Von and Thompson happily ate the curry Samson cooked together with Regor. Even I enjoyed it too since the chicken was preserved it has a different kind of taste other than the normal curry but that taste gives the curry more deliciousness it deserves. I didn't know that curry can be this delicious.
After that awkward scene in the cabin, Marion can't stop telling the others what happened. No one can speak to Jake normally, he still can't get over to it and I felt embarrassed just by remembering it and the way Marion speaks to the others makes it more embarrassing.
"I told you, the curve, the smoothness, and the color. Goodness, it looks like the heat didn't damage her skin!" Marion happily stated. I covered my face and shrink myself on the table.
"Marion, what a pervert," Leopard said and sip on his coffee.
"Hey! It's not just me, Jake saw it too!!" Marion defended.
A loud thud enveloped the whole galley when Leopard put his cup on the table forcefully. I gulped and avoid my gaze away from him when his eyes met mine. The Lion is angry.
"What did you just say?" He coldly said. "Can you repeat what you said, Marion?" He added.
"J-Jake was with m-me," Marion nervously replied. Lilian covered Marion's mouth as fast as she could. "You idiot!" Lilian silently exclaimed.
I sighed and decide to finish my food. Even Samson and Drake kept quiet and didn't mingle with the issue and focused on eating. But I noticed Drake kept glancing at me and when our eyes met, he was the first to avoid it.
"Jake," Leopard stated. Jake who's still in his world snaps back to reality. "Oh yeah?" He replied.
"To the top deck. Now." Leopard ordered and get out. Jake who seems clueless, must have not heard what Leo said because he was busy in his world.
"What the hell does that mean?" Jake asked Marion. "Sorry, bro!" Marion replied and tapped his back.
"It's time for me to exit," Marion added and exit the galley.
"It means your dead," Drake answered Jake's question. After a few seconds, Jake finally understand what was happening. His ears turned red again.
"Good luck bro," Samson stated and I heard Jake cuss.
"What happened in here?" Gerald asked but no one answered Gerald and Regor, it's enough to conclude that what happened here is not as good as when they left us here.
I sighed and finished my food fast and excuse myself. I have to check the papers, I hope none of it was damaged by our impulse move in this morning. I still have to discuss it with the others and for the trouble here, they can handle it on their own even if I'm the one involved in that conflict. What happened was already in the past and I knew it was an accident. It's my fault too that I forgot to close the door, so yeah.
***
I place all the papers needed for the mission on the table and make sure that all the members can see them. After it, I return to my sit and let them finish reading it. I saw a few errors in it but am too tired to revise it, maybe if they want me to double-check it then, I guess I'll have to pull an allnighter. But I'm confident with the entire map, though I didn't include other important things because c'mon let's be honest, I don't trust them with this so-called mission.
But for me? As long as I find the right timing, I will return home. But with my current situation, it won't be easy. I sighed then look at their faces to see their reaction. Regor and Gerald looked intently in the papers, Marion who study the map carefully since she is the real navigator in this crew and will take over when I'm no longer with them. I made sure that I wrote some safe ways for them to take when things didn't their way. Captain Drake as well as Vice-Captain Jake check the whole plan. Don't ask me what happened to Jake and Leo that time, because obviously, it didn't turn out well.
"This is amazing," Marion exclaimed. Everyone looks at her. "Why?" Lilian asked.
"The Map is more accurate than the one we bought last time in Consair, Vienna even draw safe unknown paths. I didn't know there are lots of possible ways to enter and exit the most secured kingdom on the whole continent," Marion enthusiastically explained "Wow, just wow! You are amazing Lady Vien!" she added and shake my hand. I chuckled, if I didn't see the original map made by many people who travel around to get the most detailed ways then I bet I can't do that.
"These plans are well written too, you are very talented my lady!" Jake happily stated and winked at me. I gulped and avoided his eyes, I feel like my heart is going to melt. Why the hell does he look so damn cool with the bruise on his side lips? Goodness, damn this handsome pirate. But I'm glad he's back to his normal self.
