The next morning, the soft light filtering through the portholes bathed the ship in a peaceful glow. The waves caressed the hull with a soothing regularity, but Mero, though accustomed to the rhythm of the sea, felt a dull tension within him. Master Antonin had asked him to join him in his cabin. The man was rarely ceremonious, and this grave tone stirred a mix of curiosity and apprehension in Mero.

When he entered, Master Antonin was already seated behind a table cluttered with documents and nautical charts. He gestured for Mero to take a seat across from him. The silence was heavy for a moment, only disturbed by the creaking of the ship’s wood.

— Sit down, Mero. We need to talk about the dowry.

These words sounded strangely in his ears. A mere formality, he thought at first. But the penetrating gaze of his master made him realize that this was not a simple administrative conversation.

Mero slowly sat on the wooden chair, which creaked under his weight. The silence settled in again, only interrupted by the creaks of the ship and the gentle lapping of water against the hull.

— Your future father-in-law has been… extremely generous, Master Antonin began in a measured voice. His daughter must be worth a great deal to him.

He paused, searching for the right words. He let a dramatic silence hang before locking his sharp eyes on Mero.

— We didn’t have to pay for the ship’s repairs. He also provided us with enough provisions to complete the crossing without incident. And that’s not all.

The master folded his hands in front of him, his gaze serious.

— Above all, he gave you the equivalent of a million piastres in precious stones.

Mero froze, his thoughts colliding with this colossal sum. He struggled to form a response, but the words escaped him.

— A… million? he repeated, as if he had misheard.

Master Antonin nodded slowly.

— Yes. An unimaginable fortune. Far beyond what a typical dowry would require, even among the high nobility.

The words swirled in Mero’s mind. A million piastres… That represented years of prosperity for an entire province, enough to build ships, raise armies. The young man took a deep breath, trying to make sense of this revelation.

— Why? he finally asked, his throat tight.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

— Because it’s not just a dowry, explained the master gravely. It’s a message, proof of the value he places on his daughter. But he also wants to ensure that you will live up to his legacy.

Mero furrowed his brow.

— What do you mean?

Master Antonin nodded.

— What he gave you could fund an entire fleet, buy land, build an empire. But it’s also a test. The Pirate Lord wants to see how you will use this wealth. Because by accepting his daughter, you’re not just marrying a woman... You’re marrying her world.

These words fell like a stone in Mero’s mind. Until then, he had seen the engagement as a constraint, an imposed tradition. But it was much more complex. Mandarine wasn’t simply a woman in love; she was the heir to a formidable maritime empire.

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

— And if I refuse? he murmured, his stomach in knots.

Master Antonin sighed deeply, his face darkened.

— Refusing such a dowry, after accepting it, would be seen as a major affront. The Pirate Lord might consider it a direct insult to his honor… and believe me, pirates have their own way of dealing with such offenses.

Mero’s fists clenched. He found himself trapped in an alliance whose rules and stakes he didn’t control. A game of chess where each move seemed to seal his fate.

Master Antonin, noticing his unease, placed a firm yet comforting hand on his shoulder.

— I know this is a lot for you. But remember, you’re not alone. I’m here, Leila is here. We’ll face this storm together.

The words were meant to reassure, but they struggled to lighten the weight on his shoulders.

— So, what do I do now? he asked in a hoarse voice.

A slight smile crossed the master’s lips.

— Learn. Understand the world of pirates, and understand Mandarine. But above all… decide what kind of man you want to become with this responsibility.

Mero’s gaze hardened slightly. He had spent his life searching for his place, always in the shadow of others’ expectations. But this time, it wasn’t just about following a path laid by others.

— I don’t want to fail, he murmured, more to himself than to his master.

— And you won’t, Master Antonin replied with conviction.

They remained there for a moment, the silence between them heavy with a tacit understanding. When Mero left the cabin, the air on the deck was colder, carrying the salty scent the wind carried. The sky had taken on a grey hue, as if the ocean itself shared his unease.

He walked to the bow of the ship, his gaze lost in the endless horizon. The waves continued their eternal dance, indifferent to his turmoil.

He took the pendant that Mandarine had left him from his pocket. The gleaming metal caught the fading light of the day. This simple object symbolized much more than jewelry; it was a silent promise, an intangible link between them.

The wind was picking up, causing the sails to snap and making the atmosphere heavier. The crew members, busy around the ropes, occasionally cast curious glances at the young man, now engaged to a living legend.

He recalled Mandarine’s fierce gaze, her determination, her crystalline laughter despite the dangers. She wasn’t just a woman to love; she was a valuable ally, a bridge to a world he only knew through stories.

As he clenched the pendant in his hand, a resolution was born within him.

He was no longer that carefree boy who set off on an adventure without knowing where he was going. Now, he had a reason to fight, to grow.

Mandarine wasn’t just a forced fiancée; she was a challenge, an opportunity to rewrite his own destiny.

And as the waves continued to strike the hull of the ship, he made himself a promise: he would do everything to become worthy of this unexpected legacy.