Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 51: Date [1]

[Barkin Sea Port, Krivos Kingdom.]

"...."

"...."

Akamir and Inara stood in front of each other as both of them remained silent.

Both having their faces altered enough so no one could recognise them.

The scent of salt in the air and the endless hush of waves echoed.

"Are we really just going to stand here?" Akamir sighed, walking closer.

"N-no. I just don’t know where to start," Inara replied quietly, her eyes never meeting his. "It’s my first time."

’Why did I even agree to it?’

Akamir sighed as he took the pamphlet from her hand.

What does happen when a princess kisses a boy in front of everyone?

It creates gossip that everyone knows about.

Gossip about why would the princess do that?

Why she chose him of all people? freёnovelkiss.com

Things that don’t make sense that everyone tries to solve.

And the more that happened, the more people began to doubt.

Was it hard to find loopholes in the princess’ statement?

’It wasn’t really hard to find them.’

As time passed, people began to doubt the princess’ actual motive.

Rumours spread like wildfire.

Theories turned into fear.

And fear has a way of making people see threats where none may exist.

Some called it scandal. Others called it treason.

So, to keep herself safe from the rumours that questioned her love, she planned a date.

A date with Asher.

’And she has no idea how to proceed with it.’

Akamir thought, his eyes trailed her once, quietly taking her in.

She wore a simple pale blue dress that flowed gently with the breeze, her silver hair tied back in a ribbon the colour of coral.

It was a casual look, but one that suited her nicely.

’Did she really have to choose a port for our date?’

Akamir wondered as he read through her plans for today.

It was a simple and normal plan, and he memorised it easily.

"Let’s go, princess," Akamir said, turning around.

Inara quickly moved to his side, matching his steps.

"Don’t call me that, in front of everyone," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

Akamir didn’t look at her. "Then stop acting like one."

"I am one."

"Yeah. I don’t care."

Their steps fell into rhythm against the stone road of the central part, the scent of fresh fish, sea salt, and roasted chestnuts carried by the breeze.

Vendors shouted offers in the distance, the occasional gull crying overhead.

Akamir looked around until he found a vendor selling octopus.

"Let’s try that first," Akamir mumbled, looking at the pamphlet.

She just nodded, following behind him.

Akamir ordered two skewers of grilled octopus.

The vendor, an older man with sun-creased skin and calloused hands, handed them over with a grin.

"Your sweetheart’s treat?" he asked, winking at Inara.

She blinked, startled. "W-what? No! He’s not—"

"Thank you," Akamir cut her off smoothly, slipping a few coins to the man.

He handed one skewer to Inara without looking at her.

"You didn’t have to—" she started.

"You planned the date," Akamir interrupted, already chewing. "I’m just following along."

’This is really good.’

Akamir thought, looking at the skewer in surprise.

’How did they even make this?’

"Have you gone on a date before?" Inara asked, glancing at him.

"Uh, not really," Akamir replied, shaking his head. "It’s my first date."

"...I see," she mumbled, finishing her skewer a little too fast.

For a while, they walked without any words.

Akamir tossed the stick into a nearby bin and glanced sideways.

Their disguises held well enough. No one looked at them twice.

Just another couple exploring the Barkin Sea Port.

A boy and a girl.

That was all.

"Next stop’s the ferry ride," Akamir said, flicking a glance at the pamphlet again. "....You wanted to see the lighthouse?"

Inara nodded quietly as she looked around, only to stop in her place.

"Hm?"

Akamir tilted his head as she began to walk towards a store.

He quietly followed behind her.

"How much for this?" Inara asked, picking up a hat.

...A straw hat.

"Ten copper, my lady," the vendor replied.

Akamir paid the price as Inara began to play with the hat.

"Something special about it?" he asked while she wore it on her head.

She blinked at him. "Wait, you don’t know about the legend of Sir Raijin?"

Akamir tilted his head. "Who is that?"

Nayomi quickly floated close to him. "He was my classmate."

Akamir turned to look at her in confusion.

"He was one of the most famous people in history," Inara explained with a smile. "The only demigod pirate."

"...Uh, those two words don’t fit together,"

Akamir replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

Inara grinned, spinning the straw hat on her head before settling it back into place.

