· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

(Y/N) brushed her damp hair, thinking of the fox that visited the night before. Rather, what he said was on her mind.

First, she was concerned about Silas. She wondered how far away her guard was, how angry he might have been, and what she could say to him to excuse her actions.

Hey, Silas! My closest friend and protector of nineteen years. Funny seeing you here! Oh, you noticed I escaped the palace and that I am traveling with four demon pirates? One of which I gave my first kiss to. Oh, did you not know that? Never mind then! Why did I leave, you ask? Well, I was just so bored and cooped up inside a magnificent castle and tired of living a life of luxury, so I kicked rocks!

She shook her head at her inner dialogue, knowing there was no proper excuse for her actions.

She tied up the top half of her (H/L) hair with a bright yellow ribbon, quickly inspected her work, and left the bathroom.

As she dressed, she remembered Mamoru vowing to stay with her for the rest of her journey.

Will he be in plain sight? Will the pirates notice him? This is kind of stressful knowing that he will be there, and I possibly will not know. She quietly groaned to herself.

(Y/N) had been up almost all-night thinking of those very things and had slept all day.

She vaguely remembers Ivo coming into the room, but he kept it brief when he realized he had woken her.

He had told her that they were going to be leaving around six that evening and to meet them in the lobby when she was ready.

(Y/N) dressed in a white, capped sleeved cotton-gauze blouse, meant to be tied off around her rib cage, highlighting her midriff.

The knot in the front of the top was the only thing keeping it on, allowing for a deep V-neck, and a great amount of her cleavage to show.

(Y/N) slipped on a loose, bright marigold-colored ankle-length skirt, that came up to her waist leaving only a sliver over midriff exposed.

She moved over to her bed, her skirt flowing with every step as it was a light fabric, and she sat on the edge to slip on her closed-toe sandals. They were a light brown shade, with a weaving detail at the toes, and an ankle strap.

She never understood how Ivo knew or guessed her sizes, or how he chose her clothes, but so far, he was doing a decently good job.

Ivo had taken it upon himself to provide her wardrobe after the visit to Oldkeep. She believed it was because she was always wearing the same old dress and he felt sorry for her. In actuality, however, Ivo simply wanted the ability to have her wear whatever he wanted as if she were a doll.

She gave herself another once over before leaving the room.

(Y/N) made it halfway down the hall when a tight knot formed in her belly. She was nervous, surprisingly.

This is the most amount of skin the guys would have seen of me, what if I look funny to them? As a princess, I showed much more skin, my skirt was practically see-through, but no one saw me. Just maids guards and Silas. If Silas never seemed to mind maybe they will not as well.

Her hands found their way to her chest and she started to attempt to adjust her top to cover more of her breast.

The women of Bizia often wore clothes such as the type (Y/N) had on, to fight the heat and humidity, but she was still anxious to be seen by anyone, especially the pirates.

She took the stairs one at a time, postponing every step. She had to stop midway down to give herself another pep talk about her outfit, but she eventually continued.

Kazumi and Ivo stood by a set of chairs, which Leven and Leopoldo sat in. If they were not already staring her down, she would have stopped for a moment to drink in the sight.

Ivo smiled, pleased with his choices as Kazumi leaned in to whisper to him.

"What the hell did you get her?" He said evenly.

Ivo never took his eyes off (Y/N) as she walked to them.

"Whatever do you mean?" Ivo said innocently. "I simply obtained clothes fit for this weather."

The four were wowed by her outfit, or rather what the outfit revealed, but also on guard for any onlookers. The fine shape of her body lured in their gaze and the way she walked so delicately locked them in.

"Hello!" (Y/N) smiled brightly as she approached the men.

"Took you long enough." Leven scoffed, looking away to hide the rosy tent on his cheeks.

"I'm sorry," (Y/N) laughed.

She brushed a piece of damp hair behind her ear.

They all seem normal, I am glad they are not acting strangely.

"These clothes are very nice, Ivo, thank you. I love it." She smiled at the brunette.

He smiled back, lightly crossing his arms.

"I do as well, very much." He said as his eyes traveled down to her chest. She did not notice where his eyes lingered as she was looking to Leven who was being patted on the shoulder by Leopoldo.

Kazumi did not say anything, he turned on his heel and that was everyone's cue to trail behind.

The walk through the town was fine enough. All the men stayed awkwardly quiet, none having anything to say as they kept a lookout for anyone who might be looking at (Y/N) similar to how they were.

