It has been three days since the happenings at the mess hall. Kyungsoo and Baekhyun has been tirelessly working on the maps and trying to make sense out of it while Jongdae and Soohyun continued on translating the book. Jongdae was fluent on the language, that Soohyun could say, but it was tiring accurately translating it all by himself (because Soohyun had made mistakes in her translations here and there) that’s why he had been teaching her at the same time. He insisted that it would be faster and efficient if the both of them were at the same level of fluency on the language. 

“Try translating this one,” Jongdae said as he moved the book closer to Soohyun’s side. Soohyun grabbed a piece of paper and a pen as she started translating the page Jongdae has given her. 

While Soohyun was busy translating, she heard Jongdae stood up from his seat and started looking around her cabin. Normally, he would go straight to her desk and start working right away. This is the first time he had taken a look inside. Soohyun’s cabin wasn’t really anything special, she bet it was just the same as the others or maybe simpler than theirs but Jongdae seemed to have taken interest in looking around. 

“Baekhyun,” Jongdae said. The mention of his name immediately sent thousands of emotions unfamiliar to Soohyun. She stopped writing and looked at Jongdae. 

“Why did you asked for his help?” Jongdae asked as he stopped from his tracks. Soohyun was now looking at him who was standing beside her bed with his hands on his pockets. Soohyun’s heart raced at the question. What was she exactly supposed to answer? She also didn’t knew why—why was it Baekhyun—it just happened that he was the pirate the seer was talking about. Was that a tricky question? To get something out of her? Jongdae didn’t seem to be fond of her from the very beginning. He always acted very cautious around her, even these past few days when they have been working together for hours. He doesn’t talk that much and when he does, it’s always about the book and the translations. He wasn’t as talkative and welcoming as Chanyeol and Jongin so Soohyun wasn’t sure how to exactly answer his question. 

“He happened to be at the right place and at the right time when I needed help,” Soohyun truthfully answered. It wasn’t a lie but her heart pounded loudly against her chest. Maybe it was because of the intense stare Jongdae was giving to her or maybe she was getting anxious by the sudden change of atmosphere. 

Jongdae walked back to where she was and placed his hands on the desk. “We’ve been working on this treasure for years. Through those years, this has been the closest we’ve got, thanks to you and this book. I’m glad you came in the picture but I’m not quite sure if I can trust you enough not to turn your back on us at the end. You’re still the King’s daughter. I highly doubt being a princess would just go away in a day,” Jongdae said. 

So that was it. Soohyun thought. That’s why Jongdae was being indifferent towards her. That’s why he’s been always cautious around her. That’s why he always had that doubting look on his eyes. Soohyun looked away, she can’t blame him though, for thinking that way. Whatever he said could be true. She could just turn her back to them and betray them once she got ahold of the treasure but then, she also knew she had no power to do that. She’s on a ship with men who are gifted, she’s obviously overpowered. If she was ever to betray them, it’ll be a suicide—they are pirates and one thing she knew about them is not to mess with people of their kind. She only wanted their help. 

Soohyun looked back at Jongdae and spoke. “I know it’s hard, but you can trust me. All I want is to stop the King’s plans. I wouldn’t go all the trouble to board this ship and be allies with Baekhyun just to end up turning you all to the King’s hands. Once I got the treasure, it’s done.” 

Jongdae shrugged at her words. “What makes you think Baekhyun will give the treasure to you? He wanted it so bad, so bad he’ll do anything to get his hands on it. We steal and keep, princess. Pirates don’t do sharing,” he said. Soohyun didn’t even had the chance to reply because he left right after saying that. She was then left at the cabin, alone and thinking of his words. 

It was true but she can trust Baekhyun’s words, right? He said he’ll help her. 

He didn’t promised but he said he’ll help her. 

~~~

That night, Soohyun went out at the deck to clear her mind even just for a little bit. Jongdae’s words seemed to be stuck at her mind that it didn’t even let her sleep this afternoon. She was awake all the time, either trying to translate the book or just walking around her cabin doing nothing productive at all—just thinking and worrying. 

It was a chilly night, as always, but it didn’t stopped her from going out at the moment. Soohyun rested her hands at the railing as she looked up and stared at the sky. It was such a disappointment that all she could see was a cloudy sky with little to no stars at all. She heaved a sigh as she looked back at the sea. 

Soohyun tried to remember the times she was at sea, traveling with the royals for an expedition, she never really had the chance to look and admire it before. She just stayed at her cabin and went out only when she was called. Now that she was looking at the sea, she suddenly couldn’t help but wonder how didn’t she took notice of its beauty before. It brought a sudden gust of warmth in her as she looked at how calm it was beneath her. For a moment out there, Soohyun thanked the sea as it was the only thing that was calm and serene, everything else around her was chaotic. Neither her mind was an exception. 

Soohyun stayed at the deck for a few more minutes, relishing the newfound contentment with the sea, as she stood at her spot. Her body couldn’t deny the cold winds that were blowing against her skin as it has suddenly gotten a lot colder than before. She looked around and noticed that the sky has undoubtedly looked darker, as if it was just about to pour rain. Soohyun stayed still as her eyes wandered—she still didn’t want to go back to her cabin and wished that it won’t rain at the moment. 

A few minutes passed and Soohyun could feel tiny raindrops against her cheek. Her heart sank as it only signified that she needed to go back to her cabin instantly. She didn’t want to, but to stay at the open deck when there could be a storm brewing isn’t the right decision she should be making. With a disheartened feeling, Soohyun turned her feet towards the direction of the cabins. She wasn’t even halfway the enormous deck when the rain started pouring hard and the sky started roaring frightfully loud, the ship was sent rocking