The captain of the Baiyan ship licked his lips, feeling slightly disappointed at Deertes who was moving her gaze away from him. If Deertes had not taken over Count Russell’s place, or if she was not on her way to become the bride of the Governor, he would have taken her to bed at least once.

The captain was not the only who felt that way, even the crew shared the same feeling. The fact that the most noble woman in the whole of Ramedes was making a sad expression on the ship that they were in affected their sadism.

However, knowing that Deertes was the one who was going to be on board the ship, the crew members and the captain had been forced to pledge not to touch any females in the ship in front of the royal high priest. Moreover, the captain knew that Deertes was on her way to marry the governor of Bernst.

Richard Fraser, Governor of Bernst, is an illegitimate child that the child deemed as the most unclean. He was able to become a Governor of Bernst as his father is the King of Ramedes.

It is ridiculous how Richard is considered by the church as being “illegitimate” as he was the most devout and sincere man that the captain knows.

He was the kind of man who wakes up before the morning chicken crows, prays at dawn, thanks God on a daily basis before his meals, and praises God for the safety of his day before going to sleep.

It is obvious as to what would happen to the person who dared to touch the woman who would become the bride of such a powerful man with devout faith. In Ramedes, purity is the most important condition of becoming a bride, if one was to have lost it, they would be forced to endure the cold gaze of people.

If he were to find out that his bride had been badly treated before her arrival, Bernst’s Governor would tie both the captain and crew members and burn them alive in the name of God. The sailors were well aware of that fact, so they simply looked and glanced at Deertes, not daring to even approach her.

From the sailors’ point of view, Deertes was staring blankly at the continent of Saul. An aristocrat’s lover should not show her face to a stranger after turning to an adult. But on this ship, there were no such manners.

Her face, now thinner as compared to post-departure, was filled with fear. Meanwhile, as the sun proceeded to set, Deertes put on her veil once again. It was an action that showed how she wanted to go back in now.

The captain approached Deertes, holding out one of his arms. As he escorted her, she glanced at his arm.

“I’ll take you there.”

“…Thank you.”

Even though they were on a boat meant for prisoners, it was difficult to call Deertes a prisoner. Of course, she was a successor of a family involved in conspiring, but the moment she arrived in Bernst and married the Governor, such words would quickly change.

So, if she marries Governor Bernst and hands over the Count, the few survivors of Count Russell, including Deertes, would be pardoned of their sins, and the venerable count would also be retained.

‘To put it simply, the king gifted his son a title, a fortune, and a woman.’

The captain thought, pleased with Deertes’ hand on his arm. Being escorted like this was the only contact she could have without being married. Basking in the envious gazes of the sailors, the captain led Deertes down a wider path than the path the prisoners took. It was then when,

Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring!

Suddenly, the sound of the bell at the watchtower sounded. People’s heads quickly turned upon hearing the bell that was only heard a few times throughout the whole of their journey on the boat. The sailor on top shouted.

“A ship appeared from the back of the island! It’s coming towards us quickly!”

“Flags!”

The captain ordered, even though he knew it would be useless.

“None!”

“Everyone, get ready! We need to get out of here as soon as possible! They’re going to go after the ship first!”

The sailors moved quickly.

It was not an uncommon sight to be attacked by another ship during a long voyage. Therefore, the captain formed a crew of people who were experienced in dealing with pirates. But even so-

‘We’re almost there yet here they are!’

He had known that it was extremely fortunate that nothing had happened throughout the majority of their voyage, but who would have thought that trouble would appear once they are close to reaching their destination.

‘We can’t be defeated just like that.’

As the ship has yet to dock, it is not known exactly how long it will take to reach Bernst but it will definitely not be long. Plus, the pirates would go for the Lermel first since it is filled with goods. The ship is close to its destination, there was no way he would lose everything here. The captain pulled on Deertes’ arm and led her to her room.

‘I’ve got to at least take her with me…’

The captain, who pushed Deertes into the room and climbed back onto the deck, identified the location of the small boat tied to the hull.

Deertes sat in the room and looked at the ceiling where the loud footsteps came from. A hard wooden bed and a chest of drawers attached to the wall were all that could fit in this room. Still, it was the second most luxurious place on the ship after the captain’s office.

Deertes closed her eyes tightly when she heard the sailors’ shouts and gunshots. Reminding her of the last moment with her father.

Her father and relatives were tied to a pillar. Since he was an aristocrat, the King said that he would show mercy by ending his life with a bullet. People praised him, impressed by the king’s disposition.

