AN
Tales of Berseria is quickly becoming one of my favourite games, I came up with the idea of the story while playing it and I hope you enjoy. A warning this story will be set in an alternate universe and be violent because you can't have pirates without violence. Also, feel free to review, Favourite and Follow this story. If you have any ideas the PM me those ideas.
The Royal Palace is a beautiful place, everyone who walks by it stops to admire the building. The palace was designed by the greatest architects in the kingdom with the greatest artist creating truly marvelous pieces of art to decorate the white walls. Knights of the Royal Army are standing tall and proud in their polished shining armor keep watch over the palace and the Royal family. It's a place of luxury and the pride and joy of the empire but also a prison for a certain princess.
Eleanor Hume walks through the halls trying not to remain undetected. She is next in line for the throne, but she hates that fact now. She's thrown into one boring lesson after another which are designed to make her a good ruler for the kingdom. However, those lessons did nothing but make Eleanor feel trapped and robbed of her freedom. She hated the lessons, and she hated her teacher, Lord Melchior. She hated him since the moment they first met. He would hit her with a stick whenever she did something wrong. Not let her take any breaks, and give her so much homework she couldn't sleep at night because of the hours it would take her to complete the work. The only lesson she enjoys is the combat training. Her combat instructor was nicer then Lord Melchior, and it was a great way to blow off some steam after the endless lessons she would receive from Lord Melchior. She could only train whenever Lord Melchior decided to fit it in the schedule, but it was the only lesson that Eleanor enjoys.
Eleanor hadn't been happy with her life in a long time. She was living comfortably, and she never feared she would go hungry. However, she would question if this was really 'living' at all.
"My life is so boring," Eleanor mutters to herself as she enters a hiding place she found many years ago, she hides behind some boxes in a storeroom, she feels safe here because it looks like no one has used it in a long time.
Cobwebs hang from every place possible, and everything's covered with a thick layer of dust, it's clear no one has used this room in a long time. This room is Eleanor's safe place, the only place in the palace that Eleanor feels free, and she can relax without fear of receiving a beating from her teacher. At first, she didn't like this place. At first, she hated how filthy it is, but she has grown used to the dust and now likes them because the dust and cobwebs it lets her know that no one has found her hiding place. The knowledge that no one knows about the place is the main reason Eleanor likes it.
"Eleanor!" She hears her older brother Oscar calling her name, and she is tempted to go to him, but she will be there, Teresa, Eleanor's older sister and twin to Oscar. Teresa hated Eleanor ever since she was named the heir of the country. She always wanted Oscar to be the heir. "Eleanor!"
"Just forget about her Oscar." Eleanor hears Teresa tell her brother and from the sound of her voice, Eleanor can tell they are right outside the dusty old forgotten storeroom. "It's her business if she wants to ruin her future, you still have yours ahead of you so don't waste any opportunities looking for her."
"But Lord Melchior looks furious this time," Oscar replied showing his kind and loving side that he shows to all, Eleanor must admit he would have been a great king if he ruled the kingdom next instead of her. "You know what he's like in a bad mood" Eleanor shivers hearing that, Lord Melchior's punishments are always cruel and horrible even when he's in a good mood. "I'm her brother; I should be there to bare some of his anger because it's what siblings do."
"Oscar," Eleanor whispers as she starts to cry, Oscar is so kind and wonderful that Eleanor doesn't believe she deserves him as a brother.
"Let's just keep looking for her," Oscar tells his sister. "Eleanor!"
"Ok but remember we are having tea in an hour whether we find her or not," Teresa happily says as Eleanor hears them walk away thankfully never once noticing that she was so close to where she is hiding.
"I'm sorry Oscar," Eleanor whispers to the darkness of the storeroom, Oscar her loving brother who is willing to share the blame with her when he doesn't have to is worried for her, but still, Eleanor doesn't move leaving him to bear all the blame in her absence. "I'm sorry Oscar, I don't deserve a brother like you, not in a million years."
