We sailed away into the darkness on a small boat, the moonlight casting a silver glow over the restless sea. The salty breeze carried a hint of freedom, but also uncertainty. Ms. Emma sat beside me, her hands steady on the ropes, her expression calm despite the reckless decision I had dragged her into."I still don't think you should've come," I murmured, unable to meet her gaze. "You didn't have to do this, Emma."She arched an eyebrow at me, her usual calm demeanor intact. "And leave you to handle this mess alone? Hardly. Besides," she added, her tone softening, "someone has to keep you alive."I managed a faint smile, grateful for her presence even if guilt still lingered in the back of my mind. I had already turned her world upside down by asking her to follow me into this chaos.One of the pirates, the younger and cockier of the two, leaned back against the side of the boat, a sly grin on his face. "You're full of questions, aren't you, Lady Scarlett?"I crossed my arms and stared him down. "If you're wasting my time, I'll turn this boat around and leave you to whatever punishment awaits back at the estate."The pirate chuckled, unbothered by my threat. "Easy, milady. No need to get your feathers ruffled. You want to know about your sister? Fine."He adjusted his position and gave me a long, appraising look before speaking. "Your sister, Charlotte, is head over heels for Captain Faust. She was practically swooning over him. Can't say I blame her—he's got a way with women."The words hit like a punch to the chest, and I felt an unexpected sting of jealousy. A knot formed in my stomach as memories of that night at the ball surfaced. Faust had asked me to run away with him, not Charlotte. I was supposed to be the one at his side, not her.My voice was sharp when I replied. "And he doesn't even realize he took the wrong twin?"The pirate smirked. "Guess not. Maybe he didn't care to notice. A pretty face is a pretty face to a man like Faust."I clenched my fists, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. Charlotte's face was my face. How could he not tell the difference? And worse—did it even matter to him?I forced my emotions aside and pressed forward. "What about the Soul of Calypso? Why was she searching for it instead of finding a way back home?"The pirate shrugged lazily. "No idea why, but one thing's clear—your sister wants that treasure more than anything. She was obsessed with it. Wouldn't stop talking about how it would 'change everything.'"I frowned, my thoughts racing. Charlotte wasn't the impulsive type. She always thought things through, weighing every possibility before making a decision. What had compelled her to risk everything for the Soul of Calypso?"She must've had a reason," I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.The older pirate, who had been silent until now, leaned forward. His voice was low and gravelly, carrying an edge of caution. "The Soul of Calypso ain't just any treasure, milady. It's a curse as much as it is a prize. They say whoever claims it gets their heart's deepest desire—but it comes at a price."I stiffened. "What kind of price?"He shook his head. "No one knows. But there's a reason it's been hidden away all these years. The sea doesn't give up its treasures lightly."The words sent a chill through me. What desire could Charlotte possibly have that would drive her to seek something so dangerous?Emma's voice broke through my thoughts, calm but pointed. "If your sister wanted this so badly, then perhaps it wasn't just about her. Have you considered that she might have been doing this for someone else? Or even for you?"I stared at her, my mind reeling. Was it possible? Could Charlotte have been searching for the Soul of Calypso for the sake of someone else?The younger pirate scoffed. "Doesn't matter now, does it? She's out there, chasing something that'll likely get her killed.""Then we'd better find her before it does," I snapped.The pirate raised an eyebrow, amused by my determination. "You're braver than I gave you credit for, milady. Reckless, but brave. Just like your sister."I ignored the comment and turned my gaze to the horizon. The sea stretched endlessly before us, dark and foreboding, but it didn't scare me. If anything, it fueled the fire within me.I would find Charlotte. I would bring her home, no matter what it took.Emma's steady presence beside me was reassuring, a reminder that I wasn't entirely alone in this madness. "What's the plan once we reach where your sister was last seen?" she asked, her voice practical."We find Faust," I said firmly. "And we make him tell us everything he knows."The older pirate chuckled darkly. "Good luck with that. Faust doesn't take kindly to being questioned—especially not by people he's wronged.""Then he'll have to make an exception," I said, my voice icy.The pirates exchanged a glance, and for the first time, I saw something akin to respect in their expressions. They had underestimated me, just like everyone else.But that was about to change.The gentle rocking of the boat had lulled me to sleep before I even realized it. I didn't mean to let my guard down—not when I was surrounded by strangers and uncertainty—but exhaustion had won. My