Eight months had passed since Charlotte's disappearance, and life at the West Estate felt like a slow, suffocating spiral. Every morning, I faced a mountain of letters and proposals, each more tedious than the last. I was tasked with maintaining the estate, writing to neighboring lords, and handling the concerns of our people. Responsibilities that were meant for Charlotte.
Father and Mother had devoted themselves to the search for her. They sent envoys, hired search parties, and poured every resource into finding my sister. Yet despite their efforts, there was no sign of her. Every whisper of hope turned into another dead end.
I wanted to be out there with them, searching the seas and questioning the townsfolk, but I wasn't allowed. "Your place is here," Mother had said with sharp finality. "The estate needs stability."
I knew the truth. They didn't trust me. They saw me as Charlotte's substitute-nothing more. I was the daughter who had to take up the mantle because the real heir was gone.
The only solace I found was in Ms. Emma, my personal assistant. Emma was practical and resourceful, her steady presence a balm against the loneliness of my days. Though she didn't coddle me, she listened, offering small moments of reassurance when the weight of the estate became too much.
"You're pacing again, Lady Scarlett," Emma said one evening, her voice as composed as ever.
I stopped mid-step, running a hand through my hair. "I can't just sit here, Emma. Charlotte's out there somewhere, and I'm stuck here signing papers and pretending everything's fine!"
Emma placed the tea tray on the table and raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps it's time to stop pretending."
"What do you mean?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
Emma stepped closer, her dark gaze steady. "You're not a prisoner, Lady Scarlett. You're only caged if you allow it."
_______
That night, as I sat by my window, staring out at the endless ocean, I overheard voices in the hallway. Pressing my ear to the door, I caught fragments of their conversation.
"...pirates... captured near the western coast..."
My heart leapt. Pirates often carried secrets and stories of the sea. If anyone knew something about Charlotte, it could be them.
The next evening, I told Emma what I had overheard. Her expression remained calm, but I could see the spark of intrigue in her eyes.
"And what do you plan to do about it?" she asked, her tone measured.
"I need to speak with them," I said firmly.
Emma nodded slowly. "Then we'll do it tonight."
_____
Under the cover of darkness, Emma led me to the chambers where the pirates were held. The air was damp, the torchlight casting long shadows on the stone walls. Two men sat against the far wall, their hands bound in chains.
At the sound of our approach, their heads snapped up. Their eyes widened when they saw me-not in fear, but in recognition.
"You..." one of them rasped, his voice hoarse. "You came back."
I froze, confused. "What are you talking about?"
The second pirate grinned, his teeth yellowed and uneven. "Don't play dumb, Charlotte. We thought you were dead!"
My breath hitched. "Charlotte?" I repeated.
The first pirate frowned. "You're her, aren't you? You're the one we sailed with. You look just like her."
Realization dawned. They thought I was Charlotte. My mind raced. This could be an opportunity.
"No," I said, taking a step closer. "I'm not Charlotte. I'm her sister."
The pirates exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from confusion to disbelief.
"Sister?" the second pirate asked, narrowing his eyes.
"We're twins," I clarified. "Charlotte and I are identical."
"Twins?" the first pirate repeated, shaking his head. "By the gods, you look exactly like her."
"Where is she?" I demanded, my voice trembling. "You said you sailed with her. Where did you last see her?"
The second pirate's grin returned, sly and knowing. "She was searching for something," he said. "A treasure. The Soul of Calypso."
I felt a chill run down my spine. I had heard whispers of the Soul of Calypso-a legendary artifact said to grant unimaginable power. But it was just a myth, wasn't it?
"What happened to her?" I asked, my hands curling into fists.
"She and Faust set out to find it," the first pirate said, his voice quieting. "But we lost them during a storm. Haven't seen them since."
"Who is Faust?"
"A ferocious pirate captain," the second pirate replied. "Charming, but dangerous. He convinced your sister to chase that cursed thing."
I clenched my jaw, anger and fear swirling inside me. Oh, I remembered him.
"And what about you two?"
The second pirate smirked. "We might know where she was headed. But you'll have to set us free if you want answers."
My mind raced. They could be lying. They could be trying to manipulate me. But what if they weren't? What if they truly knew where Charlotte was?
"Lady Scarlett," Emma said softly, stepping closer. Her voice was calm but firm. "You need to decide. But whatever you choose, be prepared for the consequences."
I met her steady gaze, drawing strength from her words. Then I turned back to the pirates.
"Fine," I said. "I'll set you free. But if you betray me, I'll make sure you regret it."
____
With Emma's help, we worked quickly. By the time the guards realized the pirates were gone, we had slipped away to the hidden cove. The pirates led us to a small ship docked there, its sails ready to catch the night's breeze.
The salty air filled my lungs as we pushed off from the shore, the darkness of the sea stretching endlessly before us.
"You're braver than we thought," one of the pirates muttered as he adjusted the sails. "Your sister was like that, too. Reckless but brave."
I turned to face him, my eyes narrowing. "Charlotte's bravery doesn't need your approval. Just take me to where she was last seen."
The pirate chuckled softly but said nothing more.
Emma stood beside me at the bow, her presence a steadying force. "What if they're lying?" she asked quietly.
"Then I'll find her myself," I replied, my voice firm.
The pirates thought they were sailing with Charlotte's twin, but I wasn't just her sister. I was Scarlett West, and I would stop at nothing to bring her home.
The sea stretched endlessly ahead, and for the first time in months, I felt alive.