Aunt Sonia was worried about Serena the day after the party. Half of her mind was on how she enjoyed herself with all of the third class passengers, particularly with meeting Leon. The other half dwelled on how Serena looked when she followed Morfious and how crushed Ash was. Aunt Sonia wanted to cheer him up, but there was nothing she could say to encourage him when they both feared for Serena.

Aunt Sonia's fear grew when she met up with everyone in the first class dining saloon for church. She stood in the front row with Chairman Rose and Timothy while Mivashkama, Oleana, and Serena stood several rows behind her. Mivashkama and Oleana appeared keen to avoid Aunt Sonia, thinking she was a bad influence. Aunt Sonia and Timothy sang the worship songs earnestly while Chairman Rose sang with a strong voice as though he were performing in an opera, though he could have done so out of outward appearance rather than faith.

Every now and then, Aunt Sonia would look back to look at Serena. The honey-blonde woman was staring at the stage as she robotically sang. Mivashkama sang with disinterest, like a schoolboy forced to read a passage from a textbook in front of his class by the teacher. Oleana was even more disinterested than Mivashkama, singing flatly and sometimes just staring at the stage while holding up her worship book. Morfious stood beside the group with his hands behind his back, not singing at all. He looked peeved that his master was obligated to partake in a religious assembly.

Aunt Sonia's heart sank at the sight of Serena. She wanted to scream at whoever broke her spirit, disregarding that the person might be the Lord of Hammerlocke. Not to mention Mivashkama's manservant was willing to be violent or at least intimidate people with his gun to get what his master wanted. It seemed all Aunt Sonia could do during service was mentally pray for a miracle to save Serena.

After service, Mivashkama, Oleana, Morfious, and Serena met with Chairman Rose and Timothy at the Grand Staircase. Serena felt better being around more friendly company with Timothy there. They decided to take a walk and took the staircase up to the Boat Deck. Mivashkama, Oleana, Morfious, and Chairman Rose walked ahead, while Serena and Timothy walked behind. Eventually, the group made their way to the bridge from the port side, where Captain Drake was in the wheelhouse with the helmsman, Kanoa. The captain noticed the group and smiled as he exited the wheelhouse to meet them.

"Lord Herløv, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Korvashka, ladies, lovely to see you all," Captain Drake greeted. "Service went well, I hope?"

"Well enough," Chairman Rose replied. "No troubles here, I presume?"

"No, sir. In fact, the last four boilers are lit, and we've gone up to 22 knots. We should expect to arrive in Wyndon Tuesday morning," Captain Drake said.

"Outstanding," Mivashkama said.

As Mivashkama talked, Clemont walked over to Captain Drake from the Marconi Room. He looked nervous as he held a small parchment. Captain Drake noticed Clemont from the corner of his eye and turned to face him as Clemont held up the parchment.

"Pardon me, sir, but there's been a rise in messages from other ships warning of icebergs," Clemont said. "This is the latest one from the K.M. Medali."

Captain Drake took the parchment and read the message. Serena looked at the captain, unsure whether to be concerned about the message. Captain Drake looked up from the parchment, noticing Serena's concerned look, and smirked.

"Oh, not to worry, Ms. Yvonne. Icebergs are quite normal this time of year," Captain Drake said. "Nothing that can't be handled with our men in our Crow's Nest looking out so Mr. Kanoa can steer the ship away in the wheelhouse. Isn't that right, Mr. Kanoa?"

"Yes, sir," Kanoa said proudly.

"Only there? Why can't you also use the steering wheel on the bridge?" Oleana asked.

"Because the wheel on the bridge is disconnected from the rudder," Timothy said. "We really only use that one on shore because it's designed for more frequent changes or maneuvering when near land or a port. Once the ship is at sea, the wheel at the bridge is disconnected, and the ship is steered from inside the wheelhouse."

"I see. Well, then, I trust you gentlemen know what you're doing for our safety," Oleana said.

Captain Drake nodded in appreciation, then turned to Clemont.

"Thank you, Clemont. Tell the Medali and anyone else who warns about icebergs QRL from now on. Make sure Jackie does, too," he said.

Clemont was unsettled with the order, not because the captain ordered him to say "Shut up, I'm busy" to his fellow operators but because the captain showed no concern for the warnings. He sighed and saluted before going back to the Marconi Room. Serena grew as unsettled as Clemont was as she watched him leave.

