Chapter 99

The next morning.

I stood there, my heart racing, gazing intently at the large sailboat spread out before me.

(This, this is a sailboat. It's so cool♪ We're about to board this now, right?)

With my mouth open in awe, I stood frozen in a silly pose, along with Safina and Zahha, while the boarding process proceeded smoothly around us.

"Heh heh heh, what do you think! My country's fastest large sailboat is quite impressive, isn't it?"

Turning to me, who was still in a state of amazement, Emilia said proudly.

"Normally, a three-day voyage is shortened to just one and a half days with this excellent vessel."

"Oh, so our cruise will only be one night?"

Influenced by Emilia's usual friendliness, I inadvertently adopted a light tone like everyone else, complete with a face full of complaints...

"Ah! S-Sorry!"

"No, no, it's fine. I actually prefer it when you're more relaxed. We demons aren't as strict about formality and etiquette as you humans are."

As I hurriedly apologized, Emilia laughed and showed no sign of being bothered, then walked away towards the ship.

"Truly, Lady Mary. You've already gotten so close to the princess. You truly have the makings of a queen."

"No, no, no, what do you mean by 'makings of a queen'? Don't say such scary things, I'm just a regular young lady... okay?"

Magilka, standing next to me, blurted out something terrifying, and I instinctively denied it. My denial seemed to draw everyone's suspicious gazes, and my words trailed off.

"Hey, what's wrong? We're about to set sail, get on board."

Emilia, who had been talking to someone who looked like the captain at the entrance to the deck, called out to us, still standing there. I hurriedly moved over without running.

(Woohoo, I'm finally getting on the ship!)

Despite my elegant appearance, I was quite excited inside. I tried to contain my excitement as I boarded the ship. Even though I was walking, my quick pace naturally put me at the front, and I couldn't even see the expressions of the others following behind me. I was so excited that I couldn't even care about that.

(Here we go, my first boat trip!)

A few hours after the ship set sail.

I was once led to a prepared cabin, but after taking a short break, I couldn't resist going up to the deck. I found a spot where I wouldn't get in the way of the crew and started admiring the view.

"Ooh, the sea, the sea. Tette, the sea♪"

"Yes, Miss. The sea is so vast. But, Miss, don't lean over the edge. It's dangerous."

The endless blue sea, the distant horizon, the smell of the tide, and the wind.

Truly, we were on the sea.

A large sailboat sailing majestically on the sea. It felt like a scene from a movie, and I was getting excited.

I was overjoyed by the experience, which I had never had in my previous life. In my excitement, I tried to lean over the railing but was held back by Tette from behind.

"It's fine, really. Look, Safina, come and see... it's okay, right?"

I answered Tette, who was holding me back, with high spirits and turned to look at Safina, who was unexpectedly far behind.

"Safina? And Magilka, what's wrong? Come over here more."

I waved to the two of them, who were standing near the entrance to the cabin in the middle of the deck. Upon closer inspection, Safina seemed to be clinging to Magilka.

"We're fine here. The view is great, Miss Safina."

"Yes, Miss Magilka."

Both of their faces were a bit pale, which was concerning.

"Hmm? Are you both seasick?"

"No, we're not seasick. Right, Miss Safina?"

"Yes, fortunately."

I asked if they were feeling unwell, but it seemed they weren't. So why weren't they coming over? I tilted my head in confusion.

"Then come over here. The view is great. From here, you can see all the way down to the bottom of the ship. The deck is surprisingly high♪"

(High? High?)

As I said this, I realized something. I looked at the water nearby. It felt much higher than I thought, and I was hit with a sensation of being sucked into the sea.

(Ah, acrophobia. Wait, it affects me here too?)

I realized something we had in common and snapped my fingers.

"It's fine, it's not that high. You'll get used to it quickly."

"But, what if we fall?"

Safina answered me with a timid expression. It seemed my guess was correct, and the fear of falling was also a factor. Indeed, the ship did sway occasionally, which could be scary.

"It's fine, we won't fall so easily."

"Are you enjoying yourselves, my subjects!"

"Kyaaah!"

"Miss!"

As I was about to let go of the railing and spread my arms to show that it was safe, Emilia suddenly appeared and pushed me.

