Captain – Chapter 441 – The Family Gathering

The Anderson family didn’t celebrate annual festivals—this was a tradition passed down from ancient times. Yet by coincidence, just less than half a month before the festival period, they held their customary annual family gathering.

This gathering began at dusk and continued until the first rays of dawn the next day.

During this time, except for the initial two hours, which were a private meeting attended only by family members and distant relatives, later on, anyone who could pass the extremely strict screening by the family’s private soldiers could attend the gathering—even a ragged beggar, though of course, there were no beggars in Hipalia.

Therefore, this gathering, nominally the Anderson family’s reunion, was actually the largest annual event in the great port city.

Not only did almost all important figures from Hipalia come to share drinks and conversation with Mr. Rowell, seeking benefits and weaving connections, but some even traveled thousands of miles to attend, such as assembly members supported by the Anderson family, and members or emissaries from other great families.

So, on the day approaching the gathering, even before nightfall, the manor was already bustling with activity.

Carriages carrying Anderson family members and guests with invitations entered the estate one after another, while the attendants of these dignitaries, along with waves of guests, crowded together, anxiously waiting for their turn to be vetted. Inside and out, everyone was caught up in the bustling atmosphere.

“Anyone who can pass the screening, who doesn’t have too dark a past, can attend this banquet. And day or night, at every moment, there’s good wine and fine food available for guests to enjoy.”

Roy leaned against the window frame, looking down at the passageway, at the stream of carriages all bearing the Anderson family crest, stretching from Mr. Rowell’s residence all the way to outside the residential area, and remarked with feeling: “Caine, tell me, how much money must be spent in a single day?”

“I don’t know.”

The First Mate’s calm voice came from behind, accompanied by the rustling sound of changing clothes.

Two days ago, after meeting with Mr. Rowell, the old butler had arranged for them a mansion near that old residence, in the style of Auran classical period, as a temporary resting place.

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During these two days, the pair had either toured the city or concerned themselves with the arrangements for the crew.

After informing the others of their current situation, rushing and hurrying, they finally managed to send off all crew members who planned to leave before the family gathering began.

The Mermaid had also replenished its food, water, and ammunition, ready to set sail at a moment’s notice.

These preparations were, of course, made for tonight.

If circumstances changed, Roy wouldn’t hesitate to depart ahead of the family head’s realization.

But that was a matter for later.

All preparations were made covertly; on the surface, the captain and her companion maintained the appearance of casual sightseers. They had even specially learned Federation etiquette from the old butler for this gathering, and had retrieved the clothes they once used to disguise themselves as members of a noble family to enter Auran inland.

These were the snow-white high-collared dress laid out on the bed, and the black formal attire the young man was currently adjusting.

“I only know that if you don’t hurry up, Captain, we might miss the banquet.”

Finding that the sound of dressing had ceased, Roy turned around, but instead of seeing the First Mate’s customarily cool expression, a white dress came flying toward her, which she instinctively caught.

“Is it that exaggerated? Although during the engagement back then, I was a bit slow in putting on a dress.”

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Moving the white dress aside, the girl looked at Caine approaching with a corset in his hands, and quickly waved: “Hey, hey, hey, I’m saying let’s skip that thing. I can get into this dress without it.”

“But that way…”

Before the First Mate could finish, Roy swiftly pulled the white dress over herself, saying impatiently: “Get it straight, we’re not really attending the gathering. We might need to slip away at any moment. If I wear that thing, forget running—I’m afraid I wouldn’t even be able to breathe.”

“Otherwise, why would I wear a shirt underneath? It’s so I can strip off the dress and run if needed.”

Dressed in white, Roy turned her back, gesturing for her First Mate to help with the buttons, and added: “Don’t you remember, that’s exactly what I did at Grandpa Federo’s ball.”

“Is it that serious?”

Seeing his persuasion ineffective, Caine tossed the corset back onto the bed and helped fasten the pearl buttons for the captain, while reflecting on her previous words about things going “wrong” and “slipping away,” and asked with a slightly furrowed brow.

“Of course, didn’t you see Mr. Rowell stating clearly that he won’t let the ship’s doctor leave?”

After tugging at her dress to ensure it was properly worn, Roy descended the stairs with her First Mate, speaking with a serious expression.

“What’s wrong with that?”

Having participated in the conversation between the girl and the Anderson family head, recalling the promises made by both, Caine asked in confusion: “Didn’t you both agree that we wouldn’t interfere in this matter?”

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“Hmm, First Mate, do you… trust me that much?”

Drawing in a light breath, the captain scratched her cheek, speaking in a tone that suggested she didn’t even believe herself.

Hearing this, and recalling how two days ago Roy had sent him away to return to the Mermaid alone, and how after that, all previously orderly affairs had suddenly become urgent, if Caine couldn’t deduce anything from this, he would have wasted all his time spent with the girl.

“You…”

Before the First Mate could say anything, the girl opened the main door of the mansion.

Outside were servants and a carriage already waiting. There were too many guests today, too many important figures, and the old butler simply couldn’t spare time to attend to them, so he had to delegate servants as substitutes.

Although only a humble servant, Caine knew that people arranged by these great families could very well be trained spies—one careless moment, and information might leak.

So he had to hold his tongue first, nodding coldly to the servant. Only after boarding the carriage did he look at the captain, whose eyes were evasive and guilty, and said in a lowered voice: “Captain, have you gone mad? What good would it do us to get involved in this? Besides, this is a family matter.”

“F-family matter, so what?”

Deliberately ignoring the first half of his words, the girl stammered.

“Family…”

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Choked by her attitude, the First Mate’s expression darkened as he said: “Haven’t we already discussed this matter? Or do you feel that wasn’t conclusive, and want to continue now?”

“Why bring that up again?”

Knowing that the First Mate was referring to their debate before visiting the Ria Clock Tower, recalling her own embarrassing attempt to change the subject then, Roy naturally didn’t want to revisit it.

“Alright, alright, nothing’s set in stone yet, so stop lecturing me. We’re not definitely going to snatch him away. How things will ultimately develop remains to be seen after we meet the young master, doesn’t it?”

Seeing that the First Mate was trending toward pressing her with reason, the captain quickly raised her hands in a placating gesture.

Although she said this, the young man still strongly disapproved of her potentially adventurous behavior, feeling it was unjustifiable in any way, and couldn’t help asking: “So if Anderson wants to leave with us, do you really plan to take him away right in front of Mr. Rowell?”

“You should know that if we offend the Anderson family, forget support—we’d be lucky not to be hunted down.”

“Well, about that…”

The girl shifted her gaze, giving an ambiguous answer that made the First Mate’s expression even more displeased.

“Let’s see how things go.”