After wrapping up the handover of the two-masted civilian ship and buying a ball gown and jewelry, the fruitful day soon came to an end—at least, for Roy. She hadn’t expected the catastrophe waiting for her after she’d made her first mate pay dearly.

The following day, near dusk.

“Look me in the eye, Captain. Imperial court dances are different from the Federation’s crude steps. You need to maintain proper eye contact. And by your own account, you often attend Olan’s aristocratic balls, so you should know that already.”

The first mate’s words brought Roy’s wandering gaze back. She glared at those calm blue eyes, as if she wanted to tear the handsome face so close to hers to shreds. “I know. Could you stop holding me so tight?”

Kain ignored the captain’s threatening request. If anything, the hand around Roy’s waist tightened. “Be gentle, Captain. I’d like the person accompanying me to the ball to be an elegant, refined lady—not a pirate who cuts down everyone she meets.”

“Pirates don’t go around cutting people down. It’s those mad dogs in the Orlan Navy who do that.” Roy ground out the words through clenched teeth.

In fact, her first mate had guessed right. Roy often moved in high society and knew all kinds of ballroom dances. She could perform even an obscure dance from some remote member state of the Punora Federation without missing a step, let alone the court dances most commonly seen at Imperial balls.

The problem was, she used to be a man. She’d learned all the men’s steps, and her former dance partners had been lovely, delicate aristocratic ladies. Nothing like this intimidating, cold-faced officer!

I only made you buy one extra ring. Was that really enough reason to make things this hard for me?

Roy thought, on the verge of a breakdown.

The two of them had spent the entire morning and afternoon practicing in the spacious room the major had specially prepared. Roy had put everything she had into learning the etiquette expected of a lady at an Imperial court ball, but her heartless first mate hadn’t given her a moment to rest. Next came lessons in the women’s steps of the Imperial court dance.

“Hang in there a little longer. We’re almost through this section. You’re learning fast, aren’t you, Captain?”

Seeing the murderous look in Roy’s eyes, Kain knew she was on the verge of snapping. Only then did he drop his irritating act with a quiet, amused smile and soothe the wildcat about to lose control.

At last, when the sun had completely disappeared below the sea, the captain’s grueling, infuriating lessons in etiquette and dance came to an end. With a grim expression, she went over to the dark-colored wall, sank down onto the spotless wooden floor, and grabbed the white bread she’d set aside earlier, stuffing it into her mouth.

She didn’t even look at her approaching first mate.

Kain sat down across from her. He knew the captain was still in a foul mood, so he wisely didn’t provoke her. After a brief silence, he offered a sincere word of thanks.

“Thank you. I know that was a lot of work.”

They say it’s hard to stay mad at someone who’s being nice. With her first mate making such an effort, Roy couldn’t very well keep sulking. She turned to him, swallowed the bread in her mouth, and said, “We’re all on the same ship. No need to thank me. Just don’t ask me to do something this annoying again, or I can’t promise I won’t beat you into a sunfish.”

Another of the captain’s trademark threats. Kain took it as Roy letting off steam and smiled without a care.

For some reason, he could always relax around this pirate captain. He didn’t have to keep his nerves taut like he did in the military. Perhaps it was her easygoing nature. Or perhaps she looked so much like his younger sister, who had already gone to Heaven. Or maybe…

Kain didn’t pursue the thought. His gaze softened a little as it rested on her fair cheek. You had to get to know someone to see that first impressions weren’t always right. The cold-blooded Devil everyone in the military believed him to be also had the youthful energy of someone his age, along with a steadfast nature and a promise-keeping heart.

Roy had no idea what the naval officer was thinking. She finished the other half of the bread in her hand, then considered her words for a moment before meeting his eyes. “Kain, I understand that everyone has secrets of their own, and I’m willing to respect that. But when it comes to something as serious as life and death, I still hope you’ll be more honest with me.”

Kain froze, then lowered his eyes slightly. “What do you mean, Captain?”

“Your identity.”

Roy’s gaze was utterly serious now, all her earlier liveliness and playfulness gone. “I went over everything that’s happened lately again last night, in detail. I realized the only thing I’d overlooked was your true identity.”

“It turns out your deduction was right. Stereotypes may give someone an extraordinary advantage in disguise, but what really made the world believe I was dead was the Great Captain’s decree.”

It had been such a grand ceremony that it truly did justice to a requiem for a legendary pirate.

Roy thought back to the news Kain had received that morning through a secret military channel. Her feelings about it were hard to pin down.

Just yesterday evening, the Great Captain had officially announced Richie’s investiture and held a memorial for the Golden-Eyed Devil. That meant the warm little home that had once been hers in the Southern Islands had changed hands for good.

Roy gently shook the faintly bitter feelings from her mind and lowered her head, watching the wooden floorboards gradually disappear beneath the shadows. “So maybe you really are the only person in the world who knows my identity. We came to your Olan garrison, and still no one recognized me. I suppose that proves it, too.”

“So here’s the question: if my identity hasn’t been exposed, how did the Black Crow Society get on our trail? Even before we reached this castle, I could smell those rats’ stench every moment. This is more than just them taking a special interest in us.”

Kain showed no surprise when Roy turned her gaze back to him, as if he’d expected this moment all along.

Because this was a fatal flaw he couldn’t brush aside.

“That’s right, Captain. The Black Crow Society is after us not because your identity was exposed, but because… I stand out too much.” Kain looked into those dark golden eyes, still shining in the faint moonlight, and answered softly.

As his words fell silent, the two of them shared a brief quiet moment. Then a faint sound came from outside the door, a soft rustling, like a mouse scurrying past.

“Then, my dear first mate, do I have the honor of learning your identity?” Roy asked with a light laugh.

“After the ball, I’ll tell you the whole truth. And then…”

Kain paused, then smiled as well. “If you don’t want me anymore, Captain, the promise I made on the island still stands.”

“If we can still make it to the ball.”

Those were the first mate’s last whispered words. After that, the oak door opened without a sound, and a silver knife reflecting the moonlight came into view before Roy’s eyes.