Stumbling from the sudden action, and with the ship swaying at just the right moment, I leaned out over the side of the ship. But Tette quickly clung to me and prevented me from falling.

"Ah, ah, ah, that's dangerous! Princess!"

"Well, as you can see, it's not entirely safe, so be careful and don't get too excited."

"It's your fault!"

Breathing heavily after the close call, Tette and I looked at each other. I tried to calm my racing heart and protested to Emilia, who was grinning.

Then, without any sign of remorse, this princess casually replied, and I couldn't help but point out her mistake.

"Everyone seems to be having fun."

A prince approached us with a bright smile. Behind him, Zahha had a pale face. The prince's appearance changed the atmosphere, and I regained my composure. At the same time, I couldn't help but comment on Zahha's condition.

"What's wrong, Zahha? You look unwell. Are you scared too?"

"No way..."

When I showed a surprised face, Zahha, still pale, denied it.

"He's just a bit seasick."

The prince added, looking troubled.

"Oh, you look so sturdy, but you're quite weak, aren't you? The young ladies here are fine."

Emilia said to Zahha with a disappointed look, and he seemed to be hit in his male pride, making a displeased face.

"...I'm just more delicate than Lady Mary and the others."

Those words made the three of us freeze.

"Hmm, is that so?"

After accepting Zahha's excuse, Emilia looked at us and asked.

"Hehe, of course not, right, everyone?"

Feeling that her words could be misinterpreted, I covered my mouth and gave a frozen smile in response. Zahha, meanwhile, hid behind the prince. I understood why the prince was there and looked around at the others. Magilka and Safina nodded strongly.

"That's right. Lady Mary is delicate too, right, Miss Safina?"

"Right, eh? Oh?"

Magilka answered with a matter-of-fact expression, and Safina and I, who were a bit late to catch on, were confused.

"Hey, Magilka, wait a minute. You said 'too,' 'too.' It's not just me."

I looked at Magilka with a half-closed eye, and she turned her head away to avoid my gaze. She was definitely doing this on purpose...

"Magilka. We need to talk. Let's go somewhere with a nice view."

"Just kidding, I'm sorry, Lady Mary, your eyes are scary."

I grabbed Magilka's shoulder and dragged her towards the bow of the ship. She apologized with teary eyes.

"Delicate, huh... I see."

As we talked, Emilia nodded, seemingly understanding something.

(What, that understanding face. I'm delicate too, you know.)

I released Magilka and, unable to meet Emilia's understanding gaze, gave an awkward smile.

That night.

The four of us—me, Safina, Magilka, and for some reason, Emilia—were in the cabin.

(I won't point it out anymore. This is just normal now, I'll have to accept it.)

"Wow, I still can't believe we'll arrive at the Dark Island by noon tomorrow."

"Heh heh heh, my kingdom's shipbuilding technology is quite impressive, isn't it?"

As Magilka murmured, looking out the small window, Emilia puffed out her chest proudly.

"Indeed... I don't understand the mechanics of sailboats, but this ship has a consistent speed. Don't sailboats usually depend on the wind? Is this ship powered by something else?"

I asked, based on my vague knowledge, and Emilia, for some reason, was sweating and looking in a different direction.

"T-That's a state secret, so I can't talk about it."

She suddenly stuttered and talked about the country, which was quite unusual. It seemed the ship was indeed powered by something else, though she didn't want to reveal what it was.

"The boat trip went by so quickly."

To change the awkward atmosphere, Safina changed the topic.

"Boat trip, huh. Speaking of which, I just thought of something. When you're on a boat, some unexpected events can happen."

(Well, it's from a game, but...)

"I've never heard of that. What kind of events?"

Following Safina's lead, I inadvertently mentioned something from my previous life, and Magilka, sitting on the opposite bed, listened with great interest.

"Well, for example, pirate ships attack... or you encounter a ghost ship... or you run into a sea monster like the Kraken..."

As I counted off these typical events on my fingers, the three of them fell silent.

"What, everyone? Why are you being so quiet? This is just my imagination, you know. It's not going to happen for real."

Boom

A loud noise from outside interrupted my words, and the area became chaotic.

(God, I didn't wish for any events! Which event flag did I trigger?)

I froze in a "no, no" gesture and silently prayed to God.

Thank you for reading.