I stand by the rail of the ship, enjoying the wind.

  Dominic was really tired after carrying me, but he just couldn’t leave me by myself again, and followed me onto the deck, sleeping on the deck.

  Mop went to bed right after we boarded the ship.

  “Mommy, good night,” she said. “Don’t run away when Mop sleeps.”

  She has been a lot better with longer sentences.

  The morning salty wind lifts my spirits.

  Some morning shift sailors are patrolling around the deck. Rough people.

  This is my first time traveling on a ship as Felicia. It feels quite rejuvenating. The sun slowly rises from the west, with the two moons, Nova and Luna, accompanying it.

  This reminds me of an interesting fact. Gustanese and Uxiospea both follow the Nova calendar. We count our ages with it. It’s around four hundred days per Nova.

  Unlike us, Tian Jou and Cyrus-Kaas follow the So calendar, which is around eight hundred days per So. When discussing ages with them, the years need to be halved.

  Suddenly, the rail shakes. Someone leans on it as well.

  Ellina, in her sleeping gown, has her crutch next to her.

  “How is your body recovering?”

  How did she know that? She didn’t know I had drowned.

  “You really don’t talk much, do you?”

  I shake my head.

  “You’ve been serving Grant for years, right?”

  I nod. I wonder where this is going.

  “What do you think of him as a person?”

  Huh?

  He is my son, after all. He may be a buffoon, but he is still my son. I cannot speak for Felicia.

  “Oh, right, only binary questions. Do you ever find him attractive?”

  Definitely no.

  I shake my head with disgust. I think my face twisted too much. Ellina is visibly stunned by my reaction.

  “Fine. Fine. Just asking. I used to find him annoying. A prince only brags about his country. But… I don’t know why I don’t think that anymore. Did he change? Or have I changed?”

  I don’t think it matters. As a father, I don’t think about who Grant is either. Only seeing people on the surface is really hard to judge sometimes.

  “There’s never going to be anything between…” She stops. “Never mind.”

  Grant walks up from the lower deck, well-dressed for adventures.

  “Ellina,” Grant speaks with enthusiasm. “I’m ready for our morning training.”

  ”Wait? We’re still doing this?” Ellina questions with a smirk. “We are not in Bareniss anymore. You don’t need to…”

  “I’m still a loser to you, right? I need more training.”

  Ellina doesn’t answer.

  “So, train me, then. You promised to teach me, and I cannot learn Shin from any other teachers.”

  Ellina scrubs the back of her head.

  “Fine, let’s go then.”

  Captain Oh-Ker walks out of his chamber.

  “Ah. My Princess. You’re awake. How about joining me for a morning tea?”

  “We’re about to start our morning training. So go away.” Grant compins.

  “Who are you again?”

  Captain Oh-Ker’s dismissive attitude toward Grant always gets on his nerves. His fists are clenched.

  “I am the Lion Prince…”

  “I don’t talk to men.”

  Another dismissal. He points to me.

  “You can join if you want.”

  Ellina smiles at the captain. “My dear captain, please. I would love to have him at the morning tea as well. After all, he is my student.”

  “Ah! Your student? Then, of course. He is welcome to join.”

  Ellina turns to Grant. “Grant? Is that acceptable?”

  “Maybe.”

  Oh-Ker’s smile cannot be brighter.

  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  We are at the dining table in Oh-Ker’s chamber. Me included.

  “For the great friends we all have today.”

  Oh-Ker is speaking big but only looking at Ellina.

  “My Princess, I haven’t had the chance to get your graceful name yet. Would you do me the honor?”

  Ellina smiles softly, not showing any emotions.

  “Let me give you a proper introduction.” She stands up with grace, but wobbly. She is forcing herself to stand on one leg. “My name is Ellina de Nova, Princess of Emerald, the third Princess of the Mediterranean Ocean, the third daughter of the Great Star. May the stars bless you all.”

  “Marvelous. MARVELOUS! It’s an honor to meet the great warrior princess herself. You’re more beautiful than I heard. I shall give my proper introduction to you as well. I’m Captain Oh-Ker of the Undinian’s Love. Uh… son of the great Pirate King Oh-Nin. A pleasure to meet you.”

