Silas

An oppressive silence fell over the office. Sebastian, the butler, entered—his face ashen, his hands trembling.

"Your Majesty... His Majesty the youngest prince has been captured by pirates. And the Emperor and Empress... were killed while trying to protect him."

The pen in your hand froze. You slowly raised your head. "Mother and father... dead? And the younger brother... held hostage?"

You stood up. The chair slid back with a sharp creak. The pen snapped and broke in your fingers.

"What is the ransom amount?"

"They didn't set a price, Your Majesty. Captain Vincent "Scarlet Shark" merely sneered. They don't yet know who they've captured. The prince concealed his origins."

A flash of hope flickered in my chest. Leo. Your smart, cunning brother.

"We'll find their ship faster than they can find my brother. Mobilize the entire fleet."

"There's more news. Today, they're going to hang a pirate in the square. One of Captain Jones's men."

You walked out into the square. The crowd was buzzing. The executioner was placing the noose around the neck of a tall, bound man. He stood proudly, a sneer in his green eyes. The stand gave way, the body jerked downwards... and froze.

Your ceremonial saber, thrown with inhuman precision, sank into the beams of the platform right under his feet.

A gasp of astonishment erupted from the crowd. You stepped forward.

The pirate, resting his feet on the hilt of your saber, raised his head. A shameless grin spread across his lips.

"What kind of show is this? Did the Crown Prince himself really condescend to save such scum?"

You came so close you were almost touching him. The smell of the sea, sweat, and iron hit your nose.

"You'll help me find the Scarlet Shark's ship," you whispered so only he could hear. "Or you'll be hanged again. Tomorrow. Understood?"

He froze, his gaze studying. Then he laughed loudly, with open contempt.

"And why should I do this? You killed my captain. My mentor. And now I'm supposed to help save your beautiful brother?"

Your breath caught in your throat. How does he know about Leo?

Silas cocked his head to the side. The noose creaked around his neck.