CHAPTER 15

Matilda looked up at the vast blue sky that stretched above her , small dashes of white here and there .

' Was it the calm before the storm ', she thought as she moved her eyes towards the sea .

The Cahira had set to sail a few hours ago .

" Why are you so adamant ? " She asked the captain who stood near , his eyes searching for something afar .

" Andamant ? " He voiced it out loud , not understanding what the princess meant .

" Why do you want us not to join you today ? "

" You ladies have lives that are more valuable than us pirates . " He spoke , still not changing his gaze .

" Rubbish . " Matilda retorted . No one should value themselves low .

" Pirate or not , your life has value and it's no lower than mine or any others . " She spoke , realising the inner care she had formed for the captain .

The way she had stopped carrying knives around him to the way she had stopped feeling irritated at him .

Was she making mistakes ?

Was the bond of friendship that they had made , trustable ? She knew it wasn't from her side .

She was being treacherous , a traitor ,

everything that her kingdom Constance had stood against for .

A storm of guilt rose in her , staring away from the man she asked again .

" What do you think of our bond , captain ? "

He stood in complete silence for a while , his eyes slowly shifting towards her.

" Something magical . " He grinned and she smiled back , half heartedly .

" I believe I should get going . We will reach the waters before sunset , atleast that's what I believe . "

" Sure . "

~

The sun was just above her head as she searched for John with Emlyn and Amia along .

Gratitude . Matilda was grateful to him , for how he has been treating her and her friends , for helping her get better at fights , teaching her new things that she wouldn't have paid an ounce of attention to before .

She didn't believe her father , her brother , nor her friends when they had told her about the vicious creatures that lived under the seas . All she saw them was as myths . Nothing to believe .

But as she spent more time with him , she had learned much more , how each creature , some gentle and some murderous , had more to them what than what the myths spoke about .

Everything held something that could be learned and he had taught her that .

He taught her about how even the smallest creatures could end up teaching life lessons and she was thankful for that .

Moreover her view on pirates had changed to a great extent . Not all of them were unloyal . He was a living proof to that , but here she was being the exact opposite .

Maybe he would understand , if she would tell him the truth . Maybe later , when they were alone , she could confess about what she was planning to do , but before that she had to express her gratitude , before it was too late .

She didn't know how exactly to thank him , but she believed a dagger , much precious to her would make a great token of gratitude .

Catching a glimpse of the said captain , the ladies made their way towards him .

" What brings all three of you here ? " He asked laughing as soon as he saw the women .

" You do . " Amia spoke , her eyes filled with appreciation for the man .

" Me ? " He asked , his face contorting to confusion .

" We want to give you something . " Emlyn spoke this time as Matilda showed him the box that she had been holding behind her .

A small wooden box , heavily ornated sat in her hands , waiting to be opened .

" Open it . " Matilda spoke , eager to see how the pirate would react to their gift .

Carefully he opened the box , gasping at the sight of the dagger , baffled at the fact that the ladies had brought him something this valuable .

" I can't take this . " He spoke , his eyes racing fast as he looked at all of them , uncertain if the weapon was indeed for him .

" This is from all of us . A token of gratitude for all that you have done. " Matilda spoke , moving the box closer to him .

" I can't . " He said , breathless .

" It's an order from the princess of Constance . You don't want to make a kingdom your rival , now would you ? " Matilda spoke , urging the man to take the dagger .

Hesitantly he held it . Taking the dagger out from its box blinking , trying his best to hide his teary eyes .

" You don't need to hold back , you know . A pirate is allowed to cry . " Emlyn spoke as the man burst into tears .

It was the very first time in his life , he was recieving something so precious , something that was filled with so much of gratitude and love .

He should'nt cry or atleast he believed . He was a captain . If he was the one crying , how would he be able to lend a shoulder to his men who look upto him , but now that he felt

' allowed ' to cry , he couldn't stop .

" I dont deserve this . " He spoke as tears rolled down his cheeks , his eyes red and puffy as he took in small breaths .

" You do . " Affirmed Amia as she patted the taller man on his shoulders .

John laughed seeing the soldier lady tiptoeing

to pat him .

" I am a pirate . I steal from people . "

" We know , but you deserve this . You deserve this dagger more than any of us . " Matilda spoke as she looked at her dagger , which was now his .

Carefully keeping the dagger inside , he smiled at the ladies , immediately wiping off his tears as he heard Lien's voice from afar .

" Captain , do you want rum ? "