  Grant scoffs. “Undinian’s Love, that’s your ship’s name?”

  “Indeed, that is the name. I’m always fascinated by their presence, and as a lover of the sea. That’s how I name it.”

  Ellina sits down, not very in the mood to listen, focusing on the tea.

  “I bet you never actually see one.” Grant refuses to back down.

  “I actually did. On a pirate ship.”

  Ellina’s eyes are wide open. A sense of fear comes from her expression. The teacup in her hand shakes a bit.

  Oh-Ker continues, “I was working as a privateer for Uxiospea and took over that poacher ship. I saved a lot of them that day.”

  Ellina’s eyes shine, not in fear but in appreciation.

  Grant stares at her with concern while Captain Oh-Ker shares his adventure.

  “The first time I saw them, I was so mesmerized by their presence. They are exotic, mystical, and graceful. I heard they are also smart and sentient, but some people treat them like goods. Especially for demons, I heard they enjoy eating Undinian as a celebratory cuisine. I never tried it, though. Some old merchants told me it’s the best meat you can ever have. Well, they are all out of business now.”

  Ellina is trying to clutch her throat. This conversation disgusts her.

  Both Grant and Oh-Ker immediately check on her. “Are you alright?”

  She clears her throat and takes a deep breath.

  “I’m fine. Please don’t mind me.”

  “So, Sir Student, do you think you will ever try that?”

  “No.”

  “I thought a prince would be interested in that. Most of the princes I talked to don’t object to the idea.”

  Grant is embarrassed. I know he thought of his menu comment in Bareniss.

  Ellina is still holding back.

  Grant’s jaw tightens. He gnces at Ellina—not just at her face, but at the way her hands grip her mouth and her gown, the tension in her shoulders. Her grip on her gown is tighter and tighter.

  “Oh-Ker.” Grant’s voice comes sharp and clear. “Can we talk about something else?”

  Ellina’s fingers tighten slightly around her cup.

  “Of course, Sir Student,” Oh-Ker replies easily, swirling his drink.

  Ellina tenses.

  Grant’s jaw clenches.

  “But still.” Oh-Ker leans back, a teasing glint in his eye. “It creates curiosity, doesn’t it? If something’s considered the finest dish, how could you not even wonder?”

  Grant exhales sharply.

  “I don’t eat people.”

  Oh-Ker scoffs. “That’s a noble answer. But not an honest one.”

  Silence.

  Ellina sets her cup down—deliberately.

  “I believe we were changing the subject.”

  Her voice is light, but there’s an edge beneath it. She smiles firmly at Oh-Ker.

  For the first time, Oh-Ker actually notices.

  He holds up his hands. “Of course, of course. My apologies, My Princess.”

  But Grant doesn’t miss the flicker of realization in Oh-Ker’s eyes.

  Ellina doesn’t meet his gaze.

  She just turns slightly—shoulders drawn, posture perfect, as if nothing happened.

  A sip of her tea.

  “So, we should be reaching the city within two days. The wind is on our side.” Oh-Ker redirects the conversation. “In the meantime, please enjoy the view.”

  Ellina says, “Thank you for the tea.” And walks out hastily. Grant and I follow. I can see the captain is visibly embarrassed by himself for making her uncomfortable, but I don’t think that is empathy.

  We rush to the lower deck. Even with a crutch, Ellina moves really fast.

  She is holding herself by a barrel, throwing up.

  I move over to pull her long hair. How did she fight with hair this long? It’s like reaching her waist.

  Grant comes in silence.

  He wants to comfort her, but can’t.

  “Are you alright?”

  “What do you think I’m doing?” Ellina shes out.

  Then—vomit.

  “I should really teach that guy some lessons.” Grant’s face gets intense just by looking at her suffering.

  “Please, Grant, stop. Don’t embarrass yourself.” Her breath is slow. “It’s fine. That’s just how humans think. It’s not a secret. The practice only stopped globally around ten years ago. I bet you at least thought about trying us once.”

  His face freezes.

  Us?

  He doesn’t answer.

  But that silence is enough.

  “But you’re not…” He swallows. Something ugly agitates in his gut.

  “You’re not denying it, are you?” She cuts him off.

  He looks away. The shame is heavy.

