Tail’s Curse Chapter 16

 

“Pretty faces sure come at a price.”  

 

“You’re a virgin, aren’t you?”  

 

Her failed attempt to control her expression seemed to have only fueled the disgusting men’s interest. 

 

Perhaps assuming she had no family or that they could touch her without consequence, they pressed closer, making her nauseous. 

 

Cordelia covered her nose and mouth, staggering backward. Her heart pounded erratically. She locked eyes with others in the cabin, but they turned away. 

 

Not surprising.  

 

Her back hit a hard wall. Behind her was the sea—a vast blue expanse, foaming with white pearls of waves, resembling the azure hair of a mermaid. The crisp ocean scent stung her nose.  

 

A sudden, intense impulse surged within her.  

 

Should I just jump?  

 

Right now, that seemed like the least miserable end.  

 

“Stop this!”  

 

A sharp, resolute voice cut through the air.  

 

A noblewoman shook off the restraining hands of those around her and stood. With pristine golden hair, pale skin, a delicate nose, and an elegant, haughty expression, she resembled a white peacock. 

 

Even among the finely dressed ladies, her beauty stood out the most, making her boldness all the more striking. She glared straight at the pirates.  

 

“You haven’t received the full ransom yet. Don’t act recklessly.”  

 

“The noble lady is exempt. Are you offering to pay this poor girl’s ransom too?”  

 

The pirates scoffed, but she coldly retorted,  

 

“Fine. If necessary, I’ll pay. So don’t lay a finger on her.”  

 

Her unwavering stance made even the pirates exchange glances before one asked irritably,  

 

“And who are you?”  

 

“My name is Sasha Ander. My father is Lord Morpheus, the Grand Duke of Arsen. He will pay the ransom for everyone here. So cease your rudeness at once.”  

 

Sasha Ander’s dignified voice left everyone stunned. Some marveled at her boldness and grace, while others were shocked to realize that the famed socialite was among the hostages—and now, her illustrious lineage was revealed. 

 

Though her beauty and confidence stood out like a crane among chickens, who would’ve thought this woman was the legendary Sasha Ander!

 

Even the pirates seemed surprised to know her name, then delighted among themselves, as if they had caught a bigger prize than expected. 

 

One of them sneered mockingly.  

 

“Well, well, what a noble lady we have here. Good—make sure you pay up properly.”  

 

“You should first show some sincerity toward your clients,” she retorted sharply, stepping forward with crisp strides to block Cordelia’s path. 

 

With just that one remark from Sasha, their status was elevated from slaves and hostages to customers.  

 

“Then, I’d like to rest now. Please show these ladies to their quarters.”  

 

The pirates shrugged and stepped aside.

 

Dazed, Cordelia walked arm-in-arm with Sasha, striding confidently past the pirates. It was an unfamiliar and astonishing experience.  

 

She stared blankly at the beautiful woman standing beside her. What captivated Cordelia at that moment wasn’t Sasha’s bravery, her sharp wit, or even the fact that her father was wealthy enough to pay such an exorbitant sum without hesitation.  

 

‘So this is how someone who grew up bathed in love shines.’  

 

And the first thought that came to her while looking at her savior was just this—making Cordelia feel sorrowful.  

 

Even just before being sold off, Cordelia’s father had been too ashamed and disgusted to utter their family name. 

 

Yet someone else’s father could become his daughter’s shield with just his name alone. 

 

Perhaps the reason Sasha could carry herself with such confidence was not only because her father had the power to back it up, but because she knew he would willingly do everything for her.  

 

‘What must it feel like to be under such absolute protection?’  

 

“Are you alright?”  

 

Snapped out of her thoughts by the concerned voice, Cordelia quickly gathered her skirt and bowed politely.  

 

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I avoided misfortune.”  

 

“Not at all. How could I just stand by and watch another woman suffer such humiliation in that situation?”  

 

Sasha bit her lip indignantly. The sweet scent of rose perfume drifted from the cuffs of her sleeves as she gently patted Cordelia’s hand. 

 

Even though the passenger ship had been hijacked by pirates and everyone was drowning in terror, just looking at her made it feel as if they were walking through the corridors of a palace.

