# While doing some research for the proposal to Law I noticed I had neglected my research to the nobility titles of the UK. "Lord", as a title, does not exist. Only the people owning a title of nobility are addressed with "Lord X". So now I clarify: Lord Trafalgar owns the title of earl. So he would be Wilfred Maxwell Trafalgar, Earl of Devon, but being addressed as Lord Trafalgar is not wrong per se, so I won't make a lot of changes. Only where it's truly needed, like the report to the queen, they read in the library or when he was introduced.
And in case you wonder, this is the descending order of (upper) nobility titles in the UK: duke, marquess, earl, viscount, baron53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27gupeyQyU
"I expect you will not disturb us any further after making your proposal.", "But of course.". After a short moment of emblematical silence, Law finally agreed to hear Grolan's proposal, while he kept glaring at the still smiling man who still had his hand lying on Mr. Sheffield's shoulder. I could see him gripping the other man's shoulder harder every now and then, probably to ensure he doesn't do anything funny. "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, sovereign of this country, would like to offer you the title of Marquess of Trafalgar, including land, and an audience with Her Majesty the Queen herself to talk about the details of your given privileges. Financial support is a given. VIP status for most events is most likely in too or certain free services, which usually require a fee. Think about it. You'd practically be a hidden VIP of the country. No publicity, since we do need to keep Uriel a secret. That means privileges but hardly any obligations.", with his free hand wide open, Grolan elaborated on the proposal proudly, his face lit up with every detail he explained, as if he had the power to fulfill it himself. The earl and his friend looked a bit surprised by the offer, the latter more than the former, but soon nodded their head approvingly, agreeing that the offer was reasonable. But Law didn't seem fazed. For a second I thought I saw him frown in repulsion when Grolan offered him the title of Marquess even. Truthfully though, he most likely simply wouldn't know what to do with a title of nobility. Since his previous pirate life was nothing like that of a marquess in this world. That thought reminded me, that I actually didn't really know the life of nobility in our world. I just never bothered to know. But I guessed Law's past in Flevance played a bigger role in that reaction. It was the government and the nobles that hid the truth about the risk of amber lead after all. I wouldn't know what he must have felt when he learned that he too was basically nobility. Not yet officially, but he would inherit the title from his father.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3ci832Gw1
As unfazed as he looked, Law replied to that proposal in a sober tone: "I'm not interested in any titles or a chat with your queen." He made a few steps towards Mr. Sheffield to finally receive his nodachi, but the Lt. General stood in his way with his arms leisurely outstretched to the sides, as if welcoming someone. "If that is not to your taste, then what is? I'm sure the queen will approve of it.", Grolan was still as confident and excited as before. He either didn't get the clue or simply chose to ignore it. I guessed the latter. But Law wouldn't be swept to uncertainty by the Lt. General's overconfidence: "You misunderstood. I wasn't trying to negotiate. I was expressing my disinterest towards any offer. I won't be staying here.", a short moment of silence followed until the pirate captain spoke up again: "Now that I listened to your proposal, step out of the way. Or I'll force my way through.", his last remark was threatening with impatience. His face became a tone darker. His muscles tensed a bit. The man was not hiding how this situation was not at all to his taste.
Grolan clicked his tongue and let his friendly facade fall. Within an instant, he flung his arm around my neck from behind and pushed the cold metal of his gun, which he swiftly took from his belt in a well-practiced, fluent movement, against my temple. "If you go through that portal, this young woman here will never find herself a new home again." I struggled against his will, but his arm around my neck was too tight and he was too strong for me to do anything. Grolan tightened his grip around my neck for a second to stop my helpless struggle and whispered right into my ear in a harsh tone: "Hold still if you want to witness that pirate's decision.". The threat send shivers down my spine. I was scared. I was terrified. I knew he wanted to prevent us from going, but I hadn't expected him to resort to these measures. In my fear, another struggle was not an option any more. Wide eyes found Law's face. His expression was stone hard. His grey, cold eyes glared at the man behind me, but the pirate didn't move or say a word. Grolan, however, moved back a few steps with me, so that he was standing next to Mr. Sheffield again. Earl Trafalgar was standing to the right side of Mr. Sheffield, but still a bit closer to Law, who was standing in front of the portal, facing Mr. Sheffield, Grolan and myself.
