"I ran away. My father wanted to get more land so he arranged for me to be a concubine to the sultan," Carla said. "So, I ran away."

I nearly dropped my cup of coffee after hearing her begin her story. Good thing, Jacob was fast enough to assist me. "Are you still a bit faint?" He thought it was because I was tipsy.

"I'm fine," and motioned Carla right away. Her story was just like mine. "Wouldn't your father suffer repercussions if the arrangement does not go through?"

Carla crossed her arms, "No. He will just not get the land that he wanted. The sultan had many… I mean several women in his harem already. I could not believe Father, why would he do that? Doesn't he love me?"

I sympathized with Carla. The questions that she was asking were the same ones that I had after my father broke the news of my betrothal to Prince Eric. I sighed.

"Those men, do you know them?" Jacob asked.

Carla nodded. "They're my father's men. He ordered them to bring me back! He was desperate to get this piece of land! He doesn't care if I get hurt," she told us aggravated.

"Any of the Sultan's men after you?" Jacob asked again.

"Well. If I was the Sultan and you were arranged to me, I would claim you through thick or thin. Most men with power are like that," Jacob explained.

My eyes widened with a realization. If that was true, then is it possible that Prince Eric sent men after us? Am I the reason for the increase of the number of Beckforth's naval ships that were looking for us? When Jeu said Beckforth wanted Jacob's head, was it because of his piracy or was it because of me? I looked at Jacob and I felt suddenly horrified.

Carla continued, "If he does, then that will be trouble. But, at the same time, as long as I could convince His Highness that I am not worth chasing, he would leave me alone. And Father? I am not going back to him!"

Jacob nodded, "Alright." He looked at me to get my opinion but was worried after seeing my horrified face. "What happened to you?" he asked and checked my forehead.

I could not erase my negative thoughts right away so I stood up. "If you'll excuse me, I think I need some air," I said and quickly walked to the sides of the ship and took a deep breath.

Jacob followed me, "Do not ask me to go away. I'm just worried that you might fall off. It was your first drink," he explained.

I gave him a smile and nodded. I wanted to tell him that that was not the reason I was troubled. I really wanted to tell him the truth. But, he already has too much on his plate and I did not wish to be a burden so I decided to keep my secret.

"You should help her, Jacob. Whatever you do, you have to help her," I said.

Jacob furrowed his brows before he sighed. "Why are you making this so difficult, Darling?"

"What do you mean?" I was confused.

Jacob tucked in a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Alright, we'll come up with a plan but only after you go to your room and sleep. Your drunkenness is worrying me," he said.

I crossed my arm, "I am NOT drunk!"

He chuckled, "Off to bed," he ordered with a quiet voice.

"Very well," I conceded. In truth, I was really a bit sleepy.

*****

The next morning, I woke up because of the loud commotion going on aboard the ship. I made sure I was armed before I walked out my room. At the main deck, I saw an elderly man with a white turban on and his men. He was demanding something and wanted to step forward but Paco and Thaddaeus blocked his way.

"Where is my daughter?" he said and took his steps again. This time, his men followed.

When they did that, my crewmates also stepped to block their way. Everyone was on a standoff. No one dared to move. Everyone prepared to draw their weapons. I quickly walked to where my crewmates were standing to give my support.

"Give me back my daughter! Don't you know who I am? I am a Rai… I am a noble. You are strangers in our land. Where is my daughter, Carla?!" he demanded.

To make matters worse, another group of men came aboard uninvited. The man who was leading them looked very domineering. He was holding a curved sword and he too demanded. "Where is Rai Ablem's daughter, Carla? She was supposed to be given to the sultan today," he said and introduced himself as the sultan's royal guard.

I looked around. Carla nor Jacob was nowhere to be seen. "Where is Jacob?" I quickly asked Puma.

Puma smiled at me and eyed Jacob's room. My eyebrows met. But before I could ask any questions, the door to Jacob's room opened and out came Jacob looking very disheveled.

"What is all this commotion? You are all such disturbances! And here I thought I would have a very great morning after last night," he said.

"Where is my daughter?" Rai Ablem demanded for the third time.

"Who is your daughter?" Jacob asked him.

"That would be me, my love," Carla responded as she came out of his room. My eyes widened. For she, too, was disheveled.

"Carla, what is the meaning of this?" Rai Ablem asked even though it was obvious to everyone what had happened last night.

"It is as you see, Father. This man, Captain Jacob… he is my lover. I love him!" she exclaimed.

"You were with him the whole night?" the royal guard clarified.

Carla smiled at him with genuine happiness, "Yes. THE. WHOLE. NIGHT."

The royal guard scoffed and turned to Rai Ablem. "The arrangement is off. We won't allow a woman who lost her virtue to become His Highness' concubine," he said and commanded his troop to begin departing.

The Rai tried to stop them and convinced them that there was an explanation but the royal guards were deaf to his pleas. When the guards were gone, the Rai looked at the pair, seething. He pointed at Jacob.

"You… you defiled my daughter!" he accused angrily.

"He did not! I consented to everything. I told you Father, I love him," Carla answered and linked her arm to Jacob. Jacob put his hand over hers.

"Lo...Love?!!" the Rai exclaimed in anger.

"Yes, I love her!" Jacob declared. "And to prove it to you, I'll marry her!" he added as he made eye contact with the Rai. He was not yielding. He was serious!

I blinked several times. What just happened? Was I dreaming?! Jacob loves Carla?! Jacob will marry Carla?! I looked at Jacob again but he did not look at me. Instead, he held Carla's hand tightly and together they faced the raging Rai. Seeing Jacob like this completely ripped my heart apart.