It isn't until late at night that Eleanor emerges from her hiding spot. By now the sun has long set beneath the horizon, and the palace halls are pitch black barely lit by the flicking light of the candles stuck along the walls. Very few guards are around, very few people to see her. She hopes to time this right and returns to her room undetected. She also hopes no one is waiting in her room for her to return, she doesn't want to be lectured by anyone right now. Right now, all she wants to do is crawl into her bed and sleep. So being careful not to be spotted as she tiptoes down the halls and looks around each corner making sure the coast is clear before she proceeds.
When she reaches her room undetected, she is too nervous to be relieved, as her hands grip the door handle she silently prays that no one is on the other side waiting for her. She slowly opens the door just enough for her to peek inside and lets out a sigh as relief floods her body, no one is waiting for her in her room. Not bothering to light a candle she changes into her nightwear in the darkness, years of hiding in dark places to avoid one thing or another has given her an unmatched sight in the dark. As she crawled into her bed and huddled under her blanket, she closes her eyes and soon finds sleep.
Years later when she thinks back to this night, she wonders how different her life would have been if she had noticed the rope hanging out of her bedroom window, or the eyes that watched her from one of her many closets. If she had the events of that night that would forever have changed her life would never have happened. The person watching her thinks like that too, that if she would have just followed her orders and killed the princess as she slept, she wonders how differently her life would have turned out. No matter what never girl regrets those events, it changed their lives, but it changed them for the best, and they couldn't deny that. It gave them happiness, something that they didn't feel before.
Velvet Crowe was not a good person; she didn't hide that fact or pretend she wasn't. She would rob and steal, murder and kill, anything she wishes and deems necessary to achieve her goals. Any job you offered her, she would take if you pay her that is, but if you try and cheat her, you will see just how evil and cruel she is. She is a pirate, the captain of the Van Eltia a feared ship in the eleven seas. She inherited the ship from its former captain and her father, Van Aifread who was a feared and deadly pirate but died while battling the Royal Navy three years ago, his death destroyed a part of her and it's an injury Velvet is yet to recover. Ever since then, Velvet has led his band of pirates.
She spent years building her reputation as someone who gets the job done but now on her latest job she hesitates, normally she wouldn't, but the sight of the girl she is meant to kill makes her stop. She doesn't know why but she can't go through with this job. Normal she can kill without hesitation, without mercy. For reasons, she can't explain she can't kill the princess before her, just thinking about doing it proves difficult and makes her heart ache. But she must do something, her reputation as a merciless pirate is a stake. Many ships surrender their cargo without a fight because of that reputation, if her reputation gets ruined then things will get bloody for a while she repairs her tarnished name.
"What do I do?" Velvet asks herself as quietly as possible, so the princess doesn't discover her presence. "What do I do? Kill her" The feeling she feels when she says that is so unbelievably bad that it can't be described in words, killing her isn't an option for her. "No then, what else can I do then? Leave and abandon the job?" That isn't an option ever, not only will her reputation be destroyed but someone else will take the job. That will still mean the princess will die, once again that terrible feeling returns. "I can't leave, so I should… kidnap her?" Velvet runs that idea through her head a few times; she can keep the princess alive and keep her reputation by calming she killed her. "That could work, Laphicet would approve."
Laphicet was a slave Velvet saved and named after her brother who died of the twelve-year illness around the same time their father died in battle. Laphicet is a kind boy and a great navigator, he quickly earned the respect of the crew and became part of their close group of sailors.
"Eizen and Rokurou would too."
Eizen is a kind man and Velvet's second in command; he trusts Velvet and Velvet trust him. He would take the princess in and help protect her; he has his code of honor despite being a pirate. The only downside is his Reapers Curse, for some reason Eizen brings bad luck to those around him. Velvet can only hope the princess won't become the latest victim of that curse.
Rokurou Rangetsul, he's a skilled swordsman who owes Velvet a debt that has been long paid off. To Velvet, he's a friend, and she thinks he's using that debt as an excuse to stay around. Velvet is fine with that, she enjoys his company and relays on his swordsmanship in battle. He too will accept the princess and Velvet's decision to bring her back to the ship inside of killing her.
"Magilou will love this."
Magilou is an odd girl who happens to be a witch, Velvet knows little about her past and wants to kill that woman sometimes, but she also respects her power. Velvet didn't believe in magic until she met Magilou, that mischievous witch has opened her eyes to it. Magilou will welcome the princess aboard, but only so she could tease Velvet about it later.