dreams were restless, haunted by faint echoes of Charlotte's laughter and the sharp glint of Faust's eyes.When I woke, it wasn't gradual. The searing heat of the sun on my skin jolted me awake, followed immediately by the cacophony of screams and shouting around me. My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I was disoriented by the blinding light and the chaos that greeted me.I tried to move, but my arms wouldn't obey. Panic shot through me as I realized I was bound, my wrists and ankles tied tightly with rough ropes. Blinking against the harsh sunlight, I glanced around and froze.We were no longer on our small boat. This was a much larger vessel—a pirate ship, its sails black and tattered, cutting through the waves like a predator in pursuit of prey. The deck was crowded with snarling, sneering men, their weapons glinting ominously in the sun.I turned my head frantically and spotted the two pirates I had freed, tied up beside me. Ms. Emma was there too, her face calm but her lips pressed into a thin line."What happened?" I asked, my voice hoarse and trembling.One of the pirates groaned, his face pale and sweaty. "We've been caught during your beauty sleep," he muttered bitterly.My stomach churned. I had let this happen. My exhaustion, my failure to stay alert—it had cost us everything.I was about to press for more answers when a figure emerged from the shadows of the upper deck.The captain.He descended the steps slowly, each movement deliberate and commanding. His presence silenced the crew, and even the sun seemed to dim in the face of his cold, menacing aura. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his coat dark and adorned with gold trim. A sword hung at his side, and his sharp eyes scanned us with a mixture of amusement and disdain."Well, well," the captain drawled, his voice deep and dripping with mockery. "What do we have here? A group of uninvited guests in a dingy little boat, floating aimlessly in my waters?"He stopped in front of me, crouching down so our faces were inches apart. His eyes were cold, assessing, and I felt a chill run down my spine."And who might you be, little lady?" he asked, his tone mocking but with a dangerous edge. "Runaways? Thieves? Or just foolish wanderers who don't know the rules of the sea?"I clenched my jaw, refusing to answer.When his gaze flicked to the two pirates, his lips curled into a sneer. "Ah, but I know these two. Traitors, aren't you? Selling information to the highest bidder?"The younger pirate spat at his feet, earning a swift kick to the ribs from one of the crew.The captain straightened, turning his attention back to me and Emma. "And you two? What were you doing in a boat with these men?"Neither of us spoke.His smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "Silent, are we? That's all right. I'll be merciful."Relief flooded me for a brief moment—too brief."I'll let one of you live."My blood ran cold.Before I could process his words, he drew his sword in a fluid motion and stepped toward the two pirates. Without hesitation, he drove the blade through the younger one's chest. Blood splattered across the deck as the man let out a choked gasp and slumped forward, lifeless.I screamed, jerking against the ropes that bound me, but it was useless.The older pirate's face twisted in rage and fear. "Wait! Please—"The captain didn't let him finish. With a brutal swing, he ended the older pirate's life as well, his body crumpling beside his companion.The crew erupted in cheers, their laughter echoing across the ship.I turned to Emma, my heart pounding. "Emma, don't—""Scarlett," she said softly, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "Stay calm."The captain approached Emma, his sword dripping crimson. He tilted his head, studying her like she was a puzzle he intended to solve."You seem clever," he remarked. "Far too composed for someone about to meet her end. Care to tell me why you're here?"Emma's lips thinned, but she didn't answer.The captain's smile vanished. With a sudden, savage movement, he drove his sword through her chest."NO!" I screamed, my voice raw and desperate.Emma's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't cry out. She turned her gaze to me, and for a fleeting moment, her expression softened.And then she was gone.I struggled violently against the ropes, tears streaming down my face as I watched her body slump to the deck. My throat burned from screaming, but I didn't care.The captain turned to me, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "And now," he said casually, wiping his blade on a rag, "that leaves you."He crouched down again, tilting his head as he studied me. "You've got fire in you, I'll give you that. But fire doesn't last long at sea."I glared at him, my chest heaving with rage and grief."Take her below deck," he ordered his crew. "Lock her up. Maybe I'll decide what to do with her later."Rough hands grabbed me, dragging me to my feet. I thrashed against them, screaming every curse I could think of, but it was no use.As they hauled me below deck, the last thing I saw was Emma's lifeless body being dragged toward the edge of the ship.I would never forget that moment.And I would never forgive.