It was night time on the boat. And according to the captain we had a seven days trip even at full speed to the southern continent. So I took some time to collect my thoughts meanwhile Izumi and the girls had fun in the cabin.

With a cup of coffee in my hand I leaned toward the railing on the boat. It was not too cloudy and the full moon lit up the sky. The sea smelled of brine which mixed with the fresh and sweet winds. After a while I noticed how clear I could see the stars. Lack of light pollution is truly marvelous.

”This would be romantic if I had a lover.”

I muttered to myself and took a sip of coffee. The sweet bitterness of it may be representative of my current situation, I guess.

It is not like I hate where I am in life right now. Definitely would prefer living back on Earth, but I died there. I also have come to fully accept Izumi and the girls as family, despite not being blood related. Without them I got no attachments to this world. I wonder if I would still follow him if I got freed? I probably would, life without the girls is pretty boring after all.

I gave out a deep sigh and listened to the waves for a bit. Then I gazed out in the horizon where the sea is lit up by the moon. Calm seas are lovely.

After a while of contemplating I heard footsteps calmly heading towards me. Then they stopped a short bit behind me.

”The moon is truly beautiful tonight.”

The voice of a female said. She sounded very seductive.

”Yeah. Harjan was very generous to make it for us...”

I said to the unknown voice. According to legend it was Harjan himself which made the moon. Would not be too far fetched with this world and common sense.

She then walked to the right side of my and leaned onto the railing as well. After a few seconds she faced me. This heavily tanned woman looked like she is in her early thirties and had a small but voluptous body. Her long hair was dark brown and stylized so part of it covered one eye. Her eyes are black. The clothes she wear is a red dress and a small red hat. On her neck she got a gold amulet, and she wore a silver ring with a crescent symbol on her left ring finger.

”Indeed, child of Harjan.”

She gave me a look of wonder as she talked to me.

”Do you not wonder about how we fit into the universe? Alone we are just an infinitely small part of it, yet one man alone can do many wondrous things. How paradoxical.”

Her look was the intently on the moon as she continued. Also she is getting philosophical. Is it normal for married women to become that on a full moon night?

”When you think of it. One hero in his life time perform many feats. Some even otherwise impossible. As if the heavens themselves opened up to make it possible.”

Interesting, but what is she getting at? She then looked back at me.

”You, child of Harjan, the Crescent God of Holy light. Will you make the impossible, possible?”

She then caressed the symbol on my forehead.

”Make the impossible, possible? What are you getting at?”

I asked this mysterious woman.

”Will you save our kingdom from certain destruction when the time comes?”

That was quite the bombshell she dropped onto me. Me save? How? I am just a low level cleric.

”I- I don’t know...”

At that moment I did not talk with confidence. I stared down at the ocean. She the chuckled.

”You are already doing well just being here.”

Then as soon as she said that, she disappeared without trace. Not even a sound. What the hell is this woman!? I am too young for this prophecy shit.

Once the initial shock passed, I then stared down into my coffee cup which just had a tiny bit of cold coffee in it.

”What the hell did they put into the coffee?”

I let out a frustrated sigh. Izumi and the girls should probably be sleeping by now.

”Whatever...”

Then I headed back to our cabin. And as predicted they are sleeping. I changed into my night gown and slept at my usual place in the pile. It did not take long to fall asleep, because I erased my thoughts earlier.

In the following day I spent my time with the prince at the upper class restaurant on the cruiser. I guess that is a perk of being his personal company. If anything I think my role is to be the first line of defense against possible assassins. But I think the prince picked me for other reasons than that...

”On the menu today there is roast duck with vegetables and sauce and chocolate cake with strawberries.”

A chubby and cheery older man with white hair in chef outfit told me and the prince. That sounds so delicious... Was what feels like an eternity since I had chocolate last. Without thinking of it I spaced out. Laurel the prince, then waved and snapped his fingers to get me back to the ground.

”Oh! Oh sorry. The thought of chocolate cake made me feel dreamy.”

The man who I assume is a chef then thought for a second and then looked at me.

”For this fine lady, we will have one slice on the house.”

Am I dreaming? I am so giddy now! Laurel chuckled happily and then looked up at the chef.

”I will order the roast duck, and a glass of the finest red wine then. Also one cup of coffee for Lotus here.”

As he made his order, he put his hand on my shoulder. He is hitting on me again, right? I have no idea how marriage and such work in this world. But would it not look bad for a prince to marry a commoner like me?

During our wait for the food we chatted about stuff like love, adventuring, magic, anything to pass time really. We did not pry too much into our private lives either. Also the bodyguards he have seem strangely absent. As if they do not exist.

”By the way, where are those guards you always have with you? I have not noticed them at all ever since we got here.”

I curiously asked Laurel.

”Do not worry, they are in the restaurant disguised as guests. Thanks for worrying about me though.”

He gave me a wink as answered my question. I guess it was a dumb question after all. Shortly after our food arrived.

In front me was a slice of cake about the size of my hand. They said one slice, but not how big. The cake was made in four layers which had three fillings between. Chocolate, vanilla and strawberry are the fillings. The cake itself was of the chocolate sponge cake type. The dark chocolate glazed top was filled with broken chocolate pieces and whole strawberries. And finally drizzled with strawberry syrup. This truly is porn for a chocolate lover like me.

As the first bite of the cake dissolved in my mouth I almost let out an orgasmic sound. It even startled Laurel who was elegantly eating his food. But he only gave me a smile while chuckling. It seems he gets in a better mood when I am happy.

It was easy to say I thoroughly enjoyed the cake and coffee. I did not hurry eating it, because this could be last time in a long time, before I could eat anything like this again. Being a chocolate addict truly is an horrifying existence in this world. I guess I would not mind becoming royalty if I could eat like this every day...

During the rest of the trip I never saw that mysterious woman again. But I got a hunch she is somehow connected to Harjan, because of that ring she got. Also Laurel the prince and I soon became friends toward the end of the trip. Because I accompanied him all the time we did a lot to alleviate boredom of travel.

As for Izumi and the girls? They mostly kept themselves in the background. I could often see them playing card games in which Nyaya would win most of the time. I would never imagine in my wildest dreams that she would be the smartest of them all. Also I feel kinda bad for them, they had to eat the food served for the middle class on the boat. Despite being a Hero, Izumi did not have enough prestige to be allowed in the upper class restaurant. I lucked out with Laurel, the prince I guess. Now onto warm sands!