Thankyou to the talented author of "A and D" who was kind enough to read my story and dedicate a Chapter to me, because of you I was able to expose my writing to you who are reading it now. Thankyou so much.

* This Chapter was edited on the 10.01.21
Notes: I have removed Hobbson's accent, as I found it inconsistent in the later novels. Eventually I will remove it in all of the Chapters. Thankyou for your understanding!

Enjoy and much love,
Daisy

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Chapter Three | Innocence

UNKNOWN

I scanned the unsuspecting town slowly, carefully noting the absence of guards at the docks, before folding away my telescope with a resounding click.

Hobbs spoke up, his gruff voice confident. "He has stuck to our bargain it seems then Captain?"

"Aye, it seems for now he has," I muttered, scratching at the stubble on my chin thoughtfully. "But you can never trust these people." I said cheerfully clapping Hobbs on the back and making him cough. 

"Very good Captain" he spluttered. "What are ya orders then?" 

I took one last lingering look at the docks before turning to look at the menacing towers of rock looming before us. "In to the cliffs," I said smoothly. "We will conceal her where we did two years ago, but this time, no cannons. If Dodger disobeys my orders one more time, on my damned soul I swear I'll-

Hobbs cleared his throat. "He's the best weapons master that we've yet to find Captain."

I leaned my head back, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration. "I don't care if he's the bloody master of the Underworld Hobbs, I want-

He held his hands up quickly interrupting me. "You don't want cannons Captain, I'll get the missive through."

I breathed out. "Good. I'd much rather we show our dear old friends that Pirates are anything but predictable."

A smile crept onto the old man's face and he voiced his agreement.  "Whoa re you taking ashore with you then?"

I swung the heavy wheel around, watching as the crew scrambled around on the deck, letting out the main sails so we picked up speed. They didn't need my orders, this was a process we had completed many a time. 

"Only you and I," I replied, narrowing my eyes as the cliffs loomed closer.

"What about the crew?" I could practically hear Hobbs eyebrows raise at my answer. "With so many left behind, are you not afraid of mutiny?"

Without saying a word I leaned forward ever so slightly, letting the pendant hanging suspended on the chain around my neck fall forward. The golden jewel set in the center caught the rays of dying sun, causing shafts of heavenly light to flicker over the ships surface. Instantly all eyes were upon me and I cocked my head to the side. 

Beauty is only skin deep. Who knows what matter of poison lays concealed beneath the surface. 

"They know what will befall those who dare betray me," I said quietly. I had barely raised my voice but I knew that it had carried to everyone on board. The ship trembled, as though it was shaking with fear. 

"What are you all standing around for?" I roared, feeling the burn begin behind my eyes, before slowly spreading to engulf the rest of my body. "This ship will not sail itself, you lazy mongrels!" 

Immediately, all eyes were averted as they scurried away like mice on the run from a lean, hungry housecat. 

"Captain," Hobbson warned cautiously, but I ignored him, looking instead back to the jewel, in which my reflection was mirrored. 

Two golden eyes stared back at me. "I know," I murmured quietly. And then louder - "I know." 

I let the jewel drop, the necklace bouncing against my chest before settling under my shirt, hidden from view. 

And then I steered the ship directly for the cliffs. 

*  

CIRCE

I watched from my balcony, as the sun sunk low on the horizon, swelling to at least three times it's normal size. As it touched the ocean, it wove a shade of crimson into the ever shifting waves. Slowly, as more of the fiery orb succumbed to the water, the macabre shade spread outwards, morphing into a violent orange, before finally fading to a molten gold. 

I wonder what it would be like to swim in gold like that. Surely it would be magical. 

It seemed ridiculous to think that, although I lived right beside the ocean, I had never set foot in the water in my entire life. Watching the ships and visiting the Pirates in the jails was as close as I had ever gotten to the wild untamed seas. 

No-one had ever seen reason to teach me, and I had never felt particularly compelled to learn. Swimming was not something that was widely learned - only Navy soldiers had use for it. And age old superstition saw to it that I - as a woman - would never set foot on a ship. Bad luck and all. 

A knock sounded at the trapdoor and I cast an eye over the grandfather clock standing proud in a corner of the room. It was almost eight.

"Come in!" I called, looking back out of the window, now focusing on the steady stream of carriages that were pouring through the castle gates. The courtyard below was lit with lights and befit with splendor rarely seen. I had spent most of the afternoon out on my balcony, watching as the decorations went up. It had been a pleasant way to waste time. 

"Miss Circe, I've come to prepare you." 

I turned, smiling widely at the elderly ladies maid that had accompanied me since I was young. "Isabelle," I sighed, "I'm glad to see you." I turned back to the window,  watching the finely clothed women exit their carriages in their beautiful ball gowns, dripping with jewels. I looked down at the plain dress I was wearing, it was beautiful, to be sure, but did Father really think that it was suitable for a ball?

