IDHT 14

Chapter 14

“Let go of this.”
“I absolutely can’t. If I don’t take you with me, even the crown princess sister won’t be able to leave.”

The more Angelica tried to shake her off, the more Naomi clung to her. That damn guilt was just dragging her down. In every drama or film, the protagonist always hesitates—and that’s when everything goes wrong.

I should be more ruthless.

“Does your father hit you?”
“No.”
“Does he starve you?”
“No.”
“Then that’s fine. Stop being stubborn and go back to your father. No matter how much you deny it, Captain Blaske is your only family.”

“I won’t. I’d rather die than go back to my father.”

She didn’t understand a word. Angelica restrained the urge to kick Naomi’s face as the girl kept clinging like a leech.

“Enough, Angel. Let’s just take her.”

“Really?”

Naomi’s eyes lit up as she loosened her grip on Angelica’s ankle.

“Take her?”

“We don’t have a choice. She came this far because of us. It doesn’t feel right to leave her behind.”

“Because of us? She came here on her own.”

“We’re not completely without responsibility. Once we return home, we can figure out how to hand her over.”

“Hand her over? To the palace attendants?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Alexei shot her a sharp look. Angelica didn’t back down.

“You’re being too soft. That’s why she’s getting spoiled. When we reach Latria, she’ll throw tantrums like this again. Are you going to take responsibility all the way?”

“I’m just thinking logically.”

“So am I.”

Franz, sitting on the deck, watched the couple bickering.

Somehow it felt familiar. He had seen this many times in back alleys—boys and girls about seven years old, fists clenched, arguing seriously over things adults would laugh at.

Just like the crown prince couple now.

Franz smirked and glanced at Naomi, who was pouting, then suddenly jumped off toward the shore. He didn’t want to interfere, but the timing felt necessary.

“Stop fighting and just stay here.”

Six eyes turned to him.

“I’ll escape alone.”

What nonsense is this now?

Angelica glared at him like she was about to shoot him.

“If the argument isn’t going anywhere, there’s no point in continuing.”

“What?”

“Excuse me?”

Naomi and staying behind? Has he lost his mind?

If they did that, they’d be corpses before they even left the island.

“At least I don’t want to spend the night in the middle of the sea. So if you’re going to hesitate like this, I’ll go alone.”

Angelica slowly moved her hand away from her pistol and crossed her arms.

So Franz wanted them to make a decision.

But how?

Her eyes met Alexei’s. They stared at each other for a moment.

“The sack is empty. We need supplies. His Highness and I will prepare the ship and stay on guard, so Your Highness, please handle gathering supplies. Naomi as well.”

Franz stepped in and gave a conclusion.

“I have to do it too?”

“If you don’t want to be left behind, you will.”

Naomi, grumbling, finally gave in.

“Let’s go.”

She turned around sulking.

“I can’t promise both of us will come back together.”

Angelica glanced at Naomi walking ahead, then spoke to Franz.

“As you wish.”

Franz smiled.

Maybe he really would.

This might be the last chance to change Franz’s decision.

Angelica hesitated over her impulsive words.

That clingy kid would definitely keep pressuring Alexei about responsibility. Should they really bring such a dangerous variable back to Latria?

Absolutely not.

She went into the forest with the mindset of a hunter sent by a queen to lure Snow White. It wasn’t just about dealing with Naomi—they also needed food. But why were there only tempting red fruits everywhere?

It was because Naomi had stripped the nearby trees bare.

So this is what people mean when they say kids ruin the food budget.

Angelica dragged an empty sack and walked briskly. Soon Naomi started complaining.

“My legs hurt.”

“Then stop eating so much.”

“How far are we going?”

“Until this sack is full.”

“I want coconuts.”

“You’ll eat as much as you want.”

Because you’re staying here.

“I’m tired of sour, bitter, mushy fruit. We don’t even know how long the voyage will be.”

“We’re supposed to reach the homeland in a day.”

“Yeah, right. I know the sea better than anyone—it’s unpredictable and moody.”

“Like you?”

“No. Like the crown princess sister.”

After walking for a while, the scenery changed.

They had gone deep into the island. A warning bell rang in Angelica’s mind.

“There could be natives here. Some tribes even practice cannibalism.”

We should go back.

But while she hesitated, Naomi had already moved far ahead.

Complaining about tired legs just moments ago…

“Naomi! Stop!”

Naomi stopped abruptly.

Good timing. No hesitation now. This is for Latria.

Angelica picked up a round fruit from the ground.

One hit should be enough. Just enough to knock her out.

She swallowed and mimed striking a couple of times.

Practice was done. Only execution remained.

She moved forward—

and froze.

Why is she standing like a statue?

She stepped closer and tilted her head.

The view cleared past Naomi’s body.

And then she saw dozens of eyes.

“…Ah.”

Angelica slowly stepped back.

Tribesmen with spears and painted faces stared directly at them.

“Run!”

At the same time she shouted, the natives raised their spears.

The two of them sprinted back through the forest.

If only they had welcomed them with fruit baskets…

But of course, miracles like that don’t exist.

The natives chased like a pack of wolves.

Fortunately, they weren’t running at full speed like hunters, as if the prey were just mice. That was the only good thing.

The distance began to widen. Her heart felt like it would burst.

Naomi suddenly collapsed behind her.

“No time for this.”

Please, show your tantrums at the right time.

Angelica frowned and approached her. Naomi looked up, pale.

“Crown princess sister…”

Something slimy slipped from Naomi’s leg.

A snake.

“You…”

There was a clear bite mark on her ankle.

“Sister…”

Damn it.

The tribes were still closing in. Angelica quickly tore her skirt and wrapped the cloth tightly around the wound.

“If you don’t want to die, run. To where the crown prince is. Got it?”

Naomi nodded.

Angelica pulled her up and they started running again, her throat dry and her stomach churning.

The sea was visible in the distance.

On the ship, Alexei and Franz were sitting on deck, waiting.

The sky was clear, clouds gone, the anchor dry.

Franz chuckled, remembering Angelica’s words.

Was she really planning to return alone?

Given how she hit Naomi, it wasn’t impossible.

But could anyone really call that inhumane? They lived in different worlds, different statuses.

The crown princess didn’t have to worry about a pirate’s daughter.

If necessary, there was even an escape boat.

“Isn’t it taking too long? Maybe something happened?”

“Who knows.”

“Naomi might be insisting on bringing more supplies.”

“No need for that.”

“Pardon?”

Alexei looked toward the forest from the stern.

They would all return together. Naomi’s situation was unfortunate, but she couldn’t be taken with them.

The moment Angelica boarded the ship, he planned to cut the ropes.

Negotiation had already failed. There would be no farewell.

That had been his plan from the beginning. He couldn’t say it with Naomi present.

Besides, being the villain was a role he could handle alone.

She would likely escape on a boat if she grew tired of waiting. She was experienced at sea—even if young.

Though not that young anymore.

A figure burst out of the forest.

It was Angelica. Naomi was with her.

Alexei stood up.

Something was wrong. Naomi was being dragged by the hand as they ran.

When they got closer, she shouted:

“Native tribes! We need to leave immediately!”