The princess stood patiently outside the door until the man opened it again. Immediately she smiled but taking in the audience more she realized she was going to have a heart attack.

Oh, gods, why are they all so handsome? The princess looked at each man quickly.

The one who sat at the head of the table had straight raven black hair that went to his chest, golden orbs that swirled with sunray color, even across the room you could make out the pigment. He has a serious and stoic expression, he looked terrifying.

The other two looked quite similar, both with white hair, pale skin, and light blue eyes. The one on the left looked a bit older, and had long hair, flowing down his back, he wore a kind face as well but with more apparent ill intent in the way his eyes traveled over the princess.

The last man looked smaller than the rest, his white hair was cropped in layers just down his neck somewhat. He looked almost childlike, but not enough to make the princess think he was just a boy, and his expression was somewhat aloof.

"You are the stowaway?" The black-haired man questioned the princess.

"Well... I was not stowed... away. I just ended up here." She shrugged with a small smile.

The smaller man scoffed but did not comment.

"And why did you "just end up" on my ship?" The man questioned more, he seemed to be getting scarier, but the princess just chuckled.

"I'm not completely sure, I was on the docks, and I saw this ship... I thought it looked pretty so I came on board." The tension in the air was starting to weigh down on (Y/N) but she remained calm. The men exchanged looks as if communicating without words.

"Come out with it," The younger white-haired man interjected. "You're a spy for Taycia, aren't you? Came to steal loot or gather information on us while we were docked." He accused harshly.

The princess stopped smiling now. A spy? The other men waited for her response.

"Huh? No, no." The princess waved her hands at chest level with a small laugh. "I'm no spy, I promise."

Time seemed to slow down as the men just stared at her, she felt the heat in her chest and around her neck, burning her up from embarrassment.

Why did I walk onto this stupid ship! Why didn't I jump faster? It is okay, you were the princess of the largest kingdom, you have been in much more tense situations, keep it together.

"Leven," The raven-haired finally spoke again, "Search her."

Search her?!

The young white hair boy stood, he seemed disinterested, but the princess's heart was beating faster than ever.

As Leven came closer, she took an instinctive step back and that did not help her look less suspicious.

"I haven't taken anything." The princess protests, but Leven grabbed her by the wrist anyway.

He pulled her further into the room and came to stand behind her.

He placed both hands on her shoulders, "Don't move."

The princess blushed wildly.

Leven ran his slender hands firmly down the length of her back, she wanted to close her eyes but did not want to look any more foolish.

His hands traveled around to her front, onto her stomach, and glided up to her ribs, she could feel his breath ghost over her neck.

If this proves I am innocent I have no other choice.

The princess repeated in her head to try and calm herself, but the thought vanished when his hands slid under her breast and cupped her.

I think I am going to faint from shame. Finally, the princess closed her eyes tightly in embarrassment, thankfully though his hands did not linger.

He pulled each of her arms out and ran his hands along when he was satisfied with that, he crouched down.

Leven firmly squeezed (Y/N)'s boots, checking if there were any hidden objects before his hands started to guide themselves up her skirt.

His delicate fingers traced up her legs almost teasingly, and the princess could do nothing but stand as still as a statue.

No man had ever touched her like this, even if it was just a pat-down, she could barely stand the shame of being touched like this for the first time by a stranger in front of strangers.

Just as his hands were getting uncomfortably high, she felt a quick tug from around her stocking.

"What's this?" Leven asked.

The princess eased her eyes opened and looked down at his crouching form.

He had his index finger hooked on the golden scissors.

Princess (Y/N) sighed heavily in relief.

"Scissors," She smiled.

"What were you planning on doing with them?" The black-haired man asked drawing her attention to him.

"Oh- you never know when you might need to... cut something." Like, I do not know, nineteen years of hair growth.

She clasped her hands behind her back, it was enough of a good excuse for her. Leven stood and tossed the scissors on the table.

It was silent for a long while, and all eyes were on the princess.

"What's your name, girl?" The raven-haired man narrowed his eyes at her.

