Captain – Chapter 260 – The Real Topic

“What?”

Blinking in confusion, Roy’s tone was one of surprise, as if she hadn’t expected to hear such a trivial, almost playful question at the beginning of this meaningful dinner.

“Among those who know you’re a young woman, the vast majority believe you were able to disguise yourself as a man for so many years without being discovered due to exceptional disguise skills.”

“And that pretending to be a young gentleman at various banquets, drinking and spending nights with young ladies from prominent families, was all to reinforce people’s impression of your male identity, seeking to achieve surprise effects at certain times by leveraging these stereotypes.”

Robert cut a piece of hazelnut bread, placed some caviar on it with a silver spoon, and said in a rather relaxed tone: “This view is mainstream among those in the military and political circles who are in the know, even in Federo’s account. But when these speculations reached my ears, I found them laughable.”

“Because I know these are all outsiders’ wild imaginings. My little one was clearly a cheerful and lively boy—how could there be any talk of a girl disguising herself as a boy?”

Looking at the young woman who appeared embarrassed after her “glorious past” was mentioned, the Governor smiled and then put the small piece of bread into his mouth.

“This is embarrassing enough already, please stop teasing me.”

Roy gave a wry smile, prepared a small piece of bread in the same way, and offered it to the raven who was staring with wide, curious eyes. She explained: “As for why I turned into a woman, you know that being a pirate means encountering troublesome things—if not being chased by warships, then running into some legendary, strange phenomena.”

Rеаd oո ΚαtRеaⅾіոɡСafе

“About half a year ago, I was betrayed by my former crew members and abandoned on a deserted island. To make matters worse, I was also afflicted with a curse that’s difficult to break. Fortunately, it wasn’t life-threatening, only transforming me into my current appearance.”

Hearing the timeframe mentioned by the young woman, Robert paused slightly, as if recalling something. After a long while, he sighed and said: “I’ve learned about your experiences from various sources. You’ve had a hard time during this period, haven’t you?”

“Since leaving your side, I’ve always lived this way. I don’t really think about whether it’s hard or not.”

Sensing his concern, the captain lowered her eyes slightly and spoke with indiscernible emotion, like a child sulking to an elder.

As the young woman’s words fell, a brief silence descended upon the round table.

When the Governor pondered for a moment, about to say something, an unexpected sharp, low call sounded first, breaking the somewhat heavy atmosphere between them.

“Can’t eat more, can’t eat more.”

Roy removed the third piece of bread from in front of the raven, who had turned its small head away, and placed it back on the plate, asking with some confusion: “Why is your appetite so small today?”

Rеаⅾ oո ΚαtRеаⅾіnɡСαfe

“Well, never mind. Since you’re full, don’t give me that longing look when I’m eating later.”

Hearing the captain’s words, Alfie obediently responded, then its small eyes restlessly surveyed the spacious hall. It seemed that after such a long, tedious journey, the bird could no longer suppress its playful nature.

Bothered by the raven’s occasional movements on her shoulder, the young woman said with some impatience: “Alright, alright, you’ve been cooped up all day. Go find a place to play by yourself.”

Given permission, the raven called out joyfully and flew from the captain’s shoulder, circling the ceiling of the spacious hall.

“Is this alright, Uncle Robert?”

The raven’s behavior dissolved the awkwardness between them, which suited Robert’s wishes perfectly. When he heard the young woman return to her familiar tone, he nodded with a smile and asked: “Is this little one the reputedly intelligent raven of yours?”

“Don’t listen to those people’s nonsense. This foolish bird can only say a few human words and read facial expressions, with no other abilities. But then again, you can’t expect a pet cheaply acquired from a bird market to be very capable, right?”

Seeing the Governor watching the circling raven with interest, Roy shrugged and explained rather helplessly.

Rеαԁ оn ΚatReαⅾіngCαfe

After a few circles, Alfie seemed to tire of the hall with its dazzlingly bright lights. It flapped its wings and descended, landing on the sill of a small window within the floor-to-ceiling window. It gently pecked at the glass, turning its head to call to a nearby servant: “Open window, open window!”

“This silly bird was probably kept confined by its previous owner and has been averse to enclosed spaces since joining me, even in a hall spacious enough for it to frolic. Don’t mind it—when it tires of making a fuss, it will naturally return.”

Feeling the servant’s questioning gaze and hearing the young woman’s slightly embarrassed words, the Governor smiled indifferently, then nodded slightly to the servant.

The small window was pushed open a crack, and the previously barely audible sound of rain suddenly became much clearer. As if called by the cold wind and the sound of rain, the raven flew out impatiently, disappearing into the pouring rain.

Withdrawing his gaze, Robert turned to look at the somewhat puzzled young woman and explained gently: “Birds always long for the sky. It’s natural, just like children who have grown up and fledged don’t want to hide under an adult’s protection or have their freedom restricted.”

Hearing the Governor’s meaning, Roy’s lips tightened with an unusual feeling before she said softly: “I’m glad you understand.”

The white bread and caviar were quickly consumed, and the servants promptly served vibrant vegetable soup.

Looking up at the young woman who was stirring her soup with a silver spoon, seeming somewhat distracted, the Governor’s eyes showed signs of inner struggle. After a long silence, as if he had finally made up his mind, he said slowly: “Child, I think there are some things I should explain clearly to you.”

Reаԁ οn ΚatRеαԁіngCafе

Hearing the man’s somewhat heavy tone, the captain knew that the conversation was finally entering the main topic. After her gaze flickered for a moment, she placed the silver spoon filled with red soup beside the bowl, sat up straight to look at him, and asked: “What things?”

“Everything that happened from when you handed me that box filled with jewels until our reunion today.”

When she heard him mention that box, Roy’s dark golden eyes suddenly froze, then erupted like churning lava, bursting with uncontrollable fire, as if to completely devour the man before her and reduce him to ashes.

Such an intense emotional surge continued until the young woman closed her eyes, only then subsiding.

After taking several deep breaths, Roy reopened her eyes. The anger and disgust that had filled them previously had completely disappeared, leaving only profound weariness and sorrow.

She forced a smile at Robert and said with unclear emotion: “Uncle Robert, I thought…”

“You would never mention those things again.”