Suddenly, a pair of fingers snapped in front of Serena, and she turned her head to see Oleana's disapproving glare before her stepmother returned to Chairman Rose's side. It took Serena a moment to realize the rest of the group had said farewell to Captain Drake and were leaving the bridge. She jogged to catch up and walk beside Timothy again as everyone began walking by the starboard side of the Boat Deck. But as Serena walked, her concern grew, and she turned her head to Timothy.

"Mr. Durbin, do you share the captain's confidence in not worrying about icebergs?" she asked.

Timothy turned his head to Serena and smiled, saying, "You worry that our Crow's Nest and steering won't be enough? I won't speak for the lookout, but I assure you as the master shipbuilder that you could not wish for a finer rudder to steer should we ever come across an iceberg."

"But suppose the ship does hit an iceberg. That would surely sink the ship. Wouldn't it?" Serena asked.

"Titanic is designed not to sink even if we were to hit an iceberg or have any other collision," Timothy said. "Her hull is divided into 16 self-contained compartments with heavy-duty steel walls that run up the hull as high as practical. There are also doorways below deck that will seal a compartment if it's been breached. Even if an iceberg were to breach up to four compartments, she can stay afloat."

"And that's what makes it unsinkable?" Serena asked.

"Practically unsinkable," Timothy said. "The claims people like your fiancee make that the Lord himself can't sink is nothing if not a grave exaggeration. Still, she's built to survive any collision known to man."

Serena nodded in understanding, but the information didn't ease her mind. She looked at the lifeboats hanging a couple of feet above the floor and pointed at them.

"How many lifeboats do we have on the ship?" Serena asked.

"20," Timothy answered.

"And how many people can fit in?"

"65 except the four collapsible boats that can fit 47."

Serena furrowed her brow and did the math in her head.

"That's nowhere near enough for everyone on board," Serena said.

The group stopped walking and turned to Serena having overheard her. Timothy smirked, amazed by Serena's intelligence.

"Yes, there's only enough room for about half the people here, and not from a lack of trying to have more," Timothy said. "An old colleague of mine, Mr. Coovers Woodward, who made the early stages of Titanic's design before I took over, proposed that Titanic would have 32 lifeboats. It's still not enough for 2,200 people, but it's more practical for the worst case scenario. Unfortunately, the Board of Trade Regulations dictates that a ship above 10,000 gross registered tons needed only carry 16 lifeboats. The four collapsible boats are an additional measure."

"But that's ridiculous. Surely, there should be more than enough for everyone," Serena said.

"One would think, but the Board of Trade laws are governed by a ship's volume and size. Not its passenger complement," Timothy said. "And besides, lifeboats don't guarantee anything. If we were to, let's say, face a storm that not even Titanic can handle, the lifeboats would hardly be any better. There's a good chance the lifeboats would turn over, and the people in them would drown. They're a last resort if anything. That's why we needed to make the ship itself incapable of sinking. Neither iceberg, large rocks, scrapes in the bottom, collision with another ship, or any storm can claim Titanic, where such things have claimed ships since boats were first made thousands of years ago."

"Which makes these lifeboats such a waste of deck space," Mivashkama said.

"Indeed. This magnificent ship would look cluttered if there were any more. Isn't that right, Rose?" Oleana said.

Chairman Rose chuckled with his mouth closed and said, "I couldn't have said it better myself, Oleana."

"Sleep soundly, young Serena. I have built you a good ship, strong and true. She's all the lifeboat you'll ever need," Timothy said. "On that note, shall I show everyone the engine room?"

"Oh, yes. I'd very much like to see the mighty machinery that'll get us to Wyndon so soon," Oleana said.

"Then allow me to lead you, Oleana," Chairman Rose said, offering his arm.

Olean's smile grew as this was the second time the man she was fawning over offered his arm. She took his arm, and they began heading to the engine room with Timothy and Mivashkama. The older adults were so focused on heading to their new destination that they didn't notice that Serena wasn't following them. She watched Timothy walk beside the others, still concerned as he walked with pride and confidence. More than anything, she wanted to believe that the kind-hearted master shipbuilder was right not to be worried, that the crew was prepared for every possible scenario. Still, the fact that there were only so many lifeboats made Serena worried about anything happening beyond what Titanic could endure.