 

Certainly, some might sneer that she was putting on airs, relying on her wealthy father, but one couldn’t dismiss the courage it took for a woman to stand up against criminals who committed murder and rape. 

 

To risk danger to save someone she didn’t even know—could Cordelia really have done such a thing? 

 

As Cordelia watched Sasha reassuring her that they only needed to hold out for a few days until the navy arrived—since she had sent a request for support just before the captain was attacked—she thought,  

 

‘What an incredible woman.’  

 

“My lady, what are your connections? Might you be on your way to debut as a debutante this social season?”  

 

“Huh? Oh, no. I’m hardly of that standing.”  

 

At the cautious question, Cordelia flustered shook her head, which only seemed to make Sasha even more bewildered.  

 

“My apologies. Given the etiquette ingrained in you, your upright posture, and your accent, I assumed you were a young lady preparing for her debut in high society.”  

 

“Me?”  

 

Not understanding, Cordelia blinked in confusion, while Sasha’s eyes widened in surprise.  

 

“You just gave me a courtly greeting earlier. If you truly had no connection to high society, you wouldn’t have been able to carry yourself with such natural grace. There’s a slight regional lilt, but the words you use are also those of Katisha’s upper class. I don’t know which noble house you belong to, but your chaperon must have taught you with great care.”  

 

“Ah.”  

 

Cordelia didn’t know much about such things. She only thought of her mother, whose smiling face had long since faded. 

 

Everything Cordelia saw, heard, wrote, and thought came from her mother. Her ailing mother would sing lullabies every night, whispering into her young daughter’s ear.  

 

— “My pearl of the sea, Cordelia. You are another me.”  

 

You are my other self. Likewise, you are the child who will have the shining future I could not.  

 

Tears welled up.  

 

Wiping them away, Cordelia gave Sasha an awkward smile and answered,  

 

“Yes… It was my mother.”  

 

‘Mom, it seems I’ve ended up resembling you far more than I thought.’ 

 

‘Even your pain and misfortune.’

 

🫧

 

The hostages numbered in the hundreds, divided and isolated into four separate sections. 

 

The crew and first-class passengers were held on the third deck, while the servants, technicians, and second-class passengers were confined to the deck below. 

 

The remaining third-class passengers, as she had heard, were not allowed to move up and remained where they were.  

 

Thanks to the resourcefulness of Sasha Ander, who had negotiated with the pirates, the women aboard the cruise ship were gathered in the spacious banquet hall and fine cabins of the first-class section to accommodate their lodging and meals. 

 

This was to prevent any unfortunate incidents that might arise in the chaos if they remained scattered. 

 

Cordelia thought it was the right decision. 

 

There was no place more terrifying for a woman than where order and law had vanished.  

 

Fortunately, due to Sasha’s favor, Cordelia was allowed to share a room with her. Mrs. Mackenzie and Miss Brandy from third class, who had been huddled in a corner like refugees, hesitantly approached to greet her and awkwardly apologized for turning away earlier.  

 

Cordelia gave a faint smile and nodded. 

 

What else could the weak have done in that situation? Being among the vulnerable herself, she had no desire to condemn their actions for survival.  

 

“It must be hard, but try to hold on a little longer. News—whatever it may be—will come soon.”  

 

Sasha spoke firmly, and everyone nodded with uneasy expressions. 

 

A faint glimmer of hope lingered. This cruise ship carried nobles of considerable standing, and naturally, their families and the Imperial Army would never abandon them. 

 

Among them, Sasha Ander had the highest profile, backed even by a ducal family of the nation. It was widely known that Duke Arsen cherished his youngest daughter—born to a commoner mistress—more than his own life.  

 

Cordelia, too, struggled to remain optimistic amidst her anxiety, and for once, it seemed to work. 

 

Being around someone as positive and steadfast as Sasha naturally influenced her.  

 

On the third night of the abduction, Cordelia, drifting in and out of sleeplessness, was startled awake by faint groaning sounds. Sasha was drenched in cold sweat.  

 

“S-Sasha, what’s wrong? Are you in pain?”  

 

“Ah, it’s just…”