Lily was ready to accompany her, but she was asked to remain in her post. The woman was concerned about letting the Princess walk alone but obeyed. Around that time, Richard decided to take a break and stepped out of the room. He was welcomed and approached by the maid, who informed him about Princess walking alone on the ship. The woman was worried she would get scolded, but nothing happened. Instead, Duke said he would look for the Princess. It did not take Richard long to find Aravis standing on the prow, admiring the stars. He slowly approached her, not wanting to spook her.

"I rather you allow Lily to accompany you when you leave your chamber." He said softly, stopping a few feet behind the girl. He spoke calmly, with a polite voice.

"An-and I'd ra-rather enjoy my fr-freedom without ha-having a tail or a sh-shadow behind my ba-back to ba-babysitting me, my lo-lord... I am n-not ten...anymore, R-Richard"

She turned around to look at him kindly as she leaned her back on the wooden part of the ship rubbing herself to warm up. It was a chilly summer night, but the breeze was refreshing and helped the young princess wake up better. Richard noticed how she " fought " to keep herself warm, which only gave him an idea.

"Can I approach you, Princess?"

"Wh-what if I s-say no...or yes...wo-would it m-matter to you?"

She asked him as she sniffed her running nose. It seems that the young princess was crying, after seeing more than just the world around her... She saw her fingers ... She knew they were cut off but never had the chance to see them gone.

"I-I just wa-want to be le-left alone, p-please..."

She kindly asked him as her voice at the end of the sentence almost cracked since she was fighting back her tears, which only made Richard not believe her. He knew that those words often were not true. However, his hunch was not an excuse to deny her wish.

"Your opinion and words matter, Princess. I am willing to listen to them if you ever need my ears. I will go now. Do not stay too long in the cold."

 He said softly and turned around to head back towards his chamber slowly. He would glance slightly behind him to see what Princess was doing.

Finally, being left alone, Aravis sat down and curled into a small black ball. Even if her face did not show up, her sobbing was loud enough to be heard in the silent night and reach Duke's ears. He slowly turned around and saw from afar that the lady he was bound to protect was hurt. Though she asked to be left alone, he decided to go further and hide behind the pole of the main sails. He just wanted to be sure she was fine. He remained there until he stopped hearing her cry. Richard peeked from behind the pole and saw her sleeping.

"Oh, dear..."

He sighed and quietly walked to her. He took the petite lady into his hands and cuddled her to his chest as they headed to her room. His footsteps stopped when Aravis hugged him tight and even nuzzled on his chest. Slowly his eyes gaze down at the princess.

 "....Mom..."

He held her firmly so the tiny creature would not fall from his hands as she tried to shift her position to be more comfortable. He was a bit surprised by how strongly she held him, and when she called her mom, his memories of his unintentional parents emerged. He did not notice that she looked at him as he walked toward her room. The maid noticed them and opened the doors for him, and when he stepped inside, she rushed to move the covers so the Princess could be placed without any issues. Richard was pleased by Lily's thoughtfulness as he gently placed the princess on the soft bed.

Aravis just held his hand tight after he placed her on the bed. It was an act that made Lily to giggle. It was rather adorable. Richard sighed with relief as he put her on the bed. After covering her, making sure none of her body was poking out, Duke looked at the maid.

"Goodnight."

He whispered kindly, to which the maid smiled and wished him goodnight. Richard left the two ladies alone and did a small summary of his work before going to his bed and resting. Lily changed into her pajama and also fell asleep. She was lying on a small bed in the corner of the room, which she shared with the Princess.
Aravis woke up in the middle of the night from a nightmare she had wished she would never have again. Slowly stood up and walked outside from the bedroom quietly. The young princess turned around to peek quickly at Lily, who seemed to have not heard her leaving the bedroom and still slept, unaware of her escape. Thankfully, her steps from her naked feet did not make many noises; she was careful where she stepped. The young princess used to have someone to calm her down from her nightmares, at least when she was still free back when she was nine years old. Her parents would gladly take her to their bed and sing her to sleep. So she thought Duke might do that too. Suddenly her thoughts stopped, her mind gone blank as her diamond eyes looked at the wooden door of Duke's cabin. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Hmm.."

Her body moved on its own and opened the door. Carefully Aravis closed it, and she looked around the cabin until she saw Duke sleeping. Aravis swallowed hard before she dared to lay next to Duke and sleep. But little did she know that the Duke, due to years of stressful life, was a light sleeper. So when the bed started to bend and the springs stretched, he immediately opened his eyes. The room was lit by the light of the moon that peeked through the small round windows. He noticed the knowledgeable small body resting next to him.

"Princess? What is the meaning of this?" He asked softly, but it was clear he was shocked and upset.