  He can’t say no.

  Because he actually did.

  He never questioned why Undinians were spoken of like that.

  Never stopped to think about what those conversations meant for the people they dehumanized.

  It was just… words.

  Just something people said.

  And that’s the problem, isn’t it?

  “I…”

  The words die. Because what can he say? Sorry? That he didn’t mean to? That he didn’t know?

  I shake my head at Grant, gesturing for him to be quiet.

  Ellina exhales, steadying herself against the barrel.

  “Humans are all the same,” she mutters. “You like something pretty. Something different. Something exotic. Something sells.”

  Then she turns—her emerald eyes sharp, cutting through him.

  “But Grant—”

  Her voice cracks.

  “They are my people.”

  “My people!”

  Silence takes over the cabin.

  Ellina trembles, slowly pulling herself up.

  “Thank you, Felicia.”

  I nod and step back. Let’s end this before Grant ruins this retionship and Nanali hunts him down forever.

  I move toward Grant and gesture for him to bow. He follows, stiff, wordless.

  Then—just as we turn to leave—

  “I’m sorry.”

  Grant freezes.

  Ellina’s voice is quiet. Detached.

  “I shouldn’t sh out at you.”

  A pause.

  Then—colder.

  “You’re only human after all.”

  A pause. We don’t dare to look.

  “I shouldn’t expect better.”

  She doesn’t wait for a response.

  She turns and leaves.

  Grant stands still. His breath shudders.

  Grant’s shoulders tighten.

  “I don’t know what I can do,” he whispers. His hands curl into fists. “I cannot treat her with care—she’ll see it as pity. I cannot fight for her—she’ll see me as arrogant. I cannot even defend her feelings—because what the hell do I even say?”

  His voice wavers.

  “What can I do for her—when she did so much for me already?”

  I tap his head, forcing him to exhale.

  Son, sometimes… You just have to let go.

  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  The following day, Ellina ignores Grant most of the time. No, that will be an understatement. She is actively avoiding him.

  Grant still persists in his Shin training.

  And Ellina? She starts letting the captain ftter her, spending most of the day talking with him in his chamber. I can hear ughter.

  This tension is so obvious that Sharon and Benica are actively discussing this with Baz.

  “Do you know what happened?” Benica asks. “I don’t want us to be thrown off the ship.”

  Baz nods. “I’m not sure. Based on what Felicia told me, they are having a fallout because of Undinian. I don’t really understand why.”

  I don’t bme Baz. We didn’t develop enough signs to describe this. It’s way too complicated.

  “Hugs?” Mop suggests.

  “I don’t think that is the solution,” Sharon replies.

  Benica compins, “We need both of them working together. If this gets worse, we’re all in trouble.”

  “They are both too quick-tempered. Not good for a retionship,” Dominic suggests.

  “Coming from you feels so wrong, Mr. Stalker,” Sharon smirks. “But seriously, should we get involved?”

  “Will they feed us to sharks?” Benica adds.

  Baz sits down, rubbing his temple again. “I don’t think we can help. I mean… she will be a good asset if we need to go back to Omenmia. But we can’t force retionships, and I think Dominic is right. They don’t match in personality. Grant needs someone who can tame him properly.”

  I smirk. Technically, Ellina is really good at that. Just not the way you want. She makes him pick up Shin again, saving me a lot of trouble.

  If I can speak, I’ll vote for this retionship, for now.

  “If you want him to be tamed, why not choose Sharon?” Dominic drops another strike.

  “What?”

  Sharon blushes.

  “Why me?”

  “Sharon likes Grant?” Mop asks.

  “No?” Sharon replies almost immediately.

  She crosses her arms, gritting her teeth at Dominic.

  “What? You’re really good at taming our prince.” Dominic expins.

  Benica teases Sharon. “Ohhh, someone got real defensive ‘real’ fast.”

  “Shut it, or I’ll stop eating lunch with you.” Sharon turns away from her.

  “Sorry, never again.” Benica pleads.

  I stand up, making them all eyes on me, and sign: Thank. Ellina. Help.

  “Thanks, Ellina, for the help?” Baz verifies.

  I nod, and I point to Sharon and Benica.

  I sign: You. Two.

