Chapter 56: Act II

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T/N: Before starting this chapter I’ll explain the meanings (definition) of the main parts of a ship. People who are knowledgeable about ships and their different parts can skip this!

-> moor(ed)- make fast (a boat) by attaching it by cable or rope to the shore or to an anchor.

-> Hull- the main body of a ship or other vessel, including the bottom, sides, and deck but not the masts, superstructure, rigging, engines, and other fittings.

-> Prow- the pointed front part of a ship; the bow.

-> Crew- a group of people who work on and operate a ship, aircraft, etc.

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Time flew by. The morning of leaving the kingdom has come.

Early in the morning, the old but still noble mansion of Arch Hill looked down upon me as usual. With a stubborn look. Nevertheless, the beautiful walls surrounded by the dawn of early summer no longer looked cold.

Standing with her back to the mansion, my great aunt, who had a pale complexion and bright eyes at the same time, grabbed my hands.? A soft warmth was transmitted from the soft, wrinkled skin.

“I hope your time here has been good for you.”

“It was perfectly fine. Once again thank you for calling the carriage.”

“You don’t have to thank me. You’re always welcome to come here when you come back, Melissa.”

“Really? Then we’ll go to the lake together in two years, Grandma. I’ll write to you from time to time.”

Stay healthy...?I added hastily in a tearful voice. Oh, I must say hello to the eight women standing side by side behind my great-aunt’s back.

“To both Madam Hue and everyone in the mansion.... Thank you very much.”

“Miss Collins, learning is important, but you should always be healthy.”

Madam Hue’s sour expression and blunt tone was no different from the day we first met. But I was surprised to hear a sad emotion in her voice. When did this happen?

“Even in a foreign country across the sea, Miss Collins, if you find love, you must never hesitate.”

“Oh.. of course, madam.”

I didn’t want to have a slow departure with an argument in the middle of farewells. Above all, I didn’t have much time. It’s a big deal if I miss the ship.

“I’ll never miss it.”

It was the most lively and fresh answer I could give, which would make anyone think I was a blind believer of love.

* * *

It was past noon when I arrived at the port after a long ride in the carriage. As soon as I got out of the carriage, a salty sea breeze blew in. I grabbed my hat and inhaled the air full of strange excitement and vitality.

Yes, it’s been good so far. The problem was the moment when I actually faced the ‘Moonlight’, which I had only heard of.

I froze on the spot and couldn’t even walk. When I heard from Mr. Greg, who said that it was the most luxurious passenger ship in the kingdom, all I could imagine was how big the ship would be, or if it would be as spacious as the mansion where the wealthy lived...

“Uh....”

But the ship surpassed all my imaginations, like a palace, it was moored in front of me. A huge and elegant hull that extends from the prow as sharp as a knife....? I’ve never seen anything like this anywhere.

I was engulfed by an overwhelming fear.

The light repeatedly flashed, and a tremendously loud commotion surrounded me. In the midst of a huge crowd, I stood alone with a cold sweat.

“The third-class is this way, this way!

“Oliver! It’s here!”

“Don’t push me, you idiot! Damn it!”

“Mom! Mom!”

Whether I stood still or not, people hurriedly and violently shouted and pushed me. I was staggering helplessly in a place where carriages and horses, passengers and onlookers were thoroughly mixed, I felt my breathing getting heavy and I was falling into a deeper and deeper confusion.

“I’ll pass!”

“Ah..!”

A fat lady, who suddenly appeared, pushed me roughly. I got the wind knocked out of me as I fell to the floor with my suitcase. As people retreated back and forth, a little space was created, and finally I could breathe a little bit.

Just then, a whistle sounded to announce the departure. The ship was ready to sail. I can’t miss it.....

“On board.. where.....”

Holding my bag, I looked around like a madman. However, my? low level view was full of colorful dresses or dirty shoes. I have to get up quickly.....

“Hey!”

Then someone approached and held out his hand. It was a dirty blotchy hand.

“Oh.. Thank you.”

I caught hold of the rough hand and managed to get myself up. The dark monochrome dress was covered with white dust and was ruined.

I was shaking off the hem when the man spoke to me.

“Are you riding Moonlight?”

“..yes,”

“What is that little basket? Ha, a Sandwich?”

Then I looked up and saw the man in his old shirt with suspenders and a messy beard. He sneered at the lunchbox that Mrs. Hugh had handed me.? I didn’t even know there was soot on my face.

“Are you sure you’re on that ship? Let me see your ticket.”

He didn’t look good the way he squawked. I took the ticket out of my pocket and swung it out.

“Hik, first class? How..!”

After confirming the expected reaction, I hurriedly hid the ticket again. It’s too dazzling to take out in the noon sun.

“Where did you get this? If it’s stolen, hand it over! Should I report you—”

“What are you talking about? This is my ticket.”

“Ha!”

