"Get up."

You rubbed your eyes and tried to adjust your blurry vision, failing to suppress your irritated expression at the rude awakening.  Your eyes trailed up Shayato's legs and then to his folded arms. He clicked his tongue and grabbed your arm, forcing you up on your feet.

Your legs wobbled and you were forced to lean on Shayato, it was safe to say that you hadn't gotten much to any sleep last night. 

It was unfortunate that when you had finally fell asleep, it was twenty minutes later that Shayato had woken you up.

He scoffed and you quickly found the strength to stand up on your own. "Come, I'll be taking you the meet the others."

You trailed behind him as he led you out and across the deck, you were instantly blinded by the sun and you had to shield your eyes, which also stopped you from noticing the other crew members leering very obviously.  

You walked to another part of the ship where you were led past the other crew that were drenched in sweat hard at work. This time you notices their stares. 

It was an uncomfortable feeling, some tried to touch you but quickly moved away as Shayato sent them a glare.

You followed as he led you down a thin hallway with dimmed lamps that led to a much more pleasant part of the large ship. You immediately appreciated the lack of odour, which made you realise you had been sleeping on the side of the ship where the 'lowly' crew sleep.  

Your thoughts silenced as you approached the sound of chattering growing  louder. 

The chatter ceased as soon as Shayato twisted the door knob to the large room. 

It was clearly the main meeting room of this group. Large and expensive tapestries decorated the walls, on the far left there was a large table with maps and papers scattered around. 

You were unable to take in the impressive room as your eyes suddenly fixated on the man sitting on a chair in the centre of the room, surrounded by others. 

You didn't get time to see their faces before you were pushed to the ground.

You hit your knees as you fell by their feet, they looked down at you and you didn't dare to look up.

These are the Raiders then...

"Did you enjoy your night sleep here? I hope Shayato didn't do anything to you in the night my queen?"

"Shut up Katsu. And she's a princess, not a queen."

"Hm...I didn't expect her to be my type."

You listened as they conversed with one another, some more jokes were passed and you couldn't help but feel offended by the small comments regarding your royal family.

But the Raiders didn't care for royalty, only money. That would be your advantage, as long as there's a high price they can be bought.

"Shouldn't we welcome our princess?"

You lifted your head as an authoritative voice spoke up. He stared at you curiously, half of his dark hair was pinned back and the other fell over his face.

You couldn't help but stare. You resented the fact that your first thought was that the man who had kidnapped you was incredibly attractive, but that also went for the other Raiders. You felt entranced and threatened as his purple eyes bore into your (e/c) ones.

As if he was trying to measure your value. 

"Welcome to my ship. I'm the captain, Rei, and these other men are the rest of the 'Deadly Raiders' - as you people like to call us. I doubt you haven't heard of our existence..." 

He carried an unnerving smile. "...Otherwise I would be terribly disappointed."

You simply nodded.

"The blue hair one is Katsu, Shayato carries the sword, the white hair guy is Vincent and Damon is the one with the purple hair."

Under different circumstances, you would have found the insulting attempt to introduce his crew humorous. But you simply examined all of their faces. 

"Shayato leads our attacks and Damon is in charge of the food, I advise that you're especially nice to him." 

You suddenly winced and touched your temple. The cut had opened and blood was trickling down your face. Katsu quickly knelt down and examined the wound before turning to glare at Shayato.

"Shayato! we can't have her passing out on us again! Couldn't you at least have cleaned the wound?"

Shayato glared daggers back at Katsu and scoffed. He turned away, refusing to answer.

Katsu rolled his eyes and pulled out a clean cloth. He held it on your temple gently and you replaced his hand to hold it in place as he stood up again.

"I'm sure the princess is hungry after her rest, how about you get her some food Damon."

Damon, who hadn't looked at you once, turned away and swiftly left the room, slamming the door shut behind him. 

You turned back and silence had fallen over the room. No one decided to speak.

You cleared your throat.

You just had to know.

"I...want to know why you kidnapped me. This alliance is crucial, the kingdoms will fall apart without it."

Katsu chuckled. "We don't care about the kingdoms. The man who hired us has put a hefty price over your head. All we care about is getting our money."