I was glad Grolan didn't choke me, despite the tight grip he had around my throat. But my thoughts only found the metal pipe pressed against my head. Any time. Any second he could pull the trigger. Shooting a bullet through my head. Flipping the switch to end my life. My existence.
The terror of my own situation paralysed me. What came after death? I often wondered. I just couldn't imagine there to be nothing. I couldn't imagine one would simply cease to exist. Or maybe I just didn't want to. But now that death was imminent, that curiosity wasn't present. There were so many things left I wanted to do, to experience and try out. I didn't want to die here. I snapped my eyes shut. The adrenaline boosted my senses. The whisper from the portal grew louder and I could suddenly smell a faint sweet, but salty scent. The chilly air on the other hand wasn't deemed as important anymore. The goosebumps on my skin were no product of feeling cold anymore, or rather, it wasn't because of the low temperature. They persisted because of the cold metal of the gun.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJxdhMNYLK
Would it hurt or would everything happen too fast to feel any pain? Would I die instantly? Or was I doomed to experience agonizing last seconds? Or minutes?
Grolan would be stupid to kill me. He needed me to persuade Law not to go through the portal and even if Law still went through the portal, I was the last one to know how to activate that thing. I had the knowledge he wanted. So killing me after Law went through the portal would be even stupider. Law would not stay if he were to kill me right before he departed either. So whichever scenario were to happen, it would be to Grolan's disadvantage to kill me. I just needed to stay calm.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIeLFsblx6
Obviously that was easier said than done. In fact, I was too focused on the gun, ready to kill me, to noticeably calm down or to even get the idea, that he wouldn't really kill me. I looked around in search of any hint anyone of the present men would help me. My eyes made brief contact with Law, the earl and Mr. Sheffield, but none of them moved an inch. Law and Mr. Sheffield still had their pokerface on, both of them looking at Grolan and the earl Lord Trafalgar stared in shock at the situation. Wasn't any one going to get me out of this?!
Maybe I could bluff or at least distract Grolan a bit for someone to do anything, I thought, so I tried to speak up: "Killing me won't do you any good." But my voice wouldn't come out. My throat was dry and the massive lump of terror in it blocked my vocal chords. Apparently it didn't matter how much I tried to calm myself, I couldn't shake off the fear the gun fueled in me. No matter how long this moment lasted and how hard the metal was pressed against my head, it didn't seem to warm up. The cold metal stayed cold. As if symbolizing the weapon to always be a tool to kill. To take a life. But never to give. Never to shelter.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, someone reacted to my situation. "Grolan what are you doing?! Let go of her!", I heard the lord shouting frantically. But the Lt. General seemingly ignored him, as he stayed silent. "Lt. General, I don't think this is the right-", Mr. Sheffield tried to object to the Lt. General's methods, but Grolan cut him off sharply: "Shut up if you want to help this girl.". Both went silent, as the lord had taken the untold hint. Although Grolan shouldn't have any power of order over the earl, as he too was a civilian, it was right of Grolan to assume that the man would not risk my health. Because this man holding me tightly could be trusted to do anything necessary. Law had his eyes locked with the military officer over the last half-minute. His thin lip line grew into a smirk, as he addressed Grolan with a subtle laughter under his tone. "You don't seriously believe that holding that girl hostage would give you any benefit, do you?", his tattooed hands now leisurely rested in the pockets of his pants. Grolan seemed baffled by that reply, as were the other two men. Me too. I knew Law to be a cunning man, acting like he didn't care, even though he actually did, was something he was capable of if needed. But in my fear, I couldn't think straight. I, too, looked at him with big eyes, not wanting to believe what I'd just heard. Yes, I could not say for sure he considered me his friend, but I thought of him as one. So this was still a shock to me. And some part of me did think I wouldn't be irrelevant to him by now. "Then why don't you just turn around and disappear into Uriel?", Grolan scoffed. "You don't seem to understand what kind of a hassle it is to get a sword like that one.", Law's voice was painted by annoyance and irritation. But just as he made one step away from the portal towards Mr. Sheffield, Grolan stopped him again. "What? I thought you wanted me to not go through that portal. And now you want me to stay right next to it?" "No, no. I do want you to stay, I just don't want you to try anything funny. Simple precaution.", Grolan answered calmly.
