Chapter 68
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 68
A pale hand slipped out from beneath the duvet, fumbling blindly across the nightstand. After a moment of sleepy, aimless searching, she finally poked her head out from under the covers, gasping for air.
Through eyes still heavy with sleep, she saw the cabin looked exactly as it had before she drifted off. The room was as dark as midnight, and beyond the half-drawn curtains, the dawn stars twinkled brightly in the sky.
The faint, distant strains of music suggested the ball on deck was still in full swing. It seemed she had plenty of time before sunrise…
Wait.
Her eyelids, which had been fluttering lazily in the pleasant warmth of a deep sleep, suddenly snapped wide open. A cold dread washed through her hazy mind, shocking her fully awake.
What time is it?
Vanessa bolted upright, her face draining of color. Just how long had she been asleep? Her memory simply cut off at some point, making it impossible to even guess how much time had passed.
Last night… they had made love until she couldn't lift a finger. Her last memory was of lying there, utterly spent, before barely managing to wipe herself down with a wet towel. In other words, she had vanished without a trace for at least several hours. On a ship with limited places to go—no matter how large—and without even telling Mary.
Good heavens.
Wrapping the bedsheet around herself, Vanessa scrambled out of bed. In her panic, she headed straight for the bathroom before stopping short and rushing back to the bedroom. Her shoes and clothes, stripped off the night before, were now neatly arranged on a chair.
Since she couldn't have done something so considerate in her sleep, River Ross must have taken care of it. She hurriedly grabbed her chemise, but as she did, something fluttered to the floor.
A piece of paper?
Just as she bent to pick it up, a brisk knock sounded at the door. Knock, knock. Startled, Vanessa’s head whipped toward the entryway.
“Who is it?” she called out, defensively pulling the sheet tighter against her chest.
“Cabin service, milady. If you’ll open the door, I can set up your meal inside.”
Her panic surged.
“A… a meal?”
Normally, meals were brought to the adjoining parlor or dining area without a word. But this suite, however spacious, had a clear view of the bed from the entrance.
Vanessa glanced at her reflection in the nightstand mirror. Even if she threw on an opaque dressing gown, she could never hide all the traces of their passionate night.
There were no secrets in this world. Opening that door meant scandal. Since this cabin was assigned to River Ross, it was only a matter of time before his name was dragged into it. Yet she couldn't keep the steward waiting forever while she got fully dressed. She had only one choice.
“No, thank you,” Vanessa said, adopting the sharp, haughty tone of a demanding lady. “I dislike the smell of food lingering in my cabin. I apologize for the trouble, but could you have it prepared in the dining room instead?”
“Of course, milady. Shall I arrange that for you?”
“Yes, please. I would appreciate it.”
“I will have it ready for you within thirty minutes.”
The rattle of the trolley and the steward's footsteps slowly faded down the corridor. Vanessa let out a long sigh of relief and quickly finished wiping herself down with the now-cold towel. She slipped into her undergarments and chemise, then fastened her corset. She was getting surprisingly adept at dressing herself.
It wasn't a skill she had intentionally set out to learn, but she considered it a good habit. One day, she hoped to manage everything on her own without a maid, setting up her study in the rose garden’s old warehouse. Like Lady Lowen. And… like River Ross.
Of course, her immediate priority was to find Rosalyn and apologize to Mary, who must have been worried sick. Vanessa ran her fingers through her tangled hair, tied it in a simple knot, and pressed her hat—still concealing the will—firmly onto her head.
Once she had pulled on her stockings and slipped into her shoes, she was perfectly presentable. A strange feeling washed over her as she realized she looked every bit the proper, modest lady on the outside, even as the pale skin beneath her clothes was dappled with a man’s bite marks.
After one last check in the mirror, she opened the cabin door and stepped out.
The corridor, brightly lit by oil lamps, was now bustling with people returning to their cabins, either to change out of their evening wear before watching the sunrise or to catch a quick nap. Vanessa made her way toward the deck, weaving through the oncoming crowd.
Out on the deck, a fair number of partygoers still lingered. Some sipped champagne, while others swayed to a slow waltz, leaning heavily against one another. Most, however, took advantage of the subdued atmosphere to exchange lighthearted banter about politics and diplomacy.
