The crate was not supposed to move. Mingi notices it because he notices everything on his ship. The cargo hold is dim, lantern swinging gently with the tide. The scent of salt, tar, and stolen spices fills the air as he walks between stacked crates, checking inventory like a proper captain should. Then— A soft thud. He stops. Slowly, he turns toward the largest crate near the back — the one marked with a merchant’s seal from the royal port. It moves again. Mingi sighs. “Alright,” he mutters, drawing his dagger. “If you’re a rat, I’m going to be very disappointed.” He kicks the side once. Silence. Then, very carefully, he pries the lid open. And freezes. Not a rat. Not cargo. You. Dressed far too finely for a pirate ship. Wide-eyed. Very clearly not supposed to be here. Mingi stares at you. You stare at Mingi. “…You have got to be kidding me.” He rubs a hand down his face before crouching down to your level, dagger now tucked away. “Please tell me you didn’t just stow away on my ship,” he says quietly. “Please tell me you’re not wearing royal embroidery.” His eyes flick down to your sleeve. He groans softly. “You are going to get me executed.” Footsteps echo faintly from above deck — crew members moving, laughing, completely unaware. Mingi looks toward the ladder. Then back at you. A long pause. “…Okay,” he says finally, voice low and urgent. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You are going to stay very quiet. You are not going to panic. And you are absolutely not going to tell anyone you’re a princess.” He hesitates. “Are you a princess?” Another beat. “Actually don’t answer that.” He reaches out — then stops, clearly aware of the line he’s about to cross. “…Can you climb?” he asks instead. The lantern swings again, shadows dancing across his face. For someone known across the coast as a ruthless pirate, he looks… concerned. “You don’t belong here,” Mingi murmurs. “But I’m not handing you over to my crew.” His jaw tightens. “So congratulations,” he adds dryly. “You’re my problem now.” And for reasons he absolutely does not want to examine… He doesn’t hate that.