Aedion tucked his hands in his pockets as they came to her door and they parted. As ge stood in front of her, he looked more like a man than a pirate or captian. His shirt had been undone more, exposing more of his chest and tattoos. His hair had come out if it's tie at some point in the night and was almost wild on his shoulders. His shoulders were relaxed and he had a kind smile on his lips. He was just Aedion.
His smile only widened for her. "You're welcome, princess. I'd suggest you get used to this however, it's the same thing almost every night." Maybe not the dancing, but the food and the drink and the atmosphere was all the same. It was their time to wind down and relax and let go of the day's events.
He bowed at the waist, bringing her hand up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Sleep well, darling. I'll see you tomorrow."
He rose and waited until the door was firmly shut before walking his own cabin. But the time he made it, he barely had enough time to strip his clothes before falling asleep.
After a brief hesitation, Rosemary reached up as she spoke, gently smoothing Aedion’s wild hair with his fingertips. It was strange being somewhat close with this man after only a day of knowing him, but something about it just felt right. Like it was meant to happen, as silly as that sounded.
“Oh, I’ll be fine by the morning. Doing this every night sounds like a dream,” she replied. “But don’t let me hold you back from having fun with the others, alright?”
She smiled faintly as he leaned down to kiss her knuckles, and when he straightened once again, she leaned in to kiss his cheek. “Don’t get used to it, love,” she whispered. “That was only to thank you. Nothing more.”
After Aedion left, Rosemary wasted no time before climbing into bed. Before she knew it, she was awoken by the sunlight filtering in through the cracks in her wall.
Now fully refreshed, Rosemary got up and began to clean herself up as best she could. It was a difficult task without any clean water, but she made do with what she had. Soon, she walked out of her guest cabin and down the stairs, looking around the empty ship.
Aedion was still as she brushed her fingers through his hair. A dangerous thing she was doing. She was toeing the line of those boundaries by touching him like this. He almost worried she might try to go too far. But from their previous conversation he knew she still held onto those courtly manners that she could only bed her husband. It was stupid but he wouldn't tell that to her just yet. No one here cared about her virtue. She needed to figure that out for herself.
"I wouldn't dream of it." His voice was just above a whisper. He could still feel the ghost of a touch of her lips on his cheeks. He felt it even after he had retired to his room.
He woke up with the dawn, his sleep being interrupted far too early for his tastes. He wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep but knew this needed to be done. And there was no one else to do it. He washed quickly and dressed in fresh clothing before going on to the deck and climbing up to the helm.
Despite his exhaustion, it was quite pretty as the sun began to peek in the distance. Soft hues of blue and pink began to fill the sky, chasing away the night. The breeze lifted his unbound hair and the smell of the sea filled his nose. This was where he belonged.
(( The reason I do the whole “only bed my husband” thing is because I’m pretty uncomfy even with suggestions or going in that direction; I don’t do fade to black, rather I completely avoid sexual themes. I keep it pretty much at a PG level with only kissing, hugging, and stuff like that. I completely stay away from anything else for a number of reasons. :) ))
Rosemary wandered down onto the deck, unable to keep her eyes from searching for Aedion. She could only remember glimpses of the night before— the food, the dancing, the singing. And of course, she could remember Addison. The way he’d taught her how to dance and constantly sent her those charming smiles.
It didn’t take her long to find Aedion with the deck being as empty as it was. He was up on the helm, staring out at the sea with his blonde locks going wild in the sea breeze. The same locks that she had run her hands through only the even before. Gods, did she really do that? She felt her cheeks heat up with embarrassment just thinking about it.
Eventually, she wandered to the rope ladder the led up to the hole, grabbing a hold of it as she called up to him. “See anything interesting up there, my love?”
(No worries)
Aedion noticed her as soon as she stepped out onto the deck. How could he not when he was the only one up there? And she was a sight to see, even so early in the morning. He had the wheel gripped in his hands, keeping them on a steady course. They sea was calm and patient this morning, a good thing for the hungover mates below the deck.
He smiled as she moved towards him, laughing softly at the term of endearment she gave him. "Why don't you come up here and see, sweetheart." There was nothing but sea and sky but it was what held his heart. The beauty of it. Even when the sea was unforgiving he didn't want to be anywhere else.
The breeze fluttered through his unbound hair once more, brushing it back from his face and eyes. As the heat rose later in the day, he would tie it off his neck to provide some bit of relief. But until then he enjoyed having his hair down. He would need to cut it soon, it was starting to get a little too long for him.