"Be sure, I won't do anything funny. I won't even try to play tricks on you.", the pirate captain said calmly, while taking another step towards Mr. Sheffield. He didn't rush nor did he keep his eyes on the Lt. General. "I warn you! Do not take-", Law kept taking the few steps he needed to reach his destination. While Grolan pulled me a few steps back with him, distancing us from Law, he also pulled the pistol's hammer. Law welcomed back his nodachi and calmly responded: "I told you. That girl holds no value to me." I could see Lord Trafalgar and Mr. Sheffield trembling to take action, to intervene in this crazy scenario, but not daring to take the risk of Grolan pulling the trigger. Mr. Sheffield even looked as though he just intended to do something, but was taken aback by Law taking his sword back and Grolan pulling the hammer of his pistol, readying it to fire at any moment.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41zVCfRFbQ
Now with his nodachi back in his own hands, where it belonged, Law turned to Grolan. His face held no expression. "I may have assisted her to get back to her own world, but I do not have any further business with her. What you do or don't is up to you." He only seemed to be waiting for an action. It may only have been my last drop of hope of Law just acting his indifference, but I desperately searched the show for any hint of it. In my desperate search I thought it meaningful that Law had his nodachi not leaned leisurely against his shoulder. He was holding it in his left hand, ready to pull it out of it's sheath with his right. He didn't take a ready stance, since that would be too obvious. At least that was the explanation in my mind. Made up out of hope and fear. Now with the hammer pulled, I tried hard not to panic. My breathing was now heavier and shakier, despite my useless attempts to breathe out more slowly. I had no way of knowing whether Grolan had his finger on the trigger or not. I didn't know what his expression was. I could only see the earl and his friend, both in full tension, and Law, who was far too calm for my comfort. I had no idea what was going on in his mind. Did he have a plan in mind? Was that plan including my rescue? Was I really that unimportant to him? Wheter his words were meant like that or empty playground, they still hurt.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ELpKeCxd4
Grolan wouldn't let Law wait for long. He too must've been unsure of my worth to the pirate captain, since he engaged on the conversation Law had offered: "If she holds no value to you, like you said, why bring her home in the first place?". "We had a deal.", that short answer wasn't to the general's satisfaction. He pressed on the details of that deal. Annoyance, or impatience, I couldn't say, creeped onto Law's face again. "I don't like sharing such detail to third parties. But I suspect you wouldn't let go of the matter. I gave her the ride to the portal, she worked onboard my ship for the journey. Simple as that." With his left arm holding me tightly, Grolan grabbed the fabric of the cardigan I wore and threw me to the back. I got swirled around, lost orientation and landed on the hard concrete floor. It took me a moment to reassess my new situation.
As soon as Grolan threw me away, he pointed the gun at Law. "Well if her life isn't worth a thing to you, then your own life might be a bit more relevant! I really didn't want to take this measure, but you leave me no choice.", the military officer said. "Stop this madness at once, Grolan!", Lord Trafalgar shouted decisively and put himself in between Law and Grolan. He put his arms out to the sides in a protective manner. "Earl, step aside if you don't want to get hurt.", Grolan said with no less confidence. The lord in front of his gun did not make him hesitant. Mr. Sheffield too, decided to finally step in now. He had his hands lifted in front of him, trying to deescalate. Only his tone did not deescalate, his voice was loud and agitated: "You must not hurt the earl! He is under the protection of the queen herself! If you hurt him, this will not end well for you!", he warned. But Grolan simply ignored the words of the grown men. He kept his attention closely on Law, who still waited patiently on his spot.
