A cold, misty fog drifted over the ocean, creeping like a slow-moving cloud. I sidestepped Aime as she rushed past me, carrying a platter of fried fish and drinks, her movements frantic.

"Careful!" I called after her.

She glanced back, her voice apologetic. "Sorry, Princess!"

Within moments, her form vanished as the fog swallowed her, denying visibility beyond a few meters. Sounds of joy and laughter echoed all around me, the fog playing tricks on my senses. Everyone seemed to be letting loose, reveling in the celebration. They needed this respite.

The idea for the post-wargame celebration had been Mana and Ruby's brainchild. At least someone among us had a good plan. Mana's cleverness shone brightest among my children, while Ruby's social prowess must have been instrumental in organizing the event on such short notice.

Enten and Siren, ever eager to prove themselves, clung to me the most. Meanwhile, Ruby acted as the glue, her bubbly personality binding the various groups together into one big family. The three battlegroups had formed their own little cliques, each vying for my praise and attention.

I shuddered to think what the infighting might look like without Ruby's presence to keep everyone placated. Perhaps their fear of Gneisenau and the thought of facing my disappointment would stay their hand if Ruby were absent for an extended period.

The social dynamics at play here could fill a book. I snorted at the thought.

This utopia, my creation, functioned smoothly on the dual engines of my benevolence and Gneisenau's intimidation. I wondered if this was the artful dance between affection and terror that Machiavelli had envisioned. "He would certainly approve," I mused.

A figure took a seat nearby, and I turned to face Mana, her expression curious. She sipped from a mug of oil, regarding me with the intensity of an owl studying a fascinating subject.

"What? Do I have something in my teeth?" I quipped.

She cocked an eyebrow. "Why don't you join the rest of us?" Her hand gestured towards the shadowy figures partying in the distance.

"Do I need a reason?"

Her eyebrow arched higher.

With a weary sigh, I met her gaze. "I have a lot on my mind."

Mana's smile was faint but encouraging. "All the more reason to relieve that stress. Join us and have fun, Princess."

Should I join them? I wavered, the earlier excitement dampened by the weight of the future bearing down on my thoughts.

Suddenly, strong arms lifted me from behind, a familiar voice whispering in my ear. "Fraulein Ciriel, you need to loosen up, or you'll snap like an overworked engine belt. Any machine needs maintenance to stay in fighting shape."

Heat rushed to my cheeks as the blonde woman carried me like a true princess, bringing me closer to the source of laughter in the fog. Tilting my head, I caught a glimpse of Gneisenau sporting a rare grin, which vanished as we reached the shore.

Mana accompanied us the whole way, stifling giggles at my squirming form caught in my friend's iron grip. Embarrassment set my blood ablaze, scorching hotter than the heart of a star.

Oh no. Everyone would see me hauled like a sack of potatoes and jump to conclusions!

"It's the princess!" someone shouted, drawing all eyes to me as we reached the party.

"I, uhm. H-h-hi, eve-everyone!" My words stumbled from my mouth as my daughters discovered me trapped in Gneisenau's arms, a petulant cat ensnared by its owner's inescapable grasp. I would never live this down.

Strangely, no one batted an eye at their princess being delivered like mishandled luggage. Astonished, I scrambled for a way to salvage the situation when Gneisenau unceremoniously dropped me onto the sandy shore.

"Scheiße, I seem to have lost my grip," she said, lips tightly pursed, though her mirthful eyes betrayed her ruse.

I brushed myself off as I rose to my feet. "Sure, water under the bridge."

Just you wait until I can bake a pie, my dear friend. You think you can prank me and escape unscathed? Think again! I'd find a way to repay the favor tenfold.

Oblivious to my scheming, Gneisenau strode over to a large table and sat down. A pile of poker chips rested off to the side, while decks of cards awaited prospective players.

"Care to join? We got lucky. Your blueprints included poker cards, since nearly every sailor in existence plays at some point."

I considered her offer and nodded. "Sounds like fun. Count me in."

With a grin, I took a seat at the poker table, eager to test my luck against Gneisenau and the others. Ruby, Mana, Enten, and Vaporen joined us, their faces alight with anticipation as they settled into their chairs.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Gneisenau took charge, deftly shuffling the cards with the skill of a seasoned dealer. "Alright, ladies, let's keep this friendly. No betting more than you can afford to lose."

Ruby giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Don't worry, Admiral. We're all here for the fun, not the money."

I held up a small black token with my face emblazoned on it. Since when did we have money? Are these little stone chips the money?

As the cards were dealt, I studied my opponents, trying to gauge their tells. Mana's expression remained inscrutable, a perfect poker face honed through countless battles. Enten fidgeted with her chips, her nerves betraying her inexperience. Vaporen leaned back in her chair, a lazy smile playing on her lips, while Ruby bounced in her seat, barely able to contain her excitement.

I wondered where they had found the time to learn poker before this. Perhaps another case of programmed knowledge was in play here. Mana appeared far too familiar with the game for this to be her first real match. Is this what she has been doing in her free time?