"Ever steered a ship before, darling?" He was looking at her now, his attention shifting. "Come give it a try. You might be a natural at it."
(( Are there mythical creatures in this world? Magic?? ))
For moment, she hesitated before walking up to the helm. She had felt a little sea sick this morning, and climbing up to the front of the ship would only make it worse. However, despite her logic telling her no, she still walked up to the helm and stood next to the captain. She didn’t regret it.
She rested her hand on Aedion’s arm. “It’s beautiful…”
There was nothing in sight for miles. Only an infinite sea of blue. A sight like this should’ve terrified her, but somehow, it didn’t. Instead, it gave her a strange sense of peace. She was far away from her home, from her life before. She could start anew.
She smiled at Aedion’s request. “Are you sure?” she asked. “If your ship ends up at the bottom of the ocean, don’t blame me.”
Despite her protest, she still approached the wheel, placing her hands on the polished wood. The wheel felt good under her hands. Natural. Sure, she knew nothing about steering a ship, but she was sure she could eventually learn.
(I hadn't planned on it but we can always do something. Do you have something planned 🤔)
Aedion watched silently as she climbed up the stairs to stand next to him. He turned his head to her, instead of focusing on the sea. It wasn't as if he was going ti crash into anyone if he veered off course for a moment. Besides, he could do this in his sleep. He didn't need to look to know where to go. The currents and routes were all mapped out and memorized in his head. And he had his trusty compass with him.
He smiled at her as she placed her hand on his arm. Using his other, he placed his own hand over hers and squeezed it. He looked back at the open sea, his smiling widening. "It truly is."
The sea was a beautiful and terrible thing. So many had been lost to it. But so many had been found as well, as he had. And as his new companion might be.
She was quite beautiful as well, be wouldn't deny. And he would happily say it, should she be prompting him to. Which might have been what this was but he liked keeping her on her toes.
He chuckled softly. "You won't sink my ship." He moved aside, letting her take over the helm. The wind was calm and so where the waves. She would find no resistance trying to sail his ship.
He moved behind her, placing his hands over hers. "Keep her steady. We're going the right direction." He had bent his head to murmur in her ear.
(( Haha not anything planned necessarily, but I’ve always thought krakens, sirens, and creatures like that are cool xD I’m good with anything, though ))
“Oh, I’m sure I could sink anything given the right amount of time,” she teased. “It’s my specialty.”
She felt him move up behind her as he placed his hands over hers. She hadn’t realized how close he was until he spoke into her ear. Was getting this close really necessary? Probably not, but she wouldn’t mention it. Besides, he was likely simply trying to help her keep the ship steady. It didn’t mean anything, right?
“Do you get this close with all your female companions? Or is it just me?” she said, glancing back at him. “Just so you know, I’m separated from the royal family. You’re not getting any of the castle’s money, no matter how much you flirt with me.”
Aedion only smiled. He wouldn't let anything happen to his ship, not while he was there. And he'd watch her carefully to make sure she didn't take them too far off course. Though she couldn't, not with his hands on hers.
"Hmm, just me. If I got this close to any of my other female crew members they'd cut off my dick." He wasn't exaggerating either. He'd tried it one time back in his juvenile days and paid for it. He still had the scar to prove it.
He laughed, his shoulders shaking and chest vibrating. "I have more than enough money, sweetheart. I don't need yours. Plus, if I want something, I steal it." He winked at her.
He adjusted the helm slightly, keeping them on course. He stood up straight, though he didn't pit much space between them. "Now all you need if a hat and you could be called a pirate."
“Geez, quite dramatic.” She laughed. “Although, I have to say, some of them look like they would do such a thing. I’m not quite sure if I fit in with them very well…”
Rosemary assumed her friendships on the ship wouldn’t matter much. She was leaving in two months anyways. However, growing up in the castle meant that the only people surrounding her were cocky nobles who had no interest in her. She didn’t have many friends, and now that she had left the castle, she wanted to learn to form actual relationships.
“You steal it? Quite the moral compass you have there,” she replied. “Guess I should watch my belongings more carefully.”
She said belongings, but all she had with her when she’d boarded the ship was her dress. She had left almost everything behind in the castle. She didn’t want any part of her past with her when she started her new life. The captain’s comment pulled her out of her thoughts.
“I need a hat to be a pirate, do I?” She winked at him. “Well, why don’t I take one of yours?”
(So sorry this took so long. I've had a bunch of stuff going on at home and I really haven't had the time to respond.)