The situation started to escalate. The scene I saw when I finally regained my orientation was chaotic. Mr. Sheffield and Mr. Trafalgar kept talking insistently to the Lt. General with Law standing behind those two. The Lt. General had his gun pointed at Mr. Trafalgar, who was standing protectively in front of Law. I sat on the ground, trying to think of a good way to resolve this situation. But the panic I experienced just seconds prior still clouded my mind. Lingered in my muscles. For a few seconds, I stared at the ground in fornt of me. The movement happening during those seconds, just at the edge of my view, could not raise my focus. Only when a gunshot was fired, I turned my head. I saw the lord sitting on the ground, where he had stood beforehand, hunched over. He held his shoulder and his face grimaced in pain. Right at that moment too, Law hit Grolan, who was half lying half sitting on the ground as well, with his sheathed sword, knocking him unconcious. Simultaniously, Mr. Sheffield, who loomed over Grolan, knocked the gun out of the general's hands. It flew right in my direction, hit the ground and kept sliding, rotating around his own axis. It stopped about a meter away from me. The sheer sight of it paralysed me again. That... thing, had caused so much terror. I knew guns were killing tools before all this. But in that moment I felt like only now did I understand the danger a gun posed. The hammer was pulled again. The faint blueish light of the portal shimmered on the clean metal of the gun.
I noticed Law squatting down next to me. His voice was calm and collected when he asked me: "Are you alright?". For all I could tell, he still had his poker face printed on. It was hard for me to grasp the situation. Suddenly he cared for me again? Was that real? Was he asking me out of courtesy?53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzvBDOC7if
"I guess I'm fine. I'm not hurt anywhere.", I answered crisply, looking back at the ground. My eyes found the gun again, but the lord picked it up right after, placed it on the table at the back of the room and came back. "You are not hurt, are you Catherine? I am so sorry about what he did to you. I knew Grolan to be a selfish man, but I did not expect him to point a gun at a civilian. Not to mention at a young lady.", the lord bled on his left shoulder, but he didn't protect the wound anymore with his other hand. "Are YOU alright? Were you shot?", I asked back in shock. I jumped up, nearly lost my balance, but was instantly supported by Law from the side. The lord assured me he was fine. Law elaborated, the bullet had only grazed the lord's shoulder. I was so relieved to hear that. It would have made the feeling of imminent danger I had felt towards the gun even worse, for there was an actual wound now, that proved my fear not wrong.
One or two minutes later, Mr. Sheffield returned with a first aid kit. I hadn't even noticed his absence. The atmosphere was still thick and we didn't talk much. The only words spoken focused on Grolan's actions and how they were expected or not. "I will, of course, report all this to her majesty. Catherine, if you could testimony as a third party, that would be very helpful." I nodded hesitantly. I still actually wanted to go with Law to his world, but wasn't brave enough to just clarify this particular situation. I fought with myself again internally. But as always, or at least a lot of times, I didn't raise my voice.
"I guess this means farewell then.", Mr. Sheffield addressed Law again and lead the way back in front of the portal, "The Lt. General is no thread for the moment and shall certainly not be in the future.", "I'll make sure of that.", the earl said firmly, "But he wouldn't be able to cause you trouble anyways, Law. Since you'll be in your own world." His tone was filled with deep care, when the lord spoke his son's name, changing into remorse for his last words. Law took a second before answering. His nodachi was leaning against his shoulder again. "It is home.", he said. The lord nodded: "I know. I am proud you grew up to be the fine man you are. You are a doctor and the captain of your own ship. Live your life and enjoy it to the utmost."53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0EfkwciJ6
We were now all standing a few feet away from the portal. Law and Mr. Sheffield stood with their backs to the wall opposite of the door. Grolan was propped up against it. He was constraint with a thick rope. I guessed Mr. Sheffield must have done that while I was still preoccupied with myself or when Law had asked me if I was alright.
