Ordinarily, it’s only natural to thank the one who saved a dying person.But Noce Mostro saved someone out of “goodwill”?Thinking back to their first clash, that was unimaginable.Then why…? Because I’m a woman?At sea, women were as precious as fresh water.It wasn’t strange for pirates to plunder coin, liquor, and women—but that ship had been full of women more beautiful than she was. Count Jebanon was the sort who might not care about his own face, yet nitpicked the faces that would please him.Among them, he kept a concubine whose looks rivaled the famed “silver-blooded debutantes” of the kingdom.Unless the pirate had a broken eye, shouldn’t he be kidnapping a woman like that?Even after seeing up close that I’m not just a dancer but an assassin… is that why?Aquila’s eyes narrowed to a lazy slit.The pleasure cruiser hosting Count Jebanon’s birthday had been packed with beauties. The concubine who’d been at the count’s side—and with him in that last cabin—had been alluring even to a fellow woman’s eye.To pass over a woman of that caliber and take an interest in a killer who takes lives…How twisted is your taste?She would retract calling him a monster one could reason with.Clicking her tongue inwardly, Aquila tested her right shoulder with a slight roll. It was where the bullet had hit, the spot that had twinged now and then even in her half-dreams.A little stiff, but I can move. …Don’t tell me he treated me, too?Instead of gratitude, wariness flooded in.She had no desire to imagine what price the man who had “treated” her intended to extract.Either way, if she could move, escape took priority. If the place she was held were on land, it would be easier—but it had to be a pirate ship. Even if she slipped out by luck, the open sea waited.I don’t know how long I was out, but if we get any farther from shore, I’m in trouble. I’ll have to seize a lifeboat as fast as possible.Warships, merchantmen, pirate ships—every vessel carried lifeboats.But pirates wouldn’t hand one over meekly. On this ship of beastfolk, where every sailor was monstrously strong, a frontal break was madness.She could try for the hours when all slept, but, as luck would have it, she was in Noce Mostro’s own cabin.The best time isn’t when everyone’s asleep—it’s now, while he’s gone.Which meant the only means left to her was…Aquila darted a look at the door. Right then, she sensed someone outside.She shut her eyes again and evened out her breathing just before the door opened.Creak— Someone eased it in and peeked to read the room. Confirming she was asleep, they crept inside. The short, stumpy footfalls put a question mark in Aquila’s head.A kid?From the presence alone she already knew it wasn’t Noce Mostro. His presence was far heavier—and chilling.But a child? Using young slaves on a pirate ship wasn’t unusual, however…No, small is convenient. And if they’re coming and going freely from the captain’s quarters, even as a slave they’re likely indulged.Then it was worth a try.Aquila waited for the owner of the small footsteps to come closer. Feet, knees, waist—chest—close enough to touch with one reach. In that instant, she opened her eyes.Flap!She whipped the fine coverlet up and blinded the child.“Eek?!”Startled, the child dropped what they were holding in a clatter. Something smelled toasty—food, brought to set down.Aquila didn’t care. She spun the coverlet, swaddling the flailing arms tight. Then, clamping a hand over the mouth through the blanket, she hoisted the child up.“Hoo…”It all happened within two seconds of her opening her eyes. With a short breath, Aquila warned the child, whose one free foot was kicking.“Hold still. The more you thrash, the more you’ll choke.”“……”After a few scrabbles, the kicking foot stopped. As she’d said, they must have realized the blanket tightened and made breathing hard the more they moved.Quick on the uptake. Good.Aquila loosened her grip just enough to give a sliver of air. She had no intention of actually smothering a child—but neither the child nor the pirates she meant to threaten needed to know that.Yes—she would stage a hostage play and take what she wanted. Cowardly or not, there was no helping it. She had to go back.Go back and smoke out the traitor inside.She started for the door without delay—then paused.