"A lady doesn't tell," she tries to hide a mocking smile, but he recognizes it.

"Distracted, aren't we?"

"Never," said Edward. "If you're trying to distract me, belay it. My life is only for my crew and my mission."

He salutes the woman and rises to his feet, contemplating. He asks her, "Are you hungry?"

Angelina feels like praising whoever God there is; finally! she cheers deep down. She hasn't eaten for a long time since the day began.

"Starving, Edward. Starving," she emphasized. But Edward casts her a funny expression.

He says to her, "Apologies, Miss Salazar. I quite forgot that we haven't prepared our lunch yet. Do the honor?"

"Perdona?!" excuse me; she snaps at him, sighing. "Are you serious? You want a former ship captain to...cook? Are you daft?"

"I'm afraid I am," he smiles. She almost wanted to tackle him again.

He surely knows how to tease her, or is he challenging her ability to make good food? "Well? Can't you cook?"

"Oh, I do," she grins. "I bet I serve even better than the cook in this ship!" The former ship captain wasn't spitting lies.

She knew she could prepare a good feast better than anybody else; in fact, it is one of her specialties. And being Captain for quite some years, isn't this a splendid opportunity for her to rest from captain duties?

Though her pride doesn't allow her to, she couldn't help but take the offer. Besides, Edward must've had a complete crew with their own jobs on the ship.

He motions for her to get outside the brig. "So? New cook?"

"Yes. Aren't you grateful?"

"I'm not certain yet. Perhaps we'll see," Edward winks. "Don't let me down."

"Then, suit yourself. Am I also going to meet your crew?"

"Aye, 'f course. Let me lead you?"

Angelina gives off a bewildered look. She raises an eyebrow at him, "Is that a query?" as to which Edward responds with a stern nod.

Using his hand, he shows her the way, "Aye, I was asking if you'd prefer if I lead you to the crew. However you like."

"Oh? Well, I've no idea of your ship. You may lead the way," she answers.

He gives her a quick nod, and they start walking out of the ship's basement, toward where the crew is. All of a sudden, Angelina halts and crosses her arms, gaining Edward's attention. He gives her a questioning look.

She smiles a bit, impressed. "Is there any way we could switch noses?"

He laughs. "No, Miss Salazar. For what reason?" Angelina frowns for a moment.

He had reminded her of Oliver once more; she always adored his nose and bit it even when it stings. Oliver didn't mind, though. All for her, as always.

"Nothing. Just realized yours has a splendid form." Oliver had a better form, she thought, too.

The Captain once again releases a light, reassuring laugh.

"And I realized only when we were talking in the brig..." he looked at her. "That you, Miss Salazar, has freckles across your cheeks."

She cackled so hard while Edward was puzzled as ever. She almost snorts when she gazes at him and responds, "Your observing skill is awful!"

He chuckles along with her, shaking his head as he finally leads her to the main deck.

Sunlight reflects in her eyes as she stepped foot on the vast deck and immediately hawk-eyed with her new surroundings. "Your deck is-"

"Ah! Here they are!" a woman announces from the crow's nest.

Angelina looked up at her; the woman was fair-skinned and had medium-length dark locks. From a distance, Angelina thought she had a splendid physique and looks.

Her voice sounded so strong and assertive as well. Another voice booms from the upper deck. This time, it was hoarse and sounded funny. "Cap'n! We missed ye!"

Edward shoots him a smile and laughs. "I've been gone for less than an hour, Stanley. This old man misses me too much! Aye, I missed you all too."

He casts a glance at Angelina, who is beside him, and leads her closer to the crew members who are now slightly gathered. So-called Stanley is now standing in front of them, and the little lass Lula, while the others break away from their assigned posts to go to Edward.

A teenage-looking girl who had a bandana around her head piqued Angelina's attention. She clicks her tongue, "So, this woman's awake. How's life in the brig, Salazar?"

"Calm ye'r arse, Esmelita!" snickered Stanley, who received a death glare from the girl. He cleared his throat and crossed his arms.

"Oof! I meant Esme. Hehe." Esme rolls her eyes and draws her full attention to Angelina, who sparks her a staring match.

From the looks of it, the two could start a duel any second by now. Angelina crosses her arms and smirks.

"You've such beautiful eyes, Esme," smiles Angelina. "They reveal how much of a brat you are."

"See this? That's why she must be put in the brig!" Esme points the finger at her. "She hasn't been here for a day, and she acts like she owns the place!"

"Why? You own this? Do I need to pay a rental fee to you?"

"The audacity of this bitch!" the teenage girl wailed. Lula and Stanley placed their palms on their ears to prevent bearing with Esme's tantrums. They never really got used to it.

"Captain! Aren't you certain she's not a traitor or a spy? Look at her!"