"Your Father requested we bring this up for you to wear Miss." I turned to find that two more maids had joined Isabelle and they were carrying a large cardboard box between them. They smiled at me and set it down on the bed with a curtesy. 

"These two are new, Miss Circe," Isabelle said promptly, introducing the two. "Arabella is on the left, Constance on the right. I interviewed them personally, they will be assisting me to attend to you from today onwards." 

I nodded and greeted the two with a smile. 

"Your Father wishes you a Happy Birthday and wants to let you know that you are due to appear before the masses at nine o'clock sharp," Isabelle relayed. "I believe your outfit for tonight is in there," she pointed to the box with her eyes twinkling. "You had best open it."

Slowly I reached forward and undid the beautiful blue bow that was wrapped around the box, sliding the lid off gently, stifling a gasp. Reaching forward, I picked up the dress by the shoulders and carefully lay it out on my bed.

Tulle and lace spread out on the covers, delicate satin flowers nestled in the folds of the material. The sleeves were long, and all but sheer, the posies of flowers continued all the way to the cuffs, a stunning illusion. And the color, such a brilliant gold, it was though the shade had been taken from heaven itself. 

"Miss Circe, there's a note." Arabella pointed to the box. 

My attention was momentarily diverted from the dress to where she was pointing. A little slip of paper had fallen to the bottom of the box and I picked it up and unfolded it.

You didn't think I would let you go to your own Ball looking anything less than the Princess you are, did you? The dress was your Mothers, with a few alterations. I look forward to seeing you tonight.

Your Father,
Jacob

It had been my Mother's ... 

My fingers ghosted tenderly over the material and I felt my eyes grow hot with emotion. 

Noticing my expression, Isabelle tutted lightly and steered me to the vanity. "Now, now," she shushed, "you can't be getting emotional! Tonight is a special night for you, you know? Normally you take care of yourself-

"Unlike those spoilt brats downstairs." I heard Arabella mutter as she laid out my combs. Behind her, Constance shushed her quietly, a flush decorating her cheeks. Isabelle sent the two younger girls a warning stare before smiling wryly at me as I giggled. 

"Well, she isn't wrong," she acquiesced, combing through my long hair gently. "But forget that. Tonight, let us make you beautiful."

Her words were simple and unadorned, but I understood. I smiled and nodded my head. 

"Okay."

*  

I pulled in a breath of air as Isabelle tightened the corset, understanding finally why my Father had requested I wear a corseted dress throughout the day. 

Without time to get used to the corset, not doubt I would have ended up fainting before I even reached the ball room. 

"Woman overseas must sacrifice a lot to be beautiful," I huffed out between gasps of air, "including the ability to breathe freely." 

Isabelle laughed, "One more," she encouraged, tugging again. I sighed in relief, but the contraption made it impossible to breath deeply enough for a sigh. So I huffed instead, looking down as I did so. 

"Well," I said plainly, "I've discovered where my waist has disappeared to."

"Where?" Isabelle asked, a smile on her face.

"To my chest," I laughed helplessly, "they are practically touching my chin. Are you sure this is seemly?" 

All three of the maids chuckled. 

"Indeed Miss," Constance complimented gently, "you look beautiful."

"Constance is right," Isabelle chided, "none of your fluttering. You are ravishing. Do you wish to see yourself before you go downstairs? It's quarter to nine."

My stomach jumped, and suddenly I felt nervous as Isabelle took my hand, leading me to the full length mirror in the corner of the room. I hesitated for a moment, before stepping into the frame and analyzing the woman reflected before me.  

She was definitely a young woman - not a girl - and perhaps this was the first time I had acknowledged this fact. Her golden curls had been brushed and brushed until they were soft and full, floating gently around her shoulders like a cloud. 

Rubies dripped from her ears like frozen droplets of blood and her neckline was left bare, save for the single gold chain - the precious pendant hidden below her neckline. Her blue eyes were sultry, framed with thick black lashes, her cheeks had been painted delicate pink.

But her dress, how it fit her. The sheer sleeves left her shoulders bare, tight around her arms and wrists. The clusters of satin flowers seemed to sit on her skin, the sheer material contributing to the illusion. From her bodice to her waist, the rich golden silk was tight, but it flared outwards from her hips in a full circle. 

The woman in the mirror took a step forwards towards me and a slit in the fabric parted, to reveal layers upon layers of red tulle, the fabric the same shade as the rubies that dripped from her ears.

"Is that really me?" I whispered, reaching out to touch the glass. The woman stared back at me, her blue eyes wide and a little startled. 

"Yes that's you," Isabelle said briskly, "now come - you're going to be late." 

On impulse, I turned and hugged her tightly. "Thank-you," I whispered into her ear. 

