Chapter 46: Shipwreck
After a night of accelerated travel, the cargo ship had completely left the Dezhou continent, leaving the pursuers far behind.
The eastern sky was tinged with a soft pastel pink. The morning sun lay on the white clouds, and the golden morning light enveloped the entire sea.
Everything was so peaceful and serene, but—
“A-choo!”
“Achoo!”
A series of loud, successive sneezes came from the various cargo holds, like some kind of abstract symphony.
Before long, with a “clang,” the hatch in the southeast corner was thrown open. Haia stood at the entrance, fuming. One hand gripped the doorframe to steady herself, the other still clutching a crumpled handkerchief.
Her nose was red, and she shouted in a stuffy voice, “Herlkin! Is your sausage poisoned! A-choo—”
She had been attacked by the smell of sausage!
She was definitely going to rip that Herlkin’s tail off!
And the accused “culprit” was completely unaware.
Herlkin, wearing an apron, was preparing a sausage feast.
Golden sausage fried rice, golden in color, with a toasty aroma, was in the final stages of cooking.
Three-delicacy sausage congee was bubbling in an enamel pot. Corn kernels, green peas, and carrots were stewed together with butter-fried sausage, so delicious it could make one’s eyebrows fall off.
The side dish was a plate of fried sausages with a crispy, browned crust, drizzled with the little fox’s secret sweet and spicy sauce.
Herlkin was immersed in cooking, completely oblivious to the sneezes outside the dining room.
…
Lina lay on Adele’s chest, looking listless. “Master…”
A person who had never left the continent was suddenly at sea and couldn’t adapt.
The first half of the night, Lina had dreamt of sentient sausages chasing her. The second half, she had thrown up twice. But they were in a hurry, and she hadn’t eaten much to begin with. She couldn’t vomit anything, only dry heave.
So Adele held her. Whenever Lina felt like throwing up, she would rub her back.
“I’m here.”
Master and teacher were different. The former was naturally wrapped in an amorous color, wild and confusing, but not taboo.
The latter was different. Adele still couldn’t desensitize herself to the word “teacher” in bed. The moment Lina called it out, she wanted to turn herself in to God.
“Did the sausage chase you?” Lina said in a daze.
Adele was amused by the nonsensical words. She held the back of Lina’s heart and, like coaxing a child, gently rocked her. “It didn’t. It was eaten by a fox on the way.”
“…That’s good.” Lina closed her eyes, her cheek nestled in a soft place. She knew what it was but didn’t know that she had been unconsciously nuzzling it for a long time.
“I’m going to praise the fox.”
Her voice was muffled. The stimulation Adele felt was also muffled.
Scratching an itch through a boot.
She tilted her head back slightly. Her chaotic breathing was getting a little hard to hide from the nuzzling.
“I’m going to criticize the rabbit.” Adele stroked her head. “Not being good.”
Lina let out a hoarse “mhm.” It took her a long while to react. “Hmm? Why criticize the rabbit?”
Adele had always thought she wasn’t a sensitive person, but today, in this intimate whisper, she overturned her previous thoughts.
From the inside out, she was extremely sensitive.
Especially her spirit.
She didn’t have to wait to see her lover’s tears. Just a slight frown was enough to pull at her nerves.
At this moment, she was holding the most precious baby in the world. She didn’t want to think about anything else.
She just wanted to kiss her.
She just wanted to hug her.
She just wanted to stick to her forever.
Forever.
Adele touched Lina’s ear. Her fingertips brushed against her slightly sweaty hair. She said, “Why criticize you? Because I want to bully you.”
She was telling the truth.
She wanted to see Lina stream with tears because of her, the happy kind.
She liked it.
But she couldn’t bear to. The rabbit ball’s whimper was a natural safe word.
“Alright.” Lina suddenly heard the sound of the waves. She lay in her lover’s arms, as if lying in the warmest, safest harbor in the world.
She wasn’t dizzy anymore.
She wasn’t scared anymore.
Lina said, “You can do whatever you want to me.”
She was also telling the truth.
Only when she was awake did she especially like to use the polite form of address.
Lina would always call out “Teacher” when her passion was at its peak. She was truly delighted by this form of address, and she also really liked to see the “stressed” Adele.
She wickedly wanted to tear off the moral shackles on her teacher.
They should be tearing at each other.
Why be so restrained?
The ship was still swaying gently. Lina, while calling out that she was dizzy, peeled away the softness beneath her.
Ever since she could remember, she had no mother in her memory.
No one had ever coaxed her.
And certainly, no one had ever fed her.
Lina thought of the old days again. She frowned tightly and bit down on the pacifier that was eighteen years late. She had been soaked in pain for so long. Hatred had tormented her, and fear was everywhere.
She was looking for her mother. She was looking for love.
Today, she had turned back into that fragile little girl. Biting is a child’s instinct. She heard her teacher let out a sound.
