Princess of Pirates

1_Shipped off

France – 1714

Zelia

The beauty of the moonlight shimmering on the ocean is lost on me. I am too concerned about my sister, Charlotte. We have been travelling for a month now and she has not left the cabin. No matter how much I beg, plea, fight or encourage, it is like she has given up on life. All because of a man. It is ridiculous. She is only seventeen and of noble birth. She can have her pick and there is no need to sulk about one man.

I sigh heavily and look up at the stars. The night is clear with just a slight breeze moving the ship forward. A lamp on the mast casts ghostly shadows on the deck. I should go back inside, I know. It is not safe or appropriate for me to be alone on deck at night.

I take a couple of deep breaths and go back to the cabin that Charlotte and I share. Honestly, I do not know how long my patience is going to last with her. Yes, we were born into a family that is only used to the best, but it is very unladylike to continue acting so spoiled.

I find Charlotte lying on the bed, crying yet again.

“Honestly, Charlotte,” I snap at her, unable to continue like this. “Enough with sulking over a mere man. I have been patient for months now, but I cannot stand it anymore.”

“It is not over a mere man,” she sniffs and sits up. “Francois is the love of my life. There will never be one like him.”

“Oh, please,” I roll my eyes and walk to the cabin to pour myself a glass of wine. “You are seventeen, there will be plenty of men who are more than willing to provide you with the life you seek.”

“You are just like Mother and Father,” she accuses me furiously as she dries her eyes with her handkerchief. “I do not care about riches, I love him.”

“You are a countess,” I almost shout out of frustration, but keep my voice steady as is expected from a lady. “You have a social obligation, not to mention a responsibility to our family. Marrying beneath your social status is an embarrassment. Marrying a commoner is a disgrace to the Bordeaux name and a selfish act by you. Have you ever stopped for a second to think what this would do to Mother and Father and their legacy? Have you stopped for a second to think of the implications it would have for me?”

“Implications for you?” Charlotte hisses furiously as she glares at me. “I am the one with the broken heart and is being shipped away, not you. You volunteered to accompany me, so do not blame me for your own decisions, dear sister.”

“I volunteered because I love you,” I put my empty glass down with such force that I fear it would break. “You could have been stuck here with a servant or even worse, Mother. I am doing this because I am trying to make things easier for you, Charlotte. I cannot change your fate, but I can try and ease things for you. You heard father, he was about to disown you and strike your name from the family register.”

“I do not care,” she sobs. “I do not care if he disowns me. I do not care to spend the rest of my life in poverty, as long as I can do it with Francois, I will be happy.”

“But I care,” I burst out. I am on the edge. This drama has been going on for months now and I am stuck in the middle. I agree with Mother and Father that she should not marry this man, but she is my sister, and it breaks my heart to see her this unhappy. “How do you think would I feel if I never get to see my only sister ever again? Never to speak your name. To go by my life like you were never born?”

“I truly am sorry, sis,” Charlotte whispers, her eyes diverted to her fingers that are fumbling with her handkerchief. “I never meant to hurt you, but I love him, and my choice remains the same.”

“Yes,” I throw my hands in the air. “As long as you are happy, to the moon with the rest, right? No matter what this would do to the Bordeaux name. No matter that, if you do marry Francois, no man of status will ever take a second glance at me. That I will be the gossip of the French court. And apparently, it does not even matter that you will never see or speak to your family again. But I guess, as long as you are happy it is all worth it, right?”

“Zelia, no,” Charlotte jumps up and walk to me, but I had enough.

“Leave it,” I turn my back on her. “It does not even matter. Neither of us can do anything about this anymore. Dad got his way with shipping you off to his sister and that is that.”

I ignore my sister as I undress with vigour. I had enough of her and her sulking. I am mad at her and at my parents for that matter. How could Father give Charlotte such an ultimatum? Disowning her, scratching her existence so to speak, or marrying a nobleman? What was he thinking? She is seventeen and, according to her, in love. Obviously, she would pick love. I could see Mother’s heart breaking and that is when I stepped in and made the suggestion that Charlotte should go on a vacation to clear her mind before deciding. Unfortunately, Father took my well-meant idea to restore peace and buy time and twisted it into a punishment. Charlotte was locked up in her room until Father could secure us passage on a ship and here we are.

At this very moment, I could have been at a party. Enjoy the finest things France can provide while enjoying eligible men’s company. Instead, I am on a ship, sharing a room with a sulking sister.

“I am sorry, Zelia,” Charlotte whispers hoarsely as I get into bed. “I fully understand why you are upset with me now and I don’t blame you. But one day, when you are in love, you will understand.”

“Then I hope I never fall in love,” I look her dead in the eye before I turn off the lamp and close my eyes.