The Charm of the Pirate

Tension

Pace Island, February 1500.

Richi helps Sofia back in her almost missed Dress. He held himself back with all his might.

Sofia looked at Richi with a look of disbelief. How could they not speak at all, whereas it was only a moment ago that their bodies were clinging so tightly together.

"Don't look at me with that look.." Richi has finished tying Sofia's dress rope.

"What gaze??" Sofia looks up to see Richi.

"It's..." Richi puts his index finger on Sofia's temple and taps it.

"Well..."

"You look unsatisfied.." Answer Sofia.

Sofia can feel the bottom of Richi still tense and almost hit her thigh.

Richi laughed out loud hearing Sofia's words.

"My dear..."

"You know what?"

"Right now I'm almost biting my own tongue out of restraint..."

"I've never felt this desperate..." Richi gripped Sofia's shoulder gently.

"You've succeeded in torturing me so much.." Then he pulled Sofia into his arms.

"I didn't mean to torture you..." Sofia Murmured.

"Well.."

"Of course, honey..."

"I'm the one who's guilty here.."

Richi let go of her embrace and looked at Sofia with a strange smile.

"I love you..." Said Richie softly.

Deg

Deg

Deg

Sofia's heart beats quickly hearing Richi's sudden statement like this.

He didn't expect to hear something like that.

Sofia closed her mouth and walked backwards.

"Be careful, dear.."

"You're gonna hit the rock.." Richi's hand was already wrapped around Sofia's waist.

Sofia still feels too surprised to digest Richi's words.

He was confused as to what to respond to in this kind of situation.

"I'm sorry if my words make you uncomfortable.." Richi again clasped Sofia's hand.

"I just want you to know that I really love you..."

Sofia looked at Richi, She clasped her hand tightly and kissed him gently.

"Maybe.."

"I loved you first..."

"Before you loved me.." Sofia Murmured.

"Huh?"

"No, no.."

"Maybe I heard wrong.."

"I'm sorry?" Richi scratched his head which was not itchy.

"I loved you long before you loved me.." Sofia replied firmly.

"I thought you hated me.." Richi is not confident in hearing Sofia's answer.

"There may be a point when I really hate you.." Richi's face turned tense hearing Sofia's words.

"But.."

"My love is so much bigger.." Sofia's eyes glazed over recalling every moment that had occurred to date.

Richi wiped the tears that almost came out of Sofia's eyes. He kissed both eyes gently.

"Don't cry..."

"I'm sorry.."

"From now on my love for you will continue to grow as time goes on.."

Richi kissed Sofia's forehead.

* * *

They arrived at the Mansion when the sky was already almost dark. The sun was almost submerged in the sea and the view was no longer beautiful. Richi holds Sofia because she looks exhausted while walking. Richi is worried that his wound will reopen if he doesn't carry it.

Elie had been waiting anxiously in front of the Rose Pavilion, She immediately ran forward when Chris told her that Richi and Sofia had already been seen around the Mansion.

"Miss..."

"Miss..."

"Are you okay??" Elie runs towards Richi who is holding Sofia.

"Well.."

"I'm just tired of walking.." Sofia answered cheerfully.

Luckily their clothes were both dry in the middle of the journey so Elie would not ask much.

Richi escorts Sofia into Rose Pavilion and drops Sofia on the bed.

"Rest.."

"I'll pick you up at dinner if you don't feel tired.."

"Thank you.."

"I'll wait.."

Richi leaves after Elie is beside Sofia.

The door closed and Elie began to interrogate him.

"Miss.."

"Is today fun??"

"Where are you going?"

"Are you feeling happy??" Elie looked at him with sparkling eyes.

"Yes...." Sofia breathed out her breath.

"I'm happy Elie.."

"Very happy.." Sofia pulls Elie into her arms.

"What's going on??"

"Richi was very kind to me.."

"I can't say anything in the face of this rapid change."

"And.."

"And....?"

"He loves me.." Sofia Murmured.

"Master said it to you, Miss??"

"Yes..."

"However, I think it's just an illusion because today was too perfect for me."

"I'm almost afraid none of this is really happening and it's just my imagination..."

Suddenly Elie pinched Sofia's cheek hard.

Sofia rubbed her red cheeks.

"Miss..."

"Didn't it hurt?"