"That’s what made him special. An otherworldly demigod, but he chose the sea. They say he wore a hat just like this and could call down lightning with a snap of his fingers."

Akamir raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a show-off."

"He was," she chuckled, and for the first time that day, she looked directly at him. "But people loved him anyway."

That confused him even more. "Why would someone love a pirate?"

"Because he wasn’t like any other," she replied, clasping her hands behind. "He actually cared about the poor people and always helped them."

"That’s not a pirate."

"It is."

"Who did he loot?"

"Pretty much every kingdom of that time."

"And what did he do with the loot?"

"Spent most of it on the poor."

"Ah. No. Pirates are just supposed to loot others and take it all," Akamir frowned. "Why would he—."

"Because he was kind," Nayomi spoke, startling him. "Kinder than anyone."

"....."

Akamir turned silent as he felt nostalgia in her voice.

’Were they friends?’

He wondered silently.

"You know what made him a legend?" Inara said, grabbing his attention. "It’s his legacy and treasure."

At the name of treasure, Akamir’s interest spiked.

Akamir moved a little closer. "Now, that’s interesting. Tell me about it."

"Sir Raijin hid all his treasure before he died, and his last words are still known to everyone," Inara said, her voice malevolent.

"My fortune is yours for the taking, but you will have to find it first. I left everything I own at the end of Fog Sea."

Akamir slowed down as they continued to move towards the ferry ride.

"Is that even real?" he asked, looking at her. "The treasure, I mean."

Akamir highly doubted it.

It’s been almost six hundred years since he was summoned.

How could no one have found the treasure till now?

"It is real," Inara replied, smiling brightly. "The Two Piece is real."

"What the hell is Two Piece?" Akamir frowned like never before. "Is that a bikini?"

Inara just laughed. "No. Idiot."

She began to walk away, leaving him behind.

Akamir looked at Nayomi, who quietly floated beside him.

"What do you think?" he asked, tilting his head. "Is it true?"

"He was my friend, and knowing him, it might be true," she replied, letting out a sigh. "I can’t believe he just made a show real."

"Show?" Akamir frowned. "What show?"

"Don’t worry about it," she replied, shaking her head. "It’s nothing."

Akamir just shrugged as he moved closer to Inara.

"Still, it’s hard to believe," Akamir said, walking beside her. "A princess being the fan of a pirate."

"What’s so hard about it?" she asked, flaring her nostrils. "Can I not be a fan?"

Akamir chuckled under his breath.

"You can. It’s just... unexpected. I thought you were the type to admire noble knights or tragic poets or something."

Inara tilted her head, squinting at him. "What makes you think that?"

"You carry yourself like someone who reads sad romance novels under moonlight."

She made a face. "Excuse you. I read adventure books too. And war chronicles."

"Oh? Big fan of blood and guts?"

"No. Strategy and warfare."

Akamir gave her a glance, slightly surprised. But he didn’t say anything more.

It made sense though.

She is a princess after all.

They reached the pier where the ferry bobbed gently against the docks, ropes creaking.

Inara adjusted her straw hat as she looked at the ferry. "It’ll take us around the port and past the lighthouse."

The ferry was small but charming, painted white and blue, with faded gold and automated one so it doesn’t had a sailor.

They stepped aboard and took seats near the edge and Akamir paid the price to rent it.

"Hey," Inara murmured after a long pause, her voice almost stolen by the wind. "Thanks... for going along with this."

Akamir turned slightly. "You’re the one who dragged me into it."

She chuckled softly. "Yeah. Sorry about that."

He gave a faint nod. "I guess... I don’t hate it."

"..."

She just quietly nodded as the boat began to move.

The town behind them grew smaller, the sounds of Barkin replaced by wind and waves.

Akamir leaned back slightly, letting his guard drop for a moment.

"Hey."

Inara mumbled, looking back at him.

"I want to tell you something."

Akamir nodded. "I am listening."

She took her time to prepare herself before she looked at him.

"The Lythanis kingdom contacted me yesterday."

She said, her voice soft, but her expression remained hardened.

"They want to support me as the next queen."