Then suddenly, as Serena was about to catch up with the others, she felt someone grab her shoulder. She turned around, and her eyes widened to see Ash wearing a long coat and a top hat he had taken lying on a bench at A Deck. He held his finger to his mouth for silence and took Serena's hand. Serena looked back and found Mivashkama, Chairman Rose, Oleana, and Timothy still unaware she wasn't with them. Ash opened the nearest door, and they went in to the first class gymnasium. Ash closed the door behind him and Serena and took off his disguise. Serena's heart ached, knowing what was on Ash's mind and afraid of what Mivashkama might do if he saw Ash.

"Ash, this is impossible. You shouldn't be here. I need to get back," Serena said.

"Wait, let me say something," Ash said.

"No, Ash," Serena said.

She stepped to the door, but Ash held his arm up to stop her. The pain in Serena's heart grew, and she said the first thing she could think of that might get Ash to back off.

"Ash, I'm engaged," she said. "I'm marrying Mivashkama. I love Mivashkama."

Ash frowned, unfazed.

"Look, Serena, let me let this out. You are no picnic. You're a spoiled little brat, but underneath that, you are the most passionate, inspiring, intelligent, wonderful woman I have ever known," he said. "I'm not an idiot. I know how the world works. I've got 10 bucks in my pocket. I've got nothing to offer you, but I'm too involved now. I can't turn away without knowing you'll be alright. That's all that I want."

"Well, I'm fine," Serena said without skipping a beat.

"Really? I don't think so," Ash said.

He stepped closer to Serena and put his hand on her cheek.

"They've got you trapped, Serena," Ash said. "And you're gonna die if you don't break free. Maybe not right away because you're strong, but sooner or later, that fire that I love about you, Serena, that fire's gonna burn out. Don't give up until it's over. Remember? "

Serena closed her eyes as Ash caressed her cheek. Out of instinct, she put her hand on Ash's so he didn't stop. Serena knew Ash was right, and she wanted to hold him tight and rely on him to save her from her colorless fate, but no matter how tempting it was, Serena knew reality was not on their side. She opened her eyes, giving Ash a sad look.

"It's not up to you to save me, Ash," Serena said.

"You're right. Only you can do that," Ash said.

Whatever hope Serena had vanished after Ash said those last five words. To have him protect Serena from Mivashkama, Morfious, and Oleana was one thing, but claiming she could save herself was too much. She tried to fight back, and her captors put her in her place. Ash's carefree view of things put Serena on a pedestal too high, blinded by his feelings for her. Serena was momentarily silent, enjoying the feeling of Ash's hand for a little longer before swatting it away.

"I'm going back. Leave me alone," she said.

Ash said nothing as Serena exited the gymnasium. As she hurried to catch up with Mivashkama, Chairman Rose, Oleana, and Timothy, she looked back and saw no sign of Ash chasing after her. Serena was relieved that Ash respected her wishes, and yet at the same time, she wished he did. Still, she did what she believed needed to be done. She couldn't save herself from the life predestined before her, but at least she could save Ash from a worse fate.

No one noticed that Serena had fallen behind when they arrived at the engine room. Mivashkama, Chairman Rose, and Oleana were focused on Titanic's two massive engines, and Serena caught up just as Timothy turned around to show her to them, thinking she was right behind him the entire time. Serena pretended to be interested as Timothy explained the mechanics of Titanic's engines.

After the tour, the group went their separate ways. Mivashkama mingled with the other lords and businessmen again, along with Chairman Rose. Timothy went to his cabin to work on future projects. Oleana decided to look for Duchess Diantha and Countess Muchmoney, hoping she could join the two for some tea. She made Serena join her to ensure that she fell in line. Oleana didn't have to worry about Serena, however, as, in Serena's mind, there was no reason not to be obedient after rejecting Ash.

Eventually, Oleana and Serena found Duchess Diantha and Countess Muchmoney and went to the dining saloon for tea. The older women talked about Mivashkama and Serena's wedding while Serena sat quietly, not touching her tea. She was mentally prepared to stay there like a doll, playing the part of the future Lady of Hammerlocke.

