Since I'm moving in uploading all my Patreon chaps here so you can quickly read before I move them (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

Thank you all for reading my work I greatly appreciate it. But due to me coming from a 3rd world country I can't afford marketing here anymore.

Bt if others are still willing to read in on webnovel and you can use daily pass to read three chaps for free everyday.

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“Because I’ve lived it,” Jade said calmly, his voice steady. “They thought killing their leaders would solve everything. And for a while, it did. But soon after, people grew greedy, and gangs took over, terrorizing the streets. More tyrants rose to power, and their rules were harsher than before. The country fell apart—left in poverty and abandoned by the world.”

Aurianna watched him, her expression one of disinterest.

Avriel nodded, chiming in, “It’s way better to have a decent leader than none at all.”

“Maybe we’d have better leaders if nobles weren’t so selfish and greedy,” Saem cut in, his frustration clear.

Aurianna’s eyes flashed. “You! What the hell do you know about running a country? People like you don’t understand anything!” she snapped, crossing her arms and pouting.

Saem raised an eyebrow, his patience wearing thin. “Don’t understand what? That you live in luxury while others can’t even afford food? Or that incompetent leaders torment their own people to make the country ‘prosper’?”

Aurianna scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “If people really wanted to survive, they’d become adventurers, work dungeons! Some countries even offer free education. Are you that dense? If one country thrives, another must pay the price as well as its people.”

“You could die doing dungeon work, but it’s better than starving on the streets,” she sneered, staring him down.

Rufus spoke up, his voice rising in defense of his captain. “Why don’t you risk your life, then?”

“Like I haven’t already?” Aurianna shot back, her smile cold. “Ask Saem. Ever heard of the war between Sandeph and the Infinite Nation?”

Saem shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah,” he mumbled.

“Who led the war that time?” Aurianna pressed.

“You…” Saem admitted, reluctantly meeting her gaze.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Exactly. That’s why I live the way I do. I had to fight on a war when I was just nine years old,” Aurianna scoffed, her tone sharp and Rufus frowned and was embarrassed at the same time.

“Tch, all I heard were rumors,” Saem grumbled.

“Believe whatever you want,” she snarled back.

Saem huffed, clearly irritated. “Sometimes, the wrong people end up rich.”

Aurianna raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what would you do if you were in my position, Mr. Savior Complex?”

Saem met her gaze, his voice steady. “For starters, I’d donate to the poor. I’d teach them how to manage money and create jobs. I’d lower the cost of living and improve agriculture so everyone has food. I’d hire qualified peasants for high positions and stop killing people over petty mistakes. And I’d free the slaves.”

Aurianna stared at him, a flicker of nervousness crossing her face.

“Ugh, you brat! So what if someone could do all that? I might be a princess, but I don’t have the power to change everything. And you keep forgetting—they can work dungeon jobs if they really want to!” Aurianna scoffed, her frustration boiling over. “Besides, Sandeph did almost everything you're talking about, except for the slavery part.”

Saem crossed his arms, scoffing back. “I don’t understand how someone can be so unreasonable.”

“I’m done arguing with you!” Aurianna yelled, her voice sharp.

“Mutual feeling!” Saem shouted back before storming off toward the wheel of the ship.

“That brat is so annoying, rambling like that. I'll spend my money however I want,” Aurianna grumbled under her breath.

Jade, still watching her with his calm, emotionless eyes, tilted his head slightly. “Why were you so triggered though?”

“Tch, I’m not,” Aurianna replied, shaking her head. “It’s just… one day, that fool will realize it’s not so easy to put words into action.”

Jade said nothing, simply standing beside her in silence as he watched the waves.

‘This guy doesn’t talk much, huh?’ Aurianna thought, glancing at him briefly before turning her attention back to the sea.

_____

“Hey, Saem,” Kiana called out as she stepped into the wheel area, watching him steer the ship.

“What do you want?” Saem grumbled, not bothering to hide his displeasure.

“I just wanted to say… Aurianna’s not as bad as she seems,” Kiana replied, sitting down nearby with a calm smile. “Well, that’s my opinion, at least.”

Saem shot her a cold look, but Kiana continued, scratching her cheek nervously. “From the time I’ve known her, when she says something, she’s usually right… mostly.”

“There’s probably a reason she reacted to what you said. Not that she’ll ever admit it—that’s just the kind of person she is,” Kiana chuckled softly.

“A selfish person doesn’t go far in life,” Saem muttered.

“Neither does a selfless one,” Kiana countered. “You’ll just end up dying for others, and they’ll forget you. I used to think I had to sacrifice myself for everyone to live a meaningful life. But Aurianna… she showed me it’s okay to be selfish sometimes, to live for myself. It sounds wrong, but honestly, it felt like a weight was lifted.”

Saem remained quiet, his expression unreadable. “Someone like her could help a lot of people.”

Kiana smiled. “Maybe, but I doubt she will. You two see the world in different ways, and that’s fine.”

“I don’t like how you’re trying to defend her,” Saem said, his voice cold. “Her eyes tell me everything I need to know.”

He recalled Aurianna’s cold blue eyes, as deep and dark as the sea itself.

Kiana scoffed, shaking her head. “You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you?”

“My values and everything I’ve been through just don’t let me see her in a better light,” Saem said, his tone heavy. “Especially after the things she’s said. And, y’know, I’m only letting you all stay on my ship because I’d rather not end up dead.”

Kiana coughed awkwardly. “Yeah… I can definitely understand that.”

Saem glanced at her, curiosity piqued. “How would you describe Aurianna?”

Kiana thought for a moment. “She’s one of the hardest workers I’ve met. She’s mean, rude, greedy—but when she makes a promise, she keeps it. And she’s incredibly strong. She’s also… kinda obsessed with her twin sister. Oh, and she’s cute. But more like a cute devil,” Kiana added with a laugh.

“She has a twin?” Saem asked, clearly surprised.

“Yeah,” Kiana nodded. “Her twin’s really different from her, though. When I see them together, it’s obvious they love each other a lot. Leila—her sister—is more compassionate, I’d say. Well, that’s just my impression.”

Saem chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “You sound like you like her. Aurianna, I mean.”

Kiana’s face flushed slightly as she stammered, “I-I do not! I just admire her, that’s all!”

Saem grinned. “Sure, sure."