17 THE 7TH ACCOUNT: THE WHITE ROSE GRAVE 1

"We are heading back to Beckforth," Jacob announced at the dinner table before the pirates dispersed and went about to do their duties and responsibilities.

The pirates did not complain nor said a word in disagreement. I found it odd. It is Beckforth. We will be sailing back to Beckforth! Technically, they… we... are criminals of Beckforth. If they get caught, it will be the gallows or any form of death for them! If I get caught… then…

"Why do we have to sail to Beckforth? I thought our priorities were overseas territories?" I asked.

The pirates who were not able to leave yet stopped what they were doing and turned back to us. Jacob looked at me. He was serious. There was no hint of playfulness or mischief in his black eyes… just plain seriousness. No one dared to answer.

Paco cleared his throat, "It will be my daughter's memorial."

"We always go every year," Neville informed me.

I looked at Paco and saw his eyes saddened. "I'm sorry," I uttered. "I didn't mean to be insensitive. I just worried for a bit. It is Beckforth after all and…"

"We are Beckforth's enemy," Jacob completed my sentence. "We know. We have plans on how to enter and exit Beckforth unnoticed so we do not get caught, if that is what you are worried about."

I nodded. The ambience in the kitchen suddenly turned into melancholy. "What's her name?" I couldn't help but ask.

Paco swallowed hard, "Angelique."

I gave Paco a faint smile. For some reasons, I could not find the strength to stand up and walk away as the other pirates did. I sat by the table in silence, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of sailing back to Beckforth.

I closed my eyes. I do not wish to go to Beckforth. Not because it is a corrupt country but... I sighed and opened my eyes and then I remembered Father and my betrothal to Prince Eric. I left prior the finalization of our engagement so there would be no repercussions against my father. If I go to Beckforth, I risk being caught. If I get caught, that would mean that the negotiations about my marriage will continue!

Prince Eric… why would he want to marry me anyway? I do not get it. I only met the man once when we danced at a ball. I remembered thinking that he was quite charming and adorable with a good sense of humor. But despite that, I do not want to be married to him! I barely knew him!

I shook my head to get the thought out of my head. Yes! Beckforth is a big country and the chance of me crossing paths with Prince Eric would be slim. But then again, I had been gone for almost a year. What if they were searching for me? That could be a possibility. Yet, Prince Eric is a man of stature and my disappearance could be a big hit to his ego and he might have found a replacement already. So, why should I be worried? But still, he might want to take revenge on me because of his ego. I sighed.

Despite my fear, I know Paco deserved my support so half of me wanted to accompany him to Beckforth. He is just like a father to me and he had been nothing but good to me. Besides, all the crew would be there. They won't let anything happen to me, right? I put my hands over my face and groaned. I felt so frustrated.

"Something is bothering you, Darling?" It was Jacob's voice. He has not left yet and was watching me the whole time.

I looked at him. I wanted to tell him. Maybe, if he knew we wouldn't go. But that wouldn't be fair to Paco so I kept mum and just looked at him.

Seeing the distress in my eyes, he sighed. He stood up and walked towards me and sat down at the part of the table across me. "Are you that frightened to go to Beckforth?" he asked.

I clenched my fists. I do not want to appear as a weakling in front of him. I already resolved to avoid being a damsel in distress as much as possible. I took a deep breath before responding, "I have some concerns," I said, already decided to hide the truth. I left that life already. He does not need to know any of those. It's not relevant anymore.

"Which are?" Jacob was determined to know so I had to divert the conversation away from the truth.

"Isn't the punishment for piracy to be hanged in the gallows?" I asked.

Jacob chuckled. "Among other things?" he answered.

"Meaning?"

"Depending on the damage and pillaging done. The worst I heard was disembowelment before beheading," he said truthfully.

I gawked imagining what would happen if we get caught, "And you're not afraid?"

Jacob looked at me and smiled. He shook his head, "I knew what it meant to be Beckforth's enemy. All of us here already knew we have one foot in the grave."

"It's alright for you to die?" I asked. I do not want any of them to die. I do not want Jacob to die! Just thinking about it stresses my heart out!

He looked at me... For a very long time, he just stared at me. There it was again. I could not put a finger on it. But the way he looked at me was something different. From time to time, I would catch him looking at me that way. It scares me because I know if I look back, I'll be lost. It confuses me!

He sighed and spoke with sincerity, "Before, I did not mind as long as I followed my life's principles. But now…now..." he tried to reach my face but stopped himself halfway. I saw him swallow hard and took his hand back and looked away.

"Now what?" I asked quietly.

He looked at his palm that he took back and chuckled. "You're not ready for me yet, Darling. I could tell. I do not wish to push you too hard."

What he said just confused me even further. "What do you mean? I do not understand," I asked.

He smiled and looked at me, "Exactly my point."

I raised my brows and then he laughed, "Don't you worry about it. Just remember this, as long as I am alive, no harm will come to you. If we get caught, I'll just say I took you against your will," he said.

I rolled my eyes, "Didn't you, though?"

He laughed. "That I did. So don't worry about it. Hmmm?"

I nodded in response and let out a deep sigh. "Besides it will be difficult to catch us," I said.

Jacob became curious. "And why is that?"

I looked up dreamily. "I think we have the best crew. You and Lowen are marksmen. Thom, Urdel, Zaki, and Sandlot are very clever and agile. I still can't forget how underhanded their tactics were. Then, the musicians … when serious can be lethal not to mention great spies and scouts. Though Neville's dishes are extraordinary, his knife skills were always battle ready…" I looked at Jacob and smiled.

Jacob chuckled. He kept mum so I continued, "Paco's very good with a sword and.. and," I stopped. For some reason as I was describing Paco, I remembered my own father, "… he's like a father to me," I said and looked away. I could feel my eyes were becoming watery. I knew I hated my father's decision but not him… never him.

"Do you miss him? Your father, I mean," Jacob asked me.

I nodded my head and discreetly wiped the tears in my eyes that were threatening to fall.

There was a moment of silence before Jacob spoke." Darling, why did you run away?" he finally asked.

I scrunch my forehead in an effort to deny it. "What makes you think I ran away?" I tried to be nonchalant about it.

Jacob was unconvinced, "You know, I could tell you were a noblewoman right away back then. Why were you travelling without chaperones if you were not running away?"

I looked back at Jacob and shook my head. "Could we please not talk about this?" I stood up and started to walk away.

When I opened the door, Jacob was behind me. With one hand, he pushed the door shut again, "When you're ready to tell me about what happened, I'm here," he told me almost in a whisper.

I held my breath. 'It will never happen,' I told myself. But, I nodded even if I knew that that was a lie. And I could not look at him just yet, or else he will notice I am lying. Jacob seeing my uneasiness diverted the topic.

"You were right. Angelique did not die out of sickness," he said.

I slowly turned around.

"Her death was actually the last straw. After she died, I was so disgusted with Beckforth I had to do something," he admitted. His jaw clenched after.

"Was she that special to you?" I asked.

Jacob nodded. I felt a pang in my heart. But then he smiled, "She was just like a little sister to me. I was eight years older than her. You see, back then when I was at Fildas, I lived with Paco and her. They were my family while I'm away from mine," he explained.

"I see."

"The reason I'm telling you this is because this is my desperate attempt to convince you to please come to Beckforth with us. Again, I promise. You will not be in any harm's way," he whispered.

It was the first time Jacob requested something of me. And I know I do not want to deny him so I nodded. 'Everything will be fine,' I convinced myself.