"Of course!" Sofia pinches back Elie.

AWWW

"How's it?"

"Did it hurt?"

Elie rubbed her cheeks.

"Sure Miss.."

They both laughed together while rubbing each other's cheeks that still felt sore.

Elie helps Sofia clean up, then helps to wear a dark blue dress that covers her entire body perfectly.

Elie tied Sofia's hair up and shaped it like a ball.

"Aren't you tired?"

"I'm fine.."

"If you're tired, don't push yourself. I'll accompany you.." Elie looked at Sofia worriedly.

Tok

Tok

Tok

There was a knock on the door from outside.

"It looks like it's Richi..." Sofia stood up from where she sat. She almost fell down from stepping on her dress, quickly Elie helped her.

"Be careful, Miss.." Elie's getting worried.

"Thank you.."

CLACKS

The door opens, and looks Richi standing with a fresh face and looks very handsome. Sofia never gets tired of seeing Richi. His eyes always followed every move he made.

"You always look beautiful..." Richi takes Sofia's hand and kisses her lovingly.

"Thank you.." Sofia's face was red again.

"Are you ready, baby?'

"sure.."

"Want I carry you again?"

"No need.." Sofia smiles and puts her hand on Richi's hand. They walk hand in hand.

* * *

The dining table is full of seafood. Different types of Shrimp, Lobster, Fish and many crabs with their sauces red.

Everyone has been waiting for Sofia and Richi.

Hades looks out as Sofia and Richi arrive.

Sofia felt uneasy as everyone was waiting for her arrival.

'I should just rest if I'm gonna make it all wait.' Sofia murmured in her heart.

Richi pulls an empty seat next to Madam Joy for Sofia, while she sits in an empty seat next to Hades. She doesn't want Sofia and Hades next door, Richi doesn't like the idea at all.

All seats are fully loaded, including Elie. Hades looked at everyone one by one.

"Let's eat.." Her speech.

Everyone enjoys every dish. They eat voraciously, because Madam Joy's cooking is indeed very good.

Sofia's face was overwhelmed by eating shrimp with her sauce, and Richi wiped it several times.

Everyone who saw clearly knew that the two people were in love and no one denied it. Hades just shook his head looking at the behavior of the two who were like two lovebirds in a drunken romance.

* * *

Dinner was peaceful, no one started a debate or anything offensive.

But suddenly Hades stopped chewing and looked at Richi.

"So.."

"When are you going to drive him home?"

Richi kept the fork and looked at Hades calmly. Sofia did the same, and so did Elie.

The tense atmosphere began to feel as Hades and Richi looked at each other.

Joy began to feel uncomfortable, just now she was happy because tonight was so calm, but a few seconds later everything came back like last night.

"I'll drive him."

"When?"

Elie and Sofia looked at.

"So soon, after Sofia's healed."

Hades raised both eyebrows. "Is that so?" He looked at Sofia.

Sofia nodded.

However, Sofia suddenly remembered Richi's words the other day. He will drive her home if Sofia agrees to marry the old Duke.

Cold sweat ran down Sofia, her face looking paler than usual. Elie who noticed the change in look on Sofia's face clasped her hand.

"Miss.."

"What's wrong?"

"Are you okay?"

Sofia said nothing, Elie grew anxious. Richi who continues to pay attention to Sofia's movements is also worried.

"What's Esme?" Richi rubs Sofia's sweat.

Sofia looked at Richi meaningfully. He doesn't know what to say. There were so many questions in his brain, but none of them could come out of his mouth. I wanted to pretend I had lost my memory and knew nothing.

'Why?'

'Why is it like this?'

'If you have to marry someone else..'

'Why should Richi be nice to her?'

'Why did he say he loved me?'

Hades is aware of Sofia's changing attitude and knows why.

He simply smiled and resumed his dinner without feeling disturbed. While Richi doesn't know it yet, she tries to keep talking to Sofia, but Sofia doesn't answer her one bit.

He has no other choice. Richi stood up from her seat and held Sofia again.

"What are you doing?"

Everyone looks at them, but Richi doesn't care. He walked out toward Pavilion Rose.

"Down me!"

"Download!"

"I won't let you down."

"Until you say what you're thinking."

"I won't!"

"You're gonna say it.."

"No way!"

"Is that difficult?"

Sofia did not reply, She turned her face away.