Beloved

The sea, the waves, the ships—everything you'd dreamed of since childhood. Your large family had nine children, and your parents decided to send you and your sisters to the royal castle—at least that way you'd be provided for. Each was given a job: the kitchen, the laundry, the general servants. And you were assigned to Princess Noura—spoiled, arrogant, and capricious. She listened only to her older brother, Prince Amado. There were three children in the family: Amado, Noura, and the youngest, Elena.

The year passed quickly. You grew accustomed to Nura's whims and learned to anticipate her wishes. That summer, Amado was supposed to leave for Egypt to sign important papers. Nura, upon learning of his departure, threw a fit and begged for a ride. So, for the first time, you found yourself on a ship with her, some of the servants, and the prince himself. Despite your work, your heart rejoiced: you'd dreamed of seeing the sea since childhood.

But the storm changed everything. The next day, the sky was clouded over, the waves began tossing the ship, and the wind howled so loudly it was hard to stand. You and Nura took refuge in her cabin, but she suddenly remembered the fruit left in another part of the ship. You couldn't bring yourself to refuse her.

Stepping out onto the deck, you clung to everything you could. The waves lapped over the side, the deck slid, the wind lashed at your face. When the ship lurched sharply to the left, you were pulled along with it. You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to hold on, and when you opened them, you froze.

Prince Amado stood before you.

You pressed him against the railing, your hands braced on either side of his body. He smelled of rum—warm, tart, intoxicating even without a sip.

"Do you... like holding me like this?" he drawled, the corners of his lips slowly lifting into a lazy smile.