As Serena sat quietly, she noticed a woman in her 30s dressed in a fine white outfit and a hat full of flowers sitting at a small dining table with her eight-year-old daughter, who was wearing a similar outfit. A waiter had just delivered their pot of tea and cups to them, and the mother was instructing her daughter on proper posture, among other things, before drinking her tea. The little girl set her upper body straight like a wooden board and gently laid her napkin on her lap using two fingers on each corner of the napkin with her pinkies sticking out. The mother and the daughter picked up their cups and plates and lifted and took a tiny sip of their tea before putting them down with their pinkies still sticking out.

It was the most disturbing thing Serena had ever seen. It was understandable to know proper posture and a need to have a napkin on your lap, among other things. That's stuff Serena's father taught when she was little. But the extent that this woman was forcing her child to move so robotically while being expressionless was too far. No doubt Oleana would take it upon herself as a step-grandmother to make Mivashkama and Serena's children just as stale and expressionless as that child. Maybe even worse if that were possible. And where would that leave Serena? Simply standing there complying with her children becoming these dainty, lifeless husks and raising their children to behave that way, and enforced it down to their children's, children's, children.

At that moment, the danger of Mivashkama, Morfious, and Oleana was in the back of Serena's mind. She wanted to live. She wanted to be free. To have a voice. A future where she was in the Lord's hands rather than the hands of people who focus on detail and status in exchange for surety. Above all else, Serena wanted Ash.

Serena looked between Oleana, the countess, and the duchess to ensure they weren't paying attention to her as she hatched a plan. She picked up her cup and drank half of her tea before she began wobbling. Serena let out an "oh," dropped her cup, and it broke into pieces. Oleana, Countess Muchmoney, and Duchess Diantha turned to Serena to see the broken cup and Serena holding her head.

"Good heavens, Serena, are you alright?" Duchess Diantha asked.

"Oh, forgive me. I feel a little dizzy and seem to be getting a headache. I think all this time in the sea is starting to get to me," Serena said. "May I be excused to return to the cabin and lie down, Stepmother?"

"Very well, but have Molly fetch the doctor if it gets worse," Oleana said.

"Yes, Stepmother," Serena said.

Serena stood up and walked towards the exit while still holding her head. She heard Oleana snap her fingers and order a waiter to clean up the mess as she exited the dining saloon. Serena went up the Grand Staircase to C deck and looked back to make sure she wasn't being followed before she ran in the direction of the ship's stern. She bumped into people as she ran through the hall of the first class cabins, apologizing without looking at the bystanders.

Serena passed the library and ran through the third class promenade before taking the stairs to the third class general room. The place was less crowded, with only a couple of families, a few couples, and other individuals. Serena looked around for Ash, then stopped to see Aunt Sonia sitting on a bench with Leon. They stared at each other with flirtatious looks as Aunt Sonia massaged Leon's arm, and Leon caressed her cheek. Serena stared at them, astounded that the two had hit it off so quickly, until she put it in the back of her head.

Serena continued to look around until she found Goh and Chloe sitting next to each other, napping while resting their heads against each other, and Gary was lying on the bench next to them, covering his face with his hat while he snored. Serena hated to disturb Goh and Chloe, but she was too eager to be picky. She walked over to them and gently shook Chloe's shoulder. Chloe whimpered and raised her head, waking Goh.

"Serena? What are you doing here?" Chloe asked in a groggy voice.

"I'm looking for Ash. Have you seen him?" Serena asked.

"Ash? Why are you looking for Ash?" Aunt Sonia asked, having overheard.

"Yeah, last we heard, you told him to leave you alone," Goh said.

Serena flinched, not wanting to be reminded of what she said.

"I did, but now I want to talk to him. It's very important," Serena said.

"Oh? How do we know you're not going to disappoint him some more? You hurt his feelings pretty good," Goh said.

"I did that to protect him, but I'm not afraid anymore," Serena said.

"You sure? You seem pretty good at giving up when the tough gets going," Aunt Sonia said with Leon nodding in agreement. "Sure, there was a guy threatening everyone with a gun, but I'm pretty sure he couldn't use that without getting in big -"

"Stop it!" Serena screamed. "I don't care how skeptical you are of me. My stepmother, my fiancee, and his manservant don't scare me anymore! All I want is to be with Ash, and I need to find him whether you help me or not!"

The room was silent with bystanders staring at Serena as she yelled. Gary, however, was snoring so loud that Serena's outburst didn't wake him. Goh, Chloe, Aunt Sonia, and Leon were taken aback as Serena glared at them. There was no hint of deception in her ocean-blue eyes. Only determination. Finally, Leon smiled and turned to Aunt Sonia.

