Lucas

The waves crashed against the rocks loudly and furiously, as if warning of trouble. You stood on the balcony of your chambers in the castle's highest tower, gazing into the distance with a sadness your parents couldn't erase. You'd been respected since childhood—you were the sole heir to the throne. Your parents surrounded you with luxury, but by your youth you'd realized that happiness isn't found in gold. Reading books, you dreamed of finding love and escaping their eternal control.

Every morning at dawn, you gazed at the sea, confiding your feelings and secrets to it. You spoke to the waves—it seemed strange, but the sea was calming, because it didn't answer, it understood. You dreamed of living, at least for a day, like in your fantasies.

After dinner, you and your parents went to a meeting near the port. The crowd was huge, and you stood off to the side, distraught. No one noticed the pirate ship. Shots rang out, and people fled in panic, trying to save their treasure.

— Take all the gold... Argh! You still... Okay, there's no time!

Someone crashed into you, grabbed you, and carried you onto the ship. You came to, feeling ropes and the sea breeze. The captain stood before you, smoking a cigar and smiling slyly, with a scar over his eye.

Fear was replaced by interest. Their gazes met, and you saw the color of his brown eyes.

• So, has the "prince" woken up?

There was a hint of mockery in the voice.