I never imagined my night would end like this. The ball, the music, the laughter—everything was perfect until the doors burst open. Pirates... They stormed in, swords drawn, and the chaos was instant. Screams echoed as nobles scattered, but I couldn't move. Before I knew it, a rough hand covered my mouth, and I was dragged away.

They pulled me through the palace halls, and I could hear the shouts of my guards, but it was too late. I was hauled onto a ship, my mind racing, my heart pounding in fear. I was a princess—no one had ever dared to take me. But here I was, powerless, at their mercy.

She stood before me—the captain. Tall, commanding, her eyes sharp with calculation. She was the one in charge. "Well, well, what do we have here?" Her voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it, something cold. "A royal prize. Your father will pay handsomely for you."

I struggled against the grip of the crew, but her gaze never left me. She was enjoying this. "Don't bother, princess," she said, taking a step closer. Her hand brushed my cheek, her fingers cold as ice. "You’re going to be far more useful to me than your king ever will be."

Her words sent a chill down my spine. I could see the dark glint in her eyes—she wasn't just after money. She wanted power.

With a signal from the captain, I was dragged below deck, thrown into a dark, damp cell. The door slammed shut, and I could hear the crew's laughter fade away. But the captain's presence lingered. She came down later, unlocking the cell herself. I barely had time to react before she was standing over me, her face inches from mine.

"You’re not just a hostage," she whispered, her voice low and dangerous. "You’re a key to something much bigger. Don’t think for a moment that I won’t make you realize that."

Her breath was warm against my ear, and I froze. The fear that had already gripped my heart tightened. She was in control now. And she made it clear she wasn’t about to let me forget it.