"Ah, now this is what I call a drink. Say what you will about the Pasha Kingdom—their liquor is top-notch," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction.
His crew, a group of former pirates resurrected by Michael, roared with laughter and clinked their glasses in agreement.
"You said it, Captain! The people here might be stiff and the weather unpredictable, but their booze? Perfection," one said.
"And it's not just the booze—the women here are stunning!" another added, drawing another round of laughter.
Dreiko smirked, savoring his drink as he looked out over the horizon. The task was grim, but for him and his crew, it was just another job under their enigmatic and calculating leader.
"Pretty faces don't matter if they're all sullen and cold. Women from the Celeste Empire are the best—warm and passionate," one pirate chimed in, their conversation growing increasingly coarse.
Drayco, the pirate captain, frowned as he overheard his crew's banter. "Enough about women. Let's get these people aboard. We're close enough to the shore."
Snapping to attention, the pirates quickly moved onto their respective ships, crossing gangplanks. Drayco had assigned each to oversee the various vessels they'd commandeered during their seafaring conquests. These ships were now being used to transport the refugees efficiently.
The sailors, all from the Crassus estate, had been recruited after rigorous interviews and skill evaluations. The steady pay and secure work left them deeply satisfied. Having witnessed Michael's rise to become both a count and a national hero, they pledged unwavering loyalty. Their morale soared so high that they would gladly give their lives for him.
Sergei stared at the approaching ship, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"That's a flag I've never seen before…"
A banner depicting a dragon and a sphinx fluttered atop the mast. As the ship anchored, disciplined soldiers disembarked, their stern expressions exuding authority. Among them emerged a blond man, his voice polished and polite as he addressed the refugees. It was Julien, entrusted with coordinating the refugees' transportation.
"Please form orderly lines with your families or neighbors. We are here to take you to a land of freedom and opportunity. The place you're going to needs settlers and workers, and this is a chance to change your lives. Are you ready?"
The refugees exchanged bewildered glances, unable to comprehend what they were hearing. For most, the situation seemed too surreal to trust. But Sergei, who prided himself on his knowledge, felt his chest swell with emotion as he connected the dots. The rumors he'd heard matched the emblem of the dragon and sphinx.
"The Hero of Lania… Michael!"
Clutching his wife's hand tightly, Sergei stepped forward, his voice ringing out louder than anyone else's.
"We're ready! Can we board immediately?"
As Sergei and the refugees clung to newfound hope, Michael stood in his quarters, sighing deeply at the array of vibrant ceremonial garments laid out before him.
"Can't I just wear any one of these?" he asked, exasperated.
The royal butler, his expression as cold as his tone, adjusted his pince-nez and shook his head. "You must try them all before deciding. Consider the effort the designers put into crafting these pieces."
"Fine… I'll try them all," Michael relented, more fatigued than he'd been facing an army of ten thousand.
Beside him, Miaomiao snickered. [You've got this! Start the show!]
Marcus, now reduced to the size of a hunting dog, yawned loudly. [Hurry up and pick one, Michael. I like the navy one with all the jewels the best.]
Marcus's greedy eyes lingered on the jeweled buttons of a nearby ceremonial coat. A servant quickly moved the tray of cufflinks out of his reach, but Marcus, feigning innocence, muttered under his breath. [I wasn't going to steal it. I just thought it was misplaced and wanted to fix it.]
No one believed him, given his past record of swiping tie pins. Michael let out another long sigh as he picked up a coat embroidered with fiery patterns over black satin. His reluctant demeanor made Miaomiao scoff.
[Oh, lighten up! You've got it easy compared to Astrid. She has to pick out a crown, earrings, necklace, rings, dress, stockings… Men have it so easy!]
The mention of jewels sparked a renewed restlessness in Marcus. [What? There are more jewels over there? I need to see Astrid's options!]
Several servants moved swiftly to block Marcus's path. Everyone in the royal palace knew by now that he was all bark and no bite. Michael placed a hand on Marcus's shoulder to calm him.
"Relax, Marcus. Men aren't allowed in her chambers. Miaomiao, I'm sorry if this is boring you."
Miaomiao swished her tail against the floor, clearly displeased, and shot Michael a sharp look. [Do you think I'm acting out of boredom? Show some effort! How do you think Astrid will feel if you behave ? You're not being forced into this engagement, so why act this way?]
Michael's ears turned red. He felt a pang of embarrassment for his careless attitude.
The engagement announcement and evening ball were scheduled for later that day. Thinking of Astrid—beautiful, kind, and poised—he straightened his posture. Once he adjusted his perspective, choosing an outfit seemed far less daunting. He selected a suit he thought would complement her golden hair and smiled faintly at the thought of how radiant she would look.
As Michael stood beside Astrid at the ball, he couldn't take his eyes off her. She was breathtaking in a form-fitting crimson dress adorned with a ruby tiara. The outfit's design clearly harmonized with Michael's ceremonial attire, which was white with gold embroidery. His sapphire cufflinks matched her striking blue eyes, a deliberate choice that didn't go unnoticed.
Astrid, too, smiled warmly at Michael, admiring how the formal coat accentuated his composed and noble demeanor. Their chemistry was undeniable.
The royal butler, watching the pair with satisfaction, announced their entrance to the ballroom.
"Presenting Her Highness Astrid, Crown Princess of Lania, and the Hero of Lania, Count Michael von Crassus!"
The crowd erupted in applause as the couple stepped into the grand hall, their presence embodying a tale of heroism and romance that captivated everyone in attendance.