"Yes. Magilou will love this." Velvet whispered to herself as she made up her mind. "I'll take her back to the ship. Hopefully, I'll be able to convince Teresa she's dead, and she won't send anyone after us."
Her mind focuses as she makes up her mind of what to do and how to do it, she takes out a white handkerchief and rubs a sleeping gel on it that would knock a full-grown man out for seven hours. Velvet reckons the princess will be out for eight or nine hours.
"Plenty of time," Velvet concludes to get her to the Van Eltia. Carefully she leaves the wardrobe she hid and waited in being careful not to let the hinges squeak. She tiptoes over to where the princess sleeps and doesn't hesitate to cover the mouth of her target with the gel soaked handkerchief. Startled by the sudden attack the princess wakes up her eyes wide which soon fill with fear.
"Hmmm!" Eleanor's muffled cries went unnoticed by everyone except for Velvet. It didn't take long for Eleanor to become weaker as her body gave into the effects of the gel. All she could do was look up into the cold, empty eyes of her assailant as her world slowly faded to black. However, unlike many others before her, Eleanor would live to see the light again.
"Sheesh." Velvet keeps control of the situation and holds the handkerchief in place until the princess has completely succumbed to the gel, once done she simply carries the princess back to her ship. Velvet isn't weak, years of sailing the seas have made her body stronger than most girls her age and the Van Eltia is close enough, so it will be easy to return undetected. She will just need to return later to tell Teresa the job is down; she has the time it takes to get to the ship and back to come up with a convincing story.
When Eleanor open's her eyes the light of the sun almost blinds her, she finds herself in a soft, comfortable bed with soft sheets and a nice fluffy pillow. At first, she mistakes it for her bed but once her eyes adjust to the light in the room and she sees a wooden ceiling instead of the stone one of the palace she knows she isn't in her bed. Then she feels her bed sway slightly from side to side as if she is on a boat. Eleanor can't even remember the last time she was on a boat; it must have been at least five years ago, she futilely hopes that this is her families boat and she just forgot about boarding. She knows it's stupid, but she still hopes its true. Then the image of last night enters her mind, the image of that woman with cold eyes makes her shiver as if it's a cold winters day. She sits up hugging her body as its warmth returns and wonders one thing and one thing only.
"Where am I?" Eleanor asks the empty room not expecting an answer but.
"You're on the Van Eltia." A gentle voice answers her, Eleanor turns her head and discovers the room isn't as empty as she thought. A young boy that looks like he's barely ten stares back at her with green eyes that look like grass and short blond hair, Eleanor can't help but think he's cute and wonders how he's connected to the cold-eyed women who took her from her bed in the middle of the night. "Velvet brought you on board last night; I'm glad she did instead of killing you as that person ordered her to."
"She was meant to kill me?" Eleanor says both scared and relieved to hear that. "Why? Why would she kill me? Why didn't she kill me?"
"I don't know why she spared you, but I'm happy she did, I don't like it when she kills," The boy looks down as he says that, it's clear he doesn't like that side of Velvet. When he raises his head again, he is smiling brightly and happily. "I'm glad you are all right can I get you anything to eat or drink?"
"I'm fine, thank you," Eleanor replies shaking her head. "You never told me why, why was this Velvet you speak of trying to kill me?"
"She was paid to," The boy answers losing his smile reviling his hatred for violence. "A pretty lady called Teresa came to her and offered Velvet a lot of money to kill you."
"My sister did" Now it's Eleanor's turn to look down. "Why would she want me dead?" The answer is simple, Oscar, Oscar would be the next heir if something were to happen to her. Teresa only cares for her twin brother; it was clear she wanted him to be king, but Eleanor never thought she would go this far to make her desires a reality. "All so Oscar could be king."
"Did you say something?" The boy asks having not heard a word of that.
"No, no I was just talking to myself," Eleanor tells him as she looks up and does her best to smile, it's hard after hearing you own big sister wanted you dead and hired an assassin to kill you but Eleanor does her best anyway. "By the way who are you?"
