Elizabeta

"Lizzie."

That voice. It was the familiar warm voice that had accompanied me since I was a little girl. The darkness I was looking at shimmered with white stars; this atmosphere gave me hope and let me believe that I was in safety. The arms around my shoulders were warm and protected me from every danger I would face. I felt at ease; I was at home.

"My dear Lizzie," the voice sounded again. It was soothing me and my eyes opened lightly. My heart screamed with joy as my green coloured eyes were reflected in caring brown ones. My father was in front of me; it was not only a dream.

"F-Father," I whispered and hugged him tightly, ignoring my throbbing head. How could I have forgotten that we had succeeded in rescuing him? Even if we were stuck in the hold, I was still glad to have him back. He reciprocated my movement and embraced me back. "I was so worried about you. You always make me worry so much, my dearest Lizzie."

"I am so glad I have you back."

His arms loosened and he distanced himself to look properly at me, "You put yourself in danger for my sake."

Even though people feared him as a Pirate; he was the same as every other daughter's father. He cared deeply for my well-being and thinking about me being in danger – or hunted by the royal Marine, Roberts and other pirates – was not a pleasant thought for his mind.

"Of course, I know you disapprove but you are the only family I got," I spoke and my eyes wandered around to observe the scenery, catching my crew's faces. "And you too, you helped me."

"Don't forget me, Darling," someone with a hoarse voice across the room shouted. Of course, it was Kirkland who just could not left my unfinished speech without him interrupting it by his comment. He was lying on the floor with the two boys who were watching his every move. The bandage around his shoulder lightened up a little. He must have been hurt during the battle. The odd light was distracting me for some seconds before answering him.

"Kirkland, such a person like you will never be forgotten," I sarcastically commented. My smirk widened at seeing his challenging grin.

"I noticed that he was not the only one who helped you."

My eyes focused back on my father whose face held a knowing smile and I could not tell why he had this expression on his face. With a raised brow, I questioned his statement.

"I never thought my daughter would persuade the Royal Prince to help her."

Oh… That was what he meant. "Err, yes, but i-it was because of some information about other pirates and he wanted to–"

I stopped, seeing as his smile widened. "You are babbling. Just like him when he saw me."

There was no need to ask him who he meant.

My cheeks felt extremely warm, "Here? In the hold?"

"Of course, where else? The lad was fighting with the guard to come down here. He made a ruckus only to see if you were alright," my father answered, "He was so worried when he noticed that you were still unconscious. And then he realised who I was and I can tell you, Lizzie, he was gaping for minutes before he spoke any audible words."

Gilbert had been in such a worry?

"Dear child, he told me that we are almost in his country and we will be imprisoned immediately."

I hold my breath before speaking again, "I know, but he will try to convince the King."

"The K-King of Borussia?"

My frown on my face deepened; my father never stuttered. Why was he so unsettled about him? His eyes were wide for seconds before his face expressed uncertainness. Before I could ask him any further, I heard steps. Every head in the hold turned to the source of the noise.

It was more than one person. After some seconds, their faces came into view and my cheeks heated up as I saw who it was.

"Eliz," Gilbert breathed as he rushed to my side, ignoring everyone else in the process. He took my face in his hands, "You are awake."

"Y-yes," I whispered, overwhelmed by his intense look in his eyes. He moved his hands on my shoulder and wanted to embrace me, but stopped as his eyes caught my father's. The prince hesitated in his movement and retreated. "M-Mr Héderváry," Gilbert stumbled over his words while his face flushed a bright red. My father reacted with a smirk and nodded, "Your Highness."

Gilbert was still holding my shoulders as Toris' voice was breaking the awkward silence.

"We are almost at the docks."

He was pulling Natalya to her feet, whispered something in her ear which made her blush. I smiled at that view; she never blushed in the present of a man and apparently she had found someone – apart from our crew – who cared for her. She would never admit it but I knew.

My father stood up, walking back and forth. He was nervous and it was the first time I had seen him this uptight.

"I can sense them," Sakura announced softly, although loud enough for all of us to hear. I had not noticed her entering. How long had she been here? My eyes fell on the man beside her, who tried to stand up eagerly, his face adorned with a frown. Kirkland grimaced and clutched his shoulder. The lightening on his injury increased immediately and Sakura held her hand above his wound. "It reopened again… I thought it had healed," she confirmed worryingly, her face held a worried expression. Although the mermaid hid it well, her eyes were showing her feelings openly. I sat up as I witnessed the scene. Minutes ago, Kirkland seemed alright, now his face was growing pale again.

"It is a miracle I survived this attack," he murmured, "Healing would take its time."

"But magic should have –"

Kirkland hushed her softly, cupping her cheeks with his hand. "Don't worry about me; you have used a lot of your magic to heal me. You need to rest too."

I titled my head, observing the two of them. Never before had Kirkland reacted towards another person in that way – and I have known him for long. How he was looking at her with such warmness. A sight I have never beheld before when he was present.

"Eliz."

My eyes met Gilbert's who stood next me. And it was at that certain moment, after he had muttered my name that I saw the look in his eyes. It was the same Kirkland was giving the mermaid. At the same time, my heart was accelerating; when had I started being so nervous in his presence?

"We will arrive soon. I will take care of everything, " his red eyes scanned my face, "I-I –"

"Your Royal Highness! We are at the port."

Gilbert turned his face towards the door; he could not finish his sentence as footsteps disrupted the silence. Within seconds, men of the royal army entered the vessel and arrested us. As they attempted to take a hold of my hands, Gilbert stopped them. "You won't hurt any of them, especially her."

It were his last words before I was taking away from him. I turned around to catch sight of him, before I would be put into a cell.

I knew he could not follow me; he had to no choice but let us be taken to the prison.

He was going to convince his father; I knew. He was one of the few whom I trusted; one who I came to care for.

[A/N: I am sorry for the short (and rather crappy :'D) Chapter. OMG 30 Chapters O.O I knew that this story would be long, but I never imagined that I would reach 30 chapters and 50'000+ words :'D. ]

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