Aedion smirked. "Rather they don't quite fit in anywhere. It's why they do so well in my crew. No one here really fits in anywhere else. So I think you'll fit in just fine, princess."
Rosemary didn't fit in anywhere else. Not the palace, otherwise she wouldn't be here. And no one would accept her as she truly was anywhere else. So perhaps she just might stay with him. And he wasn't sure how he felt about that. Or why his heart warmed slightly at the thought of her staying.
He just shrugged his shoulders, taking a step back from her. He was still entirely in her personal space but at least he wasn't touching her anymore. And she was steering by herself.
"What belongings? You don't have any. Yet." That didn't mean she wouldn't collect any as they looted the ships they passed by. Because everything was game out on the water. Even other pirate ships, depending on who they were, that us. He did have some alliances he didn't wish to ruin over that.
"Perhaps I'll give you one of mine. If you promise to take care of it that is." He wasn't entirely joking either. He might just very well give her one of his.
(( You’re all good :) ))
“They’re all quite rowdy. Much different than the sorts of people I grew up with, but I like them. It’ll just take a bit of getting used to,” she replied. “I quite like Vera, though. We haven’t spoken much, but I think would we would get along.”
Of course, she wasn’t entirely sure that Vera liked her; she gave off some mixed signals. If Vera avoided her, Rosemary wouldn’t blame her. She was a princess, after all, and her very presence on the ship could put everyone’s lives in danger. The captain didn’t seem to mind, though. He seemed to love the thrill of his life being in peril.
A chill ran up Rosemary’s spine as the captain stepped out from behind her, allowing her to steer the ship on her own. It was still hard to believe that she was on a pirate ship, far away from the castle and her past. The countless months of preparation had started to pay off.
“I’m going to hold you to that, you know. Giving me one of your hats,” she teased. “Of course, I don’t know how well it would fit me considering the height difference.”
Aedion smirked. He bet she had never seen anything quite like this. Everyone at court likely had a stick up their ass and were too busy trying to climb the social ladder. Etiquette and manners were taught, brutally sometimes, and were excepted at all hours of the day.
Here in the sea, they could be free. Here, no one was there to tell them what to do and what not to do. They could be their true selves. They were a band of misfits who had found each other and made the most out of life. Now they ruled the seas. No other pirate crew would ever attack them. At least no one in their right mind would.
"Give Vera a little time to warm up. I'm sure you'll be friends in no time. Or she just wants to steal the gown you arrived in." He quirked the corner of his lip. "I'm sure you'll have everyone here eating out of the palm of your hand in no time." She had an aura to her that just drew him in. And he knew he wasn't the only one.
He just smiled at her. "I'll even let you choose." He placed his hands in his pockets, his gaze moving to the horizon. Murmurs could be heard below as the crew began to wake and got to their daily chores. Food was being made, the floor scrubbed and clean. Laundry done, among other things.
For once in her life, Rosemary felt a sense of freedom. For years, she had been trapped— both physically and emotionally. People in her kingdom loved the royal family, but little did they know that it was all a façade. Few people knew about the horrors that took place within the castle walls.
“Oh, she did seem to like the gown. Said it was quite flattering. But she can have it if she wants. I’m quite sick of palace gowns.”
At the second comment, she reached over, brushing her fingers against his like she had the night before. With a grin, she whispered to him, “oh? And what about you? Will I have you eating out of the palm of my hand, my love?”
With a wink, she released the captain, turning her attention back towards the ocean. She had never been much of a flirt, but with the captain, it was different. He was different. “You have that many hats, do you?” She laughed. “I’m afraid I’ll never be able to choose.”
And Vera would likely quite happily take the gown. Just because she was his first mate, didn't mean that she had given up her femininity at all. She still tended to be pulled to the finer things in life. And it had cost him a pretty penny more than a couple of times. Which he had been more than willing to do. He loved his crew. He would do anything for them. And anything to keep them happy. And anytime he upset Vera, the way to her heart was expensive gifts.
"Oh, darling, the only thing that has my heart is the sea. You can try, though." Aedion smirked down at her. He answered to no one but himself, the sea, and sometimes Vera. She could be quite terrifying when she was upset.
He captured her fingers, bringing them to his lips and placing a light kiss on them. He returned her wink as he dropped her hand and turned his focus back on the vast body of water before them. "Then chose your favorites. So long as you leave me a few, I think I will be okay." He wasn't vain, but he did like nice things and he liked to look good. Even when captaining a ship.
