CHAPTER 9

Here I was on a ship to Cian . It was hardly two days and I had already started being reckless.

Loosening up my hair , I turned around to see Amia helping Lien with carrying things .

" Sorry . " I told as I saw John walking towards me , his hand was now tied up with a much cleaner cloth .

" It's okay , but you could have told me earlier princess . " He spoke as he took a seat near me .

" I didn't know how to tell you . "

" Didn't know how to tell me what? " He asked as he looked at me , his long dark hair covering one of his eyes.

" That I was with the royal family . " I spoke , biting my lips .

" No , that you are part 'of' the royal family . "

" Ok. I am sorry . I was not comfortable with telling everyone. "

" You lied to another royal family. "

" But they don't know it's a lie . "

" Well does that make it better ? " He asked folding his arms .

" No . I know , but as I told you . I wanted to keep my identity a secret . "

" Yet you are failing horribly at it. " John spoke as I stood up .

" Stop it. " I spoke staring at him as the wind flew my hair into my mouth .

John sighed as he looked at me . " Are you really just travelling or is there any other hidden agenda ? "

" I swear in the name of the glowing rock , no . Just trust me . " I spoke , feeling the guilt sink in me , but the fact that it was for a better cause embraced me with warmness .

~

A slow sigh left John's dry lips as he stared at Matilda , his eyes searching in Matilda's to see if the lady beside him , was trustable enough .

Slowly nodding his head as if questioning his choice of bringing her on board was right .

The sea was calm today and the skies were clear . Changing his gaze , he looked at his friend , who he also considered as his younger brother eventhough he knew Lien for only a very small time .

The boy was just adorable . No one could resist loving that skinny boy . A smile formed in his face as he looked at Lien helping Matilda's friend , her name which he had forgot being helped with picking up crates.

" Careful there , eh " His voice came as he saw the young lad almost falling over . " Sure , captain . " The young boy replied , his voice as clean as the swords that Matilda had brought along with her .

They were so clean , he could see his reflection on them .

" So ? " A voice intruded his thoughts.

" So what ? " He asked turning back to the lady .

" I don't know , say something . You are the captain here . " She spoke .

" Well , you are here already , so I guess welcome to the crew ". John spoke leaving space after each word , unsure if what he was saying is right .

" Thanks . I shall go to the kitchen to drink water. " She spoke not looking at him .

And as soon as the words left her mouth , she ran from him as he only stared at her .

" Silly girl . " He muttered as he made way to see if the rest of his crew were doing there work properly .

The one who was steering currently , was not the best one he could trust . Who knows if he isn't asleep already . That man could sleep anywhere , anytime.

~

Matilda stumbled inside the kitchen gathering the attention from the two chefs and Amia who was busy debating with one of them about how coriander leaves , make the food better .

" Can I get some water ? " She asked staring at the people infront of her awkwardly , raising the tension .

" Sure . " One of them spoke , immediately reaching to her assistance . Filling a bowl full of water , he walked towards her , making sure that the water doesn't spill.

" Sorry , the glasses are dirty . I will have to wash them . " He apologized.

" It's okay . I will help with the dishes later . "

" That's not needed , you are a princess . I will get someone else to help me. "

" It's okay. I will help you. I know how to wash dishes properly. "

" Still , your hands will become rough. " The man spoke , justifying himself of why he thinks she shouldn't help him .

" Its already rough . " Matilda spoke looking at the tanned man infront of her .

" We don't need it to be more rough , " said him as he handed over the bowl of water .

" The fight's unnecessary. I will wash the dishes along with Mr. No Coriander here. I need to teach him a lot of things . " Intervened

Amia , surprising the man standing near her , who stared at her with squinted eyes .

" You tell me princess , " the man started .

I believe you know better than this coriander obsessed woman . Food with no coriander leaves taste better , aren't I right ? "

" Its according to the food . " She spoke trying not to offend her friend and the chef .

" I almost forgot , Emlyn had called me . " She lied as she scrammed out of there with the bowl in her hands .

' What should I do ? ' Matilda thought as she sipped the water in the bowl . Should she go learn everyone's names or should she go practice in case of any other pirate invasion .

Almost immediately came Lien to her aid . " Captain's calling you my lady. I think he wants to show you some books . I saw him taking some books with him to the main table . "

" Thanks for telling me that . Do you know somewhere else other than the kitchen where I could wash this bowl. "

" There's one , near to the room given to you . I will wash it. " The boy spoke as he snatched the bowl and dashed towards the said place .

Leaving the thought of chasing him , Tilda walked towards the captain's cabin where , John sat at the head of the table immersed in a big , brown dusty book .

" Lien told you called me ." She spoke surprising him .

" Oh , you came . Sit here , eh ." He spoke patting the chair beside him.

" I wanted to show you the different types of sea creatures we may meet in the future . " He started taking the first page of the book , as dust even though not much flew into the air , as a cough knocked at her throat which she held back .

" This book is about the seas' children . I stole it almost five years ago . " He spoke looking proud of what he had said . Matilda only smiled at him .

" Now , let's start with the first one .

This is the ' THREE HEADED ATRON ' .

" Like it's name it's , three headed , not very destructive comparing to the rest , but it can damage the ship real bad , eh ".

" A sword piercing here , " he spoke pointing at the chest of the creature " will make it faint immediately . Chop the heads off and this buddy would be dead. "

Its picture was not very clear , but was still manageable enough to understand how it looked like .

" Captain would you come outside for a second ? " A man spoke as he stood in front of the door ."

" You continue reading . I will be back soon . " The captain spoke as he stood up from his chair and walked over to the man .

Matilda went through the rest of the pages trying to remember the different names and strengths and weaknesses .

Hours had passed by and John who had said he would be back soon was no where to seen . The sun had set and the air was cool , inviting Matilda to fall asleep .

Tired from all the reading , she stood up , her legs aching for the fact that she was sitting for almost three hours .

Slowly walking outside , she saw that Emlyn was with Lien , singing . She looked so happy and beautiful and there there was Amia with the chef , trying something, she couldn't identify. She could see them laughing at each other .

They seemed happy and stress less and that was something she used to see rarely and Matilda was happy she could witness their happiness .

Trying not to think about the kingdom and the the Blue Moon , which was now kept safe , she walked towards her friends .

' Father would kill me , if he knew I left the ship. ' She thought as she neared them .

" I am going to sleep early . Is that ok ? " She asked to know if incase any of them had thought of having a meeting .

" Of course , but try this first. Amia spoke as she gave Matilda what she had made along with the chef .

" Its good . " I spoke trying it .

" He finally admits coriander adds taste . "

" Congrats . Well then , I will be heading back . Can one of you tell John that I am going to sleep . I can't find him anywhere . "

" Sure , Tilda " spoke Emlyn who seemed like she would die laughing as tears ran through her and Lien cheeks .

Ruffling Lien's hair , she bid them good night's and walked away to the cabin that was alloted to her .

Freshening up , she laid on the bed , her eyes drooping as the moonlight entered the room along with the cool breeze that caressed her .