I packed my things and had them brought to the carriage. Edward would not tell me where we were headded to, I was to discover it on my own. The ship we travelled on was his enemy's, the one he took revenge on. He got along well with the crew and so did I. No one was allowed to say a word about our destination. Everything seemed so misterious. I wondered and wondered: where were we going?

I spent long hours staring at the vast ocean. Seeing Edward by the helm reminded me of the first time I saw him on a ship. I remembered I barely made it alive. They took piracy pretty seriously. He said it was for revenge, but he became a real pirate, along with his brother Derek and the rest... Derek... It had been so long since I stopped to think of him. I had just realised, I was so into Edward I forgot the promise. I was doubting. What would I do when the time came?

"Choose Derek, of course, you waited for so long, you promised, and Edward doesn't even love you", said my mind.

"Just choose the one you love" said my heart.

"But what if I have feelings for both?", I asked myself, confused.

"At the right time, you will know and choose", both my head and my heart agreed.

I went up to the quarterdeck to talk to Edward.

- How much longer? I lost count of the weeks we have been at high sea.

- Patience, my dear. We're almost there.

I was happy to hear those words, I believed he meant them.

- Less than a week?- I smiled.

- Less than a week- he smiled back.

- I was wondering, about the first time we met on your ship... Was it a coincidende? You did order to kill everyone...

- Certainly, I did not know that was the ship you travelled on. I was told you would come some days later.

- I was lucky to be brought on board then- I replied-. Thanks to Derek's sword lessons...

I stopped talking when I realised the effect his name had on us. It was really unconfortable. He smiled at me, showing me it was okay.

- Yes, I am thankful for that as well. Now, how would you like to have a little sword practice with me?

I agreed. I was curious of how it would turn out. It was fun and even romantic. There was chemistry, the look on his eyes as he was blocking my attacks and returning them gave me shivers and I liked it. Sharing moments of action with someone could really build a special conection. He wasn't giving it all, so neither was I. We were just having a bit of fun. But then, he started to hit harder, probably wanting to finish the fight if not make it more interesting. I tried to keep the pace, and just when I was starting to get used to it, he went even more agressive. I wasn't so strong as to resist much longer. I would have to think fast of a way to either find a weak spot or be faster than him.

- You are so atractive when you get serious... seriously playful with me- I struck.

I took advantage of his surprise hearing my words and threw away his sword. He was impressed, but he wasn't going to give up so easily.

- Well done... But you see, you didn't win- he said, causing me to start doubting.

Edward quickly moved my hand away from him and pulled me close to him. I was blushing. His hand was stronger than mine, so he moved it together with the sword towards my neck and kept it there no matter how much I struggled.

- Not fair, you are supposed to win when you leave the opponent defenseless- I complained.

- But you see, I wasn't defenseless, you are. Either way, I have to admit, you did quite a good job. But you tried to play a trick on me by making me lose my focus, so I returned the favour. I think we both agree the looser owes the winner a prize- he claimed.

He put me in front of him and held my hand, gently. He looked into my eyes and smiled slightly. I smiled too.

- What does my captain wish?- I asked, even though it was pretty clear.

- What I wish, you will soon find out. But for now I will be content with just a kiss from your sweet lips- he said caressing them, which made me feel butterflies in the stomach.

- Please, help yourself- I stood on my tiptoes and closed my eyes, waiting for the kiss that followed.

- You too, that was the deal- he asked.

I had no choice but to take initiative to make him happy with the prize. I put my arms around his neck as I felt his around my waist and laid my lips on top of his, passionately. I was planning on making it a quick one but I ended up getting carried away and went all in for it. Edward was more than pleased and let me know it in a whisper by my ear.

- I wish you did this more often.

I felt a current through my body and had goose bumps all over. Y hugged him hiding my face in his embrace, red as a rose. Edward couldn't help a smirk on his lips knowing he had won more than an entertaining sword duel.