"Oh me, I'm called Laphicet," He replies with a smile. "Velvet gave me that name after she rescued me from my former master."
"You are a slave," Eleanor's eyes widen as she hears that. Slavery is illegal, but people are keeping slaves is still, and it's common practice in certain area's the kingdom.
"Not anymore, Velvet saved me. She gave me a home on this ship and taught me so much" Laphicet tells.
Laphicet speaks of Velvet with such pride that Eleanor can see he respects and admires her, the same person who stole her in the night instead of killing her. Eleanor doesn't know what to make of her; Velvet is so confusing when she hears this boy speak of her. She kills but has mercy, Eleanor is living proof of that. She saved this boy before her from a life as a slave, but the boy makes it sound like she's not a good person. Just who is this Velvet? Eleanor wonders as the boy finishes the list of things this Velvet has taught him.
"To fish, sail, navigate and defend myself but she doesn't like me fighting and always says I should hide when we are in danger."
"She sounds like quite a woman," Eleanor comments.
"What's you name miss?" The boy asks her now, the princess just can't say no to him or leave that unanswered questions as she looks him in his puppy dog eyes.
"Ahem." Eleanor cleared her throat before answering. "My name is Eleanor Hume. I'm the princess and heir to the throne of the Holy Midgand Empire."
"Ah!" Laphicet's eyes widened, and his mouth was agape upon hearing her answer. He was clearly not expecting to hear that.
"However..." Eleanor reluctantly admitted, "I doubt I still am the heir since my sister ordered my assassination. Not to mention, I'm on this boat, and I don't have a clue where I am."
"Hmm ..." Laphicet replied, "I guess not ..."
"Umm ..." Eleanor leaned closer to Laphicet and asked, "Anyway, about this Velvet ..."
"Yes?" Laphicet asked.
"Can you tell me more about her?" Eleanor inquired.
"For starters," Eleanor heard a voice behind her, "She's right behind you."
Eleanor's eyes widened as she slowly turned her head to see the raven-haired girl standing behind her. Eleanor immediately recognized her as the one who kidnapped her last night. "You ..." Was all Eleanor could voice before becoming choked up.
"Hmph." Velvet dryly replied, "Good morning to you as well."
"You… You kidnapped me," Eleanor shuffles across the bed putting more distance between her and her abductor.
"I could have killed you too," Velvet points out. "But I didn't, and here you are, laying in my bed with the world thinking you are dead."
"People think I am dead?" Eleanor asks already knowing the answer.
"They sure do," Velvet tells her as she throws a pile of clothes at the princess. "Now get dressed and meet me outside" Velvet's voice becomes more commanding as she says that, Eleanor can tell by her voice alone that she is the captain of this ship even if no one tells her so. "We need to talk about what will happen next."
"What will happen next?" Eleanor asks not making a move for the clothes.
"Get dressed and find out," Is all Velvet says in response in that same commanding tone as she and Laphicet leave the room shutting the door behind her to give her some privacy as she changes clothes.
Eleanor quickly dresses in the clothes Velvet had just thrown at her; they were plain clothes and something that a man would normally wear, completely different from the clothes she normally wears as a princess. They are a just a simple brown shirt with short sleeves, black trousers, and boots that look worn and old with mud covering their soles. Eleanor stands and finds the clothes may be a size too big for her, luckily a belt is provided for her so her trousers don't fall but the shirt looks baggy and is hanging off her body. When she starts to walk, she finds the boots are heavy and feel completely different to her nice comfortable shoes she wore around the palace that was as light as a feather. But she doesn't let that stop her; she wants answers. She wants to know where she is, why she is here and most of all why Velvet did not kill her when she was paid to kill her by Eleanor's very own older sister. She walks to the door and carries on through it to find both Velvet and Laphicet waiting for her on the other side. They are talking to each other and Eleanor can't see the murderous side to Velvet as she listens, she sounds very. Motherly that is the best way Eleanor can think to describe her as she listens to Laphicet moan about eating spinach, Velvet tells him he must eat it if he wants to grow up to be big and strong. In her mind, she's seeing Velvet as a warm, caring mother right now, not the merciless pirate that stole her in the night.
