The Unexpected Visitor

2 days flew by so fast for the princess as she and the others explored

different parts of the city they were staying in. It helped the princess forget about the incident from before.

Eventually, they had to return to their trip. So they head to Diona's clothing shop again. They picked up the dress, which was a mid-length purple dress with flower patterns on it.

"You look amazing princess"

Eleonora said

"It really compliments you."

Alexandra added.

"Thank you!'

Sophia exclaimed

They thanked Diona and left for the ship.

There, Sib was the first to compliment her and tell her many times how beautiful she looked.

Christina later came and also told her that she looked stunning.

...

At night, Sib and Sophia shared a moment as they dance under the moonlight.

Unfortunately, just as they were about to kiss, Sib pulled away as he noticed another ship in the distance. Confused, Sophia turned around to see the ship. She couldn't understand what was going on. Sib ran to the captain's cabin and found Eleonora inside.

"Captain!"

"What is it?"

"A ship is coming our way!"

"Flag?"

"Englands"

Eleonora looked at him in disbelief. She ran out of the cabin and took out her spyglass. She looked towards the ship and confirmed that in fact, it was an English ship.

"What's going on?"

Sophia asked

"An English ship is approaching us."

The captain replied.

"What?! Oh no, they are coming for me"

The princess said as she started pacing around back and forth.

"Princess please calm down!"

Sib said

"Give me that!"

Sophia grabbed the spyglass from Eleonora and looked in the direction of the ship. The person she saw on that ship shocked her to the core.

"Oh no no no no no"

Sophia said as she backed

"What is it?"

Sib asked

"That's... That's Sir Vatingeom. The man they tried to marry me off to"

Sophia began to shake in fear in Sib's hands.

"Sib, wake everyone up and inform them of what's going on"

Sib nodded and ran off. Eleonora put her jacket on the princess and dragged her to her cabin.

"Calm down. They won't take you away I promise."

She unlocked a closet. Inside was the chest Sophia saw when she first entered the cabin a few days ago. Eleonora had put it there for its safety after Sophia tried to touch it.

"Listen to me carefully. Don't make any noise until I unlock this closet. And most importantly do not touch the chest. No matter what. Got it?"

Sophia nodded and with that Eleonora closed the closet and locked it.

She walked outside the cabin and down below the deck where all her crew members slept.

"Captain, what's the plan?"

Christina asked

"Act natural and do not mention anything about the princess. Am I clear? "

"Yes, captain!"

"Does he know she's here?"

Alexandra asked

"I don't know. Let's hope he doesn't."

Eleonora responded

She told everyone to stay below the deck until she tells them to and then climbed up the stairs and waited for the enemy to arrive.

Sophia, on the other hand, was still shaken up by the thought of him finding her. She doesn't want to go back, she prayed that he would just go away and let her be free. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. She sat there, holding her knees to her chest, and cried silently.

The princess looked up and although her vision was blurry she could still make up the shape of the treasure chest before her. She whipped her tears away and reached for it. The captain won't find out if she just took a closer look, right?

Sophia took the chest into her hands and brought it closer. What was so special about it that the captain would want to keep it safe at all costs?

Was it gold? She was curious to know but when she tried to open it, of course, it was locked. However, she did hear something inside.

Sophia put her ear on it but before she could hear something she heard noises coming from outside. He has arrived.

...

"Good evening, sir."

Eleonora said as she welcomed the man onto her deck.

"Eleonora Roberts, I assume?"

The man said.

"Captain Eleonora"

She corrected him

"Right. Anyhow, my name is Salvator Gilbert the right hand of Sir Raphael the III, the king of Spain. I'm here because the princess of England has been missing for the past few weeks and I have information that she was last seen climbing onto your ship."

The man said.

Eleonora was waiting for the king himself to be on the ship cause of how much she panicked but seems she didn't see the man correctly.

"It seems your information is quite wrong. There is no princess on this ship"

The captain said

"Is that so? In that case, you wouldn't mind if my men search your ship?"

"Of course not! However, I have some... stuff that I don't want to get in trouble for having, you know?"

"I assure you, any illegal items you own on this ship won't cause you any trouble this time."

"Then go ahead"

Eleonora said as she smiled.

Raphael signaled his men and they began searching the ship. While searching Raphael decided to head towards the captain's cabin.

Eleonora followed after him.

They walked inside the cabin and Raphael began looking around.

When Sophia heard their footsteps she covered her mouth with her hand and tried to control her breathing as much as possible.

"Would you like me to bring you some tea?"

Eleonora asked breaking the silence.

