Sea Monster Stew Chapter 1 - Prologue: The Pirate's Bride

Even in an age of savagery, romance finds a way. This was an era when ruthless pirates ruled the seas. Yet even in such a cruel world, people still dreamed of romance.

 

One day, that very romance people spoke of came to Arcobicche. Quite unexpectedly, she had become a pirate’s bride. Although, for Bicche, it was a nightmarish marriage, devoid of any romance.

 

It was a forced marriage, as if she were being sold off. No one had asked for her consent. By the time Bicche came to her senses, she had already been dragged to the heart of the cold, open sea.

 

The wedding took place aboard a massive privateer ship sent by the groom. The ceremony was shabby—no guests, no rites, no reception. Only sheer barbarism remained.

 

Dressed in an ash-colored wedding dress, Bicche was locked in the captain’s quarters. 

 

The imperial soldiers who had brought her to the privateer ship bolted the door from the outside. A handful of soldiers stood guard, and a heavy tension hung over the ship.

 

‘Do pirates consummate their marriages in the captain’s cabin?’

 

Bicche frowned, glaring at the large bed placed inside the cabin.

 

‘I have to escape.’

 

She did not want to marry the pirate who had left her with terrible memories. The mere thought of facing him again was horrifying.

 

As she searched the cabin for a way out, she noticed the only window was boarded up from the outside with thick plywood.

 

“Miss Arcobicche.”

 

A soldier outside knocked roughly on the door.

 

“Captain Hildert will arrive shortly. Stay put and behave.”

 

Anxious, Bicche tapped her foot and glanced at the pendulum clock. The hand had already swept past 10 p.m. It was almost time for the groom to arrive.

 

‘This won’t do. I need to find a way to break the plywood.’

 

Just as she stealthily approached the window, a commotion erupted outside.

 

“Intruder!”

 

“Call for reinforcements— Urk!”

 

After the soldiers’ screams were abruptly cut off, the sound of shattering glass, dull thuds, and agonized groans followed one after another.

 

Bicche held her breath and moved toward the cabin door. As she cautiously pressed her ear against it, the door suddenly swung open from the outside.

 

Her world flipped in an instant. A hand reached through the doorway and roughly seized her by the throat. Bicche lost her balance and fell, the back of her head hitting the cabin floor hard.

 

*Thud!*

 

A loud sound echoed through the captain’s quarters. The back of her head throbbed with pain.

 

“Ugh…”

 

The smell of blood wafted right under her nose. Amber eyes brimming with killing intent appeared before her.

 

A man was pressing down hard on her neck with his solid forearm. Their eyes met—her gaze locked with his gleaming amber ones.

 

Bicche’s eyes widened as she stared up at him. So stunned, her lips parted slightly.

 

The man looked like a blood-soaked monster. His shirt and frock coat were stained crimson, and the hem of his black trousers was tattered, as if singed by fire.

 

Cold droplets fell from his gray hair. His murderous amber eyes glinted from between the strands.

 

“Wh-Who…?”

 

Bicche gasped, barely managing to whisper. Tears welled in her eyes. The pain in the back of her head and the suffocating pressure made her head spin.

 

“I… can’t breathe…”

 

As she choked out the words, the man’s half-closed eyes flew open. The killing intent in his gaze was replaced by shock. He hastily released his grip and slipped a hand behind her neck.

 

“Damn it… Are you okay?”

 

He cursed softly as he carefully supported her neck. Bicche blinked dazedly up at him.

 

She took in his sun-kissed skin, thick eyebrows, prominent nose, and distinct golden eyes. They looked familiar.

 

“Arco?”

 

The man murmured her name, gently shaking her shoulder. Finally, she remembered who he was. Staring into his amber eyes, she mumbled blankly.

 

“Kisa…”

 

The second-in-command admiral of the Crocus Pirates, once led by the great pirate Hawk. Infamous for skinning sea monsters alive—the notorious “Live-Skinner Kisa.”

 

“You remember me?”

 

A flicker of hope passed through Kisa’s eyes. Not “Do you know me?” but “Do you remember me?”. Bicche awkwardly averted her gaze.

 

“I’ve seen your wanted posters.”

 

She’d heard rumors about his pathological hatred for sea monsters but chose not to mention it.

 

Rumor had it that Kisa showed no mercy even to merfolk—monsters who looked exactly like humans. They said he would skin a weeping mermaid begging for mercy without batting an eye.

 

“……Ah, I suppose you would.”

 

Kisa nodded, looking somewhat deflated by her response.

 

“Can you walk on your own?”

 

He helped her up effortlessly. When Bicche glanced outside, her eyes widened. The bodies of the soldiers who had been guarding the corridor were strewn about gruesomely.

 

‘Did he take on all those soldiers by himself…?’

 

She looked up at him with trembling eyes. Scars were visible along his collarbone beneath his shirt collar. Just as she tilted her head back to meet his gaze, he bent down first to look her in the eye.

 

“You know, Arco…”

 

He stared at her with sunken eyes for a moment before murmuring in a low voice.

 

“…I’ve been searching for you all this time.”

 

‘Me? Why would the Live-Skinner Kisa be looking for me?’ 

 

She wanted to retort, but his eyes looked so sorrowful she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

 

Bicche simply stared blankly up at him. His long eyelashes trembled pitifully.

 

Kisa wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. Her chest pressed against his broad, firm one.

 

Bicche stood frozen, staring up at him in a daze. Her body had gone stiff. In contrast, Kisa skillfully caressed her waist, teasing her.

 

Belatedly snapping back to her senses, Bicche swiftly raised her right hand. Just as she was about to drive her fist into his face—

 

“Still have the same old habits, I see.”

 

Kisa pulled away slightly and caught her wrist.

 

“Let go.”

 

She glared at him, gritting her teeth as she stared at the perfectly arched corners of his eyes. Suddenly, she was lifted into the air.

 

Bicche bit her lip hard to suppress a scream. Kisa hoisted her effortlessly over his shoulder like a sack.

 

“What are you doing? Put me down now!”

 

Ignoring her protests, he strode confidently into the corridor. He stepped gracefully over the fallen soldiers and headed straight for the deck.

 

The deck was silent. Not a soul was in sight. Bicche pounded his back with her fists while looking around in confusion.

 

“The imperial soldiers…”

 

“Threw them into the sea.”

 

Kisa replied nonchalantly as he walked toward the railing. A booming voice called out from somewhere.

 

“Kisa!”

 

Startled, Bicche turned her head. A large ship flying a black pirate flag had pulled up right alongside the privateer. Kisa leaped lightly onto the railing, muttering a curse.

 

“Damn bastards, you’re late.”

 

“Wait, I…”

 

Bicche frantically grabbed the hem of his coat and shook her head, but he didn’t hesitate for even a second before throwing himself into the sea.

 

“What are you— Aaah!”

 

Bicche screamed as the wind rushed past her ears. Even while falling, Kisa laughed freely.

 

“What does it look like? I’m kidnapping the captain’s bride.”

 

A small boat floating near the privateer drew closer. Bicche desperately clung to his frock coat and squeezed her eyes shut.

 

Holding her tightly, he landed skillfully on the small boat. 

 

*Thud!*

 

The boat rocked violently, sending spray in all directions.

 

A strong conviction flashed through Bicche’s mind. It grew even clearer as Kisa burst into joyful laughter.

 

‘This man knows nothing about me. He doesn’t know that the blood of the very monsters he despises flows through my veins…’