The game began, and I found myself engrossed in the ebb and flow of the cards. Bets were placed, bluffs were called, and pots were won and lost. Laughter and good-natured ribbing filled the air as we played, the camaraderie between us growing stronger with each hand.

As the night wore on, the party around us grew more boisterous. Aime and Siren had started an impromptu karaoke contest, their voices rising above the din as they belted out popular tunes. Hisui and Corone cheered them on, their faces flushed with excitement and perhaps a bit too much oil.

I couldn't help but smile at the sight of my children letting loose and enjoying themselves. It was moments like these that made all the suffering and uncertainties worth it.

"Princess, it's your turn." Mana's voice snapped me back to the game, and I realized I had been lost in thought.

"Right, sorry." I glanced at my cards, a pair of queens staring back at me. With a confident smirk, I pushed a stack of chips into the center of the table. "I raise."

Gneisenau's eyebrow arched, a silent challenge in her gaze. She matched my bet and then some, the pile of chips growing ever larger.

Enten's turn came up next.

She hesitated, her eyes darting between her cards and the growing pot. With a sigh, she folded, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I'm out. This hand's too rich for my blood."

Vaporen chuckled, her fingers drumming on the table. "Looks like it's down to the three of us. Let's see what you've got, Princess."

I met her gaze, my expression carefully neutral. "I think I'll let my cards do the talking."

The flop came out: a queen, a ten, and a seven, all hearts. My heart raced, the possibility of a flush tantalizingly close. I glanced at Gneisenau, trying to read her reaction, but her face gave nothing away.

Ruby, who had folded earlier, leaned forward, her eyes wide with anticipation. "Ooh, this is getting intense! I can't wait to see who wins!"

Mana placed her bet, a modest sum that left me wondering if she was trying to lure us into a trap. Vaporen, on the other hand, raised aggressively, her confidence unwavering.

I took a deep breath, weighing my options. The turn brought a two of clubs, offering no help to my hand. Gneisenau checked, her expression inscrutable.

As the final round of betting commenced, the tension at the table reached a fever pitch. Mana folded, leaving Vaporen, Gneisenau, and myself to battle it out.

The river card was revealed: the king of hearts. My pulse thundered in my ears as I realized I had a flush, king-high. Gneisenau bet a significant amount, her eyes locked on mine in a silent challenge.

Vaporen, her gaze flicking between us, matched Gneisenau's bet and then raised, pushing a large stack of chips into the middle of the table.

I took a moment to consider my options, the weight of my decision heavy on my shoulders. With a deep breath, I made my choice. Matching Vaporen's bet, I pushed my own stack of chips forward, the clatter of the tokens against each other sounding like a drumroll in the tense silence.

Gneisenau's lips twitched, a flicker of amusement crossing her features. "Bold move, Fraulein. Let's see if it pays off."

We locked eyes across the table, neither of us willing to back down. After a long moment, she too matched the bet, her lips curling into a slight smirk.

"Alright, ladies, let's see what you've got," Ruby chirped, her excitement palpable.

Vaporen grinned, her hand hovering over her cards. "On three?"

Gneisenau and I nodded, our gazes locked in a battle of wills.

"One, two, three!"

In unison, we flipped our cards, revealing our hands. Vaporen's eyes widened as she saw my flush, a low whistle escaping her lips. Gneisenau's expression remained stoic, her cards laying face-up on the table.

I stared at Gneisenau's hand in disbelief, a laugh bubbling up from my chest as I realized she had outplayed me.

"A full house, queens over tens," Mana announced, her voice tinged with barely contained glee. "The Admiral wins!" .

The table erupted in a chorus of gasps and cheers

A rueful grin tugged at my lips as I tipped my head in acknowledgment of her victory. "It seems Lady Luck favors you tonight, Gneisenau."

Gneisenau chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Luck had little to do with it, Fraulein. But you put up a good fight."

As she collected her winnings, the others congratulated her on her skillful play. I leaned back in my chair, a sense of contentment washing over me despite the loss. This was what I had wanted all along: a moment of normalcy, a chance for us to bond as a family.

After I congratulated my friend on her victory, the others consoled me on my loss. Ruby threw her arms around me in a fierce hug, nearly knocking me out of my chair.

"You'll do better next time, Princess! You're amazing!"

I returned her embrace, feeling a warmth spread through my chest that had nothing to do with the oil I'd been drinking. "Thanks, Ruby. But it's not just me. We're all amazing, every single one of us."

"Aww!"

"Who's up for another round?" I asked the room with a small-laugh.

"Aye, aye!"

As the night stretched on, the poker game gradually wound down, giving way to more casual conversation and laughter. We traded stories and jokes, the bonds between us shining like a supernova.

Gneisenau leaned back in her chair, a contemplative look on her face. "You know, Fraulein Ciriel, I have to admit I had my doubts about all of this at first. But seeing everyone here, so happy and carefree... It gives me hope for the future."

I nodded, understanding the sentiment all too well. "I know what you mean. It's not going to be easy, building a place for ourselves in this world. But moments like these make me believe we can do it, together."

Mana raised her mug, a glint of determination in her eyes. "To the future, then. And to the Princess who will lead us there."

The others echoed her toast, their voices ringing out in unison. "To the Princess!"