"No. Thank you."

The man continued to look until he stopped in front of the closet. He tried opening it but it was locked.

Eleonora began to sweat but kept her cool.

"What's inside this closet?"

Raphael asked.

"Oh, just some old junk from my other adventures."

Eleonora answered.

"If it is just junk, why is it locked?"

He said looking at Eleonora

"We are on a ship, sir. Inside the closet are very valuable and fragile things. I don't want my ship to get hit by a large wave and for them to fall out."

"Open it"

Eleonora gulped. She had no choice but to do it. She took the key out of her pocket and slowly approached the door. Right when she was about to open it someone called from outside.

Raphael looked at her and then walked outside. Eleonora had to follow him because it would seem suspicious if she stayed inside. However, she did leave the door unlocked. When the cabin was empty, Sophia quietly opened the door and stepped outside. Still holding the chest.

The princess knew she couldn't go to the deck so she closed the closet door and hid underneath the captain's desk. She knew it was not the best hiding place but she had no choice.

Outside, one of Raphael's men found the princess's old dress.

Raphael examined the dress and then turned around towards Eleonora.

"Care to explain why you have an expensive dress laying around your ship?"

"Oh please, I'm sure you've heard that I am quite popular with women. One of them must have forgotten it here and besides, as you see I'm not the only woman on board."

Eleonora said as she pointed at Alexandra and Christina.

"Then I guess the only thing left to check is your closet right?"

"Right..."

They head towards the cabin and Eleonora approached the closet doors again.

She opened the closet doors and her eyes widened.

"Well, I see you really do have nothing to hide."

"Hehe, I told you so"

Eleonora said as she laughed nervously

"Well, I guess there is nothing more to do here. Farewell, Captain Eleonora, and I apologize for the disturbance."

"It was my pleasure having you"

Raphael left The mermaid's heart but while the ship was still in sight he said.

"We should keep an eye on them. I don't trust her or her crew."

When they were out of sight, everybody cheered and celebrated that the princess was kept safe. Except for Eleonora. Everyone noticed her face of distress and anger. She dashed inside the cabin and saw the princess standing up from outside the desk.

"Did we do it? Is he gone?"

Sophia asked

Eleonora didn't respond just go closer to her and stared down at her.

"Captain?"

Eleonora took the chest out of her hands and slapped her across the face.

Loud gasps were heard from outside the cabin as the door was wide open.

"I gave you a warning. I told you to not lay your hands on my chest."

"I-I'm sorry-y. I panicked and I took it with me. I swear I didn't do anything to it but touch it!"

Sophia said as she put her hand on her cheek. Tears rolled down again.

"I don't care why you did it! All that matters to me is that you broke my rule and I don't take kindly to someone doing so"

Eleonora said, getting closer to her and putting her right hand on her weapon.

"Please! I won't do it again! I promise."

Sophia begged but the captain was blinded by rage.

Alexandra, Christina, and Sib noticed Eleonora reaching for her sword so they stepped in.

Christina stood in between them, Sib ran to the princess and pulled her closer while Alexandra grabbed the captain's hand.

"Let my hand go, First Mate"

"Captain, I'm gonna need to calm down."

Eleonora turned towards Alexandra and looked her in the eyes and slowly removed her hand from her weapon.

"Leave my cabin this instance"

She said looking directly at Sophia.

The princess left together with Sib.

"All of you leave or I'm shooting all"

The captain ordered the crew members who were standing outside the cabin.

They quickly ran off and went back to their beds.

Eleonora pulled her chair and collapsed on it still holding the chest in her hands.

"Captain."

Christina said

"Zip it. I don't want to hear anyone right now."

The two looked at each other and then left without saying a word.

When Eleonora was finally alone she looked at the chest in her hands and tears rolled down her cheeks. She hugged it tightly and cried till she passed out from exhaustion.

...

Sophia was inside her room crying into Sib's embrace wondering why the captain would react like that.

A few moments later, Alexandra and Christina went inside.

"*sigh* Princess listen, don't take the Captain's reaction to heart."

Christina said

"She shouldn't have threatened to kill me."

"Well, think how she felt the moment she opened the closet and saw the chest missing. She panicked. Although, I'm not defending her, try seeing things from her perspective.

Alexandra then respond.

These words seem to help Sophia process the situation better.

"The chest is more important to her than her own life. She would do anything to protect it even if it means killing us or anyone else on this ship."

Sib added

"I see then I should apologise to her"

"Only if you want to but no right now. It's better to leave the apologising for tomorrow."

Christina said.

"Yeah you're right"

Sophia answered.