Was it pain?
It couldn’t be.
A child would be reckless, but she was not a child anymore. She was just better than her teacher.
The more uneasy, the more she wanted to suck out the sweetness.
Lina was so sad she cried while holding the pacifier.
Adele wiped the tears from Lina’s eyes. Her reason and her shirt slipped off together. Today, she had been a mother for once.
…
The window of the cargo hold in the northwest corner was backlit. Only a square porthole let in the daylight. The waves beat against the ship’s hull. The swaying light and shadow in the cabin fell on the small bed.
Huaguang was curled up in the quilt. She had taken off her gorgeous decorations and exquisite makeup, wearing only a plain cotton pajama. The bun that was usually coiled at the back of her head was also loosened, her long black hair scattered on the pillow.
Having shed her usual nobility and distance, under the gorgeous palace attire was a slightly thin shoulder and back.
She hugged herself tightly with both hands. Even in her sleep, she was frowning, her long, curled eyelashes trembling from time to time. Her entire being was like a fragile piece of glass, so fragile it made one’s heart ache.
“Mmph…”
A very light whimper escaped from Huaguang’s lips. She woke up abruptly. Her unfocused eyes still held a lingering fear. She blurted out, “Yuan You!”
Her voice was filled with a blatant dependence.
Yuan You, who was pouring water, turned her head at the sound. She walked to the bed with the warm water and knelt on one knee. “Your subordinate is here.”
Her cheeks were flushed with an abnormal red.
Huaguang took the water, then grabbed her wrist and pulled her directly onto the bed. “What are you doing, still fussing around when you’re sick?”
Under the bed, Yuan You would never resist her. Following her pull, she knelt on the edge of the bed, her figure swaying before she steadied herself. “Taking care of Your Highness is your subordinate’s duty.”
Huaguang didn’t respond. She reached out, her cool fingertips gently caressing Yuan You’s burning cheek. “Do you have a fever?”
“A little dizzy.”
Yuan You subconsciously turned her head, pressing her cheek completely into Huaguang’s palm, like a little puppy asking for a pat.
She nuzzled the soft palm with longing. After a moment, she abruptly came to her senses, quickly shrank back, and said in a tight voice, “…Your subordinate should get off the bed. I don’t want to pass my sickness to you.”
Huaguang did not allow her to retreat. Her long fingers slid down and hooked Yuan You’s collar, pulling her back with a little force. “You’re seasick, aren’t you.”
Without that cold silver armor, the knight was only warm and soft to the touch.
“The first time I was on a ship, I was also dizzy for a long time.”
Huaguang was reckless.
Yuan You trembled slightly, her ears instantly turning red as blood. But she did not flinch at all. Kneeling before Huaguang, she was completely at her mercy.
“Perhaps.”
“Thank you for protecting me yesterday.” Huaguang glanced at the wound on her arm and said with pity, “And thank you for all these years.”
A person who has just woken up is always softer.
Huaguang’s unreserved confession made Yuan You’s heart tremble. She couldn’t stand her golden-branched, jade-leaved master showing her affection. She wished she could tear out her heart. She said shyly, “That is your subordinate’s duty.”
“Just a knight’s duty?” Huaguang’s fingertips rested on her heart, feeling the violent thumping beneath.
Chaotic and alive.
She liked to tease Yuan You.
Yuan You stared at her. Her wet eyes held loyalty, and also a deeper emotion. “It’s also for my master.”
She paused, pressed the person down on the bed, and whispered, “…and also for my lover.”
Huaguang wrapped her arms around her waist and said with a smile, “Your hand is injured, and you’re still so restless? I praise you once, and you dare to be so audacious?”
Scalding breaths intertwined. Yuan You said in a serious tone, “Your subordinate still has a mouth.”
Huaguang raised her hand and lightly slapped her on the side of her face. The smile in her eyes grew wider. “You’re asking for it again, aren’t you?”
“Bad dog.”
Yuan You, having been hit, let out a very light, satisfied-like grunt.
She obediently turned over and lay down, snuggling by Huaguang’s side, unreservedly exposing her softest belly. “When will Your Highness reward me?”
A smile hung on the corners of her lips.
Huaguang pinched her face. “I see you haven’t learned your lesson from that day.”
“I haven’t.”
“We’ll talk about it when you’re not seasick anymore.”
…
After completely coaxing Yuan You to sleep, and seeing that her breathing had become even and long, Huaguang finally relaxed.
She got up lightly, tucked Yuan You in, and gazed at her lover’s face. After a moment, she secretly dropped a kiss, then silently exited the cargo hold.
The azure sea was sparkling. The entire deck was bathed in golden sunlight.
The sea breeze was a clean, salty taste, refreshing and gentle.
With one glance, Huaguang saw the figure standing by the railing.
