I was quiet for a bit. I felt a bit of pang in my heart not because I was jealous but because I was not his first love when he was mine. Jacob, seeing my unsettling expression, held my face.

"Editha, Yazmine was all in the past. You, however, are my present and my future. What I feel for you is much stronger than any other emotions I have ever felt in my life. You… you make me want to live and I'll die the moment I lose you," he confessed.

I did not notice the tears in my eyes until I felt one of them drop. I held his face and I kissed him. This time, I pressed my lips onto his more. He moaned and then before we knew it, we were continuing where we left off moments later.

"This time, please don't stop," I pleaded in between breaths.

He chuckled. "If I don't stop then I'll lose control," he said and held my shoulders to put a space between us.

"You unswallow them this instant, you monster!!!" Puma screamed and shot at Ezekra until he ran out of bullets.

"Fire!" Lowen said and they fired the cannons at her. But whatever they did, it was not putting any damage to Ezekra.

Then, Ezekra saw me and for a brief moment we stared at each other eye to eye as if we both knowingly understood whatever mystery she revealed to me. After that, she let go of her hold of the ship and submerged herself into the deep waters never to be seen by any of us ever again.

"NOOOOOO!!!!!" Zaki screamed dramatically, thinking that Jacob and I were still inside Ezekra's stomach.

I giggled. They all looked in my direction. I saw Thaddaeus wipe his tears and smiles formed on their faces.

"MISS DARLING!!!!" All of them cried and charged at me at once with arms wide open to give me a hug.

However, BANG! A shot was fired. Everyone stopped in an instant and readied their weapons upon hearing the gunshot.

"I did tell ALL of you to ask my permission, first," Jacob said while shaking his head. His pistol was pointed to the sky. He was the one who fired the gun.

"CAPTAIN!!!" All of them cried one more and ran to him this time. Jacob caught my eyes, then he winked at me.

Like children, the musicians reported to him how they were fighting Ezekra for two days nonstop and how they were lost without him. Afterwards, they asked him about the regal robes that he was wearing. Jacob answered all their questions but omitted the fact that we got married in Palavana.

Paco walked to me and gave me a hug, "You had me worried. Do NOT be reckless ever again. Promise me, Darling."

I nodded. It felt good to be back to my family once and for all."Editha, my name is Editha. But, I still prefer if you all call me Darling," I said.

Paco released me from his embrace. All of the crew looked at me then turned to Jacob. Jacob nodded his head. Half of them smiled but half of them were unsure on how to react.

"Miss Darling has a nicer ring to it. Much, much, better. Don't you think so?" Laurel commented, which made everyone laugh.

I took a deep breath to show my relief as Jacob walked towards me. He put his arm on my shoulder then whispered, "I love you, Editha."

I giggled. "I love you too, Jacob," I whispered back.

He was about to kiss me but the whole crew hooted and cheered before we could. It was yet another happy day. I hope these moments will never end. But I hoped too early, oblivious to that storm that was already brewing ever since we left Beckforth.

*****

His eyes were closed. His fingers were tapping on the table denoting his impatience and annoyance. The captain of Northeastern kept on explaining as to what had happened at the international waters outside Repahook's territory.

"Forgive me your Majesty. We were so close into capturing them but they had help," he said to end his report.

Prince Eric opened his eyes. He gave the captain a smile which made the latter more nervous. "Are you telling me you failed, Captain?" he asked. His voice cold, signifying danger.

"Your highness-- I… I…" the Captain stammered.

Prince Eric cut him off. "Answer my question, Captain," he commanded without any hint of humor in his eyes though he put on a friendly smile.

"Yes, Your Highness. I failed."

The prince clenched his fist and put it under his chin. "Hn… so you were not able to retrieve my runaway bride?" he asked again.

"No, Your Highness, I apologize for my shortcomings," the captain answered again.

The prince chuckled, "And you cost me a ship, did you not?"

The captain lowered his head, feeling embarrassed, but mostly terrified. Prince Eric was after all notorious for terrible punishments.

"What to do with you, Captain?" he asked and drummed his fingers on the table.

"Give me another chance, I beg of you, Your Highness," the Captain kowtowed.

"Another chance, eh?" the prince replied and massaged his temples. "I do not give a second chance. Are you telling me that I break my principles and follow your lead? Then, that would make you higher than me," he chuckled after.

When he was finished laughing, he called, "Lord Devkin, would you please take him out of my sight? Tell the justice department to strip him of his title and give him a hundred sound lashes. Marry off his daughters to generals of the neighboring allies, and his sons, deploy them to sea until further notice."

"Your Highness, please---"

"Would you rather have you and your family executed in the town's square? I am being gracious Captain, you must accept the punishment before I change my mind," Prince Eric declared and waved his hand to dismiss him.

"What is your plan, Your Majesty?" General Zalez asked.

"I'll do the deed, myself," he smirked. "I'll take back my bride with my own two hands."

Prince Eric turned to the lords and the officials he has under his disposal, "Now, let's talk about some of Jacob's faulty logic that we could exploit."