novelraw Chapter 7: Teasing
Chapter 7: Teasing
On the deck, Arajina leaned against the railing after finding nothing during her search, gazing silently at the boundless sea.
She hadn't found what she was looking for on this ship.
The lost item was the last keepsake from her father - a necklace meant as a betrothal gift for her future husband, adorned with an exquisitely crafted deep blue ice crystal gem.
Although the recent discovery of ice crystal gem deposits in the Sarding Matriarchy had significantly reduced their value, this necklace held immense sentimental worth as it was handmade by her father.
Had that thief vanished into the ocean?
Her intense stare into the azure depths seemed capable of piercing through the water's surface, but this prolonged silence only amplified the tension, especially for the Lauren's captain and first mate who feared the cold woman might suddenly order their entire crew slaughtered.
"Captain, should we continue searching in this direction?"
The obese first mate knew how precious that necklace was to her captain, who normally kept it hung by her bedside rather than wearing it. Who could have silently boarded her ship mid-ocean?
Arajina remained silent for a second before shaking her head,
"No need. Change course - we have other missions.""Aye!" The first mate responded, waving to nearby female pirates, "Let's move! All hands back to ship!"
"Aye!"
As the relieved captain and first mate watched, the pirates grabbed the chains connecting to the deck and climbed aboard the massive Iceberg Queen. Arajina cast one final glance at the cruise ship, recalling the man she'd briefly encountered earlier.
Pity he was already married.
Shaking off the thought, she grasped the last chain and swung back to her vessel as it retracted.
"Vroom..."
The ship's engines roared as the dark green Iceberg Queen gradually separated from the Lauren, heading in a different direction.
At the bow, Arajina in her black leather outfit studied a nautical chart before pointing their new course.
Anyone familiar with geography would recognize the Iceberg Queen was now steering toward the Southern Continent, completely opposite from the Lauren's route.
The portly first mate approached Arajina, rubbing her hands curiously,
"Captain, what exactly is this job? Now can you tell us why we're sailing from northern to southern oceans for so much gold?"
Arajina paused briefly before answering calmly,
"A client simply wants the cause of death for a city lord named Fieron in the Southern Continent. We return after investigating."
"That's it? I expected naval combat with local lords! Just checking gets us... well, this much gold? Are clients turning charitable?"
Arajina didn't respond, unrolling a small leather scroll showing a Southern Continent map with a red circle marking Fieron City's location in the northern region.
......
The fearsome pirates became just a brief episode. Only when the massive Iceberg Queen disappeared from view did the Lauren's captain finally relax and order the engine room to proceed.
Meanwhile in Fischer's cabin, Renée clutched her chest with dramatic sorrow, her violet eyes fixed on the pearl resting on the table as if seeing proof of infidelity. She dabbed at nonexistent tears, lamenting,
"Waaah... my husband... accepting gifts from other women..."
Clearly having overheard Fischer's conversation with Arajina, she'd been interrogating him about the pearl since his return, playing the betrayed wife with exaggerated distress.
Her act lasted barely three seconds before she burst into uncontrollable laughter,
"HAHAHA! Fischer, you actually got flirted with by a woman!!"
Fischer's face darkened as Renée's cackling filled the room like some demonic nuisance. He suddenly grabbed her ankle mid-float, yanking her down with a yelp onto the nearby sofa.
Before she could react, Fischer pinned her down, his right hand gripping her left forearm while his left held her shoulder. Their position became dangerously intimate, his every breath filled with her intoxicating fragrance.
His gaze darkened as he looked down at her mischievous grin.
Renée's left hand lightly brushed his cheek, sending electric tingles across his skin. She adored teasing Fischer, deriving endless amusement from riling him up until he snapped and restrained her - yet she remained completely unfazed.
Instead of retreating, she hooked a finger into Fischer's shirt, bringing her face dangerously close as she exhaled a fragrant breath,
"Ara ara~ What's this bad boy planning to do with me, I wonder..."
"..."
Fischer caught a strand of her tousled black hair between his teeth. Though he found Renée's personality utterly reprehensible, he couldn't deny her breathtaking allure - like the world's most intoxicating wine.
"Want to kiss me, don't you?"
Her fingertip traced his Adam's apple with innocent curiosity, seemingly oblivious to his building tension.
"Renée, stop."
"But you're not letting go of me at all..."
Ignoring his warning, her fingers trailed down his shirt, the motion instantly igniting Fischer's desire. Yet when he moved to claim her lips, she dissolved into starry mist, reforming on the table holding his recently written thesis.
A faint blush colored Renée's cheeks, making Fischer wonder how her lipstick might taste.
Waving the papers, she tapped her colored lips provocatively,
"Thesis... or me?"
"..."
Fischer reached out silently. Under her expectant gaze, his hand seemed destined for her skin - only to snatch the thesis at the last second.
"Thesis."
His calm answer stunned Renée. Puffing her cheeks in outrage, she floated up and retreated to her room in a huff.
Fischer exhaled sharply, straightening his disheveled shirt before returning to his bedside seat.
His choice was correct - given Renée's wicked personality, selecting her would've led nowhere. She merely enjoyed the teasing process, wanting to see him desperate for her.
Fischer had long seen through her game and refused to play along, though he admitted she'd nearly broken his control. For that moment, he'd genuinely wanted to devour her.
That woman...
Prefers black, does she?
The random thought made Fischer facepalm, banishing the inappropriate notion.
Truly, traveling with Renée was torture. He'd find an excuse to ditch her once back in Saint Nary.
Outside, the setting sun's reflection danced on waves as numerous Hart birds perched on railings, fluttering their beautiful wings as if sympathizing with Renée. They chirped at Fischer through the window, but like their mistress, received only cold indifference.
Glancing at the pearl, Fischer picked it up, noting its exceptional size and quality - surprisingly generous for a first meeting gift.
After some hesitation, he left it on the table rather than putting it away.