The next day, we finally heard "Land ahoy!" and Edward asked me (more like ordered me) to go to shore blindfolded. I thought it was part of the surprise, so I obediently covered my eyes and walked by his side holding his hand. We even took a carriage to where we needed to go. It wasn't far, and when we got down, we walked a few more minutes through a garden and into a house. The smell seemed familiar. Finally, he told me I could look and when I did, I saw my father standing in front of me. That was truly a surprise, but I would't say one I was looking forward to. My facial expression turned bitter.

- Jasy...

- Father... I...

I stepped back while he came closer. He stopped, realising why I was feeling that way.

- Are you angry because I sent you to get married? You knew you had a fiancé since you were born.

- I know that, but you sent me alone just like that... I could have died when pirates attacked! It was a miracle I didn't...

- I'm sorry, my dear, I didn't mean to force you to marry a pirate, but I couldn't go with you and he is a serious young man from a good family, I knew he would treat you well. I knew you would never agree if you knew who he was, so I wanted to give you the chance to get to know him first.

- Actually, father, my fiancé was supposed to be Derek... But because he had a girlfriend Edward took his place- I just had to let everything out, I wanted to clear out everything.

- Did you want to get married to Derek?- my father asked.

- How come you didn't realise how much I was in love with him?

- My dear Jasy, little did I know he was from the same family and that you liked him. But as you said, he is engaged.

- Not anymore.

- Where do you want to go with this?- he asked.

- I just wanted to know if it would make any difference which of the brothers I marry.

I ignored the fact that Edward was standing there, shook by my words and totally disappointed. Each sentence must have felt like a knife in his heart.

- As long as the parents and their sons are fine with it, sure- father said-. But Jasy, you aren't being very considerate to our guest here, think of the way he must feel hearing you say you want someone else. Do apologise.

That was when I realised it was wrong of me to say all that in front of him. I felt awful.

- I'm so sorry, Edward, I just wanted to know I have freedom to choose, it doesn't mean... Well it wasn't my intention to...

I wasn't sure how to approach the situation, my heart started to ache feeling his gaze and thinking of how I would feel if I was in his place and he was talking about marrying someone else. Maybe he wasn't in love with me, but anyone would feel offended and hurt if they were turned down like that because their siblings would be chose over them.

- It's alright, Miss. I understand...

He smiled at me, but those words didn't make me feel better, they were making me feel more guilty. There was only one way to redeem myself. By telling the truth.

- Edward... You are the one I'm getting married to, please forget what I said. It's not important anymore if I had a choice or not.

- You are right, Miss, I should have asked you. What is love without freedom? I wish you to actually want to be with me, not just because you have to. But first, I want things to be right beween you and your father.

- Would you reconcile with me, my dear Jasy?- father asked, with his arms wide open.

- I... Father... I was angry at you for so long because you gave me away to a pirate... But I now see I actually missed you a lot and now I am happy with the choice you made for me, so I forgive you- I went to him and hugged him.

We cried. Seeing me so grown up made him realise I was a person of my own, capable of making my own decisions and he felt sorry to make me marry a strager. He could have talked to me about it and trust my choice, since Derek would have been a pretty good alternative.

- I want you to be happy. Don't marry just for the agreement between families- he said.

- I know, father. Thank you.

We all smiled and Edward proceeded.

- Now, I want to ask you, sir, so that it's official: will you give me your daughter's hand in marriage?

- Of course, I trust you will take care of her as well as I would, if not better.

Then, Edward turned to me and lead me to the rose garden and there, he kneeled before me and asked:

- I ask this for myself, not as an arranged marriage, but as a man who wants to be with his lover: Will you marry me?

- My answer will be the same as yours to MY question: do you love me?- I asked back, grabbing my dress because of the nervousness as I saw him lower his gaze.

- Oh, I see...

He stood up and headed back to the decks to take the ship back home. I followed him, trying to stop my tears, but I couldn't. Good thing he didn't turn around or look at me for the several days I spent crying in my cabin. When we arrived, the preparations for the wedding continued, but again, I felt it was just a formality, not a choice for love. Edward didn't go back to his old self. He became colder and I kept wondering what happened between us. He dismissed me from the one kiss a day deal and said I could do whatever I wanted. But he didn't stop the wedding preparations. The only thing in my mind was:

"Edward, why do you want to marry me?"