"Well, I'm convinced," he said. "Though, I have no idea where Ash is."

Aunt Sonia gave Leon a sweet look for giving Serena a chance then said, "Can't say I do either."

All eyes turned to Goh and Chloe. Goh furrowed his brow, not wanting everyone to trust Serena after rejecting his best friend. Then he felt Chloe take his arm, and he looked to see her give him an encouraging smile. He was still uneasy, but he'd be willing to roll the dice if his beloved wife was sure.

"All right, fine," Goh said with a sigh. "I can't say for sure, but he may be out at the bow."

"The bow?" Serena asked.

"He likes to go there sometimes. That's where he said he was heading last we saw him, Goh said. "Do not make me regret telling you this, for Ash's sake."

"You have my word. Thank you," Serena said.

She ran back to the staircase to the third class promenade and past the library and first class cabins again until she found an outdoor exit at the other side of the ship. The sun was setting, giving the sky a blend of red, orange, and grayish purple. Serena kept running until she was halfway up the steps to the bow. There at the bow was Ash leaning at the very tip of the railing staring at the setting sun. Serena smiled and slowed down as she walked over to Ash, feeling at ease to see him again even if it was just his back.

"Hello, Ash," she said.

Ash turned around, and Serena's smile grew as she saw confusion and hope in Ash's eyes. There was so much Serena wanted to tell him, but all she could think of was summing it up in four simple words.

"I changed my mind."

It took Ash a moment to realize what Serena had said before he gave her a heartfelt smile. Serena walked closer until she and Ash were only a foot apart. Serena's cheeks heated up from standing so close to Ash while trying to figure out what to say next.

"Goh told me you might be -"

"Shhh," Ash said. "Close your eyes."

Serena's eyes widened, and her cheeks went from pink to red; thinking Ash was planning to kiss her. Reason dictated he was too quick to move to that state of their relationship after they had just made up, yet she couldn't deny she wanted to feel his lips. She closed her eyes and mentally prepared herself, but instead of kissing her, Ash walked around her and took her hands.

"Now, step up."

Serena made a confused face with her eyes still closed. She stepped forward with Ash guiding her until she was in front of the railing.

"Hold on to the railing," Ash said. "Don't open your eyes."

"I'm not," Serena said.

"Good. Now, step up onto the railing," Ash said.

Serena paused before stepping into the railing, using the large cable next to it to pull herself up. Ash stepped on the railing behind Serena and put his hands on hers, giving Serena goosebumps.

"Do you trust me?" Ash whispered into Serena's ear.

Serena smiled again and whispered, "I trust you."

Ash clasped Serena's hands and slowly raised them until they were spread out from side to side. He put his hands on Serena's waist and leaned into Serena's ear again.

"Okay, open your eyes."

Serena opened her eyes, and her face lit up. She saw nothing but the ocean below and the sun giving the ocean an orange glow. At that moment, she forgot that she was standing on the railing.

"I'm…I'm flying," Serena said.

Ash chuckled with a toothy grin. He rested his chin on Serena's shoulder as he watched her beam. If Ash had his sketchbook, he would draw Serena to capture the way her angelic face glowed, yet at the same time, he believed he could never make a sketch that would perfectly capture what Serena was feeling. Ash clasped hands with Serena's again while they were still spread out, giving them a little squeeze.

"Come, Josephine, in my flying machine. Going up, she goes. Up she goes," Ash sang.

Serena giggled, thinking the reference fitting. Ash lowered her arms with their hands still clasped, and they turned their heads to each other. Ash and Serena felt butterflies in their stomachs as they stared into each other's eyes with their noses touching. They tilted their heads and paused before leaning in.

Serena softly moaned as she and Ash held on to their first kiss. Ash let go of Serena's hands and tightly hugged her by the waist. Serena put her left hand on one of the arms, squeezing her and the back of Ash's neck with her right hand as the kissing intensified.

The moment felt to Serena like she and Ash were in the air despite their feet on the railing. Nothing else was around them. No stepmother, fiancee, Morfious, discrimination, or ship. Just Ash and Serena soaring through the sky as they kissed, their hearts beating as one. As the sun set, Serena wished she and Ash could kiss on the railing forever, with Titanic taking them to the ends of the earth alone, together, and in love.

That was the last time Titanic ever saw daylight.