She patted my back gently, "It is my pleasure," she replied softly before pulling away, a determined look on her face, "Now go!" she hastened, "quickly, quickly, or you really will be late!"

I laughed at her scolding tone before following her to the trapdoor, which she descended down first, guiding my feet as I accepted the hand of Arabella, managing to keep my balance. I laughed at the thought of the expressions that would be on peoples faces if I fell and tumbled all the way to the ball room. Most un-ladylike. 

At the bottom of the tower, we were greeted by two soldiers and a young man in a tuxedo, who turned around just as I reached the bottom step.

I grinned in delight. "Naddy!" 

HIs eyes had widened at the sight of me, but upon hearing his nickname, the same eyes narrowed into a scowl and he shot a look back over his shoulder at the two soldiers who stood laughing behind him.

"Don't call me that," he hissed, grabbing my arm to lead me away down the hall and out of earshot. "It's bad for my reputation."

I turned with a laugh, to wave goodbye to Isabelle and the other maids, before grinning at Nathaniel cheekily, "And what reputation was that exactly?"

He scowled, "I'll have you know-"

We bickered all the way to the ballroom, winding our way through the familiar halls with ease. They were relatively empty - everyone had a job to do elsewhere tonight. 

We climbed a flight of stairs, and then another, Nathaniel strategically leading me away from the main doors from which I could hear the murmur of guests. I raised an eyebrow at him. 

"Taking a detour are we?" 

Nathaniel rolled his eyes, "Your Father wanted you to enter from the main staircase." 

I groaned, "Do I really have to?" I hissed. 

Nathaniel ignored me and we rounded a corner to see yet another set of doors, two guards stationed outside. I straightened and collected myself, setting aside my internal unrest. 

Upon seeing us, the guards stood to attention also.

"Miss Circe," one of them stepped forward, bowing low, "we have been waiting for you. You are right on time." The guard straightened and the other one sent Nathaniel a grin. 

"Forrest," he greeted, before turning to me, "you had best keep an eye on him tonight Miss Circe, I heard he has an unwanted admirer." 

I held back my laughter as Nathaniel's expression dropped considerably. "Whatever do you mean?" I replied mildly, the corners of my lips curling unconsciously. 

The guard chuckled. "Miss Circe, if it is not too bold to say, you look beautiful tonight. I hope you will accept my birthday wishes."

"Yes it is too bold-" Nate began  furiously but before he could finish I cut smoothly across him.

"Thank-you," I smiled sweetly, "for the lovely compliment." Nathaniel opened his mouth again, no doubt to tell his fellow solider just where he could stick his compliments, and I booted him in the shin, the flair of my dress concealing the indecent act quite nicely. 

Nathaniel swore under his breath and I spoke again, smiling as I concealed his filthy language. "I think we had best be going in," I declared loudly, "it's almost nine."

"I'm going to have words with him later," Nate muttered in my ear, as the soldier's bowed again before opening the doors. 

I laughed, "You'll have to escape Florence first," I mocked and he groaned. 

"If it weren't for you, I would have thought twice about coming tonight," he complained, "but your Father specially requested I accompany you." 

"He did?" I asked brightly, feeling a little less nervous. Perhaps my Father had my best interests at heart after all. 

Nathaniel laughed at me as the doors opened fully and the sounds from the room beyond poured into the hallway. 

"What, you think I would let you walk into that big scary room all by yourself?" He laughed at me. "It's far too dangerous. With how clumsy you are, you would probably trip on your grown, rip the whole thing off and bare your undergarments to the entire Duchy. Some-one has to be there to stand in front of you and cover your modesty." 

I scoffed, whacking him on the arm as he cackled. "You're disgusting," I reprimanded, "I should let Florence just have you."

"Please no," Nate wheezed through his laughter, "I can't deal with that hag for the whole night." 

I grimaced and pulled him forwards. "Enough," I hushed him, "let's go and get this over with." 

We stepped out onto the top of the stair case where I briefly let go of Nathaniel's arm for a moment to whisper into the ear of the announcer. 

The man maintained his expression as he received my orders with a simple nod. I retreated back to Nathaniel's side and smiled sweetly at him. 

He looked at me suspiciously. "Why are you smiling like that?"

"Oh, no reason." I smirked.

"Circe, wha-

I tugged him forwards until we were overlooking the entire room and slowly the faces below turned towards us. Ignoring them, I moved to the top of the stairs, searching the room for my Father as the announcer began to speak. 

"Introducing, Circe Fallon-"

There he was - at the head of the main table of course. His eyes were on the pair of us, his expression unreadable. I gave him a nod, my smile slowly widening as the announcer finished his job. 

" -her accompanying partner, Naddy Forrest."

Beside me, Nathaniel groaned quietly in protest. 
My smile blossomed into a full blown grin. 
Revenge was sweet.