The harbor was poorly lit, though the golden glow of the city illuminated the sky beyond it. The light caught the child's attention immediately.
Rida walked with Lerena to the railing, and the two of them babbled happily to each other, laughing in their own quiet conversation.
The Moby Dick rested peacefully in the bay, smelling of fresh paint and adventure.
Rida had never seen a ship so powerful. To her, it was a colossal vessel—something that nothing in the world could possibly sink.
Even though the presence of the Emperor and some members of the crew still made her uneasy, despite the three months they had already spent together, she felt completely safe among them.
Sometimes she wondered what she would have done if Lerena had never come into her life.
The girl yawned.
That was a clear signal.
Rida turned toward the cabin.
The ship was silent. The entire crew had gone into the city to celebrate, despite the fact that they were supposed to depart for Tourmaline the very next day. The distant sound of laughter and music drifted across the water.
Rida smiled faintly.
But she knew her duties.
Just as she reached the stairs, she heard footsteps on the gangway.
Certain it must be Marco returning, she turned around and waited. The first division commander always had a calming effect on the little girl—putting her to bed would certainly go much faster.
"Oh—sorry."
One of the new recruits climbed aboard. He was a man from the island, someone Rida recognized only by face.
She still hadn't managed to learn the names of all Whitebeard's pirates, and the arrival of several more had made the task nearly impossible.
The man was a little drunk, but he held himself upright. Rida assumed he could find his way down to the crew quarters without assistance.
"It's alright," she explained. "I was just about to put Lerena to bed."
She nodded toward the sleepy girl in her arms.
The pirate smoothed his shirt with an oddly careful gesture and glanced casually at the child.
Lerena rubbed her eyes and squeaked in protest.
"Terribly spoiled," the man laughed knowingly.
Rida nodded and gently rocked the child on her hip.
"She's treated like a princess here. Absolute authority over the entire crew. You'll get used to it."
She smiled politely and inclined her head in farewell.
"I only wanted to ask…"
He stopped her mid-step and slowly approached.
Lerena looked around curiously, whimpered, and then suddenly burst into a cheerful laugh.
"Daddy," she said, smiling brightly at the pirate.
"No, sweetheart, Daddy isn't here," Rida said gently before turning back to the man. "What did you want to ask?"
The man still hadn't bothered to introduce himself.
"Is it really possible," he asked quietly, "that such a tiny thing could be the Emperor's child?"
His eyes glittered strangely in the weak lantern light.
A chill ran down Rida's spine.
She instinctively stepped back and turned her shoulder toward him, shielding Lerena with her body.
She didn't suspect him of anything yet. But something in his gaze made her uneasy.
"Yes. It's possible," she said firmly.
Then her voice hardened.
"Now go back to the city or to your cabin. Lerena needs to sleep."
She lifted her chin proudly, almost like a captain giving orders.
The man tilted his head slightly and narrowed his eyes as if he didn't quite believe what he had heard.
"I know people," he said slowly, "who would pay a great deal for her."
The blow came suddenly. He struck her across the face without hesitation.
Lerena screamed.
Rida staggered backward, her head slamming into the stair railing as she instinctively clutched the child against her chest.
She collapsed to the deck while Lerena cried loudly.
She tried to stand. But couldn't. The world spun around her. Her ears rang. She could hear the child, but she could barely see her.
"Oh God… he took her… my little girl…"
"Mhh…!" she gasped, desperately trying to rise.
Then the crying changed into laughter.
She heard Lerena squeal with delight.
Heavy footsteps thundered across the deck.
Rida stopped struggling. She knew who had arrived.
Through the blur of tears she saw Edward Newgate standing there, taking the child from the stunned pirate.
With his other hand he grabbed the man by the shirt and with animal strength hurled him straight into the water.
"Cap… captain…" she managed to whisper after several attempts.
Edward's sons were already rushing onto the deck.
Marco lifted her gently and carried her back toward the cabin while she fought against a strange wave of sleep, telling herself she hadn't been hit hard enough to faint.
"It's alright," she heard someone say softly. "We're here."
And then she fell asleep.
Lerena had always known that nothing bad could happen to her aboard the Moby Dick. That was why the stranger's behavior frightened her so much—it was something completely new.
She didn't like changes once she had grown used to things.
That evening she had heard Edward's voice, so she called out for him as if urging him to hurry. It had become a small ritual that the captain wished her good night before she went to sleep. That sentimental habit was the only reason he had left the celebrations on shore.
He certainly hadn't expected to hear someone discussing the possibility of selling his daughter.
The effect sobered him instantly.
Standing face to face with the would-be kidnapper, Edward made a decision he would never reconsider.
Lerena could not remain on Tourmaline.
Rumors he had previously ignored had spread like wildfire. Just a week after their arrival on the Isle of Wooden Hands, the morning newspapers had begun writing about the Emperor's only daughter, calling her one of the most desirable matches in the world.
Ed had merely shrugged at the gossip.
Until that night.
There were countless people who wanted him dead.
And now an opportunity had presented itself to them.
A small child.
Mercenaries would already be on their way.
If a traitor had appeared even on the Moby Dick, then Rida and Lerena were in real danger.
The next morning, when the order was given to raise the anchor after breakfast, Edward stood at the bow with Lerena in his arms.
Together they waved to the islanders gathered at the harbor, completely unaware of the previous night's events.
"Yes, little one," Edward murmured softly. "I'm afraid you won't be able to part from our family after all. I can't imagine what horrors might be waiting for you on land."
He kissed the top of her head.
"But don't worry, sweetheart. Daddy won't let anyone hurt you."
"Old man! I think it's time for breakfast, yoi!"
Marco's voice echoed across the deck.
"We've already eaten…"
"But Lerena always eats a second breakfast, yoi."
Marco stretched lazily and reached out to take the child toward the galley, but the captain clearly had no intention of letting her go just yet.
"Marco," Edward said, descending the steps from the bow, "I think we'll be changing our course."
The first division commander scratched the side of his shaved head.
He had suspected this decision for some time now, and the incident the previous night had only confirmed it.
Lerena could not be left alone.
"So not Tourmaline then," Marco said with a grin. "Alright, old man. Let her stay with us, that's what you've decided, yoi?"
He chuckled.
"I'm glad. Thatch is going to enjoy this."
Edward's expression remained calm.
"Set course for Arania, son. We'll pay some old friends a visit."
Marco saluted dramatically.
"Aye aye, Captain."