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Chapter Seven

Peter

Ten Months Before Present Day

S he was always so surprised whenever I changed our plans.

It was not the first time I had come to pick her up.

For some reason, I wanted her to see all the beautiful things I loved.

It had to be because I felt indebted to her for all she had done for me; her storytelling had softened my curse in a way I never imagined possible.

“Your Highness!” she said. It had been nearly two years; surely we could be past formalities. But of course, that was not Lady Gwendolyn Darling. Her words were just as regulated and proper as was her clothing. Everything was precise, well-maintained, and well-mannered.

“What? I thought it was a perfect day for a story on the sea! ”

“ On the sea? Do you mean a ship?” she said, looking at me skeptically.

“I do. William is becoming a captain in a few months, and I am still working with him. He needs to practice on a larger Navy ship.”

“We are going on a Navy ship?”

“Yes, but do not worry—no one will bother us.”

“I am not worried about someone bothering us, Your Highness. I am worried about being the only woman on a ship.”

“Why?”

I was thoroughly confused.

“Have you not heard that it is bad luck to take a woman on board a vessel? I do not wish to cause any trouble,” she said.

“Oh, that is not true! My mother has sailed, and she is well.”

“Yes, but—”

“Gwen, dearest Lady Gwendolyn Darling—all is well. I assure you.”

“Well—” she began.

“I mean, you know how to swim, right?” I said, interrupting her.

“How to swim?” she gasped.

“Yes, as long as you can swim, there is no need to fear. For even if the ship goes down, we shall just swim to safety. ”

“Your Highness! That is not the comfort you think it to be!” she said, clutching her book in front of her and glaring at me.

I smiled at her.

“William—I am sure—will captain well; he only crashed in the practice boat three times—”

“You must refrain from speaking if you truly wish me to do this–” She trailed off as she traced the outline of the embroidery on her skirt. That was something she often did when she was nervous, I had noticed. I wasn’t always sure why, but I felt as if it was to calm herself.

“I apologize. I will stop trying to calm your fears because I am horrible at it. Forgive me, Gwen.”

“It’s Lady Darling , thank you, because these are fears I never had before you gave them to me!” she said, not raising her voice, but her tone was serious.

I just looked at her and smiled.

“Alright, Lady Darling, as you say, so it shall be done,” I said with an even bigger smile. She just stared at me, her eyes wide, but her lips slightly twitching as if she wanted to break from that frown and smile at me, but she did not.

I leaned back, placing my hands behind my head with a long sigh. All would be well. I could sail a ship with my eyes closed. I would never let any harm come to my storyteller.