"I think she looks like...a pirate?" said Stanley. The other crew members snicker quietly, but Esme swiftly turns to face him, with a death glare as she always does.

Esme only respects Addison and Edward. The Captain gives her a reassuring look, "Aye, Esme. And you do know the consequences if she turns out to be one."

"Listen to him, lass," Stanley taps her back. "It's not like she'll cause a mutiny...right?"

Everyone turns their heads to Angelina. She returns a reassuring smile, and who couldn't resist that dashing grin of hers?

Indeed, the woman is immensely blessed with splendid beauty and physique. "No, I won't. Calm your arses, will you?"

"So, Captain really brought a lass home!" a woman who had short, apricot hair squealed, her hands placed gently on her chest.

"A damsel in distress that the Captain saved, and you'll happily love ever after, is that it?"

"Excuse me—" Angelina blurts out, but Edward cuts her. "Heaven forbid, Maggie."

Maggie giggles and nods, trying to hide the redness on her face. Angelina, once again, tried to defend herself from being referred to as a damsel in distress, "I am not a—"

"Ladies and gentlemen, why the long wait? I'm eager to meet the lass," the woman from the crow's nest earlier suddenly jumps in between them all.

Angelina examined the woman's features, and when she thought that this woman looked splendid from a distance, she looked stunningly perfect up-close.

She has freckles, too. "Ahoy, the name's Addison. I'm the quartermaster of this ship. Angelina El Salazar?"

Angelina takes Addison's extended hand with a wide smile. Five seconds and she felt like Addison's going to be her companion throughout this journey, one that she knows nothing about.

After all, she has no ship nor crew, only her first mate. All they could do is either return to the village or join Edward's voyage. "Angelina El Salazar. Pleasure...Addie."

Addison couldn't help but plaster a delighted grin. She knew she liked Angelina when she saw her. They look like they share the same vibe, character, and sense of humor.

Gripping Angelina's hand, she pulls her into a tight, warm embrace. "See, love? I've already got a nickname! Pleasure too, Angel."

Addison winks at Edward, "Ye know how to address her now?"

"No. She's still Captain Spanish-Frown for me, Addison."

"'Tis Addie now, Cap'n."

"Seriously, Addison? You've known me years!"

"Aye, but I don't like you. I like Angel."

Addison shakes her head and returns her gaze to a stunned Angelina, who still cannot fathom that there's a ship as massive as hers.

Addison began introducing the crew members. She gestures to the old, fat man on the side, "Here's Stanley. Ye could call 'em Stan. He's our only cook."

Stanley waves energetically at Angelina, which the woman gleefully returns as well. "Then here's me girl, Maggie. The woman behind the wheel!"

Maggie shakes her hand. "Miss! I am only behind the wheel when Cap'n can't do it."

"Don't say that. I appreciate your skill behind the wheel, Maggie," Edward tells her.

"Thank you, Cap'n...that means a lot!"

Angelina smiles a bit when she sees how sweet of a woman Maggie is; she also looked adorable yet at the same time intimidating, for she had an eye patch.

Addison then gestures to the siblings in front of them; Lula, and the thin, bald man would have to be Louis. The sweet girl, Lula, hugs Angelina's waist.

"We meet again, Angelina! This is my brother Louis..."

Louis waves slightly, and she returns the gesture. "Hello again, Lula."

"Aye, Louis is the gunner. Then here you go! Meet Esme. Esme, be good, lass."

Angelina crosses her arms. "Look, Esme. I mean no harm. We can start over. We had a bad one, huh? Name's Angelina El Salazar."

"I know who you are," she blankly responds. "Esme. Can we get over this?"

"Aye, as you wish," Edward cuts them.

He faces Angelina with a hand extended to her, "We already met. But for the sake of formalities, I am Edward Montesino. Captain of The Nightingale."

Angelina takes his hand. "Angelina El Salazar, former Captain of El Cazador. Now I'll cook delicious meals for all of you."

Louis grins at the statement, as well as Stanley. The old fat cook beams at them, "Ah! A new cook! This will be fun! Ye'r a blessing, eh?"

"I am, Stanley," winks Angelina. Addison claps her hand twice, signaling everyone to return to their posts, and the crew members eagerly follow.

The quartermaster pulls Angelina to the side along with Edward. "We let Robert take my cabin for now. He's also deeply wounded."

"And you're telling me I stayed inside the brig?!" Angelina points to herself with a high-pitched tone. Edward hushes her. "Apologies. Esme really threw a fit; she almost threw herself into the water."

"Who tied me up there?"

"...Esme."

"I swear to God I—"

"Take my cabin tonight, love. We can share a room," squealed Addie as she glanced at Edward. He sighs and nods at the idea. He then gazes at Angelina, a smile forming across his face.

"To your post now, Captain Spanish-Frown."