He took out one of his twin daggers to point at you. "If anything, you will be the reason for the kingdoms downfall. That's got nothing to do with us."

You stared with a mixture of shock and disbelief. You regretted even trying that route.

Of course they didn't care.

Evidently, your predictable expression was the cause for Katsu's laughing fit. He wiped a fake tear from his eye.

"Aha...awe don't look so upset princess. We promise to give you the princess treatement if you don't cause too much of a ruckus." Katsu smiled.

Your breath hitched as he leaned forward again closely to your face whilst the others remained silent.

You quickly realised it was just to take back the bloodied cloth you were gripping in your hands.

You felt your face heat up with embarrassment before the partial relief when Damon returned with a plate of food, taking away all of their attention. 

Your stomach gnawed as the delicious smell of the food filled the room. It was only now you realised how hungry you were. 

He placed it in front of you and you looked it over. There was a mixture of different food on the plate.

A bowl of hot soup and warm bread with butter. 

It seemed simple, but after yesterdays meal it was an amazing sight. Your tongue melted and you didn't suppress your satisfied expression as you ate, despite the off-putting watch from Damon who was intent on seeing your reaction. 

You felt more at ease as his cold eyes softened slightly as you continued to eat his food.

You listened as they discussed with one another about their plans. 

"Does this mean I'm on watch duty for her from now on?"

"No Shayato, we can't have that when we need to be on the look out for attacks now that we have precious cargo." Rei sighed. "With this considered, we need to take turns watching her for the next month until we reach our destination."

"Can't we just lock her up so she won't escape?"

"Absolutely not. We can't risk that she might try to bite or swallow her tongue, that royal ass wants her alive."

Royal ass?

"We have to keep away from the crew too, they'll likely try to come for her since they're uncivilised with ladies. They're too rather rough and will inevitably end up harming her."

Rei sighed loudly as they quarrelled, he crossed his arms and stared at you thoughtfully.

"The logical solution is that we should take turns. That's my final say." The room immediately grew silent.

"Now, who offers to take the first watch?"

They all exchanged glances with one another before one decided to step forward.

It was Vincent.

"Always the reliable one Vincent. I'll be in my office if there is any more issues so get back to work everyone. Everyone quickly departed after Rei, who was already discussing the journey ahead to meet your buyer.

Katsu offered you a smile before shutting the door behind him. You felt a wave of despair knowing that you had failed to convince their captain to release you, at what was likely to be the only chance to do so.

You were also uncomfortable as once again, you were  left alone with a Raider in insufferable silence. 

You noticed his hair had an undercut. His eyes were grey and cold, although they could easily be seen as lifeless. 

"You wouldn't have convinced Rei. The sum we will receive you cannot match" He had managed to read you just like that. You weren't sure what he said was meant to make you feel better, but it certainly made you feel more hopeless about your situation.

There was nothing you could do. You were unable to have a say in your life at any point. You knew the life of a princess was restrictive, but you were able to accept it if it meant helping your people. 

But in this position, you would only help fill the pockets of killers, and you would be seen as a disgrace to your Kingdom, as most would have assumed you fled responsibility.

"Does it hurt?" The question interrupted your stream of negative thoughts.

You frowned in confusion before he pointed at the marks on your purple, throbbing wrists caused from before.

Despite your lack of a response, he nodded in understanding and walked to a row of cupboards at the other side of the room. Once he had finished rummaging through them, he made his way back. You eyed him cautiously as he pulled out some ointment and bandages.

He gently lifted your arm and applied a few drops on the marks before wrapping the bandages around each of your wrists. His gentle touch was unexpected.

You hadn't expected this amount of hospitality from a Raider, but you chalked it up to being 'precious with their cargo'.

Perhaps the person who intended to buy you wanted you in good condition. 

You slightly shuddered at the thought.

"I'm almost done," Vincent quietly said and quickly finished up. It was only after you realsed as must as took that gesture to be directed at him. 

"I don't want to be here, please let me go back."

It was a pathetic to even attempt, you knew that, but you felt like you had no other options.

The sincerity in your voice made him sigh. "I can't allow that princess, I'm loyal to my captain and the other Raiders."

He knelt in front of you, pausing for a while before speaking. His eyes trained on you as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Just as long as you behave well in our company, then I can protect you from the others."