Pirate Chronicles - Chapter 128

HE WHO CHEATS ALWAYS WINS!

I quickly opened the door to the room. It was humongous of course since it was the Captain’s Cabin! Waldo was not exaggerating. It was the cleanest and the most organized room I’ve ever seen. It smells delightful too! I sniffed. It was a clean calming scent. I closed my eyes. In the castle, one of my tutors taught me about luxurious scents so I could tell some of the top notes of what I am smelling …Lime… Mandarin Orange… Bergamot… Lemon… Neroli.

Jeu is a mystery and he has definitely piqued my curiosity. I know for a fact that he is indeed VERY charming! And he definitely has sweet moments and can sometimes be a perfect gentleman. No doubt about that! But at the same time, he is dangerous and a pervert! I still cringed at the remembrance of his sappiness when he says his pick up lines. He is ironic, just like the rest of the crew!

My mind was getting filled with Jeu so I shook my head to fix my mindset. I must admit, I’ve never thought of any other man for this long before. So, I went straight to the bed to rest my head and hopefully that would stop my train of thoughts. However,  as I behold the bed, a snortle escaped my throat and mouth even though I tried my best to stop it after I saw Jeu’s sheets. It was wrinkle-free! The arrangement was without flaw! It was pure white and there was not any single stain!

I could not put my finger on it but somehow the whole thing made me laugh. It was funny somehow. And oh how I missed the sound of my own laughter. How long has it been since the last time I laughed? My brains were quick to scheme and before I knew it, I thought of a clever prank!

I quickly sat down on the bed and as a payback for my embarrassment, I happily and purposely wrinkled it. Oh how I would love to see Jeu’s reaction! His crew did mention his obsessive behavior when it comes to his room’s cleanliness! I bet that is the reason he always sleeps at the hammock, so his room will remain as perfect as it is! (Well not anymore!)

Jeu will surely be mad after he sees this. I am sure of it! What I would pay to see him furious or irritated for real! I rolled back and forth on the bed until the perfect and straight linens were history. Suddenly, a smile formed on my lips and it felt almost good. I am smiling again. I came to a sudden realization. Thinking about Jeu makes me smile.

My smile slowly vanished. Do I deserve to smile? I sat down and sighed. I caught my reflection on a full length mirror on the left. My left eyebrow arched. Why would a man need a full length mirror in his room? Is he that vain? Does he need to look at himself and watch his handsome reflection? I shook my head and saw my smile form again.

“It’s alright, Angela.” I told my reflection. “As long as no one can see.”

I laid back on the bed and closed my eyes. Soon, my breathing steadied and my body limped. This time, I did not have any bad dreams!

*****

I woke up and sat on the bed. I could clean up after myself and fix the bed but I grinned instead. I stood up and continued to explore the room. Just like Teresa’s room, there was a tub discreetly hidden behind a wall partition. There was a barrel of water beside it. I giggled. I took some water from the barrel and splashed my face with it purposely spilling some on the floor which I won’t wipe dry. I left the barrel uncovered. Then, I continued on making a mess in the room before heading out. I sighed contentedly as I closed the door behind me.

I was barely relaxing when my sheathed sword was tossed in my direction. With quick reflexes, I caught it and before my mind could realize what was happening, I already blocked a sword with it.

“You are very quick-witted indeed,” the spiky haired man said.

My lips uttered his name before my mind could think of it, “Kwon…”

A scheming cackle escaped his lips as he drew another sword from his side and directed a slash at me once more. I leaned back to evade it and pushed him afterwards. My eyes quickly studied the surroundings as I tried to make a gap between us. However, he was fast as well. He was in front of me swinging his two swords. All I could do was block.

“Is this all you could do?” he taunted me.

I narrowed my eyes and focused. I began to study his movements to copy them at the same time I was determined to find an opening. My quick eyes followed his movements right away and before he knew it, I was making the same movements as he was.

He smirked, “So you’re a mimic. Too bad you only have one sword so you could not really copy me in full,” he added.

Kwon talks so much in battle. It was a distraction but before long, I found an opening. I thrust toward it and I knew I was supposed to connect but I did not. Instead, his blade was on my neck. Kwon did not put pressure on his sword. If he did, he would have sliced my throat.

“How did you—” I was about to ask but he lifted his hand and I saw an almost invisible string attached to a band on his wrist.

Kwon tugged the string and my sword moved. It was attached to it so he could control my attacks. He winked at me!

“YOU CHEATED!!!” I raised my voice.

“Well, I was not opting for a clean spar, anyways. Besides, I always cheat. Cheaters always win,” he schooled me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “There is no honor in a fight like that!”

He chuckled, “Honor? Several foolish men died for honor. And then what? I’d rather live.”

“So you’d rather fight underhandedly?” I asked.

Kwon nodded, “You won’t pass my initiation if you don’t think like me.”

He has a point. “You want me to fight you underhandedly?” I asked again but my mind was beginning to form a scheme.

“You are a mimic, are you not? I am a cheater, you should mimic that,” he answered.

My eyes watered as tears formed. Kwon was confused for a bit. “Are you about to cry?” he asked me.

I swallowed hard as he focused on my face. He was not aware that I cut the string with the dagger I took from his belt. I let a tear drop and for a second he was stunned. That was the opening I was waiting for! I lifted my knee and struck him on the groin. His eyes widened in pain and he instantaneously dropped his sword and knelt in pain.

I scoffed and wiped away my tears. So my innocent looks still have its effects on people! I could still trick people with it. I was already in a celebratory mood but before I knew it, I was falling and landed loudly on my bum! THUD!

“Ow!” I said after I groaned in pain.

Kwon chuckled after I looked at him. “You tried to cheat on the CHEAT!” he replied and showed his other hand. There was another string and he motioned at my ankle.

I sighed as I saw the string around it. I didn’t even notice when he strapped those around my ankle. All he did was tug so I could trip. “Masterful,” I blurted out quietly.

He chuckled as he forced himself to sit down on the floor. “Good you know. But you’re not bad yourself. I really thought I made you cry.”

“So a woman crying? Is that your weakness?” I inquired.

He grinned and shook his head unbelievingly. “I am Kwon. Nice to meet you, Angel,” he said and held his gloved hand for a handshake.

I looked at it then at him. “My name is Angela,” I replied and accepted it. “Ow!” I cried out right away after I felt spikes poking my skin.

He laughed at my dilemma and showed me the tiny needles on his gloves.. “You pass!” he responded as I groaned.