"You are welcome to say as long as you need," he murmured. The words had more than one meaning to it. Up here, yes, away from the crew and where the breeze would hit her face. But also here, with him, with the crew. If she could handle the life, if needed more time away from everything, she was more than welcome to stay. Though she would have to start pulling her weight by then.
“The only thing, huh?” She looked up at him, returning the smirk. “How I do love a challenge.”
Despite convincing herself that she would never catch any sort of feelings for the pirate king, her face still grew slightly red as he kissed her fingers. Sure, many of the men in the court had kissed her hand, but only to be respectful to their princess. His kiss had an entirely different meaning behind it.
“I’m sure I would be the most hated woman in the world if I did that,” she replied. “The pirate women might not like you, but the village women do. You should hear how they speak about you.”
For a long time, Rosemary never understood the fascination with the captain. But now that she was with him, on the ship, she was beginning to see what made the women swoon over the pirate. She would never tell him that, of course.
Aedion only looked her up and down with a heated gaze. He would certainly look forward to it, even if she was bound to lose. While he certainly had a fascination with her ever since she stepped onto his ship, nothing could take over his heart that had been given to the sea.
He chuckled softly. "They love the idea of me, of what I represent. But none of them could ever love me. No one can." And that was alright. He had lived enough and seen enough that he would be content as he was. He was never with anyone longer than a night and then he was on to the next. Or leaving out to the sea.
He didn't take the helm away from her. Not when she looked content to guide his ship. There was no danger on the horizon and no reason she couldn't be up here. He would wait until the morning hunger set in, then allow another to take over and guide her downstairs to the kitchens to grab something.
He doubted she would ever take up his offer. Not after she saw his way of life, and truly experienced what he did. He wasn't a good man. He didn't claim to be and would never claim to be so. He hadn't started out this way but life had been cruel to him and this was where he had ended up. Now he was making the most of his life.
But then again, life seemed to have been cruel to her. She might just fit in with his little group of misfits. A runaway princess was about as much a misfit as one could become. Only time would tell.
She grew even more flustered at the intensity in his gaze. Had he ever looked at her like that before? She didn’t think so. Maybe he was planning to take her up on the little challenge of hers.
“True. Just like they love the idea of the men from the story books,” she replied. “But I think, if they met the real you, they may fall in love regardless. You do have a certain charm.”
Rosemary went silent as he continued to speak. She may have not said it out loud, but she knew how the captain was feeling. In fact, in a strange twist, she related to his sentiment. No one would ever truly love her. Sure, she was beautiful, and her people loved her. But she was also wealthy and powerful. Most of her suitors only wanted her because of her status as royalty.
“Mm… you never know. I think someone could fall in love with you,” she replied. “You’d be surprised.”
Aedion never had any hopes of finding a woman for himself. He didn't want one nor did he need one. There were enough women in his life as it was. Vera along with the few other women on board. And the sea. It was enough for him. It always had been and it always would be. There wasn't room for anyone else, especially if this runaway princess decided to join their little band.
Nevertheless, he offered a grateful smile for her kind words, even if he didn't believe them himself. Sure, he was a charmer, but it was all a facade so that no one looked passed the mask he put up. He so rarely let his crew, his family, see him. It was easier like this.
"And what about you, love? You're no longer a princess. There's nothing to your name. Nothing to stop you from a man who loves you for you, and not what you can do for them." He was steering the conversation away from himself, something he was excellent at doing. He didn't like talking about himself, not like this. Not when the conversation actually meant something.
“A man? To love me?” She snorted, as if it was a joke. “I know I speak of marriage at times, but no one could ever love me. Anyone who has shown interest in me usually does it because I’m powerful and wealthy. It’s hard to trust anyone anymore.”
It wasn’t that she didn’t want a relationship. While she sometimes insisted that she wanted to be alone for the rest of her life, she knew that it could be a lonely trail to go down. Especially for someone like her. But what other choice did she have? Even if she did start a relationship, the person would most likely leave her in the end. It’s what usually ended up happening.
“But enough about that. It’s all behind us. Right now, it’s just you, me, and the sea,” she said softly. “I should be more concerned with escaping than finding love.”
She was getting a little too comfortable with this pirate. He was easy to talk to. He was kind, sympathetic, and even caring towards her. But she knew how easy it would be for him to break her if she got too close.