He spat out the cheap cigarette he had in his mouth—which had become short and barely hung on his lips— with a loud sound and looked at me with eerie eyes. It was a disgusting stare.

“How can I believe you when you look like this? That’s a pathetic disguise, isn’t it? You should be an old aristocrat, at least....!”

“Get out of here,”

At that moment, a clean gentleman appeared and cut off his words. I saw the dirty man retreating with his mouth promptly shut. I guess he looked expensive enough to him.

“Miss, the first-class is over there. Let’s go together.”

“Thank....”

“Hurry up,”

I climbed the steep stairs, and my shoulders flinched at the sound of a violent whistle. There was a thin iron staircase connecting the land to the hull. The boarding gate of the first class was quite high, and beneath my feet was the deep blue sea. The sea, which I thought would be vaguely beautiful, became? a distant fear.

“I don’t know where you’re going, but I hope you have a good trip.”

The gentleman who escorted the trembling me, bid me farewell at the end of the stairs. Then he turned around without even hearing a thank you.

I was shaking, hoping that the employee who took my ticket and wrote down my name would call me and let me in. I was swept away by the strong sea breeze and felt as if I were about to be thrown under the deep sea.

“Let me see your ticket.”

I hurriedly wiped my sweaty palms over the hem of my clothes, then pulled out my ticket and handed it to him. The employee glanced at my trembling complexion once, my simple clothes, and my old bag, and then looked at the ledger in his hand.

“I’ve confirmed it. What’s your name?”

“Collin....Melissa Collins.”

As he alternated between the passenger list and my face, he suddenly opened his eyes wide. It was then that an unexpected exclamation broke out.

“....Ah!”

“.....”

“Welcome, Miss Collins. Come on, let’s go inside. Let me guide you to the cabin.”

“Yes,”

... Finally

I clasped my hands close to my chest and stepped inside. Maybe because of the wind or tension, my hands were as cold as ice.

The Moonlight was frighteningly great in appearance, but the interior was breathtakingly luxurious. The corridor, covered with red carpet on the walls and floors, concealed my nervous footsteps.

The noble ladies in their large feathered hats were giving their graceful greetings, and the imposing gentlemen walked around with their chins raised. Two brown dogs were fluttering their beautifully groomed fur in the wind. It looked softer than my hair.

I bowed my head to ignore the suspicious gazes following me. I wanted to hide in a rat hole. I was dreading the idea of having to spend nearly a week on this ship.

But if I had to get off at Lunoa and get to my destination, I would have.....

In fact, fame and wealth do not always coincide, and there are many poor or frugal among the nobles. That is why, in the social circle, I was neither good nor bad.

However, the first-class section of the Moonlight was like a nest of extravagant peacocks who were eager to show off their wealth.? Here I am a complete stranger,

“Haa..”

A tainted thought—

I thought for a moment that I should have brought the dress that Mr. Longhorn had given me, but at that moment I closed my eyes, smelling the rich perfume of the noble lady, I could not tell if she was a jewel or a person. I took a deep breath and mustered my courage.

For some, it would have been a ridiculous notion to think that it would have been better to ride in the third class instead of enjoying the prestige of being in the first class, on the Moonlight, a lifelong dream for some. What the hell is this if it’s not the deception I hated so much.

Well, I don’t mind now. As my body and mind were as tired as seaweed washed away by the waves. I followed the crew diligently, hoping that my cabin would appear somewhere in this endless corridor.

“Here it is. The key is inside.”

“Thank..”

The moment he opened the door, I forgot to thank him.

The fragrant cabin, decorated with various flowers, was illuminated with cozy lights. The walls and floors were made of dark-colored wood with a smooth luster, with delicately plated molding in the form of the? plants adding to the beauty. The graceful palisander table and bed were as antique as royal objects, and the neat sheets were not wrinkled.

It was a room so beautiful that it made me speechless. I’m the only one who doesn’t shine in this space for every candlestick, every teacup and everything was dazzling here.

The crew left me alone, and I threw myself on the bed with a strange feeling that I had never experienced in my life. I felt like I was dreaming, and I was swimming in the warm water freely under the sunshine.

“Ah”

For a moment, I felt the ship swaying. Sure enough, there was a whistle heard and a loud roar from the outside. I got goosebumps all over my body with a rush of excitement.

It was the first time in my life that I had left the kingdom and crossed the sea to pursue my dreams. I was frightened to think about it, but now I had nowhere to go. I don’t even know how to swim.

I hugged my trembling shoulders tightly and cast a friendly spell.

“It’s all right.. I can do it.....”

I could clearly feel my tender chest rising and falling under my trembling arms as I inhaled and exhaled slowly.? My heart was beating so fast that it was about to explode.

Anxiety and excitement, tension and fatigue overwhelmed my whole body. I closed my eyes, hallucinating as if I were swaying somewhere between reality and reality.

At last it departed. It was the second act and opening of Melissa Collins’ life.