The earl continued, as if trying to prolong the parting with his long lost son. Although noone but him knew, whether that was intentional or not. "I do want to apologize for the scene though. I trusted this time to be discreet, but we didn't manage to keep it from that man, although we tried.", "No need to apologize. I'm sure you did your best to keep the information from spreading to false ears.", Law tried to assure him. But the older man could not be calmed down that easily. "It could've gone so much worse. He had Catherine in his grasp, he could have-", he looked at me briefly, "He could have hurt her badly.", he insisted remorsefully. I knew what he tried not to say. He could have killed me. I understood where he was coming from, but still, none of this was the lord's fault. I guessed he saw himself responsible since we were his guests. But I dared think Grolan was not. He just imposed himself on the lord. In the middle of the night nevertheless. It was Law's next words, that finally calmed down the lord: "I don't think Catherine-ya was in real danger. Killing her would have been to Grolan-ya's disadvantage, no matter how you look at it. She has the information he wants. Since it was to be expected, I go through the portal, Catherine-ya was his backup. In the end he just made sure she wouldn't come with me, taking the chance I stay too. Do you think he acted on his own or was he ordered to do so?" Mr. Sheffield and the earl thought about that shortly before the first responded: "Hard to say. People like him appear everywhere. It could have been his own motivation, but he could just as well have been working together with someone else.", "The only thing I can say for sure,", Lord Trafalgar continued, "is that this kind of command wouldn't have come from the queen. She is in direct command of this operation, but this is not her style. The offer Grolan made you, that was most likely legitimate.", Mr. Sheffield nodded in agreement.
Law looked at me briefly, I guessed for confirmation, but I signaled, I wouldn't know. "I only know the public image of the queen.", Law nodded once. "Well, this is not something you need to worry about.", the clicking of a gun being readied to shoot made me shiver. There the Lt. General was again, standing at the wall where he sat unconscious just a second ago, or so I thought, pointing another gun at us. "Grolan!", the earl shouted shocked. I didn't watch the Lt. General, I thought he'd be unconscious for a while longer and I was too preoccupied by the conversation we had. It seemed, the earl thought the same. Law and Mr. Sheffield turned around, just to see the gun pointed at Mr. Sheffield. He froze. "You're right, it would be stupid of me to kill either one of you,", Grolan spoke to Law, "but I have no need for the Colonel here.". The earl tried to argue it'd be hard to explain the colonel's death by gunshot without making Grolan suspicious, but to no avail. "Oh no, that's easy. I don't even need to put the blame on someone innocent. There were burglars. They shot him while he tried to protect you and the property. He died on duty. What an honor that would be. Don't you think so too, Colonel Sheffield?"
"What makes you think, that pointing a gun at any of us is going to stop Mr. Trafalgar from going through the portal? He has his belongings now, there's nothing left keeping him here.", there was the difference between a civilian, me, having a gun pointed at their head and a trained soldier, Mr. Sheffield. He stayed calm and collected. He didn't even raise his arms.
Mr. Sheffield's words made me realise he was right though. There was nothing stopping Law from just answering the portal. I did notice the portal not asking as often and persistent anymore as when we activated it, but it was still whispering in the back. Asking for anyone who'd want to travel through it. Now I wondered whether it would just shut down at some point of it's own or was there some kind of mechanism for that? Did you have to tell it, that you didn't want to travel to another world? Why was it repeating it's question anyway? Why not just ask once it's opened and then simply wait? Those question would probably never be answered.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev4hF2pLco
"You think so? Well, then why isn't he just jumping through? He's standing right next to it.", Grolan asked provocatively. His smile made me uneasy. He was right. Law had his nodachi back. But there was something else holding the pirate captain back. It just wasn't the situation right now to ask him. "Bloody Grolan.", I thought.
