Chapter 5.2

“Are you going to hit me? Go ahead and try. If you want to end up in jail as soon as we get off this ship, be my guest.”

“Are you proud to be on a ship with a man without your parents’ permission? Huh? What if this gets out in the social circles?”

“Geez, Mr. Gixson. You don’t even know what the central social circle is like. You’re a provincial noble who’s never even set foot in the central social scene. If you’re going to threaten someone, shouldn’t you at least do it in a field you know about?”

Even to herself, her tongue felt so smooth. ‘Never show weakness or back down, no matter when, where, or in front of whom.’ That was the teaching of the Swanton family and the pride of the central nobility. With that, Berry stood up. She met Jeffrey Gixson’s threatening gaze head-on and raised her eyebrow.

“The Swanton family will not forget today’s insult. Including your rude use of informal speech toward me.”

“…….”

When she didn’t back down at all, Jeffrey Gixson’s face turned bright red. It looked so much like a turnip that Berry was startled at herself inside. 

‘Had I really thought about having my first kiss with a man like that?’ 

She must have been out of her mind. After just a few days with Damian, she felt she could never do anything romantic with anyone but him.

“Berry, is something wrong?”

At that moment, Damian called out to her from afar, holding drinks in both hands. Berry turned to answer him, about to say everything was fine. But what came out of her mouth was not reassurance.

“Ah!”

“She insulted me. She dared to…”

A chilling mutter struck her ears. A rough hand yanked her hair. The pain was sharp, as if her scalp was being torn away, and she flailed, but Jeffrey Gixson, as if possessed, did not let go.

“Berry!”

“Don’t come closer! If you do, I’ll kill her!”

Damian was there. He saw her. He had stopped because of Jeffrey Gixson’s threat, but surely he was thinking of a way to save her.

“Let’s see if you can endure this without begging me for mercy.”

Jeffrey ground his teeth and shook her by the hair.

Even in pain and humiliation, Berry quickly assessed the situation. She thought about what she had to do to stay safe.

The sunset had completely faded, and darkness had taken its place. Bright lights lit up all over the ship, and one shone above Jeffrey Gixson’s head. Berry scrunched her eyes and took a calm, deep breath.

‘Falling into the sea at night is dangerous, but…’

Being in Jeffrey’s grip was even more dangerous. If he had a weapon, it would be even worse.

“If you don’t apologize, I’ll throw you into the sea. Apologize to me right now. Beg!”

“…….”

The sea was too calm for her to tremble at his threats. And Berry could swim well. Her heavy dress would be a hassle, but she wouldn’t panic and freeze just because she fell into the water.

From behind them, Damian calmly tried to talk.

“What are you doing to the lady? I don’t understand why you’re acting like this.”

“Ha, because of you… my plan is ruined. You showed up and got in my way… If I can’t have her, then…!”

Jeffrey Gixson was rambling, as if he were on something.

Berry stretched out her hand, brushing the railing as she calculated the impact her body would endure if she fell from this height. It wouldn’t break her body, but it would definitely hurt a lot. Unless she managed to dive properly, being pushed off would cause significant trouble.

“If I can’t have her, then no one will. No one will ever have her!”

At that moment, Jeffrey pulled out a knife. Berry alternated her gaze between the knife and Damian’s unreadable expression. He couldn’t do anything now because she was being held hostage. If he decided to subdue Jeffrey Gixson, knowing she might get stabbed, he could overpower him. But Damian probably didn’t want her to get hurt. Wounds heal, but scars from a knife remain.

‘Well, then there’s only one conclusion.’

Jump.

Berry and Jeffrey Gixson were both standing on the railing. Their positions were equally precarious.

She looked down at the blade pressed against her neck without any fear. 

To think someone would believe the daughter of Swanton would be afraid of something like this. Truly, this only proved he wasn’t part of the central nobility.

Berry, though raised recklessly for a noble, had not skipped the lessons she was supposed to receive. If her brother were to suffer an unexpected accident, she would have to inherit the family, whether she liked it or not.

Among those lessons were preparations for situations like this—being kidnapped and facing threats to her life.

She had even undergone simulations. Once every season, imagining countless scenarios.

She was not weak.

“Put the knife down. Don’t make yourself regret this further.”

“Heh, heh-heh. What do you know? Huh? If you want this girl to be safe, stop the ship immediately and give me jewels and a boat. Otherwise, I’ll slash her face.”

Jeffrey Gixson abandoned his clumsy noble tone and spoke entirely like a backstreet thug. Alarmed passengers stepped back, calling for the crew. Even the captain appeared, visibly struggling to decide how to handle this hostage situation.

“I’ll do as you wish, but put the weapon down first. If Miss Swanton suffers even a scratch, I’ll make you regret being alive.”

“Hand over the money first. You there, all of you, take off your jewelry and throw it here!”

Jeffrey Gixson was extremely agitated. This might be his true nature—perhaps he wasn’t even a noble. Berry thought so as she subtly leaned her upper body closer to the railing without him noticing. The sound of earrings and bracelets being removed and thrown to the floor echoed around them. Berry waited for his greedy gaze to shift in that direction, and in that fleeting moment, she used all her strength to kick the back of his knee.

From childhood, she had been exceptionally skilled at kicking things.

“Ugh!”

The kick landed perfectly, buying her about one second. It was too short to run toward Damian but just enough to dive into the sea.

Without looking back, Berry plunged into the water.

Splash!

The icy seawater froze her entire body. The salty taste invaded her mouth and nose, causing her to grimace and spit out the water.

“Berry!”

Her dress clung too tightly to her body, making her struggle more than she had expected. But she was immensely relieved to hear a familiar voice. Damian had dived into the water not far from her, cutting through the waves to reach her.

“Damian! Over here!”

It had been a while since she swam in the sea, and it took her a few seconds to get the hang of it. She had swallowed too much water, making her throat and nose sting, and she shed a few involuntary tears. 

‘Ugh, salty.’

Just then, Damian wrapped his arms around her waist with a terrifyingly intense expression. When she lifted her head, she saw men punching the stunned Jeffrey Gixson. At the same time, the captain shone bright lights into the dark sea, and a lifeboat was lowered.

The crowd of people murmured as they watched her and Damian. With his help, Berry climbed onto the lifeboat, sticking her tongue out at Jeffrey Gixson, who hung from the railing like a prisoner about to be executed.

“Ahhh!”

Jeffrey Gixson screamed in frustration when their eyes met. But there was nothing he could do. Soon, back on the ship, Damian cupped her cheek and whispered.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through this. Go to your suite and wash up with warm water. Rest.”

“But you’re soaked too, Damian. What about you?”

“I plan to interrogate the man whose real name isn’t even Jeffrey Gixson.”

His words were polite, but his gray eyes swirled with immense fury. Berry widened her eyes as she watched him loosen his tie and take off his jacket.

It was obvious what was about to happen, but it was only justice for his crimes. Letting him take a few punches wouldn’t hurt.

Berry thought so as she turned away. But she didn’t leave without saying one last thing.

“Come quickly. It’s cold. I’m feeling a bit shaky.”

“I will.”

With that, Berry headed to her room, surrounded by concerned crew and passengers. Other than a slight runny nose and her tongue still tasting salty, she was fine.

She didn’t look back, even as Jeffrey Gixson’s desperate screams echoed all the way to the Royal Section.

On the final day of this spectacular ship party, all she needed now was rest. Just rest.