Chapter 368:

Daphne

The prince looks surprised at that. His blue eyes widen just a fraction before he masks it.

Yes, I’m rich.

"But if you help us kill the monster," he says, recovering his composure, "your reputation will be without equal."

I yawn. Open my mouth wide. Cover it with the back of my hand. Let him see how unimpressed I am.

He’s silent for a moment.

"A noble title," he says finally.

"Your Highness!" The old man beside him’s face goes red. "You cannot—"

The prince holds up a hand. He falls silent, but his eyes are wild.

I pretend to consider it. Tap my finger against my chin. Frown at the ceiling.

"Interesting," I say.

The prince leans forward. Hope flickers in his eyes.

"But." I hold up a finger. "I am at home on the water. I have no need for a noble title. Besides—" I gesture at the ship around us, the black wood, the silent crew, the throne beneath me.

"I am a king on the Bunny here."

The prince’s jaw tightens.

"What do you need?" he asks.

"Naia." I snap my fingers.

The woman appears from the shadows. The one with the beads and the long skirts and the knowing smile.

She sets a parchment on the table—and a small dagger beside it. As she leans over to spread the paper flat, she purposely shoves her cleavage in the prince’s face.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

Naia is... a lot. Contrary to her appearance, she’s insane. I found her and her father drifting at sea years ago, half-dead, their raft nothing but splintered wood. I know they ate people.It’s none of my business.

She’s also a witch. An actual witch.

Nothing major—she can’t curse anyone or turn people into frogs—but it was a surprise. My first encounter with the supernatural.

Wait..is it?

I mean, I’ve turned into a panther before. Does that count as supernatural?

( I still can, actually. Because if there are half-fish people in this world, the world logic lets me turn into a panther. )

The prince is still staring at the parchment.

"What’s this?" he asks.

"A document."

"I know that." He snaps.

How rude.

A blade presses against his throat. Freddie, my silent shadow, has appeared behind the prince without a sound. His sword is steady.

I wave my hand. "It’s okay, Freddie."

The sword vanishes. Freddie melts back into the shadows.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table.

"Firstly: you’re here to ask me for a favor." I hold up a finger. "Secondly: on the Bunny, I am the law. And I will be given my respect."

The prince’s face is pale. His hands are clenched. But he doesn’t argue.

"Good." I tap the parchment. "It’s nothing more than an IOU document. You owe me something. A favor. One favor. No questions asked. You will have to complete it—if I ask you to die as payment, you’ll die."

"That’s ridiculous!" The old man slams his hand on the table.

He’s been getting on my nerves.

I snap my fingers.

Two of my crew grab him by the arms. He’s lifted, kicking and shouting, carried to the railing.

"Toss him overboard."

They toss him.

The splash is satisfying.

The prince stands. Marina stands. Nancy’s eyes go wide.

"Don’t worry," I say, reaching for my sweet potatoes. "He’s not dead. Unless he can’t swim." I pop one into my mouth.

"Then he’s dead."

"I can’t sign this." The prince’s voice is tight.

I shrug. "Well then. Goodbye. Good luck on your journey." I wave a hand. "Hope you left an heir behind. Because you’re about to join your brother."

I snap my fingers again.

The crew moves forward. Hands grip the prince’s arms, Marina’s shoulders, Nancy’s elbow.

"Our guests are leaving now."

They’re escorted toward the gangplank.

I take another bite. Chew. Swallow.

"Wait!"

I hide my smile.

I raise my hand. The crew stops. They release the prince.

He stands there, breathing hard, his fine coat rumpled, his blonde hair falling into his eyes.

"I’ll sign it," he says.

I pause mid-bite. Lower the sweet potato.

"Are you sure, Your Highness?" I let my voice go soft. Almost gentle. "This isn’t a game. Once you sign, there’s no going back."

The prince lifts his chin. His blue eyes meet mine. There’s something there—conviction, maybe. Or stupidity.

"I am the prince." His voice is steady. "If bartering my life means I have a higher chance to kill the monster and improve the lives of my people, I’ll do it."

System, is he shooting a melodrama?

[...Host.]

What?

[He’s being sincere.]

That’s worse.

I sigh. Pop the sweet potato into my mouth. Chew. Swallow. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Very well." I wave toward the table. "But before you sign—"

The prince pauses. His hand hovers over the dagger.

"If you’re thinking you can just not complete the favor, and everything will be fine, I suggest you don’t sign." I nod toward Naia, who stands in the shadows, her beads clicking softly.

"Naia here has access to certain spirits. If you fall back on a deal, your whole bloodline may be cursed."

I may have exaggerated a little.

The prince’s face goes pale.

But he doesn’t run. Doesn’t back down. Just presses his lips together and picks up the dagger.

"I’ll sign it."

I watch as he cuts his finger. Watches as he presses the bleeding digit to the parchment. Watches as Naia carries the document to me.

I inspect it. The signature is shaky. The blood is red.

"It’s a sign of my goodwill, you know." I fold the parchment and tuck it into my coat.

"That I didn’t ask for a body part."

The prince’s jaw tightens, but he says nothing. He turns and walks toward the gangplank. Marina and Nancy follow.

I watch them go.

When the last of them disappears over the side, I push myself off the railing and walk to my office.

The ship is quiet. The crew knows not to disturb me after a deal.

I close the door. Lock it. Cross to the heavy wooden chest in the corner.

My treasure box.

I open it. Inside: gold, jewels, maps, secrets. Things I’ve collected over five years. Things that might be useful. Things that might not.

I place the folded parchment inside. On top of the others.

I close the lid. Lock it. Lean my forehead against the cool wood.

The only reason I needed this was as an excuse. An access point.

The prince will meet the mermaid princess soon,and through him, I can reach her.

The mermaid kingdom.