Chapter 1-22 : The Girl And The Cat Saved The Ship (part 3)
「Good morning, Little Lady. I hope you slept well.」(Captain)
「Ca, Captain? And… Officer…?」(Elle)
「……」(Officer Hans)
The third officer standing behind the captain looked at Elle with sharp eyes.
「You seem to be eating your breakfast. Am I interrupting you?」(Captain)
「N, no. Of course, not. Please come in.」(Elle)
Thinking that she shouldn’t keep the captain talking while standing by the door, Elle guided the two inside the cabin.
「Umm, Captain, thank you for letting me use this luxury cabin, and thank you for preparing these delicious meals for me.」(Elle)
「No, I should be the one thanking you. Little Lady, thank you for saving this ship.」(Captain)
Saying that, the captain took off his hat and lowered his head at Elle.
「P-please raise your head. I just… did what I could to survive.」(Elle)
「Haha, you’re so humble. Anyway, a hero like you should be rewarded. That’s why I came here to ask you. Do you have anything you want as a reward for your bravery?」(Captain)
「A reward? But you’ve already given me these splendid meals and allowed me to use this first-class cabin.」(Elle)
「And do you think that’s enough? You can ask me anything, you know?」(Captain)
「Umm… Then, I want information about my dad.」(Elle)
「Your dad?」(Captain)
「Yes. I’m looking for him. He went to the capital over two years ago.」(Elle)
「I see. What’s his name?」(Captain)
「Hugo.」(Elle)
「Hmm… If he went to the capital, then he should have boarded this ship, but… that name doesn’t ring a bell to me.」(Captain)
「I see…」(Elle)
Hugo was a commoner, and the ship had carried millions of passengers. Naturally, the captain didn’t know anything about him.
「I’m sorry, Little Lady, but I will ask my acquaintances about your father. They might be able to find him. However, the chance is pretty slim, so please don’t get your hopes up too high.」(Captain)
「I understand. Thank you.」(Elle)
「Anything else?」(Captain)
「Oh, right. Could you please keep what you saw last night a secret?」(Elle)
「Of course. The moment I realized that you were no ordinary girl, I thought I should keep your identity a secret. I already told the crew members in the bridge last night not to tell anyone either, so you don’t need to worry about it.」(Captain)
「I see. That’s great.」(Elle)
「Anything else? You can be more greedy, you know?」(Captain)
「Umm…」(Elle)
Elle was thinking about asking for money, but she had gotten quite a lot from the villagers and she thought it was more than enough. She didn’t need any more money.
She folded her arms and thought if she wanted something else.
「Actually, there’s something I want.」(Elle)
「I hope it’s something I can give you right away.」(Captain)
「I think it is. I want… umm… chocolate…」(Elle)
Elle said that a bit shyly.
「Chocolate…? Hahaha! Yeah, of course. Children love chocolate. Commoners rarely buy it because it’s too expensive for them. I understand why you want it, but are you sure about that?」(Captain)
「Un!」(Elle)
「I see, I see. You’re such a sweet child. Alright, I will tell someone to bring some chocolates to your cabin later. By the way, we will reach the harbor in a couple of hours, so you better get your belongings ready later.」(Captain)
「Understood.」(Elle)
「Anyway, I won’t forget about you. I will be willing to help if you ever have any trouble. Well, I work at the sea, so I won’t be available most of the time, but if you see this ship at the harbor, you know where you to find me.」(Captain)
「Alright. I will keep that in mind.」(Elle)
「I’ll take my leave now, but this guy will stay for a bit longer. He has something to say to you.」(Captain)
「Eh?」(Elle)
Elle shifted her gaze to the officer awkwardly.
「Alright then, Little Lady, I hope you will find your father.」(Captain)
「U, un. Thank you, Captain.」(Elle)
The captain nodded at Elle once and left the cabin, leaving her alone with the officer.
The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. The air was heavy.
「Umm…」(Elle)
Before Elle could say anything, the third officer, Hans, silently took his hat off, put it on his chest, and bowed deeply.
「E, ehh!?」(Elle)
「Forgive me, Little Lady. Last night, I locked you up in a cabin without thinking straight.」(Officer Hans)
「Officer, please raise your head!」(Elle)
「But…」(Officer Hans)
「I forgive you, so please raise your head!」(Elle)
As a child, Elle felt strange to see adults bowing at her.
The officer raised his head and looked at Elle while still holding his hat on his chest.
「I acted so childishly last night. My pride didn’t allow me to trust a mere kid. I should have listened to you…」(Officer Hans)
「Officer…」(Elle)
He was an arrogant man, but seeing him sincerely apologizing, Elle started thinking that he wasn’t that bad of a person.
「I feel bad for locking you up, but above all, I feel bad for not listening to you just because you’re a child.」(Officer Hans)
「It’s okay. I understand.」(Elle)
「Looks like you’re more mature than me. I feel ashamed.」(Officer Hans)
「N, no, that’s not true.」(Elle)
「What a humble child. Anyway, I heard what you said to the captain earlier. I don’t know about your father, but I will help you find information about him. That’s the least I can do to make it up to you.」(Officer Hans)
「That will be a great help. Thank you, Officer.」(Elle)
「Well then, as the captain said, we will arrive at the destination soon. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day on this ship.」(Officer Hans)
「You too, Officer.」(Elle)
The officer humbly lowered his head once, put his hat on, and left the cabin.
As soon as he closed the door, Elle sat on the chair and let out a deep sigh.
「Phew… I never thought the captain and the officer would come to visit. That was kinda nerve-wracking.」(Elle)
「Well, at least they came with good intentions. Looks like that arrogant officer genuinely regretted what he did to you.」(Yoyo)
「You’re right.」(Elle)
「I still hate him though.」(Yoyo)
「Yoyo… Hahh… Anyway, let’s get prepared to depart after I finish eating.」(Elle)
「Alright.」(Yoyo)
Elle grabbed the fork and the knife and continued eating her breakfast.
After spending her time in the cabin for a while, the ship began to slow down.
Soon after, the ship’s steam whistle blew a few times, signaling that the ship had arrived at the harbor.
You can gain access to [Early Access] page and read up to ten chapters ahead by supporting me on [Patreon]
Bull sh it’s should at least be 50 gold coins