"I am still making them with the rest of the food for dinner tonight, and you better eat them," Velvet lectures him bending over so their eyes are almost level with each other.
"Oh, Eleanor's here," Laphicet says looking around Velvet.
"Follow me," Velvet instructs as she straightens back out and turns her head around just enough to confirm Eleanor is standing there behind her before she turns and walks off.
"Where are we going?" Eleanor asks.
"Somewhere we can talk," Velvet answers as she continues to walk, the three of them walk until they reach a set of double doors Velvet lets them inside to a room with a large wooden table and windows giving a perfect view of the sea as the ship sails through it. "Take a seat," Eleanor quickly finds a seat and both Velvet and Laphicet take a seat on the opposite side of the table. "So, you probably want to know where you are and why you are here."
"Yes," Eleanor says with a nod of her head. "I know I am on a ship, and it's clear we have set sail already, but I don't know where to. I also want to know why you didn't kill me like my sister wanted you to."
"You told her that didn't you Phi?" Velvet asks the boy next to her.
"Yes," Laphicet answers without fear of punishment for telling Eleanor something she wasn't meant to know.
"While first, the Van Eltia is on its way to Hellawes, we need to steal some Flamestone for our cannons," Velvet tells her admitting her intent to commit a crime so openly and freely. She must think it's safe to do so since the person she is saying it to is stuck on this boat trapped by the endless miles of blue sea around her. "We are running low and need to stock up."
"You are going to steal it?" Eleanor asks shocked to hear that. "Why can't you just buy that stuff?"
"We can't, you should know that only the Midgand military can own the exploding kind of that stuff," Velvet replies and Eleanor did already know that she knew that but still asked a stupid question. "So, stealing it is the only way we can get our hands on it, a large shipment should be there in a warehouse, and I don't think anyone will notice if some of it goes missing."
"Ok that answers where we are going, but you still need to tell me one thing…" Eleanor pauses taking a quick breath. "Why didn't you kill me as my sister wanted?"
"I don't know," Velvet answers shrugging her shoulders. "I must have had an off day; I always follow through with my orders."
"I'll say." A voice from out of nowhere spoke. Eleanor looked throughout the room to find the owner to no avail. However, Velvet knew that annoying voice all too well. It belonged to none other than to a certain mischievous witch that Velvet had the misfortune of knowing. The witch suddenly appeared out of thin air right behind Eleanor causing the former princess to jump. "Our fearless captain is a cold-blooded killer without a shred of mercy." Magilou paused as she eyed Velvet then Eleanor, "Well ... that was until you. You should feel lucky to be the only target of hers to live."
"Magilou what are you doing here?" Velvet asks sounding irritated at her presence.
"I wanted to meet the princess who lived," Magilou answers not taking her eyes of off Eleanor. "It is a once in a lifetime event, never again may the world see a target of Velvet that survived to tell their tale."
"Who are you?" Eleanor asks calming down after the jump she had from the sudden unexpected appearance of the witch before her.
"I'm glad you asked," Magilou replies sounding like she couldn't be happier to answer. "I am proud to introduce to you the great witch of the eleven seas Mazhigigika Miludin do Din Nolurun Dou, Magilou for short. I am the famous witch who fears no dragon or death; I'm happy to meet you, princess."
"It's nice to meet you too," Eleanor says still nervous of this unexpected guest to the meeting. "But I never heard of you before."
"You wound me," Magilou responds by clutching her heart. "Never did I think it possible for someone not to hear of a witch as great as myself."
"Well you know someone now so gets out," Velvet orders with a hint of danger in her voice that Magilou doesn't miss, she quickly leaves the room leaving the trio to themselves again.
"Who was that?" Eleanor asks as she sits back down.
"A pain in the ass," Velvet replies still sounding irritated. "She just sits around doing nothing but her abilities do come in handy when she can be bothered to do anything that is," Velvet quickly looks Eleanor over before continuing. "To be honest I'm surprised with you, I was expecting you to beg to be released and return home, to cry your eyes out but you don't look like you are ready to do ever."
"I know you wouldn't release me even if I beg, I know I am trapped by the sea, so escape is impossible right now," Eleanor says meeting Velvet's gaze. "Like it or not I am stuck here, now my family thinks I am dead, so I can't expect a rescue."
