Tiger Buddy

Abdo appeared reserved yet kind, with a genuine affection for his pets. He explained that he was allowed to bring the tigers on board without additional licensing in exchange for participating in the contest. He was unaware of the other tasks and certainly hadn't agreed to let his pets roam freely. The fire had frightened him, as he feared for their safety, but now, reunited with his tigers, he seemed much more at ease.

"I wonder if I just didn't lock their enclosure properly," he said, smiling sheepishly at Vlad and Cheryl while rubbing the back of his head.

Cheryl grinned. The man had nearly killed them, all because of his own mistake? That's the spirit.

As she looked more closely at him, Cheryl couldn't help but be captivated by his appearance. His darker skin tone, large bright eyes, elegant posture, silk-like long hair, high nose, and sharply defined lips - every part of him seemed like a piece of art.

"Magnificent," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. He was probably the most beautiful person she'd seen in a long time.

"Excuse me?" Abdo turned his head toward Cheryl.

"Don't worry about that," she smiled back at him. "By the way, are you, like, rich-rich?"

Now sitting on the comfortable sofa in Abdo's cabin, Vlad and Cheryl couldn't help but notice the stark contrast with their own accommodations. Their cabin was just a room, while Abdo's was a lavish apartment with a living room, bedroom, an unknown-purpose room, and a spacious balcony where the tigers' enclosure was.

"I am, thank you very much," Abdo answered earnestly.

Vlad stared at him in surprise. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at the luxury surrounding them. But more than that, he admired Abdo's confidence in openly acknowledging his wealth—a trait rare in the Three Kingdoms. People usually said things like "not really," "as everyone," or "I wish" to avoid drawing extra attention and unnecessary risks. Abdo, however, was very open and direct.

"You really are from that... Jam Land or something," Vlad said thoughtfully.

"Jamil," Cheryl corrected him.

"I am, you got it right, miss," Abdo nodded in agreement.

"That's so exciting! I've never met anyone from there before," Cheryl said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"If you'd like, I'll invite you to Jamil. It's a beautiful place, and I owe you for saving my babies, as much as I feel bad for attacking you for no reason."

"Really? That would be great!" Cheryl couldn't hide her excitement.

"Thank you, but I'm not sure we'll be able to come there yet. We have some things to take care of first." Vlad gazed at Cheryl with a pointed look.

Suddenly, a loud bumping noise came from behind the wall, causing both Cheryl and Vlad to jump.

"What's that?" Vlad asked, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room for any immediate danger. Cheryl felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Sounds like my neighbors. I never see them, just hear some weird noises from time to time," Abdo replied casually.

"Anyway, if you ever feel like visiting, be my guests. I'll write down my details for you to send me a letter if you ever decide to visit," he took a piece of paper and started writing his name and address.

Cheryl tilted her head as she watched Abdo write, her curiosity sharpening. "You don't strike me as the kind of person who has neighbors," she said, a hint of teasing in her tone.

Abdo chuckled softly but didn't look up. "Believe it or not, I'm used to living in a palace. This cabin, though luxurious, is still... modest by comparison."

That got Vlad's attention. "A palace?"

"Yes," Abdo admitted, finally glancing up. "I'm the consort of the Queen of Jamil."

The room fell silent for a heartbeat. Cheryl blinked, then exchanged a glance with Vlad, who raised his eyebrows slightly but said nothing.

"The Queen's consort?" Cheryl repeated slowly. "So… like, you're married?"

"In name," Abdo replied, voice light, but something darker flickered in his eyes. "It's not what people imagine when they hear that word. I was chosen, not asked. There was a ceremony. And now, I represent her interests abroad."

Cheryl's expression softened, a flicker of recognition passing through her features. She knew what it felt like to be chosen for something without truly being given a choice.

"She must trust you a lot to let you travel so far."

Abdo smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Or perhaps she likes knowing I owe her everything. Even my freedom."

Vlad leaned forward slightly, studying him with new scrutiny. "And you didn't have the freedom to say no, did you?"

"No," Abdo said simply. "But that doesn't mean I won't say no in the future."

Cheryl watched him closely. She could tell there was more he wasn't saying, layers beneath the silk and smiles. A man raised to serve beauty, now learning he might want something else.

The bumping behind the wall came again, harder this time.

"You sure your tigers aren't trying to dig their way back in?" Vlad muttered.

Abdo shook his head. "That's not them. They're outside. It's always from that wall. Don't worry, I've had it checked—no danger."

"No danger yet," Vlad replied under his breath.

Abdo offered them the note with his neat handwriting, adorned with an elegant crest. "If you do come to Jamil… just be careful who knows."

"Because of the Queen?" Cheryl asked.

"Because of everyone," he said quietly. "In Jamil, beauty is worshipped. But behind every statue is a crack."

Cheryl and Vlad exchanged pointed looks. Abdo didn't seem to be happy with his position. His invitation to visit Jamil was generous and intriguing, yet they didn't plan to go that far from the Three Kingdoms - didn't have a need to. So there was probably no risk in this little chat, no risk in pushing him a little.

"You're going to the Convention, then?" Cheryl asked casually.

"I am. As an official delegate, so it's not a big secret - my name is on the lists of the participants anyway. Are you heading there as well?" He looked between them with an assessing gaze.

"I guess you can say so," Cheryl was looking extremely interested in her nails.

"No surprise here. I bet half of the ship is one way or another involved in the events around it," he seemed to either not notice her vague answer or to decide to politely ignore it. She knew these nobly-trained men all too well - she's worked to make a living by taking advantage of them. Not that she'd ever let Vlad know - he just believed her story about long-lost relatives with a small fortune which they were allegedly spending all the years until he started getting paid for his service.

"Maybe we'll catch you there, then, buddy?" She smirked at him.

The ends of his lips twitched with amusement. He clearly wasn't used to people calling him that, let alone strangers. 

"Yeah, catch you there, buddy," he smiled.