‘Father.’

Deertes lowered her head, recalling her father, Count Russell. She had thought something was wrong when the soldiers who first came into the mansion called out that they had found a traitor and dragged her father away. However, when her father repeatedly said he was sorry, instead of how it was unjust, Deertes knew that everything was over.

Deertes kneeled in front of the King, listening to the swear words that seemed to pour out endlessly from her father’s mouth. Several gunshots were heard, followed by loud cheers. She could not bear to see her father meet his end in such a way. In response to her trembling, the King said in a somber voice.

“I do not want the age-old Russell family to disappear in such a manner.”

Deertes lay face down on the floor, waiting for the King to continue his words. She had to use up all her energy to stop her tears from flowing. It was hard to remember the King that had not hesitated a moment ago to shoot her father to be the same person who had kissed the back of her hand and welcomed her, Ramedes’ Forest Fairy, warmly.

“I do not want to get locked up with the other filthy prisoners I would rather not name.”

“…”

Deertes, a filthy sinner as well, had nothing else she could do but flat out lie. She was lying so low that her stomach was touching the floor and could not possibly see his face and reaction to her words.

“I was thinking of suggesting an offer.”

“…With my sinner’s body, I will accept anything.”

Deertes opened her mouth, barely breathing.

“How much do you know about Saul?”

“It’s a place that had become the glorious territory of our Ramedes.”

Deertes tried to desperately draw up her memories of Saul. It is weird as to why the King suddenly asked for her knowledge on the colony even so, she had to showcase as much of what she remembered as possible.

An unknown land that takes three months by ship. A long time ago, the pioneering project was started, and now two cities have been established. Other than that, the only thing Deertes remembered was a ferocious animal resembling a dog and a parrot that she had brought from Saul.

“You should pay more attention when Serene speaks.”

Ever since she was born, Serene was always in poor health. Serene had a strong desire to learn about a larger world as it was difficult to go outside the mansion except for only a couple of days. Hence, she fulfilled her yearning through collecting items from Saul. As Deertes thought back on Serene’s voice as she came to chat with her every day and explain the items, she felt like tears were about to pour.

Serene, where are you? Who are you lying in front of right now?

“Deertes, I shall be sending you to Saul.”

Dread started to overwhelm Deertes.

“…May I ask why you are sending me there?”

No matter how much she tried to hide it, the fear in her voice seemed to still ooze out. Saul is a land filled with prisoners and soldiers. If you are looking to kill a person, there is no reason to kill them here but there.

Deertes thought about what she could do in order to survive living there. After all, she had spent her life living in the spirit of succeeding the family’s title and becoming a Countess someday. Plus, it is useless to carry precious stones in Saul’s city.

“Governor Bernst is an incredibly talented man.”

When the King mentioned Bernst’s governor, Deertes caught onto the King’s way of thinking and what she will be used for. Bernst is Saul’s second city and it is a well known secret among the people of Ramedes that the governor there was an illegitimate child of the King.

“You will have the right to succeed Count Russell.”

“…”

Deertes felt a little dizzy upon hearing those words, her mind filled with unorganised thoughts.

So this was the reason why the King ignored the nobles’ suggestions of depriving her and Serene of their right to succeed.

Despite having committed the felony of conspiring, none of Count Russell’s assets have been confiscated yet. Only a handful of people had died and those who survived dared not ask for the assets. Deertes too had noticed that the King had left Count Russell’s property untouched.

He intended to pair them with herself and hand it all over to someone else.

“It won’t be too long. If you hang in there, you’ll be back in Ramedes in no time. I will do everything I can to ensure that you’ll be back in Ramedes as soon as possible. The governor of Bernst will greet you with courtesy when you reach there as well.”

The friendly voice of the King really made her feel as if he truly cared about her safety and wellbeing. Nonetheless, Deertes proceeded to raise her head to beg for mercy.

However, almost as if he predicted and was expecting her reaction, the King pressed his shoes down on Deertes’ head. Although he was not pressing down too strongly, it contained enough strength that Deertes was unable to lift her head back up. The back of her head started to sting.

Deertes came to her senses once the cold marble floor came in contact with her cheek.

The King was not suggesting an idea. The King was issuing a command and the sinner had nothing else to do except comply with it.

“…I hope you will enjoy your time there.”

Asides from being stepped on at her head, Deertes was unable to do anything when faced with the King’s unwavering and stern voice. Even until the end, Deertes was unable to see what the King was doing or what expression he was making.