Lord Trafalgar, though visibly tense, took the steps forward and, again, positioned himself inbetween the gun and the target. This time covering his close friend, but not in that protectie posture like before. He turned around to face Law and simply stood there, with his back to the gun. The lord was urged to step aside by that very friend of his in a hushed, but pressing voice. But the earl did not falter. His hands were clenched in fists and I could see him taking a deep breath, before saying: "I have occupied your precious time, my son. I apologize. But I am glad, I'm able to say my farewell to you this time."53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJaBBcg0MW
While talking, the earl took slow steps forward, so that Mr. Sheffield needed to go back a few steps until he was standing next to me and the lord was standing next to his son.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7y3Os414X
Grolan tried to interrupt the earl: "Stop fucking around old man! I'm gonna shoot the moment that arrogant pirate of yours is taking a single step towards Uriel!", but the nobleman did not let him be distracted. He focused solely on Law, else his nerves would probably get the better of him. At least, that was what it looked like. "Yes, I'm going to make this short. The only thing I want you to remember, is that you could never disappoint me or your mother. And you will always be welcome here."
In a last, hushed voice, he finally said: "Now go. Both of you."
Without having to say another word, the earl and Mr. Sheffield both pushed Law and myself into the portal. As I did not expect to be pushed sideways, I yelped in surprise and stumbled over my own feet. I grabbed Law's arm reflexively. As attentive as he was, he noticed, pulled me up to him and grabbed me by the upper arm. "Fuck - !", was the last thing I heard from that room. It was Grolan's loud voice, but he was quickly forgotten.
It had continuously been whispering in the back, waiting for someone to respond. Now finally, someone did.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqkxu99VQ0
Being inside the portal was a strange sensation, to say the least. The space inside was full of concentrated energy, making it hard to breathe. There was a prickling feeling on my exposed skin, sending goosebumps everywhere. Yet despite all those sensory stimuli I could still guess where Law held me on my upper arm. It was as if our movement was frozen in midair, as we entered the ball of light. The warmth I had felt during my first interaction with the portal was missing and only where Law held me, the cold energy from inside the portal couldn't reach.
"Those chosen may travel through space. You may travel to another world against pledged items by calling it's name."
It was exactly the same deep but soft voice, speaking exactly the same words. Only within the portal itself, it was much, much louder. I could feel it vibrating through my chest. It almost hurt my ears.
"Where would you like to travel to?"
This part was very similar to the first time. For a split second the scary thought struck me, that I didn't even know the real name of the One Piece-World, but just like last time, I answered instinctively. "- - -", though right after the syllables left my mouth, I couldn't remember them. And I was content with that. This would be my new home. Whatever it's true name was.
# "OP local language" / "[English]"
I opened my eyes as I lay on top of Law. He grumbled quietly before he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, only to realize that was not possible with me on top. I had only taken a short moment to be overwhelmed by the breaking of the barrier I had suspected, now knew, the portal had placed upon me as the pledged item. Suddenly I could feel the warmth and love my family had given me all these years prior again. Without listening to Law, who had asked politely that I get off him, I burst out into tears. I was so overwhelmed by the assurance that I indeed existed for my family and that they would miss me for as long as I remained lost, the tears just streamed down my face relentlessly. And I couldn't help but smile. I didn't need to restrain any sobs, as I wasn't particularly feeling sad - there was just a waterfall of tears streaming down my cheeks - and it didn't take long for me to find that I was still sitting on top of Law. I quickly relieved him of my weight and sat on the ground next to him. Slowly, I was able to dry my tears as the overwhelming feeling nestled contently in my chest, warming my heart. The horror of loosing my family was over at last.
As I looked around, I found the familiar scene of the island we departed from. The weather was calm and sunny. Single clouds flew through a deep blue, bright sky. We sat in the middle of the market, where we had prepared the portal the first time. The only evidence left of it were the symbolic stones circled around us. So we landed right at the center of the portal site? I couldn't see any traces left of the chalk I had used to draw that circle. How long has it been? A week? Well, considering wild life and weather, I guessed it was reasonable that there were no traces left of the chalk. Though even if it wasn't, it was a portal connecting two different worlds with some frighteningly amount of power. What could be considered normal?53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDRT3SSiBC
Next to me was Law still sitting motionless. He stared into the air, deep in thoughts. I wondered what his pledged item could be. Had he had his memories erased? Or did he loose something material? I was curious to know, but I knew better than tearing through his thoughts at the moment. So I looked around again, in search of any hints of the Heart Pirates. Wouldn't they have left anything for their captain? Any sign?