"That's right," Velvet answers with a nod. "I told your sister you fell from the window during a struggle and I disposed of your body, everyone thinks you are dead, so you are right about there not being a rescue coming. Like you said, like it or not you are stuck here."
"So, what are you going to do with me?" Eleanor asks another question she desperately wants to have answered that's been eating away at her.
"Offer you a position in my crew," Velvet answers like it's no big deal for a princess to become a pirate. "You can refuse of course, but when your sister Teresa finds out you are alive, she will place a price on your head, at least with us you will be safer than on your own."
"You want me, a princess to become a pirate?" Eleanor asks not knowing what to say or how to act after hearing that; she was expecting Velvet to ransomed her off not welcomed as part of a crew of pirates. Part of her wants to refuse and return home taking her chances with her big sister, but part of her wants to agree, the part of her that finds the life in the palace unbearable wants to agree, and that part is the part of her that wins. "Ok," Eleanor answers after thinking it over. "I'll join your crew… For now, at least, as soon as I am safe I will leave."
"Ok, but what can you do princess?" Velvet asks her. "I need to know so I can put you to good use on my ship."
"I can fight," Eleanor tells her again surprising Velvet. "That's the only skill I have someone like you can use."
"So, the princess is a warrior," Velvet says as she stands up. "Show me."
"What?" Eleanor asks not wanting to fight to prove a point as she jumps up.
"Show me your skill, I will spar with you on deck," Velvet starts to walk towards the door, and Laphicet follows, after a few seconds Eleanor does the same too. "Show me that you won't be a dead weight."
"You want me to fight you?" Eleanor shouldn't be surprised to hear that a merciless killer pirate wants to fight but she is.
"Yes, I do," Velvet replies and Eleanor can't help but see the smile form on her face.
On deck Eleanor and Velvet stare off. Eleanor grips her spear keeping the tip pointed at Velvet. She was giving this weapon after being asked what her weapon of choice was. It's a simple spear with a wooden handle and metal tip. Velvet meanwhile remains unarmed making no move to draw a weapon or collect one. Eleanor just stares at her waiting for a weapon to appear in her hands, but none do so, Velvet just stares back at her waiting for her to make the first move. Finally, Eleanor makes that first move.
Eleanor thrust her weapon forward aiming for Velvets chest, years of combat training have taught her what to do. She trained with spears from a young age, and the weapon in her hand feels like an extension of her body. Her thrust is powerful, and her aim is true, the metal point heads straight for Velvet's heart. Velvet continues only to stare, not making any move to dodge and not reaching for a weapon or shield. Not letting that affect her Eleanor continues her attack. She does what she always does when she trains; she pictures Lord Melchior as her target. With hate and anger in her spear her attack strengthens, faster and harder her spear continues to close in on its target. For a moment, it looks like Eleanor will run Velvet through with her weapon, but at the last-minute Velvet, side steps out of the way.
"Not bad," Velvet comments.
Eleanor turns to see the pirate captain still unharmed with her arms folding, Velvet smiles as she waits to see what the princess will do next. Eleanor doesn't leave her waiting long. She swings her spear in a wide sweeping action, but it's just a simple job for Velvet to jump back avoiding the weapons swing. Velvet lets out a quick, quiet giggle that only her and Eleanor hear. All this does is just fuels the anger within Eleanor; she makes another attack with a powerful thrust. Once again Velvet easily dodges the spear with a step to the side only this time Eleanor has her boot waiting for her. Barely, just barely is Velvet able to duck under the princes' boot. She didn't see that coming as is truly impressed with that move.
"Stop toying with me!" Eleanor yells angered by the smirk on Velvet's lips and the fact she isn't fighting back.
"I'm not toying with you," Velvet replied. "I seeing what you can do."
"Then draw your weapon," Eleanor demands. "Draw your weapon and fight me."
"If that's what you want," Velvet says in a voice that doesn't seem to care. A blade slides out of her gauntlet on her right wrist, the blade shines in the sunlight as it locks into place and Velvet takes up a fighting posture. "Prepare yourself."