"(Y/N)." The princess said.

Wait! No! If they catch wind of a missing "princess (Y/N)" who knows what they will do. Her mistake was already sealed, all the princess could do was swallow a dry gulp.

"(Y/N)," The older white-haired man tasted her name on his tongue like a delicacy to be devoured slowly.

"Then, (Y/N), you are now a prisoner on this ship indefinitely." The captain said, and (Y/N)'s heart dropped.

"What?" She breathed out as her world began to crumble around her.

"For boarding my ship without permission, you are now my prisoner. Though, since you're a woman I won't be too harsh." His cold expression never changed. "Simple maid duty, you will work on this ship until your sentence has ended." He moved his boots from the table and sat straight in his chair.

Before the girl could process his words, the captain spoke again.

"Ivo, find her a place to sleep, we can't have our scum of a crew dirtying up our one and only maid."

The brunette wasted no time grabbing the stunned girl by her upper arm, who still could not manage to find her voice and escorted her out of the room.

He held her arm the whole time they walked but made sure not to drag her.

The two climbed down another flight of steps that led down to what seemed just to be a hallway.

"Since you'll be our maid, I want you close in case I may need something." Ivo teased and urged (Y/N) down the hall, stopping in front of a door at the very. "Be grateful you are being allowed decent sleeping accommodations as a prisoner." He smiled and opened the door.

It was small, dusty, and the only things that were in there was a cot, a brass tub, a cracked mirror that hung on the wall, and what she assumed to be her toilet.

"Excuse me, sir?" The princess almost whispered for Ivo's attention.

"Hm?" Ivo hummed in acknowledgment.

"So, to be clear... I will be traveling with you all?" She asked, staring down at the tips of the worn brown boots.

"Yes, I suppose so, as a prisoner." He looked down at the girl standing still in the door away, feeling proud that smile was finally wiped off her face.

"That's..." The princess spoke quietly, almost too quiet.

"Speak up, or I won't hear you~." Ivo taunted thinking he had broken yet another happy person.

"That's... so great!" The girl finally looked to Ivo with a beaming smile.

I have been a prisoner my whole life, who cares about that? True, as soon as I got a taste of freedom it was snatched away. But now! Now I am going to be traveling to places I have only ever read about. For an indefinite period of time!

"Huh?" Ivo's tone became flat.

"I have always wanted to travel; this situation saves me so much time on planning. I suppose the gods decided for me!" Her smile just became more enthusiastic.

Ivo's heart was beating fast as he looked down at the mysterious girl.

He was all too familiar with a fake smile, he could spot one ahundred feet away, after all, he wears an impressive one every day. But this girl who just seemed to appear on their ship was always smiling, even when she was about to throw herself overboard, she smiled genuinely at Ivo.

Even now, after she learns she is an imprisoned maid, she is smiling about traveling. He simple could not understand her, but regained himself quickly.

"Little dove," Ivo cooed, the princess looked up to him again, but this time he was extremely close, mere centimeters from brushing noses.

He was leaned against the door frame and bent down to her level.

Taunting and teasing people was the only way Ivo knew how to keep people under him without physical pain, and he wanted this pounding in his chest to stop.

"Keep smiling like that... and I may just have to break you." With that Ivo sauntered back to where they came, leaving a confused (Y/N).

Huh? (Y/N) thought to herself as she stood frozen in the doorway.

So he does not like smiles, I will remember that.

The runaway Princess walked into the small room, running her situation through her head a million times.

I ran away from my home, absentmindedly boarded a ship, and now I am imprisoned... but I will travel on the seas, and visit lands I have only seen pictures of, I say this works out pretty well.

The princess stepped towards the mirror hung on the wall, it was dark by now, but the moon seeping in from the window illuminated her enough for her to see herself.

She was glad to see her hair looked fine, no oddly long pieces she might have missed or choppy bits.

The happiness whirled inside her like a raging sun, and she smiled at her reflection.

I am not the princess anymore, no matter what, I am... free