“…?”At her waist, something sagged and dangled—not two, but three.Aquila’s gaze turned odd when she saw the shaggy thing hanging between the thin legs.This kid…【 How a Mad Pirate Shows Goodwill 】A bright afternoon.Over the ship slicing the sea, the black flag snapped in a clean breeze.A sailor set down a big crate, wiped sweat from his brow, and whistled.“Oh, it’s been gloomy for a while, but the wind’s perfect today!”“Hey, don’t you slyly stop working. That crate goes in Bay Three.”“Yike! Cut me some slack, Underboss! I’ve hauled over ten crates already!”“The one in front of you makes seven.”“…Monster of a man. Got eyes in the back of your head?”Grumbling without getting his way, the sailor hefted the crate again. From the way he moved—bearing a box packed with gold coins—his gripe was just talk.Crewmates passing him snickered.“Jokes aside, the haul’s no joke. How much is all this?”“My point. We could eat easy for a while without lifting a finger.”On deck, the treasures looted from Count Jebanon’s ship were heaped into a hill.When they seized it, no one had bothered with sorting—just swept up the lot and moved it. Only now, after clearing the bad-weather belt, did a grand division begin.For all he looked like a bear, the Underboss Siobhan—who had the best eye and deftest hands on this ship—took the lead.Seated with a thump, he appraised big and small valuables with care. Beside him, Milena, helping with the petty errands, glanced around.“Where’s the Boss? He was right there a moment ago.”“Probably fishing off the stern.”“Huh? We’ve got a crew for that—why’s he… don’t tell me.”Milena’s mouth twisted; her sharp red eyes slid toward the direction of the cabins.“Milena.”Before she could say more, Siobhan spoke her name in restraint. But she ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) didn’t smooth her scowl.“It’s really weird. What is with the Boss? Who is that woman that he saves her, treats her with care, and now even catches food himself to offer up?”“‘Offer up’? Mind your tongue.”“Oh, that’s what matters? The problem is the Boss is doing things he never does. He’s not some male trying to impress a female…”Grumbling, Milena stopped. Then, eyes widening with a surely not, she shot questions at Siobhan in quick succession.“No—right? It’s just a whim, right?”“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”“No way. Seriously? You’re saying the Boss is honestly courting that human…?!”“Whim or earnest.”Siobhan set down the gem he’d been studying. With steady eyes, he met hers.“It’s not our business.”At that, Milena almost snapped.How is it not our business! We’re family. All of us…!But she pictured Noce’s eyes: the ones that were gentle yet indifferent when he looked at her on any other day—and the heated eyes, and the kiss, when he’d looked at the human woman hauled from the sea last night.Different. Far too different.Over a human, of all things. We’re the ones who’ve been with him for so long.Grinding her lip, Milena drew a sigh from Siobhan, who added,“Get on with it. We need this wrapped before sundown.”“…Be straight with me. Underboss, you know something about that woman, don’t you?”“……”Siobhan lifted the gem again without a word. But Milena, who found her answer in the silence, muttered,“I knew it. Keeping it to yourself—real classy.”“Classy…?”For a beat, Siobhan sounded genuinely baffled. Pretending not to hear, Milena’s face cooled.“For the record, it’s not just me being touchy. The others don’t show it, but she makes them uneasy. And no wonder—humans are—”“—there… can’t…!”“…help… me!”Suddenly, noise erupted below. Everyone on deck, Milena included, turned their heads. From beyond the door leading to the cabins came shouts and the thump of impacts, several in a row.And then—KWAANG!The door flew wide and a figure in white burst out. As the sailors on deck stared round-eyed, men pounded after, shouting, breathless,“Milio’s been grabbed by the human!”“Block her!”“…What?!”In a heartbeat the easygoing deck was flipped upside down. Sailors snatched up weapons in a rush; Milena, too, seized the whip at her waist.A woman hung by the shroud rope, her white hair snapping in the sea wind. The moment Milena saw the short legs kicking under the arm at that woman’s side, her eyes rolled.“Milio…!”

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