Now it's Velvet's turn to attack. She rushes forward with astonishing speed giving the princess little time to react, Eleanor only just manages to raise her spear in time to block the blade with the wood of the handle. But Velvet is strong, much stronger than she expected. Pressing down Velvet forces Eleanor back, after a few steps she lets up. Relieved at the respite Eleanor lets her guard down. Velvet doesn't let the opportunity presented to her go by, he moves with grace doing a back flip but at the same time using her feet to kick the spear from Eleanor's hand. Surprised Eleanor just stares at the spear as it lands with a loud thud when she looks back at Velvet she sees the blade sliding back into the gauntlet and Velvet staring at her.
"Ready to give up yet?" Velvet asks.
For some reason that annoys Eleanor, she looks around to see several crew members watching her. They laugh, stare at her and exchange money. Not wanting them to see her as weak Eleanor does the unexpected, she attacks. She charges forward catching Velvet off guard and manages to tackle her to the ground. Landing on the deck Eleanor's victory doesn't last long as Velvet gets her feet under her and pushes her off. As they both get to their feet, Eleanor can see the impressed look on Velvet's face, for some reason that gives her a warm feeling inside but that feeling is lost in the heat of the moment as Eleanor attacks again. Eleanor throws a punch hoping to land at least one solid hit.
"This isn't over yet," Eleanor tells her as she strikes.
She may not be as well versed in hand to hand combat as she is with a spear, but she still received some training in it. Velvet defects the hit but Eleanor is quick to send a second punch; again it doesn't connect as Velvet sidesteps out of the way. She then makes her attack. She slams her knee into Eleanor's stomach knocking the wind out of the princes' lungs. Eleanor collapses on the ground gasping for breath; tears start to form in her eyes as the pain from the attack is registered. Never in her life has she been hit that hard, not even Lord Melchior when he was angry. Now she is looking up at her attacker with her vision blurred by her tears, she can't tell what Velvet is thinking, but her gut tells her the pirate isn't going to attack.
"You got guts princess," Velvet says as Eleanor sees a blurry arm being extending, she takes it knowing the fight is over and wipes her tears away. "Welcome to the crew; now you are a true member of the Van Eltia."
"So, you still want me," Eleanor replied. "Even if I may try and kill you and escape."
"It'd be ironic if you did. The only person I spared being the one to kill me," Velvet tells her not sounded bothered by the threat. "Live life with your hands at the wheel of your life, that's our creed, so if you want to kill me, you are welcome to try. I will fight back though so don't expect an easy kill."
"I wouldn't expect you to be an easy kill," Eleanor says as Velvet walks off leaving her alone."
"You should be proud," A voice says, and Eleanor turns to see a man with a giant sword on his back. "I have never seen anyone knock the captain over before; I'm Rokurou Rangetsu, by the way, it's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too," Eleanor replied, "I'm…"
"Everyone already knows who you are," Rokurou interrupts her. "The famous Princess Eleanor who lived despite the merciless Velvet being sent to kill her."
"Is it that odd for someone to survive being her target?" Eleanor asks after hearing the same thing from that witch Magilou.
"It is," A blond haired man who is tall and strong answers as he walks up to her. "I'm Eizen the first mate of this ship, and I can confirm that you are the only target of hers to live."
After that everyone comes up to her, and so many names given, but only one question. Why did she live? It's a question she can't answer; it's a question only Velvet can but when she asked the pirate captain that she didn't get an answer. So, she just says she doesn't know why she lived; it's the truth and the only answer she can give. She just tries to make the best of her new life, as a pirate far away from the palace, her evil sister, and Lord Melchior's boring lectures. She isn't sure a life of a pirate is a life she wants but it's the life she has right now, she takes a deep breath as she accepts her new life as it ready to live it. Velvet meanwhile watches her from the bridge, looking down at the princess with Magilou by her side. She wishes the witch isn't here beside her right now.
"So, you lied to her and yourself," Magilou says calmly. "I think we both know why you let her live even if you don't admit it."
AN
I want to thank those of you who pointed out mistakes I made in this chapter because thanks to you I managed to correct all of them, if there are any left then let me know so I can fix them.
