Tabitha's POV
Dinner was laid out with a variety of dishes that leaned towards the sour side, such as pickled cucumber salad, vinegar-soaked fish, and yogurt-baked broccoli.
Though not my favorite, I tasted a bit of each.
In the following days, these sour ingredients continued to frequent the dining table, and I was almost sick of them.
Unable to bear it any longer, I called Wilmot over and said, "Ahem, there's been a bit too much sour food lately. I'm getting tired of it."
"Of course, Ms. Hartley. Please tell me what you like to eat, and I'll make sure the kitchen prepares it for you."
I scrutinized every expression and movement of his, finding that neither his behavior nor his style of action bore any resemblance to Derek's.
Even if Derek knew me well enough, given his status, it was impossible for him to put everything aside to stay by my side.
And that high-and-mighty Alpha, the heir to the Greenwood family, when had he ever served others?
After a few days of observation, finding no suspicious signs, I gradually let my guard down and was no longer as distant with Wilmot as I initially was.
Life at sea was indeed boring. No matter how captivating the scenery or how splendid the sunrises and sunsets were, they became monotonous over time.
I sat on the deck. The evening glow was intoxicatingly beautiful.
The evening breeze gently blew. I didn't wear a hat, not caring about my image. Even if the occasional crew member's gaze fell on my bald head, I could handle it with ease.
A fine layer of fuzz had begun to grow on my scalp, feeling much like the skin of a kiwi fruit.
Wilmot's gaze swept over my head. With a hint of concern, he asked, "Ms. Hartley, the evening breeze is a bit chilly. Would you like to wear a hat?"
"No, it's fine," I replied, patting the empty seat beside me. "Come and chat with me."
Having observed him carefully and found no issues, I relaxed a lot. "Talk to me. It's so boring out here at sea. I feel like I'm going to go stir-crazy from being cooped up for so long."
Wilmot was quick to find a topic, "Ms. Hartley, do you know what the next location is called?"
I looked out at the vast ocean, and my mind was blank. I honestly answered, "I haven't paid attention to that."
"Eagle Fall Strait."
Hearing this name, my expression changed instantly.
Though I had never been there, I had heard of it in geography books and on various social platforms.
It is one of the most famous places in the world, not for its beautiful scenery but for its chilling nickname—the Demon's Abyss.
This sea area has been abandoned by various countries since the last century as if a breeding ground for evil had given birth to a demonic flower. It is home to pirate gangs of all sizes, striking fear into people's hearts.
As the strait is a necessary route for travel between the north and south, countless merchant ships were robbed in the early years. Some brutal and horrifying incidents even occurred.
Later, the warlords of various countries joined forces to crack down on the pirates, who suffered heavy losses, either dying or fleeing. The area has been relatively calm in recent years.
Even so, no one can guarantee that there are no remnants left.
"Are those pirates still active now?" I asked with a look of fear, hoping that this journey would go smoothly without any further complications.
"Five years ago, the pirates suffered heavy losses in the crackdown organized by various countries, but they are like weeds, always coming back to life with the spring breeze."
Hearing his serious words, I felt a chill down my spine and asked nervously, "Are we in danger?"
Wilmot turned his head, looked at me with determination, and said word by word, "I won't let anything happen to you."
"Why... are you telling me this?" I was puzzled.
"I just want you to be more aware of the current situation," he calmly explained.