I calmed myself and face them. "Thank you, tell me if there's a thing that you don't understand, I'll explain it to you," I said, Captain Drake raised his hand. I stood up and walk toward him.
"Here, the thing is, we are heading East, the Golden City to be specific. So it would be easy to go south than north, and Thermis? Wouldn't that will take a lot of time?" He said and pointed to the road I wrote on the map. I nodded and bent a little to check the map. Since Drake and Jake sat next together and none of them are planning to move so I can fit myself, I have to bend my body a little.
"Yes, what you said is true but see this red mark?" I stated and point to the red mark written near the entrance of Shaport. "It means the kingdom's Knight occupied that part. Especially now that the kingdom is in chaos because of the attack you made. The Royal Tier will make their move." I added.
"That one too, we didn't cause that much trouble and only took a little. Why the hell is the kingdom too fired up?" Samson stated. I raised my eyebrow at him. Little. They kidnap me and even set the whole port on fire yet he said it was only a little? Wow, so does that mean that they have to bring a city into its ruin before they can say they did big? I hissed.
"You didn't know, do you?" I coldly asked. They shrugged their head in unison. I massage my temple and calm myself.
"Then tell me, what the hell do those guys looking for that cause troubles in us this morning?" I asked. Leopard raised his hand, I nodded in response. I feel like I'm teaching some kids, so much stress. Oh, how I missed taking a bath in my jacuzzi.
"They are looking for someone, I'm not sure who but I don't think it's you," Leopard said. I massage my shoulder this time and returned to my sit. Those twins didn't know how to be a gentleman.
"Listen carefully, remember the day you attack the port? I saw Lilian and the Lennon brothers in the city as well as Captain Drake, did you not notice why everyone was so busy?" I asked again.
"Oh, It's to celebrate the newly opened port!" Lilian proudly exclaimed. I sighed.
"Let me ask you this first again, are you the one who settled the manor in the port that time, or did the fire coincidentally break out on its own accord?" I asked, Drake, smirked. Now that I think of it, it looks like they are not the ones who did it. I only blamed them because of my anger.
"No," Jake answered. "You saw me in there too right? But I'm telling you this, we are thieves, not murderers. I knew that the manor is filled with people from the parade so why would we set it on fire. I'm not sure too if it's only coincidental or made by someone, but no. We did not set that place on fire." He added.
"Why? What's with that Manor anyway?" Marion asked and drink her water.
"Royalties," I answered making her spit her water, thankfully she caught it first before the water reach the table. They all look so surprised. "P-Pardon?" Marion spoke.
"Important subjects and highest-ranking nobles. And most importantly, the Imperial Family." I started again. Fear and anger were shown on their faces when they knew they fucked up. The Imperial Family don't attend that kind of gathering but since the newly build port was made with the help of the neighboring kingdom, they, or should I say, have to be there to express our gratitude.
"E-Imperial Family?" Lilian nervously stated. I nodded at her.
"That's fucked up. Our intel said it wasn't that important. He said that it was a small celebration for the fishermen, adventurers, and merchants. Then why?" Samson angrily exclaimed.
"That means that bastard lies to us." Regor seriously stated. "That bastard!" said Gerald.
They were scammed. That's really fucked up.
"What should we do?" Leo interrupted and look at me. I shrugged and pointed to the captain. He has the most authority here. I can't hide my amusement, these cunning pirates were scammed by mere intel.
"That bastard steered these many troubles, naturally, he has to pay the price." The Captain seriously stated.
"For now, the best thing to do is to follow Lady Vienna's plan." He commanded. They all nodded and looked at me and express their gratitude.
No matter how amazed I am by their situation I still smiled at them. I know I should not be this happy but I can't help it. Mixed emotions. And finally, after many days of being in the sea, I can step foot on my own land.
My kingdom. Just a little bit more patience, I will be home.
Finally!