My Secret Pirate

Chapter 16

That night at dinner, it was solemn and quiet, the tone of the mood hanging over us like thick fog.

No one said anything, just silently picked at their food with forks.

No one uttered words of thanks to Anne.

No one said any words of blessing, or said anything about our day.

I could hear the soft hum of the cicadas outside, awakening after a long day of rest. In the silence, I couldn't help but think of Natsu--how he was, where he was...

Was his day as bad as my own?

Thinking about that day at the beach with him was like reminiscing a long ago dream, the image still faded, fraying, but the feeling still there. If I focused, I could almost hear the waves from that day.

Without meaning to, I sighed.

Both Mother and Anne looked up at the sudden noise, startled, foreheads wrinkled in confusion.

"Lucy?" Mother asked, setting her fork down. "Is something...troubling you? Besides Mr. Fullbuster? If it's just him, don't worry, we'll find you another suitor. A better suitor."

I grimaced at those words, but quickly covered it up with a strained smile. The way she could so easily toss someone out chilled me. It was as if he was a disposable; something of waste, something to be replaced. By, as she put it, someone better.

Would she ever think of me that way--if I crossed her? Find a better heir, perhaps?

Anne studied me, eyebrows knitted in confusion, fingers intertwined like lace in her lap, as if she was looking for anything wrong. Too...carefully.

"Nothing's wrong, Mother. And I no longer care for...Mr. Fullbuster," I said, forcing the last of the words out, and immediately felt a pang of guilt.

Mother smiled, pleased, though Anne didn't look--in the slightest--convinced.

And even after the three of us had been excused, I could still feel her gaze lingering on my back as I retired to my room for the night.

~

That night, sleep couldn't find me.

Covers up to my chin, I stared up at the ceiling, candle flickering at my bedside, making a few shadows dance on the walls.

Rain slapped against my window, and clouds as dark as pitch were cast against the moon, voiding the night of even the slightest sliver of light.

I thrust my hand beneath my pillow, my fist closing against something small and cool.

The ring looked so small in my hand, and so very cold to the touch.

I ran my finger over the gem, the beautiful colors and metal that was in my hand. Greedily, I slipped it on my finger once more, and despite the storm, despite all the troubles of today, I couldn't help but smile.

Even though the ring itself was cold, I was warm.

Warmed by the thought of he who had given me the ring.

I knew it was a dangerous thought, to think of something so taboo, so...unacceptable. Unladylike.

Which is exactly why I enjoyed it. It was foreign territory, these thoughts, these feelings. And I loved the thrill of it--even if it was wrong.

Suddenly, I heard a noise. My door knob turned.

My eyes widened as I realized what was happening; and my ring was still on my finger, the beautiful gem glinting in the light...not exactly subtly.