“I hear there have been troubling reports from the border near Prasen and Amiens since last month.”
“Ah, I heard that as well. They say those nations are hiring every mercenary they can get their hands on.”
“Could war really break out? I have a terrible feeling it might happen soon…”
“If such a misfortune is to occur, all the more reason to enjoy today. We can leave the country in the hands of our brave Navy.”
“Gentlemen, ladies—let us have another glass of brandy before the bombardment begins!”
A roar of laughter erupted at the suggestion. Several naval officers were mingled in the crowd, trading jokes. As Vanessa scanned the deck for Rosalyn, her eyes caught a familiar back, and she froze.
It was an officer with dark hair, his naval cap pulled low. For a split second, she thought it was River Ross, and her heart leaped into her throat. But she quickly realized she had mistaken a complete stranger for him.
From his build to his posture, even the sound of his voice… how could she have mistaken him for River, even for a moment?
What is wrong with me?
She only snapped out of her daze after locking eyes with another naval officer for what felt like the third or fourth time. Honestly, what was with her today?
“Are you quite all right, milady?”
Just as she gripped the ship's railing to steady herself, the officer she had been staring at walked straight toward her. He seemed to have mistaken her lingering gaze for an invitation. Vanessa quickly adjusted the ribbon on her hat, trying to hide her fluster.
“I am perfectly fine.”
“You seemed to be looking my way. Did I misunderstand?”
“I thought I recognized someone. But it seems… they are not here.”
“If you are searching for someone, I would be glad to assist. Lady…?”
“Vanessa.”
In an instant, a flicker of wariness, surprise, and something akin to awe crossed the officer's face. The shift in his expression was fleeting, gone in a flash. He immediately straightened his posture and gave her a polite bow.
“It seems I have mistaken the situation. Forgive my intrusion.”
After that, she encountered two more naval officers and another gentleman who reacted in the exact same way. They would approach with interest, only to retreat with flustered, stammering apologies the moment they heard her name. At first, she was merely confused, but by the fourth time, it was simply absurd. Yet, the stream of people trying to speak to her was relentless. Occasionally, even ladies joined in.
“I really must go… My maid is likely searching for me,” Vanessa said, taking a step back from yet another man who had approached her, carefully maintaining enough distance to flee. This one, however, seemed to have sought her out deliberately.
“Lady Vanessa. It is not safe for you to be out here. Allow me to escort you inside. Ah, I mean no harm, I am merely—”
“Vanessa! Over here!”
Just as Vanessa’s face was beginning to pale at the man’s persistence, a young lady waved cheerfully from the crowd, calling her name. It was Rosalyn. Her cheeks were flushed, a clear sign she had been enjoying the night’s festivities to the fullest.
“Rosalyn.”
A wave of relief washed over Vanessa as Rosalyn drew near. Rosalyn offered a brief excuse to the gentleman and linked her arm tightly with Vanessa’s. Keeping her gaze fixed haughtily ahead while leaning into Vanessa, she began her elegant interrogation.
“Where on earth have you been? Ethan and I have been searching everywhere for you.”
“You were with Ethan?”
“We talked all night. Then Mary told us you had vanished, so we’ve been looking for you together for hours. He just went to fetch us drinks, which is when I spotted you. Smile, Vanessa.”
At the command, Vanessa offered a reflexive smile. Rosalyn beamed back and gave her a brief, affectionate hug, but the words she hissed into Vanessa's ear were a pure scolding.
“Mary said she hadn't seen you, the crew claimed your cabin was suddenly undergoing urgent repairs, and you didn't leave me a single word…”
“Rosalyn…”
“How could you just disappear like that? Do you have any idea how worried I was?”
“I’m so sorry. I was… a bit overwhelmed yesterday…”
Rosalyn studied Vanessa's face as she stammered her excuses, then snapped her fan shut with a sharp clack.
“Well, now that I know you’re safe, I suppose it’s fine. It’s a bit of a shame, though. A rather fascinating rumor started circulating while you were gone.”
“A fascinating rumor?”
Rosalyn nodded, leaning in to whisper, her face flushed with excitement.