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chapter 25
When Ken took her hand and slowly spun her around, the hem of her dress fluttered softly.
Rinka followed awkwardly at first, but as her tension eased, a smile spread across her face.
It was fun.
Even though it was the first dance of her life.
And yet, strangely, her gaze kept drifting toward Ananta, who leaned against the far end of the deck, tilting a glass in his hand.
Each time the sea breeze brushed through his silver hair, making it shimmer, her heart stirred with a ripple she couldn’t explain.
Before she knew it, the music ended.
Ken gently released her hand with a smile.
“Rinka, you know something? The captain has never once danced with anyone.”
“Wh–why are you telling me that?”
“Don’t you want to dance with him? I wonder if the captain’s better than me. Try coaxing him into it.”
Ken laughed cheerfully and stepped back.
Rinka brushed a hand against her cheek, trying to steady her heart. It was only a passing joke, nothing more.
So why did her chest feel so ticklish? Nothing had happened at all.
Even after the dance ended, Rinka’s heart wouldn’t stop pounding.
Music still flowed, keeping the party lively, and under the glow of lanterns the sailors’ laughter painted a scene of peace.
Wanting to calm herself, Rinka slipped away from the bustling deck and headed toward the quiet space behind the captain’s quarters.
Since everyone else was caught up in the party, it was nearly silent here. The distance from the noise helped ease her mind.
That was when she felt it—
A familiar presence approaching quietly from behind.
“How was it?”
“Huh?”
At the sound of that low, familiar voice, Rinka turned with a start.
Ananta stood there. The glass that had been in his hand earlier was gone; his hands were empty.
He had taken off the captain’s trademark coat, his sleeves rolled up, looking strangely at ease—yet the open collar of his shirt gave him a faintly decadent air.
“Captain.”
“Rinka.”
He extended a hand toward her.
“You owe me a dance too.”
At those words, her breath caught.
His hand, his smile—it was nothing like when she had danced with Ken.
Though his lips curved as usual, there was no playfulness, no teasing.
Only his gaze. Focused, unwavering, solely on her.
Like she was in a trance, Rinka placed her hand in his.
Ananta’s arm slid slowly around her waist, pulling her gently toward him. Because of the height difference, she naturally leaned against his shoulder.
His warmth seeped into her back.
As their bodies touched, the melody began.
It was a slow piece, one Rinka had never heard before.
From a few steps away, the faint music wavered, sometimes so subtle she nearly lost the beat.
But Ananta guided her effortlessly, as if it didn’t matter, or as if he knew the song by heart. Her throat tightened with nerves.
Rinka bit her lip. His breath was close. She had never been this near to Ananta before.
His grip was gentle but firm, a strange determination lying in the strength of his hold.
“How was it, Rinka?”
“Y-yes?”
“Ken,” Ananta murmured.
“He danced well.”
Rinka shook her head, flustered.
“I wouldn’t know… it was my first time dancing.”
Ananta gave a faint smile.
“Is that so?”
Yet somehow, it didn’t feel like a smile.
“But still, the fact that Lady Marybell’s first dance went to Ken… that stings my pride a little.”
His fingertips brushed lightly yet firmly across her back with those words.
“…Why?”
Her whisper trembled, but Ananta didn’t answer. Instead, his forehead lowered, so close it nearly touched hers. Rinka drew in a sharp breath.
His blue eyes sparkled like starlight against the night sky.
Within those sea-colored eyes, she saw herself reflected.
The music faded, but Ananta didn’t let go. His arm stayed firmly at her waist. Rinka’s heart beat so wildly she wanted to flee.
No—
She didn’t want to flee.
Ananta whispered, low and husky.
“Do you want to know why?”
She couldn’t answer.
It wasn’t a question meant for a reply, for he leaned even closer, murmuring against her ear:
“You already know.”
Rinka wanted to say she didn’t know. She wanted to say she did. But no words came—only her hands clutching his shoulder.
On the quiet ship, unseen by anyone,
Rinka had choices. And Ananta was waiting, letting her choose.
But…
To accept his affection so openly frightened her. She didn’t want to give it a name it might not be.
If she did, perhaps there would be no going back.
So she chose to trust her instincts. Now was not the time.
“More importantly, Captain…”
Out of all the choices, she chose to change the subject. And Ananta, respecting that choice, answered with a casual smile.
“Mm?”
“Now that we’ve stopped at Ravanto, are we heading back to the mainland?”
“Most likely.”
“I see. That’ll be a little sad.”
Yet she couldn’t bring herself to be entirely honest.
The music drifting faintly once more, the stars scattered like jewels, the rhythm of waves—yes, those were all beautiful.
But more than that, it was the man before her, silver hair glowing as though it absorbed the light of sea and sky, who lingered in her mind.
“It’s my first time at sea, but I really like it.”
If not for the lurking danger, Rinka sometimes thought, living among pirates might not be so bad.
She liked this ship.
Or perhaps, she liked the people aboard it.
Either way, she wanted to remain with the crew of this “ghost ship” who had opened their hearts to her so quickly.
“If you wish, you can stay longer,” Ananta said softly.
“I know no one would tell me to leave.”
She laughed, leaning against the railing.
Once, she would never have dared stand this close to such a dangerous edge.
Now, the sea no longer scared her. Only the mysterious sea monster gnawed faintly at her thoughts.
“Still, I can’t live on the ocean forever.”
Her reply held a faint sadness. Ananta’s expression turned curious.
“Why not?”
“Eh?”
“Why can’t you live at sea? Because it’s dangerous?”
Danger… yes, it was.
Not a wrong answer. But more puzzling to Rinka was the look in his eyes—something unspoken, unreadable.
“…It is dangerous, I suppose. But also, I always dreamed of living near the capital.”
She diverted the subject.
“Actually, my mother was born near the capital. She said it was a beautiful place with a yearly flower festival. That’s where she met my father.”
“You want to find that city?”
“Not exactly.”
“A place known for flowers, hmm. There are a few… The Empire is vast—it’s hard to say which it might be.”
Thankfully, Ananta didn’t pry further, instead musing along with her.
“I’ll give you a recommendation when we dock. You don’t know anything else about your mother’s hometown?”
“Maybe the spring was longer? She always complained that Cather got cold too quickly. Oh, and—”
Rinka quickly forgot the strange look Ananta had given earlier. Excited, she began sharing the stories Soinya had told her, adding more little details as she remembered them.
And Ananta listened intently, storing away every word.
The familiar ache within him seemed to soften.
