I prepared myself for the big ball that night. I was really nervous. I was about to meet my fioncè. A servant came to tell me that the ball was getting started and the guests were already arriving. I thanked him and he left. His name was John and he was working there because he was in debt with the captain's family. It would seem that soon he would pay off and be free. Derek told me about him. John had big plans for a new business. His sister, Ella, was also working there with him to help pay off the debt.

I went to the ball room accompained by Derek, who had waited for me in the hall just to get me to the ball and guarantee that the first dance would be his.

- It has to be the first- he said.

I didn't understand why until later that night.

The music started. We danced and danced... We were both enjoying it so much we ended up dancing in the very center of the room and many stared at us, admiringly.

When we realised, the melody was over and everyone was clapping their hands.

I blushed. Derek got me out of the embarassement by dragging my hand and he took me outside to the balcony.

- Can I ask something from you?

- What?- I looked at Derek, full of expectation.

- A kiss.

That took me by surprise. I wasn't able to say a word.

- I'll take your silence as a yes.

He leaned forward, rested his hand on the balcony's edge for balance and laid an energic kiss on my lips. He couldn't help give me one more before looking at me and then a last one, shorter this time. Then he embraced me and whispered into my ear: "whatever you do, wait for me, you're mine".

- What do you mean?

- Two years. That's all I ask. Wait for me. I want you to be mine, and give you to no one else in marriage.

- I only love you- I assured him.

- Remember that. And also that I do too- he smiled-. Let's go inside. It's time.

- It is?

I was affraid. The announcement would soon be made. Time to discover who my fiancè was.

And there he was. Derek's and Edward's father, ready to make the announcement. Everyone was listening to the man in front of the refreshments and snacks table.

He greeted and welcomed everyone before proceeding with the real subject of the evening.

- And so this ball has been organized in a future couple's honor. If Miss Jaselly would be so kind as to step forward...- he waited for me to show up and then continued- I present you my son's future bride.

Everyone cheered and applauded. But I was shocked. My fiancè was one of his sons??? Which one??? That would change everything.

- And here's the groom- he said, reffering to the one that was stepping out of the crowd.

Edward. It was the captain... I would marry the captain of pirates!!!!

- No!- I said out loud.

He was just two years older than Derek but it still seemed like a lot to me. He looked so far from me, not a stranger but pretty close to being one. I loved Derek and could think of no one else.

I didn't know a thing about the captain. Not a thing! 

Everyone stared at me and started to talk to each other. I felt embarassed both for me and my future family in law so I couldn't stand it anymore and ran off to the garden, outside, tripping over people. Finally I got outside and then I saw Derek getting into a carriage. I ran towards it as fast as I could but I wasn't fast enough. Derek leaned out of the window and saw me.

- I'm sorry!

- Why?- I cried.

- Wait for me. Two years. Promise me!

- Only if you promise to come back to me and that we'll finally be together then!- I asked as I kept running.

- I do!

- Then I promise too!

- Don't forget!- he warned me- Because it's a pirate's promise.

We waved our hands to one another and I slowed down.

- A pirate's promise... - I said to myself and smiled.

But that smile vanished as a manly hand laid on my shoulder. I felt a shiver going down my spine.

- Missie, please.

It was Edward's voice. A pleadding voice. I sighed, then I turned around.

- Do you hate me that much?- he looked into my eyes with a sad expression.

- No, I...just...

What could I say? What could I do? I was supposed to marry him for everyone's sake, but I wasn'ready. I knew what I had to do, but it was hard to follow the head when the heart was elsewhere and refusing to follow orders. In the end I had to be honest with my future husband. He already knew everything, anyway.

- I love someone else.

- I do too.

My eyes widdened.

- So, go with her!

- She died.

He sat on a bench and I approached him, ready to listen. He looked at me and then he lowered his gaze.

- My family made me marry a rich young lady. We, as nobles had a social status but we ran out of money because we lent a large amount of it to others in hope of benefit. They couldn't return the money and both my brother and I were asked to get married to save the family's economy.

- That happened once to us but then it was solved... - I said but then I realised I was interrupting- Sorry, go on.

- I offered myself to marry the daughter of a rich merchant so they would get status, which would benefit their image at business, and  we would benefit economically. I did that with the condition of my youger brother and sister being free to marry whoever they wanted. Also, I asked them to give me some time to know her and perhaps start liking her.

- Did they?

- Yes, they agreed to give us one year. We spent time together and eventually fell in love. One month before the wedding, she asked me to go on a little trip together overseas. That's when we got attacked by pirates and they killed her. I was so busy fighting against the pirates that I didn't notice they had captured her and threw her into the sea chained to a heavy piece of iron. I will never forgive myself for that. And I will never forgive them. So I found some men, bought a ship and sailed off for revenge.

- Did you get your revenge?- I asked carefully.

- Yes. Although one escaped. The one who killed her. I won't rest until he is found and dead.

- What if he finds you first?- I feared.

- That would make things even easier for me.

- I mean, he might also be seeking for revenge.

- Of course he is. And just to finish the story before we go back in... My parents understood the situation and told me I didn't have to get married, and also that Derek should go, but then I became a pirate and that is where my parents did not agree with my actions and decided to put an end to it by getting me settled. At first I didn't want to, Derek could take my place, but then I found out he had a girlfriend and that he wanted to get married. She was a normal girl, so it was not what the family wanted. I also discovered that he had found a well-paid job teaching a noble's daughter, who was also one of my family's target. When you were born, my parents and your father had an agreement of an arranged marriage. It was their plan b. When I found out, I accepted the marriage so that Derek could live his life.

He remained in silence for a few seconds.

- And look at how he repaid me. I was willing to take his place and marry you and there he comes and calls off his wedding and tries to steal you away from me. You know, after this, I told myself I was not going to do him any favors.

- But wouldn't it be better for you two if I married him?- I asked.

- I don't think so.

He gave me a letter. It was from Derek. He adressed to his brother telling him to take care of me and that he was going to get back together with his former girlfriend. I could not believe it. He said he loved me! And he told me to wait! Why?

- But he told me...

- I heard. He lied.

I started to cry. But then I realised something. That was not his handwritting. Edward must had done it to make me forget about him. I knew it would do no good to discuss the matter with him, so I decided to wait for Derek doing things my way.

- How long do you think it would take you to forget about her?- I asked him.

- I don't know, perhaps a year...

- So let's make a deal. Let's wait a year until we both move on and then let's take another year to get to know each other. After that, we shall start preparing the wedding.

Edward thought about it for a while and then  he decided it was reasonable.

- So you would rather get married at 15. Well, I guess it's a good age. Perhaps you are a bit too young and you are still a child. Fine. Two years. 

We shook hands and the deal was settled. We went inside, smiling and everyone congratulated us. The music played and Edward invited me to dance. At midnight, the fireworks started.

- This is for you. I thought you might like them as part of the present for your birthday- Edward told me as he leaned to my ear.

I was impressed. It was the second time in my life I got to see fireworks. The first time I was so amazed by them I always wished for a second time. And my wish came true. The captain's story and his consideration towards me made it impossible for me to hate him because of the trap with the letter and his keeping a secret that he was my fiancè from the beginning.

- Thank you- I told him.

He smiled at me. He had expectation and hope in his eyes.

- I'm pleased you liked it.

"Well, even if I had to marry him, my life wouldn't be as miserable as I imagined all along. I never expected anything good coming from it anyway, so...", I thought, " but I'm still waiting for Derek's return. He promised".

After all, it was a pirate's promise.

To be continued...

In a second part.

In summer