.

  "Shall we walk, midy?" Elias extended his hand.

  "Of course." She accepted his gesture and followed him toward the front of the ship.

  The passing servants gawked at the unlikely pair with unabated curiosity, only to scurry away when Eine's silver eyes pierced them like sharp daggers. She furtively sighed. Eine would be na?ve to assume the Duke was not monitoring her on the current journey. Gerard would undoubtedly receive reports of all her movements when she returned. Rumors would spread even among those knights and servants who were not his spies. Considering the House of Croix's and d'Amboise's infamous rivalry, it was of little surprise others would perceive their interactions as unusual. However, she had no time to worry about future unsubstantiated gossip since they were beyond her control. Eine peeked at her travel companion, and a sliver of jealousy emerged. His face remained nonchant, unaffected by everyone else's reactions and opinions.

  After they reached a retively quiet location, Elias cast a barrier spell. A translucent membrane enveloped them, and its thin wall blocked any sounds inside from escaping. "What would you like to discuss?" he asked.

  "You once said I should ask for help when needed." Eine referred to the bck-haired young man's statement from the original Estel's coming-of-age ceremony. "Then…" Her nails dug into her dress, tensing her body like a child about to seek assistance from an adult after causing trouble. It was not in Eine's nature to rely on others. Yet, desperate times called for desperate measures. "Will you help me, Sir d'Amboise?" She finally forced out her request.

  "I will," the male protagonist answered without hesitation, neither asking for a reason nor reciprocation. His resolute gaze stayed on her.

  Eine analyzed Elias' expression, attempting to discern the deception under his composed appearance. Unfortunately, her search yielded no results. "Thank you, milord." Eine's gaze lowered, suddenly feeling contrite. She sought the bck-haired young man's assistance but answered his generosity with skepticism instead of gratitude. Perhaps the time spent at the Croix estate had amplified her cynicism tenfold. "I will repay your kindness in the future," Eine said with sincerity, though she doubted the male protagonist would require her help to achieve his triumphant ending.

  "I am helping you of my own will, midy, and do not require compensation," Elias reaffirmed his intention.

  "Even if you say that…" She wrinkled her brows.

  "Lady Estel." The bck-haired young man advanced closer. "Please enlighten me on the problems that are pguing you." His towering height eclipsed Eine's as he leaned forward, pcing his countenance inches away from her.

  The male protagonist's unexpected actions surprised Eine. She stepped back, shifting her head to avoid eye contact. She sought to maintain an arm-length distance between them. "Y, yes," Eine agreed, realizing she had yet to inform Elias of her predicament. "Forgive me for deying your time, Sir d'Amboise."

  He did not respond, waiting for her to continue.

  "Could you tell me more about the monsters from the list of rules the Caispean crews provided us? I wish to learn how to fight against them."

  "Fight against them?"

  "Yes," she reasserted, again facing him. Her silver eyes steeled with determination. "To fight against their temptations and survive until we reach the Léonas Empire."

  LittleFoodie

  Can you tell who is who?

  [colpse]