The Captain's treasure
Chapter 9

–violet–

“Didn't I tell you not to touch things that aren't yours?” 

At a loss for words I looked between Ace, the pendant and even the open window. “I-i was just looking…”

He stared at me for a long Moment with an unreadable expression before turning away to step over To the window.  He closed it up before opening a drawer in his desk and gently setting the locket inside before closing it up.

He had to have seen the candles change and heard the locket as he opened the door. And just like the night before everything seemed to suddenly stop as he became aware, meaning that I wasn't just drunkenly seeing things!

“Ace what was that?” He turned his head to look at me as I sat in the tub a bit frightened by the strange occurances.

“the strange figure in the window, the candles changing colors! You had to have seen it!” 

He didn't say a word and merely sighed before taking off his coat and boots. “it was just the ship, no need to worry.” 

As he set his things aside he started stepping towards me while untying his shirt. Was he really just going to keep denying it after I clearly just witnessed it happen again?! 

“ships don't just…do that!” I said a bit exasperated.

“mind if I join? I could use a bath.” He said while pulling his shirt off in front of me.

“Why are you avoiding the question!? You clearly know about it!” As he removed the last of his clothes He stepped into the tub and sat behind me, getting comfortable and leaning against the side with a sigh.

“I answered your question, what more do you want?” He said nonchalantly. 

On top of my anxiety I could help but feel annoyed by his avoidance on the subject, what was he hiding?!

“you didn't answer anything you said. It's just the ship that, it's old and makes weird noises, that doesn't explain the candles or the strange figure I saw in the window! I want a real answer!” 

Ace merely watched me with that same unreadable expression on his face as he scratched the back of his head. “And what would you do with such knowledge if I did tell you?”

This took me by surprise. “W-what?”

“What would you do if I told you what you saw was real? run away? jump in the sea? Go back home?”

“N-no! I just…” 

He eyed me for a moment as if contemplating something. “you wanted to escape, to run away from home and get away from your family…that's why you tried to gamble With me and inevitably lost… am I right?”

I looked up at him surprised by this information. I hadn't talked to him in detail about my family or situation. Did Johnny tell him!?

“I gathered as much when you were drunk that night. When I attempted to return you home you refused. I did not wish to leave you on the streets for some other fiend to do something so I brought you to my ship. You briefly mentioned That was your goal, to get on a ship. I didn't bother to ask why since it wasn't my business. That was just what I assumed… after hearing what you told Johnny it seemed my hunch was correct.”

Immediately, guilt washed over me as I realized what he was getting at. He brought me on board his ship out of kindness not for the debt I owed him, he never questioned me about my situation. He made things simple for me and has been keeping me safe all this time.

Looking away ashamed, I sank into the water. “I didn't mean to pry…I was just scared.”

He hummed before reaching over and pulling me closer to where I was sitting between his legs and leaned back against his chest.

“You don't need to be afraid. Nothing on this ship will hurt you. Not anymore. Those morons who dared to go against me were not aware of how serious I am about such things, in turn they suffered the consequences. The rest of the crew knows better and has more respect for my rule.”

“you make yourself sound like a tyrant.” I chipped in.

Ace chuckled as he ran one hand through my hair. “Yes, well people tend to listen more when I act scary.”

I relaxed a bit more against Him as my gaze flickered towards his desk drawer. “I understand you are frightened but I meant what I said, nothing on this ship will hurt you. And I didn't lie about what that thing was either.”

Tiling My head back to look at Ace I found him staring ahead at the empty room. “This ship is…unique so to speak. What you've seen, barely scratched the surface when it comes to its origins and true capabilities.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“It's all mostly stories from my childhood but this ship has had many captain's, Many crew's… I obtained the ship and Half my crew from my mother. She obtained it from her father and he obtained it from his adoptive father and so on.”

“Your mother was a pirate?!” I nearly spun around to look at Ace baffled.

He chuckled. “Yes, she was quite fearsome as well, probably one of the fiercest pirates to ever exist. She was also well respected by her crew, despite being stillborn when she was brought into the world…”

“stillborn!? How is that even possible?” 

Ace hummed as he closed his eyes and rested his head on his arm. “Another thing I'm not going into detail on.”

I glared at Ace with a pout, was he intentionally giving me more questions than answers? “And why can't you tell me these things?”

Opening his eyes lazily he gazed at me with a solemn expression. “Because, should I tell you everything, you would never be allowed to leave.”

Immediately I straighted up, looking at Ace stunned. I would be trapped here?! What kind of ship is this?! I looked away In deep thought unsure how to respond.

“Although…” he continued, and glancing up I could see a smirk forming on his face. “having you stay here doesn't sound Half bad, we could have all the fun in the world while sailing the seven seas, maybe I should tell you–”

I quickly slapped my hand over his mouth. “No no no! We are not doing that!” Ace laughed as he grabbed me by the waist and pulled me against him. 

“You make it so fun and so easy to tease you… don't you like the idea of staying here with me? I think we'd make a lovely pair.” He kissed my palm.

“I think you forget we have two very different lifestyles…you're a pirate that pillages ships and murders people, I'm a noble girl who Can't even lift a sword.”

“Now, now you make me sound like a lowlife with no morals, and you can't exactly label yourself a nobel anymore now can you? After all you ran away from home, you are no longer a noble. Technically you could become anything you want.”

“And let me guess? You want me to be your personal bed warmer?” I replied plainly.

He paused, seeming almost unsure how to respond because of my sudden attitude.

“What Happens when you get bored with me? Will you dump Me on some island and pick up another woman?... I ran away from home because I wanted to escape that prison And avoid an arranged Marriage with some man I never met who was just marrying Me because he had to, not because he cared. I left because I wanted to make a new life for myself.”

He didn't say anything as I continued.

“I want to settle with someone who cares for me and will continue to care for me for the years to come, you and I both know that's not something you are capable of. so Don't suggest such things, like having me stay, I already told you not to play with my heart captain…” I said the last part quietly and turned my head away.

I hated talking to him in such a way but I couldn't handle the emotional distress of being abandoned if I stayed. I've already concluded I've grown to like Ace but he just sees me as a fling. Getting attached to a pirate like him would only end in disappointment and disaster for me.

He didn't respond for a moment and ended up cupping my cheek with his hand. “I apologize for teasing you, I do not always think my words through when I say them, I didn't mean to make you feel this way. ” He said almost sadly.

As I looked into his eyes I could see a swirl of emotions raging behind them. It almost made me wonder if he did feel something for me. My heart twisted at the thought. 

Pulling away, I put myself on the other side of the tub. He seemed at a loss, not having me in his hold anymore. 

Sighing he stood up and got out of the tub, before grabbing a towel off the nearby table, to cover up with. He didn't look at me as he dried himself off and quickly redressed. 

Ivan shall be right outside shall you need anything, let him know when you are hungry.

He didn't even take his coat before walking out the door leaving Me alone in the quiet room. I sulked, feeling guilty for making things awkward but I can't help but be afraid. I already knew the chances of me falling in love with him were very high but how could I ever expect him to return those same feelings?

Ace’s entire life revolves around this ship, its crew and piracy. There's no room for love or any of the things that come with it…

Who am I to ask him for such?...

Closing my eyes I sank into the tub as silence took over leaving me to sink further into my own self doubt and pity. 

(Note: Amidst the smut and lore I had to add in some drama/feels, hope this doesn't run the story. 🤔🫣😩)

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