I stood up to get a better view of the scene. Well, actually it wouldn't help much in that regard, but the perspective changed at least. Yet however long I looked around, there was nothing noteworthy to be seen. No camp, no traces of a camp, no message left by the crew to their captain. Only city ruins and shrubs and trees behind and in between those. But the crew would have left some kind of note if they had to leave the island for some reason, so they must be waiting at the submarine, I thought. By the time I arrived at my conclusion, I noticed Law looking at me. "[What is it?]", I asked. Law took another second to actually say what was on his mind: "[You seem to be fine.]". I couldn't detect any emotion behind those words, which would indicate, that he was not, but it still left me confused. "[Are you not?]", I therefore asked in return. He shook his head and stood up. "[I'm fine. I just wondered whether you are, since you didn't want to come back with me through the portal.]"53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BrIAiYVc3
"[Ohhh]", I thought. Now that made sense, since I never got up the courage to actually tell or rather ask him if I could tag along. I explained the situation, that in fact I did try to bring it up once or twice, but was interrupted and then thought it was too late. So I was actually quite happy with the unfolding of the events. The only thing I could have gone without was the whole incident with Grolan.
I didn't know what kind of response I expected, but I certainly didn't expect him to frown, pinch the bridge of his nose and sigh. "[That was stupid, I hope you know that.]", he said. Of course I knew that. I knew that the whole time. "[Bad habit of mine, I worry too much.]", I simply said. I didn't know what else to say to be honest. "[I know.]", he sighed again. Now that was a bit much. "[It's okay, I know very well it's not the healthiest behaviour. You don't need to stress about it THAT much, you know?]", I didn't realise the exact moment, but I was glad to be able to comfortably speak again. There was no tension in the air nor confusing mind games or threatening metal pipes to be worried about. The only pressing matter at hand, that I still or exactly because of it's urgency, did not want to think about, was also resolved quickly. "[I do have to stress about it, if you intent to stay onboard my ship.]", the Surgeon of Death said in the same scolding manner, but quickly turned the fronw into a relaxed smile, symbolizing it wouldn't be a problem.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKB40aV4Ut
I was speechless for a moment. The pirate captain used that moment to offer directly: "Now that you're stranded here, do you want to join my crew?"53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJExjQCgGvJ
I could have replied instantly, but wanted to respond in the language. It took me a second to order my brain. "Yes, I would like that.", I replied grinning from ear to ear. My new captain nodded in satisfaction. "Of course, I could have dropped you off at an island where other people live if you wanted to,", he started walking towards the little way we had carved through the woods from the beach when we first arrived here, "but you already agreed to join the Heart Pirates. No change of heart now.", his typical smirk was back in place. I pouted playfully, but couldn't uphold the facade for very long. And here I was so worried he wouldn't let me join him.
Liebe Mama, Lieber Papa, meine liebsten Brüder,53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsqJdWTZa1
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ich erlebe gerade mein wohl größtes Abenteuer.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI4niJf9I4
Mir geht es gut. Bleibt gesund.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVXBw4ah0E
Ich liebe euch von ganzem Herzen.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGxSFYjhnf
.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEKwi0snk7
Catherine53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGJCliIw9E
.53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TR0elgG5s
Catherine had written the letter just in case. She had asked Carmilla to send it to her family if she were to pass through the portal.
The letter was read multiple times with the sorrow of parting, but the relief of life and wellbeing.
Translation of the letter:
Dear Mom, Dear Dad, my dearest brothers,
I am possibly living my biggest adventure.
I am well. Stay healthy.
I love you from the bottom of my heart.
Catherine
ns 15.158.61.51da2
