Captain – Chapter 37 – Really?

Soft, peaceful music wound around the pillars, brushing past the colorful side windows. The crystal chandelier’s hazy light made the exquisitely designed hall—which rivaled even palace architecture—seem even more dreamlike. Every noble figure drifting through the hall wore a subtle smile.

The air was permeated with the rich scent of wealth. Each table was laden with national banquet-level delicacies. Even the rare wines from the Pronora Federation—produced only in dozens of bottles annually—were lined up in three entire rows, hinting at the immense expense of this ball.

“Grandfather Federo, there are only three minutes left before the banquet begins. Are there any distinguished guests still missing?”

Prince Cameron, holding a glass of apple juice, stood obediently beside Federo, curiously gazing at the tightly closed hall doors.

This Prince was only twelve, the youngest among his siblings. His attendance was at his mother’s request, hoping to make a good impression on the governor.

Evidently, the young Prince’s question was shared by all the Noble attendees. Even the lowest-ranked among them were earls, with three Dukes present—one being the venue’s provider, the Emperor’s distant relative, Duke Darren.

Before such a lineup, Princes and Princesses had to arrive early to avoid wasting the Nobles’ time. Yet a mysterious guest was still absent three minutes before the ball’s start—this was an unprecedented show of arrogance.

Federo extended his withered fingers, gently stroking the Prince’s smooth chestnut short hair, his voice as emotionless as ever: “Indeed. I wonder what’s detained that young man, making him late even to my ball.”

The moment these words were spoken, everyone in the hall sensed something unusual. Even Duke Darren’s eyes sparked with intense interest.

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To make this dark governor wait patiently and speak so protectively, the yet-to-arrive guest’s status must be extraordinarily noble.

Moreover, the governor called him “young man”? This suggested the visitor was quite young. And the only young person who could catch this old man’s eye was seemingly…

Contemplating a certain possibility, Duke Darren exchanged glances with the other two dukes, each seeing the incredulity in the others’ eyes. For by all reasoning, that person could absolutely not appear on Frans Island.

Finally, after a crisp bell chime signaling the ball’s scheduled time, Federo continued to wait patiently. The nobles maintained a respectful silence, their curiosity growing more intense.

A few more minutes passed. A young butler rushed in from the side door, hastily reporting something to Admiral Merri, who was sipping wine by a snow-white pillar. The Admiral’s eyebrows suddenly raised, casting a surprised inquiring look at the old man.

Knowing his awaited person had arrived, Federo nodded to the major from a distance. His snake-like emerald eyes subtly wavered, unexpectedly revealing a softness never before seen on someone like him.

Understanding the Governor had long received this shocking news, Merri now understood why the old man had spoken such words of praise to the Admiral earlier. He softly sighed, expressing resignation at the old man’s rare willfulness: “Announce them.”

The butler wiped away the cold sweat and rain continuously streaming down his forehead. Facing the dozens of nobles’ gazes, he loudly proclaimed the guests’ identity:

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“Auran Navy Commander, Imperial General Caine Howard, has arrived!”

The heavy doors suddenly opened. Rain, carried by the wind, dampened the red and gold carpet. Accompanying the wind and rain was a young man holding an umbrella, and a tall young girl intimately linked to his arm.

The doors quickly closed again, separating the storm and cold wind from the gathering.

Under the knowing or shocked gazes of everyone, the young man handed the umbrella to a trembling, excited maid. Then, with the girl, he crossed the smooth stone steps to approach the slowly advancing old man, bowing slightly: “Caine pays respects to the Governor.”

A somewhat ugly smile stretched across Federo’s thin face, looking like a grinning demon. But the nobles knew that the governor either never smiled, or when he did, it was an extraordinarily rare, heartfelt moment.

“Your father has been searching the seas for you. He’d never imagine you were hiding in Ivan’s little castle.”

Hearing the old man’s dry voice, Caine lightly coughed, explaining somewhat unnaturally: “Grandfather Federo, I only arrived on Frans Island three days ago. There was no question of hiding.”

The military officer’s address was incredibly natural and intimate, completely unlike Prince Cameron’s forced, fearful approach. He had grown up under this old man’s watch, their emotional bond nearly as close as true grandfather and grandson.

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“Hmm, I’ve heard everything from Ivan. Don’t take it too seriously. Consider this ball a distraction. Just return with me when it’s over,” Federo nodded, indicating he knew the truth and had merely been playfully alleviating his two months of worry.

“And who is this young lady?”

Federo turned his gaze to Roy, who had been watching him, asking with considerable interest.

Sensing the probing meaning in those emerald eyes, Roy’s eye corners twitched quickly. She slightly lowered her eyelids, not wanting him to notice her dark gold pupils too closely. Respectfully, she responded: “Reporting to the Governor, my name is Elizabeth, a side branch heir of the Andersen family, and…”

The moment Roy mentioned the Andersen name, the hall’s atmosphere changed. Surprisingly, the nobles’ expressions weren’t filled with the expected anger toward an imperial enemy, but more with joy.

These were the empire’s upper-class figures, intimately familiar with imperial-federation relations. Hearing that name, they immediately understood the significance of this young couple’s arrival.

Sure enough, they soon heard information that satisfied them.

“The Young Master Howard’s fiancée.”

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The hall fell silent, then quickly erupted in exclamations and congratulations. Even the Princes and Princesses representing the Royal family displayed genuine celebratory expressions.

Though no one knew how the Navy Commander and the Andersen lady had met, they didn’t care. They only cared about the result.

The entire hall fell into a unique joy, with only Governor Federo remaining calm. He quietly observed the girl who had lowered her head after speaking, studying her rare dark gold pupils. After a moment of silence, he asked: “Really?”

Instantly, an oppressively suppressed atmosphere spread, gradually silencing the surrounding sounds. The astonished major nearby revealed a knowing expression, silently placing his wine glass back on the table and unobtrusively moving closer to the governor.

A fleeting panic flashed in Roy’s eyes, immediately replaced by determination. Facing Federo’s scrutinizing gaze, she proudly raised her head: “Yes, Governor. Even if you do not like my family, I will still become his wife.”

Their standoff lasted a long time, until the pride in Roy’s eyes faded under the old man’s overwhelming presence, though she still stubbornly refused to bow. Federo slowly nodded, extending his hand toward her: “It seems you are not lying. I am pleased to hear this news, Miss Andersen.”

Looking at that hand, Roy seemed to fall into an unbelievable state, only reacting to her First Mate’s quiet reminder. She shook the old man’s hand with excitement and trembling.

“Thank you, Governor.”