Captain – Chapter 287 – Promise

Generally, after an engagement, a wedding date would be set. This timing varied, but typically wouldn’t exceed one year.

The meaning of engagement wasn’t actually complicated.

It somewhat resembled a male lion declaring sovereignty over his territory in the natural world—the symbolic meaning was greater. Its practical purpose was to give both parties some preparation time, while allowing the couple and their respective parents to meet and discuss various details.

Therefore, in the Auran Empire, people who became engaged—whether noble descendants or ordinary families—would typically marry within three to six months. This provided ample preparation time without letting passion and love fade due to a prolonged wait.

As for those longer engagements, they might involve unborn children or betrothals arranged in childhood with stronger political implications. Or perhaps due to unavoidable reasons, they couldn’t settle down and complete the wedding in a short time.

In Roy’s view, her search for Devil’s Island would involve countless storms and dangers, plus a long journey with no end in sight. She had neither time nor energy to marry or handle post-marriage affairs, so naturally she belonged to the latter category.

Moreover, she and Caine had an agreement that before truly meeting that devil and breaking the curse, she wouldn’t give a definitive answer, because…

Roy knew herself best, and also understood the changing human heart.

Even she couldn’t be certain whether, when the choice was truly before her, she might change her mind. Being so, how could she give an answer?

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Caine likewise understood this point and would naturally honor their agreement.

But the problem was that the two elders dining at the table knew nothing of this matter, and Roy and Caine didn’t want them to know. It would seem too frivolous, showing insufficient seriousness toward a lifelong commitment, and would certainly face their disapproval or even opposition.

So in Federo’s eyes, these two children had nothing that needed preparation.

From the intelligence received during this period, they lacked nothing, especially money and jewels—the trading fair held by the Mermaid in Elvet was clear evidence.

Besides, in terms of wealth, though the Howard family couldn’t compare with many noble houses, as a military family with extraordinary merits, how could they need to worry about gold and silver for a wedding?

Fortunately, Roy couldn’t hear the old man’s thoughts, otherwise she would certainly have played up their hardships, getting these two wealthy elders to sponsor some of their voyage expenses.

After all, no one would complain about having too much money, especially not the captain who always loved wealth.

Apart from preparations, the meeting of elders was naturally a crucial element. The young woman had now met Caine’s two elders, and as for her relatives…

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The only one possibly still alive was Captain Gerard Roy.

But he was currently without any news, his fate unknown. Additionally, the young woman didn’t acknowledge him as her father, so that matter was naturally settled.

Looking at it this way, Federo felt that since the two didn’t need preparation time, loved each other, and didn’t need further scrutiny of each other, even the engagement seemed somewhat superfluous. While Naren still had some time, they might as well hold the wedding directly.

Sensing the quite direct implication in the old man’s words, the young woman’s eye twitched violently. Even the young man put down the crystal glass that had been raised to his lips, looking up somewhat surprised.

Silence fell around the square table.

Swallowing, seeing the governor deep in thought, apparently also considering the meaning behind the old man’s words, the captain hurriedly said with a bitter smile: “Well… the wedding will certainly happen, but as for the timing, we really can’t determine it. To be honest, our passing through Auran is truly just en route. We have very important matters to attend to.”

Meeting the old man’s inquiring gaze, Caine coughed lightly and nodded slightly: “Elizabeth is correct. We chose to enter the empire’s interior, sailing along the Loyce Canal, precisely because this route takes the least time. We just didn’t expect to be drawn into this major affair.”

“Yes, exactly,” Roy nodded repeatedly, adding: “We’ve already been delayed considerably and need to quicken our pace. We can’t stay any longer.”

The young woman’s implication was that if the two elders were truly determined to arrange their marriage immediately, the Mermaid would have to depart tonight.

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Hearing Roy’s meaning, the old man smiled thoughtfully, his emerald eyes lingering on her fair cheeks for a long time, as if trying to discern something, or as if he already knew her thoughts.

“Really?”

This was a question Federo had asked her when they first met. But times had changed, and now the emotion contained in this phrase and the meaning it represented were different.

“Of… of course it’s true.”

The captain’s response was weak, as if quite guilty.

She was made uneasy by the old man’s gaze filled with some amusement, knowing her previous reactions and answers were too “intense.” Combined with those small movements and expressions she couldn’t suppress, the old man had surely seen through her. She could only lower her head sheepishly and continue dining.

Fortunately, the dinner was nearing its end. Servants entered the dining room carrying colorfully diverse and exquisitely decorated fruit platters, replacing the nearly finished puddings in front of Roy and the others.

Watching the captain enjoy the fruit platter like a rabbit, no longer speaking, the First Mate understood her meaning, knowing these questions would now fall on him. He smiled somewhat helplessly.

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But this was appropriate, after all, he was the one deeply in love with the young woman, and those present were his elders—naturally these matters shouldn’t be handled by her.

However, the old man clearly didn’t truly want the two to marry immediately. His questions were partly out of genuine concern for them, and partly, as Roy had thought, due to boredom and some “vengeful” impulses.

But Roy really couldn’t understand why she always encountered such unconventional elders who frequently enjoyed using her for amusement. Perhaps this was retribution for her own unscrupulous behavior?

Seeing the young woman droop her head, a flash of satisfaction appeared in the old man’s eyes. When he turned his gaze toward the young man, his tone had become much more tactful.

He spoke many words of concern and, to Roy’s surprise, told Caine to treat her well and not worry too much about status or other issues—if they truly encountered problems, he and Naren would handle them.

Although Federo had stepped down from the position of governor, no one would think he had truly lost his influence or power—this could be seen from those imperial assassins who obeyed his every command.

Naren needed even less explanation. For a long time, he would be the empire’s only governor, the foremost person beneath the new emperor.

With them present, many problems would cease to be problems.