But you don't have power and wealth anymore. Aedion kept the words to himself, sensing she didn't like talking about it as much as he did. While there was much to him as a person, he never really ket anyone get passed the surface. Vera would be the only exception, but as his first mate, she had seen more than just ugly. She had seen the terrible parts of him and still chose to stay by his side. He would likely be dead if it weren't for Vera. She was his platonic soulmate.
"Well, you have escaped darling. You can go anywhere in the world now, though I'd might suggest to go anywhere but you're father's kingdom." It would be easier to recognize her there. But elsewhere, no one would bat an eye so long as she looked the part.
One of his sailing masters aporached them, offering to take over the helm. He nodded his head and gestured to Rose to hand over the helm and follow Aedion. "You must be hungry, sweetheart. Let's get you some breakfast."
“Anywhere? Maybe there’s somewhere far away I could go. Somewhere where no one knows my name,” she replied. “But I don’t know if my parents will ever stop looking for me. A runaway princess… it makes them look bad.”
That was the only reason they would bother looking for her. That and the fact that they needed an heir to their throne. Someone to continue their bloodline. As queen, she would never have the ability to make decisions for their country. She was only there to look pretty and allow her husband to rule their kingdom. But, judging by the man her parents betrothed her to, she would live long enough to make a name for herself anyways.
The captain’s next comment pulled her from her thoughts. “Breakfast?” she questioned. “I thought all pirates had rum for breakfast.”
Rosemary slipped her hand into Aedion’s as they walked down towards the main part of the deck. A few of the pirates stole a glance at them, curious, but a majority of the crew paid little attention.
"Change your name, maybe your hair, and no one will ever know its you. They'll ve looking for a princess, not a commoner." People tended to see only what they wanted to see. Not what was really there.
He took her hand as she extended it out to him and led her down the stairs. He paid no heed to his crew who looked at them with curious faces. They had never seen him behave this way towards anyone. But then again, they had never been in the circumstance before. He'd never had someone stowaway on his ship. This was new to him as anyone else.
"Rum? Only on special occasions." He winked at her. He knew the reputation that pirates had. It was vastly untrue. As much as they enjoyed a drink, they were sober more often than not. They were very clean and orderly, and everyone respected one another. He wasn't feared, at least not by his crew. They had set schedules and stuck tight to them. Only when they arrived on shore did they let loose a bit and party.
There was a bit of porridge left from breakfast and Aedion dished up two bowls for then before finding a spot to sit on the stairs. There wasn't much traffic from below deck to above, so it was the perfect place to eat and still feel the warm air on his skin.
“Sounds easy enough, but of course, I can’t seem to stay out of the eyes of the public,” she replied. “It’s one of the many things my parents hated about me. I’ll end up doing something stupid and completely blow my cover.”
Rosemary followed Aiden down the stairs, glancing around at the crew as she walked. The crew of the ship intrigued her, to say the least. They all looked different— no doubt with widely varying backgrounds— but, in a way, they were all connected. They all had a common love for adventure and the sea. They all longed to escape the mediocre life that society offered them. They were all the things that her court was not. The officials of the court may have fooled the public into thinking that they worked for the same cause, but Rosemary knew the truth. Each and every one of them were out for their own personal gain. They would lie, deceive, and cheat to get what they wanted. The pirates, on the other, had respect towards each other. They could be rowdy at times, sure, but they all loved each other.
Rosemary let the captain lead her up onto the stairs. She sat down beside him, taking the bowl of porridge and placing it in her lap. Here, she could see all the pirates gathered on the deck. Most of them were focused on their tasks, but she could see two young pirates sword fighting near the entrance to the captain’s quarters.
Rosemary quickly finished her porridge before she stood up. “I want you to teach me how to fight.”
Aedion had his spoon raised midway when she asked for him to teach her. His hand paused, staring at his porridge. He never could quite figure out what she was going to say but that had been the last thing he ever expected.
He placed his spoon back in his bowl, raised his head to look at her, blinking. "You want to learn how to fight? Why?" He didn't say in a discouraging voice. He was truly curious as to why. While his crew all knew how to fight, that was because of their occupation. In a few months time, they woukd be dropping her off and wishing her luck with the rest of her life. Along with a enough gold to have a comfortable life. What need did she have with learning to fight?
He placed his bowl on the step above him, his appetite gone. He could snack on something later. Right now, his focus had been taken away from his food and onto the princess in front of her.
"Did someone try to hurt you?" He asked quietly, so no one coukd hear them but each other. "Physically? Is that why you left?" Because if this was a trauma response, he needed to know before putting her in a sparing ring. Things could go south very quickly if she didn't know how to focus.
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