Adele was leaning on the ship’s railing. She was much thinner than the last time they had met. The clothes that had once fit her well now looked a little loose.
Huaguang walked closer slowly and also leaned against the cool railing.
“Your Highness.” Adele nodded to her. “Good morning.”
“The wind here is much cleaner than in the royal palace.” Huaguang returned her greeting and cast her gaze out to the azure sea.
Adele smiled lightly, not daring to answer casually.
Huaguang said again, “Your family, I’ve had people look into it. There are no results yet.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Adele’s voice was a little scattered by the sea breeze. “My memory is slowly recovering. I think I’ll be able to remember my origins soon.”
“I didn’t expect you to be an elder of the Sacred Cult.”
After the Monastery Open Day, Huaguang had had people investigate Adele’s status within the cult.
Below the leader were the ten elders. Adele was one of them.
“When I just remembered, I was also very surprised.” Adele paused and said, “If Your Highness has any needs, please do not hesitate to ask.”
This was almost a clear indication of her allegiance.
Huaguang crossed her hands, a very shallow curve on her lips. “Mutual benefit is the only way to last.”
Her attitude toward Adele was a little less high and mighty.
If she still couldn’t eradicate the Sacred Cult after she succeeded the throne, then she could only choose to cooperate. An elder of the Sacred Cult—she couldn’t just tear off all pretenses of civility.
“Your Highness is right.”
“When are you two planning to get married?” Huaguang asked unexpectedly.
Adele was not surprised.
It would be as easy as turning her hand for the princess to investigate them.
“I’m afraid it’s not allowed in this land.” The sunlight made Adele squint her eyes slightly.
The rabbit fur, fluffed up by the sun, was very comfortable to nuzzle.
Adele’s thoughts flew to Lina. The rabbit ball hadn’t slept well at night. She had just fallen into a deep sleep. She couldn’t disturb her again.
At least for this morning, she couldn’t suck on the rabbit!
Huaguang noticed the gentle smile in Adele’s eyes and said with a smile, “It will be allowed soon.”
Soon.
When she ruled this land, all the rules would be up to her!
Just as Adele was about to offer a few compliments, to be polite, a “miserable cry” suddenly came from the direction of the dining room—
“My fur!”
Herlkin was shrinking in a corner, her apron ripped off by Haia. “You’re a pure bastard!”
“What kind of ship couldn’t you find! You had to find a sausage smuggling ship? My sense of smell has been attacked!” Haia rolled up her sleeves. “I’m going to spank you!”
Herlkin covered her two butt cheeks.
“No! I’m not a child anymore! You can’t do this to me!”
“Why can’t I? I raised you!” Haia walked toward her.
Herlkin, in a moment of desperation, pointed at the dining room entrance. “Teacher! Save me!”
Haia subconsciously turned her head.
“Hit me? No way!” Herlkin rushed to the door and threw down a harsh word… then, she realized the door was locked!
She was petrified on the spot.
It’s over!
Haia patted her on the shoulder and pulled the trembling little fox into her arms. “Say goodbye to your bottom!”
“Ow—”
“Ow—”
Herlkin was lying on Haia’s lap. She was wailing, but she wasn’t struggling, as obedient as could be.
She secretly grabbed the cuff of Haia’s trousers.
Senior Sister… let’s go back to when we were little… I’m willing to let you hit me…
*
The moment the sun set, the sea turned black.
Aomo sat alone in the cargo hold. The motion of her caressing the crystal ball abruptly stopped.
Without warning, a scene brutally forced its way into her mind:
A tornado appeared out of thin air in the pitch-black night. The sea surface, which had been as calm as satin during the day, suddenly twisted. A strong wind rolled up a huge wave. The small cargo ship, like a withered leaf, was directly swallowed by the huge wave!
A cold sweat broke out on Aomo’s back. She grabbed the crystal ball and rushed out the door.
The salty sea breeze hit her face. Just as she was about to shout, a pale white lightning tore through the sky and struck directly into the sea.
The ship, which had been relatively stable, suddenly tilted to one side. Aomo staggered half a step and hastily grabbed the nearby handrail.
“What’s going on?!”
Herlkin ran out of the cabin, clutching her bottom. Haia followed closely behind, still holding a tube of swelling-reducing ointment.
Yuan You also escorted Huaguang out of the cabin.
Lina was being held by Adele, her face still dazed.
“Look over there!” Adele’s eyesight was excellent. She was the first to notice the abnormality. She raised her hand and pointed to the distant sea level.
The gazes of the seven people all followed the direction she was pointing—
A twisted, huge black whirlwind was rushing toward them at a terrifying speed!
Wherever it went, the seawater was violently sucked up into the air, forming a fast-moving wall.
“Not good!” Aomo shouted.
This was exactly what she had calculated!
This cargo ship was about to be swallowed by a huge wave!