  We can talk about a broken retionship or we can make sure we arrive safely.

  Benica is right. If Ellina suddenly gets too irritated by Grant, she can ask the captain to throw us off.

  I don’t trust her to just py nice.

  We need to show that we are nice.

  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  The next day, I brought the two girls to Ellina’s room.

  I knock on the door.

  After a few moments of silence, the door opens.

  Ellina, emotionless, stares at us.

  “Can I help you?”

  I step back and present Sharon and Benica to her.

  “Hi?” Sharon says.

  “You girls want to come in?” She asks.

  We nod.

  As we enter the room, she sits on her bed and points us to the table. Four chairs there.

  She is keeping a distance.

  Sharon and Benica slowly walk to the chairs. They are afraid of direct eye contact with Ellina.

  Is it her beauty or her demeanor?

  “So what do you want?” She asks coldly.

  I sit down next to Sharon and tap her on the back.

  “Well, we actually want to come here… to… thank you…”

  Her voice becomes smaller and smaller.

  “We really appreciate your help in this rescue! Thank you for saving Grant.” Benica bursts out a pre-prepared line.

  I notice Ellina flinches a bit when she hears Grant.

  “Hmmm. You're welcome. Is that all?”

  This vibe is not right.

  We are stuck in here with her, emotionally.

  “And I want to apologize for Grant. He is always a clown. If he offended you, I’m sorry.” Sharon’s voice is sincere.

  “Hmmm, it’s alright. I’m not upset.” Ellina’s reply is too cold. She is definitely still upset.

  Benica asks, “Is there anything we can do for you to make you feel better?”

  “Can you change my life?”

  This question kills all of us.

  What is happening to this girl?

  I know she dislikes hearing Undinian being mistreated. But her whole life?

  Is this about the leg? Is she regretting saving Grant?

  What is it?

  Sharon opens her mouth—and then closes it. The words don’t come.

  Benica shifts uncomfortably, gncing at Sharon like she’s supposed to have an answer. Like anyone is supposed to have an answer.

  Ellina’s lips curl slightly, but there’s no warmth to it.

  Benica swallows hard. When she speaks, her voice is quieter.

  “Princess Ellina… what do you mean?”

  Ellina looks at us for the first time. She is crying.

  She wipes her eyes, almost angrily. Her breath shudders.

  “Sorry, I don’t know either.”

  She suddenly drops, “Sharon, I see how you see Grant. I think you should date him.”

  “What?” Sharon’s eyes open widely.

  “Sorry, pretend I didn’t say it.”

  “No.” Sharon’s face falls.

  “Why do you people always think you can py upon someone’s feelings like this?” Sharon stares at her. “I don’t have your beauty. I don’t have your strength. And I don’t have his heart. Why are you all pushing me like his feelings don’t matter? Do you know how broken he was these two days just because of you?”

  Sharon continues, “I don’t need someone to push me into a retionship that I don’t deserve. I do like him. But he doesn’t feel it. I know he treats me more like a sister, and I appreciate that enough. Already losing so many family members just makes him want to tch onto people. You gave him the hope. Not me. I know what I’m doing for him. And I’m not asking for more!”

  Sharon finishes her outbreak.

  Benica is in awe.

  And Ellina.

  She actually emotionally wakes up.

  Sharon storms out, leaving Benica and me with Ellina.

  Benica stands up and bows to Ellina. “ Princess, thank you.”

  She rushes out, following Sharon.

  I stand up slowly and get ready to bow.

  Ellina straightens her posture.

  “I’m sorry for being inconsiderate. Tell Sharon I’m sorry, it will not happen again. And don’t worry about the captain. I’ll make sure we arrive at the city.”

  I bow to her after listening.

  And I walk out.

  Seeing her sitting alone raises some doubts.

  She is much more “successful” in every aspect than Grant, but somehow, I feel like she is much lonelier than Grant in every sense.

  Grant, as a prince, is horrible, but as a person, he has so many people with him, even emotionally.

  Is he actually having a better life than other royalties in the world, or just her?

  As I think about it, I arrive back at our room. An unexpected scene runs into my eyes.

  Grant is reading.

  Baz is guiding him to read a history book of… Undinian.

  Grant is reading…