(Y/N), however, was immersed in the Bizia culture as they walked.

The shops were filled with exotic styled clothing, the produce stalls had fruits she had never seen before, and the restaurants immitted enticing smells of the local cuisines.

Because Taycia and Bizia were practically enemies, she had never received gifts from them.

The gifts she would receive were the closest thing she had to travel when she was locked away.

Bizia was like a whole unknown world to her in countless different ways. She felt much more comfortable when she saw other women wearing something similar to her, or far more revealing.

She was so immersed in taking in her surroundings, she was not focused on the most important part, following the pirates.

Leven had noticed she was veering off course and thought he would simply help her along.

"This way," Leven innocently grabbed (Y/N)'s arm to lead her in the right direction, but the action was so sudden she stumbled toward him causing her breasts to press against his arm.

Leven felt and saw everything, the soft plumpness of her chest, and the way her cleavage pressed into his arm if only for a second.

Leven could already feel the warmth of sweet arousal building in him as his face heated. He quickly stepped away from her to hide his visual hint of what he was feeling.

Ivo rolled his eyes in jealousy.

Leopoldo thought as he rubbed his frazzled brothers back in understanding comfort.

Kazumi thought as he continued down the cobblestone sidewalk.

Leven's mind was crazed as he stared at the back of the girl's head as she followed the others close behind.

It is such a beautiful day! (Y/N) smiled as she thought innocently and oblivious to the men.

Kazumi led the group to a tavern tucked away in the middle of a row of shops.

The inside was chill and sent a shiver up (Y/N), but the atmosphere was warm, people were dancing and laughing, enjoying themselves freely. The music that played was not overwhelmingly loud, but a soft upbeat tune produced by a duo of musicians; a lute and flute player.

(Y/N) instantly took note that this tavern was much more crowded than the tavern in Ekapan. Kazumi passed (Y/N) and led them to a large table in the back.

Leopoldo allowed (Y/N) to sit at the end closest to the wall, mostly just to trap her in.

Leopoldo sat beside her, Leven sat beside him, and Ivo sat across from her.

Kazumi had left to the bar when he saw everyone was settle, where he ordered a round of drinks, water for (Y/N). Once he returned he settled in next to Ivo, only passing (Y/N) her drink.

(Y/N) was sitting straight in her chair, trying to look natural around the rougher crowd.

"Little dove, how was your night?" Ivo asked, trying to fill the silence at the table.

The visit Mamoru paid her made her heart beat a little faster.

"It was fine, I just slept." She smiled.

I obviously cannot tell them about Mamoru.

"You must have been very tired to sleep all night and day." Ivo laughed. She nervously smiled back.

"I suppose so." She breathed.

The men took her weary smile and nervous tone as one of annoyance for them after Ivo had planted the thought in their head she was wanting to leave.

"Hello, everyone." A voice drew all their attention away from the girl and made them look up to a big, muscular man wearing a bright smile.

He dressed in just a maroon vest and beige loose pants, his hairy chest on display. It was appropriate attire for the weather in Bizia.

Next to him stood a petite woman with short green hair, cladded in tight black clothing. She wore no discernable expression, but her yellow-green eyes lingered on (Y/N).

"Hadan," Kazumi spoke smoothly nodding to the tall man.

"Chusi." He nodded to the green-haired girl who finally looking to someone other than the girl in the corner.

"It is pleasure to see you again." Kazumi did not sound sincere when he said that, (Y/N) figured he was being polite.

"Kazumi," Hadan smiled merrily.

He roughly pulled out one of the remaining seats and plopped down, the woman doing the same, only gentler, to the last chair.

"It has been too long." Hadan looked to everyone else, "To you all as well." He nodded his head to the others, but he paused when his dark brown eyes landed on the girl in the corner.

"Oh, and a new crew member?" He quizzed.

"Yes," Kazumi quickly said, drawing Hadan's eyes back to him.

Chusi did not look back to Kazumi.

(Y/N) looked over the newly arrived man, inspecting him up and down. His was the rich shade of umber, a dark-golden brown. He was so much larger than anyone she had every seen. Hadan's arms looked like they could be the size of her entire body, and his chest was so broad she could take four side steps and still be in front of him. His head was shaved clean, and the light reflected off his scalp near blindingly.

"Shall we begin then?" Leopoldo suggested.

Hadan smiled again, "So, how will we kill the Taycia royal family?"

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

[[Y/N's outfit put together by ✨me✨]]