Shrouded Seascape

Chapter 70. Eyeball

"Did something happen to you on that island?" Charles asked, a trace of doubt evident in his voice.

Shouldn't she be happy that they managed to escape from that place? Why was Elizabeth wearing such an expression?

"Answer me," Elizabeth urged once more.

"No," Charles answered as his hand stealthily reached for his revolver.

Disappointment crept onto Elizabeth's face as she muttered in a self-deprecating manner, "You're so useless, what are you waiting for?"

"What are you talking a—"

Before Charles could complete his sentence, Elizabeth suddenly spread her arms and lunged at him. Charles' gun instantly aimed at her midsection.

However, Elizabeth's next move halted Charles' finger that was hovering on the trigger. She leaned in and planted her soft lips on his.

Witnessing the scene before them, the other crew members on the deck exchanged amused glances before they quickly dispersed.

"What on earth happened to you?" Charles wanted an answer. He knew of Elizabeth's feelings toward him, but was this really an appropriate time for something like this?

"Charles, you know? When I first laid my eyes on you, I was already... interested," Elizabeth spoke in a gentle voice. "Don't be fooled by my seemingly skilled seductions. I'm really not that adept at dealing with emotions. Perhaps, I might come off as too blunt and direct."

"Bro, what's with this lass saying all of this out of the blue? Why does it sound like she is saying her last words?" Even Richard could sense that something was amiss.

With his brows furrowed, Charles pulled Lily out of his pocket and instructed, "Lily, call Doctor over."

As the white mouse scurried across the deck toward the sleeping quarters, Charles turned back to Elizabeth and questioned, "If you're facing troubles, tell me. I'll find a way to help you."

Elizabeth merely shook her head as her gaze drifted toward the island that was rapidly vanishing into the distance. A mix of urgency and helplessness flashed across her eyes as her speech became increasingly hurried.

"I have no time to explain. When you get back, remember to return me my belongings. Also, if you don't hate me, find me and let's try to see if we work out. It's too dangerous out at sea. I don't know how much longer I'll survive. I want to find a companion before I die. Charles... goodbye."

As her words fell, Elizabeth's towering figure started turning transparent as she fell toward the floor. Without a moment of hesitation, Charles had spread his arms in an attempt to catch her.

Amid a flurry of glittering dust, Elizabeth's form vanished within the confines of Charles' embrace. From where her figure was, two small objects tumbled down toward the deck.

Charles swiftly caught the two items in mid-air and held them tightly in his grasp. Opening up his palm, a delicate woman's earring and a human eyeball with tiny hands and feet appeared before him.

Staring at the blue iris brought back memories of the eye he had glimpsed through the crack of the wall when he first landed on the island.

Immediately, the memory of Elizabeth wearing an eyepatch and the words she said then flashed across his mind.

"I lost an eye. Phew. That island is too dangerous. It's already fortunate enough that I managed to come back. It was terrifying."

The shimmering luster on the eyeball soon dissipated. Its tiny white hand gently stroked Charles' hand for a brief moment before it swiftly withered and dried up. Before long, the eyeball had turned into a non-living entity.

Charles stared at the eyeball, deep in thought. He seemed to have comprehended the situation somewhat.

"Captain, are you looking for me?" Laesto approached him.

Charles remained silent for a short while before he handed the eyeball to Laesto and asked, "Is it possible to reinsert this into its original owner's eye socket?"

Laesto picked the eyeball up with his metal hand and examined it briefly before answering, "Not possible. This eye had been detached for too long."

Charles let out a long sigh of disappointment as he received the eye back and gently held it in his fist.

"Don't worry about it. Let's head back now."

***

Margaret's eyes fluttered open. Lying beneath her plush down comforter, she stared in a daze at the lavish crystal chandelier that hung from the ceiling.

She had returned to her own home for a while now, but it still felt surreal to her. Was she really back?

"Miss Margaret, your outfit for today is ready," a maidservant entered the room with a long silk gown upon noticing that the young mistress was awake.

Margaret's eyes narrowed into slits as she did a lazy stretch and gracefully jumped off her bed.

Having been waiting patiently since the crack of dawn, the team of maidservants stepped forward, wanting to help her change.

"It's alright, I can do it myself," Margaret gently turned them down.

At her words, the head maidservant gestured to the others to stand down. Such instances had happened several times since Margaret's return. The way she treated the household staff had already changed dramatically.

Before, she had been kind, but her affection was mostly directed to kittens and puppies, and she remained indifferent to those who served her. But now, she seemed to have undergone a 180-degree change. She would show concern toward the servants and would even exchange pleasantries with them.

An elegant silhouette, a charming visage, minimal yet perfect makeup, a silver maxi dress that shimmered under the lights, and sophisticatedly crafted high heels—the combination of these elements enveloped Margaret in an air of gracefulness, propriety and elegance. The pearl of the Isle of Whereto had returned.

Her delicate and peerless countenance captivated even the women who served her.

Staring at herself in the mirror, Margaret playfully twirled around as a faint smile appeared on her face.

"If Mr. Charles were to see me now, his jaw would surely drop in surprise," Margaret remarked with a soft chuckle.

The maidservants exchanged glances. Ever since their young mistress came back, she would often mention a man named Charles. They had no idea who was this fortunate man that had caught the attention of their young mistress, but they were certain that the plethora of suitors on the island would be fuming with jealousy if they ever found out.

"Gina, how did you injure your hand? Take the day off. If the head butler asked about it, just tell him I said so." With that, Margaret then picked up the hem of her dress and pranced toward the living room.

"Good morning, Mother!" Margaret greeted as she lovingly hugged a beautiful woman.

Kalytha gently stroked her daughter's long silky hair and commented, "You'll be turning seventeen in three months. Why are you still sleeping in, my darling?"

"No matter how old I am, I'll always be your darling girl," Margaret said endearingly with a smile on her beautiful countenance.

"Hurry up and have your breakfast. I made it myself," Kalytha guided Margaret to the adjacent seat next to her.

Margaret flashed a warm smile at her mother before she gracefully lifted the silver spoon in the bowl of milk to her lips.

With condensed milk added to the mix, the sweetened milk tasted delicious and brought an involuntary smile to Margaret's face. After taking a few sips, she turned her attention to the rest of the breakfast spread on the table.

Baked beans in tomato sauce, sausage sandwiches, and warm sunny side-ups. With every mouthful of food, Margaret experienced immense happiness.

Tears welled up in Kalytha's eyes as she watched the actions of her previously fussy daughter. How much must her poor daughter have suffered that she was eating a simple breakfast like this as though they were gourmet food?

Noticing her mother's sorrowful expression, Margaret swallowed the food in her mouth before she held her mother's hands in hers and comforted, "Mother, don't be sad anymore. See, I've returned safe and sound, haven't I?"