Something came stumbling toward him—and collided straight into Daniel.

“I’m sorry…!”

It was Antoni, not Daniel, who reacted to the tear-choked voice. Antoni peered past Daniel at the woman.

“Looks like something’s wrong.”

He jabbed Daniel lightly in the side.

“What.”

“She’s a guest, you know. A guest. And she looks uncomfortable, don’t you think…?”

With a quiet sigh, Daniel extended his hand toward the woman who had fallen. She, seemingly unable to even think of standing up on her own, took his hand.

“Are you all right?”

Daniel displayed the finest manners he could muster at the moment. He hadn’t been feeling well since morning; a faint headache still lingered. A sign that that day was drawing near.

“I’m fine.”

Daniel steadied her and helped her to her feet. She lifted her head and looked at him. Judging by her unfocused gaze, she didn’t seem to be properly registering who he was.

“You don’t look fine. If something’s troubling you, I can help.”

Such pitiful tears aboard Le Pah—they didn’t suit the place at all. More importantly, Daniel wanted no trouble of any kind on this ship. Absolutely none.

Her large eyes trembled.

Now that her face was no longer hidden, it was clear she was quite striking.

She shook her head, then pushed Daniel away.

“I—I’m really fine. Truly. Thank you.”

Even in the midst of all that, the woman hadn’t forgotten her manners—to the point it seemed almost foolish. After pushing Daniel away, she took off running again.

“What was that?”

“Who knows… Ah—this isn’t the time for that!”

Antoni shoved Daniel forward. In the end, Daniel cast one brief glance in the direction the woman had disappeared, then headed toward the platform. Antoni pressed the prepared card into Daniel’s hand.

Daniel skimmed the card with a cursory glance, then practically shoved it back at Antoni.

The man who had been frowning in discomfort from a headache was nowhere to be seen. As if freshly pressed, Daniel now looked immaculate, dressed in a refined black suit. Even the bow tie suited him perfectly—like it had been drawn onto him.

With his honey-blond hair slicked back, his sharp features stood out more clearly, yet he was still handsome enough to capture the hearts of the women around him. His striking blue eyes shone with a beautiful light.

Antoni stubbornly placed the card back into Daniel’s hand. Daniel frowned in irritation, then finally took it. Antoni watched him anxiously until Daniel stepped up onto the platform.

“Thank you all for attending today and gracing us with your presence.”

Fortunately, the guests—entranced by Daniel’s dazzling appearance—seemed not to notice just how cold his tone was. Once again, the looks bestowed upon Daniel by the gods were doing their work.

“Le Pah, made possible by your generous support, will depart from Parlo of the Hudson Empire. After approximately thirty days at sea, we will dock at the Kingdom of Alicé. You will enjoy a month-long stay there, before embarking on another thirty-day voyage back to Parlo of the Hudson Empire.”

Daniel’s deep, resonant voice carried powerfully across the deck. The passengers gazed at him with rapt expressions. The inaugural voyage of Le Pah was a privilege reserved solely for those gathered here. Among them were many who had paid astronomical sums for the chance to exchange even a single word with Daniel.

Le Pah was brimming with every kind of desire.

In an unhurried cadence, Daniel continued reading from the card.

“Throughout this roughly three-month journey, the crew of Le Pah and the Libertás Industries pledge to do everything in our power to ensure your comfort and provide you with a delightful voyage. Each evening, a meaningful party with a different theme has been arranged. Those interested may inform the crew of their intention to participate.”

After confirming the final line, Daniel lowered the card and surveyed the crowd. Eyes the color of the deep blue sea embracing Le Pah slowly swept over the people gathered before him. Daniel smiled, unhurriedly.

“In the name of Daniel Libertás, I promise that you will never regret boarding Le Pah. To this moment—let us raise a toast, for you all.”

Daniel lifted the glass in his hand. A melody befitting the beautiful night sky and the sound of waves began to flow. Lively violin notes, paired with the rich tones of a harp, awakened the deck.

In an instant, lights flooded the deck that had been steeped in darkness.

“Woooah….”

Was it someone’s awed exclamation?

Fresh roses—so vivid it was hard to imagine how they had even been transported out onto the open sea—adorned every railing. Side tables were laid with drinks and neatly prepared hors d’oeuvres. The thick scent of roses, mingling with the salty tang of the sea, was almost overwhelming.

It was nothing short of a dreamlike, fantastical sight.

Daniel let out a quiet, amused laugh.

Reporters mingled among the guests, incessantly pressing their shutters. The emotion of this moment would spread across the world through the tips of their pens. Le Pah would establish itself as a hallmark of the Hudson Empire.

And once Le Pah completed its three-month voyage and docked again in Parlo, people would gladly spend staggering sums just to secure the next boarding pass.

Daniel slowly traced his lips with his tongue. The peach-sweet fragrance of champagne lingered richly.

As he surveyed the deck with eyes drunk on victory, that was when he noticed her.

Daniel lifted an eyebrow.

Curled up in a corner of the deck, the woman sat staring blankly beyond the railing. Her shoulders trembled faintly.

She didn’t look like a member of the crew aboard Le Pah—which meant she must be a guest.

Daniel crooked a finger, summoning Antoni.

“What’s that?”

Antoni turned his head and followed Daniel’s gaze to where he was pointing.

“…Calling a person that? I’ll be sure to report this to Selva.”

“Antoni.”

“Ahem. Well, I wouldn’t know. No idea what’s got her like that.”

Daniel set the glass in his hand down. The woman was holed up there like a blemish on a flawless creation. Slowly, Daniel descended from the platform. Cowering in such a state was an affront to Le Pah itself.

He began walking toward the woman.

Like an arrogant yet elegant beast closing in on its prey.