The sea was engulfed in darkness, yet the boat's rocking exposed the forceful waves crashing against the ship's bow. The sky was concealed by clouds, and a commotion appeared to be brewing on Captain Julie's vessel.

With black hair and red eyes, the frightened boy contemplated whether to plunge into the turbulent sea. His body hung precariously outside the ship, balanced solely by his firm grip on the railing. It was the only thing preventing him from plunging into the frigid depths.

The vivid image of Jackson persuading him to take a parchment from the table in the sailing master, Howarding, and deliver it to Julie's next ship still lingered. It was supposedly an honorable task to be a messenger and help Julie's crew. However, everything now seemed perplexing; he had been deceived. Julie would label him a traitor, possibly even kill him or, worse, abandon him at sea. What if someone like the old masters captured him?

Swallowing hard, he pondered, choosing rather to become one with the turbulent sea than be abandoned by his savior.

****

On Julie's captain deck, true fury consumed her.

"Howarding, old man, come again… belive ah misheard you"

"I apologize, June. I..."

"So, wha ye're sayin’ is that the map to mah father's prison, the only clue to find mah sister that I have sought for years... it's gone, or rather, it's been taken?"

"The young Aiden, we suspect he may be a spy, Captain, and the man sa..."

Howarding trailed off, speaking words that Julie could no longer hear as she became lost in her own thoughts. She flung open the doors, her eyes scanning the ground for any clues before disappearing into the dark recesses of the ship. It didn't take long for Howarding to realize.

“Julie was on the hunt, and she was a formidable tracker”.- He thought to himself.

***

Julie loaded her guns and made her way to the rear of the deck, cautiously moving and adjusting to the swaying motions of the ship due to the tempest. The darkness, coupled with the mist from the water spraying in, only added to the difficulty. The scent of salt and distant sounds of thunder filled the air. There it was, the evidence of someone traversing the damp ground leading to the tip.

She approached with her weapon already drawn, catching Aiden off guard. In his surprise, he dropped the parchment. Moving swiftly, Julie grabbed hold of a rope and leaped into the water, desperately attempting to reach the parchment before it was swallowed by the ocean. Aiden made a failed attempt to restrain her and lost his balance, joining her in the fall.

The young Redhead captain was on the verge of reaching the parchment when it slipped into the depths of the water. She swam through the darkness of the ocean, searching underwater with a sense of despair reflected in her eyes.

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When she finally caught sight of it and swam downward towards its direction, the paper disintegrated into a thousand pieces. Time seemed to freeze as Julie stood motionless.

Strong muscular arms tightly gripped her waist, pulling her back to the surface. Her lost rope was handed back to her.

As crates toppled from the boat due to the waves, one struck Aiden on the head, interrupting his act of rescue.

And so began Aiden's dream. "He was youthful, dressed as a nobleman, enjoying a picnic with his brothers when he fell into the water. He cried out for his brothers who pretended not to see him. But soon enough, someone came and pulled him out of the water."

He awoke to find himself on the ship that he recognized by its scent, but he wasn't in his own quarters.

"Ye'd better not get up," Julie stated, seated a few meters away as she was signing on some documents. Completing his sentence, she added, "or else."

Aiden scanned his surroundings - the captain's quarters it was.

"Don't even think about approaching my legs," she warned him, still focusing on her papers.

Aiden hurriedly jumped out of bed and knelt in front of the captain.

However, she did not appear pleased. Immediately turning away with a flushed face, she screamed for Doctor Russell.

Aiden gazed at her with his reddened eyes, conveying a mix of anxiety and confusion.

"Russell, ye idiot! You left the lad naked in my cabin. Did ye have somethin’ in mind for ‘im?!"

Realizing himself naked, feeling immensely embarrassed he froze in place, Aiden struggled to cover himself with his hands while still on his knees. His face was red like a tomato and he couldn't face the captain.

Russell, already bringing in the clothes, argued with Julie.

"But I needed to take them to bandage him, and look, I even fetched some fresh garments! Should I remove the boy and take him back, Captain?"

Aiden's eyes widened with hope as he attempted to conceal his exposed state, though unsuccessfully. He then turned his gaze toward the captain, who appeared disoriented and visibly agitated.

"The only place he'll return to be the depths of the sea, Russell! Ye better keep yer mouth shut."

"Yes, indeed, Captain, until tomorrow." - Russell departed, bidding his farewell with his expressionless face.

****

"I- Im sorry, Master," uttered the masculine voice from behind, belonging to Aiden.

She was taken aback.it was the first time he talked, but she couldn't show any emotions.

"Tell me, Aiden, who be responsible?" she inquired directly.

Aiden prostrated himself on the ground, pleading for mercy.

"Please, do not abandon me, master," he begged while Julie grasped his face, tears threatening to escape from his eyes. She knew all too well that he was innocent.

“May I ask somethin’? ”

The young boy gazed into her eyes. He still possessed an uncanny resemblance to a beast, but Aiden was certain something.

****

And thus, she departed to rendezvous with Howarding.

"Captain, did you manage to acquire the map for the prison, we will never gonna make it without it?"

"Ah have a better plan, old man," Julie exclaimed, a mischievous smile forming. “A better plan indeed”.