The gang that kidnapped me consisted of three people. One middle-aged man with rough skin was tearing apart bread in front of me, and the one who brought me was resting in a corner as if tired.

When the man tearing the bread shouted, “Look properly at the net!” someone outside the door retorted, “No nagging!”

‘Why on earth did they kidnap me and what do they want?’

I had no clue. However, looking at their shabby appearance and the peculiar dagger at their waist, one thing was certain—they were pirates.
“Pirates for sure!”

I bit my lips tightly.

There was only one reason pirates would kidnap me.

Rocard Kaidel!

This kidnapping was undoubtedly part of the revenge against Kaidel Gongja. They must have seized the opportunity on the day he left the palace, having failed to find a chance while he stayed there most of the time.

Thinking that Misha’s coming-of-age ceremony would look like my funeral, a bitter smile escaped me.

“Hey, stop lying down!”

I scolded the guy who was eating bread and resting. Grumbling, he stood up, took a flask from his bosom, and drank some alcohol.

Staring at me…

“If we sell that girl to Smileland, we’ll get a good price. The young Kaidel has quite a fortune.”

“Is this crazy guy saying a woman’s value is high these days? How much did he snatch from us!”

“That’s why we’re here! Today is the day we take revenge.”

They sneered at me, revealing sharp teeth, and laughed endlessly. The guy eating bread looked even more dreadful with missing fangs.

I closed my eyes tightly and tried to move my body, but the rope tightly binding my upper body didn’t budge.

‘Repaying a life indebted to Kaidel Gongja like this…’

The thought of paying the debt if you owe one and the idea that it shouldn’t be like this clashed in my mind.

Then, the guy who brought me here approached with the drink. He came close, drinking while…

“Could it be you… Hey, deckhand, doesn’t this girl look familiar?”

I shivered, holding my breath.

I had no idea how these pirates managed to survive in that sea, but what I saw that day with Kaidel Gongja on the ship was undoubtedly true.

If they found out about that fact, it was certain my neck would be severed while tied to this pillar.

Called the deckhand, the guy eating bread replied lazily.

“Tagar women all look alike.”

“This girl was on the ship!”

Then, the deckhand slowly stood up and came to me. As a fierce glint appeared in his eyes, chills ran down my spine.

Before I could even think, I shouted abruptly.

“What the hell are you guys doing now! Kidnapping innocent people. Take good care of your heads; you never know when they might roll!”

My sudden outburst made the two pirates exchange puzzled glances.

“Hey, wasn’t this girl a Tagar noble?”

“Is this the way nobles talk? Maybe that Kaidel guy knew we were coming and used her as bait…”

“That’s a misunderstanding.”

“…”

“…”

“Heup…”

I took a deep breath, releasing the held breath.

Behind the deckhand’s shoulder, Kaidel Gongja stood. Blood dripped from the tip of his sword as he had dealt with the gatekeeper.

Meeting his eyes felt unfamiliar. The usual playful smile and laid-back attitude were nowhere to be seen.
The deckhand turned his body sharply, drawing his sword from his waist and charging towards Kaidel Gongja.

“To walk into the grave with your own feet! I’ll find out where you sneaked off with our treasure, I’ll strip your flesh and find out!”

The sound of blades clashing soon filled the air.

I could only manage to make faint sounds like “Ah, ah.” As the pirate clashed swords with Kaidel Gongja, emitting a fierce aura, he scrutinized every inch of me with an annoyed expression, checking if there were any signs of blood.

‘You’ll get hit if you keep being distracted like that!’

Although I thought I was shouting loudly, it was just in my mind. In reality, I was too scared he might get hurt, and I couldn’t utter a sound.

As the deckhand swung his sword and shouted, Kaidel Gongja turned his gaze away from me and swiftly dealt with him in a single stroke.

While he wiped the blood off his sword with a quick twist of his wrist, the guy holding the flask pulled out a dagger and approached behind Kaidel Gongja. It wasn’t far from where I was.